Diet of the squirrel glider in a fragmented landscape near Mackay, central Queensland

2009 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Ball ◽  
Eddie Adams ◽  
Ross L. Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Species Differences ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Diet Analysis ◽  
Fragmented Landscape ◽  
Main Food ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Sap Feeding ◽  
Squirrel Glider

We investigated the diet of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) from within a highly fragmented landscape in the northern (tropical) part of its geographic range where information was absent. We analysed 86 faecal samples of 53 gliders from 11 locations and obtained 97 observations of 10 gliders feeding at two locations. Pollen of Eucalyptus/Corymbia was present in 70% and Melaleuca in 20% of faecal samples. Indicators of sap feeding were present in 44% of samples and seeds were present in 14% of samples. Invertebrates, mostly moth larvae, were present in 54% of samples. Observations of gliders feeding revealed that the main food types were invertebrates (36% of observations), nectar and pollen (27% of observations) and sap (26% of observations) of five tree species. Differences in the use of the major food types revealed by the two methods of diet analysis partly reflect site-based differences. Qualitatively, the diet was similar to that described in southern Australia, with confirmation that sap may be important at some locations. Our results reveal the contribution that different tree species make to the diet, which should be used to guide habitat restoration for the squirrel glider in this fragmented landscape.

scholarly journals No broad decline of breeding monarch butterflies in North America: implications for conservation efforts

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew K Davis ◽  
Michael S Crossley ◽  
Matthew K Moran ◽  
Jeffrey Glassberg ◽  
William E Snyder
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Danaus Plexippus ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Flagship Species ◽  
Monarch Butterflies ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
First Time

Many insects are in clear decline, with monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) drawing particular attention as a flagship species. Falling numbers of overwintering monarchs are well documented, but there has been debate regarding population trends of summer breeding populations. Here, we compile a series of long-term monarch monitoring datasets, some which are analyzed here for the first time, that reveal highly variable responses across the migratory geographic range, but no broad net decline in numbers of breeding monarchs. We also did not find evidence that sampling biased towards natural sites was masking declines at disturbed sites. Overall, our results suggest a robust resiliency in summer populations that thus far has allowed recovery from losses during the winter. Thus, monarchs may not require as much breeding habitat restoration as once thought, and focus should be on conserving the fall and spring migration.

scholarly journals Heavy Metal Retention by Different Forest Species Used for Restoration of Post-Mining Landscapes, N. Greece

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 4453
Author(s):  
Theano Samara ◽  
Ioannis Spanos ◽  
Panagiotis Platis ◽  
Thomas G. Papachristou
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metal ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
Robinia Pseudoacacia ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Pinus Nigra ◽  
Forest Species ◽  
Northern Greece ◽  
Black Poplar ◽  
Metal Absorption

The main objective of this research was to study heavy metal absorption by the leaves of main forest species which were planted for that purpose at post-lignite mining landscapes in Northern Greece (Ptolemais, Prefecture of Kozani), as well as in a neighboring region (Kato Grammatiko), 30 km far from the mining area. Four species were studied; two conifers (Pinus nigra Arn., Cupressus arizonica Greene) and two broad-leaved (Robinia pseudoacacia L., Populus nigra L.). The four species varied in their leaf morphology (needles, scale-like leaves, blade, compound or simple, with rough or smooth surfaces). Eighty (80) leaf samples were collected, (10 from each tree species at either site). The heavy metal concentrations measured were iron (Fe), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn) and cobalt (Co). Statistically significant differences (p = 0.01) were found between the lignite deposit and control areas and among the studied species. Higher concentrations were measured for the studied species at the lignite deposit. Moreover, no species demonstrated maximum absorption for all metals. The metal absorption pattern by coniferous trees’ leaves at the mining landscape was similar, with highest concentrations observed for iron and lowest for cobalt [iron (Fe) > zinc (Zn) > manganese (Mn) > copper (Cu) > chromium (Cr) > nickel (Ni) > cobalt (Co)]. Both broadleaved species absorbed highest concentrations of iron, but differed in the amount of the remaining metals [black locust: iron (Fe) > manganese (Mn) > zinc (Zn) > copper (Cu) > nickel (Ni) > chromium (Cr); black poplar: iron (Fe) > zinc (Zn) > manganese (Mn) > copper (Cu) > nickel (Ni) > chromium (Cr) > cobalt (Co)]. Cadmium was detected only in black poplar at both sites. In general, black pine was found to absorb the highest concentration of iron (Fe), and black poplar zinc (Zn). We discuss the importance of carefully selecting the appropriate mixture of tree species in order to achieve maximum habitat restoration effect at heavy metal polluted sites.

Intermediate geographic range facilitates speciation in European tree species

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-28
Author(s):  
Julián Simón López-Villalta
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Evolutionary Ecology ◽  
Sampling Bias ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Range Size ◽  
Species Range ◽  
Allopatric Speciation ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Simple Explanation

The possible influence of geographic range size on speciation remains a controversial subject in evolutionary ecology, with theory and data supporting positive, negative and bell-shaped relationships between speciation probability and ancestor range size. In this study, a surrogate of the speciation-range size relationship of extant European tree species (22 genera, 11 families) is obtained by comparing the range-size distribution of candidate ancestors (i.e.species which are thought to have originated new species) with that of relatives, controlling phylogenetic inertia and macroecological sampling bias. In this comparison, species range size is measured qualitatively using six categories. The candidate ancestors included seem to have speciated mainly through allopatric speciation, with fewer instances of hybridogenesis by allopolyploidy. The results show that speciation is significantly facilitated for species with intermediate range size. In the European tree flora, this pattern could be the result of multiple causes, including intermediate dispersal ability at these ranges. Descendant tree species tend to have narrow geographic ranges, a trend which arguably comes from limited dispersal ability in this case. Low dispersal ability could be common in new species as a consequence of widespread adaptation to stable habitats isolated by geographic barriers (“island habitats”) during allopatric speciation. This mechanism could be widespread among regional biotas and would facilitate narrow ranges in new species. This would provide a simple explanation to the observed abundance of narrow ranges in most macroecological species-range size distributions.

scholarly journals No evidence of recent (1995–2013) decrease of yellow-cedar in Alaska

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.M. Barrett ◽  
R.R. Pattison
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Recent Change ◽  
Regional Monitoring ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Live Tree

Climate change is expected to impact forests worldwide, and yellow-cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis (D. Don) Oerst. ex D.P. Little) decline has been used as an example of how changing climate can impact a tree species. However, most previous research has not placed yellow-cedar decline within the context of yellow-cedar overall. We used a 2004–2013 regional inventory of the temperate rainforest of Alaska (671 plots with yellow-cedar) to estimate current attributes and a subset of 564 remeasured plots (established 1995–1998) to estimate recent change. Results show that in unmanaged forests, yellow-cedar live tree basal area recently (1995–1998 to 2004–2013) increased, with a 95% confidence interval of a 0.3% to 3.3% increase per decade. Yellow-cedar has a relatively low mortality rate, 0.41% of trees per year. An analysis of live tree to snag ratios was consistent with elevated mortality of yellow-cedar prior to 1995 but also indicated that little range contraction had occurred. The large numbers and wide geographic range of yellow-cedar trees in Alaska and the recent (1995–2013) stability in the monitored population serve as important contextual information for yellow-cedar decline. This research also illustrates that understanding the spatial and temporal complexities of how tree species respond to climate change will be improved if focused studies are accompanied by regional monitoring.

Use of tall wooden poles by four species of gliding mammal provides further proof of concept for habitat restoration

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay ◽  
Brendan D. Taylor ◽  
Jonathan L. Parkyn
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Restoration ◽  
New South ◽  
Population Connectivity ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
The Road ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Sugar Glider ◽  
Squirrel Glider ◽  
Petaurus Breviceps ◽  
Petaurus Australis

Tall wooden poles (glide poles) and rope canopy-bridges are frequently installed along new highways in Australia to maintain population connectivity for gliding mammals. Knowledge of the use of these structures is rudimentary. We monitored two pairs of glide poles and a canopy-bridge over three years at Port Macquarie, New South Wales. The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) and the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) were collectively detected on 12–18% of nights on the pole pairs compared with 1% on the rope-bridge. The feathertail glider (Acrobates frontalis) was detected on 3% of nights on the pole pairs compared with 0.2% on the rope-bridge. The yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis) was detected twice on one pole. Our results demonstrate that gliding mammals readily use glide poles. Further research is needed to resolve whether glide poles can mitigate the barrier effect of the road canopy gap.

Assessing the conservation status of tree species declining in productive landscapes: the case of Eucalyptus argophloia

2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 119
Author(s):  
R. J. Fensham ◽  
B. Laffineur ◽  
M. McVeigh
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Vegetation Types ◽  
Conservation Assessment ◽  
The Past ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
Productive Landscapes

Eucalyptus argophloia is a species with a small geographic range occurring in a productive landscape with a subhumid climate. The past distribution of the species was assessed from remnant vegetation and standing paddock trees. The species grows in three specific vegetation types within its geographic range, and based on densities in remnant vegetation and reduction of habitat, it is estimated that the population has been reduced by 94.2%. There is very little regeneration of the species including on ungrazed roadsides, and further decline of the species is expected. The species can be categorised under IUCN Red Listing criteria as Critically Endangered. The present study provides a method for using habitat association, population decline and stand structure for conservation assessment of threatened tree species in productive landscapes.

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