Mitigation reduces road mortality of a threatened rattlesnake

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Colley ◽  
Stephen C. Lougheed ◽  
Kenton Otterbein ◽  
Jacqueline D. Litzgus
Keyword(s):  
Temperature Fluctuations ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Road Mortality ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Sistrurus Catenatus ◽  
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake ◽  
High Road ◽  
Provincial Park ◽  
Term Data

Context Reducing road mortality is essential to reptile conservation in regions with dense road networks. The Georgian Bay, Ontario population of the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) is designated as Threatened, in part because of high road mortality. In Killbear Provincial Park, four ecopassages and barrier fencing were constructed along three busy park roads to reduce road mortality of massasaugas. Aim Although mitigation of road mortality has been widely recommended and in some instances implemented for reptiles, effectiveness of mitigation efforts is often inadequately evaluated. The goals of our study were to use long-term data to quantify the effectiveness of ecopassages and barrier fencing in reducing massasauga fatalities on roads, and to evaluate the potential of these structures to serve as movement corridors for individual snakes. Methods We used five approaches to assess the overall efficacy of mitigation efforts: (1) comparison of pre- and post-mitigation road mortality; (2) camera traps in ecopassages to document massasauga and predator presence; (3) automated tag readers in ecopassage entrances to detect PIT-tagged individuals; (4) an experiment to assess massasauga willingness to enter and travel through ecopassages; and (5) measurement of temperature fluctuations in ecopassages to assess thermal suitability for massasaugas. Key results We found a significant decrease in road mortality of massasaugas on stretches of park roads associated with ecopassages and barrier fencing post construction. Automated tag readers and cameras detected the presence of massasaugas and other animals within the ecopassages, and experimental data showed that massasaugas willingly entered, and in some cases crossed through, ecopassages. Conclusion Our evaluation of mitigation structures determined that they successfully reduce road mortality and provide potential movement corridors between bisected habitats, provided that intense maintenance of the fencing is conducted yearly. We also demonstrated the need to utilise a combination of multiple post-monitoring methods to effectively evaluate mitigation structures. Implications This study provides a template for construction of similar mitigation in other key locations where reptile road mortality occurs.

Visual lures increase camera-trap detection of the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii)

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wren R. McLean ◽  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
David A. Westcott
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Population Surveys ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Detection Rates ◽  
Mobile Species ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Cost Efficient ◽  
A Site

Context Monitoring is a key component in managing wildlife populations and is critical for revealing long-term population trends of endangered species. Cryptic or highly mobile species that occur in low densities and in remote terrain require the development of specific monitoring methods. The southern cassowary is an Australian endangered species that poses many challenges for conducting population surveys. Aims The aims of the present study were to determine the effectiveness of camera traps in detecting cassowaries at a site, to determine whether visual lures increased detection rates, and to explore the potential of camera traps in population surveys. Methods Coloured lures (mimicking large blue and red fruit) were placed in front of a set of camera traps and compared with controls (no lures) at 29 survey sites on the Daintree coast, northern Queensland, Australia. Key results Camera traps with lures (1) detected more birds, (2) had a shorter detection latency, (3) had a marginally greater number of captures, (4) experienced a longer capture duration, (5) were more likely to have the cassowary stop in front of the camera, and (6) achieved a 95% probability of detecting cassowaries in 12 trap days, compared with 28 trap days without lures. Conclusions An increase in the number of cassowaries detected, the reduction in camera latency times and the ability to identify the birds enables a more efficient approach to estimating population sizes over existing methods. This is the first published study to use visual lures to conduct camera trapping of birds. Implications The use of camera traps with lures is a practical and cost-efficient technique for the rapid detection of cassowaries at a site and lends itself to studies of population structure, size and trends.

Hydrogeological responses in tropical mountainous springs

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Sánchez-Murillo
Keyword(s):  
Costa Rica ◽  
Isotope Composition ◽  
Central Valley ◽  
Distribution Functions ◽  
Geochemical Composition ◽  
Transit Times ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Best Fit ◽  
Term Data

This study presents a hydrogeochemical analysis of spring responses (2013-2017) in the tropical mountainous region of the Central Valley of Costa Rica. The isotopic distribution of δ18O and δ2H in rainfall resulted in a highly significant meteoric water line: δ2H = 7.93×δ18O + 10.37 (r2=0.97). Rainfall isotope composition exhibited a strong dependent seasonality. The isotopic variation (δ18O) of two springs within the Barva aquifer was simulated using the FlowPC program to determine mean transit times (MTTs). Exponential-piston and dispersion distribution functions provided the best-fit to the observed isotopic composition at Flores and Sacramento springs, respectively. MTTs corresponded to 1.23±0.03 (Sacramento) and 1.42±0.04 (Flores) years. The greater MTT was represented by a homogeneous geochemical composition at Flores, whereas the smaller MTT at Sacramento is reflected in a more variable geochemical response. The results may be used to enhance modelling efforts in central Costa Rica, whereby scarcity of long-term data limits water resources management plans.

Morphometric studies of artemia males from different populations of the Altai region

2020 ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
L. Vesnina ◽  
G. Lukerina ◽  
T. Ronzhina ◽  
A. Savos’kin ◽  
D. Surkov
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Hydrogen Index ◽  
Morphometric Parameters ◽  
Altai Region ◽  
Sexual Structure ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Artemia Population ◽  
Term Data ◽  
Brine Salinity

The long-term data from morphometric studies of Artemia males from bisexual and parthenogenetic populations from hyperhaline reservoirs of the Altai region (Bolshoe Yarovoe Lake, Maloe Shklo Lake, and the Tanatar Lakes system) is analyzed in this paper. The description of signs of sexual dimorphism and sexual structure in different populations is given. The influence of brine salinity and hydrogen index on morphometric parameters of males was analyzed. There are differences in the sexual structure of the Artemia population: in the lakes Maloe Shklo and the thanatar system, the populations are bisexual (the share of males is 28.5 — 75.0 %), in the lake Bolshoe yarovoe — parthenogenetic (the share of males on average does not exceed 3 %). At the same time, sexual dimorphism is typical for both types of populations: females are larger than males, males have a larger head (the distance between the eyes is greater by 15.5 %, the diameter of the eye is 26.1 %, the length of the antenna is 22.3 %) and a larger number of bristles (36.1 %). The greatest variability is observed in the parameters of the Furka structure associated with the salinity of water by feedback and the pH — line indicator. Significant differences between the samples of males were revealed. The largest number of significant differences in morphometric indicators was found between samples of males from bisexual populations (lake thanatar and lake Maloe Shklo), the smallest — between males from the parthenogenetic population of lake Bolshoe yarovoe and males from lake Maloe Shklo.

Diel, lunar and seasonal vertical migration in the deep western Gulf of Mexico evidenced from a long-term data series of acoustic backscatter

2021 ◽  
pp. 102562
Author(s):  
Laura Ursella ◽  
Sara Pensieri ◽  
Enric Pallàs-Sanz ◽  
Sharon Z. Herzka ◽  
Roberto Bozzano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Vertical Migration ◽  
Acoustic Backscatter ◽  
Data Series ◽  
Term Data

scholarly journals Chances and challenges of a long-term data repository in multiple sclerosis: 20th birthday of the German MS registry

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa-Marie Ohle ◽  
David Ellenberger ◽  
Peter Flachenecker ◽  
Tim Friede ◽  
Judith Haas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Healthcare Research ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Data Repository ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Real World Data ◽  
Data Repositories ◽  
Term Data

AbstractIn 2001, the German Multiple Sclerosis Society, facing lack of data, founded the German MS Registry (GMSR) as a long-term data repository for MS healthcare research. By the establishment of a network of participating neurological centres of different healthcare sectors across Germany, GMSR provides observational real-world data on long-term disease progression, sociodemographic factors, treatment and the healthcare status of people with MS. This paper aims to illustrate the framework of the GMSR. Structure, design and data quality processes as well as collaborations of the GMSR are presented. The registry’s dataset, status and results are discussed. As of 08 January 2021, 187 centres from different healthcare sectors participate in the GMSR. Following its infrastructure and dataset specification upgrades in 2014, more than 196,000 visits have been recorded relating to more than 33,000 persons with MS (PwMS). The GMSR enables monitoring of PwMS in Germany, supports scientific research projects, and collaborates with national and international MS data repositories and initiatives. With its recent pharmacovigilance extension, it aligns with EMA recommendations and helps to ensure early detection of therapy-related safety signals.

scholarly journals Long-Term and Emergency Monitoring of Zhongbao Landslide Using Space-Borne and Ground-Based InSAR

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1578
Author(s):  
Ting Xiao ◽  
Wei Huang ◽  
Yunkai Deng ◽  
Weiming Tian ◽  
Yonglian Sha
Keyword(s):  
Landslide Monitoring ◽  
Early Investigation ◽  
Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Barrier Lake ◽  
Monitoring Frequency ◽  
Emergency Measure ◽  
Cumulative Deformation ◽  
Timely Warning

This work presents the ideal combination of space-borne and ground-based (GB) Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) applications. In the absence of early investigation reporting and specialized monitoring, the Zhongbao landslide unexpectedly occurred on 25 July 2020, forming a barrier lake that caused an emergency. As an emergency measure, the GB-InSAR system was installed 1.8 km opposite the landslide to assess real-time cumulative deformation with a monitoring frequency of 3 min. A zone of strong deformation was detected, with 178 mm deformation accumulated within 15 h, and then a successful emergency warning was issued to evacuate on-site personnel. Post-event InSAR analysis of 19 images acquired by the ESA Sentinel-1 from December 2019 to August 2020 revealed that the landslide started in March 2020. However, the deformation time series obtained from satellite InSAR did not show any signs that the landslide had occurred. The results suggest that satellite InSAR is effective for mapping unstable areas but is not qualified for rapid landslide monitoring and timely warning. The GB-InSAR system performs well in monitoring and providing early warning, even with dense vegetation on the landslide. The results show the shortcomings of satellite InSAR and GB-InSAR and a clearer understanding of the necessity of combining multiple monitoring methods.

scholarly journals 169 Secukinumab provides sustained reduction in fatigue in patients with active psoriatic arthritis through three years: long-term data from the FUTURE 1 and FUTURE 2 studies

Rheumatology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 57 (suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Chinoy ◽  
Laure Gossec ◽  
Tore K Kvien ◽  
Philip G Conaghan ◽  
Mikkel Østergaard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Sustained Reduction ◽  
The Future ◽  
Future 2 ◽  
Term Data

scholarly journals Leopard Density Estimation within an Enclosed Reserve, Namibia Using Spatially Explicit Capture-Recapture Models

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 724
Author(s):  
Noack ◽  
Heyns ◽  
Rodenwoldt ◽  
Edwards
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Camera Traps ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
New Class ◽  
Capture Recapture ◽  
Wildlife Populations ◽  
Effective Conservation

The establishment of enclosed conservation areas are claimed to be the driving force for the long-term survival of wildlife populations. Whilst fencing provides an important tool in conservation, it simultaneously represents a controversial matter as it stops natural migration processes, which could ultimately lead to inbreeding, a decline in genetic diversity and local extinction if not managed correctly. Thus, wildlife residing in enclosed reserves requires effective conservation and management strategies, which are strongly reliant on robust population estimates. Here, we used camera traps combined with the relatively new class of spatially explicit capture-recaptured models (SECR) to produce the first reliable leopard population estimate for an enclosed reserve in Namibia. Leopard density was estimated at 14.51 leopards/100 km2, the highest recorded density in Namibia to date. A combination of high prey abundance, the absence of human persecution and a lack of top-down control are believed to be the main drivers of the recorded high leopard population. Our results add to the growing body of literature which suggests enclosed reserves have the potential to harbour high densities and highlight the importance of such reserves for the survival of threatened species in the future.

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