Northern Coastal Region Research Articles

Myotis septentrionalisTrouessart (Northern Long-Eared Bat) Records from the Coastal Plain of North Carolina

Abstract Myotis septentrionalis (Northern Long-eared Bat) is a small, insectivorous bat found in the eastern United States and Canada. Along the east coast, its range is thought to extend as far south as the Great Dismal Swamp in coastal Virginia. We captured six M. septentrionalis in the northern coastal plain region of North Carolina. Field identification was based on characters of ear and tragus length and confirmed with mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences. These captures signify the presence of a resident population of M. septentrionalis in the northern coastal plain of North Carolina. Future work is needed to document range limits and hibernation behavior of this species in the piedmont and coastal plain of North Carolina.

Late Cenozoic fluvial development within the Sea of Azov and Black Sea coastal plains

Late Cenozoic terrestrial deposits are widespread across the northern coastal regions of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and represent diverse fluvial, estuarine and deltaic environments. The dating and correlation of these deposits rely on stratigraphically-associated marine index beds, mammalian and molluscan faunas and magnetostratigraphy. In detail the geometries of these sediment bodies are extremely complex, typically varying between localities and representing many cycles of incision and aggradation. However, the overall disposition of the sediments reflects the transition from the uplifting sediment source region to the north and the subsiding depocentre in the interior of the Black Sea to the south. Since the Middle Miocene the area of the Paratethys/Black Sea depocentre has decreased significantly, but since the Middle Pliocene the hinge zone between uplift and subsidence has been located close to the modern coastline. A combination of regional and local differential crustal movements has given rise to the great variety of fluvial sediment bodies, to the erosion–aggradation cycles, different phases and river activity and to the various fluvial landforms that have all been important in landscape development in this region during the past 12 Ma. The fluvial erosion–accumulation cycles (during the upper Serravillian–Messinian, the Zanclean–late Gelasian, and the Pleistocene) and corresponding cycles of relief dissection and planation are reconstructed against a background of local sea-level changes and climatic variations determined from palaeobotanical data. The maximum fluvial incision occurred in the early Zanclean time with alluvial coastal plains, unique in this area, developing in the Gelasian. Increased climatic aridity during the Pleistocene caused a reduction of fluvial activity in comparison with the Late Miocene and Pliocene. The sea-level oscillations and Pleistocene glaciations affected fluvial processes in different ways. The most remarkable events were the substantial reduction of fluvial activity during the Messinian dessication in the Black Sea and drainage of the shelf, with intensive dissection, coeval with the Last Glaciation.

Tidal analysis in the venturi-shaped area between Zhenhai and Shenjiamen in the East China Sea

In order to better understand the general tidal features in the venturi-shaped area between Zhenhai and Shenjiamen in the northern coastal region of Zhejiang Province in the East China Sea, the tidal data were obtained from both the three permanent tide stations of Zhenhai, Dinghai and Shenjiamen, and four temporary tide stations of Mamu, Chuanshan, Guoju and Liuheng, along with the current speed being observed at Luotou Waterway. Results from harmonic analysis show that: (1) The area was dominated by shallow water tides with irregular semi-diurnal features, and the smallest tidal range occurred in the area near a crossing line between Zhenhai and Dinghai stations, indicating that a tidal node existed in the southern Hangzhou Bay; (2) Formulae, \( H_{S_2 } /H_{M_2 } > 0.4 \) and \( g_{M_2 } - (g_{K_1 } + g_{O_1 } ) \)=270° (where H and g are harmonic constants), could be used as judging criteria for high and low tidal level diurnal inequalities; (3) The duration difference between ebb and flood tides could be roughly assessed by the ratio of \( H_{M_4 } vs. H_{M_2 } \); and the larger the ratio is, the bigger the duration difference is. At the same time, the duration period could be assessed by \( 2g_{M_2 } - g_{M_4 } \), the epoch difference between M2 and M4 tidal constituents. If \( 2g_{M_2 } - g_{M_4 } \) <180°, then the ebb duration is longer than the flood duration; if 180°< \( 2g_{M_2 } - g_{M_4 } \) <360°, the result is reversed; (4) Taking Dinghai station as a center point, the highest tidal levels and the average high tidal levels, as well as the average tidal ranges at all stations became higher and larger both southeastwards and northwestwards, while the lowest tidal levels and the average low tidal levels appeared to be lower both southeastwards and northwestwards; and (5) The tidal patterns were not all in line with the tidal current patterns. As a conclusion, the smallest tidal range occurred in the narrow part of the venturi-shaped area. Along the both sides of the area, the highest tidal level and tidal range became higher and larger, while the lowest tidal level became lower with the increase of the distance from the narrow throat area. This is somehow different from the theory that the tidal level increases gradually when it moves towards the top narrow area of a V-shaped bay or estuary.

Diversification in the northern neotropics: mitochondrial and nuclear DNA phylogeography of the iguana Ctenosaura pectinata and related species

While Quaternary climatic changes are considered by some to have been a major factor promoting speciation within the neotropics, others suggest that much of the neotropical species diversity originated before the Pleistocene. Using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data, we evaluate the relative importance of Pleistocene and pre-Pleistocene events within the evolutionary history of the Mexican iguana Ctenosaura pectinata, and related species. Results support the existence of cryptic lineages with strong mitochondrial divergence (> 4%) among them. Some of these lineages form zones of secondary contact, with one of them hybridizing with C. hemilopha. Evolutionary network analyses reveal the oldest populations of C. pectinata to be those of the northern and southern Mexican coastal regions. Inland and mid-latitudinal coastal populations are younger in age as a consequence of a history of local extinction within these regions followed by re-colonization. Estimated divergence times suggest that C. pectinata originated during the Pliocene, whereas geographically distinct mitochondrial DNA lineages first started to diverge during the Pliocene, with subsequent divergence continuing through the Pleistocene. Our results highlight the influence of both Pliocene and Pleistocene events in shaping the geographical distribution of genetic variation within neotropical lowland organisms. Areas of high genetic diversity in southern Mexico were detected, this finding plus the high levels of genetic diversity within C. pectinata, have implications for the conservation of this threatened species.

Ten-year results from red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) provenance-progeny testing and their implications for genetic improvement

Ten-year data on growth and survival of two red alder provenance-progeny test trials located in the southern and northern coastal regions in British Columbia, Canada, were analysed and their implications for the genetic improvement of this species were discussed. A total of 42 and 41 provenances, each represented by two to five open-pollinated families were evaluated at each site, respectively. Results indicate that red alder provenances responded differently to the environmental conditions of the two sites. At age 10, red alder provenances tended to perform better at sites near their origin. The results support earlier work that two breeding zones should be delineated with the boundary at approximately 52° N. One may expect an average of about 5% decrease in stem volume and 6% increase in mortality, respectively, for each degree of southward and northward transfer of seed sources from their origins. Individual, family, and within-family heritabilities for height, diameter, stem volume were moderately high (0.22–0.42), for the southern zone, implying good potential for genetic improvement. Heritabilities were somewhat lower (0.12–0.39) for the northern zone because of greater environmental heterogeneity of the test site. Selecting the top 20 unrelated individuals for seed orchard establishment would result in 29% and 23% gain in stem volume at a rotation age of 40 years in the southern and northern zones, respectively. Correlation between ranks of the predicted breeding values for height at different ages and stem volume at age 10 increased rapidly when plantation was young and became relatively stable after 6 years of out-planting. Stem volume had much stronger correlation with diameter (≥0.84) than with height (≤0.67). Early selection at age 6 based on stem volume is therefore recommended.

From barchan to domic shape: evolution of a coastal sand dune in northeastern Brazil based on GPR survey

A sand dune located near Sao Bento do Norte and Caicara do Norte towns (northern coastal region of Rio Grande do Norte state, Northeastern Brazil) is rapidly migrating toward urban areas. To understand the depositional processes (evolution of the dune), a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey was carried out. The survey is composed by sixteen profiles in E-W direction, which is parallel to the dominant wind direction, and five profiles in N-S direction. In both directions, it was used antennas of 200 MHz and 80 MHz. Additionally, a topographic survey, excavations of two trenches, and grain size analysis were also carried out. The GPR imaged the internal sedimentary structures of the coastal deposits so that it was possible to reconstruct the depositional history of the area. Initially, marine sediments were deposited during the final period of a marine regression of Holocene age. After the exposure of the area, a first phase of aeolian deposition occurred over the marine sediments. Later, a depositional hiatus took place, probably associated with partial erosion of the dune. Finally, a second phase of aeolian deposition occurred, covering all previous strata. Based on the geometry of foresets and bounding surfaces, it was interpreted that, in the second phase of aeolian deposition, the dune changed its morphology from barchan to dome. The morphology change appears to have occurred when the migration front of the dune faced the obstacle constituted by a ramp along in the depositional surface dipping against the wind direction. According to the similarities of the foreset dips in the first and second phases of aeolian deposition, the prevailing dominant winds were very similar to present day dominant winds. So, it is likely that the rapidly migration process of the dune toward urban areas is an entirely natural process.

Drainage patterns in southeast Queensland: the key to concealed geological structures?

Southeast Queensland's geomorphology is characterised by northwest – southeast-trending trunk drainage channels and highlands that strongly correlate with the distribution of geological units and major faults. Other geomorphological trends strongly coincide with subsidiary faults and geological domains. Australia is presently under compressional stress. Seismicity over the past 130 years records 56 earthquakes of >2 magnitude indicating continuing small-scale earth movements in the Moreton region. Highlands in this region are dominated by Paleozoic to Triassic metamorphic and igneous rocks, and are generally 20 – 80 km from the coastline. Coastal lowlands are largely dominated by Mesozoic sedimentary basins and a veneer of surficial sediments. The eastern coast of Australia represents a passive margin; crustal sag along this margin could be expected to produce relatively short, high-energy, eastward-flowing drainage systems. We performed a geomorphological analysis to characterise the drainage patterns in southeast Queensland and identify associations with geological features. Anomalous channel, valley and escarpment features were identified, which failed to match the anticipated drainage model and also lacked obvious geological control. Despite their proximity to the coast (base level), these features include areas where drainage channels flow consistently away from, or parallel to, the coastline. Although many channels do coincide with geological structures, the drainage anomalies cannot be directly related to known structural discontinuities. Anomalous drainage patterns are suggested to indicate previously unidentified structural features and in some cases relatively young tectonic control on the landscape. Recent seismicity data have also been analysed to assess spatial correlations between earthquakes and geomorphological features. Our results show that structure largely controls drainage patterns in this region, and we suggest that a presently unmapped and potentially active, deep-seated structure may exist parallel to the coast in the northern coastal region. We propose that this structure has been associated with uplift in the coastal region of southeast Queensland since mid-Cenozoic times.

Seasonal trends in phytoplankton biomass over the Uruguayan Shelf

Vertical and horizontal distributions of chlorophyll were analyzed during six cruises (three in autumn and three in spring), from 1991 to 1998, over the Uruguayan shelf. Differences in biomass were found between and within seasons, displaying great variability. Phytoplankton biomass was high even during the spring (max: 19.25 mg m - 3 ; mean ± SD: 2.82 ± mg m - 3 ); autumn values were also relatively high (max: 7.62 mg m - 3 ; mean ± SD: 1.69 ± 1.45 mg m - 3 ) compared with other frontal regions. Maximum values were associated with Coastal Water (CW), Subtropical Water (STW) and the result of them mixing together in autumn. Maximum values were also observed in CW, Subantartic Water (SAW) and their mixing together during the spring. These features highlight the role of CW in fertilization of oligotrophic water masses (i.e. tropical water) and its action in adding stability to unstable SAW, thereby enhancing productivity. The highest values in both seasons were recorded in 1995 (ENSO cold year), emphasizing the high influence of SAW and defining it as a major nutrient source. Two well-defined zones with high chlorophyll concentration were observed in both seasons; one in the southern extreme of the study area and the other in the northern coastal region. Both zones were associated with frontal zones. This shelf convergence system is similar to the Brazil–Malvinas Confluence Zone, but with the CW as another important component, responsible for the surface density fronts and the main source of silicates.

Recent climate and stable isotopes in modern surface waters of northernmost Ungava Peninsula, Canada

The isotope composition (δ18O and δD) of surface waters was measured over a 26-month period near three localities situated along the northern coast of Ungava Peninsula, Quebec, Canada. To characterize the present-day local hydrological settings, the oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios were measured from precipitation and were compared to local and regional climate data. We show that the modern surface waters contain information on climate and that this relationship is likely to be transferred to biotic components within the lakes. These components, once sedimented, are therefore likely to form an archive of climate change. The new data presented here show the possibility of isotope paleoclimatic investigation based on lake sediments in the northern coastal region of Ungava Peninsula.

Libyan National Plan to resolve water shortage problem Part Ia: Great Man-Made River (GMMR) project — capital costs as sunk value

Libyan National Plan (LNP) to resolve the water shortage problem will be illustrated through a quartet of a series of papers. The first series of papers (I) will deal with GMMR supplied from rich groundwater reservoirs located in the southern desert regions, and will be composed of two papers. This paper (Ia) will conduct the cost analysis study by treating capital costs as sunk value, without interest rates. The second paper (Ib) will consider interest rates on capital costs and evaluate their influence on the cost analysis study. The second series of papers (II) will be dealing with desalination projects in the country. It represents a desalination river supplied by desalination plants located in the northern coastal regions, which is the longest in the Mediterranean. The third series of papers (III) will evaluate miscellaneous means of supplying water from outer regions such as utilization of rainfall waters by modern means; exporting water from rich EuroMed regions, north of Libya and rich African regions, south of Libya. Then, the following papers will concentrate on building the strategic plan to resolve the water shortage problem conducting comparative comprehensive feasibility studies on the different means.

Risk assessment of the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L), in New Zealand based on phenology modelling

The gypsy moth is a global pest that has not yet established in New Zealand despite individual moths having been discovered near ports. A climate-driven phenology model previously used in North America was applied to New Zealand. Weather and elevation data were used as inputs to predict where sustainable populations could potentially exist and predict the timing of hatch and oviposition in different regions. Results for New Zealand were compared with those in the Canadian Maritimes (New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) where the gypsy moth has long been established. Model results agree with the current distribution of the gypsy moth in the Canadian Maritimes and predict that the majority of New Zealand's North Island and the northern coastal regions of the South Island have a suitable climate to allow stable seasonality of the gypsy moth. New Zealand's climate appears more forgiving than that of the Canadian Maritimes, as the model predicts a wider range of oviposition dates leading to stable seasonality. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of climate change on the predicted potential distribution for New Zealand. Climate change scenarios show an increase in probability of establishment throughout New Zealand, most noticeably in the South Island.

A new species of Leptodactylus (Anura: Leptodactylidae) from the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, with remarks on the systematics of associated populations

Adults and tadpoles of a new species of the genus Leptodactylus are described from southeastern Brazil. Leptodactylus thomei sp.nov. can be found amidst the leaf litter within cocoa plantations along the northern coastal region of the state of Espírito Santo. It can be distinguished from other species of the Leptodactylus marmoratus group by its advertisement call, which is described, together with agonistic calls, and compared to advertisement calls of other species of the group that occur in southern and southeastern Brazil. The systematics of associated populations is discussed.

The antiradical activity of extracts from some wild-growing plants of the Okhotsk Sea northern coastal region

The antiradical activity of aqueous ethanol extracts from some edible plants and berries of the Okhotsk Sea northern coastal region was assessed using the method of bleaching (quenching) of stable free radicals of N,N-diphenyl-N′-picrylhydrazyl. Some of the obtained extract showed significantly higher activity as compared to that of the available commercial preparation from dried bilberry fruit. The high activity was retained even after high-temperature drying of the initial material, which makes it possible to use such a drying stage in the technology of products subject to long-term storage.

IN VITRO NEUROTOXIC AND MYOTOXIC EFFECTS OF THE VENOM FROM THE BLACK WHIP SNAKE (DEMANSIA PAPUENSIS)

1. Black whip snakes belong to the family elapidae and are found throughout the northern coastal region of Australia. The black whip snake (Demansia papuensis) is considered to be potentially dangerous due to its size and phylogenetic distinctiveness. Previous liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of D. papuensis venom indicated a number of components within the molecular mass ranges compatible with neurotoxins. For the first time, this study examines the in vitro neurotoxic and myotoxic effects of the venom from D. papuensis. 2. Venom (10 microg/mL) caused significant inhibition of twitches elicited by stimulation (0.2 ms, 0.1 Hz, supramaximal V) of motor nerves in the chick biventer cervicis nerve-muscle preparation. This neurotoxic effect, which was postsynaptic in origin, was weak in comparison to that of most other Australian elapids. Prior addition (10 min) of polyvalent (PSAV) or tiger snake (TSAV) antivenom (5 units/mL) prevented venom-induced twitch inhibition. Addition of PSAV (5 units/mL) at t(50) failed to reverse the inhibitory effect but prevented further inhibition of nerve-mediated twitches. 3. The venom (20-50 microg/mL) is also myotoxic as indicated by a slowly developing contracture and inhibition of twitches elicited by direct stimulation (2 ms, 0.1 Hz, supramaximal V, in the presence of tubocurarine 10 micromol/L) of the chick biventer muscle. This activity was confirmed by histological examination of the muscle. 4. Fractionation and characterization of venom components is required to further investigate the reasons for the weak neurotoxic activity of D. papuensis venom.

The sugar industry in Peru

Since the early Colonial times sugar production has been a key sector in the Peruvian export economy. This article analyzes its evolution as from the beginning of its modern phase by mid 19th Century, its consolidation in the Northern coastal region, and its concentration in scale-economy plants. The prosperity of this type of production contributed to the formation of both an oligarchy which governed the country until 1968, and the populist party (APRA) and its electoral basis (the so-called «Aprista North»). In the sixties Velasco Alvarado’s military revolution nationalized the sugar industry, which underwent structural changes leading to a serious crisis in the eighties that has not been overcome up-todate.

Difference of Chemical Compositions Observed at the Northern and Southern Japanese Coastal Region in East China Sea

Difference of Chemical Compositions Observed at the Northern and Southern Japanese Coastal Region in East China Sea

Seawater desalination share among water and market policy changes in Algeria

Algeria suffers significant lack of fresh water since most of its territory is classified as arid and semiarid zones. 90% of the population is concentrated on the northern coastal region which represents 10% of the countries area and situated in a more temperate Mediterranean climate. Many factors intervene in the fresh water crisis availability (growing demand, drought, pollution, etc), the water strategy was depending mainly on rainfall, the use of seawater desalination was confined to industrial needs only (mostly hydrocarbon oils). The state water policy managed by governmental institutions and agencies was based on the construction of dams for rainwater collect. The use of seawater desalination for domestic use started sprouting in early 80's with the increasing drought phenomenon. But actually, the resort to desalination for domestic use has become inevitable. Consequently, the government has put into action an emergency program for the installation of several small seawater desalination units along the coast, in addition to others much important projects. This crisis has come at the time of very important economical changes; these are taking place in the frame of the passage from an entire state managed economy to a market based economy. So new strategies dealing with major issues are being implemented, the governmental institutions are restructured to be managed in market based way. The water market is now open to both national and international private sector.

Collecting, ex situ conservation and characterization of “cajá-umbu” (Spondias mombin×Spondias tuberosa) germplasm in Pernambuco State, Brazil

“Caja-umbu” (Spondias mombin×Spondias tuberosa) is a native tropical Brazilian fruit tree with a great agro industrial potential. However the existing in situ and ex situ germplasm of this species is extremely restricted and vulnerable. This work aimed to collect, maintain characterize and evaluate 36 accesses of “Caja-umbu” Germplasm Collection owned by Empresa Pernambucana de Pesquisa Agropecuaria (IPA) located in the Northern Coastal Rain Forest region of the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. Plant growth, yield and fruit quality descriptors were evaluated, and data have shown variations on plant height, canopy and stem diameters, production and fruit weight. “Caja-umbu” had shown good adaptation to both climate and soil conditions of Northern Coastal Rain Forest region, in Pernambuco, with some genotypes such, as IPA-8.3, IPA-6.2, IPA-8.2, IPA-1.3 and IPA-5.3 showing outstanding yield characteristics.

FEBRUARY ASTHMA EPIDEMICS IN NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

Introduction February epidemics of asthma exacerbations in children are becoming a well-recognised phenomenon in the state of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. These epidemics can be identified by examination of routinely collected hospital admission data. Little is known about the extent and consistency of these epidemics, and causal explanations remain speculative. Other techniques for evaluating spatial variation in disease incidence, such as standardised incidence ratios, cannot be used to evaluate these epidemics because the background incidence of asthma hospitalisation against which these epidemics occur is not constant across geographic areas in NSW. The differences in background incidence may arise from systematic geographic variation in hospital admission protocols, population access to hospital services, asthma prevalence and prevailing environmental exposures that trigger asthma exacerbations. I used an alternative technique to assess the intensity of the epidemics and used mapping software to present the results. Methods Using a database of NSW hospital admissions organised in Australian financial years (July to June) from July 1991 to June 2002, I prepared daily counts of hospital admissions for asthma in children aged I to 14 years for geographic units used in the Australian Census. To assess the intensity of the epidemic within each year and geographic unit, I compared the observed count of admissions in February with that expected from the average daily count in the remainder of the year. The intensity was defined as the number of standard deviations from the expected count for the geographic unit, assuming a Poisson distribution in daily counts of admissions. I used a geographic information system to map the results for each year. Results Intensity of asthma admissions in February, compared with expectation, ranged from −3.6 to 14.9 standard deviations over the 11 years and 41 geographic units. Epidemics with a median intensity across all geographic units of greater than 1 standard deviation above expectation occurred in February of 1993 (median standard deviations = 3.0), 1994 (1.8), 1995 (2.3), 1996 (3.4), 1999 (2.6) and 2001 (3.2). Maps showed that in all epidemic years, epidemic activity was concentrated in, but not exclusive to, the densely populated coastal urban areas of NSW. Additional pockets of high intensity occurred in other areas, particularly the northern and southern coastal and near-coastal regions. Conclusions The method provided a useful way of visualising the geographic and annual variation of the epdiemic phenomenon. The concentration of the epidemics in the most densely populated regions is consistent with an infectious cause. Ecological evaluation of variables spatially and temporally associated with epidemic intensity may provide further insights into the cause of the phenomenon.

Integrated Coastal and Marine Management in Northern Regions: Reconciling Economic Development and Conservation

There will be increasing pressure on northern coastal and offshore regions for resource extraction as resources become scarce in more accessible regions. Marine navigation and transportation is likely to increase in response to economic development, and as ice cover reduces and the ice free season extends as a result of climatic changes. This article considers how economic development within northern coastal and marine regions may be reconciled with conservation. Integrated coastal management may be a useful process to reconcile economic development and conservation values. Existing, developing and de facto approaches to integrated management for northern coastal and marine regions are examined in the context of scenarios for economic development and conservation. These scenarios include marine shipping and hydrocarbon exploration and production for coastal and offshore waters of Alaska, northern Canada, and the North Sea. These approaches to integrated management are one means of considering marine resources and their utilization with a sustainable development framework. These approaches may also be a means of reconciling marine protection and other sectors such as shipping, hydrocarbons and fisheries. The article concludes that approaches to integrated management which reconcile economic and conservation values will be complex and consultative. The approaches will need to consider the interests of local peoples and communities, the needs of ecosystems and migratory communities, and environmental impacts and mitigation of development. The success of different approaches for reconciling economic development and conservation may be gauged by the range of issues and interests considered in these processes.