Bees and wasps (Aculeata) in young boreal forests

In Sweden, forest stands younger than 15 years constitute more than 10% of the total forest area. The aims of the research described in this thesis were to investigate how bees and wasps (Aculeata) use young boreal forests as nesting and feeding grounds. Aculeates are sun-loving creatures and do not thrive in closed forest stands. Life history traits of nest-provisioning bees and wasps are characterized by low fecundity and extensive parental care. Their lifestyle differs from most other insects and they exhibit many similarities with breeding songbirds. The offspring are produced in sheltered nests that are stocked with food. Bees collect nectar and pollen and wasps collect insects and spiders. Most of this thesis is about solitary wood-dwelling aculeates that nest in holes made by other wood-boring insects. About 5800 potential nesting holes in deadwood were surveyed and the insect species or genera that had made the hole identified. Less than 2% of these holes were occupied by any bee or wasp. The reason for the low occupancy was probably that the egg-laying females are demanding in their nest choice and rejected many “inferior” holes that would not protect their offspring. Standing deadwood objects had higher occupancy than stumps and tops from harvested trees. Among two bee species, the nest abundance of a pollen-specialist species was predicted only by this species’ specific pollen resource, whereas the nest abundance of a pollen-generalist species was predicted by both pollen (mainly flowers along roadsides) and nesting resources. Tree species, sun exposure and the colonization history of beetles and fungi all contribute to the species assemblage of wood-dwelling aculeates in high stumps. These factors may interact in complex ways. Some exposure to sun seems to be a common requirement for aculeates irrespective of which tree species that were used as nest substrate. The relationship between tree species and aculeate species assemblage seems to be highly dependent on prior colonization history. Bumblebees were more abundant along edges between young and older forest stands than in the middle of the young forest stands. The reason for this is probably associated with the fact that edges represent favorable nesting and mate-finding sites. Based on results in this thesis, it is concluded that young boreal forest stands are important habitats for bees and wasps. Retention and creation of standing deadwood at final fellings is recommended and special care should be taken along forest roadsides to preserve the flora

Adherence to HAART: A Systematic Review of Developed and Developing Nation Patient-Reported Barriers and Facilitators

BACKGROUND: Adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) medication is the greatest patient-enabled predictor of treatment success and mortality for those who have access to drugs. We systematically reviewed the literature to determine patient-reported barriers and facilitators to adhering to antiretroviral therapy. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We examined both developed and developing nations. We searched the following databases: AMED (inception to June 2005), Campbell Collaboration (inception to June 2005), CinAhl (inception to June 2005), Cochrane Library (inception to June 2005), Embase (inception to June 2005), ERIC (inception to June 2005), MedLine (inception to June 2005), and NHS EED (inception to June 2005). We retrieved studies conducted in both developed and developing nation settings that examined barriers and facilitators addressing adherence. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included. We independently, in duplicate, extracted data reported in qualitative studies addressing adherence. We then examined all quantitative studies addressing barriers and facilitators noted from the qualitative studies. In order to place the findings of the qualitative studies in a generalizable context, we meta-analyzed the surveys to determine a best estimate of the overall prevalence of issues. We included 37 qualitative studies and 47 studies using a quantitative methodology (surveys). Seventy-two studies (35 qualitative) were conducted in developed nations, while the remaining 12 (two qualitative) were conducted in developing nations. Important barriers reported in both economic settings included fear of disclosure, concomitant substance abuse, forgetfulness, suspicions of treatment, regimens that are too complicated, number of pills required, decreased quality of life, work and family responsibilities, falling asleep, and access to medication. Important facilitators reported by patients in developed nation settings included having a sense of self-worth, seeing positive effects of antiretrovirals, accepting their seropositivity, understanding the need for strict adherence, making use of reminder tools, and having a simple regimen. Among 37 separate meta-analyses examining the generalizability of these findings, we found large heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: We found that important barriers to adherence are consistent across multiple settings and countries. Research is urgently needed to determine patient-important factors for adherence in developing world settings. Clinicians should use this information to engage in open discussion with patients to promote adherence and identify barriers and facilitators within their own populations

Estimating the conservation value of boreal forests using airborne laser scanning

In sustainable forest resource management, establishing forest conservation areas is important to maintain forest biodiversity. However, assessing the conservation value of forests is challenging because the target areas are often both large and remote. We explored using dense airborne laser scanning (ALS) data to estimate conservation values. Field data were collected at sites in Sweden for standing deadwood (S trees), laying deadwood (L trees), and trees considered particularly important for conserving biodiversity (N trees), and forest conservation values were determined using a commonly employed method in the field. A template matching method was then used to detect L, S and N trees from ALS data. L trees were identified from linear features in the point cloud above the ground, with a 52 % detection error rate. S and N trees were identified from unusually small or large crown diameters, with 71 % and 83 % error rates, respectively. We also tested the relationships between the three types of indicator tree, their summed values and the field inventory-assessed conservation values. Regressions between the assessed conservation values and ALS indicators were most robust comparing the three test sites when using the summed number of L, S, and N trees. A wall-to-wall map covering a 3 km × 4 km area was generated using Kernel density estimation of the summed number of ALS-derived indicators, to represent relative conservation values. The map was validated using 10 1-ha plots, and yielded an R2 value of 0.6 for predicted conservation values at the plot level. We conclude that ALS data can be used to map forest conservation values and inform decisions about which forests should be used for timber production and which should be set aside as conservation areas. The maps could also be used as a data source for habitat analysis