DOCSLIB.ORG

A Review of Approaches to Developing Lowland Habitat Networks in Scotland

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Review of Approaches to Developing Lowland Habitat Networks in Scotland COMMISSIONED REPORT Commissioned Report No. 104 A review of approaches to developing Lowland Habitat Networks in Scotland (ROAME No. F02AA102/2) For further information on this report please contact: Claudia Rowse Scottish Natural Heritage 2 Anderson Place EDINBURGH EH6 5NP Telephone: 0131–446 2432 E-mail: [email protected] This report should be quoted as: Humphrey, J., Watts, K., McCracken, D., Shepherd, N., Sing, L., Poulsom, L., Ray, D. (2005). A review of approaches to developing Lowland Habitat Networks in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 104 (ROAME No. F02AA102/2). This report, or any part of it, should not be reproduced without the permission of Scottish Natural Heritage. This permission will not be withheld unreasonably. The views expressed by the author(s) of this report should not be taken as the views and policies of Scottish Natural Heritage. © Scottish Natural Heritage 2005. All maps reproduced from Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Forestry Commission PGA 100025498–2004 COMMISSIONED REPORT Summary A review of approaches to developing Lowland Habitat Networks in Scotland Commissioned Report No. 104 (ROAME No. F02AA102/2) Contractor: Forest Research, Scottish Agricultural College, Forestry Commission Scotland Year of publication: 2005 Background Habitat fragmentation, coupled with habitat loss and degradation has had a detrimental impact on the biodiversity of lowland agricultural landscapes in Scotland, especially over the last 50–60 years. Site- protection measures alone are insufficient to conserve biodiversity and a wider landscape scale approach is needed which fosters connectivity between habitats through the development of ecological networks. Current ecological theory and approaches to landscape evaluation for biodiversity are reviewed and tools offered for developing habitat networks in Scottish lowland agricultural landscapes, focusing at the sub- catchment scale (~200km2). Main findings ● Two contrasting ecologically-based approaches to landscape evaluation can be identified: the first focuses on landscape structure (eg metrics); the second on landscape processes (eg species dispersal and habitat usage). ● Focal species modelling integrates both structural and species-based approaches and is recommended as a practical, ecologically robust method for constructing and evaluating habitat networks. Sources of data on lowland habitats and species are identified and examples given of ecological profiles for focal species. ● Landscape Character Assessment (LCA) is recommended as a tool for assessing the aesthetic and visual impacts of network development but needs to be combined with a Historic Land use Assessment. ● Computer-based visualisation packages are available to help with communicating LCAs. ● Work is required to integrate the LCA boundaries with Natural Heritage Future boundaries (the latter provide the ecological framework for networks). ● A GIS-based approach to assessing recreational impacts on habitat networks is proposed involving analysis of buffer distances around access and recreational facilities. ● Network construction and analysis tools which combine ecological, cultural and aesthetic attributes can be developed but need to be tested within case-study areas. ● A number of factors may constrain the practical implementation of habitat networks such as climate change, cultural resistance and the economic uncertainties facing the agricultural sector. For further information on this project contact: Claudia Rowse, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Tel: 0131-446 2432 For further information on the SNH Research & Technical Support Programme contact: The Advisory Services Co-ordination Group, Scottish Natural Heritage, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh EH6 5NP. Tel: 0131–446 2400 or [email protected] Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 104 (ROAME No. F02AA102/2) Acknowledgements The authors are grateful to Colin Stewart, Daniel Gotts, Claudia Rowse and John Hood for providing information and commenting on earlier versions of the report, and to Kirsten Hutchison for help with library and literature searches. Lachlan Renwick provided information on the Scottish Paths Record and Angus MacDonald helped with discussions on delineating lowland areas. Nigel Buchan provided an update on progress with testing landscape character assessments. Chris Quine, Peter Freer-Smith and Richard Brand- Hardy also made helpful comments on the report. Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 104 (ROAME No. F02AA102/2) Extended Summary Habitat fragmentation, coupled with habitat loss and degradation has had a detrimental impact on the biodiversity of lowland agricultural landscapes in Scotland, especially over the last 50–60 years. There is recognition that site-protection measures alone are insufficient to conserve biodiversity and a wider landscape scale approach is proposed which fosters connectivity between habitats through the development of ecological networks. The theory and development of Forest Habitat Networks (FHNs) is well advanced in Scotland. As government policy is now encouraging better integration of forestry, agriculture and other land-uses, there is a need to assess the applicability of the network concept to agriculturally-dominated landscapes and explore ways of generating a positive interplay between Agricultural Habitat Networks (AHNs) and FHNs. This report reviews current ecological theory and approaches to landscape evaluation for biodiversity and offers tools for developing habitat networks in Scottish lowland agricultural landscapes. The intention is to provide support for the strategic planning of biodiversity enhancement in combination with other landuse objectives such as landscape design, recreation and access. The Scottish lowlands are defined with reference to SNH’s Natural Heritage Futures (NHFS). Seven areas of predominantly lowland character are identified using climate, geology and land-use criteria (Figure 6). A variety of spatial scales are relevant to the development of networks ranging from country/regional scales through landscape/catchment scales to individual farms. End-user needs/questions, ecological requirements of key species, and data availability combine to determine the scale of interest. Sub-catchment scale (~200km2) is suggested as a practical starting point for developing the network approach. Two contrasting ecologically-based approaches to landscape evaluation can be identified from the literature and case-studies. The first focuses on assessing landscape structure, and includes the use of landscape metrics/indices; defining threshold values for certain structural elements, or spatial targeting of structural change either within a network concept (ie emphasising physical connections between elements) or by prioritising changes in area or quality of individual elements. The drawback of purely structure-based approaches is that they take no account of landscape function (eg dispersal processes) or the needs of specific species. Species differ in their spatial preferences and movement capacity and require an array of different types of network. Species-based approaches to landscape evaluation can be classed into empirically-based habitat suitability modelling; metapopulation modelling; focal species modelling and spatially-explicit population modelling. All have their advantages and disadvantages. Focal species modelling sits mid-way on the modelling continuum between simple structure-based models and detailed single species-based models and is recommended as the most practical approach for constructing multi-species based networks. The GIS-based modelling tool BEETLE (Biological and Ecological Evaluation Tools for Landscape Ecology) integrates land cover and focal species (either real or generic) data to evaluate habitat suitability and functional connectivity within landscapes at a variety of spatial scales. Connectivity is modelled on the Scottish Natural Heritage Commissioned Report No. 104 (ROAME No. F02AA102/2) dispersal ability of a focal species and the ease of movement through the landscape surrounding suitable habitat patches. In lowland agricultural landscapes, remnant semi-natural habitats such as woodland, scrub, hedgerows and unimproved grassland provide the permanent framework for network development, but need to be integrated with short-term habitats such as arable crops, field margins and set-aside. Species of agricultural landscapes vary greatly in their habitat preferences and sensitivity to fragmentation. Some are highly mobile; others are very restricted in their movements. Some are habitat generalists; others are specialists, or require specific habitats at specific times of the year or during their lifecycle. A range of typical focal species are identified for potential use in network modelling. The availability of autecological information is limited for some of these focal species but general assumptions can be used for certain parameters based on expert opinion. Examples are given of ecological profiles for a woodland species and an open ground species. Generic species profiles can be constructed where data is lacking for specific species. The BEETLE model is recommended as a tool for constructing lowland habitat networks based on focal species analysis.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Broad-Scale Distribution of Epiphytic Hair Lichens Correlates More with Climate and Nitrogen Deposition Than with Forest Structure P.-A
    1348 ARTICLE Broad-scale distribution of epiphytic hair lichens correlates more with climate and nitrogen deposition than with forest structure P.-A. Esseen, M. Ekström, B. Westerlund, K. Palmqvist, B.G. Jonsson, A. Grafström, and G. Ståhl Abstract: Hair lichens are strongly influenced by forest structure at local scales, but their broad-scale distributions are less under- stood. We compared the occurrence and length of Alectoria sarmentosa (Ach.) Ach., Bryoria spp., and Usnea spp. in the lower canopy of > 5000 Picea abies (L.) Karst. trees within the National Forest Inventory across all productive forest in Sweden. We used logistic regression to analyse how climate, nitrogen deposition, and forest variables influence lichen occurrence. Distributions overlapped, but the distribution of Bryoria was more northern and that of Usnea was more southern, with Alectoria's distribution being interme- diate. Lichen length increased towards northern regions, indicating better conditions for biomass accumulation. Logistic regression models had the highest pseudo R2 value for Bryoria, followed by Alectoria. Temperature and nitrogen deposition had higher explanatory power than precipitation and forest variables. Multiple logistic regressions suggest that lichen genera respond differently to increases in several variables. Warming decreased the odds for Bryoria occurrence at all temperatures. Corresponding odds for Alectoria and Usnea decreased in warmer climates, but in colder climates, they increased. Nitrogen addition decreased the odds for Alectoria and Usnea occurrence under high deposition, but under low deposition, the odds increased. Our analyses suggest major shifts in the broad-scale distribution of hair lichens with changes in climate, nitrogen deposition, and forest management. Key words: climate change, epiphytic lichens, forest structure, nitrogen deposition, temperature.
    [Show full text]
  • The Genome Sequence of the Ringlet, Aphantopus Hyperantus
    Edinburgh Research Explorer The genome sequence of the ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus Linnaeus 1758 Citation for published version: Mead, D, Saccheri, I, Yung, CJ, Lohse, K, Lohse, C, Ashmole, P, Smith, M, Corton, C, Oliver, K, Skelton, J, Betteridge, E, Quail, MA, Dolucan, J, McCarthy, SA, Howe, K, Wood, J, Torrance, J, Tracey, A, Whiteford, S, Challis, R, Durbin, R & Blaxter, M 2021, 'The genome sequence of the ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus Linnaeus 1758', Wellcome Open Research, vol. 6, no. 165. https://doi.org/10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16983.1 Digital Object Identifier (DOI): 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16983.1 Link: Link to publication record in Edinburgh Research Explorer Document Version: Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Published In: Wellcome Open Research General rights Copyright for the publications made accessible via the Edinburgh Research Explorer is retained by the author(s) and / or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing these publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. Take down policy The University of Edinburgh has made every reasonable effort to ensure that Edinburgh Research Explorer content complies with UK legislation. If you believe that the public display of this file breaches copyright please contact [email protected] providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. Download date: 06. Oct. 2021 Wellcome Open Research 2021, 6:165 Last updated: 29 JUN 2021 DATA NOTE The genome sequence of the ringlet, Aphantopus hyperantus Linnaeus 1758 [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review] Dan Mead 1,2, Ilik Saccheri3, Carl J.
    [Show full text]
  • NATIONAL IDENTITY in SCOTTISH and SWISS CHILDRENIS and YDUNG Pedplets BODKS: a CDMPARATIVE STUDY
    NATIONAL IDENTITY IN SCOTTISH AND SWISS CHILDRENIS AND YDUNG PEDPLEtS BODKS: A CDMPARATIVE STUDY by Christine Soldan Raid Submitted for the degree of Ph. D* University of Edinburgh July 1985 CP FOR OeOeRo i. TABLE OF CONTENTS PART0N[ paos Preface iv Declaration vi Abstract vii 1, Introduction 1 2, The Overall View 31 3, The Oral Heritage 61 4* The Literary Tradition 90 PARTTW0 S. Comparison of selected pairs of books from as near 1870 and 1970 as proved possible 120 A* Everyday Life S*R, Crock ttp Clan Kellyp Smithp Elder & Cc, (London, 1: 96), 442 pages Oohanna Spyrip Heidi (Gothat 1881 & 1883)9 edition usadq Haidis Lehr- und Wanderjahre and Heidi kann brauchan, was as gelernt hatq ill, Tomi. Ungerar# , Buchklubg Ex Libris (ZOrichp 1980)9 255 and 185 pages Mollie Hunterv A Sound of Chariatst Hamish Hamilton (Londong 197ý), 242 pages Fritz Brunner, Feliy, ill, Klaus Brunnerv Grall Fi7soli (ZGricýt=970). 175 pages Back Summaries 174 Translations into English of passages quoted 182 Notes for SA 189 B. Fantasy 192 George MacDonaldgat týe Back of the North Wind (Londant 1871)t ill* Arthur Hughesp Octopus Books Ltd. (Londong 1979)t 292 pages Onkel Augusta Geschichtenbuch. chosen and adited by Otto von Grayerzf with six pictures by the authorg Verlag von A. Vogel (Winterthurt 1922)p 371 pages ii* page Alison Fel 1# The Grey Dancer, Collins (Londong 1981)q 89 pages Franz Hohlerg Tschipog ill* by Arthur Loosli (Darmstadt und Neuwaid, 1978)9 edition used Fischer Taschenbuchverlagg (Frankfurt a M99 1981)p 142 pages Book Summaries 247 Translations into English of passages quoted 255 Notes for 58 266 " Historical Fiction 271 RA.
    [Show full text]
  • Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination
    Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination Anglophone Writing from 1600 to 1900 Silke Stroh northwestern university press evanston, illinois Northwestern University Press www .nupress.northwestern .edu Copyright © 2017 by Northwestern University Press. Published 2017. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication data are available from the Library of Congress. Except where otherwise noted, this book is licensed under a Creative Commons At- tribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/. In all cases attribution should include the following information: Stroh, Silke. Gaelic Scotland in the Colonial Imagination: Anglophone Writing from 1600 to 1900. Evanston, Ill.: Northwestern University Press, 2017. For permissions beyond the scope of this license, visit www.nupress.northwestern.edu An electronic version of this book is freely available, thanks to the support of libraries working with Knowledge Unlatched. KU is a collaborative initiative designed to make high-quality books open access for the public good. More information about the initiative and links to the open-access version can be found at www.knowledgeunlatched.org Contents Acknowledgments vii Introduction 3 Chapter 1 The Modern Nation- State and Its Others: Civilizing Missions at Home and Abroad, ca. 1600 to 1800 33 Chapter 2 Anglophone Literature of Civilization and the Hybridized Gaelic Subject: Martin Martin’s Travel Writings 77 Chapter 3 The Reemergence of the Primitive Other? Noble Savagery and the Romantic Age 113 Chapter 4 From Flirtations with Romantic Otherness to a More Integrated National Synthesis: “Gentleman Savages” in Walter Scott’s Novel Waverley 141 Chapter 5 Of Celts and Teutons: Racial Biology and Anti- Gaelic Discourse, ca.
    [Show full text]
  • Table 2-Acquisitions (Web Version).Xlsx TABLE 2 ACQUISITIONS 2005/06 - 2020/21
    TABLE 2 ACQUISITIONS 2005/06 - 2020/21 PURCHASE TYPE FOREST DISTRICT PROPERTY NAME AREA (HA) Bldgs & Ld Cowal & Trossachs Edra Farmhouse 2.30 Land Cowal & Trossachs Ardgartan Campsite 6.75 Land Cowal & Trossachs Loch Katrine 9613.00 Bldgs & Ld Dumfries & Borders Jufrake House 4.86 Land Galloway Ground at Corwar 0.70 Land Galloway Land at Corwar Mains 2.49 Other Inverness, Ross & Skye Access Servitude at Boblainy 0.00 Other North Highland Access Rights at Strathrusdale 0.00 Bldgs & Ld Scottish Lowlands 3 Keir, Gardener's Cottage 0.26 Land Scottish Lowlands Land at Croy 122.00 Other Tay Rannoch School, Kinloch 0.00 Land West Argyll Land at Killean, By Inverary 0.00 Other West Argyll Visibility Splay at Killean 0.00 2005/2006 TOTAL AREA ACQUIRED 9752.36 TOTAL EXPENDITURE £ 3,143,260.00 Bldgs & Ld Cowal & Trossachs Access Variation, Ormidale & South Otter 0.00 Bldgs & Ld Dumfries & Borders 4 Eshiels 0.18 Bldgs & Ld Galloway Craigencolon Access 0.00 Forest Inverness, Ross & Skye 1 Highlander Way 0.27 Forest Lochaber Chapman's Wood 164.60 Forest Moray & Aberdeenshire South Balnoon 130.00 Land Moray & Aberdeenshire Access Servitude, Raefin Farm, Fochabers 0.00 Land North Highland Auchow, Rumster 16.23 Land North Highland Water Pipe Servitude, No 9 Borgie 0.00 Land Scottish Lowlands East Grange 216.42 Land Scottish Lowlands Tulliallan 81.00 Land Scottish Lowlands Wester Mosshat (Horberry) (Lease) 101.17 Other Scottish Lowlands Cochnohill (1 & 2) 556.31 Other Scottish Lowlands Knockmountain 197.00 Other Tay Land at Blackcraig Farm, Blairgowrie
    [Show full text]
  • Morphological Traits in Hair Lichens Affect Their Water Storage
    Morphological traits in hair lichens affect their water storage Therese Olsson Student Degree Thesis in Biology 30 ECTS Master’s Level Report passed: 29 August 2014 Supervisor: Per-Anders Esseen Abstract The aim with this study was to develop a method to estimate total area of hair lichens and to compare morphological traits and water storage in them. Hair lichens are an important component of the epiphytic flora in boreal forests. Their growth is primarily regulated by available water, and light when hydrated. Lichens have no active mechanism to regulate their 2 water content and their water holding capacity (WHC, mg H2O/cm ) is thus an important factor for how long they remain wet and metabolically active. In this study, the water uptake and loss in five hair lichens (Alectoria sarmentosa, three Bryoria spp. and Usnea dasypoga) were compared. Their area were estimated by combining photography, scanning and a computer programme that estimates the area of objects. Total area overlap of individual branches was calculated for each species, to estimate total area of the lichen. WHC and specific thallus mass (STM) (mg DM/cm2) of the lichens were calculated. Bryoria spp. had a significantly lower STM compared to U. dasypoga and A. sarmentosa, due to its thinner branches and higher branch density. Bryoria also had a lower WHC compared to A. sarmentosa, promoting a rapid uptake and loss of water. All species had a significant relationship between STM and WHC, above a 1:1 line for all species except U. dasypoga. The lower relationship in U. dasypoga is explained by its less developed branching in combination with its thick branches.
    [Show full text]
  • Morphological Characters of the Immature Stages of Henotesia Narcissus
    224 Nachr. entomol. Ver. Apollo, N. F. 23 (4): 225–236 (2003) 225 Morphological characters of the immature stages of Henotesia narcissus (Fabricius, 1798): description and phylogenetic significance (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae, Satyrinae, Satyrini, Mycalesina)1 Peter H. Roos Dr. Peter H. Roos, Goethestrasse 1a, D-45549 Sprockhövel, Germany; e-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Development and morphological characters of mathematisch adäquat durch eine Exponentialfunktion the immature stages of Henotesia narcissus (Fabricius, 1798) beschrieben werden. Ähnliche Funktionen können zur from Madagascar were studied. The aims were to find phy- Charakterisierung des Längenwachstums des Körpers sowie logenetically relevant characters to analyze the systematic der Zunahme der Stemmatadurchmesser benutzt werden. relationships of the subtribe Mycalesina within the Satyrini Durch einfache Kalkulationen können einzelne Larvalsta- and to find criteria for distinction of the larval stages. Clear dien identifiziert werden, wodurch die Vorausetzung für synapomorphies have been found for Mycalesina and the vergleichende morphologische Studien geschaffen ist. subtribe Ypthimina in the larval stages such as clubbed setae and thoracic dorsal trichome fields in the last instar larvae. Thus, the close relationship between the Mycalesina and Introduction the Lethina/Elymniina as proposed by Miller (1968) is not The order Lepidoptera includes an estimated number confirmed by our results. Our conclusion is supported by fur- of about 1.4 million species (Gaston 1991, Simon 1996). ther common characters of the Mycalesina and Ypthimina which, however, cannot be easily interpreted in phylogenetic For many, if not most of the known species often nothing terms. Such characters which are not shared by the Lethina more than some characters of the wing pattern have and Elymniina are for example the shape of the scoli present been published which may allow the identification of on the head capsule in all larval instars, the enlargement the species in the mature stage.
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 City of York Biodiversity Action Plan
    CITY OF YORK Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2017 City of York Local Biodiversity Action Plan - Executive Summary What is biodiversity and why is it important? Biodiversity is the variety of all species of plant and animal life on earth, and the places in which they live. Biodiversity has its own intrinsic value but is also provides us with a wide range of essential goods and services such as such as food, fresh water and clean air, natural flood and climate regulation and pollination of crops, but also less obvious services such as benefits to our health and wellbeing and providing a sense of place. We are experiencing global declines in biodiversity, and the goods and services which it provides are consistently undervalued. Efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity need to be significantly increased. The Biodiversity of the City of York The City of York area is a special place not only for its history, buildings and archaeology but also for its wildlife. York Minister is an 800 year old jewel in the historical crown of the city, but we also have our natural gems as well. York supports species and habitats which are of national, regional and local conservation importance including the endangered Tansy Beetle which until 2014 was known only to occur along stretches of the River Ouse around York and Selby; ancient flood meadows of which c.9-10% of the national resource occurs in York; populations of Otters and Water Voles on the River Ouse, River Foss and their tributaries; the country’s most northerly example of extensive lowland heath at Strensall Common; and internationally important populations of wetland birds in the Lower Derwent Valley.
    [Show full text]
  • The Radiation of Satyrini Butterflies (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae): A
    Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 161, 64–87. With 8 figures The radiation of Satyrini butterflies (Nymphalidae: Satyrinae): a challenge for phylogenetic methods CARLOS PEÑA1,2*, SÖREN NYLIN1 and NIKLAS WAHLBERG1,3 1Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden 2Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Av. Arenales 1256, Apartado 14-0434, Lima-14, Peru 3Laboratory of Genetics, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014 Turku, Finland Received 24 February 2009; accepted for publication 1 September 2009 We have inferred the most comprehensive phylogenetic hypothesis to date of butterflies in the tribe Satyrini. In order to obtain a hypothesis of relationships, we used maximum parsimony and model-based methods with 4435 bp of DNA sequences from mitochondrial and nuclear genes for 179 taxa (130 genera and eight out-groups). We estimated dates of origin and diversification for major clades, and performed a biogeographic analysis using a dispersal–vicariance framework, in order to infer a scenario of the biogeographical history of the group. We found long-branch taxa that affected the accuracy of all three methods. Moreover, different methods produced incongruent phylogenies. We found that Satyrini appeared around 42 Mya in either the Neotropical or the Eastern Palaearctic, Oriental, and/or Indo-Australian regions, and underwent a quick radiation between 32 and 24 Mya, during which time most of its component subtribes originated. Several factors might have been important for the diversification of Satyrini: the ability to feed on grasses; early habitat shift into open, non-forest habitats; and geographic bridges, which permitted dispersal over marine barriers, enabling the geographic expansions of ancestors to new environ- ments that provided opportunities for geographic differentiation, and diversification.
    [Show full text]
  • CBD First National Report
    FIRST NATIONAL REPORT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY July 2010 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................... 3 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 4 2. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Geographic Profile .......................................................................................... 5 2.2 Climate Profile ...................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Population Profile ................................................................................................. 7 2.4 Economic Profile .................................................................................................. 7 3 THE BIODIVERSITY OF SERBIA .............................................................................. 8 3.1 Overview......................................................................................................... 8 3.2 Ecosystem and Habitat Diversity .................................................................... 8 3.3 Species Diversity ............................................................................................ 9 3.4 Genetic Diversity ............................................................................................. 9 3.5 Protected Areas .............................................................................................10
    [Show full text]
  • Butterflies & Flowers of the Kackars
    Butterflies and Botany of the Kackars in Turkey Greenwings holiday report 14-22 July 2018 Led by Martin Warren, Yiannis Christofides and Yasemin Konuralp White-bordered Grayling © Alan Woodward Greenwings Wildlife Holidays Tel: 01473 254658 Web: www.greenwings.co.uk Email: [email protected] ©Greenwings 2018 Introduction This was the second year of a tour to see the wonderful array of butterflies and plants in the Kaçkar mountains of north-east Turkey. These rugged mountains rise steeply from Turkey’s Black Sea coast and are an extension of the Caucasus mountains which are considered by the World Wide Fund for Nature to be a global biodiversity hotspot. The Kaçkars are thought to be the richest area for butterflies in this range, a hotspot in a hotspot with over 160 resident species. The valley of the River Çoruh lies at the heart of the Kaçkar and the centre of the trip explored its upper reaches at altitudes of 1,300—2,300m. The area consists of steep-sided valleys with dry Mediterranean vegetation, typically with dense woodland and trees in the valley bottoms interspersed with small hay-meadows. In the upper reaches these merge into alpine meadows with wet flushes and few trees. The highest mountain in the range is Kaçkar Dağı with an elevation of 3,937 metres The tour was centred around the two charming little villages of Barhal and Olgunlar, the latter being at the fur- thest end of the valley that you can reach by car. The area is very remote and only accessed by a narrow road that winds its way up the valley providing extraordinary views that change with every turn.
    [Show full text]
  • Invertebrates – a Forgotten Group of Animals In
    INVERTEBRATES – A FORGOTTEN GROUP OF ANIMALS IN INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING? BUTTERFLIES AS TOOLS AND MODEL ORGANISMS IN SWEDEN John Askling (Phone: +46 13 12 25 75, Email: [email protected]), Calluna AB, Linköpings slot, SE-582 28 Linköping, Sweden, Fax: +46 13 12 65 95, and Karl-Olof Bergman, (Phone: +46 13 28 26 85, Email: [email protected]), Department of Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 82 Linköping, Sweden, Fax: +46 13 28 13 99 Abstract: There is a growing concern about the ecological effects of roads and railways on animals. There is increased mortality due to road kills, changes in movement patterns and changes in the physical environment in areas affected by infrastructure. A majority of all studies have been on larger mammals. There are also a growing number of studies on smaller animals like birds, amphibians and small mammals. However, the studies of invertebrates are few in comparison with vertebrates, and the knowledge of the effects of infrastructure on this group is limited. The importance of also including invertebrates in the studies of infrastructure is evident. First of all, this group of animals is the richest of species that exists. They are also ecologically important. In Sweden, a majority of the red-listed species are invertebrates. Of 4,120 red-listed species, fully 2,337 are invertebrates. Their generation times are fast, which also makes the response on changes in their environment fast, compared to mammals and birds. For that reason, invertebrates can be expected to give an indication earlier than mammals if an area is negatively affected by infrastructure.
    [Show full text]