Irregular silviculture and stand structural effects on the plant community in an ancient semi-natural woodland

Plants associated with traditional forms of coppice management are affected by changes in, or cessation of, stand management which produce differences in structure, usually in the direction of high forest. The habitat structure, ground flora richness, and composition of an ancient woodland in southern England were compared across three distinct management treatments: traditional Coppice (the cyclical cutting of underwood on rotations), Limited Intervention (representing the effective cessation of management), and Irregular High Forest silviculture (a form of continuous cover forestry using single and small group selective tree harvesting). Coppice and Irregular silviculture showed a more complex woody stand structure whereas Limited Intervention was strongly correlated with closed-canopy, single-storied structures and no developing understorey. Increased bramble Rubus fruticosus cover was strongly associated with Irregular silviculture, bare ground mostly with the limited intervention closed-canopy stands. Distinct plant-habitat associations were identified across stand management types with the greatest differences between Limited Intervention and the two active interventions. Overall vascular plant species and Coppice group species were lowest in Limited Intervention stands. Using ancient woodland indicator and Coppice plant species and groups, we found a similar community pattern between Coppice and Irregular silviculture. More ancient woodland species were accommodated within the comparatively heterogenous woodland habitat associated with active silvicultural interventions of Coppice and Irregular High Forest management. The study indicates that the introduction of Irregular silviculture as practiced here can conserve most ancient woodland and Coppice plants associated with traditional coppicing, a practice which has declined significantly in the UK since the late 19th Century

Irregular silviculture positively influences multiple bat species in a lowland temperate broadleaf woodland

Changing economics in the 20th century led to losses and fragmentation of semi-natural woodland in Britain and to a reduction in active woodland management with many becoming increasingly neglected, even-aged and with closed canopy. Lack of woodland management is known to contribute to declines in some taxonomic groups, for example birds. However, the response of bats to changes in woodland structure are poorly understood. We compared two measures of bat activity, derived from static acoustic recorders across 120 sample plots in coppice, irregular high forest (uneven-aged, continuous cover) and limited intervention (under-managed, even-aged) management stands, within a large tract of ancient woodland in southern England. Bat species richness was highest in irregular high forest stands, and there were significant differences in occupancy rates for most bat species across stand management types. Coppice recorded low activity of several bat species and irregular high forest showed high occupancy rates, including for Barbastelle Barbastella barbastellus, which is IUCN listed as near threatened. The occupancy rates in stand management types differed for some bat species between mid- and late summer counts, suggesting seasonal variation in habitat use. Within stands, most bat species were associated with opened canopy, lower growing stocks and reduced densities of understorey, and to a lesser extent, with large-girthed trees and presence of deadwood snags. In some cases, species responded to a given habitat variable similarly across the three stand management types, whereas in others, the response differed among stand management types. For example, increased numbers of large-girthed trees benefitted a number of bat species within coppice where these were least common, but not in irregular stands. Irregular silviculture high forest appears to provide many of the structural attributes that positively influence occupancy of several woodland bat species, including Barbastella barbastellus

Are concentrations of pollutants in sharks, rays and skates (Elasmobranchii) a cause for concern? A systematic review

This review represents a comprehensive analysis on pollutants in elasmobranchs including meta-analysis on the most studied pollutants: mercury, cadmium, PCBs and DDTs, in muscle and liver tissue. Elasmobranchs are particularly vulnerable to pollutant exposure which may pose a risk to the organism as well as humans that consume elasmobranch products. The highest concentrations of pollutants were found in sharks occupying top trophic levels (Carcharhiniformes and Lamniformes). A human health risk assessment identified that children and adults consuming shark once a week are exposed to over three times more mercury than is recommended by the US EPA. This poses a risk to local fishing communities and international consumers of shark-based products, as well as those subject to the widespread mislabelling of elasmobranch products. Wider screening studies are recommended to determine the risk to elasmobranchs from emerging pollutants and more robust studies are recommended to assess the risks to human health

Habitat association and population size of the Madeira Firecrest (Regulus madeirensis)

Basic population information is often lacking for recently recognized species, yet such information is essential for conservation and management. This study provides a detailed assessment of population size and habitat association in the Madeira Firecrest (Regulus madeirensis). Species abundance and habitat data were collected using a point transect distance sampling method. Estimates of density per habitat type were made, in conjunction with presence and absence data derived from the Madeira bird atlas, to estimate population size and habitat associations. We estimate the population size of the Madeira Firecrest to be 698,300 (95% CI: 523,540–869,960), which greatly exceeds the 10,000 individuals threshold for the IUCN “Vulnerable” category. Distribution and abundance were strongly associated with laurel and heath forest, with 56% of the population found in these 2 habitats. Historically, much of the native laurel and heath forest was lost on Madeira, but these remnant native forest habitats are now protected. Based on the large population size and successful management of the laurel forest habitat, our results suggest there is no immediate risk of a change in conservation status for the Madeira Firecrest

Riverine large woody debris introduced for natural flood management leads to rapid improvement in aquatic macroinvertebrate diversity

Natural flood management interventions, such as Large Wood Debris (LWD) or engineered log jams, are being increasingly deployed throughout the UK and elsewhere. In addition to alleviating flood risk, it is anticipated that they may influence the ecology of freshwater river systems, including macroinvertebrate populations. This study explores macroinvertebrate assemblages, water quality parameters, and sediment size distribution in a headwater stream following the addition of LWD as part of a natural flood management scheme. The study area consists of 6 sites within the intervention zone where LWD log jams were implemented, with comparative control sites upstream and downstream (3 sites each). Macroinvertebrate communities, sediment size distribution, and water chemistry were sampled 3 and 10 months following the addition of LWD. Our findings revealed increased macroinvertebrate abundance and taxa richness in the LWD intervention zone versus control, with an increased BMWP score reflecting the increased taxa richness. Average Score Per Taxon, and water chemistry showed no change, revealing invertebrate changes to be independent of water quality. NMDS and hierarchical clustering analysis on invertebrate data showed a clear separation of communities where LWD was present from those with no LWD, while SIMPER analysis showed that LWD addition led to the rapid establishment of taxa (Hydraenidae, Rhyacophilidae, Scirtidae, and Elmidae) that were otherwise absent. Ten months after LWD addition, improved biodiversity was also found in areas below the intervention zone, suggesting the positive impacts of LWD extend downstream. LWD also altered sediments, with sites immediately upstream of LWD log jams having a greater percentage of fine sediment than those immediately downstream. These results suggest that biological complexity and niche availability increased within the in-channel zone as a result of introduced LWD, thus revealing wider aquatic habitat improvement potential of LWD for natural flood management. The use of LWD as an intervention for flood management is recommended for its additional benefits for ecosystem health

Lab-on-a-Chip approaches for the detection of controlled drugs, including new psychoactive substances: A systematic review

According to the World Drugs Report (2019) from the United Nations on Drugs and Crime there were over half a million drug related deaths, 35 million people were treated for drug use disorders across the globe, and it is estimated that more than 270 million people used drugs during 2017. Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) technology is an increasingly popular choice of detection method for drugs of abuse. We systematically reviewed the published literature available on LOC methods for the detection of drugs of abuse including New Psychoactive Substances (NPS) from January 1999 to March 2021 and identified 45 publications. A total of 28 different drugs of abuse were investigated, with cocaine the most widely studied (58%). The LOC devices were capable of accepting a wide range of biological and non-biological samples. A total of 18 countries have been involved in LOC research into detection of drugs of abuse, with locations generally following local trends in drug use. LOC devices employed a range of detection methods with immunoassays most commonly incorporated (34%). Recommendations are made for expanding the use of real-world samples, improved validation and further analysis of practicality (in terms of providing information on cost, speed of analysis and ease of use). More than a third of all the publications included in this review were published since 2019, representing a recent increase in research using LOC devices for the detection of drugs of abuse. There is currently an extensive range of LOC approaches available offering potential for these devices as cost-effective, rapid and portable detection systems

Density and climate effects on age-specific survival and population growth: consequences for hibernating mammals

The impact of factors such as density dependence, food availability and weather are known to be important for predicting population change in a wide range of species. However, a challenge in ecology is understanding the contributory and interactive role of these drivers on populations. This is necessary to design effective conservation and management strategies. Using data from long-term studies of five hazel dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius populations in Europe, we tested the relationship between population density and weather and their impact on demographic rates. We used an integrated population modelling approach, estimating age-specific overwinter survival, annual population growth and fecundity rates. We found strong negative effects of population density, precipitation and winter temperature on population growth rates. This suggests that warmer and wetter weather negatively affects dormouse survival for both adults and juveniles, but we found subtle differences in these effects between age classes. We also identified an interaction between weather measures and population density on age-specific survival, possibly as a result of weather impacts during hibernation. Although we found low winter temperature was positively associated with population growth, we found evidence consistent with density dependence. We discuss our results in the context of woodland habitat conservation management

Community outreach library services in the UK: a case study of Wirral Hospital NHS Trust (WHNT)

Aims and objectives: The study evaluates the Community Outreach Library Service at Wirral Hospital National Health Service Trust (WHNT). It considers the information seeking behaviour and information needs of primary care staff, and service effectiveness in meeting those needs. Methods: A literature review established the current context and areas of best practice. The investigative case study used postal questionnaires to 250 primary care staff and an interview with the Community Outreach Librarian. Findings: Themes emerged from the literature regarding information seeking behaviour, information needs, and meeting user needs through effective service delivery. Outreach services have value in terms of improving information skills and providing services at point of need. Time is a major constraint for both users and service providers. Conclusions: Investment is needed from appropriate funding sources to support the provision and marketing of outreach library services. Librarians benefit from sharing best practice. The continued evaluation of outreach library services is recommended