Water quality analysis for domestic use public water supply in the case of Asella town at the source of Ashebeka River, laboratory based cross-sectional study design

1.Abstract Background Water is essential for life. The objective of this research was designed to assess the physicochemical & bacteriological quality of drinking water come from Ashebeka river as a supply of Asella town. Methods A cross-sectional study design was implemented on the study sites. Water samples had been taken for laboratory analysis. Statistical analysis were carried out with Epi info 7 for data entry & STATA 15 for data analysis. Results The first round laboratory test results for:-BOD test result 4mg/L at site one, 2 mg/L at fourth site, & 6 mg/L at site eight. COD test result 40mg/L at site one, 20 at fourth sites, & 60 at site eight. The result of total & fecal coliform count greater than 180CFU/100ml & Escherichia Coli 40 CFU/100ml of sample for the first sites. The laboratory investigation during the second round test results for:- turbidity measure 162.06 NTU at site one, 5.84NTU at site two, 6.94NTU at site three, 5.48NTU at site four, 6.57NTU at site five & 8.76NTU at site six. The chemical analysis result had found that fluoride concentration 0.5mg/L at site one, 0.48mg/L at site two, 0.44 mg/L at site three & at site four, 0.43mg/L at site five, & 0.01mg/L at site six. Aluminum taste result nill at first site, 0.54mg/L at second site, 0.24 at third site, 0.48mg/L at fourth site, 0.39mg/L at fifth site & 0.110mg/L at sixth sites. the calcium concentration had found that 8 mg/L at first sites & third sites, 6.4 mg/L at the rest sites. The magnesium test results had found that 0.96mg/L at first & fifth sites, 1.92mg/L for the rest sites. The dissolved oxygen concentration at first site was 3.667mgL, at second sites 5.333mg/L, at third sites 6.0mg/L, 4.667mg/L at fourth sites, 5mg/L at fifth sites & 2.667 mg/L at sixth sites. Conclusions Water quality was acceptable even though improvement will be required on chemical parameters. Keywords : Water pollution, Physico-chemical and bacteriological water quality, Escherichia Coli & coliform counts.

Reproductive den selection and its consequences for fisher neonates, a cavity-obligate mustelid

Selection of habitat characteristics by reproductive females during neonate development can mediate the influence of adverse environmental conditions on the fitness of offspring. Previous research has suggested that cavities and burrows used for reproduction by cavity-obligate species offer thermoregulatory benefits, access to prey, and can limit predation pressure. As fishers (Pekania pennanti) are secondary cavity-obligate breeders, we hypothesized that they select particular characteristics of reproductive den cavities at discrete stages of offspring development to mediate adverse biotic and environmental effects on their neonates. To test our hypothesis, we located 406 reproductive dens and 154 cavity rest sites used by 65 individual adult female fishers during 11 reproductive seasons (2005–2016) in northwestern California. We counted 53 (27 F, 26 M) kits in 31 litters born to 19 females during six of these reproductive seasons. The weight of kits varied significantly by sex and by age, whereas the length of kits varied only by age, suggesting that adult females in this population might be preferentially investing in male kits. We found that natal and early-maternal dens buffered minimum temperatures significantly more than late-maternal dens and cavities used during the nonreproductive season. A male fisher skull was also less likely to fit through the cavity openings of natal dens than through the openings of cavities used by adult females during the nonreproductive season. Litter survival was significantly lower at natal dens than at late-maternal dens. The age of adult female fishers did not affect the probability of litter survival. Our results emphasize the vulnerability of vertebrate offspring during early developmental periods and how cavity-obligate species select cavities to mediate environmental conditions during reproduction.

Summer rest site selection by Appalachian eastern spotted skunks

Eastern spotted skunks (Spilogale putorius) have suffered a dramatic range-wide decline leading to concern that the species is likely vulnerable to extinction, but were recently discovered to persist in a portion of the southern Appalachian Mountains (United States). For 2 years we investigated habitat selection by eastern spotted skunks to develop an understanding of their habitat and conservation needs in northwestern South Carolina. We used a discrete choice modeling framework to evaluate vegetative and topographic features that we predicted would influence rest site selection by male and female spotted skunks. Using VHF telemetry, we tracked 15 spotted skunks (10 males and 5 females) to 215 day-time rest sites between the months of April and August. Spotted skunks selected rest sites in close proximity to drainage channels, where the relative probability of selection decreased 18% and 50% with every 20-m increase in distance to a drainage channel for males and females, respectively. Relative probability of selection by female spotted skunks increased 30% for every one-unit increase in coarse woody debris (CWD), and relative probability of selection by male spotted skunks increased 25% for every 10% increase in understory cover. These results are consistent with previous studies that have identified cover as important for protection from predators; however, we additionally identified CWD and drainage channels as important to habitat selection by spotted skunks. These latter attributes are likely selected based on prey availability, but alternate ecological functions of these features warrant further investigation. Preservation of understory vegetation and CWD within drainage networks might benefit conservation of eastern spotted skunks in the southern Appalachians.

Seasonal temperature acclimatization in a semi-fossorial mammal and the role of burrows as thermal refuges

Small mammals in habitats with strong seasonal variation in the thermal environment often exhibit physiological and behavioral adaptations for coping with thermal extremes and reducing thermoregulatory costs. Burrows are especially important for providing thermal refuge when above-ground temperatures require high regulatory costs (e.g., water or energy) or exceed the physiological tolerances of an organism. Our objective was to explore the role of burrows as thermal refuges for a small endotherm, the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), during the summer and winter by quantifying energetic costs associated with resting above and below ground. We used indirect calorimetry to determine the relationship between energy expenditure and ambient temperature over a range of temperatures that pygmy rabbits experience in their natural habitat. We also measured the temperature of above- and below-ground rest sites used by pygmy rabbits in eastern Idaho, USA, during summer and winter and estimated the seasonal thermoregulatory costs of resting in the two microsites. Although pygmy rabbits demonstrated seasonal physiological acclimatization, the burrow was an important thermal refuge, especially in winter. Thermoregulatory costs were lower inside the burrow than in above-ground rest sites for more than 50% of the winter season. In contrast, thermal heterogeneity provided by above-ground rest sites during summer reduced the role of burrows as a thermal refuge during all but the hottest periods of the afternoon. Our findings contribute to an understanding of the ecology of small mammals in seasonal environments and demonstrate the importance of burrows as thermal refuge for pygmy rabbits.

Spatial analysis of limiting resources on an island: diet and shelter use reveal sites of conservation importance for the Rottnest Island quokka

Context For conservation of any species, we need baseline data that will guide conservation planning strategies. Identifying plant resources used by animal species for food and shelter is the first important step towards fauna conservation. The second step is to determine the extent and distribution of these resources and thus identify prime habitat or habitat that could be improved through suitable management actions. This information provides the necessary spatial targeting required to make the most of few resources and a shortage of time. Aims Applying this model approach, we identified plant species used as food or shelter resources by the conservationally significant quokka (Setonix brachyurus) across Rottnest Island, Western Australia in the aftermath of the hottest and driest summer on record. Methods Dietary analysis was carried out using microhistological examination of plant cuticle remains from faecal samples for 67 locations across the island. Plants acting as diurnal rest shelters (n = 73 sites) were identified through observation of individuals flushed during surveys. Identifying key resources requires both a comprehensive analysis of the current use, as well as knowledge of availability of resources to determine selectivity. We therefore compared food plants or rest sites with a comprehensive survey of floristic diversity and abundance for 210 stratified-randomly located sites across the island. Key results We identified eight plant species that quokkas fed on preferentially and identified four plant species that were the principal shelter sites. We then used hyperspectral remote sensing data to map the distribution of these plant species to quantify their distribution and identify key habitat areas. Conclusions Understanding resource limitation over the most physiologically challenging time of the year provides important information for quokka conservation. Quokkas prefer Malvaceae species as food plants, and use dense, abundant shrubs for shelter. Implications Quokkas appear to have shifted their use of food plants since a previous study (50 years ago), likely reflecting modification of island vegetation due to anthropogenic influences, fire and herbivory over time. In the face of changing climate, this information will serve as an important guide towards conservation management actions on the island (e.g. future planning of revegetation and habitat protection/enhancement).

Arboreal Squirrel Response to Silvicultural Treatments for Dwarf Mistletoe Control in Northeastern Oregon

Various silvicultural treatments are commonly used to sanitize stands by removing trees infected with dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium spp.), yet witches' brooms in trees infected with dwarf mistletoe often provide structures used by many wildlife species. We compared relative abundance, habitat use, and area of use of red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) and northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys sabrinus) before and after two different treatments designed to remove a range of dwarf mistletoe-caused witches' brooms in northeastern Oregon in 1998–2002. Dwarf mistletoe sanitation treatments included: (1) an island treatment, with retention of up to 0.5 ha groups of trees containing witches' brooms in evenly distributed uncut islands, and all harvest activity confined to thinning from below outside these islands to eliminate trees containing witches' brooms; and (2) a total removal treatment, which consisted of removing all trees that contained a witches' broom estimated to be >25 cm in diameter. Before treatment, over half of the red squirrels and northern flying squirrels in the treatment area occupied summer rest sites in witches' brooms on large Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Live trapping indicated a pretreatment abundance of 1.0 per 100 trap/nights for red squirrels and 0.4 per 100 trap/nights for northern flying squirrels, and a posttreatment abundance of 2.1 per 100 trap/nights for red squirrels and 0.2 per 100 trap/nights for northern flying squirrels. Type of rest site and amount of red squirrel reuse did not change after the island treatment, although the number of red squirrels located in rest sites increased with the island treatment. Most of the red squirrel locations occurred within the islands. Area of use by red squirrels did not change with island treatment. Type of rest site used by red squirrels and northern flying squirrels shifted after the total removal treatment from mostly witches' brooms to predominantly tree cavities. Area of use by red squirrels increased from 1.8 to 7.6 ha after the total removal treatment. Results suggest that retention of trees containing witches' brooms in small groups or islands offers an opportunity to retain rest site habitat, although northern flying abundance declined with both treatments. West. J. Appl. For. 19(2): 133–141.

Satellite Tracker Deployments On Adult, Male Australian Fur Seals (Arctophalus Pusillus Doriferus): Methods And Preliminary Results

In May 1999, four adult male, Australian fur seals (Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus) from the Seal Rocks colony, Victoria, were fitted with satellite transmitters that provided locations for between 2 and 7 months. Foraging trips during winter and early spring averaged 7.4 days (range for all trips 0.9 to 24.6) and between-trip rests lasted 2.8 days (range 0.3 to 5.7). Between-trip rest sites included Seal Rocks, other colonies and other haul-out sites. The seals foraged mostly in western Bass Strait and in water depths < 100 m.