scholarly journals Subterranean Species in Washington, D.C.: Spatial Analysis, Habitat Preferences, & Urban Conservation Implications

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna Keany
Keyword(s):  
Competitive Exclusion ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Soil Morphology ◽  
Chemical Parameters ◽  
Species List ◽  
Environmental Preferences ◽  
Small Water ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Subterranean Species

Washington, D.C. is home to a remarkable assemblage of troglomorphic amphipods and isopods living in shallow groundwater habitats, the hypotelminorheic. Groundwater from the hypotelminorheic emerges on the surface into low-flowing seepage springs, or “seeps”, which are categorized as having blackened leaves, an underlain layer of clay, a drainage area of less than 10,000 m2, and are situated in slight topographical depressions. Stygobiotic species found in D.C.’s seeps include Crangonyx and Stygobromus amphipods and Caecidotea isopods. One species, Stygobromus hayi, is on the endangered species list and is endemic to the district; however, little is known about their habitat preferences or their distribution. All small water bodies, including rainwater puddles and seepage springs were sampled in national park lands in Southeast D.C. for hypotelminorheic fauna, soil morphology, and water quality indicators such as nitrates, phosphates, radon, pH, DO, and conductivity. Comparing sites with and without stygobionts, all phsysico-chemical parameters were statistically insignificant except for conductivity, which was able to distinguish between stygobiont-rich and stygobiont-poor seeps using logistic regression. Spatially, Crangonyx and Stygobromus amphipods rarely inhabit the same seepage spring, with only three occasions of cohabitation and an expected occurrence of ten. Caecidotea, however, is found in habitats with both amphipods. These results can be explained by either competitive exclusion or the presence of chemical differences in their habitats; however, even if there were some slight differences in their habitats, that still does not exclude competitive exclusion as an explanation. This study highlights new and important findings into the environmental preferences of D.C.’s most cryptic and rare species, and the importance of continued exploration of D.C.’s lesser known park lands.

scholarly journals Estimation of Infiltration Volumes and Rates in Seasonally Water-Filled Topographic Depressions Based on Remote-Sensing Time Series

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7403
Author(s):  
Pavel P Fil ◽  
Alla Yu Yurova ◽  
Alexey Dobrokhotov ◽  
Daniil Kozlov
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Water Infiltration ◽  
Temporary Ponds ◽  
Small Water ◽  
Negative Exponential ◽  
Topographic Depressions

In semi-arid ecoregions of temperate zones, focused snowmelt water infiltration in topographic depressions is a key, but imperfectly understood, groundwater recharge mechanism. Routine monitoring is precluded by the abundance of depressions. We have used remote-sensing data to construct mass balances and estimate volumes of temporary ponds in the Tambov area of Russia. First, small water bodies were automatically recognized in each of a time series of high-resolution Planet Labs images taken in April and May 2021 by object-oriented supervised classification. A training set of water pixels defined in one of the latest images using a small unmanned aerial vehicle enabled high-confidence predictions of water pixels in the earlier images (Cohen’s Κ = 0.99). A digital elevation model was used to estimate the ponds’ water volumes, which decreased with time following a negative exponential equation. The power of the exponent did not systematically depend on the pond size. With adjustment for estimates of daily Penman evaporation, function-based interpolation of the water bodies’ areas and volumes allowed calculation of daily infiltration into the depression beds. The infiltration was maximal (5–40 mm/day) at onset of spring and decreased with time during the study period. Use of the spatially variable infiltration rates improved steady-state shallow groundwater simulations.

scholarly journals From numbers to ecosystems and biodiversity: A mechanistic approach to monitoring

Koedoe ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sam Ferreira ◽  
Andrew Deacon ◽  
Hendrik Sithole ◽  
Hugo Bezuidenhout ◽  
Mahlomola Daemane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Analytical Approaches

Diverse political, cultural and biological needs epitomise the contrasting demands impacting on the mandate of the South African National Parks (SANParks) to maintain biological diversity. Systems-based approaches and strategic adaptive management (learn by doing) enable SANParks to accommodate these demands. However, such a management strategy creates new information needs, which require an appropriate analytical approach. We use conceptual links between objectives, indicators, mechanisms and modulators to identify key concerns in the context of and related to management objectives. Although our suggested monitoring designs are based mostly on defined or predicted underlying mechanisms of a concern, SANParks requires inventory monitoring to evaluate its key mandate. We therefore propose a predictive inventory approach based on species assemblages related to habitat preferences. Inventories alone may not always adequately serve unpacking of mechanisms: in some cases population size needs to be estimated to meet the information needs of management strategies, but actual population sizes may indirectly affect how the species impact on other values. In addition, ecosystem objectives require multivariate assessments of key communities, which can be used in trend analysis. SANParks therefore needs to know how to detect and define trends efficiently, which, in turn, requires precision of measures of variables. Conservation implications: Current research needs with regard to monitoring should focus on defining designs to yield optimal precision whilst taking methodology, survey trade-offs and analytical approaches into account. Use of these directives and research will guide monitoring during evaluation of SANParks objectives at various scales.

scholarly journals Macro-habitat preferences by the African manatee and crocodiles – ecological and conservation implications

Web Ecology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Luiselli ◽  
G. C. Akani ◽  
N. Ebere ◽  
F. M. Angelici ◽  
G. Amori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Coastal Lagoons ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
West African ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Type Selection ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract. African manatees (Trichechus senegalensis) and crocodiles are threatened species in parts of their range. In West Africa, crocodiles may constitute the main predators for manatees apart from humans. Here, we explore the macro-habitat selection of manatees and two species of crocodiles (West African crocodiles Crocodylus suchus and dwarf crocodile Osteolaemus tetraspis) in the Niger Delta (Nigeria), testing the hypotheses that (i) manatees may avoid crocodiles in order to minimize risks of predation, and (ii) the two crocodile species do compete. The study was carried out between 1994 and 2010 with a suite of different field techniques. We observed that the main macro-habitat types were freshwater rivers and coastal lagoons for manatees, mangroves for West African crocodiles, and rivers and creeks for dwarf crocodiles, with (i) the three species differing significantly in terms of their macro-habitat type selection, and (ii) significant seasonal influence on habitat selection of each species. Null models for niche overlap showed a significantly lower overlap in macro-habitat type use between manatee and crocodiles, whereas the two crocodiles were relatively similar. Null model analyses did not indicate any competitive interactions between crocodiles. On the other hand, manatees avoided macro-habitats where crocodiles, and especially West African crocodiles, are abundant.

scholarly journals Factors influencing the distribution of arsenic, fluorine and iodine in shallow groundwater in the oasis zone in the southern margin of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang, P. R. China

2019 ◽  
Vol 98 ◽  
pp. 09006
Author(s):  
Wei Fan ◽  
Jinlong Zhou ◽  
Yinzhu Zhou ◽  
Yanyan Zeng ◽  
Yunfei Chen
Keyword(s):  
Tarim Basin ◽  
Shallow Groundwater ◽  
Mathematical Statistics ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Chemical Parameters ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Southern Margin ◽  
Groundwater Samples ◽  
High Arsenic

Test results on 302 shallow groundwater samples in an oasis zone in the southern margin of the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang were collected and analysed for a large number of chemical parameters and subjected to mathematical statistics methods. Results show that groundwater with high arsenic, fluorine and iodine concentrations were mainly distributed in the Minfeng County in the central part of the study area. Shallow groundwater in the southern margin of the entire Tarim Basin generally had high fluorine concentrations. The distribution of arsenic and fluorine in groundwater were similar. Intensive evaporation under the arid climatatic condition was an important factor for the enrichment of arsenic, fluorine and iodine in groundwater.

scholarly journals Undara Lava Cave Fauna in Tropical Queensland with an Annotated List of Australian Subterranean Biodiversity Hotspots

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 326
Author(s):  
Stefan M. Eberhard ◽  
Francis G. Howarth
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
High Humidity ◽  
Tree Roots ◽  
Species List ◽  
Lava Tubes ◽  
Cave System ◽  
Annotated List ◽  
Cave Fauna ◽  
Tropical Australia ◽  
Subterranean Species

The lava tubes at Undara became internationally recognised in the late 1980s, when 24 species of terrestrial cave-adapted invertebrates (troglobionts) were recorded from Bayliss Cave, making it one of the 20 richest known cave communities in the world at the time. Over the last decades, several of the Undara species have been taxonomically described and a great deal of research has been undertaken in other parts of Australia, which has revealed additional subterranean hotspots. It is therefore timely to update the list of Undara cave fauna, and to evaluate the Undara cave system in relation to other subterranean hotspots in Australia. The updated species list was compiled from the published literature and museum databases. Minimally, 78 species of arthropods have been recorded from 17 lava tube caves in the Undara Basalt. Sixteen species have been taxonomically described; 30 identified to genus and/or morpho-species; and 32 remain unidentified to species or genus level. Thirty troglobionts and one stygobiont species were recorded. Seven caves harboured obligate subterranean species; Bayliss Cave harboured the most obligate subterranean species: 23 troglobionts and one stygobiont. All these caves contained deep zone environments with high humidity, of which three also contained ‘bad air’ (CO2). The unique combination of geomorphic structure and environmental parameters (high humidity) and multiple energy sources (tree roots, bats and guano, organic material wash-in) are the main factors responsible for Bayliss Cave’s extraordinary local richness. Further research is needed to investigate CO2 as a factor influencing troglobiont richness and distribution in ‘bad air’ caves. Undara remains the richest subterranean hotspot in humid tropical Australia; however, significantly richer subterranean assemblages are found in arid and semi-arid calcrete aquifers, karst and iron-ore terrains, mostly in Western Australia.

scholarly journals Epiphyte type and sampling height impact mesofauna communities in Douglas-fir trees

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander R. Young ◽  
Jesse E.D. Miller ◽  
John Villella ◽  
Greg Carey ◽  
William R. Miller
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Fine Scale ◽  
Environmental Preferences ◽  
Sampling Height ◽  
Microenvironmental Factors ◽  
Fruticose Lichen ◽  
Wet Forests ◽  
Foliose Lichen

Branches and boles of trees in wet forests are often carpeted with lichens and bryophytes capable of providing periodically saturated habitat suitable for microfauna, animals that include tardigrades, rotifers, nematodes, mites, and springtails. Although resident microfauna likely exhibit habitat preferences structured by fine-scale environmental factors, previous studies rarely report associations between microfaunal communities and habitat type (e.g., communities that develop in lichens vs. bryophytes). Microfaunal communities were examined across three types of epiphyte and three sampling heights to capture gradients of microenvironment. Tardigrades, rotifers, and nematodes were significantly more abundant in bryophytes than fruticose lichen or foliose lichen. Eight tardigrade species and four tardigrade taxa were found, representing two classes, three orders, six families, and eight genera. Tardigrade community composition was significantly different between bryophytes, foliose lichen, fruticose lichen, and sampling heights. We show that microenvironmental factors including epiphyte type and sampling height shape microfaunal communities and may mirror the environmental preferences of their epiphyte hosts.

scholarly journals Habitat Preferences of the Grey Parrot in Heterogeneous Vegetation Landscapes and Their Conservation Implications

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon A. Tamungang ◽  
Mathias A. Onabid ◽  
Taku Awa ◽  
Victor S. Balinga
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Activity Intensity ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Grey Parrot ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Sustainable Conservation ◽  
Heterogeneous Vegetation

The wild Grey Parrot Psittacus erithacus Linnaeus suffers from many habitat use challenges in the wake of extensive deforestation in its endemic range of West and Central African rainforests. To determine effects of these challenges on the bird species, seasonal densities of the Grey Parrot were determined using line transects in major heterogeneous vegetation types in the Korup Rainforest, south-western Cameroon. Results of the study highlight habitat preferences of this species on a seasonal base and under different situations of human activity intensity in the landscape. This information can be used to understand the causes of changes in the distribution and abundance of endangered species and also to determine sustainable conservation strategies. It is concluded that the parrot needs diverse vegetation types for survival in the wild state, as it depends on specific tree species for specific habitat resources such as food, roosts, security, and nests at specific periods of the year. Hence, the continuous survival of the Grey Parrot in the range states is not certain, if sustainable measures are not taken to conserve the parrot and its habitat resources both in and outside protected areas.

Conservation status and biology of the Ultramarine Lorikeet Vini ultramarina in the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
TAMMY DOUKAS ◽  
MARK ZIEMBICKI
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Rattus Rattus ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Population Estimates ◽  
Population Status ◽  
Marquesas Islands ◽  
Conservation Implications ◽  
Over Exploitation ◽  
Black Rats

Summary Classified as Critically Endangered, the Ultramarine Lorikeet Vini ultramarina is one of the world’s most threatened lorikeet species. Endemic to the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, the species was formerly distributed over most islands in the archipelago, but is today found primarily on the island of Ua Huka, its range having contracted significantly in recent decades. Habitat alteration and loss, and over-exploitation of natural resources, are cited as impacting the Ultramarine Lorikeet, but the influence of introduced black rats Rattus rattus as predators has been implicated as the primary threat to the species. To assess population status and document aspects of the species biology, including habitat preferences and diet, we conducted the first systematic surveys of the species during two independent surveys spaced seven years apart (2002 and 2009). Population estimates of 2,011 ± 284 (in 2002) and 1,922 (in 2009) individuals on Ua Huka suggest the population was relatively healthy and stable between these periods. However, surveys and searches of other islands in the species’ contemporary range, where black rats occur, either failed to document the species or noted very few individuals. These findings highlight the critical importance of Ua Huka as a rat-free refuge and the value of our surveys as baseline estimates of the population status of the species. We discuss the conservation implications of our findings and propose recommendations to secure the species’ future survival.

scholarly journals Early amphibians evolved distinct vertebrae for habitat invasions

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. e0251983
Author(s):  
Aja Mia Carter ◽  
S. Tonia Hsieh ◽  
Peter Dodson ◽  
Lauren Sallan
Keyword(s):  
Weight Bearing ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Morphometric Study ◽  
Aquatic Habitats ◽  
Environmental Preferences ◽  
Geometric Morphometric ◽  
Systematic Testing ◽  
Paleozoic Tetrapods ◽  
Vertebral Shape

Living tetrapods owe their existence to a critical moment 360–340 million years ago when their ancestors walked on land. Vertebrae are central to locomotion, yet systematic testing of correlations between vertebral form and terrestriality and subsequent reinvasions of aquatic habitats is lacking, obscuring our understanding of movement capabilities in early tetrapods. Here, we quantified vertebral shape across a diverse group of Paleozoic amphibians (Temnospondyli) encompassing different habitats and nearly the full range of early tetrapod vertebral shapes. We demonstrate that temnospondyls were likely ancestrally terrestrial and had several early reinvasions of aquatic habitats. We find a greater diversity in temnospondyl vertebrae than previously known. We also overturn long-held hypotheses centered on weight-bearing, showing that neural arch features, including muscle attachment, were plastic across the water-land divide and do not provide a clear signal of habitat preferences. In contrast, intercentra traits were critical, with temnospondyls repeatedly converging on distinct forms in terrestrial and aquatic taxa, with little overlap between. Through our geometric morphometric study, we have been able to document associations between vertebral shape and environmental preferences in Paleozoic tetrapods and to reveal morphological constraints imposed by vertebrae to locomotion, independent of ancestry.

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