title: Do long-tailed bats alter their evening activity in response to aircraft noise?

authors: Le Roux, Darren Shaun

subjects: aircraft activity

abstract: Human-generated noise may alter animal activity patterns and mask vocal signals. We used field-based observations and a playback experiment to investigate whether aircraft activity and noise alter the evening activity of New Zealand long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) a cryptic threatened species. Low-altitude aircraft activity temporally overlapped bat activity near the runway of an international airport, but was unlikely to mask echolocation pulses as aircraft noise was most intense at ≤ 10 kHz. There was no statistically significant difference in mean bat activity during and after overflights compared with pre-aircraft activity. The experiment revealed that playback stimuli (aircraft passes and two controls: silent tracks and blackbird (Turdus merula) calls) differed in their effect on bat activity at two sites, one with low and one with high aircraft activity. Simulated aircraft noise and silent tracks reduced bat activity when compared with blackbird calls (P < 0.05). Bats may have found it easier to detect observers during the playback of silent tracks (sampling involved walking circuits with hand-held detectors), and may have reduced activity to a perceived threat. This result suggests that broadcasted aircraft noise is no more disturbing than researcher presence during playback trials. Evidence for a site × playback stimuli interaction (P = 0.054) suggests that bats at the site with high aircraft activity may have habituated to aircraft noise. Both correlative and experimental data suggests that aircraft activity and noise may not have major impacts on long-tailed bat activity.

text: Do long-tailed bats alter their evening activity in response to aircraft noise? Human-generated noise may alter animal activity patterns and mask vocal signals. We used field-based observations and a playback experiment to investigate whether aircraft activity and noise alter the evening activity of New Zealand long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) a cryptic threatened species. Low-altitude aircraft activity temporally overlapped bat activity near the runway of an international airport, but was unlikely to mask echolocation pulses as aircraft noise was most intense at ≤ 10 kHz. There was no statistically significant difference in mean bat activity during and after overflights compared with pre-aircraft activity. The experiment revealed that playback stimuli (aircraft passes and two controls: silent tracks and blackbird (Turdus merula) calls) differed in their effect on bat activity at two sites, one with low and one with high aircraft activity. Simulated aircraft noise and silent tracks reduced bat activity when compared with blackbird calls (P < 0.05). Bats may have found it easier to detect observers during the playback of silent tracks (sampling involved walking circuits with hand-held detectors), and may have reduced activity to a perceived threat. This result suggests that broadcasted aircraft noise is no more disturbing than researcher presence during playback trials. Evidence for a site × playback stimuli interaction (P = 0.054) suggests that bats at the site with high aircraft activity may have habituated to aircraft noise. Both correlative and experimental data suggests that aircraft activity and noise may not have major impacts on long-tailed bat activity.

year: 2012

title: Transitions and transience

authors: Mitchell, Linda

abstract: A governmental focus is on supporting ‘priority’ families to take part in early childhood education. This presentation discusses findings from Stage 4 of an evaluation of the Ministry’s Early Childhood Education Participation Programme, a rare New Zealand study that found out about the views and experiences of priority families directly and how	these were met or not. In Stage 4, we Children in the early years: Pedagogy, policy and community connectedness Page 6 examined the early learning experiences of 18 children in early childhood education and as they transitioned to school. Our presentation will highlight the experiences of some of the children and families involved, particularly in relation to challenges arising from their transient lives. Data presented will illustrate some of the situations that arose and the ways in which they challenge expectations of ECE participation and of transition to school processes. The presentation concludes with possible implications and provocations for ECE participation as a prerequisite to positive transition experiences.

text: Transitions and transience A governmental focus is on supporting ‘priority’ families to take part in early childhood education. This presentation discusses findings from Stage 4 of an evaluation of the Ministry’s Early Childhood Education Participation Programme, a rare New Zealand study that found out about the views and experiences of priority families directly and how	these were met or not. In Stage 4, we Children in the early years: Pedagogy, policy and community connectedness Page 6 examined the early learning experiences of 18 children in early childhood education and as they transitioned to school. Our presentation will highlight the experiences of some of the children and families involved, particularly in relation to challenges arising from their transient lives. Data presented will illustrate some of the situations that arose and the ways in which they challenge expectations of ECE participation and of transition to school processes. The presentation concludes with possible implications and provocations for ECE participation as a prerequisite to positive transition experiences.

year: 2017

title: Mental health and wellbeing for young people from intersectional identity groups: Inequity for Māori, Pacific, Rainbow young people, and those with a disabling condition

authors: Roy, Rituparna

subjects: Māori

abstract: ‘Intersectionality’ describes the converging effects of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and other social group characteristics that influence life experiences. We draw on a representative study of year 9-13 students in Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, and Waikato (Youth19) to explore differences in mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young people from a selection of intersectional identities (Māori, Pasifika, Rainbow, and young people with a Disabling Condition). We found a pervasive pattern of inequity for young people who have intersectional identities compared to those from the majority groups (i.e. Pākehā, non-disabled, cis-heterosexual youth). Intersectional youth had higher levels of inequity and faced a greater array of inequities. There was evidence of an additive effect for some indicators. Thematic analysis of open-text survey responses found the need for positive inclusive environments, and support for all young people, including those at the intersections of identity. Drawing on the findings, we offered several systemslevel policy recommendations, including strategies to improve inclusiveness and reduce discrimination.

text: Mental health and wellbeing for young people from intersectional identity groups: Inequity for Māori, Pacific, Rainbow young people, and those with a disabling condition ‘Intersectionality’ describes the converging effects of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and other social group characteristics that influence life experiences. We draw on a representative study of year 9-13 students in Tai Tokerau, Tāmaki Makaurau, and Waikato (Youth19) to explore differences in mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young people from a selection of intersectional identities (Māori, Pasifika, Rainbow, and young people with a Disabling Condition). We found a pervasive pattern of inequity for young people who have intersectional identities compared to those from the majority groups (i.e. Pākehā, non-disabled, cis-heterosexual youth). Intersectional youth had higher levels of inequity and faced a greater array of inequities. There was evidence of an additive effect for some indicators. Thematic analysis of open-text survey responses found the need for positive inclusive environments, and support for all young people, including those at the intersections of identity. Drawing on the findings, we offered several systemslevel policy recommendations, including strategies to improve inclusiveness and reduce discrimination.

year: 2023