Natural dynamics: understanding natural dynamics of seagrasses of the north west of Western Australia. Report of Theme 5 - Project 5.3 prepared for the Dredging Science Node

Relatively little is known of the spatial and temporal dynamics of seagrass meadows in the north west of Western Australia, but such knowledge is needed when designing and evaluating studies that aim to detect potential dredging-related impacts on seagrass, and when making predictions about the likelihood of, and speed of recovery from, such impacts. This study was undertaken to improve our understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns in seagrass composition, abundance and reproductive phenology in the Pilbara. We also characterised key environmental parameters, especially light, that influence seagrass survival and can be altered by dredging..

The validation of a new measure quantifying the social quality of life of ethnically diverse older women: two cross-sectional studies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To our knowledge, the available psychometric literature does not include an instrument for the quantification of social quality of life among older women from diverse ethnic backgrounds. To address the need for a tool of this kind, we conducted two studies to assess the initial reliability and validity of a new instrument. The latter was created specifically to quantify the contribution of a) social networks and resources (e.g., family, friends, and community) as well as b) one's perceived power and respect within family and community to subjective well-being in non-clinical, ethnically diverse populations of older women.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In Study 1, we recruited a cross-sectional sample of primarily non-European-American older women (<it>N </it>= 220) at a variety of community locations. Participants were administered the following: a short screener for dementia; a demographic list; an initial pool of 50 items from which the final items of the new Older Women's Social Quality of Life Inventory (OWSQLI) were to be chosen (based on a statistical criterion to apply to the factor analysis findings); the Single Item Measure of Social Support (SIMSS); and the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (MOS SF-36). Study 2 was conducted on a second independent sample of ethnically diverse older women. The same recruitment strategies, procedures, and instruments as those of Study 1 were utilized in Study 2, whose sample was comprised of 241 older women with mostly non-European-American ethnic status.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis of the OWSQLI obtained robust findings: the total variance explained by one single factor with the final selection of 22 items was over 44%. The OWSQLI demonstrated strong internal consistency (<it>α </it>= .92, <it>p </it>< .001), adequate criterion validity with the SIMSS (<it>r </it>= .33; <it>p </it>< .01), and (as expected) moderate concurrent validity with the MOS SF-36 for both physical (<it>r </it>= .21; <it>p </it>< .01) and mental (<it>r </it>= .26; <it>p </it>< .01) quality of life. In order to confirm the validity of the 22-item OWSQLI scale that emerged from Study 1 analyses, we replicated those analyses in Study 2, although using confirmatory factor analysis. The total variance accounted for by one factor was about 42%, again quite high and indicative of a strong single-factor solution. Study 2 data analyses yielded the same strong reliability findings (i.e., <it>α </it>= .92, <it>p </it>< .001). The 22-item OWSQLI was correlated with the SIMSS (<it>r </it>= .27, <it>p </it>< .001) in the expected direction. Finally, correlations with the MOS SF- 36 demonstrated moderate concurrent validity for physical (<it>r </it>= .14; <it>p </it>< .01) and mental (<it>r </it>= .18; <it>p </it>< .01) quality of life, as expected.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The findings of these two studies highlight the potential for our new tool to provide a valid measure of older women's social quality of life, yet they require duplication in longitudinal research. Interested clinicians should consider using the OWSQLI in their assessment battery to identify older women's areas of lower versus higher social quality of life, and should establish the maximization of patients' social quality of life as an important therapeutic goal, as this variable is significantly related to both physical and mental health.</p

Impacts of an intensive community‐based support for patients with severe or morbid obesity in the United Kingdom: A qualitative study

Abstract Background: To explore the long‐term impact of a UK specialist service providing intensive weight management support for patients with severe and complex obesity. An interview‐based study of former patients about their contact with the service and how it had affected their subsequent weight management. The questions covered areas of difference between those who had received lifestyle change support and those who had also had weight loss surgery. Methods: This qualitative study took place with former patients of a community‐based weight management service for people with severe or morbid obesity who had been discharged for at least 2 years. Nineteen interviews took place with patients initially contacted by questionnaire about their experiences of involvement with the service. Participants interviewed all had support to change their lifestyle, and some also had bariatric surgery. A narrative interview approach was employed to explore participants’ weight management after involvement with the service. Results: Most participants maintained their weight loss. The self‐esteem of some participants had significantly improved. For some, the weight loss came with significant problems in terms of dietary restrictions and loose skin. Participants said they would like more open‐ended contact, particularly for those who had bariatric surgery. Conclusions: The study supported current research findings that both those who had bariatric surgery or who just had lifestyle change support experienced a significant reduction in their weight. In this respect, participants thought it was a success. However, for a number, it was at a price in terms of the amount and type of food they could eat. The study adds to the understanding of the impact of bariatric surgery and weight management support from the patients’ perspective and of the support needs of patients having lifestyle support and surgery to help them manage the long‐term impact of obesity and treatment side‐effects

Recovery mechanisms: understanding mechanisms of seagrass recovery following disturbance

Although seagrasses are sensitive to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, many species have the capacity to recover from disturbance within relatively short time frames. In tropical regions, such as the north west of Western Australia, small-leaved species of seagrasses are often characterised by natural patterns of loss and recovery over time periods spanning months or longer. Studies have consistently found that vegetative growth (extension of rhizomes of remaining plants) accounts for most recovery, though recovery from seeds has also been recorded. Understanding which of these mechanisms dominates at a particular location is important for predicting the potential for seagrass recovery following loss or reduction in abundance due to anthropogenic disturbance, such as from dredging-related pressures..

WAMSI 2 - Dredging Node - Project 5.3 - Natural Dynamics [dataset]

The Theme 5.3 study was undertaken to improve our understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns in seagrass composition, abundance and reproductive phenology in the Pilbara region. Key environmental parameters, especially light, that influence seagrass survival and can be altered by dredging were also characterised. From August 2013 to March 2015 (18 months), surveys of seagrass abundance were undertaken in the Exmouth Gulf region. The locations surveyed (South Muiron Island, Bundegi and Exmouth Gulf) encompassed a range in water clarity from clear to turbid. Less frequent surveys were undertaken at other locations in the Pilbara: Thevenard Island, Rosemary Island and Balla. Measurements of seagrass abundance were also obtained from monitoring conducted as part of the dredging and dredge-spoil management plan for Chevron Australia’s Wheatstone Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project. During each survey measurements were made in the field, photographs were taken or samples were collected in order to measure the following variables: 1. percentage cover of seagrass and other benthos; 2. above- and below-ground biomass, shoot density, leaf length, leaf width and number of flowers; 3. density of seagrass seeds; 4. sediment grain size; 5. stable isotope ratios (13C and 15N) of seagrass leaf tissue; and 6. water quality (light, conductivity, temperature, salinity, nutrients, suspended particulate matter and chlorophyll). At each site the following activities were conducted: 1. Photographic transects 2. Cores 3. Stable isotope analysis; 4. Conductivity, Temperature and Depth recorder with a Licor 192SA PAR sensor 5. Water samples Geographic bounding : North bound: -21.60000, West bound: 114.10000, East bound: 114.40000, South bound: -22.3000

Butterflies on the brink: identifying the Australian butterflies (Lepidoptera) most at risk of extinction

The diversity and abundance of native invertebrates is declining globally, which could have significant consequences for ecosystem functioning. Declines are likely to be at least as severe as those observed for vertebrates, although often are difficult to quantify due to a lack of historic baseline data and limited monitoring effort. The Lepidoptera are well studied in Australia compared with other invertebrates, so we know that some species are imperilled or declining. Despite this, few butterfly taxa are explicitly listed for protection by legislation. Here we aim to identify the butterfly taxa that would most benefit from listing by determining the Australian butterflies at most immediate risk of extinction. We also identify the research and management actions needed to retain them. For 26 taxa identified by experts and various conservation schedules, we used structured expert elicitation to estimate the probability of extinction within 20 years (i.e. by 2040) and to identify key threatening processes, priority research and management needs. Collation and analysis of expert opinion indicated that one taxon, the laced fritillary (Argynnis hyperbius inconstans), is particularly imperilled, and that four taxa (Jalmenus eubulus, Jalmenus aridus, Hypochrysops piceatus and Oreisplanus munionga larana) have a moderate–high (>30%) risk of extinction by 2040. Mapped distributions of the 26 butterflies revealed that most are endemic to a single state or territory, and that many occupy narrow ranges. Inappropriate fire regimes, habitat loss and fragmentation (through agricultural practices), invasive species (mostly through habitat degradation caused by weeds and rabbits) and climate change were the most prevalent threats affecting the taxa considered. Increased resourcing and management intervention will be required to prevent these extinctions. We provide specific recommendations for averting such losses