scholarly journals Time is running out! Rapid range expansion of the invasive northern raccoon in central Italy

Mammalia ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Boscherini ◽  
Giuseppe Mazza ◽  
Mattia Menchetti ◽  
Alessandro Laurenzi ◽  
Emiliano Mori
Keyword(s):  
Range Expansion ◽  
National Park ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Kernel Estimates ◽  
Minimum Convex Polygon ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Established Population

Abstract The northern raccoon, Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758), is listed among the invasive alien species of European Union concern. Therefore, an updated monitoring of its distribution is required to design and address management actions. As to Italy, the raccoon has been reported with an established population only in northern regions. In this note, we report a new established raccoon population along the Apennine ridge in central Italy and we estimate the range expansion from 2015 to 2018 both through the minimum convex polygon (MCP) and the kernel estimates. Furthermore, we propose the management actions to limit negative impacts in the Foreste Casentinesi National Park and its surroundings.

scholarly journals Economic costs of invasive alien species in Mexico

NeoBiota ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 459-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Axel Eduardo Rico-Sánchez ◽  
Phillip J. Haubrock ◽  
Ross N. Cuthbert ◽  
Elena Angulo ◽  
Liliana Ballesteros-Mejia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Economic Cost ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Natural Protected Areas ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Terrestrial Environments ◽  
Negative Impacts

Invasive alien species (IAS) are a leading driver of biodiversity loss worldwide, and have negative impacts on human societies. In most countries, available data on monetary costs of IAS are scarce, while being crucial for developing efficient management. In this study, we use available data collected from the first global assessment of economic costs of IAS (InvaCost) to quantify and describe the economic cost of invasions in Mexico. This description was made across a range of taxonomic, sectoral and temporal variables, and allowed us to identify knowledge gaps within these areas. Overall, costs of invasions in Mexico were estimated at US$ 5.33 billion (i.e., 109) ($MXN 100.84 billion) during the period from 1992 to 2019. Biological invasion costs were split relatively evenly between aquatic (US$ 1.16 billion; $MXN 21.95 billion) and terrestrial (US$ 1.17 billion; $MXN 22.14 billion) invaders, but semi-aquatic taxa dominated (US$ 2.99 billion; $MXN 56.57 billion), with costs from damages to resources four times higher than those from management of IAS (US$ 4.29 billion vs. US$ 1.04 billion; $MXN 81.17 billion vs $MXN 19.68 billion). The agriculture sector incurred the highest costs (US$ 1.01 billion; $MXN 19.1 billion), followed by fisheries (US$ 517.24 million; $MXN 9.79 billion), whilst most other costs simultaneously impacted mixed or unspecified sectors. When defined, costs to Mexican natural protected areas were mostly associated with management actions in terrestrial environments, and were incurred through official authorities via monitoring, control or eradication. On natural protected islands, mainly mammals were managed (i.e. rodents, cats and goats), to a total of US$ 3.99 million, while feral cows, fishes and plants were mostly managed in protected mainland areas, amounting to US$ 1.11 million in total. Pterygoplichthys sp. and Eichhornia crassipes caused the greatest reported costs in unprotected aquatic ecosystems in Mexico, and Bemisia tabaci to terrestrial systems. Although reported damages from invasions appeared to be fluctuating through time in Mexico, management spending has been increasing. These estimates, albeit conservative, underline the monetary pressure that invasions put on the Mexican economy, calling for urgent actions alongside comprehensive cost reporting in national states such as Mexico.

scholarly journals Negative effects of the feral donkey Equus asinus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Al-Ula governorate, western Saudi Arabia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Fathy Mohamed ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Equus Asinus ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
Harmful Effects

Alien animals cause drastic and negative impacts on biota and ecosystems. The feral donkey Equus asinus is an invasive alien species in Saudi Arabia. Damage of farms and plant consumed by feral donkeys were studied in the area between Al-Ula and Al-Wajh governorates in order to spot their harmful effects in this region and to propose possible solutions to the problems they caused. Surveys and direct interviews and conversations with farmers and villagers were the selected methods used to collect information. Prevention, and management actions were suggested to decrease numbers of feral donkeys. A useful investment potential was proposed to get some benefits from them.

scholarly journals Invasive Alien Species Plants in Sukaraja Atas Resort, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Agus Sayfulloh ◽  
Melya Riniarti ◽  
Trio Santoso
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Calliandra Calothyrsus ◽  
Importance Value Index ◽  
Importance Value ◽  
Open Land ◽  
Negative Impacts

One of the problems encountered by the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (TNBBS) is the presence of invasive alien species. Invasive alien species are plants that grow outside their natural distribution and have the ability to cover the area; hence it could suppress the growth of the other plants. The presence of invasive alien species in the national park has been widely reported to cause negative impacts on the ecosystem, local biodiversity, socio-economic, and human health in the vicinity. This study was carried out in the rehabilitation zone of the Sukaraja Atas Resort of TNBBS that had shifted into open land. This study aimed to determine the species and dominance of invasive alien species that exist. The sampling method was used by laying plots consisted of the combination of the line and multiple plot methods with a total plot of 25 plots. Data analysis was performed by selecting invasive alien species observed based related-literature, while the dominance of invasive alien species was calculated by the importance value index (IVI). The results identified 121 species, of which 29 species or 35% of them were classified as invasive alien, which originating from 19 families. Three invasive alien species become the most dominating, namely: Clidemia hirta with an IVI of 22.61, Imperata cylindrica with an IVI of 18.03, and Calliandra calothyrsus with an IVI 17.96. The environmental conditions and species characteristics supported the three invasive alien species domination; hence it inhibited the growth of native species. Keywords:  Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, invasive alien species, rehabilitation zone

scholarly journals How Raccoons Could Lead to the Disappearance of Native Crayfish in Central Italy

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Tricarico ◽  
Paola Ciampelli ◽  
Laura De Cicco ◽  
Sandro Aurelio Marsella ◽  
Lorenzo Petralia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Population Status ◽  
The Past ◽  
Urban Settlements ◽  
Predatory Fishes ◽  
Surrounding Areas ◽  
Native Crayfish ◽  
The Impact

The white-clawed crayfish Austropotamobius pallipes complex populations are decreasing in the Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona and Campigna National Park (Central Italy), due to several factors, including illegal poaching, predatory fishes, drought, and invasive alien species. Recently, the Northern raccoon Procyon lotor has been reported to be present in the area of the National Park and has started to predate on the white-clawed crayfish. The aim of the study was to update the distribution and population status of A. pallipes in the reserves, other sites of the National Park, and surrounding areas to assess the potential effects of the raccoon. Crayfish were sampled by hand or by traps in 14 sites; sampled individuals were sexed and measured. Signs of raccoon presence (e.g., footprints and predated crayfish) were also recorded. Our study confirms the impact of raccoon on native crayfish: indeed, where the invasive mammal is present (six sites), crayfish disappeared, or their populations have been dramatically reduced in number, with a size distribution skewed towards juveniles. In two sites, close to urban settlements, fresh footprints of P. lotor and predated specimens of A. pallipes were also observed. Populations of crayfish are still abundant or even increasing as compared with samplings conducted in the past where raccoon is absent (five sites). Urgent actions (e.g., control of raccoons, and monitoring and restocking of A. pallipes populations if feasible and where possible) should be taken into account to guarantee the survival of this protected species.

scholarly journals Developing thresholds of potential concern for invasive alien species: Hypotheses and concepts

Koedoe ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Llewellyn C. Foxcroft
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Conceptual Understanding ◽  
National Park ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Invasive Alien Species ◽  
Management Options ◽  
End Points ◽  
Management Interventions ◽  
Negative Impacts

The Kruger National Park (KNP) has developed and refined a system of management called ‘strategic adaptive management’ (SAM), which rests on the concept of ‘threshold of potential concern’ (TPC). TPCs represent end-points in a continuum of change. When thresholds are reached – at which point concerns of negative impacts on biodiversity are raised – management options are explicitly considered and implemented. This paper describes the TPCs developed for monitoring and managing invasive alien species (IAS). More importantly, however, it describes the conceptual understanding, principles and hypotheses adopted as the foundations for setting these TPCs. In accordance with adaptive management practices, the TPCs will be revised as the ecological and conceptual understanding of invasions grows and information is gained through research in the KNP and elsewhere.Conservation implication: In accepting that species and systems are variable, and that flux is inevitable and desirable, these TPCs developed for invasive alien species specifi cally, provide end points against which monitoring can be assessed. Once a threshold is reached, the cause of the threshold being exceeded is examined and management interventions recommended.

Methods for assessing territory pollution by oil or petroleum product spills

2020 ◽  
pp. 140-146
Author(s):  
S. I. Chelombitko ◽  
V. V. Piven
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Radiant Energy ◽  
Petroleum Products ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Oil And Gas Fields ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Negative Impacts ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Destructive Processes ◽  
Gas Fields

During the development of oil and gas fields and transportation of hydrocarbons, the ecology of regions is subject to various negative impacts. The most severe consequences for the environment are caused by accidental spills of oil or petroleum products, which occur due to through damage to pipelines. Polluted territories are subject to mandatory reclamation in accordance with government regulations and industry regulations. However, despite the measures taken by the administrations of the northern regions to increase the rate of reclamation of damaged territories in recent years, there has been a trend of growth of areas contaminated with hydrocarbons.Various remediation technologies that have been tested in warm and temperate climates are not very effective in regions with permafrost. Pollution of the daytime surface with oil or petroleum products leads to an increase in the absorption of the sun's radiant energy, the growth of the seasonal thaw layer and the development of destructive processes for the territory. To achieve a positive effect as a result of rehabilitation measures, it is necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the territory and the extent of its pollution.

Managing rivers for conservation and ecotourism in the Kruger National Park

1995 ◽  
Vol 32 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 227-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. J. Venter ◽  
A. R. Deacon
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Good Condition ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
The West ◽  
The Past ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Three Rivers

Six major rivers flow through the Kruger National Park (KNP). All these rivers originate outside and to the west of the KNP and are highly utilized. They are crucially important for the conservation of the unique natural environments of the KNP. The human population growth in the Lowveld during the past two decades brought with it the rapid expansion of irrigation farming, exotic afforestation and land grazed by domestic stock, as well as the establishment of large towns, mines, dams and industries. Along with these developments came overgrazing, erosion, over-utilization and pollution of rivers, as well as clearing of indigenous forests from large areas outside the borders of the KNP. Over-utilization of the rivers which ultimately flow through the KNP poses one of the most serious challenges to the KNP's management. This paper gives the background to the development in the catchments and highlights the problems which these have caused for the KNP. Management actions which have been taken as well as their results are discussed and solutions to certain problems proposed. Three rivers, namely the Letaba, Olifants and Sabie are respectively described as examples of an over-utilized river, a polluted river and a river which is still in a fairly good condition.

scholarly journals A novel methodology for epidemic risk assessment of COVID-19 outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Pluchino ◽  
A. E. Biondo ◽  
N. Giuffrida ◽  
G. Inturri ◽  
V. Latora ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Mobility ◽  
Risk Index ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Policy Model ◽  
Italian Regions ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Seasonal Flu ◽  
Epidemic Risk

AbstractWe propose a novel data-driven framework for assessing the a-priori epidemic risk of a geographical area and for identifying high-risk areas within a country. Our risk index is evaluated as a function of three different components: the hazard of the disease, the exposure of the area and the vulnerability of its inhabitants. As an application, we discuss the case of COVID-19 outbreak in Italy. We characterize each of the twenty Italian regions by using available historical data on air pollution, human mobility, winter temperature, housing concentration, health care density, population size and age. We find that the epidemic risk is higher in some of the Northern regions with respect to Central and Southern Italy. The corresponding risk index shows correlations with the available official data on the number of infected individuals, patients in intensive care and deceased patients, and can help explaining why regions such as Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna, Piemonte and Veneto have suffered much more than the rest of the country. Although the COVID-19 outbreak started in both North (Lombardia) and Central Italy (Lazio) almost at the same time, when the first cases were officially certified at the beginning of 2020, the disease has spread faster and with heavier consequences in regions with higher epidemic risk. Our framework can be extended and tested on other epidemic data, such as those on seasonal flu, and applied to other countries. We also present a policy model connected with our methodology, which might help policy-makers to take informed decisions.

scholarly journals Pixel- vs. Object-Based Landsat 8 Data Classification in Google Earth Engine Using Random Forest: The Case Study of Maiella National Park

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2299
Author(s):  
Andrea Tassi ◽  
Daniela Gigante ◽  
Giuseppe Modica ◽  
Luciano Di Martino ◽  
Marco Vizzari
Keyword(s):  
Land Cover ◽  
National Park ◽  
Time Window ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Data Cube ◽  
Landsat 8 ◽  
Change Analysis ◽  
Object Based ◽  
Google Earth Engine

With the general objective of producing a 2018–2020 Land Use/Land Cover (LULC) map of the Maiella National Park (central Italy), useful for a future long-term LULC change analysis, this research aimed to develop a Landsat 8 (L8) data composition and classification process using Google Earth Engine (GEE). In this process, we compared two pixel-based (PB) and two object-based (OB) approaches, assessing the advantages of integrating the textural information in the PB approach. Moreover, we tested the possibility of using the L8 panchromatic band to improve the segmentation step and the object’s textural analysis of the OB approach and produce a 15-m resolution LULC map. After selecting the best time window of the year to compose the base data cube, we applied a cloud-filtering and a topography-correction process on the 32 available L8 surface reflectance images. On this basis, we calculated five spectral indices, some of them on an interannual basis, to account for vegetation seasonality. We added an elevation, an aspect, a slope layer, and the 2018 CORINE Land Cover classification layer to improve the available information. We applied the Gray-Level Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) algorithm to calculate the image’s textural information and, in the OB approaches, the Simple Non-Iterative Clustering (SNIC) algorithm for the image segmentation step. We performed an initial RF optimization process finding the optimal number of decision trees through out-of-bag error analysis. We randomly distributed 1200 ground truth points and used 70% to train the RF classifier and 30% for the validation phase. This subdivision was randomly and recursively redefined to evaluate the performance of the tested approaches more robustly. The OB approaches performed better than the PB ones when using the 15 m L8 panchromatic band, while the addition of textural information did not improve the PB approach. Using the panchromatic band within an OB approach, we produced a detailed, 15-m resolution LULC map of the study area.

Bridled Quail-dove Geotrygon mystacea population assessment after hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Eustatius, Caribbean Netherlands

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
FRANK F. RIVERA-MILÁN ◽  
HANNAH MADDEN ◽  
KEVIN VERDEL
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Distance Sampling ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Detection Mode ◽  
Limited Food ◽  
Seed Eating ◽  
Free Ranging

Summary Structural vegetation damage and food limitation are important effects of major hurricanes, particularly for fruit/seed-eating, forest-dependent Caribbean birds with restricted distributions and small populations, such as the Bridled Quail-dove Geotrygon mystacea. Motivated by the lack of abundance estimates, corrected for detection probability, we conducted distance-sampling surveys inside and outside the Quill National Park each May in 2016-2019. Detection mode was the most important covariate, with others receiving no support from the data. Detectability of available single individuals and clusters of individuals within 60 m of transect centrelines averaged 0.957 ± 0.114 standard error for audio detections, 0.434 ± 0.052 for visual detections, and 0.693 ± 0.064 for detection modes combined. Availability averaged 0.475 ± 0.138 and the product of detectability and availability averaged 0.329 ± 0.098. Density averaged 1.459 ± 0.277 individuals ha-1 and population size averaged 642 ± 122 individuals in 440 ha. Density did not differ along and away from forest trails, but was higher inside than outside the park and at elevations within 201-400 m than 100-200 m and 401-600 m. Density declined by 76% after hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017. We suggest that major hurricanes together with free-ranging livestock overgrazing degraded foraging habitats, limited food supply, and caused a population bottleneck. Our methodology can be implemented across the distribution range to assess population status and trends and evaluate the result of management actions at key conservation sites. Bridled Quail-dove populations probably were declining on most islands before the 2017 hurricanes and population status warrants revision.

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