scholarly journals Abundance and Potential Biological Removal of Common Dolphins Subject to Fishery Impacts in South Australian Waters

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guido J. Parra ◽  
Kerstin Bilgmann ◽  
Katharina J. Peters ◽  
Luciana M. Möller
Keyword(s):  
Human Impacts ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Common Dolphin ◽  
Biological Removal ◽  
Abundance Estimates ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Common Dolphins ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Central South

Conservation management of wildlife species should be underpinned by knowledge of their distribution and abundance, as well as impacts of human activities on their populations and habitats. Common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) are subject to incidental capture in a range of Australia’s commercial fisheries including gill netting, purse seining and mid-water trawling. The impact these fishery interactions have on common dolphin populations is uncertain, as estimates of abundance are lacking, particularly for the segments of the populations at risk of bycatch and in greater need of protection. Here we used double-observer platform aerial surveys and mark-recapture distance sampling methods to estimate the abundance of common dolphins in 2011 over an area of 42,438 km2 in central South Australia, where incidental mortality of common dolphins due to fisheries bycatch is the highest. We also used the potential biological removal (PBR) method to estimate sustainable levels of human-caused mortality for this segment of the population. The estimated abundance of common dolphins was 21,733 (CV = 0.25; 95% CI = 13,809–34,203) in austral summer/autumn and 26,504 in winter/spring (CV = 0.19; 95% CI = 19,488–36,046). Annual PBR estimates, assuming a conservative maximum population growth rate of Rmax = 0.02 and a recovery factor of Fr = 0.5 for species of unknown conservation status, ranged from 189 (summer/autumn) to 239 dolphins (winter/spring), and from 378 (summer/autumn) to 478 dolphins (winter/spring) with an Rmax = 0.04. Our results indicate that common dolphins are an abundant dolphin species in waters over the central South Australian continental shelf (up to 100 m deep). Based on the 2011 abundance estimates of this species, the highest estimated bycatch of common dolphins (423 mortalities in 2004/05) in the southern Australian region exceeded the precautionary PBR estimates for this population segment. Recent bycatch levels appear to be below PBR estimates, but low observer coverage and underreporting of dolphin mortalities by fishers means that estimates of dolphin bycatch rates are not robust. The effects of cumulative human impacts on common dolphins are not well understood, and thus we recommend a precautionary management approach to manage common dolphin bycatch based on local abundance estimates.

scholarly journals Effects of human disturbance on the mongoose lemur Eulemur mongoz in Comoros: implications and potential for the conservation of a Critically Endangered species

Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bakri Nadhurou ◽  
Roberta Righini ◽  
Marco Gamba ◽  
Paola Laiolo ◽  
Ahmed Ouledi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Group Size ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressure ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Group Size And Composition

AbstractThe decline of the mongoose lemur Eulemur mongoz has resulted in a change of its conservation status from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered. Assessing the current threats to the species and the attitudes of the people coexisting with it is fundamental to understanding whether and how human impacts may affect populations. A questionnaire-based analysis was used to study the impact of agriculture and other subsistence activities, and local educational initiatives, on lemur abundance, group size and composition in the Comoros. On the islands of Mohéli and Anjouan we recorded 214 lemurs in 63 groups, the size and composition of which depended both on environmental parameters and the magnitude and type of anthropogenic pressure. There was no evidence of an impact of anthropogenic disturbance on abundance. In contrast, group size and composition were sensitive to human impacts. The most important threats were conflicts related to crop raiding, as well as illegal capture and hunting. The promotion of educational activities reduced the negative impact of hunting and illegal activities. These results highlight a need for urgent conservation measures to protect the species.

Chasing the phantom: biogeography and conservation of Vipera latastei-monticola in the Maghreb (North Africa)

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-161 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inês Freitas ◽  
Soumia Fahd ◽  
Guillermo Velo-Antón ◽  
Fernando Martínez-Freiría
Keyword(s):  
North Africa ◽  
Habitat Degradation ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Western Mediterranean ◽  
Niche Modelling ◽  
Habitat Transformation ◽  
Mountain Ranges ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Suitable Space ◽  
The Impact

Abstract The Maghreb region (North Africa) constitutes a major component of the Mediterranean Basin biodiversity hotspot. During the last centuries, a consistent human population growth has led to an unprecedented rate of habitat transformation and loss in the region and thus, threatening its biodiversity. The Western Mediterranean viper Vipera latastei-monticola inhabits humid and subhumid areas in the main mountain ranges of the Maghreb, facing such threatening factors; however, its elusive character and rarity hindered data collection for distinct biological purposes. Here, we study the biogeographical patterns and conservation status of the Maghrebian V. latastei-monticola resulting from recent sampling campaigns in Morocco and Tunisia. We update species distribution, and integrate phylogeographic and ecological niche modelling analyses at both species and lineage level to identify suitable areas, and to evaluate the impact of anthropogenic transformation and level of protection of their suitable space. We identified four highly divergent mitochondrial lineages, including a new lineage endemic to the Western High Atlas, with allopatric distributions and restricted to mountain ranges, supporting the role of mountains as past climatic refugia. Despite the remoteness of suitable areas, we report widespread habitat degradation and identify the low effectiveness of the current protected areas system in preserving the species and lineages range. Our study shows the urgent need to apply management actions for the long-term conservation of this vulnerable species and suggests a revaluation of the specific status of V. monticola, as these populations likely represent an ecotype of V. latastei.

scholarly journals TissueCypher Barrett’s esophagus assay impacts clinical decisions in the management of patients with Barrett’s esophagus

2021 ◽  
Vol 09 (03) ◽  
pp. E348-E355
Author(s):  
David L. Diehl ◽  
Harshit S. Khara ◽  
Nasir Akhtar ◽  
Rebecca J. Critchley-Thorne
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Barrett’S Esophagus ◽  
Barrett's Esophagus ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Eradication Therapy ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Management Decisions ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background and study aims The TissueCypher Barrett’s Esophagus Assay is a novel tissue biomarker test, and has been validated to predict progression to high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) in patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of TissueCypher on clinical decision-making in the management of BE. Patients and methods TissueCypher was ordered for 60 patients with non-dysplastic (ND, n = 18) BE, indefinite for dysplasia (IND, n = 25), and low-grade dysplasia (LGD, n = 17). TissueCypher reports a risk class (low, intermediate or high) for progression to HGD or EAC within 5 years. The impact of the test results on BE management decisions was assessed. Results Fifty-two of 60 patients were male, mean age 65.2 ± 11.8, and 43 of 60 had long segment BE. TissueCypher results impacted 55.0 % of management decisions. In 21.7 % of patients, the test upstaged the management approach, resulting in endoscopic eradication therapy (EET) or shorter surveillance interval. The test downstaged the management approach in 33.4 % of patients, leading to surveillance rather than EET. In the subset of patients whose management plan was changed, upstaging was associated with a high-risk TissueCypher result, and downstaging was associated with a low-risk result (P < 0.0001). Conclusions TissueCypher was used as an adjunct to support a surveillance-only approach in 33.4 % of patients. Upstaging occurred in 21.7 % of patients, leading to therapeutic intervention or increased surveillance. These results indicate that the TissueCypher test may enable physicians to target EET for TissueCypher high-risk BE patients, while reducing unnecessary procedures in TissueCypher low-risk patients.

Type A aortic dissection: involvement of carotid artery and impact on cerebral malperfusion

2020 ◽  
pp. 021849232098432
Author(s):  
Wahaj Munir ◽  
Jun Heng Chong ◽  
Amer Harky ◽  
Mohamad Bashir ◽  
Benjamin Adams
Keyword(s):  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Aortic Dissection ◽  
Type A ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Acute Type ◽  
Type A Aortic Dissection ◽  
Cerebral Malperfusion ◽  
The Impact

Acute type A aortic dissection is a surgical emergency and management of such pathology can be complex with poor outcomes when there is organ malperfusion. Carotid artery involvement is present in 30% of patients diagnosed with acute type A aortic dissection, and given its emergency and complex nature, there is much controversy regarding the approach, extent of treatment, and timing of the intervention. It is clear that the occurrence of cerebral malperfusion adds an extra layer of complexity to the decision-making framework for treatment. Standardization and validation of the optimal management approach is required, and this should ideally be addressed with large-scale studies. Nonetheless, current literature supports the need for rapid recognition and diagnosis of acute type A aortic dissection with cerebral malperfusion, immediate and extensive surgical repair, and the appropriate use of cerebral perfusion techniques. This paper aims to discuss the current evidence regarding the impact of carotid artery involvement in both the management and outcomes of acute type A aortic dissection.

scholarly journals Earthworm Abundance Changes Depending on Soil Management Practices in Slovenian Vineyards

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1241
Author(s):  
Stanko Vršič ◽  
Marko Breznik ◽  
Borut Pulko ◽  
Jesús Rodrigo-Comino
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Soil Layer ◽  
Soil Management ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Soil Tillage ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Straw Mulch ◽  
Green Cover ◽  
The Impact

Earthworms are key indicators of soil quality and health in vineyards, but research that considers different soil management systems, especially in Slovenian viticultural areas is scarce. In this investigation, the impact of different soil management practices such as permanent green cover, the use of herbicides in row and inter-row areas, use of straw mulch, and shallow soil tillage compared to meadow control for earthworm abundance, were assessed. The biomass and abundance of earthworms (m2) and distribution in various soil layers were quantified for three years. Monitoring and a survey covering 22 May 2014 to 5 October 2016 in seven different sampling dates, along with a soil profile at the depth from 0 to 60 cm, were carried out. Our results showed that the lowest mean abundance and biomass of earthworms in all sampling periods were registered along the herbicide strip (within the rows). The highest abundance was found in the straw mulch and permanent green cover treatments (higher than in the control). On the plots where the herbicide was applied to the complete inter-row area, the abundance of the earthworm community decreased from the beginning to the end of the monitoring period. In contrast, shallow tillage showed a similar trend of declining earthworm abundance, which could indicate a deterioration of soil biodiversity conditions. We concluded that different soil management practices greatly affect the soil’s environmental conditions (temperature and humidity), especially in the upper soil layer (up to 15 cm deep), which affects the abundance of the earthworm community. Our results demonstrated that these practices need to be adapted to the climate and weather conditions, and also to human impacts.

scholarly journals The Dessau Grassland Experiment—Impact of Fertilization on Forage Quality and Species Assembly in a Species-Rich Alluvial Meadow

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 339
Author(s):  
Sandra Dullau ◽  
Knut Rydgren ◽  
Anita Kirmer ◽  
Urs Georg Jäger ◽  
Maren Helen Meyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Fertilization ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
Long Term Experiment ◽  
Phosphorus And Potassium ◽  
Eu Habitats Directive ◽  
Summer Flood ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Species Assembly

Since alluvial meadows of river valleys of the Cnidion dubii are protected by the EU Habitats Directive, reconciling farmers’ demands for forage quality with the objective of maintaining them in good conservation status is an important issue in grassland research. In a long-term experiment from 2010 to 2018, we investigated the impact of fertilizing on forage quality and species assembly on a species-rich and twice-mown alluvial grassland in the Dessau Elbe floodplain (Germany). The experiment was composed of an unfertilized control, PK, N60, N60PK and N120PK applications. A significant improvement in forage quality was achieved by nitrogen fertilization only for crude protein, with higher feeding requirements for sheep met only in individual years. The legume cycle was inhibited by the application of nitrogen and high grass cover was maintained, but not increased, at the highest nitrogen application after an exceptional summer flood. The target forbs persisted in numbers over the study period in all treatments. For cover, the low-competitive target forbs responded neutrally to nitrogen fertilization, whereas detrimental effects were demonstrated for the competitive ones. Thus, we recommend not applying more than 60 kg year−1 of nitrogen and only in combination with phosphorus and potassium.

scholarly journals Elucidating the role of Agl in bladder carcinogenesis by generation and characterization of genetically engineered mice

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 194-201
Author(s):  
Joseph L Sottnik ◽  
Vandana Mallaredy ◽  
Ana Chauca-Diaz ◽  
Carolyn Ritterson Lew ◽  
Charles Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glycogen Storage Disease Type ◽  
Gene Signature ◽  
Glycogen Storage ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
Normal Bladder ◽  
Populations At Risk ◽  
Genetically Engineered Mice ◽  
Patient Prognosis ◽  
The Impact

AbstractAmylo-α-1,6-glucosidase,4-α-glucanotransferase (AGL) is an enzyme primarily responsible for glycogen debranching. Germline mutations lead to glycogen storage disease type III (GSDIII). We recently found AGL to be a tumor suppressor in xenograft models of human bladder cancer (BC) and low levels of AGL expression in BC are associated with poor patient prognosis. However, the impact of low AGL expression on the susceptibility of normal bladder to carcinogenesis is unknown. We address this gap by developing a germline Agl knockout (Agl−/−) mouse that recapitulates biochemical and histological features of GSDIII. Agl−/− mice exposed to N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine (BBN) had a higher BC incidence compared with wild-type mice (Agl+/+). To determine if the increased BC incidence observed was due to decreased Agl expression in the urothelium specifically, we developed a urothelium-specific conditional Agl knockout (Aglcko) mouse using a Uroplakin II-Cre allele. BBN-induced carcinogenesis experiments repeated in Aglcko mice revealed that Aglcko mice had a higher BC incidence than control (Aglfl/fl) mice. RNA sequencing revealed that tumors from Agl−/− mice had 19 differentially expressed genes compared with control mice. An ‘Agl Loss’ gene signature was developed and found to successfully stratify normal and tumor samples in two BC patient datasets. These results support the role of AGL loss in promoting carcinogenesis and provide a rationale for evaluating Agl expression levels, or Agl Loss gene signature scores, in normal urothelium of populations at risk of BC development such as older male smokers.

scholarly journals Rediscovery of Scorzonera amasiana Hausskn. and Bornm. - A threatened endemic species in Turkey

1970 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 139-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fergan Karaer ◽  
Ferhat Celep
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
The Other ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Small Populations ◽  
Distribution Map ◽  
Type Specimens ◽  
Current Conservation ◽  
Iucn Criteria

Scorzonera amasiana Hausskn. and Bornm. was described from type specimens collected by J.F.N. Bornmueller in 1889 but it was not collected again until 1993, when it was found near Amasya, Turkey. Populations of S. amasiana were quite small at that limited locations and were vulnerable to human impacts. Therefore, suitable conservation strategies should be developed immediately in order to protect the species from probable extinction. Here, an additional three small populations are reported. Brief history, morphology, habitat and ecology of this endemic species have been discussed. Its current conservation status was reevaluated with respect to the latest IUCN criteria. A key to distinguish it from the other closely related Turkish species is also provided and its distribution map is appended.   Key words: Endangered, Rediscovery, Scorzonera, Turkey DOI = 10.3329/bjb.v36i2.1502 Bangladesh J. Bot. 36(2): 139-144, 2007 (December)

An Emerging Methodology of Slope Hazard Assessment for Natural Gas Pipelines

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Joe Zhou ◽  
Bill Liu ◽  
Gregg O’Neil ◽  
Moness Rizkalla
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Public Information ◽  
Ground Movement ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Hazard Management ◽  
Slope Movements ◽  
Natural Gas Pipelines ◽  
Site Investigations ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Ranked List

TransCanada Pipelines Ltd. (TransCanada) operates approximately 37,000 km of natural gas gathering and transmission pipelines. Within the Alberta portion of this system there are almost 1100 locations where the pipeline(s) traverse slopes, primarily as the line approaches and exits stream crossings. In the past, the approach to managing the impact of slope movements on pipeline integrity has been reactive; site investigations and/or monitoring programs would only be initiated once the slope movements were sufficiently large so as to easily observe cracking or scarp development. In some cases these movements could lead to a pipeline rupture. To move to a proactive hazard management approach and to optimize the maintenance expenditure, TransCanada has developed a new slope assessment methodology. The objective of this methodology is to establish a risk-ranked list of slopes upon which maintenance decisions can be based. Using only internal and public information on site conditions as input to predictive models for rainfall-ground movement and pipe-soil interaction, a probability of pipeline failure can be generated for each slope. Estimates of risk using a consequence-matrix approach enabled the compilation of a risk-ranked list of hazardous slopes. This paper describes this methodology, and its implementation at TransCanada, and presents some of the results.

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