White-tailed deer monitoring at Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas: 2005–2020 trend report

From 16 years (2005–2020) of monitoring trends in white-tailed deer within a defined survey area of Arkansas Post National Memorial, we have been able to demonstrate both population declines and recoveries. The adjusted count of deer had a seven-fold increase between 2007 and 2011 following a two-year decline and a three-fold increase between 2017 and 2019 following a six-year decline. Overall, the deer population has declined slightly, averaging a 0.5% reduction in herd size annually. The number of deer in the survey area ranged from 16.77 ± 21.26 (mean + 95% CI) individuals/km2 in 2007 to 118.95 ± 39.03 individuals/km2 in 2011. The amount of visible area surveyed each year varied between 0.25 and 0.47 km2 (coefficient of variation = 16.47%). If the white-tailed deer population becomes too large, this poses several problems for Arkansas Post National Memorial. First, it adds a level of complexity to implementing active natural resource management critical to preventing the cultural landscapes of Arkansas Post National Memorial from changing into something that has little resemblance to the historical character of the park. Deer deferentially browse native vegetation over exotic vegetation, thus promoting the spread of exotic species, and the success of tree planting can be curtailed by heavy deer browsing. Second, controlling deer related disease, some of which can affect domestic livestock and human health in and around the park, becomes increasingly difficult when there are more deer. Third, as additional ancillary data suggests, the largely unreported and costly deer-vehicle collisions in and around Arkansas Post National Memorial have the potential to increase if the deer populations grow.

Urban landscape selection by Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) in eastern Spain

The Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is an invader species, and its distribution is continuously on the increase. Today its expansion has spread to the American continent. In this study we describe the effects of the urban environment on the Eurasian collared dove in eastern Spain. The abundance and presence of this dove were analyzed in 46 localities using counting points. Overall, 220-point counts were surveyed between autumn 2015 and late-winter 2016. A hierarchical partitioning analysis was used to identify explanatory variables of different types such as resources, climate and urban structure, and human presence, which may influence the presence and abundance of this species. In the case of presence, the number of town inhabitants, parks, mean minimum temperature, exotic vegetation and schools had a positive association, while pedestrian number and restaurants had a negative association. Abundance was positively related to native vegetation, exotic vegetation, and water, while urban area was negatively associated with it. Exotic vegetation was the only variable that has a positive relation to presence and abundance. These results can help to predict the use of urban habitats in potential localities for its invasion.

VARIAÇÃO TEMPORAL DE PARÂMETROS BIOFÍSICOS DA SUPERFÍCIE POR IMAGENS Landsat 5 EM DIFERENTES COBERTURAS DO SOLO EM UMA ÁREA DE TRANSIÇÃO DE CERRADO E PANTANAL EM MATO GROSSO

A substituição da vegetação nativa e a sazonalidade climática modificam os parâmetros biofísicos da superfície. Como 50% do Cerrado tem sido convertido em lavouras e pastagens, o objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a variação temporal de parâmetros biofísicos em áreas nativas e convertidas em uma área de transição entre Cerrado e Pantanal no Mato Grosso. O estudo foi conduzido na Fazenda Experimental da UFMT (15° 51’ 15.23’’ S e 56° 04’ 13.50’’ W) com imagens do sensor TM-Landsat 5 entre abril e setembro de 2011. O Índice de Vegetação da Diferença Normalizada (NDVI), o albedo da superfície (α) e a temperatura da superfície (Ts) foram estimados em áreas de Cerrado strito sensu (CER), pastagem de Brachiaria brizantha (PAS) e mangueiral (MAN). Os maiores valores de NDVI e menores valores de α e Ts foram observados nas áreas mais densamente vegetadas. O Cerrado apresentou menores valores de α e a MAN apresentou maiores valores de NDVI ao longo de todo experimento. A substituição da cobertura nativa da região de transição de Cerrado e Pantanal por vegetação exótica modificou significativamente os parâmetros biofísicos avaliados, com potencial de modificar os balanços de radiação, energia, carbono da superfície. Palavras-chave: desmatamento; sensoriamento remoto; aquecimento regional. TEMPORAL VARIATION OF BIOPHYSICAL PARAMETERS OF THE SURFACE BY LANDSAT 5 IMAGES IN DIFFERENT SOIL COVERS IN A TRANSITIONAL AREA OF CERRADO AND PANTANAL IN MATO GROSSO ABSTRACT: The substitution of native vegetation and climatic seasonality modify the surface biophysical parameters. As 50% of the Cerrado has been converted to crops and pastures, the objective of this study was to evaluate the temporal variation of biophysical parameters in native areas and converted into a transition area between Cerrado and Pantanal in Mato Grosso. The study was conducted at the UFMT Experimental Farm (15° 51’ 15.23’’ S e 56° 04’ 13.50’’ W) with TM Landsat 5 images between April and September 2011. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and the surface albedo (α) and surface temperature (Ts) were obtained from a Cerrado stricto sensu (CER), a pasture of Brachiaria brizantha (PAS) and a mangrove (MAN). The highest NDVI values and lowest α and Ts values were observed in the most densely vegetated areas. The replacement of the native cover of the Cerrado and Pantanal transition region with exotic vegetation significantly modified the biophysical parameters evaluated, with the potential to modify the radiation, energy and carbon balances of the surface. Keywords: deforestation; remote sensing; regional warming.

A DPSIR analysis of aeolian sand dune mobilization along the coast of Manawatu-Wanganui in New Zealand

<p>Coastal sand dunes are multifunctional landscapes with rich biodiversity and provide ecological goods and services. They play a dual role as a sediment sink or a source to maintain the long-term stability of a coastal system. These landscapes have been affected by human settlements, economic activities and recreational purposes. Sand dunes in the Manawatu-Wanganui region, in New Zealand, have been subjected to such forcings during Maori settlements and, in particular, since the establishment of Europeans since 1840. Consequently, dunes have evolved from a transgressive system to a parabolic one, while the rate of dune drifting is still observed to be one of the highest in the world.</p><p>Because this was a problem for populations living in the area, there were several attempts to arrest dune drifting. Using the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) cyclic framework, we analyzed these interventions during two-time frames: 1) from the 19th to 20th century and 2) during the early 21st century. We checked for data in historical records and literature including the Parliamentary debates of New Zealand. Historical evolutionary trends were inferred by analyzing a series of maps since 1773. The present-day impacts were derived from a series of georeferenced google images from 1983 using the ESRI ArcGIS tools. The coastal management responses were obtained through scientific literature and reports of the Horizon Regional Council.</p><p>According to the analysis, drivers of dune drift before the 21st century were 1) settlements resulting in burning shrubs, deforestation, grazing, agriculture, mining, and building, 2) introduction of non-native animals. The pressures were: 1) mobile dunes and 2) blowouts. The assessment of the state of the environment included: 1) soil fertility, 2) habitat quality, 3) river navigability and 4) air quality. The assessed impacts were 1) increase of wasteland and loss of fertility, 2) foredune erosion, 3) impact on transportation and 4) creation of swamps as river mouths were closed. The management responses included 1) introduction of 1903 and 1908 Sand Drift acts for reclamation of affected areas, 2) introduction of exotic vegetation (e.g. Marram grass) and 3) foredune building using sand trapping fences.</p><p>The main drivers of the 21st century are 1) intensive urbanization, 2) introduction of exotic vegetation and 3) global fossil fuel burning. The invasive character of marram resulted in the loss of biodiversity. The coastline erosion due to sea-level rise during the 21st century will be moderated due to its progradational nature. The study revealed a significant spatial variability of the rate of dune drift. The responses include 1) a consolidated “One Plan” as mandated by 1991 Resource Management Act; 2) removal of exotic vegetation to support native biodiversity by enhancing natural processes of dunes (a paradigm shift in dune management); 3) enhancing awareness while encouraging the public participation in mitigating measures.</p><p>In conclusion, historical data combined with DPSIR framework tools showed that management interventions should be implemented considering long-term and interdisciplinary analysis to better understand the systems’ evolution and the full consequences of human actions.</p>

Insect flower visitors of planted native species within the arable landscape on the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand

Almost all of the original native vegetation of Canterbury Plains has been replaced with an arable landscape of managed exotic vegetation. A previous study planted small areas of native trees on arable farms in 2013 to enhance the abundance and diversity of beneficial insect crop pollinators. The aim of the current study was to assess insect flower visitation at three sites in the fifth year after planting. Weekly standardised surveys of native flower visitors were conducted between September 2017 and February 2018. A total of 2349 insects from 37 taxa were observed within three native plantings. Native bees (Lasioglossum sordidum 20%) and the honey bee, Apis mellifera (19%), were the most common followed by the large hoverfly, Melangyna novaezelandiae (16%). The calliphorid flies, brown blowfly Calliphora stygia (8%) and blue blowfly Calliphora vicina (6%), were also well represented. The most abundant insects visited four or more of the eight study plant species. Most (52%) of the flower visitors where natives. Many of these insects are known crop pollinators and it is likely that they assist with crop pollination.

CANOPY HEIGHT MODELS TO MONITOR AREAS UNDER DEGRADATION IN MIXED OMBROPHILE

ABSTRACT This research was aimed at providing a study of digital elevation models from Airborne Laser Scanner (ALS) data. The goal was to improve the forest monitoring, or more specifically, arboreal canopy monitoring, which contains the most elevated vegetation of the forest. It is also described as the surface above the canopy top. The region of rain forest between the states of São Paulo and Paraná in Brazil was analyzed. The proposed method employs the ALS system that provides information related to different vegetative cover bedding, to analyze it and reach to estimate for the most elevated stage. The methodology is based on differentiating the identified surfaces in the original set of data. It uses these surfaces with a raster, which was obtained from an interpolation of different sets of points from the surfaces of interest. The raster structure, unlike vector data, allows for processes linked to the digital processing of images. It enables implementation of digital filters over the data. The method helped in reducing the influence of errors during classification and achieving the theoretical surface. The results revealed a coherent relationship with anthropogenic influence such as the introduction of exotic vegetation. We concluded that arboreal vegetation could be an index of conservation for environmental registration and licensing organizations.

Levantamento de espécies de cobertura vegetal nativas e exóticas encontradas no campus oeste da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido

<p>Desmatamento é o processo de desaparecimento de massas florestais, fundamentalmente causadas pela atividade humana, com a retirada da cobertura vegetal em determinada área para utilização comercial de madeira, implantação de projetos agropecuários e também na expansão urbana. Como em qualquer área que necessite de uma cobertura vegetal, a UFERSA também enfrenta uma problemática frequente, a replantação de árvores exóticas invasoras, ao invés de nativas da região. Dessa forma o presente trabalho tem como objetivo não somente avaliar e mapear a densidade da flora do local, mas também evidenciar possíveis problemas e disponibilizar soluções. Procurou-se dividir a vegetação em dois grupos: as nativas e as exóticas. Foi realizada a demarcação dos pontos de acordo com a localização das espécies, com a finalidade de identificar e quantificar as espécies de plantas nativas e exóticas. Dentre todas as espécies amostradas, 24 espécies (25,3%) são representantes de espécies nativas e 71 espécies (74,7%) são exóticas. A arborização da UFERSA segue o padrão observado na maioria das áreas verdes públicas das cidades brasileiras, com grande número de espécies exóticas em relação às nativas. Em vista de uma melhor estrutura física fica evidente a necessidade de uma maior arborização, tendo como incentivo o plantio de espécies nativas, que proporcionem sombra, alimento e sirvam de abrigo para a fauna local, não apenas na UFERSA, mas em toda a região que vem perdendo sua flora natural em favor de plantas exóticas.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em>Survey of species of native and exotic vegetation coverage found in the campus of Federal Rural University west of the Semi-arid region</em></strong></p><p><strong>Abstract</strong><strong>: </strong>Deforestation is the process of disappearance of forest masses, basically caused by human activity, with the withdrawal of the vegetation cover in particular area for commercial use of wood, deployment of agricultural projects and also in urban expansion. As in any area that needs a plant cover, the UFERSA also faces a frequent problem, replanting trees invasive alien, instead of native to the region. This way the objective of the present work is to not only assess and map the density of the flora of the site but also highlight potential problems and provide solutions. We sought to divide the vegetation in two groups: the native and exotic. Was performed the demarcation of points of agreement with the location of the species, with the purpose of identifying and quantifying the species of native and exotic plants. Among all the species sampled, 24 species (25.3%) are representatives of native species and 71 species (74.7%) are exotic. The afforestation of UFERSA follows the pattern observed in the majority of public green areas of the Brazilian cities with large number of exotic species in relation to the native. In view of a better physical structure, it is evident the need for a greater afforestation, having as encouraging the planting of native species, which provide shade, food and serve as a shelter for the local fauna, not only in UFERSA, but throughout the region that is losing its natural flora in favor of exotic plants.<strong></strong></p>

Identificação de Áreas Hidromórficas, por meio de Análise Espectral de Dados de Sensoriamento Remoto, como Subsídio para a Elaboração de Laudos Periciais de Avaliação de Imóveis Rurais (Identification of Hydromorphic Areas by Means of Spectral Analysis…)

Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar áreas hidromórficas de duas fazendas, localizadas no Município de Flores de Goiás/GO, desapropriadas para o Programa de Reforma Agrária. Para tal, utilizou-se a análise integrada de índices espectrais, bem como algoritmos de classificação de dados de sensoriamento remoto, visando desenvolver metodologia que auxilie nas suas caracterizações físicas e subsidiar a elaboração de laudos periciais de avaliação de imóveis rurais. Utilizou-se uma imagem ASTER, de 02 de maio de 2013, do produto sob demanda AST_07XT, que já vem com as correções atmosférica e de crosstalk, além de ser um dado de reflectância de superfície. Para o processamento adotou-se a análise comparativa entre as ferramentas de PDI (Processamento Digital de Imagens) classificador hiperespectral SAM (Spectral Angle Mapper), e os índices espectrais EVI2 (Enhanced Vegetation Index-2) e IFe (Índice Férrico), bem como a utilização do modelo digital de elevação, com base em imagem SRTM, otimizada para 30 metros de resolução espacial. Foram analisados o relevo, solo, rede hidrográfica, clima e vegetação natural e exótica. Na sequência, quatro planos de informação temáticos foram produzidos, um para cada ferramenta de PDI, com o objetivo de identificar as terras úmidas, em face às variáveis apresentadas. Como resultado, a análise integrada demonstrou que, ainda que tenha sido possível separar as áreas úmidas das secas, individualmente, nenhum dos processamentos foi capaz de prover um resultado com precisão. Entende-se que trabalhos adicionais devem ser incentivados para que os laudos periciais relacionados à avaliação de imóveis rurais se tornem mais precisos e fundamentados tecnicamente. A B S T R A C TThe aim of this study is to identify hydromorphic areas in two farms located in the city of Flores de Goiás, GO and inappropriate for the Land Reform Programme. To this, we used the integrated analysis of spectral indices and supervised classification algorithms of remote sensing data, to develop a methodology to assist in their physical characterization, as well as subsidizing forensic reports of rural properties. We used an ASTER image of May 2nd, 2013 on demand product AST_07XT that comes with the atmospheric and crosstalk corrections, besides being a surface reflectance data. For processing adopted the comparative analysis DIP tools (Digital Image Processing) hyperspectral classifier SAM (Spectral Angle Mapper), and spectral indices EVI - 2 (Enhanced Vegetation Index - 2) and IFe (Ferric index) as well as the use of digital elevation model, based on SRTM image, optimized for 30-meter spatial resolution. We analyzed topography, soil, river network, climate and natural and exotic vegetation. Following four thematic information plans were produced, one for each DIP tool, to identifying wet areas, due to the variables presented. As a result, the integrated analysis demonstrated that, although it was possible to separate wet from dry areas individually, none of the processing was able to provide a result with precision. It is meant that additional work should be encouraged so that the forensic reports issued related to evaluation of rural properties become more technically accurate and justified.Keywords: Evaluation of rural properties, hydromorphic areas, SAM, EVI2, IFe, DEM.