scholarly journals The impact of archaeological clearing on secondary succession in a tropical rainforest

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison J Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Forest Clearing ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

Disturbance events can often create an environment that allows invasive species to colonize, particularly on susceptible island ecosystems. An increasingly common form are anthropogenic disturbances, which are caused by human interactions with the environment. The ‘Opunohu Valley on the island of Mo’orea, French Polynesia experiences continuous disturbance events in the form of forest clearing for archaeological excavations and mapping. This study examined whether archaeological clearing events increased the number of invasive plants during secondary regrowth by surveying four previously clear-cut archaeological sites for invasive vascular plants. There appeared to be no difference across treatments when looking at non-native species, but there was a difference in recent invaders. There was high variation between sites, indicating a possible confounding variable of previous habitation use or number of times cleared which varied across sites. The highest proportion of invasive species were found in a site that was repeatedly cleared for tourism purposes. Cleared archaeological sites overall had no effect on the invasion of non-native species, but may have helped distribute more recent invasive species. Thus, forest management organizations should take more precautions when conducting archaeological clearing and rebuilding prehistoric sites.

scholarly journals The impact of archaeological clearing on secondary succession in a tropical rainforest

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison J Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
French Polynesia ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Forest Clearing ◽  
Clear Cut ◽  
Human Interactions ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

Disturbance events can often create an environment that allows invasive species to colonize, particularly on susceptible island ecosystems. An increasingly common form are anthropogenic disturbances, which are caused by human interactions with the environment. The ‘Opunohu Valley on the island of Mo’orea, French Polynesia experiences continuous disturbance events in the form of forest clearing for archaeological excavations and mapping. This study examined whether archaeological clearing events increased the number of invasive plants during secondary regrowth by surveying four previously clear-cut archaeological sites for invasive vascular plants. There appeared to be no difference across treatments when looking at non-native species, but there was a difference in recent invaders. There was high variation between sites, indicating a possible confounding variable of previous habitation use or number of times cleared which varied across sites. The highest proportion of invasive species were found in a site that was repeatedly cleared for tourism purposes. Cleared archaeological sites overall had no effect on the invasion of non-native species, but may have helped distribute more recent invasive species. Thus, forest management organizations should take more precautions when conducting archaeological clearing and rebuilding prehistoric sites.

scholarly journals Diet composition of the invasive red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus in Mauritius

2010 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 347-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jannie Fries Linnebjerg ◽  
Dennis M. Hansen ◽  
Nancy Bunbury ◽  
Jens M. Olesen
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Introduced Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Diet Composition ◽  
Ecological Perspective ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Invasional Meltdown ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Successful Establishment ◽  
The Impact

Disruption of ecosystems is one of the biggest threats posed by invasive species (Mack et al. 2000). Thus, one of the most important challenges is to understand the impact of exotic species on native species and habitats (e.g. Jones 2008). The probability that entire ‘invasive communities’ will develop increases as more species establish in new areas (Bourgeois et al. 2005). For example, introduced species may act in concert, facilitating one another's invasion, and increasing the likelihood of successful establishment, spread and impact. Simberloff & Von Holle (1999) introduced the term ‘invasional meltdown’ for this process, which has received widespread attention since (e.g. O'Dowd 2003, Richardson et al. 2000, Simberloff 2006). Positive interactions among introduced species are relatively common, but few have been studied in detail (Traveset & Richardson 2006). Examples include introduced insects and birds that pollinate and disperse exotic plants, thereby facilitating the spread of these species into non-invaded habitats (Goulson 2003, Mandon-Dalger et al. 2004, Simberloff & Von Holle 1999). From a more general ecological perspective, the study of interactions involving introduced and invasive species can contribute to our knowledge of ecological processes – for example, community assembly and indirect interactions.

Prevention of invasive species in the context of lower secondary education

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 40-47
Author(s):  
Maria Balazova ◽  
Dana Blahutova ◽  
Terezia Valaskova
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Invasive Species Management ◽  
Prevention Education ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Invasive Organisms ◽  
Species Management ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
The Impact

Biological invasions are recognised as a potentially major threat to biodiversity and may have considerable economic and social effects. Public, including pupils, attitudes may have large implications for invasive species management in terms of prevention, early warning and eradication success, but significant is the relations between the lay public’s visions of nature, their knowledge about non-native species and their perceptions of invasive species management. The more direct experience people have with the impact of invasive species, the more likely they will be able to understand the potential benefits of management programmes. The aim of our work was to prepare educational materials about invasive organisms for elementary schools. Some of them were subsequently applied directly in practice as part of an excursion in a schoolyard in west Slovakia, where up to six species of invasive plants were identified in the close proximity to the school. Keywords: Biological invasions, prevention, education, excursion.

Implications of agricultural policy for species invasion in shifting cultivation systems

2006 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 429-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
HEIDI J. ALBERS ◽  
MICHAEL J. GOLDBACH ◽  
DANIEL T. KAFFINE
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Shifting Cultivation ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Numerical Solutions ◽  
Economic Systems ◽  
Species Invasions ◽  
Invasive Grasses ◽  
Land Use Decisions ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Impact

Policies to influence land use decisions in agriculture or grazing can increase the ability of invasive species to out-compete native species and thereby disrupt seemingly stable ecological-economic systems. Building off of models of interdependent resources, invasive species and soil fertility, this paper develops a model of shifting cultivation decisions for two types of farmers, one who sees the threat of invasive grasses and one who does not. The paper uses numerical solutions to this dynamic decision problem to examine the impact of various policies on farmer welfare and on the stability of the economic-ecological system. Some policies undermine the resilience of the system, while other policies augment the system's ability to withstand species invasions.

scholarly journals The Invasive New Zealand Mudsnail, Potamopyrgus Antipodarum, Reduces Growth of the Native Snail, Fossaria SP.

2005 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
Amy Krist ◽  
Mark Dybdahl
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Biological Invasions ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Potamopyrgus Antipodarum ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Or Gene ◽  
New Zealand Mud Snail ◽  
The Impact

Invasive species are one of the greatest threats to global biodiversity. Hence, understanding the role of invasive species is of grave importance to managing and minimizing the impact of biological invasions. To date, the ecological impacts of biological invasions have received significant attention, but little effort has been made to address the evolutionary impact (Sakai et al. 2001, Cox 2004). This is despite the fact that evolutionary impacts are likely to be widespread; invasive species have been shown to alter patterns of natural selection or gene flow within native populations (Parker et al. 1999), and many of the best examples of rapid evolution involve invasive species interacting with native species (Reznick and Ghalambor 2001, Strauss et al. 2006). We have begun to address some of the evolutionary consequences of the invasion of the New Zealand mud snail, (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) on a species of native snail in the Greater Yellowstone Area (GYA).

scholarly journals Biochar Rescues Native Trees in a Global Biodiversity Hotspot

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leeladarshini Sujeeun ◽  
Sean C. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspot ◽  
Native Plant ◽  
Inhibitory Effects ◽  
Island Ecosystems ◽  
Native Tree ◽  
Native Tree Species ◽  
Global Biodiversity

Many tropical invasive species have allelopathic effects that contribute to their success in native plant communities. Pyrolyzed biomass (“biochar”) can sorb toxic compounds, including allelochemicals produced by invasive plants, potentially reducing their inhibitory effects on native species. Strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum) is among the most important allelopathic invasive species in tropical islands and recognized as the most serious invasive species threat in the global biodiversity hotspot of Mauritius. We investigated the effects of additions of locally produced biochar on native tree species in a field experiment conducted in areas invaded by strawberry guava within Mauritius’ largest national park. Growth and survivorship of native tree species were monitored over 2 ½ years in plots subjected to four treatments: non-weeded, weeded, weeded + 25 t/ha biochar and weeded + 50 t/ha biochar. Native tree growth and survivorship were strongly suppressed by strawberry guava. Biochar treatments dramatically increased native tree performance, with more than a doubling in growth, and substantially increased native tree survivorship and species diversity, while suppressing strawberry guava regeneration, consistent with growth-promoting properties and sorption of allelochemicals. We conclude that biochars, including “sustainable biochars” produced from locally accessible biomass using low-tech pyrolysis systems, have considerable potential to counteract effects of allelopathic invaders and increase the capacity for native species regeneration in tropical island ecosystems.

scholarly journals Use of Time-Series NDWI to Monitor Emerging Archaeological Sites: Case Studies from Iraqi Artificial Reservoirs

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 786
Author(s):  
Andrea Titolo
Keyword(s):  
Time Series ◽  
Water Level ◽  
Satellite Image ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Archaeological Sites ◽  
Reservoir Water ◽  
Reservoir Water Level ◽  
Medium Resolution ◽  
A Site ◽  
The Impact

Over the last 50 years, countries across North Africa and the Middle East have seen a significant increase in dam construction which, notwithstanding their benefits, have endangered archaeological heritage. Archaeological surveys and salvage excavations have been carried out in threatened areas in the past, but the formation of reservoirs often resulted in the permanent loss of archaeological data. However, in 2018, a sharp fall in the water level of the Mosul Dam reservoir led to the emersion of the archaeological site of Kemune and allowed for its brief and targeted investigation. Reservoir water level change is not unique to the Mosul Dam, but it is a phenomenon affecting most of the artificial lakes of present-day Iraq. However, to know in advance which sites will be exposed due to a decrease in water level can be a challenging task, especially without any previous knowledge, field investigation, or high-resolution satellite image. Nonetheless, by using time-series medium-resolution satellite images, combined to obtain spectral indexes for different years, it is possible to monitor “patterns” of emerging archaeological sites from three major Iraqi reservoirs: Mosul, Haditha and Hamrin lake. The Normalised Difference Water Index (NDWI), generated from annual composites of Landsat and Sentinel-2 images, allow us to distinguish between water bodies and other land surfaces. When coupled with a pixel analysis of each image, the index can provide a mean for highlighting whether an archaeological site is submerged or not. Moreover, using a zonal histogram algorithm in QGIS over polygon shapefiles that represent a site surface, it is possible to assess the area of a site that has been exposed over time. The same analyses were carried out on monthly composites for the year 2018, to assess the impact of monthly variation of the water level on the archaeological sites. The results from both analyses have been visually evaluated using medium-resolution true colour images for specific years and locations and with 3 m resolution Planetscope images for 2018. Understanding emersion “patterns” of known archaeological sites provides a useful tool for targeted rescue excavation, while also expanding the knowledge of the post-flooding impact on cultural heritage in the regions under study.

scholarly journals Diverse views among scientists on non-native species

NeoBiota ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 49-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigue C. Gbedomon ◽  
Valère K. Salako ◽  
Martin A. Schlaepfer
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Economic Effects ◽  
Predictor Variables ◽  
Environmental Sciences ◽  
Perceived Values ◽  
Minority View ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Impact

Conservation scientists have traditionally viewed non-native species (NNS) as potential threats to native biodiversity. Here, we question whether alternative views of NNS exist in the scientific community that stand in contrast to the dominant narrative that emerges from the literature. We asked researchers from the biological, social, and environmental sciences to participate in an anonymous poll regarding the perceived values and threats of NNS. Some 314 individuals responded, approximately half of whom were biologists and half were social or environmental scientists. We grouped responses into three statistical clusters defined by shared responses. We then analyzed the correlation of responses to individual questions and membership of clusters with predictor variables age, gender, and field of work. Overall, a majority of respondents in our sample supported statements that the species-component of biodiversity should include all species (55%) or some types of non-native species (an additional 32%), which contrasts with the manner in which major biodiversity assessments and indicators are constructed. A majority of respondents in our sample (65%) also supported that measurement of the impact of invasive species should be based on the net biological, social, and economic effects, which also represents a marked departure from current methods that focus only on the adverse effects of a subset of NNS considered as invasive. Field of work and age were correlated with clusters and numerous individual responses. For example, biologists were three-times more likely than non-biologists to support a definition of species richness that included only native species. Two clusters (Cluster 1 and Cluster 3), mainly composed of non-biologists and biologists, respectively, differed in their support for statements that NNS would provide useful ecosystem services in the future (66% and 40%, respectively). Thus, a key result of this study is that a variety of normative stances regarding NNS is present within the scientific community. Current international indicators of progress (e.g., Aichi Targets) capture only a “nativist” set of values, which, if our sample is representative of the scientific community, appears to be a minority view. Therefore, we argue that indicators should be modified to integrate the diversity of views that exist within the scientific community.

scholarly journals Fatal attraction: sexually cannibalistic invaders attract naive native mantids

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 20130746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murray P. Fea ◽  
Margaret C. Stanley ◽  
Gregory I. Holwell
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Chemical Cues ◽  
Reproductive Interference ◽  
Sexual Signals ◽  
Praying Mantis ◽  
Fatal Attraction ◽  
High Degree ◽  
The Impact

Overlap in the form of sexual signals such as pheromones raises the possibility of reproductive interference by invasive species on similar, yet naive native species. Here, we test the potential for reproductive interference through heterospecific mate attraction and subsequent predation of males by females of a sexually cannibalistic invasive praying mantis. Miomantis caffra is invasive in New Zealand, where it is widely considered to be displacing the only native mantis species, Orthodera novaezealandiae , and yet mechanisms behind this displacement are unknown. We demonstrate that native males are more attracted to the chemical cues of introduced females than those of conspecific females. Heterospecific pairings also resulted in a high degree of mortality for native males. This provides evidence for a mechanism behind displacement that has until now been undetected and highlights the potential for reproductive interference to greatly influence the impact of an invasive species.

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