Metals in Waters and Sediments of the Morrocoy National Park, Venezuela: Increased Contamination Levels of Cadmium over Time

2010 ◽  
Vol 214 (1-4) ◽  
pp. 609-621 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. M. García ◽  
C. Bastidas ◽  
J. J. Cruz-Motta ◽  
O. Farina
Author(s):  
Arthur M. Spickett ◽  
Gordon J. Gallivan ◽  
Ivan G. Horak

The study aimed to assess the long-term population dynamics of questing Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus zambeziensis in two landscape zones of the Kruger National Park (KNP). Ticks were collected by dragging the vegetation monthly in three habitats (grassland, woodland and gully) at two sites in the KNP (Nhlowa Road and Skukuza) from August 1988 to March 2002. Larvae were the most commonly collected stage of both species. More R. appendiculatus were collected at Nhlowa Road than at Skukuza, with larvae being most abundant from May to August, while nymphs were most abundant from August to December. Larvae were most commonly collected in the gullies from 1991 to 1994, but in the grassland and woodland habitats from 1998 onwards. Nymphs were most commonly collected in the grassland and woodland. More R. zambeziensis were collected at Skukuza than at Nhlowa Road, with larvae being most abundant from May to September, while nymphs were most abundant from August to November. Larvae and nymphs were most commonly collected in the woodland and gullies and least commonly in the grassland (p < 0.01). The lowest numbers of R. appendiculatus were collected in the mid-1990s after the 1991/1992 drought. Rhipicephalus zambeziensis numbers declined after 1991 and even further after 1998, dropping to their lowest levels during 2002. The changes in numbers of these two species reflected changes in rainfall and the populations of several of their large herbivore hosts, as well as differences in the relative humidity between the two sites over time.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Marrone ◽  
Daniele La Russa ◽  
Elvira Brunelli ◽  
Gianfranco Santovito ◽  
Mauro Francesco La Russa ◽  
...  

Antarctica represents a unique natural laboratory for ecotoxicological studies as it is characterized by low internal pollutants emissions but high external contamination levels. Indeed, warm temperatures promote pollutant evaporation (low latitudes), while cool temperatures (high latitudes) promote its deposition from the atmosphere on land/water. Metals are the most important pollutants in ecosystems and represent a serious and global threat to aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Since 2000, the risks posed by metals have led many States to ratify protocols aimed at reducing their emissions. Endemic Antarctic organisms represent excellent bioindicators in order to evaluate the efficacy of global measures adopted to mitigate pollutants release into the environment. In this study (supported by PNRA18-00133), we estimated the metals contamination levels and the metallothionein-1 expression in liver samples of two Antarctic fish species, the icefish Chionodraco hamatus and the red-blooded Trematomus bernacchii, collected in the same area during 2002 and 2014. The chosen area is located in the Ross Sea, a unique area as it is also isolated from the rest of the Southern Ocean. The analysis of contamination trends throughout this period showed, in both species, a significant increase over time of metals bioaccumulation and metallothionein-1 expression. In addition, our result clearly indicated that the detoxifying ability of the two organisms analyzed greatly differs, probably due to haemoglobin presence/absence. Our work represents an important early step to obtain valuable information in conservation strategies for both Antarctic and non-Antarctic ecosystems.


2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luana Portz ◽  
Rogério Portantiollo Manzolli ◽  
Dejanira Luderitz Saldanha ◽  
Iran Carlos Stalliviere Correa

O Parque Nacional da Lagoa do Peixe está localizado no litoral sul do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Dentre os conflitos existentes dentro da área do parque e no seu entorno, o aumento e a dispersão da vegetação exótica, vem gerando inúmeras discussões. Neste contexto o objetivo do presente trabalho foi identificar a distribuição espacial, ao longo do tempo, das áreas de plantações de Pinus sp. Para tanto foram utilizadas imagens multiespectrais de sensoriamento remoto (TM-Landsat 5), com datas entre 1986 e 2009, sendo realizada a classificação manual por meio da vetorização, verificação de campo e análise quantitativa e qualitativa dos resultados obtidos. O problema principal da dispersão natural de Pinus sp. é encontrado na margem da lagoa principal, margeada por banhados e por pinus, cuja dispersão espontânea está competindo com o crescimento da vegetação natural e alterando o cenário típico da região. De 1986, data de criação do parque, até hoje a área de pinus, no entorno desta lagoa, cresceu de 61 para 252 ha. Este aumento da área de ocorrência de Pinus sp, em mais de 4 vezes, torna necessária a sua extração, a fim de preservar as espécies nativas da região, bem como a diversidade biológica a ela associada. A expansão da silvicultura é preocupante, pois assumiu uma grande proporção em área, não se encontrando ações que indiquem uma desaceleração deste processo. Além de diminuir o valor estético da paisagem natural esta invasão poderá comprometer o potencial turístico e principalmente de preservação ambiental ao qual o título de Parque Nacional exige.Palavras chaves: Pinus sp., Landsat, impactos. Dispersion of Exotic Vegetation Into and Around the Lagoa do Peixe National Park  ABSTRACTLagoa do Peixe National Park presents a great variety of fragile ecosystems. Among the conflicts present into and around the Park is the increase and dispersion of exotic vegetation, that is generating several discussions. In this context, the objective of this paper was identifying the spatial distribution, over time, of the Pinus sp. plantations in this area. For both researches, it was used multispectral images (Landsat), with dates between 1986 and 2009, and performed the manual classification, field verification and analysis of quantitative and qualitative results. The main problem related to the natural dispersal of Pinus sp. is found on the shore of the park’s main lagoon. This area is bordered by marshes and Pinus sp. whose spontaneous dispersion is competing with the natural vegetation and altering the typical scenery of this region. Since the creation of the park (1986) until today, the area of pinus, around the lagoon, has grown from 61 to 252 ha. This increase, more than four times, makes it necessary its extraction in order to preserve the native species and the biodiversity associated. The expansion of forestry in the Lagoa do Peixe National Park is worrisome because it has been taking a great extent of the area, and there are no actions that indicate a slowdown of this process.Keyword: Pinus sp., Landsat, impact.


2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vanessa deKoninck

Abstract This paper considers the case of an introduced species that resides in what is now a jointly managed national park in the north of tropical Australia. Banteng (Bos javanicus) are a peculiar feral nonhuman animal in that they constitute a potential environmental threat within the domestic conservation goals of the park, but they also hold the prospect of being a major genetic resource in the international conservation of the species. Thus, perspectives on the use and management of these animals are varied between different actors in the park landscape, and are subject to fluctuations over time, especially in response to wider social and political circumstances. This paper argues that seemingly objective views of these animals are actually a series of subjectivities, which have less to do with any concrete aspects of the animals themselves and more to do with the way that particular people orient themselves toward, and within, the landscape.


2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
MY Mia ◽  
MU Hossain ◽  
S Farzana

The study was conducted in Madhupur National Park (MNP), which is very well known for its characteristics as deciduous forest.  This study examined the constraints of park management, causes of deforestation and prospects of Madhupur Sal forests of Bangladesh. Data were collected from the Madhupur National Park authority and a study was done to have clear scenario of the park management and status of forest over time. It is evident from the study that due to various factors like anthropogenic disturbances, political abusement, absence of proper rules and regulations, willingless of the authority, encroachment of forest by locals/local leaders, illegal cutting of Sal trees, agro-forestry, and lack of adequate budget are main constraints for managing MNP. The study also revealed that about 1-3% of the forest is depleted each year, and about 50-80 years later, the forest will be completely vanished or scattered in somewhere. However, MNP will be a sustainable reserve forest for Sal trees and other flora and fauna, and also be a potential ecotourism spot, if it is properly managed. Findings of the study will help to identify the prospects and constraints of MNP and also in other National Parks in Bangladesh which ultimately conserve the biodiversity and help to maintain natural balance. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jesnr.v5i1.11570 J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 5(1): 151 - 158, 2012


2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kerrie Bennison ◽  
Jim Clayton ◽  
Robert Godfree ◽  
Chris Pavey ◽  
Melinda Wilson

Little is known about the distribution and ecology of the cryptic and unique marsupial mole. In this paper we report on the habitat preferences and surfacing behaviour of marsupial moles on the basis of surface sign surveys conducted in Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and Ayers Rock Resort over a 12-month period by Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park staff and traditional owners. A key aim of the study was to assess the potential viability of using surface sign as a rapid, non-intrusive alternative to traditional survey methods. We found that surfacing occurred widely across the study area, but that it was highly variable both across survey sites and over time. Significant relationships existed between surface sign counts and environmental variables, including fire age, timing of significant rainfall events, presence of infrastructure and the cumulative rainfall received in the preceding three months. We concluded that the use of marsupial mole surface sign is likely to be a useful method for monitoring the distribution, abundance and habitat requirements of this cryptic species.


Collections ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurel Racine ◽  
Greg McDonald ◽  
Ted Fremd ◽  
Ted Weasma ◽  
J.W. Bayless ◽  
...  

This article describes the National Park Service's (NPS) progress in an ongoing effort to develop museum collection significance criteria for its geology, paleontology, biology, archeology, ethnography/ethnology, history, and archival collections. The goal is to create sets of significance criteria that are practical, flexible, recognize the associative value of the NPS's collections, and provide continuity and context for the stewardship of collections over time. Effective significance criteria will increase the intellectual understanding of collections; inform and record collection acquisition and deaccession; and assist in management decisions related to collections. This is an immense undertaking complicated by differences among disciplines and a large geographic scope. The significance criteria effort requires agency support through a national staff coordinator and funding for the final development and implementation phases.


2008 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle J. Dawson ◽  
Cameron Miller

Aerial mark–recapture population estimates utilising the natural markings of wild horses to identify individuals was applied in the Bogong High Plains, Alpine National Park, Victoria. A discrete population of wild horses occupying an area of 180 km2 was sampled over two days in 2005. This study explored the feasibility of a technique that aimed to enable managers to estimate the size of the horse population and monitor it over time. Four observers (including the pilot) searched for horses from a helicopter. Once horses were sighted, photographic and written observations were used to ‘mark’ each animal. The survey was repeated the following day with observations ‘recapturing’ individuals. Data were analysed using several mark–recapture estimators, and the derived population estimates ranged from 89 (±5.3, s.e.) horses to 94.7 (±7.9, s.e.) horses. We found that the method gave a level of precision relevant to management, but needs refinement. The technique and its assumptions should be tested further by increasing the number of samples and video should be used to improve identification of individuals. We believe that this is a novel application for aerial surveys, which are typically unsuitable for estimating the size of small populations. This technique was developed for horses but may be used on other conspicuous species with unique natural markings.


Author(s):  
Bogdan-Vasile Cioruța ◽  
Mirela Coman ◽  
Andrei Nicolae Helindian ◽  
Alexandru Leonard Pop

As part of the natural heritage, our country (Romania) is a blessed place with many areas of unique beauty, with places where the spectacle of nature delights your eyes and take your breath with every step. Constantly promoting philatelic themes that use natural wealth and the beauty of our country as subjects, the administrative entity (with various names over time), nowadays Romfilatelia, responsible for issuing postage stamps performs a series of postage stamps in whose images are found rarities of flora and fauna, a miracle of nature. To show that protected natural areas have a special beauty, and to make them known to everyone and also to show the implications of thematic philately in the promotion of protected areas in the country and abroad, in this paper, we bring to the discussion the most significant philatelic peculiarities (stamps, first-day covers, illustrated and semi-illustrated postcard, maximum postcards, etc) related to the Rodna Mountains National Park.


Author(s):  
Bogdan-Vasile Cioruța ◽  
Alexandru Leonard Pop ◽  
Mirela Coman

Romania is a blessed place with many areas of unique beauty - as part of the natural heritage - with places where the spectacle of nature delights your eyes and take your breath with every step. Constantly promoting philatelic themes that use natural wealth and the beauty of our country as subjects, the administrative entity (with various names over time) responsible for issuing postage stamps performs a series of postage stamps in whose images are found rarities of flora and fauna, a miracle of nature. To show that protected natural areas have a special beauty, and to make them known to everyone, we bring to the talk the most significant philatelic peculiarities in the Ceahl?u National Park (Romania). In this context, the purpose of the research is to identify, index, analyze, describe and disseminate the main philatelic materials that promote the protected area considered. The realization of the whole approach was based on the information provided by a series of philatelic catalogs and sites with dedicated philatelic content. The results show that the concern for the habitat of the area was remarkable, both the multitude of identified philatelic pieces and their artwork speak for themselves.


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