scholarly journals Consistency Is Critical for the Effective Use of Baited Remote Video

Oceans ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-232
Author(s):  
Robyn E. Jones ◽  
Ross A. Griffin ◽  
Roger J. H. Herbert ◽  
Richard K. F. Unsworth
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Image Quality ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
The North ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

Baited remote underwater videos (BRUV) are popular marine monitoring techniques used for the assessment of motile fauna. Currently, most published studies evaluating BRUV methods stem from environments in the Southern Hemisphere. This has led to stricter and more defined guidelines for the use of these techniques in these areas in comparison to the North Atlantic, where little or no specific guidance exists. This study explores metadata taken from BRUV deployments collected around the UK to understand the influence of methodological and environmental factors on the information gathered during BRUV deployments including species richness, relative abundance and faunal composition. In total, 39 BRUV surveys accumulating in 457 BRUV deployments across South/South-West England and Wales were used in this analysis. This study identified 88 different taxa from 43 families across the 457 deployments. Whilst taxonomic groups such as Labridae, Gadidae and Gobiidae were represented by a high number of species, species diversity for the Clupeidae, Scombridae, Sparidae, Gasterosteidae and Rajidae groups were low and many families were absent altogether. Bait type was consistently identified as one of the most influential factors over species richness, relative abundance and faunal assemblage composition. Image quality and deployment duration were also identified as significant influential factors over relative abundance. As expected, habitat observed was identified as an influential factor over faunal assemblage composition in addition to its significant interaction with image quality, time of deployment, bait type and tide type (spring/neap). Our findings suggest that methodological and environmental factors should be taken into account when designing and implementing monitoring surveys using BRUV techniques. Standardising factors where possible remains key. Fluctuations and variations in data may be attributed to methodological inconsistencies and/or environment factors as well as over time and therefore must be considered when interpreting the data.

Among-taxon congruence in biodiversity patterns: can stream insect diversity be predicted using single taxonomic groups?

2003 ◽  
Vol 60 (9) ◽  
pp. 1039-1049 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jani Heino ◽  
Timo Muotka ◽  
Riku Paavola ◽  
Lauri Paasivirta
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Taxon Richness ◽  
Environmental Diversity ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
Insect Biodiversity ◽  
Chironomid Midges ◽  
Low Degrees ◽  
Taxonomic Groups

The utility of single taxonomic groups as indicators of biodiversity variation in other taxa has recently gained increasing attention, but such studies on stream organisms are lacking. We studied the diversity patterns of mayflies, stoneflies, caddisflies, and chironomid midges across 110 headwater streams in Finland. Specifically, we examined if species richness and assemblage composition showed similar variation among the taxonomic groups across environmental gradients and if a single taxon could be used as a predictor of diversity in the other groups. Species richness and composition in different taxa exhibited slightly different relationships to environmental gradients, leading to low degrees of concordance. The diversity of mayflies and chironomids showed strongest relationships with stream acidity and water colour, whereas stoneflies and caddisflies exhibited more complex correlations with geographical location and local environmental variables. The overall assemblage composition, however, exhibited significant among-taxon congruence, as shown by Mantel tests. However, even these correlations remained rather low, thus limiting their potential for conservation purposes. Overall, our results do not support the use of single taxonomic groups as indicators of insect biodiversity in headwater stream ecosystems. Alternative approaches for lotic biodiversity assessment (e.g., morphospecies, higher-taxon richness, and environmental diversity) should thus be examined in future studies.

Influence of environmental factors on vertical distribution of zooplankton communities in humic lakes

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maciej Karpowicz ◽  
Jolanta Ejsmont-Karabin
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Thermal Gradient ◽  
Environmental Variables ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
High Availability ◽  
Humic Lakes ◽  
Shallow Layer ◽  
Taxonomic Groups ◽  
Zooplankton Communities

The influence of vertical environmental gradients on zooplankton communities was studied in five humic lakes with the high availability of food resources (phytoplankton and bacterioplankton) and low fish pressure. The factors that inhibit the development of large zooplankton in humic lakes are currently widely debated. We have found that relatively productive humic lakes do not offer many niches for zooplankton because of the sharp thermal gradient which results in a shallow layer of oxygenated waters. The results of this study indicated that different taxonomic groups of zooplankton are determined by a different set of environmental variables. This phenomenon explains very low species richness of zooplankton and a possibility of their coexistence in the narrow oxygenated layer. We concluded that due to sharp thermal gradient in humic lakes biomass of herbivores may be reduced which could promote development of phytoplankton.

scholarly journals The influence of bait on remote underwater video observations in shallow-water coastal environments associated with the North-Eastern Atlantic

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robyn E. Jones ◽  
Ross A. Griffin ◽  
Stephanie R. Januchowski-Hartley ◽  
Richard K.F. Unsworth
Keyword(s):  
Taxonomic Diversity ◽  
Coastal Environments ◽  
Underwater Video ◽  
Faunal Assemblage ◽  
Atlantic Region ◽  
Assemblage Composition ◽  
The North ◽  
Ria Formosa ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
Swansea Bay

The use of baited remote underwater video (BRUV) for examining and monitoring marine biodiversity in temperate marine environments is rapidly growing, however many aspects of their effectiveness relies on assumptions based on studies from the Southern Hemisphere. The addition of bait to underwater camera systems acts as a stimulus for attracting individuals towards the camera field of view, however knowledge of the effectiveness of different bait types in northern temperate climbs is limited, particularly in dynamic coastal environments. Studies in the Southern Hemisphere indicate that oily baits are most effective whilst bait volume and weight do not impact BRUV effectiveness to any great degree. The present study assesses the influence of four bait types (mackerel, squid, crab and no bait (control)) on the relative abundance, taxonomic diversity and faunal assemblage composition at two independent locations within the North-Eastern Atlantic region; Swansea Bay, UK and Ria Formosa Lagoon, Portugal. Two different bait quantities (50 g and 350 g) were further trialled in Swansea Bay. Overall, patterns showed that baited deployments recorded statistically higher values of relative abundance and taxonomic diversity when compared to un-baited deployments in Swansea Bay but not in Ria Formosa Lagoon. No statistical evidence singled out one bait type as best performing for attracting higher abundances and taxonomic diversity in both locations. Faunal assemblage composition was however found to differ with bait type in Swansea Bay, with mackerel and squid attracting higher abundances of scavenging species compared to the crab and control treatments. With the exception of squid, bait quantity had minimal influence on bait attractiveness. It is recommended for consistency that a minimum of 50 g of cheap, oily fish such as mackerel is used as bait for BRUV deployments in shallow dynamic coastal environments in the North-Eastern Atlantic Region.

Spatial and temporal patterns of richness and abundance in the anuran assemblage of an artificial water reservoir from the semiarid central region of Argentina

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 533-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariana Beatriz Jofré ◽  
Enrique Caviedes-Vidal ◽  
Fabricio Damián Cid
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Central Region ◽  
Water Reservoir ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Patterns ◽  
Amphibian Species ◽  
The North ◽  
San Luis ◽  
La Florida ◽  
Artificial Water

AbstractThis constitutes the first study of anuran fauna composition of an artificial permanent water reservoir, in a semiarid ecosystem of San Luis. Species richness, relative abundance, spatial distribution and pattern of summer activity were estimated in the anuran community of the Embalse La Florida, an artificial water reservoir in the semiarid central region of the sierras of San Luis, Argentina. This reservoir represents one of the few sources of water available for reproduction and early development of amphibian species in the zone. We identified anurans using call surveys during two summers at fifteen sites, belonging to four zones around the shorelines of the reservoir. Eight amphibian species (Rhinella arenarum, Melanophryniscus stelzneri, Leptodactylus bufonius, Leptodactylus mystacinus, Odontophrynus americanus, Odontophrynus occidentalis, Pleurodema tucumanum and Hypsiboas cordobae) were recorded at the shores of the embalse. The highest species richness (seven) was detected in the preserve located on the north shore. Species richness analyzed by month or survey was not correlated with weather variables. The highest relative abundance of anurans was detected at the highly modified campsites area, which may provide stable food and refugia. Relative abundance of all anuran species was positively correlated with precipitation. This permanent water reservoir may act as an important site of amphibian fauna concentration, which is important to monitor and preserve.

RESERVOIR CHARACTERISTICS AND INFLUENTIAL FACTORS IN THE EASTERN DEPRESSION OF THE NORTH YELLOW SEA BASIN

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-120
Author(s):  
Jie LIANG ◽  
Zhenhe WEN ◽  
Guolin XIAO ◽  
Yinguo ZHANG ◽  
Heping DONG
Keyword(s):  
Yellow Sea ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
North Yellow Sea ◽  
Reservoir Characteristics ◽  
The North

Aquatic and semi aquatic Hemiptera community of Sonebeel, the largest wetland of Assam, northeastern India

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 12792-12799
Author(s):  
Anupama Saha ◽  
Susmita Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Pest Control ◽  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Species Distribution ◽  
Diversity Indices ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Northeastern India ◽  
Ecological Roles

Aquatic and semiaquatic Hemiptera bugs play significant ecological roles, and they are important indicators and pest control agents.  Little information is currently available concerning its populations in southern Assam.  This study assessed hemipterans in four sites of Sonebeel, the largest wetland in Assam (3458.12 ha at full storage level), situated in Karimganj District.  The major inflow and outflow of the wetland are the rivers Singla and Kachua, respectively (the Kachua drains into the Kushiyara River).  Samples were trapped with pond nets and were seasonally recorded.  This study recorded a total of 28 species of aquatic and semiaquatic hemipterans belonging to 20 genera under nine families.  Population, geographical and environmental data (e.g., rainfall) were used to assess the relative abundance of species, species richness and different diversity indices, and species distribution. 

scholarly journals The Effect of Climate and Human Pressures on Functional Diversity and Species Richness Patterns of Amphibians, Reptiles and Mammals in Europe

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 275
Author(s):  
Mariana A. Tsianou ◽  
Maria Lazarina ◽  
Danai-Eleni Michailidou ◽  
Aristi Andrikou-Charitidou ◽  
Stefanos P. Sgardelis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Functional Diversity ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Influential Factor ◽  
Climatic Variables ◽  
Quadratic Entropy ◽  
Functional Richness ◽  
Precipitation Seasonality ◽  
Rao’S Quadratic Entropy ◽  
Richness Patterns

The ongoing biodiversity crisis reinforces the urgent need to unravel diversity patterns and the underlying processes shaping them. Although taxonomic diversity has been extensively studied and is considered the common currency, simultaneously conserving other facets of diversity (e.g., functional diversity) is critical to ensure ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. Here, we explored the effect of key climatic factors (temperature, precipitation, temperature seasonality, and precipitation seasonality) and factors reflecting human pressures (agricultural land, urban land, land-cover diversity, and human population density) on the functional diversity (functional richness and Rao’s quadratic entropy) and species richness of amphibians (68 species), reptiles (107 species), and mammals (176 species) in Europe. We explored the relationship between different predictors and diversity metrics using generalized additive mixed model analysis, to capture non-linear relationships and to account for spatial autocorrelation. We found that at this broad continental spatial scale, climatic variables exerted a significant effect on the functional diversity and species richness of all taxa. On the other hand, variables reflecting human pressures contributed significantly in the models even though their explanatory power was lower compared to climatic variables. In most cases, functional richness and Rao’s quadratic entropy responded similarly to climate and human pressures. In conclusion, climate is the most influential factor in shaping both the functional diversity and species richness patterns of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals in Europe. However, incorporating factors reflecting human pressures complementary to climate could be conducive to us understanding the drivers of functional diversity and richness patterns.

scholarly journals Spatial Distribution of Lichens in Metrosideros excelsa in Northern New Zealand Urban Forests

Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 170
Author(s):  
Gladys N. Benitez ◽  
Glenn D. Aguilar ◽  
Dan Blanchon
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Species Richness ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
Breast Height ◽  
Lichen Community ◽  
The North ◽  
The City ◽  
Lichen Flora

The spatial distribution of corticolous lichens on the iconic New Zealand pōhutukawa (Metrosideros excelsa) tree was investigated from a survey of urban parks and forests across the city of Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand. Lichens were identified from ten randomly selected trees at 20 sampling sites, with 10 sites classified as coastal and another 10 as inland sites. Lichen data were correlated with distance from sea, distance from major roads, distance from native forests, mean tree DBH (diameter at breast height) and the seven-year average of measured NO2 over the area. A total of 33 lichen species were found with coastal sites harboring significantly higher average lichen species per tree as well as higher site species richness. We found mild hotspots in two sites for average lichen species per tree and another two separate sites for species richness, with all hotspots at the coast. A positive correlation between lichen species richness and DBH was found. Sites in coastal locations were more similar to each other in terms of lichen community composition than they were to adjacent inland sites and some species were only found at coastal sites. The average number of lichen species per tree was negatively correlated with distance from the coast, suggesting that the characteristic lichen flora found on pōhutukawa may be reliant on coastal microclimates. There were no correlations with distance from major roads, and a slight positive correlation between NO2 levels and average lichen species per tree.

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