Tropical Ecology

Small mammals of Gunung Silam, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. 2009

by M.T. Abdullah, PhD

Scale-dependence of food web structures

by Debal Deb

Lambert JE (2010) Primate Seed Dispersers as Umbrella Species

by Joanna Lambert

Published in a Special Issue of the American Journal of Primatology

Frugivores and seed dispersal: mechanisms and consequences of a key interaction for biodiversity

by Joanna Lambert

Primate frugivory and seed dispersal: implications for conservation and the maintenance of biodiversity

by Joanna Lambert

Demography and breeding ecology of the critically endangered Montserrat Oriole

by Steffen Oppel

Co-authered by a large group of RSPB people who did most of the field work

The Montserrat Oriole (Icterus oberi) is a critically endangered species, confined to a small range
in the hill... more The Montserrat Oriole (Icterus oberi) is a critically endangered species, confined to a small range
in the hill forests of the volcanic island of Montserrat in the eastern Caribbean. From 1998 to 2005 we studied its
breeding biology and survival of adults,, finding that the Montserrat Oriole has a smaller clutch, more extended parental
care, and higher adult survival than do orioles nesting in the North Temperate Zone. Adults’ probabilities of
survival varied by year from 0.60 to 0.76 but were similar for both sexes. Average clutch size was 2.6 eggs (± 0.04
SE), and post-fledging parental care was 40 ± 5 days. We found nest success of 29% (n = 275 nests), and 87% of
nest failures were due to predation by either introduced rats (Rattus sp.) or the native Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops
fuscatus). Most pairs initiated several nesting attempts after both failed and successful first broods, leading
to an overall annual productivity of 1.2 fledged chicks per pair. Despite being able to raise up to three broods per
season, the Montserrat Oriole’s annual productivity was lower than that of its temperate-zone congeners, and we
recommend that conservation management focus on enhancing nesting success via rat control.

From introduction to fishery dominance: the initial impacts of the invasive carp Cyprinus carpio in Lake Naivasha, Kenya, 1999 to 2006

by Jonathan Grey

Journal of Fish Biology: supplement D 2007

Following the accidental introduction of the carp Cyprinus carpio into Lake Naivasha during 1999, a sustainable... more Following the accidental introduction of the carp Cyprinus carpio into Lake Naivasha during 1999, a sustainable population became rapidly established and in early 2004 became the principal species exploited in the commercial fishery. Over 9000 kg of carp were harvested from the lake between October 2005 and 2006, when fish were captured between fork lengths (LF) 200 and 800 mm (>8 kg). Diet of carp <100 mm LF was dominated by zooplankton, >100 mm LF there was a shift to benthic macro-invertebrates, with these carp feeding principally upon food resources previously unexploited by the fish community. Contrary to predictions and despite the increasing carp abundance, there has been macrophyte regeneration in littoral areas since 2004. There have been substantial increases in areal cover, with coverage in 2006 at levels not observed since the late 1980s, and significant increases in species richness. Possible reasons for this, and the significance of this carp introduction, are discussed.

Status, ecology and conservation of an endemic fish, Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis, in Lake Baringo, Kenya

by Jonathan Grey

Aquatic Conservation: Marine & Freshwater Ecosystems 2008

1.
The tilapia Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis is a genetically and morphologically distinct sub-species of... more 1.
The tilapia Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis is a genetically and morphologically distinct sub-species of Oreochromis niloticus endemic to Lake Baringo, Kenya. In recent years, concern has been expressed as to its status. Recent declines in catch returns suggest the population may be threatened, with conservation action required to safeguard it.
2.
Catch returns from the Baringo fishery since 1964 have shown considerable fluctuations for all species, but especially O. n. baringoensis. From a peak of 712 t in 1970, their total catch was only 5 t in 2005, despite a 2 year period of closure in 2002 and 2003. Changes in fishery catch and relative abundance were independent of exploitation in the fishery but were significantly correlated with lake level.
3.
Few individuals were captured at lengths >250 mm, with no fish sampled >284 mm. During periods of high lake level, individuals matured at smaller sizes and were capable of growing to larger ultimate sizes. With maturity at lengths <130 mm and fishery regulations preventing removal of fish <180 mm, there was a relatively large proportion of mature fish that was below exploitation size each year (19 to 44%). In most years, the proportion of fish available for exploitation was <10%.
4.
Stable isotope analyses revealed O. n. baringoensis was reliant upon planktonic basal resources and zooplankton carbon. There was only minimal trophic overlap with other fish species in the lake, indicating little potential for competition for food resources.
5.
These data suggest that the population status of O. n. baringoensis is not threatened per se, but subject to an unpredictable and unstable environment that strongly influences their life-history traits and, ultimately, their population abundance, and should be managed accordingly.

Using stable isotope analyses to identify allochthonous inputs to Lake Naivasha mediated via the hippopotamus gut

by Jonathan Grey

Isotopes In Environmental & Health Studies 2002

The hippopotamus grazes nocturnally on land and resides in water during the day. Much of the ingested material must... more The hippopotamus grazes nocturnally on land and resides in water during the day. Much of the ingested material must therefore be defecated directly into the aquatic system and can thus be considered an allochthonous resource available to aquatic consumers. The utility of stable isotope analyses of carbon and nitrogen to distinguish hippo faecal matter from other potential basal resources was tested at Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Hippopotami proved faithful to a short grass diet although supplementary grazing of aquatic macrophytes was observed. The typical isotopic ratios of C4 grasses ingested were not altered substantially by gut processes, and were clearly distinct from algal and aquatic macrophyte isotopic ratios. However, marginal plants such as Cyperus papyrus exhibit C4 ratios, and so the technique is suitable only for use in localities where 'contamination' from such sources is negligible

A review of allodiversity in Lake Naivasha, Kenya: Developing conservation actions to protect East African lakes from the negative impacts of alien species

by Jonathan Grey

Biological Conservation 2011

The biodiversity of developing countries is increasingly threatened by introductions of invasive alien species. This... more The biodiversity of developing countries is increasingly threatened by introductions of invasive alien species. This study on the allodiversity in Lake Naivasha, Kenya reviews the pathways, establishment rates and outcomes of introduced species, and provides the basis for determining conservation actions that, if implemented, could prevent potentially harmful effects of similar events in other East African lakes. Introductions into Naivasha commenced in the 1920s with the release of a sport fish and have since produced an allodiversity of 23 species. This includes species that are no longer present (e.g., some tilapia species), presumed no longer present (e.g., the Nile perch Lates niloticus) or whose distribution is highly localised and ecologically neutral (e.g., the coypu Myocastor coypus). It also includes species that established successfully and invoked major changes in lake ecology (e.g., the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii) and a species that is producing apparent economic benefits to the local population (i.e., the common carp Cyprinus carpio). The most frequent donor continents were the Americas and most species were the result of secondary introductions. The main introduction vector was active release that aimed to enhance fishery production. Alien species now dominate each main level of the lake’s food web and produce impacts that are rarely restricted to a single ecosystem service. With a few exceptions, the majority of introductions translate into socioeconomic costs that contribute to rising social conflicts and exacerbating poverty. Development of appropriate conservation management tools within a regulatory framework could help protect Naivasha from further damage and could be used elsewhere in East African lakes to ensure that subsequent introductions enhance ecosystem services without affecting biodiversity.

2011- Useful plants identified through ancient starch grains recovered from ceramic and lithic artefacts, the Chemin Saint-Louis site, French Guiana (English version))

by Jaime R. Pagán Jiménez

Published in "Rapport d' opération, Fouille archéologique DOM, Guyane, Sain-Laurent-du-Maroni, Chemin Saint-Louis". INRAP, French Guiana and Paris.

2011 - Les analyses d'amidon, Chemin Saint-Louis, Guyane française

by Jaime R. Pagán Jiménez

Published in "Rapport d' opération, Fouille archéologique DOM, Guyane, Sain-Laurent-du-Maroni, Chemin Saint-Louis". INRAP, French Guiana and Paris.

Cassemiro etal 2007 - Cichlidae _ Ecology of Freshwater Fish

by Fernanda Cassemiro

The development of the Amazon rain forest: Priority problems for the formulation of guidelines

by Philip Fearnside

Fearnside, P.M. 1979.  The development of the Amazon rain forest: Priority problems for the formulation of guidelines. Interciencia 4(6): 338 343.

Versão em Português:
Desenvolvimento da floresta amazônica: problemas prioritários para a formulação de diretrizes. Acta Amazonica 9(4) suplemento: 123 129. (1979).
C:\PDFs de publicacoes\Publications\1979\Desenvolvimento da floresta amazonica.pdf

Política de Conservação na Amazônia. Globoamazonia

by Philip Fearnside

Fearnside, P.M. 2010-2011. Política de Conservação na Amazônia. Globoamazonia http://g1.globo.com/platb/natureza-philipfearnside

The biome faces a variety of increasing threats

by Philip Fearnside

Fearnside, P.M. 2011. The biome faces a variety of increasing threats. Financial Times [London], 29 November 2011, Edition 1, Special Report: Sustainable Business Amazonia, p. 3. http://www.ft.com/amazonia-2011

A Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte em pauta

by Philip Fearnside

Fearnside, P.M. 2011. A Usina Hidrelétrica de Belo Monte em pauta. Política Ambiental. No. 7, pp. 4-20. ISSN 1809-8185. [http://www.conservation.org.br/publicacoes/index.php?t=5]

Inflorescence Odours and Pollinators of Arum and Amorphophallus (Araceae)

by Jeff Ollerton

Finding NEMO: Nestedness Engendered by Mutualistic Organization In Anemonefish and Their Hosts

by Jeff Ollerton

Interactions Between Gall Midges (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae) and Inflorescences of Piper novae-hollandiae (Piperaceae) In Australia

by Jeff Ollerton