Patchiness in distribution of rodents and mustelids in New Zealand forests

2010 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Fern Watkins ◽  
Judith L. McWhirter ◽  
Carolyn M. King
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Uniform Distribution ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
Mixed Forest ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
The North ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Density Indices

Context. Relative density indices assuming uniform distribution of the target species are often the only cost-effective method for monitoring a population over the long term and at landscape scale, and the only source of valuable historical data. Yet, theoretical models emphasise the dangers of ignoring spatial heterogeneity, especially in short-term field data. Aims. To test whether Brown’s index of patchiness (BIP) can offer a simple means of checking rodent and mustelid survey data for violations of the assumption of uniform distribution. Methods. We use BIP to interrogate long-term legacy data collected by index trapping of mice (Mus musculus), rats (Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus) and stoats (Mustela erminea) in New Zealand forests. Key results. We found evidence of moderately patchy distributions that were independent of abundance in all three species. In two South Island beech (Nothofagus) forest valleys, 19% (6 of 31) of mouse samples and 8% (3 of 36) of stoat samples were significantly patchy, correlated with a seedfall event; in mixed forest at Pureora in the North Island, significant patchiness in distribution of ship rats was recorded in 19% (16 of 84) of Fenn trap samples and 5% (2 of 42) of rodent trap samples. Conclusions. Moderate patchiness is common. The consequences for any given study depend on the purpose of the work, but may be more important for practical management than for population modeling.

scholarly journals A Cost-Effective Method to Reproduce the Morphology of the Nearshore and Intertidal Zone in Microtidal Environments

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1880
Author(s):  
Stefano Furlani ◽  
Valeria Vaccher ◽  
Vanja Macovaz ◽  
Stefano Devoto
Keyword(s):  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Field Tests ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
3D Models ◽  
The North ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Photogrammetric Method ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Sea Wall

The photogrammetric method is widely used in coastal areas and in submerged environments. Time-lapse images collected with unmanned aerial vehicles are used to reproduce the emerged areas, while images taken by divers are used to reproduce submerged ones. Conversely, 3D models of natural or human-made objects lying at the water level are severely affected by the difference in refractive index between air and seawater. For this reason, the matching of 3D models of emergent and submerged coasts has been very rarely tested and never used in Earth Sciences. The availability of a large number of time-lapse images, collected at the intertidal zone during previous snorkel surveys, encouraged us to test the merging of 3D models of emerged and submerged environments. Considering the rapid and effective nature of the aforementioned program of swim surveys, photogrammetric targets were not used during image acquisition. This forced us to test the matching of the independent models by recognizing prominent landforms along the waterline. Here we present the approach used to test the method, the instrumentation used for the field tests, and the setting of cameras fixed to a specially built aluminum support console and discuss both its advantages and its limits compared to UAVs. 3D models of sea cliffs were generated by applying structure-from-motion (SfM) photogrammetry. Horizontal time-lapse images, collected with action cameras while swimming parallel to the coastline at nearly constant velocity, were used for the tests. Subsequently, prominent coastal landforms were used to couple the independent models obtained from the emergent and submerged cliffs. The method was pilot tested in two coastal sites in the north-eastern Adriatic (part of the Mediterranean basin). The first site was a 25 m sea wall of sandstone set within a small harbor, while the second site was a 150 m route below plunging limestone cliffs. The data show that inexpensive action cameras provide a sufficient resolution to support and integrate geomorphological field surveys along rocky coastlines.

scholarly journals Long-term continuous atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> measurements at Baring Head, New Zealand

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (12) ◽  
pp. 3109-3117 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. W. Brailsford ◽  
B. B. Stephens ◽  
A. J. Gomez ◽  
K. Riedel ◽  
S. E. Mikaloff Fletcher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Air Masses ◽  
The North ◽  
Low Co2 ◽  
Ocean Region ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2 ◽  
Instrumental Precision

Abstract. We present descriptions of the in situ instrumentation, calibration procedures, intercomparison efforts, and data filtering methods used in a 39-yr record of continuous atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) observations made at Baring Head, New Zealand. Located on the southern coast of the North Island, Baring Head is exposed to extended periods of strong air flow from the south with minimal terrestrial influence resulting in low CO2 variability. The site is therefore well suited for sampling air masses that are representative of the Southern Ocean region. Instrumental precision is better than 0.015 ppm (1-σ) on 1-Hz values. Comparisons to over 600 co-located flask samples, as well as laboratory based flask and cylinder comparison exercises, suggest that over recent decades compatibility with respect to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) and World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) CO2 scales has been 0.3 ppm or better.

The Need for In-Situ Pipe Support Testing

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerry May
Keyword(s):  
Creep Damage ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Piping System ◽  
Design Load ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Accelerated Creep ◽  
Constant Support ◽  
Full Operation

Pipe support functionality is critical to the long term life of piping system. Spring supports degrade with time due to flexing in the spring and wear in constant support bearings. It is not unusual to measure constant support hangers with resistance 25% to 50% different than the design load. This leads to excessive sustained pipe stress, pipe sag (or uplift), and in high temperature systems, accelerated creep damage. Supports may also not move properly from shut down to full operation, which can create excessive fatigue stress, failed hanger components, and other piping system damage. In-situ hanger testing has been found to be a reliable and cost effective method to determine the functionality of pipe supports. Results are used as input to set revised recommended loads, and to determine if any hangers need to be replaced. This paper provides examples of the types of problems that are often found in the field, the method to test, and typical resolutions to maximize the pipe life and minimize the risk of failure.

Impacts of climate change on extreme precipitation and dry spells in New Zealand

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ludovico Nicotina ◽  
Francesco Comola ◽  
Saket Satyam ◽  
Carlotta Scudeler ◽  
Mani Prakash
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Extreme Precipitation ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
The North ◽  
Dry Spells ◽  
Enso Phases

&lt;p&gt;Global warming is expected to enhance El Ni&amp;#241;o Southern Oscillation (ENSO), with potential impacts on frequency and severity of floods and droughts in numerous countries of the Asia-Pacific region. However, the limited time coverage of historical records and the large uncertainties underlying climate model projections impair our ability to identify trends in extreme rainfall and dry spells. Here, we generate and analyze a long-term stochastic precipitation dataset for New Zealand that accounts for the potential effects of climate change. For this purpose, we draw on a 60 year-dataset of daily precipitation maps to identify the rainfall principal components and quantify their temporal correlations with the ENSO signal. We then generate a long-term stochastic set of daily rainfall maps correlated with ENSO projections, corresponding to different climate change scenarios. Our results indicate that climate change may lead to more intense precipitation in the Southern Alps during positive ENSO phases. Conversely, extreme precipitation is likely to increase in the North Island during negative ENSO phases. Our analyses also suggest that the duration of extreme dry spells may significantly increase along the east side of the North and South Islands during positive ENSO phases. These results may guide the implementation of effective adaptation and mitigation strategies against the increasing risk of natural catastrophes.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Unconsented linkage between dormant trials and administrative data: practical and regulatory implications

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximiliane Verfuerden ◽  
Mary Fewtrell ◽  
Kathy Kennedy ◽  
Alan Lucas ◽  
John Jerrim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Data ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Trial Data ◽  
Match Trial ◽  
Formula Milk ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Ethical Approval ◽  
Education Records

Half of all infants are fed formula milk. However, attrition biases evidence on the long-term safety of formula ingredients. We used unconsented linkage between administrative education and health records of 3,500 young people who were randomised as infants to formula milks, to determine long-term safety and efficacy. We discuss the steps that were implemented to safeguard the participants' privacy and achieve ethical and multi-institutional approvals. Achieving provisional ethical approval took 41 days. Achieving agreement-in-principle to match trial data to individual-level education records took 4 months and 2 weeks, while agreement to match trial data to individual level hospital records is still underway (5.5 months so far). Delays in institutional approval were largely due to unharmonised data security certificates between the two government departments holding the health and education records. Digitising all handwritten participant identifiers prior to linkage took 9 months. Results on the success of linkage between trial and education records will be presented at the conference. While directly contributing to the evidence around infant-formula-composition, this project will also act as a proof-of-concept study. Unconsented linkage between dormant RCTs and administrative data could be a novel and cost-effective method to generate evidence on the long-term efficacy and safety of interventions.

scholarly journals Land Application of Biosolids in the USA: A Review

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qin Lu ◽  
Zhenli L. He ◽  
Peter J. Stoffella
Keyword(s):  
Best Management Practices ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Land Application ◽  
Potential Threat ◽  
Best Management ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Potential Risks

Land application of biosolids has proven a cost-effective method of waste disposal by beneficially recycling organic matter and nutrients and improving soil quality; however, it may also pose potential threat to the environment and human health. The purpose of this paper is to provide information on recent research progresses and regulation efforts regarding land application of biosolids, including forms and types and nutrient values of biosolids, environmental and health concerns, and related best management practices (BMPs) of biosolids application, with emphasis on its land application in agriculture. More research and regulations are expected to minimize potential risks of biosolids land application, especially its long-term impacts.

scholarly journals Pharmacist integration into general practice in New Zealand

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Haua ◽  
Jeff Harrison ◽  
Trudi Aspden
Keyword(s):  
General Practice ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
District Health ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
The North ◽  
Medicines Reconciliation ◽  
Medication Reviews ◽  
General Practices

ABSTRACT IntroductionPharmacist integration into general practice is gaining momentum internationally, with benefits noted in reducing medication errors, improving chronic disease management and alleviating general practitioner workforce shortages. Little is known about how general practice pharmacists are working in New Zealand. AimThis study characterised the current landscape of pharmacist integration into general practice in New Zealand. MethodsAn online questionnaire was developed, piloted and distributed to all pharmacists in New Zealand. ResultsThirty-six responses were analysed. Respondents were more likely to be female, have been pharmacists for at least 10 years and all but one held formal postgraduate clinical pharmacy qualifications. Seven pharmacists were working as pharmacist prescribers. Primary health organisations (PHOs) were the most common employer, with funding primarily derived from either PHOs or District Health Boards. Pharmacist integration into general practice appears to have progressed further in particular regions of New Zealand, with most respondents located in the North Island. Tasks performed by respondents included medication reviews, managing long-term conditions and medicines reconciliation. Increased job satisfaction compared with previous roles was reported by most respondents. Funding and a general lack of awareness about pharmacists’ professional scope were seen as barriers to further expansion of the role. DiscussionThis study describes the characteristics of pharmacists currently working in general practices in New Zealand and provides insights into key requirements for the role. Understanding the way practice pharmacists are currently employed and funded can inform general practices considering employing pharmacists.

scholarly journals Liquid Based Cytology versus Conventional Cytology for Evaluation of Cervical PAP Smear

2021 ◽  
pp. 22-37
Author(s):  
Vishakha Chandwani ◽  
K. Saraswathi ◽  
G. Bheema Rao ◽  
Vindu Sivastava
Keyword(s):  
Pap Smear ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Inflammatory Cells ◽  
Cervical Cytology ◽  
Cost Effective Method ◽  
Inferior Segment ◽  
Liquid Based Cytology ◽  
Subsequent Modification ◽  
Long Term Experience

The cervix is the narrow inferior segment of the uterus which projects into the vaginal vault.  Conventional cervical cytology is a simple, cost effective method that has been in use for more than 50 years and is still a highly effective cervical cancer screening procedure. Liquid-based, thin-layer preparation of cervical cytology specimens was a subsequent modification in technique. The present study was split-sample study was to compare Thin Prep Liquid-based Cytology with Conventional Pap Smear, relying on a laboratory with long term experience of the former. In our study most of the Conventional preparations showed cell overlapping, inflammatory cells, blood and mucus that obscure the epithelial cell  morphology  which  was much reduced in Liquid based preparations.

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