scholarly journals Development of a Seafloor Community Classification for the New Zealand Region Using a Gradient Forest Approach

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Stephenson ◽  
Ashley A. Rowden ◽  
Tom Brough ◽  
Grady Petersen ◽  
Richard H. Bulmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Significant Advance ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Environmental Predictors ◽  
Seafloor Topography ◽  
Environmental Classification ◽  
Community Classification ◽  
Uncertainty Estimates

To support ongoing marine spatial planning in New Zealand, a numerical environmental classification using Gradient Forest models was developed using a broad suite of biotic and high-resolution environmental predictor variables. Gradient Forest modeling uses species distribution data to control the selection, weighting and transformation of environmental predictors to maximise their correlation with species compositional turnover. A total of 630,997 records (39,766 unique locations) of 1,716 taxa living on or near the seafloor were used to inform the transformation of 20 gridded environmental variables to represent spatial patterns of compositional turnover in four biotic groups and the overall seafloor community. Compositional turnover of the overall community was classified using a hierarchical procedure to define groups at different levels of classification detail. The 75-group level classification was assessed as representing the highest number of groups that captured the majority of the variation across the New Zealand marine environment. We refer to this classification as the New Zealand “Seafloor Community Classification” (SCC). Associated uncertainty estimates of compositional turnover for each of the biotic groups and overall community were also produced, and an added measure of uncertainty – coverage of the environmental space – was developed to further highlight geographic areas where predictions may be less certain owing to low sampling effort. Environmental differences among the deep-water New Zealand SCC groups were relatively muted, but greater environmental differences were evident among groups at intermediate depths in line with well-defined oceanographic patterns observed in New Zealand’s oceans. Environmental differences became even more pronounced at shallow depths, where variation in more localised environmental conditions such as productivity, seafloor topography, seabed disturbance and tidal currents were important differentiating factors. Environmental similarities in New Zealand SCC groups were mirrored by their biological compositions. The New Zealand SCC is a significant advance on previous numerical classifications and includes a substantially wider range of biological and environmental data than has been attempted previously. The classification is critically appraised and considerations for use in spatial management are discussed.

scholarly journals Islands in the desert: environmental distribution modelling of endemic flora reveals the extent of Pleistocene tropical relict vegetation in southern Arabia

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-422 ◽  
Author(s):  
James S Borrell ◽  
Ghudaina Al Issaey ◽  
Darach A Lupton ◽  
Thomas Starnes ◽  
Abdulrahman Al Hinai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Narrow Range ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Endemic Plants ◽  
Environmental Niche ◽  
Environmental Distribution ◽  
Southern Arabia ◽  
Endemic Flora

AbstractBackground and AimsSouthern Arabia is a global biodiversity hotspot with a high proportion of endemic desert-adapted plants. Here we examine evidence for a Pleistocene climate refugium in the southern Central Desert of Oman, and its role in driving biogeographical patterns of endemism.MethodsDistribution data for seven narrow-range endemic plants were collected systematically across 195 quadrats, together with incidental and historic records. Important environmental variables relevant to arid coastal areas, including night-time fog and cloud cover, were developed for the study area. Environmental niche models using presence/absence data were built and tuned for each species, and spatial overlap was examined.Key ResultsA region of the Jiddat Al Arkad reported independent high model suitability for all species. Examination of environmental data across southern Oman indicates that the Jiddat Al Arkad displays a regionally unique climate with higher intra-annual stability, due in part to the influence of the southern monsoon. Despite this, the relative importance of environmental variables was highly differentiated among species, suggesting that characteristic variables such as coastal fog are not major cross-species predictors at this scale.ConclusionsThe co-occurrence of a high number of endemic study species within a narrow monsoon-influenced region is indicative of a refugium with low climate change velocity. Combined with climate analysis, our findings provide strong evidence for a southern Arabian Pleistocene refugium in Oman’s Central Desert. We suggest that this refugium has acted as an isolated temperate and mesic island in the desert, resulting in the evolution of these narrow-range endemic flora. Based on the composition of species, this system may represent the northernmost remnant of a continuous belt of mesic vegetation formerly ranging from Africa to Asia, with close links to the flora of East Africa. This has significant implications for future conservation of endemic plants in an arid biodiversity hotspot.

scholarly journals Historical distribution data of New Zealand endemic families Callaeidae and Notiomystidae (Aves, Passeriformes)

Check List ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 701-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Brincalepe Salvador ◽  
Barbara Mizumo Tomotani ◽  
Colin Miskelly ◽  
Susan M. Waugh
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Critical Periods ◽  
Human Settlement ◽  
Late 19Th Century ◽  
European Settlement ◽  
Historical Distribution ◽  
Notiomystis Cincta

Callaeidae (wattlebirds) and Notiomystidae (stitchbirds) are New Zealand-endemic sister-taxa; while widespread before human settlement, they subsequently became critically endangered or extinct. Aside from presently managed populations, information about them is scarce and actual specimens even scarcer. Herein, we provide a snapshot of these families’ historical distribution during the critical periods of European settlement and expansion in New Zealand (19th and early-20th centuries), exploring new data and insights resulting from this approach. We include an extensive catalogue of worldwide museum specimens to facilitate future research. We report the last known record/specimen of huia Heteralocha acutirostris (Gould, 1837) and late 19th century specimens of North Island saddleback Philesturnus rufusater (Lesson, 1828) from Cuvier Island that confirm its occurrence there. We failed to find specimens of North Island saddleback and stitchbird Notiomystis cincta (du Bus de Gisignies, 1839) (with one and two exceptions, respectively) from named locations on the mainland.

Examining Local Transferability of Predictive Species Distribution Models for Invasive Plants: An Example with Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary N. Ervin ◽  
D. Christopher Holly
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Tree Canopy Cover

AbstractSpecies distribution modeling is a tool that is gaining widespread use in the projection of future distributions of invasive species and has important potential as a tool for monitoring invasive species spread. However, the transferability of models from one area to another has been inadequately investigated. This study aimed to determine the degree to which species distribution models (SDMs) for cogongrass, developed with distribution data from Mississippi (USA), could be applied to a similar area in neighboring Alabama. Cogongrass distribution data collected in Mississippi were used to train an SDM that was then tested for accuracy and transferability with cogongrass distribution data collected by a forest management company in Alabama. Analyses indicated the SDM had a relatively high predictive ability within the region of the training data but had poor transferability to the Alabama data. Analysis of the Alabama data, via independent SDM development, indicated that predicted cogongrass distribution in Alabama was more strongly correlated with soil variables than was the case in Mississippi, where the SDM was most strongly correlated with tree canopy cover. Results suggest that model transferability is influenced strongly by (1) data collection methods, (2) landscape context of the survey data, and (3) variations in qualitative aspects of environmental data used in model development.

Optimising bait size and 1080 concentration (sodium monofluoroacetate) for the control of brushtail possums Trichosurus vulpecula)

1999 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. M. Frampton ◽  
B. Warburton ◽  
R. Henderson ◽  
D. R. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Weight Distribution ◽  
Lethal Dose ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Trichosurus Vulpecula ◽  
Toxic Concentration ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Quantitative Assessments

A method is presented for quantitatively assessing the likely effectiveness of specific bait size and 1080 concentration for controlling brushtail possums with a known weight distribution. Data from aerial 1080 operations for the control of brushtail possums in New Zealand show that estimates of the bait size and toxic concentration required derived from the mean parameters [pest weight, bait size, and lethal dose (LD 95)] will not be accurate. This inaccuracy is most likely to lead to an underestimate of the amount of toxin presented to each animal, so that many operations currently run the risk of sub-lethally dosing possums and thereby possibly inducing some degree of poison shyness. On the basis of more accurate quantitative assessments of bait effectiveness we recommend that the 1080 concentration be increased to 0.15% and that baits less than 5 g be excluded to ensure that when mean possum weights are less than 3 kg more than 95% of possums are lethally dosed by a single bait.

scholarly journals Region-Specific Associations between Environmental Factors and Escherichia coli in Freshwater Beaches in Toronto and Niagara Region, Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12841
Author(s):  
Johanna Sanchez ◽  
Jordan Tustin ◽  
Cole Heasley ◽  
Mahesh Patel ◽  
Jeremy Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Continuous Variable ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Environmental Predictors ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
E Coli

Poor freshwater beach quality, measured by Escherichia coli (E. coli) levels, poses a risk of recreational water illness. This study linked environmental data to E. coli geometric means collected at 18 beaches in Toronto (2008–2019) and the Niagara Region (2011–2019) to examine the environmental predictors of E. coli. We developed region-specific models using mixed effects models to examine E. coli as a continuous variable and recommended thresholds of E. coli concentration (100 CFU/100 mL and 200 CFU/100 mL). Substantial clustering of E. coli values at the beach level was observed in Toronto, while minimal clustering was seen in Niagara, suggesting an important beach-specific effect in Toronto beaches. Air temperature and turbidity (measured directly or visually observed) were positively associated with E. coli in all models in both regions. In Toronto, waterfowl counts, rainfall, stream discharge and water temperature were positively associated with E. coli levels, while solar irradiance and water level were negatively associated. In Niagara, wave height and water level had a positive association with E. coli, while rainfall was negatively associated. The differences in regional models suggest the importance of a region-specific approach to addressing beach water quality. The results can guide beach monitoring and management practices, including predictive modelling.

scholarly journals The taxonomy, phylogeny and biogeography of the New Zealand Thomisidae (Arachnida: Araneae)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Phil J. Sirvid
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Taxonomic Revision ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Junior Synonym ◽  
Morphological Data ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Australian Species ◽  
Recent Establishment

<p>The New Zealand Thomisidae (crab spiders) are represented in New Zealand by two subfamilies (Stephanopinae and Thomisinae) and were used as a model group to test two competing theories on the origins of the New Zealand spider fauna. The New Zealand thomisids are also given their first full taxonomic revision. The two origin models essentially represent species radiations following recent dispersal or ancient vicariance events. Modern distribution data suggested that the stephanopines are poor dispersers and may provide evidence demonstrating a long period of separation from Australia; while in contrast, thomisines are known to be excellent dispersers. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analyses of cytochrome c suboxidase subunit I (COI), 28S ribosomal RNA (28S), histone H3 (H3), NADH dehyrogenase 1 (ND1) data and a combined genetic dataset was undertaken. Results indicate New Zealand stephanopines and thomisines form distinct endemic groups separate from sampled Australian species and appear to have separated from them around 5-6 million years ago. Additionally, genetic data from this study showed i) colour variations are not indicative of cryptic species; ii) previously described species are genetically distinct; iii) several suspected new species are also genetically distinct; iv) the relatively recent establishment of two Australian stephanopines and the occurrence of similar COI haplotypes in disjunct locations suggest that the dispersal ability of stephanopines is greater than previously thought and that radiation following colonization from Australia is a plausible explanation for the current diversity of the New Zealand thomisid biota. The taxonomic revision raises the number of described species from eight to eleven based on a combination of morphological and genetic data. In the stephanopines, Bryantymella Gen. nov. is erected to contain the type species Bryantymella angularis (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov. as well as B. angulata (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov., B. thorini sp. nov. and B. brevirostris sp. nov. Two Australian species, Sidymella longipes (Koch, 1874) and S. trapezia (Koch, 1874), are also recorded for New Zealand. Sidymella benhami (Hogg, 1910) is considered to be a junior synonym of Bryantymella angulata (Urquhart, 1885). In the thomisines, all species are now included in the previously monotypic genus Cymbachina Bryant, 1933. The genus now encompasses the type species C. albobrunnea (Urquhart, 1893), C. ambara (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov., C. albolimbata (L. Koch, 1893) comb. nov., C. sphaeroides (Urquhart, 1885) comb. nov. and D. urquharti sp. nov. Synema suteri Dahl, 1907 is regarded as a junior synonym of C. ambara (L. Koch 1893). All previously described species are redescribed to a modern standard and sexes for some species are described for the first time. Three new species are described. Photographs of adults and diagnostic genitalic characters are included, as are diagnostic keys and updated synonymic, geographic and biological information. Overall, this study indicates that New Zealand thomisids appear to have split from their Australian relatives some 5-6 million years ago and taken in concert with the recent establishment of two Australian stephanopine species, it appears that dispersal to New Zealand by Australian colonists and subsequent radiation into endemic New Zealand forms is a plausible explanation for the current state of the fauna. Genetic and morphological data are mutually supporting and in concert have helped inform the first taxonomic revision ever undertaken for this family in New Zealand.</p>

scholarly journals Diversity of Geadephaga (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Cicindelidae) in Colombia: an approach from existing literature

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. e962
Author(s):  
Anderson Arenas ◽  
James Montoya-Lerma ◽  
Pierre Moret
Keyword(s):  
Biodiversity Conservation ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Ecological Studies ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
True Diversity ◽  
Valle Del Cauca

The beetle families Carabidae and Cicindelidae, with about 40 000 species worldwide, play an increasing role in biodiversity conservation and ecological studies in Colombia, which makes a faunistic update all the more necessary. We present and analyze a checklist of the species so far described or registered from Colombia until 2020, based on published studies, and their distribution data at the department level. Carabidae are represented by 625 species and Cicindelidae by 100. Magdalena, Cundinamarca and Valle del Cauca are the departments with the highest record numbers of Carabidae, while Cicindelidae are most frequently cited from Valle del Cauca, Antioquia and Meta. The greater sampling effort in these regions is likely due to the accessibility of their natural areas from the main towns. The geographical distribution of Cicindelidae is better documented, with only 17 % of the species without mention of specific localities within the country, against 40 % in Carabidae. Hyper-diverse regions, such as the Chocó and the Amazon, are underrepresented. The number of species currently recorded is therefore estimated to be much lower than true diversity for both families.

scholarly journals An integrated model of seasonal changes in stock composition and abundance with an application to Chinook salmon

PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11163
Author(s):  
Cameron Freshwater ◽  
Sean C. Anderson ◽  
Terry D. Beacham ◽  
Wilf Luedke ◽  
Catarina Wor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chinook Salmon ◽  
Seasonal Changes ◽  
Anthropogenic Impacts ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Integrated Model ◽  
Seasonal Abundance ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Sampling Effort ◽  
Catch Per Unit Effort ◽  
Marine Habitats

Population-specific spatial and temporal distribution data are necessary to identify mechanisms regulating abundance and to manage anthropogenic impacts. However the distributions of highly migratory species are often difficult to resolve, particularly when multiple populations’ movements overlap. Here we present an integrated model to estimate spatially-stratified, seasonal trends in abundance and population composition, using data from extensive genetic sampling of commercial and recreational Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) fisheries in southern British Columbia. We use the model to estimate seasonal changes in population-specific standardized catch per unit effort (a proxy for abundance) across six marine regions, while accounting for annual variability in sampling effort and uncertain genetic stock assignment. We also share this model as an R package stockseasonr for application to other regions and species. Even at the relatively small spatial scales considered here, we found that patterns in seasonal abundance differed among regions and stocks. While certain locations were clearly migratory corridors, regions within the Salish Sea exhibited diverse, and often weak, seasonal patterns in abundance, emphasizing that they are important, year-round foraging habitats. Furthermore, we found evidence that stocks with similar freshwater life histories and adult run timing, as well as relatively proximate spawning locations, exhibited divergent distributions. Our findings highlight subtle, but important differences in how adult Chinook salmon use marine habitats. Down-scaled model outputs could be used to inform ecosystem-based management efforts by resolving the degree to which salmon overlap with other species of concern, as well as specific fisheries. More broadly, variation in stock-specific abundance among regions indicates efforts to identify mechanisms driving changes in size-at-maturity and natural mortality should account for distinct marine distributions.

Monitoring demersal scalefish populations in the Browse Basin region: accounting for spatial variability and detecting change in key fish populations

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 382
Author(s):  
Russ Babcock ◽  
Emma Lawrence ◽  
Tonya van der Velde ◽  
C. Roland Pitcher ◽  
Mark Tonks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variability ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Fish Distribution ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Fish Traps ◽  
Commercial Species ◽  
Basin Region

One of the objectives of the Applied Research Program (ARP), funded by Shell and the INPEX-operated Ichthys LNG Project, was to establish the basis for evaluating the effects of any potential oil spill from the Prelude or Ichthys fields on populations of commercially important demersal fishes in the Northern Demersal Scalefish Managed Fishery. The ARP has delivered improved baseline understanding of the status and spatial variability in populations of commercially and ecologically important finfish of the Browse Basin region, in the vicinity of the Prelude and Ichthys fields, using both commercial-style fish traps and baited remote underwater videos (BRUVs) as sampling methods. We used available environmental-data layers and fish-distribution data, in combination with modelled plume projections, to design a study such that sites were balanced with respect to fish habitat and likely affected and unaffected zones. The sampling-design employed was statistically effective with power to show changes in fish assemblages, and relative abundance of as little as 30% could be detected with 80% certainty in the main commercial species, goldband snapper (Pristipomoides multidens), using BRUVs. For the second-most important species, red emperor (Lutjanus sebae), a larger decline of 50% would have to occur for this change to be determined with the same level of confidence. Traps were a more powerful tool for sampling L. sebae, allowing a 40% change to be detected; however, for all other species BRUVs were more powerful. Sampling of the demersal-fish assemblages surrounding the Prelude and Ichthys fields by using both fish traps and BRUVs demonstrated the feasibility of detecting change in the relative abundance of the fish assemblage as well as in the key commercial species.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document