The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Lynsey R Harper - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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environmental dna edna metabarcoding of pond water as a tool to survey conservation and management priority Mammals
Biological Conservation, 2019Co-Authors: Lynsey R Harper, Lori Lawson Handley, Angus Carpenter, Muhammad Ghazali, Cristina Di Muri, Callum J Macgregor, Thomas W Logan, Alan Law, Thomas BreithauptAbstract:Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding can identify terrestrial taxa utilising aquatic habitats alongside aquatic communities, but terrestrial species' eDNA dynamics are understudied. We evaluated eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring semi-aquatic and terrestrial Mammals, specifically nine species of conservation or management concern, and examined spatiotemporal variation in Mammal eDNA signals. We hypothesised eDNA signals would be stronger for semi-aquatic than terrestrial Mammals, and at sites where individuals exhibited behaviours. In captivity, we sampled waterbodies at points where behaviours were observed (‘directed’ sampling) and at equidistant intervals along the shoreline (‘stratified’ sampling). We surveyed natural ponds (N = 6) where focal species were present using stratified water sampling, camera traps, and field signs. eDNA samples were metabarcoded using vertebrate-specific primers. All focal species were detected in captivity. eDNA signal strength did not differ between directed and stratified samples across or within species, between semi-aquatic or terrestrial species, or according to behaviours. eDNA was evenly distributed in artificial waterbodies, but unevenly distributed in natural ponds. Survey methods deployed at natural ponds shared three species detections. Metabarcoding missed badger and red fox recorded by cameras and field signs, but detected small Mammals these tools overlooked, e.g. water vole. Terrestrial Mammal eDNA signals were weaker and detected less frequently than semi-aquatic Mammal eDNA signals. eDNA metabarcoding could enhance Mammal monitoring through large-scale, multi-species distribution assessment for priority and difficult to survey species, and provide early indication of range expansions or contractions. However, eDNA surveys need high spatiotemporal resolution and metabarcoding biases require further investigation before routine implementation.
Thomas Breithaupt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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environmental dna edna metabarcoding of pond water as a tool to survey conservation and management priority Mammals
Biological Conservation, 2019Co-Authors: Lynsey R Harper, Lori Lawson Handley, Angus Carpenter, Muhammad Ghazali, Cristina Di Muri, Callum J Macgregor, Thomas W Logan, Alan Law, Thomas BreithauptAbstract:Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding can identify terrestrial taxa utilising aquatic habitats alongside aquatic communities, but terrestrial species' eDNA dynamics are understudied. We evaluated eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring semi-aquatic and terrestrial Mammals, specifically nine species of conservation or management concern, and examined spatiotemporal variation in Mammal eDNA signals. We hypothesised eDNA signals would be stronger for semi-aquatic than terrestrial Mammals, and at sites where individuals exhibited behaviours. In captivity, we sampled waterbodies at points where behaviours were observed (‘directed’ sampling) and at equidistant intervals along the shoreline (‘stratified’ sampling). We surveyed natural ponds (N = 6) where focal species were present using stratified water sampling, camera traps, and field signs. eDNA samples were metabarcoded using vertebrate-specific primers. All focal species were detected in captivity. eDNA signal strength did not differ between directed and stratified samples across or within species, between semi-aquatic or terrestrial species, or according to behaviours. eDNA was evenly distributed in artificial waterbodies, but unevenly distributed in natural ponds. Survey methods deployed at natural ponds shared three species detections. Metabarcoding missed badger and red fox recorded by cameras and field signs, but detected small Mammals these tools overlooked, e.g. water vole. Terrestrial Mammal eDNA signals were weaker and detected less frequently than semi-aquatic Mammal eDNA signals. eDNA metabarcoding could enhance Mammal monitoring through large-scale, multi-species distribution assessment for priority and difficult to survey species, and provide early indication of range expansions or contractions. However, eDNA surveys need high spatiotemporal resolution and metabarcoding biases require further investigation before routine implementation.
Glenn R Iason - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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microsite affects willow sapling recovery from bank vole myodes glareolus herbivory but does not affect grazing risk
Annals of Botany, 2013Co-Authors: Rosalind F Shaw, Robin J Pakeman, Mark R Young, Glenn R IasonAbstract:BACKGROUND: Large herbivores are often removed or reduced as part of vegetation restoration programmes, but the resultant increase in vegetation biomass and changes in vegetation structure may favour small Mammals. Small Mammals may have large impacts on plant community composition via granivory and sapling herbivory, and increased small Mammal populations may reduce any benefits of large herbivore removal for highly preferred species. This study tested the impacts of small Mammal herbivory, microsite characteristics and their interaction on growth and survival of three montane willow species with differing chemical compositions, Salix lapponum, S. myrsinifolia and S. arbuscula. METHODS: In two separate years, 1-year-old saplings were planted within a 180 ha, large-Mammal scrub regeneration exclosure, and either experimentally protected from or exposed to small Mammals (bank voles). Saplings were planted in one of two microsite treatments, vegetation mown (to mimic a grazed sward) or disturbed (all above- and below-ground competition removed), and monitored throughout the first year of growth. KEY RESULTS: Approximately 40 % of saplings planted out in each year were damaged by bank voles, but direct mortality due to damage was very low (<2 %). There were no strong species differences in susceptibility to vole damage. Microsite treatment had no impact on the proportion of saplings attacked, but in 2004 saplings in mown microsites were more severely damaged and had smaller increases in size than those in disturbed microsites. In 2003, saplings in mown microsites had smaller increases in stem diameter following attack than those in disturbed microsites. CONCLUSIONS: Planting 1-year-old willow saplings into disturbed microsites may aid growth, reduce the severity of small Mammal damage and improve recovery following sub-lethal small Mammal damage. Restoration management of montane willow scrub should therefore consider manipulating the planting site to provide disturbed areas of soil.
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part of a special issue on seedling herbivory microsite affects willow sapling recovery from bank vole myodes glareolus herbivory but does not affect grazing risk
2013Co-Authors: Rosalind F Shaw, Robin J Pakeman, Mark R Young, Glenn R IasonAbstract:† Background Large herbivores are often removed or reduced as part of vegetation restoration programmes, but the resultant increase in vegetation biomass and changes in vegetation structure may favour small Mammals. Small Mammals may have large impacts on plant community composition via granivory and sapling herbivory, and increased small Mammal populations may reduce any benefits of large herbivore removal for highly preferred species. This study tested the impacts of small Mammal herbivory, microsite characteristics and their interaction on growth and survival of three montane willow species with differing chemical compositions, Salix lapponum, S. myrsinifolia and S. arbuscula. † Methods In two separate years, 1-year-old saplings were planted within a 180 ha, large-Mammal scrub regeneration exclosure, and either experimentally protected from or exposed to small Mammals (bank voles). Saplings were planted in one of two microsite treatments, vegetation mown (to mimic a grazed sward) or disturbed (all aboveand below-ground competition removed), and monitored throughout the first year of growth. † Key results Approximately 40 % of saplings planted out in each year were damaged by bank voles, but direct mortality due to damage was very low (,2 %). There were no strong species differences in susceptibility to vole damage. Microsite treatment had no impact on the proportion of saplings attacked, but in 2004 saplings in mown microsites were more severely damaged and had smaller increases in size than those in disturbed microsites. In 2003, saplings in mown microsites had smaller increases in stem diameter following attack than those in disturbed microsites. † Conclusions Planting 1-year-old willow saplings into disturbed microsites may aid growth, reduce the severity of small Mammal damage and improve recovery following sub-lethal small Mammal damage. Restoration management of montane willow scrub should therefore consider manipulating the planting site to provide disturbed areas of soil.
John C Z Woinarski - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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small Mammals decline with increasing fire extent in northern australia evidence from long term monitoring in kakadu national park
International Journal of Wildland Fire, 2015Co-Authors: Michael J Lawes, John C Z Woinarski, Brett P Murphy, A Fisher, Andrew Edwards, Jeremy RussellsmithAbstract:Small Mammal (<2 kg) numbers have declined dramatically in northern Australia in recent decades. Fire regimes, characterised by frequent, extensive, late-season wildfires, are implicated in this decline. Here, we compare the effect of fire extent, in conjunction with fire frequency, season and spatial heterogeneity (patchiness) of the burnt area, on Mammal declines in Kakadu National Park over a recent decadal period. Fire extent – an index incorporating fire size and fire frequency – was the best predictor of Mammal declines, and was superior to the proportion of the surrounding area burnt and fire patchiness. Point-based fire frequency, a commonly used index for characterising fire effects, was a weak predictor of declines. Small-scale burns affected small Mammals least of all. Crucially, the most important aspects of fire regimes that are associated with declines are spatial ones; extensive fires (at scales larger than the home ranges of small Mammals) are the most detrimental, indicating that small Mammals may not easily escape the effects of large and less patchy fires. Notwithstanding considerable management effort, the current fire regime in this large conservation reserve is detrimental to the native Mammal fauna, and more targeted management is required to reduce fire size.
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ongoing unraveling of a continental fauna decline and extinction of australian Mammals since european settlement
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2015Co-Authors: John C Z Woinarski, Andrew A Burbidge, Peter HarrisonAbstract:The highly distinctive and mostly endemic Australian land Mammal fauna has suffered an extraordinary rate of extinction (>10% of the 273 endemic terrestrial species) over the last ∼200 y: in comparison, only one native land Mammal from continental North America became extinct since European settlement. A further 21% of Australian endemic land Mammal species are now assessed to be threatened, indicating that the rate of loss (of one to two extinctions per decade) is likely to continue. Australia’s marine Mammals have fared better overall, but status assessment for them is seriously impeded by lack of information. Much of the loss of Australian land Mammal fauna (particularly in the vast deserts and tropical savannas) has been in areas that are remote from human population centers and recognized as relatively unmodified at global scale. In contrast to general patterns of extinction on other continents where the main cause is habitat loss, hunting, and impacts of human development, particularly in areas of high and increasing human population pressures, the loss of Australian land Mammals is most likely due primarily to predation by introduced species, particularly the feral cat, Felis catus, and European red fox, Vulpes vulpes, and changed fire regimes.
Rosalind F Shaw - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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microsite affects willow sapling recovery from bank vole myodes glareolus herbivory but does not affect grazing risk
Annals of Botany, 2013Co-Authors: Rosalind F Shaw, Robin J Pakeman, Mark R Young, Glenn R IasonAbstract:BACKGROUND: Large herbivores are often removed or reduced as part of vegetation restoration programmes, but the resultant increase in vegetation biomass and changes in vegetation structure may favour small Mammals. Small Mammals may have large impacts on plant community composition via granivory and sapling herbivory, and increased small Mammal populations may reduce any benefits of large herbivore removal for highly preferred species. This study tested the impacts of small Mammal herbivory, microsite characteristics and their interaction on growth and survival of three montane willow species with differing chemical compositions, Salix lapponum, S. myrsinifolia and S. arbuscula. METHODS: In two separate years, 1-year-old saplings were planted within a 180 ha, large-Mammal scrub regeneration exclosure, and either experimentally protected from or exposed to small Mammals (bank voles). Saplings were planted in one of two microsite treatments, vegetation mown (to mimic a grazed sward) or disturbed (all above- and below-ground competition removed), and monitored throughout the first year of growth. KEY RESULTS: Approximately 40 % of saplings planted out in each year were damaged by bank voles, but direct mortality due to damage was very low (<2 %). There were no strong species differences in susceptibility to vole damage. Microsite treatment had no impact on the proportion of saplings attacked, but in 2004 saplings in mown microsites were more severely damaged and had smaller increases in size than those in disturbed microsites. In 2003, saplings in mown microsites had smaller increases in stem diameter following attack than those in disturbed microsites. CONCLUSIONS: Planting 1-year-old willow saplings into disturbed microsites may aid growth, reduce the severity of small Mammal damage and improve recovery following sub-lethal small Mammal damage. Restoration management of montane willow scrub should therefore consider manipulating the planting site to provide disturbed areas of soil.
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part of a special issue on seedling herbivory microsite affects willow sapling recovery from bank vole myodes glareolus herbivory but does not affect grazing risk
2013Co-Authors: Rosalind F Shaw, Robin J Pakeman, Mark R Young, Glenn R IasonAbstract:† Background Large herbivores are often removed or reduced as part of vegetation restoration programmes, but the resultant increase in vegetation biomass and changes in vegetation structure may favour small Mammals. Small Mammals may have large impacts on plant community composition via granivory and sapling herbivory, and increased small Mammal populations may reduce any benefits of large herbivore removal for highly preferred species. This study tested the impacts of small Mammal herbivory, microsite characteristics and their interaction on growth and survival of three montane willow species with differing chemical compositions, Salix lapponum, S. myrsinifolia and S. arbuscula. † Methods In two separate years, 1-year-old saplings were planted within a 180 ha, large-Mammal scrub regeneration exclosure, and either experimentally protected from or exposed to small Mammals (bank voles). Saplings were planted in one of two microsite treatments, vegetation mown (to mimic a grazed sward) or disturbed (all aboveand below-ground competition removed), and monitored throughout the first year of growth. † Key results Approximately 40 % of saplings planted out in each year were damaged by bank voles, but direct mortality due to damage was very low (,2 %). There were no strong species differences in susceptibility to vole damage. Microsite treatment had no impact on the proportion of saplings attacked, but in 2004 saplings in mown microsites were more severely damaged and had smaller increases in size than those in disturbed microsites. In 2003, saplings in mown microsites had smaller increases in stem diameter following attack than those in disturbed microsites. † Conclusions Planting 1-year-old willow saplings into disturbed microsites may aid growth, reduce the severity of small Mammal damage and improve recovery following sub-lethal small Mammal damage. Restoration management of montane willow scrub should therefore consider manipulating the planting site to provide disturbed areas of soil.
