scholarly journals Habitat exploitation by landbirds in the changing Western Samoan environment

1992 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Evans ◽  
F. J. C. Fletcher ◽  
P. J. Loader ◽  
F. G. Rooksby
Keyword(s):  
Urban Life ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Severe Loss ◽  
Western Samoa ◽  
Native Birds ◽  
Species Being ◽  
Increased Pressure

SummaryThe avifauna of Western Samoa is dominated by indigenous species, including several endemic ones. They are primarily birds of the rainforest and, since the islands have already suffered severe loss of this habitat and there is likely to be increased pressure on it in the future, their long-term prospects are not good. At present, introduced, non-native birds are not a threat to indigenous species, being confined largely to urban habitats, and there is little interaction with forest species. Several indigenous species exploit manmodified habitats, however, and it is possible that, as has occurred elsewhere, some of them may adapt fully to urban life.

scholarly journals Urban Ecological Restoration

2010 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 227-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul H. Gobster
Keyword(s):  
Ecological Restoration ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Reference Sites ◽  
Urban Context ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Fixed Set ◽  
Natural Diversity ◽  
Urban Ecological Restoration

What does ecological restoration mean in an urban context? More than half of the world’s population now lives in cities, and in response to the dynamic patterns of urbanization, a growing number of ecologists, land managers, and volunteers are focusing their efforts in and around cities to restore remnants of natural diversity (Ingram 2008). Ecological restoration is still a quite youthful field, yet many scientists and practitioners hold a relatively fixed set of criteria for what defines a successful restoration project, irrespective of where sites are located. Among the criteria commonly stated, sites should be composed of indigenous species, have a structure and diversity characteristic of currently undisturbed or historically documented “reference” sites, and be maintained through ecological processes such as fire that ensure long-term sustainability with minimal human assistance (Ruiz-Jaén and Aide 2005; SER International 2004). Application of these criteria has led to many ecologically successful restorations, but some ecologists in the field have begun to question whether the same standards can be realistically applied to sites such as those within urban areas that have been radically altered by past human activity (e.g., Martínez and López-Barerra 2008) or are being influenced by novel conditions that result in unpredictable trajectories (Choi 2007). Perhaps more significantly, it is becoming increasingly recognized that the broader viability of restoration projects, especially those in urban areas, hinges on how socially successful they are in gaining public acceptance for restoration activities and practices, building constituencies to assist with implementation and maintenance, and addressing a broader set of sustainability goals that reach beyond the protection of native biodiversity (e.g., Choi et al. 2008; Hobbs 2007; Rosenzweig 2003).

Contrasting effects of fire on populations of two small rodent species in fragments of Atlantic Forest in Brazil

2004 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos de Souza Lima Figueiredo ◽  
Fernando Antonio dos Santos Fernandez
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Feedback System ◽  
Rodent Species ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Small Rodent ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
The Core ◽  
Higher Temperature ◽  
Disturbed Habitats

Habitat fragmentation causes a sharp increase in the forested area affected by edge effects (Murcia 1995). Compared with the core of the forest, edges present higher litterfall rates, air and soil humidity reduction, higher temperature and increased wind incidence (Bierregaard et al. 1992, Didham & Lawton 1999, Laurance et al. 1998, Matlack 1993). These features of edges may increase the probability of fire occurrence, especially if the surrounding vegetation is composed of grasses (D'Antonio & Vitousek 1992, Freifelder et al. 1998). After a fire, the damaged edge will grow substantial amounts of herbaceous vegetation, extending the inflammable area into the forest, and thereby creating a positive feedback system of fire susceptibility and intensity (Cochrane & Schulze 1999, Cochrane et al. 1999). Fires may affect the structure and composition of the vegetation (Cochrane & Schulze 1999, Didham & Lawton 1999, Sanaiotti & Magnusson 1995), favouring, in the long-term, the dominance of the community by species characteristic of disturbed habitats and making the habitat unsuitable to primary forest species (Malcolm 1994, Possingham et al. 1994). Unfortunately, there are few studies on the effects of fires on neotropical small-mammal populations (Borchert & Hansen 1983, Ojeda 1989, Vieira & Marinho-Filho 1998). The objective of this study was to analyse the influence of a fire on populations of two rodent species, Akodon cursor (Winge) and Oecomys concolor (Wagner) in two fragments of Atlantic Forest in Brazil.

scholarly journals The intersection of basic research and conservation: a 30-year study of the Critically Endangered Schiedea adamantis (Caryophyllaceae) on Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head Crater), Hawai‘i

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann K. Sakai ◽  
Stephen G. Weller ◽  
Weigang Yang ◽  
Susan Ching Harbin ◽  
Talia Portner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Breeding Systems ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Supplemental Irrigation ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
And Storage ◽  
Species Being

AbstractWe report on how a long-term study of the reproductive biology of the Critically Endangered Schiedea adamantis (Caryophyllaceae), one of Hawai‘i's rarest plant species, was leveraged for conservation purposes. Our major goals were to provide seeds with the greatest genetic variation possible for reintroduction and to ensure that both female and hermaphroditic plants of this wind-pollinated species were reintroduced in a manner that maximized both outcrossing and seed production. Schiedea adamantis was one of the first Hawaiian plant species listed under the Endangered Species Act (USA). The species has been studied intensively to test hypotheses addressing the evolution of breeding systems. Information on outcrossing levels and the extent of inbreeding depression was integrated into ongoing reintroduction efforts. Population size peaked in 1994, when 267 flowering individuals were found on Lē‘ahi (Diamond Head Crater). By 2016 only 17 flowering individuals were present, with drought and invasive species being possible causes of this decline. Reintroduction attempts in 1998 using genetically diverse seeds were unsuccessful because of drought and a lack of sufficient supplemental irrigation. Additional reintroduction attempts in 2012 and 2014 were more successful because of increased supplemental irrigation. Plants used in reintroductions represent genotypes long since absent in the natural population, and may contain the genetic variability essential for evolutionary responses to climate change and the spread of invasive species. The destruction of many plants reintroduced in 2015 and 2016 by a fire in March 2016 highlights the need for additional restoration areas at Lē‘ahi and elsewhere, and storage of seeds for future use.

scholarly journals Living alone is associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality: 32 years of follow-up in the Copenhagen Male Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magnus T Jensen ◽  
Jacob L Marott ◽  
Andreas Holtermann ◽  
Finn Gyntelberg
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Mortality ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Policy Initiatives ◽  
All Cause Mortality ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Abstract Aims As a consequence of modern urban life, an increasing number of individuals are living alone. Living alone may have potential adverse health implications. The long-term relationship between living alone and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, however, remains unclear. Methods and results Participants from The Copenhagen Male Study were included in 1985–86 and information about conventional behavioural, psychosocial, and environmental risk factors were collected. Socioeconomic position (SEP) was categorized into four groups. Multivariable Cox-regression models were performed with follow-up through the Danish National Registries. A total of 3346 men were included, mean (standard deviation) age 62.9 (5.2) years. During 32.2 years of follow-up, 89.4% of the population died and 38.9% of cardiovascular causes. Living alone (9.6%) was a significant predictor of mortality. Multivariable risk estimates were [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval)] 1.23 (1.09–1.39), P = 0.001 for all-cause mortality and 1.36 (1.13–1.63), P = 0.001 for cardiovascular mortality. Mortality risk was modified by SEP. Thus, there was no association in the highest SEP but for all other SEP categories, e.g. highest SEP for all-cause mortality 1.01 (0.7–1.39), P = 0.91 and 0.94 (0.6–1.56), P = 0.80 for cardiovascular mortality; lowest SEP 1.58 (1.16–2.19), P = 0.004 for all-cause mortality and 1.87 (1.20–2.90), P = 0.005 for cardiovascular mortality. Excluding participants dying within 5 years of inclusion (n = 274) did not change estimates, suggesting a minimal influence of reverse causation. Conclusions Living alone was an independent risk factor for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality with more than three decades of follow-up. Individuals in middle- and lower SEPs were at particular risk. Health policy initiatives should target these high-risk individuals.

scholarly journals STRATEGIE INNOVATIVE PER IL CONTROLLO DI ZANZARE, VETTORI DI ORGANISMI PATOGENI

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuliano Gasperi
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Behaviour ◽  
Pest Species ◽  
Gene Drive ◽  
West Nile Fever ◽  
Environmentally Safe ◽  
Safe Control ◽  
Human Infections ◽  
Species Being ◽  
Harmful Species

Mosquitoes are the most dangerous insect species being the vectors of the pathogens causing the most widespread diseases as Malaria, Dengue fever, Chikungunya, West Nile fever, Yellow fever, Zika. Several species of the Anopheles, Aedes and Culex are responsable for millions of human infections causing hundreds of thousands of deaths per year. This causes dramatic socio-economic and health consequences, especially in developing countries. Harmful insects are controlled using chemical insecticides which cause insecticide resistance and environmental pollution, due to long term use. In the second half of the 20th century, new insect environmentally safe control stategies were been developed, based on the insect’s reproductive behaviour. Notably, the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) has been successfully applied against some dipteran pest species in several regions of the World. It drived several research efforts to increase our knowledge of the biology of the harmful species. SIT improvements have been also achieved with several molecular biology approaches and transgene technologies such as the innovative RIDL, cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI) and gene drive.

scholarly journals Growth of tropical tree species and absorption of copper in soil artificially contaminated

2015 ◽  
Vol 75 (4 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 119-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. F. Silva ◽  
R. Andreazza ◽  
C. Da Ros ◽  
A. Dellai ◽  
R. J. S. Jacques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Contaminated Sites ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Tropical Tree Species ◽  
Efficient Alternative ◽  
Copper Contaminated ◽  
Different Doses

Abstract Reclamation of copper contaminated sites using forest species may be an efficient alternative to reduce the negative impact. The aim of this study was to quantify the growth and evaluate the quality of seedlings of native species at different doses of copper in the soil. The experimental design was completely randomized, with seven replications in a factorial arrangement (3×9), using three indigenous species of plants (Anadenanthera macrocarpa, Mimosa scabrella and Apuleia leiocarpa) and nine doses of copper in the soil (0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 and 480 mg kg–1).The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse which the seedlings were grown for 180 days. The experimental units were plastic pots of 125 cm3 filled with Oxisol. The results indicated that the levels of copper applied to the soil decreased the quality of seedlings and growth of Apuleia leiocarpato a lesser extent compared with Mimosa scabrella and Anadenanthera macrocarpa. Anadenanthera macrocarpa was the forest species that resulted in the lowest copper translocation from roots to shoots. In addition, the Apuleia leiocarpa exhibited high resistance and tolerance for copper in the soil and also, it is highlighted an ability for copper phytoremediation.

scholarly journals Identifying safe cultivars of invasive plants: six questions for risk assessment, management, and communication

NeoBiota ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 62 ◽  
pp. 81-97
Author(s):  
Arunava Datta ◽  
Sabrina Kumschick ◽  
Sjirk Geerts ◽  
John R. U. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Ornamental Plants ◽  
Risk Identification ◽  
General Science ◽  
Safe Alternative ◽  
Less Invasive ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Species Being

The regulation of biological invasions is often focussed at the species level. However, the risks posed by infra- and inter-specific entities can be significantly different from the risks posed by the corresponding species, to the extent that they should be regulated and managed differently. In particular, many ornamental plants have been the subject of long-term breeding and selection programmes, with an increasing focus on trying to develop cultivars and hybrids that are less invasive. In this paper, we frame the problem of determining the risk of invasion posed by cultivars or hybrids as a set of six questions that map on to the key components of a risk analysis, viz., risk identification, risk assessment, risk management, and risk communication. 1) Has an infra- or inter-specific entity been proposed as “safe to use” despite at least one of the corresponding species being a harmful invasive? 2) What are the trait differences between the proposed safe alternative and its corresponding invasive species? 3) Do the differences in traits translate into a difference in invasion risk that is significant for regulation? 4) Are the differences spatially and temporally stable? 5) Can the entities be distinguished from each other in practice? 6) What are the appropriate ways to communicate the risks and what can be done to manage them? For each question, we use examples to illustrate how they might be addressed focussing on plant cultivars that are purported to be safe due to sterility. We review the biological basis of sterility, methods used to generate sterile cultivars, and the methods available to confirm sterility. It is apparent that separating invasive genetic entities from less invasive, but closely related, genetic entities in a manner appropriate for regulation currently remains unfeasible in many circumstances – it is a difficult, expensive and potentially fruitless endeavour. Nonetheless, we strongly believe that an a priori assumption of risk should be inherited from the constituent taxa and the onus (and cost) of proof should be held by those who wish to benefit from infra- (or inter-) specific genetic entities. The six questions outlined here provide a general, science-based approach to distinguish closely-related taxa based on the invasion risks they pose.

scholarly journals Levels of Serum sST2, MMP-3, and Gal-3 in Patients with Essential Hypertension and Their Correlation with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Xueling Wang ◽  
Wei Han ◽  
Lin Han ◽  
Jiyuan Yang ◽  
Kehui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Essential Hypertension ◽  
Left Ventricular Hypertrophy ◽  
Ventricular Hypertrophy ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ◽  
Insidious Onset ◽  
Galectin 3 ◽  
Increased Pressure

Essential hypertension (EH) is a clinically frequent cardiovascular disease, with insidious onset, causing increased pressure load and neuroregulation disorders in patients. Long-term EH can cause left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), which can lead to arrhythmia and even death. The soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 (sST2), matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), and galectin-3 (Gal-3) in serum plays an important role in the occurrence, development, and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. In our study, we divided EH patients into 3 levels and groups with or without LVH, according to their condition. The levels of sST2, MMP-3, and Gal-3 in the serum were measured in different groups of patients. Our results showed that the levels of sST2, MMP-3, and Gal-3 in the serum increased progressively with the level in different EH groups. The levels of sST2, MMP-3, and Gal-3 in the serum of the LVH group were higher than those of the NLVH group, and it is positively correlated with LVH-related indexes. The risk of developing and progressing to LVH in patients with EH can be determined by the method of measuring three indicators.

scholarly journals Arcadia, The Museum Of Nature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Hamish Cleland
Keyword(s):  
Current System ◽  
Natural World ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Human Occupation ◽  
Property A ◽  
Open Cast Mining ◽  
Native Birds ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Open Cast

<p>The loss of indigenous ancient forests has had a great impact to New Zealand habitats. Native birds, insects, fungi, plants and animals have been diminishing in diversity since human occupation. This is to a degree the result of intensive resource consumption and demand. Forestry, agriculture, mineral and gas resources were seen as more valuable than the ecosystems that existed before them. Our landscapes themselves became secondary.  The particular infrastructure of open cast mining was chosen for this research. Mining represents a way to design active reclamation, while the mine site is still operating. Because of this, time becomes an integral component to the design process.  The site is situated at Macraes flat, Otago. Ten kilometres of open cast mine, in operation since 1990. Open cast mining has produced great income. However, The cost of mining extends beyond an eyesore, it diminishes the quality of the land for any future use.   Arcadia, the Museum of Nature is a vision of a place for preservation and for pride in ancestral property. A true “Arcadia” — a land of natural wonder. This is a museum of New Zealand’s key indigenous species. One designed through myth woven narratives, inspired by existing authors and generated through narrative experiments. To inspire, educate and showcase our unique ecologies, and endangered environments for future generations.   Arcadia becomes a place to witness the succession of the natural world. A continuous time scale allows for a regenerative solution over years to centuries. Thereby showing the ability and resilience of nature in taking back from man’s intrusive tendencies. Rectifying the grotesque interruption of one of nature’s greatest tools, that of time. All the while harbouring our rare and unique wildlife.   The museum of nature replaces the current system of remediation, and provides a more provocative solution to the end of modern day infrastructure.</p>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document