ESA 2010 handbook - Ecological Society of Australia
... Examining patterns of ecological variation over the Quaternary provides a means of determining whether or not variation expressed by an ecosystem, community or species is within the ‘normal’ range for the system. The vertebrate fossil deposits of the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area in south-eas ...
... Examining patterns of ecological variation over the Quaternary provides a means of determining whether or not variation expressed by an ecosystem, community or species is within the ‘normal’ range for the system. The vertebrate fossil deposits of the Naracoorte Caves World Heritage Area in south-eas ...
2002 Biodiversity Audit - Department of Parks and Wildlife
... The data and interpretations presented are based on first-hand experience. They were compiled from 53 subregional ‘synopsis reports’ prepared by the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s regional nature conservation staff. These synopses were compiled between July 2001 and January 2002, a ...
... The data and interpretations presented are based on first-hand experience. They were compiled from 53 subregional ‘synopsis reports’ prepared by the Department of Conservation and Land Management’s regional nature conservation staff. These synopses were compiled between July 2001 and January 2002, a ...
Illinois Biodiversity Basics
... things from the tiniest bacterium to the large whitetailed deer and white oak tree. As of 2002, about 1.7 million species had been identified worldwide. It has been estimated that the number of species on earth is somewhere between 10 million and 300 million. Biodiversity also includes ecosystem div ...
... things from the tiniest bacterium to the large whitetailed deer and white oak tree. As of 2002, about 1.7 million species had been identified worldwide. It has been estimated that the number of species on earth is somewhere between 10 million and 300 million. Biodiversity also includes ecosystem div ...
Fire regimes and fire effects in Chilean Araucaria Forests.
... Communities were characterized by the presence of pollen hub-donors acting as “magnet species”. In general, facilitative and neutral pollinator-mediated interactions among plants prevailed over competition. Thus, the benefits from pollinator sharing (i.e. increased visitation and conspecific pollen ...
... Communities were characterized by the presence of pollen hub-donors acting as “magnet species”. In general, facilitative and neutral pollinator-mediated interactions among plants prevailed over competition. Thus, the benefits from pollinator sharing (i.e. increased visitation and conspecific pollen ...
THE SHIFTING IMPORTANCE OF COMPETITION AND FACILITATION ALONG
... growth and survival. I show that competition appears to increase as seedlings grow in size, but this size-structured change may be due more to decreasing facilitation rather than increasing competition (Chapter 2). Finally, plants may compete strongly for resources much of the time, but this can be ...
... growth and survival. I show that competition appears to increase as seedlings grow in size, but this size-structured change may be due more to decreasing facilitation rather than increasing competition (Chapter 2). Finally, plants may compete strongly for resources much of the time, but this can be ...
conservation action plan for the russian far east ecoregion complex
... regional Red Books of rare and endangered species Overall and comparative diversity of organisms in the RFE Minimum area requirements for focal species and related assumptions Comparison of two Ecoregion classification systems Evaluation of characteristics of biodiversity in the RFE Ecoregion Ecoreg ...
... regional Red Books of rare and endangered species Overall and comparative diversity of organisms in the RFE Minimum area requirements for focal species and related assumptions Comparison of two Ecoregion classification systems Evaluation of characteristics of biodiversity in the RFE Ecoregion Ecoreg ...
Restoration ecology and conservation biology
... let the animals and `minor' plant species fend for themselves (Dobson et al., 1997a,b). Nonetheless, restoration ecology could include more zoological science. The restoration of species of all taxa is an important restoration activity (Bowles and Whelan, 1994; Allen, 1998), and many restoration and ...
... let the animals and `minor' plant species fend for themselves (Dobson et al., 1997a,b). Nonetheless, restoration ecology could include more zoological science. The restoration of species of all taxa is an important restoration activity (Bowles and Whelan, 1994; Allen, 1998), and many restoration and ...
Non-Additive Effects of Genotypic Diversity Increase Floral
... Because of the general importance of pollinators to associated biodiversity and ecosystem function, understanding the mechanisms of global decline in pollinators and the services they provide represents a major frontier in ecology [3]. Although current hypotheses explaining declines in pollinators i ...
... Because of the general importance of pollinators to associated biodiversity and ecosystem function, understanding the mechanisms of global decline in pollinators and the services they provide represents a major frontier in ecology [3]. Although current hypotheses explaining declines in pollinators i ...
PDF
... It should be stressed that, in so doing, ecosystem overfishing also threatens the social and economic viability of fishing communities, their livelihoods, and food security, both locally and globally. Directed fishing on specific stocks may increase the biological or economic outputs of the ecosyste ...
... It should be stressed that, in so doing, ecosystem overfishing also threatens the social and economic viability of fishing communities, their livelihoods, and food security, both locally and globally. Directed fishing on specific stocks may increase the biological or economic outputs of the ecosyste ...
Terrestrial Biodiversity
... affect the basic physical and chemical environment underpinning all life. Species will be affected individually by these changes, with flow-on effects for the structure and composition of presentday ecological communities, and potentially for changes in how ecosystems function and the services they ...
... affect the basic physical and chemical environment underpinning all life. Species will be affected individually by these changes, with flow-on effects for the structure and composition of presentday ecological communities, and potentially for changes in how ecosystems function and the services they ...
ZOOPLANKTON STRUCTURE AND DYNAMICS IN MEDITERRANEAN MARSHES (EMPORDÀ WETLANDS): A SIZE-BASED APPROACH
... 4. Typology of biomass size spectrum at ecological scaling .................................. 31 4.1. Introduction...................................................................................................... 4.2. Results....................................................................... ...
... 4. Typology of biomass size spectrum at ecological scaling .................................. 31 4.1. Introduction...................................................................................................... 4.2. Results....................................................................... ...
The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is a keystone species for
... PIKAS AS A KEYSTONE SPECIES A keystone species is one whose loss from an ecosystem would cause a greater than average change in other species’ populations or ecosystem processes – one that has a disproportionately large effect on other species in a community (Heywood, 1995). The plateau pika is a ke ...
... PIKAS AS A KEYSTONE SPECIES A keystone species is one whose loss from an ecosystem would cause a greater than average change in other species’ populations or ecosystem processes – one that has a disproportionately large effect on other species in a community (Heywood, 1995). The plateau pika is a ke ...
World Conservation Strategy
... nature, must come to terms with the reality of resource limitation· and the carrying capacities of ecosystems·, and must take acc~unt of the needs of future generations. This is the message of conservation. For if the object of development is to provide for social and economic welfare, the object of ...
... nature, must come to terms with the reality of resource limitation· and the carrying capacities of ecosystems·, and must take acc~unt of the needs of future generations. This is the message of conservation. For if the object of development is to provide for social and economic welfare, the object of ...
Ecology in Global Scenarios - Millennium Ecosystem Assessment
... Ecosystems are essential to the survival of human societies and economies. Ecosystems provide a range of economic and cultural services to humans. These include such basic necessities as clean air, clean water, and the production of food. Ecosystems also enhance human well-being through a diverse ra ...
... Ecosystems are essential to the survival of human societies and economies. Ecosystems provide a range of economic and cultural services to humans. These include such basic necessities as clean air, clean water, and the production of food. Ecosystems also enhance human well-being through a diverse ra ...
Disturbance and Diversity in Low-Productivity
... A number of authors have suggested that species diversity patterns are best understood when the disturbance–diversity and productivity–diversity relationships are jointly considered as part of the same theoretical framework (e.g., Grime, 1977; Huston, 1994). Grime’s 1979 CSR theory (Grime, 2001) and ...
... A number of authors have suggested that species diversity patterns are best understood when the disturbance–diversity and productivity–diversity relationships are jointly considered as part of the same theoretical framework (e.g., Grime, 1977; Huston, 1994). Grime’s 1979 CSR theory (Grime, 2001) and ...
Impact of pocket gopher disturbance on plant species diversity in a
... disturbance levels. In such communities, the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis may not be applicable because high species diversity may exist over a wide range of disturbance regimes. The disturbance created by pocket gophers (Family Geomyidae) is unique for several reasons: 1) it is caused by a b ...
... disturbance levels. In such communities, the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis may not be applicable because high species diversity may exist over a wide range of disturbance regimes. The disturbance created by pocket gophers (Family Geomyidae) is unique for several reasons: 1) it is caused by a b ...
Human acceleration of animal and plant extinctions: A Late
... event), when 76% of the world’s species went extinct within a few millennia (Renne et al., 2013). Most scientists implicate a large asteroid impact ca. 65.5 mya as the prime driver for this mass extinction, characterized by the disappearance of non-avian dinosaurs and the dawn of the age of mammals ...
... event), when 76% of the world’s species went extinct within a few millennia (Renne et al., 2013). Most scientists implicate a large asteroid impact ca. 65.5 mya as the prime driver for this mass extinction, characterized by the disappearance of non-avian dinosaurs and the dawn of the age of mammals ...
Toward an old-growth concept for grasslands, savannas, and
... Fire exclusion or removal of herbivores in these mesic grasslands can result in rapid transitions from grassland to forest or shrubland, with associated losses of herbaceous plant diversity. Grasslands also occur where tree growth is limited by shallow soils, low soil moisture availability, seasonal ...
... Fire exclusion or removal of herbivores in these mesic grasslands can result in rapid transitions from grassland to forest or shrubland, with associated losses of herbaceous plant diversity. Grasslands also occur where tree growth is limited by shallow soils, low soil moisture availability, seasonal ...
An overview of studies on trophic ecology in the
... whom in ecosystems, provide complex yet tractable depictions of biodiversity, species interactions, and ecosystem structure and function (Dunne et al., 2002). Strong and weak trophic links are responsible for ecological dynamics among diverse assemblages of species. The use of trophic groups to char ...
... whom in ecosystems, provide complex yet tractable depictions of biodiversity, species interactions, and ecosystem structure and function (Dunne et al., 2002). Strong and weak trophic links are responsible for ecological dynamics among diverse assemblages of species. The use of trophic groups to char ...
A conservation plan for a global biodiversity hotspot— the Cape
... differ between these two ‘‘schools’’ of thinking, but there is increasing convergence between them as each incorporates ideas from the other while also making new contributions (Margules and Pressey, 2000; Groves et al., 2002; Noss et al., 2002). In this paper we describe the approach, and discuss th ...
... differ between these two ‘‘schools’’ of thinking, but there is increasing convergence between them as each incorporates ideas from the other while also making new contributions (Margules and Pressey, 2000; Groves et al., 2002; Noss et al., 2002). In this paper we describe the approach, and discuss th ...
The role of selection within plant communities for ecosystem
... biodiversity experiment. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that selection for mixture types with increased division of labor via larger functional trait differences occurs in mixed-species communities. The results of this experiment offer a novel mechanism explaining the increase in ...
... biodiversity experiment. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that selection for mixture types with increased division of labor via larger functional trait differences occurs in mixed-species communities. The results of this experiment offer a novel mechanism explaining the increase in ...
Southern Yorke Peninsula CAP Summary
... The Narungga managed and preserved their lands. They used fire to clear old grasses and promote fresh plant growth. Fresh water rockholes were covered with slabs of stone or brushwood to keep the water clean and to prevent animals from drinking from them. Trackways were maintained through thick mall ...
... The Narungga managed and preserved their lands. They used fire to clear old grasses and promote fresh plant growth. Fresh water rockholes were covered with slabs of stone or brushwood to keep the water clean and to prevent animals from drinking from them. Trackways were maintained through thick mall ...
Chromolaena odorata ungulate grazing on ant body size and communities in
... of invasions by C. odorata and herbivory on indigenous communities were investigated. Ants play diverse roles in terrestrial ecosystems and influence composition, distribution and abundance of other species. Ants are sensitive to changes that influence food abundance, shelter and microclimate. Ants ...
... of invasions by C. odorata and herbivory on indigenous communities were investigated. Ants play diverse roles in terrestrial ecosystems and influence composition, distribution and abundance of other species. Ants are sensitive to changes that influence food abundance, shelter and microclimate. Ants ...
pdf reprint
... to recognize that fragment size changed community structure (Bond 1957). In theoretical studies, Preston (1962) connected species–area relationships on islands to nature reserves, whose fragmentation – reduced size and increased isolation – would inevitably reduce abundances and reduce species richn ...
... to recognize that fragment size changed community structure (Bond 1957). In theoretical studies, Preston (1962) connected species–area relationships on islands to nature reserves, whose fragmentation – reduced size and increased isolation – would inevitably reduce abundances and reduce species richn ...
The role of macrophytes in habitat structuring in aquatic
... of general conclusions difficult. To address this issue, this review is focused on questions related to the habitat structural complexity provided by these plants, exploring: i) how complexity has been viewed by ecologists, with an emphasis on macrophyte studies; ii) the pros and cons of several met ...
... of general conclusions difficult. To address this issue, this review is focused on questions related to the habitat structural complexity provided by these plants, exploring: i) how complexity has been viewed by ecologists, with an emphasis on macrophyte studies; ii) the pros and cons of several met ...
Biodiversity
Global Biodiversity is the variety of different types of life found on Earth and the variations within species. It is a measure of the variety of organisms present in different ecosystems. This can refer to genetic variation, ecosystem variation, or species variation (number of species) within an area, biome, or planet. Terrestrial biodiversity tends to be highest near the equator, which seems to be the result of the warm climate and high primary productivity. Biodiversity is not distributed evenly on Earth. It is the richest in the tropics. Marine biodiversity tends to be highest along coasts in the Western Pacific, where sea surface temperature is highest and in the mid-latitudinal band in all oceans. There are latitudinal gradients in species diversity. Biodiversity generally tends to cluster in hotspots, and has been increasing through time but will be likely to slow in the future.The number and variety of plants, animals and other organisms that exist is known as biodiversity. It is an essential component of nature and it ensures the survival of human species by providing food, fuel, shelter, medicines and other resources to mankind. The richness of biodiversity depends on the climatic conditions and area of the region. All species of plants taken together are known as flora and about 70,000 species of plants are known till date. All species of animals taken together are known as fauna which includes birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, insects, crustaceans, molluscs, etc.Rapid environmental changes typically cause mass extinctions. More than 99 percent of all species, amounting to over five billion species, that ever lived on Earth are estimated to be extinct. Estimates on the number of Earth's current species range from 10 million to 14 million, of which about 1.2 million have been documented and over 86 percent have not yet been described. The total amount of related DNA base pairs on Earth is estimated at 5.0 x 1037, and weighs 50 billion tonnes. In comparison, the total mass of the biosphere has been estimated to be as much as 4 TtC (trillion tons of carbon).The age of the Earth is about 4.54 billion years old. The earliest undisputed evidence of life on Earth dates at least from 3.5 billion years ago, during the Eoarchean Era after a geological crust started to solidify following the earlier molten Hadean Eon. There are microbial mat fossils found in 3.48 billion-year-old sandstone discovered in Western Australia. Other early physical evidence of a biogenic substance is graphite in 3.7 billion-year-old metasedimentary rocks discovered in Western Greenland. Since life began on Earth, five major mass extinctions and several minor events have led to large and sudden drops in biodiversity. The Phanerozoic eon (the last 540 million years) marked a rapid growth in biodiversity via the Cambrian explosion—a period during which the majority of multicellular phyla first appeared. The next 400 million years included repeated, massive biodiversity losses classified as mass extinction events. In the Carboniferous, rainforest collapse led to a great loss of plant and animal life. The Permian–Triassic extinction event, 251 million years ago, was the worst; vertebrate recovery took 30 million years. The most recent, the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event, occurred 65 million years ago and has often attracted more attention than others because it resulted in the extinction of the dinosaurs.The period since the emergence of humans has displayed an ongoing biodiversity reduction and an accompanying loss of genetic diversity. Named the Holocene extinction, the reduction is caused primarily by human impacts, particularly habitat destruction. Conversely, biodiversity impacts human health in a number of ways, both positively and negatively.The United Nations designated 2011–2020 as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity.