The invention relates to a low molecular weight peptide (or suite of related peptides) isolated from the submaxillary saliva glands of shrews of the species 'Blarina' as a paralytic agent. This novel paralytic agent is useful as a neuromuscular blocker and analgesic or as an insecticide.

Background: Results presented in this paper are part of a national project aimed to develop strategies to enhance enrolment, progression, and graduation rates in engineering programs. The implementation of these strategies is hoped to help the critical shortages of engineers in Australia. It is well documented that transition to university study can be difficult for students and with increasingly diverse cohorts it is vital that learning and teaching be aimed at a wide audience. In smaller institutions it is commonplace for engineering students to study the same subjects as students enrolled in other courses. It is important to document the similarities and/or differences in learning approaches and motivations of these different cohorts to determine whether accommodations via adaptive teaching strategies are needed. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the interests and motivations to study engineering of first year Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil and Environmental) students with those of applied science students. Design: The project team developed an online battery of self-assessment tests to measure non-cognitive abilities and motivations and interests in studying engineering. A total of 76 first year students at a regional university completed the self-tests. Comparisons between engineering and applied science student profiles allowed the similarities and differences in their respective approaches to learning and career interests to be documented. Results: Analysis of the data showed that engineering students were significantly less likely to be surface learners than their applied science peers (p < .05). Engineering students also showed significantly higher scores than applied science students on the total measure of interest and motivation for studying engineering (p < .01). Conclusions: The self-assessments enabled the first year engineering and applied science students to identify their motivations for studying engineering. They also received feedback on their learning approaches. A follow-up class discussion enabled the students to reflect on the benefits and potential limitations of each learning approach. The importance of conversing with students about how to self-manage their learning and being linked to support to address any identified gaps was discussed in the context of experiencing success in first year studies.

Successful river rehabilitation requires the restoration of self-sustaining ecosystem functions. One key function is organic matter cycling, including the sources, transfers and sinks of organic matter as it moves from the catchment, across floodplains, down streams, and exchanges with groundwater in the hyporheic zone. River food webs may depend heavily on organic matter generated in-stream by microbial and algal biofilms whereas flow pulses may import leaf litter from the floodplain. Bars and riffles retain this organic matter while generating diverse microhabitats whose particular biogeochemical conditions favour different suites of microbes. Poor land management has deprived the Hunter River of geomorphic complexity at the broad scale of bars and riffles. This paper reviews historical changes to channel shape and vegetation regime in the Hunter River and the repercussions of these on organic matter dynamics over the last 200 years. We conclude that introduction of wood will partly restore conditions closer to those pre-European settlement and alter hyporheic processes but that organic matter dynamics may never be fully restored.

Small, insect-eating bats ('microbats') fulfil an important role on wool properties, that of natural pest control. Microbats eat a wide range of invertebrates, predominantly moths, beetles and bugs, with some species also consuming mosquitoes, grasshoppers and crickets. Individual microbats can consume up to half their body weight in insects in a night. Without their services, insect populations could explode! Microbats differ in size and shape and where and how they prefer to hunt, so their diet varies accordingly. The freetail bats have long, narrow wings and fly fast and high above trees. Others with broader wings are able to fly below the canopy and pick insects off leaves and branches. The more species and numbers of bats, the better the pest control service they perform.

Forest cover has been converted to agricultural land use in and around the protected areas of Uganda. The objectives of this study were; to examine the dynamics of forest cover change in and around Bwindi impenetrable forest between 1973 and 2010 and to identify the drivers of forest cover change. The trend in forest cover change was assessed by analyzing a series of orthorectified landsat imageries of 1973, 1987 and 2001 using unsupervised and supervised classification. Land use/cover map for 2010 was reconstructed by analyzing 2001 image, validated and/or reconstructed by ground truthing, use of secondary data and key informant interviews. A series of focused group discussions and key informant interviews were also used to identify drivers of land use/cover change. Policies and institutional arrangements that could have affected forest cover change for the studied time period were also identified. Results showed that protected forest and woodlot in unprotected area had declined by 7.8% and 70.7% respectively as small scale farming and tea plantations had increased by 13.9% and 78.3% respectively between 1973 and 2010. The conversions were attributed to land use pressure due to population growth, change in socio-economic conditions and institutional arrangements. The severe loss of woodlot outside the protected area not only poses a potential threat to the protected forest but also calls for intervention measures if efforts to mitigate climate change impacts are to be realized.

Increasing anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity has been a cause for concern in Australia in recent years. Areas that hold high levels of endemic species and also face exceptional threats of destruction have been described as biodiversity hotspots. Ecological research focused on biodiversity hotspots will provide a better understanding of the flora and fauna of these regions and thus inform conservation strategies. Consequently, it is important to understand where biodiversity hotspots are located and how well they have been researched in the past. However, the choice of ecological research sites may be influenced by a variety of factors such as proximity to research institutions. This study utilized a geographic information system to investigate the spatial distribution of ecological research field sites in Australia and its territorial waters, the hotspots of the field sites around research institutions and the proximity of ecological research field sites from the main campus of the research institutions. Furthermore, these hotspots of ecological research were linked to biodiversity hotspots to identify the regions that were commonly depicted in the ecological literature and to identify others that may need more attention. We demonstrated that hotspots of ecological research were concentrated around research institutions, with a large number of field sites being located between 0 km and 500 km from the nearest institution, especially along the eastern coast. This study highlighted areas that have been the focus of much ecological research as well as areas that need more attention from ecologists to add new knowledge to Australian ecological science.

We undertook surveys of brush-tailed rock-wallabies ('Petrogale penicillata') at four colonies in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, north-eastern New South Wales, with the aim of developing a technique based upon individual animal recognition that could be used to obtain robust population estimates for rock-wallaby colonies. We identified individuals on the basis of distinct morphological characters in each colony using visual observations, and used the data within a 'mark-recapture' (or sight-resight) framework to estimate population size. More than 37 h of observations were made over 10 sampling days between 18 May and 9 June 2010. We could identify 91.7% of all rock-wallabies that were independently sighted (143 of 156 sightings of 35 animals). A small percentage of animals could not be identified during a visit because they were seen only fleetingly, were in dense cover, or were partly obscured by rock. The number of new animals sighted and photographed declined sharply at the midpoint of the survey, and there was a corresponding increase in resighting of known individuals. Population estimates using the mark-recapture methodology were nearly identical to estimates of total animals seen, suggesting that this method was successful in obtaining a complete census of rock-wallabies in each colony.

Tim and Karen Wright's property, "Lana," is 3,350 hectares (8,342 acres) in the Gwydir River Catchment near Armidale, New South Wales, Australia. Their average rainfall is 769 mm or 30 inches. They carry 7000 Merino sheep and 650 breeding cows and have divided their land into 240 paddocks of approximately 10-25 hectares (25-62 acres). Each paddock is grazed an average of eight days per year (approximately two days each season - fall, winter, spring, summer) with at least a 70-day recovery period. Their main enterprise is easy-care, low-cost Merino sheep with an average adult micron of 17.5.

Clear sky shortwave solar radiation varies in response to altitude and elevation, surface gradient (slope) and orientation (aspect), as well as position relative to neighbouring surfaces. While the measurement of radiation flux on a relatively flat surface is straightforward, it requires a dense network of stations for mountainous terrain. The model presented here uses a digital elevation model to compute potential direct solar radiation and diffuse radiation over a large area, though the model may be modified to include parameters such as cloud cover and precipitable water content of the atmosphere. The purpose of this algorithm is for applied work in forestry, ecology, biology and agriculture where spatial variation of solar radiation is more important than calibrated values. The ability of the model to integrate radiation over long time periods in a computationally inexpensive manner enables it to be used for modelling radiation per se, or input into other hydrological, climatological or biological models. The model has been implemented for commercially available GIS (viz. Arc Info and Genasys) and is available over the Internet.

Spectral reflectance measurements of dry plant materials of several species of eucalypts were recorded using field based PIMA spectroradiometer and analysed for differences in reflectance in the shortwave-infrared (1000-2500nm) region. Absorption features due to different chemicals and compounds were also identified. Results indicate that dry plant materials have reflectance spectra completely different from that of green leaves. Absorption features which were masked by chlorophyll and water in green leaves were much clearly visible in reflectance spectra of leaf litter and barks. The presence of unique spectral features in dry plant material suggests that there is a strong possibility of developing vegetation indices based on these new positions. This reflectance information would also be useful in modelling canopy reflectance as dry plant material forms part of the canopy and so contributes to the reflectance spectra. The quantity and exposure of dry plant material varies both spatially and seasonally, and so can also be used for water stress and fire fuel monitoring.

The invention relates to a method of killing or immobilizing an insect comprising administering to the insect a low molecular weight peptide isolated from the submaxiliary saliva glands of shrews of the species 'Blarina'. The invention further relates to an insecticide composition comprising such a peptide.

The invention relates to a low molecular weight peptide (or suite of related peptides) isolated from the submaxiliary saliva glands of shrews of the species 'Blarina' as a paralytic agent. This novel paralytic agent is useful as a neuromuscular blocker and analgesic.

Radiation-vegetation relationships for 12 species of 'Eucalyptus' from the south coast of New South Wales showed that the mean radiation values differed significantly between species. Confidence intervals around the mean radiation values, based on pooled standard deviation, were used as an index of species generality. There were differences in the size of the confidence intervals between species. While 'E. bosistoana' and 'E. maidenii' had large confidence intervals over all seasons, 'E. sieberi', 'E. muellerana', and 'E. globoidea' had very small confidence intervals. The species also exhibit a shift in the relative positions of their confidence intervals according to season. Clearly, radiation data are an important variable for eucalypt species delineation, and may be included as an explanatory variable when modeling the distribution of eucalypts. Solar radiation was calculated for the different seasons of the year using a model developed within a geographic information system (GIS); the input to the model is simply a digital elevation model (DEM) and the latitude of the site.

The Pacific Island Countries (PICs) are faced with energy challenges arising from the lack of availability of fossil fuel sources in the region. Renewable energy has been identified as a primary means by which these challenges could be met. The successful utilization of renewable energy resources of the region will, however, depend on several factors. Among these are the availability of the relevant resources, and the political and legal framework, human capacity, and institutional mechanisms required to develop and implement renewable energy projects. Biomass and biofuels are two important resources available to many of the PICs. However, before these forms of renewable energy can be used, a necessary first step is the assessment of the availability of these resources, and the land area required to produce them. Remote sensing and GIS are two important techniques that can be employed for this purpose. In the technique of remote sensing, satellite imagery is used to quantitatively assess the biomass cover and available land area over large areas of a country. The information thus collected is conveniently stored in GIS systems which can be used for decision-making. This paper begins by showing why there is a need for a quantitative assessment of the biomass and biofuel resource potentials of the region before decisions about the use of such resources can be made. The techniques of remote sensing and GIS are then introduced, and examples of their potential application in the assessment of biomass and biofuel resources provided. The need for a biofuel resource assessment for Fiji is then considered in detail. Finally, recommendations are made for a biomass and biofuel assessment strategy for the Pacific region.

Monitoring of fish assemblages was undertaken across three lower Gwydir channels in May-June and August 2009, in order to establish assemblage structure patterns during a low-flow period. This work was funded by the Australian Government's Water for the Future program, through the NSW Rivers and Environmental Restoration Program SPII whose overarching objective is to guide the 'Better use of environmental water for maintenance of the ecological character for stressed wetlands'. The sites and the monitoring (fyke-netting) protocols mirrored those utilised in earlier (2006 to 2009) research. Assemblage structure in mid 2009 reflected longitudinal patterns between sites within each channel, including more species and abundances of less-common upstream. However, assemblage structure was generally more homogeneous than during spring-summer periods. For example, differences between the three channels were less clear than those established from longer-term monitoring, and separation of May-June from August samples was only evident for one of the channels (Lower Gwydir River). Dominant species were either present mid year as just mature fish (e.g. Australian smelt, 'Retropinna semoni') or with only limited numbers of juveniles, suggesting that annual recruitment largely occurs during spring-summer. Additional data from December 2008 and February and September 2009 were added to the mid-year data in order to explore preliminary relationships between fish abundance and prior discharge. Relationships were variable, both between sites and when differing discharge intervals (30, 60, 90, 120 days) were selected. Relationships were more commonly inverse, suggesting either the importance of low-flow periods for sustaining lower Gwydir fish populations or that periods of higher flow may be flushing more fish downstream of study sites. These findings, and those from other recent descriptions of lower Gwydir fish assemblages, allow recommendations for ongoing monitoring of these channels, including the importance of determining longitudinal patterns in assemblage structure, monitoring sites mid-year as well as before/after discrete flow events, and ageing early lifehistory stages to develop links between spawning activity and individual flow pulses. Recommendations for environmental flow management in lower Gwydir channels include limiting releases to spring-summer, establishing a greater stage height and variability of environmental flow releases, and taking a cautious approach when making any future adaptive management changes to environmental flow releases given the narrow set of ecological objectives associated with past releases.

Water chemistry monitoring was undertaken across three lower Gwydir channels in May-June and August 2009, in order to establish any spatial and temporal patterns during a low-flow period. This work was funded by the Australian Government's Water for the Future program, through the NSW Rivers and Environmental Restoration Program SPII whose overarching objective is to guide the 'Better use of environmental water for maintenance of the ecological character for stressed wetlands'. The sites and the monitoring and analytical protocols mirrored those utilised in earlier (2006 to 2009) research. Water temperature, electro-conductivity, dissolved organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorous and chlorophyll a all showed a significant shift between sampling periods, although the latter three parameters also displayed a significant time x space interaction at both the site and watercourse levels. In a general sense, as water levels decreased over winter, all variables increased substantially with the exception of dissolved organic carbon which decreased by around 40%. Moreover, spatial variation in numerous parameters became accentuated over time, and sites became more unique in their water chemical characteristics. These findings, and those from other recent descriptions of lower Gwydir flow ecology, allow recommendations for ongoing monitoring of these channels, including the importance of determining longitudinal patterns in water chemistry, and monitoring sites mid-year as well as before/after discrete flow events. Recommendations for environmental flow management in lower Gwydir channels include limiting releases to spring-summer, establishing a greater stage height and variability of environmental flow releases, and taking a cautious approach when making any future adaptive management changes to environmental flow releases given the narrow set of ecological objectives associated with past releases.

In 1898 V. V. Dokuchaev said "Soil is the mirror of landscapes". In 2015, International Year of Soils it is timely to for us to pause and reflect on what 20 years' of working closely with land managers, students and soil scientists in soil education and extension has taught us about changing soil knowledge needs for land management principally at the farm to regional scale. Our overall aim is to examine the set of challenges or opportunities that a legacy provides to future soil knowledge management in the hope that those working in agriculture and natural resource management are informed, equipped and connected to their landscape in order to manage their soil resource into the future. The future relevance of soil education and extension to practitioners is learning from the legacy and acknowledging existing logistical and intellectual challenges. We will outline those challenges and reflect on whether we are capable of making the cultural shift in how we approach soil education and extension to embrace and blend new technologies with some of the "tried and tested" stalwarts of education and extension.

'Blaxland' has been managed by James and Caroline Street since 1985, and was purchased by James' father in 1958. Their aim has been to develop the pastures and lift the productivity of 'Blaxland' to generate sufficient income for their family, repair environmental damage, develop a more sustainable farm ecosystem and enhance the property's natural values. Like many woolgrowers, they want to "leave the farm in a more sustainable state than when we took over." This testimonial describes and illustrates James and Caroline's commitment and achievements towards their goal.

Michele Blackman is a fourth-generation woolgrower, having grown up on 'Brookside', of which 'Pint Pot' was a part until 1990. Her husband, Graeme, grew up in Ballina on the NSW North Coast where he developed a life-long interest in conservation and environmental issues. 'Pint Pot', now owned by Michele and Graeme, was mostly cleared in the 40 years to 1990, although scattered trees and several small timber belts were left untouched. About 75% was sown to pasture, the last of those in 1985. Until 1990, the developed country was fertilised with a hundredweight to the acre of superphosphate every second year. With time, the sown pastures have reverted to natural pastures dominated largely by native species. Michele and Graeme are passionate about their property's native vegetation and its natural values. "It's basically all native species providing the feed, shelter and shade," says Graeme. "We need the native species of flora and fauna to run our grazing activities, so we try to work in harmony with nature to be sustainable well into the future." This testimonial describes Michele and Graeme's grazing operation and the way they have gone about protecting and working with their farm's biodiversity to sustain their farm business and lifestyle.

John and Helen McKemey and their children, Daniel, Hannah and David, own 'Willow Park' and nearby 'Karingal' and run the two farms as a family partnership. John's father purchased and developed 'Willow Park' in the 1940s. The McKemeys run a Merino wool and beef cattle trading operation as well as back-grounding cattle. They source 16-19 micron Merino sheep which cut around 3.6 kg wool/head. They buy cattle in spring, fatten them across the summer and sell prior to winter. They changed to a trade operation in 1999 from a prime lamb enterprise for the preceding 40 years. The McKemeys have progressively adopted high-intensity, short-duration ('cell') grazing since 1991. This testimonial describes their management and experience with cell grazing over the past 15 years, and the many positive changes they have witnessed for both farm profits and the environment.

An assessment of the relative influences of management and environment on the composition of floodplain grasslands of north-western New South Wales was made using a regional vegetation survey sampling a range of land tenures (e.g. private property, travelling stock routes and nature reserves). A Total of 364 taxa belonging to 55 different plant families was recorded. Partitioning of variance with redundancy analysis determined that environmental variables accounted for a greater proportion (61.3%) of the explained variance in species composition than disturbance-related variables (37.6%). Soil type (and fertility), sampling time and rainfall had a strong influence on species composition and there were also east–west variations in composition across the region. Of the disturbance-related variables, cultivation, stocking rate and flooding frequency were all influential. Total, native, forb, shrub and subshrub richness were positively correlated with increasing time since cultivation. Flood frequency was positively correlated with graminoid species richness and was negatively correlated with total and forb species richness. Site species richness was also influenced by environmental variables (e.g. soil type and rainfall). Despite the resilience of these grasslands, some forms of severe disturbance (e.g. several years of cultivation) can result in removal of some dominant perennial grasses (e.g. 'Astrebla' spp.) and an increase in disturbance specialists. A Simple heuristic transitional model is proposed that has conceptual thresholds for plant biodiversity status. This knowledge representation may be used to assist in the management of these grasslands by defining four broad levels of community richness and the drivers that change this status.