title: Olfactory generalisation in dogs (Canis familiaris) trained to detect koi carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus)

authors: Barclay, Samuel Thomas

subjects: Behaviour Analysis, Invasive Species, Olfactory Detection, Canine Olfaction, Generalisation

abstract: Koi carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) are an invasive fish species that threaten the biodiversity and ecological health of New Zealand’s freshwater systems. To prevent the spread of koi carp, populations must be identified early so management methods can be implemented. However, the methods currently used to detect koi carp populations are either not suited to particular waterbodies, are too expensive, or are not sensitive enough to detect koi carp populations at low biomasses. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are an emerging technology for the detection of koi carp. Previous studies have shown that dogs can detect koi carp at a biomass of 9.3 kg/ha in aquaria water samples, well below the proposed 50 kg/ha threshold for ecological decline. The present study used an automated scent detection apparatus to present dogs with naturally sourced carp-present and carp-absent lakes. The use of lake samples presented a unique challenge to the dogs because of the large variety of distractor odours in a natural environment, potentially complicating the detection of koi carp. In Phase A, dogs evaluated two carp-absent lake samples spiked with koi carp scent at an ecologically relevant biomass of 310 kg/ha. All dogs met the criteria of a hit rate and correct rejection rate ≥ 80% on these lakes, demonstrating that dogs can detect koi carp amongst lake water distractor odours. Phase B presented dogs with 12 positive (carp-present) and 12 negative (carp-absent) probe samples interspersed among samples from the lakes used in Phase A. The dogs’ first responses to positive probes were examined to evaluate generalisation to koi carp scent in novel contexts, and negative probes tested the dogs’ ability to reject lake samples not containing koi carp. Accuracy was stable across Phase A (range = 76% - 84%) and Phase B first responses (range = 71% - 81%). This stability across phases was interpreted as evidence for generalisation. Overall, generalisation was observed, but these generalisation data are interpreted cautiously due to the complexity of lake samples. This complexity may have resulted in the dogs using cues irrelevant to the presence or absence of carp to make responses, such as the differing scent profiles of carp-present and carp-absent lakes. Despite these potential issues, this study acts as a proof of concept for the operational viability of dogs as a koi carp detection technology.

text: Olfactory generalisation in dogs (Canis familiaris) trained to detect koi carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) Koi carp (Cyprinus rubrofuscus) are an invasive fish species that threaten the biodiversity and ecological health of New Zealand’s freshwater systems. To prevent the spread of koi carp, populations must be identified early so management methods can be implemented. However, the methods currently used to detect koi carp populations are either not suited to particular waterbodies, are too expensive, or are not sensitive enough to detect koi carp populations at low biomasses. Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are an emerging technology for the detection of koi carp. Previous studies have shown that dogs can detect koi carp at a biomass of 9.3 kg/ha in aquaria water samples, well below the proposed 50 kg/ha threshold for ecological decline. The present study used an automated scent detection apparatus to present dogs with naturally sourced carp-present and carp-absent lakes. The use of lake samples presented a unique challenge to the dogs because of the large variety of distractor odours in a natural environment, potentially complicating the detection of koi carp. In Phase A, dogs evaluated two carp-absent lake samples spiked with koi carp scent at an ecologically relevant biomass of 310 kg/ha. All dogs met the criteria of a hit rate and correct rejection rate ≥ 80% on these lakes, demonstrating that dogs can detect koi carp amongst lake water distractor odours. Phase B presented dogs with 12 positive (carp-present) and 12 negative (carp-absent) probe samples interspersed among samples from the lakes used in Phase A. The dogs’ first responses to positive probes were examined to evaluate generalisation to koi carp scent in novel contexts, and negative probes tested the dogs’ ability to reject lake samples not containing koi carp. Accuracy was stable across Phase A (range = 76% - 84%) and Phase B first responses (range = 71% - 81%). This stability across phases was interpreted as evidence for generalisation. Overall, generalisation was observed, but these generalisation data are interpreted cautiously due to the complexity of lake samples. This complexity may have resulted in the dogs using cues irrelevant to the presence or absence of carp to make responses, such as the differing scent profiles of carp-present and carp-absent lakes. Despite these potential issues, this study acts as a proof of concept for the operational viability of dogs as a koi carp detection technology.

year: 2023

title: Surficial sediments of Raglan Harbour

authors: Sherwood, Alan M.

subjects: Raglan Harbour

abstract: Raglan Harbour, a drowned river valley system lying in a structurally depressed fault‐block, has a maximum depth of 18 m and covers about 33 km2, 70% of which consists of tidal flats up to 1 km wide and dissected by channels up to 5 m deep. Salinities range mainly from 30 to 33%0, and truly estuarine conditions are restricted to the tidal reaches of small streams entering the harbour.Sediments range from clean, well sorted sands in the beaches, dunes, channels, and bars in the lower harbour to mainly muddy sands, sandy muds, and muds in the extensive tidal flats of the middle and upper harbour. Gravelly sediments occur sporadically as the product of shore line erosion, and as lag and dump deposits in channels. Sediment transport and deposition is primarily under the control of cyclically variable, multidirectional tidal flows, complicated by a complex bottom topography. TidaJ currents attain surface speeds of 50–150 cm.s‐1 and effect mainly a net seaward drift of suspended sediment but a net up‐harbour transport of bed‐load material. Harbour sediments consist of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals supplied by streams and by shore line erosion from hinterland Mesozoic to Quaternary sedimentary and volcanic rocks; of titanomagnetic and ferromagnesian minerals derived mainly from coastal ironsands by wind, wave, and current action; and of skeletal aragonite and calcite supplied by an intrabasinail, predominantly molluscan benthos. Subrecent to Recent diagenetic phosphatic concretions occur locally in the harbour. A large proportion of the tidal flats in Raglan Harbour are simply sediment‐covered rock platforms formed by active erosion by wetting and drying of coast line montmorillonitic mudstones; cliff recession rates of about 2 cm.y‐1 are indicated. Only a thin veneer of sediment covers the modern shore platform which is up to 100 m wide and has been cut during the last 5000 years, since when Raglan Harbour has acted mainly as a sediment trap. A ‐10 m platform beneath the tidal flats is up to 600 m wide and was eroded during an interstadial sea level stand, possibly from 85 000 to 60 000 years ago, with contemporaneous deposition of the montmorillonite‐dominated detritus on the continental shelf. © 1979 Taylor & Francis Group, Ltd.

text: Surficial sediments of Raglan Harbour Raglan Harbour, a drowned river valley system lying in a structurally depressed fault‐block, has a maximum depth of 18 m and covers about 33 km2, 70% of which consists of tidal flats up to 1 km wide and dissected by channels up to 5 m deep. Salinities range mainly from 30 to 33%0, and truly estuarine conditions are restricted to the tidal reaches of small streams entering the harbour.Sediments range from clean, well sorted sands in the beaches, dunes, channels, and bars in the lower harbour to mainly muddy sands, sandy muds, and muds in the extensive tidal flats of the middle and upper harbour. Gravelly sediments occur sporadically as the product of shore line erosion, and as lag and dump deposits in channels. Sediment transport and deposition is primarily under the control of cyclically variable, multidirectional tidal flows, complicated by a complex bottom topography. TidaJ currents attain surface speeds of 50–150 cm.s‐1 and effect mainly a net seaward drift of suspended sediment but a net up‐harbour transport of bed‐load material. Harbour sediments consist of quartz, feldspar, and clay minerals supplied by streams and by shore line erosion from hinterland Mesozoic to Quaternary sedimentary and volcanic rocks; of titanomagnetic and ferromagnesian minerals derived mainly from coastal ironsands by wind, wave, and current action; and of skeletal aragonite and calcite supplied by an intrabasinail, predominantly molluscan benthos. Subrecent to Recent diagenetic phosphatic concretions occur locally in the harbour. A large proportion of the tidal flats in Raglan Harbour are simply sediment‐covered rock platforms formed by active erosion by wetting and drying of coast line montmorillonitic mudstones; cliff recession rates of about 2 cm.y‐1 are indicated. Only a thin veneer of sediment covers the modern shore platform which is up to 100 m wide and has been cut during the last 5000 years, since when Raglan Harbour has acted mainly as a sediment trap. A ‐10 m platform beneath the tidal flats is up to 600 m wide and was eroded during an interstadial sea level stand, possibly from 85 000 to 60 000 years ago, with contemporaneous deposition of the montmorillonite‐dominated detritus on the continental shelf. © 1979 Taylor & Francis Group, Ltd.

year: 1979-12-01

title: 2021 NSCBI Paakehaa/Tauiwi Caucus Conference Session and Future Directions

authors: Graham, Rebekah Sarah

abstract: The National Standing Committee on Bicultural Issues (NSCBI) celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Annual NZPsS Conference, held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Paakehaa/Tauiwi caucus discussed the NSCBI’s core values, focusing on how to uphold and connect with each value, such as protecting values passed down by tūpuna and promoting a vision of the future. Anti-racism education was presented, emphasizing the journey from the “Fear Zone” to the “Learning Zone” and into the “Growth Zone” as a tool for self-assessment. Reflections on supporting and challenging each other to make psychological practice actively anti-racist concluded the session. Key takeaways included the discomfort of staying silent, the importance of learning and trying, and being a bridge for others on their anti-racist journey. The participants agreed on the usefulness of the discussion and expressed a commitment to organizing more regular online events focusing on anti-racism and anti-racist practice. The NSCBI Paakehaa/Tauiwi aims for 2021-2022 include strategically highlighting contributions to hostile working environments, developing relationships with anti-racism groups, promoting Māori psychologies, and facilitating online conversations, webinars, and discussions on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and biculturalism. The group also plans to develop training material and professional development for practitioners. The NSCBI acknowledges the ongoing progress in understanding racism and fostering openness among Paakehaa/Tauiwi in engaging with bicultural practices. Those interested in NSCBI events or contributing to their organization and promotion can visit the NZPsS Events page.

text: 2021 NSCBI Paakehaa/Tauiwi Caucus Conference Session and Future Directions The National Standing Committee on Bicultural Issues (NSCBI) celebrated its 30th anniversary at the Annual NZPsS Conference, held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. The Paakehaa/Tauiwi caucus discussed the NSCBI’s core values, focusing on how to uphold and connect with each value, such as protecting values passed down by tūpuna and promoting a vision of the future. Anti-racism education was presented, emphasizing the journey from the “Fear Zone” to the “Learning Zone” and into the “Growth Zone” as a tool for self-assessment. Reflections on supporting and challenging each other to make psychological practice actively anti-racist concluded the session. Key takeaways included the discomfort of staying silent, the importance of learning and trying, and being a bridge for others on their anti-racist journey. The participants agreed on the usefulness of the discussion and expressed a commitment to organizing more regular online events focusing on anti-racism and anti-racist practice. The NSCBI Paakehaa/Tauiwi aims for 2021-2022 include strategically highlighting contributions to hostile working environments, developing relationships with anti-racism groups, promoting Māori psychologies, and facilitating online conversations, webinars, and discussions on Te Tiriti o Waitangi and biculturalism. The group also plans to develop training material and professional development for practitioners. The NSCBI acknowledges the ongoing progress in understanding racism and fostering openness among Paakehaa/Tauiwi in engaging with bicultural practices. Those interested in NSCBI events or contributing to their organization and promotion can visit the NZPsS Events page.

year: 2021-11