Remnant tree decline in agricultural regions of South Australia.

Agricultural landscapes in southern Australia were once dominated by temperate eucalypt woodlands of which only fragmented patches and scattered trees in paddocks remain. This study focuses on the decline of scattered trees in the Mount Lofty Ranges and South East agricultural regions of South Australia. A combination of digitized aerial photography and satellite imagery was used to extend a previous assessment of decline undertaken in the early 1980s and increase the period over which decline was assessed to 58–72 years. A total of 17 049 scattered trees were counted from the earliest time period assessed over 11 sites of which 6 185 trees were lost by 2008 — a 36 % decline. Recruitment of 2 179 trees during this period was evident. Imagery indicates that clearing for agricultural intensification is the primary cause of the decline. A range of management options and policy settings are required to reverse the decline notwithstanding the challenges of implementation at a landscape scale across privately owned land.

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“Ghost ponds” – How to resurrect in-filled farmland ponds to assist aquatic biodiversity conservation in agricultural landscapes

10.1101/831859 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Emily Alderton ◽

Carl D. Sayer ◽

Jan C. Axmacher ◽

Ian R. Patmore ◽

Helene Burningham ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Intensification ◽

Aquatic Macrophytes ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Landscape Scale ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Water Beetles ◽

Aquatic Biodiversity ◽

Sediment Removal ◽

Open Canopy ◽

One Year

ABSTRACTGrowing recognition of the importance of ponds for landscape-scale biodiversity has led to considerable interest in their conservation, focusing on new pond creation, or existing pond restoration. However, there is a third approach; the re-excavation of ‘ghost ponds’ – former ponds deliberately filled-in due to agricultural intensification. Previous work has shown ghost ponds to retain viable sediment propagules of many aquatic plants for over a century, allowing for the rapid re-colonisation of resurrected pond sites. Here we detail the practicalities of the ghost pond resurrection approach, describing how to locate, identify, and excavate ghost ponds in agricultural land. We also report on colonisation by aquatic macrophytes and water beetles (Coleoptera) for three ghost pond resurrections in Norfolk, eastern England and make comparisons with neighbouring extant ponds restored to open-canopy conditions via major scrub and sediment removal at the same time. Ecologically important macrophyte taxa, including charophyte and Potamogeton species, successfully established in the ghost ponds and within one year they supported a comparable species diversity to the adjacent restored ponds. Our findings show that, where appropriate to land management goals, ghost pond resurrection could be a very valuable conservation approach within farmed landscapes.

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Eucalypt establishment in agricultural landscapes and implications for landscape-scale restoration

Biological Conservation ◽

10.1016/j.biocon.2004.10.008 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 123 (1) ◽

pp. 55-66 ◽

Cited By ~ 93

Author(s):

Josh Dorrough ◽

Claire Moxham

Keyword(s):

Landscape Scale ◽

Agricultural Landscapes

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Landscape Influences on Stream Habitats and Biological Assemblages

Landscape Influences on Stream Habitats and Biological Assemblages ◽

10.47886/9781888569766.ch8 ◽

2006 ◽

Keyword(s):

Landscape Scale ◽

Riparian Zones ◽

Total Abundance ◽

Stream Channels ◽

Urban Centers ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Agricultural Areas ◽

Abundance And Distribution ◽

Shallow Stream ◽

Agricultural Regions

<em>Abstract.</em>—Wood is an important component of small to medium-sized streams in forested regions, but has been poorly studied in agricultural areas. Our goals were to (1) characterize the abundance, size, and distribution of wood in low-gradient streams in two agricultural regions, (2) quantify the influence of reach- and landscape-scale factors on the abundance and distribution of wood in these streams, and (3) compare trends across two study areas. Wood abundance was quantified in stream reaches in two diverse agricultural regions of the Midwestern United States: central Michigan and southeastern Minnesota. Wood abundance was quantified in 71 stream reaches, and an array of channel, riparian zone, and landscape features were characterized. Multiple regressions were conducted to predict abundance from those explanatory variables. We found that large wood was relatively scarce in these low-gradient streams compared to low-gradient streams in forested regions. Mean log size was greater, but total abundance was lower in Minnesota than Michigan. In Minnesota, greatest wood abundance and greatest extent of accumulations were predicted in wide, shallow stream channels with high substrate heterogeneity and woody riparian vegetation overhanging the channel. Models were dominated by reach-scale variables. In Michigan, largest densities of wood and accumulations were associated with catchments in hilly regions containing urban centers, with low soil water capacity, wide, shallow stream channels, low coarse particular organic matter standing stocks, and woody riparian zones. Models contained both reach- and landscape-scale variables. Difference in the extent of agricultural and forest land use/cover between Michigan and Minnesota may explain the differences in the models predicting wood variables. Patterns in wood abundance and distribution in these Midwestern streams differ from those observed in high gradient regions, and in low-gradient streams within forested regions. This has important implications for ecosystem processes and management of headwater streams in agricultural regions.

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Measuring Multifunctional Agricultural Landscapes

Land ◽

10.3390/land9080260 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 260

Author(s):

Bingjie Song ◽

Guy Robinson ◽

Douglas Bardsley

Keyword(s):

Rural Communities ◽

Production Systems ◽

Landscape Scale ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Future Research ◽

The European Union ◽

Multifunctional Agriculture ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Rural Landscapes ◽

Future Research Agenda

Multifunctional agriculture (MFA) has attracted increased attention from academics and policymakers in recent years. Academic researchers have utilised various approaches to assess and measure the multifunctionality of agriculture and rural landscapes. This paper outlines the nature of MFA and key supporting policies, before reviewing the applied research approaches, drawing primarily from the European Union and China where specific policies on MFA have been implemented to support rural development and promote sustainable rural communities. Four distinct types of valuation of modern MFA are recognised: economic, biophysical, socio-cultural, and holistic. Following a search of both the recent and older MFA literature, evaluations of the strengths and weaknesses of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods applications are provided using examples from a range of recent studies. The review illustrates the diversity of approaches to measure MFA. While noting that many studies operate at a landscape scale, the challenge remains that the lack of commonality in the research approaches applied means it is difficult to provide effective comparisons between studies or to compare findings. A future research agenda will need to emphasise the need for more consideration of the roles of MFA research to support decision-makers, especially policy makers, but also farmers who largely make decisions for individual farms but, if considered collectively, can transform production systems at a landscape scale.

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Population Growth and Insecticide Residues of Honey Bees in Tropical Agricultural Landscapes

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d12010001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Damayanti Buchori ◽

Akhmad Rizali ◽

Windra Priawandiputra ◽

Dewi Sartiami ◽

Midzon Johannis

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Population Growth ◽

Honey Bees ◽

Agricultural Intensification ◽

Stingless Bees ◽

Field Experiments ◽

Habitat Type ◽

Agricultural Landscapes ◽

Stingless Bee ◽

Home Garden

Global decline of pollinators, especially bees, has been documented in many countries. Several causes such as land-use change and agricultural intensification are reported to be the main drivers of the decline. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of land use on honey bee and stingless bee populations. Research was conducted in Bogor and Malang to compare between two different geographical areas. Managed bees such as honey bees (Apis cerana and A. mellifera) and stingless bees (Tetragonula laeviceps) were investigated to examine the effect of agricultural intensification. Field experiments were conducted by placing beehives in selected habitats (i.e., beekeeper gardens, forests areas, and agriculture areas). Population growth and neonicotinoid residue analysis of bees in different hive locations were measured to study the effect of habitat type. Population growth of bees represents the forager abundance and colony weight. Based on the analysis, we found that habitat type affected forager abundance and colony weight of honey bees (p < 0.05), although the patterns were different between species, region, as well as season. Forests could support the stingless bee colony better than agriculture and home garden habitats. Insecticide (neonicotinoid) was barely recorded in both honey bees and stingless bees.

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Effects of exploitation by two co-existing fleets on the bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, in southern Brazil: an application of a seasonal catch-at-age model

Marine and Freshwater Research ◽

10.1071/mf00093 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 53 (5) ◽

pp. 835 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Flávia M. Lucena ◽

Carl M. O'Brien ◽

Enir G. Reis

Keyword(s):

Southern Brazil ◽

Pomatomus Saltatrix ◽

Management Options ◽

Time Period ◽

Stock Biomass ◽

Spawning Stock ◽

Age Model ◽

Estimate Population Size ◽

High Level ◽

Seasonal Characteristic

This paper describes 20 years in the exploitation of the bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, in southern Brazil and investigates the effects of the commercial fleets on stock structure. Port samples were obtained from the commercial fisheries based at Rio Grande do Sul for the period 1992–1998. In addition, data derived from the exploitation during the period 1977–1983 (Krug and Haimovici 1991) were included in this analysis. A statistical catch-at-age model is proposed to estimate population size and exploitation rates for both periods of study. This model incorporates both the seasonal characteristic and multi-fleet nature of the P. saltatrix fishery. During the most recent time period, fishery mortality has increased and spawning stock biomass has reduced in comparison to the earlier period 1977–1983. Currently, the exploitation of P. saltatrix relies on fish of all age classes. Adults have been intensively exploited and juveniles may not be abundant enough to maintain the stock at the current high level of exploitation. Management options for the stock are presented based on a redistribution of effort between fleets. Simulations indicate that a ban on fishing in shallow waters for either one or both gears would restore the level of spawning stock biomass.

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The current and future projected distribution of Solanum hoplopetalum (Solanaceae): an indigenous weed of the south-western Australian grain belt

Australian Journal of Botany ◽

10.1071/bt11242 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 60 (2) ◽

pp. 128 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Pippa J. Michael ◽

Paul B. Yeoh ◽

John K. Scott

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Current Distribution ◽

South Australia ◽

Climate Change Scenarios ◽

Management Options ◽

South Wales ◽

Major Factors ◽

Lower South ◽

Significant Match ◽

Western Australian

The factors determining the distribution of the Western Australian endemic Solanum hoplopetalum Bitter & Summerh. (Solanaceae) were assessed because it was identified as a potential weed risk to Australian cropping regions, including under climate change scenarios. Incubation at constant temperatures determined daily plant growth rates and plants required 1380 degree-days above a threshold of 12.4°C to complete growth to flowering. From this and published information on the plant’s biology, we developed a mechanistic niche model using CLIMEX. The model projection for current climates produced a highly significant match to known distribution records. Spatially, the lower south-west and areas eastwards to South Australia, western New South Wales and southern parts of the Northern Territory were climatically suitable for growth of S. hoplopetalum. However, by 2070 the area under risk decreases, with the projected distribution under climate change contracting southwards. We hypothesise that climatic extremes and edaphic factors, possibly high soil pH, may be major factors determining the current distribution of S. hoplopetalum. Containment on the southern edge of the current distribution, interstate quarantine and local eradication in new areas of invasion are recommended as management options to combat the potential for this native weed to spread.

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Talking camels: a consultation strategy for consent to conduct feral camel management on Aboriginal-owned land in Australia

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj15076 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 38 (2) ◽

pp. 125 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Ben Kaethner ◽

Peter See ◽

Adam Pennington

Keyword(s):

Informed Consent ◽

South Australia ◽

Landscape Scale ◽

Northern Territory ◽

Aboriginal Communities ◽

Communication Techniques ◽

Management Project ◽

Landscape Types ◽

Vast Area ◽

Broad Scale

Thorough consultation and informed consent are required for any work on Aboriginal-owned land in Australia. Consultations for feral camel (Camelus dromedarius) management under the Australian Feral Camel Management Project across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia were conducted across a vast area, spanning a diversity of cultures and landscape types. Aboriginal organisations from these jurisdictions developed consultative processes that supported Aboriginal communities in making informed decisions on any removal of camels from their country. This article describes the communication techniques used to depict the feral camel issues and opportunities to Aboriginal communities at the local and landscape scale. The decisions that communities arrived at were varied, but consistently focussed on feral camel removal. Their decisions have led to broad-scale feral camel removal under the Australian Feral Camel Management Project, and beyond.

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Egypt's Absorptive Capacity During 1960–1972

International Journal of Middle East Studies ◽

10.1017/s0020743800027926 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. 177-198

Author(s):

Nazem Abdalla

Keyword(s):

Absorptive Capacity ◽

European Economic Community ◽

National Income ◽

Private Investment ◽

The United States ◽

Development Economic ◽

Time Period ◽

Development Plans ◽

Capital Development ◽

Privately Owned

During the 1960–1972 period Egypt was committed to a socialist, centrally planned model of economic development. Economic growth goals were expounded in optimistic consecutive five-year plans. When it became apparent that these goals would not be achieved, the second five-year plan was expanded to seven years (1965–1972). private investment had been effectively discouraged after the nationalization of privately owned industry during 1960–1963. In order to finance ambitious development plans, Egypt borrowed heavily during 1960–1972. Approximately $2.3 billion was borrowed mainly from the U.S.S.R., the European Economic Community, and the United States. The plans' large capital development projects were undertaken with dismal results. A major factor causing these failures was the low absorptive capacity of Egypt during that time. This severely restricted the amount of capital that could be put to constructive use in any given time period and prevented Egypt from realizing her goal of doubling national income in ten years (1960–1970).

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