title: Improving the success of a translocation of black mudfish (Neochanna diversus)

authors: McDonald, Amy Elizabeth

subjects: black mudfish

abstract: All of New Zealand's five endemic species of mudfish (Neochanna) are threatened, and translocation has been recommended as an option for conservation.  This research undertakes a translocation of black mudfish (Neochanna diversus) into wetland margins of Lake Kaituna, in the Waikato region, and addresses research questions applicable to improving translocation success.  Results from this research are intended to aid possible future translocations of the more threatened Northland mudfish (Neochanna heleios) and other genetically distinct populations of black mudfish.

Captive rearing of juveniles collected from the wild is currently the most feasible option for sourcing translocation stock.  Mudfish juveniles (greater than 25 mm T.L.) had greater survival rates, compared to mudfish fry less than 25 mm T.L.  Mudfish growth was far greater when fed on a combined diet of brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and white worms (Enchytraeus albidus) than when fed exclusively on brine shrimp.  Temperature was found to have a small effect on mudfish growth, with a slightly greater growth in fish at 15 C than those at 10 C.

The introduced species Gambusia affinis has been the subject of concern for mudfish conservation and commonly found at wetland sites suitable for mudfish translocation.  Found to prey on mudfish fry and eggs in aquaria, it was important to determine the effects of Gambusia density prior to undertaking a translocation to a location where Gambusia were present.  Investigations were made into the effect of Gambusia density on black mudfish juveniles in 9 outdoor mesocosms.  Increasing Gambusia density was found to have an inhibitory effect on black mudfish growth.  This may be due to increased competition for food, a theory supported by analysis of zooplankton communities, where, in the presence of Gambusia, large zooplankton had been removed and smaller rotifers flourished.

Monitoring programmes are required to assess any impacts or improvements of mudfish populations, including those created by translocation.  A Gee minnow trapping programme in outdoor mesocosms was conducted to test the reliability of traps, finding that water depth, mudfish density, mudfish memory and trap shyness had no effect on the trapability of mudfish.  Trap position was found to have the most significant effect, with a greater number of mudfish caught when traps were set overnight at the surface than when set on the bottom of mesocosms.

Black mudfish adults and juveniles were translocated into 18 pools (~1 m diameter) on the wetland margins of Lake Kaituna in September 2006, followed by monthly monitoring.  Water quality monitoring and an assessment of hydrology and vegetation was undertaken.  Habitat characterisation was found to be a key factor, with correlations between water quality data and trapping results finding fewer fish remaining in pools with less suitable characteristics for mudfish (e.g. high turbidity and conductivity).  Other species were found to have a large impact, with predation by shortfinned eels (Anguilla australis) thought to have eliminated mudfish from some pools.  In addition fewer mudfish were caught in pools with Gambusia, possibly due to increased competition.

text: Improving the success of a translocation of black mudfish (Neochanna diversus) All of New Zealand's five endemic species of mudfish (Neochanna) are threatened, and translocation has been recommended as an option for conservation.  This research undertakes a translocation of black mudfish (Neochanna diversus) into wetland margins of Lake Kaituna, in the Waikato region, and addresses research questions applicable to improving translocation success.  Results from this research are intended to aid possible future translocations of the more threatened Northland mudfish (Neochanna heleios) and other genetically distinct populations of black mudfish.

Captive rearing of juveniles collected from the wild is currently the most feasible option for sourcing translocation stock.  Mudfish juveniles (greater than 25 mm T.L.) had greater survival rates, compared to mudfish fry less than 25 mm T.L.  Mudfish growth was far greater when fed on a combined diet of brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and white worms (Enchytraeus albidus) than when fed exclusively on brine shrimp.  Temperature was found to have a small effect on mudfish growth, with a slightly greater growth in fish at 15 C than those at 10 C.

The introduced species Gambusia affinis has been the subject of concern for mudfish conservation and commonly found at wetland sites suitable for mudfish translocation.  Found to prey on mudfish fry and eggs in aquaria, it was important to determine the effects of Gambusia density prior to undertaking a translocation to a location where Gambusia were present.  Investigations were made into the effect of Gambusia density on black mudfish juveniles in 9 outdoor mesocosms.  Increasing Gambusia density was found to have an inhibitory effect on black mudfish growth.  This may be due to increased competition for food, a theory supported by analysis of zooplankton communities, where, in the presence of Gambusia, large zooplankton had been removed and smaller rotifers flourished.

Monitoring programmes are required to assess any impacts or improvements of mudfish populations, including those created by translocation.  A Gee minnow trapping programme in outdoor mesocosms was conducted to test the reliability of traps, finding that water depth, mudfish density, mudfish memory and trap shyness had no effect on the trapability of mudfish.  Trap position was found to have the most significant effect, with a greater number of mudfish caught when traps were set overnight at the surface than when set on the bottom of mesocosms.

Black mudfish adults and juveniles were translocated into 18 pools (~1 m diameter) on the wetland margins of Lake Kaituna in September 2006, followed by monthly monitoring.  Water quality monitoring and an assessment of hydrology and vegetation was undertaken.  Habitat characterisation was found to be a key factor, with correlations between water quality data and trapping results finding fewer fish remaining in pools with less suitable characteristics for mudfish (e.g. high turbidity and conductivity).  Other species were found to have a large impact, with predation by shortfinned eels (Anguilla australis) thought to have eliminated mudfish from some pools.  In addition fewer mudfish were caught in pools with Gambusia, possibly due to increased competition.

year: 2007

title: The identification of threshold concepts and their application in curriculum development: Exploring threshold concepts through the context of engineering education

authors: Morgan, Alan Alexander Harold

subjects: Threshold Concepts

abstract: Threshold Concept (TC) theory was introduced by Erik Meyer and Ray Land in 2003 and states that every discipline of study contains troublesome concepts that transform the learner when they come to be understood. This transformation will concern either the learner’s thinking about the discipline and/or their perception of the discipline. Five characteristics were originally proposed that can help to signalise TCs, which are, troublesome, transformative, irreversible, integrative and bounded.

This thesis explores both, the in-depth ways in which TCs have sought to be identified, and to what extent the role of TCs in curriculum development has been studied. This was done by exploring researchers’ thinking in regard to the importance of each of the five TC characteristics, the data collection methods and participants that were included in their studies, and the extent to which they attempted to study TCs in relation to the development of curricula. Engineering education TC studies formed the context through which I attempted to answer the research questions. The first method I used to obtain my data was to carry out a systematic quantitative literature review (SQLR) of peer-reviewed TC research articles that were published between 2003 and the present day. From the relevant 147 papers that resulted from my database searching, I narrowed this down to the 15 articles that related directly to engineering education. The SQLR data was then used to inform the semi-structured interviews that I conducted with three TC researchers in the field of engineering education.

The findings suggested troublesome and transformative to be the TC characteristics that are the most essential of the five to consider when seeking to identify TCs. This finding was based on the fact that they were the two characteristics most highly referenced in the SQLR literature and were the ones thought most important by two of three of my interviewees. The inclusion of  multiple types of participants and data collection methods were found to be common and effective practices amongst TC researchers. Again, this finding was supported with the SQLR data and by all three interviewees. Lastly, it was discovered that, despite TCs being considered the potential centrepieces of a curriculum, there is a lack of TC studies focussing on the role of TCs in curriculum development. There existed no studies within the SQLR literature that held this aspect as a sole focus.

text: The identification of threshold concepts and their application in curriculum development: Exploring threshold concepts through the context of engineering education Threshold Concept (TC) theory was introduced by Erik Meyer and Ray Land in 2003 and states that every discipline of study contains troublesome concepts that transform the learner when they come to be understood. This transformation will concern either the learner’s thinking about the discipline and/or their perception of the discipline. Five characteristics were originally proposed that can help to signalise TCs, which are, troublesome, transformative, irreversible, integrative and bounded.

This thesis explores both, the in-depth ways in which TCs have sought to be identified, and to what extent the role of TCs in curriculum development has been studied. This was done by exploring researchers’ thinking in regard to the importance of each of the five TC characteristics, the data collection methods and participants that were included in their studies, and the extent to which they attempted to study TCs in relation to the development of curricula. Engineering education TC studies formed the context through which I attempted to answer the research questions. The first method I used to obtain my data was to carry out a systematic quantitative literature review (SQLR) of peer-reviewed TC research articles that were published between 2003 and the present day. From the relevant 147 papers that resulted from my database searching, I narrowed this down to the 15 articles that related directly to engineering education. The SQLR data was then used to inform the semi-structured interviews that I conducted with three TC researchers in the field of engineering education.

The findings suggested troublesome and transformative to be the TC characteristics that are the most essential of the five to consider when seeking to identify TCs. This finding was based on the fact that they were the two characteristics most highly referenced in the SQLR literature and were the ones thought most important by two of three of my interviewees. The inclusion of  multiple types of participants and data collection methods were found to be common and effective practices amongst TC researchers. Again, this finding was supported with the SQLR data and by all three interviewees. Lastly, it was discovered that, despite TCs being considered the potential centrepieces of a curriculum, there is a lack of TC studies focussing on the role of TCs in curriculum development. There existed no studies within the SQLR literature that held this aspect as a sole focus.

year: 2019

title: A socio-demographic profile of Māori living in Australia

authors: Kukutai, Tahu

subjects: demography

abstract: This report provides a comprehensive demographic and socio-economic profile of the Māori population in Australia using data from the 2011 Australia Census of Population and Housing. The purpose is to provide an evidence base with which to inform future policy approaches with respect to Māori in Australia. It focuses on five key areas: 

Population size and composition; 
Identity and culture; 
Year of arrival and citizenship; 
Education and work; 
Lone parenting and unpaid childcare. 

Comparisons are undertaken with Māori in the 2006 Australia Census, as well as with two reference groups: the total Australia population and migrant non-Māori New Zealanders. Where appropriate, we also distinguish Māori migrants born in New Zealand and Māori born in Australia. This captures important differences within the Māori population in Australia that have been under-examined in previous studies.

text: A socio-demographic profile of Māori living in Australia This report provides a comprehensive demographic and socio-economic profile of the Māori population in Australia using data from the 2011 Australia Census of Population and Housing. The purpose is to provide an evidence base with which to inform future policy approaches with respect to Māori in Australia. It focuses on five key areas: 

Population size and composition; 
Identity and culture; 
Year of arrival and citizenship; 
Education and work; 
Lone parenting and unpaid childcare. 

Comparisons are undertaken with Māori in the 2006 Australia Census, as well as with two reference groups: the total Australia population and migrant non-Māori New Zealanders. Where appropriate, we also distinguish Māori migrants born in New Zealand and Māori born in Australia. This captures important differences within the Māori population in Australia that have been under-examined in previous studies.

year: 2013-06