Two conceptual approaches which offer promise for improved understanding of biological invasions are conceptualizing the invasion process as a series of distinct stages and explicitly incorporating human actions into analyses. This study explores the utility of these approaches for understanding the invasion of Trifolium (true clover) species in New Zealand. From the published literature, I collected a range of Trifolium species attributes, including aspects of global transport and use by humans, opportunistic association with humans in New Zealand, native range attributes, habitat characteristics, and biological traits. I also searched historical records to estimate the extent to which each species had been planted in New Zealand, a search facilitated by the enormous importance of Trifolium in New Zealand’s pastoral agriculture system. Regression analysis and structural equation modelling were then used to relate these variables to success at each invasion stage. Fifty-four of the 228 species in the genus Trifolium were intentionally introduced to New Zealand. Species introduced for commercial agriculture were characterised by a large number of economic uses and presence in Britain, while species introduced for horticulture or experimental agriculture were characterised by a large native range area. Nine of these 54 intentionally introduced species subsequently naturalised in New Zealand. The species that successfully naturalised were those that had been planted extensively by humans and that were well-matched to the New Zealand climate. A further 16 species (from the pool of 174 species that were never intentionally introduced) arrived and naturalised in New Zealand without any recorded intentional aid of humans. Several attributes appeared to assist species in unintentional introduction-naturalisation, including a good match to the New Zealand climate, a large native range area, presence in human-influenced habitats, a widespread distribution in Britain, and self-pollination capability. The 25 total naturalised species varied greatly in their current distributions and in the rates at which they had spread to achieve those distributions. Species that had spread quickly and are currently more widespread had been frequent contaminants in the pasture seed supply and have a long flowering period in New Zealand. Other biological traits and native range attributes played supporting roles in the spread process. Attributes facilitating success clearly varied among invasion stages. Humans played a dominant role at all stages of this invasion, although biological traits had increasing importance as a species moved through the invasion sequence. My findings suggest that incorporation of human actions and the stage-based framework provide valuable insight into the invasion process. I discuss potential avenues by which these approaches might be integrated into predictive invasion models.

Actualment una de les principals amenaces a la biodiversitat és la introducció d'espècies. Revisant 26 variables de les 69 espècies de peixos continental de la Península Ibèrica concloem que la filogènia, variabilitat i els usos de l'home són necessaris per entendre millor les diferències entres les espècies natives i invasores.Entre les especies més afectades per la introducció de peixos es troben els ciprinodontiformes endèmics del Mediterrani. Aportem les primers dades sobre l'ús d'hàbitats ocasionalment inundats i la selecció de preses del fartet (Aphanius iberus), observant un canvi ontogenètic, clarament relacionat amb el microhàbitat.També demostrem que la salinitat influeix en l'èxit invasor de la gamúsia, afectant la seva densitat i biologia reproductiva. Per altra banda, demostrem experimentalment que amb l'increment de salinitat la gambúsia disminueix la seva agressivitat i captura menys preses, reduint la seva eficàcia competitiva respecte dels ciprinodonts natius. / One of the main current threats to biodiversity is the introduction of invasive species. By reviewing 26 life-history and ecological variables of the 69 inland fish species of the Iberian Peninsula we conclude that phylogeny, variability and human use are needed to a better understanding of the differences between native and invasive species.Among the most threatened species by invasive fish are the Mediterranean endemic cyprinodontiform fish. We report the first data on the use of occasionally-inundated habitats ad prey electivity by the Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus). We observed an ontogenetic diet shift clearly linked to a microhabitat change.We also demonstrate that salinity limits the invasive success of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), affecting density and life history traits. ON the ohter hand, we experimentally demonstrate that mosquitofish decreases its aggresive behavior and capture less prey, reducing its competitive efficiency with salinity increases regarding to native ciprinodonts.

Disputats. Universität Hohenheim, 2004. / Haves kun i elektronisk udg.

Magistro darbe tiriama paprastųjų kadagių būklė, pažeidimo priežastys, menkaverčių medžių ir krūmų paplitimas ir gausa, būklės pokyčiai 1998 – 2008 metais, dendrometriniai rodikliai, patrauklumas lankytojams. Darbo objektas - Dubravos eksperimentinės mokomosios miškų urėdijos Šilėnų girininkijos 61 kv. 15skl. 2,6ha plote augantis kadagynas, įeinantis i Kauno marių regioninio parko Arlaviškių botaninio draustinio teritoriją. Tyrimo tikslas - Įvertinti Arlaviškių botaniniame draustinyje augančio kadagyno būklę. Darbo metodai – instrumentinis dendrometrinių rodiklių nustatymas, vizualinis kadagių būklės, kitų medžių ir krūmų rūšių gausos įvertinimas, anketinis objekto patrauklumo lankytojams vertinimas. Darbo rezultatai – 2008 metais kadagynui nustatyti šie dendrometriniai rodikliai: Dvid= 10.1 cm, Hvid = 6.5 m, Avid = 55 m. Aukščiausi kadagiai siekia 12.5 m, storiausi – 22.5 cm. Kadagyno vidutinis tankumas 1232 vnt/ha. Kadagyno individų daugumą sudaro krūminę formą turintys kadagiai (68,1 %), likusieji 32,9 % - medeliai. Tarp medelių 30 % turi koloniškąją formą (Juniperus communis ‘Hibernica‘), bei 1–2% svyruoklinę (Juniperus communis ’Oblonga Pendula’). Kadagynas apibūdinamas kaip vidutiniškai pažeistas. Jame sveiki individai sudaro 10,8 %, įvairiu laipsniu pažeisti 68,7 %, sausuoliai – 20.5 %. Pagrindinės kadagyno pažeidimų priežastys: per tankios individų grupės ir individų tarpusavio sąveika (37,7 %), įvairūs kirtimai (46 %), šakų laužymas (11,1 %), kadagių ligos... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Master's work examined the conventional status of juniper, of demage causes negligible trees and shrubs prevalence and abundance, changes of state from 1998 to 2008, tree measurement indicators, attractiveness to visitors. Job object - Dubrava experimental educational forest enterprise Silėnai forestrys 61 compartment 15 sebcompartment 2.6 ha growing junipers formations, that included to the Gulf of Kaunas Regional Park Reserve of Arlaviškių botanical area. The aim of the study - To evaluate Arlaviškes botanical reserves growing junipers growing area condition. Working methods - instrumental tree measurement indicators. Visual status of juniper and other trees and shrubs of species abundance assessment. Personal assessment of the object's attractiveness to visitors. Study results - 2008 Juniper formation the following tree measurement indicators Dvid = 10.1 cm, Hvid = 6.5 m, Avid = 55 years Juniper aims to the highest 12.5 m, thick trees - 22.5 cm. Juniper formation average density of 1232 units/ha. Juniper formation individuals constitute the majority of the indigenous form of Juniper (68.1%), the remaining 32.9% - saplings. Among the trees by 30% to Juniperus communis' Hibernicus ' form, and 1 - 2% Juniperus communis' Oblonga Pendula'. Juniper formation defined as the average demage. It consists of 10.8% healthy individuals, varying the degree of prejudice to 68.7%, dry trees - 20.5%. The main causes of demage juniper formation: density of individuals within the group... [to full text]

Widespread anthropogenic invasions have prompted concerns that naturalized organisms could threaten biodiversity. In particular, invasive weeds can negatively affect native biota through a variety of means, including disrupting mutualisms. This thesis was designed to observe and test dispersal mutualisms in a native forest during autumn when the majority of plant species are fruiting. In this thesis I examined whether the invasive plant barberry (Berberis glaucocarpa) was influencing the behaviour of a native frugivore bellbird (Anthornis melanura) and a range of dispersal related services in a native forest, Kowhai Bush near Kaikoura. To test these 18 banded bellbirds were followed through autumn 2011. These observe bellbirds were split between control and test bird. Barberry fruit was removed from the test bird territories. I recorded whether bellbirds changed their territory sizes, foraging and daily behaviours. During 52 hours of observations, bellbirds were never observed feeding on barberry fruit. No significant changes to bellbird behaviour or territories were observed after the removal of barberry fruit. Bellbird diet overall was dominated by invertebrates (83% of foraging observations), with smaller contributions from fruit (16%, nearly all on Coprosma robusta), nectar and honeydew. Since bellbirds did not eat barberry fruit, removal of this weed is unlikely to negatively affect bellbirds during autumn. Which other bird species were dispersing barberry was recorded. I recorded 242 hours of videotape footage on 24 fruiting plants. A total of 101 foraging events were recorded of 4 different bird species: silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) 42 visits, blackbirds (Turdus merula) 27 visits, song thrush (Turdus philomelos) 29, and starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) 3 visits. The species differed in the mean length of time they spent in plants, so the overall contribution to barberry fruit removal was 32.6% silvereyes, 24.3% blackbirds, 42.9% song thrush and 0.1% starlings. To find out the relative contribution of exotic and native birds to dispersal of fruits in Kowhai Bush, I mist-netted 221 birds of 10 species and identified any seeds in the 183 faeces they deposited. A total of 21 plant species were observed fruiting in Kowhai Bush during this time. A total of 11 different plant species were identified from 1092 seeds. Birds were further observed feeding on 3 other plant species which were not observed in faecal samples. This left 7 plants with unobserved dispersal vectors. There were likely four main dispersers, bellbirds, silvereyes, song thrush and blackbirds and five minor, brown creeper (Mohoua novaeseelandiae), tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae), fantails (Rhipidura fuliginosa), dunnock (Prunella modularis) and starlings. However there was considerable variability between these bird species dispersal abilities. Introduced birds’ song thrush and blackbirds were observed dispersing naturalized plant seeds at higher than expected rates in comparison to native frugivores bellbirds and silvereyes. I also measured the gape sizes on mist netted birds and on samples of fruit from Kowhai Bush. Both silvereyes and bellbirds were found to be eating fruit larger than their gape, but despite this two native (Hedycarya arborea and Ripogonum scandens) and three exotic plants (Vitis vinifera, Taxus baccata and Crataegus monogyna) had large fruit that were probably mainly dispersed by song thrush and blackbirds. Hence, introduced birds were important seed dispersers for large fleshy fruited seeds in Kowhai Bush. Demonstrating that interactions among native and exotic flesh fruited plants and frugivores is important within forest communities.

New Zealand provides an excellent example of the effect of exotic predators on native reptile populations. Prior to human arrival, reptiles evolved in the absence of mammalian predators but are now sympatric with 11 introduced mammalian predators. New Zealand’s reptile populations have declined over the past millennium because they have few defensive behaviours against this new predator guild. However, relatively few studies have investigated the effects of introduced mammalian predators on skinks. In this thesis, I studied the life history of several skink species and the long-term demographic changes in these species to evaluate population trends. I evaluated the effectiveness of mammalian predator control in the Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project (RNRP) for restoring skink populations and I investigated the potential sub-lethal effects of mammalian predators on skinks. Finally, I tested whether two skink species had developed behaviours to avoid the scent of introduced rats or hedgehogs. I estimated size at sexual maturity, birthing season and habitat preferences for speckled skinks (Oligosoma infrapunctatum) in the Nelson Lakes area. My research shows that skink populations are declining both inside and outside of the RNRP. The largest declines are seen in the rarer species and even within the predator-controlled area of the RNRP the speckled skink is nearing extirpation. In addition, the proportion of female northern grass skinks (O. polychroma) and larger individuals of both sexes has decreased since 1970; suggesting females and larger individuals are more vulnerable to predation. An investigation of three fitness surrogates (body condition, parasite load and prevalence of caudal autotomy) showed that for both northern grass and glossy brown skinks (O. zelandicum), body condition was significantly lower in populations with mammalian predators than without. This has serious conservation implications because it shows that lizard populations may not only be in decline from direct predation, but also additional stresses associated with predation that may lead to reduced reproductive output. Neither parasite load, nor the prevalence of caudal autotomy, appears to be good indicators of fitness for northern grass or glossy brown skinks. I found no evidence of substantial avoidance behaviours in glossy brown and northern grass skinks to either rat or hedgehog odour. Two hypotheses are suggested to explain this. Firstly, there may not have been enough time for these species to evolve avoidance behaviours, and secondly, there may be insufficient selection pressure due to the high efficiency of the alien predators, or because rats and hedgehogs are active foragers and thus scent gives the prey limited information on immediate predation pressure. This lack of evidence for the evolution of antipredator behaviour, in addition to reduced body condition and population decline in areas with mammalian predators present, highlights the importance of intensive mammalian predator control for the continued survival of skink species on mainland New Zealand.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Alnarp : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 9 uppsatser.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:28:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseEMM.pdf: 3928574 bytes, checksum: 41bb88a5eda2258e27b0841b94f15cb6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-05-26 / From sixties, the fish species introduction has been being a constant event in the reservoir system located on middle and low Tietê River - SP, which resulted the success introduction of Plagiosicon squamosissimus and Cichla cf. ocellaris in all these reservoirs. According to this context, the present work objectified characterize the fish community, with focus on the introduction analysis of Geophagus surinamensis, a not-native specie, and its probable progressive occupation in the system, like that already had occurred with Plagioscion squamosissimus. The results showed the occurrence of Geophagus surinamensis is confirmed in these reservoir system, indicating that its fast occupation in the Três Irmãos reservoir is made possible by the free connection that Pereira Barreto provides between Três Irmãos reservoir and Ilha Solteira reservoir, on the Paraná River. This way, it is evident the great possibility that the Geophagus surinamensis comes to be disperse for the whole reservoir system of middle and low Tietê River, like that already had occurred for the Plagioscion squamosissimus. Then, it is important to consider the Geophagus surinamensis in management programs for the Três Irmãos reservoir, so as to control and to reduce its density and of avoiding its effective spread for the others reservoirs of Tietê River. / A partir da década de 60, a introdução de espécies não-nativas de peixes tornou-se um evento constante no sistema de reservatórios dos trechos médio e baixo do rio Tietê - SP, resultando no pleno sucesso de introdução das espécies Plagiosicon squamosissimus e Cichla cf. ocellaris, as quais passaram a ocupar todos os reservatórios do sistema. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar a comunidade de peixes, de modo a avaliar o processo de introdução recente da espécie não-nativa Geophagus surinamensis e sua provável ocupação progressiva no sistema, a exemplo do que já ocorrera com Plagioscion squamosissimus. A partir dos métodos empregados, confirmou-se a ocorrência da espécie não-nativa Geophagus surinamensis no sistema em estudo, indicando que sua rápida ocupação no reservatório de Três Irmãos, onde se encontra efetivamente estabelecida, é viabilizada pela livre conexão que canal de Pereira Barreto proporciona entre o reservatório de Três Irmãos com o de Ilha Solteira, no rio Paraná. Assim, fica evidente a grande possibilidade de que a espécie Geophagus surinamensis venha a se dispersar por todo o sistema de reservatórios dos trechos médio e baixo do rio Tietê, a exemplo do que já ocorrera para a espécie não nativa Plagioscion squamosissimus. É válido considerar, portanto, a espécie Geophagus surinamensis em programas de manejo para o reservatório de Três Irmãos, de modo a controlar e reduzir a sua abudância e evitar sua dispersão efetiva para todo o sistema de reservatórios do rio Tietê.

Estudos realizados no sistema lacustre do Vale do rio Doce revelam um empobrecimento da ictiofauna após a introdução das espécies alóctones tucunaré (Cichla ocellaris) e piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri). Estas espécies, na fase adulta, não apresentam nenhum predador ou competidor efetivo nos ambientes estudados. Neste contexto e visando contribuir para medidas de manejo e prevenção de impactos com a introdução de espécies, este estudo objetivou conhecer a alimentação e avaliar, por meio de experimentos em laboratório, a seletividade alimentar e eficiência de alevinos destas duas espécies introduzidas na captura de invertebrados planctônicos comparadas a Astyanax cf bimaculatus e Geophagus brasiliensis (espécies nativas). Os alevinos, capturados em diferentes lagoas, foram medidos, pesados e tiveram seus estômagos analisados. A seletividade alimentar foi calculada através do índice de seletividade qualitativa de IVLEV (1961) e o índice da razão de procura por alimento (FRi) de Edmondson e Winberg (1971). A eficiência alimentar dos alevinos foi calculada e comparada através das taxas de predação. G. brasiliensis, A. cf bimaculatus e C. ocellaris apresentaram alimentação variada, baseada em itens de origem animal e vegetal. G. brasiliensis apresentou maior variação de itens alimentares baseado principalmente em organismos zooplânctônicos, enquanto C. ocellaris e A. cf bimaculatus consumiram essencialmente insetos. Os coeficientes de sobreposição alimentar foram significativos para G. brasiliensis, A. cf bimaculatus e C. ocellaris, indicando elevada similaridade na alimentação destas espécies. Entretanto, não foram significativos para P. nattereri, devido ao hábito exclusivamente carnívoro, desde a fase jovem. As taxas de predação diferiram significativamente na presença de outros alevinos e em diferentes concentrações de presas. Os alevinos de C. ocellaris, P. nattereri e A. cf bimaculatus foram mais eficientes na captura de presas ágeis, tais como copépodos adultos, comparados a G. brasiliensis, indicando boa adaptação na detecção, caça e sucesso na perseguição da presa, desde a fase jovem. A diversidade de peixes, amostrados na fase de alevinos, foi baixa nos diferentes ambientes estudados, não tendo sido coletadas espécies nativas nos lagos com presença de espécies introduzidas, indicando que as espécies nativas tem sido afetadas não apenas pela presença de competidores, mas também de predadores, desde a fase jovem. / Studies accomplished in the lacustrine environment of Vale do rio Doce show a decrease of the ichthyofauna after introduction of the aloctone species tucunaré (Cichla ocellaris) and piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri). These species, in mature phase, do not present any predators or effective competitors in the studied environment. In this context, and aiming to contribute to management and impact prevention measures concerning species introduction, this study was carried out to know the feeding habits and evaluate, through laboratory experiments, the feeding selectivity and efficiency of alevins of these introduced species in capturing planktonic invertebrates, compared to Astyanax cf bimaculatus and Geophagus brasiliensis (native species). The alevins, captured in different lakes, were measured, weighed and had their stomach analyzed. The feeding selectivity was calculated through the Ivlev (1961) qualitative selectivity rate, and the food searching reason rate (FRi) by Edmondson e Winberg (1971). The alevins feeding efficiency was calculated and compared through the predation rates. G. brasiliensis, A cf bimaculatus and C. ocellaris presented varied nutritional habits, based on both animal and vegetal items. G. brasiliensis presented more variation of food items based mainly on zooplanktonic organisms, while C. ocellaris and A cf bimaculatus consumed insects essentially. The feeding superposition coefficients were significative for G. brasiliensis, A. cf bimaculatus and C. ocellaris, indicating high similarity in their nutritional habits. However, they are not significative for P. nattereri, due to their exclusive carnivore habit since their juvenile phase. The predation rates differed significantly in presence of other alevins and in different prey concentrations. The C. ocellaris, p. nattereri and A. cf bimaculatus alevins were more efficient when capturing agile preys, such as adult copepods, compared to G. brasiliensis, indicating good adaptation for detecting, hunting and capturing prey since their juvenile phase. The diversity of fish, sampled in the alevin phase, was low in the different lakes studied, and native species were not collected in the lakes with introduced species, indicating that the native species have been affected not only by competitors, but also by predators\' presence, ever since their juvenile phase.

Experience has shown that effective fisheries governance requires a sound understanding of fisheries as systems incorporating both ecological and human dimensions. The Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries requires that the human components of these systems be considered when developing management and governance frameworks. While the potential for inland fisheries to contribute towards societal welfare and the development of rural livelihoods is becoming increasingly apparent, developing South African inland fisheries requires a careful consideration of both their positive and negative impacts, given that they revolve mainly around five of the world‟s top 100 invasive species. This thesis aimed to explore the value of inland recreational fisheries to rural livelihoods in the Amathole District of South Africa, to the regional economy, and to anglers themselves. Three methods were used to isolate this value. Economic impact analysis was used to estimate the combined total economic impact of the 2011 Divisional Tournament (n=31) and the 2012 Amatola Bass Classic (n=100) on the regional economy of the Amathole District, estimated to be R106 625. The travel cost method was applied to data from the 2012 Amatola Bass Classic in order to estimate the social welfare generated by this tournament. The Negative Binomial model, corrected for truncation and endogenous stratification, estimated this value at R 1 960 090. The sustainable livelihoods framework was used to conduct a broad-based analysis of the value of Amatola Wild Trout, the firm which constitutes the fishery surrounding the rural village of Cata. It was found that the fishery had been responsible for a modest pecuniary impact on the community of Cata within its first two years of establishment, although significant improvements in human capital were found to have resulted from the development of the fishery. These results provide insights into the economic dimension of fisheries in the Amathole District, and will prove useful when weighing up the positive and negative impacts of non-native fish species, particularly when informing decisions regarding their potential eradication.