bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Apoptosis of endometrial cells in the bitch
Authors: Chu Po-yin , Wright P. J. , Lee C. S.
Published: September 2002

The relationship between apoptosis of endometrial cells in the bitch, and the occurrence of degeneration of the endometrial luminal epithelium and regression of the endometrial glandular epithelium was determined. Mature bitches (n = 12) were ovariectomized and treated with hormones to simulate uterine changes that occur during the oestrous cycle. All bitches were treated with oestradiol benzoate (0.6–4.8 �g kg–1, i. m., twice per day) for 11–12 days then with progestagen (megestrol acetate, 2 mg kg–1, p. o., once per day) for 35–37 days. Bitches were treated daily for a further 3 weeks with megestrol acetate at dose rates of 0.5 mg kg–1 (decreased-dose group (n = 3)), 2 mg kg–1 (standard-dose group (n = 3)), or 3 (1 wk), 4 (1 wk) and 5 (1 wk) mg kg–1 (increased-dose group (n = 3)), or received no treatment (withdrawal-dose group (n = 3)). These bitches were necropsied at the end of the treatment period. A further 10, ovary-intact, bitches were necropsied when in oestrus (n = 1), dioestrus (n = 5), and at 3 weeks (n = 1) and 9 weeks (n = 3) of anoestrus. Degeneration of the luminal epithelium was observed in all bitches except those in oestrus, at 9 weeks of anoestrus and one in dioestrus. Apoptosis was observed in the glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and endothelial cells of blood capillaries in all bitches except those at oestrous and at 9 weeks of anoestrous. High average apoptotic indices were detected in the basal glandular epithelium of the dioestrous, decreased-dose, standard-dose and increased-dose groups, whereas low apoptotic indices were detected at 3 weeks of anoestrous and in the withdrawal-dose groups. These results indicate that degeneration of cells of the glandular epithelium, but not of the luminal epithelium, was due to apoptosis of these cells.
Porcine zonae pellucidae immunisation of tammar wallabies (Macropus eugenii): fertility and immune responses
Authors: Kitchener A. L. , Edds L. M. , Molinia F. C. , Kay D. J.
Published: September 2002

This study looked at the feasibility of targeting the zona pellucida for a contraceptive vaccine as a possible alternative method of control for overabundant macropods. Tammar wallabies, as a model for other macropods, were immunized with porcine zonae pellucidae (PZP) and were found to achieve significant concentrations of antibody to PZP in sera and reproductive tract fluids. Wallabies immunized with PZP exhibited lower ovarian weight with reduced numbers of antral follicles when compared with control animals. Wallabies were placed in a natural mating trial followed by an artificial insemination trial. None of the PZP-immunized wallabies produced offspring in the natural mating trial compared with 67% of control animals. To further assess fertility, a sub-sample of the wallabies were superovulated and artificially inseminated. This resulted in all control wallabies producing fertilized ova and all PZP-immunized wallabies failing to ovulate. These results suggest that immunocontraception based on targeting antigens of the zona pellucida may be an effective strategy for fertility reduction in macropods.
Maternal copper supplementation protects the neonatal rat lung against the adverse effects of maternal nicotine exposure
Authors: Maritz G. S. , Matthews H. L. , Aalbers J.
Published: September 2002

Maternal nicotine exposure interferes with the extracellular formation of the
connective tissue frame-work of the neonatal lung, a process that is dependent
on copper-dependent lysyl oxidase. It has been shown that, during the phase of
lung development associated with alveolarization, maternal nicotine exposure
resulted in a reduction in the copper content and thus conceivably in the
activity of lysyl oxidase of the neonatal lung. Therefore the aims of this
study were (a) to determine the effects of maternal
nicotine exposure during gestation and lactation on neonatal lung development,
and (b) to establish whether maternal copper
supplementation during gestation and lactation prevented the effect of
maternal nicotine exposure on neonatal lung development. Pregnant rats were
randomly divided into four groups: the control group received saline; the
second group received 1 mg nicotine (kg
bodyweight)–1 day–1
subcutaneously; the third group received 1 mg copper (kg
bodyweight)–1 day–1;
and the fourth group received both nicotine and copper in the same quantities
as the previous two groups. Lung tissue of 14- and 42-day-old rat pups were
processed for light microscopy. Maternal nicotine exposure during gestation
and lactation resulted in (a) decreased alveolar number,
(b) reduced internal surface area and
(c) increased alveolar volume. Copper supplementation
during gestation and lactation prevented the adverse effects of maternal
nicotine exposure during gestation and lactation on the development of the
alveolar region of the rat lung.
Influence of relative size at birth on growth and glucose homeostasis in twin lambs during juvenile life
Authors: Clarke L. , Firth K. , Heasman L. , Juniper D. T. , Budge H. , Stephenson T. , Symonds M. E.
Published: September 2002

The effect of differences in size at birth on growth and glucose homeostasis
between female twin lambs during juvenile life was examined. Twenty-six sets
of twins were entered into the study, of which ten were used for organ
sampling at birth and 16 were studied over the first year of life. Eleven sets
were defined as being mismatched for birthweight as the weight difference
between twins was >25%, with light lambs weighing 4.1 0.3 kg and
heavy lambs weighing 5.1 0.1 kg. All remaining twins were matched in
bodyweight, weighing 4.6 0.5 kg. During the rapid period of juvenile growth
(i.e. one, three and six months of age) and following stabilization of
bodyweight (i.e. 12 months of age) glucose tolerance tests were performed by
intravenously injecting 0.8 mg kg –1 bodyweight
glucose. This was followed the next day with an insulin tolerance test,
performed by intravenously injecting 0.08 units kg
–1 bodyweight insulin. At birth there were no
differences in organ weight as a fraction of total bodyweight between matched
and mismatched twins, but the ratio of liver to brain weight was lower in
light compared with heavy twins. Light lambs remained lighter than their twins
up to six months of age, and crown–rump length was also shorter. At one
and three months of age there were no differences in basal plasma glucose
concentrations between the groups, but glucose tolerance was greater in light
compared with heavy lambs at one and six months of age. Insulin tolerance was
greater in light compared with matched lambs at one and six months of age. In
conclusion, it has been shown that size at birth of one twin in relation to
its co-twin is one factor determining glucose regulation during postnatal
life. This not only affects glucose and insulin tolerance but also growth over
the first six months of age.
Notes and new species of Eriocaulon (Eriocaulaceae) from Australia
Authors: Leach G. J.
Published: September 2002

Nine new endemic Australian species are described inEriocaulon as E. athertonense,E. carpentariae, E. clarksonii,E. inapertum, E. nematophyllum,E. odontospermum, E. patericola,E. scullioni and E. tricornum.Lectotypification and clarification of application of the nameE. depressum R.Br. ex Sm. is provided andE. arfakense Royen cited as a new synonym.Eriocaulon brunonis Britten is lectotypified and thetaxon suggested as of hybrid origin involvingE. spectabile F.Muell.Eriocaulon graphitinum F.Muell. & Tate ex Ewart & Cookson is lectotypified and established as a synonym ofE. pygmaeum Sol. ex Sm. Lectotypes are chosen forE. deustum R.Br., E. depressumR.Br., E. heterogynum F.Muell.,E. pygmaeum Sol. ex Sm. andE. scariosum R.Br.
Plagiochila sect. Contiguae (Hepaticae) in Australasia and the Pacific, with description of Plagiochila subjavanica sp. nov.
Authors: So M. L.
Published: September 2002

Plagiochila subjavanica sp. nov. from Papua New Guinea is described and illustrated. Plagiochila aspera Steph.,P. francana Steph., P. javanica(Sw.) Nees & Mont., P. junghuhniana Sande Lac.,P. metcalfii Steph., P. obtusaLindenb., P. owaihiensis Nees & Lindenb.,P. paucidens Steph.,P. purpurascens Steph.,P. streimannii Inoue, P. tectaInoue & Grolle and P. teysmannii Sande Lac. areincluded in the section. Twelve species names are newly placed in synonymy:Plagiochila alta Steph.,P. ovalava Steph., P. multifurcataSteph., P. riddleana Steph. andP. vagans Steph. are treated as synonymous withP. teysmannii Sande Lac.Plagiochila erectifolia Steph.,P. queenslandica Steph.,P. trigona Steph. andP. viridissima Steph. are conspecific with P.metcalfii Steph.Plagiochila daviesiana Steph.,P. pulchra Steph. and P. vescoanaSteph. are synonymised with P. junghuhniana Sande Lac.Lectotypes are designated for P. alta Steph.,P. paucidens Steph. andP. vescoana. Plagiochila manillanaMont. & Gottsche is excluded from Australasia and the Pacific. A keyto the 13 species of sect. Contiguae Carl in Australasiaand the Pacific all other provided.
Reproductive biology and genetic marker diversity in Grevillea infecunda (Proteaceae), a rare plant with no known seed production
Authors: Kimpton Sarah K. , James Elizabeth A. , Drinnan Andrew N.
Published: September 2002

Grevillea infecunda D.J.McGillivray is a narrow endemic that reproduces vegetatively via root suckering. The reproductive biology of five Grevillea infecunda populations was investigated by scanning electron microscopy and light microscopy. Stigma maturation follows normal Grevillea development. However, a large number of pollen grains with aberrant forms were documented. A fluorochromatic reaction (FCR) test revealed 0.04% pollen viability. All pollen samples collected from two populations were completely sterile. All viable grains were >100 �m in diameter and included aberrant forms. Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique was used to investigate genotypic diversity in G. infecunda. Three primer pairs revealed sufficient variation in 109 loci to assign a unique phenotype to every individual (N = 40) sampled. This suggests that the populations were established from founder seedlings. The species has apparently lost the ability to reproduce sexually but genotypic variation is maintained through asexual reproduction via root suckers.
Where are the short-range endemics among Western Australian macrofungi?
Authors: May Tom W.
Published: September 2002

There are 491 Western Australian (WA) basidiomycete macrofungi, most of which are found also in eastern Australia (78.4%) or overseas. Only 52 (10.6%) endemic WA species have been identified. Of the 32 WA endemics known from more than one location, most (25) have ranges greater than 100 km, even though they are usually represented by few collections (average 4.2). It is considered likely that further collecting will extend ranges. Only Torrendia grandis and T. inculta are known from several collections from the one restricted area, in the Kellerberrin district. Otherwise there is no conclusive evidence for short-range endemism or for any particular centres of narrow endemism for macrofungi. This also appears to be the case for eastern Australia, with the only exceptions being a few fungi of very narrow host range or very specific substratum requirements. Where sufficient collections are available to determine distribution, most Australian macrofungi seem to be very widespread. A model to explain the lack of short-range endemism in macrofungi will need to draw on detailed knowledge of the phylogeny and population genetics of macrofungi, which is currently lacking. The absence of short-range endemic macrofungi also necessitates reconsideration of conservation strategies for macrofungi, since such species are prime candidates for listing on conservation schedules.
Comparison of karyotype and rDNA-distribution in somatic chromosomes of Bowenia species (Stangeriaceae, Cycadales)
Authors: Kokubugata G. , Kondo K. , Wilson G. W. , Randall L. M. , van der Schans A. , Morris D. K.
Published: September 2002

Somatic chromosomes at mitotic metaphase of
Bowenia serrulata, B. spectabilis
and B. sp. ‘Tinaroo’ is investigated by the
standard aceto-orcein staining method and the fluorescent
in situ hybridisation method (FISH) with ribosomal DNA
(rDNA) probe. Bowenia serrulata,
B. spectabilis and B. sp.
‘Tinaroo’ each have a chromosome number of
2n = 18. The karyotype of
B. serrulata exhibits 10 median-centromeric chromosomes,
while B. spectabilis and B. sp.
‘Tinaroo’ exhibit eight median-centromeric chromosomes. By using
FISH, B. serrulata, B. spectabilis
and B. sp. ‘Tinaroo’ show a hybridisation
signal on the satellite of the short arm of two submedian-centromeric
chromosomes. However, the other hybridisation signal pattern is different
among B. serrulata, B. spectabilis
and B. sp. ‘Tinaroo’.
Taxonomic revision of Richea R.Br. (Epacridaceae)
Authors: Menadue Yvonne , Crowden R. K.
Published: September 2002

A revision of Richea R.Br., endemic to Australia, on the
basis of new morphological and phytochemical evidence derived from fresh and
herbarium material, recognises 11 species:R. acerosa
(Lindl) F.Muell., R. alpina sp. nov. Y.Menadue,
R. continentis B.L.Burtt,
R. dracophylla R.Br., R. gunnii
Hook.f., R. milliganii (Hook.f.) F.Muell.,
R. pandanifolia
Hook.f.,R. procera(F.Muell) F.Muell.,
R. scoparia Hook.f.,
R. sprengelioides (R.Br.) F.Muell., and
R. victoriana Y.Menadue.
Richea angustifolia B.L.Burtt is reduced to synonomy
under R. scopariaand R. curtisiae
A.M.Gray is excluded. A new subspecies, R. pandanifolia
ssp. ramosa Y.Menadue is described for the first time.
Flavonoid chemistry provides clear support for the hybrid origin of
R. curtisiae.
Tillage-induced changes to soil structure and organic carbon fractions in New Zealand soils
Authors: Shepherd T. G. , Saggar S. , Newman R. H. , Ross C. W. , Dando J. L.
Published: September 2002

The effects of increasing cropping and soil compaction on aggregate stability
and dry-sieved aggregate-size distribution, and their relationship to total
organic C (TOC) and the major functional groups of soil organic carbon, were
investigated on 5 soils of contrasting mineralogy. All soils except the
allophanic soil showed a significant decline in aggregate stability under
medium- to long-term cropping. Mica-rich, fine-textured mineral and humic
soils showed the greatest increase in the mean weight diameter (MWD) of dry
aggregates, while the oxide-rich soils, and particularly the allophanic soils,
showed only a slight increase in the MWD after long-term cropping. On
conversion back to pasture, the aggregate stability of the mica-rich soils
increased and the MWD of the aggregate-size distribution decreased, with the
humic soil showing the greatest recovery. Aggregate stability and dry
aggregate-size distribution patterns show that soil resistance to structural
degradation and soil resilience increased from fine-textured to
coarse-textured to humic mica-rich soils to oxide-rich soils to allophanic
soils.
Coarse- and fine-textured mica-rich and oxide-rich soils under pasture
contained medium amounts of TOC, hot-water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), and
acid hydrolysable carbohydrate (AHC), all of which declined significantly
under cropping. The rate of decline varied with soil type in the initial years
of cropping, but was similar under medium- and long-term cropping. TOC was
high in the humic mica-rich and allophanic soils, and levels did not decline
appreciably under medium- and long-term cropping.
13C-nuclear magnetic resonance evidence also indicates
that all major functional groups of soil organic carbon declined under
cropping, with O-alkyl C and alkyl C showing the fastest and slowest rate of
decline, respectively. On conversion back to pasture, both WSC and AHC
returned to levels originally present under long-term pasture. TOC recovered
to original pasture levels in the humic soil, but recovered only to
60–70% of original levels in the coarse- and fine-textured soils.
Aggregate stability was strongly correlated to TOC, WSC, and AHC
(P < 0.001), while aggregate-size distribution was
moderately correlated to aggregate stability (P <
0.01) and weakly correlated to AHC (P < 0.05).
Scanning electron microscopy indicated a loss of the binding agents around
aggregates under cropping. The effect of the loss of these binding agents on
soil structure was more pronounced in mica-rich soils than in oxide-rich and
allophanic soils. The very high aggregate stabilities of the humic soil under
pasture was attributed to the presence of a protective water-repellent lattice
of long-chain polymethylene compounds around the soil aggregates.
Differences in sorption behaviour of carbaryl and phosalone in soils from Australia, Pakistan, and the United Kingdom
Authors: Ahmad R. , Kookana R. S. , Alston A. M. , Bromilow R. H.
Published: September 2002

Sorption of 2 nonionic pesticides, carbaryl (1-naphthyl methylcarbamate) and
phosalone (S-6-chloro-2,3-dihydro-2-oxobenzoxazol-3-ylmethyl O,O-diethyl
phosphorodithioate), was investigated for 48 soils from Australia, Pakistan,
and the United Kingdom. A wide variation in sorption affinities of the soils
to carbaryl and phosalone was observed. The sorption coefficient (K
d) values for carbaryl ranged from 0.19 to 23.0 L/kg
in Australian soils, from 0.99 to 59.7 L/kg in Pakistani soils, and from
1.09 to 23.0 L/kg in the UK soils. The K d values
for phosalone ranged from 4.8 to 443 L/kg in Australian soils, from 15.5
to 1182 L/kg in Pakistani soils, and from 18.1 to 205 L/kg in the UK
soils. To eliminate the effect of variation in organic carbon content among
the soils, the K d values were normalised to the
fraction of soil organic carbon (K oc ). However, K oc
values for both pesticides varied by about an order of magnitude across the
soils, decreasing in the following order: Pakistani > Australian
> UK soils. Correlation between K d and organic
carbon content of the soils was poor (r
2 = 0.44 and 0.46). The particulate organic C
(53 µm–2 mm) was only slightly better correlated with K
d than the total organic C in the <2 mm fraction
of the soils. Thus soil organic C content alone is not a good predictor of
sorption even for nonionic pesticides such as carbaryl and phosalone. Caution
is needed during extrapolation of overseas data to predict sorption under
local conditions.
Effect of leaching and clay content on carbon and nitrogen mineralisation in maize and pasture soils
Authors: Parfitt R. L. , Salt G. J. , Saggar S.
Published: September 2002

We conducted a 7-week laboratory incubation experiment to evaluate the effect
of leaching on net C and N mineralisation in soils. The soils were collected
from adjacent fields of long-term pasture and maize, where each field
contained an Inceptisol and an Andisol. The concentration of clay mineral was
200 g/kg halloysite in the Inceptisol and 120 g/kg allophane in the
Andisol. Half the samples were leached weekly with 0.002 M
CaCl2 at a suction of 20 kPa to remove soluble products,
and half were not leached. Carbon mineralisation was determined from
CO2-C evolved each week. Net N mineralisation was
measured for the leached samples from the NH4-N and
NO3-N in the CaCl2 extracts, and
for the batch of non-leached samples by extraction in 0.5 M
K2SO4. Carbon and net N
mineralisation were greater in the soils under pasture than in soils under
maize. The proportion of total C mineralised as CO2-C,
and of total N mineralised as NH4-N and
NO3-N, followed the order Inceptisol-pasture >
Inceptisol-maize > Andisol-pasture > Andisol-maize, suggesting that
allophane and Al ions reduced net mineralisation. Dissolved organic carbon
(DOC) produced during incubation, as a proportion of total C, was greatest for
the Inceptisol-maize sample and least for the Andisol-pasture sample.
Non-leaching resulted in the accumulation of acids and solutes, and decreased
C mineralisation for the Inceptisol samples.
Dryland salinity in south-western Australia: its origins, remedies, and future research directions
Authors: Clarke C. J. , George R. J. , Bell R. W. , Hatton T. J.
Published: September 2002

Replacement of deep-rooted, perennial native vegetation with shallow-rooted,
annual agricultural plants has resulted in increased recharge causing shallow
saline water tables leading to dryland salinity and loss of agricultural
production. Restoring the vegetation by regeneration or replanting lowers
water levels locally but field evidence and computer modelling suggests this
needs to be widespread for regional effects, which conflicts with the future
of conventional agriculture. Alley farming allows agriculture to be continued
in the bays between the rows, but needs as much perennial, preferably
deep-rooted, vegetation as possible in the bays to achieve the required
recharge reductions.
Where the asset to be preserved is valuable and a means of safe saline
effluent disposal exists, pumps and drains will be part of any salinity
management system, but where these conditions are not met they will be of
limited use on an economic basis.
To limit the spread of dryland salinity substantial change in farming systems
is required and farmers need assurance that the recommended strategies will
have the desired effect. Computer modelling is the only timely way to do this.
An operationally simple 1-dimensional model already exists, and a
2-dimensional one is under development and testing. Three-dimensional
modelling is also probably required to support strategic, intensive
interventions.
computer modelling, revegetation, engineering, perennial.
Soil clayhumus complexes. I. Alkali dissolution, TEM, and XRD studies
Authors: Ahmed Nayan , Varadachari Chandrika , Ghosh Kunal
Published: September 2002

Clay-humus complexes from 5 different soils (Entisol, Alfisol, Vertisol, and 2 Mollisols) were isolated by aqueous dispersion. Humic acid (HA) extractable from the complexes by alkali solutions ranging from pH 8 to 14, before and after acid pretreatment, were studied. Extraction by alkali solutions alone was not very effective except with the Alfisol sample. However, pretreatment by acid greatly increased extractability in all samples except the Alfisol. Maximum extraction of HA occurred at pH 12. In the Alfisol sample, clay-HA linkage is probably through hydrogen or other monovalent cation bridges which can be broken by alkali treatment. In Entisol and Mollisol II samples, cation bridging by higher valent, acid-extractable cations is dominant; both these modes are evidenced in the Mollisol I sample. The Vertisol sample has the strongest clay-HA links. TEM studies revealed a reduction in size of the montmorillonite particles in the Vertisol clay-humus complex (compared with humus-free clay); destacking and dispersion of montmorillonite occurred on HA complexation as observed previously for in vitro systems. Relative intensity of the 15� XRD line was much weaker in the Vertisol clay-humus complex than in the clay, lending further support to the fact that that c-stacking is disrupted during complexation of smectite with humus.
Soil clayhumus complexes. II. Bridging cations and DTA studies
Authors: Ahmed Nayan , Varadachari Chandrika , Ghosh Kunal
Published: September 2002

Clay-humus complexes, isolated from 5 soils (Entisol, Alfisol, Vertisol, two Mollisols), were extracted with 0.1 n citrate, EDTA, and oxalate at pH 7.0-10.0; amounts of Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+/2+, Al3+, as well as humic acid (HA) in the extract were determined. HA extracted increased with pH and varied with nature of ligand; largest amounts were extracted by EDTA at high pH. In the Entisol clay-humus extract, Ca2+ is dominant. In Alfisol sample, Ca2+ and Mg2+ have little role in clay-HA bonding; apart from monovalent cations, bonding is mainly through Fe3+/2+ and Al3+, which are well correlated to HA extracted. The extract from Vertisol sample contains little Fe3+/2+ or Al3+ and major bonding is through Ca2+. In Mollisol I and II, Ca2+, Mg2+, Fe3+/2+, and Al3+ are all involved in bonding and are highly correlated to extracted HA. Difference in mineralogy determines the difference in bonding strength between Alfisol and Vertisol complexes.

DTA indicates dual bonding modes. A major fraction of HA (in clay-humus complexes) shows thermal destabilisation due to multiple attachments on the clay surface; a small fraction is also thermally stabilised by ionic bonding with Ca2+/Mg2+ and absence of ring strain in the complex. Only the Alfisol HA does not show thermal stabilisation in the complex.
Effects of vegetation cover on runoff and erosion under simulated rain and overland flow on a rehabilitated site on the Meandu Mine, Tarong, Queensland
Authors: Loch R. J.
Published: September 2002

This research was carried out to quantify the role of vegetative cover in
reducing runoff and erosion from rehabilitated mined land. Duplicate plots 1.5
m wide and 12 m long were prepared on a rehabilitated area of the Meandu Mine,
Tarong, with vegetative cover of 0, 23%, 37%, 47%, and
100%. The area had a uniform 15% slope, and there were no rill
or gully lines present. Simulated rain equivalent to a 1 : 100 year storm was
applied to the plots, and runoff and erosion were measured.
Infiltration totals and rates increased strongly with increasing vegetative
cover. There was visibly greater infiltration under vegetation. Erosion from
the simulated storm was greatly reduced by vegetative cover, declining from
30–35 t/ha at 0% vegetative cover to 0.5 t/ha at
47% cover. Reductions in erosion at lower levels of vegetative cover
were greater than predicted by the cover/erosion relationship used in the
USLE. The dominantly stoloniferous growth habit of the grass at this site may
have increased the effectiveness of vegetative cover in this study.
To allow the data to be extrapolated to slopes longer than 12 m, a series of
overland flows were applied to the upslope boundaries of the plots, simulating
flows on slopes up to 70 m long. Detachment and transport of sediment by
applied overland flow was similarly reduced by vegetative cover, and results
from the overland flow study also indicate that for slopes up to 70 m long
with grass cover of 47% or greater, erosion rates will be minimal, even
under extreme rainfall/runoff events.
Mining disturbance alters phosphorus fractions in northern Australian soils
Authors: Short Terrence A. , Menzies Neal W. , Mulligan David R.
Published: September 2002

The brown kandosol soils at Weipa, North Queensland, contain little soil
phosphorus (P). Plant-available fractions (considered in this study to include
resin, hydroxide, and dilute acid extractable P) approximate 85 ˜g
P/g, or 70% of total soil P, the majority of which is in labile
organic forms, highlighting the importance of P cycling within the native
eucalypt forest. A field experiment was undertaken to evaluate the effect of
soil handling during bauxite mining on the distribution of P between the
various soil fractions. This study showed that soil stripping and replacement
disrupts the P cycle and affects the proportional distribution of P between
soil fractions. Horizon mixing during soil handling severely reduces the size
of plant-available soil P fractions in surface soils ( 0–5 cm depth) and
this can only be partially compensated by the addition of fertiliser. A survey
of rehabilitated sites of differing ages showed that restoration of soil
organic P fractions is extremely slow, with the overall distribution of P
within replaced soils remaining different from that within undisturbed soils
15 years after rehabilitation to native forest or exotic pasture species.
The crystallo-chemistry of oxide-humus complexes
Authors: Varadachari Chandrika , Chattopadhyay Tarit , Ghosh Kunal
Published: September 2002

Complexation of humic substances with goethite, hematite, gibbsite, and
boehmite has been explained from a viewpoint of crystal structure of the
minerals. Theoretical analysis of crystal surface structures revealed the
following. (i) Residual charge carried by O or OH on
surfaces of gibbsite is –1/2; on boehmite it is –3/2 or
–1/2; on goethite it is –4/3, –2/3, or
–1/3; and on hematite it is –3/2, –1, or
–1/2. Cations adsorbed to neutralise these charges can form bridging
links with humic acid; higher charges form stronger links.
(ii) Surfaces of goethite, hematite, and gibbsite also
contain octahedral sites in which one O/OH position is vacant. These may
provide centres for the formation of strong coordination bonds.
(iii) Such vacant octahedral positions are absent in
boehmite. It follows that in gibbsite, cation bridging links would be weak and
vacant octahedral sites would be the dominant bonding sites; in goethite and
hematite, both cation bridging and surface coordination sites would be
present; in boehmite, cation bridging would be the only strong bonding mode.
Derivations from crystallochemical analysis are supported by experimental
observations. Infrared studies also show strong OH involvement in boehmite
complexation in contrast to the weakness of OH involvement in gibbsite
complexes.
Quantifying variability of soil physical properties within soil series to address modern land-use issues on the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand
Authors: Webb T. H. , Claydon J. J. , Harris S. R.
Published: September 2002

Lack of accurate data to estimate soil physical properties for soil types is
limiting the wide application of simulation models to address modern
environmental and land-use issues. In this study, systematic sampling of soil
profiles for soil physical characteristics has provided an improved basis upon
which to estimate a number of soil physical properties for 4 soil series. The
selected soils form a soil drainage sequence on the post-glacial surface of
the Canterbury Plains and vary from shallow sandy loam, well-drained soils to
deep clay loam, poorly drained soils. Three profiles within 3 map units were
sampled for each of 4 soil series. Three horizons in each soil profile were
sampled for soil porosity values, particle size, and saturated and
near-saturated hydraulic conductivity.
Variability in all data, as shown by coefficient of variation, increased in
the order: total porosity = field capacity < wilting point <
total available water = clay content < readily available water <
macroporosity < sand content < hydraulic conductivity. Hydraulic
conductivity exhibited high variability within horizons, between profiles, and
within soil series. Temuka subsoils had extremely high variability in
saturated hydraulic conductivity and this could be explained by their coarse
prismatic structure.
Analysis of variance identified horizons that differed in soil physical
properties between soil series. Horizons that do not differ between series may
be given pooled soil property values for the pooled series. Total porosity,
field capacity, wilting point, clay content, and near-saturated hydraulic
conductivity had the greatest number of differences (60–70%)
between series comparisons, while total available water had fewest differences
(5%). The series with greatest differences in drainage class (Temuka
compared with Eyre or Templeton soils) recorded the largest number of
differences in water release characteristics and particle size. There were few
differences between well-drained Eyre and moderately well-drained Templeton
series. Subsoils of Eyre series differed in hydraulic conductivity from
subsoils for the other 3 series, but few differences in hydraulic conductivity
were found between horizons of Templeton, Wakanui, and Temuka series.
Hydraulic conductivity estimates for these series can therefore be pooled.
A numerical study of buoyant plumes in cross-flow conditions
Authors: Porterie B. , Loraud J.C. , Morvan D. , Larini M.
Published: September 2002

A computational procedure for predicting the buoyant plume above a line fire in
a cross wind is reported. The present model takes into account the interaction
between the plume and the surrounding flow by solving the two-dimensional
equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. Fields of
velocity and temperature are predicted along with plume trajectory and width
for different wind speeds. This model can be used to evaluate the impact of a
wildland fire upon vegetation such as crown scorch, burning brands trajectory,
and smoke or ash dispersal.
Physical properties of dead and downed round-wood fuels in the Boreal forests of western and Northern Canada
Authors: Nalder Ian A. , Wein Ross W. , Alexander Martin E. , de Groot William J.
Published: September 2002

The quantity of dead and downed woody fuels in forests is commonly estimated
using the line intersect method of sampling. Determination of the mass of wood
per unit area for each size class requires values for the mean specific
gravity, piece tilt angle and piece diameter. We present these values for dead
and downed round-wood materials less than 7 cm in diameter based on surveys of
slash and naturally fallen materials in six boreal forest regions of western
and northern Canada and for eight common species in these regions. There was
considerable variation in the three variables: mean specific gravity ranged
from 0.34 to 0.65 Mg m–3, tilt ranged from 5˚
to 33˚, and mean squared diameter ranged from 31% below to
71% above the value at class mid-point. Values of each were strongly
related to size class, species, fuel type and to region. We conclude that
values derived from other study areas or species can give substantial
inaccuracies in estimating dead and downed round-wood fuel loads if applied to
sites within the study region, although ultimate accuracy obtainable will be
more influenced by the length of sampling line. The three variables are
combined into a single factor so that fuel loads can be simply calculated by
multiplying this factor by the number of intersects per metre of transect.
Pyric properties of some dominant Mediterranean vegetation species
Authors: Dimitrakopoulos A. P. , Panov P.I.
Published: September 2002

The chemical and physical pyric properties of several species, dominant in the
Mediterranean Basin, are quantified and compared with each other. Heat content
and total and mineral (silica-free) ash content are measured and analysed for
13 species, while surface area-to-volume ratio and particle density are
measured for 8 species.
Experimental validation in Mediterranean shrub fuels of seven wildland fire rate of spread models
Authors: Sauvagnargues-Lesage S. , Dusserre G. , Robert F. , Dray G. , Pearson D.W.
Published: September 2002

Indexes of forest fire risk are broadcast throughout the Summer months by the
French Civil Defense Authority. They are used to guide the deployment of fire
prevention resources. However, in some departments, the number of fires during
the Winter and Spring months of March–April is equal to or greater than
during the Summer months. Some days, conditions are favourable for the
propagation of fire (soil moisture content, vegetation in dormancy, relative
humidity, ...), but indexes for estimating the risk during this period are not
calculated.
The objective of this paper is to evaluate various models of fire rate of
spread, in order to choose one for Winter and Spring fires. The Fire Service
of a department of the French Mediterranean area (the Lozère
department) provides the opportunity and the means to conduct validation
experiments on prescribed fires. Also, validation data from another department
of the French Mediterranean area (Pyrénées Orientales) are
presented for the same rate of spread models.
Mediterranean fuel models and potential fire behaviour in Greece
Authors: Dimitrakopoulos A. P.
Published: September 2002

The Mediterranean vegetation types of Greece were classified into typical fuel models by measuring the following fuel parameters in 181 representative natural fuel complexes: 1-h, 10-h, 100-h and 1000-h fuel loads; foliage load; litter load and depth; total fuel load; average height and soil cover of the herbaceous, small shrub (up to 0.5 m) and tall shrub (0.5-3.0 m) vegetation layers. The data set was statistically analysed by a two-stage clustering procedure that produced seven distinct fuel models: two for evergreen-sclerophyllous shrublands (maquis), one for kermes oak shrublands, two for phrygana, one for grasslands and one for the litter layer of Mediterranean pine forests. The indicative range (upper and lower limit) of potential fire behavior for every fuel model was calculated with the BEHAVE fire behavior prediction system, using as inputs the specific fuel parameter values of every model. The shrubland fuel models resulted in fires with high intensity and rate of spread, while the phrygana and grassland models in fast fires of medium to low intensity. The litter layer of the pine forests provided the least severe burning conditions.
The contribution of the community to defining the distribution of a vulnerable species, the spotted-tailed quoll, Dasyurus maculatus
Authors: Lunney Daniel , Matthews Alison
Published: September 2002

Community-based wildlife postal surveys, which included the spotted-tailed
quoll, were undertaken in Eden, Port Stephens, Bellingen and Iluka. This
resulted in 68 records for spotted-tailed quolls for Eden, 40 for Port
Stephens, 39 for Bellingen and 7 for Iluka. Such a high number of records from
coastal New South Wales, with many on private lands, identifies postal surveys
as a major source of previously overlooked sightings. Spotted-tailed quolls
have declined in range by as much as 50–90% since European
settlement, which has seen them listed as a nationally vulnerable species.
There have been few surveys of spotted-tailed quolls in New South Wales due to
their difficulty of detection using standard field survey techniques, such as
cage trapping and hair tube sampling. Their unique appearance makes them an
ideal species to include in community-based surveys. Future use of these
surveys has the potential to contribute significantly to conservation programs
of spotted-tailed quolls that involve private lands and local support.
Seasonal use of savanna landscapes by the Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae, in the Yinberrie Hills area, Northern Territory
Authors: Dostine P. L. , Johnson G. C. , Franklin D. C. , Zhang Y. , Hempel C.
Published: September 2002

The diet, attributes of feeding sites and patterns of seasonal movements of a
population of the Gouldian finch, Erythrura gouldiae,
were studied in the Yinberrie Hills area north of Katherine in the Northern
Territory. In the dry season (April–November) Gouldian finches foraged
mostly on burnt ground and fed on exposed seed of annual grasses, especially
seed of spear-grass, Sorghum spp. In the wet season
(December–March) Gouldian finches fed on seed of a sequence of perennial
grass species, including Themeda triandra,
Alloteropsis semialata,
Chrysopogon fallax and
Heteropogon triticeus. Gouldian finches undertake
regular seasonal shifts in habitat, from breeding areas in hill woodland in
the dry season to adjacent lowlands throughout much of the wet season, in
response to seasonal changes in food availability. There is an annual pulse in
abundance of fallen seed in the early dry season that is depleted to near zero
levels by germination of annual grasses early in the wet season. Thereafter,
finches depend on seed from other sources, principally ripe and ripening seed
of perennial grasses. Observations over three successive wet seasons suggest
that Gouldian finches track seed resources provided by seeding perennial
grasses over an extensive area of lowland grassy woodland adjacent to the
breeding area, favouring small patches of grassy woodland for brief periods
until seed fall. There were subtle differences between years in the types of
resources used. Management of Gouldian finch populations will entail
protection and management of the full range of grassland habitats used
throughout the annual cycle, and will require predictive knowledge of the
causes of patterning of seed resources and probably an ability to exert
control over the timing and extent of fires in fire-prone seasonal savanna
landscapes.
Movement patterns of female feral camels in central and northern Australia
Authors: Edwards Glenn P. , Eldridge Stephen R. , Wurst David , Berman David M. , Garbin Vanessa
Published: September 2002

Movement patterns of female feral camels were studied over four years
(February 1993 to December 1996) in central and northern Australia using
satellite telemetry. Areas used over 12-month periods (calculated using the
fixed kernel method) were large (449–4933 km 2 )
and increased with increasing aridity as measured by long-term mean annual
rainfall. No consistent pattern of variation was detected in movement rates of
camels across seasons. Data collected over several years are needed to
classify movements in feral camels. The only telemetered camel that has been
monitored for longer than two years (this study) appeared to move within a
large home range over the concluding 3.5 years that it was tracked. Because
the areas used are large, extensive buffer zones will be needed in arid
regions to protect environmentally sensitive areas from the impacts of feral
camels.
Diet of New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) at the Auckland Islands
Authors: Childerhouse Simon , Dix Bruce , Gales Nick
Published: September 2002

Scat and regurgitate samples (n = 206) from
New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri) were
collected at the Auckland Islands between December 1994 and February 1997.
Most (82%) samples were collected during three summer seasons while the
remainder (18%) were collected during a single winter season.
Thirty-three taxa were identified from 3523 prey items. The six most abundant
prey species accounted for 90% of all prey items. The two most
numerically abundant prey species, octopus
(Enteroctopus zelandicus) and opalfish
(Hemerocoetes species) made up almost 50% of
total prey items. Other important prey species included lobster krill
(Munida gregaria), hoki
(Macruronus novaezelandiae), oblique-banded rattail
(Coelorhynchus aspercephalus), and salps
(Pyrosoma atlanticum). New Zealand fur seals
(Arctocephalus forsteri) and seabirds were also
identified in samples. New Zealand sea lions are generalist feeders utilising
a wide variety of prey items, with fish comprising the most common taxa
(59%) numerically and both cephalopods (21%) and crustacea
(15%) forming lesser, but still important, parts of the diet. Prey taxa
identified indicate that New Zealand sea lions are utilising a wide variety of
benthic, demersal and pelagic species ranging from the inter-tidal zone to
waters deeper than 300 m. New Zealand sea lions at the Auckland Islands target
different prey species to New Zealand sea lions at other locations although
they have broadly consistent prey types, with fish as the major taxa. There is
only a small overlap of New Zealand sea lion prey species with commercially
targeted species on the Auckland Islands Shelf in the months sampled.
Potential of delta-decanolactone and (Z)-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate to attract feral goats (Capra hircus)
Authors: Veltman Clare J. , Cook Christian J. , Drake Kelly A. , Devine Christopher D.
Published: September 2002

A lure is needed for cost-effective control of feral goat populations
dispersed in forests. We evaluated the odour delta-decanolactone and the
pheromone (Z)-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate in a series of trials using penned Angora
goats on two New Zealand farms. Filter paper discs at each of two feeders
stocked with lucerne chaff dispensed 2 mL of odour or pheromone in solution.
The goats could also forage for grass. We counted goats at each feeder at
30-min intervals, and analysed how often the number at one exceeded the other.
Delta-decanolactone attracted female goats significantly more often than the
control solution (5% ethanol) in 1 of 3 trials and was not attractive
when it was combined with oxytocin and gamma-amino-n-butyric acid in 1 trial.
(Z)-7-dodecen-1-yl acetate was significantly more attractive than the control
in 1 of 2 trials on females and 2 of 3 trials on males, but addition of
oxytocin and gamma-amino-n-butyric acid did not enhance the effect. A mixture
of the odour and the pheromone attracted females in 1 of 3 trials.
Inconsistent results between similar trials indicate the substances tested
were unlikely to be universally attractive under field conditions.
The breeding season diet of wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax) in western New South Wales and the influence of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease
Authors: Sharp A. , Gibson L. , Norton M. , Ryan B. , Marks A. , Semeraro L.
Published: September 2002

A total of 2071 individual prey items were identified from 34 active and 55 inactive wedge-tailed eagle nests following the 1995, 1996 and 1997 breeding seasons. Overall, the eagle's diet was comparable to that reported in other studies within semi-arid regions, with rabbits, reptiles and macropods accounting for 47.8, 22.6 and 13.7% of prey items, respectively. In spring 1996 rabbit calicivirus moved into the study area, resulting in a 44-78% reduction in rabbit abundance (Sharp et al. 2001). An index was developed to enable the time since death for individual prey items to be approximated and a historical perspective of the eagle's diet to be constructed. Rabbits constituted 56-69% of dietary items collected during the pre-rabbit calicivirus disease (RCD) samples, but declined to 31% and 16% in the two post-RCD samples. A reciprocal trend was observed for the proportion of reptiles in the diet, which increased from 8-21% of pre-RCD dietary items to 49-54% after the advent of RCD. Similarly, the proportion of avian prey items was observed to increase in the post-RCD samples. These data suggested that prey switching may have occurred following the RCD epizootic. However, a lack of data on the relative abundances of reptiles and birds prevented an understanding of the eagle's functional responses to be developed and definitive conclusions to be drawn. Nevertheless, the eagles were observed to modify their diet to the change in rabbit densities by consuming larger quantities of native prey species.
Survival of red-capped robins (Petroica goodenovii) in woodland remnants of central western New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Major Richard E. , Gowing Greg
Published: September 2002

To determine relative survival rates of small birds occupying small, linear
strips of woodland compared with large patches of woodland, marked populations
of red-capped robins were monitored over a two-year period. In total, 196 male
robins were banded with unique colour combinations in 10 woodland remnants and
censused by song playback at half-yearly intervals. The
Cormack–Jolly–Seber method was used to calculate half-yearly
survival probabilities for birds in the two habitat configurations and the
strongest model included separate survival parameters for summer (36.2%
5.1) and autumn (88.9% 13.5) half-years, but a constant recapture
probability (50.5% 7.2). The inclusion of separate parameters for the
large and linear habitat configurations reduced the strength of the model,
indicating that there was no significant difference between the survival rates
of birds occupying small, linear strips of woodland and birds occupying large
patches of woodland. The mean annual survival, determined by multiplying the
half-yearly survival probabilities, was 32%, which is low, compared
with the annual survival of other Petroica robins. Although no banded birds
were located away from the banding site, we suspect that much of the
‘mortality’ represented emigration during the summer half-year.
Under this scenario a better estimate of annual survival (79%) might be
achieved by extrapolation of survival over the winter half-year. This study
provides no data to support the contention that adult mortality is higher in
small, linear strips of habitat, although further data on the fate of birds
that disappear from remnants is required before this is conclusive. In
addition, to detect a 20% difference in survival using similar methods
to the present study, with their accompanying sources of variation, at least
10 times the number of birds would need to be monitored. This might most
effectively be done as a co-operative banding project.