Lord Howe Island Rodent Eradication Project EPBC Public Environment Report December 2016
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Are Introduced Rats (Rattus Rattus) Both Seed Predators and Dispersers In
CHAPTER FOUR: ARE INTRODUCED RATS (RATTUS RATTUS) BOTH SEED PREDATORS AND DISPERSERS IN HAWAII? Aaron B. Shiels Department of Botany University of Hawaii at Manoa 3190 Maile Way Honolulu, HI. 96822 122 Abstract Invasive rodents are among the most ubiquitous and problematic species introduced to islands; more than 80% of the world‘s island groups have been invaded. Introduced rats (black rat, Rattus rattus; Norway rat, R. norvegicus; Pacific rat, R. exulans) are well known as seed predators but are often overlooked as potential seed dispersers despite their common habit of transporting fruits and seeds prior to consumption. The relative likelihood of seed predation and dispersal by the black rat, which is the most common rat in Hawaiian forest, was tested with field and laboratory experiments. In the field, fruits of eight native and four non-native common woody plant species were arranged individually on the forest floor in four treatments that excluded vertebrates of different sizes. Eleven species had a portion (3% to 100%) of their fruits removed from vertebrate-accessible treatments, and automated cameras photographed only black rats removing fruit. In the laboratory, black rats were offered fruits of all 12 species to assess consumption and seed fate. Seeds of two species (non-native Clidemia hirta and native Kadua affinis) passed intact through the digestive tracts of rats. Most of the remaining larger-seeded species had their seeds chewed and destroyed, but for several of these, some partly damaged or undamaged seeds survived rat exposure. The combined field and laboratory findings indicate that many interactions between black rats and seeds of native and non-native plants may result in dispersal. -
Will Climate Change, Genetic and Demographic Variation Or Rat Predation Pose the Greatest Risk for Persistence of an Altitudinally Distributed Island Endemic?
Biology 2012, 1, 736-765; doi:10.3390/biology1030736 OPEN ACCESS biology ISSN 2079-7737 www.mdpi.com/journal/biology Article Will Climate Change, Genetic and Demographic Variation or Rat Predation Pose the Greatest Risk for Persistence of an Altitudinally Distributed Island Endemic? Catherine Laura Simmons 1, Tony D. Auld 2, Ian Hutton 3, William J. Baker 4 and Alison Shapcott 1,* 1 Faculty of Science Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore DC, QLD 4558, Australia; E-Mail: [email protected] 2 Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW), P.O. Box 1967 Hurstville, NSW 2220, Australia; E-Mail: [email protected] 3 P.O. Box 157, Lord Howe Island, NSW 2898, Australia; E-Mail: [email protected] 4 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK; E-Mail: [email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mail: [email protected]; Tel.: +61-7-5430-1211; Fax: +61-7-5430-2881. Received: 3 September 2012; in revised form: 29 October 2012 / Accepted: 16 November 2012 / Published: 23 November 2012 Abstract: Species endemic to mountains on oceanic islands are subject to a number of existing threats (in particular, invasive species) along with the impacts of a rapidly changing climate. The Lord Howe Island endemic palm Hedyscepe canterburyana is restricted to two mountains above 300 m altitude. Predation by the introduced Black Rat (Rattus rattus) is known to significantly reduce seedling recruitment. We examined the variation in Hedyscepe in terms of genetic variation, morphology, reproductive output and demographic structure, across an altitudinal gradient. -
Saving the Atlantic Rainforests
2 Mission World Land Trust–US is dedicated to buying and protecting lands that conserve rare or endangered species and endangered ecosystems rich in biodiversity. We work largely in the rainforests and cloud forests of the Latin American tropics, home to over 50% of the planet’s biodiversity and one of the world’s highest conservation priorities. Methods WLT-US focuses on tangible projects with long-term impacts for conservation, such as land purchase for the creation of new natural protected areas. We work in alliance with World Land Trust in the United Kingdom, and always work in close partnership with carefully selected local conservation groups, who own and manage the reserves that we help to create. Accomplishments Since our founding in 1989, we and our partner WLT in the UK have saved almost 1 million acres of high priority lands! In 2008, WLT-US bought and conserved 15,000 acres protecting some of the most endangered species and critical habitats in the tropics. Our program exceeded $2 million, used to buy and manage nature reserves of exceptional biodiversity value with local partners. Often we pay $100 an acre or less for these critical areas! World Land Trust - US 2806 P Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007 www.worldlandtrust-us.org Tel: 800-456-4930 3 Leadership message Time to Act for rainforests! It’s time to stop talking and start saving our planet. We all know that far too many wonderful natural places are perilously close to being lost forever. We also know their fate is in our hands! 2008 was World Land Trust-US’s most successful year yet, with $2 million raised that has secured 15,000 acres of rare and vanishing tropical forest at 17 critical habitat sites in six countries in the New World tropics, the world's richest biome. -
DECISION TIME for CLOUD FORESTS No
WATER-RELATED ISSUES AND PROBLEMS OF THE HUMID TROPICS AND OTHER WARM HUMID REGIONS IHP HUMID TROPICS PROGRAMME SERIES NO. 13 IHP Humid Tropics Programme Series No. 1 The Disappearing Tropical Forests DECISION TIME FOR CLOUD FORESTS No. 2 Small Tropical Islands No. 3 Water and Health No. 4 Tropical Cities: Managing their Water No. 5: Integrated Water Resource Management No. 6 Women in the Humid Tropics No. 7 Environmental Impacts of Logging Moist Tropical Forests No. 8 Groundwater No. 9 Reservoirs in the Tropics – A Matter of Balance No.10 Environmental Impacts of Converting Moist Tropical Forest to Agriculture and Plantations No.11 Helping Children in the Humid Tropics: Water Education No.12 Wetlands in the Humid Tropics No.13 Decision Time for Cloud Forests For further information on this Series, contact: UNESCO Division of Water Sciences International Hydrological Programme 1, Rue Miollis 75352 Paris 07 SP France tel. (+33) 1 45 68 40 02 fax (+33) 1 45 67 58 69 PREFACE At a Tropical Montane Cloud Forest workshop held at Cambridge, U.K. in July 1998, 30 scientists, professional managers, and NGO conservation group members representing more than 14 countries and all global regions, concluded that there is insufficient public and political awareness of the status and values of Tropical Montane Cloud Forests (TMCF). The group suggested that a science-based “pop-doc” would be an effective initial action to remedy this. What follows is a response to that recommendation. It documents some of the scientific information that will be of interest to other scientists and managers of TMCF, but not over- whelming for a lay reader who is seeking to become more informed about these remarkable ecosystems. -
Tropical Montane Cloud Forests: a Challenge for Conservation
BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 274 (4) DOSSIER 19 CONSERVATION / CONSERVATION Tropical montane cloud forests: a challenge Silvia Hostettler École polytechnique fédérale for conservation de Lausanne (EPFL) Faculté environnement naturel, architectural et construit Institut du développement territorial NCCR North-South (IP5) BP 2 234, Ecublens CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland Many challenges need to be overcome to ensure the sustainable management and conservation of cloud forests. However, various successful conservation and sustainable use projects illustrate the potential of a range of approaches to conserve these forests. Furthermore, networks and initiatives promote their conservation. Much hope is placed in the International Year of the Mountain and Rio +10 to conserve the cloud forests that still remain. Photo 2. Henri Pittier National Park, Venezuela. Photo T. Hartmann. BOIS ET FORÊTS DES TROPIQUES, 2002, N° 274 (4) 20 DOSSIER MONTANE FORESTS / CONSERVATION Silvia Hostettler RÉSUMÉ ABSTRACT RESUMEN FORÊTS TROPICALES TROPICAL MONTANE CLOUD BOSQUES NUBLADOS TROPICALES NÉPHÉLIPHILES DE MONTAGNE : FORESTS: A CHALLENGE FOR DE MONTAÑA: UN RETO PARA LA UN DÉFI POUR LA CONSERVATION CONSERVATION CONSERVACIÓN Les forêts tropicales néphéliphiles de Tropical montane cloud forests Se identificaron bosques nublados montagne ont été identifiées sur 736 (TMCF) have been identified in 736 tropicales de montaña en 736 zonas sites, dans 59 pays. Leur importance sites in 59 countries. The important de 59 países. Es sabida la importan- est reconnue pour la survie des popu- role of TMCF in sustaining the liveli- cia que tienen para la supervivencia lations locales, en termes de protec- hoods of local populations by pro- de las poblaciones locales, en cuanto tion des bassins-versants et d’ali- tecting watersheds and sustaining a la protección de las cuencas hidro- mentation en eau. -
Lepidorrhachis Mooreana (H
Palm Conservation – Palm Specialist Group Lepidorrhachis mooreana (H. Wendl. & Drude) O. F. Cook Status: Not Evaluated in IUCN Red List. Vulnerable according to Dowe in Johnson (1996). Preliminary evaluation based on IUCN 2001 criteria: Endangered (EN B1a,bv) Common name Little Mountain Palm. Natural range Lepidorrhachis mooreana is restricted to the summits of Mt. Gower (875 m) and Mt. Lidgbird (777 m) on the remote Lord Howe Island. It occurs only above 750 m in dwarf mossy forest that dominates the summit plateau of Mt. Gower and the narrow summit ridge of Mt. Lidgbird. This forest is home to numerous remarkable endemic species including the pumpkin tree (Negria rhabdothamnoides), an arborescent member of the Gesneriaceae, and Dracophyllum fitzgeraldii (Ericaceae). It is also the primary nesting locality of the providence petrel (Pterodroma solandri) and is a stronghold for the woodhen (Tricholimnas sylvestris), an endemic member of the rail family that was recently rescued from the brink of extinction. However, less that 0.5 km2 of Lord Howe’s total surface area of 12 km2 is found above 750 m. The total area of suitable habitat available to Lepidorrhachis is thus extremely limited. Recognition characteristics Lepidorrhachis is very easily distinguished from the two other endemic palm genera on Lord Howe Island, Howea and Hedyscepe. It is a short solitary palm with a stem that rarely exceeds 2 m in height. It has stiff, arching leaves with short, deeply split leaf sheaths that do not form a distinct crownshaft. The sheaths are also covered with buff indumentum. Its bushy inflorescences are born below the leaves and are unisexual, both male and female inflorescences occurring on the same plant. -
The Island Rule and Its Application to Multiple Plant Traits
The island rule and its application to multiple plant traits Annemieke Lona Hedi Hendriks A thesis submitted to the Victoria University of Wellington in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Ecology and Biodiversity Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand 2019 ii “The larger the island of knowledge, the longer the shoreline of wonder” Ralph W. Sockman. iii iv General Abstract Aim The Island Rule refers to a continuum of body size changes where large mainland species evolve to become smaller and small species evolve to become larger on islands. Previous work focuses almost solely on animals, with virtually no previous tests of its predictions on plants. I tested for (1) reduced floral size diversity on islands, a logical corollary of the island rule and (2) evidence of the Island Rule in plant stature, leaf size and petiole length. Location Small islands surrounding New Zealand; Antipodes, Auckland, Bounty, Campbell, Chatham, Kermadec, Lord Howe, Macquarie, Norfolk, Snares, Stewart and the Three Kings. Methods I compared the morphology of 65 island endemics and their closest ‘mainland’ relative. Species pairs were identified. Differences between archipelagos located at various latitudes were also assessed. Results Floral sizes were reduced on islands relative to the ‘mainland’, consistent with predictions of the Island Rule. Plant stature, leaf size and petiole length conformed to the Island Rule, with smaller plants increasing in size, and larger plants decreasing in size. Main conclusions Results indicate that the conceptual umbrella of the Island Rule can be expanded to plants, accelerating understanding of how plant traits evolve on isolated islands. -
Animal Diversity in the Cloud Forest the Tropical Montane Cloud Forests
Name: ________________________ Section: _______________________ Date: _________________________ Animal Diversity in the Cloud Forest The tropical montane cloud forests of Monteverde, Costa Rica are often called a biodiversity hotspot. A biodiversity hotspot is a geographic area that is inhabited by a high number of species, many of which are endemic (organisms that are not found elsewhere on Earth). Scientists and other citizens pay close attention to biodiversity hotspots for several reasons. First, hotspots provide an incredible variety of species to study. The more we study these plants and animals, the better we will understand our planet. Second, understanding hotspot species can have very direct results on human health. For example, the chemical quinine, which is naturally produced in South American cinchona trees, has been widely used as a drug to fight malaria. Third, damage to a hotspot could result in the extinction of many species. When people have limited time and money to protect plants and animals, they focus on hotspots first, where the greatest number of species is at risk. You are going to become the class expert on one of the many animals in the cloud forest biodiversity hotspot. As the class expert, you will be responsible for creating a page for your class’ cloud forest field guide. To complete this project you will need to: (1) Select an animal (2) Collect information about your animal (3) Create an informational page for the field guide (4) Present your findings to your classmates (5) Compare your animal with those of your classmates Step 1: Select an animal There are thousands of animals that live in the cloud forests of Monteverde. -
Wendland's Palms
Wendland’s Palms Hermann Wendland (1825 – 1903) of Herrenhausen Gardens, Hannover: his contribution to the taxonomy and horticulture of the palms ( Arecaceae ) John Leslie Dowe Published by the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin as Englera 36 Serial publication of the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin November 2019 Englera is an international monographic series published at irregular intervals by the Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin (BGBM), Freie Universität Berlin. The scope of Englera is original peer-reviewed material from the entire fields of plant, algal and fungal taxonomy and systematics, also covering related fields such as floristics, plant geography and history of botany, provided that it is monographic in approach and of considerable volume. Editor: Nicholas J. Turland Production Editor: Michael Rodewald Printing and bookbinding: Laserline Druckzentrum Berlin KG Englera online access: Previous volumes at least three years old are available through JSTOR: https://www.jstor.org/journal/englera Englera homepage: https://www.bgbm.org/englera Submission of manuscripts: Before submitting a manuscript please contact Nicholas J. Turland, Editor of Englera, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin- Luise-Str. 6 – 8, 14195 Berlin, Germany; e-mail: [email protected] Subscription: Verlagsauslieferung Soyka, Goerzallee 299, 14167 Berlin, Germany; e-mail: kontakt@ soyka-berlin.de; https://shop.soyka-berlin.de/bgbm-press Exchange: BGBM Press, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 6 – 8, 14195 Berlin, Germany; e-mail: [email protected] © 2019 Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin All rights (including translations into other languages) reserved. -
A New Subspecies of Common Bush-Tanager (Chlorospingus
A new subspecies of Common Bush-Tanager (Chlorospingus Artículo flavopectus, Emberizidae) from the east slope of the Andes of Colombia Una nueva subespecie de Montero Común (Chlorospingus flavopectus, Emberizidae) de la vertiente oriental de los Andes de Colombia Jorge Enrique Avendaño1,2, F. Gary Stiles3 & Carlos Daniel Cadena1 1Laboratorio de Biología Evolutiva de Vertebrados, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, A.A. Ornitología Colombiana Ornitología 4976, Bogotá, Colombia. 2Current address: Programa de Biología y Museo de Historia Natural, Universidad de los Llanos, Sede Barcelona, Villavicencio, Colombia. 3Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, A.A. 7495, Bogotá, Colombia. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Abstract We describe Chlorospingus flavopectus olsoni, subsp. nov. from the east slope of the Eastern Andes of Colombia. Specimens from the range of the new subspecies have been traditionally referred to C. f. macarenae, a subspecies endemic to the Ser- ranía de la Macarena. However, C. f. olsoni differs from C. f. macarenae in plumage, iris coloration, and morphometrics. The new subspecies is more similar in plumage and vocal characters to subspecies exitelus and nigriceps from the Central and Eastern Andes. Ecological niche modeling suggests that C. f. olsoni is potentially restricted to a small belt of cloud forest south of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy to the depression known as Las Cruces Pass in the department of Huila. The species C. flavopectus is not threatened, but the accelerated deforestation of cloud forests in Colombia and the uncertainty about spe- cies limits in the complex call attention to the importance of preserving the remaining patches of this highly species-rich eco- system. -
Cunninghamia Date of Publication: April 2020 a Journal of Plant Ecology for Eastern Australia
Cunninghamia Date of Publication: April 2020 A journal of plant ecology for eastern Australia ISSN 0727- 9620 (print) • ISSN 2200 - 405X (Online) A Systematic Flora Survey, Floristic Classification and High-Resolution Vegetation Map of Lord Howe Island Paul Sheringham 1*, Peter Richards2, Phil Gilmour3, Jill Smith1 and Ernst Kemmerer 4 1 Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Locked Bag 914 COFFS HARBOUR NSW 2450 2 17 Coronation Avenue, SAWTELL NSW 2452 3 523 Roses Rd, GLENIFFER, NSW 2454 4 Cradle Coast NRM, PO Box 338, BURNIE TAS 7320 * Author for correspondence: [email protected] Abstract: The present study took advantage of the availability of high resolution ADS40 digital imagery to 1) systematically resample the vegetation of the Lord Howe Island Group (LHIG, excluding Ball’s Pyramid); 2) conduct a numerical analysis of the floristic data; 3) map vegetation extent and the distribution of vegetation communities and 4) compare the resultant classification and mapping with those of Pickard (1983). In July 2013, a total of 86 full floristic and 105 rapid floristic sites were sampled across the island, based on a stratified random sampling design. A hierarchical agglomerative clustering strategy (Flexible UPGMA) and Bray-Curtis dissimilarity coefficient with default beta, along with nearest neighbour analysis to identify anomalous site allocations, was used to analyze the floristic data. In total 33 vegetation communities were delineated and mapped: 19 mapping units from the full floristic analysis; 7 variants identified within five of the above 19 groups; 3 mapping units from analysis of canopy- only floristic data; and 4 mapping units recognised in previous studies that are mapped but were not sampled in this survey. -
EXPLORING COSTA RICA: CLOUD FOREST to the CARIBBEAN Current Route: San Jose, Costa Rica to San Jose, Costa Rica
EXPLORING COSTA RICA: CLOUD FOREST TO THE CARIBBEAN Current route: San Jose, Costa Rica to San Jose, Costa Rica 9 Days Costa Rica Land Expedition Expeditions in: Jan/Feb/Mar/Apr/Dec From $5,220 to $6,180 * Explore the Pacific and Caribbean sides of Costa Rica, inland rain forests, mountains, and see wonderful wildlife. Hike in the shadow of the Arenal Volcano, and relax in its hot springs. Walk bridges strung through the mist-shrouded cloud forest canopy. Visit the remote, car-less town of Tortuguero and venture into the rain forest via green-canopied canals. Call us at 1.800.397.3348 or call your Travel Agent. In Australia, call 1300.361.012 • www.expeditions.com 2021 Departure Dates: DAY 1: Home/San José padding 3 Dec, 8 Dec, 13 Dec, 18 Dec Fly to the airport in San José, Costa Rica, transfer to your hotel, the Costa Rica Marriott Hacienda 2022 Departure Dates: Belen. Meet your naturalist guide and enjoy a 1 Jan, 15 Jan, 29 Jan welcome dinner. (D) 12 Feb, 26 Feb 3 Mar, 8 Mar, 13 Mar DAY 2: San José/Tarcoles River/Monteverde padding Important Flight Information Search for American crocodiles on the Tárcoles River. Transfer to Monteverde, where after lunch, Please confirm your arrival and departure we walk the trails of Curi-Cancha Reserve, dates prior to booking flights. listening for the mournful song of the black-faced Advance Payment: Solitaire or searching the undergrowth for agoutis, a shy mammal of the Latin American tropics. We’ll $750 check into a family-owned retreat, converted from a cattle farm into an eco-lodge and nestled in the Sample Airfares: misty cloud forest of Monteverde offering the best views of the surrounding mountains, with the Gulf Economy: from $450 of Nicoya in the distance.