Taxonomic distinctness in the diet of two sympatric marine turtle species          下载免费PDF全文

Thomas B. Stringell  Wesley V. Clerveaux  Brendan J. Godley  Flora E. A. Kent  Emma D. G. Lewis  Jessica E. Marsh  Quinton Phillips  Peter B. Richardson  Amdeep Sanghera  Annette C. Broderick 《Marine Ecology》2016,37(5):1036-1049

Marine turtles are considered keystone consumers in tropical coastal ecosystems and their decline through overexploitation has been implicated in the deterioration of reefs and seagrass pastures in the Caribbean. In the present study, we analysed stomach contents of green (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) harvested in the legal turtle fishery of the Turks and Caicos Islands (Caribbean) during 2008–2010. Small juveniles to adult‐sized turtles were sampled. Together with data from habitat surveys, we assessed diet composition and the taxonomic distinctness (and other species diversity measures) in the diets of these sympatric marine turtle species. The diet of green turtles (n = 92) consisted of a total of 47 taxa: including three species of seagrass (present in 99% of individuals), 29 species of algae and eight sponge species. Hawksbill turtles (n = 45) consumed 73 taxa and were largely spongivorous (16 species; sponges present in 100% of individuals) but also foraged on 50 species of algae (present in 73% of individuals) and three species of seagrass. Plastics were found in trace amounts in 4% of green turtle and 9% of hawksbill turtle stomach samples. We expected to find changes in diet that might reflect ontogenetic shifts from small (oceanic‐pelagic) turtles to larger (coastal‐benthic) turtles. Dietary composition (abundance and biomass), however, did not change significantly with turtle size, although average taxonomic distinctness was lower in larger green turtles. There was little overlap in prey between the two turtle species, suggesting niche separation. Taxonomic distinctness routines indicated that green turtles had the most selective diet, whereas hawksbill turtles were less selective than expected when compared with the relative frequency and biomass of diet items. We discuss these findings in relation to the likely important trophic roles that these sympatric turtle species play in reef and seagrass habitats.  相似文献   

Dynamic Holocene glacial history of St. Jonsfjorden,Svalbard     

Wesley R. Farnsworth  Ólafur Ingólfsson  Riko Noormets  Lis Allaart  Helena Alexanderson  Mona Henriksen  Anders Schomacker 《Boreas: An International Journal of Quaternary Research》2017,46(3):585-603

Evidence of a dynamic Holocene glacial history is preserved in the terrestrial and marine archives of St. Jonsfjorden, a small fjord‐system on the west coast of Spitsbergen, Svalbard. High‐resolution, remotely sensed imagery from marine and terrestrial environments was used to construct geomorphological maps that highlight an intricate glacial history of the entire fjord‐system. The geomorphology and stratigraphy indicate an early Holocene local glacier advance constrained to the Lateglacial–early Holocene transition. Identification and ¹⁴C dating of the thermophilous bivalve mollusc Modiolus modiolus to 10.0±0.12 cal. ka BP suggest a rapid northward migration of the species shortly after deglaciation. Further evidence enhances the understanding of the onset and subsequent climax of the Neoglacial‐Little Ice Age in inner St. Jonsfjorden. The present‐day terminus of Osbornebreen, the dominating glacier system in St. Jonsfjorden, is located over 8.5 km up‐fjord from its Neoglacial maximum extent. Cross‐cutting relationships suggest subsequent advances of all the smaller glaciers in the area following the break‐up of Osbornebreen. Glacial deposits, landforms and their cross‐cutting relationships observed in both terrestrial and marine settings imply a complex and highly dynamic environment through the later part of the Holocene.  相似文献   

Twentieth century agricultural drainage creates more erosive rivers          下载免费PDF全文

Shawn P. Schottler  Jason Ulrich  Patrick Belmont  Richard Moore  J. Wesley Lauer  Daniel R. Engstrom  James E. Almendinger 《水文研究》2014,28(4):1951-1961

Rivers in watersheds dominated by agriculture throughout the US are impaired by excess sediment, a significant portion of which comes from non‐field, near‐channel sources. Both land‐use and climate have been implicated in altering river flows and thereby increasing stream‐channel erosion and sediment loading. In the wetland‐rich landscapes of the upper Mississippi basin, 20th century crop conversions have led to an intensification of artificial drainage, which is now a critical component of modern agriculture. At the same time, much of the region has experienced increased annual rainfall. Uncertainty in separating these drivers of streamflow fuels debate between agricultural and environmental interests on responsibility and solutions for excess riverine sediment. To disentangle the effects of climate and land‐use, we compared changes in precipitation, crop conversions, and extent of drained depressional area in 21 Minnesota watersheds over the past 70 years. Watersheds with large land‐use changes had increases in seasonal and annual water yields of >50% since 1940. On average, changes in precipitation and crop evapotranspiration explained less than one‐half of the increase, with the remainder highly correlated with artificial drainage and loss of depressional areas. Rivers with increased flow have experienced channel widening of 10–40% highlighting a source of sediment seldom addressed by agricultural best management practices. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

Mercury Dynamics in a San Francisco Estuary Tidal Wetland: Assessing Dynamics Using In Situ Measurements     

Brian A. Bergamaschi  Jacob A. Fleck  Bryan D. Downing  Emmanuel Boss  Brian A. Pellerin  Neil K. Ganju  David H. Schoellhamer  Amy A. Byington  Wesley A. Heim  Mark Stephenson  Roger Fujii 《Estuaries and Coasts》2012,35(4):1036-1048

We used high-resolution in situ measurements of turbidity and fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) to quantitatively estimate the tidally driven exchange of mercury (Hg) between the waters of the San Francisco estuary and Browns Island, a tidal wetland. Turbidity and FDOM??representative of particle-associated and filter-passing Hg, respectively??together predicted 94?% of the observed variability in measured total mercury concentration in unfiltered water samples (UTHg) collected during a single tidal cycle in spring, fall, and winter, 2005?C2006. Continuous in situ turbidity and FDOM data spanning at least a full spring-neap period were used to generate UTHg concentration time series using this relationship, and then combined with water discharge measurements to calculate Hg fluxes in each season. Wetlands are generally considered to be sinks for sediment and associated mercury. However, during the three periods of monitoring, Browns Island wetland did not appreciably accumulate Hg. Instead, gradual tidally driven export of UTHg from the wetland offset the large episodic on-island fluxes associated with high wind events. Exports were highest during large spring tides, when ebbing waters relatively enriched in FDOM, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and filter-passing mercury drained from the marsh into the open waters of the estuary. On-island flux of UTHg, which was largely particle-associated, was highest during strong winds coincident with flood tides. Our results demonstrate that processes driving UTHg fluxes in tidal wetlands encompass both the dissolved and particulate phases and multiple timescales, necessitating longer term monitoring to adequately quantify fluxes.  相似文献   

Measuring the impact of mitigation activities on flood loss reduction at the parcel level: the case of the clear creek watershed on the upper Texas coast   总被引：1，自引：1，他引：0  

Wesley E. Highfield  Samuel D. Brody  Russell Blessing 《Natural Hazards》2014,74(2):687-704

As property damage from flooding continues to increase, particularly in coastal areas, the adoption of strategies to mitigate these losses has never been more important to protecting the health and safety of coastal communities. Both structural and non-structural flood mitigation activities are being considered to buffer the adverse consequences of building structures in areas exposed to flood risk. However, little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of flood mitigation practices, particularly non-structural approaches at the parcel level. Our study addresses this lack of critical knowledge by examining the effect of mitigation activities adopted under the FEMA community rating system on insured property losses across multiple communities within the Clear Creek watershed located just south of Houston, TX and adjacent to Galveston Bay. Specifically, we statistically identify the degree to which various mitigation strategies adopted by a community reduce flood loss claims among 9,555 parcels from 1999 to 2009. Results indicate that several mitigation policies adopted at the community level result in significant savings in property damage for homeowners in the Clear Creek watershed.  相似文献   

Formation of uranium‐thorium‐rich bitumen nodules in the Lockne impact structure,Sweden: A mechanism for carbon concentration at impact sites     

Paula Lindgren  John Parnell  Craig Norman  Darren F. Mark  Martin Baron  Jens Orm  Erik Sturkell  James Conliffe  Wesley Fraser 《Meteoritics & planetary science》2007,42(11):1961-1969

Abstract— The Ordovician Lockne impact structure is located in central Sweden. The target lithology consisted of limestone and black unconsolidated shale overlaying a Precambrian crystalline basement. The Precambrian basement is uranium‐rich, and the black shale is both uranium‐ and organic‐rich. This circumstance makes Lockne a good candidate for testing the occurrence of U‐Th‐rich bitumen nodules in an impact structure setting. U‐Th‐rich bitumen nodules are formed through irradiation; hence the increase in the complexity of organic matter by a radioactive (uranium‐ and thorium‐rich) mineral phase. U‐Th‐rich bitumen nodules were detected in crystalline impact breccia and resurge deposits from the impact structure, but samples of non‐impact‐affected rocks from outside the impact structure do not contain any U‐Th‐rich bitumen nodules. This implies that in the Lockne impact structure, the nodules are associated with impact‐related processes. U‐Th‐rich bitumen nodules occur throughout the geological record and are not restricted to an impact structure setting, but our studies at Lockne show that this process of irradiation can readily occur in impact structures where fracturing of rocks and a post‐impact hydrothermal system enhances fluid circulation. The irradiation of organic matter by radioactive minerals has previously been proposed as a process for concentration of carbon on the early Earth. Impact structures are suggested as sites for prebiotic chemistry and primitive evolution, and irradiation by radioactive minerals could be an important mechanism for carbon concentration at impact sites.  相似文献   

The mass,orbit, and tidal evolution of the Quaoar–Weywot system     

Wesley C. Fraser  Konstantin Batygin  Michael E. Brown  Antonin Bouchez 《Icarus》2013,222(1):357-363

Here we present new adaptive optics observations of the Quaoar–Weywot system. With these new observations we determine an improved system orbit. Due to a 0.39 day alias that exists in available observations, four possible orbital solutions are available with periods of ～11.6, ～12.0, ～12.4, and ～12.8 days. From the possible orbital solutions, system masses of 1.3–1.5 ± 0.1 × 10²¹ kg are found. These observations provide an updated density for Quaoar of 2.7–5.0 g cm^?3. In all cases, Weywot’s orbit is eccentric, with possible values ～0.13–0.16. We present a reanalysis of the tidal orbital evolution of the Quaoar–Weywot system. We have found that Weywot has probably evolved to a state of synchronous rotation, and has likely preserved its initial inclination over the age of the Solar System. We find that for plausible values of the effective tidal dissipation factor tides produce a very slow evolution of Weywot’s eccentricity and semi-major axis. Accordingly, it appears that Weywot’s eccentricity likely did not tidally evolve to its current value from an initially circular orbit. Rather, it seems that some other mechanism has raised its eccentricity post-formation, or Weywot formed with a non-negligible eccentricity.  相似文献   

A roadmap for marine spatial planning: A critical examination of the European Commission's guiding principles based on their application in the Clyde MSP Pilot Project     

Wesley Flannery  Micheál Ó Cinnéide 《Marine Policy》2012,36(1):265-271

The European Commission has developed a set of common principles for marine spatial planning in the European Union. A critical examination of these principles in practice is undertaken through an evaluation of the Clyde Marine Spatial Planning Pilot Project. The principles are found to be lacking in specificity and somewhat inconsistent with the ecosystem based approach, which they advocate. Lessons for new marine spatial planning initiatives, relating particularly to stakeholder participation, governance, data requirements, objective setting, and skills and knowledge needs, are derived from the Clyde Pilot.  相似文献   

Field Application of the Combined Membrane‐Interface Probe and Hydraulic Profiling Tool (MiHpt)     

Wesley McCall  Thomas M. Christy  Daniel Pipp  Mads Terkelsen  Anders Christensen  Klaus Weber  Peter Engelsen 《Ground Water Monitoring & Remediation》2014,34(2):85-95

The Membrane‐Interface Probe and Hydraulic Profiling Tool (MiHpt) is a direct push probe that includes both the membrane interface probe (MIP) and hydraulic profiling tool (HPT) sensors. These direct push logging tools were previously operated as separate logging systems for subsurface investigation in unconsolidated formations. By combining these two probes into one logging system the field operator obtains useful data about the distribution of both volatile organic contaminants (VOCs) and relative formation permeability in a single boring. MiHpt logging was conducted at a chlorinated VOC contaminated site in Skuldelev, Denmark, to evaluate performance of the system. Formation cores and discrete interval slug tests are used to assess use of the HPT and electrical conductivity (EC) logs for lithologic and hydrostratigraphic interpretation. Results of soil and groundwater sample analyses are compared to the adjacent MiHpt halogen specific detector (XSD) logs to evaluate performance of the system to define contaminant distribution and relative concentrations for the observed VOCs. Groundwater profile results at moderate to highly contaminated locations were found to correlate well with the MiHpt‐XSD detector responses. In general, soil sample results corresponded with detector responses. However, the analyses of saturated coarse‐grained soils at the site proved to be unreliable as demonstrated by high RPDs for duplicate samples. The authors believe that this is due to pore water drainage observed from these cores during sampling. Additionally, a cross section of HPT pressure and MiHpt‐XSD detector logs provides insight into local hydrostratigraphy and formation control on contaminant migration.  相似文献   

How adoption rates, timing, and ceilings affect the value of ENSO-based climate forecasts     

Debra J. Rubas  James W. Mjelde  H. Alan Love  Wesley Rosenthal 《Climatic change》2008,86(3-4):235-256

An international wheat trade model incorporating climate variability is used to simulate different scenarios when wheat producers in the USA, Canada, and Australia adopt El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO)-based climate forecasts for use in production decisions. Adoption timing and rates are varied across countries in the different scenarios. The results are consistent between the scenarios examined. Early adopters benefit the most, there is no incentive for more producers to adopt after 60 to 95% have adopted (meaning the adoption ceiling has been reached), and slower adoption corresponds to ceilings closer to 60 than 95%. When individual countries must decide whether or not to invest in ENSO technology and producer education programs to encourage adoption, results indicate the dominant strategy for each country is to invest. This is especially true if producers in other countries are adopting the use of climate forecasts.  相似文献