Biological Conservation 1992, 61, 73-76

Selected Abstracts The abslracts reproduced here have been selected from the coverage of Ecological Abstracts. Further information on Ecological Abstracts, and the associated online database GEOBASE is available fTom Elsevier/Geo Abstracts, Regency House, 34 Duke Street, Norwich NR3 3AP, UK.

NATURE CONSERVATION

General 92Z/00001 Landscape ecology as a theoretical basis for nature conservation L. Hansson & P. Angelstam, Landscape Ecology, 5(4), 1991, pp 191-201. Conservation of ~presentative biotopes, single species populations or biodlversity usually embraces two or more biotopes, and is often affected by surrounding croplands. Indicator and keystone species are useful for monitoring and managing fragmented biotopes, respectively. Com- munities as well as single species are affected by the juxta- position of successional and climax biotopes, which influ- ence climatic equability, seasonality, productivity and dispersal. Low levels of fragmentation may result in ill- functioning communities, and greater fragmentation may result in species losses and ultimately in the loss of whole communities. Fragmented habitats retain species with high reproductive and dispersal rates and generalized habitat selection. New combinations of interacting species will lead to trivialization of earlier habitat-specific interactions. Validation of these concepts was made with data from a Swedish research program on fragmented biotopes in pro- duction landscapes. General reserve selection and methods of management for preserving climax communities, single specialized species and high biodiversity are suggested.

-from Authors

92Z/00002 Ecology and development: perspectives for a better society J. G. Tundisi, Physiology & Ecology Japan, 27 (special number), 1990, pp 93-129. Critically reviews the idea of 'development at any cost', which has caused many environmental problems and dras- tic changes in the quality of life, then analyses some stra- tegies for development, focusing on South American examples. Main sections are on: basic problems of development; development strategies with environmental concern; institutional and organizational mechanisms; and case studies (hydroelectic production in Brazil - the 2010 plan; the refugia theory, conservation strategies and regional development in Amazonia; spatial heterogeneity, ecological processes and management of the Pantanal wet- land; biotechnology and its importance in develo~.ment; and the Lobo-Broa watershed, Sao Paulo State, Brazil).

-P.J.Jarvis

92Z/00003 Basic concepts of landscape ecology and their application in land management W. Haber, Physiology & Ecology Japan, 27 (Special number), 1990, pp 131-146. Outlines the idea of landscapes in the tenestrial environ- ment, landscapes as ecotope patterns, landscape change through land use, working steps of applied landscape ecol- ogy, the concept of differentiated land use, landscape ecol- ogy and land use - land protection conflict, and landscape ecology and the urban-rural dilemma (essentially urban sprawl). -P.J.Jarvis

Biological Conservation 0006-3207/92/$05.00 © 1992 Elsevier Scie~c Publishers Ltd.

92Z/00004 Ecology and conservation biology: mutu- ally supportive sciences G. H. Orians, Physiology & Ecology Japan, 27 (Special number), 1990, pp 151-165. Ecology as a science provides insights into conservation biology, and the needs of conservation biology axe in turn greatly enriching ecology. Sections examine l) the ecolotgy of individual species, with attention being paid to popula- tion viability, biological invasions, the ecology of rare species, and species range limits and responses to climatic changes: and 2) community ecology andspecies richness, focusing on fragmentation, keystone species, restoration ecology, and island biogeography. -P.Jjarvis

92Z/00005 Populationsmanagement und Artenschutz aus genetisch-demogr.aphischer Sicht (Population management and specms conservation - a genetico- demographic view) P. Neuhanser, Biologisches Zentralblatt, 110(2), 1991, pp 87-113. Long-term survival of a population critically depends on maintenance of sufficient genetic variation necessary for adaptation to changing environments. Wright's concept of effective population size is very useful in estimating the order of magnitude minimum population number necessary for long-term conservation. Some practical points are dis- cussed concerning the interplay between genetic and demographic factors, translocations and reintroductions, and establishment of nature reserves.

-from English snmmary

92Z/00006 Prediction of cover type on rights-of-way after maintenance treatments W. C. Bramble, W. R. Bymes, R. J. Humik & S. A. Liscinsky, Journal of Arboriculture, 17(2), 1991, pp 38-43. Plant cover occurring on electric transmission rights-of-way after commonly used maintenance treatments was studied in Pennsylavania to predict cover type development. At both locations, a tree spmut-shrab cover type development after handcutting; a grass-forb-shrub cover type after mowing; a grass-forb cover type after mowing plus herbicide and stem-foliage sprays; a forb- grass cover type after foliage spraying, a n d a shrub-forb- grass cover type after selective basal spraying.

-from Authors

92Z/00007 Sustainable development in the urban forest J. McNeil, Journal of Arboriculture, 17(4), 1991, pp 94-97. An urban forestry strategy is required in order to incor- porate the best parts of this natural green space into the urban fabric on a sustainable basis. Current issues and a strategy that has been successfully implemented at Oak- ville, S Ontario, are described. -from Author

92Z/00008 The need for urban bushland: conserva- tion planning R. Bennett, Australian Parks & Recreation, 27(2), 1991, pp 35-38. The introduction of State Environmental Policy No.19 (Bushland in Urban Areas) in 1986 has been a useful start-

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