Summaries of recent rapid range expansions shown by the house crow Corvus splendens have provided insights into the global nature of this invasion process, but its long‐term potential has not yet been evaluated. To explore the potential dimensions of this geographic expansion, we used ecological niche modeling based on known occurrences of the species on its native distributional area, in the context of GIS data sets describing climatic variables, topographic information, and human presence. Our models provided predictions of areas already invaded that were statistically significantly more coincident than expected under random (null) models. The predicted potential range of the species includes areas already affected, as well as potentially suitable areas in Central America, the Caribbean, equatorial and West Africa, and mainland and insular Southeast Asia, not yet colonized.

Greener purchasing has a key role in reducing the negative environmental impacts of consumption by focusing on reducing procurement and selecting greener alternatives. Its application within local authorities is being driven by Local Agenda 21.A survey of 410 local authorities in England and Wales was used to establish the status of greener purchasing policies, assess methods used to implement such policies and evaluate the success of such policies. The rate of return was 44%, although the majority of questionnaires were not fully completed.It is apparent that many local authorities have integrated environmental considerations into purchasing policies. However, the majority of green purchasing policies were only rated as moderately successful, mainly due to the increased cost of greener products. It appears that local authorities are experiencing difficulties with implementation and maintenance of greener purchasing policies. Although limited guidance is available on greener purchasing, national guidance would be beneficial. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

A number of strains of chromobacteria which gave diffuse spreading colonies were isolated from the River Wey. Phenotypic data for the isolates indicated that these spreading chromobacteria had many characters of Chromobacterium but they could not be accommodated in either of the two recognized species -C. lividum and C. violaceum. Although closest to C. violaceum, the spreading chromobacteria represent a well-defined group of strains which we propose should be considered as a separate species and for which the specific name Chromobacteriumfluviatile sp. nov. is suggested. The DNA of strains so far analysed has a mol 04 GC of 50 to 52, adding further confirmation that they are distinct from other species of Chromobacterium.

Abstract:The house crow (Corvus splendens), a native of the Indian subcontinent, has shown a rapid expansion of habitat range across Eastern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Europe and Asia. It is an adaptable, gregarious commensal bird which is regarded globally as an important pest species due to its impacts on livestock, agricultural and horticultural crops and indigenous fauna and as a fecal contaminator of human environments and water resources. Two Maxent (v3.3.3k) models (A) with presence data in Australia and (B) with simulated entry data locations in New Zealand) and a third ArcGIS model (C) with environmental and social layers) are used to determine an overall suitability index and establish a niche-based model of the potential spatial distribution for C. splendens within New Zealand. The results show that New Zealand, particularly the northern regions of North Island, has suitable environments for the establishment of the house crow. In order of suitability Model B showed highest potential land area suitability (31.84%) followed by Model A (13.79%) and Model C (10.89%). The potential for further expansion of this bird's invasive range is high and, if New Zealand is invaded, impacts are likely to be significant.

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