scholarly journals Effects of mangrove removal on benthic organisms in the Siangshan Wetland in Hsinchu, Taiwan

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5670 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chi Chen ◽  
Ta-Jen Chu ◽  
Ju-Der Wei ◽  
Chun-Han Shih

Mangrove degradation is a well-documented trend, but the spread of mangroves within the Siangshan Wetland in Hsinchu, Taiwan, runs contrary to that trend. The spread of mangroves changes the structure and functions of habitats for benthic organisms, causes infilling of estuaries and flooding and creates breeding grounds for small black mosquitoes. A large-scale mangrove-removal project was undertaken by the Hsinchu City Government from October 2015 to March 2016. They also investigated the consequences of mangrove removal on benthic organisms and adjacent habitats from October 2015 to September 2016, and the density, species count, Shannon–Wiener index (H′), and Pielou’s evenness index (J′) of the mangrove and non-mangrove regions were compared. In this study, we used satellite telemetry images to monitor fluctuations in mangrove density from 2006 to 2016. The non-mangrove region exhibited more variations than the mangrove region. After mangrove removal, species returned to their original habitats and noteworthy biological values significantly increased in the mangrove regions. This study presents evidence to argue that mangrove removal benefits benthic organisms. The results indicate that mangrove removal can be an appropriate habitat rehabilitation strategy for benthic organisms. The ecological findings of this study can inform coastal managers or other officials who seek to steward mangrove biomass.

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1044
Author(s):  
Ta-Jen Chu ◽  
Chun-Han Shih ◽  
Yu-Ming Lu ◽  
Yi-Jia Shih ◽  
Jia-Qiao Wang ◽  
...  

This paper presents an approach for incorporating species-conditional co-occurrence into models used for the selection of marine indicator species. Mangrove invasion within the Siangshan Wetland in Hsinchu, Taiwan, has changed the original structures and functions of habitats for benthic organisms. The Hsinchu City Government ran a large-scale mangrove removal project from October 2015 to March 2016 to restore the wetland. From October 2015 to September 2016, we investigated the biological effects of mangrove removal on benthic crabs and their adjacent habitats. Density, number of species, Shannon–Weaver index (H′) and Palou’s evenness index (J′) were calculated and compared between mangrove and non-mangrove regions. The results showed that values for these attributes in the non-mangrove regions were higher than those of the mangrove regions. After mangrove removal, species returned to their original habitats and the related density increased significantly. Using conditional co-occurrence algorithms, we identified five indicator species (Mictyris brevidactylus, Macrophthalmus banzai, Uca arcuata, Uca lacteal and Uca borealis) with high co-occurrence probabilities, whose population responses provided direct evidence of the benefits of mangrove removal for wetland restoration. The results indicate that mangrove removal is an appropriate habitat rehabilitation strategy for benthic organisms, and that the chosen indicator species may provide valuable ecological information for coastal managers seeking to control the spread of mangroves.


2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (19) ◽  
pp. 6236-6241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Neeson ◽  
Michael C. Ferris ◽  
Matthew W. Diebel ◽  
Patrick J. Doran ◽  
Jesse R. O’Hanley ◽  
...  

In many large ecosystems, conservation projects are selected by a diverse set of actors operating independently at spatial scales ranging from local to international. Although small-scale decision making can leverage local expert knowledge, it also may be an inefficient means of achieving large-scale objectives if piecemeal efforts are poorly coordinated. Here, we assess the value of coordinating efforts in both space and time to maximize the restoration of aquatic ecosystem connectivity. Habitat fragmentation is a leading driver of declining biodiversity and ecosystem services in rivers worldwide, and we simultaneously evaluate optimal barrier removal strategies for 661 tributary rivers of the Laurentian Great Lakes, which are fragmented by at least 6,692 dams and 232,068 road crossings. We find that coordinating barrier removals across the entire basin is nine times more efficient at reconnecting fish to headwater breeding grounds than optimizing independently for each watershed. Similarly, a one-time pulse of restoration investment is up to 10 times more efficient than annual allocations totaling the same amount. Despite widespread emphasis on dams as key barriers in river networks, improving road culvert passability is also essential for efficiently restoring connectivity to the Great Lakes. Our results highlight the dramatic economic and ecological advantages of coordinating efforts in both space and time during restoration of large ecosystems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Teja Curk ◽  
Ivan Pokrovsky ◽  
Nicolas Lecomte ◽  
Tomas Aarvak ◽  
David F. Brinker ◽  
...  

Abstract Migratory species display a range of migration patterns between irruptive (facultative) to regular (obligate), as a response to different predictability of resources. In the Arctic, snow directly influences resource availability. The causes and consequences of different migration patterns of migratory species as a response to the snow conditions remains however unexplored. Birds migrating to the Arctic are expected to follow the spring snowmelt to optimise their arrival time and select for snow-free areas to maximise prey encounter en-route. Based on large-scale movement data, we compared the migration patterns of three top predator species of the tundra in relation to the spatio-temporal dynamics of snow cover. The snowy owl, an irruptive migrant, the rough-legged buzzard, with an intermediary migration pattern, and the peregrine falcon as a regular migrant, all followed, as expected, the spring snowmelt during their migrations. However, the owl stayed ahead, the buzzard stayed on, and the falcon stayed behind the spatio-temporal peak in snowmelt. Although none of the species avoided snow-covered areas, they presumably used snow presence as a cue to time their arrival at their breeding grounds. We show the importance of environmental cues for species with different migration patterns.


2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1863) ◽  
pp. 20171480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Guang Qi ◽  
Kang Huang ◽  
Gu Fang ◽  
Cyril C. Grueter ◽  
Derek W. Dunn ◽  
...  

A small number of primate species including snub-nosed monkeys (colobines), geladas (papionins) and humans live in multilevel societies (MLSs), in which multiple one-male polygamous units (OMUs) coexist to form a band, and non-breeding males associate in bachelor groups. Phylogenetic reconstructions indicate that the papionin MLS appears to have evolved through internal fissioning of large mixed-sex groups, whereas the colobine MLS evolved through the aggregation of small, isolated OMUs. However, how agonistic males maintain tolerance under intensive competition over limited breeding opportunities remains unclear. Using a combination of behavioural analysis, satellite telemetry and genetic data, we quantified the social network of males in a bachelor group of golden snub-nosed monkeys. The results show a strong effect of kinship on social bonds among bachelors. Their interactions ranged from cooperation to agonism, and were regulated by access to mating partners. We suggest that an ‘arms race’ between breeding males' collective defence against usurpation attempts by bachelor males and bachelor males' aggregative offence to obtain reproductive opportunities has selected for larger group size on both sides. The results provide insight into the role that kin selection plays in shaping inter-male cohesion which facilities the evolution of multilevel societies. These findings have implications for understanding human social evolution, as male–male bonds are a hallmark of small- and large-scale human societies.


2002 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 327-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutaka Kanai ◽  
Meenakshi Nagendran ◽  
Mutsuyuki Ueta ◽  
Yuri Markin ◽  
Juhani Rinne ◽  
...  

Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus occurs only in Asia, and is Critically Endangered. The western population of the species has been almost extirpated, wintering at just two known sites, in Iran and India. To help conserve species that migrate long distances it is essential to have a comprehensive conservation plan that includes identification of migration routes and key resting areas. One Siberian Crane was satellite-tracked from the south Caspian Sea to its breeding grounds in Russia during the spring of 1996. The crane began migration on 6 March, and completed its migration on 1 May. This destination was formerly unknown as a breeding area for the species. During migration, the crane rested primarily at the eastern end of the Volga River delta. This suggests that the delta may be an important resting site for Siberian Crane.


2014 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. 1052-1063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon de Lestang

Abstract Large-scale migrations are known to occur in numerous species, and in the case of the Western Rock Lobster, Panulirus cygnus, result in juveniles moving from nursery areas into deeper offshore breeding grounds. In 2008 the Western Rock Lobster fishery reduced harvest rates to increase legal and spawning biomass throughout the fishery, which also allowed greater numbers of lobsters to migrate. Increased lobster migration could potentially reduce biomass in some areas, thus adversely impacting commercial catch rates. Over 20 000 tag–recaptured lobsters were analysed to determine the dynamics underlying migration in this species and to assess the impact reduced harvest rates may have had on catches. This study showed that P. cygnus migration was associated with body size and water depth, and that magnetism and oceanic currents appear to be the most likely guideposts used for orientation. Size at migration varied in a constant fashion along the coast, being larger towards the southern end of the fishery and smallest at the offshore Abrolhos Islands. During the migration period, up to 50% of lobsters at their mean size of migration moved from coastal areas out towards deeper waters (>40 m), whereas <15% of those in deeper water at the same size moved significant distances northward. This behaviour appears to be contranatant, counteracting the downstream redistribution of larvae after their 9–11 month larval life. Reduced harvest rates and catches being focussed onto higher valued sedentary lobsters have allowed more lobsters to migrate. However, the numbers moving between management areas are relatively small, with the biological and economic benefits of fishing at a reduced exploitation rate outweighing losses to catches.


2008 ◽  
Vol 276 (1657) ◽  
pp. 727-733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roine Strandberg ◽  
Raymond H.G Klaassen ◽  
Mikael Hake ◽  
Patrik Olofsson ◽  
Thomas Alerstam

Autumn migration of adult Eurasian hobbies Falco subbuteo from Europe to southern Africa was recorded by satellite telemetry and observed routes were compared with randomly simulated routes. Two non-random features of observed routes were revealed: (i) shifts to more westerly longitudes than straight paths to destinations and (ii) strong route convergence towards a restricted area close to the equator (1° S, 15° E). The birds migrated south or southwest to approximately 10° N, where they changed to south-easterly courses. The maximal spread between routes at 10° N (2134 km) rapidly decreased to a minimum (67 km) close to the equator. We found a striking relationship between the route convergence and the distribution of continuous rainforest, suggesting that hobbies minimize flight distance across the forest, concentrating in a corridor where habitat may be more suitable for travelling and foraging. With rainforest forming a possible ecological barrier, many migrants may cross the equator either at 15° E, similar to the hobbies, or at 30–40° E, east of the rainforest where large-scale migration is well documented. Much remains to be understood about the role of the rainforest for the evolution and future of the trans-equatorial Palaearctic-African bird migration systems.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 197-206
Author(s):  
Alvira Putri Calista ◽  
Ayun Sriatmi ◽  
Rani Tiyas Budiyanti

Imposing large-scale social restrictions has resulted in a transition of activity patterns in society. This change results in many activities that must be done at home, so that housewives try to adjust quickly to the situation. This demand raises mental health problems, which can also affect physical health, so that other people to provide support can be important value to housewives. This study aims to analyze the effect of social support and adaptation processes on the mental health status of housewives, including levels of depression, levels of anxiety disorders, and levels of stress because of large-scale social restrictions. This research is a survey research with quantitative methods and using a cross-sectional design. Respondents of this study were 100 housewives who were taken using accidental sampling. Collecting data using a questionnaire and analyzed using the Rank Spearman test. The results showed a relationship between social support with the level of depression (p-value = 0.014) and the level of anxiety disorders (p-value = 0.030), as well as the adaptation process with the level of depression (p-value = 0.002). There is a relationship between social support with the level of depression and the level of anxiety disorders in housewives, and the adaptation process with the level of depression in housewives. It is recommended that the East Jakarta City Government develop a program that involves selected communities to become mental health counselors. In addition, the puskesmas can make innovations in mental health efforts for families and optimize the role of mental health cadres.


2007 ◽  
pp. 357-374
Author(s):  
Ben Coaker ◽  
Candace Deans

The purpose of this chapter is to provide guidelines for city governments considering implementing large-scale wireless networks to provide Internet access for their citizens and businesses. Case studies of cities in the United States that have implemented wireless networks will be evaluated in the context of opportunities and potential challenges. Some key considerations discussed in this chapter involve free versus fee-based models, security considerations, con?icts with local telecommunications companies, and network support. Opportunities to bene?t police and emergency services are examined in terms of potential bene?ts as well as considerations of security in mission critical situations. Strategy guidelines will be presented as a means for providing structure to this decision-making process.


2021 ◽  
pp. 107808742110671
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Marcello

Since the late 1960's New York State's Urban Development Corporation (UDC), now operating as the Empire State Development Corporation (ESDC), has been leveraged by New York City government to pursue large-scale projects. This paper examines two cases from New York City in which the city borrowed a state-controlled public authority's power to accomplish projects initiated at the local level: the case of Queens West, a development in western Queens, proposed in the early 1980s, and the case of Columbia - Manhattanville, an expansion of the Columbia University campus into Harlem, announced in 2003. These cases highlight how cities might, at times, embrace state involvement rather than lament its restrictions or rue its indifference. The study concludes by suggesting a theoretical path for incorporating such a city-state dynamic.


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