Showing papers by "James Cook University published in 2012"
TL;DR: The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2010 aimed to estimate annual deaths for the world and 21 regions between 1980 and 2010 for 235 causes, with uncertainty intervals (UIs), separately by age and sex, using the Cause of Death Ensemble model.
11,809 citations
TL;DR: Prevalence and severity of health loss were weakly correlated and age-specific prevalence of YLDs increased with age in all regions and has decreased slightly from 1990 to 2010, but population growth and ageing have increased YLD numbers and crude rates over the past two decades.
7,021 citations
TL;DR: The results for 1990 and 2010 supersede all previously published Global Burden of Disease results and highlight the importance of understanding local burden of disease and setting goals and targets for the post-2015 agenda taking such patterns into account.
6,861 citations
TL;DR: The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) as discussed by the authors was designed to measure the Doppler shift, intensity, and vector magnetic field at the solar photosphere using the 6173 A FeI absorption line.
Abstract: The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) investigation (Solar Phys. doi: 10.1007/s11207-011-9834-2, 2011) will study the solar interior using helioseismic techniques as well as the magnetic field near the solar surface. The HMI instrument is part of the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) that was launched on 11 February 2010. The instrument is designed to measure the Doppler shift, intensity, and vector magnetic field at the solar photosphere using the 6173 A Fe i absorption line. The instrument consists of a front-window filter, a telescope, a set of waveplates for polarimetry, an image-stabilization system, a blocking filter, a five-stage Lyot filter with one tunable element, two wide-field tunable Michelson interferometers, a pair of 40962 pixel cameras with independent shutters, and associated electronics. Each camera takes a full-disk image roughly every 3.75 seconds giving an overall cadence of 45 seconds for the Doppler, intensity, and line-of-sight magnetic-field measurements and a slower cadence for the full vector magnetic field. This article describes the design of the HMI instrument and provides an overview of the pre-launch calibration efforts. Overviews of the investigation, details of the calibrations, data handling, and the science analysis are provided in accompanying articles.
1,997 citations
University of Western Sydney1, University of Ulm2, University of Tasmania3, Blaise Pascal University4, Institut national de la recherche agronomique5, University of Bordeaux6, Brown University7, National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco8, James Cook University9, Macquarie University10, University of Alberta11, California State University, Bakersfield12, Leiden University13, University of Guelph14, University of Innsbruck15, University of Edinburgh16, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation17, University of Trieste18, University of California, Santa Cruz19, University of Utah20, Missouri Botanical Garden21, George Washington University22
TL;DR: In this article, the authors draw together published and unpublished data on the vulnerability of the transport system to drought-induced embolism for a large number of woody species, with a view to examining the likely consequences of climate change for forest biomes.
Abstract: Shifts in rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures associated with climate change are likely to cause widespread forest decline in regions where droughts are predicted to increase in duration and severity(1). One primary cause of productivity loss and plant mortality during drought is hydraulic failure(2-4). Drought stress creates trapped gas emboli in the water transport system, which reduces the ability of plants to supply water to leaves for photosynthetic gas exchange and can ultimately result in desiccation and mortality. At present we lack a clear picture of how thresholds to hydraulic failure vary across a broad range of species and environments, despite many individual experiments. Here we draw together published and unpublished data on the vulnerability of the transport system to drought-induced embolism for a large number of woody species, with a view to examining the likely consequences of climate change for forest biomes. We show that 70% of 226 forest species from 81 sites worldwide operate with narrow (<1 megapascal) hydraulic safety margins against injurious levels of drought stress and therefore potentially face long-term reductions in productivity and survival if temperature and aridity increase as predicted for many regions across the globe(5,6). Safety margins are largely independent of mean annual precipitation, showing that there is global convergence in the vulnerability of forests to drought, with all forest biomes equally vulnerable to hydraulic failure regardless of their current rainfall environment. These findings provide insight into why drought-induced forest decline is occurring not only in arid regions but also in wet forests not normally considered at drought risk(7,8).
1,864 citations
University of Göttingen1, University of Canterbury2, Agricultural Research Service3, University of Western Australia4, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation5, Carleton University6, Eötvös Loránd University7, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences8, Miami University9, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ10, Imperial College London11, University of Florida12, University of Würzburg13, Lüneburg University14, University of California, Berkeley15, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center16, James Cook University17, Australian National University18, National University of Singapore19, Wageningen University and Research Centre20
TL;DR: This review uses knowledge gained from human‐modified landscapes to suggest eight hypotheses, which it hopes will encourage more systematic research on the role of landscape composition and configuration in determining the structure of ecological communities, ecosystem functioning and services.
Abstract: Understanding how landscape characteristics affect biodiversity patterns and ecological processes at local and landscape scales is critical for mitigating effects of global environmental change. In this review, we use knowledge gained from human-modified landscapes to suggest eight hypotheses, which we hope will encourage more systematic research on
1,513 citations
TL;DR: It is concluded that ectotherms sharing vulnerability traits seem concentrated in lowland tropical forests and their vulnerability may be exacerbated by negative biotic interactions, as genetic and selective data are scant.
Abstract: A recently developed integrative framework proposes that the vulnerability of a species to environmental change depends on the species' exposure and sensitivity to environmental change, its resilience to perturbations and its potential to adapt to change. These vulnerability criteria require behavioural, physiological and genetic data. With this information in hand, biologists can predict organisms most at risk from environmental change. Biologists and managers can then target organisms and habitats most at risk. Unfortunately, the required data (e.g. optimal physiological temperatures) are rarely available. Here, we evaluate the reliability of potential proxies (e.g. critical temperatures) that are often available for some groups. Several proxies for ectotherms are promising, but analogous ones for endotherms are lacking. We also develop a simple graphical model of how behavioural thermoregulation, acclimation and adaptation may interact to influence vulnerability over time. After considering this model together with the proxies available for physiological sensitivity to climate change, we conclude that ectotherms sharing vulnerability traits seem concentrated in lowland tropical forests. Their vulnerability may be exacerbated by negative biotic interactions. Whether tropical forest (or other) species can adapt to warming environments is unclear, as genetic and selective data are scant. Nevertheless, the prospects for tropical forest ectotherms appear grim.
1,077 citations
William F. Laurance1, William F. Laurance2, D. Carolina Useche2, Julio Rendeiro2 +213 more•Institutions (101)
TL;DR: These findings suggest that tropical protected areas are often intimately linked ecologically to their surrounding habitats, and that a failure to stem broad-scale loss and degradation of such habitats could sharply increase the likelihood of serious biodiversity declines.
Abstract: The rapid disruption of tropical forests probably imperils global biodiversity more than any other contemporary phenomenon(1-3). With deforestation advancing quickly, protected areas are increasingly becoming final refuges for threatened species and natural ecosystem processes. However, many protected areas in the tropics are themselves vulnerable to human encroachment and other environmental stresses(4-9). As pressures mount, it is vital to know whether existing reserves can sustain their biodiversity. A critical constraint in addressing this question has been that data describing a broad array of biodiversity groups have been unavailable for a sufficiently large and representative sample of reserves. Here we present a uniquely comprehensive data set on changes over the past 20 to 30 years in 31 functional groups of species and 21 potential drivers of environmental change, for 60 protected areas stratified across the world's major tropical regions. Our analysis reveals great variation in reserve 'health': about half of all reserves have been effective or performed passably, but the rest are experiencing an erosion of biodiversity that is often alarmingly widespread taxonomically and functionally. Habitat disruption, hunting and forest-product exploitation were the strongest predictors of declining reserve health. Crucially, environmental changes immediately outside reserves seemed nearly as important as those inside in determining their ecological fate, with changes inside reserves strongly mirroring those occurring around them. These findings suggest that tropical protected areas are often intimately linked ecologically to their surrounding habitats, and that a failure to stem broad-scale loss and degradation of such habitats could sharply increase the likelihood of serious biodiversity declines.
962 citations
Stellenbosch University1, Stockholm University2, Leibniz Association3, South African National Parks4, University of Queensland5, James Cook University6, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation7, Rhodes University8, Wageningen University and Research Centre9, University of East Anglia10, University of the Witwatersrand11, University of Alaska Fairbanks12, Carleton University13, McGill University14, Wildlife Conservation Society15, University of Minnesota16
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify seven generic policy-relevant principles for enhancing the resilience of desired ES in the face of disturbance and ongoing change in social-ecological systems (SES).
Abstract: Enhancing the resilience of ecosystem services (ES) that underpin human well-being is critical for meeting current and future societal needs, and requires specific governance and management policies. Using the literature, we identify seven generic policy-relevant principles for enhancing the resilience of desired ES in the face of disturbance and ongoing change in social-ecological systems (SES). These principles are (P1) maintain diversity and redundancy, (P2) manage connectivity, (P3) manage slow variables and feedbacks, (P4) foster an understanding of SES as complex adaptive systems (CAS), (P5) encourage learning and experimentation, (P6) broaden participation, and (P7) promote polycentric governance systems. We briefly define each principle, review how and when it enhances the resilience of ES, and conclude with major research gaps. In practice, the principles often co-occur and are highly interdependent. Key future needs are to better understand these interdependencies and to operationalize and apply...
872 citations
Flanders Marine Institute1, University of New South Wales2, Australian Museum3, University of Southern Mississippi4, National Oceanography Centre, Southampton5, University of Hasselt6, WorldFish7, American Museum of Natural History8, San Diego State University9, Museum Victoria10, Natural History Museum11, Dowling College12, University of Hamburg13, James Cook University14, University of Johannesburg15, National Museum of Natural History16, National Taiwan Ocean University17, Scripps Institution of Oceanography18, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration19, University of Queensland20, University of Sassari21, Université libre de Bruxelles22, Vrije Universiteit Brussel23, Queensland Museum24, University of California, Merced25, Ghent University26, Naturalis27, Howard University28, University of Gothenburg29, California Academy of Sciences30, Florida Museum of Natural History31, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science32, Osaka University33, University of Santiago de Compostela34, University of Alaska Anchorage35, University of Málaga36, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research37, National University of Ireland, Galway38, University of Alaska Fairbanks39, Spanish National Research Council40, CABI41, University of Siegen42, Massey University43, University of Copenhagen44, Naturhistorisches Museum45, University of Washington46, Museum für Naturkunde47, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution48, Western Washington University49, University of Bergen50, Nova Southeastern University51, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology52, National University of Singapore53, Shimane University54, Agnes Scott College55, University of the Ryukyus56, University of California, Davis57, Federal University of Paraná58, University of the Basque Country59, University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover60, Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences61, Tel Aviv University62, Swedish Museum of Natural History63, Joint Nature Conservation Committee64, The Evergreen State College65, Estonian University of Life Sciences66, University of Maine67, Virginia Commonwealth University68, Trinity College, Dublin69, University of Auckland70
TL;DR: The first register of the marine species of the world is compiled and it is estimated that between one-third and two-thirds of marine species may be undescribed, and previous estimates of there being well over one million marine species appear highly unlikely.
822 citations
TL;DR: A comprehensive review of wetland structures, classic and novel nitrogen and organics removal mechanisms along with the key environmental parameters and operational conditions that enhance removal in subsurface flow wetland systems shows the necessity of a profound knowledge on the complicated inter-relationship between nitrogen and Organics removal routes, governing environmental and operational parameters, and wetland matrix for improving the treatment performances of subsurfaced flow wetlands.
TL;DR: Natural superhydrophobic surfaces are often thought to have antibiofouling potential, but when incubated on cicada wings, Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells are not repelled; instead they are penetrated by the nanopillar arrays present on the wing surface, resulting in bacterial cell death.
Abstract: Natural superhydrophobic surfaces are often thought to have antibiofouling potential due to their self-cleaning properties. However, when incubated on cicada wings, Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells are not repelled; instead they are penetrated by the nanopillar arrays present on the wing surface, resulting in bacterial cell death. Cicada wings are effective antibacterial, as opposed to antibiofouling, surfaces.
Boston Children's Hospital1, Royal Children's Hospital2, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre3, Stellenbosch University4, James Cook University5, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais6, All India Institute of Medical Sciences7, Johns Hopkins University8, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research9, University of Cape Town10
TL;DR: The standardized criteria for RHD aim to permit rapid and consistent identification of individuals with RHD without a clear history of acute rheumatic fever and hence allow enrollment into secondary prophylaxis programs.
Abstract: Over the past 5 years, the advent of echocardiographic screening for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has revealed a higher RHD burden than previously thought. In light of this global experience, the development of new international echocardiographic guidelines that address the full spectrum of the rheumatic disease process is opportune. Systematic differences in the reporting of and diagnostic approach to RHD exist, reflecting differences in local experience and disease patterns. The World Heart Federation echocardiographic criteria for RHD have, therefore, been developed and are formulated on the basis of the best available evidence. Three categories are defined on the basis of assessment by 2D, continuous-wave, and color-Doppler echocardiography: 'definite RHD', 'borderline RHD', and 'normal'. Four subcategories of 'definite RHD' and three subcategories of 'borderline RHD' exist, to reflect the various disease patterns. The morphological features of RHD and the criteria for pathological mitral and aortic regurgitation are also defined. The criteria are modified for those aged over 20 years on the basis of the available evidence. The standardized criteria aim to permit rapid and consistent identification of individuals with RHD without a clear history of acute rheumatic fever and hence allow enrollment into secondary prophylaxis programs. However, important unanswered questions remain about the importance of subclinical disease (borderline or definite RHD on echocardiography without a clinical pathological murmur), and about the practicalities of implementing screening programs. These standardized criteria will help enable new studies to be designed to evaluate the role of echocardiographic screening in RHD control.
University of Oxford1, Institut de recherche pour le développement2, University of Carabobo3, Kasetsart University4, National Health Laboratory Service5, University of the Witwatersrand6, Wellcome Trust7, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine8, Kenyatta National Hospital9, James Cook University10, Natural History Museum11, National Institutes of Health12
TL;DR: A global map of the dominant vector species (DVS) of malaria that makes use of predicted distribution maps for individual species or species complexes is described and highlights the spatial variability in the complexity of the vector situation.
Abstract: Background: Global maps, in particular those based on vector distributions, have long been used to help visualise the global extent of malaria. Few, however, have been created with the support of a comprehensive and extensive evidence-based approach. Methods: Here we describe the generation of a global map of the dominant vector species (DVS) of malaria that makes use of predicted distribution maps for individual species or species complexes. Results: Our global map highlights the spatial variability in the complexity of the vector situation. In Africa, An. gambiae, An. arabiensis and An. funestus are co-dominant across much of the continent, whereas in the AsianPacific region there is a highly complex situation with multi-species coexistence and variable species dominance. Conclusions: The competence of the mapping methodology to accurately portray DVS distributions is discussed. The comprehensive and contemporary database of species-specific spatial occurrence (currently available on request) will be made directly available via the Malaria Atlas Project (MAP) website from early 2012.
TL;DR: The continued rise and expansion of the aquaculture industry and the increasingly stringent legislation for biocides in food production necessitates the development of innovative antifouling strategies which must meet environmental, societal, and economic benchmarks while effectively preventing the settlement and growth of resilient multi-species consortia of biofouling organisms.
Abstract: Biofouling in marine aquaculture is a specific problem where both the target culture species and/or infrastructure are exposed to a diverse array of fouling organisms, with significant production impacts. In shellfish aquaculture the key impact is the direct fouling of stock causing physical damage, mechanical interference, biological competition and environmental modification, while infrastructure is also impacted. In contrast, the key impact in finfish aquaculture is the fouling of infrastructure which restricts water exchange, increases disease risk and causes deformation of cages and structures. Consequently, the economic costs associated with biofouling control are substantial. Conservative estimates are consistently between 5–10% of production costs (equivalent to US$ 1.5 to 3 billion yr−1), illustrating the need for effective mitigation methods and technologies. The control of biofouling in aquaculture is achieved through the avoidance of natural recruitment, physical removal and the use of antifoulants. However, the continued rise and expansion of the aquaculture industry and the increasingly stringent legislation for biocides in food production necessitates the development of innovative antifouling strategies. These must meet environmental, societal, and economic benchmarks while effectively preventing the settlement and growth of resilient multi-species consortia of biofouling organisms.
TL;DR: It is shown that abnormal olfactory preferences and loss of behavioural lateralization exhibited by two species of larval coral reef fish exposed to high CO2 can be rapidly and effectively reversed by treatment with an antagonist of the GABA-A receptor, a major neurotransmitter receptor in the vertebrate brain.
Abstract: Predicted future CO₂ levels have been found to alter sensory responses and behaviour of marine fishes. Changes include increased boldness and activity, loss of behavioural lateralization, altered auditory preferences and impaired olfactory function. Impaired olfactory function makes larval fish attracted to odours they normally avoid, including ones from predators and unfavourable habitats. These behavioural alterations have significant effects on mortality that may have far-reaching implications for population replenishment, community structure and ecosystem function. However, the underlying mechanism linking high CO₂ to these diverse responses has been unknown. Here we show that abnormal olfactory preferences and loss of behavioural lateralization exhibited by two species of larval coral reef fish exposed to high CO₂ can be rapidly and effectively reversed by treatment with an antagonist of the GABA-A receptor. GABA-A is a major neurotransmitter receptor in the vertebrate brain. Thus, our results indicate that high CO₂ interferes with neurotransmitter function, a hitherto unrecognized threat to marine populations and ecosystems. Given the ubiquity and conserved function of GABA-A receptors, we predict that rising CO₂ levels could cause sensory and behavioural impairment in a wide range of marine species, especially those that tightly control their acid–base balance through regulatory changes in HCO₃⁻ and Cl⁻ levels.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify the main areas where the interaction between marine biodiversity and threats is more pronounced and assess their spatial overlap with current marine protected areas in the Mediterranean and quantified the areas of conservation concern for biodiversity by looking at the spatial overlap between high biodiversity and high cumulative threats.
Abstract: Aim A large body of knowledge exists on individual anthropogenic threats that have an impact on marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea, although we know little about how these threats accumulate and interact to affect marine species and ecosystems. In this context, we aimed to identify the main areas where the interaction between marine biodiversity and threats is more pronounced and to assess their spatial overlap with current marine protected areas in the Mediterranean. Location Mediterranean Sea. Methods We first identified areas of high biodiversity of marine mammals, marine turtles, seabirds, fishes and commercial or well-documented invertebrates. We mapped potential areas of high threat where multiple threats are occurring simultaneously. Finally we quantified the areas of conservation concern for biodiversity by looking at the spatial overlap between high biodiversity and high cumulative threats, and we assessed the overlap with protected areas. Results Our results show that areas with high marine biodiversity in the Mediterranean Sea are mainly located along the central and north shores, with lower values in the south-eastern regions. Areas of potential high cumulative threats are widespread in both the western and eastern basins, with fewer areas located in the south-eastern region. The interaction between areas of high biodiversity and threats for invertebrates, fishes and large animals in general (including large fishes, marine mammals, marine turtles and seabirds) is concentrated in the coastal areas of Spain, Gulf of Lions, north-eastern Ligurian Sea, Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea, south-eastern Turkey and regions surrounding the Nile Delta and north-west African coasts. Areas of concern are larger for marine mammal and seabird species. Main conclusions These areas may represent good candidates for further research, management and protection activities, since there is only a maximum 2% overlap between existing marine protected areas (which cover 5% of the Mediterranean Sea) and our predicted areas of conservation concern for biodiversity.
National Institute of Amazonian Research1, University of Leeds2, Max Planck Society3, Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research4, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi5, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology6, Smithsonian Institution7, New York University8, Indian Institute of Astrophysics9, National University of Colombia10, Conservation International11, University of Oxford12, Duke University13, University of Brasília14, Universidade Federal do Acre15, James Cook University16
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors investigated the role of soil fertility in forest structure and dynamics in the Amazon Basin in an east-west gradient coincident with variations in soil fertility and geology and found that soil fertility may play an important role in explaining Basinwide variations in forest biomass, growth and stem turnover rates.
Abstract: . Forest structure and dynamics vary across the Amazon Basin in an east-west gradient coincident with variations in soil fertility and geology. This has resulted in the hypothesis that soil fertility may play an important role in explaining Basin-wide variations in forest biomass, growth and stem turnover rates. Soil samples were collected in a total of 59 different forest plots across the Amazon Basin and analysed for exchangeable cations, carbon, nitrogen and pH, with several phosphorus fractions of likely different plant availability also quantified. Physical properties were additionally examined and an index of soil physical quality developed. Bivariate relationships of soil and climatic properties with above-ground wood productivity, stand-level tree turnover rates, above-ground wood biomass and wood density were first examined with multivariate regression models then applied. Both forms of analysis were undertaken with and without considerations regarding the underlying spatial structure of the dataset. Despite the presence of autocorrelated spatial structures complicating many analyses, forest structure and dynamics were found to be strongly and quantitatively related to edaphic as well as climatic conditions. Basin-wide differences in stand-level turnover rates are mostly influenced by soil physical properties with variations in rates of coarse wood production mostly related to soil phosphorus status. Total soil P was a better predictor of wood production rates than any of the fractionated organic- or inorganic-P pools. This suggests that it is not only the immediately available P forms, but probably the entire soil phosphorus pool that is interacting with forest growth on longer timescales. A role for soil potassium in modulating Amazon forest dynamics through its effects on stand-level wood density was also detected. Taking this into account, otherwise enigmatic variations in stand-level biomass across the Basin were then accounted for through the interacting effects of soil physical and chemical properties with climate. A hypothesis of self-maintaining forest dynamic feedback mechanisms initiated by edaphic conditions is proposed. It is further suggested that this is a major factor determining endogenous disturbance levels, species composition, and forest productivity across the Amazon Basin.
TL;DR: Using genetic parentage analyses, patterns of larval dispersal for two species of exploited coral reef fish within a network of marine reserves on the Great Barrier Reef are resolved and provide compelling evidence that adequately protected reserve networks can make a significant contribution to the replenishment of populations on both reserve and fished reefs at a scale that benefits local stakeholders.
TL;DR: Nominal group technique was used in the context of four focus groups involving clinical experts from the emergency department (ED) and obstetric and midwifery areas of a busy regional hospital to assess the triage and management of pregnant women in the ED.
Abstract: This paper aims to demonstrate the versatility and application of nominal group technique as a method for generating priority information. Nominal group technique was used in the context of four focus groups involving clinical experts from the emergency department (ED) and obstetric and midwifery areas of a busy regional hospital to assess the triage and management of pregnant women in the ED. The data generated were used to create a priority list of discussion triggers for the subsequent Participatory Action Research Group. This technique proved to be a productive and efficient data collection method which produced information in a hierarchy of perceived importance and identified real world problems. This information was vital in initiating the participatory action research project and is recommended as an effective and reliable data collection method, especially when undertaking research with clinical experts.
TL;DR: This data indicates that populations of large old trees are rapidly declining in many parts of the world, with serious implications for ecosystem integrity and biodiversity.
Abstract: [Extract] Large old trees are among the biggest organisms on Earth. They are keystone structures in forests, woodlands, savannas, agricultural landscapes, and urban areas, playing unique ecological roles not provided by younger, smaller trees. However, populations of large old trees are rapidly declining in many parts of the world, with serious implications for ecosystem integrity and biodiversity.
TL;DR: It is shown that comanagement is largely successful at meeting social and ecological goals, and tends to benefit wealthier resource users and institutional characteristics strongly influence livelihood and compliance outcomes, yet have little effect on ecological conditions.
Abstract: In an effort to deliver better outcomes for people and the ecosystems they depend on, many governments and civil society groups are engaging natural resource users in collaborative management arrangements (frequently called comanagement). However, there are few empirical studies demonstrating the social and institutional conditions conducive to successful comanagement outcomes, especially in small-scale fisheries. Here, we evaluate 42 comanagement arrangements across five countries and show that: (i) comanagement is largely successful at meeting social and ecological goals; (ii) comanagement tends to benefit wealthier resource users; (iii) resource overexploitation is most strongly influenced by market access and users' dependence on resources; and (iv) institutional characteristics strongly influence livelihood and compliance outcomes, yet have little effect on ecological conditions.
University of Leeds1, James Cook University2, University College London3, Ulster University4, Universiti Brunei Darussalam5, Forestry Commission6, New York Botanical Garden7, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi8, University of Exeter9, Universidad Autónoma Gabriel René Moreno10, Wageningen University and Research Centre11, University of Amsterdam12, University of Edinburgh13, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana14, Paul Sabatier University15, National Park Service16, University of Texas at Austin17, Forestry Research Institute of Ghana18, University of São Paulo19, Smithsonian Institution20, Hokkaido University21, National University of Colombia22, Forest Research Institute Malaysia23, Conservation International24, University of Twente25, Environmental Change Institute26, Universidade do Estado de Mato Grosso27, University of York28, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation29, University of Cambridge30, Duke University31, University of Los Andes32, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology33, Universidade Federal do Acre34, University of Yaoundé I35, Naturalis36, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee37, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute38, University of Stirling39
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of tree height (H) on tropical forest biomass and carbon storage estimates was investigated using data from 20 sites across four continents, and the results showed that tree H is an important allometric factor that needs to be included in future forest biomass estimates to reduce error in estimates of tropical carbon stocks and emissions.
Abstract: . Aboveground tropical tree biomass and carbon storage estimates commonly ignore tree height (H). We estimate the effect of incorporating H on tropics-wide forest biomass estimates in 327 plots across four continents using 42 656 H and diameter measurements and harvested trees from 20 sites to answer the following questions: 1. What is the best H-model form and geographic unit to include in biomass models to minimise site-level uncertainty in estimates of destructive biomass? 2. To what extent does including H estimates derived in (1) reduce uncertainty in biomass estimates across all 327 plots? 3. What effect does accounting for H have on plot- and continental-scale forest biomass estimates? The mean relative error in biomass estimates of destructively harvested trees when including H (mean 0.06), was half that when excluding H (mean 0.13). Power- and Weibull-H models provided the greatest reduction in uncertainty, with regional Weibull-H models preferred because they reduce uncertainty in smaller-diameter classes (≤40 cm D) that store about one-third of biomass per hectare in most forests. Propagating the relationships from destructively harvested tree biomass to each of the 327 plots from across the tropics shows that including H reduces errors from 41.8 Mg ha−1 (range 6.6 to 112.4) to 8.0 Mg ha−1 (−2.5 to 23.0). For all plots, aboveground live biomass was −52.2 Mg ha−1 (−82.0 to −20.3 bootstrapped 95% CI), or 13%, lower when including H estimates, with the greatest relative reductions in estimated biomass in forests of the Brazilian Shield, east Africa, and Australia, and relatively little change in the Guiana Shield, central Africa and southeast Asia. Appreciably different stand structure was observed among regions across the tropical continents, with some storing significantly more biomass in small diameter stems, which affects selection of the best height models to reduce uncertainty and biomass reductions due to H. After accounting for variation in H, total biomass per hectare is greatest in Australia, the Guiana Shield, Asia, central and east Africa, and lowest in east-central Amazonia, W. Africa, W. Amazonia, and the Brazilian Shield (descending order). Thus, if tropical forests span 1668 million km2 and store 285 Pg C (estimate including H), then applying our regional relationships implies that carbon storage is overestimated by 35 Pg C (31–39 bootstrapped 95% CI) if H is ignored, assuming that the sampled plots are an unbiased statistical representation of all tropical forest in terms of biomass and height factors. Our results show that tree H is an important allometric factor that needs to be included in future forest biomass estimates to reduce error in estimates of tropical carbon stocks and emissions due to deforestation.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined three dimensions of vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity) of 29 coastal communities across five western Indian Ocean countries to the impacts of coral bleaching on fishery returns, and developed a novel, network-based approach to examine sensitivity to changes in the fishery that incorporates linkages between fishery and non-fishery occupations.
Abstract: Coral reefs support the livelihood of millions of people especially those engaged in marine fisheries activities Coral reefs are highly vulnerable to climate change induced stresses that have led to substantial coral mortality over large spatial scales Such climate change impacts have the potential to lead to declines in marine fish production and compromise the livelihoods of fisheries dependent communities Yet few studies have examined social vulnerability in the context of changes specific to coral reef ecosystems In this paper, we examine three dimensions of vulnerability (exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity) of 29 coastal communities across five western Indian Ocean countries to the impacts of coral bleaching on fishery returns A key contribution is the development of a novel, network-based approach to examining sensitivity to changes in the fishery that incorporates linkages between fishery and non-fishery occupations We find that key sources of vulnerability differ considerably within and between the five countries Our approach allows the visualization of how these dimensions of vulnerability differ from site to site, providing important insights into the types of nuanced policy interventions that may help to reduce vulnerability at a specific location To complement this, we develop framework of policy actions thought to reduce different aspects of vulnerability at varying spatial and temporal scales Although our results are specific to reef fisheries impacts from coral bleaching, this approach provides a framework for other types of threats and different social-ecological systems more broadly
TL;DR: The 385-Mb genome of S. haematobium is sequenced using Illumina-based technology at 74-fold coverage and compared it to sequences from related parasites to provide an unprecedented resource for many fundamental research areas and shows great promise for the design of new disease interventions.
Abstract: Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by blood flukes (genus Schistosoma; schistosomes) and affecting 200 million people worldwide. No vaccines are available, and treatment relies on one drug, praziquantel. Schistosoma haematobium has come into the spotlight as a major cause of urogenital disease, as an agent linked to bladder cancer and as a predisposing factor for HIV/AIDS. The parasite is transmitted to humans from freshwater snails. Worms dwell in blood vessels and release eggs that become embedded in the bladder wall to elicit chronic immune-mediated disease and induce squamous cell carcinoma. Here we sequenced the 385-Mb genome of S. haematobium using Illumina-based technology at 74-fold coverage and compared it to sequences from related parasites. We included genome annotation based on function, gene ontology, networking and pathway mapping. This genome now provides an unprecedented resource for many fundamental research areas and shows great promise for the design of new disease interventions.
TL;DR: An analysis shows that the coral endosymbiont Symbiodinium—a dinoflagellate genus underpinning the ecological and evolutionary success of reef corals—can adapt to local thermal regimes, thereby shaping the fitness of coral hosts.
Abstract: An analysis shows that the coral endosymbiont Symbiodinium—a dinoflagellate genus underpinning the ecological and evolutionary success of reef corals—can adapt to local thermal regimes, thereby shaping the fitness of coral hosts. This may explain why many corals show fidelity for single Symbiodinium types over wide thermal ranges.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that a tropical reef fish is highly sensitive to small increases in water temperature, but can rapidly acclimate over multiple generations, and highlights the importance of transgenerational acclimation as a mechanism for coping with rapid climate change.
Abstract: Understanding the capacity of species to acclimate and adapt to expected temperature increases is critical for making predictions about the biological impacts of global warming, yet it is one of the least certain aspects of climate change science. Tropical species are considered to be especially sensitive to climate change because they live close to their thermal maximum and exhibit limited capacity for acclimation. Here, we demonstrate that a tropical reef fish is highly sensitive to small increases in water temperature, but can rapidly acclimate over multiple generations. Acute exposure to elevated temperatures (+1.5 °C and +3.0 °C) predicted to occur this century caused a 15% and 30% respective decrease in individual's maximum ability to perform aerobic activities such as swimming or foraging, known as aerobic scope. However, complete compensation in aerobic scope occurred when both parents and offspring were reared throughout their lives at elevated temperature. Such acclimation could reduce the impact of warming temperatures and allow populations to persist across their current range. This study reveals the importance of transgenerational acclimation as a mechanism for coping with rapid climate change and highlights that single generation studies risk underestimating the potential of species to cope.
TL;DR: New research relevant to the catchment to GBR continuum is reviewed and the appropriateness of current management responses are evaluated.
James Cook University1, University of Antwerp2, University of Sydney3, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research4, University of Tasmania5, Technical University of Denmark6, Agricultural Research Service7, Texas A&M University8, Purdue University9, North Carolina State University10, ETH Zurich11, University of Basel12, University of Oklahoma13, Duke University14, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences15, Tuscia University16, Wageningen University and Research Centre17
TL;DR: Because single factor CO2 responses often dominated over warming responses in the combined treatments, the results suggest that projected responses to future global warming in Earth System models should not be parameterized using single factor warming experiments.
Abstract: In recent years, increased awareness of the potential interactions between rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations ([ CO2 ]) and temperature has illustrated the importance of multifactorial ecosystem manipulation experiments for validating Earth System models. To address the urgent need for increased understanding of responses in multifactorial experiments, this article synthesizes how ecosystem productivity and soil processes respond to combined warming and [ CO2 ] manipulation, and compares it with those obtained in single factor [ CO2 ] and temperature manipulation experiments. Across all combined elevated [ CO2 ] and warming experiments, biomass production and soil respiration were typically enhanced. Responses to the combined treatment were more similar to those in the [ CO2 ]-only treatment than to those in the warming-only treatment. In contrast to warming-only experiments, both the combined and the [ CO2 ]-only treatments elicited larger stimulation of fine root biomass than of aboveground biomass, consistently stimulated soil respiration, and decreased foliar nitrogen (N) concentration. Nonetheless, mineral N availability declined less in the combined treatment than in the [ CO2 ]-only treatment, possibly due to the warming-induced acceleration of decomposition, implying that progressive nitrogen limitation (PNL) may not occur as commonly as anticipated from single factor [ CO2 ] treatment studies. Responses of total plant biomass, especially of aboveground biomass, revealed antagonistic interactions between elevated [ CO2 ] and warming, i.e. the response to the combined treatment was usually less-than-additive. This implies that productivity projections might be overestimated when models are parameterized based on single factor responses. Our results highlight the need for more (and especially more long-term) multifactor manipulation experiments. Because single factor CO2 responses often dominated over warming responses in the combined treatments, our results also suggest that projected responses to future global warming in Earth System models should not be parameterized using single factor warming experiments.
TL;DR: The increase in river loads for all 35 GBR basins is estimated, using the best available estimates of pre-European and current loads derived from catchment modelling and monitoring, to facilitate target setting for water quality and desired ecosystem states, and enable prioritisation of critical sources for management.