Effects of Cyclone Waka on flying foxes (Pteropus tonganus) in the Vava'u Islands of Tonga

Severe tropical cyclones are a major cause of episodic mortality for Pacific Island flying foxes (large fruit bats). Many flying foxes starve after forests are stripped of food sources, and hunting by humans may also increase in the post-cyclone period. In December 2001, Cyclone Waka passed directly over the Vava'u Islands in the Kingdom of Tonga, western Polynesia. We visited the islands 6 mo later to survey the flying fox (Pteropus tonganus) population and assess availability of potential food items (fruit and flower) in primary, secondary and plantation forests. Less than 20% of the pre-cyclone bat population (surveyed in 1999–2001) remained 6 mo after the storm. The density of potential food trees in flower or fruit at this time was only 15% of pre-cyclone density, and the main species available were different in the two time periods. The highest density of potential food trees occurred in secondary forest (26 flowering or fruiting trees ha−1) and plantations (23 ha−1); primary forest offered the least food (18 ha−1). Since 65–70% of the land area has been converted to agricultural plantations, this vegetation type had the highest absolute number of food-bearing trees – almost seven times that of primary forest. Flowering coconuts (Cocos nucifera) were the most abundant food source overall and we suggest that this species may be important in sustaining flying foxes following severe storms.

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Status and distribution of the Pemba flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi

Oryx ◽

10.1046/j.1365-3008.1997.d01-7.x ◽

1997 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 135-142 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Abigail Entwistle ◽

Nadia Corp

Keyword(s):

Secondary Forest ◽

Primary Forest ◽

The West ◽

Pregnant Females ◽

Fruit Bat ◽

Flying Fox

The Pemba flying fox Pteropus voeltzkowi is a fruit bat endemic to the island of Pemba, off Tanzania. A total of 41 reported roosting areas were visited in June and July 1995, and 19 occupied roosts were located, most of them in the west of the island, and on small islets off the west and south of Pemba. Roosts were situated in primary forest, secondary forest (overgrown clove plantations), traditional graveyards and mangrove areas. A range of sizes and species of trees were used as roosts. The minimum population of P. voeltzkowi was estimated to be between 4600 and 5500 individuals. In total 94 per cent of the population was located at 10 roost sites. Larger colonies were associated with roosts located in forests, which together supported 75 per cent of the total bat population. Colonies were of mixed sex, but no young or obviously pregnant females were observed. Major threats to this species appeared to be hunting and deforestation (both logging and clearing for agriculture) and P. voeltzkowi is considered to be endangered.

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The habitat characteristics of Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) in the forest of Serbajadi sub-district Aceh Province

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/922/1/012055 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 922 (1) ◽

pp. 012055

Author(s):

Abdullah ◽

Supriadi ◽

D Syafrianti ◽

Khairil ◽

A M Daud ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Forest ◽

Vegetation Type ◽

Canopy Cover ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Elephas Maximus ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Tabular Form ◽

Aceh Province ◽

Feeding Activities ◽

Forest Vegetation Type

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the habitat characteristics of the Sumatran Elephant in the Serbajadi District Forest. Data collection by looking at the use of habitat which is characterized by the distribution of faeces found in various habitat units in the home range of the Sumatran Elephant. The method used is observation with a track with a size of 3,600 m which is divided into 20 observation plots with a distance between plots of 100 m. The data obtained in the field were analyzed descriptively and presented in tabular form. The results of this study indicate that the Habitat Characteristics of the Sumatran Elephant in the Serbajadi District Forest chose habitat units with very dense canopy cover (>75%), moderate feed availability (26-50%), rare mineral source trees availability (< 3 trees/plot). availability of sparse scrubbing trees (<3 trees/plot), close to primary forest (0-500 m), low land elevation (0- 400 masl), gentle slope (0-20°), close to water sources (0-250m). Secondary forest/vegetation type and frequency of habitat use based on the findings of faeces that the Sumatran elephant most frequently visited was secondary forest than primary forest because the secondary forest was for feeding activities while the primary forest was used for resting and reproduction.

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Spider diversity in the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, Singapore

Gardens’ Bulletin Singapore ◽

10.26492/gbs71(suppl.1).2019-08 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 71 ((suppl.1)) ◽

pp. 209-243

Author(s):

J.K.H. Koh ◽

D.J. Court

Keyword(s):

Nature Reserve ◽

New Records ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Distinct Species ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Preliminary Results ◽

Vegetation Zones ◽

Comprehensive Survey ◽

Quantitative Analyses ◽

First Time

This paper discusses the preliminary results of the first comprehensive survey of the spiders of the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve (BTNR) in Singapore. Two plots were established in each of the three zones of vegetation, viz., primary forest, old secondary forest, and maturing secondary forest. They were repeatedly sampled over an 18-month period. Sorting of the collection so far suggests that the three vegetation zones harbour rather different spider assemblages. Only ~9% of the total spider fauna recovered was shared by all three zones. The results have also yielded a preliminary picture of dominance, abundance and rarity. Although first intended to obtain a baseline for future quantitative analyses, the survey became a testing ground to modify and refine methodology so as to conduct future quantitative surveys with greater scientific rigour. Taxonomic work on the samples so far shows that the spiders in the BTNR span over 43 families, of which six families are listed for the first time in Singapore. The tally is summarised in an interim checklist of BTNR spiders. The checklist, with a total of 317 entries, shows that there are 158 described species of spiders in BTNR, of which 25 species are new records for Singapore. Another 159 morphospecies are provisionally recognised as distinct species, some of which may be new to science. Our observations during the survey have allowed us to provide a narrative of BTNR spider diversity against a backdrop of their microhabitat specialisation.

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MANAJEMEN DATA SPASIAL: PENGGUNAAN TANAH WILAYAH PEDESAAN DI SUMATERA BARAT

Jurnal Spasial ◽

10.22202/js.v5i2.3090 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 48-53

Author(s):

Afrital Rezki, S.Pd., M.Si ◽

Erna Juita ◽

Dasrizal Dasrizal ◽

Arie Zella Putra Ulni

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Paddy Field ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Water Bodies ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Land Uses ◽

Forest Land ◽

Land Use Patterns ◽

Crop Fields ◽

Mixed Plantations

Perkembangan penggunaan tanah bergerak horisontal secara spasial ke arah wilayah yang mudah diusahakan. Penggunaan tanah juga bergerak secara vertikal dalam rangka menaikkan mutunya. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis pola penggunaan lahan, bagaimana manajemen penggunaan lahan di satu wilayah berdasarkan batas Nagari. Metode yang digunakan adalah analsisis spasial dengan interpretasi citra penginderaan jauh, survey lapangan, dan analisis deskriptif. Pertumbuhan pemukiman Nagari Sungai Sariak Kecamatan VII Koto Kabupaten Padang Pariaman mengakibatkan pemanfaatan ruang menjadi tumpang tindih. Diperlukan cara-cara pengelolaan dan managemen penggunaan tanah dalam rangka pembangunan berkelanjutan yang menaikkan taraf hidup masyarakat dan tidak menimbulkan kerugian lingkungan.Terdapat 9 jenis penggunaan lahan yang ada di Nagari Sungai Sariak. Penggunaan lahan tersebut adalah Primary Forest, Secondary Forest, Paddy Field, Settlement, Mixed Plantations, Crop Fields, Water Bodies, Bushes, dan Plantations. Penggunaan lahan yang paling luas di Nagari Sungai Sariak adalah jenis penggunaan lahan Primary Forest, sebesar 48% dari total luas wilayah Nagari Sungai Sariak. Pada tahun 2011 sampai tahun 2016, penggunaan lahan paling luas terjadi pada penggunaan lahan jenis Primary Forest yang kemudian menjadi Mixed Plantations. Land use Changes moved horizontally spatially towards areas that are easily cultivated. The land use also moves vertically in order to increase its quality. This study aims to analyze land use patterns, how land use management in one area is based on Nagari boundaries. The method used is spatial analysis with interpretation of remote sensing images, field surveys, and descriptive analysis. The growth of Nagari Sungai Sariak in Kecamatan VII Koto, Kabupaten Padang Pariaman resulted in overlapping use of space. Management methods are needed and management of land use in the framework of sustainable development that raises the standard of living of the community and does not cause environmental losses. There are 9 types of land use in the Nagari Sungai Sariak. The land uses are Primary Forest, Secondary Forest, Paddy Field, Settlement, Mixed Plantations, Crop Fields, Water Bodies, Bushes, and Plantations. The most extensive land use in Nagari Sungai Sariak is the type of Primary Forest land use, amounting to 48% of the total area of the Nagari Sungai Sariak. From 2011 to 2016, the most extensive land use occurred in Primary Forest land uses which later became Mixed Plantations.

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Responses of Bat Communities (Mammalia: Chiroptera) to Forest Loss and Habitat Conversion in Southern Cameroon

Tropical Conservation Science ◽

10.1177/19400829211010360 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

pp. 194008292110103

Author(s):

Patrick Jules Atagana ◽

Eric Moïse Bakwo Fils ◽

Sevilor Kekeunou

Keyword(s):

Secondary Forest ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Abundant Species ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Habitat Transformation ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Southern Cameroon ◽

Habitat Conversion ◽

Species Specific

We aimed to assess how bats are affected by habitat transformation by comparing bat assemblages in four habitat types: primary forest, secondary forest, cocoa plantations and human habitations in the Dja Biosphere Reserve of southern Cameroon. Bats were sampled in the four habitat types using mist nets. During 126 nights, a total of 413 bats were captured, belonging to four families, 16 genera and 24 species. Ninety three individuals (17 species) were captured in the primary forest, followed by plantations (105 individuals, 14 species), human habitations (159 individuals, 10 species), and secondary forest (55 individuals, eight species). Megaloglossus woermanni was recorded in all the four habitats, and was the most abundant species (105 individuals). The analysis of bat assemblage between habitat types showed a statistically significant difference in species composition. The distribution of the six most abundant species ( Epomops franqueti, Megaloglossus woermanni, Rousettus aegyptiacus, Dohyrina cyclops, Hipposideros cf. caffer and Hipposideros cf. ruber) was influenced by habitat types. Our results suggest that the decrease in species richness observed in disturbed habitats may be due to habitat perturbations of primary forest habitats. Therefore, it is important to examine the effects of habitat conversion at species level, as responses are often species-specific.

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Comparison of soil respiration among three temperate forests in Changbai Mountains, China

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x10-010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 788-795 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Xu Wang ◽

Yanling Jiang ◽

Bingrui Jia ◽

Fengyu Wang ◽

Guangsheng Zhou

Keyword(s):

Soil Respiration ◽

Soil Temperature ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Temperature Response ◽

Stand Age ◽

Changbai Mountains ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Plantation Forest ◽

Successional Stage ◽

Coniferous Plantation

CO2 efflux from forest soils is an important process in the global carbon cycle; however, effects of stand age and successional status remain uncertain. We compared soil respiration and its relationship to soil carbon content, forest floor mass, root biomass, soil temperature, and soil moisture content among three temperate forest ecosystems in Changbai Mountains, northeastern China, from 2003 to 2005. Forest types included an old-growth, mixed coniferous and broad-leaved primary forest (MN), a middle-aged, broad-leaved secondary forest (BL), and a young coniferous plantation forest (CP). Average annual soil CO2 efflux at BL (1477.9 ± 61.8 g C·m–2·year–1) was significantly higher than at CP (830.7 ± 48.7 g C·m–2·year–1) and MN (935.4 ± 53.3 g C·m–2·year–1). Differences in soil temperature among those sites were not statistically significant but contributed to the differences in annual CO2 efflux. In addition, the temperature response of soil CO2 efflux was higher at MN (Q10 = 2.78) than that at BL (Q10 = 2.17) and CP (Q10 = 2.02). Our results suggest that successional stage affects soil respiration by the differences in substrate quantity and quality, environmental conditions, and root respiration.

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Seed mass and light requirements for regeneration in Southeast Asian rain forest

Canadian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1139/b95-090 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 73 (6) ◽

pp. 817-826 ◽

Cited By ~ 59

Author(s):

D. J. Metcalfe ◽

P. J. Grubb

Keyword(s):

Phylogenetic Analysis ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Seed Mass ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Secondary Forests ◽

Light Requirement ◽

Lowland Rain Forest ◽

Light Requirements ◽

Shade Tolerant Species

Seed mass values are given for 140 species of primary lowland rain forest and associated secondary forests in Singapore. Among shade-tolerant species of primary forest there is a trend for a decrease in mean seed mass with tall trees > woody climbers > small trees > shrubs > herbs; the differences between tall trees and small trees or shrubs or herbs, and between herbs and small trees or woody climbers are significant. There are a few light-demanding herbs or shrubs in the primary forest; among small trees, light demanders have significantly lower seed mass values than shade tolerators. In 9 out of 13 comparisons within taxa including both shade tolerants and light demanders the former had appreciably larger seeds than the latter. Two out of 13 comparisons involved very small seeded shade tolerators, and one a notably large-seed light demander. Many shade-tolerant herbs, shrubs, and trees have seed mass values much smaller than those of trees of secondary forest conventionally regarded as small seeded, and exploit moist, litter-free sites, e.g., steep microslopes. The trees of secondary forests on degraded soils do not differ significantly in seed mass from those on nondegraded soils. Key words: seed mass, light requirement, regeneration, tropical rain forest, phylogenetic analysis.

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Pola Perubahan Penggunaan Lahan Sub Sub Daerah Aliran Sungai (DAS) Cikujang

Rona Teknik Pertanian ◽

10.17969/rtp.v9i2.5651 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 147-156

Author(s):

Devianti Devianti

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Land Use Change ◽

Protected Area ◽

Catchment Area ◽

Rice Field ◽

Secondary Forest ◽

Forest Area ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Change Pattern ◽

Changing Rate

Abstrak. Sub Sub DAS Cikujang merupakan salah satu bagian dari Sub DAS Cimanuk hulu yang dapat menyumbang sedimen ke waduk Jatigede yang berasal dari erosi sebagai akibat perubahan penggunaan lahan yang tidak sesuai dengan kondisi fisik lahan. Hasil kajian memperlihatkan pola perubahan penggunaan lahan di Sub Sub DAS Cikujang periode 1994-2009, terjadi perubahan penggunaan lahan dari kawasan lindung menjadi kawasan budidaya seluas 742,20 ha. Kawasan lindung pada tahun 1994 seluas 3.213,03 ha menurun menjadi 2.470,83 ha pada tahun 2009 dan kawasan budidaya pada tahun 1994 seluas 9.532,41 ha meningkat menjadi 10.274,61 ha pada tahun 2009 dengan laju perubahan 185,55 ha/tahun. Laju penurunan luasan hutan primer mencapai 54,45 ha/tahun, dan pada tahun 2009 tidak terdapat lagi lahan dengan fungsi sebagai hutan primer. Laju penurunan luasan hutan sekunder mencapai 135,90 ha/tahun dari 2.995,25 ha pada tahun 1994 menjadi 2.451,65 ha pada tahun 2009. Pola perubahan penggunaan lahan di Sub Sub DAS Cikujang sebagian besar dipengaruhi dengan pola perubahan hutan primer dan hutan sekunder pada kawasan lindung. Sedangkan pola perubahan penggunaan lahan pada kawasan budidaya dipengaruhi pola perubahan lahan kebun campuran, tegalan/ladang, perkebunan, dan sawah Land-Use Change Pattern in Cikujang Catchment Area Abstract. Cikujang catchment area is one part of the subzone Cimanuk that can contribute sediment upstream reservoirs to Jatigede derived from erosion as a result of changes in land use that is not in accordance with the physical condition of the land. Based on analysis result of land-use change pattern in Cikujang catchment area in 1994 – 2009 period, land-use had changed 742,20ha from protected areas to cultivated areas, where protected area had decreased from 3.213,03ha in 1994 to 2.470,83ha in 2009 and cultivated area had increased from 10.274,61 ha in 1994 to10.274,61 ha in 2009 with changing rate ha/year. The rate of decreasing primary forest area was 54.45ha/year, as a result there was no land function as primary forest in 2009. The rate of decreasing secondary forest area was 135,90ha/year ranging from 2.995,25ha in 1994 to 2.451,65ha in 2009. Land-use change pattern in Cikujang catchment area dominantly was influenced by changing pattern of protected forest and secondary forest in protected area, but in cultivated area land-use change pattern was influenced by changing pattern of farm, grassland, and rice field.

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A comparison of nutritional value of native and alien food plants for a critically endangered island flying-fox

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0250857 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. e0250857

Author(s):

Laura A. Pulscher ◽

Ellen S. Dierenfeld ◽

Justin A. Welbergen ◽

Karrie A. Rose ◽

David N. Phalen

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Soluble Sugars ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Food Plants ◽

Nutritional Requirements ◽

Nutritional Content ◽

Alien Plant ◽

Flying Foxes ◽

Christmas Island ◽

Flying Fox

Habitat loss and alteration are two of the biggest threats facing insular flying-foxes. Altered habitats are often re-vegetated with introduced or domestic plant species on which flying-foxes may forage. However, these alien food plants may not meet the nutritional requirements of flying-foxes. The critically endangered Christmas Island flying-fox (CIFF; Pteropus natalis) is subject to habitat alteration and the introduction of alien food plants, and therefore is a good model species to evaluate the potential impact of alien plant species on insular flying-foxes. In this study, we evaluated nutritional content of native food plants to determine how flying-foxes historically met their nutritional requirements. Furthermore, we compared the nutritional content of native and alien fruits to predict possible impacts of alien plants on insular flying-foxes. Native and alien fruits and flowers, and native foliage (leaves, petals, and petioles) commonly consumed by the CIFF were collected and evaluated for soluble sugars, crude protein, non-fiber carbohydrates, and nine minerals. Evaluation of native food plants suggests that flying-foxes meet energy requirements by consuming fruit and nectar. However, fruit and nectar are low in protein and essential minerals required for demanding life periods; therefore, flying-foxes likely supplement their diets with pollen and foliage. Thus, flying-foxes require a diverse array of plants to meet their nutritional requirements. Compared to native fruits, alien fruits contained significantly higher non-fiber carbohydrates, and this may provide an important energy source, particularly from species that bear fruit year-round. Median mineral concentrations in alien fruit species, however, were deficient compared to native fruits, suggesting major (or even seasonal) shifts in the proportion of alien species in the CIFF diet could lead to nutritional imbalances. This study confirms the need to quantify nutritional parameters in addition to feeding ecology when evaluating habitat quality to inform conservation actions that can be applied both locally and globally.

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A New Hendra Virus Genotype Found in Australian Flying Foxes

10.21203/rs.3.rs-616496/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jianning Wang ◽

Danielle E Anderson ◽

Kim Halpin ◽

Xiao Hong ◽

Honglei Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Relatedness ◽

Phylogenetic Analyses ◽

Inflammatory Lesion ◽

Hendra Virus ◽

Virus Genotype ◽

Flying Foxes ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Genotype 2 ◽

Pcr Assays ◽

Flying Fox

Abstract Background Hendra virus (HeV) has caused lethal disease outbreaks in humans and horses in Australia. Pteropid bats (flying foxes) are the wildlife reservoir from which the virus was first isolated in 1996. Following a heat stress mortality event in Australian flying foxes in 2013, a novel HeV variant was discovered. This study describes the subsequent surveillance of Australian flying foxes for this novel virus over a nine year period using qRT-PCR testing of bat tissues submitted primarily for Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) diagnosis. Genome sequencing and characterisation of the novel HeV variant was also undertaken. Methods Spleen and kidney samples harvested from flying fox carcasses were initially screened with two real-time qRT-PCR assays specific for the prototype HeV. Two additional qRT-PCR assays were developed specific for the HeV variant first detected in samples from a flying fox in 2013. Next-generation sequencing and virus isolation was attempted from selected samples to further characterise the new virus. Results Since 2013, 98 flying foxes were tested and 11 were positive for the new HeV variant. No samples were positive for the original HeV. Ten of the positive samples were from grey-headed flying foxes (GHFF, Pteropus poliocephalus), however this species was over-represented in the opportunistic sampling (83% of bats tested were GHFF). The positive GHFF samples were collected from Victoria and South Australia and one positive Little red flying fox (LRFF, Pteropus scapulatus) was collected from Western Australia. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) confirmed the presence of henipavirus antigen, associated with an inflammatory lesion in cardiac blood vessels of one GHFF. Positive samples were sequenced and the complete genome was obtained from three samples. When compared to published HeV genomes, there was 84% sequence identity at the nucleotide level. Based on phylogenetic analyses, the newly detected HeV belongs to the HeV species but occupies a distinct lineage. We have therefore designated this virus HeV genotype 2 (HeV-G2). Attempts to isolate virus from PCR positive samples have not been successful. Conclusions A novel HeV genotype (HeV-G2) has been identified in two flying fox species submitted from three states in Australia, indicating that the level of genetic diversity for HeV is broader than first recognised. Given its high genetic relatedness to HeV, HeV-G2 should be considered a zoonotic pathogen.

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