- Wilson, David, Hansen, Birgita, Honan, Jodie, Chamberlain, Richard
- Authors: Wilson, David , Hansen, Birgita , Honan, Jodie , Chamberlain, Richard
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Field Ornithology Vol. 34, no. (2017), p. 76-79
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: An understanding of migration phenology is critical to the conservation of long-distance migrants. Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii is a cryptic, dispersed migratory wader that breeds in northern Japan during the austral winter and migrates to Australia for the non-breeding period. Records of this species for New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were extracted from a range of data sources including hunting reports, the Atlas of Living Australia, eBird and citizen science records, generating a dataset of first-arrival dates for 170 years (1846-2016). The first record in each year, corresponding to the expected arrival period of Latham's Snipe on southward migration, was used to infer the date of first arrival. These dates were analysed using simple linear regression against Julian day to test the hypothesis that changes in climate (i.e. increasing mean annual temperature) might result in a corresponding shift in arrival dates. The mean Julian day of first arrivals in NSW and the ACT was 14 August ± 9 days, with no significant change over the 170-year span of records. This suggests that migration phenology of Latham's Snipe has not been strongly influenced by changing large-scale climatic conditions at either the breeding or non-breeding grounds.
Accounting for cryptic population substructure enhances detection of inbreeding depression with genomic inbreeding coefficients: an example from a critically endangered marsupial
- Zilko, Joseph, Harley, Dan, Hansen, Birgita, Pavlova, Alexandra, Sunnucks, Paul
- Authors: Zilko, Joseph , Harley, Dan , Hansen, Birgita , Pavlova, Alexandra , Sunnucks, Paul
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Molecular Ecology Vol. 29, no. 16 (2020), p. 2978-2993
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Characterizing inbreeding depression in wildlife populations can be critical to their conservation. Coefficients of individual inbreeding can be estimated from genome-wide marker data. The degree to which sensitivity of inbreeding coefficients to population genetic substructure alters estimates of inbreeding depression in wild populations is not well understood. Using generalized linear models, we tested the power of two frequently used inbreeding coefficients that are calculated from genome-wide SNP markers, FH and F^III, to predict four fitness traits estimated over two decades in an isolated population of the critically endangered Leadbeater's possum. FH estimates inbreeding as excess observed homozygotes relative to equilibrium expectations, whereas F^III quantifies allelic similarity between the gametes that formed an individual, and upweights rare homozygotes. We estimated FH and F^III from 1,575 genome-wide SNP loci in individuals with fitness trait data (N = 179–237 per trait), and computed revised coefficients, FHby group and F^IIIby group, adjusted for population genetic substructure by calculating them separately within two different genetic groups of individuals identified in the population. Using FH or F^III in the models, inbreeding depression was detected for survival to sexual maturity, longevity and whether individuals bred during their lifetime. F^IIIby group (but not FHby group) additionally revealed significant inbreeding depression for lifetime reproductive output (total offspring assigned to each individual). Estimates of numbers of lethal equivalents indicated substantial inbreeding load, but differing between inbreeding estimators. Inbreeding depression, declining population size, and low and declining genetic diversity suggest that genetic rescue may assist in preventing extinction of this unique Leadbeater's possum population. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
- Authors: Zilko, Joseph , Harley, Dan , Hansen, Birgita , Pavlova, Alexandra , Sunnucks, Paul
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Molecular Ecology Vol. 29, no. 16 (2020), p. 2978-2993
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Characterizing inbreeding depression in wildlife populations can be critical to their conservation. Coefficients of individual inbreeding can be estimated from genome-wide marker data. The degree to which sensitivity of inbreeding coefficients to population genetic substructure alters estimates of inbreeding depression in wild populations is not well understood. Using generalized linear models, we tested the power of two frequently used inbreeding coefficients that are calculated from genome-wide SNP markers, FH and F^III, to predict four fitness traits estimated over two decades in an isolated population of the critically endangered Leadbeater's possum. FH estimates inbreeding as excess observed homozygotes relative to equilibrium expectations, whereas F^III quantifies allelic similarity between the gametes that formed an individual, and upweights rare homozygotes. We estimated FH and F^III from 1,575 genome-wide SNP loci in individuals with fitness trait data (N = 179–237 per trait), and computed revised coefficients, FHby group and F^IIIby group, adjusted for population genetic substructure by calculating them separately within two different genetic groups of individuals identified in the population. Using FH or F^III in the models, inbreeding depression was detected for survival to sexual maturity, longevity and whether individuals bred during their lifetime. F^IIIby group (but not FHby group) additionally revealed significant inbreeding depression for lifetime reproductive output (total offspring assigned to each individual). Estimates of numbers of lethal equivalents indicated substantial inbreeding load, but differing between inbreeding estimators. Inbreeding depression, declining population size, and low and declining genetic diversity suggest that genetic rescue may assist in preventing extinction of this unique Leadbeater's possum population. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
An overview of the latham’s snipe population in sakhalin, Eastern Russia
- Hansen, Birgita, Revyakina, Zoya, Kulikova, Olga, Ktitorov, Pavel
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Revyakina, Zoya , Kulikova, Olga , Ktitorov, Pavel
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Stilt Vol. 2020, no. 73-74 (2020), p. 52-58
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Latham’s Snipe (Японский бекас) Gallinago hardwickii was historically considered to breed mostly in Japan with a small proportion of breeding records in Russia. Since the 1950s, the species has been expanding its range northward and the current distribution of snipe encompasses most of the island of Sakhalin. At the same time, the species has experienced a breeding range contraction in Japan. During May 2019, opportunistic snipe surveys were conducted during a nine-day field trip of Sakhalin. Snipe were recorded either as incidental observations or during a 10’ point count. The highest numbers of snipe were found on the south-west coast of Sakhalin in the Tomarinskiy and Korsakovsky regions. All records were made in mosaic meadow-forest and modified grassland habitats, and none were obtained from forest or intact woodland. Comparison of these snapshot data to breeding surveys conducted between 1993 and 2012 demonstrate the species to be relatively widespread across Sakhalin, and in most areas not dominated by continuous forest. However, the conditions under which snipe breed successfully are more restricted than would be expected based on these broad habitat associations and numbers of displaying males. Agricultural intensification, spring burning of meadowlands and illegal shooting of snipe all reduce breeding success. While a significant proportion of the Latham’s Snipe global population appears to occur on Sakhalin (potentially as high as 18%), when considered in the broader context of species decline documented in Japan, it is likely that the global trend for this species is generally downward. © 2020, Australasian Wader Studies Group. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Revyakina, Zoya , Kulikova, Olga , Ktitorov, Pavel
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Stilt Vol. 2020, no. 73-74 (2020), p. 52-58
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Latham’s Snipe (Японский бекас) Gallinago hardwickii was historically considered to breed mostly in Japan with a small proportion of breeding records in Russia. Since the 1950s, the species has been expanding its range northward and the current distribution of snipe encompasses most of the island of Sakhalin. At the same time, the species has experienced a breeding range contraction in Japan. During May 2019, opportunistic snipe surveys were conducted during a nine-day field trip of Sakhalin. Snipe were recorded either as incidental observations or during a 10’ point count. The highest numbers of snipe were found on the south-west coast of Sakhalin in the Tomarinskiy and Korsakovsky regions. All records were made in mosaic meadow-forest and modified grassland habitats, and none were obtained from forest or intact woodland. Comparison of these snapshot data to breeding surveys conducted between 1993 and 2012 demonstrate the species to be relatively widespread across Sakhalin, and in most areas not dominated by continuous forest. However, the conditions under which snipe breed successfully are more restricted than would be expected based on these broad habitat associations and numbers of displaying males. Agricultural intensification, spring burning of meadowlands and illegal shooting of snipe all reduce breeding success. While a significant proportion of the Latham’s Snipe global population appears to occur on Sakhalin (potentially as high as 18%), when considered in the broader context of species decline documented in Japan, it is likely that the global trend for this species is generally downward. © 2020, Australasian Wader Studies Group. All rights reserved.
- Greenslade, Penelope, Florentine, Singarayer, Hansen, Birgita, Gell, Peter
- Authors: Greenslade, Penelope , Florentine, Singarayer , Hansen, Birgita , Gell, Peter
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Vol. 188, no. 8 (2016), p. 1-9
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Monitoring forms the basis for understanding ecological change. It relies on repeatability of methods to ensure detected changes accurately reflect the effect of environmental drivers. However, operator bias can influence the repeatability of field and laboratory work. We tested this for invertebrates and diatoms in three trials: (1) two operators swept invertebrates from heath vegetation, (2) four operators picked invertebrates from pyrethrum knockdown samples from tree trunk and (3) diatom identifications by eight operators in three laboratories. In each trial, operators were working simultaneously and their training in the field and laboratory was identical. No variation in catch efficiency was found between the two operators of differing experience using a random number of net sweeps to catch invertebrates when sequence, location and size of sweeps were random. Number of individuals and higher taxa collected by four operators from tree trunks varied significantly between operators and with their ‘experience ranking’. Diatom identifications made by eight operators were clustered together according to which of three laboratories they belonged. These three tests demonstrated significant potential bias of operators in both field and laboratory. This is the first documented case demonstrating the significant influence of observer bias on results from invertebrate field-based studies. Examples of two long-term trials are also given that illustrate further operator bias. Our results suggest that long-term ecological studies using invertebrates need to be rigorously audited to ensure that operator bias is accounted for during analysis and interpretation. Further, taxonomic harmonisation remains an important step in merging field and laboratory data collected by different operators. © 2016, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.
- Hansen, Birgita, Minton, Clive, Jessop, Rosalind, Collins, Peter
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Minton, Clive , Jessop, Rosalind , Collins, Peter
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 109, no. 1 (2009), p. 25-33
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Since 1980, 856 Sooty Oystercatchers (Haematopus fuliginosus) have been caught and banded in Australia by the Victorian Wader Study Group (n=801, from southern Australia) and the Australasian Wader Studies Group (n=55 birds, all from north-western Australia). The biometric data collected were analysed for differences between sexes and ages and for geographical differences. Females were larger than males in all biometric dimensions, in all age-groups and in both geographical regions. For both subspecies - H. f. fuliginosus in south-eastern Australia and H. f. opthalmicus in north-western Australia - length of bill (exposed culmen) was the most discriminating parameter for determination of sex. Weights of adult females increased markedly towards the end of the moulting period. In south-eastern Australia, adult males considerably outnumber adult females in catches. Furthermore, adult males also outnumbered adult females in late autumn-early winter samples; at other times, and in other age-groups, the sex-ratio was more evenly balanced. Differential survival or spatial distribution of females and males are proposed as the mechanisms causing male-biased tertiary sex-ratios in catches. South-eastern Australian birds were larger and heavier than their northern counterparts. Furthermore, comparisons between Sooty Oystercatchers and the sympatric congener, the Australian Pied Oystercatcher (H. longirostris) showed the former to be significantly larger and heavier in both parts of the country. © Royal Australasian Orinthologists Union 2009.
Bird responses to riparian management of degraded lowland streams in southeastern Australia
- Hale, Robin, Reich, Paul, Johnson, Matthew, Hansen, Birgita, Lake, Philip, Thomson, James, Mac Nally, Ralph
- Authors: Hale, Robin , Reich, Paul , Johnson, Matthew , Hansen, Birgita , Lake, Philip , Thomson, James , Mac Nally, Ralph
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Restoration Ecology Vol. 23, no. 2 (2015), p. 104-112
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: We assessed the degree to which fencing, livestock exclusion, and replanting of riparian zones affected avian assemblages in massively cleared landscapes. Measurements were made at three creeks in the southern Murray-Darling Basin in southeastern Australia, each of which had circa 1-km long treated sections and paired "untreated" circa 1-km sections, where no fencing, planting, or stock exclusion was done. We measured the change in vegetation characteristics and abundances of native birds for up to 8 years after works were completed. Prior to data collection, we developed expected responses of bird species based on the anticipated time-courses of change in vegetation structure. We used hierarchical Bayesian models to explore the effects of the management actions, and to account for within-site variation in vegetation characteristics. There were major changes in vegetation structure (reductions in bare ground and increases in shrubs and tree recruitment) but avian responses generally were small and not as expected. There are at least four possible reasons for the limited avian responses: (1) there has been a long-term decline in woodland birds across the region; (2) the study was conducted during the longest drought in the instrumental record in the study region; (3) the total amount of replanted vegetation was small in a massively denuded region; and (4) monitoring may have been over too short a term to detect responses to longer-term changes in structural vegetation. © 2014 Society for Ecological Restoration.
- Hansen, Birgita, Reich, Paul, Cavagnaro, Timothy, Lake, Philip
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Reich, Paul , Cavagnaro, Timothy , Lake, Philip
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ecological Management and Restoration Vol. 16, no. 1 (2015), p. 50-57
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Intact riparian zones maintain aquatic-terrestrial ecosystem function and ultimately, waterway health. Effective riparian management is a major step towards improving the condition of waterways and usually involves the creation of a 'buffer' by fencing off the stream and planting vegetation. Determination of buffer widths often reflects logistical constraints (e.g. private land ownership, existing infrastructure) of riparian and adjacent areas, rather than relying on rigorous science. We used published information to support riparian width recommendations for waterways in agricultural Victoria, Australia. We focused on different ecological management objectives (e.g. nutrient reduction or erosion control) and scrutinised the applicability of data across different environmental contexts (e.g. adjacent land use or geomorphology). Not surprisingly, the evidence supported variable 'effective' riparian widths, depending on the objective and environmental context. We used this information to develop a framework for determining riparian buffer widths to meet a variety of ecological objectives in south-east Australia. Widths for reducing nutrient inputs to waterways were most strongly supported with quantitative evidence and varied between 20 and 38 m depending on environmental context. The environmental context was inconsistently reported, making it difficult to recommend appropriate widths, under different land-use and physiographic scenarios. The evidence to guide width determination generally had high levels of uncertainty. Despite the considerable amount of published riparian research, there was insufficient evidence to demonstrate that implemented widths achieved ecological objectives. We emphasise the need for managers to clearly articulate the objectives of proposed riparian management and carefully consider the environmental context. Monitoring ecological responses associated with different riparian buffer widths is essential to support future management decisions.
- Bonney, Patrick, Hansen, Birgita, Baldwin, Claudia
- Authors: Bonney, Patrick , Hansen, Birgita , Baldwin, Claudia
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Society and Natural Resources Vol. 36, no. 6 (2023), p. 600-621
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: In natural resource management contexts, citizen science programs often involve a diversity of actors collaborating in broad social networks. However, the characteristics and functioning of these networks has received limited attention. In this article, we demonstrate the benefits of applying social network research to citizen science practice. Through a mixed methods approach, we compare data sharing and collaboration networks of two community-based water monitoring programs in Australia. The quantitative component revealed that despite similarities in actor diversity and activities, both programs have created divergent network structures (centralized vs decentralized) corresponding to their scale of influence in environmental decision-making (regional vs local impacts). The qualitative component showed how individuals navigated their relationships and managed key tensions inherent to network functioning. This study provides new insights on the role of social networks in citizen science and concludes by recommending program leaders adopt a “networking mindset” to maximize their sphere of influence. © 2023 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
Citizen science in Australia’s waterways : investigating linkages with catchment decision-making
- Bonney, Patrick, Murphy, Angela, Hansen, Birgita, Baldwin, Claudia
- Authors: Bonney, Patrick , Murphy, Angela , Hansen, Birgita , Baldwin, Claudia
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Journal of Environmental Management Vol. 27, no. 2 (2020), p. 200-223
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Citizen science can be a viable mechanism to foster productive linkages between community and government for sustainable water resource management. In Australia, this potential has longstanding policy support but research into program extent, characteristics or impact on decision-making processes has been lacking. This article draws on a temporal analysis of data records from two citizen science programs and a nationwide survey of 47 program coordinators representing 43 freshwater and estuarine citizen science programs to examine these knowledge shortfalls. Results indicate that program activity has contracted in Victoria but increased in the ACT, with additional evidence indicating a nationwide contraction. Survey results revealed programs operating nationwide and largely implemented as a community-government partnership, combining data and educative priorities. Despite 70 per cent of programs having goals to inform catchment decision-making, data use was verified for less than half of programs. Program coordinators reported several social, organisational and technical barriers that limit this uptake. In highlighting these issues, we make three recommendations for enhancing linkages between citizen science and catchment decision-making: (1) increasing institutional support; (2) improving coordination and embracing new possibilities for collaboration; and (3) demonstrating and communicating program achievements. © 2020, © 2020 Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand Inc.
- Description: This research is supported by the Regional University Networks Water Futures Fund and the Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend and RTP Fee-Offset Scholarship through Federation University Australia.
Collect, connect, upscale : towards coordinated monitoring of migratory shorebirds in the asia-pacific
- Fuller, Richard, Jackson, Micha, Amano, Tatsuya, Choi, Chi-Yeung, Hansen, Birgita
- Authors: Fuller, Richard , Jackson, Micha , Amano, Tatsuya , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Zoologist Vol. 41, no. 2 (2021), p. 205-213
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Monitoring migratory species can be extremely challenging. For example, millions of migratory shorebirds migrate from breeding grounds in northern China, Mongolia and Russia to East Asia and Australasia each year, traversing more than 20 countries while on migration. Studies within individual nations have identified rapid declines in many species, yet progress toward a fully unified scheme for continuous tracking of population change at the scale of the entire East Asian-Australasian Flyway has been slow. To reflect on lessons learned and consider how further progress might be made, we review some of the factors that have limited the full emergence of shorebird monitoring in the East Asian- Australasian Flyway, including fragmentation among multiple databases, low data readiness, inadequate metadata and gaps in survey coverage. We conclude that while technical solutions for many of these issues do exist, the biggest challenge is to navigate the significant organisational, socio-cultural and resourcing contexts of those people doing the monitoring. Technical solutions alone will not create a cohesive network of people whose local efforts are pooled to create robust flyway-scale monitoring. © 2021 Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. All rights reserved. *Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen” is provided in this record**
- Authors: Fuller, Richard , Jackson, Micha , Amano, Tatsuya , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Zoologist Vol. 41, no. 2 (2021), p. 205-213
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Monitoring migratory species can be extremely challenging. For example, millions of migratory shorebirds migrate from breeding grounds in northern China, Mongolia and Russia to East Asia and Australasia each year, traversing more than 20 countries while on migration. Studies within individual nations have identified rapid declines in many species, yet progress toward a fully unified scheme for continuous tracking of population change at the scale of the entire East Asian-Australasian Flyway has been slow. To reflect on lessons learned and consider how further progress might be made, we review some of the factors that have limited the full emergence of shorebird monitoring in the East Asian- Australasian Flyway, including fragmentation among multiple databases, low data readiness, inadequate metadata and gaps in survey coverage. We conclude that while technical solutions for many of these issues do exist, the biggest challenge is to navigate the significant organisational, socio-cultural and resourcing contexts of those people doing the monitoring. Technical solutions alone will not create a cohesive network of people whose local efforts are pooled to create robust flyway-scale monitoring. © 2021 Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales. All rights reserved. *Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen” is provided in this record**
- Szabo, Judit, Choi, Chi-Yeung, Clemens, Robert, Hansen, Birgita
- Authors: Szabo, Judit , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Clemens, Robert , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Emu Vol. 116, no. 2 (2016), p. 215-221
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: Globally, populations of migratory shorebirds are threatened and declining rapidly. This is especially true for those using the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), where loss of intertidal mudflats in crucial staging areas, especially around the Yellow Sea, is considered to be the primary driver of declines. The conservation of migratory shorebirds faces considerable challenges, including competing demands on wetland habitats, compounded by differing economic priorities, jurisdictions and attitudes towards wildlife among the countries along shorebird migratory routes. A key aspect of addressing these challenges is to protect more habitat and improve management of shorebird habitat, both in protected and unprotected areas. This ultimately requires stronger commitments from national governments, for instance by enforcing and strengthening multilateral and bilateral agreements. However, economic drivers for development Erode the effectiveness of these policy tools. Here, we highlight the socio-political approaches needed to ensure implementation of conservation actions. The success of these actions will hinge on stronger engagement of citizens and governments in habitat protection and shorebird monitoring. One part of this strategy is to increase awareness in communities and governments of shorebird issues through international collaboration, knowledge sharing, capacity-building and support for local action (of both citizens and government officials). International actions mediated among flyway partners, for example bilateral agreements on the preservation of intertidal mudflats and co-funding to support this, are critical to halting shorebird population declines. © BirdLife Australia 2016.
Continental-scale decreases in shorebird populations in Australia
- Clemens, Robert, Rogers, Danny, Hansen, Birgita, Gosbell, Ken, Minton, Clive, Straw, Phil, Bamford, Mike, Woehler, Eric, Milton, David, Weston, Michael, Venables, Bill, Weller, Dan, Hassell, Chris, Rutherford, Bill, Onton, Kimberly, Herrod, Ashley, Studds, Colin, Choi, Chi-Yeung, Dhanjal-Adams, Kiran, Murray, Nicholas, Skilleter, Gregory, Fuller, Richard
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Hansen, Birgita , Gosbell, Ken , Minton, Clive , Straw, Phil , Bamford, Mike , Woehler, Eric , Milton, David , Weston, Michael , Venables, Bill , Weller, Dan , Hassell, Chris , Rutherford, Bill , Onton, Kimberly , Herrod, Ashley , Studds, Colin , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Dhanjal-Adams, Kiran , Murray, Nicholas , Skilleter, Gregory , Fuller, Richard
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 116, no. 2 (2016), p. 119-135
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Decreases in shorebird populations are increasingly evident worldwide, especially in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). To arrest these declines, it is important to understand the scale of both the problem and the solutions. We analysed an expansive Australian citizen-science dataset, spanning the period 1973 to 2014, to explore factors related to differences in trends among shorebird populations in wetlands throughout Australia. Of seven resident Australian shorebird species, the four inland species exhibited continental decreases, whereas the three coastal species did not. Decreases in inland resident shorebirds were related to changes in availability of water at non-tidal wetlands, suggesting that degradation of wetlands in Australia's interior is playing a role in these declines. For migratory shorebirds, the analyses revealed continental decreases in abundance in 12 of 19 species, and decreases in 17 of 19 in the southern half of Australia over the past 15 years. Many trends were strongly associated with continental gradients in latitude or longitude, suggesting some large-scale patterns in the decreases, with steeper declines often evident in southern Australia. After accounting for this effect, local variables did not explain variation in migratory shorebird trends between sites. Our results are consistent with other studies indicating that decreases in migratory shorebird populations in the EAAF are most likely being driven primarily by factors outside Australia. This reinforces the need for urgent overseas conservation actions. However, substantially heterogeneous trends within Australia, combined with declines of inland resident shorebirds indicate effective management of Australian shorebird habitat remains important. © BirdLife Australia 2016.
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Hansen, Birgita , Gosbell, Ken , Minton, Clive , Straw, Phil , Bamford, Mike , Woehler, Eric , Milton, David , Weston, Michael , Venables, Bill , Weller, Dan , Hassell, Chris , Rutherford, Bill , Onton, Kimberly , Herrod, Ashley , Studds, Colin , Choi, Chi-Yeung , Dhanjal-Adams, Kiran , Murray, Nicholas , Skilleter, Gregory , Fuller, Richard
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 116, no. 2 (2016), p. 119-135
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Decreases in shorebird populations are increasingly evident worldwide, especially in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). To arrest these declines, it is important to understand the scale of both the problem and the solutions. We analysed an expansive Australian citizen-science dataset, spanning the period 1973 to 2014, to explore factors related to differences in trends among shorebird populations in wetlands throughout Australia. Of seven resident Australian shorebird species, the four inland species exhibited continental decreases, whereas the three coastal species did not. Decreases in inland resident shorebirds were related to changes in availability of water at non-tidal wetlands, suggesting that degradation of wetlands in Australia's interior is playing a role in these declines. For migratory shorebirds, the analyses revealed continental decreases in abundance in 12 of 19 species, and decreases in 17 of 19 in the southern half of Australia over the past 15 years. Many trends were strongly associated with continental gradients in latitude or longitude, suggesting some large-scale patterns in the decreases, with steeper declines often evident in southern Australia. After accounting for this effect, local variables did not explain variation in migratory shorebird trends between sites. Our results are consistent with other studies indicating that decreases in migratory shorebird populations in the EAAF are most likely being driven primarily by factors outside Australia. This reinforces the need for urgent overseas conservation actions. However, substantially heterogeneous trends within Australia, combined with declines of inland resident shorebirds indicate effective management of Australian shorebird habitat remains important. © BirdLife Australia 2016.
Current status of and future opportunities for digital agriculture in Australia
- Hansen, Birgita, Leonard, E., Mitchell, M. C., Easton, J., Shariati, N., Mortlock, M. Y., Schaefer, M., Lamb, D. W.
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Leonard, E. , Mitchell, M. C. , Easton, J. , Shariati, N. , Mortlock, M. Y. , Schaefer, M. , Lamb, D. W.
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Crop and pasture science Vol. 74, no. 6 (2022), p. 524-537
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In Australia, digital agriculture is considered immature and its adoption ad hoc, despite a relatively advanced technology innovation sector. In this review, we focus on the technical, governance and social factors of digital adoption that have created a disconnect between technology development and the end user community (farmers and their advisors). Using examples that reflect both successes and barriers in Australian agriculture, we first explore the current enabling technologies and processes, and then we highlight some of the key socio-technical factors that explain why digital agriculture is immature and ad hoc. Pronounced issues include fragmentation of the innovation system (and digital tools), and a lack of enabling legislation and policy to support technology deployment. To overcome such issues and increase adoption, clear value propositions for change are necessary. These value propositions are influenced by the perceptions and aspirations of individuals, the delivery of digitally-enabled processes and the supporting legislative, policy and educational structures, better use/conversion of data generated through technology applications to knowledge for supporting decision making, and the suitability of the technology. Agronomists and early adopter farmers will play a significant role in closing the technology-end user gap, and will need support and training from technology service providers, government bodies and peer-networks. Ultimately, practice change will only be achieved through mutual understanding, ownership and trust. This will occur when farmers and their advisors are an integral part of the entire digital innovation system.
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Leonard, E. , Mitchell, M. C. , Easton, J. , Shariati, N. , Mortlock, M. Y. , Schaefer, M. , Lamb, D. W.
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Crop and pasture science Vol. 74, no. 6 (2022), p. 524-537
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In Australia, digital agriculture is considered immature and its adoption ad hoc, despite a relatively advanced technology innovation sector. In this review, we focus on the technical, governance and social factors of digital adoption that have created a disconnect between technology development and the end user community (farmers and their advisors). Using examples that reflect both successes and barriers in Australian agriculture, we first explore the current enabling technologies and processes, and then we highlight some of the key socio-technical factors that explain why digital agriculture is immature and ad hoc. Pronounced issues include fragmentation of the innovation system (and digital tools), and a lack of enabling legislation and policy to support technology deployment. To overcome such issues and increase adoption, clear value propositions for change are necessary. These value propositions are influenced by the perceptions and aspirations of individuals, the delivery of digitally-enabled processes and the supporting legislative, policy and educational structures, better use/conversion of data generated through technology applications to knowledge for supporting decision making, and the suitability of the technology. Agronomists and early adopter farmers will play a significant role in closing the technology-end user gap, and will need support and training from technology service providers, government bodies and peer-networks. Ultimately, practice change will only be achieved through mutual understanding, ownership and trust. This will occur when farmers and their advisors are an integral part of the entire digital innovation system.
Demographic trends and reproductive patterns in the northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) at Epping Forest National Park (Scientific), central Queensland
- Horsup, Alan, Austin, Jeremy, Fewster, Rachel, Hansen, Birgita, Harper, Dave, Molyneux, Jenny, White, Lauren, Taylor, Andrea
- Authors: Horsup, Alan , Austin, Jeremy , Fewster, Rachel , Hansen, Birgita , Harper, Dave , Molyneux, Jenny , White, Lauren , Taylor, Andrea
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 43, no. 1 (2021), p. 72-84
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) currently exists at only two locations in Queensland. Management, research and monitoring of the species at the main Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) population has occurred over the last four decades using a variety of tools, with the most complete dataset being provided by burrow activity monitoring over that period. Following a series of trap-based surveys in the 1980s and 1990s, wombat monitoring has employed DNA profiling of hairs collected remotely on sticky tape set at burrow entrances (since 2000), and passive infrared (PIR) cameras (since 2011). These techniques have produced a wealth of new information on the species. Using this new information, we aim to: (1) summarise the available demographic data and present new estimates using novel techniques for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP; and (2) characterise reproductive patterns and their relationship with environmental factors for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP. We find an ongoing increase in the population size at Epping Forest National Park, supported by healthy levels of reproduction despite periods of poor environmental conditions, notwithstanding the finding that cumulative monthly rainfall six months prior to sampling influenced birth rates. This trend suggests that the population will likely reach carrying capacity in the near future. It is timely to harvest the population to provide founders to a new site to establish an additional population, which will also reduce the risk of extinction and help secure the future of the species. © 2021 Australian Mammal Society.
- Authors: Horsup, Alan , Austin, Jeremy , Fewster, Rachel , Hansen, Birgita , Harper, Dave , Molyneux, Jenny , White, Lauren , Taylor, Andrea
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Mammalogy Vol. 43, no. 1 (2021), p. 72-84
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The critically endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii) currently exists at only two locations in Queensland. Management, research and monitoring of the species at the main Epping Forest National Park (Scientific) population has occurred over the last four decades using a variety of tools, with the most complete dataset being provided by burrow activity monitoring over that period. Following a series of trap-based surveys in the 1980s and 1990s, wombat monitoring has employed DNA profiling of hairs collected remotely on sticky tape set at burrow entrances (since 2000), and passive infrared (PIR) cameras (since 2011). These techniques have produced a wealth of new information on the species. Using this new information, we aim to: (1) summarise the available demographic data and present new estimates using novel techniques for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP; and (2) characterise reproductive patterns and their relationship with environmental factors for L. krefftii at Epping Forest NP. We find an ongoing increase in the population size at Epping Forest National Park, supported by healthy levels of reproduction despite periods of poor environmental conditions, notwithstanding the finding that cumulative monthly rainfall six months prior to sampling influenced birth rates. This trend suggests that the population will likely reach carrying capacity in the near future. It is timely to harvest the population to provide founders to a new site to establish an additional population, which will also reduce the risk of extinction and help secure the future of the species. © 2021 Australian Mammal Society.
Engaging communities for prioritising natural resource management and biodiversity conservation actions
- Milne, Robert, Hansen, Birgita
- Authors: Milne, Robert , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings
- Relation: 3rd Annual Conference of Research@Locate, R@Loc 2016; Melbourne, Australia; 12th-14th April 2016; published in CEUR Workshop Proceedings
- Full Text:
- Description: Citizen science has a significant contribution to Natural Resource Management (NRM) through the acquisition and sharing of knowledge. Innovative online technology is playing an increasing role in the support and implementation of citizen science activities. Two projects being conducted in Victoria are using web-based spatial applications to facilitate and support the use of community sourced information for natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. The Natural Resource Management planning portal (NRMPP) is a regional catchment planning tool designed for Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare organisations to plan and prioritise natural resource management works. State-wide Flora and Fauna Teams (SWIFFT) is network of community groups, individuals and organisations that is underpinned by online technology to share knowledge and data on biodiversity issues throughout Victoria. Open source web-based spatial platforms are being used to deliver existing data from multiple sources, provide tools for the entry of spatial data and to provide information required for decision making. The focus of the two projects is to build knowledge management systems with tools that can be used by the community, land managers and other stakeholders to manage, control and share their own data in an online environment. Submission and sharing of community biodiversity and NRM data using online spatial platforms, and federating it with regional, state and national environmental data is facilitating community engagement and providing a process for identifying opportunities to collaborate on NRM activities and biodiversity conservation projects.
- Authors: Milne, Robert , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings
- Relation: 3rd Annual Conference of Research@Locate, R@Loc 2016; Melbourne, Australia; 12th-14th April 2016; published in CEUR Workshop Proceedings
- Full Text:
- Description: Citizen science has a significant contribution to Natural Resource Management (NRM) through the acquisition and sharing of knowledge. Innovative online technology is playing an increasing role in the support and implementation of citizen science activities. Two projects being conducted in Victoria are using web-based spatial applications to facilitate and support the use of community sourced information for natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. The Natural Resource Management planning portal (NRMPP) is a regional catchment planning tool designed for Catchment Management Authorities and Landcare organisations to plan and prioritise natural resource management works. State-wide Flora and Fauna Teams (SWIFFT) is network of community groups, individuals and organisations that is underpinned by online technology to share knowledge and data on biodiversity issues throughout Victoria. Open source web-based spatial platforms are being used to deliver existing data from multiple sources, provide tools for the entry of spatial data and to provide information required for decision making. The focus of the two projects is to build knowledge management systems with tools that can be used by the community, land managers and other stakeholders to manage, control and share their own data in an online environment. Submission and sharing of community biodiversity and NRM data using online spatial platforms, and federating it with regional, state and national environmental data is facilitating community engagement and providing a process for identifying opportunities to collaborate on NRM activities and biodiversity conservation projects.
Evidence of subdivisions on evolutionary timescales in a large, declining marsupial distributed across a phylogeographic barrier
- Alpers, Deryn, Walker, Faith, Taylor, Andrea, Sunnucks, Paul, Bellman, Steven, Hansen, Birgita, Sherwin, William
- Authors: Alpers, Deryn , Walker, Faith , Taylor, Andrea , Sunnucks, Paul , Bellman, Steven , Hansen, Birgita , Sherwin, William
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 11, no. 10 (2016), p. 1-22
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Major prehistoric forces, such as the climatic shifts of the Pleistocene, can remain visible in a species' population genetics. Inference of refuges via genetic tools is useful for conservation management as it can identify populations whose preservation may help retain a species' adaptive potential. Such investigation is needed for Australia's southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons), whose conservation status has recently deteriorated, and whose phylogeographic history during the Pleistocene may be atypical compared to other species. Its contemporary range spans approximately 2000 km of diverse habitat on either side of the Spencer Gulf, which was a land bridge during periods of Pleistocene aridity that may have allowed for migration circumventing the arid Eyrean barrier. We sampled from animals in nearly all known sites within the species' current distribution, mainly using non-invasive methods, and employed nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analyses to assess alternative scenarios for Pleistocene impacts on population structure. We found evidence for mildly differentiated populations at the range extremes on either side of Spencer Gulf, with secondary contact between locations neighbouring each side of the barrier. These extreme western and eastern regions, and four other regions in between, were genetically distinct in genotypic clustering analyses. Estimates indicate modest, but complex gene flow patterns among some of these regions, in some cases possibly restricted for several thousand years. Prior to this study there was little information to aid risk assessment and prioritization of conservation interventions facilitating gene flow among populations of this species. The contributions of this study to that issue are outlined. © 2016 Alpers et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Authors: Alpers, Deryn , Walker, Faith , Taylor, Andrea , Sunnucks, Paul , Bellman, Steven , Hansen, Birgita , Sherwin, William
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS ONE Vol. 11, no. 10 (2016), p. 1-22
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Major prehistoric forces, such as the climatic shifts of the Pleistocene, can remain visible in a species' population genetics. Inference of refuges via genetic tools is useful for conservation management as it can identify populations whose preservation may help retain a species' adaptive potential. Such investigation is needed for Australia's southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons), whose conservation status has recently deteriorated, and whose phylogeographic history during the Pleistocene may be atypical compared to other species. Its contemporary range spans approximately 2000 km of diverse habitat on either side of the Spencer Gulf, which was a land bridge during periods of Pleistocene aridity that may have allowed for migration circumventing the arid Eyrean barrier. We sampled from animals in nearly all known sites within the species' current distribution, mainly using non-invasive methods, and employed nuclear and mitochondrial DNA analyses to assess alternative scenarios for Pleistocene impacts on population structure. We found evidence for mildly differentiated populations at the range extremes on either side of Spencer Gulf, with secondary contact between locations neighbouring each side of the barrier. These extreme western and eastern regions, and four other regions in between, were genetically distinct in genotypic clustering analyses. Estimates indicate modest, but complex gene flow patterns among some of these regions, in some cases possibly restricted for several thousand years. Prior to this study there was little information to aid risk assessment and prioritization of conservation interventions facilitating gene flow among populations of this species. The contributions of this study to that issue are outlined. © 2016 Alpers et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Favourable inland wetland conditions increase apparent survival of migratory shorebirds in Australia
- Clemens, Robert, Rogers, Danny, Minton, Clive, Rogers, Ken, Hansen, Birgita
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Minton, Clive , Rogers, Ken , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 121, no. 3 (2021), p. 211-222
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many migratory shorebird species using the East Asian–Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly. While the loss of staging habitats in East Asia is considered the primary cause, stressors to fitness often occur throughout the geographic range of declining species, and threats in the non-breeding grounds have been comparatively poorly studied. Three species of migratory shorebird, Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (C. acuminata) and Red-necked Stint (C. ruficollis), use Australia’s dynamic temporary wetland systems opportunistically, yet these large wetland systems have become increasingly degraded, with reduced frequency and extent of flooding. Here, we test whether variables related to wetland availability in Australia’s interior can explain annual variation in apparent survival, abundance or immature to adult ratios at three well-monitored coastal shorebird areas in southern Australia (total area > 1315 km2). We show that coastal annual bird abundance and ratios of immatures at the coast were higher when inland Australia was relatively hot and dry. Also, a small but significant amount of variation in annual apparent survival can be explained by annual variation in inland conditions, with higher survival rates in years when inland conditions were relatively wet and cool. For the endangered Curlew Sandpiper, the impacts of Australian environmental conditions may be exacerbating the impacts of conditions experienced in other parts of its range on fitness and survival. While the effects we document here are relatively weak, they do suggest that management of inland wetlands for these shorebirds may positively affect survival rates of these sharply declining species. © 2021 BirdLife Australia. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen" is provided in this record**
Favourable inland wetland conditions increase apparent survival of migratory shorebirds in Australia
- Authors: Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Minton, Clive , Rogers, Ken , Hansen, Birgita
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Emu Vol. 121, no. 3 (2021), p. 211-222
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Many migratory shorebird species using the East Asian–Australasian Flyway are declining rapidly. While the loss of staging habitats in East Asia is considered the primary cause, stressors to fitness often occur throughout the geographic range of declining species, and threats in the non-breeding grounds have been comparatively poorly studied. Three species of migratory shorebird, Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea), Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (C. acuminata) and Red-necked Stint (C. ruficollis), use Australia’s dynamic temporary wetland systems opportunistically, yet these large wetland systems have become increasingly degraded, with reduced frequency and extent of flooding. Here, we test whether variables related to wetland availability in Australia’s interior can explain annual variation in apparent survival, abundance or immature to adult ratios at three well-monitored coastal shorebird areas in southern Australia (total area > 1315 km2). We show that coastal annual bird abundance and ratios of immatures at the coast were higher when inland Australia was relatively hot and dry. Also, a small but significant amount of variation in annual apparent survival can be explained by annual variation in inland conditions, with higher survival rates in years when inland conditions were relatively wet and cool. For the endangered Curlew Sandpiper, the impacts of Australian environmental conditions may be exacerbating the impacts of conditions experienced in other parts of its range on fitness and survival. While the effects we document here are relatively weak, they do suggest that management of inland wetlands for these shorebirds may positively affect survival rates of these sharply declining species. © 2021 BirdLife Australia. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Birgita Hansen" is provided in this record**
Generating population estimates for migratory shorebird species in the world’s largest flyway
- Hansen, Birgita, Rogers, Danny, Watkins, Doug, Weller, Dan, Clemens, Robert, Newman, Mike, Woehler, Eric, Mundkur, Taej, Fuller, Richard
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Rogers, Danny , Watkins, Doug , Weller, Dan , Clemens, Robert , Newman, Mike , Woehler, Eric , Mundkur, Taej , Fuller, Richard
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ibis Vol. 164, no. 3 (2022), p. 735-749
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Population estimates are widely used to underpin conservation decisions. However, determining accurate population estimates for migratory species is especially challenging, as they are often widespread and it is rarely possible to survey them throughout their full distribution. In the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), this problem is compounded by its size (85 million square kilometres) and the number of migratory species it supports (nearly 500). Here, we provide analytical approaches for addressing this problem, presenting a revision of the EAAF population estimates for 37 migratory shorebird species protected under Australian national environmental legislation. Population estimates were generated by (1) summarizing existing count data in the non-breeding range, (2) spatially extrapolating across uncounted areas, and (3) modelling abundance on the basis of estimates of breeding range and density. Expert review was used to adjust modelled estimates, particularly in under-counted areas. There were many gaps in shorebird monitoring data, necessitating substantial use of extrapolation and expert review, the extent of which varied among species. Spatial extrapolation to under-counted areas often produced estimates that were much higher than the observed data, and expert review was used to cross-check and adjust these where necessary. Estimates of population size obtained through analyses of breeding ranges and density indicated that 18 species were poorly represented by counts in the non-breeding season. It was difficult to determine independently the robustness of these estimates, but these breeding ground estimates were considered the best available data for 10 species that mostly use poorly surveyed freshwater or pelagic habitats in the non-breeding season. We discuss the rationale and limitations of these approaches to population estimation, and how they could be modified for other applications. Data available for population estimates will vary in quality and extent among species, regions and migration stage, and approaches need to be flexible enough to provide useful information for conservation policy and planning. © 2021 British Ornithologists' Union.
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Rogers, Danny , Watkins, Doug , Weller, Dan , Clemens, Robert , Newman, Mike , Woehler, Eric , Mundkur, Taej , Fuller, Richard
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Ibis Vol. 164, no. 3 (2022), p. 735-749
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Population estimates are widely used to underpin conservation decisions. However, determining accurate population estimates for migratory species is especially challenging, as they are often widespread and it is rarely possible to survey them throughout their full distribution. In the East Asian–Australasian Flyway (EAAF), this problem is compounded by its size (85 million square kilometres) and the number of migratory species it supports (nearly 500). Here, we provide analytical approaches for addressing this problem, presenting a revision of the EAAF population estimates for 37 migratory shorebird species protected under Australian national environmental legislation. Population estimates were generated by (1) summarizing existing count data in the non-breeding range, (2) spatially extrapolating across uncounted areas, and (3) modelling abundance on the basis of estimates of breeding range and density. Expert review was used to adjust modelled estimates, particularly in under-counted areas. There were many gaps in shorebird monitoring data, necessitating substantial use of extrapolation and expert review, the extent of which varied among species. Spatial extrapolation to under-counted areas often produced estimates that were much higher than the observed data, and expert review was used to cross-check and adjust these where necessary. Estimates of population size obtained through analyses of breeding ranges and density indicated that 18 species were poorly represented by counts in the non-breeding season. It was difficult to determine independently the robustness of these estimates, but these breeding ground estimates were considered the best available data for 10 species that mostly use poorly surveyed freshwater or pelagic habitats in the non-breeding season. We discuss the rationale and limitations of these approaches to population estimation, and how they could be modified for other applications. Data available for population estimates will vary in quality and extent among species, regions and migration stage, and approaches need to be flexible enough to provide useful information for conservation policy and planning. © 2021 British Ornithologists' Union.
Implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation
- Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo, Dolšak, Nives, Prakash, Aseem, Mundkur, Taej, Harris, Paul, Mitchell, Ronald, Davidson, Nick, Hansen, Birgita, Woodworth, Bradley, Fuller, Richard, Price, Melissa, Petkov, Nicky, Mauerhofer, Volker, Morrison, Tiffany, Watson, James, Chowdhury, Sayam, Zöckler, Christoph, Widerberg, Oscar, Yong, Ding, Klich, Daniel, Smagol, Vitaliy, Piccolo, John, Biggs, Duan
- Authors: Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo , Dolšak, Nives , Prakash, Aseem , Mundkur, Taej , Harris, Paul , Mitchell, Ronald , Davidson, Nick , Hansen, Birgita , Woodworth, Bradley , Fuller, Richard , Price, Melissa , Petkov, Nicky , Mauerhofer, Volker , Morrison, Tiffany , Watson, James , Chowdhury, Sayam , Zöckler, Christoph , Widerberg, Oscar , Yong, Ding , Klich, Daniel , Smagol, Vitaliy , Piccolo, John , Biggs, Duan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Conservation Science Vol. 4, no. (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals. Copyright © 2023 Gallo-Cajiao, Dolšak, Prakash, Mundkur, Harris, Mitchell, Davidson, Hansen, Woodworth, Fuller, Price, Petkov, Mauerhofer, Morrison, Watson, Chowdhury, Zöckler, Widerberg, Yong, Klich, Smagol, Piccolo and Biggs.
- Authors: Gallo-Cajiao, Eduardo , Dolšak, Nives , Prakash, Aseem , Mundkur, Taej , Harris, Paul , Mitchell, Ronald , Davidson, Nick , Hansen, Birgita , Woodworth, Bradley , Fuller, Richard , Price, Melissa , Petkov, Nicky , Mauerhofer, Volker , Morrison, Tiffany , Watson, James , Chowdhury, Sayam , Zöckler, Christoph , Widerberg, Oscar , Yong, Ding , Klich, Daniel , Smagol, Vitaliy , Piccolo, John , Biggs, Duan
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Conservation Science Vol. 4, no. (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity hinge on an international system of cooperation codified in institutions, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine brings recent progress to a crossroads. Against this backdrop, we address some implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the governance of biodiversity conservation both within and beyond Russia. The Russian invasion of Ukraine threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation, as it pertains to Russia and beyond, due to three interacting factors: (i) isolation of Russia from the international system, (ii) halt and delay of international cooperation, and (iii) changes in international and domestic policy priorities. We recommend making the existing international system of governance for conserving biodiversity more resilient and adaptable, while aligning security agendas with biodiversity conservation goals. Copyright © 2023 Gallo-Cajiao, Dolšak, Prakash, Mundkur, Harris, Mitchell, Davidson, Hansen, Woodworth, Fuller, Price, Petkov, Mauerhofer, Morrison, Watson, Chowdhury, Zöckler, Widerberg, Yong, Klich, Smagol, Piccolo and Biggs.
Insights from long-term shorebird monitoring for tracking change in ecological character of Australasian Ramsar sites
- Hansen, Birgita, Szabo, Judit, Fuller, Richard, Clemens, Robert, Rogers, Danny, Milton, David
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Szabo, Judit , Fuller, Richard , Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Milton, David
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biological Conservation Vol. 260, no. (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Ramsar Convention is the centrepiece of international efforts for wetland conservation, aiming to maintain the ecological character of wetlands through holistic ecosystem management. Here, we review studies on shorebird populations at individual Australasian Ramsar sites and compare these against original listings under Criterion 6 to determine if there have been potential changes in ecological character. One to 12 migratory shorebird species have declined at four New Zealand and 18 Australian Ramsar sites over a 12 to 36-year period, resulting in 22 species (at 13 sites) no longer reaching Criterion 6 thresholds for Ramsar designation. In addition, 10 species at six Australian sites had exceeded the Limits of Acceptable Change. Despite these concerning results, there were remarkably few published site-based determinations of listed shorebird species' trends (and even fewer that were ≤5 years old). This is especially surprising since shorebird populations are regularly monitored at 27 out of 35 Australasian Ramsar sites (listed on the basis of one or more shorebird species). Thus, despite the volume of data available for analysis, long-term shorebird monitoring provides only limited insights about Ramsar ecological character. The value of these data would be greatly enhanced through complementary monitoring of other ecological characters at sites, particularly where shorebird populations provide early warning signs of potential deterioration. The main impediment to achieving a good understanding of how Ramsar sites are changing in Australasia appears to be a lack of analysis and centralised system for data and analytics, rather than a lack of monitoring data. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Szabo, Judit , Fuller, Richard , Clemens, Robert , Rogers, Danny , Milton, David
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biological Conservation Vol. 260, no. (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Ramsar Convention is the centrepiece of international efforts for wetland conservation, aiming to maintain the ecological character of wetlands through holistic ecosystem management. Here, we review studies on shorebird populations at individual Australasian Ramsar sites and compare these against original listings under Criterion 6 to determine if there have been potential changes in ecological character. One to 12 migratory shorebird species have declined at four New Zealand and 18 Australian Ramsar sites over a 12 to 36-year period, resulting in 22 species (at 13 sites) no longer reaching Criterion 6 thresholds for Ramsar designation. In addition, 10 species at six Australian sites had exceeded the Limits of Acceptable Change. Despite these concerning results, there were remarkably few published site-based determinations of listed shorebird species' trends (and even fewer that were ≤5 years old). This is especially surprising since shorebird populations are regularly monitored at 27 out of 35 Australasian Ramsar sites (listed on the basis of one or more shorebird species). Thus, despite the volume of data available for analysis, long-term shorebird monitoring provides only limited insights about Ramsar ecological character. The value of these data would be greatly enhanced through complementary monitoring of other ecological characters at sites, particularly where shorebird populations provide early warning signs of potential deterioration. The main impediment to achieving a good understanding of how Ramsar sites are changing in Australasia appears to be a lack of analysis and centralised system for data and analytics, rather than a lack of monitoring data. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd