Phenological studies in Australia: Potential application in historical and future climate analysis
- Keatley, Marie, Fletcher, Tim, Hudson, Irene, Ades, Peter
- Authors: Keatley, Marie , Fletcher, Tim , Hudson, Irene , Ades, Peter
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Climatology Vol. 22, no. 14 (Nov 2002), p. 1769-1780
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Phenological observations of eucalypts (Myrtaceae) were undertaken in four Australian states (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia) from the late 1920s until the early 1980s, by the respective State Forest Commissions. Unfortunately, few records have survived. For Victoria, surviving records encompass 42 forest districts, covering from less than 2 years to 42 years, and approximately 50 species. This paper concentrates on the flowering of four competing species (Eucalyptus leucoxylon, E. microcarpa, E. polyanthemos, and E. tricarpa) over 23 years (1940-62) from Maryborough, Victoria, recorded on a monthly basis by one observer over the period. This study represents one of the first attempts to utilize Australian phenological data to detect responses to climate change. There were no significant trends (P = 0.05) over time in the mean flowering commencement date. Forward stepwise regression found a significant relationship between temperature and flowering commencement in two species (E. leucoxylon: R-2 = 0.42, P < 0.01; E. polyanthemos: R-2 = 0.47, P = 0.02). Rainfall also had a significant influence on flowering commencement in E. tricarpa (R-2 = 0.60, P < 0.01), E. leucoxylon (R-2 = 0.43, P = 0.02) and E. polyanthemos (R-2 = 0.24, P < 0.01). The combination of temperature and rainfall (with temperature exerting the greatest influence), however, was significant for all species and had the most explanatory power (ranging from R-2 = 0.74 to 0.85, P < 0.01). Overall, in response to predicted increases in temperature and summer rainfall, E. leucoxylon and E. tricarpa would commence flowering later. In E. polyanthemos and E. microcarpa, increased temperature and rainfall will result in an earlier onset of flowering. Copyright (C) 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
- Description: 2003000171
- Authors: Keatley, Marie , Fletcher, Tim , Hudson, Irene , Ades, Peter
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Climatology Vol. 22, no. 14 (Nov 2002), p. 1769-1780
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Phenological observations of eucalypts (Myrtaceae) were undertaken in four Australian states (New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and Western Australia) from the late 1920s until the early 1980s, by the respective State Forest Commissions. Unfortunately, few records have survived. For Victoria, surviving records encompass 42 forest districts, covering from less than 2 years to 42 years, and approximately 50 species. This paper concentrates on the flowering of four competing species (Eucalyptus leucoxylon, E. microcarpa, E. polyanthemos, and E. tricarpa) over 23 years (1940-62) from Maryborough, Victoria, recorded on a monthly basis by one observer over the period. This study represents one of the first attempts to utilize Australian phenological data to detect responses to climate change. There were no significant trends (P = 0.05) over time in the mean flowering commencement date. Forward stepwise regression found a significant relationship between temperature and flowering commencement in two species (E. leucoxylon: R-2 = 0.42, P < 0.01; E. polyanthemos: R-2 = 0.47, P = 0.02). Rainfall also had a significant influence on flowering commencement in E. tricarpa (R-2 = 0.60, P < 0.01), E. leucoxylon (R-2 = 0.43, P = 0.02) and E. polyanthemos (R-2 = 0.24, P < 0.01). The combination of temperature and rainfall (with temperature exerting the greatest influence), however, was significant for all species and had the most explanatory power (ranging from R-2 = 0.74 to 0.85, P < 0.01). Overall, in response to predicted increases in temperature and summer rainfall, E. leucoxylon and E. tricarpa would commence flowering later. In E. polyanthemos and E. microcarpa, increased temperature and rainfall will result in an earlier onset of flowering. Copyright (C) 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
- Description: 2003000171
Regolith of the West Victorian Uplands, Victoria, Australia
- Carey, Stephen, Hughes, Martin
- Authors: Carey, Stephen , Hughes, Martin
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at Victoria Undercover, Benalla 2002 Conference Proceedings and Field Guide, Benalla, Australia : March 2002 p. 147-154
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000193
- Authors: Carey, Stephen , Hughes, Martin
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at Victoria Undercover, Benalla 2002 Conference Proceedings and Field Guide, Benalla, Australia : March 2002 p. 147-154
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003000193
Seasonal and interannual variations in diatom assemblages in Murray River connected wetlands in north-west Victoria, Australia
- Gell, Peter, Sluiter, Ian, Fluin, J.
- Authors: Gell, Peter , Sluiter, Ian , Fluin, J.
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Marine and Freshwater Research Vol. 53, no. 6 (2002), p. 981-992
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- Description: Epipelic diatom assemblages collected from three wetlands connected to the Murray River displayed considerable variation in response to flooding and drying phases. Murray River water input usually generated diatom assemblages dominated by Aulacoseira species. After isolation, the diatom flora of two wetlands shifted to assemblages of small Fragilariaceae forms. Elevated nutrient levels corresponded with the appearance of eutraphentic taxa such as Cyclotella meneghiniana, Eolimna subminuscula, Luticola mutica and Nitzschia palea. Further evapoconcentration induced shifts to taxa tolerant of elevated salinity levels including Amphora coffeaeformis, Navicula incertata, Staurophora salina and Tryblionella hungarica. Ordination analyses reveal a strong chemical control on the diatom taxa present in the wetlands, in accordance with known ecological preferences for salinity and nutrients. The influence of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in controlling diatom assemblages was subordinate to salinity once conductivity values exceeded 1400 μS cm–1. The results of such biomonitoring provide a means of interpreting wetland history from fossil assemblages contained in sediment sequences.
- Authors: Gell, Peter , Sluiter, Ian , Fluin, J.
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Marine and Freshwater Research Vol. 53, no. 6 (2002), p. 981-992
- Full Text:
- Description: Epipelic diatom assemblages collected from three wetlands connected to the Murray River displayed considerable variation in response to flooding and drying phases. Murray River water input usually generated diatom assemblages dominated by Aulacoseira species. After isolation, the diatom flora of two wetlands shifted to assemblages of small Fragilariaceae forms. Elevated nutrient levels corresponded with the appearance of eutraphentic taxa such as Cyclotella meneghiniana, Eolimna subminuscula, Luticola mutica and Nitzschia palea. Further evapoconcentration induced shifts to taxa tolerant of elevated salinity levels including Amphora coffeaeformis, Navicula incertata, Staurophora salina and Tryblionella hungarica. Ordination analyses reveal a strong chemical control on the diatom taxa present in the wetlands, in accordance with known ecological preferences for salinity and nutrients. The influence of nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in controlling diatom assemblages was subordinate to salinity once conductivity values exceeded 1400 μS cm–1. The results of such biomonitoring provide a means of interpreting wetland history from fossil assemblages contained in sediment sequences.
Strangers in a strange land : Converging and accommodating Celtic identities in Ballarat 1851-1901
- Authors: Croggon, Janice
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This thesis examines the paths by which four Celtic ethnic identities, Cornish, Welsh, Scottish and Irish, responded to the specific society and culture of the Victorian goldfields between 1850-1901. The individual Celtic groups intersected, harmonised and contested with each other in a process through which they retained their identities and yet managed to move towards becoming part of a larger, more-encompassing unity."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
- Authors: Croggon, Janice
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: "This thesis examines the paths by which four Celtic ethnic identities, Cornish, Welsh, Scottish and Irish, responded to the specific society and culture of the Victorian goldfields between 1850-1901. The individual Celtic groups intersected, harmonised and contested with each other in a process through which they retained their identities and yet managed to move towards becoming part of a larger, more-encompassing unity."
- Description: Doctor of Philosophy
Comparing levels of spiritual well-being in state, catholic and independent schools in Victoria, Australia
- Authors: Fisher, John
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Beliefs & Values: Studies in Religion & Education Vol. 22, no. 1 (2001), p. 99-105
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- Description: This article reports on a survey completed by Chaplains, Religious Education and Student Welfare Coordinators in State, Catholic and Independent schools in Victoria. Results from this survey support the model of spiritual well-being, which was seen to be reflected in the quality of relationships that people develop with themselves, others, the environment, and with a Transcendent Other. The staff surveyed generally reported positively on current practice and expressed high priorities for action in nurturing their students' spiritual well-being. School type contributed to significant differences in each of these four sets of relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Authors: Fisher, John
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Beliefs & Values: Studies in Religion & Education Vol. 22, no. 1 (2001), p. 99-105
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This article reports on a survey completed by Chaplains, Religious Education and Student Welfare Coordinators in State, Catholic and Independent schools in Victoria. Results from this survey support the model of spiritual well-being, which was seen to be reflected in the quality of relationships that people develop with themselves, others, the environment, and with a Transcendent Other. The staff surveyed generally reported positively on current practice and expressed high priorities for action in nurturing their students' spiritual well-being. School type contributed to significant differences in each of these four sets of relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Multivariate statistical analysis of songs of the male Common Blackbird (Turdus merula) : An example from western Victoria, Australia
- Kentish, Barry, Harvey, Jack, Roberts, Lyn, Ross, Jason
- Authors: Kentish, Barry , Harvey, Jack , Roberts, Lyn , Ross, Jason
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: EMU Vol. 101, no. 4 (2001), p. 335-340
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- Description: Variation in the song of the male Common Blackbird was investigated within and between two locations in western Victoria. Each of 400 phrases (100 phrases per male) was characterised by 61 measurements relating to 13 aspects of each phrase. Principal component and stepwise discriminant analyses were undertaken on these measurements. Classification of blackbird song for location and individuality was based on timing within the phrase of the loudest elements. Evidence was found for within-phrase variability, with the greatest variation in the middle of the phrase. Within- and between-site comparison found that blackbird song exhibited both individual and site-specific characteristics consistent with earlier suggestions of phrase sharing within local populations. The study demonstrated that an objective statistical approach to song analysis was able to disciminate between individual birds from different locations.
- Authors: Kentish, Barry , Harvey, Jack , Roberts, Lyn , Ross, Jason
- Date: 2001
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: EMU Vol. 101, no. 4 (2001), p. 335-340
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Variation in the song of the male Common Blackbird was investigated within and between two locations in western Victoria. Each of 400 phrases (100 phrases per male) was characterised by 61 measurements relating to 13 aspects of each phrase. Principal component and stepwise discriminant analyses were undertaken on these measurements. Classification of blackbird song for location and individuality was based on timing within the phrase of the loudest elements. Evidence was found for within-phrase variability, with the greatest variation in the middle of the phrase. Within- and between-site comparison found that blackbird song exhibited both individual and site-specific characteristics consistent with earlier suggestions of phrase sharing within local populations. The study demonstrated that an objective statistical approach to song analysis was able to disciminate between individual birds from different locations.
Movements, Behaviour and Ecology of the Brolga, Antigone rubicunda, at multiple spatial and temporal scales
- Authors: Veltheim, Inka
- Type: Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The study of animal movement patterns, within and between habitats, is a key consideration in ecological and evolutionary disciplines. Movement studies address: where, when, why and how animals move and what scales are movements taken at? For example: when and how animals move in response to internal factors, such as the need to breed, or external factors such as weather? Understanding animal movements is crucial in conservation planning and management of species. My thesis aim was to understand brolga (Antigone rubicunda) spatial landscape use across their south-east Australian core range at multiple scales. The information presented in this thesis can be applied for conservation and management of the species. I deployed 23 GPS transmitters on adults (5), juveniles (6) and chicks (12) and used a range of modelling approaches, location data and behavioural data to study their movements. Modelling methods included: behavioural change point analysis, kernel density analysis and Brownian bridge movement models to estimate home ranges; Maxent to build a species distribution model, parametric compositional analysis to study habitat selection; Bayesian and frequentist linear models to investigate relationships between environmental variables and movements, habitat use and behaviour; and NicheMapperTM to understand ecophysiological drivers of movement behaviour. GPS-tracking revealed two seasonal movement strategies within the south-west Victorian brolga range with individuals moving either 100 km or 20 km on average, between non-breeding and breeding areas, depending on capture location. However, I found many exceptions to a strictly seasonal pattern of movement, suggesting brolgas have a flexible and adaptable movement strategy. Brolgas adopted a migratory or resident strategy, indicating that the south-west Victorian population is partially migratory. I investigated whether a dynamic species distribution model (dSDM), built with Maxent using short-term weather variables, could predict seasonal distribution and movements of brolgas at a landscape scale. Using GPS tracking data to validate the dSDM output, I demonstrated that the dSDM was useful for modelling occupancy and seasonal distribution, but did not explicitly capture movements at the scale the movements occurred. However, brolgas moved further and occupied highest suitable habitat available when predicted habitat suitability in south-west Victoria was low, suggesting brolgas track areas with high predicted habitat suitability. Dynamic species distribution models may be useful in identifying suitable habitat when overall habitat suitability within a species’ range is low. At the home range scale, I used the Brownian bridge movement model to estimate breeding home range size and parametric compositional analysis to determine habitat use and selection by brolgas. I expected wetland size, density and number of chicks in a clutch to influence home range sizes, however, found only weak evidence for greater home ranges with increased clutch size. Brolgas used either single or multiple wetlands within their home ranges, and those using multiple wetlands either switched between wetlands or relocated permanently. Within their breeding home ranges brolgas appeared to select against buildings and watercourses but showed no selection for land use type. At the daily scale, I focused on movement behaviour of brolgas between foraging areas in cropped paddocks and wetland roosts. I used a correlative and a mechanistic model to investigate the influence of thermoregulatory constraints and weather on daily movement decisions of brolgas. Movements between the two habitats were not driven by biophysical requirements. The results suggest brolgas tolerate a range of weather conditions before shifting habitats to reduce heat stress and metabolic costs or to maintain water balance. In this thesis, I discuss the ecological and conservation implications of my research findings. Finally, I also provide recommendations for avoiding wind farm impacts on the threatened south-west Victorian brolga population given my findings on daily, seasonal and annual movement patterns. Many studies have investigated wind farm impacts on birds. However, this is one of a few that considers all lifecycle stages, and takes a multi-site and -scale approach to studying bird movements to inform conservation and wind farm planning.
- Authors: Veltheim, Inka
- Type: Thesis , PhD
- Full Text:
- Description: The study of animal movement patterns, within and between habitats, is a key consideration in ecological and evolutionary disciplines. Movement studies address: where, when, why and how animals move and what scales are movements taken at? For example: when and how animals move in response to internal factors, such as the need to breed, or external factors such as weather? Understanding animal movements is crucial in conservation planning and management of species. My thesis aim was to understand brolga (Antigone rubicunda) spatial landscape use across their south-east Australian core range at multiple scales. The information presented in this thesis can be applied for conservation and management of the species. I deployed 23 GPS transmitters on adults (5), juveniles (6) and chicks (12) and used a range of modelling approaches, location data and behavioural data to study their movements. Modelling methods included: behavioural change point analysis, kernel density analysis and Brownian bridge movement models to estimate home ranges; Maxent to build a species distribution model, parametric compositional analysis to study habitat selection; Bayesian and frequentist linear models to investigate relationships between environmental variables and movements, habitat use and behaviour; and NicheMapperTM to understand ecophysiological drivers of movement behaviour. GPS-tracking revealed two seasonal movement strategies within the south-west Victorian brolga range with individuals moving either 100 km or 20 km on average, between non-breeding and breeding areas, depending on capture location. However, I found many exceptions to a strictly seasonal pattern of movement, suggesting brolgas have a flexible and adaptable movement strategy. Brolgas adopted a migratory or resident strategy, indicating that the south-west Victorian population is partially migratory. I investigated whether a dynamic species distribution model (dSDM), built with Maxent using short-term weather variables, could predict seasonal distribution and movements of brolgas at a landscape scale. Using GPS tracking data to validate the dSDM output, I demonstrated that the dSDM was useful for modelling occupancy and seasonal distribution, but did not explicitly capture movements at the scale the movements occurred. However, brolgas moved further and occupied highest suitable habitat available when predicted habitat suitability in south-west Victoria was low, suggesting brolgas track areas with high predicted habitat suitability. Dynamic species distribution models may be useful in identifying suitable habitat when overall habitat suitability within a species’ range is low. At the home range scale, I used the Brownian bridge movement model to estimate breeding home range size and parametric compositional analysis to determine habitat use and selection by brolgas. I expected wetland size, density and number of chicks in a clutch to influence home range sizes, however, found only weak evidence for greater home ranges with increased clutch size. Brolgas used either single or multiple wetlands within their home ranges, and those using multiple wetlands either switched between wetlands or relocated permanently. Within their breeding home ranges brolgas appeared to select against buildings and watercourses but showed no selection for land use type. At the daily scale, I focused on movement behaviour of brolgas between foraging areas in cropped paddocks and wetland roosts. I used a correlative and a mechanistic model to investigate the influence of thermoregulatory constraints and weather on daily movement decisions of brolgas. Movements between the two habitats were not driven by biophysical requirements. The results suggest brolgas tolerate a range of weather conditions before shifting habitats to reduce heat stress and metabolic costs or to maintain water balance. In this thesis, I discuss the ecological and conservation implications of my research findings. Finally, I also provide recommendations for avoiding wind farm impacts on the threatened south-west Victorian brolga population given my findings on daily, seasonal and annual movement patterns. Many studies have investigated wind farm impacts on birds. However, this is one of a few that considers all lifecycle stages, and takes a multi-site and -scale approach to studying bird movements to inform conservation and wind farm planning.