Seeing the wood and the trees—predicting the future for fragmented plant populations in Australian landscapes

Linda Broadhurst; Andrew Young

doi:10.1071/bt06127

Seeing the wood and the trees—predicting the future for fragmented plant populations in Australian landscapes

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt06127 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 250 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

Linda Broadhurst ◽

Andrew Young

Keyword(s):

Rare Species ◽

Reproductive Strategy ◽

Plant Populations ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Current State ◽

Considerable Research ◽

Demographic Processes ◽

New Challenges ◽

Taxonomic Groups

Australian landscapes face significant environmental challenges in the coming decade. The fragmentation of vegetation following broadscale land-clearing has rapidly altered critical genetic and demographic processes within and among the remnants that still reside in these landscapes. These perturbations threaten the long-term persistence of many species. Although considerable research has been directed towards the management of rare species, little is understood about how common and widespread species respond to these new challenges. In this paper we review the current state of knowledge regarding species biology for some key Australian taxonomic groups to develop broad predictions about the major threats to species persistence, particularly for some of the most common and widespread floral components of fragmented Australian landscapes. The main focus is on associations between reproductive strategy, vulnerability to demographic and genetic threats, and implications for fecundity.

Climate change, climatic variation and extreme biological responses

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences ◽

10.1098/rstb.2016.0144 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 372 (1723) ◽

pp. 20160144 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Georgina Palmer ◽

Philip J. Platts ◽

Tom Brereton ◽

Jason W. Chapman ◽

Calvin Dytham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climatic Variability ◽

Population Trends ◽

Population Changes ◽

Widespread Species ◽

Population Responses ◽

Extreme Climatic Events ◽

Biological Responses ◽

Biodiversity Change ◽

Taxonomic Groups

Extreme climatic events could be major drivers of biodiversity change, but it is unclear whether extreme biological changes are (i) individualistic (species- or group-specific), (ii) commonly associated with unusual climatic events and/or (iii) important determinants of long-term population trends. Using population time series for 238 widespread species (207 Lepidoptera and 31 birds) in England since 1968, we found that population ‘crashes’ (outliers in terms of species' year-to-year population changes) were 46% more frequent than population ‘explosions’. (i) Every year, at least three species experienced extreme changes in population size, and in 41 of the 44 years considered, some species experienced population crashes while others simultaneously experienced population explosions. This suggests that, even within the same broad taxonomic groups, species are exhibiting individualistic dynamics, most probably driven by their responses to different, short-term events associated with climatic variability. (ii) Six out of 44 years showed a significant excess of species experiencing extreme population changes (5 years for Lepidoptera, 1 for birds). These ‘consensus years’ were associated with climatically extreme years, consistent with a link between extreme population responses and climatic variability, although not all climatically extreme years generated excess numbers of extreme population responses. (iii) Links between extreme population changes and long-term population trends were absent in Lepidoptera and modest (but significant) in birds. We conclude that extreme biological responses are individualistic, in the sense that the extreme population changes of most species are taking place in different years, and that long-term trends of widespread species have not, to date, been dominated by these extreme changes. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Behavioural, ecological and evolutionary responses to extreme climatic events’.

CURRENT STATE AND DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES OF THE CASPIAN SPRAT FISHERIES

VESTNIK OF ASTRAKHAN STATE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY SERIES FISHING INDUSTRY ◽

10.24143/2073-5529-2018-1-69-75 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 69-75

Author(s):

Tatiana Vasilievna Pomogaeva ◽

Aliya Ahmetovna Aseinova ◽

Yuriy Aleksandrovich Paritskiy ◽

Vjacheslav Petrovich Razinkov

Keyword(s):

Food Item ◽

Growth Potential ◽

North West ◽

Marine Fishery ◽

The North ◽

Current State ◽

West Part ◽

Eggs And Larvae ◽

Intensive Growth

The article presents annual statistical data of the Caspian Research Institute of Fishery. There has been kept track of the long term dynamics of the stocks of three species of Caspian sprat (anchovy, big-eyed kilka, sprat) and investigated a process of substituting a food item of sprats Eurytemora grimmi to a small-celled copepod species Acartia tonsa Dana. According to the research results, there has been determined growth potential of stocks of each species. Ctenophoran-Mnemiopsis has an adverse effect on sprat population by eating fish eggs and larvae. Ctenophoram - Mnemiopsis is a nutritional competitor to the full-grown fishes. The article gives recommendations on reclamation of stocks of the most perspective species - common sprat, whose biological characteristics helped not to suffer during Ctenophoram outburst and to increase its population during change of the main food item. Hydroacoustic survey data prove the intensive growth of common sprat biomass in the north-west part of the Middle Caspian. According to the results of the research it may be concluded that to realize the volumes of recommended sprat catch it is necessary to organize the marine fishery of common sprat at the Russian Middle Caspian shelf.

The creation of a map of the Volga delta agricultural lands current state and long-term changes

Geodesy and Cartography ◽

10.22389/0016-7126-2016-917-11-39-46 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 917 (11) ◽

pp. 39-46

Author(s):

E.A. Baldina ◽

◽

K.A. Troshko ◽

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Lands ◽

Volga Delta ◽

Current State ◽

Long Term Changes ◽

The Creation

Depression following traumatic brain injury: a comprehensive overview

Reviews in the Neurosciences ◽

10.1515/revneuro-2020-0037 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 0 (0) ◽

Author(s):

Marc Fakhoury ◽

Zaynab Shakkour ◽

Firas Kobeissy ◽

Nada Lawand

Keyword(s):

Traumatic Brain Injury ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Health Concern ◽

First Year ◽

Comprehensive Overview ◽

Symptoms Of Depression ◽

Current State ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Brain Changes

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major health concern affecting the neuropsychological health; TBI is accompanied by drastic long-term adverse complications that can influence many aspects of the life of affected individuals. A substantial number of studies have shown that mood disorders, particularly depression, are the most frequent complications encountered in individuals with TBI. Post-traumatic depression (P-TD) is present in approximately 30% of individuals with TBI, with the majority of individuals experiencing symptoms of depression during the first year following head injury. To date, the mechanisms of P-TD are far from being fully understood, and effective treatments that completely halt this condition are still lacking. The aim of this review is to outline the current state of knowledge on the prevalence and risk factors of P-TD, to discuss the accompanying brain changes at the anatomical, molecular and functional levels, and to discuss current approaches used for the treatment of P-TD.

Systemic Photoprotection in Skin Cancer Prevention: Knowledge among Dermatologists

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11020332 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 332

Author(s):

Luca Fania ◽

Francesca Sampogna ◽

Francesco Ricci ◽

Mariafrancesca Hyeraci ◽

Andrea Paradisi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skin Cancer ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Skin Cancer Prevention ◽

Snowball Sampling ◽

Scientific Publications ◽

Current State ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Knowledge And Attitude ◽

Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers

Background: Systemic photoprotection (i.e., administration of substances such as nicotinamide, carotenoids, and vitamin D) may be important to reduce photocarcinogenesis or to support long-term protection against UV irradiation. Clinical trials showed that oral nicotinamide is effective in reducing the onset of new nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), while other oral photoprotectors failed to achieve the reduction of new melanoma or NMSC formation in humans. The aim of this study was to summarize the current state of knowledge of systemic photoprotection and to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of dermatologists regarding these treatments. Methods: The survey was conducted on a sample of dermatologists recruited according to a snowball sampling procedure. The questionnaire consisted of a first part asking for characteristics of the participant and a second part with 12 specific questions on their knowledge about systemic photoprotection, particularly their knowledge of astaxanthin, β-carotene, nicotinamide, and vitamin D3. Results: One hundred eight dermatologists answered the survey. Most of them (85.2%) stated that oral photoprotectors have a role in the prevention of skin cancer, and responses mainly mentioned nicotinamide. More than half of them (54.6%) had prescribed all the considered oral photoprotectors, but the majority of them had prescribed nicotinamide, mainly for 2 to 3 months during summer, almost invariably (n = 106) associated with topical photoprotectors. Most dermatologists (>80%) were aware of scientific publications demonstrating an effect of systemic photoprotectors on NMSC. Conclusions: Most Italian dermatologists have positive views on oral photoprotection in skin cancer and are aware of the demonstrated potential of nicotinamide in the prevention of NMSCs.

Neuroimaging at Term Equivalent Age: Is There Value for the Preterm Infant? A Narrative Summary

Children ◽

10.3390/children8030227 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 227

Author(s):

Rudaina Banihani ◽

Judy Seesahai ◽

Elizabeth Asztalos ◽

Paige Terrien Church

Keyword(s):

Magnetic Resonance Imaging ◽

Magnetic Resonance ◽

Preterm Infant ◽

Resonance Imaging ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Equivalent Age ◽

Current State ◽

Patterns Of Injury ◽

The Impact

Advances in neuroimaging of the preterm infant have enhanced the ability to detect brain injury. This added information has been a blessing and a curse. Neuroimaging, particularly with magnetic resonance imaging, has provided greater insight into the patterns of injury and specific vulnerabilities. It has also provided a better understanding of the microscopic and functional impacts of subtle and significant injuries. While the ability to detect injury is important and irresistible, the evidence for how these injuries link to specific long-term outcomes is less clear. In addition, the impact on parents can be profound. This narrative summary will review the history and current state of brain imaging, focusing on magnetic resonance imaging in the preterm population and the current state of the evidence for how these patterns relate to long-term outcomes.

Diagnostic Challenges on the Laboratory Detection of Lupus Anticoagulant

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9070844 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 844

Author(s):

Armando Tripodi

Keyword(s):

Lupus Anticoagulant ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

External Quality Assessment ◽

State Of The Art ◽

Diagnostic Procedures ◽

External Quality ◽

Glycoprotein I ◽

Current State ◽

Clinical Laboratories

Lupus anticoagulant (LA) is one of the three laboratory parameters (the others being antibodies to either cardiolipin or β2-glycoprotein I) which defines the rare but potentially devastating condition known as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Testing for LA is a challenging task for the clinical laboratory because specific tests for its detection are not available. However, proper LA detection is paramount for patients’ management, as its persistent positivity in the presence of (previous or current) thrombotic events, candidate for long term anticoagulation. Guidelines for LA detection have been established and updated over the last two decades. Implementation of these guidelines across laboratories and participation to external quality assessment schemes are required to help standardize the diagnostic procedures and help clinicians for appropriate management of APS. This article aims to review the current state of the art and the challenges that clinical laboratories incur in the detection of LA.

Long-Term Monitoring Reveals Differential Responses of Mussel and Host Fish Communities in a Biodiversity Hotspot

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d13030122 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 122

Author(s):

Irene Sanchez Gonzalez ◽

Garrett W. Hopper ◽

Jamie Bucholz ◽

Carla L. Atkinson

Keyword(s):

Invasive Species ◽

Life History ◽

Biodiversity Hotspot ◽

Biodiversity Hotspots ◽

Host Fish ◽

Long Term Monitoring ◽

Differential Responses ◽

Taxonomic Groups ◽

Term Monitoring

Biodiversity hotspots can serve as protected areas that aid in species conservation. Long-term monitoring of multiple taxonomic groups within biodiversity hotspots can offer insight into factors influencing their dynamics. Mussels (Bivalvia: Unionidae) and fish are highly diverse and imperiled groups of organisms with contrasting life histories that should influence their response to ecological factors associated with local and global change. Here we use historical and contemporary fish and mussel survey data to assess fish and mussel community changes over a 33 year period (1986–2019) and relationships between mussel abundance and their host fish abundance in Bogue Chitto Creek, a tributary of the Alabama River and a biodiversity hotspot. Mussel abundance declined by ~80% and community composition shifted, with eight species previously recorded not found in 2019, and a single individual of the endangered Pleurobema decisum. Fish abundances increased and life history strategies in the community appeared stable and there was no apparent relationship between mussel declines and abundance of host fish. Temporal variation in the proportion of life history traits composing mussel assemblages was also indicative of the disturbances specifically affecting the mussel community. However, changes and declines in mussel assemblages in Bogue Chitto Creek cannot be firmly attributed to any specific factor or events because of gaps in historical environmental and biological data. We believe that mobility differences contributed to differential responses of fish and mussel communities to stressors including habitat degradation, recent droughts and invasive species. Overall, our work indicates that monitoring biodiversity hotspots using hydrological measurements, standardized survey methods and monitoring invasive species abundance would better identify the effects of multiple and interactive stressors that impact disparate taxonomic groups in freshwater ecosystems.

From hierarchies to markets and partially back again in electricity: responding to decarbonization and security of supply goals

Journal of Institutional Economics ◽

10.1017/s1744137421000400 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-17

Author(s):

Paul L. Joskow

Keyword(s):

Market Integration ◽

Investment Incentives ◽

Wholesale Market ◽

Security Of Supply ◽

Short Term ◽

Institutional Adaptation ◽

The World ◽

New Challenges ◽

And Storage

Abstract Electric power sectors around the world have changed dramatically in the last 25 years as a result of sector liberalization policies. Many electricity sectors are now pursuing deep decarbonization goals which will entail replacing dispatchable fossil generation primarily with intermittent renewable generation (wind and solar) over the next 20–30 years. This transition creates new challenges for both short-term wholesale market design and investment incentives consistent with achieving both decarbonization commitments and security of supply criteria. Thinking broadly about the options for institutional change from a Williamsonian perspective – thinking like Williamson – provides a useful framework for examining institutional adaptation. Hybrid markets that combine ‘competition for the market’ that relies on competitive procurement for long-term purchased power agreements with wind, solar, and storage developers, ideally in a technology neutral fashion, and ‘competition in the market’ that relies on short-term markets designed to produce efficient and reliable operations of intermittent generation and storage, is identified as a promising direction for institutional adaptation. Many auction, contract, and market integration issues remain to be resolved.

Intensified paraglacial slope failures due to accelerating downwasting of a temperate glacier in Mt. Gongga, Southeastern Tibet Plateau

10.5194/egusphere-egu21-1086 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Yan Zhong ◽

Qiao Liu ◽

Yong Nie ◽

Matthew Westoby ◽

Bo Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Slope Failure ◽

Geological Structure ◽

Tibet Plateau ◽

Type B ◽

Current State ◽

Triggering Factor ◽

Type C ◽

Glacier Ablation ◽

Glacial Denudation

Topographic development via paraglacial slope failure (PSF) represents a complex interplay between geological structure, climate, and glacial denudation. Where debris generated by PSFs is deposited on the surface of a glacier, this debris can increase the extent or thickness of a supraglacial debris-cover, in turn modifying glacier ablation and affecting meltwater generation. To date, little attention has been paid to intensity and frequency of PSFs and their significance as a geomorphic agent and hazard in glacierised, monsoon temperate regions of Southeast Tibet. We mapped PSFs along the 5 km-long, west-east trending ice tongue of Hailuogou Glacier (HLG), Mt. Gongga, using repeat satellite- and UAV-derived imagery between 1990 and 2020. Three types of PSF were identified: (A) rock fall, (B) slide and collapse of sediment-mantled slopes, and (C) gulley headwards erosion. We analyzed the formation, evolution and current state of these PSFs and discuss these aspects with relation to glacier dynamics and paraglacial geomorphological history. South-facing slopes (true left of HLG) showed more destabilization and higher PSF activity than north-facing slopes. We observed annual average rates of downslope sliding for type B PSFs of 1.6-2.6 cm d-1, whereas the average upward denudation rate for type C PSFs was 0.7-3.39 cm d-1. We show that type A PSFs are non-ice-contact rock collapses that occur as a long-term paraglacial response following glacier downwasting and the exposure of steep rocky cliffs and which could also be influenced by precipitation, freeze-thaw cycling, earthquakes or other factors. In contrast, type B and C PSFs are a more immediate response to recent glacier downwasting. We further argue that the accelerating downwasting of glacier are used as a preparatory or triggering factor, which could directly or indirectly cause the PSFs.