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Butterworth NJ, Wallman JF, Johnston NP, Dawson BM, Sharp-Heward J, McGaughran A. The blowfly Chrysomya latifrons inhabits fragmented rainforests, but shows no population structure. Oecologia 2023; 201:703-719. [PMID: 36773072 PMCID: PMC10038970 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05333-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and deforestation are causing rainforests to become increasingly fragmented, placing them at heightened risk of biodiversity loss. Invertebrates constitute the greatest proportion of this biodiversity, yet we lack basic knowledge of their population structure and ecology. There is a compelling need to develop our understanding of the population dynamics of a wide range of rainforest invertebrates so that we can begin to understand how rainforest fragments are connected, and how they will cope with future habitat fragmentation and climate change. Blowflies are an ideal candidate for such research because they are widespread, abundant, and can be easily collected within rainforests. We genotyped 188 blowflies (Chrysomya latifrons) from 15 isolated rainforests and found high levels of gene flow, a lack of genetic structure between rainforests, and low genetic diversity - suggesting the presence of a single large genetically depauperate population. This highlights that: (1) the blowfly Ch. latifrons inhabits a ~ 1000 km stretch of Australian rainforests, where it plays an important role as a nutrient recycler; (2) strongly dispersing flies can migrate between and connect isolated rainforests, likely carrying pollen, parasites, phoronts, and pathogens along with them; and (3) widely dispersing and abundant insects can nevertheless be genetically depauperate. There is an urgent need to better understand the relationships between habitat fragmentation, genetic diversity, and adaptive potential-especially for poorly dispersing rainforest-restricted insects, as many of these may be particularly fragmented and at highest risk of local extinction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan J Butterworth
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia.
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - James F Wallman
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Nikolas P Johnston
- Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
- Department of Ecology and Biogeography, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100, Toruń, Poland
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Blake M Dawson
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Joshua Sharp-Heward
- Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Solutions, School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Angela McGaughran
- Te Aka Mātuatua - School of Science, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, 3240, New Zealand
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2
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White JG, Sparrius J, Robinson T, Hale S, Lupone L, Healey T, Cooke R, Rendall AR. Can NDVI identify drought refugia for mammals and birds in mesic landscapes? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158318. [PMID: 36037901 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Refugia within landscapes are increasingly important as climate change intensifies, yet identifying refugia, and how they respond to climatic perturbations remains understudied. We use Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) developed during extreme drought to identify drought refugia. We then utilise camera trapping to understand the ecological role and importance of these refugia under fluctuating rainfall conditions. Ground foraging mammals and birds were surveyed annually from 2016 to 2019 whereby 171 remote-sensing cameras were deployed in the southern section of the Grampians, Australia. NDVI values were calculated during Australia's millennium drought, allowing the assessment of how NDVI calculated during extreme drought predicts drought refugia and the response of biodiversity to NDVI under rainfall fluctuations. Site occupancy of bird and mammal assemblages were dependent on NDVI, with areas of high NDVI during drought exhibiting characteristics consistent with refugia. Rainfall pulses increased site occupancy at all sites with colonisation probability initially associated with higher NDVI sites. Extinction probabilities were greatest at low NDVI sites when rainfall declined. Within mesic systems, remotely sensed NDVI can identify areas of the landscape that act as drought refugia enabling landscape management to prioritise species conservation within these areas. The protection and persistence of refugia is crucial in ensuring landscapes and their species communities therein are resilient to a range of climate change scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- John G White
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, VIC, Australia.
| | - Jacinta Sparrius
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, VIC, Australia
| | - Tomas Robinson
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, VIC, Australia
| | - Susannah Hale
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, VIC, Australia
| | - Luke Lupone
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, VIC, Australia
| | - Tom Healey
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, VIC, Australia
| | - Raylene Cooke
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, VIC, Australia
| | - Anthony R Rendall
- Deakin University, Geelong, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Engineering and the Built Environment, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood 3125, VIC, Australia
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3
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Reproductive biology and population structure of the endangered shrub Grevillea bedggoodiana (Proteaceae). CONSERV GENET 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10592-022-01480-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
AbstractNarrowly endemic species are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic events. Compared to widespread species, they may also be less capable of adapting to shifts in environmental pressures as a result of specialisation on a narrow range of local condition and limited ability to disperse. However, life-history traits, such as preferential outcrossing and high fecundity can maintain genetic diversity and evolutionary potential, and boost species resilience. The endangered Grevillea bedggoodiana (Enfield Grevillea) is an understorey shrub restricted to an area of ca. 150 km2 in south-eastern Australia with a legacy of large-scale anthropogenic disturbance. Prior to this study little was known about its biology and population structure. Here, its breeding system was assessed through a controlled pollination experiment at one of its central populations, and eight populations were sampled for genetic analysis with microsatellite markers. The species was found to be preferentially outcrossing, with no evidence of pollination limitation. In most populations, allelic richness, observed heterozygosity and gene diversity were high (Ar: 3.8–6.3; Ho: 0.45–0.65, He: 0.60 − 0.75). However, the inbreeding coefficients were significant in at least four populations, ranging from Fi -0.061 to 0.259 despite high outcrossing rates. Estimated reproductive rates varied among sampled populations but were independent of gene diversity and inbreeding. Despite its small geographic range, the species’ populations showed moderate differentiation (AMOVA: FST = 0.123), which was largely attributable to isolation by distance. We interpret these results as suggesting that G. bedggoodiana is reproductively healthy and has maintained high levels of genetic diversity despite recent disturbance.
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Flack A, Aikens EO, Kölzsch A, Nourani E, Snell KR, Fiedler W, Linek N, Bauer HG, Thorup K, Partecke J, Wikelski M, Williams HJ. New frontiers in bird migration research. Curr Biol 2022; 32:R1187-R1199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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5
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Young AR, Selwood KE, Benshemesh J, Wright J, Southwell D. Remotely sensed vegetation productivity predicts breeding activity and drought refuges for a threatened bird in semi‐arid Australia. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. R. Young
- Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group School of Ecosystem and Forestry Science University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
| | - K. E. Selwood
- Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group School of Ecosystem and Forestry Science University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
- Wildlife Conservation and Science Zoos Victoria Parkville VIC Australia
| | - J. Benshemesh
- National Malleefowl Recovery Team Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - J. Wright
- Parks Victoria Melbourne VIC Australia
| | - D. Southwell
- Quantitative and Applied Ecology Group School of Ecosystem and Forestry Science University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
- National Environmental Science Program Threatened Species Recovery Hub University of Melbourne Parkville VIC Australia
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6
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Linek N, Brzęk P, Gienapp P, O’Mara MT, Pokrovsky I, Schmidt A, Shipley JR, Taylor JRE, Tiainen J, Volkmer T, Wikelski M, Partecke J. A partial migrant relies upon a range-wide cue set but uses population-specific weighting for migratory timing. MOVEMENT ECOLOGY 2021; 9:63. [PMID: 34930467 PMCID: PMC8686659 DOI: 10.1186/s40462-021-00298-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many birds species range over vast geographic regions and migrate seasonally between their breeding and overwintering sites. Deciding when to depart for migration is one of the most consequential life-history decisions an individual may make. However, it is still not fully understood which environmental cues are used to time the onset of migration and to what extent their relative importance differs across a range of migratory strategies. We focus on departure decisions of a songbird, the Eurasian blackbird Turdus merula, in which selected Russian and Polish populations are full migrants which travel relatively long-distances, whereas Finnish and German populations exhibit partial migration with shorter migration distances. METHODS We used telemetry data from the four populations (610 individuals) to determine which environmental cues individuals from each population use to initiate their autumn migration. RESULTS When departing, individuals in all populations selected nights with high atmospheric pressure and minimal cloud cover. Fully migratory populations departed earlier in autumn, at longer day length, at higher ambient temperatures, and during nights with higher relative atmospheric pressure and more supportive winds than partial migrants; however, they did not depart in higher synchrony. Thus, while all studied populations used the same environmental cues, they used population-specific and locally tuned thresholds to determine the day of departure. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the idea that migratory timing is controlled by general, species-wide mechanisms, but fine-tuned thresholds in response to local conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Linek
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Paweł Brzęk
- Faculty of Biology, University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
| | | | - M. Teague O’Mara
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, USA
| | - Ivan Pokrovsky
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Institute of Plant and Animal Ecology, UB RAS, Ekaterinburg, Russia
- Institute of Biological Problems of the North, FEB RAS, Magadan, Russia
| | - Andreas Schmidt
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
| | - J. Ryan Shipley
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
| | | | - Juha Tiainen
- Natural Resources Institute Finland, Helsinki, Finland
- Lammi Biological Station, University of Helsinki, Lammi, Finland
| | - Tamara Volkmer
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Martin Wikelski
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jesko Partecke
- Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Radolfzell, Germany
- Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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Ouin A, Holland GJ, Tessier M, Clarke RH, Bennett AF. Do butterfly communities benefit from woodland restoration in rural environments? A landscape perspective from south‐eastern Australia. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Annie Ouin
- UMR DYNAFOR (INRAe‐INP de Toulouse) Université de Toulouse Castanet‐Tolosan cedex 31326 France
| | - Greg J. Holland
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria 3086 Australia
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria 3086 Australia
| | | | - Rohan H. Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Andrew F. Bennett
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria 3086 Australia
- Research Centre for Future Landscapes La Trobe University Melbourne Victoria 3086 Australia
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8
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Connell J, Hall MA, Nimmo DG, Watson SJ, Clarke MF. Fire, drought and flooding rains: The effect of climatic extremes on bird species’ responses to time since fire. DIVERS DISTRIB 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jemima Connell
- Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionLa Trobe University Bundoora VIC Australia
| | - Mark A. Hall
- Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionLa Trobe University Bundoora VIC Australia
- Hawkesbury Institute for the EnvironmentWestern Sydney University Penrith NSW Australia
| | - Dale G. Nimmo
- School of Environmental Science Institute for Land, Water and Society Charles Sturt University Albury NSW Australia
| | - Simon J. Watson
- Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionLa Trobe University Bundoora VIC Australia
| | - Michael F. Clarke
- Department of Ecology, Environment and EvolutionLa Trobe University Bundoora VIC Australia
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Caves EM, Johnsen S. The sensory impacts of climate change: bathymetric shifts and visually mediated interactions in aquatic species. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20210396. [PMID: 33878924 PMCID: PMC8059512 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual perception is, in part, a function of the ambient illumination spectrum. In aquatic environments, illumination depends upon the water's optical properties and depth, both of which can change due to anthropogenic impacts: turbidity is increasing in many aquatic habitats, and many species have shifted deeper in response to warming surface waters (known as bathymetric shifts). Although increasing turbidity and bathymetric shifts can result in similarly large changes to a species' optical environment, no studies have yet examined the impact of the latter on visually mediated interactions. Here, we examine a potential link between climate change and visual perception, with a focus on colour. We discuss (i) what is known about bathymetric shifts; (ii) how the impacts of bathymetric shifts on visual interactions may be distributed across species; (iii) which interactions might be affected; and (iv) the ways that animals have to respond to these changes. As warming continues and temperature fluctuations grow more extreme, many species may move into even deeper waters. There is thus a need for studies that examine how such shifts can affect an organism's visual world, interfere with behaviour, and impact fitness, population dynamics, and community structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor M. Caves
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, Exeter University, Penryn TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Sönke Johnsen
- Biology Department, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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10
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Kim JH, Park S, Kim SH, Kang K, Waldman B, Lee MH, Yu M, Yang H, Chung HY, Lee EJ. Structural implications of traditional agricultural landscapes on the functional diversity of birds near the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:12973-12982. [PMID: 33304509 PMCID: PMC7713986 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.6880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Bird assemblages are sensitive to changes in landscape composition and the environment, such as those that result from drought. In this study, the relationship between landscape composition and avian functional diversity in traditional agricultural ecosystems in the Civilian Control Zone (CCZ) of Korea was examined. In addition, the resilience of biodiversity to changes in landscape elements resulting from drought conditions was investigated. The traditional agricultural landscape (TAL) of the sites studied was divided into three types: TAL 1 had a high proportion of rice paddies, TAL 2 included large forest areas, and TAL 3 represented areas with drylands. Of these, TAL 1 showed the highest species richness and functional richness, but these measures were most vulnerable to drought. Meanwhile, TAL 2 showed that the bird communities were more tolerant under drought event. This study shows that to conserve and enhance the diversity of birds in traditional agricultural landscapes of Northeast Asia, active management of forest areas is needed to protect bird populations. In addition, commercial pressures to develop this area will require urgent biodiversity conservation plans to protect the unique biodiversity of the Korean CCZ. This study thus provides landscape management guidance for conservation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Hyun Kim
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulKorea
- DMZ Ecology Research InstitutePajuKorea
| | - Shinyeong Park
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulKorea
- DMZ Ecology Research InstitutePajuKorea
| | | | | | - Bruce Waldman
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulKorea
- Department of Integrative BiologyOklahoma State UniversityStillwaterOklahomaUSA
| | | | - Minhye Yu
- DMZ Ecology Research InstitutePajuKorea
| | - Hyunyoung Yang
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulKorea
| | | | - Eun Ju Lee
- School of Biological SciencesSeoul National UniversitySeoulKorea
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11
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Mac Nally R, Horrocks GF, Bennett JM, Yen JD, Selwood KE, Thomson JR, Lada H. Ecological and life‐history traits may say little about birds’ vulnerability to high‐amplitude climatic fluctuations. AUSTRAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Mac Nally
- School of Biosciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
| | | | - Joanne M. Bennett
- Centre for Applied Water Science Institute for Applied Ecology The University of Canberra Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Jian D.L. Yen
- School of Biosciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Heidelberg Victoria Australia
| | - Katherine E. Selwood
- School of Biosciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia
- Wildlife Conservation and Science Zoos Victoria Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - James R. Thomson
- Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Heidelberg Victoria Australia
| | - Hania Lada
- Centre for Applied Water Science Institute for Applied Ecology The University of Canberra Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
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12
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Crates R, Rayner L, Webb M, Stojanovic D, Wilkie C, Heinsohn R. Sustained and delayed noisy miner suppression at an avian hotspot. AUSTRAL ECOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ross Crates
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian National University; Linnaeus Way, Acton Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Laura Rayner
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian National University; Linnaeus Way, Acton Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Matthew Webb
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian National University; Linnaeus Way, Acton Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Dejan Stojanovic
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian National University; Linnaeus Way, Acton Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Colin Wilkie
- Australian Vertebrate Pest Management Ltd.; Port Macquarie New South Wales Australia
| | - Robert Heinsohn
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian National University; Linnaeus Way, Acton Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
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13
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Fulton GR, Lawson J. Birds respond to woodland type, soil and mesic gradients in heterogeneous woodlands at Dryandra. AUST J ZOOL 2020. [DOI: 10.1071/zo20095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The vast clearance of forest and woodland for agriculture with the removal of more than 93% of the native vegetation has decimated the fauna of what is now known as the Western Australian wheatbelt. This clearing has been particularly severe on wandoo woodlands through the wheatbelt. In order to quantify the usefulness of what has been left, three native woodland types were surveyed for avian abundance and diversity, in a large heterogeneous remnant of old-growth woodland, at Dryandra. Birds were counted at 70 points along seven transects, through three woodland types: powderbark wandoo (Eucalyptus accedens), wandoo (E. wandoo) and a brown mallet (E. astringens) plantation. Greater abundance and species richness were detected in E. wandoo woodland, although this is thought to be related to the more mesic and productive low-lying contours of the landscape on which it is situated.
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Prober SM, Raisbeck-Brown N, Porter NB, Williams KJ, Leviston Z, Dickson F. Recent climate-driven ecological change across a continent as perceived through local ecological knowledge. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224625. [PMID: 31756177 PMCID: PMC6874335 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Documenting effects of climate change is an important step towards designing mitigation and adaptation responses. Impacts of climate change on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems have been well-documented in the Northern Hemisphere, but long-term data to detect change in the Southern Hemisphere are limited, and some types of change are generally difficult to measure. Here we present a novel approach using local ecological knowledge to facilitate a continent-scale view of climate change impacts on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems that people have perceived in Australia. We sought local knowledge using a national web-based survey, targeting respondents with close links to the environment (e.g. farmers, ecologists), and using a custom-built mapping tool to ask respondents to describe and attribute recent changes they had observed within an area they knew well. Results drawn from 326 respondents showed that people are already perceiving simple and complex climate change impacts on hundreds of species and ecosystems across Australia, significantly extending the detail previously reported for the continent. While most perceived trends and attributions remain unsubstantiated, >35 reported anecdotes concurred with examples in the literature, and >20 were reported more than once. More generally, anecdotes were compatible with expectations from global climate change impact frameworks, including examples across the spectrum from organisms (e.g. increased mortality in >75 species), populations (e.g. changes in recruitment or abundance in >100 species, phenological change in >50 species), and species (e.g. >80 species newly arriving or disappearing), to communities and landscapes (e.g. >50 examples of altered ecological interactions). The overarching pattern indicated by the anecdotes suggests that people are more often noticing climate change losers (typically native species) than winners in their local areas, but with observations of potential ‘adaptation in action’ via compositional and phenological change and through arrivals and range shifts (particularly for native birds and exotic plants). A high proportion of climate change-related anecdotes also involved cumulative or interactive effects of land use. We conclude that targeted elicitation of local ecological knowledge about climate change impacts can provide a valuable complement to data-derived knowledge, substantially extending the volume of explicit examples and offering a foundation for further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M. Prober
- CSIRO Land and Water, Wembley, Western Australia, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | | | | | | | - Zoe Leviston
- School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Fiona Dickson
- Department of the Environment and Energy, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
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15
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Weyland F, Baudry J, Ghersa C. Short-term effects of a severe drought on avian diversity and abundance in a Pampas Agroecosystem. AUSTRAL ECOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Federico Weyland
- Grupo de Agroecosistemas y Paisajes Rurales; Recursos Naturales y Gestión Ambiental; Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata; CONICET; Ruta 226 Km 73,5 Balcarce Argentina
| | | | - Claudio Ghersa
- IFEVA-Facultad de Agronomía UBA-CONICET; Av. San Martín 4453 C1417DSE Buenos Aires Argentina
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16
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Bissessur P, Bunsy Y, Baider C, Florens FBV. Non-intrusive systematic study reveals mutualistic interactions between threatened island endemic species and points to more impactful conservation. J Nat Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2019.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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17
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Lister BC, Garcia A. Climate-driven declines in arthropod abundance restructure a rainforest food web. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018; 115:E10397-E10406. [PMID: 30322922 PMCID: PMC6217376 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1722477115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 269] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A number of studies indicate that tropical arthropods should be particularly vulnerable to climate warming. If these predictions are realized, climate warming may have a more profound impact on the functioning and diversity of tropical forests than currently anticipated. Although arthropods comprise over two-thirds of terrestrial species, information on their abundance and extinction rates in tropical habitats is severely limited. Here we analyze data on arthropod and insectivore abundances taken between 1976 and 2012 at two midelevation habitats in Puerto Rico's Luquillo rainforest. During this time, mean maximum temperatures have risen by 2.0 °C. Using the same study area and methods employed by Lister in the 1970s, we discovered that the dry weight biomass of arthropods captured in sweep samples had declined 4 to 8 times, and 30 to 60 times in sticky traps. Analysis of long-term data on canopy arthropods and walking sticks taken as part of the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research program revealed sustained declines in abundance over two decades, as well as negative regressions of abundance on mean maximum temperatures. We also document parallel decreases in Luquillo's insectivorous lizards, frogs, and birds. While El Niño/Southern Oscillation influences the abundance of forest arthropods, climate warming is the major driver of reductions in arthropod abundance, indirectly precipitating a bottom-up trophic cascade and consequent collapse of the forest food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradford C Lister
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic University, Troy, NY 12180;
| | - Andres Garcia
- Estación de Biología Chamela, Instituto de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, 47152 Chamela, Jalisco, Mexico
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18
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Layton-Matthews K, Ozgul A, Griesser M. The interacting effects of forestry and climate change on the demography of a group-living bird population. Oecologia 2018; 186:907-918. [PMID: 29492692 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-018-4100-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic degradation of natural habitats is a global driver of wildlife population declines. Local population responses to such environmental perturbations are generally well understood, but in socially structured populations, interactions between environmental and social factors may influence population responses. Thus, understanding how habitat degradation affects the dynamics of these populations requires simultaneous consideration of social and environmental mechanisms underlying demographic responses. Here we investigated the effect of habitat degradation through commercial forestry on spatiotemporal dynamics of a group-living bird, the Siberian jay, Perisoreus infaustus, in boreal forests of northern Sweden. We assessed the interacting effects of forestry, climate and population density on stage-specific, seasonal life-history rates and population dynamics, using long-term, individual-based demographic data from 70 territories in natural and managed forests. Stage-specific survival and reproductive rates, and consequently population growth, were lower in managed forests than in natural forests. Population growth was most sensitive to breeder survival and was more sensitive to early dispersing juveniles than those delaying dispersal. Forestry decreased population growth in managed forests by reducing reproductive success and breeder survival. Increased snow depth improved winter survival, and warmer spring temperatures enhanced reproductive success, particularly in natural forests. Population growth was stable in natural forests but it was declining in managed forests, and this difference accelerated under forecasted climate scenarios. Thus, climatic change could exacerbate the rate of forestry-induced population decline through reduced snow cover in our study species, and in other species with similar life-history characteristics and habitat requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Layton-Matthews
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Biology, Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Arpat Ozgul
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael Griesser
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Anthropology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
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19
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Law BS, Chidel M, Law PR. Forest bat population dynamics over 14 years at a climate refuge: Effects of timber harvesting and weather extremes. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191471. [PMID: 29444115 PMCID: PMC5812568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term data are needed to explore the interaction of weather extremes with habitat alteration; in particular, can 'refugia' buffer population dynamics against climate change and are they robust to disturbances such as timber harvesting. Because forest bats are good indicators of ecosystem health, we used 14 years (1999-2012) of mark-recapture data from a suite of small tree-hollow roosting bats to estimate survival, abundance and body condition in harvested and unharvested forest and over extreme El Niño and La Niña weather events in southeastern Australia. Trapping was replicated within an experimental forest, located in a climate refuge, with different timber harvesting treatments. We trapped foraging bats and banded 3043 with a 32% retrap rate. Mark-recapture analyses allowed for dependence of survival on time, species, sex, logging treatment and for transients. A large portion of the population remained resident, with a maximum time to recapture of nine years. The effect of logging history (unlogged vs 16-30 years post-logging regrowth) on apparent survival was minor and species specific, with no detectable effect for two species, a positive effect for one and negative for the other. There was no effect of logging history on abundance or body condition for any of these species. Apparent survival of residents was not strongly influenced by weather variation (except for the smallest species), unlike previous studies outside of refugia. Despite annual variation in abundance and body condition across the 14 years of the study, no relationship with extreme weather was evident. The location of our study area in a climate refuge potentially buffered bat population dynamics from extreme weather. These results support the value of climate refugia in mitigating climate change impacts, though the lack of an external control highlights the need for further studies on the functioning of climate refugia. Relatively stable population dynamics were not compromised by timber harvesting, suggesting ecologically sustainable harvesting may be compatible with climate refugia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley S. Law
- Forest Science Unit, NSW Primary Industries, Parramatta, Sydney NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Mark Chidel
- Forest Science Unit, NSW Primary Industries, Parramatta, Sydney NSW, Australia
| | - Peter R. Law
- Centre for African Conservation Ecology, Department of Zoology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
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20
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Belder DJ, Pierson JC, Ikin K, Lindenmayer DB. Beyond pattern to process: current themes and future directions for the conservation of woodland birds through restoration plantings. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2018. [DOI: 10.1071/wr17156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Habitat loss as a result of land conversion for agriculture is a leading cause of global biodiversity loss and altered ecosystem processes. Restoration plantings are an increasingly common strategy to address habitat loss in fragmented agricultural landscapes. However, the capacity of restoration plantings to support reproducing populations of native plants and animals is rarely measured or monitored. This review focuses on avifaunal response to revegetation in Australian temperate woodlands, one of the world’s most heavily altered biomes. Woodland birds are a species assemblage of conservation concern, but only limited research to date has gone beyond pattern data and occupancy trends to examine whether they persist and breed in restoration plantings. Moreover, habitat quality and resource availability, including food, nesting sites and adequate protection from predation, remain largely unquantified. Several studies have found that some bird species, including species of conservation concern, will preferentially occupy restoration plantings relative to remnant woodland patches. However, detailed empirical research to verify long-term population growth, colonisation and extinction dynamics is lacking. If restoration plantings are preferentially occupied but fail to provide sufficient quality habitat for woodland birds to form breeding populations, they may act as ecological traps, exacerbating population declines. Monitoring breeding success and site fidelity are under-utilised pathways to understanding which, if any, bird species are being supported by restoration plantings in the long term. There has been limited research on these topics internationally, and almost none in Australian temperate woodland systems. Key knowledge gaps centre on provision of food resources, formation of optimal foraging patterns, nest-predation levels and the prevalence of primary predators, the role of brood parasitism, and the effects of patch size and isolation on resource availability and population dynamics in a restoration context. To ensure that restoration plantings benefit woodland birds and are cost-effective as conservation strategies, the knowledge gaps identified by this review should be investigated as priorities in future research.
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21
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O'Loughlin T, O'Loughlin LS, Clarke MF. No short-term change in avian assemblage following removal of Yellow-throated Miner (Manorina flavigula) colonies. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thea O'Loughlin
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. 3086 Australia
| | - Luke S. O'Loughlin
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. 3086 Australia
| | - Michael F. Clarke
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. 3086 Australia
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22
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MHC class II β exon 2 variation in pardalotes (Pardalotidae) is shaped by selection, recombination and gene conversion. Immunogenetics 2016; 69:101-111. [PMID: 27717988 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-016-0953-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The high levels of polymorphism and allelic diversity which characterise genes in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are thought to be generated and maintained through the combined effects of different evolutionary processes. Here, we characterised exon 2 of the MHC class II β genes in two congeneric passerine species, the spotted (Pardalotus punctatus) and striated pardalote (Pardalotus striatus). We estimated the levels of allelic diversity and tested for signatures of recombination, gene conversion and balancing selection to determine if these processes have influenced MHC variation in the two species. Both species showed high levels of polymorphism and allelic diversity, as well as evidence of multiple gene loci and putative pseudogenes based on the presence of stop codons. We found higher levels of MHC diversity in the striated pardalote than the spotted pardalote, based on the levels of individual heterozygosity, sequence divergence and number of polymorphic sites. The observed differences may reflect variable selection pressure on the species, resulting from differences in patterns of movement among populations. We identified strong signatures of historical balancing selection, recombination and gene conversion at the sequence level, indicating that MHC variation in the two species has been shaped by a combination of processes.
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23
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Cain KE, Langmore NE. Female song and aggression show contrasting relationships to reproductive success when habitat quality differs. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2192-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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24
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LeBrun JJ, Thogmartin WE, Thompson FR, Dijak WD, Millspaugh JJ. Assessing the sensitivity of avian species abundance to land cover and climate. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jaymi J. LeBrun
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife SciencesUniversity of Missouri 302 Anheuser‐Busch Natural Resources Building Columbia Missouri 65211 USA
| | - Wayne E. Thogmartin
- U.S. Geological SurveyUpper Midwest Environmental Sciences Centre 2630 Fanta Reed Road La Crosse Wisconsin 54603 USA
| | - Frank R. Thompson
- USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station202 Anheuser‐Busch Natural ResourcesUniversity of Missouri Columbia Missouri 65211 USA
| | - William D. Dijak
- USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station202 Anheuser‐Busch Natural ResourcesUniversity of Missouri Columbia Missouri 65211 USA
| | - Joshua J. Millspaugh
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife SciencesUniversity of Missouri 302 Anheuser‐Busch Natural Resources Building Columbia Missouri 65211 USA
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25
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Smith P, Smith J. Influence of fire regime and other habitat factors on a eucalypt forest bird community in south-eastern Australia in the 1980s. AUST J ZOOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1071/zo16053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We investigated bird habitat relationships in extensive eucalypt forest in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, in 1986–87, assessing the importance of fire regime variables compared with other habitat variables. Our study sites encompassed a wide range of postfire ages, fire frequencies and fire severity, but we found no major bird community differences corresponding to differences in fire regime. The more common forest bird species appeared well adapted to fire regime variation in the 1980s. Tree canopy height was a far greater influence, with more species and more birds in taller forests (interpreted as a result of higher soil fertility leading to higher productivity of bird foods and greater structural complexity in taller forests). Other trends were fewer birds where there was a rainforest understorey under the eucalypts (reflecting the general scarcity of rainforest birds in the Blue Mountains), and more birds where nectar-rich flowers were more abundant (reflecting the abundance of nectarivorous birds in the Blue Mountains, especially over winter). The climate has changed since the 1980s and fires threaten to become much more severe, extensive and frequent. How these changes will impact on forest birds, and what management responses are required, is a critical area for further study.
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26
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Kvistad L, Ingwersen D, Pavlova A, Bull JK, Sunnucks P. Very Low Population Structure in a Highly Mobile and Wide-Ranging Endangered Bird Species. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143746. [PMID: 26649426 PMCID: PMC4674126 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The loss of biodiversity following fragmentation and degradation of habitat is a major issue in conservation biology. As competition for resources increases following habitat loss and fragmentation, severe population declines may occur even in common, highly mobile species; such demographic decline may cause changes within the population structure of the species. The regent honeyeater, Anthochaera phrygia, is a highly nomadic woodland bird once common in its native southeast Australia. It has experienced a sharp decline in abundance since the late 1970s, following clearing of large areas of its preferred habitat, box-ironbark woodland, within the last 200 years. A captive breeding program has been established as part of efforts to restore this species. This study used genetic data to examine the range-wide population structure of regent honeyeaters, including spatial structure, its change through time, sex differences in philopatry and mobility, and genetic differences between the captive and wild populations. There was low genetic differentiation between birds captured in different geographic areas. Despite the recent demographic decline, low spatial structure appears to have some temporal consistency. Both sexes appear to be highly mobile, and there does not seem to be significant genetic differentiation between the captive and wild populations. We conclude that management efforts for survival of this species, including habitat protection, restoration, and release of captive-bred birds into the wild, can treat the species as effectively a single genetic population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynna Kvistad
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Alexandra Pavlova
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - James K. Bull
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Sunnucks
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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27
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Watson DM. Disproportionate Declines in Ground-Foraging Insectivorous Birds after Mistletoe Removal. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142992. [PMID: 26640895 PMCID: PMC4671714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Insectivorous birds have been recognized as disproportionately sensitive to land-use intensification and habitat loss, with those species feeding primarily on the ground exhibiting some of the most dramatic declines. Altered litter inputs and availability of epigeic arthropods have been suggested to underlie reduced abundances and shrinking distributions but direct evidence is lacking. I used a patch-scale removal experiment in southern Australia to evaluate whether ground-feeding insectivores are especially vulnerable to altered litter-fall. Building on work demonstrating the importance of mistletoe litter to nutrient dynamics, litter was reduced by removing mistletoe (Loranthaceae) from one set of eucalypt woodlands, responses of birds three years after mistletoe removal compared with otherwise similar control woodlands containing mistletoe. Despite not feeding on mistletoes directly, insectivores exhibited the greatest response to mistletoe removal. Among woodland residents, ground-foraging insectivores showed the most dramatic response; treatment woodlands losing an average of 37.4% of their pre-treatment species richness. Once these 19 species of ground-foraging insectivores were excluded, remaining woodland species showed no significant effect of mistletoe removal. This response reflects greater initial losses in treatment woodlands during the study (which coincided with a severe drought) and double the number of species returning to control woodlands (where mistletoe numbers and litter were not manipulated) post-drought. These findings support the productivity-based explanation of declining insectivores, suggesting diminished litter-fall reduced habitat quality for these birds via decreased availability of their preferred prey. In addition to altered prey availability, interactions between litter-fall and epigeic arthropods exemplify the importance of below-ground / above-ground linkages driving ecosystem function.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M. Watson
- Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Albury, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
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28
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Haslem A, Nimmo DG, Radford JQ, Bennett AF. Landscape properties mediate the homogenization of bird assemblages during climatic extremes. Ecology 2015; 96:3165-74. [DOI: 10.1890/14-2447.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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29
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Nimmo DG, Haslem A, Radford JQ, Hall M, Bennett AF. Riparian tree cover enhances the resistance and stability of woodland bird communities during an extreme climatic event. J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dale G. Nimmo
- Landscape Ecology Research Group & Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Angie Haslem
- Landscape Ecology Research Group & Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. 3086 Australia
| | - James Q. Radford
- Landscape Ecology Research Group & Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Mark Hall
- Landscape Ecology Research Group & Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Andrew F. Bennett
- Landscape Ecology Research Group & Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
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30
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Kutt AS, Vanderduys EP, Perry JJ, Mathieson MT, Eyre TJ. Yellow-throated minersManorina flavigulahomogenize bird communities across intact and fragmented landscapes. AUSTRAL ECOL 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alex S. Kutt
- ARCUE; Royal Botanic Gardens and School of BioSciences; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Victoria 3010 Australia
- School of Marine and Tropical Biology; James Cook University
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31
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Selwood KE, Clarke RH, Cunningham SC, Lada H, McGeoch MA, Mac Nally R. A bust but no boom: responses of floodplain bird assemblages during and after prolonged drought. J Anim Ecol 2015; 84:1700-10. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rohan H. Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Vic. 3800 Australia
| | - Shaun C. Cunningham
- Centre for Integrative Ecology School of Life and Environmental Sciences Deakin University Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
- Institute for Applied Ecology The University of Canberra Bruce ACT 2617 Australia
| | - Hania Lada
- Institute for Applied Ecology The University of Canberra Bruce ACT 2617 Australia
| | - Melodie A. McGeoch
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University Melbourne Vic. 3800 Australia
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- Institute for Applied Ecology The University of Canberra Bruce ACT 2617 Australia
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32
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Donnelly A, Yu R, Liu L. Trophic level responses differ as climate warms in Ireland. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2015; 59:1007-1017. [PMID: 25380974 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-014-0914-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Revised: 10/09/2014] [Accepted: 10/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Effective ecosystem functioning relies on successful species interaction. However, this delicate balance may be disrupted if species do not respond to environmental change at a similar rate. Here we examine trends in the timing of spring phenophases of groups of species occupying three trophic levels as a potential indicator of ecosystem response to climate warming in Ireland. The data sets were of varying length (1976-2009) and from varying locations: (1) timing of leaf unfolding and May Shoot of a range of broadleaf and conifer tree species, (2) first appearance dates of a range of moth species, and (3) first arrival dates of a range of spring migrant birds. All three groups revealed a statistically significant (P<0.01 and P<0.001) advance in spring phenology that was driven by rising spring temperature (P<0.05; 0.45 °C /decade). However, the rate of advance was greater for moths (1.8 days/year), followed by birds (0.37 days/year) and trees (0.29 days/year). In addition, the length of time between (1) moth emergence and leaf unfolding and (2) moth emergence and bird arrival decreased significantly (P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively), indicating a decrease in the timing between food supply and demand. These differing trophic level response rates demonstrate the potential for a mismatch in the timing of interdependent phenophases as temperatures rise. Even though these data were not specifically collected to examine climate warming impacts, we conclude that such data may be used as an early warning indicator and as a means to monitor the potential for future ecosystem disruption to occur as climate warms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison Donnelly
- Department of Geography, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 53201, USA,
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33
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Runge CA, Tulloch A, Hammill E, Possingham HP, Fuller RA. Geographic range size and extinction risk assessment in nomadic species. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2015; 29:865-876. [PMID: 25580637 PMCID: PMC4681363 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/20/2014] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Geographic range size is often conceptualized as a fixed attribute of a species and treated as such for the purposes of quantification of extinction risk; species occupying smaller geographic ranges are assumed to have a higher risk of extinction, all else being equal. However many species are mobile, and their movements range from relatively predictable to-and-fro migrations to complex irregular movements shown by nomadic species. These movements can lead to substantial temporary expansion and contraction of geographic ranges, potentially to levels which may pose an extinction risk. By linking occurrence data with environmental conditions at the time of observations of nomadic species, we modeled the dynamic distributions of 43 arid-zone nomadic bird species across the Australian continent for each month over 11 years and calculated minimum range size and extent of fluctuation in geographic range size from these models. There was enormous variability in predicted spatial distribution over time; 10 species varied in estimated geographic range size by more than an order of magnitude, and 2 species varied by >2 orders of magnitude. During times of poor environmental conditions, several species not currently classified as globally threatened contracted their ranges to very small areas, despite their normally large geographic range size. This finding raises questions about the adequacy of conventional assessments of extinction risk based on static geographic range size (e.g., IUCN Red Listing). Climate change is predicted to affect the pattern of resource fluctuations across much of the southern hemisphere, where nomadism is the dominant form of animal movement, so it is critical we begin to understand the consequences of this for accurate threat assessment of nomadic species. Our approach provides a tool for discovering spatial dynamics in highly mobile species and can be used to unlock valuable information for improved extinction risk assessment and conservation planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire A Runge
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Ayesha Tulloch
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Edd Hammill
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- School of the Environment, University of Technology, Sydney, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Hugh P Possingham
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Imperial College London, Department of Life Sciences, Silwood Park, Ascot SL5 7PY, Berkshire, England, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A Fuller
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
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34
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Morales HE, Pavlova A, Joseph L, Sunnucks P. Positive and purifying selection in mitochondrial genomes of a bird with mitonuclear discordance. Mol Ecol 2015; 24:2820-37. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hernán E. Morales
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University; Clayton Campus Melbourne Vic. 3800 Australia
| | - Alexandra Pavlova
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University; Clayton Campus Melbourne Vic. 3800 Australia
| | - Leo Joseph
- Australian National Wildlife Collection; CSIRO National Facilities and Collections; GPO Box 1700 Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Paul Sunnucks
- School of Biological Sciences Monash University; Clayton Campus Melbourne Vic. 3800 Australia
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35
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Mortelliti A, Westgate M, Stein J, Wood J, Lindenmayer D. Ecological and spatial drivers of population synchrony in bird assemblages. Basic Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.baae.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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36
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Thomson JR, Maron M, Grey MJ, Catterall CP, Major RE, Oliver DL, Clarke MF, Loyn RH, Davidson I, Ingwersen D, Robinson D, Kutt A, MacDonald MA, Mac Nally R. Avifaunal disarray: quantifying models of the occurrence and ecological effects of a despotic bird species. DIVERS DISTRIB 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- James R. Thomson
- Institute for Applied Ecology; The University of Canberra; Bruce ACT 2617 Australia
| | - Martine Maron
- School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Management & Environmental Decisions Group; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Merilyn J. Grey
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. 3086 Australia
| | | | - Richard E. Major
- Australian Museum Research Institute, Australian Museum; 6 College St Sydney NSW 2010 Australia
| | - Damon L. Oliver
- Ecosystems and Threatened Species; South East Region; NSW Office of Environment and Heritage; PO Box 733 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Australia
| | - Michael F. Clarke
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. 3086 Australia
| | - Richard H. Loyn
- Department of Ecology, Environment and Evolution; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic. 3086 Australia
- formerly Department of Sustainability and Environment; Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research; PO Box 137 Heidelberg Vic. 3084 Australia
| | - Ian Davidson
- Regeneration Solutions; 15 Weir Street Wangaratta Vic. 3677 Australia
| | - Dean Ingwersen
- BirdLife Australia; 60 Leicester St Carlton Vic. 3053 Australia
| | - Doug Robinson
- Trust for Nature; level 5, 379 Collins St Melbourne Vic. 3000 Australia
| | - Alex Kutt
- ARCUE; School of Botany; University of Melbourne; Parkville Vic. 3010 Australia
| | - Michael A. MacDonald
- School of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 78, Hobart, Tasmania 7001. Current address: Centre for Conservation Science; Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; The Lodge; Sandy SG19 2DL UK
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- Institute for Applied Ecology; The University of Canberra; Bruce ACT 2617 Australia
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Species turnover in tropical montane forest avifauna links to climatic correlates. Glob Ecol Conserv 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2015.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Hale R, Reich P, Johnson M, Hansen BD, Lake PS, Thomson JR, Mac Nally R. Bird responses to riparian management of degraded lowland streams in southeastern Australia. Restor Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Robin Hale
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - Paul Reich
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne Victoria 3800 Australia
- Department of Environment and Primary Industries; Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research; 123 Brown Street Heidelberg Victoria 3084 Australia
| | - Matthew Johnson
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne Victoria 3800 Australia
- Environmental Protection Agency Victoria; 200 Victoria Street, Carlton Melbourne Victoria 3053 Australia
| | - Birgita D. Hansen
- Faculty of Science; Federation University Australia; Ballarat Victoria 3353 Australia
| | - Phillip S. Lake
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne Victoria 3800 Australia
| | - James R. Thomson
- Institute for Applied Ecology; The University of Canberra; Canberra ACT 2617 Australia
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- Institute for Applied Ecology; The University of Canberra; Canberra ACT 2617 Australia
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Selwood KE, McGeoch MA, Mac Nally R. The effects of climate change and land-use change on demographic rates and population viability. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2014; 90:837-53. [PMID: 25155196 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the processes that lead to species extinctions is vital for lessening pressures on biodiversity. While species diversity, presence and abundance are most commonly used to measure the effects of human pressures, demographic responses give a more proximal indication of how pressures affect population viability and contribute to extinction risk. We reviewed how demographic rates are affected by the major anthropogenic pressures, changed landscape condition caused by human land use, and climate change. We synthesized the results of 147 empirical studies to compare the relative effect size of climate and landscape condition on birth, death, immigration and emigration rates in plant and animal populations. While changed landscape condition is recognized as the major driver of species declines and losses worldwide, we found that, on average, climate variables had equally strong effects on demographic rates in plant and animal populations. This is significant given that the pressures of climate change will continue to intensify in coming decades. The effects of climate change on some populations may be underestimated because changes in climate conditions during critical windows of species life cycles may have disproportionate effects on demographic rates. The combined pressures of land-use change and climate change may result in species declines and extinctions occurring faster than otherwise predicted, particularly if their effects are multiplicative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Selwood
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Melodie A McGeoch
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, 3800, Australia
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- Institute for Applied Ecology, The University of Canberra, Bruce, Australian Capital Territory, 2617, Australia
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Rawal DS, Kasel S, Keatley MR, Nitschke CR. Herbarium records identify sensitivity of flowering phenology of eucalypts to climate: Implications for species response to climate change. AUSTRAL ECOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Deepa S. Rawal
- Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science; University of Melbourne; 500 Yarra Boulevard Melbourne Vic. 3121 Australia
| | - Sabine Kasel
- Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science; University of Melbourne; 500 Yarra Boulevard Melbourne Vic. 3121 Australia
| | - Marie R. Keatley
- Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science; University of Melbourne; Creswick Victoria Australia
| | - Craig R. Nitschke
- Department of Forest and Ecosystem Science; University of Melbourne; 500 Yarra Boulevard Melbourne Vic. 3121 Australia
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41
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Amos N, Harrisson KA, Radford JQ, White M, Newell G, Mac Nally R, Sunnucks P, Pavlova A. Species- and sex-specific connectivity effects of habitat fragmentation in a suite of woodland birds. Ecology 2014; 95:1556-68. [PMID: 25039220 DOI: 10.1890/13-1328.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Loss of functional connectivity following habitat loss and fragmentation could drive species declines. A comprehensive understanding of fragmentation effects on functional connectivity of an ecological assemblage requires investigation of multiple species with different mobilities, at different spatial scales, for each sex, and in different landscapes. Based on published data on mobility and ecological responses to fragmentation of 10 woodland-dependent birds, and using simulation studies, we predicted that (1) fragmentation would impede dispersal and gene flow of eight "decliners" (species that disappear from suitable patches when landscape-level tree cover falls below species-specific thresholds), but not of two "tolerant" species (whose occurrence in suitable habitat patches is independent of landscape tree cover); and that fragmentation effects would be stronger (2) in the least mobile species, (3) in the more philopatric sex, and (4) in the more fragmented region. We tested these predictions by evaluating spatially explicit isolation-by-landscape-resistance models of gene flow in fragmented landscapes across a 50 x 170 km study area in central Victoria, Australia, using individual and population genetic distances. To account for sex-biased dispersal and potential scale- and configuration-specific effects, we fitted models specific to sex and geographic zones. As predicted, four of the least mobile decliners showed evidence of reduced genetic connectivity. The responses were strongly sex specific, but in opposite directions in the two most sedentary species. Both tolerant species and (unexpectedly) four of the more mobile decliners showed no reduction in gene flow. This is unlikely to be due to time lags because more mobile species develop genetic signatures of fragmentation faster than do less mobile ones. Weaker genetic effects were observed in the geographic zone with more aggregated vegetation, consistent with gene flow being unimpeded by landscape structure. Our results indicate that for all but the most sedentary species in our system, the movement of the more dispersive sex (females in most cases) maintains overall genetic connectivity across fragmented landscapes in the study area, despite some small-scale effects on the more philopatric sex for some species. Nevertheless, to improve population viability for the less mobile bird species, structural landscape connectivity must be increased.
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Mortelliti A, Westgate MJ, Lindenmayer DB. Experimental evaluation shows limited influence of pine plantations on the connectivity of highly fragmented bird populations. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Mortelliti
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian Research Council Centre for Environmental Decisions; National Environmental Research Program; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Martin J. Westgate
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian Research Council Centre for Environmental Decisions; National Environmental Research Program; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; Australian Research Council Centre for Environmental Decisions; National Environmental Research Program; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
- LTERN; Long Term Ecological Research Network; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
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Bennett JM, Nimmo DG, Clarke RH, Thomson JR, Cheers G, Horrocks GFB, Hall M, Radford JQ, Bennett AF, Mac Nally R. Resistance and resilience: can the abrupt end of extreme drought reverse avifaunal collapse? DIVERS DISTRIB 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M. Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Vic. 3800 Australia
| | - Dale G. Nimmo
- Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Rohan H. Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Vic. 3800 Australia
| | - James R. Thomson
- Institute for Applied Ecology; The University of Canberra; Canberra ACT 2617 Australia
| | - Garry Cheers
- 525 Maryborough-Dunolly Rd Havelock Vic. 3465 Australia
| | | | - Mark Hall
- Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - James Q. Radford
- Bush Heritage Australia; P.O. Box 329 Flinders Lane Melbourne Vic. 8009 Australia
| | - Andrew F. Bennett
- Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- Institute for Applied Ecology; The University of Canberra; Canberra ACT 2617 Australia
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44
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Brewitt KS, Danner EM. Spatio-temporal temperature variation influences juvenile steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) use of thermal refuges. Ecosphere 2014. [DOI: 10.1890/es14-00036.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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Bennett JM, Clarke RH, Thomson JR, Mac Nally R. Variation in abundance of nectarivorous birds: does a competitive despot interfere with flower tracking? J Anim Ecol 2014; 83:1531-41. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2656.12245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M. Bennett
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Vic 3800 Australia
| | - Rohan H. Clarke
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Vic 3800 Australia
| | - James R. Thomson
- Institute for Applied Ecology; The University of Canberra; Bruce 2617 ACT Australia
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- Institute for Applied Ecology; The University of Canberra; Bruce 2617 ACT Australia
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Multi-scale associations between vegetation cover and woodland bird communities across a large agricultural region. PLoS One 2014; 9:e97029. [PMID: 24830684 PMCID: PMC4022507 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving biodiversity conservation in fragmented agricultural landscapes has become an important global issue. Vegetation at the patch and landscape-scale is important for species occupancy and diversity, yet few previous studies have explored multi-scale associations between vegetation and community assemblages. Here, we investigated how patch and landscape-scale vegetation cover structure woodland bird communities. We asked: (1) How is the bird community associated with the vegetation structure of woodland patches and the amount of vegetation cover in the surrounding landscape? (2) Do species of conservation concern respond to woodland vegetation structure and surrounding vegetation cover differently to other species in the community? And (3) Can the relationships between the bird community and the woodland vegetation structure and surrounding vegetation cover be explained by the ecological traits of the species comprising the bird community? We studied 103 woodland patches (0.5 - 53.8 ha) over two time periods across a large (6,800 km2) agricultural region in southeastern Australia. We found that both patch vegetation and surrounding woody vegetation cover were important for structuring the bird community, and that these relationships were consistent over time. In particular, the occurrence of mistletoe within the patches and high values of woody vegetation cover within 1,000 ha and 10,000 ha were important, especially for bird species of conservation concern. We found that the majority of these species displayed similar, positive responses to patch and landscape vegetation attributes. We also found that these relationships were related to the foraging and nesting traits of the bird community. Our findings suggest that management strategies to increase both remnant vegetation quality and the cover of surrounding woody vegetation in fragmented agricultural landscapes may lead to improved conservation of bird communities.
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The Importance of Assessing Climate Change Vulnerability to Address Species Conservation. JOURNAL OF FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT 2014. [DOI: 10.3996/052013-jfwm-039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Species conservation often prioritizes attention on a small subset of “special status” species at high risk of extinction, but actions based on current lists of special status species may not effectively moderate biodiversity loss if climate change alters threats. Assessments of climate change vulnerability may provide a method to enhance identification of species at risk of extinction. We compared climate change vulnerability and lists of special status species to examine the adequacy of current lists to represent species at risk of extinction in the coming decades. The comparison was made for terrestrial vertebrates in a regionally important management area of the southwestern United States. Many species not listed as special status were vulnerable to increased extinction risk with climate change. Overall, 74% of vulnerable species were not included in lists of special status and omissions were greatest for birds and reptiles. Most special status species were identified as additionally vulnerable to climate change impacts and there was little evidence to indicate the outlook for these species might improve with climate change, which suggests that existing conservation efforts will need to be intensified. Current special status lists encompassed climate change vulnerability best if climate change was expected to exacerbate current threats, such as the loss of wetlands, but often overlooked climate-driven threats, such as exceeding physiological thresholds.
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Bennett AF, Nimmo DG, Radford JQ. Riparian vegetation has disproportionate benefits for landscape-scale conservation of woodland birds in highly modified environments. J Appl Ecol 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew F. Bennett
- Landscape Ecology Research Group & Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; 221 Burwood Highway Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - Dale G. Nimmo
- Landscape Ecology Research Group & Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; 221 Burwood Highway Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
| | - James Q. Radford
- Landscape Ecology Research Group & Centre for Integrative Ecology; School of Life and Environmental Sciences; Deakin University; 221 Burwood Highway Burwood Vic. 3125 Australia
- Bush Heritage Australia; PO Box 329 Flinders Lane Melbourne Vic. 8009 Australia
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Ritchie EG, Bradshaw CJA, Dickman CR, Hobbs R, Johnson CN, Johnston EL, Laurance WF, Lindenmayer D, McCarthy MA, Nimmo DG, Possingham HH, Pressey RL, Watson DM, Woinarski J. Continental-scale governance and the hastening of loss of Australia's biodiversity. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2013; 27:1133-1135. [PMID: 24299077 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Euan G Ritchie
- Centre for Integrative Ecology and School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia.
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Maron M, Grey MJ, Catterall CP, Major RE, Oliver DL, Clarke MF, Loyn RH, Mac Nally R, Davidson I, Thomson JR. Avifaunal disarray due to a single despotic species. DIVERS DISTRIB 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Martine Maron
- School of Geography; Planning and Environmental Management & Environmental Decisions Group; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Qld 4072 Australia
| | - Merilyn J. Grey
- Department of Zoology; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic 3086 Australia
| | | | | | - Damon L. Oliver
- Ecosystems and Threatened Species, South East; NSW Office of Environment and Heritage; PO Box 733 Queanbeyan NSW 2620 Australia
| | - Michael F. Clarke
- Department of Zoology; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic 3086 Australia
| | - Richard H. Loyn
- Department of Zoology; La Trobe University; Bundoora Vic 3086 Australia
- Department of Sustainability and Environment; Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research; PO Box 137 Heidelberg Vic 3084 Australia
| | - Ralph Mac Nally
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne Vic 3800 Australia
| | - Ian Davidson
- Regeneration Solutions; 15 Weir Street Wangaratta Vic 3677 Australia
| | - James R. Thomson
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Melbourne Vic 3800 Australia
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