We examined six groups of taxa-woody plants, aquatic and terrestrial herpetofauna, small terrestrial birds, orchids, and Orthoptera-to determine their efficiency as biodiversity indicators in the Dadia Reserve in northern Greece. We investigated the indicator value of each group by examining the degree of congruence of its species-richness pattern with that of the other groups and the efficiency of its complementary network in conserving the other groups and biodiversity. The two techniques differed in many respects in their outputs, but they both showed woody plants as the best biodiversity indicator. There was in general low congruence in the species richness patterns across the different groups. Significant relationships were found between woody plants and birds, Orthoptera and terrestrial herpetofauna, and birds and aquatic herpetofauna. None of the optimal complementary networks of the groups we examined protected all species of the other groups. Nevertheless, the complementary network of woody plants adequately conserved all groups except orchids. We conclude that the principle of complementarity must be integrated into the methodology of evaluating an indicator. In an applied context, our results provide a scientific background on which to base a biomonitoring program for the Dadia Reserve. In a wider scope, if the group of woody plants prove an adequate biodiversity indicator for other Mediterranean areas as well, this will be important because it will facilitate conservation-related decisions for the entire Mediterranean region.Resumen: Examinamos seis grupos de taxones -plantas leñosas, herpetofauna acuática, herpetofauna terrestre, aves terrestres pequeñas, orquídeas y Orthoptera -para determinar su eficiencia como indicadores de biodiversidad en la Reserva Dadia en el norte de Grecia. Investigamos el valor de cada grupo como indicador examinando el grado de congruencia de su patrón de riqueza de especies con el de otros grupos y la eficiencia de su red complementaria para conservar a los otros grupos y a la biodiversidad. Las dos técnicas difirieron en muchos aspectos de sus resultados, pero ambos mostraron a las plantas leñosas como el mejor indicador de biodiversidad. Hubo poca congruencia en los patrones de riqueza de especies en los diferentes grupos. Se encontraron relaciones significativas entre plantas leñosas y aves, Orthoptera y herpetofauna terrestre, y aves y herpetofauna acuática. Ninguna de las redes complementariasóptimas de los grupos que examinamos protegió a todas las especies de los otros grupos. Sin embargo, la red complementaria de plantas leñosas 668 Biodiversity IndicatorsKati et al.conservó adecuadamente a todos los grupos excepto las orquídeas. Concluimos que se debe integrar el principio de complementariedad a la metodología para evaluar un indicador. En un contexto aplicado, nuestros resultados proporcionan un antecedente científico sobre el cual basar un programa de biomonitoreo para la Reserva Dadia. En una visión más amplia, si el grupo de plantas leñosas también resulta u...

No abstract

Summary In dryland ecosystems, mobility is essential for both wildlife and people to access unpredictable and spatially heterogeneous resources, particularly in the face of climate change. Fences can prevent connectivity vital for this mobility. There are recent calls for large‐scale barrier fencing interventions to address human–wildlife conflict and illegal resource extraction. Fencing has costs and benefits to people and wildlife. However, the evidence available for facilitating sound decision‐making for fencing initiatives is limited, particularly for drylands. We identify six research areas that are key to informing evaluations of fencing initiatives: economics, edge permeability, reserve design, connectivity, ecosystem services and communities. Policy implications. Implementing this research agenda to evaluate fencing interventions in dryland ecosystems will enable better management and policy decisions. The United Nations Conventions on Migratory Species (CMS) and to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) are appropriate international agreements for moving this agenda forward and leading the development of policies and guidelines on fencing in drylands.

No abstract

Lepilemur mittermeieri, a little‐studied sportive lemur of north‐west Madagascar, endemic to the Ampasindava Peninsula, faces habitat loss through forest degradation and rapid fragmentation. Understanding its habitat requirement is the first step toward preservation of this threatened forest‐dependent species. In this study, we gathered data on the use of space and home range characteristics of L. mittermeieri. We studied individuals from early March to the end of June 2015 and 2016, in three sites of the Ampasindava peninsula. We radio‐tracked 15 individuals to obtain detailed information on the size and location of home ranges (around 450 hr of tracking). Direct observation and morphometric measurements provided additional data sets. Both kernel density estimation (KDE) and minimum convex polygon (MCP) methods yielded similar home range sizes (an average of 2.01 ha with KDE method and 1.96 ha with MCP method). We did not find differences in home range size between males and females, with respect to forest type or proximity to the forest edge. Home ranges overlapped and individuals showed low levels of territoriality. We highlighted a sexually‐dimorphic trait: males have longer upper canine than females. Our results constitute the first set of ecological information on Lepilemur mittermeieri and could be the basis for a conservation strategy for this endangered species with a very small distribution area.

Abstract.-Inferences on seabird ecology from stable isotopes ratios ( δ 13 C, δ 15 N) and mercury concentrations analysis of feathers have been made for temperate and polar species but are far more rare for tropical species. In this paper, we used this approach combined with analysis of regurgitations and feeding observations at colonies to examine diet segregation between Roseate Terns ( Sterna dougallii ) and Lesser Noddies ( Anous tenuirostris ) breeding sympatrically on Aride Island (Seychelles), western Indian Ocean. Our results indicated extensive overlap between the two species in trophic level and foraging area during the breeding season. Goatfish predominated (93-97%) in all diet samples of adults and chicks collected in the colonies, except in prey fed to mates by Roseate Terns, of which scad and tuna comprised 20%. The isotopic analyses of feathers replaced by adults during molt (primary and body feathers) suggested, however, that the two species differ in foraging ecology during the nonbreeding period. Roseate Tern adults had consistently lower δ 15 N values than Lesser Noddies which, in turn, had δ 15 N values comparable to those of chick feathers grown on Aride. Moreover, low but similar mercury levels were found in body feathers of Lesser Noddy adults and Roseate Tern chicks, whereas Roseate Tern adults were significantly more contaminated. Overall, these results support the hypothesis that the Lesser Noddy is largely sedentary, being associated with the same food web in the vicinity of the colonies year-round. In contrast, Roseate Terns rely on distinct prey during the molting (nonbreeding) season which may be also consistent with a change in food web (i.e., a migratory regime) although the assignment of potential wintering areas remain difficult without isotopic basemaps currently available for the Indian Ocean.

No abstract