Changes in fish fauna and the impact of the introductions on fish yield

There have been considerable changes in fish species composition in Lakes victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo since the Nile perch were introduced. Populations of most of the native species have declined and many species may have become extinct. The original decline in the fish stocks was due to overfishing but the recent and more drastic decline has been attributed to predation by the Nile perch. Nile perch feeds on invertebrates changing to a piscivorous diet with size. Haplochromine cichlids, which were the most abundant fish in Lakes Victoria just before the Nile perch populations started increasing rapidly have been depleted. As more suitable types of prey were depleted in the new habi tats, Nile perch switched to other prey types to the extent of feeding even on its own young. There are, fears that the Nile perch will overshoot its food supply, resulting in a reduction of its own population and subsequently a collapse in the fishery (FAD 1985).

The biology and ecology of the Nile perch, Lates niloticus, and the future of its fishery in Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo

Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo had a similar native fish fauna of high species diversity. stocks of most of the native species declined rapidly and some completely disappeared after Nile perch was introduced and became well established. Although, overexploitation of the fish stocks, competition between introduced and native tilapiines and environmental degradation contributed to the reduction in fish stocks, predation by the Nile perch has contributed much to the recent drastic reductions in fish stock and could even drive the stocks to a total collapse. Nile perch is also currently the most important commercial species in Lakes victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo and the stability of its stocks is important in the overall sustainability of the fisheries of these lakes. The question that was to be examined in this paper was whether the fisheries of Lakes Victoria, Kyogaand Nabugabo would stabilize and sustain production in the presence of high predation pressure by the Nile perch or whether the Nile perch would drive the fish stocks including itself to a collapse. I t was assumed that Nile perch driven changes in Lakes Victoria, Kyoga and Nabugabo would be driven to a level beyond which they would not change further. This would be followed by recovery and stability or the changes would continue to a point of collapse. It was assumed that Lake Albert represented the ideal stable state. The changes in the new habitats expected to be driven through a major change due to Nile perch predation to a stage where there would be no further changes. After this, a feedback mechanism would move the driven variable towards recovery. The variables would then stabilize and oscillate will an amplitude which approximates to what would be recorded in Lake Albert. Alternatively, the changes would proceed to a stage where the fishery would collapse. The specific hypothesis was that fish species composition and diversity, prey selection by the Nile perch and life history characteristics of the Nile perch in the new habitats would change and stabilize

Fishing gear selectivity in relation to their manufacture and to the management of fisheries of the Nile perch, the Nile tilapia, and Rastrineobola argentea (Mukene) in Lakes Victoria and Kyoga

The fisheries of Lakes Victoria and Kyoga have changed from the native tilapiine species and are now dominated by two introduced species; Nile perch and Nile tilapia, and one native species; Rastrineobola argentea (mukene). Because of the differences in the size of the species, it may be necessary to change the type and sizes of nets used.

RESPONSES OF Elodea nuttallii AND Ceratophyllum demersum TO HIGH TEMPERATURE

There were large losses of exotic species Elodea nuttallii during summer in eutrophic lakes of the middle and lower reaches of the Yanatze River, China. To investigate the main causes, the heat tolerance of E. nuttallii was studied and compared with that of native species Ceratopkyllum demersum by using an aquaria system in the laboratory. Under 4500 lx light intensity and 12-h L/12-h D cycle, E. nuttallii cultured in 1/5 Hoaglands solution at 39 degrees C showed a positive growth rate during the first 15 days, and the growth rate was higher than that at 35 degrees C. But after 15 days, the growth rates became negative for those cultured both at 39 and 35 degrees C. However, the growth rate was positive for more than 20 days for those cultured at 25 degrees C. Under the same conditions, the growth rate, productivity and chlorophyll content of E. nuttallii were significantly higher than that of C. demersum. Heat tolerance of E. nuttallii was also stronger than that of C. demersum. The optimal temperature for the growth of the two plants depended on the experimental period: both plants grew at an optimal rate at higher temperature if the experimental period was short; nevertheless the plants achieved optimal growth at a lower temperature if the experiment was conducted for a longer period. At the same light intensity, the heat tolerance of C. demersum in tap water with sediment was markedly stronger than that of E. nuttallii at 39 degrees C. Average growth rate of C. demersum was 4.5 times higher than that of E. nuttallii within 25 days. The positive growth period lasted for less than 25 days for E. nuttallii and for more than 25 days for C. demersum. When they were cultured in 1/5 Hoaglands solution and in tap water with sediment, the growth rate of C. demersum increased from 0.4 to 79.4 mg/d.g fresh weight (FW) within 20 days. E. nuttallii increased from 8.3 to 24.4 mg/d-g FW within 20 days. Both grew better in tap water with sediment than in 1/5 Hoaglands solution. The results demonstrated that the nutritional status of the water other than the high temperature affected the heat tolerance of E. nuttallii during summer. E. nuttallii has great ecological safe risk in China.

中国西南地区青杨(Populus cathayana Rehd)遗传多样性的ISSR研究

青杨作为一个本土树种，能较好的适应潮湿和寒冷的环境，对中国西部的人工造林有着重要的参考价值。在本实验中，选取7个中国西南地区分布的自然群体，用ISSR(inter-simple sequence repeats)作为分子标记研究其遗传多样性水平和遗传结构。通过筛选的8个ISSR引物，获得了158条清晰可重复的DNA条带，其中有156条具有多样性(占98.7%)。平均的Nei’s遗传多样性(h)为0.331；遗传分化系数(GST)为0.477，这表明有47.7％的遗传多样性发生在群体间。这种高水平的分化可能是由于当地复杂多变的地形和气候特点阻碍了基因流而引起的。此外在这7个青杨群体中，遗传距离和地理距离并未体现出有显著相关性（r=0.3122, P>0.05)。联合遗传距离和地理距离分析，鉴定出两处低水平基因交流的地区, 探讨其遗传障碍形成原因。 As a native species to China, Populus cathayana Rehd is well-adapted to the wet and cold environments where it occurs. It is considered to be an important reforestation species in western China. In the present study, we surveyed the level of genetic variation and the pattern of genetic structure in seven natural populations of P. cathayana, originating from the southeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China, by using ISSR (inter-simple sequence repeats) markers. Based on eight primers, 158 clear and reproducible DNA fragments were generated, of which 156 (98.7%) were polymorphic. The average value of Nei's gene diversity (h) equaled 0.331. The coefficient of genetic differentiation (GST) equaled 0.477, which means that 47.7% of the total molecular variance existed among populations. Such a high level of divergence present among populations may be caused by the complex topography and variable climatic conditions present in the southeastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau which effectively restrict gene flow. Moreover, there is a lack of significant association between genetic and geographical distances (r=0.3122, P>0.05) in the populations of P. cathayana. The application of a novel method, which combines geographical coordinates and genetic differentiation to detect barriers for gene flow, allowed us to identify two zones of lowered gene flow.

九寨沟景区旅游活动扰动形成的退化地段植被恢复试验初报

日益增强的旅游活动干扰已成为九寨沟世界自然遗产的有效保护与持续管理不可回避的问题，也已成为当前区域生态保护与经济发展的焦点问题之一。评估乡土植物种的基本特征、质量、种子休眠程度以及萌发能力；筛选适宜的植被恢复乡土物种并选择有效植被恢复技术措施是开展植被恢复试验的重要前提和保障。本文以九寨沟世界自然遗产为例,通过对景区乡土植物种子基本特征的测定以及采用乡土物种作为植被恢复技术试验与恢复技术筛选的试验物种，在景区旅游干扰区的三种生境类型：原始针叶林、混交林和边坡，根据不同的影响因素设计试验，从而探索适宜的恢复措施和植被恢复物种。初步结论如下： 1． 本文研究的28种乡土植物中，17种测定的物种活力较高(>72%)，均具有作为恢复物种的潜力。但28种种子中75%的发芽率为0%。大部分种子存在一定程度的休眠，包括甘肃山楂、称花藤、疏花槭、陇东海棠、球花荚迷、巴东小檗、蔷薇、宝兴栒子、光泽栒子、光枝柳叶忍冬、甘青铁线莲、毛果铁线莲、宽叶旌节花、糙叶五加和独活。因而种子存在深度休眠是乡土物种自然更新和植被恢复的主要障碍，需要根据种子的形态生理特征，寻求打破乡土植物种子休眠的有效方法，提高种子发芽率。 2．低温层积只显著提高了蔷薇、毛果铁线莲、宽叶旌节花和假升麻3种种子的发芽率，也相对较早地提高了陇东海棠、鲜黄小檗和独活的萌发。对于其它物种的种子，低温层积没能有效打破休眠提高发芽率。综合分析结果表明九寨沟28种林下或林缘乡土植物中窄叶鲜卑花、毛果铁线莲、宽叶旌节花、假升麻、陇东海棠、鲜黄小檗和独活等12种可直播或通过低温层积处理后直播用于旅游干扰退化地段的植被恢复中，而其它的种类尚需进一步寻求打破休眠的措施以提高种子发芽能力。 3．在原始林生境下，七筋菇、巴东小檗、耳叶风毛菊、长叶毛花忍冬及独活5种乡土植物种子的出苗能力不高，因此目前急需提出有关提高种子出苗的方法措施。在相同的处理条件下，不同物种出苗数存在着较大的差异，相比而言，巴东小檗、耳叶风毛菊和长叶毛花忍冬种子出苗与幼苗存活较高，对于其环境适应能力较强，因此它们更适宜采用播种的方式应用于九寨沟原始林践踏地段地表的植被恢复实践；而七筋菇和独活在室内和自然气候条件下萌发都很困难，在植被恢复过程中，可考虑采用其它播种方式。而在边坡和混交林生境试验结果表明，供试物种无萌发和出苗现象，这可能跟外界环境条件、干扰和种子命运有关。 4． 本研究中腐殖质、松土和苔藓覆盖处理措施均未能提高物种出苗，且对样方内植被结构以及物种丰富度也无显著影响，其中的影响因素也是多方面的，因此还需进一步研究探索。但腐殖质对幼苗存活能力方面有一定的积极作用。 The increasing tourism disturbance is an unavoidable issue to effective conservation and sustaind tourist management of Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve. It has become one of the focal problems of regional ecological protect and economic development. Assessing the traits, quality, seed dormancy and germination of native seed and choosing the suitable species and ways for vegetation restoration were the important precondition and guarantee before vegetation restoration. In this paper, as an example to Jiuzhaigou world nature heritage, through the estimation to the basic characteristics of native seeds and the use of native species for the test of vegetation restoration and the choosing of vegetation restoration techniques, in three different habitats being disturbed, including the primitive forest, mixed forest and side slope. According to different factors, designing experiments in order to explore the appropriate measures and species of vegetation restoration . Our results are as follows: 1． There are 77% seeds of the 28 species with high viability(>72%), which had the potential possibility of being restoration species. The germination of 75% of the seed was 0%.Most of the seed was dormant, So dormancy of seed was the barrier for natural regeneration and vegetation restoration, Further research is needed on investigating the other more effective methods to release seed dormancy of these native species in the future. 2． Cold stratification did not release seed dormancy of most species. In our study, there are only 3 species including Clematis peterae var. trichocarpa, Stachyurus chinensis and Aruncus sylvester (P<0.05) with germination percentage increased by cold stratification. By comprehensive analysis, the result shows: In 28 undergrowth native seeds, Sibiraea angustata, Clematis peterae var. trichocarpa, Stachyurus chinensis, Aruncus Sylvester, Malus kansuensis, Berberis diaphana,and Heracleum hemsleyanum could be used to vegetation restoration by sowing directly or sowing after cold stratification in degenerate gland being disturbed by turism, and othes seed of 28 were needed to search other methods to release seed dormancy for advancing the ability of germination. 3．In the habitat of primitive forest, the ability of emergence of the native species Clintonia udensis, Berberis henryana, Saussurea neofranchetii, Lonicera trichosantha var.xerocalyx and Heracleum hemsleyanum was low, so it is urgently needed to search about the methods of advancing emergence. In the sametreatment, the number of emergence of different species was very different. Relatively speaking, the emergence and seedling survival of the species Berberis henryana, Saussurea neofranchetii and Lonicera trichosantha var.xerocalyx was higher, and the adaptability of the species was better, so they were more suitable for vegetation restoration on trampling-induced degraded patches of primitive forest in Jiuzhaigou; But the germination of Clintonia udensis and Heracleum hemsleyanum was both difficult in laboratory and natural conditions, so it could be considered to apply other sowing methods. However, the result showed that: applied species didn’t germinate or emergent in the habitat of side slope and mixed forest, which could be related to external environment conditions, interference and the fate of the seed. 4．In this study, humus, scatification and bryophyte cover measures didn’t advance the emergence of the species or the structure of vegetation and richness in plot significantly, the impact factors of which were many, therefore further research is needed . However, humus had a certain positive effect on the ability of seedling survival.

Loss of allele diversity in introduced populations of the hermaphroditic bay scallop Argopecten irradians

The bay scallop Argopecten irradians is a hermaphroditic bivalve native to the Atlantic coast of the United States that was introduced to China for aquaculture production in 1982. It now supports a major aquaculture industry in China. Introduced species often start with limited genetic variability, which is problematic for the further selective breeding. Bay scallop aquaculture is exclusively hatchery based and as the initial introduction consisted of only 26 scallops, there have been concerns about inbreeding and inbreeding depression in cultured populations in China. In this study, eleven simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to compare genetic variation in cultured populations from China with that in a natural population from the east coast of America. Although the difference in heterozygosity was small, the Chinese populations lost 9 of the 45 alleles (20%) found in the wild population. The reduced allele diversity suggests that the Chinese bay scallop populations experienced a bottleneck in genetic diversity that remains significant despite several recent introductions of new stocks aimed at expanding the gene pool. The loss of allele diversity may affect future efforts in selective breeding and domestication, and results of this study highlight the need for additional introductions, advanced breeding programs that minimize inbreeding and continued genetic monitoring. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assessment of the potential impacts of coasteering on rocky intertidal habitats in Wales

The relatively new recreational pursuit of coasteering, which has developed in the St David's area of Pembrokeshire, appears to be expanding rapidly. The majority of local commercial recreation providers (outdoor pursuit centers etc.) now appear to offer this pursuit. The majority of the rocky coastlines where it takes place lie within Pembrokeshire Marine Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and are also Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). No assessment has yet been undertaken of coasteering's potential impact on the intertidal habitats. Therefore the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) commissioned the Marine Life Information Network (MarLIN) to undertake a desk study of the likely environmental effects of coasteering on rocky intertidal habitats within the Pembrokeshire marine SAC. The desk study was based on a review of the available literature, and in particular the effects of trampling on rocky intertidal communities. Communities (as biotopes) within the Pembrokeshire marine SAC likely to be exposed to coasteering activities were identified from Phase I biotope data for the area, provided by CCW. Where possible, existing research by MarLIN into the intolerance, recoverability and sensitivity of the biotopes identified, was used to identify their potential vulnerability to trampling. The literature review revealed that: - foliose canopy forming algae (e.g. fucoids) were particularly intolerant and sensitive to trampling impacts; - trampling damaged erect coralline turfs, barnacles, and resulted in an increase in bare space; in some cases paths across the shore were visible; - on brown algae dominated shores, understorey algae could suffer due to increased desiccation but algal turf species, opportunists and gastropod grazers (e.g. limpets) could increase in abundance as an indirect effect of trampling, and that - trampling impacts resulted from physical contact and wear and were dependant on the intensity, duration, and frequency of trampling, and even the type of footwear used. A total of 19 intolerant rocky intertidal biotopes were identified as potentially vulnerable to trampling and hence coasteering within the Pembrokeshire marine SAC, of which six are of Welsh importance and eight are nationally rare or scarce. Trampling is a highly localized impact and it was not possible to identify biotopes, and hence communities, actually impacted by coasteering activities in the Pembrokeshire marine SAC. In addition, the majority of the literature addresses the impacts of trampling on wave sheltered or moderately exposed brown algal dominated shores, while coasteering occurs on more wave exposed, steeply inclined shores. Therefore, direct survey of the routes used by coasteering groups within the Pembrokeshire marine SAC is required to identify the intensity, duration and frequency of trampling impact, together with the communities impacted. Given the paucity of data concerning trampling effects in the rocky intertidal in the UK, a survey of the impacts of coasteering would provide an opportunity to examine the effects of trampling and visitor use in steep rocky, wave exposed shores. The report recognizes the potential to engage coasteerers in contributing to the development of strategies for minimizing adverse impacts, recording impacts and collecting information of use in identifying climate change and the occurrence of non-native species.

First report of "Cotoneaster pannosus" Franch. ("Rosaceae") in Tarragona Province, and updated distribution area in Spain

Cotoneaster pannosus (Rosaceae), an ornamental shrub native to China, is reported for the first time in Tarragona Province (Catalonia, Spain). Data on demography and accompanying species for the new locality are provided, in addition to a chrorological update at nation level.

The future of the northeast Atlantic benthic flora in a high CO2 world

Seaweed and seagrass communities in the northeast Atlantic have been profoundly impacted by humans, and the rate of change is accelerating rapidly due to runaway CO2 emissions and mounting pressures on coastlines associated with human population growth and increased consumption of finite resources. Here, we predict how rapid warming and acidification are likely to affect benthic flora and coastal ecosystems of the northeast Atlantic in this century, based on global evidence from the literature as interpreted by the collective knowledge of the authorship. We predict that warming will kill off kelp forests in the south and that ocean acidification will remove maerl habitat in the north. Seagrasses will proliferate, and associated epiphytes switch from calcified algae to diatoms and filamentous species. Invasive species will thrive in niches liberated by loss of native species and spread via exponential development of artificial marine structures. Combined impacts of seawater warming, ocean acidification, and increased storminess may replace structurally diverse seaweed canopies, with associated calcified and noncalcified flora, with simple habitats dominated by noncalcified, turf-forming seaweeds.

Response of a floodplain fish community to river-floodplain connectivity: natural versus managed reconnection

To restore lateral connectivity in highly regulated river-floodplain systems, it has become necessary to implement localized, "managed" connection flows, made possible using floodplain irrigation infrastructure. These managed flows contrast with "natural", large-scale, overbank flood pulses. We compared the effects of a managed and a natural connection event on (i) the composition of the large-bodied fish community and (ii) the structure of an endangered catfish population of a large floodplain lake. The change in community composition following the managed connection was not greater than that exhibited between seasons or years during disconnection. By contrast, the change in fish community structure following the natural connection was much larger than that attributed to background, within-and between-year variability during disconnection. Catfish population structure only changed significantly following the natural flood. While the natural flood increased various population rates of native fishes, it also increased those of non-native carp, a pest species. To have a positive influence on native biodiversity, environmental flows may need to be delivered to floodplains in a way that simulates the properties of natural flood pulses. A challenge, however, will be managing river-floodplain connectivity to benefit native more than non-native species.

Disentangling the impacts of heat wave magnitude, duration and timing on the structure and diversity of sessile marine assemblages

Extreme climatic events, including heat waves (HWs) and severe storms, influence the structure of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Despite growing consensus that anthropogenic climate change will increase the frequency, duration and magnitude of extreme events, current understanding of their impact on communities and ecosystems is limited. Here, we used sessile invertebrates on settlement panels as model assemblages to examine the influence of HW magnitude, duration and timing on marine biodiversity patterns. Settlement panels were deployed in a marina in southwest UK for ≥5 weeks, to allow sufficient time for colonisation and development of sessile fauna, before being subjected to simulated HWs in a mesocosm facility. Replicate panel assemblages were held at ambient sea temperature (∼17 °C), or +3 °C or +5 °C for a period of 1 or 2 weeks, before being returned to the marina for a recovery phase of 2–3 weeks. The 10-week experiment was repeated 3 times, staggered throughout summer, to examine the influence of HW timing on community impacts. Contrary to our expectations, the warming events had no clear, consistent impacts on the abundance of species or the structure of sessile assemblages. With the exception of 1 high-magnitude long-duration HW event, warming did not alter not assemblage structure, favour non-native species, nor lead to changes in richness, abundance or biomass of sessile faunal assemblages. The observed lack of effect may have been caused by a combination of (1) the use of relatively low magnitude, realistic heat wave treatments compared to previous studies (2), the greater resilience of mature adult sessile fauna compared to recruits and juveniles, and (3) the high thermal tolerance of the model organisms (i.e., temperate fouling species, principally bryozoans and ascidians). Our study demonstrates the importance of using realistic treatments when manipulating climate change variables, and also suggests that biogeographical context may influence community-level responses to short-term warming events, which are predicted to increase in severity in the future.

The contribution of volunteer recorders to our understanding of biological invasions

The process of invasion and the desire to predict the invasiveness (and associated impacts) of new arrivals has been a focus of attention for ecologists over centuries. The volunteer recording community has made unique and inspiring contributions to our understanding of invasion biology within Britain. Indeed information on non-native species (NNS) compiled within the GB Non-Native Species Information Portal (GB-NNSIP) would not have been possible without the involvement of volunteer experts from across Britain. Here we review examples of ways in which biological records have informed invasion biology. We specifically examine NNS information available within the GB-NNSIP to describe patterns in the arrival and establishment of NNS providing an overview of habitat associations of NNS in terrestrial, marine and freshwater environments. Monitoring and surveillance of the subset of NNS that are considered to be adversely affecting biodiversity, society or the economy, termed invasive non-native species (INNS), is critical for early warning and rapid response. Volunteers are major contributors to monitoring and surveillance of INNS and not only provide records from across Britain but also underpin the system of verification necessary to confirm the identification of sightings. Here we describe the so-called ‘alert system’ which links volunteer experts with the wider recording community to provide early warning of INNS occurrence. We highlight the need to increase understanding of community and ecosystem-level effects of invasions and particularly understanding of ecological resilience. Detailed field observations, through biological recording, will provide the spatial, temporal and taxonomic breadth required for such research. The role of the volunteer recording community in contributing to the understanding of invasion biology has been invaluable and it is clear that their expertise and commitment will continue to be so. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015,

Marine non-natives, issues, engagement and action in France and the UK

The first presentation focused on best practice in marine environments and was delivered by the MBA, in association with PEGASEAS. Information was presented about the significance of joint working across the Channel and a number of different projects including The Shore Thing Project were explained.

Is naturalisation of the brown hare in Ireland a threat to the endemic Irish hare?

On islands, one of the greatest risks to native wildlife is the establishment of alien species. In Ireland, the Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus), the only native lagomorph, may be at risk from competitive exclusion and hybridisation with naturalised brown hares (L. europaeus) that were introduced during the late nineteenth century. Pre- and post-breeding spotlight surveys during 2005 in the north of Ireland determined that brown hare populations are established in mid-Ulster and west Tyrone. In mid-Ulster, brown hares comprised 53%-62% of the hare population, with an estimated abundance of 700-2000 individuals between pre- and post-breeding periods. Comparison of habitat niches suggest that Irish and brown hares have comparable niche breadths that at times completely overlap, suggesting the potential for strong competition between the species. Anecdotal evidence suggests that both species may hybridise. Further research is urgently required to assess the degree of risk that naturalised brown hares pose to the Irish hare population and what action, if any, is needed to ensure the future ecological security and genetic integrity of the native species.