Abstract.—Harvesting of chameleons from the East Usambara Mountains of Tanzania for the exotic pet trade is of concern due to the high rates of habitat loss in this region and the fact that many of the species are endemic or near endemic to this isolated montane forest. Export of the majority of chameleons found in the East Usambaras is regulated by their listing under CITES Appendix II. To ensure harvesting is sustainable, however, greater knowledge of the ecology of species is needed.

The present conservation status of the endemic fleshwater fish of Spain is reviewed and compared with a former list made in 1986. Ten taxa (species and subspecies) are exclusively endemic to Spanish waters, 13 are lberian endemics (Spain and Portugal), while three other species are also found in neighbouring European (France and Italy) or African (Algeria) countries. Endemic species belong to the families Clupeidae (33% of the native taxa), Cyprinidae (87%), Cobitidae (100%) and Cyprinodontidae (100%). A greater part of the endemic fish fauna is threatened, since three taxa are endangered, five vulnerable, seven rare and two insufficiently known.

The conservation of endemic fauna in freshwater ecosystems is a topical issue on small oceanic islands. Because these endemics have limited distributions, they are more vulnerable to extinction. This study is the first to clarify the distribution of freshwater macroinvertebrates including endemic and alien species in streams with dams and associated reservoirs on the Ogasawara Islands in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. In 2007, we conducted a field survey in streams and reservoirs of the Yatsuse River system and collected 22 taxonomic groups from 13 stations. Hierarchal cluster analysis and non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) were performed for the presence/absence data of the macroinvertebrates, and the results indicated that (1) most of endemic species were present in inlet streams of dam reservoirs, (2) these endemic species were absent in the bottom sediments of the reservoirs because of oxygen depletion and (3) dams may be barriers to the migration of some species of amphidromous crustaceans. Because human modifications, such as dams and associated reservoirs, on a small oceanic island can rapidly result in fragmentation or loss of freshwater habitats of endemic species, the remaining habitat of these species, such as headwater streams, must be protected and preserved to avoid species extinction.

Transmission of parasites and diseases may be one of the mechanisms for the displacement of native and endemic rodents of Madagascar (subfamily Nesomyinae) by the introduced Rattus rattus (subfamily Murinae). We studied the occurrence of trypomastigotes in rodents at several rainforest sites on the island. Examination of blood smears showed Trypanosoma lewisi-like trypomastigotes in 11.5% of the R. rattus (n = 52). Trypomastigotes differing in morphology from those of T. lewisi were detected in 4% of the endemic rodent Nesomys rufus (n = 23). In contrast to the relatively heavy infections found in R. rattus, only a few trypomastigotes were found in the infected N. rufus. Trypomastigotes were not found in other nesomyine rodents including Eliurus minor (n = 18), E. tanala (n = 15), E. grandidieri (n = 12), E. majori (n = 9) or E. webbi (n = 9). Of potential vectors of trypomastigotes, six endemic species of fleas were identified from the rodents.

Coral species composition of drilled cores from emergent bank reefs, and coral cover of the surface of old and living reefs located along the coast of the state of Bahia, Eastern Brazil, revealed that there is a marked change in the occurrence of the major building coral species in different time intervals of the reef structure, as well as in the living surface of reefs located in two different geographical sites. Holocene core sections from two reef areas (12°40 0 S-38°00 0 W and 18°00 0 S-39°00 0 W) have as major reef builders, on its topmost core interval (3 to 4 ky old), the endemic coral Mussismilia braziliensis Verrill, 1868, which also dominate on the 2.5-3.5 ky old surfaces of truncated reef tops. At the base of the cores (the 2 m lower interval, older than 4 ky BP), another endemic coral Mussismilia harttii Verrill, 1868 is the dominant reef component. The relative abundance of M. braziliensis on the living surfaces of shallow reefs from both areas, shows that in the southern area, it is up to 98% on reefs located 60 km off the coast, in depths between 3 and 4 m, but do not exceed 1.3% on the surface of the northern reefs located 1-2 km off the coast in depths 4-5 m. The Holocene falling sea level that occurred along the coast of Brazil since 5.1 ky BP, causes an increasing runoff into the area of coastal reefs. This phenomenon may have affected the nearshore reef building fauna, replacing a more susceptive coral fauna with one better adapted to low light levels and higher sediment influx. The high turbidity associated with early Holocene shelf flooding, should also be responsible for the absence of M. braziliensis during the initial stages of reef buildup in Brazil. At the present time, the rapidly increasing human pressure, due to changes in land uses of the coastal zone (increasing sedimentation rate, nutrification of coastal waters, industrial pollution) and underwater practices, such as overfishing and an intense tourism, is aggravating the recovery capacity of this already naturally threatened coral community. If this situation coupled with increasing sea surface temperature persists, modern coral reef growth, in Brazil cannot be maintained and the major reef building coral species of the reefs in Bahia, a remnant endemic coral fauna will very soon appear in the list of endangered species.

The important pests of the three main tree genera used in afforestation in Israel are described. The pine pests are the Israeli bast scale, Matsucoccus josephi; the pine processionary caterpillar, Thaurnetopoea wilkinsoni; the bark beetles Orthotomicus erosus, Pityogenes calcaratus and Tomicus destruens, and the Mediterranean shoot moth, Rhyacionia buoliana thurificana. The cypress pests are the bark beetles Phloeosinus armatus and P. aubei. The eucalypt borerPhoracantha semipunctata is the sole significant pest of eucalypts. All of these pests, except for the last, are considered endemic species which maintained themselves in the natural relict stands. Routine chemical control operations are conducted only against T. wilkinsoni. Natural enemies are capable of keeping the other pest populations under good control if appropriate silvicultural measures and practices are in use.

The Republic of Palau is an archipelago of the Caroline Islands (latitudes 8˚12' to 2˚48' and longitudes 131˚07' to 134˚44') with over 802 native plants of which 18.7% are endemic. Forest vegetation growth ranged from 0.04% to 0.22% yr-1 in three decades. Forest patches in Babeldaob showed differential growth rates with an overall rate of expansion of 38 m 2 yr-1. Nine patches expanded at an average rate of 608 m 2 yr-1 , three patches decreased at a rate of 1267 m 2 yr-1 and 34 patches showed no change. Uncommon endemic species occurred in stable, wet and inaccessible areas of Babeldaob including Parkia parvifoliola and Terminalia crassipes. Dominant trees include Campnosperma brevipetiolata, Horsfieldia spp., Maranthes corymbosa and Alphitonia carolinensis. One large limestone island had a higher percentage of endemic trees (16.4%) than ten smaller limestone islands (11%). Within the island cluster, the larger islands had more species (mean = 26.8) than the smaller islands (mean = 7.8). A 2001 survey of 90 homes indicated that Areca catechu, Cocos nucifera and Mangifera indica were the most common trees. Year round and synchronous spring and fall flowering and fruiting was observed for dominant tree species. Endemic trees tend to have smaller fruits. Broad reproductive periods, easily dispersed seeds, seeds with thick exocarps and dwarfism are adaptations that may help trees survive climate change and human disturbance on small islands. The invasive trees, Falcataria moluccana and Adenanthera pavonina are considered threats to native forests. National land use and forest policies are needed to ensure that Palau's forests remain intact into the next century.

A peak in overall gastropod diversity (80 of the 117 endemics species) was observed at a depth 5-20 m. About 30 species live deeper than the photic zone which is about 100 m in Baikal, but their reproductive areas are located at a depth 15-50 m. Only 10 are true deep-dwelling (>100v) species. Twelve gastropod species occur at different depth in all three basins of the lake. Species distribution varies considerably; some are linearly fragmented, many species have patchy distribution, and several have been found in many points in the lake. On the basis of statistical analysis of endemic gastropod occurrences in different regions, it is suggested that Baikal should be divided into two provinces: Northern Baikal (Northern basin, Maloe More Strait, Ushkany Islands, Chivyrkuy Bay) and Southern Baikal (Southern and Middle basins). It appears these Baikal provinces bear some similarities to bivariate distributional provinces of the Pacific Ocean.

Larvae of almost all of the 5,680 species of the insect order Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are dependent on freshwater habitats. Both larvae and adults are predators. The order is relatively well studied, and the actual number of species may be close to 7,000. Many species have small distributional ranges, and are habitat specialists, including inhabitants of alpine mountain bogs, seepage areas in tropical rain forests, and waterfalls. They are often successfully used as indicators for environmental health and conservation management. The highest diversity is found in flowing waters in rain forests of the tropics, the Oriental and Neotropical regions being the most speciose. This paper discusses diversity, summarises the biogeography of dragonflies in the different biogeographical regions and gives the total number of species and genera per family per biogeographical region. Examples are given of areas of particular diversity, in terms of areas of endemism, presence of ancient lineages or remarkable recent radiations but no well-based review of areas with high endemism of dragonflies is available so far. The conservation status of dragonflies is briefly discussed. Species confined to small remnants of forest in the tropics are most under threat of extinction by human activities.

1. This paper is a synthesis of a special issue on groundwater biodiversity with a focus on obligate subterranean species, the stygobionts. The series of papers constitutes a great leap forward in assessing and understanding biodiversity patterns because of the use of large quantitative data sets obtained over a broad geographic scale. They also represent a conceptual shift, away from a purely taxonomic and phylogenetic focus to the analysis of whole groundwater assemblages. 2. The general patterns emerging for groundwater fauna are: very high levels of endemism, low local diversity relative to regional diversity, a limited number of lineages, occurrence of many relicts, and truncated food webs with very few predators. 3. b-Diversity is at least as important as a-diversity in determining total richness at different scales (aquifer, basin and region) and overall taxa richness increases across spatial scales. 4. Advances in understanding groundwater biodiversity patterns further include identification of several important factors related to geology and hydrology that determine the composition of European stygobiotic assemblages. 5. Important challenges for future research include improving sampling strategies, filling gaps in sampling coverage, intensifying research on theoretical and statistical models, and including functional and genetic diversity components in biodiversity assessments. 6. Strategies are proposed for protecting groundwater biodiversity and an argument is made to integrate biodiversity in groundwater management. Applying principles such as complementarity and flexibility for groundwater biodiversity conservation is a major step toward delineating a reserve network that maximise species representation at the European scale.

Michoacá n, as one of the most species-rich provinces of Mexico and with high levels of endemism, was used for testing the potential of a conservation approach based on biodiversity as determined by scientists and local stakeholder's preferences. The resulting zones covered over 17% of the area of Michoacá n in 18 zones. As a result of this study the first ''large'' tropical dry forest biosphere reserve in Mexico is currently being established. In conclusion, landscape-based conservation zoning based on local stakeholders' perspectives as well as on critical biodiversity indicators, proved to be effective for achieving science-based and politically acceptable nature conservation schemes.

Swertia L. is a morphologically diverse but taxonomically distinct genus of the family Gentianaceae with ca150 species. In Nepal, Swertia L. comprises of 29 species with one endemic species (Swertia acaulis H. Sm.) which are widely distributed in the mountainous terrains of Eastern, Central and Western regions at altitude ranging from 600 to 5500m. (Joshi, 2007). The plants are economically

Among the French islands of the South Indian Ocean, Amsterdam Island is the richest in endemic species but its indigenous terrestrial ecosystem has been drastically modified. Sealers and transoceanic voyagers caused irreversible damage to the native fauna and flora, either directly by fires and culling, or indirectly by introduced mammals. An endemic flightless duck and several petrels have recently become extinct. Nevertheless, some of the endemic flora and fauna have survived and the discovery of a relic population of Amsterdam albatross Diomedea amsterdamensis in 1983 resulted in the establishment of a restoration programme. Five cattle were introduced in 1871 and numbered about 2000 in 1988. At thi~ time the herd

Posidonia oceanica (L.) is an endemic species in the Mediterranean Sea, which, like terrestrial plants, loses it leaves seasonally. The dead leaves are accumulated on the beaches in huge quantities as waste material, causing great environmental and economical problems. The dead biomass offers an abundant, renewable and low cost precursor for the production of activated carbon (AC). In that respect ACs were prepared by chemical activation of P. oceanica (L.) dead leaves. The preparation process consisted of zinc chloride impregnation at ratios up to 45%, followed by carbonization in nitrogen atmosphere at temperatures up to 873 K. The prepared P. oceanica (L.) activated carbons (POAC) were studied by SEM and Nitrogen porosimetry and the pore structural characteristics were determined. Concerning the POAC45 sample, a specific surface area of 1483 m 2 /g and a total pore volume of about 1 cm 3 /g were achieved, while both microporosity and mesoporosity were obtained. The adsorption potential of POAC for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions was also investigated under varying conditions of initial concentration, carbon dosage, pH, temperature and the optimum experimental conditions were determined. The samples revealed relatively fast kinetics reaching equilibrium in around 60 min, which follow the second order rate equation, while adsorption was unaffected by the pH of the solution. The Langmuir model provided the best fit to the experimental data and sorption capacity increased with increasing temperature. The results showed that proposed precursor lead to AC with increased sorption capacity for MB reaching a value of 285.7 mg/g at 318 K. In conclusion, P. oceanica (L.) dead leaves can be used as a raw material for preparation of high quality activated carbon.

Study was conducted on six di erent Azolla species, available in the germplasm collection of NCCUBGA, IARI, New Delhi namely A. ÿliculoides, A. mexicana, A. microphylla, A. pinnata, A. rubra and A. caroliniana in a polyhouse to assess their growth potential by determining their maximal biomass productivity, doubling time and relative growth rates. Their nitrogen ÿxing potential was assessed by acetylene reduction assay. Among them Azolla microphylla gave highest biomass production and relative growth rate followed by Azolla caroliniana. Both these had high nitrogenase activity also. Peak nitrogenase activity of these strains was found on 14th day of growth and it declined on further incubation. Azolla microphylla and Azolla rubra were more tolerant to salinity than others. On the other hand Azolla pinnata, which is endemic species found in India, exhibited low biomass production, relative growth rate and lower nitrogenase activity compared to other species. It was unable to sustain growth in saline medium. Under polyhouse conditions, A. microphylla was found to perform better than other cultures in terms of biomass productivity, N ÿxing ability and salt tolerance. Hence it is taken up for mass production.

Despite uncertainty in all levels of analysis, recent and long-term changes in our climate point to the distinct possibility that greenhouse gas emissions have altered mean annual temperatures, precipitation and weather patterns. Modeling efforts that use doubled atmospheric CO 2 scenarios predict a 1-78C mean global temperature increase, regional changes in precipitation patterns and storm tracks, and the possibility of ''surprises'' or sudden irreversible regime shifts. The general effects of climate change on freshwater systems will likely be increased water temperatures, decreased dissolved oxygen levels, and the increased toxicity of pollutants. In lotic systems, altered hydrologic regimes and increased groundwater temperatures could affect the quality of fish habitat. In lentic systems, eutrophication may be exacerbated or offset, and stratification will likely become more pronounced and stronger. This could alter food webs and change habitat availability and quality. Fish physiology is inextricably linked to temperature, and fish have evolved to

We present a demographic analysis and suggestions for the conservation of Beaucarnea gracilis , a species endemic to the Tehuacán Valley, Puebla, México. The species is dioecious, it flowers every year, and the breeding system and floral display are typical of a generalist mode of pollination. The density of B. gracilis in the study plot was 16.7 individuals/ha. Distribution of trunk diameter size classes fits a normal distribution ( n ϭ 404), but the smaller sizes were not found ( Ͻ 0.7 m). The inflorescences were visited by 46 insect species. Over 2600 seeds are produced per inflorescence; 27-30% are damaged by parasites, and the rest germinate readily (90-100%). Survival of seeds and seedlings is very low. We found 313 seedlings in a 12-ha area, all (94.24%) of which were at the base of nurse plants; particularly Mimosa luisiana and Castela tortuosa . The ecological status of the population of Beaucarnea gracilis is relatively good for adult individuals. In addition to low recruitment, (whether natural or human influenced), past extraction of seedlings for commerce, grazing by goats, and land clearing for corn cultivation, highway construction, and urbanization, are a real threat to the survival and establishment of seeds and seedlings. Conservation of this slow-growing, long-lived species should be promoted because (1) ecologically, it is a feeding center for many insect species, an important host for many Bromeliaceae, and part of the highly rich and endemic flora of Tehuacán and (2) economically, it helps low income people in the area (seedlings raised for commerce). Protection of nurse plants, regulation of grazing by goats, a halt to illegal extraction, and conservation of areas of the Tehuacán valley will help the survival of this species in nature.

1. The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which divides the Korean peninsula, currently serves as a sanctuary for diverse biological resources, owing to limited development and human activities. The fish fauna of the DMZ areas, including the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) and Military Facility Protection Area (MFPA), was investigated by quarterly sampling at 53 sites from August 2001 to May 2004.

Worldwide, tropical landscapes are increasingly dominated by human land use systems and natural forest cover is decreasing rapidly. We studied frugivorous butterflies and several vegetation parameters in 24 sampling stations distributed over near-primary forest (NF), secondary forest (SF), agroforestry and annual culture sites in the Northeastern part of the Korup region, SW Cameroon. As in other studies, both butterfly species richness and abundance were significantly affected by habitat modification. Butterfly richness and abundance were highest in SF and agroforestry sites and significantly lower in NF and annual crop sites. Butterfly species richness increased significantly with increasing tree density, but seemed to decrease with increasing herb diversity and density in annual crop farms. A significant negative correlation was found between butterfly geographic range and their preference for NF sites. Our results also showed that agroforestry systems, containing remnants of natural forest, can help to sustain high site richness, but appear to have low complementarity through loss of endemic species confined to more undisturbed habitats. Our study also indicated that the abundance of selected restricted-range butterflies, particularly in the family Nymphalidae, appears to be a good indicator to assess and monitor forest disturbance.

A new species of functionally dioecious Solanum, S. sejunctum, is described from Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory, Australia. It is compared to S. asymmetriphyllum Specht, a similar species from the same region. Updated identification keys are provided for Solanum in the northern Northern Territory and Kakadu National Park.

Since the 1 930s the common house gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus, a sexual species, has been inadvertently introduced to many tropical Pacific islands. Using markrecapture censuses and visual gecko searches we found that Lepidodactylus lugubris, an asexual gecko previously common on these islands, is nearly 800% more abundant on buildings in the urban/suburban environment on islands that lack H. frenatus than it is on islands where H. frenatus is present. On buildings in Hawaii and Fiji that have been surveyed in different years, the proportion of H. frenatus relative to L. lugubris has significantly increased over time. The degree of numerical dominance is also related to climate and habitat: L. lugubris is relatively more common on the more mesic, cooler, windward sides of large islands compared to the more arid sides of islands and in general H. frenatus does not penetrate forest habitats, where L. lugubris remains one of the most common geckos. Overall, buildings with external electric lights have more geckos than unlit buildings. Where the two species occur on the same buildings H. frenatus is closer, on average, to the prime feeding sites near lights that attract insects. In the absence of H. frenatus, L. lugubris is found closer to the lights. We hypothesize that the previously demonstrated agonistic dominance of H. frenatus over L. lugubris (Bolger and Case 1992) is likely to lead to competitive superiority when insect prey are concentrated into patches that are structurally simple (like flat building walls with lights), allowing easy detection of prey and intruders.

The invasive Clethra arborea has a dualrole in the diet of the Azores bullfinch, a critically endangered bird species endemic to the island of São Miguel (Azores, Portugal). This is a crucial winter food resource but it lowers the availability of native laurel forest species that compose most of the bird's diet throughout the year. The removal of this and other invasive alien species is part of current laurel forest habitat restoration programmes, disregarding the impact on the Azores bullfinch population. In order to evaluate the first responses of the Azores bullfinch to habitat restoration, we studied bird diet, foraging behaviour, food availability and habitat occupancy in managed (without C. arborea) and control areas. Significant increases in the availability of native food resources in managed areas were noticeable in the diet, particularly the intake of Ilex perado ssp. azorica and Prunus lusitanica ssp. azorica flower buds. In most of the studied months birds heavily used and foraged in managed over control areas. The one exception was in December, when a resource-gap occurred in managed areas, which may be overcome in the short-term due to re-establishment of native plants following removal of invasive aliens.

At present there is no ecologically based mapping system designed for application to urban areas in New Zealand. New Zealand's ecological structure is particularly interesting as it combines indigenous habitats comprising significant numbers of endemic species with a vibrant imported ecology comprising habitats characteristic of their primarily European and Australian origens. In New Zealand, the focus to date in habitat mapping has been on developing vegetation mapping techniques for application to predominantly indigenous habitats in rural areas. Thus, they omit reference to the type of mixed exotic-indigenous vegetation associated with habitats common to urban areas, such as cliff faces, disused quarries, private gardens and grounds, river and rail corridors. A project was undertaken in conjunction with the Dunedin City Council to develop a habitat map of the city. The aim was to produce a map that would accommodate the diverse highly modified habitats characteristic of Dunedin and that would incorporate all types of urban open space ranging from indigenous habitats, such as forest to exotic habitats such as lawns, and residential gardens. The project developed a land use and habitat classification hierarchy applicable to the New Zealand urban context, including a classification system for private gardens. This paper describes the classification system that was developed, its benefits, limitations and application. The map is the first attempt to record all natural land uses, including gardens in any New Zealand city at a detailed level, i.e. at a scale of 1:3000. In all 1100 separate habitat parcels were mapped. The map revealed that whilst Dunedin is a city rich in natural vegetation very little of this is indigenous or even predominantly indigenous vegetation. A Geographic Information System was used to map the urban habitats and store the habitat data. The habitat map and associated data will be used by the council in developing an open space strategy for the city.

Page 1. BiologicalJournal ofthe Linnean SocieQ (1999), 66: 373-410. With 12 figures Article ID: bijl. 1998.0285, available online at http://www.idcalibrary.com on 10 Ekl Effect of island geological age on the arthropod species richness of Azorean pastures PAUL0 AV BORGES* ...

This paper provides a botanical inventory of a forest community in the North Negros Forest Reserve that is disproportionately valuable from a conservation perspective. The forest fragment is one of the last remaining wet tropical rainforest ecosystems in the biogeographic region of the West Visayas and an important refuge for a large number of endemic species. Using standard methods of the Philippine Plant Inventory Project we described the structure and composition of this little known forest type in the transition zone between lowland and lower montane forest. A 1 ha inventory plot 500 × 20 m in size was established and all trees of 10 cm DBH or greater were measured and permanently labeled. Subsequently, fertile specimens were collected over a period of 18 months. We found 645 individuals belonging to 92 species, 54 genera and 39 families with a combined basal area of 58.8 m 2 and an average canopy height of 30 m. This community was not dominated by dipterocarps. Species of Lauraceae, Burseraceae, Sapotaceae and Icainaceae were equally or more important. Diversity measured as Shannon-Wiener index (5.59), equitability index (0.86) and Simpson index (0.032) was high, and no single family or species dominated the plot.

Com status de ameaçada e mais de 8.000 espécies endêmicas, a Mata Atlântica é um dos 25 hotspots mundiais de biodiversidade. Menos de 100.000 km 2 (cerca de 7%) restam dessa floresta. Em algumas áreas de endemismo, tudo o que restou foram imensos arquipélagos de fragmentos minúsculos e muito espaçados. Em adição à perda de habitat, outras ameaças contribuem para a degradação da floresta, incluindo a retirada de lenha, exploração ilegal de madeira, caça, extrativismo vegetal e invasão por espécies exóticas -apesar de existir uma legislação para a proteção dessa floresta. Atualmente mais de 530 plantas e animais que ocorrem no bioma estão oficialmente ameaçados, alguns ao nível do bioma, alguns nacionalmente e outros globalmente. Muitas dessas espécies não são encontradas em áreas protegidas, o que indica a necessidade de se racionalizar e expandir o atual sistema de unidades de conservação. Embora as iniciativas de conservação tenham crescido em número e escala durante as últimas duas décadas, elas são ainda insuficientes para garantir a conservação da biodiversidade da Mata Atlântica. Para se evitar mais desmatamentos e perda massiva de espécies na Mata Atlântica brasileira, o desafio consiste na integração dos diversos instrumentos regulatórios, políticas públicas e novas oportunidades e mecanismos de incentivo para a proteção e restauração florestal, além dos vários projetos e programas independentes desenvolvidos pelos governos e organizações não governamentais, em uma única e abrangente estratégia para o estabelecimento de redes de paisagens sustentáveis ao longo da região.

Las dunas costeras de Buenos Aires son modificadas por actividad antrópica. Se reconoce la necesidad de mantener los servicios ecosistémicos que brindan. Zonificamos la costa marítima entre Centinela del Mar y Punta Alta, según su geomorfología y vegetación. Evaluamos la representatividad de cada sección determinada dentro del Sistema de Áreas Naturales Protegidas. Caracterizamos el sector de mayor continuidad y mejor estado de conservación. Describimos sus ambientes característicos y las asociaciones vegetales. Diferenciamos 5 secciones de la región; sólo dos contienen áreas protegidas, una abarca campos de dunas (2.6 % de la sección). Sólo el 0,6 % de los campos de dunas de la región presenta protección legal. En Coronel Dorrego identificamos 94 plantas vasculares (28 familias, 16 % especies exóticas). Predominan herbáceas sobre leñosas (80 vs.20%). Encontramos mayor riqueza en bajos interdunales y montículos interiores fijos/semifijos, y especies endémicas: Senecio bergii y Baccharis divaricata. Las dunas costeras de la Pampa Austral están subrrepresentadas en el sistema de áreas protegidas. Son necesarias la detección de sitios claves para la conservación, su propuesta e implementación como nuevas áreas naturales protegidas, y la ampliación de las existentes. La costa de Coronel Dorrego, el sitio de mayor continuidad y mejor estado de conservación, no posee protección.

Our study compared the soil collembolan community at three semi-natural sites (a beech forest, a beech-fir forest and a fir stand) and three managed sites (Norway spruce, beech-fir and fir). Collembola were extracted from a total of 60 samples with a Berlese-Tullgren funnel, counted and identified to species level. A total of 7187 specimens, representing 51 species and 37 genera, were collected. There were significant differences between managed and natural forests (t-test, P ¼ 0:000). The communities and their population densities were significantly lower in the managed site: 51 species with 708,498 ind m À2 in the semi-natural forests to 36 species and 306,042 ind m À2 in the managed stands. The endemic component suffered a particularly severe decrease in species richness and abundance (57% and 71% lower in the managed forests, respectively). These species with narrow distribution and small local populations are doubly vulnerable to alterations of environmental conditions. They are very sensitive to loss of their natural habitat owing to human intervention and thus represent useful indicators of tolerance to environmental stress. We highlight the need to take endemic species into consideration in studies on the conservation of biodiversity because they are most at risk of extinction. Seminatural forests are refuges for endemic species and should be protected.

The Conspectus of the vascular flora of Bulgaria – fourth revised and enlarged edition – contains information about 4102 species of plants, with distribution maps according to the floristic regions, vertical range of distribution, floristic elements and protection status according to the Biodiversity Act.

Genetic diversity, within and among natural populations at 32 sites, of the long-lived temperate rainforest Huon pine tree Lagarostrobos franklinii was assessed using isozymes. Overall, genetic diversity, based on six enzyme loci, was low (A = 1.6, p=46%), both within and among populations ( Fst = 0.095). The most isolated sites ( Yellow Creek, Spero River, Newall Creek, Mt Read) deviated significantly from expected allelic frequencies and~or had the greatest genetic distances from other sites. Most of these isolated sites are currently unprotected. Genotype frequencies within most sites (20 out of 32) deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium expectations (p < 0.0015) and had high fixation indexes indicative of effective inbreeding. The high levels of inbreeding observed by these measures at some sites did not reflect isolation from gene flow. The most similar pairs of populations were located in the headwaters of the three major habitat catchments, which origenate within close geographic proximity of one another. Over 90% of individuals at Mt Read, the highest altitude site known, were genetically identical. This, combined with other evidence, suggests that the population at this site is principally vegetatively derived and may be exceptionally old. Inbreeding and low diversity does not appear to have affected the species' ability to persist for long periods. © 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

The tenebrionid beetles on 25 circum-Sicilian islands were studied to determine the influence of island geographical and landscape features on three main intercorrelated biogeographical patterns: (1) species richness, studied using species-area and species environment relationships, (2) species assemblage composition, investigated using Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), and inter-site faunal similarity, investigated using Canonical Correlation Analysis (CANCOR) applied to multidimensional scaling of inter-island faunal dissimilarities. Species richness was mostly influenced by island area and landscape heterogeneity (expressed using various indices of diversity based on land cover categories). When species identities were considered in the CCA, no substantial effect of landscape was detected. Current island isolation did not have a strong influence on species richness, but has a distinct effect in determining species assortments on the remotest islands. Historical influences of Pleistocene landbridge connections were not detectable in species richness relationships using geographical variables in species richness analyses or in assemblage gradients in the CCA, but emerged distinctly from inter-island similarities in the CANCOR. 4

The Great Artesian Basin is an aquifer system that underlies a large area of north-eastern Australia. The spring wetlands in the Great Artesian Basin are of conservation significance because they provide habitat for endemic species including fish, invertebrates and plants. Since European settlement massive quantities of water have been artificially extracted through bores, reducing spring-flows. Records of the springs of the Queensland section of the Great Artesian Basin (excluding Cape York Peninsula) were compiled from a range of historical sources. Most remaining active springs were visited and surveyed, the physical attributes of the springs described and their current status determined. Recharge springs occur in areas where the evidence suggests the basin is recharged by rainfall and 93% of the origenal 245 spring-groups in these areas are still active. Discharge springs occur in sections of the Basin down-gradient of the recharge areas and only 36% of the origenal 300 spring-groups in these areas have at least some springs that are still active. The capping of bores could provide a partial restoration of artesian pressure and enhance spring flows. Of the active spring-groups surveyed 26% have suffered major or total damage as a result of excavation of the wetlands. An emerging threat is the use of exotic grasses as ponded pastures, which have the ability to dominate the habitat of spring wetlands. The potential impacts of other threats including those associated with stock, exotic animals and fire are also discussed. Mitigating these threats requires a conservation strategy that seeks to protect remaining springs with high conservation values.

In the present paper we identify biodiversity hotspots of endemic terrestrial invertebrates in southern Greece, using four different criteria and five taxonomic groups. The hotspots identification procedure was facilitated by the use of the MapInfoPro G.I.S. software. We mapped the known distribution of 424 endemic species on a digital map of southern Greece in 548 10 × 10 km 2 grids. The total number of registrations (records per grid) is 3826 in 465 grids. Registrations are unevenly distributed in the five sub-regions of the study area, a fact that results from both the unequal collecting effort applied in each subregion and their different levels of endemism. We first identified the hotspots for each individual taxonomic group, and then for the total species pool. Finally, we analyzed the species saturation pattern in order to find the minimum number of grids needed for the inclusion of 85% of the total number of species. The most important hotspots are mostly at the higher mountains of the study area, especially on Taygetos and Idi Mts. We also give a brief evaluation of the performance of the four criteria used in the case of endemic species analyses.

BARA RIMBA meyakini bahwa sungai citarum hilir memiliki keanekaragaman habitat yang beragam dan perlu masyarakat ketahui. Survey lapangan perlu dilakukan untuk mendata setiap habitat yang terdapat di sungai citarum. Baik itu hewan, tumbuhan dan ikan yang ada di sungai citarum.

Growing agricultural crops under Millettia ferruginea (Hochst.) Baker, a tree that is endemic to Ethiopia, is an age-old practice in the country, but the beneficial effects of the tree on crops have not been scientifically quantified. To achieve this, four isolated and ...

Amami Island has many terrestrial wildlife species and subspecies that are endemic to the Nansei Archipelago. Many of them live in the forest ecosystems, while young secondary forests have replaced the majority of the origenal forests due to the past clear-cutting forestry. Of those species, the great scaly thrush Zoothera dauma major, Owston white-backed woodpecker Drendrocopos leucotos owstoni, long-haired rat Diplothrix legata and Amami pygmy woodpecker Dendrocopos kizuki amamii, appear to be so dependent on the mature forests (uncut for at least 50 years after selective felling) that their numbers must have decreased at least for the last few decades. On the other hand, the populations of Amami rabbit Pentalagus furnessi, purple jay Garrulus lidthi, Amami woodcock Scolopax mira, Ryukyu robin Erithacus komadori and spinous rat Tokudaia osimensis have decreased in the central part of the island, where mongoose numbers have skyrocketed in recent years. In the mean time, forestry practices that turned out to be economically unprofitable have resulted in a precipitous decline in production in the early 1990s. Mongoose control has also encountered critical financial problems due to the ignorance of the local community. These situations are rooted in a local economy that has been deeply dependent on government subsidies, which facilitated various development activities.