Southern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus latifrons) in the Gawler Ranges region of South Australia: population growth from 1988 to 2016

The southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons) is the faunal emblem of South Australia. It is also considered to be an agricultural pest, as its burrowing activities can cause significant damage to agricultural land and infrastructure. Unfortunately, much of our knowledge of this species’ population dynamics is limited and/or out of date. The aim of this study was to estimate the distribution and abundance of southern hairy-nosed wombats in the Gawler Ranges region of South Australia, and to identify any changes since the last survey in 1988. Using a combination of satellite imagery and a ground survey conducted in May 2016, we mapped the distribution of wombat warrens in the region and counted and measured all warrens within 1000 randomly selected 1-km2 cells. We estimate the current wombat population in the Gawler Ranges to be 240095 (149051–311595), an increase from 14373 in 1988. This population growth is most likely linked to a long-term decline in the European rabbit population following the release of RHVD in the 1990s. In 2016 the IUCN upgraded the conservation status of southern hairy-nosed wombats from ‘Least Concern’ to ‘Near Threatened’. Our findings suggest that this may not have been warranted.

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A conservation checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of the State of Mexico, Mexico with comparisons with adjoining states

ZooKeys ◽

10.3897/zookeys.953.50881 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 953 ◽

pp. 137-159

Author(s):

Julio A. Lemos-Espinal ◽

Geoffrey R. Smith

Keyword(s):

High Risk ◽

Population Growth ◽

Mexico City ◽

Human Population ◽

Metropolitan Areas ◽

Conservation Status ◽

The State ◽

Unique Combination ◽

Reptile Species ◽

Near Threatened

The State of Mexico has a unique combination of geographic characteristics and topography that promotes a high biodiversity. Unfortunately, continued human population growth of the metropolitan areas of Mexico City and Toluca have degraded the environment of the State of Mexico, which threatened its wildlife. An updated checklist of the amphibians and reptiles of the State of Mexico is provided and their conservation status summarized. The State of Mexico has 49 species of amphibians and 101 species of reptiles. The majority of the amphibians (73.5%) and reptiles (70.3%) found in the State of Mexico are endemic to Mexico. Of the amphibian and reptile species in the State of Mexico, 20.1% are IUCN listed (i.e., Vulnerable, Near Threatened, or Endangered), 18.4% are placed in a protected category by SEMARNAT (excluding NL and Pr, this last category is equivalent to the LC category of IUCN), and 34.9% are categorized as high risk by the EVS. The importance of forested habitats for the protected amphibians and reptiles in the State of Mexico suggest that management of these habitats to maintain or expand them needs to be considered.

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Conservation status of Lechenaultia aphylla (Goodeniaceae), a disturbance opportunist from the Great Victoria Desert, Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc030152 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 152

Author(s):

Leigh W. Sage

Keyword(s):

Population Growth ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Habitat Preferences ◽

South Australia ◽

The West ◽

South West ◽

Centre Of Diversity ◽

Eastern Australia ◽

Recent Collection ◽

Western Australian

LIKE all genera in the Goodeniaceae, the south-west of Western Australia is the centre of diversity for Lechenaultia R.Br. with 20 of 26 species in the genus endemic to the region (Keighery and Sage 1999; Morrison 1992). Many species of Lechenaultia (and Goodeniaceae) have habitat preferences for ephemerally wet sites (watercourses and lake edges), especially in the Eremaean Botanical Province (unpubl. data). Species such as L. striata (nomenclature follows Western Australian Herbarium 1998 and Orchard and Wilson 2001) and L. galactites are disturbance opportunists, showing prolific population growth after fire events (S. van Leeuwen, pers. comm.; unpubl. data). Of the remaining species scattered across central and eastern Australia, L. aphylla is the least known with only two non-flowering collections from the extreme eastern Great Victoria Desert bioregion of South Australia (including the holotype). A recent collection of the species made over 1 100 km to the west highlights the lack knowledge of the species and bioregion in general.

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Nivní malakofauna Ploučnice (Severní Čechy) [The floodplain mollusc fauna of the Ploučnice River (North Bohemia)]

Malacologica Bohemoslovaca ◽

10.5817/mab2013-12-40 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

pp. 40-47

Author(s):

Jitka Horáčková ◽

Lucie Juřičková

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Agricultural Land Use ◽

Forest Species ◽

Forest Sites ◽

River Elbe ◽

Mollusc Species ◽

The Common ◽

Near Threatened

This paper presents a research of the floodplain mollusc communities of the Ploučnice River (Elbe tributary, North Bohemia, Czech Republic). Altogether, 66 mollusc species (65 species of gastropods, one species of bivalve) were recorded in the 35 floodplain forest sites during the research between 2007 and 2011, representing 27% of the total Czech malacofauna. More than a half of all species represents the common forest species (52% of all recorded species) with some rare woodland species as Aegopinella nitidula, Daudebardia rufa, Macrogastra ventricosa, Oxychilus depressus, O. glaber and two endangered species Clausilia bidentata and Daudebardia brevipes. Rare wetland species protected by the NATURA system Vertigo angustior and vulnerable V. antivertigo were also found. The occurrence of these rare species (two of them endangered, three vulnerable, and 11 near threatened) makes the Ploučnice river alluvium as an important mollusc refugium of prime conservation importance in this fragmented Czech landscape of long-term agricultural land use.

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Evaluation and long-term conservation perspectives of woodland key habitat bryophyte and lichen indicators in Latgale

Environment Technology Resources Proceedings of the International Scientific and Practical Conference ◽

10.17770/etr2015vol2.283 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 ◽

pp. 197

Author(s):

Anna Mežaka ◽

Sanita Putna ◽

Inga Erta

Keyword(s):

Indicator Species ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Forest Stand ◽

Stand Age ◽

Fragmented Landscape ◽

Conservation Areas ◽

Forest Patches ◽

Woodland Key Habitats

<span lang="EN">Nowadays human impact to habitats and species are stronger then ever before. Latvia is typical example of fragmented landscape, where forest patches are mixed with agricultural land and waterbodies. Latgale is one of typical such a fragmented landscape parts of Latvia. Around 6.41 % of Latgalian forests were evaluated as Woodland Key Habitats (WKHs) or potential WKHs (P)WKHs after WKH inventory. In total 16 WKH types, suitable for bryophyte and lichen indicator species existence were identified in Latgale. (P)WKH type, forest stand age and area were significant factors influencing bryophyte and lichen specialist and indicator species richness in forest stand level. WKH status did not provide any official conservation status for habitats or species based on current legislation in Latvia. Therefore establishment of conservation areas as microreserves for habitats and species and Nature Reserves in areas, with high (P)WKH density is an effective tool for their long-term conservation in Latgale. Further scientific studies of bryophytes, lichens and WKHs are necessary for planning the best conservation scenarios taking into account also forest ecosystem services. </span>

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Review of translocations of the greater stick-nest rat (Leporillus conditor): lessons learnt to facilitate ongoing recovery

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr19021 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 46 (6) ◽

pp. 455

Author(s):

Jeff Short ◽

Peter Copley ◽

Laura Ruykys ◽

Keith Morris ◽

John Read ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Experimental Approach ◽

Conservation Status ◽

South Australia ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Area Of Occupancy ◽

Few Data ◽

Predatory Birds ◽

Over Time ◽

Ongoing Monitoring

Abstract Greater stick-nest rats were widely distributed across southern Australia in pre-European times, but only survived as a single population on the Franklin Islands in South Australia. Conservation efforts since 1983 have included survey of the remaining population, establishment of a captive colony and subsequent translocations to both island and mainland sites. Translocations have met with mixed success, with four of 10 (three islands and one mainland site) successful and extant for 19–28 years, five unsuccessful (one island and four mainland sites) and one as yet indeterminate. Overall, the increase in number of populations, area of occupancy and extent of occurrence has been positive, and has resulted in a down-listing of conservation status. There are numerous plausible explanations for the lack of success at some sites, but few data to differentiate among them. These plausible explanations include: the release of stick-nest rats to habitats of poor quality; high levels of predation (perhaps hyperpredation) by native predators (chiefly monitors and predatory birds) in combination, at some sites, with predation by feral cats or foxes; and ineffective release protocols. Most extant populations have undergone substantial fluctuations over time, and some show apparent long-term declines in abundance, likely increasing their probability of local extinction over time. There is a need for regular ongoing monitoring – of stick-nest rats themselves, their habitat and their suite of potential predators – to aid interpretation of outcomes. A more experimental approach to future releases is required to adjudicate among competing explanations for such declines.

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The Role of Ecopedological Parameters in Management Sustainability of Banat Lands

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.18.3.6176 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 69 (3) ◽

pp. 688-692

Author(s):

Lucian Nita ◽

Dorin Tarau ◽

Gheorghe Rogobete ◽

Simona Nita ◽

Radu Bertici ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Plant Nutrition ◽

Physical State ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Soil Characteristics ◽

South West ◽

Short And Long Term ◽

Laboratory Investigations ◽

Case Basis

The issue addressed relates to an area of 1891694 ha of which 1183343 ha are agricultural land (62, 56) located in the south-west of Romania and refer to the use of soil chemical and physical properties as an acceptor for certain crop systems, with minimal undesirable effects both for plants to be grown, as well as soil characteristics and groundwater surface quality. It is therefore necessary on a case-by-case basis, measure stoc or rect the acidic reaction by periodic or alkaline calculations, the improvement of plant nutrition conditions through ameliorative fertilization and the application of measures to improve the physical state, sufficient justification for the need to develop short and long term strategies for the protection and conservation of edifying factors and the need to respect the frequency of field and laboratory investigations at all 8x8 km grids of the National Soil-Grounds Monitoring System (organized by I.C.P.A.) and completing it with the relevant pedological and agrochemical studies.

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Linking Long-Term Changes in Soil Salinity to Paddy Land Abandonment in Jaffna Peninsula, Sri Lanka

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11030211 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 211

Author(s):

Tharani Gopalakrishnan ◽

Lalit Kumar

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Soil Salinity ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Sea Water ◽

Land Use Changes ◽

Soil Salinization ◽

Landsat Images ◽

Paddy Land ◽

Semi Arid Region

Soil salinity is a serious threat to coastal agriculture and has resulted in a significant reduction in agricultural output in many regions. Jaffna Peninsula, a semi-arid region located in the northern-most part of Sri Lanka, is also a victim of the adverse effects of coastal salinity. This study investigated long-term soil salinity changes and their link with agricultural land use changes, especially paddy land. Two Landsat images from 1988 and 2019 were used to map soil salinity distribution and changes. Another set of images was analyzed at four temporal periods to map abandoned paddy lands. A comparison of changes in soil salinity with abandoned paddy lands showed that abandoned paddy lands had significantly higher salinity than active paddy lands, confirming that increasing salts owing to the high levels of sea water intrusion in the soils, as well as higher water salinity in wells used for irrigation, could be the major drivers of degradation of paddy lands. The results also showed that there was a dramatic increase in soil salinity (1.4-fold) in the coastal lowlands of Jaffna Peninsula. 64.6% of the salinity-affected land was identified as being in the extreme saline category. In addition to reducing net arable lands, soil salinization has serious implications for food security and the livelihoods of farmers, potentially impacting the regional and national economy.

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Minor Treatments Can Play a Significant Role in Preserving Natural Habitats and Protected Species on the Shore of a Central European Lake

Agronomy ◽

10.3390/agronomy11081540 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 1540

Author(s):

Bence Fülöp ◽

Bálint Pacsai ◽

Judit Bódis

Keyword(s):

Plant Species ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Active Management ◽

Lake Balaton ◽

Protected Species ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Management Interventions ◽

Natural Grasslands ◽

Tourism Potential

Semi-natural grasslands were previously established through traditional land use and maintained by active management, but their extension nowadays is declining rapidly, particularly in areas that also have tourism potential. In parallel, the conservation value of the remaining areas is increasing. The shore of Lake Balaton is a particularly good example, as Lake Balaton is an area highly affected by tourism, yet there have been valuable habitats able to survive and provide refuge for many vulnerable, protected species. Fortunately, we have reliable information about the vegetation of the area from two decades ago. Comparing these data with our recent surveys we investigated the changes in habitats and the distribution of protected plant species in connection with the active conservation treatments such as grazing or cutting. Our results show that in areas where treatments are still ongoing, protected plant species are more likely to survive, or even other species can appear, which is in clear contrast with conditions experienced in abandoned areas, where at least seven protected species have disappeared. According to our results, minor, but appropriately chosen and well-executed management interventions, can help in the long-term maintenance of species-rich habitats and improving the conservation status of threatened species.

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Studies on the control of water-dropwort (Oenanthe pimpinelloides) in South Australia

Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1071/ea9950483 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 35 (4) ◽

pp. 483

Author(s):

GJ Mitchell ◽

RJ Carter ◽

SR Chinner

Keyword(s):

Stem Elongation ◽

South Australia ◽

Perennial Herb ◽

Metsulfuron Methyl ◽

Rate Of Spread ◽

Herbicide Treatments ◽

Direct Drilling ◽

Water Dropwort

Water-dropwort (Oenanthe pimpinelloides L.), a tuberous perennial herb, is currently known in South Australia from only a single locality in the Mount Lofty Ranges. There is little information on water-dropwort control, and 2 experiments were conducted to assess the effects of sowing pasture, with or without presowing herbicides, on the control of this weed. Phalaris (Phalaris aquatica L.) and perennial clovers were successfully introduced into infested pastures by direct drilling in autumn. Water-dropwort regenerated from seed more densely in unsown plots than plots of established perennial pasture, suggesting that upgrading pastures may be a strategy to reduce the rate of spread by seed of this weed. A range of herbicide treatments applied to waterdropwort at the stem elongation stage in spring before autumn sowing of pastures provided effective shortterm control. The best short-term control was provided by glyphosate at 1440 g a.i./ha; metsulfuron methyl at 6, 12, and 36 g a.i./ha; and metsulfuron methyl at 12 g a.i./ha tank-mixed with glyphosate or 2,4-D amine at 720 or 1000 g a.i./ha, respectively. These treatments, and chlorsulfuron at 21 g a.i./ha, also significantly (P<0.05) reduced water-dropwort abundance (relative to untreated areas) for up to 18 months after sowing and initially improved the density of sown pasture species, but these improvements were not evident 14 months after resowing. Although prior season herbicide treatments controlled water-dropwort in newly sown pastures, 2 separate applications of herbicides, in May and October, gave no better control of water-dropwort than a single herbicide application in spring. Water-dropwort infestations do not appear to prevent successful direct drilling of phalaris and perennial clovers. Although pasture renovation did not provide long-term suppression of water-dropwort, the maintenance of vigorous pastures may reduce the rate of population growth from seedlings of this weed. Recropping restrictions may limit the role of chlorsulfuron for water-dropwort control in pasture renovation situations.

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Agrodeforestation and the loss of agrobiodiversity in the Pacific Islands: a call for conservation

Pacific Conservation Biology ◽

10.1071/pc140180 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 180 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Randolph Thaman

Keyword(s):

Biodiversity Conservation ◽

Sustainable Management ◽

Pacific Islands ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Ecosystem Goods And Services ◽

Livelihood Security ◽

Goods And Services ◽

The Pacific ◽

Aichi Biodiversity Targets

Our ability to conserve biodiversity and to adapt to climate, environmental and economic change in the Pacific Islands will be greatly dependent on the conservation, restoration and enrichment of biodiversity within traditional multispecies agricultural land use systems. “Agrobiodiversity” is the most well-known, culturally-useful and accessible biodiversity on most islands and constitutes the most important foundation for ecosystem goods and services that support food, health, energy and livelihood security. This rich Pacific agrobiodiversity heritage, including associated ethnobiodiversity is highly threatened and deserves more prominence in mainstream conservation initiatives as a foundation for long-term sustainability. Such action is in line with Aichi Biodiversity Targets 7 and 13 which set goals for sustainable management of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, and the maintenance of genetic diversity as critical for successful biodiversity conservation globally. It is also supported by the findings of the Japan Satoyama-Satoumi Assessment, which stresses the critical importance of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services provided by traditional agricultural and village landscapes.

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