bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of the structural evolution on the ionic conductivity of Li-N-H system during the dehydrogenation
Authors: Paik Biswajit , Matsuo Motoaki , Sato Toyoto , Qu Liyuan , Wolczyk Anna Roza , Orimo Shin-ichi
Published: May 2016

On the way to transform lithium amide (LiNH2) into lithium imide (Li2NH) by releasing H2, the 1:1 molar mixture of LiNH2-LiH forms cubic (Fm3¯m) non-stoichiometric complex hydride phases (Li1+xNH2−x; 0 < x < 1) that co-exist with the tetragonal (I4¯) LiNH2 and with the cubic (Fd3¯m) Li2NH, respectively, at the early and at the advanced stage of the dehydrogenation. The change in LiNH2 → Li2NH may be viewed as a mechanism which continuously fills up the vacant Li sites of the tetragonal structure and, in a parallel process, transforms the anions [NH2]− → [NH]2−. The Li-N-H system, thus formed, by releasing >6 wt. % H2 can offer high Li-ionic conductivity (>10−4 S·cm−1 at room temperature) having an electrochemical stability window >5 V. The study suggests that the Li-N-H system may be a prospective electrolyte in the all-solid-state Li-ion battery, in addition to its use as a reversible hydrogen storage material.
Extracting conformational structure information of benzene molecules via laser-induced electron diffraction
Authors: Ito Yuta , Wang Chuncheng , Le Anh-Thu , Okunishi Misaki , Ding Dajun , Lin C. D. , Ueda Kiyoshi
Published: May 2016

We have measured the angular distributions of high energy photoelectrons of benzene molecules generated by intense infrared femtosecond laser pulses. These electrons arise from the elastic collisions between the benzene ions with the previously tunnel-ionized electrons that have been driven back by the laser field. Theory shows that laser-free elastic differential cross sections (DCSs) can be extracted from these photoelectrons, and the DCS can be used to retrieve the bond lengths of gas-phase molecules similar to the conventional electron diffraction method. From our experimental results, we have obtained the C-C and C-H bond lengths of benzene with a spatial resolution of about 10 pm. Our results demonstrate that laser induced electron diffraction (LIED) experiments can be carried out with the present-day ultrafast intense lasers already. Looking ahead, with aligned or oriented molecules, more complete spatial information of the molecule can be obtained from LIED, and applying LIED to probe photo-excited molecules, a “molecular movie” of the dynamic system may be created with sub-Ångström spatial and few-ten femtosecond temporal resolutions.
Thermally stable pn-junctions based on a single transparent perovskite semiconductor BaSnO3
Authors: Kim Hoon Min , Kim Useong , Park Chulkwon , Kwon Hyukwoo , Char Kookrin
Published: May 2016

We report p-doping of the BaSnO3 (BSO) by replacing Ba with K. The activation energy of K-dopants is estimated to be about 0.5 eV. We have fabricated pn junctions by using K-doped BSO as a p-type and La-doped BSO as an n-type semiconductor. I-V characteristics of these devices exhibit an ideal rectifying behavior of pn junctions with the ideality factor between 1 and 2, implying high integrity of the BSO materials. Moreover, the junction properties are found to be very stable after repeated high-bias and high-temperature thermal cycling, demonstrating a large potential for optoelectronic functions.
Heat capacity measurements of sub-nanoliter volumes of liquids using bimaterial microchannel cantilevers
Authors: Khan M. F. , Miriyala N. , Lee J. , Hassanpourfard M. , Kumar A. , Thundat T.
Published: May 2016

Lab-on-a-Chip compatible techniques for thermal characterization of miniaturized volumes of liquid analytes are necessary in applications such as protein blotting, DNA melting, and drug development, where samples are either rare or volume-limited. We developed a closed-chamber calorimeter based on a bimaterial microchannel cantilever (BMC) for sub-nanoliter level thermal analysis. When the liquid-filled BMC is irradiated with infrared (IR) light at a specific wavelength, the IR absorption by the liquid analyte results in localized heat generation and the subsequent deflection of the BMC, due to a thermal expansion mismatch between the constituent materials. The time constant of the deflection, which is dependent upon the heat capacity of the liquid analyte, can be directly measured by recording the time-dependent bending of the BMC. We have used the BMC to quantitatively measure the heat capacity of five volatile organic compounds. With a deflection noise level of ∼10 nm and a signal-to-noise ratio of 68:1, the BMC offers a sensitivity of 30.5 ms/(J g−1 K−1) and a resolution of 23 mJ/(g K) for ∼150 pl liquid for heat capacity measurements. This technique can be used for small-scale thermal characterization of different chemical and biological samples.
3-D Maxwell fluid flow over an exponentially stretching surface using 3-stage Lobatto IIIA formula
Authors: Awais M. , Hayat T. , Ali Aamir
Published: May 2016

The present study looks at the three dimensional boundary layer flow driven by an exponentially stretching surface. An upper-convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid is considered. Characteristics here are characterized by rheological constitutive equations of upper convected Maxwell (UCM) fluid. Involved mathematical modeling constitutes a nonlinear differential system. 3-stage Lobatto IIIA formula is employed to construct the numerical solutions whereas analytic solutions are computed using HAM. Both solutions are compared and found in good agreement. The velocity components are analyzed for the Deborah number and ratio parameters.
Electronic structure and thermoelectric transport properties of the golden Th2S3-type Ti2O3 under pressure
Authors: Xu Bin , Gao Changzheng , Zhang Jing , Wang Yusheng , Wang Yuanxu
Published: May 2016

A lot of physical properties of Th2S3-type Ti2O3 have investigated experimentally, hence, we calculated electronic structure and thermoelectric transport properties by the first-principles calculation under pressure. The increase of the band gaps is very fast from 30GP to 35GP, which is mainly because of the rapid change of the lattice constants. The total density of states becomes smaller with increasing pressure, which shows that Seebeck coefficient gradually decreases. Two main peaks of Seebeck coefficients always decrease and shift to the high doping area with increasing temperature under pressure. The electrical conductivities always decrease with increasing temperature under pressure. The electrical conductivity can be improved by increasing pressure. Electronic thermal conductivity increases with increasing pressure. It is noted that the thermoelectric properties is reduced with increasing temperature.
Application of classification trees in determining the impact of phenotypic factors on conception to first service in Holstein cattle
Authors: Ghiasi Heydar , Piwczyński Dariusz , Khaldari Majid , Kolenda Magdalena
Published: May 2016

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of phenotypic factors on the probability of conception to first service. The study analysed 49 317 lactation records gathered between 1995 and 2007 in Iran, detailing six consecutive lactations in 13 herds of Holstein cows. The impact of phenotypic factors on the conception to first service was evaluated using the classification tree technique. The CHAID algorithm with the Pearson Chi-squared test was used as the division criterion. The resulting tree was six levels deep and consisted of 22 leaves. The greatest divisions in the tree occurred based on the year of calving (five divisions), herd and parity (four divisions each), level of milk production and age at calving (three divisions each). Fewer divisions occurred based on the month when the first insemination was performed (two divisions). The tree structure obtained in the present study allowed identification of combinations of levels of factors associated with highest probabilities of conception. The highest rate of conception to first service was recorded for cows that: while calving were younger than 5 years old; were in herds 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12 and 14; and were inseminated in January, February, March, April, May and November. Those cows were at least in their third lactation.
Effect of residual leaf area index on spatial components of Tifton 85 pastures and ingestive behaviour of sheep
Authors: Silva W. L. , Costa J. P. R. , Caputti G. P. , Valente A. L. S. , Tsuzukibashi D. , Malheiros E. B. , Reis R. A. , Ruggieri A. C.
Published: May 2016

This study compared the effect of residual leaf area index (rLAI) on the spatial distribution of morphological components of Tifton 85 (Cynodon spp.) pastures and the ingestive behaviour of grazing sheep. Also, it was investigated whether any specific correlation could be found between pasture structural characteristics and sheep ingestive behaviour. Four rLAI treatments (0.8; 1.4; 2.0 and 2.6) with four replications were evaluated per period. Sheep grazed under rotational stocking management and they grazed for 4 days in each pasture while pasture regrowth period was determined by the 95% light interception requirement. Pasture structure was evaluated using inclined point-quadrat, LAI estimates, light interception and leaf : stem ratio. The 2.6 rLAI yielded the highest proportion of dead material in the lower canopy. In the post-grazing period the proportion of leaves increased with increasing rLAI, especially on the canopy surface during the rainy season. In the pre-grazing average pasture height ranged between 19 and 26 cm with dead material and stem observed up to the canopy surface in the dry season. The animals grazed longer on the last day (89.72%) compared with the first day (80.25%) in the dry season. However, they spent less time (11.45%) ruminating in the dry season compared with the rainy season (15.38%), regardless of the grazing day. Grazing time decreased and rumination time increased as rLAI increased. Sheep grazing time correlated negatively with pasture height, before and after grazing. The sheep tend to graze longer on Tifton 85 pastures when rLAI was lower and forage supply was possibly less as on the last grazing day and in the dry season.
Effects of dietary supplementation of oriental herbal medicine residue and methyl sulfonyl methane on the growth performance and meat quality of ducks
Authors: Hwang Jin-Woo , Cheong Sun Hee , Kim Yon-Suk , Lee Jae-Woong , You Bo-Im , Moon Sang-Ho , Jeon Byong-Tae , Park Pyo-Jam
Published: May 2016

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with oriental herbal medicine residue (OHMR) and methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) on the growth performance and meat quality of ducks during a 42-day feeding period. In total, 270 Cherry Valley male ducklings were fed diets supplemented with 0.03% MSM alone (MSM group) and with a combination of 0.03% MSM and 0.5% OHMR (MSM–OHMR group). Supplementing the diet with a combination of OHMR and MSM resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the mortality rate and serum total cholesterol concentration, and in an increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in duck breast muscle (Musculus pectoralis) by 3 and 6 weeks. Moreover, MSM–OHMR as well as MSM alone affected meat quality of ducks by increasing the concentrations of crude protein and sulfur content, and water-holding capacity, and by decreasing percentage moisture loss and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances during cold storage. Significant differences were detected in concentrations of total unsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the MSM–OHMR group. These results suggest that diets containing MSM and OHMR possessing free-radical scavenging activities, such as for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and alkyl radicals, may beneficially affect growth performance and meat quality in ducks.
Using biological survey data when selecting Marine Protected Areas: an operational framework and associated risks
Authors: A. Vanderklift M. , J. Ward T.
Published: May 2016

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are one of the main tools for protecting marine biodiversity, but they are often selected on the basis of little or no ecological data. As a result, there is a risk that MPAs will not successfully protect marine biodiversity. We propose an operational framework to help prioritize the need for information, and to direct the subsequent collection of appropriate biological data. The framework consists of 7 steps: (1) formulating clearly-defined objectives, (2) a broad-scale classification based on easily accessible surrogates, (3) identifying biological variables for detailed survey, (4) assessing the utility of surrogates, (5) designing and implementing the biological survey, (6) modelling and using inferential statistics to optimize the use of existing knowledge, and (7) validating candidate areas. Each step in the framework involves identifying areas of uncertainty, and the risks that a MPA will fail to achieve its intended objectives. The aim of our operational framework is to make the risks and uncertainties clear, and to force decisions to be made to minimise their potential impact on the outcome of the MPA selection process. We identify four key ecological uncertainties in MPA identification: (1) the reliability of surrogates, (2) spatial uncertainty in survey data, (3) temporal uncertainty in the patterns of the biodiversity in the MPA, and (4) uncertainty in the degree to which important ecological processes will be maintained. We conclude that the key to success in a MPA selection process is the use of clearly specified objectives for the MPA and an explicit assessment of uncertainties involved. We contend that without a competent ecological basis, new MPAs may be little more than the political exercises to appease lobby groups, and are unlikely to be effective tools in protecting marine biodiversity from continuing decay.
Characterizing Manatee habitat use and seagrass grazing in Florida and Puerto Rico: implications for conservation and management
Authors: W. Lefebvre Lynn , P. Reid James , Judson Kenworthy W. , A. Powell James
Published: May 2016

The Indian River Lagoon on the Atlantic coast of Florida, USA, and the east coast of Puerto Rico provide contrasting environments in which the endangered West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus experiences different thermal regimes and seagrass communities. We compare Manatee feeding behaviour in these two regions, examine the ecological effects of Manatee grazing on a seagrass community in the Indian River Lagoon, describe the utility of aerial surveys, radio tracking, and seagrass mapping to study Manatee feeding patterns, and develop hypotheses on sirenian feeding strategies in temperate and tropical seagrass communities. In both the Indian River Lagoon and Puerto Rico, Manatees were typically observed grazing in water depths = 2.0 m and more frequently on the most abundant seagrasses present in the community: Halodule wrightii in the Indian River Lagoon and Thalassia testudinum in eastern Puerto Rico. Where both H. wrightii and Syringodium filiforme were consumed in the Indian River Lagoon, Manatees tended to remove more S. filiforme than H. wrightii rhizome + root biomass. Even though 80 to 95% of the short-shoot biomass and 50 to 67% of the rhizome + root biomass were removed, grazed patches of H. wrightii and S. filiforme recovered significantly between February and August. H. wrightii may be both more resistant and resilient than S. filiforme to the impacts of Manatee grazing. Despite the significantly greater abundance of T. testudinum in Puerto Rico, Manatees exhibited selective feeding by returning to specific sites with abundant H. wrightii. They also appeared to feed selectively on T. testudinum shoots associated with clumps of the calcareous alga Halimeda opuntia. We hypothesize that Florida Manatees are less specialized seagrass grazers than Manatees in tropical regions like Puerto Rico. Continued research on Manatee grazing ecology in temperate to tropical seagrass communities will enable better protection and management of these vital and unique marine resources.
A direct comparison of trapping and spotlight searches for capturing Brown Tree Snakes on Guam
Authors: M. Engeman R. , S. Vice D.
Published: May 2016

Brown Tree Snake populations on Guam are controlled in the vicinities of cargo staging and transport areas to prevent their dispersal from Guam, and their populations are controlled in areas where endangered species are to be reintroduced. Trapping and night-time spotlight searches of fences are the two primary Brown Tree Snake population reduction methods used on Guam. We conducted a three month study comparing Brown Tree Snake captures by spotlighting fences to captures by trapping. Traps were placed either on the edge of the forest paralleling the fences, or they were hung on the fences. Applications of each capture method followed the standard practices used within the operational programme charged with deterring the spread of Brown Tree Snakes from Guam. We found captures by trapping to exceed those by spotlighting each month, but the captures by trapping decreased substantially over time, while those by spotlighting did not. We detected no differences statistically between numbers of captures taken by traps hung on the forest edge versus those hung on the fences. We found no differences in sizes of Brown Tree Snakes captured by spotlighting and trapping, based on average snout-vent length (SVL) or the distribution of SVLs. We feel that the two capture methods complement each other in an integrated pest management programme.
From Planning to Action: Forest Conservation and Management in Papua New Guinea
Authors: MacKinnon Kathy
Published: May 2016

Papua New Guinea (PNG) occupies the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and still boasts 33 million hectares of closed natural forest (77% of the country), home to numerous endemic species. Overall PNG is sparsely populated with some 700 distinct cultural/ language groups. Economic growth over the past two decades has been spurred by large-scale mining, petroleum and logging operations though the majority of the population continues to rely upon subsistence agriculture (swidden) and collection and utilization of forest products. Some 15 million hectares of forests are accessible for logging, of which 1.5 million hectares have already been logged, generally in an unsustainable manner. Of the over 6 million ha of approved timber blocks more than 1.5 million hectares have been located in areas of high biological value. Forest loss and degradation is now becoming a serious problem.
The Directory of Australian Birds: Passerines
Authors: Recher Harry
Published: May 2016

THIS large, expensive and beautifully produced volume arrived on my desk in October 1999. There it has sat while I awaited it to be reviewed elsewhere. My intention was, and is, to not only review the book, but to review the reviews. I now have reviews by Allan Burbidge and John Blyth (Western Australian Bird Notes 95: 3-5), Walter Boles (Australian Zoologist, in press), w. (Ted) Davis (The Wilson Bulletin, in press), Stephen Debus (Australian Bird Watcher 18: 320-321), Ned Johnson (The Condor 103: 200), and Allen Keast (Emu 100: 341-2). Of these, Boles, Johnson and Keast are recognised avian systematists, while Burbidge, Blyth, Davis and Debus, as I am, are just plain old ornithologists. I say this because an Australian avian systematist once told me that I had no right to comment on the names of Australian birds because I was only an ecologist, but that has never stopped me before and will not now, and it appears that I am in good company.
Veterinary Conservation Biology: Wildlife Health and Management in Australasia
Authors: Moro Dorian
Published: May 2016

WILDLIFE conservation in Australasia continues to be a challenging yet exciting field of study. However, it has focused chiefly on the management of exotic pests and the conservation of dwindling populations of threatened species by wildlife biologists. The significance of disease has rarely been monitored and has largely been overlooked as a possible catalyst towards the past, and indeed current, flux in populations of species. Recent wildlife health issues highlight the paucity of baseline information on wildlife disease. The involvement of veterinarians in these conservation projects has largely been minimal. The title of the proceedings, Veterinary Conservation Biology, offers insight into a unique co-operation between biologists and veterinarians. These proceedings present a vast spectrum of studies that aim to highlight the contributing role that veterinarians can play in the conservation of native wildlife.
Pounce site characteristics of the Western Yellow Robin Eopsaltria griseogularis: the importance of assessing foraging microhabitat
Authors: a. Cousin Jarrad
Published: May 2016

The ground ecosystem represents an important foraging substrate for a large number of Australian birds, including the ground-pouncing Western Yellow Robin Eopsaltria griseogulari. The present study examined the foraging locations of E. griseogularis at the "extreme" microhabitat scale, by measuring ground substrate composition in a 300 mm by 300 mm area surrounding pounce sites, as well as habitat features surrounding pounce sites. Ground substrate composition of pounce sites remained relatively unchanged between seasons, and was characterized by a higher mean percentage of leaf litter and logs when compared to random points. The importance of logs was further emphasized by the closer proximity of logs to pounce sites than to random points. Selection of pounce sites in close proximity to logs and with abundant leaf litter reflects the higher abundance of invertebrate prey associated with these microhabitat attributes, although it may also represent a pounce in close proximity to a log utilized as a perch. During the warmer months of autumn, logs and their associated accumulations of leaf litter, provide sufficient moisture to maintain invertebrate prey, a resource diminished in the surrounding desiccated leaf litter. The conservation implications of these findings are discussed, as is the importance of examining foraging microhabitat in ground-foraging birds.
Prospects for a restorative fishery enhancement of Lake Kununurra: a high-level tropical impoundment on the Ord River, Western Australia
Authors: G. Doupé Robert , L. Morgan David , S. Gill Howard
Published: May 2016

The high-level irrigation water supply dams of the Ord River in tropical Western Australia impede the movement of Barramundi Lates cafcarifer and other tropical fish species. A recreational Barramundi fishery enhancement of Lake Kununurra using a fishway has been widely promoted as advancing fishery conservation and the reformation of land and water management practices within the greater Ord River region. Of the fishways considered here, none have been found to admit Barramundi in the numbers and size classes necessary to establish or maintain the recreational fishery. Reasons for this include an inadequate understanding of fish behaviour and/or fishway deSign faults. The seemingly reluctant use of fishways by Barramundi might also be confounded by some observations being made on rivers where Barramundi populations are either comparatively small or non-existent. The alternative to a fishway is hatchery stocking. This option, like a dedicated Barramundi fishway, represents a single-species approach to fishery enhancement and is the least legitimate attempt to restore the ecological integrity of the fish communities of either Lake Kununurra or the Ord River. We argue that progress toward the restoration of the lake should continue, though a fishery enhancement programme that incorporates the broader fish community and not just a single species, would better rebuild the presently degraded Ord River system. Of the available options, we recommend testing an experimental model that incorporates aspects of the vertical-slot and bypass fishway designs, with the objectives being to learn migratory fish behaviour, abundance, and patterns and cues for fish movement. This approach can incorporate Barramundi as the target species to better understand entrance design constraints, minimum slot widths for larger fish, and operation under low flows during peak irrigation water demands, but still accommodate the movement of tropical fishes during these periods.
Eradicating Feral Cats to protect Galapagos Land Iguanas: methods and strategies
Authors: B. Phillips R. , D. Cooke B. , Campbell K. , Carrion V. , Marouez C. , L. Snell H.
Published: May 2016

A three-year programme to eradicate Feral Cats Felis catus from the island of Baltra in the Galapagos archipelago achieved good results by initially poisoning with sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) then trapping or shooting the remaining cats. The poisoning campaign removed 90% of the cats, its success being attributable to pre-baiting with unpolsoned baits to accustom cats to eating baits and placing enough baits to ensure that all cats encountered several baits within their home range. This, together with the use of metaclopromide (Pileran) as an anti-emetic, overcame a problem associated with poor retention of 1080 in thawed fish baits that limited the dose available to 1 mg 1080/bait, a quality insufficient to kill large cats. Removal of the remaining cats was delayed by a weather-induced irruption of Black Rats Rattus rattus and House Mice Mus musculus that enabled recruitment of kittens in 2002, but made cats more susceptible to trapping and shooting in 2003 when rodent populations collapsed. Since July 2003 no sign of a cat has been detected on Baltra despite extensive searching and monitoring throughout 2004. As cat abundance has decreased there have been more locally-bred Juvenile iguanas (Conolophus subcristatus) seen during annual censuses. However, such recruitment may reflect the increasing maturity and higher fecundity of iguanas repatriated from 1991 onwards rather than being a direct result of reduced cat predation alone. More time is necessary to determine the benefits of reduced cat predation on the Iguana population.
Present and past distribution of Australian Brush-turkeys Alectura lathami in New South Wales ? implications for management
Authors: Göth Ann , P. Nicol Kirsty , Ross Geoffrey , J. Shields Jim
Published: May 2016

Australian Brush-turkeys Alectura latham increasingly cause a considerable human-wildlife problem in New South Wales, especially in areas where they destroy gardens through their scratching activity. Wildlife managers Jack detailed information about the overall distribution of the species, which is essential for assessing its population status and the development of sustainable management strategies. To address this, we collated 1 564 reports on Australian Brushturkey distribution, from 1788 to April 2004. We show that the birds have disappeared from areas in the south, such as near Jindabyne, and from areas in the west, such as the Pilliga. The most obvious reasons for such a contraction are habitat destruction, hunting and predation by foxes and cats. At the same time, Brush-turkeys have recently been reported in the east, in coastal areas and the periphery of cities where the birds were previously absent or extirpated. However, we argue that such an apparent expansion should be viewed with caution, as this could partly also be explained by an increase in reporting activity, reduction in hunting pressure, and feeding by members of the public. Our analysis suggests that although the species has increased in numbers in coastal areas, it has withdrawn from regions in the southern and western part of its distribution.
Conservation Challenge of Dispersive Fauna
Authors: F. Recher Harry
Published: May 2016

The six papers in this theme issue of Pacific Conservation Biology were presented at a symposium organized by the WildCountry Science Council (see Recher 2003 for an account of WildCountry) at the Adelaide meeting of the Ecological Society of Australia in 2004. The symposium theme of ?dispersive fauna? is central to the philosophy and principles of WildCountry. The WildCountry philosophy is based on the argument that the long-term conservation of continental biodiversity is not possible with a system of spatially static conservation reserves by itself. Reserves form the core of WildCountry, but cannot fully sample continental biodiversity, nor allow for the full range of movements characteristic of the biota unless the total area set aside from development far exceeds what society would see as economically or politically acceptable. Because of these limits, a static and spatially limited reserve system cannot meet the challenge of ensuring the evolutionary viability of populations and species. A challenge that becomes increasingly difficult and urgent to resolve in the face of accelerating climate change and the loss and modification of habitat through land clearing, pastoralism, changed fire regimes, and the spread of weeds and feral animals among a myriad of environmental changes driven by human endeavour across the landscape. In my view, probably greater than 50% of the continent is the absolute minimum for a fixed system of reserves to meet the needs of biodiversity conservation, but see Archer (2002) who suggests a minimum of 20% may be required simply to meet the most basic evolutionary criteria.
Conservation of the Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor ? management lessons for a threatened migratory species
Authors: Saunders Debbie , Brereton Raymond , Tzaros Chris , Holdsworth Mark , Price Rob
Published: May 2016

Conserving habitat for wide-ranging fauna species provides a challenge because impacts on these species tend to be dismissed based on the assumption that there is sufficient habitat in other areas of its range. This incremental loss of habitat is a serious conservation issue for a diversity of bird species. As knowledge of wide-ranging and migratory bird species increases, it often becomes evident that they select specific sites on a regular basis (i.e., the species exhibit site fidelity). Gaining a better understanding of site fidelity and selective habitat use for wide-ranging species is clearly important, but also extremely challenging. In this paper, challenges associated with conservation of the migratory and wide-ranging Swift Parrot Lathamus discolor are discussed as an example of how a recovery programme has aimed
to address such conservation and management challenges. Despite the small population size (less than 2 500 birds), broad distribution (1 250 000 km2) and often cryptic nature, the implementation of the national recovery programme has been successful in the identification and protection of important habitats. This has been made possible by involving large numbers of volunteers who collect long-term sighting and habitat data over large areas, together with more detailed ecological research. This information is then used to inform the conservation assessment process and to improve habitat conservation throughout the range of the species.
Status and Conservation of Shorebirds in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway
Authors: F. Recher Harry
Published: May 2016

This publication comprises the proceedings of the Australasian Shorebirds Conference held in Canberra in 2003. It is No. 18 of Wetlands International Global Series and International Wader Studies 17 of the International Wader Study Group. Although publication was delayed, the papers in this proceedings remain an important contribution to international shorebird conservation. Eighteen of the 25 papers are about Australian and New Zealand shorebirds, while the remainder are mainly from Southeast Asia. Topics include managing human disturbance of plovers on Australian beaches, conservation of the Spoon-billed Sandpiper Eurynorhynchus pygmaeus in Russia, shorebird studies in Taiwan, and threats from marine farming in New Zealand.
Into the Looking Glass
Authors: G. McLean Ian
Published: May 2016

What a high! The inaugural meeting of the Australasian section of the Society for Conservation Biology was a resounding success, with 369 attendees, 5 symposia, 146 contributed oral papers and 15 poster presentations. The media were attentive, with widespread reporting, at least within the Australian outlets. As noted by an excited Karen Firestone in her postconference summing up: ? ? such a large attendance indicates the strong need and desire for conservation meetings of this sort in the region ? ?. Conservation science is clearly alive and well in Australasia.
The effect of Noisy Miners on small bush birds: an unofficial cull and its outcome
Authors: J. S. Debus S.
Published: May 2016

This paper documents the bird community in a small (~15 ha) patch of remnant woodland New South Wales sheep? wheat belt (i) before Noisy Miners Manorina melanocephala were abundant in the patch (1972-79), (ii) after a dense miner colony became established (1980-1990), (iii) after the miners were removed (1991?92) and, subsequently, (iv) while extensive, dense plantings of native trees became established (1992-2006). Bird species richness in the patch was, respectively, 64, 18, 45 and 83 species in each time period. Totals for small (<120 g) bush birds, mostly insectivorous passerines, were 26, 0, 22 and 46 species in the respective time periods. Although this was an unofficial, unreplicated and uncontrolled activity, the results support those of previous similar studies that indicate that Noisy Miners are a major contributor to the local decline of many woodland birds. The results also affirm the value of a shrub layer to small birds.
An Indigenous-led Community Challenge to Fisheries Management in New Zealand: the Revival of Regional Scale Management Practices?
Authors: L.H. Whyte Adele , J. Bell James , M. Ramstad Kristina , P. A. Gardner Jonathan
Published: May 2016

Marine, coastal and freshwater fisheries are culturally, ecologically, recreationally and economically important in New Zealand (NZ) and across the world. Over-exploitation of stocks has resulted in declining catches, particularly in the last 50 years, which has signalled the need for strategies to protect these valuable resources, while allowing sustainable exploitation (Pauly 1995; Jackson et. al. 2001; Myers and Worm 2003; Hutchings and Reynolds 2004; Hilborn 2006, 2007). This article outlines an ambitious and novel community-led approach to engage regional stakeholders in local fisheries management, initiated and led by Ng�ti Kahungunu (a M�ori iwi or tribal grouping) in NZ. This initiative is a significant move away from today?s highly centralised national form of fisheries management, and is a step towards a regional form of management that is led by the community for the benefit of the community (e.g., Govan et al. 2006). As such, this proposal represents a challenge to modern management practices, but more importantly it may represent the future for the sustainable utilization of fisheries resources.
What for the future of the Jardine River Painted Turtle?
Authors: Schaffer Jason , G. Doupé Robert , R. Lawler Ivan
Published: May 2016

The Painted Turtle Emydura subglobosa is widely distributed in southern Papua New Guinea and Irian Jaya, where it inhabits the permanent freshwater swamps of adjacent coastal river systems (Lovich et al. 1983; Georges et al. 2006). Emydura subglobosa has also been recorded on mainland Australia, but only from the Jardine River in far northern Cape York Peninsula where it is colloquially named the Jardine River Painted Turtle (Cann 1998). The separation of these two disjunct populations is presumed to be due to Pleistocene sea level changes about 12,000?18,000 years BP (Georges and Thomson 2006). The taxonomic affinities of this species complex remain unresolved (Georges and Adams 1996).
Sharks and Rays of Australia.
Authors: Recher Harry F
Published: May 2016

THE first edition of Sharks and Rays of Australia was
published in 1994. This second edition is fully
revised, with descriptions of 322 species of sharks,
skates, rays, and chimaerids. Since 1994, the Class
Chondrichthyes has been extensively revised and the
second edition of Sharks and Rays of Australia includes
26 species that have been formally described since
the first edition, with formal classification of 97
species that were previously given temporary names.
Names of other species have also been revised in
light of new knowledge of the systematics within this
important group of fish.
The impact of two extreme weather events and other causes of death on Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo: a promise of things to come for a threatened species?
Authors: Saunders Denis A , Mawson Peter , Dawson Rick
Published: May 2016

Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo is an endangered species which has undergone a dramatic decline in range and
abundance in southwestern Australia. Between October 2009 and March 2010 the species was subjected to a possible
outbreak of disease in one of its major breeding areas and exposed to an extremely hot day and a severe localized
hail storm. In addition, collisions with motor vehicles are becoming an increasing threat to the species. All of these
stochastic events resulted in many fatalities. Species such as Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo which form large flocks are
particularly susceptible to localized events such as hail storms, contagious disease and collisions with motor vehicles.
Extreme temperatures may have major impacts on both flocking and non-flocking species. Predictions of climate change
in the southwest of Western Australia are that there will be an increased frequency of extreme weather events such
as heat waves and severe hail storms. The implications of more events of this nature on Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
are discussed.
Effectiveness of the Liberator? in reducing predation on wildlife by domestic cats
Authors: C. Calver M. , R. Thomas S.
Published: May 2016

We evaluated the effectiveness of the commercial collar-worn product the Liberator? in reducing the number of vertebrates pet cats bring home. Fifteen cats identified by their owners as hunters bringing home at least one prey animal per fortnight were included in the study, which was carried out in Perth, Western Australia over six weeks in November/December 2006 (southern hemisphere late spring/early summer). Each cat spent three weeks wearing a Liberator? and three weeks without it and the number of prey brought home by the cat during each period was recorded by its owner. Participating cats caught 91 prey (37 birds, 44 mammals and 10 herpetofauna). The Southern Brown Bandicoot was the only prey species of conservation concern. Liberators? made no statistically significant difference in the number of cats catching prey, but did reduce the overall number of prey caught. Cats wearing Liberators? caught only 38% of all birds, 40% of all herpetofauna and 30% of all mammals captured during the study. Despite this positive result several product failures occurred, so owners wishing to reduce predation by their cats will need to decide whether the Liberator? is a cost-effective option.
Assessing rainforest restoration: the value of buffer strips for the recovery of rainforest remnants in Australia?s Wet Tropics
Authors: J. Sonter Laura , J. Metcalfe Daniel , M. Mayfield Margaret
Published: May 2016

Throughout the tropics, forest remnants are under increasing pressure from habitat fragmentation and edge effects. To improve the conservation value of forest remnants, restoration plantings are used to accelerate and redirect ecological succession. Unfortunately, many restoration projects undergo little to no evaluation in achieving project goals. Here we evaluate the success of one common restoration technique, ?buffer strip planting,? at the Malanda Scrub in North Queensland, Australia. Buffer strips are used to reduce the impacts associated with edge effects and improve overall forest quality. To evaluate the success of the Malanda project, we compared the microclimate, understorey community structure and functional trait-state diversity (functional diversity) for a range of plant functional traits along the original forest edge, a reference forest edge, and the interior forest of the Malanda reserve. We found the buffer strip restored the original forest edge to interior forest conditions for the majority of measured features. Edge effects were not found more than 5 m from any measured edge, and edge effects penetrated to even shorter distances along the buffer strip edge. The buffer strip appeared to have a similar microclimate (here represented by soil temperature) and physical structure; however, it did not (after 14 years) closely resemble the interior forest floristically nor did it have the same functional diversity for measured traits. Results suggest that the buffer strip was successful in reducing edge effects but not in restoring the forest to original conditions within 14 years.
Ecology of black cockatoos at a mine-site in the eastern jarrah-marri forest, western Australia.
Authors: Lee J G H , Finn H C , Calver M C
Published: May 2016

Three threatened black cockatoos inhabit the Jarrah Eucalyptus marginata-Marri Corymbia calophylla forest of
southwestern Australia: Baudin’s Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus baudinii, Carnaby’s Cockatoo C. latirostris, and Forest Redtailed
Black Cockatoo C. banksii naso [FRTBC]. Their local ecology in relation to anthropogenic disturbance is poorly
known, hampering effective conservation management. Therefore we studied their group size, site occupancy patterns,
habitat use, and food plants at a mine-site and its surrounds in the eastern forest over three years. FRTBC showed
similar group sizes and occupancy across seasons, suggesting year-round residency and no marked seasonality in
movements and grouping patterns. In contrast, Carnaby’s Cockatoos were up to twice as abundant in spring and
summer, indicating migrating or transient flocks and some year-round residents. Few Baudin’s Cockatoos were present
in summer, but their abundance increased at other times. All three cockatoos were observed in modified or humanmade
habitats such as mine-site rehabilitation, farm paddocks, and pine plantations. Carnaby’s Cockatoos used the
broadest habitat range. We documented feeding on 16 plant species, with Carnaby’s Cockatoos eating at least 10.
Examination of feeding residues as well as observations of behaviour were essential to obtain a complete picture of
feeding. Current mine-site rehabilitation protocols provide food for all three black cockatoos within a decade and should
continue to do so long-term if Marri is maintained in the seed mix. However, because climate change scenarios predict
declining rainfall over much of southwestern Australia, the plant species used to revegetate mine-sites and other
landscapes may need to be reconsidered. For areas that do not specify restoring a jarrah forest landscape, the selective
use of exotic or non-endemic flora better adapted to lower rainfall conditions may be an option.
Wild Terrestrial Vertebrates Sold as Food in Open Markets in Laos
Authors: Davenport David , Heatwole Harold
Published: May 2016

Spot checks and periodic day-long surveys of the wild mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians sold for food
were carried out in the Lak Xao market and other markets in Laos. Birds were the predominant offering in terms of
number of species, but amphibians, although represented by few species, were predominant in numbers of individuals.
Mammals were a significant component of the wares, both in species and numbers of individuals. Reptiles had the
lowest representation in both categories. There were slight seasonal changes in numbers of species and individuals
being sold. Much of the wildlife sold in Lak Xao was brought from Nape, a village about 20 km distant and located in
a different vegetation zone. Few of the birds or amphibians on offer were in high IUCN categories of risk, perhaps
because the more vulnerable species had already been extirpated locally, but a considerable proportion of the mammalian
and reptilian species were threatened. Some small, secretive species were not represented in the markets.
Biogeography of Australian monsoon rainforest mammals: implications for the conservation of rainforest mammals
Authors: M. J. S. Bowman D. , C. Z. Woinarski J.
Published: May 2016

Monsoon rainforests form an archipelago of small habitat fragments throughout the wet-dry tropics of northern Australia. According to the definition of Winter (1988) the current monsoon rainforest mammal assemblage contains only one rainforest specialist mammal species (restricted to Cape York Peninsula), and is dominated by eutherian habitat generalists (murids and bats) that mostly occur in surrounding savannah habitats. The mammal assemblages in monsoon rainforests across northern Australia (Cape York Peninsula, Northern Territory and the Kimberley) are essentially regional subsets of the local savannah and mangrove mammal assemblages, and consequently share only a limited number of species in common (most of which are bats). The lack of rainforest specialists in northwestern Australia is thought to be due to: (i) the lack of large tracts (> 1 000 ha) of monsoon rainforest habitat; (ii) the possible substantial contraction of these habitats in the past; and (iii) the limited extent of gallery rainforests, such rainforests being important habitats for rainforest mammals in South American savannahs. Unfortunately it is not possible to identify the threshold of habitat area required to maintain populations of monsoon rainforest specialist mammal species because of an impoverished fossil record pertaining to the past spatial distribution of monsoon rainforests. The implications of the lack of a specialist mammal fauna in Australian monsoon rainforests for the future of heavily fragmented tropical rainforests elsewhere in the world is briefly discussed. It is concluded that the analogy of habitat fragments to true islands is weak, that rainforest plant species are less vulnerable to local extinction than mammals, that the loss of mammal rainforest specialists may not result in a dramatic loss of plant species, and that corridors of rainforest may be critical for maintenance of rainforest mammal assemblages in areas currently subject to forest clearance.
Trends in the population of the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii in Epping Forest National Park, Central Queensland
Authors: G. Crossman Doug , N. Johnsow Christopher , B. Horsup Alan
Published: May 2016

The Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii now survives only in Epping Forest National Park, central Queensland. The species was formerly more widespread in the Epping Forest region than at present. Its decline appears to have occurred in three distinct episodes of contraction, two of which were associated with prolonged drought. Indirect monitoring of abundance suggests that the population was stable from 1974 to 1981, when cattle were excluded from the Park, but has increased since 1983. A trapping programme between 1985 and 1989 suggests that the absolute size of the population may be about 70. The population contains approximately equal numbers of males and females; almost all females breed; and a large and apparently increasing proportion of the population consists of young animals. Further increases in density and range within Epping Forest National Park appear possible. Removal of some animals for translocation should be attempted when it is clear that such removals will not jeopardize the stability and vigour of the Epping Forest population.