Predator control improves nesting success in Waikato forest fragments

Predation at nests contributes importantly to current declines of New Zealand forest birds. We monitored the survival of natural and artificial arboreal nests in small forest remnants south-west of Hamilton, where ship rat (Rattus rattus) and possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) abundances were also being measured in Summer 2008/09. Artificial cup nests (N = 77) were placed in replicated blocks with and without pest control, in both December and January. Natural nests (N = 11, five bird species) were observed from 13 October to 23 December 2008 in a forest with no pest control. Digital video cameras identified ship rats, brushtail possums and harrier hawks (Circus approximans) as predators of eggs and chicks. There was no difference between artificial and natural nests in daily survival rates monitored in December in a block with no pest control, suggesting that artificial nests are reasonable surrogates for natural nests. Bite marks on clay eggs, other diagnostic sign, and DNA swabbed from real and clay eggs confirmed ship rats and possums were the major introduced predators at artificial nests. Bite marks also confirmed that harriers contribute to nest failure. Removal of ship rats and possums in December improved the 14-day probability of survival of artificial nests, from P = 0.63 (95% CI 0.45–0.77) in the non-treatment block to P = 0.88 (0.74–0.95) in the treatment blocks. In January, the 14-day probability of survival in all three blocks was intermediate at 0.80 (0.69–0.87), and the variation between them could not be explained by including pest control in the model. The abundance of ship rats apparently declined even in the non-treatment block over this time, for unknown reasons. Our data from tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa) forest remnants confirm that control of ship rats and possums alone is sufficient to improve nesting success of small arboreal birds in North Island forests

Evaluating expert-based habitat suitability information of terrestrial mammals with GPS-tracking data

Aim Macroecological studies that require habitat suitability data for many species often derive this information from expert opinion. However, expert-based information is inherently subjective and thus prone to errors. The increasing availability of GPS tracking data offers opportunities to evaluate and supplement expert-based information with detailed empirical evidence. Here, we compared expert-based habitat suitability information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with habitat suitability information derived from GPS-tracking data of 1,498 individuals from 49 mammal species. Location Worldwide. Time period 1998-2021. Major taxa studied Forty-nine terrestrial mammal species. Methods Using GPS data, we estimated two measures of habitat suitability for each individual animal: proportional habitat use (proportion of GPS locations within a habitat type), and selection ratio (habitat use relative to its availability). For each individual we then evaluated whether the GPS-based habitat suitability measures were in agreement with the IUCN data. To that end, we calculated the probability that the ranking of empirical habitat suitability measures was in agreement with IUCN's classification into suitable, marginal and unsuitable habitat types. Results IUCN habitat suitability data were in accordance with the GPS data (> 95% probability of agreement) for 33 out of 49 species based on proportional habitat use estimates and for 25 out of 49 species based on selection ratios. In addition, 37 and 34 species had a > 50% probability of agreement based on proportional habitat use and selection ratios, respectively. Main conclusions We show how GPS-tracking data can be used to evaluate IUCN habitat suitability data. Our findings indicate that for the majority of species included in this study, it is appropriate to use IUCN habitat suitability data in macroecological studies. Furthermore, we show that GPS-tracking data can be used to identify and prioritize species and habitat types for re-evaluation of IUCN habitat suitability data

The effects of implementing a point-of-care electronic template to prompt routine anxiety and depression screening in patients consulting for osteoarthritis (the Primary Care Osteoarthritis Trial): A cluster randomised trial in primary care

Background This study aimed to evaluate whether prompting general practitioners (GPs) to routinely assess and manage anxiety and depression in patients consulting with osteoarthritis (OA) improves pain outcomes. Methods and findings We conducted a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 45 English general practices. In intervention practices, patients aged ≥45 y consulting with OA received point-of-care anxiety and depression screening by the GP, prompted by an automated electronic template comprising five questions (a two-item Patient Health Questionnaire–2 for depression, a two-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder–2 questionnaire for anxiety, and a question about current pain intensity [0–10 numerical rating scale]). The template signposted GPs to follow National Institute for Health and Care Excellence clinical guidelines for anxiety, depression, and OA and was supported by a brief training package. The template in control practices prompted GPs to ask the pain intensity question only. The primary outcome was patient-reported current pain intensity post-consultation and at 3-, 6-, and 12-mo follow-up. Secondary outcomes included pain-related disability, anxiety, depression, and general health. During the trial period, 7,279 patients aged ≥45 y consulted with a relevant OA-related code, and 4,240 patients were deemed potentially eligible by participating GPs. Templates were completed for 2,042 patients (1,339 [31.6%] in the control arm and 703 [23.1%] in the intervention arm). Of these 2,042 patients, 1,412 returned questionnaires (501 [71.3%] from 20 intervention practices, 911 [68.0%] from 24 control practices). Follow-up rates were similar in both arms, totalling 1,093 (77.4%) at 3 mo, 1,064 (75.4%) at 6 mo, and 1,017 (72.0%) at 12 mo. For the primary endpoint, multilevel modelling yielded significantly higher average pain intensity across follow-up to 12 mo in the intervention group than the control group (adjusted mean difference 0.31; 95% CI 0.04, 0.59). Secondary outcomes were consistent with the primary outcome measure in reflecting better outcomes as a whole for the control group than the intervention group. Anxiety and depression scores did not reduce following the intervention. The main limitations of this study are two potential sources of bias: an imbalance in cluster size (mean practice size 7,397 [intervention] versus 5,850 [control]) and a difference in the proportion of patients for whom the GP deactivated the template (33.6% [intervention] versus 27.8% [control]). Conclusions In this study, we observed no beneficial effect on pain outcomes of prompting GPs to routinely screen for and manage comorbid anxiety and depression in patients presenting with symptoms due to OA, with those in the intervention group reporting statistically significantly higher average pain scores over the four follow-up time points than those in the control group. Trial registration ISRCTN registry ISRCTN4072198

Moving in the anthropocene: global reductions in terrestrial mammalian movements

Animal movement is fundamental for ecosystem functioning and species survival, yet the effects of the anthropogenic footprint on animal movements have not been estimated across species. Using a unique GPS-tracking database of 803 individuals across 57 species, we found that movements of mammals in areas with a comparatively high human footprint were on average one-half to one-third the extent of their movements in areas with a low human footprint. We attribute this reduction to behavioral changes of individual animals and to the exclusion of species with long-range movements from areas with higher human impact. Global loss of vagility alters a key ecological trait of animals that affects not only population persistence but also ecosystem processes such as predator-prey interactions, nutrient cycling, and disease transmission

Four new Amynthas and Metaphire earthworm species from nine provinces in southern China

Sun, Jing, Jiang, Ji-Bao, Bartlam, Scott, Qiu, Jiang-Ping, Hu, Feng (2018): Four new Amynthas and Metaphire earthworm species from nine provinces in southern China. Zootaxa 4496 (1): 287-301, DOI: https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4496.1.2

FIGURE 1 in Four new Amynthas and Metaphire earthworm species from nine provinces in southern China

FIGURE 1. Amynthas dispersus, Amynthas shanghangensis, Amynthas dentiformis, and Metaphire sanmingensis Sun & Jiang, spp. nov., collection localities of all specimens belonging to the four new species. Solid dot: Amynthas dispersus sp. nov.; solid square: Amynthas shanghangensis sp. nov.; solid rhombus: Amynthas dentiformis sp. nov.; solid triangle: Metaphire sanmingensis sp. nov. When two types are coincident, the hollow symbols are used. Numbers represent specimens, with the following accession numbers: 1, C-GD201108-07A; 2, C-GD201108-07B; 3, C-GD201108-09; 4, C-GD201108-11; 5, C- GD201108-12; 6, C-GD201108-16; 7, C-GD201108-19; 8, C-GD201109-06; 9, C-GX201212-06; 10, C-GX201214-04; 11, C- GX201312-01; 12, C-GX201313-01; 13, C-GX201321-06; 14, C-GX201601-09; 15, C-GX201601-02; 16, C-GX201601-05; 17, C-GX201603-01; 18, C-FJ201110-02; 19, C-GX201210-02; 20, C-GX201321-07; 21, C-HU201308-04; 22, C-GX201602- 07; 23, C-GX201601-05; 24, C-GZ201614-02; 25, C-HU201611-01; 26, C-HU201608-10; 27, C-FJ201112-01A; 28, C- FJ201112-01B; 29, C-GX201301-01; 30, C-GX201306-02; 31, C-YN201105-02; 32, C-SCCZ2015003-01; 33, C-FJ201008- 02; 34, C-FJ201101-03; 35, C-FJ201112-02; 36, C-JX201301-01; 37, C-AH201610-04; 38, C-AH201609-03; 39, C- AH201610-03

New Zealand Conservation status of New Zealand earthworms, 2014

The conservation status of all known New Zealand Megascolecid earthworm taxa (179 taxa) was assessed using the New Zealand Threat Classification System (NZTCS). A full list is presented, along with a statistical summary and brief notes on the most important changes. 105 taxa are ranked Data Deficient, 1 Declining, 31 Naturally Uncommon, 40 Not Threatened and 2 Introduced and Naturalised. This list replaces all previous NZTCS lists for earthworms

Data from: Glyphosate redirects wetland vegetation trajectory following willow invasion

Aims: Aerially applied glyphosate is an economic tool to deal with large areas of invasive plants. However, there are few studies investigating non-target effects or rates of reinvasion, particularly over multi-year timeframes. The aims were to evaluate the effectiveness of aerial application of glyphosate for control of dense stands of the invasive grey willow Salix cinerea, and determine the vegetation trajectory over the subsequent two years. Location: Whangamarino Wetland, Waikato, New Zealand. Methods: A before-after control-impact (BACI) experiment was conducted in a Ramsar-listed wetland in New Zealand. Effects on S. cinerea cover, canopy light interception and non-target damage were monitored over a 7.1 ha experimental area prior to, and for two years following, aerial application of glyphosate. Vegetation classification, ordination, and species richness analyses were undertaken to describe community-level effects. Results: Aerial application of glyphosate to an established willow canopy was effective in reducing cover to < 5% on average for up to two years post-spray when assessed using 100 m2 vegetation survey plots. Smaller 1 m2 plots were more sensitive for detecting willow reinvasion, which was noted from one year post-spray. Collateral damage to non-target sub-canopy species was generally minimal, except for the native tree-fern Dicksonia squarrosa which showed marked reductions in cover and no recovery over the study period. Species richness was higher in sprayed plots post-spray and a shift towards a native Carex-dominated sedgeland community was detected. Conclusions: Aerial application of glyphosate to a dense canopy of mature willow was effective in reducing the cover and dominance of this invasive wetland tree species. Minimal collateral damage occurred, facilitating recovery and expansion of a native sedgeland community. The risk of secondary invasion did not eventuate, although exotic species richness spiked in the year following spraying. Sedgelands are susceptible to willow reinvasion via seed so longer-term trajectories will diverge depending on management intensity. Using currently available tools the rehabilitation options are either repeated cycles of herbicide application to redirect the trajectory from reinvasion back to short-statured sedgelands, or intensive initial management to establish an alternative, more resilient trajectory to native wetland forest

Glyphosate redirects wetland vegetation trajectory following willow invasion

Vegetation data collected to describe the effect of glyphosate in a Salix cinerea invaded wetland. See the README file in the zip folder for further detail

Agricultural Intensification Exacerbates Spillover Effects on Soil Biogeochemistry in Adjacent Forest Remnants

<div><p>Land-use intensification is a central element in proposed strategies to address global food security. One rationale for accepting the negative consequences of land-use intensification for farmland biodiversity is that it could ‘spare’ further expansion of agriculture into remaining natural habitats. However, in many regions of the world the only natural habitats that can be spared are fragments within landscapes dominated by agriculture. Therefore, land-sparing arguments hinge on land-use intensification having low spillover effects into adjacent protected areas, otherwise net conservation gains will diminish with increasing intensification. We test, for the first time, whether the degree of spillover from farmland into adjacent natural habitats scales in magnitude with increasing land-use intensity. We identified a continuous land-use intensity gradient across pastoral farming systems in New Zealand (based on 13 components of farmer input and soil biogeochemistry variables), and measured cumulative off-site spillover effects of fertilisers and livestock on soil biogeochemistry in 21 adjacent forest remnants. Ten of 11 measured soil properties differed significantly between remnants and intact-forest reference sites, for both fenced and unfenced remnants, at both edge and interior. For seven variables, the magnitude of effects scaled significantly with magnitude of surrounding land-use intensity, through complex interactions with fencing and edge effects. In particular, total C, total N, δ¹⁵N, total P and heavy-metal contaminants of phosphate fertilizers (Cd and U) increased significantly within remnants in response to increasing land-use intensity, and these effects were exacerbated in unfenced relative to fenced remnants. This suggests movement of livestock into surrounding natural habitats is a significant component of agricultural spillover, but pervasive changes in soil biogeochemistry still occur through nutrient spillover channels alone, even in fenced remnants set aside for conservation. These results have important implications for the viability of land-sparing as a strategy for balancing landscape-level conservation and production goals in agricultural landscapes.</p></div