bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Towards the sustainable management of southern temperate forest ecosystems: lessons from Australia and New Zealand
Authors: W. Norton Tony , D. Mitchell Neil
Published: May 2016

The temperate forest ecosystems of Australia and New Zealand have had a similar history of exploitation and destruction since European settlement. This differed markedly from the previous use of these forests by indigenous peoples. Australian Aborigines are considered to have used the forests on a sustainable basis. Fire was the primary management tool and probably had its greatest effect on floristic composition and structure. The Maori of New Zealand initially cleared substantial areas of forest, but by the time of European settlement they appear to have been approaching sustainable management of the remainder. In both countries, the arrival of Europeans disrupted sustainability and significantly changed the evolutionary history of the forests and their biota. The exploitation and destruction of temperate forests by Europeans in both countries has been driven largely by agricultural and forestry activities, based around settlement and export industries. The Australian continent never had substantial forest cover but this has been reduced by more than half in just 200 years. New Zealand has suffered a similar overall level of further loss; although in the lowlands this can reach 95 per cent. In recent times, forest production and management policies in the two countries have diverged. In both countries the majority of remaining indigenous forests are on publicly-owned land. Australia still maintains indigenous forest production as an industry exploiting old growth forests, the management being split between an emphasis on production forestry and nature conservation. New Zealand has largely abandoned indigenous forestry on public lands, the management being vested in a single conservation department. In New Zealand the production emphasis has mostly moved to sustainable plantation forestry, whereas in Australia, despite recommendations to halt or markedly reduce old growth forest logging, the transition to primary dependence on plantation production has yet to occur.
A genetic study of the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby Petrogale penicillata in East Gippsland and relevance for management of the species in Victoria
Authors: L. Close R. , D. B. Eldridge M. , N. Bell J. , Reside J.
Published: May 2016

Within the Australian macropod genus Petrogale (rock wallabies) nine chromosomally distinct species occur along the Great Dividing Range of eastern Australia (Sharman et al. 1990; Eldridge et al. 1991a; Eldridge and Close 1992). However, Close et al. (1988) found Petrogale from the Grampians, Victoria and from Jenolan Caves, New South Wales, to be remarkably similar despite their 800 km separation (Fig. 1). Standard and C-banded karyotypes of both populations were typical of Petrogale penicillata and were identical except that one Grampians animal was heterozygous for absence of a C-band on chromosome 2. Apart from their smaller physical size, the only difference was that the Grampians animals were homozygous for a unique Pgm allele.
Biological conservation, monitoring and assessment
Authors: Kikkawa Jiro
Published: May 2016

Of the three books Ian Spellerberg published from his broad experience in biological monitoring and conservation, Biological Conservation, co-authored by Stev� Hardes, is the most elementary, dealing with practical conservation in concise form. It is published in the Biology in Focus series to supplement mainstream textbooks for senior biology students.
DNA science and conservation
Authors: M. Lambert David , D. Millar Craig
Published: May 2016

A wide array of DNA-based genetic techniques are now available for the study of many problems in conservation biology. Either directly or indirectly, such techniques are becoming increasingly available to scientists and managers alike. Although these technologies are generally known to conservationists, there is a need to clearly outline the principal characteristics of such genetic tools and to detail how they can most appropriately be used in the management of wildlife species. The essential characteristics of mitochondrial and chloroplast restriction fragment analyses are detailed, together with discussions of single locus nuclear restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), multilocus DNA fingerprinting, microsatellite DNA, randomly amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), and DNA sequence variation. We also give relevant information about the development times for these techniques, their relative costs, and the quality of tissue required. In addition, we discuss which conservation problems are appropriate to each of these methods and give examples of their application and potential use in relation to New Zealand organisms. The following problems are considered: sex assignment; parentage and kinship; migration; species, population and strain identification; forensic applications; genetic effects of population bottlenecks; disease identification; feeding preferences; philopatry; pest control; and understanding population extinction. Finally, we suggest that both microsatellite and minisatellite DNA techniques have particular advantages over many other currently-available techniques and conclude that these two approaches are applicable to a wide range of the conservation problems.
Conservation and ecological restoration in New Zealand
Authors: N. Clout Michael , J. Saunders Alan
Published: May 2016

The introduction of alien species to New Zealand's terrestrial ecosystems has caused rapid loss of native biodiversity since human settlement. Faced with this crisis, conservation managers and scientists have responded by developing innovative techniques such as translocation of native animals and the eradication of introduced mammals from islands. We review recent progress with conservation of New Zealand's terrestrial flora and fauna (especially birds) and consider future prospects for ecological restoration of islands and mainland areas. We stress the value of linking species and ecosystem approaches to conservation and we reinforce the importance of maintaining a dynamic partnership between researchers and conservation managers in the development of conservation initiatives.
Tightening the belt. . . or strangling research?
Authors: Recher Harry
Published: May 2016

Governments in Australia and elsewhere are entering a period of financial austerity. Some view this as a long overdue correction in levels of government spending; others see it as a threat to their livelihoods and aspirations. Whatever the perspective, there should be concern for the impact on our ability to understand and manage biodiversity.
Impact of fire on invertebrate communities in mallee-heath shrublands of southwestern Australia
Authors: R. Friend G. , R. Williams M.
Published: May 2016

A three-year study (1989?92) of the responses of invertebrates to fire was carried out in mallee-heath shrublands in the Stirling Range National Park, Western Australia. Abundances were measured at the Order level for major groups, and at the morphospecies level for Coleoptera. Changes in floristics and vegetation structure were monitored over the same period. At the Order level, variation in abundances was attributable more to locality, seasonal and year-to-year effects than to fire. Responses of beetles at the morphospecies level, however, reflected changes due to fire as well those attributable to season and year. Coleoptera and Diptera were most abundant 40 years after fire, Hemiptera and Orthoptera peaked in earlier seral stages, while Hymenoptera and Araneae showed relatively few fire-related trends. Coleoptera and Diptera best reflected changes due to season, year and fire, and together with some Araneae such as mygalomorph spiders, would most likely be suitable groups to consider in future studies. Multivariate analyses indicated that classification to morphospecies level is essential to elucidate changes due to fire. These analyses also indicated that changes in invertebrate abundance and composition did not accord with changes in floristics or vegetation structure. Each set of data therefore represents different facets of change over time, including those due to fire. Comparing our data with contemporaneous information collected in upland areas of the Park indicates that there is a clear dichotomy in the fire sensitivity of species inhabiting the wet gullies and thickets of the mountains and those occupying the seasonally dry lowland mallee-heaths. Fire management strategies need to take account of this dichotomy by protecting relictual fire sensitive species and habitats.
Protasparagus densiflorus: an environmental weed of coastal vegetation reserves
Authors: Bowden D. , W. Rogers R.
Published: May 2016

Protasparagus densiflorus, a native of southern Africa, has become established in Australian coastal vegetation from Noosa Heads to Batehaven, a range of at least 1 200 km of the coast of eastern Australia. Plants fruit prolifically, the seeds have no endogenous dormancy, and are viable while the fruit is still immature. Germination is retarded in the light when compared with that in the dark, but temperature fluctuations appear not to influence germination rates. When exposed to a 9�C day-night temperature variation germination was successful in the range of minimum temperatures from 9� to 26�C, with an apparent optimum at 23�C. Temperatures suited to germination are therefore available to the species in every month of the year in a coastal subtropical climate. Tubers formed on the roots of seedlings 9?14 days after germination. Tubers increased the probability of plants surviving air-dry for six days on plants which were 16 days old. Detailed studies in two small coastal conservation reserves in southeastern Queensland showed different distribution patterns. Dispersal of the species appears to be anthropogenic, by birds and perhaps by lizards. Protasparagus densiflorus is a threat to the conservation value of coastal vegetation in some of the most densely populated regions of eastern Australia.
Distributions and biodiversity of the terrestrial vertebrates of Australia's Wet Tropics: a review of current knowledge
Authors: E. Williams S. , G. Pearson R. , J. Walsh P.
Published: May 2016

This paper presents a review and collation of the current knowledge on vertebrate distributions and patterns of diversity within the Wet Tropics biogeographic region. Data are collated from a large range of published and unpublished sources. A summary of broad diversity patterns is presented and the collated distributional data are included. The data contained in this paper will be used as the basis for analyses on the determinants of diversity and assemblage composition in the Wet Tropics, as a means of receiving further feedback on distributional data and as baseline information to guide management, conservation and future research on vertebrates within the Wet Tropics. The highest species diversity of vertebrates within the Wet Tropics is found in sclerophyll habitats (approximately 388 species). Rainforest is considerably less species-rich with about 259 vertebrate species; however, regional endemism is much higher in rainforest (25%) than in the combined sclerophyll habitats (4%). The Atherton Uplands are identified as being the most species rich area within the Wet Tropics, with species richness declining both to the north and south of these central uplands. Although there is no consistent latitudinal or altitudinal cline in diversity between taxonomic groups, there is a consistent turnover in the assemblage composition of vertebrates, both altitudinally and latitudinally. These patterns are consistent in all major terrestrial vertebrate taxa. The importance of the Wet Tropics region is emphasized by the identification of 143 species of terrestrial vertebrates (23% of the total vertebrate fauna of the region) which are very important species for biological conservation: that is, those species or sub-species which are endemic to the region and/or have a recognized rare and threatened status. Several areas are identified as being poorly known due to insufficient sampling effort, including the Finnegan Uplands, Thornton Uplands, Malbon-Thompson Range and the Lee Uplands. The latter two zones present the most significant gaps in knowledge, as they have been very poorly sampled and are important in the interpretation of biogeographic and evolutionary patterns within the region. Probably the most significant ecological gradient in need of detailed examination is altitude, because of the significant effect it has on assemblage composition in all subsets of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna.
The ecology of bats in south-east Australian forests and potential impacts of forestry practices: a review
Authors: S. Law Bradley
Published: May 2016

Bats are important contributors to Australia's mammal diversity and are ecologically diverse, feeding on insects, fish, small vertebrates, nectar, pollen and fruit. As such they are likely to play key ecological roles as regulators of invertebrate populations and pollinators of forests. Although somewhat contradictory, current evidence suggest that logging impacts on the species richness and activity of insectivorous bats when forest structural complexity and the number of available roosting hollows are reduced. Inconsistent results concerning impact on species richness stem from methodological problems with bat surveys. "Rare" species are often recorded in low numbers, preventing habitat preferences and disturbance impacts from being determined. Radio-telemetry has demonstrated that roosts in hollows of mature trees are a critical resource for many species of bats due to species specific requirements. However, it is not yet possible to state whether bat populations are directly limited by the availability of hollows in areas where a mosaic of logged and unlogged forest exists. Although data on foraging areas are extremely limited, some species appear to be flexible, capable of flying across open areas and exploiting those rich in invertebrates. Some species (e.g., Vespadelus) show a high degree of site attachment, possibly indicating a susceptibility to logging, however, the extent of site fidelity for most species is unknown. As pollinators, megachiropteran bats are likely to play a key role in maintaining the genetic diversity currently present in eucalypts by facilitating long-distance movement of pollen. Areas that are productive in nectar and pollen have a high conservation value for these bats and many other nectarivores, however, the age at which important nectar-producing trees flower is generally not known. The extent to which wildlife prescriptions, such as habitat trees and mosaics of small reserves, mitigate these impacts on bat species requires urgent research.
Fire studies in Mallee (Eucalyptus spp.) communities of western New South Wales: spatial and temporal fluxes in soil chemistry and soil biology following prescribed fire
Authors: C. Noble J. , J. Tongway D. , M. Roper M. , G. Whitford W.
Published: May 2016

The effects of prescribed fires on nutrient pools, soil micro-organisms, and vegetation patch dynamics were studied in three semi-arid mallee shrublands in western New South Wales. Repeated sampling of surface soil strata (0–2 and 2–4 cm) was undertaken at strategic times (immediately before and after the fire, after opening autumn rain, mid-season in the winter, and at the end of the spring) in five microsites (inner, middle and outer mallee litter zones, bare soil, and Triodia hummock). These samples were later analysed for pH, electrical conductivity, organic carbon and available nitrogen. The effect of fire on soil micro-organisms in these microsites was also examined by measuring nitrogenase activity and enumerating soil Acari. Carbon and nitrogen levels were consistently higher in the inner mallee microsites whereas bare soil sites provided the lowest values. Significant microsite x soil depth interactions were recorded in two shrubland sites while highly significant (P < 0.001) depth x sampling time interactions were recorded in three sites. The most sensitive soil parameter with respect to microsite was electrical conductivity, particularly in the surface 0–2 cm stratum. Highest values were again recorded from the inner mallee microsites and the lowest from bare soil sites. Nitrogenase activity was highest in soil samples associated with mallee litter and, where litter was removed by fire, activity decreased markedly except in the bare soil samples where activity was higher in the burnt samples. Soil microarthropod populations also declined notably following fire. Mites from the Prostigmata greatly outnumbered those from other suborders, a total of 12 families (15 genera) being enumerated in control sites compared with three families (three genera) only of Cryptostigmata. Nonetheless the most abundant mites were cryptostigmatids (Aphelacarus spp.) found in unburnt hummocks beneath Triodia plants. The ecological and management implications of these spatial and temporal fluxes in soil chemistry and soil biology are discussed in relation to their effects on landscape processes, particularly water and nutrient redistribution.
Fading Fauna
Authors: R. Morton S.
Published: May 2016

We should take heart from the fact that the continuing decline of the Australian fauna is now well known in public circles. The pressure of human activities remains a formidable problem for those interested in the conservation of our animals ? but at least now very many people know about it. For this reason, there are some grounds for discussing further documentation and discussion of the decline in a celebratory fashion, and it is in this mood that I read the most recent special issue of the Australian Zoologist. No longer are we, the specialists, shouting into the void. Now, many others are listening, and we can anticipate that gradually they will also be roused to action.
Platypus and Echidnas
Authors: G. Quin Darren
Published: May 2016

Platypus and Echidnas presents the proceedings of a conference held at the University of New South Wales in July 1991. Platypus and Echidnas incorporates an extensive information source obtained from studies undertaken since the first symposium on "Monotreme Biology" in 1978, while highlighting deficiencies in our knowledge, and subsequently suggests further avenues for research. The theme of evolution re-occurs throughout the publication and the studies demonstrate how patterns of mammalian phylogeny may be derived from various sources including palaeontology, gene mapping, DNA hybridization, reproductive physiology and endocrinology. Interest in this publication will extend to: (i) scholars of phylogeny and evolution especially part 1); (ii) comparative physiologist, physiological ecologists and anatomists (parts 1, 3, 4 and 5); (iii) ecologists and sacio-ecologists (parts 3, 5 and 6); (iv) natural historians; (v) keepers of captive wildlife colonies (parts 3 and 6); (vi) wildlife veterinary surgeons (part 6); and (vii) wildlife managers (especially part 6). The book deals primarily with the short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus and the platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus, for which most information is available.
The Tropical Rain Forest: An Ecological Study
Authors: Kikkawa Jiro , Webb Len
Published: May 2016

This long-awaited book would seem to mark the end of classical tropical botany and phytogeography as subjects for scholarly pursuits. Since the middle of the century, when the first edition of The Tropical Rain Forest appeared, the wet tropical lowlands of the world have become an industrial battleground and, today at the end of the "Second Millennium", the future of the remaining rainforests that have evolved over millions of years looks bleak. Indeed, the book may well become "a record of what the rainforest was like in the twentieth century", as stated on its first page. This elegiac declaration not only reflects world concern about its pending extinction, but also Professor Richards' increasingly personal involvement with rainforest conservation in his later years.
Dispersal of the Blue-breasted Fairy-wren in fragmented habitat in the wheatbelt of Western Australia
Authors: Brooker Michael , Brooker Lesley
Published: May 2016

Dispersal of the Blue-breasted Fairy-wren Malurus pulcherrimus was studied in an agricultural landscape in which 93% of their preferred habitat has been cleared for farming and the remaining 7% is highly fragmented. In these conditions, the wrens were still capable of dispersing through non-breeding habitat for distances in excess of 10 km. Most long dispersals were by juvenile females moving between habitat patches, although shorter movements were made within habitat patches by breeding females and juvenile males. While it would seem that the population in this area is not entirely limited by the ability to disperse at the present time, persistence may depend more on the rigorous maintenance of existing habitat and inter-connecting corridors than on the revegetation of farmed land.
Exotic plant invasion and understorey species richness: a comparison of two types of eucalypt woodland in agricultural Western Australia
Authors: Abensperg-Traun Max , Atkins Lyn , Hobbs Richard , Steven Dion
Published: May 2016

Exotic plants are a major threat to native plant diversity in Australia yet a generic model of the invasion of Australian ecosystems by exotic species is lacking because invasion levels differ with vegetation/soil type and environmental conditions. This study compared relative differences in exotic species invasion (percent cover, spp. richness) and the species richness of herbaceous native plants in two structurally very similar vegetation types, Gimlet Eucalyptus salubris and Wandoo E. capillosa woodlands in the Western Australian wheatbelt. For each woodland type, plant variables were measured for relatively undisturbed woodlands, woodlands with >30 years of livestock grazing history, and woodlands in road-verges. Grazed and road-verge Gimlet and Wandoo woodlands had significantly higher cover of exotic species, and lower species richness of native plants, compared with undisturbed Gimlet and Wandoo. Exotic plant invasion was significantly greater in Gimlet woodlands for both grazed (mean 78% cover) and road-verge sites (mean 42% cover) than in comparable sites in Wandoo woodlands (grazed sites 25% cover, road-verge sites 19% cover). There was no significant difference in the species richness of exotic plants between Wandoo and Gimlet sites for any of the three situations. Mean site richness of native plants was not significantly different between undisturbed Wandoo and undisturbed Gimlet woodlands. Undisturbed woodlands were significantly richer in plant species than grazed and road-verge woodlands for both woodland types. Grazed and road-verge Wandoo sites were significantly richer in plant species than communities in grazed and road-verge Gimlet. The percent cover of exotics was negatively correlated with total (native) plant species richness for both woodland types (Wandoo r = ?0.70, Gimlet r = ?0.87). Of the total native species recorded in undisturbed Gimlet, 83% and 61% were not recorded in grazed and road-verge Gimlet, respectively. This compared with 40% and 33% for grazed and road-verge Wandoo, respectively. Grazed Wandoo and grazed Gimlet sites had significantly fewer native plant species than did road-verge Wandoo and road-verge Gimlet sites. Ecosystem implications of differential invasions by exotic species, and the effects of grazing (disturbance) and other factors influencing susceptibility to exotic plant invasion (landscape, competition and allelopathy) on native species decline are discussed. Exclusion of livestock and adequate methods of control and prevention of further invasions by exotic plants are essential requirements for the conservation of these woodland systems.
Powerline easements through forests: a case study of impacts on avifauna
Authors: Baker Jack , L. Goldingay Ross , J. Whelan Robert
Published: May 2016

Powerline easements are typically a strip cleared of trees and tall vegetation to a width of approximately 50 m. They may affect avifauna by modification and fragmentation of forest habitat. We investigated the responses of the bird community to easements at three sites in southeastern Australia using 25 m radius point-counts spaced at 50 m intervals from the easement to 300 m inside the forest. The easements caused an absolute loss of habitat for forest avifauna, with abundance and species richness at the easement less than 20% of the forest values. Four species of easement opportunist and one easement specialist provided evidence that the easement represented a new type of habitat for avifauna. A barrier effect of fragmentation may occur for four species of easement avoiders. These were small to medium-sized terrestrial birds associated with dense ground and/or understorey cover. The edge effect of fragmentation was an adverse impact on forest avifauna. At the margin (25?125 m from the easement) of the forest, bird abundance, mean species richness and total species richness were significantly less than the corresponding values for the interior (225?325 m) of the forest. The mean abundance at the sites varied from 13.0?17.7 birds/ha and the species richness varied significantly among sites. The adverse impacts of powerline easements on native avifauna could be minimized by site-specific management which includes strategies to minimize the loss of forest habitat and to ameliorate the effects of fragmentation.
Conservation Through Sustainable Use of Wildlife
Authors: Calver Mike
Published: May 2016

These volumes are the proceedings of the second and third major conferences organized this decade by the Centre for Conservation Biology at the University of Queensland, the first one being Moritz and Kikkawa (1994). A pleasing trend in the publication of the later volumes is the reduction in time between conference and publication. Moritz and Kikkawa was published in March 1994, approximately 2.5 years after the conference in October 1991, while Grigg et al. appeared in December 1995, a little under two years after the conference in February 1994, and Hale and Lamb was published in July 1997, approximately 18 months after the conference in February 1996. Also of interest is the increase in attendance of delegates at the latter two conferences from 210 (Grigg et al. 1995) to 450 (Hale and Lamb 1997), accompanied by a growth of 172 pp in the length of the proceedings. Furthermore, the Centre for Conservation Biology is clearly prepared to tackle controversial issues in conservation.
Birds in patches of old-growth ash forest, in a matrix of younger forest
Authors: H. Loyn Richard
Published: May 2016

Birds were studied at 57 sites in Mountain Ash forests in the Central Highlands of Victoria, Australia in spring and summer 1995/96. The sites represented 41 patches of old-growth forest (up to 390 ha in size) in a matrix of regrowth mostly from severe fires in 1939 (57 years previously), with multiple sites in the four largest patches of old-growth and eight sites in 1939 regrowth. Relative bird abundance was assessed by an area-search technique. Generalized linear modelling was used to develop predictive models by regressing abundance of groups of bird species against patch size, isolation and some basic habitat and context variables. Total bird abundance (of all species combined) tended to be higher in old-growth patches than in 1939 regrowth, but not significantly. There was no trend in total abundance with patch size or isolation. Fruit-eating birds tended to be commonest in small patches. Bark-foragers and uncommon birds favoured large patches, though the latter were most common in 1939 regrowth. More variation was explained by habitat and context variables such as aspect, altitude and forest structure. Unevenaged forest structure was often associated with small patches. It was concluded that old-growth forest patches can have similar values per hectare for forest birds whether they are large or small. The regrowth forest matrix appears to protect small patches from factors which reduce densities of forest birds in small forest patches in farmland. The data support the current policy of retaining all old-growth ash forest patches. A range of factors should be considered in selecting regrowth stands of various sizes to regrow as old forest of the future, including their intrinsic potential to develop particular habitats and produce a mix of forest stuctures in the landscape.
Vegetation change in the grasslands and grassy woodlands of east-central Cape York Peninsula, Australia
Authors: M. Crowley Gabriel , T. Garnett Stephen
Published: May 2016

The vegetation of 64 grassland and grassy woodland sites in east-central Cape York Peninsula, surveyed by CSIRO in 1966, was re-surveyed in 1995. While the original vegetation communities had persisted at most sites, a change in species dominance was recorded at 14% of sites. Melaleuca viridiflora (ti-tree) had invaded eight sites, and increased in abundance in at least 16 of the 35 sites in which it had occurred in 1966. This had led to four out of 13 grassland sites, and three out of four mixed evergreen sites being re-classified as ti-tree woodlands. Analysis of aerial photographs covering 415 km2 showed a 10% net loss of grasslands between 1969 and 1988. These changes are attributed to a reduction in the use of fire as a management tool since European settlement. Changes were also found in perennial grass composition consistent with grazing or over-grazing, particularly in the eucalypt/ironwood communities. A shift from Themeda triandra to Heteropogon contortus parallels earlier, grazing-related changes in southern Queensland. Evidence of a decline in Heteropogon triticeus and isolated losses of Sorghum plumosum are more suggestive of localized, unsustainable overgrazing. An increase in Sorghum plumosum in wet habitats appears to be associated with recent lack of burning. These changes suggest that further intensification of cattle grazing in the area may not be possible without significantly reducing both conservation values and pasture condition.
The Sixth Extinction: Biodiversity and its Survival
Authors: Stewart Peter
Published: May 2016

Richard Leakey and Roger Lewin are recognized authors in the field of natural history and palaeontology. Leakey was for many years Director of the National Museums of Kenya and, until recently, Director of the Kenya Wildlife Service. It was in this role that he probably became most famous when he instigated the burning of twentyfive hundred gasoline soaked elephant tusks, to advertise the plight of the endangered African Elephant. Roger Lewin is an Associate of the Peabody Museum, Harvard University.
Plant Ecology 2nd Edition
Authors: Gurner Ryan
Published: May 2016

Plant Ecology is the scientific study of the factors influencing the distribution and abundance of plants. This book aims to show how pattern and structure at different levels of plant organization (communities, populations and individuals) are influenced by abiotic factors like climate and soils, and biotic interactions including competition, herbivory and mutualistic relationships. One further aim has been to convey the dynamic nature of modern plant ecology and to highlight the critical Issues.
Recent trends in amphibian conservation: a report from the Third World Congress of Herpetology
Authors: C. Nias Raymond
Published: May 2016

The Third World Congress of Herpetology was held in Prague, capital of the Czech Republic from 2nd to 10th August, 1997. Some 40 papers and posters about the conservation of amphibians were presented, including a full day symposium on declining amphibian populations. The Declining Amphibian Task Force (an IUCN Species Survival Commission Specialist Group) held an open meeting on Tuesday, August 5.
The effects of fire on a population of Red-winged Fairy-wrens Malurus elegans in Karri forest in southwestern Australia
Authors: Russell E. , Rowley I.
Published: May 2016

In April 1994, an intense fire burnt part of Smith's Brook Nature Reserve near Manjimup, Western Australia where we had studied an individually marked population of the Red-winged Fairy-wren Malurus elegans in Karri Eucalyptus diversicolor forest since 1980. We estimated the population size in a 25 ha area at the start of the breeding season each year 1980?95, including two years post-fire. In the 32 territories present in 1993, the entire area of 26 was almost completely burnt to a height of 10 m, with few remaining unburnt patches. The mean population size for the 13 years 1981?93 was 119 birds in a mean of 29 groups. In November 1993, 126 birds were present in 32 groups. In November 1994, following the April fire, there were 114 birds in 31 groups, but nesting substrate was very scarce, breeding was delayed, and only 0.18 yearling males per group were produced, compared with 0.52 for the years 1981?93. By November 1995, the population had fallen to 73 birds in 23 groups with nine territories vacant. The time necessary for the population to recover to its prefire level was estimated from long-term demographic data to be at least 10 years, longer than the present cycle of 7?9 years for prescribed burns in the southern (Karri) State Forests of Western Australia.
Rebuttal
Authors: F. Recher Harry
Published: May 2016

The comments on Kingston were not intended as a criticism of the Kingston study, but only as an illustration of the complexities of undertaking such studies. Unfortunately, there have been few such studies attempted in Australia and Kingston is the most recent.
Conservation status of mammals and birds in southwestern Australian forests. II. Are there unstudied, indirect or long-term links between forestry practices and species decline and extinction?
Authors: C. Calver M. , Dell J.
Published: May 2016

There is little evidence in the literature for past or current negative impacts of forestry practices on the mammals and birds of the south-west forests of Western Australia, although there are few relevant, detailed studies. For the conclusion of no major negative impact of forestry practices to be accepted, it must be shown that there are no indirect connections between forestry practices and established causes of fauna decline and that it is unlikely that forestry practices will have delayed impacts on the conservation status of mammals and birds. This paper reviews the literature relevant to these issues and concludes: (i) past forestry practices are linked to the changed fire regimes implicated in the decline of several species, indirectly connecting forestry practices with an established cause of fauna decline, (ii) there are plausible links between forestry and long-term causes of fauna decline that have not been investigated thoroughly. However, these findings need not mean that a native timber industry is incompatible with conservation in the south-west forests. Rather, they highlight the need for mediation between parties in the forest management debate, perhaps using some of the approaches developed recently in eastern Australia and North America. Concurrently, research effort could be directed towards determining the effectiveness of management initiatives already in place to ameliorate forestry impacts, while identifying actions successful elsewhere and setting research priorities to enable their effective implementation in the south-west. Forest managers, past and present, have good reason to be proud of their efforts. Even during earlier eras, when the focus of forest management was largely on timber supply, the need to ensure successful regeneration after logging has acted to conserve the whole jarrah and karri forest ecosystem. Abbott and Christensen (1994). The challenges posed by old growth eucalypt forest management in Australia are unique and by virtue of historical events, lie with our generation. To our advantage is an appreciation of what reforms are required, the availability of adequate knowledge and technology, and an understanding of what is at stake. A move towards ecologically sustainable forest use in Australia's remaining eucalypt forests requires a combination of initiatives including an enhanced conservation reserve network, and markedly enhanced protective measures in unreserved forest ecosystems, irrespective of land tenure. Significant reductions in logging quotas and major changes to current codes of forest practice are required if stated biodiversity conservation goals are to be achieved. Institutional reforms are required to support these changes as is support for long-term ecological research and monitoring. Norton (1996).
The 10 Lords of the Universe respond to Lim
Authors: Adam Paul , Auld Tony , Benson Doug , Catling Peter , Dickman Chris , Fleming Mike , Gunning Robin , Hutchings Pat , Kemp David , Shields Jim
Published: May 2016

Lim (1997) has recently presented a critique of aspects of the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act (TSCA), and in particular of the role of the Scientific Committee established by the Act.
Conservation of the endangered Gould's Petrel Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera
Authors: Priddel David , Carlile Nicholas
Published: May 2016

The only population of Gould's Petrel Pterodroma leucoptera leucoptera has declined substantially during the last few decades. Adult mortality has been high, and has exceeded potential recruitment. Breeding success has been low. Entanglement in the sticky fruits of the Birdlime Tree Pisonia umbellifera and predation by Pied Currawongs Strepera graculina and Australian Ravens Corvus coronoides have been the major causes of petrel mortality on land. Experimental management actions aimed at ameliorating these threats were implemented, and their efficacy assessed. The removal of Pisonia and the control of avian predators dramatically lessened the mortality of Gould's Petrels ashore on Cabbage Tree Island. Instigation of these management actions in 1993 was coincident with a 68% rise in the number of birds brooding eggs in mid-December. Further small increases in the breeding population occurred in subsequent years. Management of the colony was also coincident with a substantial increase in breeding success (up from 25% to 45%). Breeding success increased to 59% in the 1994?95 season, but declined to 26% during 1995?96. Prior to management of the colony, an average of 30 birds fledged per annum (range 23?40; n= 4); after management, this rose to 167 per annum (range 105?233; n= 3). Management of the colony appears the most likely cause of this turnaround, but the possibility of it being due to extraneous factors such as weather or oceanographic perturbations cannot be excluded. The threats posed by Pisonia umbellifera and avian predators were, together, sufficient to account for the decline of Gould's Petrel. The demonstration that these two threatening processes can be ameliorated successfully suggests a high potential for recovery of the species.
Trapping strategies for deterring the spread of Brown Tree Snakes from Guam
Authors: M. Engeman Richard , A. Linnell Michael
Published: May 2016

The accidental introduction of the Brown Tree Snake Boiga irregularis to Guam has resulted in the extirpation of most of the island's native terrestrial vertebrates, has presented a health hazard to infants and children, and also has produced an economic problem. Prevention of its dispersal through Guam's cargo traffic to other Pacific islands has become a high environmental priority. Trapping around ports and other cargo staging areas is central to an integrated pest management programme designed to deter dispersal of the species. In this study, perimeter trapping of forested plots characteristic of those found in port areas was found to be the most effective trap placement strategy, although trap lines cut through the plot interior or placed along a single plot boundary were also effective. Snake removal potentially can be modelled using an exponential decay over time, providing the manager with a planning tool. Population recovery of Brown Tree Snakes in trapped plots was found to be slow in the fragmented forested habitats found around ports.
Forest Issues 2: Conserving Hollow-dependent Fauna in Timber-production Forests (Environmental Heritage Monograph Series No 3)
Authors: Cumming S.
Published: May 2016

In the absence of primary excavators, such as woodpeckers, the formation of tree-hollows suitable for occupation by hollow-dependent fauna in Australia may take several hundred years. However, intervals between logging operations in timberproduction forests are typically between 40 and 120 years with the result that hollow-dependent fauna are threatened over large areas of Australia's eucalypt forests. Many species of mammals, birds and invertebrates depend upon tree hollows for dens, roosting or nesting, and habitat. Therefore, there is a strong need to retain and conserve suitable hollowbearing trees within Australian forests in the face of increasingly more intensive and destructive timber harvesting practices.
The exploitation of mammal populations
Authors: Doupé Rob
Published: May 2016

The exploitation of mammal populations forms in part, the proceedings of a symposium held in London in November, 1994 by two "scientific animal charities", the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) and the Mammal Society. It contains 22 chapters arranged in five sections: Exploitation of mammal populations past, present and future; Harvesting wild mammal populations; Hunting and its impact on wildlife; Wildlife trade and conservation; and Ecotourism-making mammal populations pay.
Behavioural Approaches to Conservation in the Wild
Authors: Van Elven B.
Published: May 2016

Behavioural Approaches to Conservation in the Wild is based on a series of papers from a symposium entitled "Conservation and Behaviour in the Wild" held during the Animal Behaviour Society annual meetings in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1995. The book was compiled because the editors (and others) felt that both behavioural researchers and conservation biologists did not adequately recognize the important role that behavioural studies could play in conservation efforts. Traditionally, behavioural researchers have limited the conservation applications of their research to captive breeding and reintroduction programmes of endangered species, while conservation biologists have focussed on landscape design and ecosystem restoration without necessarily considering animal behaviour. The objectives of the book are twofold: to stimulate behavioural researchers to think about how their work can contribute to conservation of biological diversity, and to show conservation biologists the relevance of behavioural research in solving conservation problems. As expected given the location of the symposium and the high proportion of northern hemisphere contributors, most examples presented are from that region.
Australian Freshwater Ecology. Processes and Management
Authors: Horwitz P.
Published: May 2016

Australian students of inland waters have had access to few texts written over the last two decades which adequately represent the complexity of the Australian aquatic environments. Australian Freshwater Ecology will undoubtedly bridge that gap.
Grassland Flora: a field guide for the Southern Tablelands (NSW and ACT)
Authors: Gilfedder Louise
Published: May 2016

There has been a recent flurry of field guides to grassy ecosystems in southeastern Australia, and all the publications have been excellent. This attractive field guide is no exception. It is a spiral-bound A-sized booklet, ideal for the glovebox or the backpack. It is easy to use for both the novice and expert, with colour coding separating sections on grasses, rushes and sedges, lilies, orchids, forbs, ferns, shrubs and trees. Within each life form section entries are alphabetical for grasses and sedges, but generally species are grouped together based on the colour of their flowers. And an excellent addition is the inclusion of weeds ? many interested users will be very pleased to sort out which species are native or not ? often a challenge in grasslands! The text is informative and uses non-technical language. It is most helpful to have notes on similar species and how to tell the difference. Large colour symbols clearly indicate if a species is annual, exotic, noxious or threatened. Brief management notes are also very practical and informative. A short glossary and explanation of terms also makes this a useful guide, especially for beginners. A brief but adequate introduction outlines the conservation plight of native grasslands, and gives information on threatened plant species and plant communities, grassland animals and management of grassy ecosystems. This is an excellent publication, very comprehensive, great value and useable throughout southeastern Australia. Every time I have had my copy in the field a landowner has grabbed it, and then several of their mates ring up for a copy too.
R and K strategies and the proliferation of scientific papers.
Authors: Briggs Sue
Published: May 2016

R and K selection strategies are about tradeoffs
between between quantity of offspring
(productivity = numbers of offspring) and
quality of offspring (efficiency = a few very fit
offspring) (Pianka 1970). R strategists produce
as many offspring as possible with low
investment in each offspring. K strategists invest
considerable resources in a few, very fit offspring
(Pianka 1970). Scientific papers can be seen as
the offspring of scientists. Scientists with an r
selected publication strategy publish lots of
papers, with relatively little investment in each,
whereas scientists following a K selected
publication strategy publish fewer papers with
more investment in each paper.
The number of scientific papers being
published is increasing, per scientist and overall,
due to pressure on scientists to publish and the
proliferation of journals from commercial
publishing houses (Wagner 2011, Fischer et al.
2012). Publishing scientific papers is now big
business for publishers (Beverungen et al. 2012,
Recher 2013, Van Noorden 2013). The number
of scientists has increased over time, along with
the greater number of papers published per
scientist, but the latter is greater (Wagner 2011).
This editorial focuses on impacts of the
increasing pressure to publish lots of papers on
the publication strategies of individual scientists.
Infrequent (and Mostly Unfamiliar) Complications After Thrombolysis
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F. M. , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Hocker Sara E. , Fugate Jennifer E.
Published: May 2016

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) is the only acute intervention proven to improve outcomes after ischemic stroke. Major complications are rarely encountered but some are very serious, requiring action. This chapter reviews the potentially life-threatening complications of rtPA treatment, including intracranial hemorrhage and the more unusual complications such as lingual hematoma and oropharyngeal angioedema. If angioedema is suspected, empiric treatment with intravenous corticosteroids and antihistamines should be started and the airway should be closely monitored. When a hemorrhage is suspected the infusion of intravenous rtPA should be stopped immediately and a CT scan obtained.
Swollen Ischemic Brain and When to Call the Neurosurgeon
Authors: Wijdicks Eelco F. M. , Rabinstein Alejandro A. , Hocker Sara E. , Fugate Jennifer E.
Published: May 2016

Large hemispheric strokes may swell, and decompressive craniectomy is the only way to prevent mortality from mass effect. Medical management with osmotic diuretics is often unhelpful. Decompressive craniectomy should be considered in patients less than 60 years of age, with mass effect on CT scan and evidence of early neurological decline. But after this procedure severe disability remains, an issue of utmost importance to address with a proxy. Not everyone is persuaded of the value of this last-resort measure. It is important to consider who benefits and how much disability can be expected and tolerated.