scholarly journals Mitigation translocation for conservation of New Zealand skinks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ox Lennon
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Legal Requirements ◽  
Rock Pile ◽  
Pile Design

<p>Worldwide, human development is leading to the expansion and intensification of land use, with increasing encroachment on natural habitats. A rising awareness of the deleterious effects of habitat destruction on species and ecosystems has increased the use of strategies intended to mitigate these negative impacts. One increasingly common strategy is mitigation translocation, the movement of living organisms from a future development site to another location in an effort to mitigate damage caused. Mitigation translocations may be implemented due to legislation or regulations in many jurisdictions, and in many instances command more resources than purely conservation-motivated translocations. Although they are intended to reduce or offset harm, the effectiveness of mitigation translocations as a conservation strategy has been questioned.   I investigated the effectiveness of mitigation translocations for achieving conservation outcomes, using the study system of endemic New Zealand skinks. New Zealand’s skinks show a high level of endemism, are threatened by habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals, and are increasingly subject to mitigation translocations, making them an ideal study system for investigating mitigation outcomes. I investigated: whether mitigation translocations are meeting conservation goals; how the implementation and legal requirements of mitigation translocation relate to conservation goals; and how mitigation translocation practices might be improved to achieve better conservation outcomes.  A technique used in mitigation translocations of lizards in New Zealand is the construction of rock piles as habitat enhancement at the receiving site. I developed a novel use of computer game physics software to model the three-dimensional interstitial spaces within such rock piles, and used this model to design rock piles with the aim of protecting translocated skinks from mice (Mus musculus), New Zealand’s smallest introduced mammalian predator. The protection is achieved by selecting rocks to optimise the size of interstitial spaces to be accessible to skinks but not to the larger mice (or other larger predators). This rock pile design could be used to improve survival of skinks both in translocations and other situations such as backyard conservation or restoration. The modelling technique I developed could be used for investigation of refuge space more widely, for instance in other terrestrial systems or aquatic systems. I also took part in a mitigation translocation of lizards at Transmission Gully near Wellington, New Zealand. I used this translocation to test my rock pile design, and as a case study of the challenges facing mitigation translocations and the barriers to conservation success. In addition, I revisited nine historical mitigation translocations of skinks (7–14 years post translocation), took surveys of current populations to assess their success at meeting conservation goals, and found a success rate of 22%, considerably lower than conservation translocations of New Zealand skinks (success rate of 88.9%). Despite this, all but one met their goals of fulfilling legislative requirements.  Mitigation translocations fail to result in conservation benefit due to their implementation and goals. The goals of mitigation translocations are rooted in legislation, and vary due to inconsistent application of relevant laws (in New Zealand, the Wildlife Act 1953 and the Resource Management Act 1991), and the fact that the requirements under these laws do not necessarily reflect conservation goals. Additionally, mitigation translocations may be undertaken even when evidence indicates that meaningful conservation outcomes are unlikely (as in the case of the translocation at Transmission Gully). Failure may also be due to poor implementation; examples from case studies here include failure to control predators, low standards of planting at receptor sites, and small founder populations. To improve conservation outcomes, legal requirements for mitigation translocations should be implemented to require biologically-relevant goals (including a no net loss of biodiversity standard) and management techniques, and alternative methods of meeting conservation goals should be considered where appropriate.</p>

scholarly journals Mitigation translocation for conservation of New Zealand skinks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Ox Lennon
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Legal Requirements ◽  
Rock Pile ◽  
Pile Design

<p>Worldwide, human development is leading to the expansion and intensification of land use, with increasing encroachment on natural habitats. A rising awareness of the deleterious effects of habitat destruction on species and ecosystems has increased the use of strategies intended to mitigate these negative impacts. One increasingly common strategy is mitigation translocation, the movement of living organisms from a future development site to another location in an effort to mitigate damage caused. Mitigation translocations may be implemented due to legislation or regulations in many jurisdictions, and in many instances command more resources than purely conservation-motivated translocations. Although they are intended to reduce or offset harm, the effectiveness of mitigation translocations as a conservation strategy has been questioned.   I investigated the effectiveness of mitigation translocations for achieving conservation outcomes, using the study system of endemic New Zealand skinks. New Zealand’s skinks show a high level of endemism, are threatened by habitat loss and predation by introduced mammals, and are increasingly subject to mitigation translocations, making them an ideal study system for investigating mitigation outcomes. I investigated: whether mitigation translocations are meeting conservation goals; how the implementation and legal requirements of mitigation translocation relate to conservation goals; and how mitigation translocation practices might be improved to achieve better conservation outcomes.  A technique used in mitigation translocations of lizards in New Zealand is the construction of rock piles as habitat enhancement at the receiving site. I developed a novel use of computer game physics software to model the three-dimensional interstitial spaces within such rock piles, and used this model to design rock piles with the aim of protecting translocated skinks from mice (Mus musculus), New Zealand’s smallest introduced mammalian predator. The protection is achieved by selecting rocks to optimise the size of interstitial spaces to be accessible to skinks but not to the larger mice (or other larger predators). This rock pile design could be used to improve survival of skinks both in translocations and other situations such as backyard conservation or restoration. The modelling technique I developed could be used for investigation of refuge space more widely, for instance in other terrestrial systems or aquatic systems. I also took part in a mitigation translocation of lizards at Transmission Gully near Wellington, New Zealand. I used this translocation to test my rock pile design, and as a case study of the challenges facing mitigation translocations and the barriers to conservation success. In addition, I revisited nine historical mitigation translocations of skinks (7–14 years post translocation), took surveys of current populations to assess their success at meeting conservation goals, and found a success rate of 22%, considerably lower than conservation translocations of New Zealand skinks (success rate of 88.9%). Despite this, all but one met their goals of fulfilling legislative requirements.  Mitigation translocations fail to result in conservation benefit due to their implementation and goals. The goals of mitigation translocations are rooted in legislation, and vary due to inconsistent application of relevant laws (in New Zealand, the Wildlife Act 1953 and the Resource Management Act 1991), and the fact that the requirements under these laws do not necessarily reflect conservation goals. Additionally, mitigation translocations may be undertaken even when evidence indicates that meaningful conservation outcomes are unlikely (as in the case of the translocation at Transmission Gully). Failure may also be due to poor implementation; examples from case studies here include failure to control predators, low standards of planting at receptor sites, and small founder populations. To improve conservation outcomes, legal requirements for mitigation translocations should be implemented to require biologically-relevant goals (including a no net loss of biodiversity standard) and management techniques, and alternative methods of meeting conservation goals should be considered where appropriate.</p>

STUDY OF POND STATUS IN INDIA : A REVIEW

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
V.K. YADAV ◽  
SONAM SHARMA ◽  
A.K. SRIVASTAVA ◽  
P.K. KHARE
Keyword(s):  
Fresh Water ◽  
Land Surface ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Hydrological Cycle ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Goods And Services ◽  
Human Use ◽  
Over Exploitation

Ponds are an important fresh water critical ecosystem for plants and animals providing goods and services including food, fodder, fish, irrigation, hydrological cycle, shelter, medicine, culture, aesthetic and recreation. Ponds cover less than 2 percent of worlds land surface. Ponds are important source of fresh water for human use. These are threatened by urbanization, industrialization, over exploitation, fragmentation, habitat destruction, pollution, illegal capturing of land and climate changes. These above factors have been destroying ponds very rapidly putting them in danger of extinction of a great number of local biodiversity. It is necessary to formulate a correct conservation strategy for pond restoration in order to meet the growing needs of fresh water by increasing the human population. Some measures have been compiled and proposed in the present review.

scholarly journals An actin network is present in the cytoplasm throughout the cell cycle of carrot cells and associates with the dividing nucleus.

1987 ◽  
Vol 105 (1) ◽  
pp. 387-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
J A Traas ◽  
J H Doonan ◽  
D J Rawlins ◽  
P J Shaw ◽  
J Watts ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Preprophase Band ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Cell Periphery ◽  
Actin Network ◽  
Suspension Cells ◽  
Daucus Carota L ◽  
Culture Cells ◽  
Transvacuolar Strands

We have studied the F-actin network in cycling suspension culture cells of carrot (Daucus carota L.) using rhodaminyl lysine phallotoxin (RLP). In addition to conventional fixation with formaldehyde, we have used two different nonfixation methods before adding RLP: extracting cells in a stabilizing buffer; inducing transient pores in the plasma membrane with pulses of direct current (electroporation). These alternative methods for introducing RLP revealed additional features of the actin network not seen in aldehyde-fixed cells. The three-dimensional organization of this network in nonflattened cells was demonstrated by projecting stereopairs derived from through-focal series of computer-enhanced images. F-actin is present in interphase cells in four interconnected configurations: a meshwork surrounding the nucleus; thick cables in transvacuolar strands and deep in the cytoplasm; a finer network of bundles within the cortical cytoplasm; even finer filaments that run in ordered transverse array around the cell periphery. The actin network is organized differently during division but it does not disappear as do the cortical microtubules. RLP stains a central filamentous cortical band as the chromatin begins to condense (preprophase); it stains the mitotic spindle (as recently shown by Seagull et al. [Seagull, R. W., M. Falconer, and C. A. Weerdenburg, 1987, J. Cell Biol., 104:995-1004] for aldehyde fixed suspension cells) and the cytokinetic apparatus (as shown by Clayton, L., and C. W. Lloyd, 1985, Exp. Cell Res., 156:231-238). However, it is now shown that an additional network of F-actin persists in the cytoplasm throughout division associating in turn with the preprophase band, the mitotic spindle, and the cytokinetic phragmoplast.

scholarly journals A conservation agenda for the Pantanal's biodiversity

2011 ◽  
Vol 71 (1 suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 327-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
CJR Alho ◽  
J Sabino
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
River Flow ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Agricultural Crops ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Flow Modification ◽  
Wild Fire ◽  
Invasive Exotic Species ◽  
Hydroelectric Plants ◽  
Invasive Exotic

The Pantanal's biodiversity constitutes a valuable natural resource, in economic, cultural, recreational, aesthetic, scientific and educational terms. The vegetation plus the seasonal productivity support a diverse and abundant fauna. Many endangered species occur in the region, and waterfowl are exceptionally abundant during the dry season. Losses of biodiversity and its associated natural habitats within the Pantanal occur as a result of unsustainable land use. Implementation of protected areas is only a part of the conservation strategy needed. We analyse biodiversity threats to the biome under seven major categories: 1) conversion of natural vegetation into pasture and agricultural crops, 2) destruction or degradation of habitat mainly due to wild fire, 3) overexploitation of species mainly by unsustainable fishing, 4) water pollution, 5) river flow modification with implantation of small hydroelectric plants, 6) unsustainable tourism, and 7) introduction of invasive exotic species.

Multivariate Constrained GNSS Real-time Full Attitude Determination Based on Attitude Domain Search

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 483-502
Author(s):  
Hongtao Wu ◽  
Xiubin Zhao ◽  
Chunlei Pang ◽  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Bo Feng
Keyword(s):  
Objective Function ◽  
Success Rate ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Attitude Determination ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
New Method ◽  
Lambda Method ◽  
Attitude Angle

A priori attitude information can improve the success rate and reliability of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) multi-antennae attitude determination. However, a priori attitude information is nonlinear, and integrating a priori information into the objective function rigorously will increase the complexity of an ambiguity domain search, such as the Multivariate Constrained-Least-squares Ambiguity Decorrelation Adjustment (MC-LAMBDA) method. In this paper, a new method based on attitude domain search is presented to make use of the a priori attitude angle information with high efficiency. First, the a priori information of pitch and roll is integrated into the search process to derive the analytic search step for attitude angle, and the integer candidates are determined by traversal search in the three-dimensional attitude domain. Then, the objective function is parameterised with Euler angles, and a non-iterative approximate method is utilised to simplify the iterative computation in calculating objective function values. Experimental results reveal that compared to the MC-LAMBDA method, our new method has the same success rate and reliability, but higher efficiency in making use of a priori attitude information.

scholarly journals Environment of Deposition and Paleogeography of the Late Cretaceous Glenburn Formation, Eastern North Island, New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
James McClintock
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Depositional Environments ◽  
Tectonic Deformation ◽  
Turbidity Currents ◽  
Submarine Fan ◽  
Submarine Channels

<p>The Glenburn Formation of the East Coast of New Zealand is a Late Cretaceous sedimentary formation consisting of alternating layers of sandstone, mudstone and conglomerate. The Glenburn Formation spans a depositional timeframe of over 10 Ma, is over 1000 m thick, is regionally extensive and is possibly present over large areas offshore. For these reasons, it is important to constrain the paleoenvironment of this unit.  Late Cretaceous paleogeographic reconstructions of the East Coast Basin are, however, hampered by a number of factors, including the pervasive Neogene to modern tectonic deformation of the region, the poorly understood nature of the plate tectonic regime during the Cretaceous, and a lack of detailed sedimentological studies of most of the region’s Cretaceous units. Through detailed mapping of the Glenburn Formation, this study aims to improve inferences of regional Cretaceous depositional environments and paleogeography.  Detailed facies based analysis was undertaken on several measured sections in eastern Wairarapa and southern Hawke’s Bay. Information such as bed thickness, grain size and sedimentary structures were recorded in order to identify distinct facies. Although outcrop is locally extensive, separate outcrop localities generally lie in different thrust blocks, which complicates comparisons of individual field areas and prevents construction of the large-scale, three-dimensional geometry of the Glenburn Formation.  Glenburn Formation consists of facies deposited by sediment gravity flows that were primarily turbidity currents and debris flows. Facies observed are consistent with deposition on a prograding submarine fan system. There is significant variation in facies both within and between sections. Several distinct submarine fan architectural components are recognised, such as fan fringes, fan lobes, submarine channels and overbank deposits. Provenance and paleocurrent indicators are consistent with deposition having occurred on several separate submarine fans, and an integrated regional paleogeographic reconstruction suggests that deposition most likely occurred in a fossil trench following the mid-Cretaceous cessation of subduction along the Pacific-facing margin of Gondwana.</p>

scholarly journals Foeniculum vulgare (fennel).

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Jennifer Datiles ◽  
Ian Popay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Fire Regimes ◽  
Foeniculum Vulgare ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Invasive Weed ◽  
Editorial Committee ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Environmental Weed

Abstract Foeniculum vulgare, also known as sweet fennel, is a common kitchen herb used around the world - but it is also a highly invasive weed that can severely damage ecosystems. A risk assessment prepared for Hawaii gave the species a high risk score of 19 (PIER, 2015). F. vulgare is known to alter fire regimes and create dense stands, outcompeting native flora for nutrients and space (DiTomaso et al., 2013; Cal-IPC, 2015). It was listed in the Global Compendium of Weeds as an "agricultural weed, casual alien, cultivation escape, environmental weed, garden thug, naturalised, noxious weed, weed" (Randall, 2012), and is known to be invasive (mostly in natural habitats rather than agricultural land) in California, New Zealand, significant parts of Australia and a number of locations in the Pacific. (PIER, 2015). The species is a principal weed in Mexico and New Zealand, a common weed in Argentina, Australia, Hawaii, and Spain, weedy in Chile, Morocco, Uruguay, the USA, and Venezuela, and it is known to be adventive in China, Colombia (Holm et al., 1979; Flora of China Editorial Committee, 2015; PIER, 2015; Vascular Plants of Antioquia, 2015). It is also reported as invasive in Ethiopia and Kenya. It can regenerate by both seeds and roots, which often makes physical control methods ineffective and chemical control necessary once a population is established.

scholarly journals Biodiversity reporting in India: a view from the top

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 418-427
Author(s):  
Mansi Mansi ◽  
Rakesh Pandey ◽  
Carolyn Stringer
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Monitoring Centre ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Impact On Biodiversity

The purpose of this study is to explore the biodiversity reporting practices inside Indian companies. Biodiversity reporting studies across Indian companies are important because India has a wealth of biodiversity assets, that is, wildlife, flora, fauna, natural habitats, rare and endangered species and biological resources, and accounts for 7.8% of the global recorded species (Biological Diversity Act, the Biodiversity Rules, Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board, 2009). There are approximately 45,500 species of plants, 91,200 species of animals and 5,550 microbial species documented in India (National Biodiversity Authority, 2014). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed 132 species of animals and plants in the Critically Endangered Category (Sudhi, 2012). To date, the literature omits to explore the biodiversity reporting practices inside Indian companies. Another important reason to conduct is this study is that India has alarming population levels; thus there is a huge demand for land, energy, and resources, which leads to massive biodiversity loss, deforestation, and habitat destruction. It is very likely that with the limited land mass and increasing population in India, several ecosystems, wildlife, flora and fauna will be/have been exploited, disturbed, and endangered. Given the high potential impact on biodiversity by industries, we are concerned that there is a dearth of biodiversity reporting studies within the Indian subcontinent. We concentrate on the largest companies (based on market capitalisation) because similar to Van Liempd and Busch (2013), we also expect that the largest companies have the greatest impact on biodiversity; therefore, they are expected to show more accountability to their stakeholders. Therefore it is worth exploring how Indian companies are engaging in biodiversity reporting practices (e.g. biodiversity conservation, biodiversity protection, habitat and ecosystem conservation); and whether these organisations are disclosing their impact(s) (both in quantity and quality) on biodiversity (such as wildlife, flora and fauna). Moreover, India has also been classified as one of 17 mega-diversity countries by The World Conservation Monitoring Centre which account for more than 70% of the planet’s species (Williams, 2001). All these reasons make this study timely and important.

scholarly journals Selective Arterial Embolization of Renal Angiomyolipoma: Efficacy, Tumor Volume Reduction and Complications

2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Walailak Chaiyasoot ◽  
Jirawadee Yodying ◽  
Thanita Limsiri
Keyword(s):  
Success Rate ◽  
Clinical Success ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Clinical Success Rate ◽  
Arterial Embolization ◽  
P Value ◽  
Renal Angiomyolipoma ◽  
Tumor Rupture ◽  
Selective Arterial Embolization ◽  
Density Histogram

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and complications of selective arterial embolization in renal angiomyolipoma and to identify predictive factors for tumor rupture.Materials and Methods: Overall, 21 patients with 25 renal angiomyolipoma (AML) underwent selective arterial embolization (SAE) between January 2008 and June 2019, comprising 15 cases involving prophylaxis embolization of a tumor >4 cm diameter and 10 involving embolization for a ruptured tumor. Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) was performed pre- and post-SAE, using the 2D tumor diameter in the ruptured AMLs. Three-dimensional volumetry and density histogram were performed for determining the total tumor volume, fat, and angiomyogenic component reduction in the unruptured AMLs. The predictive factors for tumor rupture, the treatment outcome and complications were analyzed. Results: The clinical success rate was 84% (21/25 cases) and the technical success rate was 96% (24/25 cases). The 3D volume post-SAE within 1-3 months showed a greater decrement of the enhanced angiomyogenic component than the fat component, with median percentages of -62.2% and -18.4%, respectively (p-value = 0.333). Minor complications were post-embolization syndrome (5 case, 20%) and minimal renal infarction (4 cases, 16%). Renal abscesses were the major complications (3 cases, 12%). A factor associated with tumor rupture was the presence of an intra-tumoral aneurysm (p-value < 0.05).Conclusion: SAE is an effective treatment for renal AML with a high technical and clinical success rate and limited complications. Three-dimensional volume measurement and density histogram analysis might be better tools than two-dimensional CT to evaluate post-SAE response, which is crucial for management planning.

scholarly journals Seismic bracing performance of plasterboard timber walls

2019 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 56-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Liu ◽  
David Carradine
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Wall Model ◽  
Seismic Engineering ◽  
Displacement Capacity ◽  
Insight Into

The goal of this study is to develop a racking model of plasterboard-sheathed timber walls as part of the efforts towards performance-based seismic engineering of low-rise light timber-framed (LTF) residential buildings in New Zealand. Residential buildings in New Zealand are primarily stand-alone low-rise LTF buildings, and their bracing elements are commonly plasterboard-sheathed LTF walls. It is an essential part of performance-based seismic designs of LTF buildings to be able to simulate the racking performance of plasterboard walls. In this study, racking test results of 12 plasterboard walls were collected and studied to gain insight into the seismic performance of plasterboard-sheathed LTF walls. The racking performance of these walls was examined in terms of stiffness/strength degradation, displacement capacity, superposition applicability and failure mechanisms. Subsequently, a mathematical analysis model for simulating racking performance of LTF plasterboard walls is developed and presented. The developed racking model is a closed-form wall model and could be easily used for conducting three-dimensional non-linear push-over studies of seismic performance of LTF buildings.

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