Does diet constrain the occupation of high elevations by macropods? A comparison between Macropus rufogriseus and Wallabia bicolor

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 219 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Green ◽  
N. E. Davis ◽  
W. A. Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Snow Depth ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Alpine Vegetation ◽  
Seasonal Movements ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
Alpine Zone ◽  
Subalpine Zone ◽  
Wallabia Bicolor ◽  
High Elevations

The ability to utilise a diet of shrubs or trees is key to the survival of herbivores in deep snow. However, reduction in snow depth with climate change may allow herbivores into higher elevations where herbfields are dominant. Wallabia bicolor occurs above the winter snowline of the Snowy Mountains in the subalpine zone, whereas Macropus rufogriseus, does not although it is present in alpine Tasmania. The winter diet of W. bicolor in the Snowy Mountains consisted of shrubs, trees, and herbs. With >60% of food sources (shrubs and trees) available above the snow, the change from occupation of habitat below the winter snowline to above requires little change in its diet. Consumption of shrubs, forbs and monocots by M. rufogriseus was similar between the Snowy Mountains and alpine Tasmania. M. rufogriseus includes a high proportion of shrubs in its diet; however, it may be excluded from snow-covered habitat due to a lesser ability to utilise poor-quality browse. Globally, migratory herbivores respond to deep snow with seasonal movements. However, W. bicolor and M. rufogriseus are not migratory and can only occupy higher elevations of the Snowy Mountains as snow depth and duration diminish. Because they do not currently occupy the alpine zone and the vegetation has not evolved to accommodate their presence, their impact on alpine vegetation is likely to be greater than migratory alpine grazers/browsers.

scholarly journals The contribution of the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis) to the winter diet of frugivores in novel ecosystems

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk HR Spennemann
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Canary Island ◽  
Food Source ◽  
Date Palm ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Novel Ecosystems ◽  
Date Palms ◽  
Phoenix Canariensis ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
Native Foods

Abstract With the increasing expansion in urban areas, many species have adapted to utilising horticulturally used plants as alternate or augmentary food sources, in particular, during winter – when native foods are largely absent. Ornamental palms, particularly Canary Island Date Palms, fruit continuously during most of the year and thus provide a stable food supply. Based on observational, metric and bio-chemical data, this paper examines the role Canary Island Date Palms can and do play in the nutrition of frugivorous animals, in particular, for birds. It demonstrates that with its nearly year-round provisioning of drupes, the palm plays a major role as a ‘staple’ and backup food source for several species.

Environment and Floristics of Ten Australian Alpine Vegetation Formations

1999 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. B. Kirkpatrick ◽  
K. L. Bridle
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Previous Literature ◽  
Alpine Vegetation ◽  
Environmental Relationships ◽  
Alpine Zone ◽  
Winter Temperatures ◽  
Summer Temperatures ◽  
Extractable Phosphorus

Data on floristics, structure and environment were collected from quadrats throughout the geographic range of alpine vegetation in Australia. These data were used to explore the floristic and environmental relationships of ten alpine vegetation formations: bolster heath, coniferous heath, heath, alpine sedgeland, fjaeldmark, tall alpine herbfield, short alpine herbfield, grassland, bog and fen. Alpine sedgeland and coniferous heath, and tall alpine herbfield and grassland, proved to be closely similar in their floristics. Grassland and coniferous heath were most separated in ordination space. The environmental variables with the largest numbers of significant differences between formations were extractable phosphorus, summer temperatures, winter temperatures and topography. However, many other edaphic, climatic, topographic and biotic variables were important in discriminating between formations. The results of the formation-environment analyses were largely consistent with the relationships suggested in the previous literature. However, some environmental differences between formations that were observed or posited from local studies did not prove to be exportable to the alpine zone as a whole. Edaphic and topographic variables appear to be more important in discriminating the environments of alpine formations than the environments of alpine floristic communities.

scholarly journals Triple stable isotope analysis to estimate the diet of the Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) in the Baltic Sea

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasa Morkūnė ◽  
Jūratė Lesutienė ◽  
Julius Morkūnas ◽  
Rūta Barisevičiūtė
Keyword(s):  
Stable Isotope ◽  
Baltic Sea ◽  
Isotope Analysis ◽  
Nitrogen Isotope ◽  
Enrichment Factors ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Sandy Bottom ◽  
Sulphur Isotope ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
Melanitta Fusca

This study quantifies contributions of different food sources in the winter diet of the Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) in coastal waters of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea using non-lethal avian sampling. We highlight the application of stable sulphur isotope ratios as complementary to stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis in order to discriminate sandy bottom macrozoobenthos organisms as potential food sources for the Velvet Scoter. Selection of the most relevant trophic enrichment factors and Monte Carlo simulations in order to choose the best fitted model were undertaken. The stable isotope mixing model revealed the main contributions of a group of bivalves, Mya arenaria and Cerastoderma glaucum, to be 46–54%, and while the crustacean, Saduria entomon, comprised 26–35% of the diet.

scholarly journals Winter diet of Japanese macaques from Chubu Sangaku National Park, Japan incorporates freshwater biota

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander M. Milner ◽  
Susanna A. Wood ◽  
Catherine Docherty ◽  
Laura Biessy ◽  
Masaki Takenaka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Macaca Fuscata ◽  
Japanese Macaque ◽  
Japanese Macaques ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Additional Food ◽  
Winter Diet ◽  
Freshwater Biota ◽  
Robust Evidence ◽  
Human Primate

AbstractThe Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) is native to the main islands of Japan, except Hokkaido, and is the most northerly living non-human primate. In the Chubu Sangaku National Park of the Japanese Alps, macaques live in one of the coldest areas of the world, with snow cover limiting the availability of preferred food sources. Winter is typically a bottleneck for food availability potentially resulting in marked energy deficits, and mortality may result from famine. However, streams with groundwater upwelling flow during the winter with a constant water temperature of about 5 °C are easily accessible for Japanese macaques to search for riverine biota. We used metabarcoding (Cytochrome c oxidase I) of fecal samples from Japanese macaques to determine their wintertime diet. Here we provide the first robust evidence that Japanese macaques feed on freshwater biota, including brown trout, riverine insects and molluscs, in Chubu Sangaku National Park. These additional food sources likely aid their winter survival.

Dispersion of introduced arctic hares (Lepus arcticus) on islands off Newfoundland's south coast

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (10) ◽  
pp. 2618-2623
Author(s):  
Robert J. Small ◽  
Lloyd B. Keith ◽  
Robert M. Barta
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Social Dominance ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
Nearest Neighbor ◽  
South Coast ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Snow Conditions

We describe dispersion of radio-collared arctic hares (Lepus arcticus) introduced to three islands off Newfoundland's south coast. Nearest-neighbor analyses indicated that home-range activity centers were aggregated during both summer and winter. Mean distances between activity centers were significantly less during winter than during summer, with the greatest aggregation observed when rates of fox predation were least and snow depth and persistence were greatest. Arctic hares apparently lack a rigid social-dominance system; hence, environmental factors such as availability of food sources, snow conditions, and presence of predators may primarily influence dispersion.

scholarly journals Mass aggregations of Bibio pomonae (Insecta: Diptera: Bibionidae), an indication of climate change?

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tore Qvenild ◽  
Sigurd Rognerud
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Brown Trout ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Stomach Fullness ◽  
Alpine Zone ◽  
Subalpine Zone ◽  
Significant Measure ◽  
One Year

<p>Examination of stomach contents of the brown trout is a sensitive method to evaluate the animals occurring in a lake and its surroundings. Yearly test fishing from Lake Sandvatn at the Hardangervidda Mountain plateau in August has shown regular occurrence of <em>Bibio pomonae</em> in the brown trout stomachs every third year since 2001. The stomach fullness and selectivity for other food items is influenced by the local weather conditions, but in calm and sunny weather, mass aggregation of B. pomonae are reflected by high stomach fullness and the brown trout predate B. pomonae selectively. The stomach fullness with <em>B. pomonae</em> may give a significant measure of the mass aggregation phenomena in such periods. On the Hardangervidda Mountain plateau mass aggregation have been observed regularly every third year since 2001. Mass aggregations elsewhere on the southern part of the Scandinavian Peninsula seem to follow the same pattern, but with a one-year delay in the northern part. Our results substantiate that mass aggregations of <em>B. pomonae</em> seem to be an irregular phenomenon in the previous century. In 2016 mass aggregation of B. pomonae was observed in the southern part of the Norwegian mountain range with its maximum abundance in the lower alpine zone. The abundance seems to have extended its maximum from the subalpine zone into the lower alpine zone. Mass aggregations were observed 1678 m a.s.l., 318 m higher up than previously recorded. In 2016 <em>B. pomonae</em> was also recorded earlier than ever before. Climate change may be a driver of the regular mass aggregations, the apparently increase in strength, the elevation of the abundance maximum, the new extreme altitude swarming, and the early hatchings seen after 2000.</p>

Detection of precipitation and snow cover trends in the the European Alps over the last century using model and observational data

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julien Beaumet ◽  
Martin Menegoz ◽  
Hubert Gallée ◽  
Vincent Vionnet ◽  
Xavier Fettweis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Snow Cover ◽  
Observational Data ◽  
Snow Depth ◽  
European Alps ◽  
Temperature Changes ◽  
In Situ Observations ◽  
Precipitation Changes ◽  
High Elevations

&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;The European Alps are particularly sensitive to climate change. Compared to temperature, changes in precipitation are more challenging to detect and attribute to ongoing anthropic climate change &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;mainly &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;as a result of large inter-annual variability, &lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;lack of reliable measurements at high elevations&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt; and opposite signals depending on the season or the elevation considered. However, changes in precipitation and snow cover have significant socio-environmental impact mostly trough water resource availability. These changes are investigated within the framework of the Trajectories initiative (&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span&gt;). The variability and changes in precipitation and snow cover in the European Alps has been simulated with the MAR regional climate model at a 7 km horizontal resolution driven by ERA20C (1902-2010) and ERA5 (1979-2018) reanalyses. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;For precipitation, MAR outputs were compared with EURO-4M, SAFRAN, SPAZM and E-OBS reanalyses as well as in-situ observations. The model was shown to reproduce correctly seasonal and inter-annual variability. The spatial biases of the model have the same order of magnitude as the differences between the three observational data sets. Model experiment has been used to detect precipitation changes over the last century. An increase in winter precipitation is simulated over the North-western part of the Alps at high altitudes (&gt;1500m). Significant decreases in summer precipitation were found in many low elevation areas, especially the Po Plain while no significant trends where found at high elevations. Because of large internal variability, precipitation changes are significant (pvalue&lt;0.05) only when considering their evolution over long period, typically 60-100 years in both model and observations.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;span&gt;Snow depth and water equivalent (SWE) in the French Alps simulated with MAR have been compared to the SAFRAN-Crocus reanalyses and to in-situ observations. MAR was found to simulate a realistic distribution of SWE as function of the elevation in the French Alpine massifs, although it underestimates SWE at low elevations in the Pre-Alps. Snow cover over the whole European Alps is evaluated using MODIS satellite data. Finally, trends in snow cover and snow depth are highlighted as well as their relationships with the precipitation and temperature changes over the last century. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Altitudinal and temporal differences in the food of foxes (Vulpes vulpes) at alpine and subalpine altitudes in the Snowy Mountains

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 245 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Green
Keyword(s):  
Food Chain ◽  
Primary Productivity ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Prey Availability ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Temporal Differences ◽  
Alpine Zone ◽  
Subalpine Zone ◽  
Rattus Fuscipes

The diet of foxes over three years at alpine and subalpine altitudes in the Snowy Mountains followed a cyclical change determined by seasonal climatic events that were very marked and predictable and did not allow for great variation in timing of prey availability. The diet was dominated by mammals in winter, with a change in the snow-free months to insects, mainly comprising bogong moths, with grasshoppers becoming important later in the season. Mammals preyed upon at both altitudes were mainly broad-toothed rats (Mastacomys fuscus), bush rats (Rattus fuscipes) and dusky antechinus (Antechinus swainsonii). In the alpine zone, foxes were less dependent upon the food chain deriving from in situ primary productivity than were foxes in the subalpine zone and were more reliant on other energy sources, particularly immigrant bogong moths.

Comparison of Ground-Based and Airborne Snow Depth Measurements with Georadar Systems, Case Study

2003 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 427-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf-Dietrich Marchand ◽  
Ånund Killingtveit ◽  
Peter Wilén ◽  
Per Wikström
Keyword(s):  
Snow Depth ◽  
Grid Cell ◽  
Data Interpretation ◽  
Radar Data ◽  
Poor Quality ◽  
Radar Signal ◽  
Airborne Measurements ◽  
Control Units ◽  
Ground Penetrating

Snow depth measurements with the help of georadar (Ground Penetrating Radar, GPR) were investigated for almost two decades in Scandinavia. For the first tests in the early 1980s, results were of poor quality. Later, data quality improved when different systems were developed. In Norway, emphasis was put on ground-based snow measurements of scientific character; few attempts for operational use were undertaken. In Sweden, airborne, operational snow measurements with georadar were performed since 1986. A helicopter, flying near to the ground, was used as platform. The objective of the presented study was to compare results from ground-based and airborne snow measurements. The radar control units used were comparable, but the antenna configuration and frequencies differed. Also radar data interpretation and the conversion of radar signal travel time into snow depth values varied. Measurements were made at common snow courses. The comparison showed in general high correlation between radar results from both methods. Differing results were found for shallow snow and bare areas. Here, the ground-based method indicated zero or close-to-zero snow depth, whereas the airborne method rarely detected zero snow depth. This phenomenon seemed to be connected to the bigger footprint size of the airborne radar and to the different radar data interpretation methods. On average, the airborne measurements indicated shallower snow depths than ground-based measurements, 4% less in open terrain and 7% less in forest. Comparing snow depth as grid cell values, the best agreement, less than 1% difference, was obtained for the 10 m resolution.

scholarly journals Altitude and biotope distribution of species of a number of Neuroptera fauna of the Ukrainian Carpathians and the Transcarpathian lowlands

2020 ◽  
pp. 147-158
Author(s):  
Hanna Serediuk
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Beech Forest ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Forest Belt ◽  
Forest Edges ◽  
Beech Forests ◽  
Spruce Forests ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Alpine Zone ◽  
Subalpine Zone

The species composition of the net-winged insects fauna, as well as the biotope distribution within the territory of the Ukrainian Carpathians have been studied. For the first time, an altitude-band analysis of the distribution of net-winged insects in the Ukrainian Carpathians was conducted, which showed that the highest species diversity is characterized by the belt of oak forests, for which 50 species of reticulated net-winged insects are listed. Seven were found to be original for the belt: Chrysopa hummeli, Chrysopa dorsalis, Chrysopa hungarica, Chrysopa nigricostata, Sisyra nigra, Distoleon tetragrammicus, Libelloides macaronius. These species occur only in this zone and are very rare. It was found that the highest species diversity is characterized by mixed forests and forest edges, for which 39 species were identified, which is 78% of the total number of species that occur in the belt of oak forests. The highest Magralef index for mixed oak forests (Quercus, Tilia, Acer, Fraxinus, Ulmus, etc.). For the belt of beech forests, there are 43 species. It was found that the greatest species diversity is characterized by forest edges, there are 32 species, which is 74% of the total number of species of beech belt of the Ukrainian Carpathians, 31 species (72%) in beech forest with admixtures of other deciduous trees. 29 on the edges and in the old beech forests (virgin forests). The highest index of species richness according to Margalef falls on the edges. As part of the spruce forest belt, 24 species were noted, ten of which, namely Wesmaelius mortoni, Wesmaelius nervosus, Wesmaelius ravus, Wesmaelius tjederi, Wesmaelius concinnus, Wesmaelius quadrifasciatus, Hemerobius contumax, Hemerobius feumax, Hemerobius fenestih only within the belt of spruce forests. Margalef's highest index characterizes young spruce forests. In the subalpine zone, only four species of reticulated net-winged insects were found – Myrmeleon formicarius, Wesmaelius nervosus, Wesmaelius ravus and Chrysoperla carnea, in the alpine zone – none.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document