title: Monitoring network-design influence on assessment of ecological condition in wadeable streams

authors: Collier, Kevin J.

subjects: biomonitoring

abstract: We investigated outcomes of three monitoring networks for assessing ecological character and condition of wadeable streams, Waikato region, New Zealand. Site selection was based on professional judgment, stratification within categories of watershed characteristics, or on using an unequal-probability survey design. The professional-judgment network, stratified network and all site analyses included more ≥4th-order streams than for the probability-network survey-design estimates Professional-judgment and stratified network sites and survey-design analyses incorporated higher-quality catchments with coarser substrates. Cumulative frequency distributions indicated that the stratified and/or judgmental networks yielded fewer taxa than did the probability network, and that the stratified network provided lower estimates of the macroinvertebrate community index (MCI). Compared with the probability-network survey-design analysis, the stratified network site analysis underestimated percentage stream length classed as 'Excellent' by the quantitative MCI, and the professional-judgment site and survey-design analyses overestimated the percentage classed 'Fair' by the average score per metric. We conclude that deriving reliable estimates of wadeable stream character and condition requires (1) clearly defining and quantifying the target population for which inferences will be drawn, (2) accounting for probability of site selection and (3) optimising spatial representation across dominant stressor gradients

text: Monitoring network-design influence on assessment of ecological condition in wadeable streams We investigated outcomes of three monitoring networks for assessing ecological character and condition of wadeable streams, Waikato region, New Zealand. Site selection was based on professional judgment, stratification within categories of watershed characteristics, or on using an unequal-probability survey design. The professional-judgment network, stratified network and all site analyses included more ≥4th-order streams than for the probability-network survey-design estimates Professional-judgment and stratified network sites and survey-design analyses incorporated higher-quality catchments with coarser substrates. Cumulative frequency distributions indicated that the stratified and/or judgmental networks yielded fewer taxa than did the probability network, and that the stratified network provided lower estimates of the macroinvertebrate community index (MCI). Compared with the probability-network survey-design analysis, the stratified network site analysis underestimated percentage stream length classed as 'Excellent' by the quantitative MCI, and the professional-judgment site and survey-design analyses overestimated the percentage classed 'Fair' by the average score per metric. We conclude that deriving reliable estimates of wadeable stream character and condition requires (1) clearly defining and quantifying the target population for which inferences will be drawn, (2) accounting for probability of site selection and (3) optimising spatial representation across dominant stressor gradients

year: 2013

title: The inter-valley soil comparative survey: the ecology of Dry Valley edaphic microbial communities

authors: Lee, Charles Kai-Wu

subjects: Antarctica

abstract: Recent applications of molecular genetics to edaphic microbial communities of the McMurdo Dry Valleys and elsewhere have rejected a long-held belief that Antarctic soils contain extremely limited microbial diversity. The Inter-Valley Soil Comparative Survey aims to elucidate the factors shaping these unique microbial communities and their biogeography by integrating molecular genetic approaches with biogeochemical analyses. Although the microbial communities of Dry Valley soils may be complex, there is little doubt that the ecosystem's food web is relatively simple, and evidence suggests that physicochemical conditions may have the dominant role in shaping microbial communities. To examine this hypothesis, bacterial communities from representative soil samples collected in four geographically disparate Dry Valleys were analyzed using molecular genetic tools, including pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicons. Results show that the four communities are structurally and phylogenetically distinct, and possess significantly different levels of diversity. Strikingly, only 2 of 214 phylotypes were found in all four valleys, challenging a widespread assumption that the microbiota of the Dry Valleys is composed of a few cosmopolitan species. Analysis of soil geochemical properties indicated that salt content, alongside altitude and Cu2+, was significantly correlated with differences in microbial communities. Our results indicate that the microbial ecology of Dry Valley soils is highly localized and that physicochemical factors potentially have major roles in shaping the microbiology of ice-free areas of Antarctica. These findings hint at links between Dry Valley glacial geomorphology and microbial ecology, and raise previously unrecognized issues related to environmental management of this unique ecosystem.

text: The inter-valley soil comparative survey: the ecology of Dry Valley edaphic microbial communities Recent applications of molecular genetics to edaphic microbial communities of the McMurdo Dry Valleys and elsewhere have rejected a long-held belief that Antarctic soils contain extremely limited microbial diversity. The Inter-Valley Soil Comparative Survey aims to elucidate the factors shaping these unique microbial communities and their biogeography by integrating molecular genetic approaches with biogeochemical analyses. Although the microbial communities of Dry Valley soils may be complex, there is little doubt that the ecosystem's food web is relatively simple, and evidence suggests that physicochemical conditions may have the dominant role in shaping microbial communities. To examine this hypothesis, bacterial communities from representative soil samples collected in four geographically disparate Dry Valleys were analyzed using molecular genetic tools, including pyrosequencing of 16S rRNA gene PCR amplicons. Results show that the four communities are structurally and phylogenetically distinct, and possess significantly different levels of diversity. Strikingly, only 2 of 214 phylotypes were found in all four valleys, challenging a widespread assumption that the microbiota of the Dry Valleys is composed of a few cosmopolitan species. Analysis of soil geochemical properties indicated that salt content, alongside altitude and Cu2+, was significantly correlated with differences in microbial communities. Our results indicate that the microbial ecology of Dry Valley soils is highly localized and that physicochemical factors potentially have major roles in shaping the microbiology of ice-free areas of Antarctica. These findings hint at links between Dry Valley glacial geomorphology and microbial ecology, and raise previously unrecognized issues related to environmental management of this unique ecosystem.

year: 2011

title: He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: A changing climate, a changing world

authors: Awatere, S

subjects: climate change adaptation

abstract: Iwi/hapū (tribe/subtribe) governance institutions are increasingly asserting their rangatiratanga (autonomy) to manage climate change risks and meet the well-being of whānau (family)/ hapū/iwi. Howevere, there is a shortange of specific guidance for whānau/hapū/iwi with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation. We provide a commentary about risk and uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and options for climate change mitigation and adaptation for whānau/hapū/iwi.

text: He huringa āhuarangi, he huringa ao: A changing climate, a changing world Iwi/hapū (tribe/subtribe) governance institutions are increasingly asserting their rangatiratanga (autonomy) to manage climate change risks and meet the well-being of whānau (family)/ hapū/iwi. Howevere, there is a shortange of specific guidance for whānau/hapū/iwi with respect to climate change adaptation and mitigation. We provide a commentary about risk and uncertainty, knowledge gaps, and options for climate change mitigation and adaptation for whānau/hapū/iwi.

year: 2021-10