Declining birds in Australian agricultural landscapes may benefit from aspects of the European agri-environment model

Temperate Australia’s wheat/sheep zone and much of Western Europe have both experienced dramatic declines in native bird populations associated with agricultural landscapes. We compare recent conservation strategies on private land in the context of each region’s historical agricultural development and the ecology of its bird fauna. Specifically, we consider which aspects of the conservation instruments and practices employed in European agricultural landscapes might be used to augment and inform approaches to private-land biodiversity conservation in Australia. Australian biodiversity conservation activities have focussed predominantly on remnant native vegetation and rarely target the agricultural matrix (i.e. land that is primarily used for agricultural production). However, declining species include those that not only primarily inhabit woodland, but also species for which components of the agricultural matrix are important, or even their main, habitat. In contrast, in Europe a range of conservation activities undertaken through agri-environment schemes focus explicitly on the management of the agricultural matrix. Whilst the different approaches to conservation on private land in Australia and Europe reflect the two continents’ different ecologies, land-use histories and political economies of agriculture, there are a number of parallels between bird population declines in the two regions, and an opportunity may exist to incorporate some of the successful aspects of the European agri-environment approach into emerging stewardship schemes in Australia. We suggest that the long-term nature of European agri-environment agreements, the principle of landholder payments more commensurate with reduced production opportunity and management actions specifically targeted at the agricultural matrix, are features of the European scheme that could benefit both woodland- and matrix-inhabiting bird species in Australian agricultural landscapes.     

A rapid and simple method of detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Blepharisma japonicum</Emphasis> using PCR and immobilisation on FTA paper

Background  

The rapid expansion in the availability of genome and DNA sequence information has opened up new possibilities for the development of methods for detecting free-living protozoa in environmental samples. The protozoan Blepharisma japonicum was used to investigate a rapid and simple detection system based on polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR) from organisms immobilised on FTA paper.     

Investigation of the nutritional requirements of Australian snapper Pagrus auratus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801): effects of digestible energy content on utilization of digestible protein

This study used a curvilinear model to investigate the effects of different digestible energy (DE) levels on the digestible protein (DP) requirements of juvenile snapper Pagrus auratus. For each DE level (15, 18 or 21 MJ kg⁻¹), DP content was increased from about 210–560 g kg⁻¹ in seven evenly spaced increments by formulating a summit diet (highest DP content) and a diluent diet (lowest DP content) at the desired DE level and combining the summit and diluent diets in various ratios to achieve the desired DP content. This ensured the DE level remained relatively stable. Each of the 21 dietary treatments was fed to three replicate groups of snapper twice daily to apparent satiation for 57 days. At the completion of the trial, fish were weighed and killed for chemical analysis. Results indicated that the rapid growth of snapper weighing 30–90 g was highly dependent on the ratio of DP to DE and that optimum protein deposition did not occur until snapper were offered feeds with at least 350 g DPkg⁻¹, irrespective of DE level. According to the fitted models, diets formulated for snapper reared at temperatures from 20–25°C should contain approximately 23 g DP MJ DE⁻¹ to promote optimal weight gain and protein deposition. Based on the feeding regime used in this study, this could be achieved with practical diets containing a DP:DE ratio of 460:20, 420:18 or 350:15.     

Coastal wetlands of Victoria,south‐eastern Australia: providing the inventory and condition information needed for their effective management and conservation

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Physical characteristics,and proximate composition of oocytes,liver and muscle of wild caught and tank-reared Macquarie perch

Macquarie perch (Macquaria australasica) is a freshwater percichthyid endemic to south-eastern Australia. In view of its conservation status (indeterminate), and its importance as a sport fish, natural stocks are replenished through a breeding programme using mature stock taken from the wild each year.This paper is the first of a series of investigations instigated to understand the underlying causes of the lack of response of Macquarie perch, caught from the wild and spawned and then tankreared for a year, to hypophysation techniques. In this paper, results of physical characteristics, proximate composition and ovarian histology of wild-caught and tank-reared fish (injected with salmon GnRHa and non-injected) are presented. Oocyte diameter distribution patterns indicate that Macquarie perch spawn once each year, and that in tank-reared fish oocyte maturation is incomplete with only a small proportion of oocytes reaching maturation. The mean (sd) gonadosomatic and hepatosomatic indices of wild fish were 11.25 (2.38) and 0.59 (0.10) and that of tank-reared fish were 4.84 (0.70) and 1.44 (0.09) respectively. These two parameters differed significantly (p<0.05) in the two groups of fish.Major differences also existed in the proximate composition of the liver and the way the liver components responded to GnRHa injection. The percent (sd) protein, lipid and ash by dry weight in the liver of wild injected fish were 57.02 (0.66), 30.63 (1.22) and 8.24 (0.05) respectively while in the liver of tank-reared uninjected fish these values were 30.87 (1.36), 24.59 (1.18) and 6.43 (0.13) respectively. When expressed as an absolute amount or an amount kg^–1 body weight, all of moisture, protein, lipid, ash and nitrogen free extract were greater in tank-reared than wild fish. No significant differences were observed between wild and tank-reared fish in the composition of the body musculature or the oocytes.     

Evaluation of freshwater submersion in small animals: 28 cases (1996-2006)

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcome in dogs and cats evaluated after submersion in freshwater. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. ANIMALS: 25 dogs and 3 cats. PROCEDURES: Medical records were reviewed for signalment; causes, location, and month of submersion; physical examination findings at admission; results of blood gas analysis; treatments administered; duration of hospitalization; and outcome, including evidence of organ failure or compromise. RESULTS: All submersions involved bodies of freshwater. Fourteen animals were submerged in man-made water sources, 13 were submerged in natural water sources, and the body of water was not recorded in 1 case. Twenty (71%) submersions occurred from May through September. Cause was identified in 16 animals and included extraordinary circumstances (n = 6), falling into water (5), breaking through ice (3), and intentional submersion (2). Twelve animals were found submerged in water with unclear surrounding circumstances. Treatment included administration of supplemental oxygen, antimicrobials, furosemide, corticosteroids, and aminophylline and assisted ventilation. Respiratory dysfunction was detected in 21 animals. Neurologic dysfunction was detected in 12 animals, hepatocellular compromise was detected in 6 animals, and cardiovascular dysfunction was detected in 4 animals. Three dogs had hematologic dysfunction, and 2 dogs had acute renal dysfunction. Eighteen (64%) animals survived to hospital discharge, but all of the cats died. In 9 of 10 nonsurvivors, respiratory tract failure was the cause of death or reason for euthanasia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that submersion is an uncommon reason for veterinary evaluation but is associated with a good prognosis in dogs in the absence of respiratory tract failure.