Do cat restrictions lead to increased species diversity or abundance of small and medium-sized mammals in remnant urban bushland?

2010 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maggie Lilith ◽  
Michael Calver ◽  
Mark Garkaklis

We took advantage of cat regulations enacted within differing subdivisions in the City of Armadale, Western Australia, to test the hypotheses that the species diversity (measured by the Shannon-Weiner index) and abundance of small and medium-sized mammals should be higher in native bushland within or adjacent to subdivisions where cats are restricted compared to similar areas where cats are not restricted. There were three different regimes of cat regulation: no-cat zone (strict prohibition of cat ownership applying in one site), compulsory belling of cats and night curfew at one site, and unregulated zones (free-roaming cats applying at two sites). Both sets of cat regulations were in place for approximately 10 years prior to our survey. We also measured structural and floristic features of the vegetation at each site that might influence the species diversity and abundance of small and medium-sized mammals independently or interactively with cat activity. No significant differences in species diversity were found across the sites and KTBA (known-to-be-alive) statistics for Brushtail Possums Trichosurus vulpecula and Southern Brown Bandicoots Isoodon obesulus, the two most abundant medium-sized mammals present, were similar across all sites. The smaller Mardo Antechinus flavipes, which could be regarded as the most susceptible to cat predation of all the native species trapped because of its size, was trapped mostly at an unregulated cat site. Total mammals trapped at the unregulated cat sites exceeded those caught at the two sites with restrictions, but these unregulated sites also had significantly denser vegetation and there was a borderline (p = 0.05) rank correlation between vegetation density and mammal captures across all sites. It appears that pet cats are not the major influence on the species diversity or abundance of small and medium-sized mammals at these sites and that vegetation characteristics may be more important.

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clifford Bennison ◽  
J. Anthony Friend ◽  
Timothy Button ◽  
Harriet Mills ◽  
Cathy Lambert ◽  
...  

Context House mice (Mus domesticus) are present on Boullanger and Whitlock islands, Western Australia, and could potentially threaten populations of the dibbler (Parantechinus apicalis) and grey-bellied dunnart (Sminthopsis griseoventer) through competition for resources. A workshop in 2007 recommended a study to assess the feasibility of eradicating house mice from the islands by using poison baits and of the risk posed to non-target native species. Aim We aimed to assess the risk to non-target native species if poison baiting was used to eradicate house mice on Boullanger and Whitlock islands. Methods Non-toxic baits containing the bait marker rhodamine B were distributed on Boullanger Island and on the mouse free Escape Island to determine the potential for primary poisoning. Acceptance of baits by mammals was measured through sampling and analysis of whiskers, and by reptiles through observations of dye in faeces. To determine the potential for secondary exposure to poison, the response of dibblers to mouse carcasses was observed using motion-activated cameras. Bait acceptance was compared using two methods of delivery, namely, scattering in the open and delivery in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubes. A cafeteria experiment of bait consumption by dibblers was also undertaken using captive animals held at the Perth Zoo. Ten dibblers were offered non-toxic baits containing rhodamine B in addition to their normal meals; consumption of bait and the presence of dye in whiskers were measured. Key results Bait acceptance on the islands was high for house mice (92% of individuals) and dibblers (48%) and it was independent of bait-delivery technique. There was no evidence of bait acceptance by grey-bellied dunnarts. Dibblers may consume mice carcasses if available; however, no direct consumption of mice carcasses was observed with movement sensor cameras but one dibbler was observed removing a mouse carcass and taking it away. During the cafeteria experiment, 9 of 10 captive dibblers consumed baits. Conclusions This investigation demonstrated that dibblers consume baits readily and island populations would experience high mortality if exposed to poison baits. Poison baiting could effectively eradicate mice from Boullanger and Whitlock islands but not without mortality for dibblers. Implications Toxic baits could be used to eradicate mice from Boullanger and Whitlock islands, provided that non-target species such as dibblers were temporarily removed from the islands before the application of baits.


2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 291-297
Author(s):  
L. A. Kolodochka ◽  
O. S. Shevchenko

Abstract In different types of substrate (soil, litter, lichens and mosses) collected at three memorial complexes (cemeteries) of Kyiv (Ukraine), 70 species from 57 genera, 34 families of oribatid mites were found. A few eurytopic species capable of tolerance to different types of pollution make up an essential part in each species complex. The species diversity and complexity of oribatid community structure at researched areas increased with distance from the city center. There was no direct relation between the degree of dominance of most common species and the cemetery’s relative remoteness from the center of the city.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 155-169
Author(s):  
Oni Andhi Asmara ◽  
Endang Susilowati ◽  
Agustinus Supriyono

This article discusses the development of the Charismatic church on the Christians life in Semarang City in 1970-2015 using historical methods and using social religion approach. Since its inception in 1970, the Charismatic church in the city of Semarang has had a major influence on the Christian life in the city. A series of innovations in worship and evangelism that are adapted to the times have made the Charismatic church much in demand by Christians in big cities, one of them is Semarang. Christian interest in the Charismatic church can be seen from the development of the number of Charismatic churches in the city of Semarang. One of the Charismatic churches that is experiencing rapid development is JKI Injil Kerajaan. In the beginning, there were 25 people in the congregations. One decade later it reached 3,557 people and continued to increase to 13,324 people on the next decade. This rapid development has brought significant changes to the Christians life in the city of Semarang. It can be seen, among others, from the increasing number of churches that are full of Charismatic churches at worship services. But on the other hand, the presence of Charismatic church with a new pattern of worship caused less harmonious relationship between non-Charismatic churches and charismatic churches as the result of the high increasing number of original church people who moved to the Charismatic church. It is because Christians in Semarang are mostly more interested in taking worship in the Charismatic church.


2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 389-401
Author(s):  
Soo-Dong Lee ◽  
Seung-Jun Back ◽  
Hyun-Kyung Kang

Background and objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the ecological status of six areas around Geumgang River that used to be farmlands before they were restored as a riverine ecobelt. This study aims to analyze the correlation between the location environment and ecological status of the sites to identify the environmental factors affecting them. Methods: The sites are classified into four types according to restoration: terraced paddy fields, flat paddy fields, artificial wetland, and landscape forest. The survey items were divided into land use status, plant ecology, and animal ecology. Results: In terms of plant ecology, terraced paddy fields showed favorable naturality with the rate of native species above 90% and the naturalization index below 10%. In terms of animal ecology, the total number of species found in these areas was biggest in terraced paddy fields, followed by flat paddy fields, artificial wetland, and landscape forest. Regarding species diversity, terraced paddy fields also showed abundant species with an average of 1.05 to 1.09. The results of the correlation analysis showed that the forest area around the sites had the most significant effect on species diversity. The grassland and open water area showed a positive correlation with the total number of animal species and the number of dragonflies, confirming that the marshy grassland had a positive effect. As the cultivated land and urbanized area around the sites increased, it had a negative effect on the distribution of native species and the number of animal species that appeared, and a positive effect on the naturalization index. Conclusion: It is necessary to establish preemption and restoration plans for sites such as grasslands adjacent to the forest and terraced paddy fields in order to promote resilience of the diverse species returning to the purchased lands.


2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Wheeler ◽  
M. Byrne

Phylogeographic patterns in the cp genome of Eucalyptus marginata Don ex Sm., a species common in the mesic region of south-western Australia, were investigated by using RFLP analysis. The chloroplast diversity was structured into two geographically distinct lineages and nested clade analysis inferred historical fragmentation as the major influence on the phylogeographic pattern. The lineages were separated along the geomorphological boundary of the Darling Scarp, which separates the Coastal Plain from the Darling Plateau. The divergence between the lineages is consistent with uplifting of the Darling Plateau in the late Neogene. Further geographic structuring in haplotype distributions was evident in the forest lineage on the Darling Plateau, where one sublineage was present in the central forest region and another was restricted to the south-eastern region. The level of divergence between these sublineages was similar to that between divergent lineages that have been identified in comparative phylogeographic studies of cpDNA variation in three species widespread throughout south-western Australia. In these species, divergence was attributed to the influence of significant changes in climatic oscillations across the semi-arid region during the mid-Pleistocene. The divergence identified in this study indicates that the influence of climatic change was widespread throughout south-western Australia, including the mesic, higher-rainfall region.


<em>Abstract.</em>—From its headwaters in the Rocky Mountains, the Platte River drains 230,362 km<sup>2</sup> in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. The Platte River is formed by the confluence of the North Platte and South Platte near the city of North Platte, Nebraska, and receives additional flow from the Loup and Elkhorn rivers that drain the Sand Hills region of Nebraska. Water diversions for mining and irrigation began in the 1840s in Colorado and Wyoming, and irrigation diversions in Nebraska began in the 1850s. Construction of dams for control of river flows commenced on the North Platte River in Wyoming in 1904. Additional dams and diversions in the North Platte, South Platte, and Platte rivers have extensively modified natural flow patterns and caused interruptions of flows. Pollution, from mining, industrial, municipal, and agricultural sources, and introductions of 24 nonnative species have also taken their toll. Fishes of the basin were little studied before changes in land use, pollution, and introduction of exotic species began. The current fish fauna totals approximately 100 species from 20 families. Native species richness declines westward, but some species find refugia in western headwaters streams. Declines in 26 native species has led to their being listing as species of concern by one or more basin states.


Author(s):  
Roxanne Doyen

Emilio Pettoruti was born in the city of La Plata, Argentina, the modern, geometric layout of which would make appearances in his art later in his life. In 1913, Pettoruti received a scholarship from the government of Argentina and traveled to Italy. He studied Italian art of the 14th century and also got to know a number of avant-garde artists involved with Futurism. Pettoruti decided to extend his time in Europe by working in different countries. In Paris, he became acquainted with artists such as Pablo Picasso, Kees van Dongen, and Juan Gris, who had a major influence on his artwork. He participated in an exhibition in Herberth Walden’s famous Der Sturm Gallery in Berlin in 1923 and became a well-known modern artist. The avant-garde magazine Martín Fierro defined Pettoruti’s artwork (as they did the art of Pettoruti’s friend, Xul Solar) as Criollismo, a term from literature, which entails the use of a realist style to portray scenes and customs of one’s native country. Pettoruti’s style is a modern concept of harmony, order, geometric forms, and a combination of science and the spiritual. Technique, light, color, and movement are the most important characteristics of his art.


2020 ◽  
Vol 171 ◽  
pp. 02008
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Pyszny ◽  
Mariusz Sojka ◽  
Rafał Wróżyński

Planning green infrastructure in the cities is a challenging task for planners and city managers. Developing multifunctional green space systems provide many benefits including: increasing water retention, mitigating urban heat island effect, microclimate regulation, reducing air, water and noise pollution and conservation biodiversity. The greenery in the city also have an impact on human health. The paper presents the possibilities of using LiDAR data mapping vegetation density in urban areas on the example of Gorzów Wielkopolski (Poland). Maps made as a result of processing the point clouds obtained from airborne laser scanning represents the most accurate, comprehensive and detailed assessment of Gorzów Wielkopolski vegetation cover to date and establishes the baseline for greenery governance and planning of green infrastructure in the city.


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