Biodiversity conservation and vegetation clearing in Queensland: principles and thresholds

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. A. McAlpine ◽  
R. J. Fensham ◽  
D. E. Temple-Smith
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Wildlife Habitat ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Resource Sustainability ◽  
The North ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
Biogeographic Regions ◽  
The Impact

Clearing of native vegetation is a major threat to biodiversity in Australia. In Queensland, clearing has resulted in extensive ecosystem transformation, especially in the more fertile parts of the landscape. In this paper, we examine Queensland, Australian and some overseas evidence of the impact of clearing and related fragmentation effects on terrestrial biota. The geographic focus is the semi-arid regions, although we recognise that coastal regions have been extensively cleared. The evidence reviewed here suggests that the reduction of remnant vegetation to 30% will result in the loss of 25–35% of vertebrate fauna, with the full impact not realised for another 50–100 years, or even longer. Less mobile, habitat specialists and rare species appear to be particularly at risk. We propose three broad principles for effective biodiversity conservation in Queensland: (i) regional native vegetation retention thresholds of 50%; (ii) regional ecosystem thresholds of 30%; and (iii) landscape design and planning principles that protect large remnants, preferably > 2000 ha, as core habitats. Under these retention thresholds, no further clearing would be permitted in the extensively cleared biogeographic regions such as Brigalow Belt and New England Tablelands. Some elements of the biota, however, will require more detailed knowledge and targeted retention and management to ensure their security. The application of resource sustainability and economic criteria outlined elsewhere in this volume should be applied to ensure that the biogeographic regions in the north and west of Queensland that are largely intact continue to provide extensive wildlife habitat.

The habitat and management of hairy jointgrass (Arthraxon hispidus, Poaceae) on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura White ◽  
Claudia Catterall ◽  
Kathryn Taffs
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Freshwater Wetland ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
The North ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Impact

Ecological information about threatened species is required to guide strategic management approaches for effective biodiversity conservation in Australia. Arthraxon hispidus (hairy jointgrass) is a listed threatened species in New South Wales (NSW), but there is limited information on its habitat preferences and native vegetation associations, as well as the impact of historical and ongoing anthropogenic disturbance on its distribution and abundance. In the present study, populations of A. hispidus on the north coast of NSW were surveyed to investigate the habitat characteristics associated with various occurrences of the species. Its preferred habitat was found to be dense ground-cover formations in high-moisture, low-canopy conditions. Cover was highest in moisture-associated assemblages in and around wetlands, drainage lines and groundwater seepages, often in association with native grasses, sedges and herbs. These findings suggest that naturally open freshwater wetland communities comprise the most plausible native habitat niches for A. hispidus populations on the north coast of NSW. A. hispidus also occurs widely among introduced pastures and weeds in previously forested areas, demonstrating the species’ potential to exploit derived habitat. Results indicate that, although ongoing disturbance continues to promote A. hispidus in these exotic-dominated landscapes where historical clearing has created potential habitat opportunities, anthropogenic disturbance (slashing or cattle grazing) is not necessary to sustain A. hispidus within native-dominated wetland communities. Findings suggest more scope for integrated management of A. hispidus within broader native vegetation conservation strategies rather than a single species approach.

The extent and status of remnant vegetation in Queensland and its implications for statewide vegetation management and legislation

2002 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Wilson ◽  
V. J. Neldner ◽  
A. Accad
Keyword(s):  
New England ◽  
Regional Planning ◽  
Vegetation Management ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
Native Vegetation ◽  
Conservation Value ◽  
Group Iii ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Planning Processes

Vegetation classification, survey and mapping provide key information underpinning the implementation of statewide vegetation management legislation and associated policies in Queensland. This paper summarises: (i) the Queensland Herbarium survey and mapping methods and land classification system and its role in vegetation management legislation; and, (ii) the current extent and rate of vegetation clearing by bioregion, sub-region and Broad Vegetation Group; (iii) and the amount of vegetation protected under legislated statewide bioregional and regional ecosystem thresholds. Information also is provided on the pre-clearing and current extent by 18 Broad Vegetation Groups and the area of non-remnant woody vegetation by bioregion. The implications for vegetation management are discussed, along with a comparison of clearing statistics derived from other studies that use different classification and mapping methodologies. The majority of Queensland has relatively continuous native vegetation cover (82% remnant native vegetation remaining in 1999). The productive soils of the southern part of the Brigalow Belt, lowlands in South-east Queensland, New England Tableland and Central Queensland Coast have been, however, extensively cleared with 7–30% of remnant vegetation remaining. Between 1997 and 1999, the annual rate of remnant clearing in Queensland was 4460 km2 of which over 60% occurred in the Brigalow Belt bioregion. A greater proportion of this recent clearing occurred in Broad Vegetation Groups that are associated with less fertile and/or more arid parts of the State compared with pre 1997 clearing. For bioregions and regional ecosystems where past clearing has been extensive, a substantial proportion (50–91%) of the remaining vegetation is protected by bioregional and regional ecosystem thresholds prescribed under statewide legislation and associated policies. For other bioregions and regional ecosystems, other factors such as rainfall, soil and areas of high conservation value are likely to play a larger role in determining the amount of vegetation protected. However, the effectiveness of the Queensland legislation cannot be assessed until regional planning processes have been completed and all criteria addressed.

Clutch Size, Reproductive Success, and Organochlorine Contaminants in Atlantic Coast Black-Crowned Night-Herons

The Auk ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 100 (3) ◽  
pp. 699-710 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Custer ◽  
Gary L. Hensler ◽  
T. Earl Kaiser
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
New England ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Nest Success ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Similar Data ◽  
Nycticorax Nycticorax ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In 1979, we gathered clutch-size and reproductive-success data on Black-crowned Night-Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) nesting in three New England and two North Carolina colonies. In 1975, we gathered similar data from one of the New England and one of the North Carolina colonies. Latitudinal differences in clutch initiation were not evident. Mean clutch size was larger in the New England than in the North Carolina colonies. Mean clutch size was smaller in late nests from one New England colony studied in both years and another New England colony studied in 1979; seasonal trends in clutch size for other colonies were not found. In 1979, nest success was greater in two New England colonies than in one North Carolina colony. Within-season differences in nest success occurred but were inconsistent among colonies. In the four instances where statistical comparisons could be made, larger clutches were more successful than smaller ones in two colonies; large and small clutches had similar success in two other colonies. One egg was collected from each of several nests in each colony in 1979 for organochlorine contaminant analysis, and the fate of the remaining eggs was recorded. Concentrations of DDE and PCBs did not differ with clutch size; concentrations of PCBs were lower, however, in eggs laid late in the season. Although the data suggest an effect of DDE on hatching success in the northern more contaminated colonies, the impact of environmental contaminants on overall reproductive success appears to be minimal.

Nachhaltigkeit im Wald – vor und hinter der Welle der Globalisierung | Sustainable Forest Management – In Front and Behind the Wave of Globalization

2000 ◽  
Vol 151 (12) ◽  
pp. 502-507
Author(s):  
Christian Küchli
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Essential Element ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
The South ◽  
The North ◽  
Time Space ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Impact

Are there any common patterns in the transition processes from traditional and more or less sustainable forest management to exploitative use, which can regularly be observed both in central Europe and in the countries of the South (e.g. India or Indonesia)? Attempts were made with a time-space-model to typify those force fields, in which traditional sustainable forest management is undermined and is then transformed into a modern type of sustainable forest management. Although it is unlikely that the history of the North will become the future of the South, the glimpse into the northern past offers a useful starting point for the understanding of the current situation in the South, which in turn could stimulate the debate on development. For instance, the patterns which stand behind the conflicts on forest use in the Himalayas are very similar to the conflicts in the Alps. In the same way, the impact of socio-economic changes on the environment – key word ‹globalisation› – is often much the same. To recognize comparable patterns can be very valuable because it can act as a stimulant for the search of political, legal and technical solutions adapted to a specific situation. For the global community the realization of the way political-economic alliances work at the head of the ‹globalisationwave›can only signify to carry on trying to find a common language and understanding at the negotiation tables. On the lee side of the destructive breaker it is necessary to conserve and care for what survived. As it was the case in Switzerland these forest islands could once become the germination points for the genesis of a cultural landscape, where close-to-nature managed forests will constitute an essential element.

Healthcare System in the Arctic Zone of Russia. Known and Emerging Issues and Solutions to Them

2019 ◽  
pp. 3-20
Author(s):  
V.N. Leksin
Keyword(s):  
Metallurgical Industry ◽  
Healthcare Services ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Russian Arctic ◽  
Arctic Zone ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
The North ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
Emerging Issues ◽  
The Impact

The impact on healthcare organization on the territory of Russian Arctic of unique natural and climatic, demographic, ethnic, settlement and professional factors of influencing the health of population, constantly or temporarily living on this territory is studied. The necessity is substantiated of various forms and resource provision with healthcare services such real and potential patients of Arctic medical institutions, as representatives of indigenous small peoples of the North, workers of mining and metallurgical industry, military personnel, sailors and shift workers. In this connection a correction of a number of All-Russian normative acts is proposed.

A general practice provider federation in a mixed health economy in England: a case study investigation

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X696929
Author(s):  
Jill Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
Shared Vision ◽  
Health Economy ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The North ◽  
Common Strategy ◽  
Common Purpose ◽  
Collaborative Working ◽  
The Impact

BackgroundThere is an emerging debate that general practice in its current format is out-dated and there is a requirement to move to a federated model of provision where groups of Practices come together. The emergence of federations has developed over the past 5 years but the factors that influence how federations develop and the impact of this new model is an under researched area.AimThe study explored the rationale around why a group of independent GP practices opted to pursue an alternative business venture and the benefits that this strategy offered.MethodA single organisational case study of a federation in the North of England was conducted between 2011–2016. Mixed methods data collection included individual and group semi-structured interviews and quantitative surveys.ResultsFederations promote collaborative working, relying on strategic coherence of multiple individual GP practices through a shared vision and common purpose. Findings revealed many complexities in implementing a common strategy across multiple independent businesses. The ability of the federation to gain legitimacy was two dimensional – externally and internally. The venture had mixed successes, but their approach to quality improvement proved innovative and demonstrated outcomes on a population basis. The study identified significant pressures that practices were experiencing and the need to seek alternative ways of working but there was no shared vision or inclination to relinquish individual practice autonomy.ConclusionOrganisational development support is critical to reform General Practice. Whether central funding through the GP Five Year Forward View will achieve the scale of change required is yet to be evidenced.

The Impact of Sanctions on North Korea’s Foreign Trade from the Perspective of the Comparative Advantage Theory

2019 ◽  
pp. 4-15
Author(s):  
I. A. Korgun ◽  
G. D. Toloraya
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Trade ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
National Economy ◽  
North Korea ◽  
Rent Seeking ◽  
Economic Transformation ◽  
Global Trade ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
The North ◽  
The Impact

The presented study analyzes the opportunities for North Korea to capitalize on its competitive advantages in foreign trade in the context of sanctions.Aim. The study aims to identify mechanisms that allow North Korea to engage in foreign trade in circumvention of UN sanctions and to analyze their impact on the national economy.Tasks. The authors analyze the structure of North Korea’s national economy, its initial competitive advantage, identify the specific features of North Korea’s foreign trade in the context of sanctions, and determine the consequences of illicit trade in circumvention of sanctions for the national economy.Methods. This study uses an interdisciplinary approach that combines the classical theory of competitive advantage with the concept of rent seeking, with the concept of rent seeking and analysis of trade flows.Results. The study shows that, despite the restrictions imposed by sanctions, North Korea strives to make the most of its advantages, such as resource availability and cheap labor, in global trade. The country builds its own export-import chains in circumvention of sanctions. These chains are rather mobile, flexible, and controlled by the elite. As a result, benefits from trade that could be evenly distributed among the population are concentrated in the hands of a narrow segment of society. ‘Rent seeking’ makes it possible to formulate the negative consequences of these processes for the North Korean economy and the international community.Conclusions. Solving the North Korean issue requires an economic transformation in the country through the replacement of restrictive sanctions with more constructive ones. The exclusion of North Korea from open global trade leads to the country’s marginalization and impairs the transparency of international commodity flows.

Environmental impact of nutrients from nordic fish farming

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (10) ◽  
pp. 61-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Enell
Keyword(s):  
Major Part ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Feed Composition ◽  
The North ◽  
Comprehensive Development ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Inland Water Bodies ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Feed Coefficient

During the last 20 years there has been an interesting development of the Nordic fish farming, with regard to the feeding and farming technology and to the increase in production quantities. During the period 1974-1994 the production increased from 15,800 to about 250,000 tonnes/year. In 1974 the major part of the production was in Denmark, and in 1994 the major part was in Norway. The nutrient impact of fish farming on surrounding sea areas is mainly a function of the feed coefficient, the feed composition and metabolic processes in the fish. The comprehensive development of the feed composition and the feeding technology has resulted in reduced load of unmetabolized nutrients from fish farms, calculated per tonne fish produced. In 1974 the mean Nordic feed coefficient was 2.08 and in 1994 the coefficient was 1.25. Feed coefficients of 1.0-1.1 are now reported for Danish and Norwegian freshwater and marine fish farms. The nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content of the feed has decreased, in addition the quality of the nutrient substances in the feed has changed, especially for N. The N content has decreased from 7.8 to 6.8% during the period 1974-1994 and the content of P has decreased from 1.7 to 0.7% during the same period. This development of the feed coefficient and the feed composition has resulted in a present load from a typical Nordic fish farm of 55 kg N and 4.8 kg P/t fish produced. The figures for 1974 were 132 kg N and 31 kg P/t fish produced. The Nordic fish farming production in 1994 resulted in a load of about 13,750 t N and about 1,200 t P on the actual recipients. The load from the Swedish, Finnish and Danish fish farming operations, with the Baltic Sea and the Skagerrak as the recipients, is negligible in comparison with other pollution sources. The quantities of N and P from the fish farming are equal to 0.5% of the atmospheric deposition on the sea surface and 3% of the atmospheric P load. Norwegian, Icelandic and the Faroe Islands fish farming operations are using the North Sea and the Norwegian Sea as the recipients. However, the nutrient load from single fish farms in certain coastal and inland water bodies can be significant and must be considered in the impact assessment together with other sources.

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