Correspondence Between Urban Bird Roosts and the Presence of Aerosolised Fungal Pathogens.

Habitat fragmentation in urban environments concentrates bird populations that have managed to adapt to these newly developed areas. Consequently, the roosts of these birds are potentially creating environments conducive to fungal growth and dissemination. Airborne fungi derived from these environments are relatively unstudied, as is the potential health risk arising from these fungi.

Photosynthetic pigment concentrations, gas exchange and vegetative growth for selected monocots and dicots treated with two contrasting coal fly ashes.

There is uncertainty as to the rates of coal fly ash needed for optimum physiological processes and growth. In the current study we tested the hypothesis that photosynthetic pigments concentrations and CO(2) assimilation (A) are more sensitive than dry weights in plants grown on media amended with coal fly ash. We applied the Terrestrial Plant Growth Test (Guideline 208) protocols of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to monocots [barley (Hordeum vulgare) and ryegrass (Secale cereale)] and dicots [canola (Brasica napus), radish (Raphanus sativus), field peas (Pisum sativum), and lucerne (Medicago sativa)] on media amended with fly ashes derived from semi-bituminous (gray ash) or lignite (red ash) coals at rates of 0, 2.

Genetic variation among age-classes of the mangrove Avicennia marina in clean and contaminated sediments.

An examination was made of the genetic variation with age in mangrove populations in two estuaries in south-east Australia, one contaminated, the other uncontaminated. Sediment nutrient and metal levels, and isozyme/allozyme complements were measured in three age-classes in four stands in each estuary, to identify site and intergenerational genetic composition, and influences of sediment contamination. Within each river, there were greater genetic distances among the age-classes than among sampling sites.

Genetic variation in Avicennia marina in three estuaries of Sydney (Australia) and implications for rehabilitation and management.

In order to ensure conservation of mangroves, genetic diversity in remaining populations must be explored. Both morphological and isozyme analyses were used and compared in investigating the intra- and inter-estuarine variation in Avicennia marina in Sydney, the most urbanised area in Australia. Sediment characteristics, metal levels, tree attributes, leaf morphology and isozyme/allozyme analyses were conducted.