This bibliography provides a list of known publications that have utilised data in the ALA or ALA infrastructure to support their research. The inclusion of publications remains a work in progress and this list will grow as the ALA works through historical data. If you have any questions please contact us at ala_references@csiro.au.

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2020

  1. Le, T. S., & Morgenroth, J. (2020). Strategic expansion of existing forest monitoring plots: a case study using a stratified GIS-based modelling approach. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science, 50. https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x41x

    New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science
    Abstract

    Background: Understanding the relationship between sites and the plant species they support is essential for effective vegetation management. Site-species matching requires knowledge of the growth response of a given species to the full range of environmental conditions in potential planting sites. This can be achieved by repeatedly measuring species growth at a comprehensive network of sample plots that cover a range of environmental conditions‚ including topography‚ climate‚ and soil factors. The New Zealand Dryland Forests Initiative has established permanent sample plots (PSPs) of a plantation species‚ Eucalyptus bosistoana F.Muell.‚ across New Zealand. However‚ these PSPs do not cover the entire range of environmental conditions available for the species and hence there is a need to expand the network of sites. The aim of this study was to determine optimal locations for new PSPs to provide more unique information to support site-species matching studies for Eucalyptus bosistoana in New Zealand.
    Methods: A geographic information system (GIS) and stratified random sampling method were used to generate a model to identify optimal locations for E. bosistoana PSP establishment. The variables used in this study included topography‚ climate‚ and soil data. Redundancy between the initial set of potential explanatory variables was reduced by a multi-collinearity analysis. The potential habitat for the species was restricted to land with environmental conditions that could support E. bosistoana. All environmental variables were stratified and an initial priority index for each stratum in each variable was calculated. Then a weighted-overlay analysis was conducted to create the final priority index‚ which was mapped to identify high-priority areas for targeted PSP expansion.
    Results: The existing PSP network for E. bosistoana generally covers the environmental conditions in low-elevation New Zealand dry lands‚ which are located alongside the east coast of the South Island‚ and the southern part of the North Island. The model identified high priority areas for PSP expansion‚ including several large regions in the North Island‚ especially in Rangitikei and Taupo Districts.
    Conclusions: The model successfully allowed identification of areas for a strategic expansion of permanent sample plots for E. bosistoana. Newly identified areas expand upon the topographic‚ climatic‚ and soil conditions represented by the existing PSP network. The new area for PSP expansion has potential to provide valuable information for further site-species matching studies. The methodology in this paper has potential to be used for other plot networks of a different species‚ or even natural forests.
    Citation

    Le, T. S., & Morgenroth, J. (2020). Strategic expansion of existing forest monitoring plots: a case study using a stratified GIS-based modelling approach. New Zealand Journal of Forestry Science, 50. https://doi.org/10.33494/nzjfs502020x41x

  2. Bello, C., Cintra, A. L. P., Barreto, E., Vancine, M. H., Sobral-Souza, T., Graham, C. H., & Galetti, M. (2020). Environmental niche and functional role similarity between invasive and native palms in the Atlantic Forest. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02400-8

    Biological Invasions
    Abstract

    Invasive species can significantly affect native species when their niches are similar. Ecological and morphological similarities between the invasive Australian palm‚ Archontophoenix cunninghamiana‚ and the native palm from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest‚ Euterpe edulis‚ suggest that they have similar environmental requirements and functional roles (i.e.‚ the function a species performs in an ecosystem). This similarity raises concerns about how the invasive palm could impact the native species in the present and future. We used spatial (species occurrences) and ecological information (frugivory events) to characterize the environmental niche and functional role of the two palms and assess their overlap. In addition‚ we predicted the potential area of occurrence of each palm within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest under current and future climate conditions.We estimated the environmental conditions used by the invasive plant based on its native distribution only‚ and based on all areas where the species is able to establish across the globe. We found that the environmental niches of the two palm species overlap up to 39%‚ which corresponds to 50% of the current geographic distribution of E. edulis in the Atlantic Forest. In the areas where the two species potentially co-occur‚ the impact of the invasive species on the native should be influenced by the invasive species interactions with frugivores. We found that the frugivory functional role of the two palms was similar (84% overlap) which suggest that A. cunninghamiana might disrupt the seed dispersal of the native palm. However‚ co-occurrence between the palms may decline with future climate change‚ as the potentially environmental suitable area for the invasive palm is predicted to decline by 10% to 55%. Evaluating the similarity in both the environmental niche‚ of the native and global extent‚ and the functional role of native and invasive plants provides a detailed understanding of the potential impact of invasive species on native species now and in the future.
    Citation

    Bello, C., Cintra, A. L. P., Barreto, E., Vancine, M. H., Sobral-Souza, T., Graham, C. H., & Galetti, M. (2020). Environmental niche and functional role similarity between invasive and native palms in the Atlantic Forest. Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-020-02400-8

  3. Martin, A. (2020). Persistence through resilience: How sexually deceptive orchids make the most of their pollinators. [PhD]. The University of Auckland.
    https://researchspace.auckland.ac.nz/handle/2292/53030

    Abstract

    Exploitation of co-operative relationships is found widely in nature and deception can impose acute fitness costs (including death or reproductive loss)‚ so how do these relationships persist? The Australasian Tongue Orchids‚ Cryptostylis spp. are extreme deceivers: they achieve outstanding pollination rates‚ eliciting ejaculation from their male wasp pollinator‚ Lissopimpla excelsa. Here‚ I use this system to examine individual-level costs and responses to exploitation through field experiments and evaluate population-level responses to sexual deceit using mathematical modelling and a survey of museum and digital records.
    In my field experiments‚ I quantify the costs of sperm for orchid pollinators‚ finding males may become depleted in their lifetime. I also find evidence of localised morphological and behavioural changes in response to orchid deceit. Compared to the same insect species in areas without orchids‚ male pollinators in areas with orchids have longer antennae‚ take longer to arrive at an orchid‚ have shorter orchid mating durations‚ and have smaller ejaculates. Antennae length does not appear to be a counter-adaptation to deception as it does not confer discriminatory ability. Instead‚ males with longer antennae had faster response times and were more likely to pollinate orchids. I hypothesise that rather than counter-adaptations‚ by manipulating population sex-ratios‚ Cryptostylis orchids enhance the effects of scramble competition in this species: creating males that more readily search for‚ and pollinate‚ these orchids.
    Mathematical modelling shows that a putative ’resilience’ trait‚ haplodiploidy (in which females can reproduce without sperm‚ albeit only sons)‚ helps exploited pollinators persist when experiencing sperm depletion. Museum and digital records corroborate this finding. I present two models‚ one from an orchid’s and one from a pollinator’s perspective. I found that orchids exploiting haplodiploids receive a double advantage: a pollinator resilient to reproductive interference (haplodiploid populations were less likely to become extinct than diploids and had improved female production); and an enhanced supply of males to act as pollinators (orchids that target haplodiploid populations had higher pollination rates than if they were to target diploids). Combined‚ these findings present a novel mechanism to explain the persistence of costly relationships: resilience. The idea that certain pre-existing life-history traits allow pollinators to cope with exploitation while improving long-term exploiter success.
    Citation

    Martin, A. (2020). Persistence through resilience: How sexually deceptive orchids make the most of their pollinators. [PhD]. The University of Auckland.

  4. Salvi, A. M. (2020). Mesophyll Photosynthetic Sensitivity to Leaf Water Potential: Relationships to Climatic Distribution, Isohydry, and Hydraulic Traits [PhD]. The University of Wisconsin - Madison.
    https://search.proquest.com/docview/2448989737/abstract/9F4BAA6B4FC64E0DPQ/1

    Abstract

    One of the most important but least studied constraints on the evolution and productivity of land plants is the sensitivity of mesophyll photosynthetic capacity to leaf water potential. Although declines in photosynthetic rates during limited water supply partly reflect a drop in stomatal conductance‚ there is another‚ often overlooked cause: the tendency for intracellular photosynthetic capacity to shut down at low leaf water potentials. This tendency‚ which we term mesophyll photosynthetic sensitivity (MPS)‚ was likely an important constraint on the evolution of land plants and shaped several key traits affecting photosynthesis and stomatal behavior. However‚ almost nothing is known about how MPS varies across ecologically divergent plants. To explore this fundamental constraint on plant growth and competitive ability‚ I investigated under lab and field conditions how MPS differs in terrestrial plant species that vary drastically in native climatic conditions‚ ecophysiological behavior‚ and drought tolerance strategies‚ and asked how such sensitivity is related to peak photosynthetic rates‚ stomatal behavior‚ leaf anatomical traits related to gas exchange and hydraulic transport‚ and annual rainfall vs. pan evaporation in their native habitats.
    Studying ten dominant Eucalyptus species (five each from Eucalyptus subg. Symphyomyrtus and subg. Monocalyptus) and carefully accounting for phylogenetic relationships‚ I (1) compared MPS of these species grown in greenhouse conditions to the ratio of precipitation to pan evaporation of their natural distributions in Australia‚ and to their peak photosyn¬thetic rate and water potential at leaf wilting; (2) placed these species along the continuum of stomatal behavior continuum of isohydry to anisohydry‚ and determined how placement along this continuum relates to MPS and key gas-exchange and hydraulic parameters. Finally (3)‚ using five arboreal species of the Western United States that range across the iso- to anisohydric continuum‚ I investigated how dehydration tolerant vs. dehydration avoidant drought strategies‚ characterized by several stomatal and hydraulic traits‚ relate to MPS‚ and determined what role osmolytic sugars have on leaf water potential and MPS. This dissertation displays that MPS is tightly linked to habitat moisture availability and plant hydraulic behavior‚ suggesting possible use as a new drought tolerant trait in terrestrial plants.
    Citation

    Salvi, A. M. (2020). Mesophyll Photosynthetic Sensitivity to Leaf Water Potential: Relationships to Climatic Distribution, Isohydry, and Hydraulic Traits [PhD]. The University of Wisconsin - Madison.

  5. Gallagher, R. V. (2020). Final National prioritisation of Australian plants affected by the 2019-2020 bushfire season (p. 62). Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.
    https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/289205b6-83c5-480c-9a7d-3fdf3cde2f68/files/final-national-prioritisation-australian-plants-affected-2019-2020-bushfire-season.pdf

    Abstract

    During the 2019-2020 bushfire season‚ over 10 million hectares of Australia burned. In the
    aftermath‚ a continent-wide prioritisation was undertaken to identify which of Australia’s 26‚062
    plant taxa may be most at risk of impacts and extinction. This prioritisation was based on a set of
    11 criteria (A-K) developed in consultation with experts in plant and fire ecology‚ led by Dr
    Tony Auld of the NSW Department of Planning‚ Industry and Environment‚ and endorsed by
    the Wildlife and Threatened Species Bushfire Recovery Expert Panel.
    This Final Assessment refines and extends the methods applied in the Interim Assessment
    Report ver. 1.4 (Gallagher 2020) by including an additional 7‚058 plant taxa‚ new data on species
    traits‚ and revised spatial analysis for several criteria. As previously‚ 1‚335 plant taxa listed as
    threatened under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
    (EPBC Act) and 4‚622 listed under state legislation have been assessed. Burnt area statistics are
    shown in Table ES1; 8% of EPBC Act taxa had more than 50% of their range burned during the
    2019-2020 fire season.
    Of the 26‚062 plant taxa assessed‚ 486 were prioritised as requiring immediate action to assess
    impacts and support recovery. These taxa had more than 80% of their range burnt‚ or were listed
    as Endangered or Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act or state/territory listings‚ or were
    listed as HIGH risk under two or more of the criteria assessed. Of these 486 high priority
    species‚ 369 appeared in the Interim Assessment‚ and 117 and 102 have been gained and lost‚
    respectively. These changes in species identified as high priority are due to the inclusion of more
    taxa‚ new trait data and refined threat information relative to the Interim Assessment.
    Citation

    Gallagher, R. V. (2020). Final National prioritisation of Australian plants affected by the 2019-2020 bushfire season (p. 62). Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Water and Environment.

  6. Tulloch, V., Grech, A., Jonsen, I., Pirotta, V., & Harcourt, R. (2020). Cost-effective mitigation strategies to reduce bycatch threats to cetaceans identified using return-on-investment analysis. Conservation Biology, 34(1), 168–179. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13418

    Conservation Biology
    Abstract

    Globally‚ fisheries bycatch threatens the survival of many whale and dolphin species. Strategies for reducing bycatch can be expensive. Management is inclined to prioritize investment in actions that are inexpensive‚ but these may not be the most effective. We used an economic tool‚ return-on-investment‚ to identify cost-effective measures to reduce cetacean bycatch in the trawl‚ net‚ and line fisheries of Australia. We examined 3 management actions: spatial closures‚ acoustic deterrents‚ and gear modifications. We compared an approach for which the primary goal was to reduce the cost of bycatch reduction to fisheries with an approach that aims solely to protect whale and dolphin species. Based on cost-effectiveness and at a fine spatial resolution‚ we identified the management strategies across Australia that most effectively abated dolphin and whale bycatch. Although trawl-net modifications were the cheapest strategy overall‚ there were many locations where spatial closures were the most cost-effective solution‚ despite their high costs to fisheries‚ due to their effectiveness in reducing all fisheries interactions. Our method can be used to delineate strategies to reduce bycatch threats to mobile marine species across diverse fisheries at relevant spatial scales to improve conservation outcomes.
    Citation

    Tulloch, V., Grech, A., Jonsen, I., Pirotta, V., & Harcourt, R. (2020). Cost-effective mitigation strategies to reduce bycatch threats to cetaceans identified using return-on-investment analysis. Conservation Biology, 34(1), 168–179. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13418

  7. Rossetto, M., Wilson, P. D., Bragg, J., Cohen, J., Fahey, M., Yap, J. Y. S., & van der Merwe, M. (2020). Perceptions of Similarity Can Mislead Provenancing Strategies—An Example from Five Co-Distributed Acacia Species. Diversity, 12(8), 306. https://doi.org/10.3390/d12080306

    Diversity
    Diversity
    Abstract

    Ecological restoration requires balancing levels of genetic diversity to achieve present-day establishment as well as long-term sustainability. Assumptions based on distributional‚ taxonomic or functional generalizations are often made when deciding how to source plant material for restoration. We investigate this assumption and ask whether species-specific data is required to optimize provenancing strategies. We use population genetic and environmental data from five congeneric and largely co-distributed species of Acacia to specifically ask how different species-specific genetic provenancing strategies are based on empirical data and how well a simple‚ standardized collection strategy would work when applied to the same species. We find substantial variability in terms of patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation across the landscape among these five co-distributed Acacia species. This variation translates into substantial differences in genetic provenancing recommendations among species (ranging from 100% to less than 1% of observed genetic variation across species) that could not have been accurately predicted a priori based on simple observation or overall distributional patterns. Furthermore‚ when a common provenancing strategy was applied to each species‚ the recommended collection areas and the evolutionary representativeness of such artificially standardized areas were substantially different (smaller) from those identified based on environmental and genetic data. We recommend the implementation of the increasingly accessible array of evolutionary-based methodologies and information to optimize restoration efforts.
    Citation

    Rossetto, M., Wilson, P. D., Bragg, J., Cohen, J., Fahey, M., Yap, J. Y. S., & van der Merwe, M. (2020). Perceptions of Similarity Can Mislead Provenancing Strategies—An Example from Five Co-Distributed Acacia Species. Diversity, 12(8), 306. https://doi.org/10.3390/d12080306

  8. Cutajar, T. P., & Rowley, J. L. (2020). Surveying frogs from the bellies of their parasites: Invertebrate-derived DNA as a novel survey method for frogs. Global Ecology and Conservation, e00978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00978

    Global Ecology and Conservation
    Abstract

    Biodiversity conservation is reliant on thorough species occurrence data. However‚ the collection of such data is often difficult for species with poor detectability. Recently‚ invertebrate-derived DNA (iDNA) has emerged as a potentially powerful survey method to increase the detectability of terrestrial vertebrates. Parasitic invertebrates are effective samplers of some vertebrate diversity and can be used to detect and identify their host species by sequencing the DNA contained in their meals. Among taxa that can be very difficult to detect using traditional survey methods are many frog species‚ which are often of a high conservation priority. However‚ the potential for frog-specific iDNA surveys has not been explored; most iDNA surveys have targeted mammals. We carried out traditional audio-visual and iDNA frog surveys in eastern Australia to determine whether frog-biting midges (Corethrella and Sycorax spp.) can be used as an effective survey method for frogs. The frog species detected through each method differed. Five species were detected only during traditional surveys‚ three by both methods‚ and one exclusively via iDNA. We demonstrate for the first time that iDNA can be used in targeted surveys of frog diversity and that it may increase the detectability of some species compared to traditional surveys. iDNA holds particular promise in the search for rare species‚ including those that are missing‚ feared extinct‚ and may also be useful in biosecurity‚ detecting invasive species.
    Citation

    Cutajar, T. P., & Rowley, J. L. (2020). Surveying frogs from the bellies of their parasites: Invertebrate-derived DNA as a novel survey method for frogs. Global Ecology and Conservation, e00978. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00978

  9. Zhu, L., Bloomfield, K. J., Asao, S., Tjoelker, M. G., Egerton, J. J. G., Hayes, L., Weerasinghe, L. K., Creek, D., Griffin, K. L., Hurry, V., Liddell, M., Meir, P., Turnbull, M. H., & Atkin, O. K. (2020). Acclimation of leaf respiration temperature responses across thermally contrasting biomes. New Phytologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16929

    New Phytologist
    Abstract

    Short-term temperature response curves of leaf dark respiration (R-T) provide insights into a critical process that influences plant net carbon exchange. This includes how respiratory traits acclimate to sustained changes in the environment. Our study analyses 860 high-resolution R-T (10–70°C range) curves for: (a) 62 evergreen species measured in two contrasting seasons across several field sites/biomes; and (b) 21 species (sub-set of those sampled in the field) grown in glasshouses at 20/15‚ 25/20 and 30/25 °C (day/night). In the field‚ across all sites/seasons‚ variations in R25 (measured at 25 °C) and the leaf-T where R reached its maximum (Tmax) were explained by growth-T (mean air-T of 30-days prior to measurement)‚ solar irradiance and vapor pressure deficit‚ with growth-T having the strongest influence. R25 decreased and Tmax increased with rising growth-T across all sites and seasons with the single exception of winter at the cool-temperate rainforest site where irradiance was low. The glasshouse study confirmed that R25 and Tmax thermally acclimated. Collectively‚ the results suggest: (1) thermal acclimation of leaf R is common in most biomes; and‚ (2) the high-T threshold of respiration dynamically adjusts upward when plants are challenged with warmer and hotter climates.
    Citation

    Zhu, L., Bloomfield, K. J., Asao, S., Tjoelker, M. G., Egerton, J. J. G., Hayes, L., Weerasinghe, L. K., Creek, D., Griffin, K. L., Hurry, V., Liddell, M., Meir, P., Turnbull, M. H., & Atkin, O. K. (2020). Acclimation of leaf respiration temperature responses across thermally contrasting biomes. New Phytologist. https://doi.org/10.1111/nph.16929

  10. Higgins, S. I., Larcombe, M. J., Beeton, N. J., Conradi, T., & Nottebrock, H. (2020). Predictive ability of a process-based versus a correlative species distribution model. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6712

    Ecology and Evolution
    Abstract

    Species distribution modeling is a widely used tool in many branches of ecology and evolution. Evaluations of the transferability of species distribution models—their ability to predict the distribution of species in independent data domains—are‚ however‚ rare. In this study‚ we contrast the transferability of a process-based and a correlative species distribution model. Our case study uses 664 Australian eucalypt and acacia species. We estimate models for these species using data from their native Australia and then assess whether these models can predict the adventive range of these species. We find that the correlative model—MaxEnt—has a superior ability to describe the data in the training data domain (Australia) and that the process-based model—TTR-SDM—has a superior ability to predict the distribution of the study species outside of Australia. The implication of this analysis‚ that process-based models may be more appropriate than correlative models when making projections outside of the domain of the training data‚ needs to be tested in other case studies.
    Citation

    Higgins, S. I., Larcombe, M. J., Beeton, N. J., Conradi, T., & Nottebrock, H. (2020). Predictive ability of a process-based versus a correlative species distribution model. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6712

  11. Dorey, J. B., Fagan-Jeffries, E. P., Stevens, M. I., & Schwarz, M. P. (2020). Morphometric comparisons and novel observations of diurnal and low-light-foraging bees. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 79, 117–144. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.79.57308

    Journal of Hymenoptera Research
    Abstract

    Low-light adapted bees are substantially understudied components of the bee fauna‚ particularly in Australia. Whilst several species in Australia are thought to be adapted to low-light conditions‚ explicit records of these taxa actually foraging at twilight or night are absent from the scientific literature. We present the first observations of Australian bees foraging in low-light conditions as well as the first evidence of low-light foraging behaviour in the colletid bee subfamily‚ Hylaeinae. Using morphometrics of Australian and more broadly-distributed diurnal‚ facultative low-light and obligate low-light adapted bees‚ we explore the use of morphological traits to objectively assess possible low-light behaviour and corroborate low-light collection events. Our results show that it is possible to morphologically distinguish between diurnal and low-light adapted bees‚ and that there is a spectrum of characters that are associated with low light conditions. We use GIS to show that low-light adapted species occur mostly in the tropics‚ but that some species have subtropical‚ arid and even temperate distributions. As low-light foraging behaviour in bees is infrequently reported‚ it appears that low-light foraging behaviour is more common than currently appreciated‚ highlighting the need for extended bee-sampling periods and more consistent collection data to increase the understanding of this little-understood aspect of bee behaviour.
    Citation

    Dorey, J. B., Fagan-Jeffries, E. P., Stevens, M. I., & Schwarz, M. P. (2020). Morphometric comparisons and novel observations of diurnal and low-light-foraging bees. Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 79, 117–144. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.79.57308

  12. Cross, A. T., Krueger, T. A., Gonella, P. M., Robinson, A. S., & Fleischmann, A. S. (2020). Conservation of carnivorous plants in the age of extinction. Global Ecology and Conservation, e01272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01272

    Global Ecology and Conservation
    Abstract

    Carnivorous plants (CPs)—those possessing specific strategies to attract‚ capture and kill animal prey and obtain nutrition through the absorption of their biomass—are harbingers of anthropogenic degradation and destruction of ecosystems. CPs exhibit highly specialised and often very sensitive ecologies‚ being generally restricted to nutrient-impoverished habitats where carnivory offers a competitive advantage. As such‚ they are often the first species to disappear following habitat degradation‚ land use change‚ and alteration to natural ecological processes‚ and are at significant risk from processes such as eutrophication and weed invasion‚ and even poorly-understood impacts such as airborne nitrogen inputs. Many of the world’s 860 species of CPs are found in wetland habitats‚ which represent some of the most cleared and heavily degraded ecosystems on Earth. Global diversity hotspots for CPs are likewise located in some of the most heavily cleared and disturbed areas of the planet—southwestern Western Australia‚ Southeast Asia‚ Mediterranean Europe‚ central eastern Brazil‚ and the southeastern United States—placing their conservation at odds with human developmental interests. Many carnivorous plant species exhibit extreme range-restriction and are wholly localised to specific geological formations‚ microhabitats or elevations‚ with nowhere to move to in the face of environmental change such as a warming‚ drying climate. We provide the first systematic examination of the conservation status and threats to all CPs globally‚ compiling full or partial assessments of conservation status category for 860 species from 18 genera‚ and provide ten recommendations towards better conservation and management of this iconic group. A total of 69 species were assessed as Critically Endangered (8% of all species)‚ 47 as Endangered (6%)‚ 104 as Vulnerable (12%)‚ and 23 as Near Threatened (3%). Slightly over 60% of CPs (521 species) were assessed as Least Concern. At least 89 species are known from only a single location based on current knowledge. Data on threatening processes were available for 790 species‚ with the most common threatening processes including Agriculture and Aquaculture (impacting 170 species)‚ Natural Systems Modifications (168 species)‚ Climate Change and Severe Weather (158 species)‚ Energy Production and Mining (127 species)‚ Human Intrusions and Disturbance (126 species)‚ and Biological Resource Use (98 species). Almost a quarter of all species were impacted upon by three or more threatening processes. The most significant threats placing species at imminent risk of extinction include the continuing clearing of natural habitat for urban and agricultural development and the illegal collection of individuals from the wild for horticultural trade. The complex and specialised ecological requirements of CPs‚ together with the multifaceted threats they face‚ make conservation difficult and repatriation even to restored areas challenging. As the number of vulnerable‚ endangered and extinct carnivorous plant species continues to grow‚ despite significant conservation efforts in many regions and greater awareness of their ecological requirements‚ it is clear that a paradigm shift is required in our approach to the preservation of this unique group of plants in order to achieve long-term conservation successes.
    Citation

    Cross, A. T., Krueger, T. A., Gonella, P. M., Robinson, A. S., & Fleischmann, A. S. (2020). Conservation of carnivorous plants in the age of extinction. Global Ecology and Conservation, e01272. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01272

  13. von Takach, B., Scheele, B. C., Moore, H., Murphy, B. P., & Banks, S. C. (2020). Patterns of niche contraction identify vital refuge areas for declining mammals. Diversity and Distributions. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13145

    Diversity and Distributions
    Abstract

    Aim Investigation of realized niche contraction in declining species can help us understand how and where threats are being either mediated or tolerated across landscapes. It also provides insights into species’ sensitivity to environmental change that are unable to be identified through analysis of declines in range size or abundance alone. Here‚ we apply the recently proposed ’niche reduction hypothesis’ to investigate relationships between trends in niche breadth and geographic distribution of declining species. Location Northern Australia. Methods We compare and contrast contemporary and historical data sets to examine the relationship between extent of occurrence (EOO) and realized niche hypervolume‚ and investigate changes in species’ utilization of environmental space through time via generalized linear modelling and bootstrapping of historical values. We also use the ’Maxent’ algorithm to create and stack contemporary and historical ecological niche models (ENMs) and identify regions where resilience to threatening processes is maximized. Results We found larger mean reductions in niche hypervolume (39%) than EOO (30.5%)‚ with little correlation (r = 0.07) between the two measures‚ suggesting that contraction of realized niche breadth can be largely independent of reduction in EOO. We also identified a general set of environmental conditions towards which species’ realized niches contracted. Comparison of stacked ENMs allowed us to identify regions of natural refuge where environmental conditions are associated with increased species resilience to threats‚ and conversely‚ regions where habitat suitability has declined. Main conclusions Examining species declines from an ecological niche perspective provides a powerful tool for understanding how environmental conditions‚ biotic interactions and species traits shape responses to local and global environmental changes. Quantifying reductions in niche breadth is crucial as contraction to a narrower subset of environmental space can reduce a species’ ability to tolerate other threats and potentially lower adaptive capacity and genetic diversity‚ increasing extinction risk.
    Citation

    von Takach, B., Scheele, B. C., Moore, H., Murphy, B. P., & Banks, S. C. (2020). Patterns of niche contraction identify vital refuge areas for declining mammals. Diversity and Distributions. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13145

  14. Sanchez‐Martinez, P., Martínez‐Vilalta, J., Dexter, K. G., Segovia, R. A., & Mencuccini, M. (2020). Adaptation and coordinated evolution of plant hydraulic traits. Ecology Letters. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13584

    Ecology Letters
    Abstract

    Hydraulic properties control plant responses to climate and are likely to be under strong selective pressure‚ but their macro-evolutionary history remains poorly characterised. To fill this gap‚ we compiled a global dataset of hydraulic traits describing xylem conductivity (Ks)‚ xylem resistance to embolism (P50)‚ sapwood allocation relative to leaf area (Hv) and drought exposure (ψmin)‚ and matched it with global seed plant phylogenies. Individually‚ these traits present medium to high levels of phylogenetic signal‚ partly related to environmental selective pressures shaping lineage evolution. Most of these traits evolved independently of each other‚ being co-selected by the same environmental pressures. However‚ the evolutionary correlations between P50 and ψmin and between Ks and Hv show signs of deeper evolutionary integration because of functional‚ developmental or genetic constraints‚ conforming to evolutionary modules. We do not detect evolutionary integration between conductivity and resistance to embolism‚ rejecting a hardwired trade-off for this pair of traits.
    Citation

    Sanchez‐Martinez, P., Martínez‐Vilalta, J., Dexter, K. G., Segovia, R. A., & Mencuccini, M. (2020). Adaptation and coordinated evolution of plant hydraulic traits. Ecology Letters. https://doi.org/10.1111/ele.13584

  15. Miller, A. D., Nitschke, C., Weeks, A. R., Weatherly, W. L., Heyes, S. D., Sinclair, S. J., Holland, O. J., Stevenson, A., Broadhurst, L., Hoebee, S. E., Sherman, C. D. H., & Morgan, J. W. (2020). Genetic data and climate niche suitability models highlight the vulnerability of a functionally important plant species from south-eastern Australia. Evolutionary Applications, 13(8), 2014–2029. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12958

    Evolutionary Applications
    Abstract

    Habitat fragmentation imperils the persistence of many functionally important species‚ with climate change a new threat to local persistence due to climate niche mismatching. Predicting the evolutionary trajectory of species essential to ecosystem function under future climates is challenging but necessary for prioritizing conservation investments. We use a combination of population genetics and niche suitability models to assess the trajectory of a functionally important‚ but highly fragmented‚ plant species from south-eastern Australia (Banksia marginata‚ Proteaceae). We demonstrate significant genetic structuring among‚ and high level of relatedness within‚ fragmented remnant populations‚ highlighting imminent risks of inbreeding. Population simulations‚ controlling for effective population size (Ne)‚ suggest that many remnant populations will suffer rapid declines in genetic diversity due to drift in the absence of intervention. Simulations were used to demonstrate how inbreeding and drift processes might be suppressed by assisted migration and population mixing approaches that enhance the size and connectivity of remnant populations. These analyses were complemented by niche suitability models that predicted substantial reductions of suitable habitat by 2080; 30% of the current distribution of the species climate niche overlaps with the projected distribution of the species climate niche in the geographic region by the 2080s. Our study highlights the importance of conserving remnant populations and establishing new populations in areas likely to support B. marginata in the future‚ and adopting seed sourcing strategies that can help populations overcome the risks of inbreeding and maladaptation. We also argue that ecological replacement of B. marginata using climatically suited plant species might be needed in the future to maintain ecosystem processes where B. marginata cannot persist. We recommend the need for progressive revegetation policies and practices to prevent further deterioration of species such as B. marginata and the ecosystems they support.
    Citation

    Miller, A. D., Nitschke, C., Weeks, A. R., Weatherly, W. L., Heyes, S. D., Sinclair, S. J., Holland, O. J., Stevenson, A., Broadhurst, L., Hoebee, S. E., Sherman, C. D. H., & Morgan, J. W. (2020). Genetic data and climate niche suitability models highlight the vulnerability of a functionally important plant species from south-eastern Australia. Evolutionary Applications, 13(8), 2014–2029. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12958

  16. Uzqueda, A., Burnett, S., Bertola, L. V., & Hoskin, C. J. (2020). Quantifying range decline and remaining populations of the large marsupial carnivore of Australia’s tropical rainforest. Journal of Mammalogy. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa077

    Journal of Mammalogy
    Abstract

    Large predators are particularly susceptible to population declines due to large area requirements‚ low population density‚ and conflict with humans. Their low density and secretive habits also make it difficult to know the spatial extent‚ size‚ and connectivity of populations; declines hence can go unnoticed. Here‚ we quantified decline in a large marsupial carnivore‚ the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus gracilis)‚ endemic to the Wet Tropics rainforest of northeast Australia. We compiled a large database of occurrence records and used species distributional modeling to estimate the distribution in four time periods (Pre-1956‚ 1956–1975‚ 1976–1995‚ 1996–2016) using climate layers and three human-use variables. The most supported variables in the distribution models were climatic‚ with highly suitable quoll habitat having relatively high precipitation‚ low temperatures‚ and a narrow annual range in temperature. Land-use type and road density also influenced quoll distribution in some time periods. The modeling revealed a significant decline in the distribution of D. m. gracilis over the last century‚ with contraction away from peripheral areas and from large areas of the Atherton Tablelands in the center of the distribution. Tests of the change in patch availability for populations of 20‚ 50‚ and 100 individuals revealed a substantial (17–32%) decline in available habitat for all population sizes‚ with a particular decline (31–40%) in core habitat (i.e.‚ excluding edges). Six remaining populations were defined. Extrapolating capture–recapture density estimates derived from two populations in 2017 suggests these populations are small and range from about 10 to 160 individuals. Our total population estimate sums to 424 individuals‚ but we outline why this estimate is positively skewed and that the actual population size may be < 300 individuals. Continued decline and apparent absence in areas of highly suitable habitat suggests some threats are not being captured in our models. From our results‚ we provide management and research recommendations for this enigmatic predator.
    Citation

    Uzqueda, A., Burnett, S., Bertola, L. V., & Hoskin, C. J. (2020). Quantifying range decline and remaining populations of the large marsupial carnivore of Australia’s tropical rainforest. Journal of Mammalogy. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyaa077

  17. Cornejo-Páramo, P., Lira-Noriega, A., Ramírez-Suástegui, C., Méndez-de-la-Cruz, F. R., Székely, T., Urrutia, A. O., & Cortez, D. (2020). Sex determination systems in reptiles are related to ambient temperature but not to the level of climatic fluctuation. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 20(1), 103. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-020-01671-y

    BMC Evolutionary Biology
    Abstract

    Vertebrates exhibit diverse sex determination systems and reptiles stand out by having highly variable sex determinations that include temperature-dependent and genotypic sex determination (TSD and GSD‚ respectively). Theory predicts that populations living in either highly variable or cold climatic conditions should evolve genotypic sex determination to buffer the populations from extreme sex ratios‚ yet these fundamental predictions have not been tested across a wide range of taxa.
    Citation

    Cornejo-Páramo, P., Lira-Noriega, A., Ramírez-Suástegui, C., Méndez-de-la-Cruz, F. R., Székely, T., Urrutia, A. O., & Cortez, D. (2020). Sex determination systems in reptiles are related to ambient temperature but not to the level of climatic fluctuation. BMC Evolutionary Biology, 20(1), 103. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-020-01671-y

  18. Viacava, P., Blomberg, S. P., Sansalone, G., Phillips, M. J., Guillerme, T., Cameron, S. F., Wilson, R. S., & Weisbecker, V. (2020). Skull shape of a widely distributed, endangered marsupial reveals little evidence of local adaptation between fragmented populations. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6593

    Ecology and Evolution
    Abstract

    The biogeographic distribution of diversity among populations of threatened mammalian species is generally investigated using population genetics. However‚ intraspecific phenotypic diversity is rarely assessed beyond taxonomy-focused linear measurements or qualitative descriptions. Here‚ we use a technique widely used in the evolutionary sciences—geometric morphometrics—to characterize shape diversity in the skull of an endangered marsupial‚ the northern quoll‚ across its 5‚000 km distribution range along Northern Australia. Skull shape is a proxy for feeding‚ behavior‚ and phenotypic differentiation‚ allowing us to ask whether populations can be distinguished and whether patterns of variation indicate adaptability to changing environmental conditions. We analyzed skull shape in 101 individuals across four mainland populations and several islands. We assessed the contribution of population‚ size‚ sex‚ rainfall‚ temperature‚ and geography to skull shape variation using principal component analysis‚ Procrustes ANOVA‚ and variation partitioning analyses. The populations harbor similar amounts of broadly overlapping skull shape variation‚ with relatively low geographic effects. Size predicted skull shape best‚ coinciding with braincase size variation and differences in zygomatic arches. Size-adjusted differences in populations explained less variation with far smaller effect sizes‚ relating to changes in the insertion areas of masticatory muscles‚ as well as the upper muzzle and incisor region. Climatic and geographic variables contributed little. Strikingly‚ the vast majority of shape variation—76%—remained unexplained. Our results suggest a uniform intraspecific scope for shape variation‚ possibly due to allometric constraints or phenotypic plasticity beyond the relatively strong allometric effect. The lack of local adaptation indicates that cross-breeding between populations will not reduce local morphological skull (and probably general musculoskeletal) adaptation because none exists. However‚ the potential for heritable morphological variation (e.g.‚ specialization to local diets) seems exceedingly limited. We conclude that 3D geometric morphometrics can provide a comprehensive‚ statistically rigorous phenomic contribution to genetic-based conservation studies.
    Citation

    Viacava, P., Blomberg, S. P., Sansalone, G., Phillips, M. J., Guillerme, T., Cameron, S. F., Wilson, R. S., & Weisbecker, V. (2020). Skull shape of a widely distributed, endangered marsupial reveals little evidence of local adaptation between fragmented populations. Ecology and Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6593

  19. Ayre, B. (2020). The critical role of birds as pollinators of the Red and Green Kangaroo Paw, Anigozanthos manglesii [PhD]. University of Western Australia.
    https://doi.org/10.26182/5ee03087192ea

    Abstract

    Pollination by nectar-feeding birds is critical for the kangaroo paw Anigozanthos manglesii. Although the introduced European Honeybee‚ Apis mellifera‚ is the most common flower visitor‚ experimentally excluding nectar-feeding birds results in 81% fewer seeds‚ 67% fewer fruits‚ lower allelic diversity and lower levels of multiple paternity. Hand pollination experiments identified the presence of a near-neighbour optimal outcrossing distance‚ with seed set highest between near-neighbours and paternal success decreasing with increasing distance between plants. These results highlight that pollination by nectar-feeding birds can have unique genetic consequences‚ and that the introduced honeybee may negatively impact the pollination of some native plants.
    Citation

    Ayre, B. (2020). The critical role of birds as pollinators of the Red and Green Kangaroo Paw, Anigozanthos manglesii [PhD]. University of Western Australia.

  20. Zhang, X., Wei, H., Zhang, X., Liu, J., Zhang, Q., & Gu, W. (2020). Non-Pessimistic Predictions of the Distributions and Suitability of Metasequoia glyptostroboides under Climate Change Using a Random Forest Model. Forests, 11(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11010062

    Forests
    Forests
    Abstract

    Metasequoia glyptostroboides Hu & W. C. Cheng‚ which is a remarkable rare relict plant‚ has gradually been reduced to its current narrow range due to climate change. Understanding the comprehensive distribution of M. glyptostroboides under climate change on a large spatio-temporal scale is of great significance for determining its forest adaptation. In this study‚ based on 394 occurrence data and 10 bioclimatic variables‚ the global potential distribution of M. glyptostroboides under eight different climate scenarios (i.e.‚ the past three‚ the current one‚ and the next four) from the Quaternary glacial to the future was simulated by a random forest model built with the biomod2 package. The key bioclimatic variables affecting the distribution of M. glyptostroboides are BIO2 (mean diurnal range)‚ BIO1 (annual mean temperature)‚ BIO9 (mean temperature of driest quarter)‚ BIO6 (min temperature of coldest month)‚ and BIO18 (precipitation of warmest quarter). The result indicates that the temperature affects the potential distribution of M. glyptostroboides more than the precipitation. A visualization of the results revealed that the current relatively suitable habitats of M. glyptostroboides are mainly distributed in East Asia and Western Europe‚ with a total area of approximately 6.857 × 106 km2. With the intensification of global warming in the future‚ the potential distribution and the suitability of M. glyptostroboides have a relatively non-pessimistic trend. Whether under the mild (RCP4.5) and higher (RCP8.5) emission scenarios‚ the total area of suitable habitats will be wider than it is now by the 2070s‚ and the habitat suitability will increase to varying degrees within a wide spatial range. After speculating on the potential distribution of M. glyptostroboides in the past‚ the glacial refugia of M. glyptostroboides were inferred‚ and projections regarding the future conditions of these places are expected to be optimistic. In order to better protect the species‚ the locations of its priority protected areas and key protected areas‚ mainly in Western Europe and East Asia‚ were further identified. Our results will provide theoretical reference for the long-term management of M. glyptostroboides‚ and can be used as background information for the restoration of other endangered species in the future.
    Citation

    Zhang, X., Wei, H., Zhang, X., Liu, J., Zhang, Q., & Gu, W. (2020). Non-Pessimistic Predictions of the Distributions and Suitability of Metasequoia glyptostroboides under Climate Change Using a Random Forest Model. Forests, 11(1), 62. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11010062

  21. Bino, G., Kingsford, R. T., & Wintle, B. A. (2020). A stitch in time – Synergistic impacts to platypus metapopulation extinction risk. Biological Conservation, 242, 108399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108399

    Biological Conservation
    Abstract

    The unique platypus is currently listed as ‘Near-Threatened’ under the IUCN Red List based on observed population declines and local extinctions‚ though significant uncertainty exists about its current distribution and abundance. We did the first population viability analysis across its entire range‚ using distribution and metapopulation data and models that integrate key threatening processes. We quantified the individual and synergistic impacts of water resource development‚ land clearing and invasive species on population viability of the platypus. Under current climate and threats‚ platypus abundance and metapopulation occupancy were predicted to respectively decline by 47%–66% and 22%–32% over 50 years. This would cause extinction of local populations across about 40% of the range. Under climate change projections (2070)‚ increased extreme drought frequencies and duration were predicted to further expose platypuses to increased local extinctions‚ reducing abundance and metapopulation occupancy by 51–73% and 36–56% within 50 years respectively. Predicted estimates of key threatening processes on platypus populations strongly suggested increased risk of extinction‚ including listing as ‘Vulnerable’‚ under IUCN criterion A. This adds to the increasing evidence of decline and local extinction of platypus populations. There is an urgent need to implement national conservation efforts for this unique mammal by increasing surveys‚ tracking trends‚ mitigating threats and improving management of platypus habitat in rivers.
    Citation

    Bino, G., Kingsford, R. T., & Wintle, B. A. (2020). A stitch in time – Synergistic impacts to platypus metapopulation extinction risk. Biological Conservation, 242, 108399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.108399

  22. Matley, K. A., Sniderman, J. M. K., Drinnan, A. N., & Hellstrom, J. C. (2020). Late-Holocene environmental change on the Nullarbor Plain, southwest Australia, based on speleothem pollen records. Holocene. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683619895589

    Holocene
    Holocene
    Abstract

    Fossil pollen from two stalagmites is examined to reconstruct a c. 2400-year history of vegetation change on the Nullarbor Plain. Environmental changes are reflected by variation in chenopod species abundance‚ and by a peak in woody taxa between 1000 and 800 years ago which is interpreted as evidence of increased moisture conditions associated with a positive phase of the Southern Annular Mode. While no strong palynological signal is observed at the time of European colonization of Australia‚ a significant change occurs in the past 40 years‚ which is interpreted as a vegetation response to a recorded fire event. As speleothems (secondary cave carbonates including stalagmites‚ stalactites and flowstones) rarely contain enough fossil pollen for analysis‚ the taphonomic biases of speleothem archives remain poorly understood. This study‚ as well as being a high-resolution record of environmental change‚ presents an opportunity to examine these taphonomic filters. The record is shown to be sensitive to episodic deposition of presumably insect-borne pollen‚ but overall appears to provide a faithful representation of local and regional vegetation change. There is a need for greater research into taphonomic processes‚ if speleothem palynology is to be developed as a viable alternative to lacustrine sediments in the investigation of past environmental change.
    Citation

    Matley, K. A., Sniderman, J. M. K., Drinnan, A. N., & Hellstrom, J. C. (2020). Late-Holocene environmental change on the Nullarbor Plain, southwest Australia, based on speleothem pollen records. Holocene. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683619895589

  23. Santos, A. A., Leijs, R., Picanço, M. C., Glatz, R., & Hogendoorn, K. (2020). Modelling the climate suitability of green carpenter bee (Xylocopa aerata) and its nesting hosts under current and future scenarios to guide conservation efforts. Austral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12853

    Austral Ecology
    Abstract

    Due to local extinction‚ the endangered green carpenter bee (Xylocopa aerata) has a disjunct distribution in the southeast of Australia. The species relies on dead softwood from a small selection of plant species for making its nests. Habitat fragmentation‚ combined with deleterious fire events‚ is thought to have negatively impacted on nesting substrate availability and recolonisation chances. Here‚ we use MaxEnt algorithm to model both the current distribution and the effect of climate change scenarios on the distribution of both X. aerata and four plant species that provide most of its nesting substrate: Banksia integrifolia‚ B. marginata‚ Xanthorrhoea arborea and Xanthorrhoea semiplana subsp. tateana. The annual mean temperature is the strongest climatic predictor of the distribution of X. aerata and its host plants. The modelled distribution of the bee under current climatic conditions indicates that climatic factors are unlikely to cause local extinctions. In all future scenarios‚ suitable areas for X. aerata and each of its nesting hosts are expected to contract towards the southeast of mainland Australia. The suitability of Kangaroo Island for the bee and its current local current host species is maintained in all scenarios‚ while Tasmania will become increasingly suitable for all species. The Grampians National Park in western Victoria‚ where the bee species were last seen outside of its current range (in the 1930s)‚ is predicted to remain suitable for X. aerata and several host plants under all scenarios. Therefore‚ this relatively large area of native vegetation may be a good case study for re-introduction as part of future conservation efforts.
    Citation

    Santos, A. A., Leijs, R., Picanço, M. C., Glatz, R., & Hogendoorn, K. (2020). Modelling the climate suitability of green carpenter bee (Xylocopa aerata) and its nesting hosts under current and future scenarios to guide conservation efforts. Austral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12853

  24. Catelotti, K., Bino, G., & Offord, C. A. (2020). Thermal germination niches of Persoonia species and projected spatiotemporal shifts under a changing climate. Diversity and Distributions. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13040

    Diversity and Distributions
    Abstract

    Aim Seasonal germination is critical in synchronizing seedling emergence with optimal conditions for survival but will be disrupted by climate change. Understanding how germination of threatened species with complex dormancy patterns will be affected by climate change is a priority for their management. By exploring the effects of temperature on germination for six Persoonia species ranging in rareness‚ this study aims to improve ex situ plant production and better understand the probable impacts of climate change on persistence of local populations. Location South-eastern Australia. Methods The role of temperature on seed dormancy was explored using generalized additive models to predict germination probabilities for six Persoonia species ranging in rarity. Embryos were exposed to 24-hr cycles of alternating 12-hr warmer/light and 12-hr cooler/dark combinations of temperatures between 8°C and 45°C. Optimal temperature conditions for germination were determined‚ and spatiotemporal changes in germination probability were predicted in response to expected temperatures under future climate change scenarios. Results Unique germination niches representing complex responses across diurnal regimes were identified for each species. Germination probability was predicted to decline in four species in response to warmer day or night temperatures and in two species in response to cooler day or night temperatures. Across bioregions‚ areas of likely germination largely aligned with species-specific temperature sensitivity‚ with suitable germination niche declining in four species‚ one staying roughly the same and one increasing in physical range under predicted climate warming. Main conclusions In response to increased temperatures associated with climate change‚ germination probability varied from current rates. These changes were quantified both spatially and temporally and highlight expected challenges for persistence of some populations‚ particularly range restricted and rare species. Current understanding of extinction threat must consider future conditions‚ and these results highlight the urgent need to protect populations of these six Persoonia species that are currently threatened by habitat destruction and encourage future population persistence through restoration efforts.
    Citation

    Catelotti, K., Bino, G., & Offord, C. A. (2020). Thermal germination niches of Persoonia species and projected spatiotemporal shifts under a changing climate. Diversity and Distributions. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddi.13040

  25. Burwell, C. J., Theischinger, G., Leach, E. C., & Burwell-Rodriguez, A. I. (2020). Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of the Eungella region, central coastal Queensland, Australia. Proceedings of The Royal Society of Queensland, 125, 10.

    Proceedings of The Royal Society of Queensland
    Abstract

    We collate records of species of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) from the broader Eungella region within the Clarke Range‚ central coastal Queensland‚ Australia‚ comprising the Eungella plateau‚ the upper Pioneer Valley as far east as Gargett‚ and the area around Eungella Dam on the western side of the Clarke Range. Records are based on specimens collected on Griffith University and Queensland Museum surveys of the region in 2013 and 2014‚ specimen records in museum collections‚ and observational records sourced using the Atlas of Living Australia and accompanied by identifiable photographs. A total of 58 species are recorded from the Eungella region: 37 dragonflies and 21 damselflies‚ representing 12 families. Four species appear to be endemic to the Clarke Range. Another six are southern species that occur as far north as Eungella and the broader Clarke Range but do not cross the Burdekin-Lynd Barrier. Two species are essentially confined to northern Queensland and occur south of the Burdekin-Lynd Barrier but only as far south as the Eungella region. The majority of the region’s species are widespread‚ occurring from northern to southern Queensland and often far beyond.
    Citation

    Burwell, C. J., Theischinger, G., Leach, E. C., & Burwell-Rodriguez, A. I. (2020). Dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) of the Eungella region, central coastal Queensland, Australia. Proceedings of The Royal Society of Queensland, 125, 10.

  26. Finch, J. T. D., & Cook, J. M. (2020). Flies on vacation: evidence for the migration of Australian Syrphidae (Diptera). Ecological Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12856

    Ecological Entomology
    Abstract

    1. Hover flies (Syrphidae: Diptera) are a cosmopolitan group of insects that provide important ecosystem services including pollination and pest control. The seasonal migration of hover flies is probably best known in Europe‚ but it remains unstudied in many other parts of the world. 2. Australia is believed to be home to around 160 hover fly species‚ some of which are common in urban and agricultural environments. The current evidence for hover fly migration in Australia is scarce and anecdotal‚ yet migration may be critical to the success of pollination and the biological control of aphids. 3. In this study‚ species occurrence records from an online biodiversity database (Atlas of Living Australia) were used to look for evidence of migratory behaviours in all Australian hover flies with more than 200 occurrence records. 4. Four of the 10 species displayed seasonal changes in their distribution consistent with migration‚ including Australia’s two most abundant species: Melangyna viridiceps and Simosyrphus grandicornis. This work is an important first step in understanding the prevalence of migration in Australian hover flies. However‚ confirmation of our findings requires additional evidence to rule out other plausible explanations for the observed patterns. 5. Based on changes in summer and winter latitudinal distribution‚ it is estimated that some Australian hover flies may make annual migrations of 400–1800 km. 6. This work suggests that the management of beneficial insects requires consideration of factors at both local and continental scales‚ as landscape use changes may have an impact on ecosystem services delivered hundreds of kilometres away.
    Citation

    Finch, J. T. D., & Cook, J. M. (2020). Flies on vacation: evidence for the migration of Australian Syrphidae (Diptera). Ecological Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1111/een.12856

  27. Cooke, B. D. (2020). Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) distribution has dramatically increased following sustained biological control of rabbits. Australian Mammalogy. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM19037

    Australian Mammalogy
    Abstract

    Swamp wallabies have dramatically extended their distribution through western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia over the last 40 years. Newspaper reports from 1875 onwards show that on European settlement‚ wallaby populations were confined to eastern Victoria‚ including the ranges around Melbourne‚ the Otway Ranges and Portland District of south-western Victoria‚ and a tiny part of south-eastern South Australia. Populations contracted further with intense hunting for the fur trade until the 1930s. In the late 1970s‚ however‚ wallabies began spreading into drier habitats than those initially recorded. Possible causes underlying this change in distribution are discussed; some seem unlikely but‚ because wallabies began spreading soon after the introduction of European rabbit fleas as vectors of myxomatosis‚ the cumulative effects of releases of biological agents to control rabbits appear important. A caution is given on assuming that thick vegetation in high-rainfall areas provides the only habitat suitable for swamp wallabies‚ but‚ most importantly‚ the study shows how native mammals may benefit if rabbit abundance is reduced.
    Citation

    Cooke, B. D. (2020). Swamp wallaby (Wallabia bicolor) distribution has dramatically increased following sustained biological control of rabbits. Australian Mammalogy. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM19037

  28. Coman, A., Potter, S., Moritz, C., Campbell, C. D., & Joseph, L. (2020). Biotic and abiotic drivers of evolution in some Australian thornbills (Passeriformes: Acanthiza) in allopatry, sympatry, and parapatry including a case of character displacement. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12355

    Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research
    Abstract

    Disentangling historical‚ ecological‚ and abiotic drivers of diversity among closely related species can benefit from morphological diversity being placed in a phylogenetic context. It can also be aided when the species are variously in allopatry‚ parapatry‚ and sympatry. We studied a clade of Australian thornbills (Passeriformes: Acanthizidae: Acanthiza) comprising the Brown Thornbill (A. pusilla)‚ Inland Thornbill (A. apicalis)‚ Mountain Thornbill (A. katherina)‚ and Tasmanian Thornbill (A. ewingii) whose distributions and ecology facilitate this approach. We first clarified phylogenetic relationships among them and then detected a low level of gene flow in parapatry between a non-sister pair (Brown‚ Inland). Further work could partition relative roles of past and current hybridization. We identify likely cases of ecologically driven divergent selection and one of convergent evolution. Divergent selection was likely key to divergence of Inland Thornbills from the Brown–Mountain sister pair. In contrast‚ convergence in plumage between the non-sister Brown and Inland Thornbills has been driven by their mesic forest habitats on opposite sides of the Australian continent. Finally‚ morphological distinctiveness of Tasmanian populations of Brown Thornbills could reflect character displacement in sympatry with the ecologically similar Tasmanian Thornbills. Collectively‚ the combined morphological‚ genetic‚ and ecological evidence points to diverse evolutionary processes operating across this closely related group of birds.
    Citation

    Coman, A., Potter, S., Moritz, C., Campbell, C. D., & Joseph, L. (2020). Biotic and abiotic drivers of evolution in some Australian thornbills (Passeriformes: Acanthiza) in allopatry, sympatry, and parapatry including a case of character displacement. Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research. https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12355

  29. Caswell, B. A., Dissanayake, N. G., & Frid, C. L. J. (2020). Influence of climate-induced biogeographic range shifts on mudflat ecological functioning in the subtropics. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 106692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106692

    Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science
    Abstract

    A growing volume of evidence shows that the broad-scale biogeographic redistribution of species is occurring in response to increasing global temperatures. The present study documents poleward movements of up to eight species of nominally ‘tropical’ macroinvertebrates (molluscs‚ polychaetes‚ crustaceans and foraminifera) from intertidal mudflats on the south east coast of Australia. The speed of movement was comparable with that for Australian marine fauna generally‚ but was particularly fast for worms and molluscs (∼70–300 km decade−1) and may be facilitated by the southward flowing East Australia Current. Further‚ two temperate taxa appear to have extended their ranges northwards. Changes in species biogeographic ranges raises questions surrounding the response of ecological processes within the altered and novel species combinations‚ including processes that underpin valuable ecosystem services. Using biological traits analysis to investigate how the observed species range changes might have impacted mudflat ecosystem functioning‚ and to predict the possible impacts of further poleward movements of tropical taxa. Our models suggest the changes to date‚ and those likely to occur in the near future‚ are within the envelope whereby ecological functioning is maintained by functional compensation and redundancy within the mudflat assemblage. However‚ in the most extreme scenario the replacement of temperate by tropical taxa resulted in major changes in ecological functioning with potential impacts on nutrient cycling and C-cycling‚ undermining the potential of these mudflats to continue to deliver critical ecosystem services. The widespread nature of biogeographic range shifts and the value of coastal systems should add further weight to calls for global action to mitigate global temperature change.
    Citation

    Caswell, B. A., Dissanayake, N. G., & Frid, C. L. J. (2020). Influence of climate-induced biogeographic range shifts on mudflat ecological functioning in the subtropics. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 106692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2020.106692

  30. Udyawer, V., Somaweera, R., Nitschke, C., d’Anastasi, B., Sanders, K., Webber, B. L., Hourston, M., & Heupel, M. R. (2020). Prioritising search effort to locate previously unknown populations of endangered marine reptiles. Global Ecology and Conservation, 22, e01013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01013

    Global Ecology and Conservation
    Abstract

    Strategies aimed to conserve and manage rare species are often hindered by the lack of data needed for their effective design. Incomplete and inaccurate data on habitat associations and current species distributions pose a barrier to effective conservation and management for several species of endemic sea snakes in Western Australia that are thought to be in decline. Here we used a correlative modelling approach to understand habitat associations and identify suitable habitats for five of these species (Aipysurus apraefrontalis‚ A. foliosquama‚ A. fuscus‚ A. l. pooleorum and A. tenuis). We modelled species-specific habitat suitability across 804‚244 km2 of coastal waters along the North-west Shelf of Western Australia‚ to prioritise future survey regions to locate unknown populations of these rare species. Model projections were also used to quantify the effectiveness of current spatial management strategies (Marine Protected Areas) in conserving important habitats for these species. Species-specific models matched well with the records on which they were trained‚ and identified additional regions of suitability without records. Subsequent field validation of the model projections uncovered a previously unknown locality for A. fuscus within the mid-shelf shoal region‚ outside its currently recognised global range. Defining accurate geographic distributions for rare species is a vital first step in defining more robust extent of species occurrence and range overlap with threatening processes.
    Citation

    Udyawer, V., Somaweera, R., Nitschke, C., d’Anastasi, B., Sanders, K., Webber, B. L., Hourston, M., & Heupel, M. R. (2020). Prioritising search effort to locate previously unknown populations of endangered marine reptiles. Global Ecology and Conservation, 22, e01013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01013

  31. White, L., Catterall, C., & Taffs, K. (2020). The habitat and management of hairy jointgrass (Arthraxon hispidus, Poaceae) on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology, 26(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1071/PC19017

    Pacific Conservation Biology
    Abstract

    Ecological information about threatened species is required to guide strategic management approaches for effective biodiversity conservation in Australia. Arthraxon hispidus (hairy jointgrass) is a listed threatened species in New South Wales (NSW)‚ but there is limited information on its habitat preferences and native vegetation associations‚ as well as the impact of historical and ongoing anthropogenic disturbance on its distribution and abundance. In the present study‚ populations of A. hispidus on the north coast of NSW were surveyed to investigate the habitat characteristics associated with various occurrences of the species. Its preferred habitat was found to be dense ground-cover formations in high-moisture‚ low-canopy conditions. Cover was highest in moisture-associated assemblages in and around wetlands‚ drainage lines and groundwater seepages‚ often in association with native grasses‚ sedges and herbs. These findings suggest that naturally open freshwater wetland communities comprise the most plausible native habitat niches for A. hispidus populations on the north coast of NSW. A. hispidus also occurs widely among introduced pastures and weeds in previously forested areas‚ demonstrating the species’ potential to exploit derived habitat. Results indicate that‚ although ongoing disturbance continues to promote A. hispidus in these exotic-dominated landscapes where historical clearing has created potential habitat opportunities‚ anthropogenic disturbance (slashing or cattle grazing) is not necessary to sustain A. hispidus within native-dominated wetland communities. Findings suggest more scope for integrated management of A. hispidus within broader native vegetation conservation strategies rather than a single species approach.
    Citation

    White, L., Catterall, C., & Taffs, K. (2020). The habitat and management of hairy jointgrass (Arthraxon hispidus, Poaceae) on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Pacific Conservation Biology, 26(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1071/PC19017

  32. García‐Navas, V., Kear, B. P., & Westerman, M. (2020). The geography of speciation in dasyurid marsupials. Journal of Biogeography. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13852

    Journal of Biogeography
    Abstract

    Aim To determine the effects of competition and divergence time on morphological dissimilarity and geographical range overlap between dasyurid species at both regional and local scales. Our hypothesis is that speciation in this group has been largely allopatric at regional scale‚ but involved morphological divergence at local scale through sympatric character displacement. Location Australia‚ New Guinea and surrounding islands. Taxon Dasyurid (Dasyuridae) marsupials‚ 67 species. Methods Geographical range overlap was quantified using polygons representing the outer limits of species distributions. Local-scale range overlap was quantified as the degree of co-occurrence of two taxa across a set of ecological survey plots representing 83 sampled communities. Phylogenies were generated using a novel DNA dataset‚ with divergence times estimated via total-evidence dating incorporating fossils. Morphological divergence was determined using body mass and lower molar row length as proxy traits for reconstructing niche exploitation. Results Sister species pairs were found to be sympatric in 52% (11/21) of cases. Range overlap tended to increase with node age‚ which supports the hypothesis that mammalian speciation is routinely allopatric. We detected no evidence of character displacement with increasing range overlap between sister species pairs. However‚ a negative relationship was observed between morphological divergence in body mass and range overlap across all sampled taxa‚ suggesting that selection in sympatry is convergent‚ while divergent selection occurs in allopatry. Local-scale co-occurrences revealed no trace of species aversion‚ indicating that competition has not impacted on the spatial distribution of dasyurids. Main conclusions Despite moderate levels of sympatry through time‚ our results evince low rates of spatial co-occurrence between dasyurid species. Although this may be indicative competitive exclusion‚ the lack of character displacement suggests that biotic interactions have likely not acted as a dominant driver of phenotypic evolution in this radiation. We alternatively posit that abiotic factors including aridity and geographical connectivity have more feasibly propagated character convergence‚ and led to both niche conservatism and speciation in this ubiquitous australidelphian clade.
    Citation

    García‐Navas, V., Kear, B. P., & Westerman, M. (2020). The geography of speciation in dasyurid marsupials. Journal of Biogeography. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13852

  33. Zhang, Z., Capinha, C., Karger, D. N., Turon, X., MacIsaac, H. J., & Zhan, A. (2020). Impacts of climate change on geographical distributions of invasive ascidians. Marine Environmental Research, 104993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104993

    Marine Environmental Research
    Abstract

    Ocean warming associated with global climate change renders marine ecosystems susceptible to biological invasions. Here‚ we used species distribution models to project habitat suitability for eight invasive ascidians under present-day and future climate scenarios. Distance to shore and maximum sea surface temperature were identified as the most important variables affecting species distributions. Results showed that eight ascidians might respond differently to future climate change. Alarmingly‚ currently colonized areas are much smaller than predicted‚ suggesting ascidians may expand their invasive ranges. Areas such as Americas‚ Europe and Western Pacific have high risks of receiving new invasions. In contrast‚ African coasts‚ excluding the Mediterranean side‚ are not prone to new invasions‚ likely due to the high sea surface temperature there. Our results highlight the importance of climate change impacts on future invasions and the need for accurate modelling of invasion risks‚ which can be used as guides to develop management strategies.
    Citation

    Zhang, Z., Capinha, C., Karger, D. N., Turon, X., MacIsaac, H. J., & Zhan, A. (2020). Impacts of climate change on geographical distributions of invasive ascidians. Marine Environmental Research, 104993. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104993

  34. Dinnage, R., Skeels, A., & Cardillo, M. (2020). Spatiophylogenetic modelling of extinction risk reveals evolutionary distinctiveness and brief flowering period as threats in a hotspot plant genus. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287(1926), 20192817. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.2817

    Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
    Abstract

    Comparative models used to predict species threat status can help identify the diagnostic features of species at risk. Such models often combine variables measured at the species level with spatial variables‚ causing multiple statistical challenges‚ including phylogenetic and spatial non-independence. We present a novel Bayesian approach for modelling threat status that simultaneously deals with both forms of non-independence and estimates their relative contribution‚ and we apply the approach to modelling threat status in the Australian plant genus Hakea. We find that after phylogenetic and spatial effects are accounted for‚ species with greater evolutionary distinctiveness and a shorter annual flowering period are more likely to be threatened. The model allows us to combine information on evolutionary history‚ species biology and spatial data‚ calculate latent extinction risk (potential for non-threatened species to become threatened)‚ estimate the most important drivers of risk for individual species and map spatial patterns in the effects of different predictors on extinction risk. This could be of value for proactive conservation decision-making based on the early identification of species and regions of potential conservation concern.
    Citation

    Dinnage, R., Skeels, A., & Cardillo, M. (2020). Spatiophylogenetic modelling of extinction risk reveals evolutionary distinctiveness and brief flowering period as threats in a hotspot plant genus. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287(1926), 20192817. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.2817

  35. Wiltshire, K. H., & Tanner, J. E. (2020). Comparing maximum entropy modelling methods to inform aquaculture site selection for novel seaweed species. Ecological Modelling, 429, 109071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109071

    Ecological Modelling
    Abstract

    Maximum entropy (maxent) modelling is a widely used method for developing species distribution models (SDMs)‚ but default maxent modelling methods can result in overly complex models with poor transferability. Methods suggested to reduce overfitting include increasing regularisation‚ using only linear and quadratic features‚ or applying forward selection of predictors using maximum likelihood (ML) methods. We built models using these options to determine environmental suitability within existing aquaculture zones for eight seaweed species‚ four red (Rhodophyta: Florideophyceae) and four brown (Ochrophyta: Phaeophyceae)‚ that are being investigated for aquaculture in southern Australia. Forward selection models were the most parsimonious‚ but we encountered failure of ML methods for Pterocladia lucida (Rhodophyta) due to separation. Separation is a known issue for logistic regression and has recently been recognised in maxent models. Separation occurs where a variable‚ or combination of variables‚ is a perfect predictor for a binary response‚ here‚ species occurrence‚ and results in ML parameter estimates tending to infinity. One method for obtaining finite parameter estimates under separation is to apply a Cauchy prior distribution for coefficients. We therefore also built models for each species using a Cauchy-prior version of the forward selection method‚ and found that these models performed similarly to those built with ML methods. Default models achieved marginally higher predictive performance than other options based on training data metrics‚ but simpler models performed equivalently to‚ or better than‚ default models at predicting independent presence-absence test data. Predictive performance using test data varied considerably between species‚ but the difference in performance between models within each species was generally small. Our results confirm the concern that default maxent models may suffer from over-fitting and poor transferability. Model transferability and interpretability were important for our purpose‚ hence‚ based on the principle of parsimony‚ forward selection models were preferred. We also found that forward selection models retained similar predictive performance to the best model as assessed by each metric‚ further supporting use of these models. Where ML methods failed due to separation‚ the use of the Cauchy-prior method was a viable alternative. Predictions for the region of interest (Spencer Gulf‚ South Australia) were generated using the most parsimonious models‚ and Solieria robusta (Rhodophyta) showed the highest predicted suitability of the eight candidate species within existing aquaculture zones‚ especially in northern Spencer Gulf. Predicted suitability was low for the other Rhodophyta considered‚ while each of the Phaeophyceae showed moderate to high suitability in at least some southern Spencer Gulf aquaculture zones. These model results help to inform selection of the best candidate species and suitable farming areas for future research.
    Citation

    Wiltshire, K. H., & Tanner, J. E. (2020). Comparing maximum entropy modelling methods to inform aquaculture site selection for novel seaweed species. Ecological Modelling, 429, 109071. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2020.109071

  36. Burns, P. A., Clemann, N., & White, M. (2020). Testing the utility of species distribution modelling using Random Forests for a species in decline. Austral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12884

    Austral Ecology
    Abstract

    Habitat suitability estimates derived from species distribution models (SDMs) are increasingly used to guide management of threatened species. Poorly estimating species’ ranges can lead to underestimation of threatened status‚ undervaluing of remaining habitat and misdirection of conservation funding. We aimed to evaluate the utility of a SDM‚ similar to the models used to inform government regulation of habitat in our study region‚ in estimating the contemporary distribution of a threatened and declining species. We developed a presence-only SDM for the endangered New Holland Mouse (Pseudomys novaehollandiae) across Victoria‚ Australia. We conducted extensive camera trap surveys across model-predicted and expert-selected areas to generate an independent data set for use in evaluating the model‚ determining confidence in absence data from non-detection sites with occupancy and detectability modelling. We assessed the predictive capacity of the model at thresholds based on (1) sum of sensitivity and specificity (SSS)‚ and (2) the lowest presence threshold (LPT; i.e. the lowest non-zero model-predicted habitat suitability value at which we detected the species). We detected P. novaehollandiae at 40 of 472 surveyed sites‚ with strong support for the species’ probable absence from non-detection sites. Based on our post hoc optimised SSS threshold of the SDM‚ 25% of our detection sites were falsely predicted as non-suitable habitat and 75% of sites predicted as suitable habitat did not contain the species at the time of our survey. One occupied site had a model-predicted suitability value of zero‚ and at the LPT‚ 88% of sites predicted as suitable habitat did not contain the species at the time of our survey. Our findings demonstrate that application of generic SDMs in both regulatory and investment contexts should be tempered by considering their limitations and currency. Further‚ we recommend engaging species experts in the extrapolation and application of SDM outputs.
    Citation

    Burns, P. A., Clemann, N., & White, M. (2020). Testing the utility of species distribution modelling using Random Forests for a species in decline. Austral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12884

  37. Ibalim, S., Groom, S. V. C., Dorey, J. B., Velasco-Castrillon, A., Schwarz, M. P., & Stevens, M. I. (2020). Origin and dispersal of Homalictus (Apoidea: Halictidae) across Australia, Papua New Guinea and Pacific. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/03721426.2020.1740957

    Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia
    Abstract

    The halictine bee genus Homalictus (Apoidea: Halictidae) is distributed broadly across south east Asia‚ Indonesia‚ Australia and the archipelagos of the Pacific. The group is well represented in the bee faunas of Australia and Papua New Guinea‚ but Homalictus is particularly important in the Pacific where it plays a keystone pollination role as the only endemic bee group in many islands. Understanding the origin and radiation of this genus is therefore important for understanding plant-bee co-evolution‚ not only in the Pacific‚ but the greater Oceania region. Previous studies have suggested that Homalictus has an Australian origin‚ and then dispersed northwards‚ but this is yet to be phylogenetically examined. Here we combine DNA sequences from the mitochondrial COI gene from Homalictus species from Papua New Guinea‚ the Pacific and Australia to infer the geographical and climatic origins of this group and subsequent dispersal events. Our results indicate a tropical origin for Homalictus in Australia‚ followed by multiple dispersals into the Pacific and subtropical‚ temperate and arid Australia. A tropical origin for Homalictus not only indicates the likely dispersal corridors for the ancestor of the group but has important implications for understanding social evolution in halictine bees.
    Citation

    Ibalim, S., Groom, S. V. C., Dorey, J. B., Velasco-Castrillon, A., Schwarz, M. P., & Stevens, M. I. (2020). Origin and dispersal of Homalictus (Apoidea: Halictidae) across Australia, Papua New Guinea and Pacific. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/03721426.2020.1740957

  38. Hirst, M. J., Griffin, P. C., Wu, L. H., & Hoffmann, A. A. (2020). Testing the environmental warming responses of Brachyscome daisy species using a common garden approach. Austral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12885

    Austral Ecology
    Abstract

    As temperatures increase in a warming world‚ there will be different responses among related plant species‚ with some species able to increase growth rate under warmer conditions and others less likely. Here‚ we identify survival and growth parameters in a group of 19 related Australian daisies from the genera Brachyscome and Pembertonia when exposed to higher soil temperature‚ focusing particularly on species from the alpine environment. We used a common garden approach to measure growth and survival under warming. We tested for the effects of evolutionary history by investigating phylogeny and testing for a phylogenetic signal‚ and for the effects of ecological history by considering climatic variables associated with species distributions in their native range. Evolutionary history did not have a detectable effect on warming responses. While there was a moderate signal for plant growth in the absence of warming‚ there was no signal for growth changes in response to warming‚ despite variability among species to warming that ranged from positive to negative growth responses. There was no strong effect of climate context‚ as species that showed a positive response to warming did not necessarily originate from hotter environments. In fact‚ several species from hot environments grew relatively poorly when exposed to higher soil temperature. However‚ species endemic to alpine areas were less likely to benefit from warming than widespread species. We found a strong phylogenetic signal for climate history‚ in that closely related species tend to occur in areas with similar annual variability in precipitation. Species differences in response to soil warming were variable and difficult to link to climate conditions except for the poor response of alpine endemics. There was no significant association between survival and warming responses of species. However‚ as some species showed weak growth responses‚ this may reduce their fitness into the future.
    Citation

    Hirst, M. J., Griffin, P. C., Wu, L. H., & Hoffmann, A. A. (2020). Testing the environmental warming responses of Brachyscome daisy species using a common garden approach. Austral Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12885

  39. Jordan, R., Prober, S. M., Hoffmann, A. A., & Dillon, S. K. (2020). Combined Analyses of Phenotype, Genotype and Climate Implicate Local Adaptation as a Driver of Diversity in Eucalyptus microcarpa (Grey Box). Forests, 11(5), 495. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11050495

    Forests
    Forests
    Abstract

    Trees are a keystone species in many ecosystems and a critical component of ecological restoration. Understanding their capacity to respond to climate change is essential for conserving biodiversity and determining appropriate restoration seed sources. Patterns of local adaptation to climate between populations within a species can inform such conservation decisions and are often investigated from either a quantitative trait or molecular genetic basis. Here‚ we present findings from a combined analysis of phenotype (quantitative genetic analysis)‚ genotype (single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) trait associations)‚ and climate associations. We draw on the strength of this combined approach to investigate pre-existing climate adaptation and its genetic basis in Eucalyptus microcarpa (Grey box)‚ an important tree for ecological restoration in south-eastern Australia. Phenotypic data from a 26-year-old provenance trial demonstrated significant genetic variation in growth and leaf traits at both the family and provenance levels. Growth traits were only associated with temperature‚ whilst leaf traits were associated with temperature‚ precipitation and aridity. Genotyping of 40 putatively adaptive SNPs from previous genome-wide analyses identified 9 SNPs associated with these traits. Drawing on previous SNP&ndash;climate association results‚ several associations were identified between all three comparisons of phenotype‚ genotype and climate. By combining phenotypic with genomic analyses‚ these results corroborate genomic findings and enhance understanding of climate adaptation in E. microcarpa. We discuss the implication of these results for conservation management and restoration under climate change.
    Citation

    Jordan, R., Prober, S. M., Hoffmann, A. A., & Dillon, S. K. (2020). Combined Analyses of Phenotype, Genotype and Climate Implicate Local Adaptation as a Driver of Diversity in Eucalyptus microcarpa (Grey Box). Forests, 11(5), 495. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11050495

  40. Shabani, F., Ahmadi, M., Kumar, L., Solhjouy-fard, S., Shafapour Tehrany, M., Shabani, F., Kalantar, B., & Esmaeili, A. (2020). Invasive weed species’ threats to global biodiversity: Future scenarios of changes in the number of invasive species in a changing climate. Ecological Indicators, 116, 106436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106436

    Ecological Indicators
    Abstract

    Invasive weed species (IWS) threaten ecosystems‚ the distribution of specific plant species‚ as well as agricultural productivity. Predicting the impact of climate change on the current and future distributions of these unwanted species forms an important category of ecological research. Our study investigated 32 globally important IWS to assess whether climate alteration may lead to spatial changes in the overlapping of specific IWS globally. We utilized the versatile species distribution model MaxEnt‚ coupled with Geographic Information Systems‚ to evaluate the potential alterations (gain/loss/static) in the number of potential ecoregion invasions by IWS‚ under four Representative Concentration Pathways‚ which differ in terms of predicted year of peak greenhouse gas emission. We based our projection on a forecast of climatic variables (extracted from WorldClim) from two global circulation models (CCSM4 and MIROC-ESM). Initially‚ we modeled current climatic suitability of habitat‚ individually for each of the 32 IWS‚ identifying those with a common spatial range of suitability. Thereafter‚ we modeled the suitability of all 32 species under the projected climate for 2050‚ incorporating each of the four Representative Concentration Pathways (2.6‚ 4.5‚ 6.0‚ and 8.5) in separate models‚ again examining the common spatial overlaps. The discrimination capacity and accuracy of the model were assessed for all 32 IWS individually‚ using the area under the curve and true skill statistic rate‚ with results averaging 0.87 and 0.75 respectively‚ indicating a high level of accuracy. Our final methodological step compared the extent of the overlaps and alterations under the current and future projected climates. Our results mainly predicted decrease on a global scale‚ in areas of habitat suitable for most IWS‚ under future climatic conditions‚ excluding European countries‚ northern Brazil‚ eastern US‚ and south-eastern Australia. The following should be considered when interpreting these results: there are many inherent assumptions and limitations in presence-only data of this type‚ as well as with the modeling techniques projecting climate conditions‚ and the envelopes themselves‚ such as scale and resolution mismatches‚ dispersal barriers‚ lack of documentation on potential disturbances‚ and unknown or unforeseen biotic interactions.
    Citation

    Shabani, F., Ahmadi, M., Kumar, L., Solhjouy-fard, S., Shafapour Tehrany, M., Shabani, F., Kalantar, B., & Esmaeili, A. (2020). Invasive weed species’ threats to global biodiversity: Future scenarios of changes in the number of invasive species in a changing climate. Ecological Indicators, 116, 106436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106436

  41. Moles, A. T., Laffan, S. W., Keighery, M., Dalrymple, R. L., Tindall, M. L., & Chen, S. C. (2020). A hairy situation: Plant species in warm, sunny places are more likely to have pubescent leaves. Journal of Biogeography. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13870

    Journal of Biogeography
    Abstract

    Aim Leaf pubescence has several important roles‚ including regulating heat balance‚ reducing damage from UV radiation‚ minimizing water loss and reducing herbivory. Each of these functions could affect a plant’s ability to tolerate the biotic and abiotic stresses encountered in different parts of the world. However‚ we know remarkably little about large scale biogeographic patterns in leaf pubescence. Our aims were: (a) to determine whether a higher proportion of species have pubescence at sites where it is hot‚ dry and solar radiation is high‚ and (b) to quantify the latitudinal gradient in pubescence. Location Australia. Taxon Vascular land plants. Methods We compiled data on the presence/absence of pubescence on mature photosynthetic organs for 4‚183 species‚ spanning 107 families. We combined these data with over 1.9 million species occurrence records from the Atlas of Living Australia to calculate the proportion of species with pubescence in 3‚261 grid cells spanning the Australian continent. Results The proportion of pubescent species was most closely related to solar radiation (R2 = 0.33)‚ followed by maximum temperature in the warmest month (R2 = 0.30). Mean annual precipitation was very weakly related to pubescence (R2 = 0.01). We found a significant negative relationship between latitude and pubescence (R2 = 0.19)‚ with the average percentage of species with pubescence dropping from 46% at 10° S to 35% at 44° S. This cross-species relationship remained significant after accounting for phylogenetic relationships between species. We found that a quadratic model explained more variation in pubescence across latitudes than did a linear model. The quadratic model shows a peak in the proportion of pubescent species at 19° S (within the tropics). Main conclusions Our findings are consistent with the idea that leaf pubescence may have a protective function in areas with high solar radiation and high temperatures. Our data are also consistent with the idea that species towards the tropics should be better defended than are species at higher latitudes.
    Citation

    Moles, A. T., Laffan, S. W., Keighery, M., Dalrymple, R. L., Tindall, M. L., & Chen, S. C. (2020). A hairy situation: Plant species in warm, sunny places are more likely to have pubescent leaves. Journal of Biogeography. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.13870

  42. Booth, T. H., & Muir, P. R. (2020). Climate change impacts on Australia’s eucalypt and coral species: Comparing and sharing knowledge across disciplines. WIREs Climate Change, e657. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.657

    WIREs Climate Change
    Abstract

    Two of Australia’s most iconic ecosystems have recently sustained heavy damage related to climatic changes: the extensive eucalypt forests from catastrophic bushfires and the Great Barrier Reef from mass coral bleaching. Despite obvious differences‚ eucalypt trees and reef corals share some similarities in biology and ecology‚ particularly in relation to climate change impacts and adaptation. Both groups are the focus of an increasing research effort to characterize and respond to climate changes and here we examine how sharing research experiences can benefit both fields. Four key areas of research are considered: (a) modeling current distributions‚ (b) assessing impacts of climate change on future distributions‚ (c) using human-assisted migration to improve survival‚ and (d) applying genetic enhancement to improve the species’ survival. Examples of each research area are used to examine potential crossovers‚ limitations of the methods‚ and future requirements. We conclude that eucalypt and coral researchers‚ and indeed researchers for many other endangered taxa‚ can gain much by comparing experiences and methods‚ despite the apparent differences in their respective taxa. This article is categorized under: Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Observed Impacts of Climate Change
    Citation

    Booth, T. H., & Muir, P. R. (2020). Climate change impacts on Australia’s eucalypt and coral species: Comparing and sharing knowledge across disciplines. WIREs Climate Change, e657. https://doi.org/10.1002/wcc.657

  43. Brennan, I. G., Lemmon, A. R., Lemmon, E. M., Portik, D. M., Weijola, V., Welton, L., Donnellan, S. C., & Keogh, J. S. (2020). Phylogenomics of monitor lizards and the role of competition in dictating body size disparity. Systematic Biology. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaa046

    Systematic Biology
    Abstract

    Organismal interactions drive the accumulation of diversity by influencing species ranges‚ morphology‚ and behavior. Interactions vary from agonistic to cooperative and should result in predictable patterns in trait and range evolution. However‚ despite a conceptual understanding of these processes‚ they have been difficult to model‚ particularly on macroevolutionary timescales and across broad geographic spaces. Here we investigate the influence of biotic interactions on trait evolution and community assembly in monitor lizards (Varanus). Monitors are an iconic radiation with a cosmopolitan distribution and the greatest size disparity of any living terrestrial vertebrate genus. Between the colossal Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis and the smallest Australian dwarf goannas‚ Varanus length and mass vary by multiple orders of magnitude. To test the hypothesis that size variation in this genus was driven by character displacement‚ we extended existing phylogenetic comparative methods which consider lineage interactions to account for dynamic biogeographic history and apply these methods to Australian monitors and marsupial predators. Incorporating both exon-capture molecular and morphological datasets we use a combined evidence approach to estimate the relationships among living and extinct varaniform lizards. Our results suggest that communities of Australian Varanus show high functional diversity as a result of continent-wide interspecific competition among monitors but not with faunivorous marsupials. We demonstrate that patterns of trait evolution resulting from character displacement on continental scales are recoverable from comparative data and highlight that these macroevolutionary patterns may develop in parallel across widely distributed sympatric groups.
    Citation

    Brennan, I. G., Lemmon, A. R., Lemmon, E. M., Portik, D. M., Weijola, V., Welton, L., Donnellan, S. C., & Keogh, J. S. (2020). Phylogenomics of monitor lizards and the role of competition in dictating body size disparity. Systematic Biology. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syaa046

  44. Nimbs, M. J., Hutton, I., Davis, T. R., Larkin, M. F., & Smith, S. D. A. (2020). The heterobranch sea slugs of Lord Howe Island, NSW, Australia (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, 132(1), 12–41. https://doi.org/10.1071/rs20002

    Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria
    Abstract

    The distribution of heterobranch sea slugs is generally poorly documented at a regional scale. Thus‚ it is currently difficult to quantify biodiversity‚ identify endemic and invasive species‚ and track range shifts at scales relevant to conservation management. For Lord Howe Island‚ which lies \textasciitilde600 km east of the New South Wales (NSW) mid-north coast‚ data from a range of taxa indicate high biodiversity and endemism‚ but this has not been examined for heterobranch sea slugs. To address this deficit‚ we collated occurrence data on sea slugs from both private and public sources‚ including museum records‚ scientific literature‚ field guides and citizen science activities. A total of 186 nominal (formally described) species in 82 genera and 31 families were identified from intertidal and subtidal habitats. Of these‚ two species are endemic to Lord Howe Island‚ two have not been recorded elsewhere in Australia‚ and 28 have not been recorded on the mainland coast of NSW. These results support studies of other taxa suggesting that the relative isolation of the island has facilitated the development of diverse and unique assemblages. However‚ this isolation is moderated by larval transport from surrounding regions‚ resulting in considerable overlap of the species pool with the mainland coast of NSW and tropical areas to the north.
    Citation

    Nimbs, M. J., Hutton, I., Davis, T. R., Larkin, M. F., & Smith, S. D. A. (2020). The heterobranch sea slugs of Lord Howe Island, NSW, Australia (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria, 132(1), 12–41. https://doi.org/10.1071/rs20002

  45. Anderson, J., Keppel, G., Thomson, S.-M., Gibbs, J., & Brunetti, G. (2020). High diversity of native plants and vegetation types in the Morialta Conservation Park and the threat of invasive species. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/03721426.2020.1786779

    Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia
    Abstract

    Morialta Conservation Park is a scenic protected area that contains important vegetation remnants of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Here we investigate the vegetation ecology‚ soils and plant diversity of the park. Using a stratified‚ quantitative survey of woody vegetation and topsoils throughout the park within forty-five 10 × 10 m plots‚ we identified ten distinct vegetation types‚ nine being native and the other being dominated by the invasive European olive (Olea europaea). Soil conductivity and fertility‚ as well as aspect‚ were significant predictors of species composition‚ indicating that high environmental heterogeneity in soils and topography are important in facilitating the high biodiversity in the Morialta Conservation Park. The European olive and Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera ssp. monilifera) are widespread in the park and a threat to native vegetation. Using published plant lists and the Atlas of Living Australia‚ we report 486 native (and 300 introduced) plant taxa from the park and its immediate surrounds‚ including species considered endangered at either the state or national level‚ or the IUCN Red List. Therefore‚ the park is highly important for conservation and the threat posed by the European olive‚ Boneseed and other invasive species should be effectively managed.
    Citation

    Anderson, J., Keppel, G., Thomson, S.-M., Gibbs, J., & Brunetti, G. (2020). High diversity of native plants and vegetation types in the Morialta Conservation Park and the threat of invasive species. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1080/03721426.2020.1786779

  46. Sandoval-Castillo, J., Gates, K., Brauer, C. J., Smith, S., Bernatchez, L., & Beheregaray, L. B. (2020). Adaptation of plasticity to projected maximum temperatures and across climatically defined bioregions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1921124117

    Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
    Abstract

    Resilience to environmental stressors due to climate warming is influenced by local adaptations‚ including plastic responses. The recent literature has focused on genomic signatures of climatic adaptation‚ but little is known about how plastic capacity may be influenced by biogeographic and evolutionary processes. We investigate phenotypic plasticity as a target of climatic selection‚ hypothesizing that lineages that evolved in warmer climates will exhibit greater plastic adaptive resilience to upper thermal stress. This was experimentally tested by comparing transcriptomic responses within and among temperate‚ subtropical‚ and desert ecotypes of Australian rainbowfish subjected to contemporary and projected summer temperatures. Critical thermal maxima were estimated‚ and ecological niches delineated using bioclimatic modeling. A comparative phylogenetic expression variance and evolution model was used to assess plastic and evolved changes in gene expression. Although 82% of all expressed genes were found in the three ecotypes‚ they shared expression patterns in only 5 out of 236 genes that responded to the climate change experiment. A total of 532 genes showed signals of adaptive (i.e.‚ genetic-based) plasticity due to ecotype-specific directional selection‚ and 23 of those responded to projected summer temperatures. Network analyses demonstrated centrality of these genes in thermal response pathways. The greatest adaptive resilience to upper thermal stress was shown by the subtropical ecotype‚ followed by the desert and temperate ecotypes. Our findings indicate that vulnerability to climate change will be highly influenced by biogeographic factors‚ emphasizing the value of integrative assessments of climatic adaptive traits for accurate estimation of population and ecosystem responses.
    Citation

    Sandoval-Castillo, J., Gates, K., Brauer, C. J., Smith, S., Bernatchez, L., & Beheregaray, L. B. (2020). Adaptation of plasticity to projected maximum temperatures and across climatically defined bioregions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1921124117

  47. Noble, M. M., Harasti, D., Fulton, C. J., & Doran, B. (2020). Identifying spatial conservation priorities using Traditional and Local Ecological Knowledge of iconic marine species and ecosystem threats. Biological Conservation, 249, 108709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108709

    Biological Conservation
    Abstract

    Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can be an effective spatial approach to conservation‚ especially when they involve genuine consultation that considers the diversity of stakeholders. Participatory mapping and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 52 stakeholders and 22 managers and scientists to identify ecological priorities and concerns across a large temperate MPA in Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park‚ Australia. There were 19 iconic species of fish‚ dolphins‚ whales‚ and sea turtles that were the focus of ecological priorities and stakeholder interactions with the marine environment. Effectiveness of the current MPA management plan for addressing stakeholder priority and concerns‚ was assessed using GIS spatial modelling that created fuzzy-set species distribution models (SDMs) based on Traditional and Local Ecological Knowledge as well as scientific and citizen-science survey data. These spatial models for the iconic species across the MPA were then overlaid with ecological concerns of the stakeholders to create a spatial understanding of local threats‚ and priority areas for targeted management. Poor water quality from terrestrial primary sources was the main concern of stakeholders‚ more so than in-water threats such as poor fishing practices or impacts to iconic species. While local managers and scientists were relatively reluctant to answer interview questions‚ there was a general misalignment in approaches to iconic species management‚ especially for mobile and migratory species‚ and misunderstanding of stakeholder perceptions of threats. Participatory mapping of social-ecological values provides a method for stakeholders and decision-makers to better understand‚ discuss‚ and adapt marine spatial management approaches that support a diversity of conservation and management priorities.
    Citation

    Noble, M. M., Harasti, D., Fulton, C. J., & Doran, B. (2020). Identifying spatial conservation priorities using Traditional and Local Ecological Knowledge of iconic marine species and ecosystem threats. Biological Conservation, 249, 108709. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108709

  48. Bein, B., Ebach, M. C., Laffan, S. W., Murphy, D. J., & Cassis, G. (2020). Quantifying vertebrate zoogeographical regions of Australia using geospatial turnover in the species composition of mammals, birds, reptiles and terrestrial amphibians. Zootaxa, 4802(1), 61–81. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4802.1.4

    Zootaxa
    Zootaxa
    Abstract

    A geospatial analysis of 1‚906‚302 records of 1938 species of Australian vertebrates has shown that the original regions proposed in the 19th century‚ namely the Eyrean‚ Torresian and Bassian still hold. The analysis has shown that the Eyrean region has an east-west divide‚ forming two‚ possibly independent arid regions (Eastern Desert and Western Desert provinces)‚ that are shaped by topography and rainfall. A revised and interim zoogeographical area taxonomy of the Australian region is presented herein.
    Citation

    Bein, B., Ebach, M. C., Laffan, S. W., Murphy, D. J., & Cassis, G. (2020). Quantifying vertebrate zoogeographical regions of Australia using geospatial turnover in the species composition of mammals, birds, reptiles and terrestrial amphibians. Zootaxa, 4802(1), 61–81. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4802.1.4

  49. Brookes, D. R., Hereward, J. P., Wilson, L. J., & Walter, G. H. (2020). Multiple invasions of a generalist herbivore—Secondary contact between two divergent lineages of Nezara viridula Linnaeus in Australia. Evolutionary Applications. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12971

    Evolutionary Applications
    Abstract

    The presence of distinct evolutionary lineages within herbivorous pest insect taxa requires close attention. Scientific understanding‚ biosecurity planning and practice‚ and pest management decision-making each suffer when such situations remain poorly understood. The pest bug Nezara viridula Linnaeus has been recorded from numerous host plants and has two globally distributed mitochondrial (mtDNA) lineages. These mtDNA lineages co-occur in few locations globally‚ and the consequences of their divergence and recent secondary contact have not been assessed. We present evidence that both mtDNA lineages of N. viridula are present in Australia and their haplotype groups have a mostly separate distribution from one another. The north-western population has only Asian mtDNA haplotypes‚ and the population with an eastern distribution is characterized mostly by European mtDNA haplotypes. Haplotypes of both lineages were detected together at only one site in the north of eastern Australia‚ and microsatellite data indicate that this secondary contact has resulted in mating across the lineages. Admixture and the movement of mtDNA haplotypes outside of this limited area of overlap has not‚ however‚ been extensive. Some degree of mating incompatibility or differences in the climatic requirements and tolerances of the two lineages‚ and perhaps a combination of these influences‚ might limit introgression and the movement of individuals‚ but this needs to be tested. This work provides the foundation for further ecological investigation of the lineages of N. viridula‚ particularly the consequences of admixture on the ecology of this widespread pest. We propose that for now‚ the Asian and European lineages of N. viridula would best be investigated as subspecies‚ so that “pure” and admixed populations of this bug can each be considered directly with respect to management and research priorities.
    Citation

    Brookes, D. R., Hereward, J. P., Wilson, L. J., & Walter, G. H. (2020). Multiple invasions of a generalist herbivore—Secondary contact between two divergent lineages of Nezara viridula Linnaeus in Australia. Evolutionary Applications. https://doi.org/10.1111/eva.12971

  50. Zhou, Y., Rodriguez, J., Fisher, N., & Catullo, R. A. (2020). Ecological Drivers and Sex-Based Variation in Body Size and Shape in the Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae). Insects, 11(6), 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11060390

    Insects
    Insects
    Abstract

    The Queensland fruit fly (Bactrocera tryoni; Q-fly) is an Australian endemic horticultural pest species‚ which has caused enormous economic losses. It has the potential to expand its range to currently Q-fly-free areas and poses a serious threat to the Australian horticultural industry. A large number of studies have investigated the correlation between environmental factors and Q-fly development‚ reproduction‚ and expansion. However‚ it is still not clear how Q-fly morphological traits vary with the environment. Our study focused on three morphological traits (body size‚ wing shape‚ and fluctuating asymmetry) in Q-fly samples collected from 1955 to 1965. We assessed how these traits vary by sex‚ and in response to latitude‚ environmental variables‚ and geographic distance. First‚ we found sexual dimorphism in body size and wing shape‚ but not in fluctuating asymmetry. Females had a larger body size but shorter and wider wings than males‚ which may be due to reproductive and/or locomotion differences between females and males. Secondly‚ the body size of Q-flies varied with latitude‚ which conforms to Bergmann&rsquo;s rule. Finally‚ we found Q-fly wing shape was more closely related to temperature rather than aridity‚ and low temperature and high aridity may lead to high asymmetry in Q-fly populations.
    Citation

    Zhou, Y., Rodriguez, J., Fisher, N., & Catullo, R. A. (2020). Ecological Drivers and Sex-Based Variation in Body Size and Shape in the Queensland Fruit Fly, Bactrocera tryoni (Diptera: Tephritidae). Insects, 11(6), 390. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11060390

2019

  1. Wraith, ., & Pickering, C. (2019). A continental scale analysis of threats to orchids. Biological Conservation, 234, 7–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.03.015

    Biological Conservation
    Abstract

    Thousands of plants are at risk of extinction globally due to human activities‚ including many species of orchids. In Australia alone there are 184 orchids identified as threatened by the Australian Government‚ but what threatens them and where are they threatened? Using data derived from listing documents for these orchids‚ threats were allocated to 28 categories. Then‚ the distributions of the orchids and hence likely geographic patterns of threats were mapped using 14‚651 location records from the Atlas of Living Australia. The most common threats were changes in fire regimes (74% of threatened Australian orchids)‚ invasive species (65%)‚ habitat modification (64%)‚ grazing (63%)‚ tourism and recreation (47%) and illegal collection (46%)‚ which often co-occurred as threat syndromes. Most threatened orchids are terrestrial (165 species)‚ and many occur in temperate forests (96) and temperate shrubland (36). When generalised linear models were used to assess geographic patterns in threats‚ bioregions with less cover of native vegetation were more likely to have orchids threatened by habitat modification‚ grazing or weeds (p < 0.05). Bioregions with higher protected area coverage were more likely to contain orchids threatened by tourism and recreation‚ but less likely to have orchids threatened by habitat modification (p < 0.05). Understanding drivers of threats and their distribution is crucial for successful management as they highlight key areas for conservation. The results also highlight the need for updating orchid listings nationally and internationally to better reflect the diversity of orchids threatened and threats to them‚ including the increasing impact of climate change.
    Citation

    Wraith, ., & Pickering, C. (2019). A continental scale analysis of threats to orchids. Biological Conservation, 234, 7–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.03.015

  2. Soanes, K., & Lentini, P. E. (2019). When cities are the last chance for saving species. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2032

    Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
    Abstract

    Urban environments are arguably among the most suitable targets for conservation science‚ as they represent opportunities to preserve both species and habitats under threat while at the same time allowing people to engage with nature. We highlight the need for conservation within urban environments using species whose recovery is entirely dependent on effective action within cities and towns. We identified 39 urban-restricted species in Australia and reviewed the advice guiding their conservation to address the question‚ “What does conservation look like when cities are the last chance for saving species?” We argue that in such circumstances securing land for conservation purposes cannot be relied upon; instead‚ species must be protected on lands not originally intended for conservation and urban communities must be involved in recovery actions. Ultimately‚ to achieve such outcomes‚ decision makers need to recognize the importance of urban ecosystems in the recovery of imperiled species.
    Citation

    Soanes, K., & Lentini, P. E. (2019). When cities are the last chance for saving species. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment. https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2032

  3. Heringer, G., Bueno, M. L., Meira-Neto, J. A. A., Matos, F. A. R., & Neri, A. V. (2019). Can Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis hinder restoration efforts in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest under current and future climate conditions? Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-019-02024-7

    Biological Invasions
    Abstract

    Climate change and biological invasions are two of the most cited factors that may affect species diversity in the coming decades. Here we used five climate scenarios to investigate the potential distribution of two invasive tree species‚ Acacia mangium and A. auriculiformis‚ in the Atlantic Forest hotspot. Additionally‚ we used expansion–contraction maps and maps of potential areas for forest restoration to investigate whether biological invasion could affect restoration efforts. We found A. mangium has a large suitable area in all scenarios (average 268‚010.1 km2 ± 25‚292.4 SD)‚ while A auriculiformis is confined to a relatively small region (average 13‚123.1 km2 ± 361.7 SD). In the low greenhouse gas emissions scenario (RCP 2.6)‚ the suitable area for A. mangium varied from the current scenario of 24.8% of the Atlantic Forest to 26.2% and 25.4% in the years 2050 and 2070‚ respectively. In the high greenhouse gas emission scenario (RCP 8.5)‚ the suitable area contracted to 23.1% and 20.5% in 2050 and 2070‚ respectively. Approximately 30.8% of the potential area for restoration currently overlaps the suitable area for A. mangium‚ and this overlap reaches at least 23.8% of the potential areas for restoration in the future scenarios (RCP 8.5 in 2070). A. mangium has a large suitable area in the Atlantic Forest and can become a barrier to restoration efforts in the coming decades. Expansion–contraction maps should be used to establish environmental policies that promote both forest restoration and prevention of biological invasion in suitable areas.
    Citation

    Heringer, G., Bueno, M. L., Meira-Neto, J. A. A., Matos, F. A. R., & Neri, A. V. (2019). Can Acacia mangium and Acacia auriculiformis hinder restoration efforts in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest under current and future climate conditions? Biological Invasions. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-019-02024-7

  4. Conroy, G. C., Shimizu-Kimura, Y., Lamont, R. W., & Ogbourne, S. M. (2019). A multidisciplinary approach to inform assisted migration of the restricted rainforest tree, Fontainea rostrata. PLoS ONE, 14(1), e0210560. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210560

    PLoS ONE
    PLoS ONE
    Abstract

    Assisted migration can aid in the conservation of narrowly endemic species affected by habitat loss‚ fragmentation and climate change. Here‚ we employ a multidisciplinary approach by examining the population genetic structure of a threatened‚ dioecious rainforest tree of the subtropical notophyll vine forests of eastern Australia‚ Fontainea rostrata‚ and its potential requirements for population enhancement and translocation to withstand the effects of anthropogenic fragmentation and climate change. We used microsatellite markers to gain an understanding of the way genetic diversity is partitioned within and among the nine extant populations of F. rostrata identified in this study. We combined the results with species distribution modelling to identify populations vulnerable to possible future range shifts based on climate change projections. We found regional differences between the species’ main distribution in the south and a disjunct northern population cluster (FRT = 0.074‚ FSR = 0.088‚ FST = 0.155)‚ in mean allelic richness (AR = 2.77 vs 2.33‚ p < 0.05)‚ expected heterozygosity (HE = 0.376 vs 0.328)‚ and inbreeding (F = 0.116 vs 0.219). Species distribution models predicted that while southern populations of F. rostrata are likely to persist for the next 50 years under the RCP6.0 climate change scenario‚ with potential for a small-scale expansion to the south-east‚ the more highly inbred and less genetically diverse northern populations will come under increasing pressure to expand southwards as habitat suitability declines. Given the species’ genetic structure and with the aim to enhance genetic diversity and maximise the likelihood of reproductive success‚ we recommend that plant reintroductions to supplement existing populations should be prioritised over translocation of the species to new sites. However‚ future conservation efforts should be directed at translocation to establish new sites to increase population connectivity‚ focussing particularly on habitat areas identified as persisting under conditions of climate change.
    Citation

    Conroy, G. C., Shimizu-Kimura, Y., Lamont, R. W., & Ogbourne, S. M. (2019). A multidisciplinary approach to inform assisted migration of the restricted rainforest tree, Fontainea rostrata. PLoS ONE, 14(1), e0210560. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0210560

  5. Shabani, F., Ahmadi, M., Peters, K. J., Haberle, S., Champreux, A., Saltré, F., & Bradshaw, C. J. A. (2019). Climate-driven shifts in the distribution of koala browse species from the Last Interglacial to the near future. Ecography. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.04530

    Ecography
    Ecography
    Abstract

    The koala’s (Phascolarctos cinereus) distribution is currently restricted to eastern and south-eastern Australia. However‚ fossil records dating from 70 ± 4 ka (ka = 103 years) from south-western Australia and the Nullarbor Plain are evidence of subpopulation extinctions in the southwest at least after the Last Interglacial (128-116 ka). We hypothesize that koala sub-population extinctions resulted from the eastward retraction of the koala’s main browse species in response to unsuitable climatic conditions. We further posit a general reduction in the distribution of main koala-browse trees in the near future in response climate change. We modelled 60 koala-browse species and constructed a set of correlative species distribution models for five time periods: Last Interglacial (128-116 ka)‚ Last Glacial Maximum ( 23-19 ka)‚ Mid-Holocene ( 7-5 ka)‚ present (interpolations of observed data‚ representative of 1960-1990)‚ and 2070. We based our projections on five hindcasts and one forecast of climatic variables extracted from WorldClim based on two general circulation models (considering the most pessimistic scenario of high greenhouse-gas emissions) and topsoil clay fraction. We used 17 dates of koala fossil specimens identified as reliable from 70 (± 4) to 535 (± 49) ka‚ with the last appearance of koalas at 151 ka in the southwest. The main simulated koala-browse species were at their greatest modelled extent of suitability during the Last Glacial Maximum‚ with the greatest loss of koala habitat occurring between the Mid-Holocene and the present. We predict a similar habitat loss between the present and 2070. The spatial patterns of habitat change support our hypothesis that koala extinctions in the southwest‚ Nullarbor Plain‚ and central South Australia resulted from the eastward retraction of the dominant koala-browse species in response to long-term climate changes. Future climate patterns will likely increase the extinction risk of koalas in their remaining eastern ranges. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Citation

    Shabani, F., Ahmadi, M., Peters, K. J., Haberle, S., Champreux, A., Saltré, F., & Bradshaw, C. J. A. (2019). Climate-driven shifts in the distribution of koala browse species from the Last Interglacial to the near future. Ecography. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.04530

  6. Graham, E. M., Reside, A. E., Atkinson, I., Baird, D., Hodgson, L., James, C. S., & VanDerWal, J. J. (2019). Climate change and biodiversity in Australia: a systematic modelling approach to nationwide species distributions. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 26(2), 112–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/14486563.2019.1599742

    Australasian Journal of Environmental Management
    Abstract

    Climate change is a driving force of changes to biodiversity worldwide and presents considerable management challenges for the resource-constrained environmental management sector. Effective management of biodiversity requires information about what species are present‚ how species respond to environmental conditions and which species are likely to be able to persist in the presence of ongoing change. Species distribution models are commonly used to predict future suitable habitat for particular species and areas of interest but a consistent nationwide approach is needed to understand how climate change will affect Australia’s biodiversity. Here we describe a modelling approach that uses a consistent workflow and expert vetting to create current and future species distributions for 1872 terrestrial and freshwater vertebrate species. We used two emission scenarios‚ 18 General Circulation Models and seven time points into the future to explore how individual species distributions and taxa richness in Australia are predicted to change due to climate change. The maps are publicly available online and stakeholders can download them for post hoc analyses to assist in both regional and national management and protection of biodiversity assets and conservation planning for the future.
    Citation

    Graham, E. M., Reside, A. E., Atkinson, I., Baird, D., Hodgson, L., James, C. S., & VanDerWal, J. J. (2019). Climate change and biodiversity in Australia: a systematic modelling approach to nationwide species distributions. Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, 26(2), 112–123. https://doi.org/10.1080/14486563.2019.1599742

  7. Hawke, T., Bino, G., & Kingsford, R. T. (2019). A silent demise: Historical insights into population changes of the iconic platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Global Ecology and Conservation, e00720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00720

    Global Ecology and Conservation
    Abstract

    Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) are evolutionarily distinct monotremes‚ endemic to creeks and rivers of eastern Australia. Given recent evidence of a contracting distribution and local extinctions‚ the species was listed as ‘Near-Threatened’ in 2016. The magnitude of decline remains unknown‚ given little quantitative evidence of historical abundance and distribution. From data over 258 years (1760–2018)‚ distribution declines surpassed previous estimates‚ with 41.4% and 12.8% of sub-catchments having no records over the past 10 and 20 years‚ respectively. Additionally‚ 44% of sub-catchments within the potential range were lacking data. Further‚ historic accounts of platypus numbers during the 19th century far exceeded contemporary numbers‚ likely reflecting the impacts of the fur trade‚ exacerbated by recent synergistic threats of river regulation and habitat destruction. Improved monitoring is essential to increase understanding and inform effective management of this enigmatic and iconic mammal for which Australia has a global responsibility.
    Citation

    Hawke, T., Bino, G., & Kingsford, R. T. (2019). A silent demise: Historical insights into population changes of the iconic platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus). Global Ecology and Conservation, e00720. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00720

  8. Hall, M. A., & Reboud, E. L. (2019). High sampling effectiveness for non-bee flower visitors using vane traps in both open and wooded habitats. Austral Entomology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12416

    Austral Entomology
    Abstract

    Many non-bee insects are important for pollination‚ yet few studies have assessed the effectiveness of sampling these taxa using low-cost techniques‚ such as coloured vane traps‚ among different habitat types. This study sampled 192 sites – 108 in wooded and 84 in open habitats – within an agricultural region of southern Australia. Pairs of blue and yellow vane traps were placed at each site for a period of seven days during the austral spring. Overall‚ 3114 flies (Diptera) from 19 families and 528 wasps (non-bee and non-formicid Hymenoptera) from 16 families were collected during the study. This sampling was representative of the region‚ with vane traps equally or more likely to collect as many families from both taxa as those reported on the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) database for the sampling area. Blue vane traps (BVTs) had greater average richness of both flies and wasps and greater activity density (abundance per 7-day sampling period) of individuals than yellow vane traps (YVTs). BVTs were particularly favoured by fly and wasp families known to pollinate flowers (e.g. Syrphidae‚ Bombyliidae and Scoliidae)‚ whilst YVTs sampled flower visitors that also provide additional ecosystem services‚ such as pest control and nutrient cycling. Here‚ vane traps were an effective sampling technique to capture non-bee flower visitors‚ such as flies and wasps. This study supports the use of vane traps as a component of the sampling protocol for ecological census and population monitoring within multiple habitat types‚ where colour attraction will more effectively sample a comprehensive pollinator community.
    Citation

    Hall, M. A., & Reboud, E. L. (2019). High sampling effectiveness for non-bee flower visitors using vane traps in both open and wooded habitats. Austral Entomology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1111/aen.12416

  9. Steven, R., Barnes, M., Garnett, S. T., Garrard, G., O’Connor, J., Oliver, J. L., Robinson, C., Tulloch, A., & Fuller, R. A. (2019). Aligning citizen science with best practice: Threatened species conservation in Australia. Conservation Science and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.100

    Conservation Science and Practice
    Abstract

    Well-designed citizen science projects can improve the capacity of the scientific community to detect and understand declines in threatened species‚ and with the emergence of frameworks to guide good design‚ there is an opportunity to test whether projects are aligned with best practice. We assessed the current landscape of citizen science projects for threatened species conservation via a content analysis of the online communique of citizen science projects across Australia. Only 2% of projects stated clear research questions‚ although approximately 86% had implied project objectives aimed at threatened species conservation. Most projects were focused on field-based monitoring activities with half using structured ecological survey methods. Most reviewed projects (65%) shared data with open access biodiversity databases and the vast majority use at least one social media platform to communicate with potential and existing participants (up to 81%). Approximately 50% present citizen-sourced data summaries or publications on their websites. Our study shows there is a very strong foundation for public participation in threatened species conservation activities in Australia‚ yet there is scope to further integrate the principles of citizen science best practice. Improved integration of these principles will likely yield better outcomes for threatened species as well as for the citizen scientists themselves.
    Citation

    Steven, R., Barnes, M., Garnett, S. T., Garrard, G., O’Connor, J., Oliver, J. L., Robinson, C., Tulloch, A., & Fuller, R. A. (2019). Aligning citizen science with best practice: Threatened species conservation in Australia. Conservation Science and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.100

  10. Park, Y. J., Tuxworth, G., & Zhou, J. (2019). Insect Classification Using Squeeze-and-Excitation and Attention Modules - a Benchmark Study. Proceedings of the 2019 IEEE International Conference on Image Processing, 3437–3441. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIP.2019.8803746

    2019 IEEE International Conference on Image Processing, ICIP 2019
    Abstract

    Insect recognition at the species level is an active research field with a variety of applications. With the advancement of convolutional neural networks an automatic fine-grained image classifier has displayed encouraging performance. Despite these recent advances‚ differentiating images at the species level is still a challenge. To address the problems arising from insect-specific peculiarities‚ this paper presents a novel network that consists of squeeze-and-excitation modules and attention modules‚ enabling the network to focus on more informative and differentiating features with a limited number of training iterations and a small dataset. The proposed model is trained on an insect dataset collected from Atlas of Living Australia. The results reveal that the integrated model achieves higher accuracy than several alternative methods on the introduced insect dataset.
    Citation

    Park, Y. J., Tuxworth, G., & Zhou, J. (2019). Insect Classification Using Squeeze-and-Excitation and Attention Modules - a Benchmark Study. Proceedings of the 2019 IEEE International Conference on Image Processing, 3437–3441. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICIP.2019.8803746

  11. Pietras, M. (2019). First record of North American fungus Rhizopogon pseudoroseolus in Australia and prediction of its occurrence based on climatic niche and symbiotic partner preferences. Mycorrhiza. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-019-00899-x

    Mycorrhiza
    Mycorrhiza
    Abstract

    In 2017 a North American fungus‚ Rhizopogon pseudoroseolus (Boletales‚ Basidiomycota)‚ formerly known in Oceania as only occurring in New Zealand‚ was found for the first time in South Australia. The morphological identification of collected specimens was confirmed using an internal transcribed spacer barcoding approach. In this study‚ the biogeography of R. pseudoroseolus is also presented‚ based on sporocarp and ectomycorrhiza records. Species distribution modeling implemented in MaxEnt was used to estimate the distribution of the potential range of R. pseudoroseolus in Australia and New Zealand. The obtained model illustrates‚ in the background of climatic variables and distribution of a symbiotic partner‚ its wide range of suitable habitats in New Zealand‚ South-East Australia‚ and Tasmania. Precipitation of the coldest quarters and annual mean temperature are important factors influencing the potential distribution of the fungus. The occurrence of Pinus radiata‚ the ectomycorrhizal partner of R. pseudoroseolus‚ is also an important factor limiting expansion of the fungus’ invasion range.
    Citation

    Pietras, M. (2019). First record of North American fungus Rhizopogon pseudoroseolus in Australia and prediction of its occurrence based on climatic niche and symbiotic partner preferences. Mycorrhiza. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00572-019-00899-x

  12. Caley, P., Welvaert, M., & Barry, S. C. (2019). Crowd surveillance: estimating citizen science reporting probabilities for insects of biosecurity concern. Journal of Pest Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-019-01115-7

    Journal of Pest Science
    Abstract

    Data streams arising from citizen reporting activities continue to grow‚ yet the information content within these streams remains unclear‚ and methods for addressing the inherent reporting biases little developed. Here‚ we quantify the major influence of physical insect features (colour‚ size‚ morphology‚ pattern) on the propensity of citizens to upload photographic sightings to online portals‚ and hence to contribute to biosecurity surveillance. After correcting for species availability‚ we show that physical features and pestiness are major predictors of reporting probability. The more distinctive the visual features‚ the higher the reporting probabilities—potentially providing useful surveillance should the species be an unwanted exotic. Conversely‚ the reporting probability for many small‚ nondescript high priority pest species is unlikely to be sufficient to contribute meaningfully to biosecurity surveillance‚ unless they are causing major harm. The lack of citizen reporting of recent incursions of small‚ nondescript exotic pests supports the model. By examining the types of insects of concern‚ industries or environmental managers can assess to what extent they can rely on citizen reporting for their surveillance needs. The citrus industry‚ for example‚ probably cannot rely on passive unstructured citizen data streams for surveillance of the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri). In contrast‚ the forestry industry may consider that citizen detection and reporting of species of the large and colourful insects such as pine sawyers (Monochamus spp.) may be sufficient for their needs. Incorporating citizen surveillance into the general surveillance framework is an area for further research.
    Citation

    Caley, P., Welvaert, M., & Barry, S. C. (2019). Crowd surveillance: estimating citizen science reporting probabilities for insects of biosecurity concern. Journal of Pest Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10340-019-01115-7

  13. Brook, B. W., Buettel, J. C., & Jarić, I. (2019). A fast re-sampling method for using reliability ratings of sightings with extinction-date estimators. Ecology, e02787. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2787

    Ecology
    Ecology
    Abstract

    The pattern of sightings of a species that is rare‚ and then no longer observed‚ can be used to estimate its extinction date. However‚ other than physical captures or specimens‚ the veracity of any sighting is ambiguous‚ and should be treated probabilistically when used to infer extinction dates. We present a simple yet powerful computational approach for incorporating observational reliability into extinction date estimators (EDE). Our method: (i) combines repeated within-year sightings probabilistically‚ (ii) samples observations using reliability as an inclusion probability‚ (iii) infers a probability distribution and summary statistics of extinction dates with any EDE‚ and (iv) computes the frequency distribution of the extinction date. We applied this method to eight exemplar sighting records covering a range of lengths‚ sighting rates and uncertainties‚ using a variety of statistical EDEs‚ and compared these results with a threshold approach for selecting sightings. We also demonstrated a robust coverage of ‘true’ extinction dates based on selected real-world examples of rediscovered species and confirmed extinctions‚ and simulated sighting records. Our approach represents a powerful generalization of past work because it is not predicated on any specific method for inferring extinction dates‚ and yet is simple to implement (with R script provided). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Citation

    Brook, B. W., Buettel, J. C., & Jarić, I. (2019). A fast re-sampling method for using reliability ratings of sightings with extinction-date estimators. Ecology, e02787. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.2787

  14. Esperon‐Rodriguez, M., Power, S. A., Tjoelker, M. G., Beaumont, L. J., Burley, H., Caballero‐Rodriguez, D., & Rymer, P. D. (2019). Assessing the vulnerability of Australia’s urban forests to climate extremes. Plants, People, Planet. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10064

    Plants, People, Planet
    Abstract

    Societal Impact Statement Urban forests are recognized for the multiple benefits they provide to city-dwellers. However‚ climate change will affect tree species survival and persistence in urban ecosystems. Tree failures will cause economic losses and jeopardize the delivery of societal benefits. The impacts of climate change will depend on the species’ resilience and adaptive capacity‚ as well as management actions which may ameliorate some of the negative impacts. Here‚ we assessed the potential vulnerability of Australia’s urban forests to climate extremes. Our results can be used for future urban planning aiming to incorporate species that are well-adapted to the hotter‚ drier climates expected with climate change. Summary Urban forests (UFs) are recognized for the multiple benefits they provide to city-dwellers. However‚ global climate change—particularly predicted increases in the frequency and intensity of heatwaves and drought—will affect tree species’ performance and survival in urban ecosystems. Here‚ we assessed species composition and potential vulnerability of UFs in 22 Australian significant urban areas (SUAs) to heat and/or moisture stress. We quantified species’ realized climatic niches across their known distribution‚ and assessed the extent to which baseline climate in the SUAs where a particular species is planted fell within its niche. We used three environmental variables to group species based on their potential climate vulnerability. UFs varied in species composition and climate vulnerability across the continent. In general‚ neither climate similarity nor geographical proximity were good predictors of species composition among UFs. Of 1‚342 tree species assessed (68.4% natives)‚ 53% were considered potentially vulnerable to heat and/or moisture stress in at least one city where they are currently planted. Our results highlight the climate vulnerability of current plantings across Australian SUAs and can be used to direct future species selection that considers the species’ climate of origin and climatic niche. UF planning can incorporate species from SUAs with similar climates and with low vulnerability to contemporary‚ as well as future climate conditions. Species with high climate vulnerability‚ in contrast‚ may require more intensive management to avoid failure under future hotter‚ drier climate conditions.
    Citation

    Esperon‐Rodriguez, M., Power, S. A., Tjoelker, M. G., Beaumont, L. J., Burley, H., Caballero‐Rodriguez, D., & Rymer, P. D. (2019). Assessing the vulnerability of Australia’s urban forests to climate extremes. Plants, People, Planet. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10064

  15. Ondei, S., Brook, B. W., & Buettel, J. C. (2019). A flexible tool to prioritize areas for conservation combining landscape units, measures of biodiversity, and threats. Ecosphere, 10(9), e02859. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2859

    Ecosphere
    Ecosphere
    Abstract

    Expanding the reserve system is a key strategy to enhance biodiversity protection. Yet‚ conservation outcomes can be undermined by underrepresentation of some habitats and opportunistic placement of protected areas. Irreplaceability and vulnerability‚ the key principles of conservation‚ should thus be combined within a bioregionalization framework to implement protection in the habitats that most need it. We proposed a simple and flexible method to prioritize bioregions for conservation based on these principles and used it to rank the 85 bioregions of the Australian continent. To do so‚ we quantified biodiversity values and threats in each bioregion by gathering open-access data on species‚ landscapes‚ and land use. Bioregions were then ranked using a set of customizable scenarios‚ including ecologically meaningful combinations of measures of irreplaceability and vulnerability. To identify biodiverse areas under threat but potentially overlooked‚ we compared our results with the location of already established biodiversity hotspots (i.e.‚ areas identified as important for biodiversity and under threat). We found that bioregions with the highest biodiversity values are predominantly located in the southwest‚ east‚ and north of the continent. Similarly‚ threats‚ particularly land clearance‚ are concentrated along the east coast and in the southwest. When ranking bioregions using scenarios including both threats and biodiversity values‚ the majority (75%) of the highest-ranking bioregions were already included in biodiversity hotspots. For five of these bioregions‚ the proportion of protected land to date still falls below the 17% recommended by the Convention on Biological Diversity and thus they likely require prompt prioritization and intervention. The method proposed can support ongoing monitoring and prioritization of land units for conservation. Its simplicity and flexibility mean it can be easily adopted for different areas and adjusted to local priorities.
    Citation

    Ondei, S., Brook, B. W., & Buettel, J. C. (2019). A flexible tool to prioritize areas for conservation combining landscape units, measures of biodiversity, and threats. Ecosphere, 10(9), e02859. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecs2.2859

  16. Roycroft, E. J., Nations, J. A., & Rowe, K. C. (2019). Environment predicts repeated body size shifts in a recent radiation of Australian mammals. Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.13859

    Evolution
    Evolution
    Abstract

    Closely related species that occur across steep environmental gradients often display clear body size differences‚ and examining this pattern is crucial to understanding how environmental variation shapes diversity. Australian endemic rodents in the Pseudomys Division (Muridae: Murinae) have repeatedly colonized the arid‚ monsoon‚ and mesic biomes over the last 5 million years. Using occurrence records‚ body mass data‚ and Bayesian phylogenetic models we test whether body mass of 31 species in the Pseudomys Division can be predicted by their biome association. We also model the effect of eight environmental variables on body mass. Despite high phylogenetic signal in body mass evolution across the phylogeny‚ we find that mass predictably increases in the mesic biome‚ and decreases in arid and monsoon biomes. As per Bergmann’s rule‚ temperature is strongly correlated with body mass‚ as well as several other variables. Our results highlight two important findings. First‚ body size in Australian rodents has tracked with climate through the Pleistocene‚ likely due to several environmental variables rather than a single factor. Second‚ support for both Brownian motion and predictable change at different taxonomic levels in the Pseudomys Division phylogeny demonstrates how the level at which we test hypotheses can alter interpretation of evolutionary processes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
    Citation

    Roycroft, E. J., Nations, J. A., & Rowe, K. C. (2019). Environment predicts repeated body size shifts in a recent radiation of Australian mammals. Evolution. https://doi.org/10.1111/evo.13859

  17. Jin, J., & Yang, J. (2019). BDcleaner: A workflow for cleaning taxonomic and geographic errors in occurrence data archived in biodiversity databases. Global Ecology and Conservation, e00852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00852

    Global Ecology and Conservation
    Abstract

    High-quality data are indispensable for research and management in biodiversity conservation. Nevertheless‚ errors in biodiversity data must be removed before they can be used with confidence. In this study‚ we have developed a workflow for cleaning occurrence data archived in various biodiversity databases. The workflow allows researchers and practitioners to identify taxonomic and geographic errors in millions of records in an automatic‚ reproducible‚ and transparent manner. It also allows users to correct several types of taxonomic and geographic errors. We applied the workflow to clean global tree occurrence records. The results showed that among the 30‚242‚556 occurrence records of 58‚034 species extracted from eight databases‚ only 8‚624‚319 (28.5%) records of 22‚766 (39.2%) species were classified as high quality after running through the workflow. Inaccurate and non-standard taxon names appeared as a more severe problem than geographical errors that people are most familiar with. The workflow developed in this study can be easily adapted to clean occurrence records of other taxonomic groups‚ which allows researchers and practitioners to reduce uncertainties in their findings.
    Citation

    Jin, J., & Yang, J. (2019). BDcleaner: A workflow for cleaning taxonomic and geographic errors in occurrence data archived in biodiversity databases. Global Ecology and Conservation, e00852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00852

  18. Booth, T. H. (2019). Assessing the thermal adaptability of tree provenances: an example using Eucalyptus tereticornis. Australian Forestry, 82(4), 176–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2019.1680594

    Australian Forestry
    Abstract

    A 2017 paper intended to assist climate-change studies concluded that provenances of the widely distributed Eucalyptus tereticornis ‘are not differentiated in their thermal responses’ in terms of photosynthesis‚ respiration and growth. The aim here was to place this surprising result‚ based on a short-term (48-day) experiment with seedlings of just three provenances‚ into the broader context of several years’ growth of provenances of the same species. To do this‚ a re-analysis of results from trials of 14 provenances of E. tereticornis was undertaken. These were grown for 3.5 or 5.0 years at four contrasting sites in southern China spanning mean annual temperatures (MAT) from 15.0°C to 23.5°C. The analysis described here compares MATs at climate-of-origin with volume growth. It demonstrates an approach that could easily be applied to provenance studies of other commercially important species. It makes use of the ready access to distributional and climatic data provided by a modern biodiversity database‚ the Atlas of Living Australia. Some of the provenances showed a surprising level of adaptability to climates markedly different to those of their origin. At the warmest site in China‚ however‚ the growth of the provenances was significantly related to the MAT at their climate-of-origin. It is concluded that researchers considering the likely impacts of climate change on tree species may find it useful to examine results from commercial provenance trials as well as from glasshouse experiments with seedlings.
    Citation

    Booth, T. H. (2019). Assessing the thermal adaptability of tree provenances: an example using Eucalyptus tereticornis. Australian Forestry, 82(4), 176–180. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2019.1680594

  19. Medd, R. W., & Bower, C. C. (2019). Biodiversity and Endemism within the Mount Canobolas Volcanic Complex. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, 141.

    Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales
    Abstract

    Mt Canobolas State Conservation Area (SCA) hosts a small remnant of sub-alpine vegetation consisting of seven recognisable communities with the heathlands on the rock plates appearing to be unique to the SCA. The SCA has a known biota of 884 native species that includes 14 threatened species and at least 10 endemic taxa. Some 200 species are regionally significant‚ being either rare or at the limits of known geographic range. The vascular flora is particularly species-rich being considerably more diverse than nearby regional reserves and over 12 fold richer than comparable areas of the Kosciusko National Park. One of three endangered ecological communities‚ the Mt Canobolas Xanthoparmelia Lichen Community‚ is unique to the volcanic province.
    While there is some indication the endemic lithophytic lichens‚ the threatened Eucalyptus canobolensis and the heath communities may be substrate specific‚ there is no strong evidence of a geological association among other flora and fauna. We postulate that the presence of multiple endemic species reflects the geographic isolation which has provided an environment for species evolution by vicariance. Alternatively‚ Mt Canobolas has acted as a refugium for formerly widespread species that have become extinct elsewhere.
    Citation

    Medd, R. W., & Bower, C. C. (2019). Biodiversity and Endemism within the Mount Canobolas Volcanic Complex. Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, 141.

  20. Foord, C. S., Rowe, K. M. C., & Robb, K. (2019). Cetacean biodiversity, spatial and temporal trends based on stranding records (1920-2016), Victoria, Australia. PLoS ONE, 14(10), e0223712. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223712

    PLoS ONE
    PLoS ONE
    Abstract

    Cetacean stranding records can provide vital information on species richness and diversity through space and time. Here we collate stranding records from Victoria‚ Australia and assess them for temporal‚ spatial and demographic trends. Between 1920 and 2016‚ 424 stranding events involving 907 individuals were recorded across 31 Cetacea species from seven families‚ including five new species records for the state. Seven of these events were mass strandings‚ and six mother and calf strandings were recorded. Importantly‚ 48% of the species recorded are recognised as data deficient on the IUCN Red List. The most commonly recorded taxa were Tursiops spp. (n = 146) and Delphinus delphis (common dolphins‚ n = 81)‚ with the greatest taxonomic richness (n = 24) and highest incidence of stranding events documented within the Otways mesoscale bioregion. We found no seasonal stranding patterns anywhere in the state. While our findings improve understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of cetacean diversity within Victoria‚ we suggest greater effort to collect demographic data at stranding events in order to better study state-wide patterns through time. We conclude with guidelines for minimum data collection standards for future strandings to maximise information capture from each event.
    Citation

    Foord, C. S., Rowe, K. M. C., & Robb, K. (2019). Cetacean biodiversity, spatial and temporal trends based on stranding records (1920-2016), Victoria, Australia. PLoS ONE, 14(10), e0223712. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0223712

  21. Haque, M., Beaumont, L. J., & Nipperess, D. A. (2019). Taxonomic shortfalls in digitised collections of Australia’s flora. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01885-7

    Biodiversity and Conservation
    Abstract

    Rapid growth in the digitisation of the world’s natural history collections substantially simplifies scientific access to taxonomic and biogeographic information. Despite recent efforts to collate more than two centuries of biodiversity inventories into comprehensive databases‚ these collections suffer limitations across spatial‚ temporal and taxonomic dimensions. We assessed taxonomic shortfalls in preserved specimens from 296 plant families native to Australia‚ for which records have been collated into the Australasian Virtual Herbarium (AVH)‚ specifically addressing the following questions: (1) Based on the number of specimen records per species‚ which Australian native plant families are under- or over-represented in the collection of preserved specimens digitised in the AVH? (2) To what extent does the distribution of collectors among plant families‚ or the area occupied by plant families‚ explain patterns of taxonomic representativeness? We found that the number of preserved specimens per family is not proportional to the family’s known species richness. For 29% of Australia’s plant families (i.e. 86)‚ the number of digitised records constitutes < 50% of the number expected given species richness within those families. Further‚ only 34% of families (100) have at least 20 specimens digitised for each species recorded in the AVH. Families occupying small areas (< 200 grid cells) are more likely to be under-represented taxonomically‚ while there is a strong positive correlation between the number of unique collectors and the extent of taxonomic over-representation. A sound understanding of biodiversity is critical for megadiverse countries such as Australia‚ and identifying biases in digital inventories may help with establishing future sampling and digitisation strategies to enhance taxonomic representation.
    Citation

    Haque, M., Beaumont, L. J., & Nipperess, D. A. (2019). Taxonomic shortfalls in digitised collections of Australia’s flora. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-019-01885-7

2018

  1. Zhang, H., Bonser, S. P., Chen, S. C., Hitchcock, T., & Moles, A. T. (2018). Is the proportion of clonal species higher at higher latitudes in Australia? Austral Ecology, 43, 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12536

    Austral Ecology
    Abstract

    We provide a large-scale quantification of the relationship between latitude and the proportion of species with clonal reproduction. Parasite pressure is thought to be higher at low latitudes‚ while abiotic stress is thought to be higher at high latitudes. We therefore predicted that there would be a higher proportion of clonal species at high latitudes than at low latitudes. We collected data of 4386 native seed plant species from 446 genera and 99 families present in ABRSFlora of Australia. Species’ occurrence records were taken from the Atlas of Living Australia‚ including 817 450 species-site combinations spanning 34.5° of latitude. Logistic regression showed that the proportion of clonal species significantly increased with latitude‚ rising from 3.3% clonal species at 9.25°S to 26.7% clonal species at 43.75°S. The overall average proportion of clonal species in Australian seed plants was 9.4%. This study adds to our growing understanding of dramatic latitudinal gradients in the way plants grow and reproduce. It also reveals that Australian vegetation contains a relatively low proportion of clonally reproducing species. © 2017 Ecological Society of Australia
    Citation

    Zhang, H., Bonser, S. P., Chen, S. C., Hitchcock, T., & Moles, A. T. (2018). Is the proportion of clonal species higher at higher latitudes in Australia? Austral Ecology, 43, 69–75. https://doi.org/10.1111/aec.12536

  2. Zhu, L., Bloomfield, K. J., Hocart, C. H., Egerton, J. J. G., O’Sullivan, O. S., Penillard, A., Weerasinghe, L. K., & Atkin, O. K. (2018). Plasticity of photosynthetic heat tolerance in plants adapted to thermally contrasting biomes. Plant Cell and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13133

    Plant Cell and Environment
    Abstract

    In many biomes‚ plants are subject to heatwaves‚ potentially causing irreversible damage to the photosynthetic apparatus. Field surveys have documented global‚ temperature-dependent patterns in photosynthetic heat tolerance (PHT ); however‚ it remains unclear if these patterns reflect acclimation in PHT or inherent differences among species adapted to contrasting habitats. To address these unknowns‚ we quantified seasonal variations in Tcrit (high temperature where minimal chlorophyll-a fluorescence rises rapidly‚ reflecting disruption to photosystem II) in 62 species native to 6 sites from 5 thermally contrasting biomes across Australia. Tcrit and leaf fatty acid (FA) composition (important for membrane stability) were quantified in three temperature-controlled glasshouses in 20 of those species. Tcrit was greatest at hot field sites and acclimated seasonally (summer > winter‚ increasing on average 0.34 degrees C per degrees C increase in growth temperature). The glasshouse study showed that Tcrit was inherently higher in species from warmer habitats (increasing 0.16 degrees C per degrees C increase in origin annual mean maximum temperature) and acclimated to increasing growth temperature (0.24 degrees C degrees C(-1) ). Variations in Tcrit were positively correlated with the relative abundance of saturated FAs‚ with FAs accounting for 40% of Tcrit variation. These results highlight the importance of both plastic adjustments and inherent differences determining contemporary continent-wide patterns in PHT .
    Citation

    Zhu, L., Bloomfield, K. J., Hocart, C. H., Egerton, J. J. G., O’Sullivan, O. S., Penillard, A., Weerasinghe, L. K., & Atkin, O. K. (2018). Plasticity of photosynthetic heat tolerance in plants adapted to thermally contrasting biomes. Plant Cell and Environment. https://doi.org/10.1111/pce.13133

  3. Dalrymple, R. L., Flores-Moreno, H., Kemp, D. J., White, T. E., Laffan, S. W., Hemmings, F. A., Hitchcock, T. D., & Moles, A. T. (2018). Abiotic and biotic predictors of macroecological patterns in bird and butterfly coloration. Ecological Monographs. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.1287

    Ecological Monographs
    abstract
    Citation

    Dalrymple, R. L., Flores-Moreno, H., Kemp, D. J., White, T. E., Laffan, S. W., Hemmings, F. A., Hitchcock, T. D., & Moles, A. T. (2018). Abiotic and biotic predictors of macroecological patterns in bird and butterfly coloration. Ecological Monographs. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.1287

  4. Bush, A., Catullo, R. A., Mokany, K., Thornhill, A. H., Miller, J. T., & Ferrier, S. (2018). Truncation of thermal tolerance niches among Australian plants. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 27, 22–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12637

    Global Ecology and Biogeography
    Abstract

    Aim: Despite recognition that realized distributions inherently underestimate species’ physiological tolerances‚ we are yet to identify the extent of these differences within diverse taxonomic groups. The degree to which species could tolerate environmental conditions outside their observed distributions may have a significant impact on the perceived extinction risk in ecological models. More information on this potential error is required to improve our confidence in management strategies. Location: Australia. Time Period: 1983–2012. Major Taxa Studied: Plants. Methods: To quantify the scale and spatial patterns of this disparity‚ we estimated the existing tolerance to thermal extremes of 7‚124 Australian plants‚ more than one-third of the native continental flora‚ using data from cultivated records at 128 botanical gardens and nurseries. Hierarchical Bayesian beta regression was used to assess whether factors such as realized niches‚ traits or phylogeny could predict the incidence or magnitude of niche truncation (underestimation of thermal tolerances)‚ while controlling for sources of collection bias. Results: Approximately half of the cultivated species analysed could tolerate temperature extremes beyond those experienced in their native range. Niche truncation was predictable from the breadth and extremes of their realized niches and by traits such as plant growth form. Phylogenetic relationships with niche truncation were weak and appeared more suited to predicting thermal tolerances directly. Main conclusions: This study highlights a widespread disparity between realized and potential thermal limits that may have significant implications for species’ capacity to persist in situ with a changing climate. Identifying whether thermal niche truncation is the result of biotic interactions‚ dispersal constraints or other environmental factors could provide significant insight into community assembly at macroecological scales. Estimating niche truncation may help to explain why certain ecological communities are more resilient to change and may potentially improve the reliability of model projections under climate change. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd
    Citation

    Bush, A., Catullo, R. A., Mokany, K., Thornhill, A. H., Miller, J. T., & Ferrier, S. (2018). Truncation of thermal tolerance niches among Australian plants. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 27, 22–31. https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.12637

  5. Reside, A. E., Critchell, K., Crayn, D. M., Goosem, M., Goosem, S., Hoskin, C. . J., Sydes, T., Vanderduys, E. P., & Pressey, R. L. (2018). Beyond the model: expert knowledge improves predictions of species’ fates under climate change. Ecological Applications. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1824

    Ecological Applications
    Abstract

    The need to proactively manage landscapes and species to aid their adaptation to climate change is widely acknowledged. Current approaches to prioritizing investment in species conservation generally rely on correlative models‚ which predict the likely fate of species under different climate change scenarios. Yet‚ while model statistics can be improved by refining modelling techniques‚ gaps remain in understanding the relationship between model performance and ecological reality. To investigate this we compared standard correlative species distribution models to highly accurate‚ fine-scale distribution models. We critically assessed the ecological realism of each species’ model‚ using expert knowledge of the geography and habitat in the study area and the biology of the study species. Using interactive software and an iterative vetting with experts‚ we identified seven general principles that explain why the distribution modelling under- or over-estimated habitat suitability‚ under both current and predicted future climates. Importantly‚ we found that‚ while temperature estimates can be dramatically improved through better climate downscaling‚ many models still inaccurately reflected moisture availability. Furthermore‚ the correlative models did not account for biotic factors such as disease or competitor species‚ and were unable to account for the likely presence of micro refugia. Under-performing current models resulted in widely divergent future projections of species’ distributions. Expert vetting identified regions that were likely to contain micro refugia‚ even where the fine-scale future projections of species distributions predicted population losses. Based on the results we identify four priority conservation actions required for more effective climate change adaptation responses. This approach to improving the ecological realism of correlative models to understand climate change impacts on species can be applied broadly to improve the evidence base underpinning management responses. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
    Citation

    Reside, A. E., Critchell, K., Crayn, D. M., Goosem, M., Goosem, S., Hoskin, C. . J., Sydes, T., Vanderduys, E. P., & Pressey, R. L. (2018). Beyond the model: expert knowledge improves predictions of species’ fates under climate change. Ecological Applications. https://doi.org/10.1002/eap.1824

2017

  1. Lambkin, T. A. (2017). “Argynnis hyperbius inconstans” Butler, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae): A review of its collection history and biology. Australian Entomologist, 44, 223–268. https://doi.org/-

    Australian Entomologist
    abstract
    Citation

    Lambkin, T. A. (2017). “Argynnis hyperbius inconstans” Butler, 1873 (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae): A review of its collection history and biology. Australian Entomologist, 44, 223–268. https://doi.org/-

  2. Whitau, R., Balme, J., O’Connor, S., & Wood, R. (2017). Wood charcoal analysis at Riwi cave, Gooniyandi country, Western Australia. Quaternary International, 457, 140–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2016.07.046

    Quaternary International
    Abstract

    Wood charcoals excavated from archaeological sites provide a useful tool for palaeoenvironmental reconstruction‚ particularly in arid and semi-arid zones‚ where suitable catchments for palynological archives are often limited. Preservation of organic material in northern Australia is characteristically poor‚ and wood charcoal analysis provides a viable alternative to understand shifts in woody vegetation in the past. The analysis of charcoal from matrix contexts at Riwi cave‚ located in the southern Kimberley region of northern Western Australia‚ has allowed a reconstruction of the local woody vegetation during occupation over the last 45‚000 years. The wood charcoal assemblage from the Holocene stratigraphic units reflects the composition of the modern vegetation‚ and illustrates that people were occupying the site during periods of relative humidity. The Pleistocene stratigraphic units show a shift in vegetation composition from Eucalyptus spp. to Corymbia sp. dominated savanna‚ with an understory of secondary shrub‚ associated with a Late MIS 3 arid event observed in both terrestrial and marine archives‚ suggesting that activities continued at Riwi during this arid event. Further anthracological analysis of other sites in the Kimberley will help to build a regional picture of woody vegetation change‚ and will further disentangle local and regional climatic signals‚ particularly in relation to phases of occupation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.
    Citation

    Whitau, R., Balme, J., O’Connor, S., & Wood, R. (2017). Wood charcoal analysis at Riwi cave, Gooniyandi country, Western Australia. Quaternary International, 457, 140–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quaint.2016.07.046

  3. Booth, T. H., Jovanovic, T., & Arnold, R. J. (2017). Planting domains under climate change for Eucalyptus pellita and Eucalyptus urograndis in parts of China and South East Asia. Australian Forestry, 80, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2016.1275101

    Australian Forestry
    Abstract

    A preliminary assessment of climate change impacts on planting domains is presented for Eucalyptus pellita and the E. urophylla x E. grandis hybrid in parts of China and south-east Asia. Simple descriptions of climatic requirements are verified and‚ where necessary‚ refined. Climate data for current conditions and projected temperature rises of 1.10‚ 1.96 and 3.83 degrees C (means across the study area compared against a 1986-2005 baseline) are then used to map at a 10-minute (about 18 km) resolution areas that are likely to have suitable climatic conditions for growing these species in the future. For E. pellita a 1.10 degrees C temperature rise has little impact on climatically suitable areas‚ while E. urophylla x E. grandis may lose some currently suitable areas in southern China and Sumatra. If temperatures rise by more than 2 degrees C‚ then larger currently suitable areas will fall outside the range of climatic conditions that are known to be suitable for the two taxa. The vulnerabilities of eucalypt plantations of the two taxa across the study region are generally low‚ as the short rotation lengths used should allow managers to adapt plantations relatively easily to changing conditions. While this preliminary analysis suggested climate change risks are manageable‚ the analysis highlighted two risks that are worthy of more detailed research: some existing E. urophylla x E. grandis plantations in lowland areas in Sumatra appear to experience similar climatic conditions to those where leaf diseases have been experienced in Brazil‚ and extreme frost risks exist in inland areas of southern China.
    Citation

    Booth, T. H., Jovanovic, T., & Arnold, R. J. (2017). Planting domains under climate change for Eucalyptus pellita and Eucalyptus urograndis in parts of China and South East Asia. Australian Forestry, 80, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049158.2016.1275101

  4. Hossain, M. M. (2017). Accounting for biodiversity in Australia The case of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Pacific Accounting Review, 29, 2–33. https://doi.org/10.1108/Par-03-2016-0033

    Pacific Accounting Review
    Abstract

    Purpose -This paper aims to respond to recent calls by Jones (2014) and Jones and Solomon (Accounting‚ Auditing & Accountability Journal‚ 2013) for more studies on biodiversity accounting and reporting. In particular‚ this paper explores biodiversity reporting of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA)‚ an Australian public sector enterprise.
    Design/methodology/approach - The paper uses content analysis of MDBA’s published annual reports over the period of 15 years (1998-2012). Archival data (from different government departments) are also used to prepare natural inventory model.
    Findings -The paper finds that although specific species‚ such as flora and fauna‚ and habitats-related disclosures have increased over the time‚ such information still allows only a partial construction of an inventory of natural assets‚ using Jones’ (1996‚ 2003) model. However‚ unlike prior studies that find lack of data availability to be the main impediment for operationalising biodiversity accounting‚ the abundance of biodiversity data in Australia makes it comparatively easier to produce such a statement.
    Research limitations/implications - Informed by the environmental stewardship framework‚ the results of this paper suggest that the disclosures made by MDBA are constrained potentially due to its use of traditional accounting mechanisms of reporting that only allow tradable items to be reported to stakeholders. An alternative reporting format would be more relevant to stakeholder groups who are more interested in information regarding quality and availability of water‚ and loss of biodiversity in the basin area rather than the financial performance of the MDBA.
    Originality/value - Although there are a growing number of studies exploring biodiversity reporting in Australia‚ this paper is one of the earlier attempts to operationalise biodiversity (particularly habitats‚ flora and fauna) within the context of an Australian public sector enterprise.
    Citation

    Hossain, M. M. (2017). Accounting for biodiversity in Australia The case of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. Pacific Accounting Review, 29, 2–33. https://doi.org/10.1108/Par-03-2016-0033

  5. Wilson, D., Hansen, B., Honan, J., & Chamberlain, R. (2017). 170 years of Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii arrivals in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory show no change in arrival date. Australian Field Ornithology, 34, 76–79. https://doi.org/10.20938/afo34076079

    Australian Field Ornithology
    Abstract

    An understanding of migration phenology is critical to the conservation of long-distance migrants. Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii is a cryptic‚ dispersed migratory wader that breeds in northern Japan during the austral winter and migrates to Australia for the non-breeding period. Records of this species for New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) were extracted from a range of data sources including hunting reports‚ the Atlas of Living Australia‚ eBird and citizen science records‚ generating a dataset of first-arrival dates for 170 years (1846-2016). The first record in each year‚ corresponding to the expected arrival period of Latham’s Snipe on southward migration‚ was used to infer the date of first arrival. These dates were analysed using simple linear regression against Julian day to test the hypothesis that changes in climate (i.e. increasing mean annual temperature) might result in a corresponding shift in arrival dates. The mean Julian day of first arrivals in NSW and the ACT was 14 August ± 9 days‚ with no significant change over the 170-year span of records. This suggests that migration phenology of Latham’s Snipe has not been strongly influenced by changing large-scale climatic conditions at either the breeding or non-breeding grounds.
    Citation

    Wilson, D., Hansen, B., Honan, J., & Chamberlain, R. (2017). 170 years of Latham’s Snipe Gallinago hardwickii arrivals in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory show no change in arrival date. Australian Field Ornithology, 34, 76–79. https://doi.org/10.20938/afo34076079

2016

  1. Arundel, J., Winter, S., Gui, G., & Keatley, M. (2016). A web-based application for beekeepers to visualise patterns of growth in floral resources using MODIS data. Environmental Modelling and Software, 83, 116–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2016.05.010

    Environmental Modelling and Software
    Abstract

    The honey bee industry is of immense importance to global agriculture. In many countries beekeepers are migratory and move their hives between flowering events. Predicting such flowering events is particularly difficult in Australia due to the irregular flowering of eucalypts. We have developed a web-based application for Victorian beekeepers to visualise patterns of growth in floral resources using MODIS and other data‚ and thus make remote predictions about whether flowering will occur at their apiary sites. We demonstrate the use of this application through comparing ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa) growth patterns with flowering and honey production records. While the scientific community as a whole has embraced the use of satellite imagery as a tool for phenological studies‚ our prototype represents the first attempt to make this same information available to a more general audience. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd.
    Citation

    Arundel, J., Winter, S., Gui, G., & Keatley, M. (2016). A web-based application for beekeepers to visualise patterns of growth in floral resources using MODIS data. Environmental Modelling and Software, 83, 116–125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2016.05.010

A zot_bib_web bibliography.