Response of specialized birds to reed-bed aging in a Mediterranean wetland: Significant changes in bird biomass after two decades

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corrado Battisti ◽  
Giacomo Grosso ◽  
Susanna Ioni ◽  
Francesco Zullo ◽  
Fulvio Cerfolli
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Heterogeneity ◽  
Coastal Wetland ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Total Density ◽  
Effective Metric ◽  
Reed Bed ◽  
Bed Changes

Traditional fish farming carried out in wetland is declining in many countries of Mediterranean Europe. This decline can lead to a lack of management of the reeds that tend to age progressively. In this work we compared, through a wide temporal range (2001-2019), the densities of four habitat-specialized birds (warblers), strictly linked to Phragmites australis reed-beds in a coastal wetland on the Tyrrhenian central Italy. In this wetland, following the abandonment of fish farming, the average density of reeds significantly decreased, and both the average reed diameter and habitat heterogeneity showed a significant increase. Comparing 2001 to 2019, we observed an increase in the total density of breeding warblers. The two species of Acrocephalus (scirpaceus and arundinaceus), and Cettia cetti showed a marked increase in density, while Cisticola juncidis showed a clear decrease. More particularly, a significant increase in Cettia cetti (p < 0.001) and a decrease in Cisticola juncidis (p < 0.05) emerged when comparing bird biomasses. Species diversity and evenness were more high in 2019 than in 2001. Our data suggest that: (i) these species could be considered indicators of long-term reed-bed changes and (ii) their biomass may be used as a more effective metric when compared to abundance.

scholarly journals Consistent Long-Term Monthly Coastal Wetland Vegetation Monitoring Using a Virtual Satellite Constellation

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 438
Author(s):  
Subrina Tahsin ◽  
Stephen C. Medeiros ◽  
Arvind Singh
Keyword(s):  
Vegetation Index ◽  
Coastal Wetland ◽  
Thermal Emission ◽  
Mean Squared Error ◽  
Wetland Vegetation ◽  
Coefficient Of Determination ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Vegetation Monitoring ◽  
Time Space

Long-term monthly coastal wetland vegetation monitoring is the key to quantifying the effects of natural and anthropogenic events, such as severe storms, as well as assessing restoration efforts. Remote sensing data products such as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), alongside emerging data analysis techniques, have enabled broader investigations into their dynamics at monthly to decadal time scales. However, NDVI data suffer from cloud contamination making periods within the time series sparse and often unusable during meteorologically active seasons. This paper proposes a virtual constellation for NDVI consisting of the red and near-infrared bands of Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager, Sentinel-2A Multi-Spectral Instrument, and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer. The virtual constellation uses time-space-spectrum relationships from 2014 to 2018 and a random forest to produce synthetic NDVI imagery rectified to Landsat 8 format. Over the sample coverage area near Apalachicola, Florida, USA, the synthetic NDVI showed good visual coherence with observed Landsat 8 NDVI. Comparisons between the synthetic and observed NDVI showed Root Mean Squared Error and Coefficient of Determination (R2) values of 0.0020 sr−1 and 0.88, respectively. The results suggest that the virtual constellation was able to mitigate NDVI data loss due to clouds and may have the potential to do the same for other data. The ability to participate in a virtual constellation for a useful end product such as NDVI adds value to existing satellite missions and provides economic justification for future projects.

scholarly journals Optimising the performance of a lab-scale tidal flow reed bed system treating agricultural wastewater

2004 ◽  
Vol 50 (8) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y.Q. Zhao ◽  
G. Sun ◽  
C. Lafferty ◽  
S.J. Allen
Keyword(s):  
Tidal Flow ◽  
High Strength ◽  
Pollutant Removal ◽  
Inorganic Pollutants ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Agricultural Wastewater ◽  
Major Route ◽  
Reed Bed ◽  
Ammoniacal Nitrogen Removal

A gravel-based tidal flow reed bed system was operated with three different strategies in order to investigate its optimal performance for the treatment of a high strength agricultural wastewater. According to the three strategies, individual reed beds were saturated and unsaturated with the wastewater for different periods while reasonably stable hydraulic and organic loadings were maintained. Experimental results demonstrated that the system produced the highest pollutant removal efficiencies with a relatively short saturated period and long unsaturated period, highlighting the importance of oxygen transfer into reed bed matrices during the treatment. Significant removals of some major organic and inorganic pollutants were achieved under all three operational conditions. Nitrification was not the major route of ammoniacal-nitrogen removal when the system was under high organic loading. Due to the filtration of suspended solids and the accumulation of biomass, gradual clogging of the reed bed matrices took place, which caused concerns over the long-term efficiency of the tidal flow system.

scholarly journals Geosystemics and Earthquakes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo De Santis ◽  
Gianfranco Cianchini ◽  
Rita Di Giovambattista ◽  
Cristoforo Abbattista ◽  
Lucilla Alfonsi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dynamical System ◽  
Solid Earth ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Complex Dynamical System ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Earth’S Interior

Abstract. Geosystemics (De Santis 2009, 2014) studies the Earth system as a whole focusing on the possible coupling among the Earth layers (the so called geo-layers), and using universal tools to integrate different methods that can be applied to multi-parameter data, often taken on different platforms. Its main objective is to understand the particular phenomenon of interest from a holistic point of view. In this paper we will deal with earthquakes, considered as a long term chain of processes involving, not only the interaction between different components of the Earth’s interior, but also the coupling of the solid earth with the above neutral and ionized atmosphere, and finally culminating with the main rupture along the fault of concern (De Santis et al., 2015a). Some case studies (particular emphasis is given to recent central Italy earthquakes) will be discussed in the frame of the geosystemic approach for better understanding the physics of the underlying complex dynamical system.

scholarly journals Influence of net-cage fish farming on zooplankton biomass in the Itá reservoir, SC, Brazil

2012 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 357-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Roque Loureiro ◽  
Christina Wyss Castelo Branco ◽  
Evoy Zaniboni Filho
Keyword(s):  
Fish Farming ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Control Area ◽  
Zooplankton Biomass ◽  
Total Density ◽  
Total Zooplankton ◽  
Net Cage ◽  
Uruguay River ◽  
Cage Fish ◽  
Total Zooplankton Biomass

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to verify the influence of net-cage fish farming on zooplankton biomass in the Itá reservoir (Uruguay River, Brazil). METHODS: Samples were collected monthly from October/2009 to May/2010 at the surface and at the bottom in two sampling stations, the net-cage area and in a control area using a Van Dorn bottle and a plankton net (68 µm). RESULTS: The Cladocera and Copepoda biomass was estimated by dry weight using a micro-analytical balance, and the Rotifera biomass by Biovolume. Total zooplankton biomass varied between 6.47 and 131.56 mgDW.m-3 Calanoida copepod presented the highest value of biomass (127.56 mgDW.m-3) and rotifers, despite having an important contribution to total density, showed a maximum biomass of 2.01 mgDW.m-3. Zooplankton biomass at the net-cage area surface was higher when compared with the control area during the months of October to January. However, the zooplankton biomass was similar at the bottom of the two areas throughout the studied period. From February until May, zooplankton biomass decreased in both sampling stations, a fact probably associated with the flushing of the reservoir, followed by an increase in water transparency and a decrease in chlorophyll-a concentration in the following months (February to May). CONCLUSIONS: The influence of fish farming on zooplankton biomass was detected at the surface of the net-cage area only from October to January. From February to May this influence was not found, probably by the influence of the flushing of the reservoir.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Tuscany (Central Italy): A Study Based on Validated Administrative Data

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daiana Bezzini ◽  
Laura Policardo ◽  
Giuseppe Meucci ◽  
Monica Ulivelli ◽  
Sabina Bartalini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
Care Home ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Prevalence Studies ◽  
Hospital Discharge Records ◽  
Test Algorithm

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) epidemiology in Italy is mainly based on population-based prevalence studies. Administrative data are an additional source of information, when available, in prevalence studies of chronic diseases such as MS. The aim of our study is to update the prevalence rate of MS in Tuscany (central Italy) as at 2011 using a validated case-finding algorithm based on administrative data. Methods: The prevalence was calculated using an algorithm based on the following administrative data: hospital discharge records, drug-dispensing records, disease-specific exemptions from copayment to health care, home and residential long-term care and inhabitant registry. To test algorithm sensitivity, we used a true-positive reference cohort of MS patients from the Tuscan MS register. To test algorithm specificity, we used another cohort of individuals who were presumably not affected by MS. Results: As at December 31, 2011, we identified 6,890 cases (4,738 females and 2,152 males) with a prevalence of 187.9 per 100,000. The sensitivity of algorithm was 98% and the specificity was 99.99%. Conclusions: We found a prevalence higher than the rates present in literature. Our algorithm, based on administrative data, can accurately identify MS patients; moreover, the resulting cohort is suitable to monitor disease care pathways.

scholarly journals Measurement and modelling of evaporation from a coastal wetland in Maputaland, South Africa

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1741-1782 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. D. Clulow ◽  
C. S. Everson ◽  
M. G. Mengistu ◽  
C. Jarmain ◽  
G. P. W. Jewitt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Balance ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Coastal Wetland ◽  
Surface Renewal ◽  
Site Specific ◽  
Combination Of Methods ◽  
A Site ◽  
Sr Method ◽  
Subtropical Environment

Abstract. The contribution of freshwater supply from the Mfabeni Mire to Lake St. Lucia during dry periods is important to the survival of certain plant and animal species in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This freshwater supply is mainly dependent on the variability of the major components of the water balance, namely rainfall and total evaporation (ET). Attempts to quantify the water balance have been limited through uncertainties in quantifying ET from the Mfabeni Mire. Despite advances in evaporation measurement and modelling from wetlands, there still exists some doubt as to which methods are best suited to characterise wetland ET with most authors suggesting a combination of methods. In this study, the surface renewal (SR) method was successfully used to determine the long-term ET (12 months) from the Mfabeni Mire with calibration using eddy covariance during two window periods of approximately one week each. The SR method was found to be inexpensive, reliable and with low power requirements for unattended operation. The annual ET was lower (900 mm yr−1) than expected, due to cloud cover in summer and low atmospheric demand throughout the year, despite the available water and high windspeeds. Daily ET estimates were compared to the Priestley-Taylor results and a site specific calibration α = 1.0 was obtained for the site. The Priestley-Taylor results agreed well with the actual ET from the surface renewal technique (R2 = 0.96) throughout the 12 month period. A monthly crop factor (Kc) was determined for the standardised FAO-56 Penman-Monteith. However, Kc was variable in some months and should be used with caution for daily ET modelling. These results represent not only some of the first long-term measurements of ET from a wetland in Southern Africa, but also one of the few studies of actual ET in a subtropical peatland in the Southern Hemisphere. The study provides wetland ecologists and hydrologists with guidelines for the use of two internationally applied models for the estimation of wetland ET within a coastal, subtropical environment.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequences of 19 Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium [4,5:i:−] Strains Resistant to Nalidixic Acid from a Long-Term Outbreak in Italy: TABLE 1 

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Massimiliano Orsini ◽  
Iolanda Mangone ◽  
Adriano DiPasquale ◽  
Samuel Perticara ◽  
Lorena Sacchini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nalidixic Acid ◽  
Salmonella Enterica ◽  
Salmonella Enterica Serovar Typhimurium ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Genome Sequences ◽  
Serovar Typhimurium

Here, we present the draft genome sequences of 19 Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium monophasic variant [4,5:i:−] strains involved in a long-term salmonellosis outbreak that occurred in central Italy in 2013 to 2014.

Reproductive success of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and its association with habitat or landscape features and weather in southeast Alaska

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
pp. 1595-1604 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott M. Gende ◽  
Mary F. Wilson ◽  
Mike Jacobsen
Keyword(s):  
Early Spring ◽  
Average Density ◽  
Nesting Success ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Haliaeetus Leucocephalus ◽  
Bald Eagles ◽  
Active Nest ◽  
Southeast Alaska ◽  
Landscape Features

Long-term data have been collected on nesting bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in three areas of southeast Alaska. The average density of active nests was among the highest recorded, but nest productivity (average number of young fledged per active nest) and success (percentage of active nests that fledged at least one young) were similar to values in other areas. Using logistic regression, nest productivity was associated with several habitat or landscape features (productivity was highest in proximity to spawning herring and at a particular location), each of which could be related to the availability of prey (fish) in the early spring (April, May) during egg laying and incubation. Consistency of nesting success was associated with the presence of tidal flats at one study site. Nest use, but not nesting success, was related to nesting success the previous year. Multiple regression showed that fewer nests per kilometre were successful in years with a high frequency of spring rains.

Polyculture in fish farming as a method of preventing fish diseases

2021 ◽  
pp. 30-40
Author(s):  
Grigory Emelyanovich Servetnik
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Fish Habitat ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Fish Farms ◽  
Fish Diseases ◽  
Host Body ◽  
Contagious Diseases

Methods of prevention of fish diseases are aimed at destroying parasites in the host body and in the fish habitat — in the reservoir (chemoprophylaxis, increasing fish resistance), at preventing parasites from entering the reservoir (limiting the import of fish, import of healthy fish, quarantine measures, etc.), as well as preventing their spread and entry into the host body. It is shown that polyculture is not only the most effective method of using the natural forage base of the reservoir and, as a result, increasing fish productivity, but also a means of preventing mass infectious and other fish diseases. To prevent mass infectious diseases of fish and death from them both in safe and unfavorable ponds of carp fish farms, it is advisable to grow other fish species together with carp that do not suffer from diseases peculiar to carp. As a result, so-called sparse species plantings of fish are created in the ponds, while the total biomass remains high. At the same time, the natural food supply of ponds is most fully used and a kind of biological buffer is created that prevents the emergence and spread of contagious diseases. Polyculture can play a particularly important role in pond farms that already have certain problems with rubella, filometroidosis, botryocephalosis, carp pox, etc. Long-term studies of breeding herds in pond farms have shown that most of them have single foci of diseases, which, if there are optimal conditions for the pathogen, are ready to immediately respond with an outbreak of the disease or are generally quarantined for a particular fish disease. When determining the objects of polyculture, it is necessary to reduce the proportion of fish species that have a significant number of common diseases.

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