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Smith KJ, Evans MJ, Gordon IJ, Pierson JC, Newport J, Manning AD. Analyzing captive breeding outcomes to inform reintroduction practice: lessons from the pookila ( Pseudomys novaehollandiae). J Mammal 2023; 104:1047-1061. [PMID: 37800101 PMCID: PMC10550247 DOI: 10.1093/jmammal/gyad056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Captive breeding is often used to produce individuals for reintroduction programs in order to reestablish a species in an area where it has become locally extinct. To maximize the likelihood of establishing a self-sustaining population in the wild, an analysis of data from captive breeding programs is commonly undertaken to (1) increase the quantity of individuals and rate at which they can be released, and (2) maintain or improve the genetic and phenotypic quality of individuals. Here we demonstrate how the knowledge gained from these analyses can also be applied to decision-making during the design of subsequent reintroductions to further advance a reintroduction program toward success. We conducted an analysis of data from a captive breeding program for the threatened pookila (Pseudomys novaehollandiae, New Holland mouse) spanning 6 years. We found evidence for relationships between the reproductive output of pookila and behavioral, demographic, experiential, health, and physiological predictors. Based on a biological interpretation of these results, and with reference to a checklist of all known translocation tactics, we recommend 11 specific design elements to maximize the probability of pookila reproduction postrelease (thereby improving the likelihood of reintroduction success). These recommendations should be interpreted as hypotheses to be evaluated and refined in future reintroduction trials for the pookila. The uncertainty around the postrelease survival and reproduction of a species that is common in reintroduction practice warrants the creative use of existing data to inform adaptive management. Indeed, there is a wealth information in well-kept captive breeding records that is currently underused by reintroduction practitioners. The direct integration of knowledge derived from captive breeding (where available) with decision-making for reintroductions, as described here, will help navigate these uncertainties, which would benefit the conservation of both understudied and well-known species around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiarrah J Smith
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Maldwyn J Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Iain J Gordon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- The James Hutton Institute, Dundee DD2 5DA, United Kingdom
- Central Queensland University, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
- Land and Water, CSIRO, Townsville, Queensland 4810, Australia
- Lead, Protected Places Mission, National Environmental Science Program, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Cairns, Queensland 4870, Australia
| | - Jennifer C Pierson
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Subiaco East, Western Australia 6008, Australia
- Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2617, Australia
| | - Jenny Newport
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Adrian D Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
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Smith KJ, Evans MJ, Gordon IJ, Pierson JC, Stratford S, Manning AD. Mini Safe Havens for population recovery and reintroductions 'beyond-the-fence'. Biodivers Conserv 2022; 32:203-225. [PMID: 36405571 PMCID: PMC9652606 DOI: 10.1007/s10531-022-02495-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED In response to the ongoing decline of fauna worldwide, there has been growing interest in the rewilding of whole ecosystems outside of fenced sanctuaries or offshore islands. This interest will inevitably result in attempts to restore species where eliminating threats from predators and competitors is extremely challenging or impossible, or reintroductions of predators that will increase predation risk for extant prey (i.e., coexistence conservation). We propose 'Mini Safe Havens' (MSHs) as a potential tool for managing these threats. Mini Safe Havens are refuges that are permanently permeable to the focal species; allowing the emigration of individuals while maintaining gene flow through the boundary. Crucial to the effectiveness of the approach is the ongoing maintenance and monitoring required to preserve a low-to-zero risk of key threats within the MSH; facilitating in-situ learning and adaptation by focal species to these threats, at a rate and intensity of exposure determined by the animals themselves. We trialled the MSH approach for a pilot reintroduction of the Australian native New Holland mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae), in the context of a trophic rewilding project to address potential naïveté to a reintroduced native mammalian predator. We found that mice released into a MSH maintained their weight and continued to use the release site beyond 17 months (525 days) post-release. In contrast, individuals in temporary soft-release enclosures tended to lose weight and became undetectable approximately 1-month post-release. We discuss the broad applicability of MSHs for population recovery and reintroductions 'beyond-the-fence' and recommend avenues for further refinement of the approach. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10531-022-02495-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiarrah J. Smith
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Maldwyn J. Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601 Australia
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Iain J. Gordon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601 Australia
- The James Hutton Institute, Dundee, DD2 5DA UK
- Central Queensland University, Townsville, QLD 4810 Australia
- Land and Water, CSIRO, Townsville, QLD 4810 Australia
- Lead, Protected Places Mission, National Environmental Science Program, Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Cairns, QLD 4870 Australia
| | - Jennifer C. Pierson
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601 Australia
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Subiaco East, WA 6008 Australia
- Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2617 Australia
| | | | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT 2601 Australia
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Evans MJ, Weeks AR, Scheele BC, Gordon IJ, Neaves LE, Andrewartha TA, Brockett B, Rapley S, Smith KJ, Wilson BA, Manning AD. Coexistence conservation: Reconciling threatened species and invasive predators through adaptive ecological and evolutionary approaches. Conservat Sci and Prac 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.12742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maldwyn J. Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - Andrew R. Weeks
- School of BioSciences The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
| | - Ben C. Scheele
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Iain J. Gordon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
- The James Hutton Institute Dundee UK
- Central Queensland University Townsville Queensland Australia
- Land & water, CSIRO Townsville Queensland Australia
- Lead, Protected Places Mission, National Environmental Science Program Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Cairns Queensland Australia
| | - Linda E. Neaves
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Tim A. Andrewartha
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Brittany Brockett
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Shoshana Rapley
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Kiarrah J. Smith
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Belinda A. Wilson
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
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Itoigawa A, Hayakawa T, Zhou Y, Manning AD, Zhang G, Grutzner F, Imai H. Functional Diversity and Evolution of Bitter Taste Receptors in Egg-Laying Mammals. Mol Biol Evol 2022; 39:6591311. [PMID: 35652727 PMCID: PMC9161717 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msac107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Egg-laying mammals (monotremes) are a sister clade of therians (placental mammals and marsupials) and a key clade to understand mammalian evolution. They are classified into platypus and echidna, which exhibit distinct ecological features such as habitats and diet. Chemosensory genes, which encode sensory receptors for taste and smell, are believed to adapt to the individual habitats and diet of each mammal. In this study, we focused on the molecular evolution of bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in monotremes. The sense of bitter taste is important to detect potentially harmful substances. We comprehensively surveyed agonists of all TAS2Rs in platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) and short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and compared their functions with orthologous TAS2Rs of marsupial and placental mammals (i.e., therians). As results, the agonist screening revealed that the deorphanized monotreme receptors were functionally diversified. Platypus TAS2Rs had broader receptive ranges of agonists than those of echidna TAS2Rs. While platypus consumes a variety of aquatic invertebrates, echidna mainly consumes subterranean social insects (ants and termites) as well as other invertebrates. This result indicates that receptive ranges of TAS2Rs could be associated with feeding habits in monotremes. Furthermore, some orthologous receptors in monotremes and therians responded to β-glucosides, which are feeding deterrents in plants and insects. These results suggest that the ability to detect β-glucosides and other substances might be shared and ancestral among mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiro Itoigawa
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan.,Department of Agricultural Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Meiji University, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takashi Hayakawa
- Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.,Japan Monkey Centre, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Adrian D Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Guojie Zhang
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Kobenhavn, Denmark
| | - Frank Grutzner
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Hiroo Imai
- Molecular Biology Section, Center for the Evolutionary Origins of Human Behavior, Kyoto University, Inuyama, Aichi, Japan
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Andrewartha TA, Evans MJ, Batson WG, Manning AD, Price C, Gordon IJ, Barton PS. Outfoxing the fox: Effect of prey odor on fox behavior in a pastoral landscape. Conservat Sci and Prac 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Tim A. Andrewartha
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Acton Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Maldwyn J. Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Acton Australian Capital Territory Australia
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
| | - William G. Batson
- Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary ACT Parks and Conservation Service Forde Australian Capital Territory Australia
- Capital Woodlands and Wetlands Conservation Trust Forde Australian Capital Territory Australia
- NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Blue Mountains Branch Blackheath New South Wales Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Acton Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Catherine Price
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Iain J. Gordon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Acton Australian Capital Territory Australia
- Division of Tropical Environments & Societies James Cook University Townsville Queensland Australia
- The James Hutton Institute Cragiebuckler, Aberdeen Scotland UK
- Land & Water, CSIRO Townsville Australia
| | - Philip S. Barton
- Fenner School of Environment and Society Australian National University Acton Australian Capital Territory Australia
- School of Science, Psychology and Sport Federation University Australia, University Drive Mount Helen Victoria Australia
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Manning AD, Andrewartha TA, Blencowe A, Brewer K, Gordon IJ, Evans MJ. Bettering the devil you know: Can we drive predator adaptation to restore native fauna? Conservat Sci and Prac 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Tim A. Andrewartha
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Anton Blencowe
- Applied Chemistry and Translational Biomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences University of South Australia Adelaide South Australia Australia
- Future Industries Institute University of South Australia Mawson Lakes South Australia Australia
| | - Kyle Brewer
- Applied Chemistry and Translational Biomaterials Group, School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences University of South Australia Adelaide South Australia Australia
- Future Industries Institute University of South Australia Mawson Lakes South Australia Australia
| | - Iain J. Gordon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
- James Hutton Institute Dundee UK
| | - Maldwyn J. Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Life and Agricultural Sciences The University of Tokyo Tokyo Japan
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Abstract
Human influence extends across the globe, from the tallest mountains to the deep bottom of the oceans. There is a growing call for nature to be protected from the negative impacts of human activity (particularly intensive agriculture); so-called “land sparing”. A relatively new approach is “rewilding”, defined as the restoration of self-sustaining and complex ecosystems, with interlinked ecological processes that promote and support one another while minimising or gradually reducing human intervention. The key theoretical basis of rewilding is to return ecosystems to a “natural” or “self-willed” state with trophic complexity, dispersal (and connectivity) and stochastic disturbance in place. However, this is constrained by context-specific factors whereby it may not be possible to restore the native species that formed part of the trophic structure of the ecosystem if they are extinct (e.g., mammoths, Mammuthus spp., aurochs, Bos primigenius); and, populations/communities of native herbivores/predators may not be able to survive or be acceptable to the public in small scale rewilding projects close to areas of high human density. Therefore, the restoration of natural trophic complexity and disturbance regimes within rewilding projects requires careful consideration if the broader conservation needs of society are to be met. In some circumstances, managers will require a more flexible deliberate approach to intervening in rewilding projects using the range of tools in their toolbox (e.g., controlled burning regimes; using domestic livestock to replicate the impacts of extinct herbivore species), even if this is only in the early stages of the rewilding process. If this approach is adopted, then larger areas can be given over to conservation, because of the potential broader benefits to society from these spaces and the engagement of farmers in practises that are closer to their traditions. We provide examples, primarily European, where domestic and semi-domestic livestock are used by managers as part of their rewilding toolbox. Here managers have looked at the broader phenotype of livestock species as to their suitability in different rewilding systems. We assess whether there are ways of using livestock in these systems for conservation, economic (e.g., branded or certified livestock products) and cultural gains.
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Wilson BA, Evans MJ, Batson WG, Banks SC, Gordon IJ, Fletcher DB, Wimpenny C, Newport J, Belton E, Rypalski A, Portas T, Manning AD. Adapting reintroduction tactics in successive trials increases the likelihood of establishment for an endangered carnivore in a fenced sanctuary. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0234455. [PMID: 32598368 PMCID: PMC7323978 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0234455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Threatened species recovery programs are increasingly turning to reintroductions to reverse biodiversity loss. Here we present a real-world example where tactics (techniques which influence post-release performance and persistence) and an adaptive management framework (which incorporates feedback between monitoring and future actions) improved reintroduction success. Across three successive trials we investigated the influence of tactics on the effective survival and post-release dispersal of endangered eastern quolls (Dasyurus viverrinus) reintroduced into Mulligans Flat Woodland Sanctuary, Australian Capital Territory. Founders were monitored for 42 days post-release, and probability of survival and post-release dispersal were tested against trial, origin, sex, den sharing and presence of pouch young. We adopted an adaptive management framework, using monitoring to facilitate rapid learning and to implement interventions that improved reintroduction success. Founders released in the first trial were less likely to survive (28.6%, n = 14) than those founders released the second (76.9%, n = 13) and third trials (87.5%, n = 8). We adapted several tactics in the second and third trials, including the selection of female-only founders to avoid elevated male mortality, and post-mating releases to reduce stress. Founders that moved dens between consecutive nights were less likely to survive, suggesting that minimising post-release dispersal can increase the probability of survival. The probability of moving dens was lower in the second and third trials, for females, and when den sharing with another founder. This study demonstrates that, through iterative trials of tactics involving monitoring and learning, adaptive management can be used to significantly improve the success of reintroduction programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Belinda A. Wilson
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Maldwyn J. Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - William G. Batson
- National Parks and Wildlife Service, Blue Mountains Branch, Blackheath, NSW, Australia
| | - Sam C. Banks
- Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Iain J. Gordon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
- Central Queensland University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, Scotland, United Kingdom
- CSIRO Land and Water, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - Donald B. Fletcher
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Claire Wimpenny
- ACT Parks and Conservation Service, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Jenny Newport
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Emily Belton
- The Woodlands and Wetlands Trust, Forde Community Centre, Forde, ACT, Australia
| | - Annette Rypalski
- Mt Rothwell Biodiversity Interpretation Centre, Little River, VIC, Australia
| | - Tim Portas
- Zoo and Wildlife Veterinary Consultancy, Maleny, QLD, Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Ross CE, Munro NT, Barton PS, Evans MJ, Gillen J, Macdonald BCT, McIntyre S, Cunningham SA, Manning AD. Effects of digging by a native and introduced ecosystem engineer on soil physical and chemical properties in temperate grassy woodland. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7506. [PMID: 31497393 PMCID: PMC6710926 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Temperate grasslands and woodlands are the focus of extensive restoration efforts worldwide. Reintroduction of locally extinct soil-foraging and burrowing animals has been suggested as a means to restore soil function in these ecosystems. Yet little is known about the physical and chemical effects of digging on soil over time and how these effects differ between species of digging animal, vegetation types or ecosystems. We compared foraging pits of a native reintroduced marsupial, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and that of the exotic European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). We simulated pits of these animals and measured pit dimensions and soil chemical properties over a period of 2 years. We showed that bettong and rabbit pits differed in their morphology and longevity, and that pits had a strong moderating effect on soil surface temperatures. Over 75% of the simulated pits were still visible after 2 years, and bettong pits infilled faster than rabbit pits. Bettong pits reduced diurnal temperature range by up to 25 °C compared to the soil surface. We did not find any effects of digging on soil chemistry that were consistent across vegetation types, between bettong and rabbit pits, and with time since digging, which is contrary to studies conducted in arid biomes. Our findings show that animal foraging pits in temperate ecosystems cause physical alteration of the soil surface and microclimatic conditions rather than nutrient changes often observed in arid areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E Ross
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Nicola T Munro
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Philip S Barton
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Maldwyn J Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - John Gillen
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Sue McIntyre
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia.,CSIRO, Black Mountain, ACT, Australia
| | - Saul A Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Adrian D Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
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Munro NT, McIntyre S, Macdonald B, Cunningham SA, Gordon IJ, Cunningham RB, Manning AD. Returning a lost process by reintroducing a locally extinct digging marsupial. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6622. [PMID: 31179166 PMCID: PMC6542348 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi), a medium-sized digging marsupial, was reintroduced to a predator-free reserve after 100 years of absence from the Australian mainland. The bettong may have the potential to restore temperate woodlands degraded by a history of livestock grazing, by creating numerous small disturbances by digging. We investigated the digging capacity of the bettong and compared this to extant fauna, to answer the first key question of whether this species could be considered an ecosystem engineer, and ultimately if it has the capacity to restore lost ecological processes. We found that eastern bettongs were frequent diggers and, at a density of 0.3–0.4 animals ha−1, accounted for over half the total foraging pits observed (55%), with echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus), birds and feral rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) accounting for the rest. We estimated that the population of bettongs present dug 985 kg of soil per ha per year in our study area. Bettongs dug more where available phosphorus was higher, where there was greater basal area of Acacia spp. and where kangaroo grazing was less. There was no effect on digging of eucalypt stem density or volume of logs on the ground. While bettong digging activity was more frequent under trees, digging also occurred in open grassland, and bettongs were the only species observed to dig in scalds (areas where topsoil has eroded to the B Horizon). These results highlight the potential for bettongs to enhance soil processes in a way not demonstrated by the existing fauna (native birds and echidna), and introduced rabbit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola T Munro
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Sue McIntyre
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Ben Macdonald
- Land and Water, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Saul A Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Iain J Gordon
- Division of Tropical Environments and Societies, James Cook University of North Queensland, Townsville, QLD, Australia.,James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Ross B Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Adrian D Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Vanhoudt A, Yang DA, Armstrong T, Huxley JN, Laven RA, Manning AD, Newsome RF, Nielen M, van Werven T, Bell NJ. Interobserver agreement of digital dermatitis M-scores for photographs of the hind feet of standing dairy cattle. J Dairy Sci 2019; 102:5466-5474. [PMID: 30954267 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2018-15644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Digital dermatitis (DD) is the leading infectious cause of lameness in dairy cattle, and it affects their welfare and productivity worldwide. At the herd level, DD is often assessed while cows are standing in a milking parlor, and lesions are most commonly evaluated using the M-score. The objective of this study was to examine the interobserver agreement for M-scores of the feet of standing cattle, based on digital color photographs of dairy cattle hind feet. A total of 88 photographs and written descriptors of the M-score were sent to 11 scorers working at 10 different institutions in 5 countries. The scorers received no formal training immediately before scoring the photographs; however, all regularly used the M-score to score DD. The answers for 36 photographs were excluded from the analysis because the photograph either had more than 1 M-stage as mode or not all scorers assigned an M-score to it. The M-scores of the 11 scorers from 52 photographs were available for analysis. Interobserver agreement was tested using Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC1) and the mode was assumed correct. Overall, moderate agreement emerged for the M-score (AC1 = 0.48). For the individual M-stages, almost perfect agreement existed for M0 (AC1 = 0.99), M1 (AC1 = 0.92), and M3 (AC1 = 0.82), and substantial agreement for M2 (AC1 = 0.61), M4 (AC1 = 0.65), and M4.1 (AC1 = 0.71). This outcome indicates the degree of individual variation in M-scoring in this context by unstandardized, experienced European observers, particularly for the M2, M4, and M4.1 stages. Standardized training is likely to improve the consistency of M-scoring and thus the generalizability of future DD research results on this important endemic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Vanhoudt
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - D A Yang
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand
| | - T Armstrong
- Provita Eurotech Limited, Omagh, County Tyrone, BT79 0EU, Northern Ireland
| | - J N Huxley
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand
| | - R A Laven
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4474, New Zealand
| | - A D Manning
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - R F Newsome
- Cattle Lameness Academy, Synergy Farm Health Ltd., Evershot, Dorset, DT2 0LD, United Kingdom
| | - M Nielen
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - T van Werven
- Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CL, Utrecht, the Netherlands; University Farm Animal Practice, 3481 LZ, Harmelen, the Netherlands
| | - N J Bell
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington Campus, Sutton Bonington, Leicestershire, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom
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Ross CE, Barton PS, McIntyre S, Cunningham SA, Manning AD. Fine-scale drivers of beetle diversity are affected by vegetation context and agricultural history. AUSTRAL ECOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Ross
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; 141 Linnaeus Way Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Philip S. Barton
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; 141 Linnaeus Way Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
| | - Sue McIntyre
- CSIRO; Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Saul A. Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; 141 Linnaeus Way Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
- CSIRO; Canberra Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; 141 Linnaeus Way Canberra Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
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13
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Le Roux DS, Ikin K, Lindenmayer DB, Manning AD, Gibbons P. The value of scattered trees for wildlife: Contrasting effects of landscape context and tree size. DIVERS DISTRIB 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Darren S. Le Roux
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
- Parks and Conservation Service Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate ACT Government Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Karen Ikin
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Philip Gibbons
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT Australia
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14
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Barton PS, Evans MJ, Foster CN, Cunningham SA, Manning AD. Environmental and spatial drivers of spider diversity at contrasting microhabitats. AUSTRAL ECOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philip S. Barton
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Maldwyn J. Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Claire N. Foster
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Saul A. Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
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15
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Barton PS, McIntyre S, Evans MJ, Bump JK, Cunningham SA, Manning AD. Substantial long‐term effects of carcass addition on soil and plants in a grassy eucalypt woodland. Ecosphere 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Philip S. Barton
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Sue McIntyre
- CSIRO Box 1700 Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Maldwyn John Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Joseph K. Bump
- School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science Michigan Technological University 1400 Townsend Drive Houghton Michigan 49931 USA
| | - Saul A. Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra 2601 Australian Capital Territory Australia
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16
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Le Roux DS, Ikin K, Lindenmayer DB, Bistricer G, Manning AD, Gibbons P. Enriching small trees with artificial nest boxes cannot mimic the value of large trees for hollow-nesting birds. Restor Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.12303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Darren S. Le Roux
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 0200 ACT Australia
| | - Karen Ikin
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 0200 ACT Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 0200 ACT Australia
| | - Gideon Bistricer
- Institute of Natural and Mathematical Sciences; Massey University; Palmerston North 4474 New Zealand
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 0200 ACT Australia
| | - Philip Gibbons
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra 0200 ACT Australia
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Ikin K, Le Roux DS, Rayner L, Villaseñor NR, Eyles K, Gibbons P, Manning AD, Lindenmayer DB. Key lessons for achieving biodiversity-sensitive cities and towns. Ecol Manag Restor 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Batson WG, Gordon IJ, Fletcher DB, Manning AD. REVIEW: Translocation tactics: a framework to support the IUCN Guidelines for wildlife translocations and improve the quality of applied methods. J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- William G. Batson
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Iain J. Gordon
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
- James Hutton Institute; Invergowrie Dundee DD2 5DA UK
| | - Donald B. Fletcher
- Environment and Planning Directorate; ACT Government; Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
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Macdonald BCT, Gillen J, Tuomi S, Newport J, Barton PS, Manning AD. Can Coarse Woody Debris Be Used for Carbon Storage in Open Grazed Woodlands? J Environ Qual 2015; 44:1210-1215. [PMID: 26437102 DOI: 10.2134/jeq2014.10.0445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide off-setting policy in the agricultural sector is focused on manipulating the terrestrial carbon cycle by reafforestation and increasing the retention of carbon within agricultural soils. We quantified the amount of carbon stored in the living and dead biomass and the surface soils of a previously grazed woodland ecosystem. We demonstrate that modification of coarse woody debris management could potentially store 8 to 15 t C ha. This large carbon pool raises the prospect that appropriate management of temperate woodlands to retain coarse woody debris and increase its volume into the future could achieve increased landscape carbon storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rayner
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Karen Ikin
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions; National Environmental Research Program; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Maldwyn J. Evans
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Philip Gibbons
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions; National Environmental Research Program; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions; National Environmental Research Program; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
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21
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Howland B, Stojanovic D, Gordon IJ, Manning AD, Fletcher D, Lindenmayer DB. Eaten out of house and home: impacts of grazing on ground-dwelling reptiles in Australian grasslands and grassy woodlands. PLoS One 2014; 9:e105966. [PMID: 25501680 PMCID: PMC4263405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0105966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Large mammalian grazers can alter the biotic and abiotic features of their environment through their impacts on vegetation. Grazing at moderate intensity has been recommended for biodiversity conservation. Few studies, however, have empirically tested the benefits of moderate grazing intensity in systems dominated by native grazers. Here we investigated the relationship between (1) density of native eastern grey kangaroos, Macropus giganteus, and grass structure, and (2) grass structure and reptiles (i.e. abundance, richness, diversity and occurrence) across 18 grassland and grassy Eucalyptus woodland properties in south-eastern Australia. There was a strong negative relationship between kangaroo density and grass structure after controlling for tree canopy cover. We therefore used grass structure as a surrogate for grazing intensity. Changes in grazing intensity (i.e. grass structure) significantly affected reptile abundance, reptile species richness, reptile species diversity, and the occurrence of several ground-dwelling reptiles. Reptile abundance, species richness and diversity were highest where grazing intensity was low. Importantly, no species of reptile was more likely to occur at high grazing intensities. Legless lizards (Delma impar, D. inornata) were more likely to be detected in areas subject to moderate grazing intensity, whereas one species (Hemiergis talbingoensis) was less likely to be detected in areas subject to intense grazing and three species (Menetia greyii, Morethia boulengeri, and Lampropholis delicata) did not appear to be affected by grazing intensity. Our data indicate that to maximize reptile abundance, species richness, species diversity, and occurrence of several individual species of reptile, managers will need to subject different areas of the landscape to moderate and low grazing intensities and limit the occurrence and extent of high grazing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Howland
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment Frank Fenner Building, # 141 Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | - Dejan Stojanovic
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment Frank Fenner Building, # 141 Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | - Iain J. Gordon
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment Frank Fenner Building, # 141 Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
- James Hutton Institute, Invergowrie, Dundee, DD2 5DA, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment Frank Fenner Building, # 141 Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | - Don Fletcher
- Conservation Research, Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, PO Box 158, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, ANU College of Medicine, Biology & Environment Frank Fenner Building, # 141 Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
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Newport J, Shorthouse DJ, Manning AD. The effects of light and noise from urban development on biodiversity: Implications for protected areas in Australia. Ecol Manag Restor 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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Abstract
Large old trees are disproportionate providers of structural elements (e.g. hollows, coarse woody debris), which are crucial habitat resources for many species. The decline of large old trees in modified landscapes is of global conservation concern. Once large old trees are removed, they are difficult to replace in the short term due to typically prolonged time periods needed for trees to mature (i.e. centuries). Few studies have investigated the decline of large old trees in urban landscapes. Using a simulation model, we predicted the future availability of native hollow-bearing trees (a surrogate for large old trees) in an expanding city in southeastern Australia. In urban greenspace, we predicted that the number of hollow-bearing trees is likely to decline by 87% over 300 years under existing management practices. Under a worst case scenario, hollow-bearing trees may be completely lost within 115 years. Conversely, we predicted that the number of hollow-bearing trees will likely remain stable in semi-natural nature reserves. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the number of hollow-bearing trees perpetuated in urban greenspace over the long term is most sensitive to the: (1) maximum standing life of trees; (2) number of regenerating seedlings ha−1; and (3) rate of hollow formation. We tested the efficacy of alternative urban management strategies and found that the only way to arrest the decline of large old trees requires a collective management strategy that ensures: (1) trees remain standing for at least 40% longer than currently tolerated lifespans; (2) the number of seedlings established is increased by at least 60%; and (3) the formation of habitat structures provided by large old trees is accelerated by at least 30% (e.g. artificial structures) to compensate for short term deficits in habitat resources. Immediate implementation of these recommendations is needed to avert long term risk to urban biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darren S. Le Roux
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Karen Ikin
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Philip Gibbons
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
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Barton PS, Weaver HJ, Manning AD. Contrasting diversity dynamics of phoretic mites and beetles associated with vertebrate carrion. Exp Appl Acarol 2014; 63:1-13. [PMID: 24292438 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-013-9758-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Carrion is an ephemeral and nutrient-rich resource that attracts a diverse array of arthropods as it decomposes. Carrion-associated mites often disperse between animal carcasses using phoresy, the transport of one species by another. Yet few studies have contrasted the dynamics of mite assemblages with other insect taxa present at carrion. We examined and compared the changes in abundance, species richness and composition of mite and beetle assemblages sampled at kangaroo carcasses in a grassy eucalypt woodland at four different times over a 6-month period. We found that the majority of mites were phoretic, with the mesostigmatid genera Uroseius (Uropodidae), Macrocheles (Macrochelidae) and Parasitus (Parasitidae) the most abundant taxa (excluding astigmatid mites). Abundance and richness patterns of mites and beetles were very different, with mites reaching peak abundance and richness at weeks 6 and 12, and beetles at weeks 1 and 6. Both mites and beetles showed clear successional patterns via changes in species presence and relative abundance. Our study shows that mesostigmatid mite assemblages have a delay in peak abundance and richness relative to beetle assemblages. This suggests that differences in dispersal and reproductive traits of arthropods may contribute to the contrasting diversity dynamics of carrion arthropod communities, and further highlights the role of carrion as a driver of diversity and heterogeneity in ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip S Barton
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia,
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Ikin K, Barton PS, Knight E, Lindenmayer DB, Fischer J, Manning AD. Bird community responses to the edge between suburbs and reserves. Oecologia 2013; 174:545-57. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-013-2793-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2011] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Lindenmayer DB, Laurance WF, Franklin JF, Likens GE, Banks SC, Blanchard W, Gibbons P, Ikin K, Blair D, McBurney L, Manning AD, Stein JA. New Policies for Old Trees: Averting a Global Crisis in a Keystone Ecological Structure. Conserv Lett 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - William F. Laurance
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science (TESS), and School of Marine and Tropical Biology; James Cook University; Cairns Queensland 4878 Australia
| | - Jerry F. Franklin
- School of Environmental and Forest Science; University of Washington; Seattle WA 98195 USA
| | - Gene E. Likens
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies; Millbrook NY 12545 USA
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology; University of Connecticut, Storrs-Mansfield; CT 06269 USA
- Department of Limnology; EBC-Uppsala University; 753 12 Uppsala Sweden
| | - Sam C. Banks
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Wade Blanchard
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Philip Gibbons
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Karen Ikin
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - David Blair
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Lachlan McBurney
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
| | - John A.R. Stein
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT 0200 Australia
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Bennett VA, Doerr VAJ, Doerr ED, Manning AD, Lindenmayer DB, Yoon HJ. Habitat selection and behaviour of a reintroduced passerine: linking experimental restoration, behaviour and habitat ecology. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54539. [PMID: 23349923 PMCID: PMC3548787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat restoration can play an important role in recovering functioning ecosystems and improving biodiversity. Restoration may be particularly important in improving habitat prior to species reintroductions. We reintroduced seven brown treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus) social groups into two nature reserves in the Australian Capital Territory in south-eastern Australia. This study provided a unique opportunity to understand the interactions between restoration ecology, behavioural ecology and habitat ecology. We examined how experimental restoration treatments (addition of coarse woody debris, variations in ground vegetation cover and nest box installation) influenced the behaviour and microhabitat use of radio-tracked individuals to evaluate the success of restoration treatments. The addition of coarse woody debris benefited the brown treecreeper through increasing the probability of foraging on a log or on the ground. This demonstrated the value of using behaviour as a bio-indicator for restoration success. Based on previous research, we predicted that variations in levels of ground vegetation cover would influence behaviour and substrate use, particularly that brown treecreepers would choose sites with sparse ground cover because this allows better access to food and better vigilance for predators. However, there was little effect of this treatment, which was likely influenced by the limited overall use of the ground layer. There was also little effect of nest boxes on behaviour or substrate use. These results somewhat confound our understanding of the species based on research from extant populations. Our results also have a significant impact regarding using existing knowledge on a species to inform how it will respond to reintroduction and habitat restoration. This study also places great emphasis on the value of applying an experimental framework to ecological restoration, particularly when reintroductions produce unexpected outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Bennett
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
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Bennett VA, Doerr VAJ, Doerr ED, Manning AD, Lindenmayer DB, Yoon HJ. Causes of reintroduction failure of the brown treecreeper: Implications for ecosystem restoration. AUSTRAL ECOL 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.12017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A. Bennett
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Building 141, Acton, ACT 0200; Australia
| | | | | | - Adrian D. Manning
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Building 141, Acton, ACT 0200; Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Building 141, Acton, ACT 0200; Australia
| | - Hwan-Jin Yoon
- Statistical Consulting Unit; School of Mathematical Sciences; The Australian National University; Acton
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Bennett VA, Doerr VAJ, Doerr ED, Manning AD, Lindenmayer DB, Yoon HJ. Habitat selection and post-release movement of reintroduced brown treecreeper individuals in restored temperate woodland. PLoS One 2012; 7:e50612. [PMID: 23227192 PMCID: PMC3515574 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0050612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2012] [Accepted: 10/26/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
It is essential to choose suitable habitat when reintroducing a species into its former range. Habitat quality may influence an individual’s dispersal decisions and also ultimately where they choose to settle. We examined whether variation in habitat quality (quantified by the level of ground vegetation cover and the installation of nest boxes) influenced the movement, habitat choice and survival of a reintroduced bird species. We experimentally reintroduced seven social groups (43 individuals) of the brown treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus) into two nature reserves in south-eastern Australia. We radio-tracked 18 brown treecreepers from release in November 2009 until February 2010. We observed extensive movements by individuals irrespective of the release environment or an individual’s gender. This indicated that individuals were capable of dispersing and actively selecting optimum habitat. This may alleviate pressure on wildlife planners to accurately select the most optimum release sites, so long as the species’ requirements are met. There was significant variation in movement between social groups, suggesting that social factors may be a more important influence on movement than habitat characteristics. We found a significant effect of ground vegetation cover on the likelihood of settlement by social groups, with high rates of settlement and survival in dry forests, rather than woodland (where the species typically resides), which has implications for the success of woodland restoration. However, overall the effects of variation in habitat quality were not as strong as we had expected, and resulted in some unpredicted effects such as low survival and settlement in woodland areas with medium levels of ground vegetation cover. The extensive movement by individuals and unforeseen effects of habitat characteristics make it difficult to predict the outcome of reintroductions, the movement behaviour and habitat selection of reintroduced individuals, particularly when based on current knowledge of a species’ ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria A Bennett
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
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Barton PS, Cunningham SA, Lindenmayer DB, Manning AD. The role of carrion in maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes in terrestrial ecosystems. Oecologia 2012; 171:761-72. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-012-2460-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2012] [Accepted: 08/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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31
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Ikin K, Knight E, Lindenmayer DB, Fischer J, Manning AD. The influence of native versus exotic streetscape vegetation on the spatial distribution of birds in suburbs and reserves. DIVERS DISTRIB 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1472-4642.2012.00937.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Ikin
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra; ACT 0200; Australia
| | - Emma Knight
- Centre for Mathematics and its Applications; The Australian National University; Canberra; ACT 0200; Australia
| | - David B. Lindenmayer
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra; ACT 0200; Australia
| | | | - Adrian D. Manning
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society; The Australian National University; Canberra; ACT 0200; Australia
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Shorthouse DJ, Iglesias D, Jeffress S, Lane S, Mills P, Woodbridge G, McIntyre S, Manning AD. The ‘making of’ the Mulligans Flat - Goorooyarroo experimental restoration project. Ecological Management & Restoration 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2012.00654.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Barton PS, Manning AD, Gibb H, Wood JT, Lindenmayer DB, Cunningham SA. Experimental reduction of native vertebrate grazing and addition of logs benefit beetle diversity at multiple scales. J Appl Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.01994.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Manning AD, Lindenmayer DB. Paddock trees, parrots and agricultural production: An urgent need for large-scale, long-term restoration in south-eastern Australia. Ecological Management & Restoration 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2009.00473.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Manning AD, Gibbons P, Lindenmayer DB. Scattered trees: a complementary strategy for facilitating adaptive responses to climate change in modified landscapes? J Appl Ecol 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2009.01657.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Gibbons P, Lindenmayer DB, Fischer J, Manning AD, Weinberg A, Seddon J, Ryan P, Barrett G. The future of scattered trees in agricultural landscapes. Conserv Biol 2008; 22:1309-1319. [PMID: 18680500 DOI: 10.1111/j.1523-1739.2008.00997.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Mature trees scattered throughout agricultural landscapes are critical habitat for some biota and provide a range of ecosystem services. These trees are declining in intensively managed agricultural landscapes globally. We developed a simulation model to predict the rates at which these trees are declining, identified the key variables that can be manipulated to mitigate this decline, and compared alternative management proposals. We used the initial numbers of trees in the stand, the predicted ages of these trees, their rate of growth, the number of recruits established, the frequency of recruitment, and the rate of tree mortality to simulate the dynamics of scattered trees in agricultural landscapes. We applied this simulation model to case studies from Spain, United States, Australia, and Costa Rica. We predicted that mature trees would be lost from these landscapes in 90-180 years under current management. Existing management recommendations for these landscapes--which focus on increasing recruitment--would not reverse this trend. The loss of scattered mature trees was most sensitive to tree mortality, stand age, number of recruits, and frequency of recruitment. We predicted that perpetuating mature trees in agricultural landscapes at or above existing densities requires a strategy that keeps mortality among established trees below around 0.5% per year, recruits new trees at a rate that is higher than the number of existing trees, and recruits new trees at a frequency in years equivalent to around 15% of the maximum life expectancy of trees. Numbers of mature trees in landscapes represented by the case studies will decline before they increase, even if strategies of this type are implemented immediately. This decline will be greater if a management response is delayed.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Gibbons
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society, Building 43, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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Manning AD, Lindenmayer DB, Cunningham RB. A study of coarse woody debris volumes in two box-gum grassy woodland reserves in the Australian Capital Territory. Ecol Manage Restor 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-8903.2007.00371.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Fischer J, Manning AD, Steffen W, Rose DB, Daniell K, Felton A, Garnett S, Gilna B, Heinsohn R, Lindenmayer DB, Macdonald B, Mills F, Newell B, Reid J, Robin L, Sherren K, Wade A. Mind the sustainability gap. Trends Ecol Evol 2007; 22:621-4. [PMID: 17997188 DOI: 10.1016/j.tree.2007.08.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2007] [Revised: 08/27/2007] [Accepted: 08/29/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite increasing efforts to reach sustainability, key global biophysical indicators such as climate change and biodiversity loss continue to deteriorate rather than improve. Ongoing failure to move towards sustainability calls into question the focus of current research and policy. We recommend two strategies for progress. First, sustainability must be conceptualized as a hierarchy of considerations, with the biophysical limits of the Earth setting the ultimate boundaries within which social and economic goals must be achieved. Second, transdisciplinary research programs must confront key normative questions facing modern consumer societies. The humanities should have a key role in such programs. Assisted by these strategies, ambitious targets that realistically reflect the biophysical limits of the life-support system of the Earth must be set and relentlessly worked towards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joern Fischer
- The Fenner School of Environment and Society, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 0200, Australia.
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B. Lindenmayer D, Fischer J, Felton A, Montague-Drake R, D. Manning A, Simberloff D, Youngentob K, Saunders D, Wilson D, M. Felton A, Blackmore C, Lowe A, Bond S, Munro N, P. Elliott C. The complementarity of single-species and ecosystem-oriented research in conservation research. OIKOS 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2007.15683.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Manning AD, Lindenmayer DB, Fischer J. Stretch Goals and Backcasting: Approaches for Overcoming Barriers to Large-Scale Ecological Restoration. Restor Ecol 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-100x.2006.00159.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Manning AD, Brown J. Monitoring the dose of digoxin. J R Coll Gen Pract 1977; 27:470-5. [PMID: 616833 PMCID: PMC2158260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
All patients being prescribed digoxin in a general practice were examined and the serum urea, creatinine, electrolytes, and digoxin concentrations were determined.Sixty-six patients were identified (0.73 per cent of the practice population). After excluding six, whose tablet-taking was unreliable, it was found that two patients had serum digoxin levels above the usually accepted upper limit and a total of 23 patients (38 per cent of the digoxin takers) had some alteration made to their dose, including eight whose digoxin was stopped. We believe that serum digoxin estimations are useful in determining the optimum dose of digoxin in general practice.
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Manning AD. Work load in general practice. J R Coll Gen Pract 1967; 14:336-343. [PMID: 19790712 PMCID: PMC2236404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
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