scholarly journals Springbok behaviour as affected by environmental conditions in the Kalahari

Koedoe ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hein Stapelberg ◽  
Margaretha W. Van Rooyen ◽  
Jacobus Du P. Bothma ◽  
Michael J. Van der Linde ◽  
Hendrik T. Groeneveld
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Vegetation Structure ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Niche Separation ◽  
Behavioural Ecology ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Direct Sunlight ◽  
Common Activity ◽  
Northeasterly Wind

Springbok behavioural ecology in the Kalahari was examined with the use of public questionnaires and field forms. Springbok favoured grass and forbs overall more than shrubs and trees, but diet selection was influenced by time of day and season. Feeding was the most common activity and the frequency of occurrence varied during the day and between seasons. Weather and microhabitat conditions were found to have a significant effect on the feeding behaviour. Springbok fed in direct sunlight in the mornings and moved into the shade during the afternoon. More time was spent feeding in the shade during the warmer months than during the colder months, especially under northerly to northeasterly wind directions. Natural licks were commonly utilised. Herd sizes were found to increase during the cold-dry season and decrease during the hot-wet season. Springbok and blue wildebeest appeared to avoid competition by niche separation. The study showed that springbok behaviour was significantly affected by environmental conditions. These results imply that changes in climatic conditions, such as those predicted by climate change, or changes in vegetation structure due to degradation, can negatively affect springbok behaviour.

scholarly journals Activity patterns of terrestrial gamebirds in the Willem Pretorius Game reserve, Orange Free State

1985 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. W. Jubelius ◽  
O. B. Kok
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Direct Sunlight ◽  
Numida Meleagris ◽  
Game Reserve ◽  
Maintenance Activities ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Important Activity

Activity patterns of the Natal francolin (Francolinus natalensis), Swaison’s francolin (F. swaisoni) and the crowned guinea-fowl (Numida meleagris) appear to be influenced mainly by climatic conditions, either directly or indirectly. Diurnal activities are characterised by early-morning and late-afternoon peaks and long periods of rest during the middle of the day. Feeding is the most important activity of the birds, followed by maintenance and strenuous activities. Seasonal and species-specific preferences in the use of shade apparently play an important thermoregulatory role. In comparison to behaviour patterns carried out in direct sunlight, shade-associated behaviour tends to a greater extent to be dominated by maintenance activities, especially during the wet season.

scholarly journals Seasonal Climate Impacts on Vocal Activity in Two Neotropical Nonpasserines

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Cristian Pérez-Granados ◽  
Karl-L. Schuchmann
Keyword(s):  
Air Temperature ◽  
Daily Rainfall ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Climate Impacts ◽  
Calling Behavior ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Focal Species ◽  
Calling Activity ◽  
Vocal Activity

Climatic conditions represent one of the main constraints that influence avian calling behavior. Here, we monitored the daily calling activity of the Undulated Tinamou (Crypturellus undulatus) and the Chaco Chachalaca (Ortalis canicollis) during the dry and wet seasons in the Brazilian Pantanal. We aimed to assess the effects of climate predictors on the vocal activity of these focal species and evaluate whether these effects may vary among seasons. Air temperature was positively associated with the daily calling activity of both species during the dry season. However, the vocal activity of both species was unrelated to air temperature during the wet season, when higher temperatures occur. Daily rainfall was positively related to the daily calling activity of both species during the dry season, when rainfall events are scarce and seem to act as a trigger for breeding phenology of the focal species. Nonetheless, air temperature was negatively associated with the daily calling activity of the Undulated Tinamou during the wet season, when rainfall was abundant. This study improves our understanding of the vocal behavior of tropical birds and their relationships with climate, but further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms behind the associations found in our study.

scholarly journals The Application of Visual Environmental Economics in the Study of Public Preference and Urban Greenspace

2009 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 355-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Laing ◽  
Anne-Marie Davies ◽  
David Miller ◽  
Anna Conniff ◽  
Stephen Scott ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Economic ◽  
Environmental Economics ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Computer Models ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Public Preference ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Urban Greenspace ◽  
Physical Variables

Urban greenspace has consistently been argued to be of great importance to the wellbeing, health, and daily lives of residents and users. This paper reports results from a study that combined the visualisation of public results from a study that combined the visualisation of public greenspace with environmental economics, and that aimed to develop a method by which realistic computer models of sites could be used within preference studies. As part of a methodology that employed contingent rating to establish the values placed on specific greenspace sites, three-dimensional computer models were used to produce visualisations of particular environmental conditions. Of particular importance to the study was the influence of variables including lighting, season, time of day, and weather on the perception of respondents. This study followed previous work that established a suitable approach to the modelling and testing of entirely moveable physical variables within the built environment. As such, the study has established firmly that computer-generated visualisations are appropriate for use within environmental economic surveys, and that there is potential for a holistic range of attributes to be included in such studies.

scholarly journals Germination Ecology of Catchfly (Silene conoidea) Seeds of Different Colors

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. TANVEER ◽  
M.M. JAVAID ◽  
R.N. ABBAS ◽  
H.H. ALI ◽  
M.Q. NAZIR ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Osmotic Stress ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Burial Depth ◽  
Weed Species ◽  
Successful Management ◽  
Nacl Concentration ◽  
Seed Polymorphism ◽  
Emergence Percentage ◽  
Annual Herb

ABSTRACT Catchfly (Silene conoidea), an annual herb, is usually recognized as an emerging weed species in Eurasia and North America. The presence of somatic seed polymorphism might aid in the adaptation of this weed in different climatic conditions. We conducted laboratory and greenhouse experiments to study the seed polymorphism and influence of various environmental factors like temperature, salt stress, osmotic stress and burial depth on the germination and emergence characteristics of catchfly. Optimum germination of seeds of all colors was recorded at a temperature of 15 oC. Germination of catchfly seeds of all colors followed decreasing trend as NaCl concentration increased from 50 mM to 200 mM. Seed germination was maximum (87-96%) at 0 MPa but gradually decreased to 40% as osmotic stress increases up to -0.4 MPa and completely inhibited at 0.6 MPa of all seed colors. A slight increase (from 60 to 95%) in the germination of seeds of black and dark brown colors was observed when seeding depth increased from 0 to 2 cm but decreased when seeding depth increased from 2 to 4 cm in seeds of all colors. There was no emergence of catchfly at seeding depth of 6 cm or greater. Our results concluded that catchfly seeds have the potential to germinate and emerge in various environmental conditions, but germination/emergence percentage of seeds of all colors will be different in different environmental conditions. Soil amendments including deep ploughing may aid for the successful management of this weed in cultivated areas.

scholarly journals First report on cyanobacterial flora from Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman

Algologia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 440-451
Author(s):  
M. Shamina ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Food Industry ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Taxonomic Classification ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Sultanate Of Oman ◽  
First Report ◽  
First Time

Cyanobacteria are organisms which play a vital role in various molecular and biotechnological aspects in food industry, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, neutraceuticals, biofuel production, etc., it is necessary to understand its adaptability to various environmental conditions. Furthermore it is equally important to discover new cyanobacterial taxa and with it occasional changes in taxonomic classification, thus the author set out to study cyanobacteria in extreme climatic conditions of desert, where temperatures are mostly above 45 oC. The taxonomic composition of cyanobacteria of Masirah Island, Sultanate of Oman, was studied for the first time. The studied samples were collected during the period of 2017–2019. The ten samples belonged to two orders: Oscillatoriales Schaffner and Synechococcales L.Hoffmann, Komárek & J.Kastovsky. All of them were filamentous non-heterocyst forms. Three species belonged to the genus Leptolyngbya Anagn. & Komárek, the genera Oscillatoria Vaucher ex Gomont and Lyngbya C.Agardh ex Gomont were represented by two species each, while the genera Pseudanabena Lauterborn, Planktolyngbya Anagn. & Komárek and Geitlerinema (Anagn. & Komárek) Anagn. were one species.

scholarly journals Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus) antler characteristics reflecting the local environmental conditions

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-23
Author(s):  
Jan Kavan ◽  
Veronika Anděrová
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Individual Subject ◽  
Svalbard Reindeer ◽  
Invasive Method ◽  
Antler Size

AbstractA new non-invasive method based on picture analysis was used to estimate the conditions in Svalbard reindeer populations. The well-being of an individual subject is often expressed through visual indices. Two distinct reindeer populations were compared based on their antler parameters. Relative antler size and number of tines are variables supposed to reflect correspondingly the environmental conditions of sedentary populations within the growing season. The occurrence areas of two studied populations are distinctly isolated – separated with high mountain ridges, glaciers and fjords. The population in Petuniabukta occupies a sparsely vegetated region with harsh climatic conditions, whereas Skansbukta represents an area with continuous tundra vegetation cover, milder climatic conditions and, consequently, also a longer vegetation season. These environmental factors probably caused significant differences in the relative antler size and number of tines in the studied species. The Skansbukta population exhibited a larger relative antler size and higher number of tines than the population in Petuniabukta (both parameters differed significantly, p < 0.01). This difference reflects concisely the different environmental conditions of both locations. A comparison of Skansbukta population antler characteristics between years 2017 and 2018 did not reveal significant changes, most probably due to very similar atmospheric conditions in these two years (in terms of air temperature).

scholarly journals Peat decomposition – shaping factors, significance in environmental studies and methods of determination; a literature review

Geologos ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danuta Drzymulska
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Ground Water ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Meteoric Water ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Review Of Literature ◽  
Forming Process ◽  
Physical And Chemical

Abstract A review of literature data on the degree of peat decomposition – an important parameter that yields data on environmental conditions during the peat-forming process, i.e., humidity of the mire surface, is presented. A decrease in the rate of peat decomposition indicates a rise of the ground water table. In the case of bogs, which receive exclusively atmospheric (meteoric) water, data on changes in the wetness of past mire surfaces could even be treated as data on past climates. Different factors shaping the process of peat decomposition are also discussed, such as humidity of the substratum and climatic conditions, as well as the chemical composition of peat-forming plants. Methods for the determination of the degree of peat decomposition are also outlined, maintaining the division into field and laboratory analyses. Among the latter are methods based on physical and chemical features of peat and microscopic methods. Comparisons of results obtained by different methods can occasionally be difficult, which may be ascribed to different experience of researchers or the chemically undefined nature of many analyses of humification.

Modern problems of regionalization of territories and human adaptation in regions with extreme natural and climatic conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.L. Maksimov
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Allostatic Load ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Extreme Conditions ◽  
Human Adaptation ◽  
Nonspecific Resistance ◽  
Key Words Adaptation ◽  
High Level ◽  
Selection Of

The paper considers modern approaches to the zoning of territories and the selection of people for life in extreme environmental conditions, taking into account modern geopolitical challenges. It is shown that it is possible, based on the allostasis concept, to conduct not only the selection of persons with a high level of nonspecific resistance, but also to quantify the degree of extremity of environmental factors using the standard represpiration test. Key words: adaptation, extreme conditions, selection, hypoxia, cold, rerespiration, allostatic load.

scholarly journals Effects of life history stage and climatic conditions on fecal egg counts in plains zebras (Equus quagga) in the Serengeti National Park

2020 ◽  
Vol 119 (10) ◽  
pp. 3401-3413
Author(s):  
Peter A. Seeber ◽  
Tetiana A. Kuzmina ◽  
Alex D. Greenwood ◽  
Marion L. East
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
National Park ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Life History Stage ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasite ◽  
Serengeti Ecosystem ◽  
Life History Stages ◽  
Lactating Females ◽  
Host Life

Abstract In wildlife, endoparasite burden can be affected by host life history stage, environmental conditions, host abundance, and parasite co-infections. We tested the effects of these factors on gastrointestinal parasite infection in plains zebras (Equus quagga) in the Serengeti ecosystem, Tanzania, using fecal egg counts of two nematode families (Strongylidae and Ascarididae) and the presence/absence of cestode (Anoplocephalidae) eggs. We predicted higher egg counts of Strongylidae and Ascarididae, and increased likelihood of Anoplocephalidae infection in individuals (1) during energetically costly life history stages when resource allocation to immune processes may decrease and in young zebras after weaning because of increased uptake of infective stages with forage, (2) when climatic conditions facilitate survival of infective stages, (3) when large zebra aggregations increase forage contamination with infective stages, and (4) in individuals co-infected with more than one parasite group as this may indicate reduced immune competence. Strongylidae egg counts were higher, and the occurrence of Anoplocephalidae eggs was more likely in bachelors than in band stallions, whereas Ascarididae egg counts were higher in band stallions. Strongylidae and Ascarididae egg counts were not increased in lactating females. Strongylidae egg counts were higher in subadults than in foals. Regardless of sex and age, Ascarididae infections were more likely under wet conditions. Co-infections did not affect Strongylidae egg counts. Ascarididae egg counts in adult females were higher when individuals were co-infected with Anoplocephalidae. We present evidence that parasite burdens in plains zebras are affected by life history stage, environmental conditions, and co-infection.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document