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Our goal organizing this work was to update the landmark 1991 volume, 'Battle Against Extinction', and provide scientists and the public with a contemporary view of the status of aquatic ecosystems in North American deserts and rationales and approaches for their conservation. While predecessor editors W.L. Minckley and J.E. Deacon painted a grim picture, they noted that knowledge for effective conservation existed, but the missing ingredient was societal willingness to act. Many chapters in this new volume report worsening situations in the intervening decades, while others report modest success and cautious optimism. Several chapters also report practical, on-the-ground examples of conservation strategies for endangered species and habitats. However, the task of 'Standing Between Life and Extinction' remains difficult and the future is ominous.

Aquatic ecology --- Desert biology --- Rare fishes --- Fishes --- Conservation --- North American deserts. --- aquatic ecosystems. --- climate change. --- conservation ethic. --- desert fishes. --- drought. --- extinction. --- invasive species. --- native species. --- population growth.

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As an invasive species, raccoons (Procyon lotor) present explosive population dynamics on a European scale, which worries scientists and natural areas managers with regard to the potential dangers they represent for native biodiversity and the "man-wildlife" conflicts they can provoke. In Wallonia, their presence has been proven since the early 2000s and observations have been increasing since 2010, but their population level remains unknown. This work first seeks to establish the population dynamics of the species in southern Wallonia (Belgium) by analyzing nocturnal abundance indices (INA) between 2010 and 2018. Its second objective is to estimate the population densities in two forested areas using camera traps, by applying the "Random Encounter Model (REM)". The INA, multiplied by 5 between 2010 and 2018, increases significantly over time at the scale of the 19 hunting councils in which raccoons have been observed. However, the method lacks precision due to the low detectability of the species during night counts and, even if the increasing trend is confirmed, the rate of expansion remains uncertain. This is especially true if data are analyzed individually by council as the number of observations is often too small and the biases too large. The REM, applied for the first time to this species, gives estimates of population densities of 2.26 - 4.22 individuals/100ha in Gaume and 2.12 - 3.39 in the Saint-Michel Freyr massif. Although subject to numerous biases, the REM is proving to be an interesting tool and allows plausible densities to be obtained, but points of comparison are currently lacking for evaluating its reliability.

Procyon lotor --- Raton laveur --- Population dynamics --- Camera traps --- Random Encounter Model --- Belgium --- Invasive species --- Sciences du vivant > Sciences de l'environnement & écologie

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La Mulette épaisse (Unio crassus) est un bivalve d’eau douce indigène de nos rivières, en danger d’extinction et ayant déjà disparu de nombreux cours d’eau wallons. Diverses menaces sont responsables de cet état, telles que la destruction de leur habitat, la pollution, les changements climatiques ou encore l’introduction d’espèces exotiques envahissantes. Notamment, le Rat musqué (Ondatra zibethicus), introduit en Europe au début du 20ème siècle pour le commerce de sa fourrure et aujourd’hui omniprésent en Wallonie est un friand consommateur de mulettes. Principalement piégé pour les dégâts occasionnés dans les berges, peu de données sont disponibles quant à l’impact de la prédation sur les populations de mulettes, et aucune mesure n’est prise en conséquence. La Mulette épaisse, espèce filtrante assurant la qualité de l’eau mais aussi bio-indicatrice ou encore « espèce parapluie », est pourtant indispensable aux écosystèmes aquatiques.

Pour ces raisons, la présente étude avait pour but d’objectiver la pression de prédation du Rat musqué et de déterminer s’il constitue une menace pour les Mulettes épaisses dans la Semois, à la Vanne des Moines. Plusieurs objectifs spécifiques ont permis de répondre à cette question : (1) quantification de la consommation annuelle de moules et détermination de sa saisonnalité via la collecte périodique des coquilles prédatées ; (2) évaluation de la disponibilité en proies, grâce à un recensement de la population vivante s’ajoutant aux données d’inventaires existantes ; (3) estimation de la densité de Rats musqués sur le site, via l’expertise d’un piégeur du SPW ; (4) détermination de la stratégie de prédation du Rat musqué par la comparaison des structures de taille des mulettes prédatées et vivantes du site ; (5) détermination de la technique de consommation des moules par le rat, grâce à des pièges photographiques ; (6) analyse de la perception de la problématique par les différents acteurs de terrain en leur soumettant un questionnaire. 

Sur la zone d’étude, la consommation annuelle du rat représente 39% de la part des moules détectables par celui-ci. Les moules enfouies dans le substrat sont épargnées, et ne sont pas prise en compte dans l’estimation de la densité des mulettes sur le site, qui est de 0,26 individus/m2. La consommation est continue entre avril et novembre, avec une augmentation ponctuelle aux périodes de mise bas, qui induisent des besoins énergétiques plus conséquents. En hiver, par contre, la prédation est réduite. Le rat est plutôt opportuniste, et consomme d’abord les mulettes disponibles avant d’éventuellement les sélectionner sur base de leur taille et de leur forme. Cette sélection n’entravant pas le renouvellement des populations, l’impact est dès lors déterminé par la quantité d’individus consommés. À la Vanne des Moines, cet impact semble limité à court terme au vu de la stabilité de la population entre 2012 et 2018, mais le nombre de mulettes consommées reste considérable (n=3027 en un an pour un foyer de rats). À long terme et combinée à d’autres causes, la prédation peut s’avérer significativement impactante et mener à une décroissance populationnelle. Le Rat musqué constitue donc une menace importante envers les populations de Mulette épaisse, et une gestion doit être instaurée afin de limiter la prédation et d’assurer la sauvegarde de ces populations. The Thick-shelled river mussel Unio crassus, native from our rivers, is one of the most endangered species among freshwater bivalves. In Wallonia, several populations are already extinct, because of multiple causes such as destruction of habitats, pollution, climate change or the introduction of exotic species. For example, the Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), introduced at the beginning of the 20th century for its fur, is today established in Wallonia and is known to be an important predator of mussels. Muskrats are mostly trapped for the damage they can make along the shores, but there is a lack of data about the impact caused by predation on the populations of Unio crassus. Nevertheless, the Thick-shelled mussel provides many services (filtration, substratum aeration…) and therefore is an essential species for aquatic ecosystems. 

For these reasons, this study aimed to objectify the predation pressure of the Muskrat on the Thick-shelled river mussel, and to determine whether it constitutes a threat to the conservation of this mussel in the Semois, at the “Vanne des Moines” site. Some specific points were needed to answer this question: (1) quantification of the annual consumption of mussels by muskrats, and determination of the seasonal pattern of the predation by periodic collects of shells left on the shore; (2) assessment of prey availability thanks to a monitoring of living mussels at the study site and thanks to previous inventory data; (3) estimation of muskrats density at the study site by a qualified trapper’s expertise from the SPW; (4) determination of the strategy used by muskrats to consume freshwater mussels (selection vs. opportunism), by the comparison of the length of consumed and living mussels; (5) Identification of the way of consumption of muskrats using camera traps; (6) analysis of how the subject is perceived by different actors in the field, by submitting them a survey.

On the study site, the annual consumption of mussels by muskrats was estimated at 39% of the detectable portion of mussels by muskrat. The mussels that are buried in the sediments are spared from predation, and are not counted in the estimation of Unio crassus density, which is 0.26 mussels/m2. The consumption seems to be continuous between April and November, with a punctual increase at birthing periods, when muskrats need more energy. Conversely, the predation pressure is decreasing in winter. The muskrats are quite opportunistic and eat what they find first. Among the most available mussels, they are able to make a selection based on the length or the shape of the shell, but this selection does not hinder the population renewal. Since, the impact is mainly determined by the number of mussels eaten. At the “Vanne des Moines” site, this impact is limited in the short term, as the population shows stability between 2012 and 2018, but the number of mussels consumed is still significant (n=3027 in a year for a family of muskrats). In the long-term and combined with several causes, this impact can be exacerbated, and lead to a decrease in the populations of Unio crassus. Therefore, the Muskrat must be considered as a serious threat towards the populations of Thick-shelled river mussel, and needs to be controlled in order to ensure the protection and the conservation of these populations.

Muskrat --- Mussel --- Unio crassus --- Ondatra zibethicus --- Semois --- Freshwater --- Predation --- Conservation --- Belgium --- Wallonia --- invasive species --- Mulette épaisse --- Rat musqué --- Unio crassus --- Ondatra zibethicus --- Semois --- Prédation --- Conservation --- Wallonie --- Belgique --- Espèce exotique envahissante --- eaux douces --- Sciences du vivant > Sciences de l'environnement & écologie

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"In this field guide to the future, esteemed Harvard University botanist Peter Del Tredici unveils the plants that will become even more dominant in urban environments under projected future environmental conditions. These plants are the most important and most common plants in cities. Learning what they are and the role they play, he writes, will help us all make cities more livable and enjoyable. With more than 1000 photos, readers can easily identify these powerful plants. Learn about the fascinating cultural history of each plant."--

Weeds --- Urban plants --- City plants --- Urban flora --- Urban vegetation --- Urban wildlife --- Plants --- Pest plants --- Weed plants --- Weedy plants --- Plant pests (Plants) --- Agricultural pests --- Botany, Economic --- edible wild plants, foraging. --- urban ecology, climate change, globalization, urbanization, weeds, invasive species, ecosystem services, phytoremediation.

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The Life of a Pest tracks the work practices of scientists in Mexico as they study flora and fauna at scales ranging from microscopic to ecosystemic. Amid concerns about climate change, infectious disease outbreaks, and biotechnology, scientists in Mexico have expanded the focus of biopolitics and biosecurity, looking beyond threats to human life to include threats to the animal, plant, and microbial worlds. Emily Wanderer outlines how concerns about biosecurity are leading scientists to identify populations and life-forms either as worthy of saving or as “pests” in need of elimination. Moving from high security labs where scientists study infectious diseases, to offices where ecologists regulate the use of genetically modified organisms, to remote islands where conservationists eradicate invasive species, Wanderer explores how scientific research informs, and is informed by, concepts of nation.

Biopolitics --- axolotl. --- biodiversity. --- biology. --- biopolitics. --- biosecurity. --- buen vivir. --- conservation. --- ecology. --- ecosystem. --- environment. --- environmentalism. --- geci. --- goats. --- guadalupe. --- immunology. --- invasive species. --- land management. --- latin america. --- mexico. --- mice. --- microbes. --- microbiology. --- native species. --- nature. --- nonfiction. --- nonhuman animals. --- pollution. --- salamander. --- science. --- virus. --- vivir bien. --- vivir mejor. --- whalers. --- wildlife. --- zoology.