Jarrett Jones Biology 466 September 2, 2014 Article summary 1 Article summary: Due to human activity, the natural fauna of the world is becoming displaced; this is especially profound in terrestrial mammalian species. This study specifically looks at fragmented land affecting the northern brown bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus, in the city of Brisbane, Australia. The experiment was conducted using mark-recapture methods and radio tracking in order to distinguish bandicoot home ranges, densities, and habitat. It was observed that the bandicoots sheltered during the day in areas with tall, dense grasses and weeds and exhibited nocturnal foraging in urban lawns and recreational areas within small ranges. The study suggests that the grass and weeds provide an ideal habitat for the bandicoots, allowing them to thrive in large populations. Question and hypothesis: The question of the study is how is the northern brown bandicoot adjusting to habitat loss caused by human settlement in Brisbane? The hypothesis is large communities of bandicoots in small areas will observed and will not represent the population data from before the human expansion occurred. Methods: …show more content…
In order to monitor population at various study sites, a mark recapture methods was used for 1.5 years, trapping bandicoots at set intervals. Vital information was collected from all captured bandicoots and they were ear tagged and electronically tagged. After the allotted trapping time, the dynamics of the population was calculated. A subset of individuals had small radio transponders attached to them in the various study areas. This method was used to determine the approximate home ranges of the bandicoots. The amount of bandicoots per area was determined mathematically using the home range size and the recapture
In 1927, Charles Elton took niche theory a step further and included food. He defined the niche of an animal as its place in the biotic environment and its relations to food and enemies (Elton, 1927). Grinnell also wondered if food was a limiting factor to the California Thrasher’s niche, but since the bird is omnivorous, it could find food in other habitats such as a forest floor or a meadow. There had to be other factors that restricted the bird to the chaparral bushes (Grinnel, 1917). Elton believes that the niche of an animal can be defined by its size and its food habits. It is important to study niches because it enables ecologists to see how different animal communities may resemble each other in the essentials of organization (Elton, 1927). For example, in a forest there could be a niche of owls that feeds on small animals such as rats. This same carnivore niche is filled with kestrels in the open grasslands. This carnivore niche is then dependent on the small animals in the herbivore niche (Elton, 1927). Hutchinson also discusses niche theory in his “Concluding Remarks” paper. His theory seems to combine some of the ideas
of the book. Wollongong: Smith's Hill High School, pp. 10-90. Duffy, M., 2009. "The Species of a Species.
Isle Royal is located fifty-six miles north of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula. It is the largest wilderness area in Michigan (USNPS, 2014). The island is surrounded by Lake Superior, which creates a cooler temperature. This results in arctic plant species growth on the island. There are only eighteen mammal species present on the island because most mammals cannot make the trip across the frozen great lake (USNPS, 2014). The need for an ice bridge is not the only environmental factor that is stopping the migration of animals; there is also the severe cold, and also wind and fog (Vucetich, 2012). Some species such as caribou and coyote have found the island to be too intense and have gone extinct (Vucetich, 2012). Due to the harsh weather and isolation of the island, humans have never regularly lived on the island (Vucetich, 2012). Some of species that are present such as the red squirrel are becoming their own subspecies due to its separation from the mainland (USNPS, 2014). The isolation of Isle Royal is what makes it a great place to conduct research, it has very low human interaction and the species that are on the island will have been and continue to be isolated from the mainland.
...ed, J. M., Walters, J. R., Emigh, T. E., and Seaman, D. E. 1993. Effective population size in Red-cockaded Woodpeckers: population and model differences. Conservation Biology. 7(2):302-308.
Soule, Michael E et al. “Ecological Effectiveness: Conservation Goals for Interactive Species.” Conservation Biology 17.5 (2003) : 1238-1250.
8. Taylor, Dan. 1998. Audubon Society Inspired to Action by Bird Die -offs . 17 Jan. 1998 . E-mail . Available bkus@sunstroke.sdsu.edu
Landscape fragmentation contributes to loss of migratory corridors, loss of connectivity and natural communities, which all lead to a loss of biodiversity for a region. Conservation of biodiversity must include all levels of diversity: genetic, species, community, and landscape (CNHP 1995). Each complex level is dependent upon and linked to the other levels. In addition, humans are linked to all levels of this hierarchy. A healthy natural and human environment go hand in hand (CNHP 1995). An important step in conservation planning, in order to guarantee both a healthy natural environment as well as a healthy human environment, is recognizing the most endangered elements.
Herter, D.R., Hicks, L.L. 2000. Barred Owl and Spotted Owl populations and habitats in North America. Raptor Research Foundation 34: 279-286.
Loss, Scott R, Tom Will, & Peter P. Marra" The Impact of Free-Ranging Domestic Cats on Wildlife of the United States."Nature. Macmillan Publishers Limited, 12 Dec 2013. Web. 28 April 2014.
The platypus is highly specialised and dependent on water bodies to acquire food. With increasing incidence of drought across Australia survival of platypus populations is uncertain. Those of the population inhabiting marginal pools are more susceptible to drought, likely suffering considerable mortality, Also, decrease in water level increases the likelihood of death by terrestrial predators, such as foxes, due to the animals inability to move quickly from one pool to another (Hall, 1999).
Both the snow leopard and the green turtle are classified as endangered under the IUCN red list with decreasing population trends. Both live in very different habita...
An important feature of green roofs is their potential to provide habitation for urban wildlife, therefore many animal species such as rats and ants would benefit from green roofs. Coffman and Waites, (2008) explains that the urban development practices recognised as roof greening offers habitat for wild species within the towns and it also helps rise the home-grown natural diversity. However, roof greening is not a method restoration ecology, but it is method of reconciliation ecology, where entirely new habitation is formed for non-human species. In addition Green roofs certainly delivers some form of habitat, it is also possible that the properties of the roof could harm the wildlife diversity.
On the first level, when foreign, but previously non-invasive species is first introduced to a new area, the new species may play a role in a community that was previously unfulfilled; it may fill a vacant niche in the ecosystem. Originally this new species may be seen as a useful contributor to its new surroundings because it has only (temporarily) increased biodiversity in the area (Meinesz, 2003).
Sikes, Roberts. and William L. Gannon. "Guidelines of the American Society of Mammalogists for the Use of Wild Mammals in Research." Journal of Mammalogy 92.1 (Feb. 2011): 235-253. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 5 Oct. 2011.
In Wilcove’s article, it is examined within the 50 states the four types of animals being discussed such as mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians with the possibility of becoming extinct or critically imperiled determined by The Nature Conservancy (TNC). David Wilcove states that, “A total of 2,490 imperiled species, subspecies, and populations fit these criteria” (Wilcove, Rothstein, Dubow, Phillips, & Losos, 1998, p. 607). In response, within these 2,490 animals at risk the science of these problems is that their home is destroyed, and when introduced to a new environment they cannot adapt to the normal life in the same manner. Native animals cannot compete with the new species discovered and...