The Experts below are selected from a list of 288 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Angela Chapman - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Nonresident birds in tropical wet Sclerophyll forest, northeast Queensland, Australia
Tropical Zoology, 2012Co-Authors: Angela Chapman, Christopher P. KofronAbstract:Ten bird species were quantified as nonresidents in tropical wet Sclerophyll forest, northeast Queensland, Australia: the banded honeyeater Certhionyx pectoralis (Gould, 1841), leaden flycatcher Myiagra rubecula (Latham, 1801), white-throated needletail Hirundapus caudacutus (Latham, 1802), black-faced monarch Monarcha melanopsis (Vieillot, 1818), shining bronze-cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus (Gmelin, 1788), satin flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca (Vieillot, 1818), spangled drongo Dicrurus bracteatus (Gould, 1842), slender-billed cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris (Jardine, 1831), satin bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Vieillot, 1816), and mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum (Shaw & Nodder, 1792). These nonresident species comprised 23% of the abundant and common bird species (n = 44) in the tropical wet Sclerophyll forest during our study period (September 1995–October 1997). The greatest density of nonresident birds (0.674 individuals/ha) was during January–February (mid–late summer, wet season) when nine of...
-
Tropical Wet Sclerophyll Forest and Bird Diversity in North-east Queensland, Australia
Pacific Conservation Biology, 2010Co-Authors: Angela Chapman, Christopher P. KofronAbstract:Wet Sclerophyll forest (also called tall open forest) is unique to Australia, being dominated by tall trees of the genus Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). In this paper, we refer to the wet Sclerophyll forest in north-east Queensland as tropical wet Sclerophyll forest. Tropical wet Sclerophyll forest is a threatened ecosystem which is maintained by fire. Our study describes the community, relative abundance and trophic structure of birds using the tropical wet Sclerophyll forest. We surveyed the birds and recorded 100 taxa, of which 29% (n = 29) are endemic to north-east Queensland. The community is comprised predominantly of insect-eaters (58% of the species) and nectar-feeders (26%), along with smaller guilds of fruit-eaters (11%) and seed-eaters (5%). Despite comprising only a small geographic area (82 800 ha), tropical wet Sclerophyll forest supports a high diversity of birds. We believe it is essential that the tropical wet Sclerophyll forest be conserved and managed to maintain the full range of its biodiversity. Because the tropical wet Sclerophyll forest is fire-adapted and fire-dependent, the use of prescribed fire as a modern management tool is imperative. Unless fire has a central role in managing tropical wet Sclerophyll forest, then this forest type and its dependent species will cease to exist.
-
responses by birds to fire regime and vegetation at the wet Sclerophyll tropical rainforest boundary
Pacific Conservation Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Angela Chapman, G. N. HarringtonAbstract:Changes in fire regime have been identified as the cause of the loss of nearly 50% of wet Sclerophyll forest in north Queensland in the last 50 years. In the absence of fire, rainforest invades and eventually eliminates the specialized wet Sclerophyll forest biota. Bird populations and foraging behaviour were monitored in areas selected to encompass both recent and advanced rainforest invasion. Foraging guilds are discussed in relation to increasing rainforest biomass. Some species, such as the Pale Yellow Robin Tregallasia capito nana were advantaged by the expansion of rainforest. Other species, such as the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis showed no significant response, whereas the endemic subspecies of the Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis magnirostris was clearly disadvantaged. The latter species is of particular concern because in north-east Queensland it is dependent upon wet areas adjacent to rainforest and requires open ground in which to forage. Over the longer term the White-naped Melithreptus lunatus and White-cheeked Phylidonyris nigra Honeyeaters are also threatened by habitat loss. These honeyeaters favour the wetter areas adjacent to the rainforest which are gradually being lost to the invasive process. To maximize biological diversity in the wet tropics of north Queensland, it is necessary to maintain the full spectrum of natural habitats. Fire management is therefore required to maintain the wet Sclerophyll forest and its dependent fauna.
-
Responses by birds to fire regime and vegetation at the wet Sclerophyll/tropical rainforest boundary
Pacific Conservation Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Angela Chapman, Graham N HarringtonAbstract:Changes in fire regime have been identified as the cause of the loss of nearly 50% of wet Sclerophyll forest in north Queensland in the last 50 years. In the absence of fire, rainforest invades and eventually eliminates the specialized wet Sclerophyll forest biota. Bird populations and foraging behaviour were monitored in areas selected to encompass both recent and advanced rainforest invasion. Foraging guilds are discussed in relation to increasing rainforest biomass. Some species, such as the Pale Yellow Robin Tregallasia capito nana were advantaged by the expansion of rainforest. Other species, such as the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis showed no significant response, whereas the endemic subspecies of the Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis magnirostris was clearly disadvantaged. The latter species is of particular concern because in north-east Queensland it is dependent upon wet areas adjacent to rainforest and requires open ground in which to forage. Over the longer term the White-naped Melithreptus lunatus and White-cheeked Phylidonyris nigra Honeyeaters are also threatened by habitat loss. These honeyeaters favour the wetter areas adjacent to the rainforest which are gradually being lost to the invasive process. To maximize biological diversity in the wet tropics of north Queensland, it is necessary to maintain the full spectrum of natural habitats. Fire management is therefore required to maintain the wet Sclerophyll forest and its dependent fauna.
G. N. Harrington - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
responses by birds to fire regime and vegetation at the wet Sclerophyll tropical rainforest boundary
Pacific Conservation Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Angela Chapman, G. N. HarringtonAbstract:Changes in fire regime have been identified as the cause of the loss of nearly 50% of wet Sclerophyll forest in north Queensland in the last 50 years. In the absence of fire, rainforest invades and eventually eliminates the specialized wet Sclerophyll forest biota. Bird populations and foraging behaviour were monitored in areas selected to encompass both recent and advanced rainforest invasion. Foraging guilds are discussed in relation to increasing rainforest biomass. Some species, such as the Pale Yellow Robin Tregallasia capito nana were advantaged by the expansion of rainforest. Other species, such as the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis showed no significant response, whereas the endemic subspecies of the Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis magnirostris was clearly disadvantaged. The latter species is of particular concern because in north-east Queensland it is dependent upon wet areas adjacent to rainforest and requires open ground in which to forage. Over the longer term the White-naped Melithreptus lunatus and White-cheeked Phylidonyris nigra Honeyeaters are also threatened by habitat loss. These honeyeaters favour the wetter areas adjacent to the rainforest which are gradually being lost to the invasive process. To maximize biological diversity in the wet tropics of north Queensland, it is necessary to maintain the full spectrum of natural habitats. Fire management is therefore required to maintain the wet Sclerophyll forest and its dependent fauna.
-
Recent contraction of wet Sclerophyll forest in the wet tropics of Queensland due to invasion by rainforest
Pacific Conservation Biology, 1994Co-Authors: G. N. Harrington, K. D. SandersonAbstract:Vegetation maps were prepared from aerial photographs taken in 1943?45 and 1991?92 of three, widely separated areas of Sclerophyll forest adjacent to the western edge of rainforest on granitic soils in north Queensland. Nine types of Sclerophyll communities could be discerned from aerial photos and characterized by field measurement. Two types of Wet Sclerophyll Forest (WSFa and b) were separated on the species of tree composing the tallest stratum and these were subdivided according to whether the ground layer was dominated by grass or young rainforest. A related type showed large, residual Eucalyptus grandis emergent from mature rainforest. Closed canopy Sclerophyll forest with no emergents (SF), Sclerophyll woodland and Acaciaforest were also discerned. WSF was defined as having more than 30 per cent of the closed crown cover contributed by trees more than 35 m tall. During the 50-year study period rainforest invaded 70 per cent of WSFa (tallest stratum dominated by E. grandis), which principally occurs as a narrow strip along the rainforest margin, and 57 per cent of the adjacent WSFb (tallest stratum composed of mixed species). Grass would be quickly excluded from invaded areas and thereafter they would only burn under extreme atmospheric conditions. Because Sclerophyll trees are unable to regenerate in shade and usually require fire to provide the appropriate conditions, a long-term transition to rainforest may ensue. The final stages of this transition were observed in areas that exhibited full-stature rainforest with large, relictual E. grandis emergents in 1943, but had disappeared by 1992. The initial cause of this vegetation transition is a fire-free period of sufficient length for rainforest tree seedlings to establish and suppress the grass layer. It is not known whether these vegetation changes represent a trend, possibly caused by a change a century ago from fire management by Aboriginal people to management for the cattle industry, or whether it is a temporary phase in the fire-induced, dynamic relationship between rainforest and Sclerophyll vegetation. The current loss of WSF probably endangers the survival of a range of genetically endemic biota. Most groups are poorly known but the marsupial Yellowbellied Glider Petaurus australis reginae is totally dependent upon WSF and a number of vertebrates would probably go locally extinct if WSF is replaced by rainforest. WSF is the wettest part of the Sclerophyll communities and probably acts as a refuge in times of unusual aridity. To maintain the WSF habitat, fire management is clearly indicated, but the intensity of fire required to reverse the advance of rainforest may be socially unacceptable to instigate or impossible to control if it occurs by accident.
Christopher P. Kofron - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Nonresident birds in tropical wet Sclerophyll forest, northeast Queensland, Australia
Tropical Zoology, 2012Co-Authors: Angela Chapman, Christopher P. KofronAbstract:Ten bird species were quantified as nonresidents in tropical wet Sclerophyll forest, northeast Queensland, Australia: the banded honeyeater Certhionyx pectoralis (Gould, 1841), leaden flycatcher Myiagra rubecula (Latham, 1801), white-throated needletail Hirundapus caudacutus (Latham, 1802), black-faced monarch Monarcha melanopsis (Vieillot, 1818), shining bronze-cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus (Gmelin, 1788), satin flycatcher Myiagra cyanoleuca (Vieillot, 1818), spangled drongo Dicrurus bracteatus (Gould, 1842), slender-billed cicadabird Coracina tenuirostris (Jardine, 1831), satin bowerbird Ptilonorhynchus violaceus (Vieillot, 1816), and mistletoebird Dicaeum hirundinaceum (Shaw & Nodder, 1792). These nonresident species comprised 23% of the abundant and common bird species (n = 44) in the tropical wet Sclerophyll forest during our study period (September 1995–October 1997). The greatest density of nonresident birds (0.674 individuals/ha) was during January–February (mid–late summer, wet season) when nine of...
-
Tropical Wet Sclerophyll Forest and Bird Diversity in North-east Queensland, Australia
Pacific Conservation Biology, 2010Co-Authors: Angela Chapman, Christopher P. KofronAbstract:Wet Sclerophyll forest (also called tall open forest) is unique to Australia, being dominated by tall trees of the genus Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). In this paper, we refer to the wet Sclerophyll forest in north-east Queensland as tropical wet Sclerophyll forest. Tropical wet Sclerophyll forest is a threatened ecosystem which is maintained by fire. Our study describes the community, relative abundance and trophic structure of birds using the tropical wet Sclerophyll forest. We surveyed the birds and recorded 100 taxa, of which 29% (n = 29) are endemic to north-east Queensland. The community is comprised predominantly of insect-eaters (58% of the species) and nectar-feeders (26%), along with smaller guilds of fruit-eaters (11%) and seed-eaters (5%). Despite comprising only a small geographic area (82 800 ha), tropical wet Sclerophyll forest supports a high diversity of birds. We believe it is essential that the tropical wet Sclerophyll forest be conserved and managed to maintain the full range of its biodiversity. Because the tropical wet Sclerophyll forest is fire-adapted and fire-dependent, the use of prescribed fire as a modern management tool is imperative. Unless fire has a central role in managing tropical wet Sclerophyll forest, then this forest type and its dependent species will cease to exist.
Susanne Schmidt - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
without management interventions endemic wet Sclerophyll forest is transitioning to rainforest in world heritage listed k gari fraser island australia
Ecology and Evolution, 2019Co-Authors: Vithya Krishnan, Nicole Robinson, Jennifer Firn, Grahame Applegate, John L. Herbohn, Susanne SchmidtAbstract:Wet-Sclerophyll forests are unique ecosystems that can transition to dry-Sclerophyll forests or to rainforests. Understanding of the dynamics of these forests for conservation is limited. We evaluated the long-term succession of wet-Sclerophyll forest on World Heritage listed K'gari (Fraser Island)—the world's largest sand island. We recorded the presence and growth of tree species in three 0.4 hectare plots that had been subjected to selective logging, fire, and cyclone disturbance over 65 years, from 1952 to 2017. Irrespective of disturbance regimes, which varied between plots, rainforest trees recruited at much faster rates than the dominant wet-Sclerophyll forest trees, narrowly endemic species Syncarpia hillii and more common Lophostemon confertus. Syncarpia hillii did not recruit at the plot with the least disturbance and recruited only in low numbers at plots with more prominent disturbance regimes in the ≥10 cm at breast height size. Lophostemon confertus recruited at all plots but in much lower numbers than rainforest trees. Only five L. confertus were detected in the smallest size class (<10 cm diameter) in the 2017 survey. Overall, we find evidence that more pronounced disturbance regimes than those that have occurred over the past 65 years may be required to conserve this wet-Sclerophyll forest, as without intervention, transition to rainforest is a likely trajectory. Fire and other management tools should therefore be explored, in collaboration with Indigenous landowners, to ensure conservation of this wet-Sclerophyll forest.
-
Without management interventions, endemic wet-Sclerophyll forest is transitioning to rainforest in World Heritage listed K'gari (Fraser Island), Australia.
Ecology and evolution, 2019Co-Authors: Vithya Krishnan, Nicole Robinson, Jennifer Firn, Grahame Applegate, John L. Herbohn, Susanne SchmidtAbstract:Wet-Sclerophyll forests are unique ecosystems that can transition to dry-Sclerophyll forests or to rainforests. Understanding of the dynamics of these forests for conservation is limited. We evaluated the long-term succession of wet-Sclerophyll forest on World Heritage listed K'gari (Fraser Island)—the world's largest sand island. We recorded the presence and growth of tree species in three 0.4 hectare plots that had been subjected to selective logging, fire, and cyclone disturbance over 65 years, from 1952 to 2017. Irrespective of disturbance regimes, which varied between plots, rainforest trees recruited at much faster rates than the dominant wet-Sclerophyll forest trees, narrowly endemic species Syncarpia hillii and more common Lophostemon confertus. Syncarpia hillii did not recruit at the plot with the least disturbance and recruited only in low numbers at plots with more prominent disturbance regimes in the ≥10 cm at breast height size. Lophostemon confertus recruited at all plots but in much lower numbers than rainforest trees. Only five L. confertus were detected in the smallest size class (
-
without management interventions endemic wet Sclerophyll forest is transitioning to rainforest in world heritage listed k gari fraser island australia
School of Earth Environmental & Biological Sciences; Science & Engineering Faculty, 2019Co-Authors: Vithya Krishnan, Nicole Robinson, Jennifer Firn, Grahame Applegate, John L. Herbohn, Susanne SchmidtAbstract:Wet-Sclerophyll forests are unique ecosystems that can transition to dry-Sclerophyll forests or to rainforests. Understanding of the dynamics of these forests for conservation is limited. We evaluated the long-term succession of wet-Sclerophyll forest on World Heritage listed K'gari (Fraser Island)the world's largest sand island. We recorded the presence and growth of tree species in three 0.4 hectare plots that had been subjected to selective logging, fire, and cyclone disturbance over 65 years, from 1952 to 2017. Irrespective of disturbance regimes, which varied between plots, rainforest trees recruited at much faster rates than the dominant wet-Sclerophyll forest trees, narrowly endemic species Syncarpia hillii and more common Lophostemon confertus. Syncarpia hillii did not recruit at the plot with the least disturbance and recruited only in low numbers at plots with more prominent disturbance regimes in the ≥10 cm at breast height size. Lophostemon confertus recruited at all plots but in much lower numbers than rainforest trees. Only five L. confertus were detected in the smallest size class (<10 cm diameter) in the 2017 survey. Overall, we find evidence that more pronounced disturbance regimes than those that have occurred over the past 65 years may be required to conserve this wet-Sclerophyll forest, as without intervention, transition to rainforest is a likely trajectory. Fire and other management tools should therefore be explored, in collaboration with Indigenous landowners, to ensure conservation of this wet-Sclerophyll forest. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Graham N Harrington - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
-
Ecological Associations of Feeding Sites of Feral Pigs in the Queensland Wet Tropics
Wildlife Research, 1997Co-Authors: William F. Laurance, Graham N HarringtonAbstract:Data from 152 plots (0·8 ha) and 659 small quadrats (0·04 ha) were used to assess rooting activity by feral pigs in forest communities in north Queensland. Study sites spanned the rainforest–Sclerophyll-forest gradient along the western margin of the wet tropics region. Detailed floristic, physiognomic and edaphic data were recorded for each plot and used to develop a predictive model of pig activity in these habitats. The most striking result was that rooting activity varied markedly among different forest types. Wet Sclerophyll forests consistently had the greatest area disturbed, followed by mesic and dry Sclerophyll forests. Both rainforest and rainforest-invaded Sclerophyll forests had relatively low activity levels. There were some differences in rooting activity among different geographic regions, but few effects of local topography, soil type or proximity to water. A mathematical model was developed to predict the ecological associations of pig rooting activity, using generalised linear modeling. Pig rooting was associated with certain attributes of wet Sclerophyll forests and with slopes and ridge tops, but the model had limited effectiveness, with fitted values explaining 16% of the actual variation in rooting activity. This may have resulted because microhabitat preferences of pigs varied among different forest types and seasons. We suggest that pigs could be consuming fungal fruit-bodies in Sclerophyll forests, and if so they may compete for food with some native, mycophagous mammals.
-
Responses by birds to fire regime and vegetation at the wet Sclerophyll/tropical rainforest boundary
Pacific Conservation Biology, 1997Co-Authors: Angela Chapman, Graham N HarringtonAbstract:Changes in fire regime have been identified as the cause of the loss of nearly 50% of wet Sclerophyll forest in north Queensland in the last 50 years. In the absence of fire, rainforest invades and eventually eliminates the specialized wet Sclerophyll forest biota. Bird populations and foraging behaviour were monitored in areas selected to encompass both recent and advanced rainforest invasion. Foraging guilds are discussed in relation to increasing rainforest biomass. Some species, such as the Pale Yellow Robin Tregallasia capito nana were advantaged by the expansion of rainforest. Other species, such as the Golden Whistler Pachycephala pectoralis showed no significant response, whereas the endemic subspecies of the Eastern Yellow Robin Eopsaltria australis magnirostris was clearly disadvantaged. The latter species is of particular concern because in north-east Queensland it is dependent upon wet areas adjacent to rainforest and requires open ground in which to forage. Over the longer term the White-naped Melithreptus lunatus and White-cheeked Phylidonyris nigra Honeyeaters are also threatened by habitat loss. These honeyeaters favour the wetter areas adjacent to the rainforest which are gradually being lost to the invasive process. To maximize biological diversity in the wet tropics of north Queensland, it is necessary to maintain the full spectrum of natural habitats. Fire management is therefore required to maintain the wet Sclerophyll forest and its dependent fauna.
