Species distribution model of invasive alien species Acacia nilotica for Central-Eastern Indonesia using Biodiversity Climate Change Virtual Laboratory (BCCVL)

Climate change may facilitate alien species invasion into new areas. This study uses Biodiversity and Climate Change Virtual Laboratory to develop a species distribution model (SDM) of Acacia nilotica (L.) Willd. ex Delile. based upon its naturalized distribution to project the potential distribution of A. nilotica throughout tropical environment of Indonesia under current and future climate conditions. Global biodiversity information facility database was utilized to obtain the species occurrences data. The climate factors were precipitation and temperature layers, available in Worldclim current conditions (1950-2000) at 2.5 arcmin. We used Generalized Linear Model. The result was then projected to the year 2045 using RCP 8.5 greenhouse gas emissions scenarios to influence the climate model (CSIRO Mark 3.0. with 30’’ resolution). Final results show that global climate change is likely to increase markedly the potential distribution of A. nilotica in Indonesia. By the year 2045, A. nilotica is most likely to spread to eastern parts of Indonesia. In general, our model performance is good (AUC = 0.82), however, like many other SDMs, it does not take into account biotic interactions as well as other environmental factors. Nonetheless, climatic suitability is an essential requirement for successful establishment of an invasive species and species distribution models that can disclose general patterns and convey useful estimate

Changes to land tenure and pastoral lease ownership in Western Australia\u27s central rangelands: Implications for co-operative, landscape-scale management

The majority of arid and semiarid land in the Western Australian pastoral zone has a long history of livestock grazing within an extensive network of predominantly family-held pastoral leases. A variety of different groups have purchased pastoral leases in the last five decades and, for many, making a profit from pastoralism is no longer a priority. For the central rangelands of Western Australia, these groups have included: government agencies, who have purchased some 9% of pastoral leases by area; private conservation organisations (\u3c1% purchased); aboriginal communities and groups (∼7%); and mining companies (∼13%). The purchases of pastoral leases by government agencies was designed to improve the conservation status of arid-zone ecosystems, and is the first step in a process of changing land tenure to a conservation reserve. This paper summarises the extent and other characteristics of these changes in land tenure and ownership of pastoral leases, and explores the implications for land management and conservation, stemming from these changes. It demonstrates that large areas of contiguous land with no or reduced domestic stocking can now be found in many parts of these rangelands, particularly in the Coolgardie, Yalgoo and Pilbara bio-regions, with some leaseholders actively managing land for the conservation of biodiversity and restoring sites degraded through past over-grazing. In some bio-regions, such land covers considerable proportions of sub-catchments, suggesting that broad-scale conservation management and restoration objectives may be realised. It is argued that to fully realise these objectives requires effective communication and co-ordination between land managers, including sharing of ideas, view-points and resources. In particular, mining companies, now major holders of pastoral leases in Western Australia, can play an important role in contributing to and even facilitating such objectives

Natural habitat of Bali starling (Leucopsar rothschildi) in Bali Barat National Park, Indonesia

The Indonesian tropical savannas and dry forests provide habitats to various endemic wildlife. Unfortunately, a few of these endemic species are now seriously threatened and are red listed in the conservation status of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Among these species, the Bali starling or Bali mynah Leucopsar rotschildi, locally known as Jalak Bali, is now mostly restricted to the Bali Barat National Park. Given the high extinction risk faced by such species, conservation programs require multidisciplinary approaches that would address both the biological attributes of the species itself and their habitat requirements. Regrettably, for many species, their habitat ecology remains inadequately understood. Hence, this study aimed to: 1. characterize the Bali starling habitat in terms of structure and floristic composition; and 2. document evidences of vegetation cover changes in the Bali Barat National Park. Analysis of remote sensing imagery and field sampling for vegetation attributes were conducted to address these objectives. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was calculated from Landsat imageries using red and near infrared bands. Tree cover percentage data were downloaded from Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) of the University of Maryland\u27s website. Results showed that forest and savanna are the dominant land cover types in the Bali Barat National Park. However, their distribution is somewhat dynamic with changes in vegetation cover and greenness found across the years which increase the cover of woody plants is the general trend. The Bali starling in the Bali Barat National Park is mostly found at or near distinct vegetation boundaries, such as the borders between savanna and forest, savanna and cropland, savanna and shrubland, settlement and cropland and, between forest and shrubland. Although Cekik in Jembrana, Bali and Brumbun Bay in West Bali, as the conservation sites for Bali starling, are both planted with tree species providing shelter and food for Bali starling, the bird has not been seen in the two areas since the 1990s. These results further confirm the importance of examining the habitat patterns of endemic birds within a landscape that are influenced by multiple factors interacting in space and time. Addressing data inadequacy in habitat patterns of endemic species distribution is crucial in developing conservation management strategies. Hence, evaluating the habitat remnants of the Bali starling is vital for its conservation and needed reintroduction and eventual release to its natural habitat

Short communication: Savanna-forest boundary on Mount Rinjani, Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia

© 2021, Society for Indonesian Biodiversity. All rights reserved. Sutomo, van Etten E, Iryadi R. 2020. Short communication: Savanna-forest boundary on Mount Rinjani, Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 726-731. Seasonally dry tropical forests tend to be bordered by or are mixed with savanna ecosystems. This research investigates the location and nature of forest-savanna boundary on Mt. Rinjani and hypothesizes on potential causes of such boundary formation. The field survey locations were based on MODIS burnt area data. We made 30 plots (50 x 50 m) established along transects to obtain vegetation and environment data across boundaries. For data analysis, we use community correspondence index (CCI), vegetation composition using Importance Value Index (IVI), and Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) to detect differences in floristic and environmental characteristics across boundaries. Species composition in the transition zone (based on highest IVI results) comprises Ficus septica, Macaranga tanarius, Lindera sp., Engelhardia spicata, Saurauria sp., Rytidosperma penicillatum, and Athyrium sp. The Non-Metric Multi-Dimensional Scaling (NMDS) based on environmental data showed clear separation between savanna and forest, although boundaries were floristically similar to forest. Micro-and macro-environmental factors, as well as, fire disturbances, are also important features of the forest-savanna boundary on Mt. Rinjani. We present evidence of boundary dynamics in the form of forest advance on the Mt. Rinjani south-west slope

Workplace Integrated Learning, Environmental Volunteering or Service Learning?

This discussion paper introduces the concept and practice of environmental volunteering as part of the process of Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL) at Edith Cowan University. As well as introducing the theoretical background and definitions of both volunteering and WIL, this paper describes examples from Natural Sciences domain of students doing environmental voluntary work with community groups as a practicum which is a core unit within their course. Literature suggests that these examples should neither be defined as volunteering nor WIL so their definitions and classifications are debated. Review of these examples in light of the literature suggests the conclusion that volunteering is a useful mechanism to support Workplace Integrated Learning for students who are studying in the domain of Natural Sciences. This paper introduces research that is being conducted into the attitudes of students about the volunteering aspect of the practicum and provides some qualitative comment from one of the 120 students currently enrolled

Environmental and Conservation Volunteering as Workplace Integrated Learning for University Students

This research paper introduces the concept and practice of tertiary sciences students doing environmental volunteering, also known as conservation volunteering, as a core part of their course. First year Natural Sciences students at Edith Cowan University do five days environmental volunteer work with community groups as a practicum, currently known as Workplace Integrated Learning (WIL). Initial research data displays the number of volunteer hours done by students in various types of activities, locations and organisations. Preliminary quantitative evaluations and qualitative comments demonstrate students’ positive attitudes and outcomes from their volunteering experiences. Definitions and classifications of volunteering and WIL from current literature are discussed as part of the curriculum design review process. Initial data from host organisations and students suggests that volunteering, and environmental volunteering in particular, can contribute to employability skills, although the program needs to be evaluated as one component of an integrated program of WIL that the students are required to complete. Students learn about potential careers and the environment industry’s reliance on volunteers. Students learn and practise specific skills (e.g. animal handling) and contribute to communities and the environment

University student volunteering alignment with sustainability principles

This research paper reviews the concept and practice of tertiary sciences students doing environmental volunteering, otherwise known as conservation volunteering, as a core part of their course to check its alignment with sustainability principles. First year Natural Sciences students at Edith Cowan University do five days environmental volunteer work with community groups as practicum. Initial research data displays the number of volunteer hours done by students in various types of activities, locations and organisations. Preliminary quantitative evaluations and qualitative comments demonstrate students’ positive attitudes and outcomes from their volunteering experiences. Definitions and classifications of sustainability from current literature are discussed as part of the curriculum design review process. Initial data from host organisations and students suggests that this environmental volunteering contributes to employability skills, although the program needs to be evaluated as one component of an integrated program of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) that the students are required to complete. Students learn about potential careers and the environment industry’s reliance on volunteers. Students learn and practise specific skills (e.g. animal handling) and contribute to communities and the environment

Use of landsat imagery to map spread of the invasive alien species Acacia Nilotica In Baluran National Park, Indonesia

© 2020 Seameo Biotrop. In the late 1960s, Acacia nilotica was introduced to Baluran National Park to establish fire breaks which would prevent the spread of fire from Baluran Savanna to the adjacent teak forest. However, A. nilotica has spread rapidly and has threatened the existence of Baluran Savanna as it has caused an ecosystem transition from an open savanna to a closed canopy of A. nilotica in some areas. This study is one of the few that examines A. nilotica invasion in Baluran National Park through remote sensing. Land cover dynamics were quantified using a supervised classification approach on Landsat 7 and 8 multi-spectral images. Results showed that savanna and A. nilotica can be recognized using a composite of bands 6, 5 and 3 of the Landsat 8 image. Across a 14-year period (2000-14), A, nilotica has spread far north and south from its originally introduced location, invading not only savannas, but also dry forests in the Baluran National Park. The savanna size has decreased by 1,361 ha, meanwhile the A. nilotica stand has increased by 1,886 ha over this period. Spatial distribution of A. nilotica in Baluran National Park showed a clumped pattern. Acacia nilotica which develops into a homogeneous stand in the north-west and eastern parts of the national park occupied an area of 3,628 ha or about 14.5% of the total area. This study has demonstrated that remote sensing technology can be effectively used to estimate the patterns of distribution and amount of A. nilotica cover change over the whole Baluran National Park. This is one advantage of remote sensing and GIS, as it is difficult and expensive to make such direct assessments using the conventional approach of field survey and vegetation analysis

USE OF LANDSAT IMAGERY TO MAP SPREAD OF THE INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES Acacia nilotica IN BALURAN NATIONAL PARK, INDONESIA

In the late 1960s, Acacia nilotica was introduced to Baluran National Park to establish fire breaks which would prevent the spread of fire from Baluran Savanna to the adjacent teak forest. However, A. nilotica has spread rapidly and has threatened the existence of Baluran Savanna as it has caused an ecosystem transition from an open savanna to a closed canopy of A. nilotica in some areas. This study is one of the few that examines A. nilotica invasion in Baluran National Park through remote sensing. Land cover dynamics were quantified using a supervised classification approach on Landsat 7 and 8 multi-spectral images. Results showed that savanna and A. nilotica can be recognized using a composite of bands 6, 5 and 3 of the Landsat 8 image. Across a 14-year period (2000-14), A. nilotica has spread far north and south from its originally introduced location, invading not only savannas but also dry forests in the Baluran National Park. The savanna size has decreased by 1,361 ha, meanwhile the A. nilotica stand has increased by 1,886 ha over this period. Spatial distribution of A. nilotica in Baluran National Park showed a clumped pattern. Acacia nilotica which develops into a homogeneous stand in the north-west and eastern parts of the national park occupied an area of 3,628 ha or about 14.5% of the total area. This study has demonstrated that remote sensing technology can be effectively used to estimate the patterns of distribution and amount of A. nilotica cover change over the whole Baluran National Park. This is one advantage of remote sensing and GIS, as it is difficult and expensive to make such direct assessments using the conventional approach of field survey and vegetation analysis

A preliminary study of the potential for recycling and waste minimisation at Edith Cowan University: report to the Edith Cowan University Student Guild

In recent years there has been a growing realisation worldwide that disposing of large quantities of waste to landfill was not only causing problems of pollution(e.g. leachate and gas production) but suitable sites were rapidly filling up. In Perth it is has been estimated that present landfill sites will only last until 2007 (Sinclair and Knight, 1991). To help extend the life of current landfill sites and in response to environmental concerns the Western . Australia Government produced a State Recycling Blueprint (Department of Commerce and Trade, 1993). This describes strategies for the minimisation of waste production and maximisation of recycling and reuse. A majority of local shire councils have started kerbside recycling schemes, where the increased· cost of collection and sorting is offset against reductions in landfill waste and the sale of recyclable materials. As the universities are not ratable properties they are not covered by council recycling schemes (although both Wanneroo and Stirling City Councils will pick up recyclables, without reward). Universities are by most standards large producers of waste. To discard most of this waste for disposal to landfill is becoming increasingly unacceptable to many in the community: Curtin University has recently introduced a recycling initiative and it is likely that the other WA universities will follow suit Curtin. managed to attract considerable favourable publicity during the introduction of it\u27s initiative. The willingness· of the Student Guild of Edith Cowan University (ECU) to fund this study indicates that there. is the potential for a recycling initiative at ECU to be successful