Estimating the population size of two critically endangered South Pacific parakeets : the Tasman Parakeet and Malherbe's Parakeet : a thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Conservation Biology, Massey University, New Zealand

The Cyanoramphus parakeets are a cryptically coloured group of birds that are distributed across the islands of the South Pacific region. Due to their restricted range and island distributions, species belonging to this genus are considered vulnerable to extinction. However, the extent to which these parrot species are threatened is difficult to determine due to an absence of accurate and reliable population estimates. This research aims to contribute to the conservation of two critically endangered Cyanoramphus parakeets by evaluating the survey methods currently used to estimate population densities. This thesis details the precision and efficiency of distance sampling methods used for monitoring low density parrot populations on small islands. Specifically, examining the annual variation in population size for the critically endangered Tasman Parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii) and their introduced competitor, the Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans), to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation management and species control on Norfolk Island. In addition, the size of three translocated populations of the critically endangered Malherbe’s Parakeet (Cyanoramphus malherbi) were examined to identify if this endemic New Zealand parrot requires further management. Of the distance sampling methods used to monitor parrots, the fixed point survey method was the most suitable method for surveying Tasman Parakeets. This method yielded the highest number of parakeet detections per survey and offered the greatest count precision of the methods examined. On Norfolk Island, the Tasman Parakeet population increased by 126% over four years of intense predator management and nest provisioning. In comparison, the Crimson Rosella population remained stable, despite regular culling to control the population which competes with the Tasman Parakeet. In New Zealand, Malherbe’s Parakeets were detected with varying degrees of success. On Maud Island, no parakeets were detected; however, they were detected on both Blumine Island and Chalky Island. On Blumine Island, the Malherbe’s Parakeet population was moderately abundant, consisting of 202 ± 67 individuals distributed through the mature forest. In comparison, the Chalky Island population of Malherbe’s Parakeet was less extensive and consisted of 84 ± 58 parakeets. This research illustrates the importance of regularly monitoring the size of threatened parrot populations for conservation

Report on 1:100 000 Scale Geological and Metallogenic Maps Sheet 3166-27 Ulapes, Province of La Rioja

Fil: Pieters, P. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Fil: Skirrow, Roger G. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.The 1:100 000 scale Ulapes (3166-27) sheet covers the northern part of the Sierra de Las Minas and the surrounding plain which are located in the southern part of the La Rioja Province (Figures 1, 2). The map area is bounded by latitudes 31°20’ S and 31°40’ S, and by longitudes 66°00’ W and 66°30’ W. The area falls in the central eastern part of the 1:250 000 scale Chepes (3166-III) sheet. The area is easily accessible from Córdoba by Ruta Nacional 38, Ruta Provincial 32 and Ruta Nacional 79, from La Rioja by Ruta Nacional 38 and Rutas Provinciales 27, 28 and 29, and from San Juan by Ruta Nacional 141 and Rutas Provinciale 29. The nearest regularly serviced airport is located at La Rioja. The nearest major centre of population, logistics and commerce is Chepes on Ruta Nacional 141 located between the Sierra de Chepes and Sierra de Las Minas (outside the map area). Ulapes and La Jarilla are small population centres in the area

Report on 1:100 000 Scale Geological and Metallogenic Maps Sheet 3166-15 Santa Rita de Catuna, Province of La Rioja

Fil: Pieters, P. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Fil: Skirrow, Roger G. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.The 1:100 000 scale Santa Rita de Catuna (3166-15) sheet covers the northeastern part of the Sierra de Chepes, the southeastern part of the Sierra de Los Llanos, and the adjacent plain; this area is located in the southern part of the La Rioja Province (Figures 1, 2). The map area is bounded by latitudes 30°40’ S and 31°00’ S, and by longitudes 66°00’ W and 66°30’ W. The area falls in the southeastern part of the 1:250 000 scale Chamical (3166-I) sheet. The area is easily accessible from Córdoba and La Rioja by Ruta Nacional 38 and Ruta Provincial 32, and from San Juan by Ruta Nacional 141 and Ruta Provincial 32. The nearest regularly serviced airport is located at La Rioja. The nearest major centre of population, logistics and commerce is Chepes on Ruta Nacional 141 located between the Sierra de Chepes and Sierra de Las Minas (outside the map area). Santa Rita de Catuna, Solca, Olpas and Los Aguirres are small population centres in the map area

Report on 1:100 000 Scale Geological and Metallogenic Maps Sheet 3166-14 Malanzán, Province of La Rioja

Fil: Pieters, P. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Fil: Skirrow, Roger G. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Cubrimiento parcial de la hoja.The 1:100 000 scale Malanzán (3166-14) sheet covers the northwestern part of the Sierra de Chepes, the southwestern part of the Sierra de Los Llanos, and the adjacent plain; this area is located in the southern part of the La Rioja Province (Figures 1, 2). The map area is bounded by latitudes 30°40’ S and 31°00’ S, and by longitudes 67°00’ W and 66°30’ W. The area falls in the central south part of the 1:250 000 scale Chamical (3166-I) sheet. The area is easily accessible from Córdoba and La Rioja by Ruta Nacional 38 and Ruta Provincial 32, and from San Juan by Ruta Nacional 141 and Ruta Provincial 32. The nearest regularly serviced airport is located at La Rioja. The nearest major centre of population, logistics and commerce is Chepes on Ruta Nacional 141 located between the Sierra de Chepes and Sierra de Las Minas (outside the map area). Malanzán and El Portezuelo are small population centres in the map area

Report on 1:100 000 Scale Geological and Metallogenic Maps Sheet 3166-20 Ñoquebe, Province of La Rioja

Fil: Pieters, P. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Fil: Skirrow, Roger G. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Cubrimiento parcial de la hoja.The 1:100 000 scale Ñoquebe (3166-20) sheet covers the southwestern part of the Sierra de Chepes and the adjacent plain; this area is located in the southern part of the La Rioja Province (Figures 1, 2). The map area is bounded by latitudes 31°00’ S and 31°20’ S, and by longitudes 67°00’ W and 66°30’ W. The area falls in the central north part of the 1:250 000 scale Chepes (3166-III) sheet. The area is easily accessible from Córdoba and La Rioja by Ruta Nacional 38 and Ruta Provincial 32, and from San Juan by Ruta Nacional 141 and Ruta Provincial 32. The nearest regularly serviced airport is located at La Rioja. The nearest major centre of population, logistics and commerce is Chepes on Ruta Nacional 141 located between the Sierra de Chepes and Sierra de Las Minas (outside the map area). Ñoquebe, San Antonio, Chepes Vieja, Villa Casana, Puerto La Aguada and La Calera are small population centres in the map area

Geoscientific Mapping of the Sierras Pampeanas, Argentine-Australian Cooperative Project

Proyecto de Cooperación Argentino-Australiano.Versión Preliminar (en inglés)Fil: Sims, John P. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Fil: Skirrow, Roger G. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.The 3366-16 map area forms an east-west transect within San Luis Province; ~46km by ~40km between latitude 32°40’-33°00’ S and longitude 65°30’-66°00’ W. The area includes part of two 1:250 000 scale map sheets: San Francisco del Monte de Oro (3366-I), and Sierras de San Luis y Comechingones. The area is contained within the Sierras de San Luis and covers the minor population centre of Paso Grande, and is traversed by provincial routes 2, 2A, 10, 22, 24, 38, 40 and 41. The main drainage is via Río Conlara, Río de la Cañada Honda, and Río Rosario

Report on 1:100 000 Scale Geological and Metallogenic Maps Sheet 3163-19 Cosquín, Province of Córdoba

Fil: Stuart-Smith, Peter G. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Fil: Skirrow, Roger G. Australian Geological Survey Organisation; Australia.Cubrimiento parcial de la hoja.The Cosquin 1:100.000 Sheet area lies within the Córdoba Province, between 31o00’-31o20’S and 64o00’-64o30’W. The area is part of the Córdoba (3163-III)1:250 000 sheet area. The region includes the central northern part of the Sierra Chica, one of several north-trending mountain ranges which traverse the northern part of the Córdoba Province. The Sierra Chica is drained by the easterly flowing Ríos La Granja, Ascochinga, and Santa Sabina. Access to the region, from Córdoba city, is via El Manzano and Ruta Provincial 9 in the east. An unsealed road traverses the eastern flank of the Sierra Chica from El Manzano to La Cumbre (Jesús María sheet area)

A systematic review of economic evaluations of local authority commissioned preventative public health interventions in overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol and illicit drugs use and smoking cessation in the United Kingdom

Background Since 2013, local authorities in England have been responsible for commissioning preventative public health interventions. The aim of this systematic review was to support commissioning by collating published data on economic evaluations and modelling of local authority commissioned public health preventative interventions in the UK. Methods Following the PRISMA protocol, we searched for economic evaluations of preventative intervention studies in four different areas: overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol and illicit drugs use and smoking cessation. The systematic review identified studies between January 1994 and February 2015, using five databases. We synthesized the studies to identify the key methods and examined results of the economic evaluations. Results The majority of the evaluations related to cost-effectiveness, rather than cost-benefit analyses or cost-utility analyses. These analyses found preventative interventions to be cost effective, though the context of the interventions differed between the studies. Conclusions Preventative public health interventions in general are cost-effective. There is a need for further studies to support justification of continued and/or increased funding for public health interventions. There is much variation between the types of economically evaluated preventative interventions in our review. Broader studies incorporating different contexts may help support funding for local authority-sponsored public health initiatives