ORCID Profile
0000-0002-9425-1737
Current Organisation
Universidade de São Paulo
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Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 25-08-2021
DOI: 10.1071/PC20077
Abstract: Effective environmental legislation that mitigates threats and strengthens protection are critical in arresting the decline of global bio ersity. We used the national listing of an Australian marsupial, the greater glider (Petauroides spp.), vulnerable to extinction under the Environment Protection and Bio ersity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC), as a case study to evaluate the effectiveness of legislation for protecting threatened species habitat. We quantified the extent of greater glider habitat destroyed (or extensively modified) due to deforestation and logging in Queensland and New South Wales (NSW), and logging in Victoria, 2 years before (2014–2016) and after (2016–2018) EPBC listing. We quantified the extent of greater glider habitat that burned in the 2019–2020 wildfires. Destruction of habitat increased in NSW and Queensland after the species was listed as vulnerable (NSW: 7602 ha/annum c.f. 7945 ha/annum Qld: 1501 ha/annum c.f. 5919 ha/annum). In Victoria, the amount of habitat logged remained relatively consistent pre- and post-listing (4916.5 ha logged pre-listing c.f. 4758.5 ha logged post-listing). Australia-wide, we estimate that 29% of greater glider habitat burned in the 2019–2020 wildfires. Fire severity was severe or extreme in 37% of greater glider habitat that burnt, suggesting that few gliders would persist in these areas. We demonstrate that since EPBC listing, greater glider habitat destruction and population decline has continued as a result of human activities, both directly (i.e. deforestation and logging) and indirectly (i.e. severe wildfire facilitated by human-induced climate change). We recommend that state and federal protections should be strengthened urgently to better conserve threatened species and the environment.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-06-2023
DOI: 10.1111/AEC.13376
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 19-10-2022
DOI: 10.1017/S0007114522003361
Abstract: Although ultra-processed foods represent more than half of the total energy consumed by the UK population, little is known about the trend in food consumption considering the degree of food processing. We evaluated the trends of the dietary share of foods categorised according to the NOVA classification in a historical series (2018–2019) among the UK population. Data were acquired from the NDNS, a survey that collects diet information through a 4-d food record. We used adjusted linear regression to estimate the dietary participation of NOVA groups and evaluated the linear trends over the years. From 2008 to 2019, we observed a significant increase in the energy share of culinary ingredients (from 3·7 to 4·9 % of the total energy consumed P -trend = 0·001), especially for butter and oils and reduction of processed foods (from 9·6 to 8·6 % P -trend = 0·002), especially for beer and wine. Unprocessed or minimally processed foods (≅30 %, P -trend = 0·505) and ultra-processed foods (≅56 %, P -trend = 0·580) presented no significant change. However, changes in the consumption of some subgroups are noteworthy, such as the reduction in the energy share of red meat, sausages and other reconstituted meat products as well as the increase of fruits, ready meals, breakfast cereals, cookies, pastries, buns and cakes. Regarding the socio-demographic characteristics, no interaction was observed with the trend of the four NOVA groups. From 2008 to 2019 was observed a significant increase in culinary ingredients and a reduction in processed food. Furthermore, it sheds light on the high share of ultra-processed foods in the contemporary British diet.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 16-07-2021
DOI: 10.1111/BRV.12776
Abstract: Artificial refuges are human‐made structures that aim to create safe places for animals to breed, hibernate, or take shelter in lieu of natural refuges. Artificial refuges are used across the globe to mitigate the impacts of a variety of threats on wildlife, such as habitat loss and degradation. However, there is little understanding of the science underpinning artificial refuges, and what comprises best practice for artificial refuge design and implementation for wildlife conservation. We address this gap by undertaking a systematic review of the current state of artificial refuge research for the conservation of wildlife. We identified 224 studies of artificial refuges being implemented in the field to conserve wildlife species. The current literature on artificial refuges is dominated by studies of arboreal species, primarily birds and bats. Threatening processes addressed by artificial refuges were biological resource use (26%), invasive or problematic species (20%), and agriculture (15%), yet few studies examined artificial refuges specifically for threatened (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered) species (7%). Studies often reported the characteristics of artificial refuges (i.e. refuge size, construction materials 87%) and surrounding vegetation (35%), but fewer studies measured the thermal properties of artificial refuges (18%), predator activity (17%), or food availability (3%). Almost all studies measured occupancy of the artificial refuges by target species (98%), and over half measured breeding activity (54%), whereas fewer included more detailed measures of fitness, such as breeding productivity (34%) or animal body condition (4%). Evaluating the benefits and impacts of artificial refuges requires sound experimental design, but only 39% of studies compared artificial refuges to experimental controls, and only 10% of studies used a before‐after‐control‐impact (BACI) design. As a consequence, few studies of artificial refuges can determine their overall effect on in iduals or populations. We outline a series of key steps in the design, implementation, and monitoring of artificial refuges that are required to avoid perverse outcomes and maximise the chances of achieving conservation objectives. This review highlights a clear need for increased rigour in studies of artificial refuges if they are to play an important role in wildlife conservation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-12-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-03-2019
DOI: 10.1111/MAM.12151
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2021
DOI: 10.1071/AM20047
Abstract: Lowland Leadbeater’s possums are on a trajectory to extinction, with fewer than 40 in iduals surviving in the wild. Quantification of the vegetation characteristics of their occupied habitat is urgently needed to inform strategies to conserve this genetically distinct population. We surveyed the canopy and midstorey vegetation at all remaining (nine) occupied territories and eleven abandoned territories in lowland sw forest at the Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve. For each territory we quantified canopy and midstorey stem density, basal area (total and live) and vegetation condition (percentage live basal area, tree crown vigour and plant area index) within a 50-m radius of known den locations. The canopy at all locations was dominated by mountain sw gum (Eucalyptus c hora), with most occupied sites supporting dense midstorey dominated by paperbarks, either Melaleuca squarrosa or Melaleuca ericifolia. Occupied territories had higher stem densities and better vegetation condition than abandoned territories. Stem density alone was able to predict occupancy vis-à-vis abandoned sites with a high (80%) degree of accuracy. Lowland Leadbeater’s possums occupy sw forests characterised by high stem density, particularly in the midstorey, structural complexity and healthy vegetation. These findings can help guide habitat restoration and translocation projects currently underway to expand the area of lowland habitat for this critically endangered species.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 23-02-2021
Abstract: In this paper, we discuss the use of natural language processing and artificial intelligence to analyze nutritional and sustainability aspects of recipes and food. We present the state-of-the-art and some use cases, followed by a discussion of challenges. Our perspective on addressing these is that while they typically have a technical nature, they nevertheless require an interdisciplinary approach combining natural language processing and artificial intelligence with expert domain knowledge to create practical tools and comprehensive analysis for the food domain.
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1071/AM18027
Abstract: A species’ social structure influences its patterns of gene flow and disease transmission. Knowledge of social structure therefore is critical for understanding conservation challenges and informing management strategies. We examined the social structure of 33 free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in a high-density population (6.7 koalas per hectare) during the early and peak phase of the breeding period (August–December) at Cape Otway, Victoria. We used GPS and proximity loggers to quantify koala space use and interactions, and direct observations to determine behaviours associated with interactions. Our proximity loggers recorded 661 interactions (64% male–female, 28% male–male and 8% female–female). A peak in male–male interactions at the onset of the breeding period suggested that males may physically compete for mates at this time. Male–female interactions increased from the onset of the breeding period, and were mostly of short duration (median duration 5.5 min). From field observations of interactions, and the absence of pouch young in December, many of these interactions may have been unsuccessful copulation attempts. Space use and social network analyses revealed that most males had strong links (total interaction duration & min) with only one or two females, despite their spatial overlap and interactions with multiple females. Body mass did not influence a male’s mating success in terms of number of female mates. Our results contrast with those of a lower-density population in central eastern Queensland, suggesting that some aspects of koala social structure may be plastic relative to population density.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 03-2023
DOI: 10.1002/ECE3.9942
Abstract: While almost half of all mammal species are rodents, records of albinism in free‐ranging rodents are very rare. Australia has a large and erse assemblage of native rodent species, but there are no records of free‐ranging albino rodents in the published literature. In this study, we aim to improve our understanding of the occurrence of albinism in Australian rodent species by collating contemporary and historic records of this condition and providing an estimate of its frequency. We found 23 records of albinism (i.e., a complete loss of pigmentation), representing eight species, in free‐ranging rodents native to Australia, with the frequency of albinism being generally .1%. Our findings bring the total number of rodent species in which albinism has been recorded globally to 76. While native Australian species represent only 7.8% of the world's murid rodent ersity, they now account for 42.1% of murid rodent species known to exhibit albinism. We also identified multiple concurrent albino records from a small island population of rakali ( Hydromys chrysogaster ) and discuss the factors that may contribute to the relatively high frequency (2%) of the condition on this island. We suggest that the small number of native albino rodents recorded in mainland Australia over the last 100 years means that traits associated with the condition are likely deleterious within populations and are thus selected against.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 20-09-2021
Abstract: The current pilot study explored food insecurity, food waste, food related behaviours and cooking confidence of UK consumers following the COVID-19 lockdown. Data were collected from 473 UK-based consumers (63% female) in March 2020. A cross-sectional online survey measured variables including food insecurity prevalence, self-reported food waste, food management behaviours, confidence and frequency of use of a range of cooking methods, type of food eaten (ultra-processed, semi-finished, unprocessed) and packaging type foods are purchased in. 39% of participants have experienced some food insecurity in the last 12 months. Being younger, having a greater BMI and living in a smaller household were associated with food insecurity. Green leaves, carrots, potatoes and sliced bread are the most wasted of purchased foods. Polenta, green leaves and white rice are the most wasted cooked foods. Food secure participants reported wasting a smaller percentage of purchased and cooked foods compared to food insecure participants. Overall, participants were most confident about boiling, microwaving and stir-frying and least confident with using a pressure cooker or sous vide. Food secure participants were more confident with boiling, stir-frying, grilling and roasting than insecure food participants. This has implications for post lockdown policy, including food policies and guidance for public-facing communications. We identified novel differences in self-report food waste behaviours and cooking confidence between the food secure and insecure consumers and observed demographics associated with food insecurity.
Location: Brazil
Location: Brazil
No related grants have been discovered for Darcy Watchorn.