State of the world’s plants and fungi 2020

Kew’s State of the World’s Plants and Fungi project provides assessments of our current knowledge of the diversity of plants and fungi on Earth, the global threats that they face, and the policies to safeguard them. Produced in conjunction with an international scientific symposium, Kew’s State of the World’s Plants and Fungi sets an important international standard from which we can annually track trends in the global status of plant and fungal diversity

Photo-identification methods reveal seasonal and long-term site-fidelity of Risso’s dolphins (Grampus griseus) in shallow waters (Cardigan Bay, Wales)

A photo-identification study on Risso’s dolphins was carried out off Bardsey Island in Wales (July to September, 1997-2007). Their local abundance was estimated using two different analytical techniques: 1) mark-recapture of well-marked dolphins using a “closed-population” model; and 2) a census technique based on the total number of iden-tified individual dolphins sighted over the study period. The mark-recapture estimates of 121 (left sides; 64 - 178, 95% CI; CV 0.24) and 145 dolphins (right sides; 78 - 213, 95% CI; CV 0.24) closely matched the census technique estimates (population size of 90 - 151). It was found that the dolphins showed a degree of long-term and seasonal site-fidelity. A first long-distance match was made for Risso’s dolphins (319 km) between Bardsey Island and Cornwall, confirming they can be wide-ranging animals. This study demonstrates that the combination of systematic and opportunistic photo-ID studies has complementary value as a population assessment tool in generating the first local abundance esti-mate for Risso’s dolphins in UK waters. From the conservation perspective, these studies confirm the regular presence of Risso’s dolphins in these waters and the presence of calves shows breeding. Bardsey Island may be part of a network of localities that are important habitats to this species where it may take advantage of prey abundance in shallow waters. As such, results of this study may provide assistance to include the Risso’s dolphin in future regional conservation strategies including the envisaged marine protected areas

Chasing dolphins A preliminary report on the failure of existing legislation to protect whales and dolphins from harassment and injury in UK waters

Contributions from Mark Simmonds, Linda Hingley, Colin Wood and othersAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:m00/35336 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo

Generalised derived constraints for radioisotopes of polonium, lead, radium and uranium

The 1990 recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) introduced the concept of the dose constraint and in the NRPB response to the recommendations the concept of a generalised derived constraint (GDC) was introduced. Generalised derived constraints apply to discharges of radionuclides to the environment and are based on the upper value of constraint on effective dose for members of the public of 0.3 mSv y"-"1. Generalised derived constraints have been calculated for discharges to atmosphere, rivers and sewers for the radiologically significant isotopes of polonium, lead, radium and uranium. The most recent age-dependent dosimetric models have been used and the methods are as used in calculating GDCs for radioisotopes of other elements, such as strontium, published previously. The GDCs presented here are intended as convenient reference levels against which proposed discharges can be compared. Generalised derived constraints are calculated using deliberately cautious assumptions and are in terms of annual discharges, assuming that the releases to the environment are continuous. If a proposed discharge is greater than about 30% of the GDC then the doses should be examined more closely, taking account of site-specific factors. (author)Includes bibliographical references. Title from coverAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:3608. 8553(vol 13 no 2) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo