Sunshine Coast Region Research Articles

Integrating Artificial Intelligence and UAV-Acquired Multispectral Imagery for the Mapping of Invasive Plant Species in Complex Natural Environments

The proliferation of invasive plant species poses a significant ecological threat, necessitating effective mapping strategies for control and conservation efforts. Existing studies employing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and multispectral (MS) sensors in complex natural environments have predominantly relied on classical machine learning (ML) models for mapping plant species in natural environments. However, a critical gap exists in the literature regarding the use of deep learning (DL) techniques that integrate MS data and vegetation indices (VIs) with different feature extraction techniques to map invasive species in complex natural environments. This research addresses this gap by focusing on mapping the distribution of the Broad-leaved pepper (BLP) along the coastal strip in the Sunshine Coast region of Southern Queensland in Australia. The methodology employs a dual approach, utilising classical ML models including Random Forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and Support Vector Machine (SVM) in conjunction with the U-Net DL model. This comparative analysis allows for an in-depth evaluation of the performance and effectiveness of both classical ML and advanced DL techniques in mapping the distribution of BLP along the coastal strip. Results indicate that the DL U-Net model outperforms classical ML models, achieving a precision of 83%, recall of 81%, and F1–score of 82% for BLP classification during training and validation. The DL U-Net model attains a precision of 86%, recall of 76%, and F1–score of 81% for BLP classification, along with an Intersection over Union (IoU) of 68% on the separate test dataset not used for training. These findings contribute valuable insights to environmental conservation efforts, emphasising the significance of integrating MS data with DL techniques for the accurate mapping of invasive plant species.

The LEISURE Study: A Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol for a Multi-Modal Lifestyle Intervention Study to Reduce Dementia Risk in Healthy Older Adults.

Dementia is understood to arise from a mixed etiology, enveloping chronic inflammatory and vascular impacts on the brain, driven by a constellation of modifiable risk factors which are largely mediated by lifestyle-related behaviors. These risk factors manifest over a prolonged preclinical period and account for up to 40% of the population attributable risk for dementia, representing viable targets for early interventions aimed at abating disease onset and progression. Here we outline the protocol for a 12-week randomized control trial (RCT) of a multimodal Lifestyle Intervention Study for Dementia Risk Reduction (LEISURE), with longitudinal follow-up at 6-months and 24-months post-intervention. This trial integrates exercise, diet, sleep, and mindfulness to simultaneously target multiple different etiopathogenetic mechanisms and their interplay in a healthy older adult population (aged 50-85 years), and assesses dementia risk reduction as the primary endpoint. The LEISURE study is located in the Sunshine Coast region of Australia, which has one of the nation's highest proportions of adults aged over 50 years (36.4%), and corresponding dementia prevalence. This trial is novel in its inclusion of mindfulness and sleep as multidomain lifestyle targets, and in its comprehensive suite of secondary outcomes (based on psychological, physical health, sleep activity, and cognitive data) as well as exploratory neuroimaging (magnetic resonance imaging and electroencephalography) and molecular biology measures. These measures will provide greater insights into the brain-behavioral underpinnings of dementia prevention, as well as the predictors and impacts of the proposed lifestyle intervention. The LEISURE study was prospectively registered (ACTRN12620000054910) on 19 January 2020.

The Indirect Economic Contribution of Fisheries to Coastal Communities through Tourism

The existence of a commercial fishery in a coastal community is often promoted by the tourism sector as a key feature to encourage visits by tourists. However, the contribution of fisheries to tourism in coastal communities in the economic literature is unclear, with mixed results from previous studies. In this study, we examine the counterfactual—how would tourism change in the absence of fishing, and how would this affect benefits to tourists and the local economy. We use a contingent behavior travel cost model, combining revealed and stated preference data, to estimate these changes for Mooloolaba, a coastal fishing town in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. We find that the fishing industry and related provision of local seafood generate $6 million in welfare gains to visitors. We further estimate that it is directly responsible for 19% of the total number of days visiting the town, contributing an additional $8 million per year through tourism related expenditure. Given the importance of the fishing industry to the tourism sector in coastal communities, there is a need for the tourism industry to engage in the fisheries management process.

Human pathogenic bacteria on fresh produce and their control using bacteriophage treatment: an E. coli example from the Sunshine Coast region

Consumers are placing increasing importance on an environmentally friendly way of food production and are turning to organically produced fruit and vegetables. Organic farming rejects the use of synthetic pesticides or fertilisers, growth promoters, antibiotics, or transgenic organisms. However, the use of manures that replace synthetic fertilisers is associated with a risk of contamination of produce with pathogenic microorganisms. There have been a considerable number of foodborne outbreaks associated with fresh produce, resulting in hospitalisations and deaths worldwide. Accordingly, bacteriophages have gained much attention as a safe, effective, and organic method for removal of pathogenic microorganisms from fresh produce. Bacteriophage treatments for control of pathogenic E. coli and other pathogens on fresh produce have several advantages over currently used treatments, including their host specificity, safety, low impact on sensory qualities of fresh produce, and their ease of isolation over other antimicrobial agents.

Power Relationships in Housing Production: A Sociotechnical Systems Perspective on the Expanding Suburbs

ABSTRACT Despite repeated calls for housing diversity, a persistent housing product dominates new suburbs: the low-density single-family dwelling. This article investigates the systems perpetuating this housing form by exploring power within the housing supply industry. It uses a sociotechnical systems approach to identify and examine the complex links between government, industry and consumers responsible for greenfield suburbs. Interviews with the key actors from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region inform the power relations around negotiation, regulation, provision of choice and feedback, offering insight into housing industry relationships. This paper argues that challenging these industry relationships is necessary for achieving greater housing diversity.

A novel, complex systems approach to modelling risk of psychological distress in young adolescents

Adolescence is a period of significant anatomical and functional brain changes, and complex interactions occur between mental health risk factors. The Longitudinal Adolescent Brain Study commenced in 2018, to monitor environmental and psychosocial factors influencing mental health in 500 adolescents, for 5 years. Participants are recruited at age 12 from the community in Australia’s Sunshine Coast region. In this baseline, cross-sectional study of N = 64 participants, we draw on the network perspective, conceptualising mental disorders as causal systems of interacting entities, to propose a Bayesian network (BN) model of lifestyle and psychosocial variables influencing chances of individuals being psychologically well or experiencing psychological distress. Sensitivity analysis of network priors revealed that psychological distress (Kessler-10) was most affected by eating behaviour. Unhealthy eating increased the chance of moderate psychological distress by 600%. Low social connectedness increased the chance of severe psychological disorder by 200%. Certainty for psychological wellness required 33% decrease in unhealthy eating behaviours, 11% decrease in low social connectedness, and 9% reduction in less physical activity. BN can augment clinician judgement in mental disorders as probabilistic decision support systems. The full potential of BN methodology in a complex systems approach to psychopathology has yet to be realised.

Whole genome sequencing for antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, virulence factors and clonality in invasive Streptococcus agalactiae blood culture isolates recovered in Australia

Invasive Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B streptococci, GBS) infections result in a large burden of disease globally. Changes in clinical and molecular epidemiology, as well as antibiotic resistance patterns, are being described globally amongst GBS isolates. Very little is known about the characteristics of invasive GBS disease in the Australian setting. Therefore, this study aimed to define the clinical and genomic characteristics of invasive GBS isolates from the Sunshine Coast region in Australia. Thirty-two isolates were identified over a 3-year period. Known risk factors for disease were present in 71.9% and the leading site of disease was the skin and soft tissue (40.6%). Sequence types (ST) 1, 17 and 23 made up 50% with ST17 making up 56.2% of the total. Serotype Ia was the most prevalent (9/32, 28.1%). Clindamycin and erythromycin resistance was seen in 12.5% and 25%, respectively. Active surveillance and local knowledge of GBS epidemiology and antibiotic resistance has both patient and public health importance. Vaccine candidates are currently in their clinical phase of development.

MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND HOSPITAL SPREAD OF CEFTRIAXONE NON‐SUSCEPTIBLE ENTEROBACTERALES IN THE SUNSHINE COAST REGION, AUSTRALIA

Background: Extended spectrum beta‐lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC‐producing Enterobacterales are prevalent worldwide. Poor clinical outcomes, including death, are more common in patients both colonised and infected with these organisms1. Australia is thought to have a comparatively low prevalence of such organisms, however no clear continuous surveillance system exists2. Specific ESBL type has shown significant geographic variation, having different therapeutic and infection control implications for different regions3. Little is known about the prevalence, molecular type and spread of ESBL and AmpC‐producing Enterobacterales among hospitalised patients in the Sunshine Coast region. Aims: To (i) Determine the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of ESBL and AmpC‐producing Enterobacterales, (ii) Develop an in‐house multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to detect common ESBL genes, (iii) Compare our PCR assay to the double disc diffusion method for detection of ESBLs, and to (iv) Establish, with whole genome sequencing (WGS), whether transmission was occurring in our intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Clinical specimens from adult and paediatric patients culturing Enterobacterales resistant to a third‐generation cephalosporin were collected prospectively from July 2017 to August 2018 at the Sunshine Coast University Hospital laboratory. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was determined using VITEK‐2®. A validated in‐house pentaplex PCR assay was developed and used to detect common beta‐lactamase genes (CTX‐1, CTX‐9, SHV, TEM, CMY). All isolates collected from patients admitted to the ICU were identified and underwent WGS analysis using the Illumina® platform. Results: 295 clinical specimens were identified. Escherichia coli (78.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (16.8%) with 1‐2% consisting of Enterobacter spp., Serratia marcescens and Citrobacter freundii. Specimens included urine (53.8%), rectal swab (39.4%), pus (3.0%) and blood (2.4%). Carbapenem resistance was observed in 3.3%. ICU patient specimens made up 18.2%. The majority (87.8%) of isolates had at least one gene identified on PCR testing of which 48.5% produced CTX‐1, 31.2% produced CTX‐9, 15.9% produced SHV, 12.5% produced CMY and 40.6% produced TEM. Approximately forty percent of isolates produced more than one ESBL with the most common being CTX‐1 and TEM coproduction. A small amount (<5%) of isolates were negative on PCR testing. Fourteen (4.7%) isolates that were negative on double disc diffusion had ESBL genes detected by our PCR assay. WGS of non‐identical ICU patient E. coli (n = 44) and K. pneumoniae (n = 10) isolates revealed no strong evidence for transmission of these organisms between patients during this time period, with the smallest single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) difference being 300 SNPs. Conclusion: Multidrug resistant Gram‐negative organisms are present on the Sunshine Coast and cause significant morbidity. Our real‐time pentaplex PCR assay was able to successfully identify common beta‐lactamase genes, revealing a frequency distribution among our organisms similar to that noted in previous Australian studies (CTX‐1 group most commonly identified). We were not able to identify evidence of ICU transmission, which recognises the success of current infection control practices at our institution.

Working together to develop interventions for young drivers, pre-crash, pre-offence, and pre-licence: A pilot multi-agency collaboration

BackgroundYoung drivers persist as a major public health problem due to their over-involvement in road crashes in which they and other road users are injured. In 2013 a multi-agency collaborative working group was created in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia, to improve road safety more generally, and to improve young driver road safety specifically. Funding for a four-stage project was generated, with the aim of elucidating how to identify high risk young drivers (HRYD) – pre-offence, pre-crash – so that early intervention may prevent problematic on-road behaviour. This manuscript summarises the findings of the four-stage pilot project. MethodStage 1 was a comprehensive literature review of profiling problematic youth (e.g., HRYD). Stage 2 operationalised focus groups with stakeholders. Stage 3 was the development of the HRYD model through the integration of the findings of Stages 1 and 2. Stage 4 was a two-step cluster analysis of de-identified police records of n = 2973 Sunshine Coast youth aged 17–25 years with offence data from the age of 14 years. ResultsThe HRYD model comprised on-road (e.g., offences) and off-road (e.g., community behaviour) behaviours/characteristics. Cluster analysis identified four groups: cluster 1 (21.4% of sample) and 3 (23.8%) comprised non-injury and injury crashers, cluster 2 (40.1%) comprised HRYD, cluster 4 (14.7%) comprised substance users. Discussion and implicationsThe multi-agency collaboration developed a HRYD model and tested it in a real-world sample of youth with road and non-road offences detected by police from the age of 14 years. The largest gains in the short-term relate to ‘picking the low hanging fruit’, with technology such as automated number plate recognition able to identify problematic youth, for example, through the detection of expired vehicle registration. Premised on the notion that ‘prevention is better than the cure’, the next project will test the veracity and robustness of the model in two populations in Queensland (one larger rural region, one large city region). The findings will inform the development, application, and evaluation of multi-agency interventions targeting young drivers more generally (e.g., non/injury crashers), potential substance-affected drivers (e.g., users of illicit drugs, alcohol), and potential HRYD before they offend, before they crash, and indeed before licensure.

A qualitative exploration of driving stress and driving discourtesy

BackgroundDriving courtesy, and conversely driving discourtesy, recently has been of great interest in the public domain. In addition, there has been increasing recognition of the negative impact of stress upon the individual’s health and wellbeing, with a plethora of interventions aimed at minimising stress more generally. The research literature regarding driving dis/courtesy, in comparison, is scant, with a handful of studies examining the dis/courteous driving behaviour of road users, and the relationship between driving discourtesy and driving stress. AimTo examine courteous and discourteous driving experiences, and to explore the impact of stress associated with such driving experiences. MethodThirty-eight drivers (20 females) from the Sunshine Coast region volunteered to participate in one of four 1–1.5 h focus groups. Content analysis used the verbatim utterances captured via an Mp3 device. ResultsThree themes pertaining to stressful and discourteous interactions were identified. Theme one pertained to the driving context: road infrastructure (eg, roundabouts, roadwork), vehicles (eg, features), location (eg, country vs city, unfamiliar areas), and temporal aspects (eg, holidays). Theme two pertained to other road users: their behaviour (eg, tailgating, merging), and unknown factors (eg, illicit and licit drug use). Theme three pertained to the self as road user: their own behaviours (eg, deliberate intimidation), and their emotions (eg, angry reaction to other drivers, being in control). Discussion and conclusionsDriving dis/courtesy and driving stress is a complex phenomenon, suggesting complex intervention efforts are required. Driving discourtesy was reported as being highly stressful, therefore intervention efforts which encourage driving courtesy and which foster emotional capacity to cope with stressful circumstances appear warranted.

Phylogenetic diversity and conservation of rainforests in the Sunshine Coast region, Queensland, Australia

The subtropical rainforests of South East Queensland are relatively understudied but their importance for conservation has recently been highlighted, with the Sunshine Coast region identified as an area of high diversity, second to the Border Ranges. We measured phylogenetic diversity at a fine scale to identify areas of high diversity and dissimilarity across the Sunshine Coast, within the Forest of East Australia biodiversity hotspot. Edaphic and climatic influences were incorporated in the analysis to test their relevance to diversity in the region, and to aid the identification of local diversity hotspots. The Sunshine Coast was found to be phylogenetically even overall and had a high proportion of even sites (91 out of 109), consistent with the identification of refugia at a larger scale. The Blackall Range was identified as a local centre of diversity but it has been extensively cleared. Contrary to expectation, coastal lowland sites were phylogenetically even, suggesting potential localised stability or strong connectivity to refugia. These results reiterate the high conservation value of the region in general, particularly for the remnant areas of rainforest on the Blackall Range.

Bacteriophages as Biological Control Agents of Enteric Bacteria Contaminating Edible Oysters.

Bacterial contamination on seafood resulting from unhygienic food-handling practices causes foodborne diseases and significant revenue losses. Moreover, control measures are complicated by a high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Alternative measures such as the phage therapy, therefore, is considered as an environmental and consumer-friendly biological control strategy for controlling such bacterial contamination. In this study, we determined the effectiveness of a bacteriophage cocktail in controlling E. coli strains [JM 109, ATCC 13706 and the, extended spectrum beta-lactamase resistant strain (ATCC BAA 196)] and S. enterica subsp. enterica (ATCC 13311) as single and combined contaminants of the edible oysters. Five different E. coli-specific phages (belonging to the Siphoviridae family) and a Salmonella phage (belonging to the Tectiviridae family) were successfully isolated from sewage water samples taken from a local sewage treatment plan in the Sunshine Coast region of Australia. Phage treatments applied to the pathogens when they were presented on the oysters as either single or combined hosts, resulted in significant decrease of the number of these bacteria on edible oysters. Results obtained indicated that bacteriophages could have beneficial applications in oyster-processing plants in controlling pathogenic bacterial infestations. This study thus contributes towards ongoing international efforts into the effective use of bacteriophages for biological control purposes.

Event portfolios: asset value, risk and returns

PurposeThe research question addressed is whether an event portfolio analysis rooted in financial portfolio theory can yield meaningful insights to complement two approaches to event portfolios. The first approach is extrinsic and rooted in economic impact analysis where events need to demonstrate a financial return on investment. In the second approach events are valued ally, with every event having inherent value and the entire portfolio being valued for its synergistic effects and contribution to social and cultural goals. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approachData from visitors to four events in the Sunshine Coast region of Australia are analyzed to illustrate key points, including the notion of “efficient frontier.”FindingsConceptual development includes an examination of extrinsic and intrinsic perspectives on portfolios, ways to define and measure value, returns, risk, and portfolio management strategies. In the conclusions a number of research questions are raised, and it is argued that the two approaches to value event portfolios can be combined.Research limitations/implicationsOnly four events were studied, in one Australian local authority. The sample of residents who responded to a questionnaire was biased in terms of age, education and gender.Social implicationsAuthorities funding events and developing event portfolios for multiple reasons can benefit from more rigorous analysis of the value created.Originality/valueThis analysis and conceptual development advances the discourse on portfolio theory applied to event management and event tourism.

Resident Valuation of Planned Events: An Event Portfolio Pilot Study

Residents of the Sunshine Coast region in Queensland, Australia, were surveyed on the subject of planned events in their region with the main aim of determining how and why they value events. It was revealed that residents gained considerable use value from events that they attended as audience or otherwise participated in, expressed strong support for a range of events (with a preference for community festivals), and overall did not believe that problems or costs were serious. Residents also indicated strong nonuse values (being existence, option, and bequest values) for events in general. Our findings are positioned within the body of literature concerning impact assessment (specifically, resident perceptions and attitudes towards events), valuation (i.e., the worth of events), and policy and strategy concerning community events and event tourism.

Evaluation of fermentation conditions triggering increased antibacterial activity from a near-shore marine intertidal environment-associated Streptomyces species

A near-shore marine intertidal environment-associated Streptomyces isolate (USC-633) from the Sunshine Coast Region of Queensland, Australia, cultivated under a range of chemically defined and complex media to determine optimal parameters resulting in the secretion of diverse array of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties against various antibiotic resistant bacteria. Following extraction, fractioning and re-testing of active metabolites resulted in persistent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (Migula) (ATCC 13706) and subsequent Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analysis of the active fractions confirmed the induction of metabolites different than the ones in fractions which did not display activity against the same bacterial species. Overall findings again confirmed the value of One Strain–Many Compounds (OSMAC) approach that tests a wide range of growth parameters to trigger bioactive compound secretion increasing the likelihood of finding novel therapeutic agents. The isolate was found to be adaptable to both marine and terrestrial conditions corresponding to its original near-shore marine intertidal environment. Wide variations in its morphology, sporulation and diffusible pigment production were observed when different growth media were used.

Isolation and characterization of Enterobacteriaceae species infesting post-harvest strawberries and their biological control using bacteriophages.

Strawberry is a significantly consumed fruit worldwide, mostly without being subjected to disinfection processes. During the harvest and transfer from farm to consumers as well as where organic farming practises have been employed, the surface of the fruit may become contaminated by pathogenic bacteria. Post-harvest strawberry fruits in punnets available for public consumption were thus screened for the presence of enteric bacteria in the Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. Some of the tested samples (13%) were found to carry such bacteria and even in greater numbers if organic amendments were used (69%). The bacteria were found to belong in the genera of Escherichia, Enterobacter, Raoultella, Klebsiella, Pantoea, Shigella, Citrobacter and Cronobacter within the family Enterobacteriaceae. Some of the isolates were found to adhere to Caco-2 cells representing human gut epithelium as well as carrying virulence and toxin genes. Resistance mostly against sulphafurazole, cefoxitin, ampicillin and nitrofurantoin was found among 14 different antimicrobial agents tested including 100% resistance to cefoxitin and ampicillin in the genus Pantoea. In the second phase of the study, bacteriophages were isolated against the isolates and were subsequently applied to post-harvest fruits. A significant (P≤0.001) reduction in the number of enteric bacteria was observed when a high-titre polyvalent bacteriophage suspension (×10(12) PFU/mL) was applied to the fruit surface. Bacteriophages also decreased the adhesion of the Escherichia coli isolates to Caco-2 cells. Findings might indicate that biological control using bacteriophages might be of significant value for the industry targeting to reduce pathogenic loads of bacteria on the fruit.

Ultrastructural and Molecular Characterisation of an Heterosporis-Like Microsporidian in Australian Sea Snakes (Hydrophiinae).

Four sea snakes (two Hydrophis major, one Hydrophis platurus, one Hydrophis elegans) were found washed ashore on different beaches in the Sunshine Coast region and Fraser Island in Queensland, Australia between 2007–2013. Each snake had multiple granulomas and locally extensive regions of pallor evident in the hypaxial and intercostal musculature along the body. Lesions in two individuals were also associated with vertebral and rib fractures. Histological examination revealed granulomas scattered throughout skeletal muscle, subcutaneous adipose tissue and fractured bone. These were composed of dense aggregates of microsporidian spores surrounded by a mantle of macrophages. Sequences (ssrRNA) were obtained from lesions in three sea snakes and all revealed 99% similarity with Heterosporis anguillarum from the Japanese eel (Anguillarum japonica). However, ultrastructural characteristics of the organism were not consistent with those of previous descriptions. Electron microscopic examination of skeletal muscle revealed large cysts (not xenomas) bound by walls of fibrillar material (Heterosporis-like sporophorocyst walls were not detected). The cysts contained numerous mature microsporidian spores arranged in small clusters, sometimes apparently within sporophorous vesicles. The microspores were monomorphic, oval and measured 2.5–3.0 μm by 1.6–1.8 μm. They contained isofilar polar filaments with 11 (infrequently 9–12) coils arranged in two ranks. This is the first published report of a microsporidian infection in hydrophiid sea snakes. This discovery shows microsporidia with molecular affinities to Heterosporis anguillarum but ultrastructural characters most consistent with the genus Pleistophora (but no hitherto described species). Further studies are required to determine whether the microsporidian presented here belongs to the genus Heterosporis, or to a polymorphic species group as suggested by the recognition of a robust Pleistophora/Heterosporis clade by molecular studies. The gross and histological pathology associated with these infections are described.

Mapping Banana Plants from High Spatial Resolution Orthophotos to Facilitate Plant Health Assessment

The Banana Bunchy Top Virus (Genus: Babuvirus) reduces plant growth and prevents banana production. Because of the very large number of properties with banana plants in South East Queensland, Australia, a mapping approach was developed to delineate individual and clusters of banana plants to help plant identification and enable prioritization of plant inspections for Banana Bunchy Top Virus. Due to current outbreaks in South East Queensland, there are concerns that the virus may spread to the major banana growing districts further north. The mapping approach developed was based on very high spatial resolution airborne orthophotos. Object-based image analysis was used to: (1) detect banana plants using edge and line detection approaches; (2) produce accurate and realistic outlines around classified banana plants; and (3) evaluate the mapping results. The mapping approach was developed based on 10 image tiles of 1 km × 1 km and was applied to orthophotos (3600 image tiles) from September 2011 covering the entire Sunshine Coast Region in South East Queensland. Based on field inspections of the classified maps, a user’s mapping accuracy of 88% (n = 146) was achieved. The results will facilitate the detection of banana plants and increase the inspection rate of Banana Bunchy Top Virus in the future.

Do habitat fragmentation and fire influence variation of plant species composition, structure and diversity within three regional ecosystems on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia?

Habitat fragmentation is considered to be one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. Species richness is predicted to decrease with decreasing patch size and increasing isolation, and this has been shown in some ecosystems. However, few studies have specifically investigated the effects of fragmentation on specific vegetation types, or compared different vegetation types within the same region. In this study, we assessed the influence of habitat fragmentation and time since fire on the floristic composition, structure and diversity of three ecosystems with varying fire proneness within the Sunshine Coast region. This study found that the tall-open forest ecosystem (RE 12.9-10.14) had higher overall species richness within fixed sample areas used for this study than did either open forest (RE 12.5.3) or gallery rainforest (RE 12.3.1), because it was composed of species typical of each of these ecosystem types. Open forest species richness was found mostly in the lower stratum, whereas gallery rainforest diversity was found in the upper stratum. Species richness decreased with increasing isolation in the open forest ecosystem where seeds are mostly abiotically dispersed. However, this study did not find strong evidence for reduced species richness within smaller patches in any ecosystem type studied; instead, finding species richness decreased with increasing patch size in the open forest ecosystem. Overall, across ecosystems, time since fire affected vegetation structure, but in fire-prone ecosystems, time since fire was not a determinant of species richness within the sites studied.

Modelling the aeolian transport of ammonia emitted from poultry farms and its deposition to a coastal waterbody

Abstract In response to the absence of monitoring data, the Air Pollution Model (TAPM), a 3D prognostic model that predicts both meteorology and air pollution concentrations, was used to investigate the transport of ammonia across part of the Sunshine Coast region (South East Queensland, Australia), following its emission to the atmosphere from 41 poultry farms (egg and broiler) in the district, which cumulatively house approximately 9.8 million fowl. The study estimated the total amount of ammonia that is deposited directly into the Pumicestone Passage waterbody (63 km 2 ) and onto the surrounding catchment (1184 km 2 ), through both wet and dry deposition processes over a twelve-month period. The results indicate that wet deposition is the dominant deposition process into the waterbody (89%) and catchment area (94%). Most of the ammonia deposition is predicted to occur within a relatively short distance from the farms, due to higher concentrations at these locations. In the base case simulation, the estimated 1823 tonnes of annual ammonia emissions were predicted to result in the direct deposition of approximately 2.3 tonnes of ammonia into the Pumicestone Passage waterbody and approximately 53.5 tonnes onto the Pumicestone Passage catchment land surface, where there was potential for its subsequent run-off into the waterbody. This annual loading into the waterbody is not insignificant and is likely to contribute to the formation of algal blooms. The fate of the remaining 91% of the ammonia estimated to be emitted from the farms was not accounted for in the deposition totals. This ammonia most likely remains suspended in the atmosphere and is transported outside of the simulation study area.