Terrestrial avifauna of the Gippsland Plain and Strzelecki Ranges, Victoria, Australia: insights from Atlas data

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 531 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Q. Radford ◽  
Andrew F. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Regional Scale ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Reporting Rate ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Typical Species ◽  
The Status ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Landscape Units

The rate and spatial scale at which natural environments are being modified by human land-uses mean that a regional or national perspective is necessary to understand the status of the native biota. Here, we outline a landscape-based approach for using data from the ‘New Atlas of Australian Birds’ to examine the distribution and status of avifauna at a regional scale. We use data from two bioregions in south-east Australia – the Gippsland Plain and the Strzelecki Ranges (collectively termed the greater Gippsland Plains) – to demonstrate this approach. Records were compiled for 57 landscape units, each 10′ latitude by 10′ longitude (~270 km2) across the study region. A total of 165 terrestrial bird species was recorded from 1870 ‘area searches’, with a further 24 species added from incidental observations and other surveys. Of these, 108 species were considered ‘typical’ of the greater Gippsland Plain in that they currently or historically occur regularly in the study region. An index of species ‘occurrence’, combining reporting rate and breadth of distribution, was used to identify rare, common, widespread and restricted species. Ordination of the dataset highlighted assemblages of birds that had similar spatial distributions. A complementarity analysis identified a subset of 14 landscape units that together contained records from at least three different landscape units for each of the 108 ‘typical’ species. When compared with the 40 most common ‘typical’ species, the 40 least common species were more likely to be forest specialists, nest on the ground and, owing to the prevalence of raptors in the least common group, take prey on the wing. The future status of the terrestrial avifauna of the greater Gippsland Plains will depend on the extent to which effective restoration actions can be undertaken to ensure adequate representation of habitats for all species, especially for the large number of species of conservation concern.

Changes in the status and distribution of four species of parrot in the south of Western Australia during 1970-90

1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R. Mawson ◽  
John L. Long
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Winter Rainfall ◽  
Mail Surveys ◽  
Dietary Preferences ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
South West ◽  
The Status

Mail surveys were sent to field staff of the Agriculture Protection Board of Western Australia to assess the distribution and status of four species of parrot in the agricultural region of south-west Western Australia in 1970, 1980 and 1990. The surveys indicated that the populations of the Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus) and the Western Rosella (Platycercus icterotis) have declined in range considerably since 1970. The populations of the Red-capped Parrot (Purpureicephalus spurius) and the Port Lincoln Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius) have suffered little or not at all during the same period. Factors which appear to have contributed to the observed changes in distribution and status include clearing for agriculture, dietary preferences, physiology, habitat requirements, altered fire regimes, grazing by exotic herbivores and reduced winter rainfall. These surveys have shown that species which were formerly considered common and widespread have declined with little comment having been made of these changes. The implications of this are serious, both for these formerly common species and for rarer bird species which have similar ecological requirements. The technique of mail surveys has considerable merit for quickly assessing the status of some species of birds, but will be limited by the expertise of the respondents and the degree to which the species in question can be observed.

Soil Functional Mapping: Using Data-Model Integration to Improve Regional-Scale SOC Forecasts

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corey Lawrence
Keyword(s):  
Functional Unit ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Mapping Algorithm ◽  
East River ◽  
Geospatial Datasets ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Landscape Scales ◽  
Soc Stocks

<p>With advances in the understanding of the mechanisms leading to the persistence or vulnerability of soil organic carbon (SOC) at the profile scale, it is essential to develop infrastructure to integrate this knowledge with landscape-scale mapping and models. To address this need, we are developing a soil functional unit framework, intended to better scale mechanistic soil knowledge by merging geospatial datasets with targeted sample collection and analyses. Here we provide a proof of concept of this approach for SOC stocks (the soil function of interest) in the East River study area located near Gothic, Colorado, USA. We first generate a map estimating SOC stocks based only on available geospatial datasets, including factors such as topography, vegetation, geology, and basic soil maps. We then compare the mapped functional units against an independent SOC dataset of 450 soil profiles (~1700 samples) collected from the study region and refine the soil functional map to best capture the spatial variability observed in the dataset.  With the calibrated soil functional unit mapping algorithm, we can then calculate SOC stocks at landscape scales and better constrain the mechanisms that drive the observed heterogeneity.  The resulting data-driven soil functional maps can then be merged with regional scale SOC models to enhance forecasts of SOC change in response to disturbances.</p>

Changes in populations of bird species in roadside softwood scrub remnants/farmland and open eucalypt forest in south-east Queensland, 1981 to 1993

1995 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 232 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. Leach
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Management ◽  
Species Turnover ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Eucalypt Forest ◽  
Noisy Miner ◽  
The Status ◽  
Monitoring Procedure

Long-term monitoring of bird species provides information on base-line populations and population trends required to ensure that habitat management is effective for their conservation. Two surveys in both spring and autumn over 12 years monitored populations at fixed points in roadside softwood scrub remnants plus adjoining farmland (softwood/farmland) and in eucalypt open forest in south-east Queensland. The main aims were to determine the status of species in each habitat, especially whether the status of any species was changing, and to assess the usefulness of the monitoring procedure. In all, 92 species were observed; 79 in the softwood/farmland and 74 in the eucalypt forest. From 49 to 56 species were observed each year in softwood/farmland and 34 to 46 in eucalypt forest. Annual species turnover in softwood/farmland was about half that in eucalypt forest; 39% of all species were observed every year in the former habitat, but only 19% in the latter. The Torresian Crow was most often observed in softwood/farmland and the Noisy Miner in eucalypt forest. The Torresian Crow was the only species to be among the five most observed in each habitat. Among other common species, 95% or more observations of Bar-shouldered Doves, Superb Fairy-wrens, Yellow Thornbills and Silvereyes were in softwood/farmland, whereas for Weebills, White-throated Gerygones, Buff-rumped Thornbills, White-throated Treecreepers and White-throated Honeyeaters at least 95% of observations were in eucalypt forest, confirming their strong habitat specificities. The number of birds observed increased linearly for eight species in softwood/farmland and six species in eucalypt forest, and decreased for five and four species, respectively, over the 12 years. The most significant trends were for the Crested Pigeon (increase) and Willie Wagtail (decrease) in softwood/farmland, while Peaceful Dove and Rufous Whistler decreased in both habitats. Several species which increased adapt well to partial clearing of woody vegetation and aggressively exclude others, e.g., Noisy Miner, butcherbirds and Pied Currawong. The trends may reflect insidious degradation of habitats. The main value of the survey method was for detecting changes of species that could be used as indicator species ? those that respond most rapidly to habitat change. While the method was efficient, wildlife managers would need to use it regularly to maintain skills, especially because most observations are of bird calls.

scholarly journals Knowledge of birds and willingness to support their conservation: an Australian case study

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
CLEVO WILSON ◽  
CLEM TISDELL
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
The Status ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Australian Case ◽  
Balanced Information

This case study concentrates on the extent of knowledge among the Australian public of Australia's tropical bird species, and their willingness to support their conservation. In order to place this issue in context, we provide background information on the status of Australian bird species, focusing attention on species that occur in tropical Australia. Then, using questionnaire survey results, we consider the hypothesis that the public's support for the conservation of different bird species depends on their understanding of the species' existence and status. Based on results from a sample of residents in Brisbane, Queensland, we found that knowledge of bird species that occur exclusively in the Australian tropics (including tropical Queensland) was very poor compared with that of those occurring in the Brisbane area that are relatively common. Experimental results indicated that when respondents in the sample had an option to allocate A$1,000 between 10 bird species listed in the survey, they allocated more funds to the better-known and more common species, unless they were provided with balanced information about all the selected species. With balanced information, the average allocation to bird species confined mostly to the Australian tropics, particularly those threatened, increased. This demonstrates the conservation implications of information provision about bird species. The results showed that public education can play a crucial role in attempts to conserve bird species that are poorly known and threatened.

Constructing the Seismograms of Future Earthquakes in Yunnan, China, Using Compressed Sensing

2020 ◽  
Vol 92 (1) ◽  
pp. 261-274
Author(s):  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Huiyu Zhu ◽  
Siwei Yu ◽  
Jianwei Ma
Keyword(s):  
Compressed Sensing ◽  
Active Fault ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Focal Mechanism Solution ◽  
Total Output ◽  
Detailed Knowledge ◽  
Large Dataset ◽  
Sensing Technology ◽  
Data Driven Approach ◽  
Using Data

Abstract The ability to calculate the seismogram of an earthquake at a local or regional scale is critical but challenging for many seismological studies because detailed knowledge about the 3D heterogeneities in the Earth’s subsurface, although essential, is often insufficient. Here, we present an application of compressed sensing technology that can help predict the seismograms of earthquakes at any position using data from past events randomly distributed in the same area in Jinggu County, Yunnan, China. This first data-driven approach for calculating seismograms generates a large dataset in 3D with a volume encompassing an active fault zone. The input number of earthquakes comprises only 1.27% of the total output events. We use the output data to create a database intended to find the best-matching waveform of a new event by applying an earthquake search engine, which instantly reveals the hypocenter and focal-mechanism solution.

scholarly journals Ischemia Is Related to Tumour Genetics in Uveal Melanoma

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels J. Brouwer ◽  
Annemijn P. A. Wierenga ◽  
Gülçin Gezgin ◽  
Marina Marinkovic ◽  
Gregorius P. M. Luyten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Uveal Melanoma ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Tumour Size ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
The Cancer Genome Atlas ◽  
Basal Diameter ◽  
Von Hippel Lindau ◽  
The Status ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Tumour Genetics

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF1a) and its regulator von Hippel–Lindau protein (VHL) play an important role in tumour ischemia. Currently, drugs that target HIF1a are being developed to treat malignancies. Although HIF1a is known to be expressed in uveal melanoma (UM), it is as yet unknown which factors, such as tumour size or genetics, determine its expression. Therefore, we aimed to determine which tumour characteristics relate to HIF1a expression in UM. Data from 64 patients who were enucleated for UM were analysed. Messenger RNA (mRNA) expression was determined with the Illumina HT-12 v4 chip. In 54 cases, the status of chromosomes 3 and 8q, and BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) protein expression (immunohistochemistry) were determined. Findings were corroborated using data of 80 patients from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) study. A significantly increased expression of HIF1a, and a decreased expression of VHL were associated with monosomy 3/loss of BAP1 expression. The relationship between BAP1 loss and HIF1a expression was independent of chromosome 3. The largest basal diameter and tumour thickness showed no relationship with HIF1a. HIF1a expression related to an increased presence of infiltrating T cells and macrophages. From this study, we conclude that HIF1a is strongly related to tumour genetics in UM, especially to loss of BAP1 expression, and less to tumour size. Tumour ischemia is furthermore related to the presence of an inflammatory phenotype.

Pentecostalism as an Informal Political Institution: Experimental Evidence from Ghana

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 761-787 ◽  
Author(s):  
John F. McCauley
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Dictator Game ◽  
Informal Institutions ◽  
Informal Institution ◽  
Resource Endowment ◽  
The Status ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
New Form ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Cultural Leaders

AbstractInformal institutions continue to govern political exchange in Africa, but the traditional, ethnic-based form of “big man rule” is now threatened by an alternative informal institution — charismatic Pentecostalism. This study evaluates the status of Pentecostalism empirically, in a micro-level experiment in Ghana. Using data from a variant of the dictator game, in which participants divide a resource endowment with randomly assigned partners as well as cultural leaders, the study provides evidence of Pentecostal exclusivity, excessive allegiance to leaders, and a shift away from ethnic-based patronage to Pentecostal patronage. As Pentecostalism continues to expand, these findings suggest a modification in the exchange of resources for loyalty in Africa, and grounds for viewing the movement as a new form of big man rule in the region.

scholarly journals Sustainable exploitation of temperate fish stocks

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 124-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henrik Sparholt ◽  
Robin M. Cook
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Fishery Management ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Theoretical Concept ◽  
Maximum Sustainable Yield ◽  
Production Model ◽  
The Status ◽  
Long Time

The theory of maximum sustainable yield (MSY) underpins many fishery management regimes and is applied principally as a single species concept. Using a simple dynamic biomass production model we show that MSY can be identified from a long time series of multi-stock data at a regional scale in the presence of species interactions and environmental change. It suggests that MSY is robust and calculable in a multispecies environment, offering a realistic reference point for fishery management. Furthermore, the demonstration of the existence of MSY shows that it is more than a purely theoretical concept. There has been an improvement in the status of stocks in the Northeast Atlantic, but our analysis suggests further reductions in fishing effort would improve long-term yields.

2020 hurricane impact assessment for the northern Gulf of Mexico: Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Zeta

Shore & Beach ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 56-64
Author(s):  
S. McGill ◽  
C. Sylvester ◽  
L. Dunkin ◽  
E. Eisemann ◽  
J. Wozencraft
Keyword(s):  
Change Detection ◽  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Shoreline Change ◽  
Airborne Lidar ◽  
Digital Elevation ◽  
The Status ◽  
Northern Gulf Coast ◽  
Elevation Model ◽  
Beach Volume

Regional-scale shoreline and beach volume changes are quantified using the Joint Airborne Lidar Bathymetry Technical Center of Expertise’s digital elevation model products in a change detection framework following the passage of the two landfalling hurricanes, Hurricanes Sally and Zeta, along the northern Gulf Coast in late fall 2020. Results derived from this work include elevation change raster products and a standard set of beach volume and shoreline change metrics. The rapid turn-around and delivery of data products to include volume and shoreline change assessments provide valuable information about the status of the coastline and identification of areas of significant erosion or other impacts, such as breaching near Perdido Key, FL, from Hurricane Sally’s impact. These advanced change detection products help inform sediment budget development and support decisions related to regional sediment management and coastal storm risk management.

Ecological thresholds and the status of fire-sensitive vegetation in western Arnhem Land, northern Australia: implications for management

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew C. Edwards ◽  
Jeremy Russell-Smith
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Fire History ◽  
Fire Management ◽  
Fire Regime ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Northern Australia ◽  
Study Region ◽  
Ecological Thresholds ◽  
Arnhem Land ◽  
The Status

The paper examines the application of the ecological thresholds concept to fire management issues concerning fire-sensitive vegetation types associated with the remote, biodiversity-rich, sandstone Arnhem Plateau, in western Arnhem Land, monsoonal northern Australia. In the absence of detailed assessments of fire regime impacts on component biota such as exist for adjoining Nitmiluk and World Heritage Kakadu National Parks, the paper builds on validated 16-year fire history and vegetation structural mapping products derived principally from Landsat-scale imagery, to apply critical ecological thresholds criteria as defined by fire regime parameters for assessing the status of fire-sensitive habitat and species elements. Assembled data indicate that the 24 000 km2 study region today experiences fire regimes characterised generally by high annual frequencies (mean = 36.6%) of large (>10 km2) fires that occur mostly in the late dry season under severe fire-weather conditions. Collectively, such conditions substantially exceed defined ecological thresholds for significant proportions of fire-sensitive indicator rain forest and heath vegetation types, and the long-lived obligate seeder conifer tree species, Callitris intratropica. Thresholds criteria are recognised as an effective tool for informing ecological fire management in a variety of geographic settings.

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