May 12 - 18, 2013: Issue 110
Climate Change, Not Human Activity, Led to Megafauna Extinction - May 6, 2013
The research challenges the claim that humans were primarily responsible for the demise of the megafauna in a proposed "extinction window" between 40,000 and 50,000 years ago, and points the finger instead at climate change. An international team led by the University of New South Wales, and including researchers at the University of Queensland, the University of New England, and the University of Washington, carried out the study. It is published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "The interpretation that humans drove the extinction rests on assumptions that increasingly have been shown to be incorrect. Humans may have played some role in the loss of those species that were still surviving when people arrived about 45,000 to 50,000 years ago - but this also needs to be demonstrated," said Associate Professor Stephen Wroe, from UNSW, the lead author of the study. "There has never been any direct evidence of humans preying on extinct megafauna in Sahul, or even of a tool-kit that was appropriate for big-game hunting," he said. About 90 giant animal species once inhabited the continent of Sahul, which included mainland Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania. "These leviathans included the largest marsupial that ever lived - the rhinoceros-sized Diprotodon - and short-faced kangaroos so big we can't even be sure they could hop. Preying on them were goannas the size of large saltwater crocodiles with toxic saliva and bizarre but deadly marsupial lions with flick-blades on their thumbs and bolt cutters for teeth," said Associate Professor Wroe. The review concludes there is only firm evidence for about 8 to 14 megafauna species still existing when Aboriginal people arrived. About 50 species, for example, are absent from the fossil record of the past 130,000 years. Recent studies of Antarctic ice cores, ancient lake levels in central Australia, and other environmental indicators also suggest Sahul - which was at times characterised by a vast desert - experienced an increasingly arid and erratic climate during the past 450,000 years. Arguments that humans were to blame have also focused on the traditional Aboriginal practice of burning the landscape. But recent research suggests that the fire history of the continent was more closely linked to climate than human activity, and increases in burning occurred long before people arrived. "It is now increasingly clear that the disappearance of the megafauna of Sahul took place over tens, if not hundreds, of millennia under the influence of inexorable, albeit erratic, climatic deterioration," said Associate Professor Wroe. Stephen Wroe, Judith H. Field, Michael Archer, Donald K. Grayson, Gilbert J. Price, Julien Louys, J. Tyler Faith, Gregory E. Webb, Iain Davidson, and Scott D. Mooney.Climate change frames debate over the extinction of megafauna in Sahul (Pleistocene Australia-New Guinea). PNAS, 2013 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1302698110 Picture: Artist's reconstruction of a marsupial lion - Thylacoleo carnifex. (Credit: Peter Schouten) Plants 'Talk' to Plants to Help Them Grow
Monica Gagliano and Michael Renton from the University of Western Australia attempted to grow chilli seeds (Capsicum annuum) in the presence or absence of other chilli plants, or basil (Ocimum basilicum). In the absence of a neighboring plant, germination rates were very low, but when the plants were able to openly communicate with the seeds more seedlings grew. However when the seeds were separated from the basil plants with black plastic, so that they could not be influenced by either light or chemical signals, they germinated as though they could still communicate with the basil. A partial response was seen for fully grown chilli plants blocked from known communication with the seeds. Dr Gagliano explained, "Our results show that plants are able to positively influence growth of seeds by some as yet unknown mechanism. Bad neighbors, such as fennel, prevent chilli seed germination in the same way. We believe that the answer may involve acoustic signals generated using nanomechanical oscillations from inside the cell which allow rapid communication between nearby plants." Monica Gagliano and Michael Renton. Love thy neighbour: facilitation through an alternative signalling modality in plants. BMC Ecology, 2013 DOI:10.1186/1472-6785-13-19 Global Highways of Invasive Marine Species Calculated
Scientists from the Universities of Bristol, UK, and Oldenburg, Germany, have examined ship traffic data and biological records to assess the risk of future invasions. Their research is published in the latest issue of Ecology Letters. Animals and plants can hitch a ride on cargo ships, hiding as stowaways in the ballast tanks or clinging to the ship's hull. Upon arrival in a new port, alien species can then wreak havoc in formerly pristine waters. These so-called invasive species can drive native species to extinction, modify whole ecosystems and impact human economy. Some regions, such as the San Francisco Bay or Chesapeake Bay, have even reported several new exotic species per year. The knock-on effects to fishermen, farmers, tourism and industry create billions of US dollars in damage every year. Conservationists and ship engineers are now trying to prevent the next big invasion. But without knowing when and where it may occur, their possibilities remain limited. As part of the research project, funded by
the Volkswagen Foundation, the team obtained detailed logs of nearly three
million ship voyages in 2007 and 2008. Depending on the particular route
travelled by each ship, the researchers estimated the probability that a
species survives the journey and establishes a population in subsequent ports
of call. Although this probability is tiny for any single voyage, the numbers
quickly add up bec Professor Bernd Blasius from the University of Oldenburg and one of the researchers involved in the study, said: "Our model combines information such as shipping routes, ship sizes, temperatures and biogeography to come up with local forecasts of invasion probabilities." The final tally reveals the hotspots of
bioinvasion. Large Asian ports such as Singapore
and Hong Kong but also US
ports like The North Sea, for example, does not rank among the top endangered regions despite intense shipping. Temperatures here are lower, making it more difficult for alien species to survive. However, arrivals from the other side of the Atlantic pose a serious threat to the North Sea. Most invaders are predicted to originate from the North American east coast. H. Seebens, M. T. Gastner, B.
Blasius. The risk of marine bioinvasion c Picture: The risk of marine bio-invasion c Paint Rocks with Glow In The Dark Paint
Australian Native Foods website: http://www.anfil.org.au/ 
Next PNHA Activity: Sunday 23 June - Birdwatching & monitoring, Warriewood Wetlands: Winter Birds. Swamp Mahoganies will be in flower attracting many honeyeaters and different species of lorikeets. Meet: 8am at Katoa Close off Garden St Narrabeen ends 11am. Bring: Binoculars, water, morning tea. To Book: P: Kerry Smith 9944 6271 0402 605 721 E: pnhabirdwatching@gmail.com. Photo: White-naped Honeyeater - Neil Fifer
What Does PNHA do? On-ground bush regeneration. eg: Asparagus Fern Out Days Email: pnhainfo@gmail.com Or click on Logo to visit website. PROFILE  ONLINE BIODIVERSITY CALENDAR A FIRST Pittwater Council has launched a unique online calendar designed to educate the community about the coastal environment, based on traditional Aboriginal knowledge. The calendar, which is web-based, works through hundreds of images of coastal native birds, animals and plants. Many of the images were provided by local residents and collated by staff from the Council’s Coastal Environment Centre at North Narrabeen. The calendar has been coordinated by Pittwater Council on behalf of the Pittwater, Hornsby and Gosford communities and was funded by a $50,000 grant from the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority, through the federal government’s Caring for Country grant program. Representatives of the D’harawal people have provided their knowledge for descriptions of some of the images and the Guringai, Darkinyung and Darug people are also providing input into the calendar. Other information in the calendar includes details of environmental events and community groups, weather patterns and hazards to the environment, such as weed species. The calendar can be viewed at www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/environment/biocalendar To submit photos for the biodiversity calendar email cec@pittwater.nsw.gov.au 
Birdlife Australia has begun a quarterly magazine which is available online at: www.birdlife.org.au/australian-birdlife This organisation, which has been going for over a century now, have been a leading authority and advocate for the protection of Australia’s birds, achieved by combining scientific research, nationwide surveys, targeted actions and other activities to create real and positive outcomes. They state that over 200 species of birds in Australia are considered threatened at present. Visit their new website, have a look at all the information collated, and see if you could help them out as a volunteer or donor.  So many fish, one great map- From identifying what’s on the end of your fishing line, to finding out which fishes occur in your local waters, FishMap has the answers. FishMap is a free online mapping tool that allows anyone interested in fish to discover which fish species occur at any location or depth throughout the marine waters of Australia’s continental shelf and slope. FishMap also lets people create regional illustrated species lists for almost all of Australia’s marine fishes, detailed with photographs and illustrations, distribution maps and current scientific and common names. FishMap was developed by CSIRO’s Wealth from Oceans Flagship and the Atlas of Living Australia. FishMap was officially launched on Tuesday 26 February 2013 and is available on the Atlas of Living Australia website: http://fish.ala.org.au Top: FishMap on the Atlas of Living Australia provides the geographical and depth ranges of some 4500 Australian marine fishes, including the Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum). 
CSIRO – New App for Gardeners How does your garden grow? Find out what's under your feet with SoilMapp, our new app for iPad. More on new science apps in 2013 on our blog: http://ow.ly/hPQO2  |
Pittwater Environment Stories this week: Mullet Care Bush Care Project Update - May 2013 Pacific Black Duck Bath - a delight for the eyes! Eastern Rosella - and a little more about our progression to protecting our birds instead of exporting them or decimating them. Swamp Mahogany Flowering - our Mother's Day 2013 flowers
CAREEL CREEK FLOOD STUDY ON EXHIBITION Pittwater Council will publicly exhibit its draft flood study for the Careel Creek catchment located in Avalon. The Council voted at its meeting last night to adopt the draft flood study for public feedback from Saturday 11 May to Friday 14 June 2013. The draft study is a technical investigation of flood behaviour in the Careel Creek catchment and updates a previous study carried out in 1999. The new study looks at the changes in catchment conditions such as overland flows, plus the potential impacts of climate change using historical data on flooding, floodplain modelling techniques and projections of future flood behaviour. Residents in the area have been advised of the study’s findings, including whether their properties are considered to be flood-prone. Around 660 properties were classified as being flood-prone in a 1 in 100 year flood event by previous studies, with a further 42 properties now identified in the 2013 draft study. General Manager Mark Ferguson said that the study had been completed at the direction of the NSW government’s statewide policy on flooding. “When finalised, the study will assist the Council in making flood-related planning decisions for existing and future developments as well as informing residents of the potential risks of flooding in the area,” he said. “We’re also inviting affected property-owners to face-to-face or over-the-phone sessions with staff who can explain exactly what the findings mean for them,” he said. To view the study, visit www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/exhibition. Comments close on Friday 14 June 2013. A new approach to judging the impact of invasive species - 7 May 2013
The impact an introduced species can have on Australian native animals should take into account possible long-term stress not just numbers of outright deaths, University of Sydney research has shown. "We also showed that sometimes 'the hunted' adapt more successfully to the introduction of a predator than competing hunters," said Dr Jennifer Anson, from the University's School of Biological Sciences and lead author of the study published last month in PLOS One. "Research in Australia has never focused on how reptile predators, as opposed to mammalian predators, are affected by the presence of an introduced predator. Our study shows a reptile predator coping less well in the presence of a non-native predator than a target prey species does." The research looked at lace monitors and common ringtail possums in East Gippsland, Victoria. It shows that ringtail possums are no more vigilant in the presence of foxes, introduced to Australia more than 150 years ago, than in the presence of other native predators, but still survive in high numbers. "By comparison the lace monitor, which competes for prey with the fox, is faring less well," said Dr Anson. The native lace monitor competes with the invasive fox for the same food resources, in particular the ringtail possum. The fox hunts at night and lace monitors hunt during the day. The study found that in response to increased competition with the fox, the lace monitor took more risks to get food. "This increase in risk behaviour led to a reduction in body condition of the lace monitor. This means they are smaller or weigh less than they should for their size," said Dr Anson. "A lot of studies only look at whether a species numbers are being reduced but not at more subtle long-term threats such as deterioration in body condition. But loss of condition is a trend that could have an impact on how many young are born and on vulnerability to disease, presenting a potential danger to the species overall." Another implication of the research is the suggestion ringtails are capable of rapidly evolving in response to an invasive predator, something that other small-sized to medium-sized mammals have not had the opportunity or ability to do. Sending the gungu home by wwfaustralia - Published on 26 Apr 2013 - NOT SUITABLE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN - DISTRESSING IMAGES IN PLACES. Ed. ***'ANNOUNCEMENT - VOTE NOW! Sending the Gungu Home' is a FINALIST in the Aurora Short Film Festival and a contender in the Best Community Organisation category! Please help us win by voting and sharing at http://www.aurora.tv/asff/vote/ (you can vote once per day, up to 31 May 2013)*** Marine turtles are one of WWF's global flagship species and one of WWF-Australia's priority species for protection. We are working with businesses and government to conserve the habitats of marine turtles and to increase their natural resilience. This short film showcases the work of indigenous groups such as the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation & the Gudjuda Reference group, scientists from James Cook University and the Queensland Department of Environment & Heritage Protection, volunteers from the Queens Beach Action Group and turtle hospitals such as the Reef HQ Aquarium in Townsville. WWF-Australia helps fund turtle research and rehabilitation tanks. Our blueys are facing a new threat 340,000 blue whales were killed in the last century. Today the few thousand that remain around Australia face a new threat – the expansion of the offshore oil and gas industry. IFAW is determined to secure critical blue whale habitat from harmful industry and increased shipping. IFAW ( International Fund for Animal Welfare Australia - IFAW Australia) has uncovered an astonishing level of concern among the Government's own whale experts about the seismic testing being considered by the Federal Government in South Australia waters. Antarctic blue whales may exceed 33m in length and 180 tonnes in weight. Despite being called ‘pygmy’ blue whales, this subspecies can still grow to 25m in length. As southern blue whales feed mainly in polar waters it is likely most blue whales sighted in Australian waters are pygmy blue whales. Known areas of critical importance for blue whales are feeding areas around the southern continental shelf, notably the Perth Canyon, in Western Australia, and the Bonney Upwelling and adjacent upwelling areas of South Australia (Duntroon Basin) and Victoria. What’s so special about the Bonney Upwelling? An upwelling is an ocean phenomenon that involves wind driving dense, cooler and nutrient rich water towards the ocean surface. The Bonney Upwelling is a feasting ground for krill and other prey species. In turn, the blue whales feed on the krill. Other predators such as fish, dolphins, seals, penguins, albatross and other seabirds also hunt for food there. The upwelling is also a productive fishing ground, in particular for rock lobster. The Bonney Upwelling blue whale feeding area extends from Robe, South Australia, to Cape Otway, Victoria. Blue whales also feed further west in the Duntroon basin to the west and south of Kangaroo Island. Offshore oil and gas exploration The same richness of life that sustains so many species is also the organic origin of suspected pockets of gas underneath the blue whale feeding grounds. This has attracted oil and gas companies to the area in recent years. Oil and gas exploration involves the use of seismic surveys to search for oil and gas under the ocean floor. Seismic surveys use a series of intense air-gun blasts to do this, introducing high levels of noise into the marine environment, in the same frequencies blue whales use to communicate. Like all whale and dolphin species, blue whales have a highly refined acoustic sense with which to monitor their surroundings. They use sound to navigate, locate prey and predators, attract mates, and for social interactions. They are extremely sensitive to man-made underwater noise pollution. Acoustic disturbances, such as seismic surveys, can force whales away from important habitats, cause stress, disorient them, mask whale calls, thus inhibiting communication and, at closer range, can cause temporary or permanent damage to their hearing. See more at: http://www.ifaw.org/australia/our-work/whales/save-our-blueys May Environment Activities
Park near the corner of Irrawong Rd and Epworth Place, Warriewood and follow signs to the planting site. Wear long trousers, long -sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes, bring gardening gloves. Tools and afternoon tea provided.
Sunday May 26th, 9am - 12 noon This is one of the largest Bushcare projects hosted by the Pittwater Environmental Foundation and Pittwater Council. The project offers residents the chance to explore this little known and picturesque reserve, rich in native wildlife and habitat for rare and threatened species such as the Powerful Owl, Regent Honeyeater and Giant Burrowing Frog. If you’d like to help, please wear sturdy covered shoes, a hat, sunscreen and bring along a water bottle. Tools, training and delicious morning tea are provided! Where: Meet at the grassed area at 49 Wesley Street, Elanora Heights. When: Sunday 26 May, 9:30am - 12:30pm. All welcome! RSVP and more information: Bushcare Officer 9970 1367 or helena_dewis@pittwater.nsw.gov.au.  Botany Online From their 'about us' page: BOTANY Online - The Internet Hypertextbook .....all that students are eager to know ! BOTANY online discovers the world of the internet for teaching. We invite all of you, especially all those botanists, biologists, computer scientists, teachers and students out there to contribute. BOTANY online is open for all kinds of changes and supplements ....your participation keeps it alive! Botany Online CONTENTS PAGE Above, from this website: Puffinus puffinus - Manx petrel Puffinus griseus - Dark PetrelNaumann, NATURAL HISTORY OF BIRDS OF CENTRAL EUROPE: Volume XII, Table 4 - Gera, 1903. Digital Editing: Peter Seng v. Bus Coastal Environment Centre
More at: www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/cec Monthly Cooee Newsletter below. If you would like to receive Council's environmental newsletter via email, please contact jodi_harvey@pittwater.nsw.gov.au May 2013 Newsletter includes information on: BushCare Planting Activities (volunteers needed), Workshops and Events, and great articles HERE
2013 Northern Beaches Local Business Sustainability Award Warringah and Pittwater Councils are urging local business people that practise and promote sustainability to nominate their business in the Sustainability category of the 2013 Northern Beaches Local Business Awards. “This is the second time the Sustainability Award has been included in the annual Local Business Awards, and Warringah Council is very excited to be a joint major supporter of this important award,” said Warringah Mayor, Michael Regan. “The aim of the Sustainability Award is to recognise the achievements of local businesses that have put in place practices that contribute to a more liveable and healthy Warringah.” Pittwater Council Mayor Jacqueline Townsend said there were a range of ways that businesses could demonstrate their commitment to sustainable practices, from turning off unused appliances to providing more flexible working conditions for their staff. “Pittwater has a well established program of assisting local businesses to be more sustainable and save water and energy costs and we encourage them to enter the awards.” Local businesses nominating for the Sustainability Award need to demonstrate the integration of sustainability practices to business planning, operations and marketing, such as: Businesses have until Wednesday 12 June to nominate for the Sustainability Award. For more information please call 9942 2678 or media@warringah.nsw.gov.au Customers of local businesses can nominate businesses that provide great service in 28 different categories by Friday 17 May. For more information or to vote, visit warringah.nsw.gov.au The 2013 Northern Beaches Local Business Awards
Pittwater Community Gardens is a community led initiative to create accessible food gardens in public places throughout the Pittwater area. Our aim is to share skills and knowledge in creating fabulous local, organic food. But it's not just about great food. We also aim to foster community connection, stimulate creative ideas for community resilience and celebrate our abundance. Open to all ages and skills, our first garden is on the grounds of Barrenjoey High School (off www.pcga.org.
Pittwater's Environmental Foundation Pittwater Environmental Foundation was established in 2006 to conserve and enhance the natural environment of the Pittwater local government area through the application of tax deductible donations, gifts and bequests. The Directors were appointed by Pittwater Council. Our PROFILE About 33% (about 1600 ha excluding National Parks) of the original pre-European bushland in Pittwater remains in a reasonably natural or undisturbed condition. Of this, only about 400ha remains in public ownership. All remaining natural bushland is subject to encroachment, illegal clearing, weed invasion, feral animals, altered drainage, bushfire hazard reduction requirements and other edge effects. Within Pittwater 38 species of plants or animals are listed as endangered or threatened under the Threatened Species Act. There are two endangered populations (Koala and Squirrel Glider) and eight endangered ecological communities or types of bushland. To vist their site please click on logo above.
In just 6 months the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources will meet in Germany to revisit their commitment to establish the largest network of marine reserve in the world around Antarctica. If you want the meeting in Germany to be a success, ask your friends and family to sign our petition: www.antarcticocean.org. 
For tips on how to be more energy efficient, visit Climate Action Pittwater at: http://www.climateactionpittwater.org.au/ Think before you print ; A kilo of recycled paper creates around 1.8 kilograms of carbon emissions, without taking into account the emissions produced from transporting the paper. So, before you send a document to print, think about how many kilograms of carbon emissions you could save by reading it on screen. Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Carbon Footprints Document |
Most species of gigantic animals that once roamed Australia had disappeared by the time people arrived, a major review of the available evidence has concluded.
May 7, 2013 — Having a neighborly chat improves seed germination, finds research in BioMed Central's open access journal BMC Ecology. Even when other known means of communication, such as contact, chemical and light-mediated signals, are blocked, chilli seeds grow better when grown with basil plants. This suggests that plants are talking via nanomechanical vibrations.
May 5, 2013 — Globalisation, with its
ever increasing demand for cargo transport, has inadvertently opened the flood
gates for a new, silent invasion. New research has mapped the most detailed
forecast to date for importing potentially harmful invasive species with the
ballast water of cargo ships.
Birdlife Australia - New Website and Quarterly Magazine
The native lace monitor competes with the invasive fox for the same food, and is not faring well.
Pittwater Environmental Foundation - Irrawong Planting Day
Antarctic Ocean Alliance
