DNA barcoding aids in generating a preliminary checklist of the lichens and allied fungi of Calvert Island, British Columbia: Results from the 2018 Hakai Terrestrial BioBlitz.

Background: Bioblitzes are a tool for the rapid appraisal of biodiversity and are particularly useful in remote and understudied regions and for understudied taxa. Lichens are an example of an often overlooked group, despite being widespread in virtually all terrestrial ecosystems and having many important ecological functions. New information: We report the lichens and allied fungi collected during the 2018 terrestrial bioblitz conducted on Calvert Island on the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada. We identified 449 specimens belonging to 189 species in 85 genera, increasing the total number of species known from Calvert Island to 194, and generated Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences for 215 specimens from 121 species. Bryoriafurcellata, Chaenothecopsislecanactidis and C.nigripunctata were collected for the first time in British Columbia. We also found Pseudocyphellariarainierensis, which is listed as Special Concern on the federal Species at Risk Act, and other rarely reported species in British Columbia including Opegraphasphaerophoricola, Protomicarealimosa, Raesaeneniahuuskonenii and Sareadifformis. We demonstrate that DNA barcoding improves the scope and accuracy of expert-led bioblitzes by facilitating the detection of cryptic species and allowing for consistent identification of chemically and morphologically overlapping taxa. Despite the spatial and temporal limitations of our study, the results highlight the value of intact forest ecosystems on the Central Coast of British Columbia for lichen biodiversity, education and conservation.

Scale-dependent effects of marine subsidies on the island biogeographic patterns of plants.

Although species richness can be determined by different mechanisms at different spatial scales, the role of scale in the effects of marine inputs on island biogeography has not been studied explicitly. Here, we evaluated the potential influence of island characteristics and marine inputs (seaweed wrack biomass and marine-derived nitrogen in the soil) on plant species richness at both a local (plot) and regional (island) scale on 92 islands in British Columbia, Canada. We found that the effects of subsidies on species richness depend strongly on spatial scale. Despite detecting no effects of marine subsidies at the island scale, we found that as plot level subsidies increased, species richness decreased; plots with more marine-derived nitrogen in the soil hosted fewer plant species. We found no effect of seaweed wrack at either scale. To identify potential mechanisms underlying the decrease in diversity, we fit a spatially explicit joint species distribution model to evaluate species level responses to marine subsidies and effects of biotic interactions among species. We found mixed evidence for competition for both light and nutrients, and cannot rule out an alternative mechanism; the observed decrease in species richness may be due to disturbances associated with animal-mediated nutrient deposits, particularly those from North American river otters (Lontra canadensis). By evaluating the scale-dependent effects of marine subsidies on island biogeographic patterns of plants and revealing likely mechanisms that act on community composition, we provide novel insights on the scale dependence of a fundamental ecological theory, and on the rarely examined links between marine and terrestrial ecosystems often bridged by animal vectors.

Conservation of Earth's biodiversity is embedded in Indigenous fire stewardship.

Increasingly, severe wildfires have led to declines in biodiversity across all of Earth's vegetated biomes [D. B. McWethy et al., Nat. Sustain. 2, 797-804 (2019)]. Unfortunately, the displacement of Indigenous peoples and place-based societies that rely on and routinely practice fire stewardship has resulted in significant declines in biodiversity and the functional roles of people in shaping pyrodiverse systems [R. Bliege Bird et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 117, 12904-12914 (2020)]. With the aim of assessing the impacts of Indigenous fire stewardship on biodiversity and species function across Earth's major terrestrial biomes, we conducted a review of relevant primary data papers published from 1900 to present. We examined how the frequency, seasonality, and severity of human-ignited fires can improve or reduce reported metrics of biodiversity and habitat heterogeneity as well as changes to species composition across a range of taxa and spatial and temporal scales. A total of 79% of applicable studies reported increases in biodiversity as a result of fire stewardship, and 63% concluded that habitat heterogeneity was increased by the use of fire. All studies reported that fire stewardship occurred outside of the window of uncontrollable fire activity, and plants (woody and nonwoody vegetation) were the most intensively studied life forms. Three studies reported declines in biodiversity associated with increases in the use of high-severity fire as a result of the disruption of Indigenous-controlled fire regimes with the onset of colonization. Supporting Indigenous-led fire stewardship can assist with reviving important cultural practices while protecting human communities from increasingly severe wildfires, enhancing biodiversity, and increasing ecosystem heterogeneity.

Marine subsidy promotes spatial and dietary niche variation in an omnivore, the Keen's mouse (Peromyscus keeni).

Marine-derived resource subsidies can generate intrapopulation variation in the behaviors and diets of terrestrial consumers. How omnivores respond, given their multiple trophic interactions, is not well understood. We sampled mice (Peromyscus keeni) and their food sources at five sites on three islands of the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada, to test predictions regarding variation in the spatial behavior and consumption of marine-subsidized foods among individuals. About 50% of detections (n = 27 recaptures) occurred at traps closest to shoreline (25 m), with capture frequencies declining significantly inland (up to 200 m). Stable isotope signatures (δ 13C and δ 15N), particularly δ 15N, in plant foods, forest arthropod prey, and mouse feces were significantly enriched near shorelines compared with inland, while δ 13C patterns were more variable. Bayesian isotope mixing models applied to isotope values in mouse hair indicated that over one-third (35-37%) of diet was comprised of beach-dwelling arthropods, a marine-derived food source. Males were more abundant near the shoreline than females and consumed more marine-derived prey, regardless of reproductive status or availability of other food sources. Our results identify how multiple pathways of marine nutrient transfer can subsidize terrestrial omnivores and how subsets of recipient populations can show variation in spatial and dietary response.

Marine subsidies mediate patterns in avian island biogeography.

The classical theory of island biogeography, which predicts species richness using island area and isolation, has been expanded to include contributions from marine subsidies, i.e. subsidized island biogeography (SIB) theory. We tested the effects of marine subsidies on species diversity and population density on productive temperate islands, evaluating SIB predictions previously untested at comparable scales and subsidy levels. We found that the diversity of terrestrial breeding bird communities on 91 small islands (approx. 0.0001-3 km2) along the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada were correlated most strongly with island area, but also with marine subsidies. Species richness increased and population density decreased with island area, but isolation had no measurable influence. Species richness was negatively correlated with marine subsidy, measured as forest-edge soil δ15N. Density, however, was higher on islands with higher marine subsidy, and a negative interaction between area and subsidy indicates that this effect is stronger on smaller islands, offering some support for SIB. Our study emphasizes how subsidies from the sea can shape diversity patterns on islands and can even exceed the importance of isolation in determining species richness and densities of terrestrial biota.

Questioning induction of labour in older women Part 1.

In this column, Sara Wickham takes a sideways look at issues relevant to midwives, students, women and families, inviting us to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder what we think we know. There is a growing trend towards recommending induction of labour in older women. This is the first part of a two-part article in which Sara asks whether this recommendation is supported by the available evidence and asks us to consider how such policies are affecting women.

The madness of modern measurement.

In this column, Sara Wickham takes a sideways look at issues relevant to midwives, students, women and families, inviting us to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder what we think we know. In this article, Sara shares the story of a woman who discovered that the due date calculation made by a machine was considered inalienable, even when another date was known with certainty to be correct. Is this an inevitable consequence of our modern world, or can we act to challenge such situations?

Midwives matter more than monitors.

In this column, Sara Wickham takes a sideways look at issues relevant to midwives, students, women and families, inviting us to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder what we think we know. Research has consistently failed to show that electronic fetal monitoring makes a positive difference to women or babies. Yet this technology continues to be used, with some units now using central monitoring systems. This article considers the results of a study showing the effect of these on women's experiences, comparing the value of monitors and midwives.

The importance of everyday birth wisdom.

In this column, Sara Wickham takes a sideways look at issues relevant to midwives, students, women and families, inviting us to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder what we think we know. This month, Sara shares details of a study which identified rituals undertaken by midwives looking after women in labour. Such studies, she argues, can be vital to helping us understand the nature of what we do in everyday practice as well as being a way of recording our knowledge for future generations.

Let there be mood lighting....

In this column, Sara Wickham takes a sideways look at issues relevant to midwives, students, women and families, inviting us to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder what we think we know. As it is always useful to consider how we can facilitate physiological labour and birth, this month Sara shares some of the tips that she has gathered from midwives and other birth workers about how they help women and families to lower the light levels and create the semi-darkness which many people feel is conducive to normal birth.

The ALTE mysteries: who's to blame?

In this column, Sara Wickham takes a sideways look at issues relevant to midwives, students, women and families, inviting us to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder what we think we know. A recent paper on apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs) in newborn babies brought to mind an experience from practice, the cause of which remains a mystery. As many similar events are unexplained, is it acceptable that there is a tendency in the literature to claim that skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding are risk factors for ALTEs?

Whatever happened to the precautionary principle?

In this column, Sara Wickham takes a sideways look at issues relevant to midwives, students, women and families, inviting us to sit down with a cup of tea and ponder what we think we know. Here, she looks at one of the latest papers to join the trend of attempting to justify induction of labour in healthy women, raising questions about the language and stance used within the research and suggesting that women and midwives might gain from referring to the precautionary principle.

Pondering placentophagy. Part 2.

A recent systematic review, which looked at whether there are any benefits to placentophagy--the consumption of one's placenta after birth--has concluded that there is no evidence of benefit or risk and that these require further investigation. In the first part of this article, I reflected on this practice and noted some of the difficulties in evaluating such a practice. In this second article, I ask whether the claim that this is an age-old or natural practice is useful, consider why this might be important for women and explore some of the issues that we might want to consider in relation to this and other practices for which we have no evidence.

Alien environments and the hormone of love.

Recent research collaboration between NASA and other agencies has led to the publication of a series of papers reviewing our knowledge about the impact of sex and gender on adaptation to Space. In this article, I look at some of the findings of the review on reproductive health, which considers the effects of radiation, microgravity and stress. The results show that, among other things, Space flight can have a significant effect on the hormones of astronauts and,cosmonauts, and I raise questions about the difference in approach taken in different fields and about how we evaluate the effects of different--and sometimes alien--environments on our health and wellbeing.

Rethinking bugs. Part 1.

Bacteria seem to be getting mentioned everywhere at the moment, and could even be said to be 'trending'. In this first instalment of a two-part article, I begin by considering what we learn about bacteria as children and whether this matters. I note that Western science and medicine have focused almost exclusively on one viewpoint: that proposed by Louis Pasteur, and observe that there are other ideas and theories which may be worthy of consideration as we re-think this area. The re-thinking that seems to be a feature of our current focus on the role of bacteria in health and birth may have positive effects both for women and midwives.

Being clear about continuity.

The phrase 'continuity of care' is often cited in relation to maternity care but, although we have evidence that continuity of care makes a difference to women, it is not well-defined as a concept and different types of continuity proposed by Freeman et al (2007), looking at how these might relate to might raise and suggesting other areas which need clarifying. I argue that it would be beneficial for midwives to continue to explore this concept can be taken to apply to a number of different elements of care. In this article, I consider the three maternity care, considering the issues that each amongst themselves and with women.

Stimulating conversation: does cold water wake babies in utero? Part 1.

The Royal College of Obstetricians and emerged in these discussions. Overall, the majority of respondents were open to using this practice in Gynaecologists (RCOG) library recently responded to a question about whether there was any evidence about the practice of offering a cold drink to a pregnant woman in order to encourage fetal movement or improve the reactivity of a cardiotocograph (CTG) trace. Their search conversations with midwives and other practice, which led me to have a number of practitioners about their experience of this. In the highlighted a dearth of research into this common first of two articles on this topic, I explain the theory and describe the range of responses that certain situations, but they felt it vital that it was used within a framework of providing individualised care and applying common sense.

Rethinking bugs. Part 2.

Bacteria seem to be getting mentioned everywhere at the moment, and could even be said to be 'trending'. In this second instalment of a two-part article, I argue that we need to re-think the care and treatment we offer to women for a number of reasons. Using the example of group B strep disease, I argue that avenues other than the current treatment pathway are worthy of exploration, and with antibiotic resistance an increasing problem, this may be the best way forward. I conclude that, because the need for reconsideration of some elements of maternity care is so great, the current focus on bacteria and the potential that this has to throw new light onto old areas may be very helpful.