Ant community responses to farmland use and revegetation in a fragmented agricultural landscape
- Ng, Katherine, Nowrouzi, Somayeh, Staunton, Kyran, Barton, Philip, Driscoll, Don
- Authors: Ng, Katherine , Nowrouzi, Somayeh , Staunton, Kyran , Barton, Philip , Driscoll, Don
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment Vol. 311, no. (May 2021), p. 8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Recent alarming losses of insects from agricultural landscapes in multiple countries around the world have brought into sharp focus the urgent need to identify ways to manage these landscapes to avoid further biodiversity decline. Identifying the drivers of insect declines, such as land use change, is critical to this effort. We examined ant communities at the interface between remnant vegetation patches and three adjoining farmland types (wheat crop, rested from cropping and restoration plantings) in a fragmented landscape in temperate Australia. We asked: do ant communities and occurrence of individual species differ between remnant patches and farmlands with more intensive farmland use (restoration plantings < rested farmlands < wheat crop)? We recorded 13,283 ants belonging to 102 species from 30 genera. Excluding 21 singletons, 27 species only occurred in remnant patches compared to ten species found only in farmlands. Ant community composition in wheat crop and rested farmlands significantly differed from their adjacent remnant patches and were more homogeneous. In contrast, ant communities from restoration plantings in farmland were not significantly different in composition from those in the adjacent remnant patch. The large, aggressive Australian meat ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus) showed significantly higher occurrence in the remnant patch than all farmland types, and we suggest that the absence of this strongly interacting species from farmlands may have contributed to biotic homogenisation. Our findings show that native vegetation provides crucial habitat resources for many ant species that are not provided by farmlands, and native plantings can, in some cases, ameliorate negative effects of farmland clearing over relatively short time scales (<7 years). Agricultural intensification that involves loss of remnant native vegetation or reduced revegetation will contribute to ongoing losses and changes to ant biodiversity in farming landscapes. However, replanting native vegetation can lead to rapid restoration, signifying a possible simple remedy to insect declines.
- Authors: Ng, Katherine , Nowrouzi, Somayeh , Staunton, Kyran , Barton, Philip , Driscoll, Don
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment Vol. 311, no. (May 2021), p. 8
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Recent alarming losses of insects from agricultural landscapes in multiple countries around the world have brought into sharp focus the urgent need to identify ways to manage these landscapes to avoid further biodiversity decline. Identifying the drivers of insect declines, such as land use change, is critical to this effort. We examined ant communities at the interface between remnant vegetation patches and three adjoining farmland types (wheat crop, rested from cropping and restoration plantings) in a fragmented landscape in temperate Australia. We asked: do ant communities and occurrence of individual species differ between remnant patches and farmlands with more intensive farmland use (restoration plantings < rested farmlands < wheat crop)? We recorded 13,283 ants belonging to 102 species from 30 genera. Excluding 21 singletons, 27 species only occurred in remnant patches compared to ten species found only in farmlands. Ant community composition in wheat crop and rested farmlands significantly differed from their adjacent remnant patches and were more homogeneous. In contrast, ant communities from restoration plantings in farmland were not significantly different in composition from those in the adjacent remnant patch. The large, aggressive Australian meat ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus) showed significantly higher occurrence in the remnant patch than all farmland types, and we suggest that the absence of this strongly interacting species from farmlands may have contributed to biotic homogenisation. Our findings show that native vegetation provides crucial habitat resources for many ant species that are not provided by farmlands, and native plantings can, in some cases, ameliorate negative effects of farmland clearing over relatively short time scales (<7 years). Agricultural intensification that involves loss of remnant native vegetation or reduced revegetation will contribute to ongoing losses and changes to ant biodiversity in farming landscapes. However, replanting native vegetation can lead to rapid restoration, signifying a possible simple remedy to insect declines.
Historical reports of quolls in Victoria’s south-west
- Authors: Wallis, Robert
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Victorian Naturalist Vol. 138, no. 3 (2021), p. 78-84
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- Description: The Eastern Quoll Dasyurus viverrinus is now extinct on mainland Australia, but was once common in southwestern Victoria. It was persecuted by landholders for its predation of poultry, but also suffered dramatic declines in population through an unknown disease from about 140 years ago. Eastern Quolls were also considered significant predators of young European Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus. The Spot-tailed Quoll D. maculatus was historically widespread though uncommon in south-western Victoria, but now is confined there to only a couple of sites. © 2021, Field Naturalists Club of Victoria. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Wallis, Robert
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Victorian Naturalist Vol. 138, no. 3 (2021), p. 78-84
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Eastern Quoll Dasyurus viverrinus is now extinct on mainland Australia, but was once common in southwestern Victoria. It was persecuted by landholders for its predation of poultry, but also suffered dramatic declines in population through an unknown disease from about 140 years ago. Eastern Quolls were also considered significant predators of young European Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus. The Spot-tailed Quoll D. maculatus was historically widespread though uncommon in south-western Victoria, but now is confined there to only a couple of sites. © 2021, Field Naturalists Club of Victoria. All rights reserved.
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
Integrating cultural ecosystem services valuation into coastal wetlands restoration : a case study from South Australia
- Clarke, Beverley, Thet, Aung, Sandhu, Harpinder, Dittmann, Sabine
- Authors: Clarke, Beverley , Thet, Aung , Sandhu, Harpinder , Dittmann, Sabine
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Environmental Science and Policy Vol. 116, no. (2021), p. 220-229
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Elaborating the benefits humans receive from coastal wetlands using a Cultural Ecosystem Services assessment is an emergent and important field linking human wellbeing to ecosystem function. Translating these benefits into useable concepts for environmental policymakers, and managers is challenging yet important for supporting landscape restoration projects. This study responds to the call for Cultural Ecosystem Services case studies beyond the northern hemisphere. A household survey of residents adjacent to a peri-urban coastal wetland in South Australia and an online survey of interest groups were administered to identify co-benefits associated with a coastal restoration project in the region. A dynamic/relational cultural values framework guided the analysis. Findings reveal that visitation has a positive influence; people valued most the places with which they were familiar. The analysis confirms a mutual connection between: ‘doing’ (undertaking an activity), environmental awareness and appreciation, the formation of attachment to place, and having positive experiences. The analysis also points out that the naturalness of this coastline is highly valued. The findings here diverge from previous coastal landscape assessments based singularly on scenic value. The implication is that localised, place-based landscape assessments which include cultural values, offer a more deliberative approach to policy development and planning and will more likely incorporate what matters most to people. © 2020 The Author(s)
- Authors: Clarke, Beverley , Thet, Aung , Sandhu, Harpinder , Dittmann, Sabine
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Environmental Science and Policy Vol. 116, no. (2021), p. 220-229
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Elaborating the benefits humans receive from coastal wetlands using a Cultural Ecosystem Services assessment is an emergent and important field linking human wellbeing to ecosystem function. Translating these benefits into useable concepts for environmental policymakers, and managers is challenging yet important for supporting landscape restoration projects. This study responds to the call for Cultural Ecosystem Services case studies beyond the northern hemisphere. A household survey of residents adjacent to a peri-urban coastal wetland in South Australia and an online survey of interest groups were administered to identify co-benefits associated with a coastal restoration project in the region. A dynamic/relational cultural values framework guided the analysis. Findings reveal that visitation has a positive influence; people valued most the places with which they were familiar. The analysis confirms a mutual connection between: ‘doing’ (undertaking an activity), environmental awareness and appreciation, the formation of attachment to place, and having positive experiences. The analysis also points out that the naturalness of this coastline is highly valued. The findings here diverge from previous coastal landscape assessments based singularly on scenic value. The implication is that localised, place-based landscape assessments which include cultural values, offer a more deliberative approach to policy development and planning and will more likely incorporate what matters most to people. © 2020 The Author(s)
Outfoxing the fox : effect of prey odor on fox behavior in a pastoral landscape
- Andrewartha, Tim, Evans, Maldwyn, Batson, William, Manning, Adrian, Barton, Philip
- Authors: Andrewartha, Tim , Evans, Maldwyn , Batson, William , Manning, Adrian , Barton, Philip
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Conservation Science and Practice Vol. 3, no. 12 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive mammalian predators have had a devastating effect on native species globally. The European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is one such species where it has been introduced in Australia. A novel but unexplored tactic to reduce the impact of mammalian predators is the use of unrewarded prey odors to undermine the effectiveness of olfactory hunting behavior. To test the viability of unrewarded prey odors in an applied setting we investigated how foxes responded to the odors of three different prey species. We used the odors of two locally extinct native Australian marsupials; the eastern quoll (a smaller carnivore) and eastern bettong (a fungivore), and the European rabbit, an introduced herbivore. Conducting our research over a period of 3 weeks in a pastoral environment in South-eastern Australia, we used video observations of foxes' behaviors, as they encountered the different odors. We found a reduction in the number of fox visits to bettong odors in the third week. In contrast, we observed a sustained number of visits to rabbit odors. Foxes also spent more time investigating rabbit odors and displayed longer durations of vigilance behavior at quoll odors. Our results support the hypothesis that the exposure of wild foxes to unrewarded odors of novel prey species can reduce their interest in these odors, which might translate to a reduction in predation pressure. Our results also suggest, however, that olfactory pre-exposure may not be as effective at reducing fox interest in a competitor species' odor. © 2021 The Authors. Conservation Science and Practice published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology
- Authors: Andrewartha, Tim , Evans, Maldwyn , Batson, William , Manning, Adrian , Barton, Philip
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Conservation Science and Practice Vol. 3, no. 12 (2021), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Invasive mammalian predators have had a devastating effect on native species globally. The European red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is one such species where it has been introduced in Australia. A novel but unexplored tactic to reduce the impact of mammalian predators is the use of unrewarded prey odors to undermine the effectiveness of olfactory hunting behavior. To test the viability of unrewarded prey odors in an applied setting we investigated how foxes responded to the odors of three different prey species. We used the odors of two locally extinct native Australian marsupials; the eastern quoll (a smaller carnivore) and eastern bettong (a fungivore), and the European rabbit, an introduced herbivore. Conducting our research over a period of 3 weeks in a pastoral environment in South-eastern Australia, we used video observations of foxes' behaviors, as they encountered the different odors. We found a reduction in the number of fox visits to bettong odors in the third week. In contrast, we observed a sustained number of visits to rabbit odors. Foxes also spent more time investigating rabbit odors and displayed longer durations of vigilance behavior at quoll odors. Our results support the hypothesis that the exposure of wild foxes to unrewarded odors of novel prey species can reduce their interest in these odors, which might translate to a reduction in predation pressure. Our results also suggest, however, that olfactory pre-exposure may not be as effective at reducing fox interest in a competitor species' odor. © 2021 The Authors. Conservation Science and Practice published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology
The Australian digital online farm trials database increases the quality of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in grains crop research
- Authors: Walters, Judi , Light, Kate
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Crop and Pasture Science Vol. 72, no. 10 (2021), p. 789-800
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Synthesis and analysis of past cropping research can provide valuable information to direct future decisions around crop management. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are considered gold standards in the synthesis and analysis of scientific research because they distil large amounts of information about complex issues, provide a summary of knowledge to date, and identify knowledge gaps. However, several issues concerning the methodologies employed to conduct systematic reviews have been identified; among them is the risk of publication bias when a review relies too heavily on 'white' literature from published academic sources and in so doing fails identify relevant 'grey' literature. Grey literature is inherently difficult to identify and collect, but forms a large portion of information available in many fields including agricultural-based research within Australia. The Online Farm Trials (OFT) database is a digital database of crop research field trial data from across Australia that has the potential for use as a discipline-specific source of grey literature to inform systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Using a case study approach to investigate the amount of information available on time of sowing (sowing date) on crop yield across Australia, we demonstrate that the OFT database provides easy access to transparent and reproducible search results similar to other commonly used academic databases. © 2021 Journal Compilation
- Authors: Walters, Judi , Light, Kate
- Date: 2021
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Crop and Pasture Science Vol. 72, no. 10 (2021), p. 789-800
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Synthesis and analysis of past cropping research can provide valuable information to direct future decisions around crop management. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are considered gold standards in the synthesis and analysis of scientific research because they distil large amounts of information about complex issues, provide a summary of knowledge to date, and identify knowledge gaps. However, several issues concerning the methodologies employed to conduct systematic reviews have been identified; among them is the risk of publication bias when a review relies too heavily on 'white' literature from published academic sources and in so doing fails identify relevant 'grey' literature. Grey literature is inherently difficult to identify and collect, but forms a large portion of information available in many fields including agricultural-based research within Australia. The Online Farm Trials (OFT) database is a digital database of crop research field trial data from across Australia that has the potential for use as a discipline-specific source of grey literature to inform systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Using a case study approach to investigate the amount of information available on time of sowing (sowing date) on crop yield across Australia, we demonstrate that the OFT database provides easy access to transparent and reproducible search results similar to other commonly used academic databases. © 2021 Journal Compilation
Are freshwater systems in lower mekong basin (Southeast asia) resilient? a synthesis of social-ecological system
- Authors: Kattel, Giri
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Environmental Research Communications Vol. 2, no. 11 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Social-ecological resilience of freshwater systems in lower Mekong basin in southeast Asia is largely unknown. Over the recent past, the freshwater ecosystems in the region have gone through severe environmental stress. Climate change, sea level rise, over-extraction of water and eutrophication together have increased vulnerability to regime shifts of ecosystems in the region. Regime shifts can have long-lasting effects on social-ecological resilience. Response diversity plays a central role in linking ecological, social, and financial systems and enhances resilience. Documenting regime shifts and associated feedbacks as well as the role of response diversity in social-ecological resilience and ecosystem goods and services in the region is essential for future sustainability. In this study, primarily, I have described mechanisms behind emergence of feedback loops at a time of regime shifts and its impacts on ecological resilience. Secondly, I have developed a framework for social-ecological resilience of freshwater ecosystems for southeast Asian region. Thirdly, I have provided current contexts of social-ecological resilience of two of the most productive freshwater ecosystems in the lower Mekong basin of southeast Asia: the Tonle Sap Lake (Cambodia) and the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Finally, in conclusion, I have outlined the key roles response diversity plays in showing the effects of environmental stress and maintaining social-ecological resilience in the region. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.
- Authors: Kattel, Giri
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Environmental Research Communications Vol. 2, no. 11 (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Social-ecological resilience of freshwater systems in lower Mekong basin in southeast Asia is largely unknown. Over the recent past, the freshwater ecosystems in the region have gone through severe environmental stress. Climate change, sea level rise, over-extraction of water and eutrophication together have increased vulnerability to regime shifts of ecosystems in the region. Regime shifts can have long-lasting effects on social-ecological resilience. Response diversity plays a central role in linking ecological, social, and financial systems and enhances resilience. Documenting regime shifts and associated feedbacks as well as the role of response diversity in social-ecological resilience and ecosystem goods and services in the region is essential for future sustainability. In this study, primarily, I have described mechanisms behind emergence of feedback loops at a time of regime shifts and its impacts on ecological resilience. Secondly, I have developed a framework for social-ecological resilience of freshwater ecosystems for southeast Asian region. Thirdly, I have provided current contexts of social-ecological resilience of two of the most productive freshwater ecosystems in the lower Mekong basin of southeast Asia: the Tonle Sap Lake (Cambodia) and the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Finally, in conclusion, I have outlined the key roles response diversity plays in showing the effects of environmental stress and maintaining social-ecological resilience in the region. © 2020 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.
Quantifying shifts in topic popularity over 44 years of austral ecology
- Westgate, Martin, Barton, Philip, Lindenmayer, David, Andrew, Nigel
- Authors: Westgate, Martin , Barton, Philip , Lindenmayer, David , Andrew, Nigel
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Austral Ecology Vol. 45, no. 6 (2020), p. 663-671
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Ecological Society of Australia was founded in 1959, and the society’s journal was first published in 1976. To examine how research published in the society’s journal has changed over this time, we used text mining to quantify themes and trends in the body of work published by the Australian Journal of Ecology and Austral Ecology from 1976 to 2019. We used topic models to identify 30 ‘topics’ within 2778 full-text articles in 246 issues of the journal, followed by mixed modelling to identify topics with above-average or below-average popularity in terms of the number of publications or citations that they contain. We found high inter-decadal turnover in research topics, with an early emphasis on highly specific ecosystems or processes giving way to a modern emphasis on community, spatial and fire ecology, invasive species and statistical modelling. Despite an early focus on Australian research, papers discussing South American ecosystems are now among the fastest-growing and most frequently cited topics in the journal. Topics that were growing fastest in publication rates were not always the same as those with high citation rates. Our results provide a systematic breakdown of the topics that Austral Ecology authors and editors have chosen to research, publish and cite through time, providing a valuable window into the historical and emerging foci of the journal. © 2020 Ecological Society of Australia
- Authors: Westgate, Martin , Barton, Philip , Lindenmayer, David , Andrew, Nigel
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Austral Ecology Vol. 45, no. 6 (2020), p. 663-671
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Ecological Society of Australia was founded in 1959, and the society’s journal was first published in 1976. To examine how research published in the society’s journal has changed over this time, we used text mining to quantify themes and trends in the body of work published by the Australian Journal of Ecology and Austral Ecology from 1976 to 2019. We used topic models to identify 30 ‘topics’ within 2778 full-text articles in 246 issues of the journal, followed by mixed modelling to identify topics with above-average or below-average popularity in terms of the number of publications or citations that they contain. We found high inter-decadal turnover in research topics, with an early emphasis on highly specific ecosystems or processes giving way to a modern emphasis on community, spatial and fire ecology, invasive species and statistical modelling. Despite an early focus on Australian research, papers discussing South American ecosystems are now among the fastest-growing and most frequently cited topics in the journal. Topics that were growing fastest in publication rates were not always the same as those with high citation rates. Our results provide a systematic breakdown of the topics that Austral Ecology authors and editors have chosen to research, publish and cite through time, providing a valuable window into the historical and emerging foci of the journal. © 2020 Ecological Society of Australia
Soil reconstruction after mining fails to restore soil function in an Australian arid woodland
- Duncan, Corrine, Good, Megan, Sluiter, Ian, Cook, Simon, Schultz, Nick
- Authors: Duncan, Corrine , Good, Megan , Sluiter, Ian , Cook, Simon , Schultz, Nick
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Restoration Ecology Vol. 28, no. S1 (2020), p. A35-A43
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The biogeochemical properties of soils drive ecosystem function and vegetation dynamics, and hence soil restoration after mining should aim to reinstate the soil properties and hydrological dynamics of remnant ecosystems. The aim of this study is to assess soil structure in two vegetation types in an arid ecosystem, and to understand how these soil properties compare to a reconstructed soil profile after mining. In an arid ecosystem in southeast Australia, soil samples were collected at five depths (to 105 cm) from remnant woodland and shrubland sites, and sites either disturbed or totally reconstructed after mining. We assessed soil physico-chemical properties and microbial activity. Soils in the remnant arid ecosystem had coarse-textured topsoils that overlay clay horizons, which allows water to infiltrate and avoid evaporation, but also slows drainage to deeper horizons. Conversely, reconstructed soils had high sand content at subsoil horizons and high bulk density and compaction at surface layers (0–20 cm). Reconstructed soils had topsoils with higher pH and electrical conductivity. The reconstructed soils did not show increased microbial activity with time since restoration. Overall, the reconstructed soil horizons were not organized in a way that allowed rainfall infiltration and water storage, as is imperative to arid-zone ecosystem function. Future restoration efforts in arid ecosystems should focus on increasing sand content of soils near the surface, to reduce evaporative water loss and improve soil quality and plant health. © 2020 Society for Ecological Restoration
- Authors: Duncan, Corrine , Good, Megan , Sluiter, Ian , Cook, Simon , Schultz, Nick
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Restoration Ecology Vol. 28, no. S1 (2020), p. A35-A43
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The biogeochemical properties of soils drive ecosystem function and vegetation dynamics, and hence soil restoration after mining should aim to reinstate the soil properties and hydrological dynamics of remnant ecosystems. The aim of this study is to assess soil structure in two vegetation types in an arid ecosystem, and to understand how these soil properties compare to a reconstructed soil profile after mining. In an arid ecosystem in southeast Australia, soil samples were collected at five depths (to 105 cm) from remnant woodland and shrubland sites, and sites either disturbed or totally reconstructed after mining. We assessed soil physico-chemical properties and microbial activity. Soils in the remnant arid ecosystem had coarse-textured topsoils that overlay clay horizons, which allows water to infiltrate and avoid evaporation, but also slows drainage to deeper horizons. Conversely, reconstructed soils had high sand content at subsoil horizons and high bulk density and compaction at surface layers (0–20 cm). Reconstructed soils had topsoils with higher pH and electrical conductivity. The reconstructed soils did not show increased microbial activity with time since restoration. Overall, the reconstructed soil horizons were not organized in a way that allowed rainfall infiltration and water storage, as is imperative to arid-zone ecosystem function. Future restoration efforts in arid ecosystems should focus on increasing sand content of soils near the surface, to reduce evaporative water loss and improve soil quality and plant health. © 2020 Society for Ecological Restoration
Techno-economic evaluation of amine-reclamation technologies and combined CO2/SO2 capture for Australian coal-fired plants
- Garg, Bharti, Haque, Nawshad, Cousins, Ashleigh, Pearson, Pauline, Verheyen, Vincent, Feron, Paul
- Authors: Garg, Bharti , Haque, Nawshad , Cousins, Ashleigh , Pearson, Pauline , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 98, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: CSIRO's patented CS-Cap process aims at reducing the costs of amine-based post-combustion capture by combining SO2 and CO2 capture using one absorbent in a single absorber column. By avoiding the need for a separate flue gas desulfurization unit, the process offers potential savings for power plants requiring CO2 capture. High-level cost estimates based on lab and pilot data are presented for two amine reclamation techniques i.e. thermal reclamation and reactive crystallisation. Only regeneration via reactive crystallisation reduces CS-Cap costs below base case FGD/SCR-PCC. Cost estimations suggest a potential reduction of 38–44% in the total plant cost when using the CS-Cap process compared to base case. However, the amine reclaimer operating cost governs the overall cost of the CS-Cap process and is highly sensitive to sulfur content. A 50% reduction is observed when SO2 levels reduce from 700 to 200 ppm. Comparing levelised cost of electricity and CO2 avoided costs for CS-Cap against our base case, low sulfur brown coal has a slight (5–7%) cost advantage; however, confirmation requires pilot data on amine recovery. © 2020
- Authors: Garg, Bharti , Haque, Nawshad , Cousins, Ashleigh , Pearson, Pauline , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 98, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: CSIRO's patented CS-Cap process aims at reducing the costs of amine-based post-combustion capture by combining SO2 and CO2 capture using one absorbent in a single absorber column. By avoiding the need for a separate flue gas desulfurization unit, the process offers potential savings for power plants requiring CO2 capture. High-level cost estimates based on lab and pilot data are presented for two amine reclamation techniques i.e. thermal reclamation and reactive crystallisation. Only regeneration via reactive crystallisation reduces CS-Cap costs below base case FGD/SCR-PCC. Cost estimations suggest a potential reduction of 38–44% in the total plant cost when using the CS-Cap process compared to base case. However, the amine reclaimer operating cost governs the overall cost of the CS-Cap process and is highly sensitive to sulfur content. A 50% reduction is observed when SO2 levels reduce from 700 to 200 ppm. Comparing levelised cost of electricity and CO2 avoided costs for CS-Cap against our base case, low sulfur brown coal has a slight (5–7%) cost advantage; however, confirmation requires pilot data on amine recovery. © 2020
Understanding the pathways from biodiversity to agro-ecological outcomes : a new, interactive approach
- González-Chang, Mauricio, Wratten, Stephen, Shields, Morgan, Costanza, Robert, Sandhu, Harpinder
- Authors: González-Chang, Mauricio , Wratten, Stephen , Shields, Morgan , Costanza, Robert , Sandhu, Harpinder
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment Vol. 301, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The adoption of agro-ecological practices in agricultural systems worldwide can contribute to increased food production without compromising future food security, especially under the current biodiversity loss and climate change scenarios. Despite the increase in publications on agro-ecological research and practices during the last 35 years, a weak link between that knowledge and changed farmer practices has led to few examples of agro-ecological protocols and effective delivery systems to agriculturalists. In an attempt to reduce this gap, we synthesised the main concepts related to biodiversity and its functions by creating a web-based interactive spiral (www.biodiversityfunction.com). This tool explains and describes a pathway for achieving agro-ecological outcomes, starting from the basic principle of biodiversity and its functions to enhanced biodiversity on farms. Within this pathway, 11 key steps are identified and sequentially presented on a web platform through which key players (farmers, farmer networks, policy makers, scientists and other stakeholders) can navigate and learn. Because in many areas of the world the necessary knowledge needed for achieving the adoption of particular agro-ecological techniques is not available, the spiral approach can provide the necessary conceptual steps needed for obtaining and understanding such knowledge by navigating through the interactive pathway. This novel approach aims to improve our understanding of the sequence from the concept of biodiversity to harnessing its power to improve prospects for ‘sustainable intensification’ of agricultural systems worldwide. © 2020 The Authors. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Harpinder Sandhu” is provided in this record**
- Authors: González-Chang, Mauricio , Wratten, Stephen , Shields, Morgan , Costanza, Robert , Sandhu, Harpinder
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment Vol. 301, no. (2020), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The adoption of agro-ecological practices in agricultural systems worldwide can contribute to increased food production without compromising future food security, especially under the current biodiversity loss and climate change scenarios. Despite the increase in publications on agro-ecological research and practices during the last 35 years, a weak link between that knowledge and changed farmer practices has led to few examples of agro-ecological protocols and effective delivery systems to agriculturalists. In an attempt to reduce this gap, we synthesised the main concepts related to biodiversity and its functions by creating a web-based interactive spiral (www.biodiversityfunction.com). This tool explains and describes a pathway for achieving agro-ecological outcomes, starting from the basic principle of biodiversity and its functions to enhanced biodiversity on farms. Within this pathway, 11 key steps are identified and sequentially presented on a web platform through which key players (farmers, farmer networks, policy makers, scientists and other stakeholders) can navigate and learn. Because in many areas of the world the necessary knowledge needed for achieving the adoption of particular agro-ecological techniques is not available, the spiral approach can provide the necessary conceptual steps needed for obtaining and understanding such knowledge by navigating through the interactive pathway. This novel approach aims to improve our understanding of the sequence from the concept of biodiversity to harnessing its power to improve prospects for ‘sustainable intensification’ of agricultural systems worldwide. © 2020 The Authors. **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 5 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Harpinder Sandhu” is provided in this record**
Livestock grazing effects on riparian bird breeding behaviour in agricultural landscapes
- Hansen, Birgita, Fraser, Hannah, Jones, Christopher
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Fraser, Hannah , Jones, Christopher
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment Vol. 270-271, no. (2019), p. 93-102
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- Description: Globally, many bird species that rely on native woodland or forest environments are declining due to vegetation clearing for livestock pastures and cereal cropping. In many landscapes, woodland remnants are restricted to waterways and roadsides in narrow, sometimes degraded patches, and not all patches can necessarily provide the resources required to support bird populations. This study investigated the influence of livestock grazing and vegetation characteristics on bird breeding activity in riparian zones in northern Victoria, Australia, where much of the landscape is used for production and has experienced significant loss of woodland. Birds were broadly categorised as ‘woodland’ or ‘non-woodland’ species, based on dependency on woodlands for breeding. The majority of woodland species detected were relatively common, and where riparian zones were heavily grazed, there was significantly lower woodland bird breeding activity compared to non-woodland bird breeding activity (the latter increasing with grazing intensity). Woodland and non-woodland birds had consistently opposite responses to grazing intensity, vegetation and landscape characteristics, suggesting that the factors influencing breeding differ markedly between these two groups. Thus, where riparian zones are intensively grazed, the bird community shifts from predominantly woodland to largely non-woodland species. This has implications for the conservation of both rare and common woodland bird species in southern Australia. Simple changes in land management, for example, livestock exclusion from important breeding habitat, may confer large gains for population persistence of woodland bird species.
- Authors: Hansen, Birgita , Fraser, Hannah , Jones, Christopher
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment Vol. 270-271, no. (2019), p. 93-102
- Full Text:
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- Description: Globally, many bird species that rely on native woodland or forest environments are declining due to vegetation clearing for livestock pastures and cereal cropping. In many landscapes, woodland remnants are restricted to waterways and roadsides in narrow, sometimes degraded patches, and not all patches can necessarily provide the resources required to support bird populations. This study investigated the influence of livestock grazing and vegetation characteristics on bird breeding activity in riparian zones in northern Victoria, Australia, where much of the landscape is used for production and has experienced significant loss of woodland. Birds were broadly categorised as ‘woodland’ or ‘non-woodland’ species, based on dependency on woodlands for breeding. The majority of woodland species detected were relatively common, and where riparian zones were heavily grazed, there was significantly lower woodland bird breeding activity compared to non-woodland bird breeding activity (the latter increasing with grazing intensity). Woodland and non-woodland birds had consistently opposite responses to grazing intensity, vegetation and landscape characteristics, suggesting that the factors influencing breeding differ markedly between these two groups. Thus, where riparian zones are intensively grazed, the bird community shifts from predominantly woodland to largely non-woodland species. This has implications for the conservation of both rare and common woodland bird species in southern Australia. Simple changes in land management, for example, livestock exclusion from important breeding habitat, may confer large gains for population persistence of woodland bird species.
The conservation significance of the biota of barrow island, western australia
- Lynch, A. Jasmyn, Beeton, Robert, Greenslade, Penelope
- Authors: Lynch, A. Jasmyn , Beeton, Robert , Greenslade, Penelope
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia Vol. 102, no. (2019), p. 98-133
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- Description: Offshore islands are often important in conservation because of the presence of locally endemic species and for acting as refuges for native wildlife from the impacts of invasive species and inappropriate development. Barrow Island, a small, semi-arid island off the Pilbara coast of northwestern Australia, has maintained the integrity of its terrestrial and aquatic biota despite sporadic incursions by invasive species and the operation of commercial oil extraction and liquified natural gas processing for over 50 years. We collate information from a wide range of sources to provide a framework to inform the ongoing management of the terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora species that have conservation significance on the island. These include endemic flora and fauna; species listed as threatened by state, national and international authorities; species that are rare or extinct in other parts of their original range; species of biogeographic significance; and migratory birds and marine fauna of national and international significance. In addition, Barrow Island has been of value in acting as a source area for translocations of vulnerable and endangered mammal species that have been eradicated in other parts of their range. The many species with conservation significance and their use in successful translocation programs demonstrates the island’s national and international importance for conservation. In addition, Barrow Island provides exemplary opportunities for research on effective co-management of development and conservation, on mitigation and prevention of the invasion and impacts of exotic species, and on the influence of historical biogeographic processes on the distributions and evolution of biota. © Royal Society of Western Australia 2019.
- Authors: Lynch, A. Jasmyn , Beeton, Robert , Greenslade, Penelope
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of the Royal Society of Western Australia Vol. 102, no. (2019), p. 98-133
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- Description: Offshore islands are often important in conservation because of the presence of locally endemic species and for acting as refuges for native wildlife from the impacts of invasive species and inappropriate development. Barrow Island, a small, semi-arid island off the Pilbara coast of northwestern Australia, has maintained the integrity of its terrestrial and aquatic biota despite sporadic incursions by invasive species and the operation of commercial oil extraction and liquified natural gas processing for over 50 years. We collate information from a wide range of sources to provide a framework to inform the ongoing management of the terrestrial and aquatic fauna and flora species that have conservation significance on the island. These include endemic flora and fauna; species listed as threatened by state, national and international authorities; species that are rare or extinct in other parts of their original range; species of biogeographic significance; and migratory birds and marine fauna of national and international significance. In addition, Barrow Island has been of value in acting as a source area for translocations of vulnerable and endangered mammal species that have been eradicated in other parts of their range. The many species with conservation significance and their use in successful translocation programs demonstrates the island’s national and international importance for conservation. In addition, Barrow Island provides exemplary opportunities for research on effective co-management of development and conservation, on mitigation and prevention of the invasion and impacts of exotic species, and on the influence of historical biogeographic processes on the distributions and evolution of biota. © Royal Society of Western Australia 2019.
Timing of snowmelt affects species composition via plant strategy filtering
- Good, Megan, Morgan, John, Venn, Susanna, Green, Peter
- Authors: Good, Megan , Morgan, John , Venn, Susanna , Green, Peter
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Basic and Applied Ecology Vol. 35, no. (2019), p. 54-62
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- Description: Plant strategy schemes aim to classify plants according to measurable traits and group species according to their shared evolutionary responses to selective pressures. In this way, it becomes possible to make meaningful comparisons among ecosystems and communities and to predict how plant communities might respond to changes in their environment. Here, we classified common alpine plants which occur in snowpatches (Early and Late snowmelt sites) and in adjacent vegetation (Snow-free sites which melt early in the growing season) using Grime's CSR plant strategy scheme. Alpine plant communities are largely driven by environmental filters associated with a relatively constant gradient of snowmelt timing. Since snow persistence influences the abiotic environment and plant assemblages alike, we hypothesised that these patterns would be reflected in community CSR scores. Weighted community CSR scores were clustered towards the stress-tolerator (S) corner of the triangular CSR space, and Snow-free communities were significantly more stress-tolerant than Early and Late snowmelt communities. This suggests that snowpatch communities are functionally distinct from surrounding vegetation when considering the major axes of plant variation identified by CSR theory. These results lend further support to the importance of the timing of snowmelt as a key filter, influencing how species and plant strategy types distribute themselves across the alpine landscape.
- Authors: Good, Megan , Morgan, John , Venn, Susanna , Green, Peter
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Basic and Applied Ecology Vol. 35, no. (2019), p. 54-62
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Plant strategy schemes aim to classify plants according to measurable traits and group species according to their shared evolutionary responses to selective pressures. In this way, it becomes possible to make meaningful comparisons among ecosystems and communities and to predict how plant communities might respond to changes in their environment. Here, we classified common alpine plants which occur in snowpatches (Early and Late snowmelt sites) and in adjacent vegetation (Snow-free sites which melt early in the growing season) using Grime's CSR plant strategy scheme. Alpine plant communities are largely driven by environmental filters associated with a relatively constant gradient of snowmelt timing. Since snow persistence influences the abiotic environment and plant assemblages alike, we hypothesised that these patterns would be reflected in community CSR scores. Weighted community CSR scores were clustered towards the stress-tolerator (S) corner of the triangular CSR space, and Snow-free communities were significantly more stress-tolerant than Early and Late snowmelt communities. This suggests that snowpatch communities are functionally distinct from surrounding vegetation when considering the major axes of plant variation identified by CSR theory. These results lend further support to the importance of the timing of snowmelt as a key filter, influencing how species and plant strategy types distribute themselves across the alpine landscape.
Historical reports of Common (Bare-nosed) Wombats 'Vombatus ursinus' in the Warrnambool area, Victoria
- Wallis, Robert, O’Callaghan, Elizabeth
- Authors: Wallis, Robert , O’Callaghan, Elizabeth
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Victorian Naturalist Vol. 135, no. 6 (2018), p. 178-180
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- Description: The Common or Bare-nosed Wombat Vombatus ursinus was once widespread in south-eastern Australia, ranging from Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge in South Australia, through Victoria and New South Wales and into southeastern Queensland (Troughton 1941). In Victoria it now occupies a range of habitats in hilly and mountainous regions (especially in East Gippsland, where it is common) and near the coast, but its distribution has declined. Thus, while it exists in Victoria in low numbers in the far south-west at Dergholm and Nelson (Menkhorst 1995), wombats are today almost completely absent in western Victoria. This contrasts with historical records indicating wombats were once found throughout the Volcanic Plains and the Otway Plains (Menkhorst 1995). Surprisingly, wombats are absent from the Otway Ranges and Menkhorst ascribes occasional sightings of them there to be the result of translocation by humans.
- Authors: Wallis, Robert , O’Callaghan, Elizabeth
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Victorian Naturalist Vol. 135, no. 6 (2018), p. 178-180
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- Description: The Common or Bare-nosed Wombat Vombatus ursinus was once widespread in south-eastern Australia, ranging from Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge in South Australia, through Victoria and New South Wales and into southeastern Queensland (Troughton 1941). In Victoria it now occupies a range of habitats in hilly and mountainous regions (especially in East Gippsland, where it is common) and near the coast, but its distribution has declined. Thus, while it exists in Victoria in low numbers in the far south-west at Dergholm and Nelson (Menkhorst 1995), wombats are today almost completely absent in western Victoria. This contrasts with historical records indicating wombats were once found throughout the Volcanic Plains and the Otway Plains (Menkhorst 1995). Surprisingly, wombats are absent from the Otway Ranges and Menkhorst ascribes occasional sightings of them there to be the result of translocation by humans.
Using non-invasive sampling methods to determine the prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus in a remnant koala population with conservation importance
- Wedrowicz, Faye, Mosse, Jennifer, Wright, Wendy, Hogan, Fiona
- Authors: Wedrowicz, Faye , Mosse, Jennifer , Wright, Wendy , Hogan, Fiona
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Wildlife Research Vol. 45, no. 4 (2018), p. 366-380
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- Description: Context Pathogenic infections are an important consideration for the conservation of native species, but obtaining such data from wild populations can be expensive and difficult. Two pathogens have been implicated in the decline of some koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations: Urogenital infection with Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus subgroup A (KoRV-A). Pathogen data for a wild koala population of conservation importance in South Gippsland, Victoria are essentially absent. Aims This study uses non-invasive sampling of koala scats to provide prevalence and genotype data for C. pecorum and KoRV-A in the South Gippsland koala population, and compares pathogen prevalence between wild koalas and koalas in rescue shelters. Methods C. pecorum and KoRV-A provirus were detected by PCR of DNA isolated from scats collected in the field. Pathogen genetic variation was investigated using DNA sequencing of the C. pecorum ompA and KoRV-A env genes. Key results C. pecorum and KoRV-A were detected in 61% and 27% of wild South Gippsland individuals tested, respectively. KoRV-A infection tended to be higher in shelter koalas compared with wild koalas. In contrast with other Victorian koala populations sampled, greater pathogen diversity was present in South Gippsland. Conclusions In the South Gippsland koala population, C. pecorum is widespread and common whereas KoRV appears less prevalent than previously thought. Further work exploring the dynamics of these pathogens in South Gippsland koalas is warranted and may help inform future conservation strategies for this important population. Implications Non-invasive genetic sampling from scats is a powerful method for obtaining data regarding pathogen prevalence and diversity in wildlife. The use of non-invasive methods for the study of pathogens may help fill research gaps in a way that would be difficult or expensive to achieve using traditional methods.
- Authors: Wedrowicz, Faye , Mosse, Jennifer , Wright, Wendy , Hogan, Fiona
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Wildlife Research Vol. 45, no. 4 (2018), p. 366-380
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Context Pathogenic infections are an important consideration for the conservation of native species, but obtaining such data from wild populations can be expensive and difficult. Two pathogens have been implicated in the decline of some koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations: Urogenital infection with Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus subgroup A (KoRV-A). Pathogen data for a wild koala population of conservation importance in South Gippsland, Victoria are essentially absent. Aims This study uses non-invasive sampling of koala scats to provide prevalence and genotype data for C. pecorum and KoRV-A in the South Gippsland koala population, and compares pathogen prevalence between wild koalas and koalas in rescue shelters. Methods C. pecorum and KoRV-A provirus were detected by PCR of DNA isolated from scats collected in the field. Pathogen genetic variation was investigated using DNA sequencing of the C. pecorum ompA and KoRV-A env genes. Key results C. pecorum and KoRV-A were detected in 61% and 27% of wild South Gippsland individuals tested, respectively. KoRV-A infection tended to be higher in shelter koalas compared with wild koalas. In contrast with other Victorian koala populations sampled, greater pathogen diversity was present in South Gippsland. Conclusions In the South Gippsland koala population, C. pecorum is widespread and common whereas KoRV appears less prevalent than previously thought. Further work exploring the dynamics of these pathogens in South Gippsland koalas is warranted and may help inform future conservation strategies for this important population. Implications Non-invasive genetic sampling from scats is a powerful method for obtaining data regarding pathogen prevalence and diversity in wildlife. The use of non-invasive methods for the study of pathogens may help fill research gaps in a way that would be difficult or expensive to achieve using traditional methods.
Global lessons from successful rhinoceros conservation in Nepal
- Aryal, Achyut, Acharya, Krishna, Shrestha, Uttam Babu, Dhakal, Maheshwar, Raubenhiemer, David, Wright, Wendy
- Authors: Aryal, Achyut , Acharya, Krishna , Shrestha, Uttam Babu , Dhakal, Maheshwar , Raubenhiemer, David , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Conservation Biology Vol. 31, no. 6 (2017), p. 1494-1497
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- Authors: Aryal, Achyut , Acharya, Krishna , Shrestha, Uttam Babu , Dhakal, Maheshwar , Raubenhiemer, David , Wright, Wendy
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Conservation Biology Vol. 31, no. 6 (2017), p. 1494-1497
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Blooms of cyanobacteria in a temperate Australian lagoon system post and prior to European settlement
- Cook, Perran, Jennings, Miles, Holland, Daryl, Beardall, John, Briles, Christy, Zawadzki, Atun, Doan, Phuong, Mills, Keely, Gell, Peter
- Authors: Cook, Perran , Jennings, Miles , Holland, Daryl , Beardall, John , Briles, Christy , Zawadzki, Atun , Doan, Phuong , Mills, Keely , Gell, Peter
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biogeosciences Vol. 13, no. 12 (2016), p. 3677-3686
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- Description: Blooms of noxious N2 fixing cyanobacteria such as Nodularia spumigena are a recurring problem in some estuaries; however, the historic occurrence of such blooms in unclear in many cases. Here we report the results of a palaeoecological study on a temperate Australian lagoon system (the Gippsland Lakes) where we used stable isotopes and pigment biomarkers in dated cores as proxies for eutrophication and blooms of cyanobacteria. Pigment proxies show a clear signal, with an increase in cyanobacterial pigments (echinenone, canthaxanthin and zeaxanthin) in the period coinciding with recent blooms. Another excursion in these proxies was observed prior to the opening of an artificial entrance to the lakes in 1889, which markedly increased the salinity of the Gippsland Lakes. A coincident increase in the sediment organic-carbon content in the period prior to the opening of the artificial entrance suggests that the bottom waters of the lakes were more stratified and hypoxic, which would have led to an increase in the recycling of phosphorus. After the opening of the artificial entrance, there was a ∼60-year period with low values for the cyanobacterial proxies as well as a low sediment organic-carbon content suggesting a period of low bloom activity associated with the increased salinity of the lakes. During the 1940s, the current period of re-eutrophication commenced, as indicated by a steadily increasing sediment organic-carbon content and cyanobacterial pigments. We suggest that increasing nitrogen inputs from the catchment led to the return of hypoxia and increased phosphorus release from the sediment, which drove the re-emergence of cyanobacterial blooms. © 2016 Author(s).
- Authors: Cook, Perran , Jennings, Miles , Holland, Daryl , Beardall, John , Briles, Christy , Zawadzki, Atun , Doan, Phuong , Mills, Keely , Gell, Peter
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biogeosciences Vol. 13, no. 12 (2016), p. 3677-3686
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Blooms of noxious N2 fixing cyanobacteria such as Nodularia spumigena are a recurring problem in some estuaries; however, the historic occurrence of such blooms in unclear in many cases. Here we report the results of a palaeoecological study on a temperate Australian lagoon system (the Gippsland Lakes) where we used stable isotopes and pigment biomarkers in dated cores as proxies for eutrophication and blooms of cyanobacteria. Pigment proxies show a clear signal, with an increase in cyanobacterial pigments (echinenone, canthaxanthin and zeaxanthin) in the period coinciding with recent blooms. Another excursion in these proxies was observed prior to the opening of an artificial entrance to the lakes in 1889, which markedly increased the salinity of the Gippsland Lakes. A coincident increase in the sediment organic-carbon content in the period prior to the opening of the artificial entrance suggests that the bottom waters of the lakes were more stratified and hypoxic, which would have led to an increase in the recycling of phosphorus. After the opening of the artificial entrance, there was a ∼60-year period with low values for the cyanobacterial proxies as well as a low sediment organic-carbon content suggesting a period of low bloom activity associated with the increased salinity of the lakes. During the 1940s, the current period of re-eutrophication commenced, as indicated by a steadily increasing sediment organic-carbon content and cyanobacterial pigments. We suggest that increasing nitrogen inputs from the catchment led to the return of hypoxia and increased phosphorus release from the sediment, which drove the re-emergence of cyanobacterial blooms. © 2016 Author(s).
Flexible operation of CSIRO's post-combustion CO2 capture pilot plant at the AGL Loy Yang power station
- Bui, Mai, Gunawan, Indra, Verheyen, Vincent, Feron, Paul, Meuleman, Erik
- Authors: Bui, Mai , Gunawan, Indra , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 48, no. (May 2016), p. 188-203
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- Description: Flexible operation has the potehtial to significantly improve the economic viability of post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC). However, the impact of disturbances from flexible operation of the PCC process is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexible operation in a PCC pilot plant by implementing step-changes for improved dynamic data reliability. The flexible operation campaign was conducted at the CSIRO PCC pilot plant at AGL Loy Yang using monoethanolamine (MEA) absorbent. The pilot plant was operated under a broad range of transient conditions (changing flue gas flow, liquid absorbent flow and steam pressure) to capture the dynamics of a PCC process during flexible operation. The study demonstrated that the dynamics of flue gas flow rate was faster than absorbent flow rate. The greatest CO2 removal% was achieved at the lowest flue gas flow rate or at the highest absorbent flow rate; however, the latter provided improved energy efficiency. The steam pressure parameter could adjust the temperature of all columns simultaneously which can be used to compensate for effects from ambient conditions or heat losses. These results verify the technical feasibility of flexible PCC operation and provide a suitable dataset for dynamic model validation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Authors: Bui, Mai , Gunawan, Indra , Verheyen, Vincent , Feron, Paul , Meuleman, Erik
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Vol. 48, no. (May 2016), p. 188-203
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Flexible operation has the potehtial to significantly improve the economic viability of post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC). However, the impact of disturbances from flexible operation of the PCC process is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of flexible operation in a PCC pilot plant by implementing step-changes for improved dynamic data reliability. The flexible operation campaign was conducted at the CSIRO PCC pilot plant at AGL Loy Yang using monoethanolamine (MEA) absorbent. The pilot plant was operated under a broad range of transient conditions (changing flue gas flow, liquid absorbent flow and steam pressure) to capture the dynamics of a PCC process during flexible operation. The study demonstrated that the dynamics of flue gas flow rate was faster than absorbent flow rate. The greatest CO2 removal% was achieved at the lowest flue gas flow rate or at the highest absorbent flow rate; however, the latter provided improved energy efficiency. The steam pressure parameter could adjust the temperature of all columns simultaneously which can be used to compensate for effects from ambient conditions or heat losses. These results verify the technical feasibility of flexible PCC operation and provide a suitable dataset for dynamic model validation. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The minimum number of valves for diatoms identification in Rawapening Lake, Central Java
- Soeprobowati, Tri, Tandjung, Djalal, Sutikno, Hadisusanto, Suwarno, Gell, Peter
- Authors: Soeprobowati, Tri , Tandjung, Djalal , Sutikno , Hadisusanto, Suwarno , Gell, Peter
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biotropia Vol. 23, no. 2 (2016), p. 97-100
- Full Text:
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- Description: Technical challenges in using diatoms for paleolimnological work are the identification and enumeration of diatom valves. Variations exist in the minimum number of valves to identify, ranging from 100 to 700 valves of the dominant species. This task can be very time consuming, particularly when the diatom valves are not abundant. This research was conducted to determine the minimum number of valves to be identified in the diatom assemblages from Rawapening Lake, Central Java, Indonesia. Based on the 314 samples obtained from Rawapening Lake, the diatom efficiency rose above 0.85 upon the minimum count of 300 valves. The number of diatom species identified remained stable after the minimum of 300 valves. Therefore, the minimum number of diatom's valves identified to represent the assemblage for paleolimnological analysis was 300.
- Authors: Soeprobowati, Tri , Tandjung, Djalal , Sutikno , Hadisusanto, Suwarno , Gell, Peter
- Date: 2016
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Biotropia Vol. 23, no. 2 (2016), p. 97-100
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Technical challenges in using diatoms for paleolimnological work are the identification and enumeration of diatom valves. Variations exist in the minimum number of valves to identify, ranging from 100 to 700 valves of the dominant species. This task can be very time consuming, particularly when the diatom valves are not abundant. This research was conducted to determine the minimum number of valves to be identified in the diatom assemblages from Rawapening Lake, Central Java, Indonesia. Based on the 314 samples obtained from Rawapening Lake, the diatom efficiency rose above 0.85 upon the minimum count of 300 valves. The number of diatom species identified remained stable after the minimum of 300 valves. Therefore, the minimum number of diatom's valves identified to represent the assemblage for paleolimnological analysis was 300.