scholarly journals Irruption and collapse of a population of pale field-rat (Rattus tunneyi) at Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay, Western Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Short ◽  
Sally O'Neill ◽  
Jacqueline D. Richards
Keyword(s):  
Birds Of Prey ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Broad Area ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Mainland Population ◽  
Source Areas ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
North East ◽  
Previous Location ◽  
Arid And Semiarid

Pale field-rats have long disappeared from Australia’s arid and semiarid zones, other than for some Pilbara islands and a single mainland population of indeterminate status and extent identified at Shark Bay in 1968. Hence, it was noteworthy when a field-rat was first caught at Heirisson Prong in 1994, 40 km north-east of the previous location at Shark Bay. Further individuals were caught regularly from late 1995. The population peaked in July–October 2000 (with captures of ~190 individuals per month) and had collapsed by July 2001 (with only the occasional animal caught thereafter). None were caught beyond 2006, despite regular trapping to 2013. This irruption and collapse was beyond the established range of the species and was in atypical habitat. Widespread trapping after the collapse suggested that the population inhabited few localised ‘source’ areas and a broad area of ‘sink’ habitat, with the latter occupied only after extraordinarily high rainfall events leading to higher grass cover. A return to dry years and the consequent loss of cover (aided by an abundant rabbit population) and strong growth in predator numbers (feral cats and small birds of prey) in response to the high number of field-rats appears to have facilitated the collapse.

Reintroduction of the greater stick-nest rat (Leporillus conditor) to Heirisson Prong, Shark Bay: an unsuccessful attempt to establish a mainland population

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff Short ◽  
Jacqui D. Richards ◽  
Sally O'Neill
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Natural Vegetation ◽  
Birds Of Prey ◽  
Unsuccessful Attempt ◽  
Mainland Population ◽  
Feral Cats ◽  
Shark Bay ◽  
Introduced Predators ◽  
Source Site

Greater stick-nest rats were reintroduced to Heirisson Prong from Salutation Island at Shark Bay to establish the first mainland population in Western Australia in over 60 years. Forty-eight animals were transferred over two years from August 1999 to a 17-ha enclosure of natural vegetation that excluded foxes and feral cats. This refuge from introduced predators was located within a larger 1200-ha area where these predators were controlled. Stick-nest rats were able to disperse from the refuge to the wider area. The reintroduction was unsuccessful, with the last record in August 2007. Rats were reproducing in most years, yet only 28 recruits were detected over the reintroduction. Mean condition of rats was better at the reintroduction site relative to the source site. Survivorship of successive translocation cohorts was poorer than that of their predecessors, and survivorship of recruits was poorer than that of translocated animals. The most likely explanations for the decline are predation from monitors and small birds of prey within the refuge, and from monitors, small birds of prey and feral cats outside the refuge. An irruption of other rodents immediately before and coinciding with the reintroduction and building rabbit numbers likely contributed to elevated levels of predation from predators.

scholarly journals Effects of Irrigation and Fertilization on the Morphophysiological Traits of Populus sibirica Hort. Ex Tausch and Ulmus pumila L. in the Semiarid Steppe Region of Mongolia

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2407
Author(s):  
Ser-Oddamba Byambadorj ◽  
Byung Bae Park ◽  
Jonathan O. Hernandez ◽  
Enkhchimeg Tsedensodnom ◽  
Otgonsaikhan Byambasuren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Area ◽  
Nutrient Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Semiarid Region ◽  
Leaf Biomass ◽  
Ulmus Pumila ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Arid And Semiarid Ecosystems ◽  
Arid And Semiarid

Desertification is impeding the implementation of reforestation efforts in Mongolia. Many of these efforts have been unsuccessful due to a lack of technical knowledge on water and nutrient management strategies, limited financial support, and short-lived rainfall events. We investigated the effects of irrigation and fertilization on the morphophysiological traits of Populus sibirica Hort. Ex Tausch and Ulmus pumila L. and to suggest irrigation and fertilization strategies for reforestation. Different irrigation and fertilizer treatments were applied: no irrigation, 2 L h−1, 4 L h−1, and 8 L h−1 of water; no fertilizer, 2 L h−1 + NPK, 4 L h−1 + NPK, and 8 L h−1 + NPK; and no compost, 2 L h−1 + compost, 4 L h−1 + compost, and 8 L h−1 + compost. The leaf area (LA) and specific leaf area (SLA) of both species responded positively to 4 and 8 L h−1. Results also showed that the addition of either NPK or compost to 4 or 8 L h−1 irrigation resulted in a higher LA, SLA, and leaf biomass (LB). Total chlorophyll content decreased with irrigation in both species. The same pattern was detected when a higher amount of irrigation was combined with fertilizers. Lastly, we found that both diurnal and seasonal leaf water potential of plants grown in 4 or 8 L h−1 were significantly higher than those of plants grown in control plots. Therefore, 4 or 8 L h−1 with either NPK or compost has shown to be the optimal irrigation and fertilization strategy for the species in an arid and semiarid region of Mongolia. Results should provide us with a better understanding of tree responses to varying amounts of irrigation with or without fertilizer in pursuit of sustainable forest management in arid and semiarid ecosystems.

scholarly journals Soil Management by Cover Crops in Vineyards for Climate Change Adaptation

Proceedings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Marqués ◽  
Bienes ◽  
Ruiz-Colmenero
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Organic Matter ◽  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Soil Organic Matter ◽  
Climate Change Adaptation ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Rainfall Events

The wine captures grapes’ variety nature and vinification techniques, but other aspects of soil, climate and terrain are equally important for the terroir expression as a whole. Soil supplies moisture, nitrogen, and minerals. Particularly nitrogen obtained through mineralization of soil organic matter and water uptake are crucial for grape yield, berry sugar, anthocyanin and tannin concentration, hence grape quality and vineyard profitability. Different climatic conditions, which are predicted for the future, can significantly modify this relationship between vines and soils. New climatic conditions under global warming predict higher temperatures, erratic and extreme rainfall events, and drought spells. These circumstances are particularly worrisome for typical thin soils of the Mediterranean environment. This study reports the effect of permanent grass cover in vineyards to maintain or increase soil organic matter and soil moisture. The influence of natural and simulated rainfalls on soils was studied. A comparison between minimum tillage (MT) and permanent grass cover crop (GC) of the temperate grass Brachypodium distachyon was done. Water infiltration, water holding capacity, organic carbon sequestration and protection from extreme events, were considered in a sloping vineyard located in the south of Madrid, Spain. The MT is the most widely used cultivation method in the area. The tradition supports this management practice to capture and preserve water in soils. It creates small depressions that accumulate water and eventually improves water infiltration. This effect was acknowledged in summer after recent MT cultivation; however, it was only short-lived as surface roughness declined after rainfalls. Especially, intense rainfall events left the surface of bare soil sealed. Consequently, the effects depend on the season of the year. In autumn, a rainy season of the year, MT failed to enhance infiltration. On the contrary, B. distachyon acted as a physical barrier, produced more infiltration (22% increase) and fewer particles detachment, due to increased soil structure stability and soil organic matter (50% increase). The GC efficiently protected soil from high-intensity events (more than 2 mm min-1). Besides, soil moisture at 35 cm depth was enhanced with GC (9% more than tillage). On average, soil moisture in GC was not significantly different from MT. These effects of GC on soil conditions created local micro-environmental conditions that can be considered advantageous as a climate change adaptation strategy, because they improved water balance, maintained a sustainable level of soil organic matter, therefore organic nitrogen, all these factors crucial for improving wine quality.

Electrocution risk for the endangered Crowned Solitary Eagle and other birds in semiarid landscapes of central Argentina

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
MAXIMILIANO ADRIÁN GALMES ◽  
JOSÉ HERNÁN SARASOLA ◽  
JUAN MANUEL GRANDE ◽  
FÉLIX HERNÁN VARGAS
Keyword(s):  
Structural Design ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Power Lines ◽  
Mortality Factor ◽  
Birds Of Prey ◽  
Central Argentina ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Arid And Semiarid ◽  
Main Factor

SummaryHigh mortality by electrocution has been suggested to be the main factor behind the reduction of several birds of prey populations across the world. Almost nothing is known, however, about the impact of power lines on this group of birds in the Neotropical Region. Here we estimate electrocution rates for birds on power lines covering both arid and semiarid biomes of central Argentina. We conducted six bi-monthly power line and raptor surveys throughout 355 km of lines and roads covering an area of approximately 12,000 km2. We described the structural design of 3,118 surveyed electricity pylons. We found 34 electrocuted individuals of four bird families that constitute an annual bird electrocution rate of 0.011 bird/pylon/year. Bird electrocution occurred mostly on concrete pylons with jumpers above the cross-arm. Larger birds of prey had a higher electrocution rate than smaller species. The Crowned Solitary Eagle Buteogallus coronatus was disproportionately affected by this mortality source when compared with its low population density. Electrocution incidents occurred mostly in a few electric pylon designs that represent only 10.2 % of the power pylons monitored in the study area. Therefore, the change or modification of a small fraction of pylons would almost eliminate bird electrocution incidents in our study area. Our results prove that electrocution is a relevant cause of mortality for Crowned Solitary Eagles and urgent mitigating actions are needed to reduce this mortality factor.

scholarly journals Permanent cover for soil and water conservation in mechanized vineyards: A study case in Piedmont, NW Italy

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 323-331
Author(s):  
Giorgio Capello ◽  
Marcella Biddoccu ◽  
Eugenio Cavallo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Erosion ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Wine Production ◽  
Effective Measure ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Nw Italy ◽  
Soil Losses

Vineyards’ soils are especially threatened by the risk of soil compaction and soil erosion, with negative consequences for wine production and provisioning of ecosystem services. The adopted inter-rows soil management influences the response of vineyard to different types of rainfall events, in terms of runoff and soil erosion. Actually, the use of cover crops in vineyards is widely considered as an effective measure for conservation of water and soil. A 3-years study was carried out in Piedmont (NW Italy) to evaluate the effectiveness of grass cover as a soil water conservation measure, compared with tillage, and particularly the influence of different types of rainfall events and tractor traffic in determining hydrological and erosive response of the vineyard. During the investigation period (November 2016 - December 2019), climate variables, runoff, and soil losses were continuously monitored along with vineyard management operations. Very different yearly precipitation characterized the observed period, including the driest and wettest year in the last 20 years. Runoff and soil erosion caused by different types of rainfall events (long-lasting, intense and normal) in two vineyard’s plots managed with permanent grass cover and tillage, respectively, have been compared. In addition, the influence of the number of tractor traffic was taken into account. Runoff volume was principally affected by soil management, while sediment yield was influenced by the type of event. Both were higher in the tilled plot than in the grassed one, for all types of events, even if differences were not always significant. Grass cover reduced by 65% the runoff, with the highest efficiency during intense events. Soil losses were reduced on average by 72%, with 74% efficiency during the most erosive intense events and the lowest protection (56%) during long-lasting rainfall. Moreover, the response of grass cover plot was less influenced by traffication. The study demonstrates the efficiency of grass cover in reducing water and soil losses also during extreme events, that are predicted to be more frequent in the climate change scenario.

Prevalence of haematozoa in birds of prey in Catalonia, north-east Spain

1999 ◽  
Vol 144 (23) ◽  
pp. 632-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Munoz ◽  
D. Ferrer ◽  
R. Molina ◽  
R. D. Adlard
Keyword(s):  
Birds Of Prey ◽  
North East

scholarly journals Proportional Trends of Continuous Rainfall in Indian Summer Monsoon

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 398
Author(s):  
Vinay Kumar ◽  
K. Sunilkumar ◽  
Tushar Sinha
Keyword(s):  
Soil Moisture ◽  
Continuous Light ◽  
Rain Gauge ◽  
Onset Date ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
North East ◽  
Rate Of Increase ◽  
Daily Scale ◽  
Rainy Days ◽  
Continuous Rainfall

A comprehensive study on the Indian summer monsoonal rainfall (ISMR) is performed in the light of decadal changes in the continuous rainfall events and the number of rainy days using 68 years (1951–2018) of gridded rain gauge data. Non-parametric Mann–Kendall’s test is applied on total rainfall amount, the number of rainy days, number of continuous rainfall events, and rainfall magnitude to find trends over different climatic zones of India for the two periods, 1951–1984 and 1985–2018. Our results found a decreasing trend for more than 4-days of continuous rainfall events during the recent 34 years (1985–2018) compared to 1951–1984. The rate of increase/decrease in extreme/continuous rainfall events does not follow a similar trend in number of continuous rainfall events and magnitude. Moreover, the rainfall is shifted towards a lesser number of continuous rainfall days with higher magnitudes during 1985–2018. During the crop’s sow season (i.e., the first 45 days from the onset date of Indian monsoon), the total number of rainy days decreased by a half day during the last 34 years. Over the Central and North East regions of India, the number of rainfall days decreased by ~0.1 days/yr and ~0.3 days/yr, respectively, during 1985–2018. Overall, the decreasing trends in continuous rainfall days may escalate water scarcity and lead to lower soil moisture over rain-fed irrigated land. Additionally, an upsurge in heavy rainfall episodes will lead to an unexpected floods. On a daily scale, rainfall correlates with soil moisture and evaporation up to 0.87 over various land cover and land use regions of India. Continuous light-moderate rainfall seems to be a controlling factor for replenishing soil moisture in upper levels. A change in rainfall characteristics may force the monsoon-fed rice cultivation period to adopt changing rainfall patterns.

Dynamic Properties of Rainfall in Lund

1984 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janusz Niemczynowicz ◽  
Peter Dahlblom
Keyword(s):  
Probability Distribution ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Summer Rainfall ◽  
Rainfall Events ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Simple Program ◽  
Movement Parameters ◽  
The City

The shape of a runoff hydrograph depends on the dynamic properties of the rainfall. The possible range of impact of the rainfall movement on runoff generating process can only be judged if the rainfall volocity and direction are known in statistical terms. This paper gives the statistical characteristic of the rainfall movement in the city of Lund. The probability distribution of rainfall velocities and relative frequencies of the rainfall direction are given, based on the analysis of 400 rainfall events observed in the city of Lund. A simple program for determination of the velocities and the directions of storm movement has been developed and tested. Results show that there are two main storm directions in Lund: the first, generally oriented to the East, is prevalent throughout the year except summer; the second, oriented to the North-North-East, occurs primarily during summer months. During summer rainfall velocity is lower and intensity higher than during the rest of the year. Rainfall velocity is lognormally distributed. A strong correlation between wind movement parameters at 700 mb height and storm velocity and direction was observed.

scholarly journals Rapid declines in habitat quality and population size of the Liben (Sidamo) Lark Heteromirafra sidamoensis necessitate immediate conservation action

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
PAUL F. DONALD ◽  
GRAEME M. BUCHANAN ◽  
NIGEL J. COLLAR ◽  
YILMA DELLELEGN ABEBE ◽  
MERID N. GABREMICHAEL ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Predictive Modelling ◽  
Rangeland Management ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Southern Ethiopia ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Grass Cover ◽  
Conservation Action ◽  
Significant Deterioration ◽  
North East

SummaryThe Critically Endangered Liben Lark (formerly Sidamo Lark) is known only from the Liben Plain of southern Ethiopia, where rapid grassland deterioration is driving the species towards extinction. Fieldwork on the Liben Plain in May 2009 to assess changes in habitat and population since June 2007 recorded a significant deterioration in habitat and decline in numbers. In both 2007 and 2009, birds were associated with areas with greater than average grass cover, and in 2007 with areas of higher grass. However, between 2007 and 2009 there was a significant decline in grass cover and height, a 40% decline in number of birds recorded along repeated transects, and a contraction of 38% in the occupied area of the Liben Plain. Moreover, the cover of bare ground increased more in areas where the species was recorded in 2007 than at random points, suggesting a more rapid degradation of the best sites. There was also a loss to arable agriculture of 8% of the grassland present in 2007. Invading fennel plants increased in number and area on the plain but did not appear to influence the distribution of the lark. An analysis of NDVI showed that grassland deterioration could not be explained by drought, and the most likely explanation is that grassland quality is suffering from overgrazing. Predictive modelling suggests that, apart from a smaller and politically insecure area some 500 km to the north-east near Somalia, there is no suitable habitat for this species elsewhere in the Horn of Africa. As a matter of extreme urgency, cattle exclosures need to be established on the Liben Plain to allow grassland regeneration. This may require the ploughing of land to reduce soil compaction and re-sowing with local grass species. In the longer term, further degradation of the plain should be prevented by, for example, clearing encroaching scrub to increase grassland area and reduce grazing pressure, and by developing sustainable rangeland management practices. These actions have the full and active support of local pastoralists.

scholarly journals Istituire il Parco archeologico di Altino

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianna Bressan
Keyword(s):  
Iron Age ◽  
Adriatic Sea ◽  
Venice Lagoon ◽  
Single Site ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Current Management ◽  
North East ◽  
The North ◽  
Roman Age ◽  
Previous Location

Altino is a rural village near close to the Venice Lagoon in the North-East of Italy. During the Iron Age, the ancient Veneti built here an important town which was connected to the hinterland both by riverways and by overland, and to the Adriatic sea by the Lagoon. In the Roman age, this town grew and developed its market role. A Museum, two archaeological sites and the previous location of the museum with its full warehouse witness nowadays that brilliant past. The paper discusses the current management of these sites and suggests to re-think them and the wide archaeological underground area as a single site, identified by the institute as the ‘archaeological park’.

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