Limitations of biophysical habitats as biodiversity surrogates in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Jackson ◽  
Carolyn J. Lundquist
Keyword(s):  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Biodiversity Protection ◽  
Biodiversity Surrogates ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Habitat Classification ◽  
Data Layers ◽  
Further Development

The Hauraki Gulf Marine Park (HGMP) is recognised for its diverse natural environment and associated biodiversity, as well as the extensive social, cultural and economic values derived therein. Here, we evaluate the current level of biodiversity protection provided by existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) within the HGMP. We use abiotic datasets to develop a habitat classification system to identify the suite of biophysical habitats found in the Marine Park, and their relative protection within existing MPAs (both no-take marine reserves and Cable Protection Zones). Our analysis demonstrated that half of the biophysical habitats identified in the HGMP are not currently afforded protection within MPAs, and that biophysical classifications poorly differentiate across subtidal, soft-sediment habitats using available data layers. We then evaluated representation of these environmental surrogates within a biodiversity prioritisation analysis based on distribution models for demersal fish species. Biophysical habitat surrogates showed poor representation across habitats within highest-priority areas based on prioritisations of demersal fish biodiversity. This suggests the need for further development of biophysical habitat surrogates that are more strongly correlated with biodiversity, if they are to be used to inform biodiversity protection in the HGMP.

Examining Local Transferability of Predictive Species Distribution Models for Invasive Plants: An Example with Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica)

2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 390-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary N. Ervin ◽  
D. Christopher Holly
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Species Distribution Models ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Distribution Data ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Tree Canopy Cover

AbstractSpecies distribution modeling is a tool that is gaining widespread use in the projection of future distributions of invasive species and has important potential as a tool for monitoring invasive species spread. However, the transferability of models from one area to another has been inadequately investigated. This study aimed to determine the degree to which species distribution models (SDMs) for cogongrass, developed with distribution data from Mississippi (USA), could be applied to a similar area in neighboring Alabama. Cogongrass distribution data collected in Mississippi were used to train an SDM that was then tested for accuracy and transferability with cogongrass distribution data collected by a forest management company in Alabama. Analyses indicated the SDM had a relatively high predictive ability within the region of the training data but had poor transferability to the Alabama data. Analysis of the Alabama data, via independent SDM development, indicated that predicted cogongrass distribution in Alabama was more strongly correlated with soil variables than was the case in Mississippi, where the SDM was most strongly correlated with tree canopy cover. Results suggest that model transferability is influenced strongly by (1) data collection methods, (2) landscape context of the survey data, and (3) variations in qualitative aspects of environmental data used in model development.

Infaunal macroinvertebrate assemblages of the eastern Great Australian Bight: effectiveness of a marine protected area in representing the region's benthic biodiversity

2009 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 459 ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Currie ◽  
Shirley J. Sorokin ◽  
Tim M. Ward
Keyword(s):  
Protected Area ◽  
Marine Protected Area ◽  
Regional Scale ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Inner Shelf ◽  
Protection Zone ◽  
Marine Park ◽  
Great Australian Bight ◽  
Deposit Feeding ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Marine reserves are used widely throughout the world to conserve biodiversity, but in many instances uncertainties exist over how well these areas represent biodiversity at a regional scale (i.e. 100–1000 km). In the present study, infaunal assemblages were examined in the eastern Great Australian Bight (GAB) to evaluate the efficacy of the Benthic Protection Zone of the GAB Marine Park in representing regional biodiversity. Distributional patterns in infauna were further examined in relation to epifaunal species composition and environmental conditions to investigate structural forcing. Grab samples of infauna were collected from the same 65 sites sampled in an earlier survey of epifauna. In total, 240 taxa belonging to 11 phyla were collected. Most taxa were uncommon, with 96% representing less than 2% of the total number of individuals collected and 39% occurring at only one site. Unlike the epifauna, the infauna of the eastern GAB does not appear to be particularly diverse. Sessile filter feeders dominated the infaunal communities of the inner shelf, whereas motile, deposit-feeding organisms dominated the shelf break. As was the case with the epifauna, the highest numbers of taxa and individuals were recorded near the head of the bight and in inner-shelf waters off the western Eyre Peninsula, where productivity is enhanced by upwelling. Cluster analysis identified three community groupings, which were strongly correlated with depth. All three communities and 72% (172) of the 240 taxa collected were represented within the Benthic Protection Zone of the GAB Marine Park, confirming findings from the epifaunal survey that this protected area is well placed to represent the benthic biodiversity of the eastern GAB.

scholarly journals Assessing Environmental Stewardship Motivation

2010 ◽  
Vol 43 (6) ◽  
pp. 776-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Bramston ◽  
Grace Pretty ◽  
Charlie Zammit
Keyword(s):  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Stewardship ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Environmental Groups ◽  
Factor Analyses ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Personal Learning ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Rural Australia ◽  
Acceptable Internal Consistency

Environmental stewardship networks flourish across Australia. Although the environment benefits, this article looks to identify what volunteers draw from their stewardship. The authors adapted 16 questions that purportedly tap environmental stewardship motivation and administered them to a convenience sample of 318 university students and then to 88 people living in rural Australia, who were either active members of environmental groups or voiced concern about local environmental issues. The results suggest that the measure consisting of these questions demonstrates acceptable internal consistency. Factor analyses support three relatively independent aspects of environmental stewardship motivation: (a) developing a sense of belonging, (b) caretaking the environment, and (c) expanding personal learning. Scores on the scale were not strongly correlated with well-being, suggesting that the scale measures more than general feelings of positive affect. Discussion focuses on the benefits of being able to reliably assess environmental stewardship motivation and areas for further development of the scale.

scholarly journals The use of singlebeam echo‐sounder depth data to produce demersal fish distribution models that are comparable to models produced using multibeam echo‐sounder depth

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcela Montserrat Landero Figueroa ◽  
Miles J. G. Parsons ◽  
Benjamin J. Saunders ◽  
Ben Radford ◽  
Chandra Salgado‐Kent ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Fish Distribution ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Depth Data ◽  
Echo Sounder

Aerial surveys and distribution models enable monitoring of fishing in Marine Protected Areas

2018 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 298-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda J. Zellmer ◽  
Heather Burdick ◽  
Ivan Medel ◽  
Daniel J. Pondella ◽  
Tom Ford
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Aerial Surveys

No evidence of increased demersal fish abundance six years after creation of marine protected areas along the southeast United States Atlantic coast

2016 ◽  
Vol 92 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan M Bacheler ◽  
Christina M Schobernd ◽  
Stacey L Harter ◽  
Andrew W David ◽  
George R Sedberry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Marine Protected Areas ◽  
Atlantic Coast ◽  
Demersal Fish ◽  
Fish Abundance ◽  
Southeast United States
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