Gotowa bibliografia na temat „South eastern Australian coastal habitats”

The spotted galaxias (or trout minnow), Galaxias truttaceus, is a species that is restricted to south-western and south-eastern Australia, but there has long been conjecture as to whether the geographically and Critically Endangered Western Australian populations represent a subspecies (Galaxias truttaceus hesperius). We provide evidence that Western Australian populations, on the basis of a combination of genetic, geographic and ecological criteria, should be considered an evolutionary significant unit, which merits management as a high conservation priority. Substructure at nuclear and matrilineal genetic markers is not suggestive of species-level divergence, but rather of discrete western and eastern Australian subpopulations with limited contemporary gene flow. In contrast to many eastern populations that are diadromous, all western populations are potamodromous. Adults live and spawn in riverine habitats and larvae drift downstream to coastal lakes, where they spend several months, before undertaking a distinct upstream recruitment migration as juveniles to colonise riverine habitats. Instream barriers that disconnect riverine and lentic habitats restrict distributional range and presumably affect reproductive success of Western Australian populations. Conserving the remaining populations in Western Australia will require ongoing efforts to reduce the impact of emerging threats, particularly those related to instream barriers, introduced species and reductions in water quantity and quality.

Riverine fishes are among the most imperilled fauna in the world; however, for many species, there is little or no understanding of their ecological requirements. The Australian grayling (Prototroctes maraena) is a small diadromous fish endemic to rivers in south-eastern Australia that has declined considerably in range and abundance and is listed as threatened nationally. To improve understanding of the species’ movement ecology and to inform the development of conservation management actions, we examined the day-to-day movements and habitat use of Australian grayling (n=7) over 8 weeks by using radio-telemetry. Tagged individuals of Australian grayling typically occupied restricted (i.e. tens to hundreds of metres) reaches of stream, and were mostly located in moderate- to fast-flowing habitats (i.e. glide or run), although, at night, use of slower-flowing habitats (i.e. pools) increased. They also undertook longer-distance downstream movements during a period of increased streamflow. Incorporation of such information into management strategies has the potential to improve our capacity to maintain or re-instate the conditions required to conserve and restore Australian grayling populations.

Abstract Sprawling urban development is fragmenting the landscape and native wildlife habitats on the Australian east coast. The impact of this rapid urbanization on wildlife health is largely unknown. This study surveyed the health of a high-density (5.4 individuals per ha) population of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) affected by urban encroachment and prolonged drought. Blood parameters (hematological and serum protein), trace element and heavy metal concentrations, and parasite counts (fecal worm egg counts, ticks, and mites) are reported for a sample of ≤ 54 kangaroos at Look at Me Now Headland, New South Wales, Australia. These parameters were compared to lower density kangaroo populations from other sites in New South Wales. We found the health and welfare of this population to be severely compromised, with nonregenerative anemia and nutritional deficiencies evident. Our results indicate that high-density kangaroo populations isolated by urban encroachment are at significant health risk. To prevent further decline in this population’s health, we discuss management strategies that could be employed, concurrent with ongoing health and disease monitoring, to mitigate the poor health outcomes in this population. We conclude that it is essential to retain habitat connectivity when altering land use in areas with resident kangaroo populations if managers are to maintain healthy populations.

The eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) occurs broadly but patchily in south-eastern Australia. It is a small, difficult-to-trap marsupial with poorly known resource and habitat preferences. This study investigated the structural and floristic habitat resources used and selected by C. nanus in Royal National Park (which was heavily burnt by bushfire in 1994) and Heathcote National Park (most of which had remained unburnt for over two decades at the time of study), in central-coastal New South Wales. Three different sampling methods were used – pitfall traps, Elliott traps and hair tubes – with pitfall trapping being by far the most effective method for detecting C. nanus. Live-trapping in different habitats revealed higher numbers of C. nanus in unburnt and burnt woodland, burnt heathland and burnt coastal complex than in unburnt coastal complex and burnt and unburnt rainforest. To identify the components of habitat contributing to this pattern, we first scored floristic and structural features of vegetation around trap stations and then quantified habitat components further by using spool- and radio-tracking. We found little evidence that C. nanus responded to any structural components of habitat, although arboreal activity was greater, not surprisingly, in wooded than in burnt heathland habitats. C. nanus was associated most strongly with the abundance of certain plants in the Proteaceae and Myrtaceae. In particular, the species prefers Banksia spp. (probably for food) and Eucalyptus and Xanthorrhoea spp. (probably for shelter).

South-western Western Australia is a biodiversity hotspot, with high levels of local endemism and a rich but largely undescribed terrestrial invertebrate fauna. Very few phylogeographic studies have been undertaken on south-western Australian invertebrate taxa, and almost nothing is known about historical biogeographic or cladogenic processes, particularly on the relatively young, speciose Quaternary sand dune habitats of the Swan Coastal Plain. Phylogeographic and taxonomic patterns were studied in textricellin micropholcommatid spiders belonging to the genus Raveniella Rix & Harvey. The Micropholcommatidae is a family of small spiders with a widespread distribution in southern Western Australia, and most species are spatially restricted to refugial microhabitats. In total, 340 specimens of Raveniella were collected from 36 surveyed localities on the Swan Coastal Plain and 17 non-Swan Coastal Plain reference localities in south-western Western Australia. Fragments from three nuclear rRNA genes (5.8S, 18S and ITS2), and one mitochondrial protein-coding gene (COI) were used to infer the phylogeny of the genus Raveniella, and to examine phylogeographic patterns on the Swan Coastal Plain. Five new species of Raveniella are described from Western Australia (R. arenacea, sp. nov., R. cirrata, sp. nov., R. janineae, sp. nov., R. mucronata, sp. nov. and R. subcirrata, sp. nov.), along with a single new species from south-eastern Australia (R. apopsis, sp. nov.). Four species of Raveniella were found on the Swan Coastal Plain: two with broader distributions in the High Rainfall and Transitional Rainfall Zones (R. peckorum Rix & Harvey, R. cirrata); and two endemic to the Swan Coastal Plain, found only on the western-most Quindalup dunes (R. arenacea, R. subcirrata). Two coastally restricted species (R. subcirrata, R. janineae) were found to be morphologically cryptic but genetically highly distinct, with female specimens morphologically indistinguishable from their respective sister-taxa (R. cirrata and R. peckorum). The greater Perth region is an important biogeographic overlap zone for all four Swan Coastal Plain species, where the ranges of two endemic coastal species join the northern and south-western limits of the ranges of R. peckorum and R. cirrata, respectively. Most species of Raveniella were found to occupy long, highly autapomorphic molecular branches exhibiting little intraspecific variation, and an analysis of ITS2 rRNA secondary structures among different species of Raveniella revealed the presence of an extraordinary hypervariable helix, ranging from 31 to over 400 nucleotides in length.

Climate-driven shifts in species distributions are occurring rapidly within marine systems and are predicted to continue under climate change. To effectively adapt, marine resource users require information relevant to their activities at decision-making timescales. We model oceanographic habitat suitability for kingfish (Seriola lalandi) from south-eastern Australia using multiple environmental variables at monthly time steps over the period 1996–2040. Habitat predictions were used to quantify the temporal persistence (months per year) of suitable oceanographic habitat within six coastal bioregions. A decline in temporal habitat persistence is predicted for the northernmost (equatorward) bioregion, whereas increases are predicted for the three southernmost (poleward) bioregions. We suggest that temporal habitat persistence is an important metric for climate change adaptation because it provides fishery-relevant information. Our methods demonstrate how novel metrics relevant to climate adaptation can be derived from predictions of species’ environmental habitats, and are appropriate for the management of fisheries resources and protection of high conservation value species under future climate change.

The life cycle of most penaeid prawns includes a juvenile phase in protected coastal environments such as estuaries and embayments. In the tropics, some penaeids are known to utilise intertidal habitats, yet in temperate regions of Australia the use of marshes has not been investigated. We focused on determining the extent to which Melicertus plebejus and Metapenaeus macleayi directly utilise intertidal marsh habitat using fyke nets. Using cast nets, we also assessed the abundance of the two focal species in middle and edge habitat of adjacent subtidal creeks. Despite collecting 8300 crustaceans and 4259 teleosts, only 8M. plebejus were sampled on the marsh. Abundances of M. macleayi were greater with 90 individuals collected. Within the subtidal creeks larger M. macleayi were collected in the middle habitat and the abundance of both penaeids varied among different creeks. The nekton community as a whole also differed among creeks within marshes. This study has demonstrated that juvenile M. plebejus and M. macleayi do not directly utilise intertidal marsh habitats. Despite this, marshes may provide important resources for prawns through the export of carbon. Future isotope studies would provide valuable information in this regard, providing a broader understanding of penaeids and specific estuarine habitats.

Trapping is an invaluable tool for estimating community composition and population size and structure of mammals. Bias in the relative contribution of species to a community and the age and sex structure of populations can occur where the traps used do not equally trap all species, sexes or cohorts. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of enclosed Elliott traps and open wire cage traps in trapping the invasive black rat, Rattus rattus, and the native rodent, Rattus fuscipes. Both trap types were suitable for trapping R. fuscipes and there was no apparent bias in capture of sex and age classes. In contrast, black rats were considerably more trappable in cage traps. Juveniles were more readily trapped in Elliott traps than adults, but were still considerably undersampled where only Elliott traps were used. These findings have important implications for sampling invasive rodents in Australian forests where Elliott traps are commonly used to census small mammals. Only using Elliott traps will underestimate density, distribution and impacts of R. rattus in native habitats. Cage traps or a combination of traps are recommended for reliably trapping black rats and obtaining representative data on presence, abundance and distribution.

A new species of Anabarhynchus Macquart is described and figured from south-eastern Queensland, Australia. Anabarhynchus oblongicornus sp. nov. adults are active in coastal heath and beach fore-dune habitats. This species is notable because of its greatly elongate antennae, and absence of hind coxal knob, which easily differentiates A. oblongicornus sp. nov. from other species in this endemic Australasian genus. The presence of the hind coxal knob has previously been considered synapomorphic for Therevidae+Apsilocephalidae. A review of the presence of this structure in the therevoid clade (Apsilocephalidae+Scenopinidae+Therevidae+Ocoidae) indicates that it is actually plesiomorphic for the entire group, with various examples of secondary reduction or absence in all higher scenopinids and some therevids.

Members of the order Embioptera (webspinners) are among the least known groups of insects, but have a relatively well-developed, phylogenetically unique, and biologically interesting fauna in portions of Australia. The genus Metoligotoma Davis (Australembiidae) is a well-defined group occurring in south-eastern Australia where species are especially distinctive in that they occupy extremely small endemic areas. Additionally, both males and females are wingless, thereby severely limiting opportunities for dispersal. Hypotheses of relationships among these species are not available in a modern phylogenetic context and little is known of their natural history and biogeography. A new species of Embioptera, Metoligotoma rooksi Miller & Edgerly, sp. nov. is described from a male specimen from near Bombala, New South Wales, Australia. A phylogenetic analysis of the genus (including 10 of the 16 known species of Metoligotoma) was conducted using morphological and molecular data from 16S, 28S, COI+COII and H3. The new species is most closely related to M. begae, from which it is geographically separated by the high coastal mountains. The natural history of the genus is reviewed, including descriptions of the silk galleries, habitats and eggs. The biogeography of the genus is examined in light of the phylogeny. No obvious vicariance model supports the current distribution and small endemic areas exhibited by members of the genus. Instead, it is speculated that periodic, rare dispersal events from north to south, and inland over the coastal mountains, resulted in the current distribution of the species. This is the first modern phylogenetic analysis of the Australembiidae, and the first extensive analysis of any group of Embioptera to include molecular data.

Saltmarsh is an important coastal habitat located in the littoral zone of estuaries. Australian saltmarsh area is decreasing due to agricultural and urban development and invasion by mangrove. The aim of the study was to assess the contribution made by saltmarsh as a habitat and a source of food items for fish. Three saltmarsh sites were studied, with Towra Point chosen as a site for detailed ecological study. When corrected for water volume, fish densities were found to be higher within the saltmarsh compared to the adjacent mangrove. Although the fish assemblages in saltmarshes differed significantly from mangroves the overall ratio between commercially and ecologically valuable species in these habitats are similar, a result suggesting the importance of temperate saltmarsh as habitat for economically important fish. Significant export of crab larva from saltmarsh (average crab larval abundance 2124.63 m-3 outgoing water) is a positive contribution to the estuarine food chain supplementing the nutritional requirements of estuarine fish. While the diet of the crabs producing this larvae seems dependant on the saltmarsh environment (given the contrasting isotopic signatures of Sesarma erythrodactyla in saltmarsh and mangrove, and the similarity of isotopic signatures in the saltmarsh for Sesarma erythrodactyla and Helograpsus haswellianus), the crabs do not seem to be dependent on any of the common species of saltmarsh plant, but rather depend on particulate organic matter (POM) derived from local and other sources. Crab larva are a prey item for many estuarine fish, including commercially important species, as evidenced by gut content analysis of fish visiting the saltmarsh flats during spring tides. The results strongly suggest that emphasis be given to ecosystembased management for an estuary rather than component (e.g., vegetation) based managed as defined by the Fisheries Management Act (1994) and the State Environmental Planning Policy 14.

Estuaries worldwide are under threat from urbanisation and development and will need effective management for their successful conservation. Coastal lakes and lagoons have been identified as one of the estuary types most susceptible to human impacts largely because of their isolated nature and slow flushing times. Management of estuaries will be most effective when based on a sound scientific understanding of the patterns of distribution, biology and ecology over the full range of biodiversity of these systems, however, such an understanding is lacking for many systems and many taxa. Studies of sponges and ascidians in coastal lakes and lagoons are rare compared to other taxa, particularly in the southern hemisphere. This study represents the first detailed scientific investigation of the ecology of sponges and ascidian in coastal lakes and lagoons of southeastern Australia. Consequently, a large part of this thesis was devoted to quantifying basic patterns of distribution. I started with a pilot study to develop an effective sampling design, followed by large-scale comparisons among different types of lake, comparisons among habitats within lakes and an environmental impact study. I concluded with a manipulative experiment to examine processes responsible for smallscale patterns of distribution of sponges in seagrass meadows.In the pilot study, distributions of sponges and ascidians were quantified at a hierarchy of three spatial scales in each of two coastal lakes. Nested analyses of variance were then used to identify spatial scales at which variation was significant. Most sponges and ascidians were very patchily distributed at a range of spatial scales from 10s of metres up to 100s of kilometres. Unlike other published examples of cost– benefit analyses, very few taxa were widespread over the larger spatial scales. Cost– benefit analyses done to determine the optimal sampling design revealed inclusion of patchily distributed taxa in analyses improved the overall precision of sampling for comparisons of assemblages among lakes.Large-scale comparisons of assemblages of sponges and ascidians were made among lakes of different size (big versus small), opening regime (mostly open to the ocean versus mostly closed) and level of environmental modification (extensively modified versus more pristine). Similar to other taxa studied in coastal lakes, in general there were more species in lakes mostly open to the ocean compared to the mostly closed lakes, and importantly, no sponges and only one species of ascidian was found in the small closed lakes. There also appeared to be an effect of the level of modification of a lake with relatively smaller abundances of ascidians in extensively modified lakes, and a complete absence of sponges from one of the extensively modified lakes.Habitat-associated patterns were examined at smaller spatial scales by comparing the distributions of sponges and ascidians with the species composition and percentage cover of seagrass and macroalgae within two lakes; St Georges Basin and Wallis Lake. Several patterns of association were observed, but these varied among species of sponge and ascidian. In St Georges Basin, the most common sponge, Aplysinella cf. rhax and the native ascidian Pyura stolonifera were positively correlated with the seagrass, Posidonia australis. In contrast, the introduced ascidian, Styela plicata was more abundant in areas dominated by the seagrass, Zostera capricorni. In Wallis Lake, sponges were most diverse and some species most abundant in large beds of the macroalga, Lamprothamnion sp., while other sponges were found only on the holdfasts of brown macroalgae. In both lakes, sponges were generally less common in areas dominated by dense meadows of the seagrass, Zostera capricorni.Among the many anthropogenic impacts threatening the ecology of coastal lakes, the discharge of cooling water from coal-fired power stations represents an almost ideal case study from which to develop appropriate sampling regimes for detecting impacts on sponges and ascidians. Using reference locations both within and outside Lake Macquarie which has two cooling water outlets, I found assemblages of sponges and ascidians were often more diverse, more abundant and less temporally variable near to the outlets compared to reference locations.Based on the observation that the sponge, Suberites sp. which contains photosynthetic symbionts was absent from meadows of dense Zostera capricorni, I used in situ manipulative experiments in Smiths Lake to investigate processes which maybe affecting their distribution. Individual Suberites sp. were shaded, had water flow reduced and were transplanted into areas of dense Z. capricorni. There were no measurable short-term effects of shading or reduced water flow, but transplanted sponges were quickly eaten and I concluded predation by fish was likely to be a key process determining small-scale patterns of distribution of Suberites sp. in seagrass meadows. This result was in stark contrast to the majority of previous studies of the effects of seagrass habitat complexity on predation which have found predation to decrease with increasing density or complexity.In conclusion, I have sought to provide sound scientific information to aid in the management of these systems. A simple, but nevertheless key finding was that sponges and ascidians are indeed present and widespread in coastal lakes and lagoons of southeastern Australia and should not be continually overlooked in the management and conservation of these systems. Conservation will be complex and requires an understanding of environmental impacts and the consequences of management on the full range of biodiversity. The distributions of sponges and ascidians at large ‘lakewide’ scales appear to behave similarly to other taxa. Management strategies which change the characteristics of a lake at these large spatial scales such as artificial openings of entrances could therefore be predicted to have similar effects across a range of taxa including sponges and ascidians. In contrast, at smaller spatial scales such as the complexity of seagrass meadows, some species of sponges and ascidians may behave very differently from other taxa. At present, our understanding of these naturally variable and complex systems is incomplete and will require ongoing scientific investigation to identify natural patterns of distribution, environmental impacts, important natural processes and the ecological consequences of management strategies.

Plants of Subtropical Eastern Australia describes the rich flora of this biogeographically distinct region located on the east coast of Australia, covering the north coast of New South Wales and coastal South-East Queensland. This guide presents a selection of common, threatened and ecologically significant plants found in the region’s major vegetation habitats including rainforest, heathland, grassy forest, wetlands and rock outcrops. More than 500 plants are featured, with photographs and descriptive features enabling the reader to identify these species if encountered. Interesting biological, cultural and historical characteristics of each species are included, along with notes on the plant’s biogeography and a map of its distribution. Suitable for anyone with an interest in plant ecology and botany, Plants of Subtropical Eastern Australia is the definitive guide to this fascinating region of Australia and its unique flora.

The Australian Capital Territory is a treasure trove for naturalists, despite being without a coastline, without rainforest or without deserts. A wealth of biodiversity is found there, due to the close proximity of three major habitat types: the great western woodland grassy plains bump up against the inland edge of the coastal hinterland mountain forests, while the whole south-eastern Australian Alps system reaches its northern limit in the Brindabella Ranges. Each of these habitats has its own rich suite of plants and animals, so a great diversity of life can be found within an hour’s drive of Parliament House. A Bush Capital Year introduces the fauna, flora, habitats and reserves of the Australian Capital Territory and includes the most recent research available. It also emphasises often unappreciated or even unrecognised urban wildlife. For each month of the year there are 10 stories which discuss either a species or a group of species, such as mosses and mountain grasshoppers. While never anthropomorphic, many of the stories are written from the organism’s point of view, while others are from that of an observer. Beautiful paintings complement the text and allow better visualisation of the stories and the subjects. 2011 Whitley Award Commendation for Regional Natural History.

The Otways and Shipwreck Coast is known for its natural beauty and attracts millions of visitors each year, particularly along the Great Ocean Road. The value of the region's rich biodiversity is recognised at the national and global level and its wildlife is markedly different to other regions, including eastern Victoria which supports similar vegetation types. Wildlife of the Otways and Shipwreck Coast is a photographic field guide to the vertebrate wildlife of Victoria’s south-west. It covers all the mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs that occur in the region, including on land and in coastal waters. Each of the 288 species profiles includes a description and information on identification, range, conservation status, habitat use and ecology and is complemented by an exquisite colour photograph and a detailed distribution map. The book also includes chapters on habitat types, conservation and management, and on 14 key places in the region to view wildlife. This book will allow those interested in wildlife, including residents and visitors, to identify vertebrate animals found in the region. Readers will also become more familiar with the distinct role the Otways has in conserving Australia’s biodiversity.

The Murray–Darling Basin spans more than 1 million square kilometres across the lower third of Queensland, most of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, northern Victoria and the south-eastern corner of South Australia. Wildlife habitats range from the floodplains of the Basin to alpine areas, making the region of special ecological and environmental interest. This book is the first comprehensive guide to the 310 species of frogs and reptiles living in the Murray–Darling Basin. An overview of each of the 22 catchment areas introduces the unique and varied climates, topography, vegetation and fauna. Comprehensive species accounts include diagnostic features, conservation ratings, photographs and distribution maps for all frogs, freshwater turtles, lizards and snakes recorded in this important region.

Networks of land managed for conservation across different tenures have rapidly increased in number (and popularity) in Australia over the past two decades. These include iconic large-scale initiatives such as Gondwana Link, the Great Eastern Ranges Initiative, Habitat 141°, and the South Australian NatureLinks, as well as other, landscape-scale approaches such as Biosphere Reserves and Conservation Management Networks. Their aims have been multiple: to protect the integrity and resilience of many Australian ecosystems by maintaining and restoring large-scale natural landscapes and ecosystem processes; to lessen the impacts of fragmentation; to increase the connectivity of habitats to provide for species movement and adaptation as climate changes; and to build community support and involvement in conservation. This book draws out lessons from a variety of established and new connectivity conservation initiatives from around Australia, and is complemented by international examples. Chapters are written by leaders in the field of establishing and operating connectivity networks, as well as key ecological and social scientists and experts in governance. Linking Australia's Landscapes will be an important reference for policy makers, natural resource managers, scientists, and academics and tertiary students dealing with issues in landscape-scale conservation, ecology, conservation biology, environmental policy, planning and management, social sciences, regional development, governance and ecosystem services.