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Wilson BA, Zhuang-Griffin L, Garkaklis MJ. Decline of the dasyurid marsupial Antechinus minimus maritimus in south-east Australia: implications for recovery and management under a drying climate. AUST J ZOOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/zo17041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of recent extinctions and declines of Australian mammals is poor, particularly where there is a paucity of data to quantify change. The swamp antechinus (A. m. maritimus) has a fragmented, coastal distribution in south-east Australia. Although long-term studies (1975–2007) of this vulnerable species were conducted in the eastern Otways, its current status was unclear. We assessed the success of live trapping and camera trapping (2013–17) at 42 sites, 19 where the species was trapped previously. Between 2013 and 2015 A. m. maritimus was recorded at only 6 sites (n = 8), but at none in 2016–17. Assessment of long-term changes found that high-density populations occurred after above-average rainfall, and both low- and high-density populations collapsed after wildfire, after low rainfall, and in fragmented habitat. The species may now be restricted to very small populations in refuges such as coastal dunes, and predicted low rainfall and increased burning frequency pose major threats to the species’ survival. Recovery is unlikely without targeted management, including predator control and protection from inappropriate fire regimes and habitat fragmentation. If similar declines have been experienced across the species’ range, prevention of extinction of the species will require similar management strategies.
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Sullivan JJ, Molles LE. Biodiversity monitoring by community-based restoration groups in New Zealand. ECOLOGICAL MANAGEMENT & RESTORATION 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/emr.12225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Honrado JP, Pereira HM, Guisan A. Fostering integration between biodiversity monitoring and modelling. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- João P. Honrado
- InBIO - Rede de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva/CIBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos; Universidade do Porto; Campus Agrário de Vairão 4485-601 Vairão Portugal
- Faculdade de Ciências; Universidade do Porto; Rua do Campo Alegre Edifício FC4 4169-007 Porto Portugal
| | - Henrique M. Pereira
- InBIO - Rede de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Biologia Evolutiva/CIBIO - Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos; Universidade do Porto; Campus Agrário de Vairão 4485-601 Vairão Portugal
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig; Deutscher Platz 5e 04103 Leipzig Germany
- Institute of Biology; Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg; Am Kirchtor 1 06108 Halle (Saale) Germany
| | - Antoine Guisan
- Department of Ecology & Evolution; University of Lausanne; 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
- Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics; University of Lausanne; 1015 Lausanne Switzerland
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54
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Fleming PA, Bateman PW. The good, the bad, and the ugly: which Australian terrestrial mammal species attract most research? Mamm Rev 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Patricia A. Fleming
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences; Murdoch University; Murdoch Western Australia 6150 Australia
| | - Philip W. Bateman
- Department of Environment and Agriculture; Curtin University; Bentley Western Australia 6845 Australia
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Geijzendorffer IR, Targetti S, Schneider MK, Brus DJ, Jeanneret P, Jongman RH, Knotters M, Viaggi D, Angelova S, Arndorfer M, Bailey D, Balázs K, Báldi A, Bogers MMB, Bunce RGH, Choisis JP, Dennis P, Eiter S, Fjellstad W, Friedel JK, Gomiero T, Griffioen A, Kainz M, Kovács-Hostyánszki A, Lüscher G, Moreno G, Nascimbene J, Paoletti MG, Pointereau P, Sarthou JP, Siebrecht N, Staritsky I, Stoyanova S, Wolfrum S, Herzog F. EDITOR'S CHOICE: How much would it cost to monitor farmland biodiversity in Europe? J Appl Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Schnell IB, Sollmann R, Calvignac-Spencer S, Siddall ME, Yu DW, Wilting A, Gilbert MTP. iDNA from terrestrial haematophagous leeches as a wildlife surveying and monitoring tool - prospects, pitfalls and avenues to be developed. Front Zool 2015; 12:24. [PMID: 26430464 PMCID: PMC4589908 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-015-0115-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 09/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Invertebrate-derived DNA (iDNA) from terrestrial haematophagous leeches has recently been proposed as a powerful non-invasive tool with which to detect vertebrate species and thus to survey their populations. However, to date little attention has been given to whether and how this, or indeed any other iDNA-derived data, can be combined with state-of-the-art analytical tools to estimate wildlife abundances, population dynamics and distributions. In this review, we discuss the challenges that face the application of existing analytical methods such as site-occupancy and spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models to terrestrial leech iDNA, in particular, possible violations of key assumptions arising from factors intrinsic to invertebrate parasite biology. Specifically, we review the advantages and disadvantages of terrestrial leeches as a source of iDNA and summarize the utility of leeches for presence, occupancy, and spatial capture-recapture models. The main source of uncertainty that attends species detections derived from leech gut contents is attributable to uncertainty about the spatio-temporal sampling frame, since leeches retain host-blood for months and can move after feeding. Subsequently, we briefly address how the analytical challenges associated with leeches may apply to other sources of iDNA. Our review highlights that despite the considerable potential of leech (and indeed any) iDNA as a new survey tool, further pilot studies are needed to assess how analytical methods can overcome or not the potential biases and assumption violations of the new field of iDNA. Specifically we argue that studies to compare iDNA sampling with standard survey methods such as camera trapping, and those to improve our knowledge on leech (and other invertebrate parasite) physiology, taxonomy, and ecology will be of immense future value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Bærholm Schnell
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ; Center for Zoo and Wild Animal Health, Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Rahel Sollmann
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany ; Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, North Carolina, Raleigh USA ; Present address: US Forest Service, Pacific Southwest 17 Research Station, 1731 Research Park Drive, Davis, CA 95618 USA
| | | | - Mark E Siddall
- Sackler Institute of Comparative Genomics and Division of Invertebrate Zoology, American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA
| | - Douglas W Yu
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK ; State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan China
| | - Andreas Wilting
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Thomas P Gilbert
- Centre for GeoGenetics, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark ; Trace and Environmental DNA Laboratory, Department of Environment and Agriculture, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia Australia
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Schultz ST, Kruschel C, Bakran-Petricioli T, Petricioli D. Error, Power, and Blind Sentinels: The Statistics of Seagrass Monitoring. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138378. [PMID: 26367863 PMCID: PMC4569085 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We derive statistical properties of standard methods for monitoring of habitat cover worldwide, and criticize them in the context of mandated seagrass monitoring programs, as exemplified by Posidonia oceanica in the Mediterranean Sea. We report the novel result that cartographic methods with non-trivial classification errors are generally incapable of reliably detecting habitat cover losses less than about 30 to 50%, and the field labor required to increase their precision can be orders of magnitude higher than that required to estimate habitat loss directly in a field campaign. We derive a universal utility threshold of classification error in habitat maps that represents the minimum habitat map accuracy above which direct methods are superior. Widespread government reliance on blind-sentinel methods for monitoring seafloor can obscure the gradual and currently ongoing losses of benthic resources until the time has long passed for meaningful management intervention. We find two classes of methods with very high statistical power for detecting small habitat cover losses: 1) fixed-plot direct methods, which are over 100 times as efficient as direct random-plot methods in a variable habitat mosaic; and 2) remote methods with very low classification error such as geospatial underwater videography, which is an emerging, low-cost, non-destructive method for documenting small changes at millimeter visual resolution. General adoption of these methods and their further development will require a fundamental cultural change in conservation and management bodies towards the recognition and promotion of requirements of minimal statistical power and precision in the development of international goals for monitoring these valuable resources and the ecological services they provide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stewart T. Schultz
- Department of Ecology, Agriculture, and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, M. Pavlinovica bb, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
- * E-mail:
| | - Claudia Kruschel
- Department of Ecology, Agriculture, and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, M. Pavlinovica bb, 23000 Zadar, Croatia
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Vesk PA, Robinson D, van der Ree R, Wilson CM, Saywell S, McCarthy MA. Demographic Effects of Habitat Restoration for the Grey-Crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis, in Victoria, Australia. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130153. [PMID: 26177497 PMCID: PMC4503698 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Considerable resources are spent on habitat restoration across the globe to counter the impacts of habitat loss and degradation on wildlife populations. But, because of time and resourcing constraints on many conservation programs, the effectiveness of these habitat restoration programs in achieving their long-term goals of improving the population viability of particular wildlife species is rarely assessed and many restoration programs cannot demonstrate their effectiveness. Without such demonstration, and in particular demonstrating the causal relationships between habitat restoration actions and demographic responses of the target species, investments in restoration to achieve population outcomes are of uncertain value. Approach Here, we describe an approach that builds on population data collected for a threatened Australian bird – the Grey-crowned Babbler Pomatostomus temporalis - to evaluate how effectively targeted habitat restoration work improves its viability. We built upon an extensive historical survey by conducting surveys 13 years later at 117 sites stratified by presence/absence of restoration works and by detection or not of birds in the first survey. Our performance metric was the number of individuals in a social group, which is both a measure of local abundance and directly related to breeding success. We employed an occupancy model to estimate the response of Grey-crowned Babbler social group size to the effects of time, restoration works, local habitat as measured by the density of large trees, and distance to the nearest other known group of babblers. Results and implications Babbler group size decreased over the survey period at sites without restoration works, but restoration works were effective in stemming declines where they were done. Restoration was responsible for a difference of about one bird per group of 3-5 individuals; this is an important effect on the reproductive success of the social group. Effectiveness of restoration works targeted at the Grey-crowned Babbler was only demonstrable by sampling through time and including control sites without restoration works. This work demonstrates that while calls for better monitoring of restoration are valid, scope exists to recover a signal of effectiveness from opportunistic retrospective analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A. Vesk
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Rodney van der Ree
- Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, c/, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Caroline M. Wilson
- Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology, c/, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shirley Saywell
- Friends of the Grey-crowned Babbler, Euroa, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael A. McCarthy
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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Citizen science based monitoring of Greylag goose (Anser anser) in Bavaria (Germany): combining count data and bag data to estimate long-term trends between 1988/89 and 2010/11. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130159. [PMID: 26107952 PMCID: PMC4480356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2014] [Accepted: 05/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction, Material and Methods Numbers of large grazing bird (geese, swans, cranes) have increased all over Europe, but monitoring these species, e.g. for management purposes, can be time consuming and costly. In Bavaria, sedentary Greylag geese (Anser anser) are monitored during the winter by two different citizen-based monitoring schemes: the International Waterbird Census [IWC] and hunting bag statistics. We compared the results of both schemes for the seasons 1988/89 to 2010/11 by analysing annual indices calculated using the software TRends and Indices for Monitoring Data—TRIM. Results and Discussion We identified similar, highly significant rates of increase in both data sets for the entire region of Bavaria (IWC 14% [13–15%], bag 13% [12–14%]). Furthermore, in all of the seven Bavarian regions, trends in annual indices of both data sets correlated significantly. The quality of both datasets as indicators of abundances in Greylag geese populations in Bavaria was not undermined by either weaknesses typically associated with citizen based monitoring or problems generally assumed for IWC and bag data. We also show that bag data are, under the German system of collecting bag statistics, a reliable indicator of species’ distribution, especially for detecting newly colonized areas. Therefore, wildlife managers may want to consider bag data from citizen science led monitoring programmes as evidence supporting the decision making processes. We also discuss requirements for any bag monitoring schemes being established to monitor trends in species’ distribution and abundance.
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60
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Methodological challenges in monitoring bat population- and assemblage-level changes for anthropogenic impact assessment. Mamm Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2014.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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King AJ, Gawne B, Beesley L, Koehn JD, Nielsen DL, Price A. Improving ecological response monitoring of environmental flows. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 55:991-1005. [PMID: 25835945 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-015-0456-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Environmental flows are now an important restoration technique in flow-degraded rivers, and with the increasing public scrutiny of their effectiveness and value, the importance of undertaking scientifically robust monitoring is now even more critical. Many existing environmental flow monitoring programs have poorly defined objectives, nonjustified indicator choices, weak experimental designs, poor statistical strength, and often focus on outcomes from a single event. These negative attributes make them difficult to learn from. We provide practical recommendations that aim to improve the performance, scientific robustness, and defensibility of environmental flow monitoring programs. We draw on the literature and knowledge gained from working with stakeholders and managers to design, implement, and monitor a range of environmental flow types. We recommend that (1) environmental flow monitoring programs should be implemented within an adaptive management framework; (2) objectives of environmental flow programs should be well defined, attainable, and based on an agreed conceptual understanding of the system; (3) program and intervention targets should be attainable, measurable, and inform program objectives; (4) intervention monitoring programs should improve our understanding of flow-ecological responses and related conceptual models; (5) indicator selection should be based on conceptual models, objectives, and prioritization approaches; (6) appropriate monitoring designs and statistical tools should be used to measure and determine ecological response; (7) responses should be measured within timeframes that are relevant to the indicator(s); (8) watering events should be treated as replicates of a larger experiment; (9) environmental flow outcomes should be reported using a standard suite of metadata. Incorporating these attributes into future monitoring programs should ensure their outcomes are transferable and measured with high scientific credibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J King
- Research Institute for Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, 0909, Australia,
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63
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Legge
- Australian Wildlife Conservancy; Perth WA Australia
- Threatened Species Hub; National Environmental Science Program; Charles Darwin University; Darwin NT Australia
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64
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Cashins SD, Philips A, Skerratt LF. Using site-occupancy models to prepare for the spread of chytridiomyosis and identify factors affecting detectability of a cryptic susceptible species, the Tasmanian tree frog. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2015. [DOI: 10.1071/wr14183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
The global reduction of amphibian biodiversity as a result of the disease chytridiomycosis (caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis; Bd) has highlighted the need to accurately detect local population declines in association with Bd presence. Although Bd has spread globally, some remote regions such as the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area (1.40 million ha; TWWHA) in Australia, remain largely, but not entirely, disease free. The Tasmanian tree frog (Litoria burrowsae) resides primarily within TWWHA boundaries, and is believed to be susceptible to chytridiomycosis.
Aims
In the absence of historical abundance data, we used a single-season multi-state site-occupancy model to investigate the impact of Bd on L. burrowsae populations, on factors affecting species detection and to inform ongoing surveillance and conservation.
Methods
We recorded frog detection and ranked call intensity (estimation of population size) from repeated independent surveys within a season to estimate the role of covariates, such as presence of Bd and environmental variables, on species occupancy and detection probability.
Key results
Modelling revealed large frog populations are more likely to be present at naturally formed than human-formed ponds, strong winds negatively affect detection of populations, and time after sunset affects detection of large populations. Large frog populations were more likely to be Bd-negative; however, models including Bd presence were not well supported, in part a result of the small number of Bd-positive sites recorded.
Conclusions and Implications
The utility of site-occupancy modelling in understanding the impact of disease on populations is little known, but has the potential to improve the accuracy and efficiency of many conservation programs.
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Boivin F, Simard A, Peres-Neto P. Can wide consultation help with setting priorities for large-scale biodiversity monitoring programs? PLoS One 2014; 9:e113905. [PMID: 25525798 PMCID: PMC4272257 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/02/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate and other global change phenomena affecting biodiversity require monitoring to track ecosystem changes and guide policy and management actions. Designing a biodiversity monitoring program is a difficult task that requires making decisions that often lack consensus due to budgetary constrains. As monitoring programs require long-term investment, they also require strong and continuing support from all interested parties. As such, stakeholder consultation is key to identify priorities and make sound design decisions that have as much support as possible. Here, we present the results of a consultation conducted to serve as an aid for designing a large-scale biodiversity monitoring program for the province of Québec (Canada). The consultation took the form of a survey with 13 discrete choices involving tradeoffs in respect to design priorities and 10 demographic questions (e.g., age, profession). The survey was sent to thousands of individuals having expected interests and knowledge about biodiversity and was completed by 621 participants. Overall, consensuses were few and it appeared difficult to create a design fulfilling the priorities of the majority. Most participants wanted 1) a monitoring design covering the entire territory and focusing on natural habitats; 2) a focus on species related to ecosystem services, on threatened and on invasive species. The only demographic characteristic that was related to the type of prioritization was the declared level of knowledge in biodiversity (null to high), but even then the influence was quite small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Boivin
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Anouk Simard
- Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Pedro Peres-Neto
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
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Nuno A, Milner‐Gulland EJ, Bunnefeld N. Detecting abundance trends under uncertainty: the influence of budget, observation error and environmental change. Anim Conserv 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Nuno
- Department of Life Sciences Imperial College London Ascot UK
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Exeter Cornwall Campus Penryn Cornwall UK
| | | | - N. Bunnefeld
- Biological and Environmental Sciences School of Natural Sciences University of Stirling Stirling UK
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Fitzsimons JA, Carr CB. Conservation covenants on private land: issues with measuring and achieving biodiversity outcomes in Australia. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2014; 54:606-616. [PMID: 25053159 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-014-0329-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/30/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Conservation covenants and easements have become essential tools to secure biodiversity outcomes on private land, and to assist in meeting international protection targets. In Australia, the number and spatial area of conservation covenants has grown significantly in the past decade. Yet there has been little research or detailed policy analysis of conservation covenanting in Australia. We sought to determine how conservation covenanting agencies were measuring the biodiversity conservation outcomes achieved on covenanted properties, and factors inhibiting or contributing to measuring these outcomes. In addition, we also investigated the drivers and constraints associated with actually delivering the biodiversity outcomes, drawing on detailed input from covenanting programs. Although all conservation covenanting programs had the broad aim of maintaining or improving biodiversity in their covenants in the long term, the specific stated objectives of conservation covenanting programs varied. Programs undertook monitoring and evaluation in different ways and at different spatial and temporal scales. Thus, it was difficult to determine the extent Australian conservation covenanting agencies were measuring the biodiversity conservation outcomes achieved on covenanted properties on a national scale. Lack of time available to covenantors to undertake management was one of the biggest impediments to achieving biodiversity conservation outcomes. A lack of financial resources and human capital to monitor, knowing what to monitor, inconsistent monitoring methodologies, a lack of benchmark data, and length of time to achieve outcomes were all considered potential barriers to monitoring the biodiversity conservation outcomes of conservation covenants.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Fitzsimons
- The Nature Conservancy, Suite 2-01, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton, VIC, 3053, Australia,
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van Dijk A, Mount R, Gibbons P, Vardon M, Canadell P. Environmental reporting and accounting in Australia: progress, prospects and research priorities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 473-474:338-349. [PMID: 24378926 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.12.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2013] [Revised: 12/10/2013] [Accepted: 12/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite strong demand for information to support the sustainable use of Australia's natural resources and conserve environmental values and despite considerable effort and investment, nation-wide environmental data collection and analysis remains a substantially unmet challenge. We review progress in producing national environmental reports and accounts, identify challenges and opportunities, and analyse the potential role of research in addressing these. Australia's low and concentrated population density and the short history since European settlement contribute to the lack of environmental data. There are additional factors: highly diverse data requirements and standards, disagreement on information priorities, poorly measurable management objectives, lack of coordination, over-reliance on researchers and businesses for data collection, lack of business engagement, and short-term, project-based activities. New opportunities have arisen to overcome some of these challenges: enhanced monitoring networks, standardisation, data management and modelling, greater commitment to share and integrate data, community monitoring, increasing acceptance of environmental and sustainability indicators, and progress in environmental accounting practices. Successes in generating climate, water and greenhouse gas information appear to be attributable to an unambiguous data requirement, considerable investment, and legislative instruments that enhance data sharing and create a clearly defined role for operational agencies. Based on the analysis presented, we suggest six priorities for research: (1) common definitions and standards for information that address management objectives, (2) ecological measures that are scalable from local to national level, (3) promotion of long-term data collection and reporting by researchers, (4) efficient satellite and sensor network technologies and data analysis methods, (5) environmental modelling approaches that can reconcile multiple data sources, and (6) experimental accounting to pursue consistent, credible and relevant information structures and to identify new data requirements. Opportunities exist to make progress in each of these areas and help secure a more sustainable future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Mount
- Bureau of Meteorology, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia; University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
| | - Philip Gibbons
- Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Michael Vardon
- Australian Bureau of Statistics, Belconnen, ACT, Australia
| | - Pep Canadell
- CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Canberra, ACT, Australia
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Entenmann SK, Kaphegyi TAM, Schmitt CB. Forest biodiversity monitoring for REDD+: a case study of actors' views in Peru. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2014; 53:300-317. [PMID: 24178126 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-013-0191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Accepted: 10/11/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The climate change mitigation mechanism Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in developing countries (REDD+) is currently being negotiated under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Integrating biodiversity monitoring into REDD+ facilitates compliance with the safeguards stipulated by the UNFCCC to exclude environmental risks. Interviews with actors engaged in REDD+ implementation and biodiversity conservation at the national and sub-national level in Peru (n = 30) and a literature review (n = 58) were conducted to pinpoint constraints and opportunities for monitoring effects of REDD+ management interventions on biodiversity, and to identify relevant biodiversity data and indicators. It was found that particularly sub-national actors, who were frequently involved in REDD+ pilot projects, acknowledge the availability of biodiversity data. Actors at both the national and sub-national levels, however, criticized data gaps and data being scattered across biodiversity research organizations. Most of the literature reviewed (78 %) included indicators on the state of certain biodiversity aspects, especially mammals. Indicators for pressure on biodiversity, impacts on environmental functions, or policy responses to environmental threats were addressed less frequently (31, 21, and 10 %, respectively). Integrating biodiversity concerns in carbon monitoring schemes was considered to have potential, although few specific examples were identified. The involvement of biodiversity research organizations in sub-national REDD+ activities enhances monitoring capacities. It is discussed how improvements in collaboration among actors from the project to the national level could facilitate the evaluation of existing information at the national level. Monitoring changes in ecosystem services may increase the ecological and socioeconomic viability of REDD+.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steffen K Entenmann
- Institute for Earth and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, University of Freiburg, Tennenbacher Straße 4, 79106, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany,
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Davies TE, Fazey IRA, Cresswell W, Pettorelli N. Missing the trees for the wood: Why we are failing to see success in pro-poor conservation. Anim Conserv 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T. E. Davies
- University of St Andrews; Fife UK
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; London UK
| | - I. R. A. Fazey
- School of the Environment; University of Dundee; Dundee UK
| | | | - N. Pettorelli
- Institute of Zoology; Zoological Society of London; London UK
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71
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Steidl RJ, Conway CJ, Litt AR. Power to detect trends in abundance of secretive marsh birds: Effects of species traits and sampling effort. J Wildl Manage 2013. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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72
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Hurley VG, White JG, Cooke R. Techniques for optimising long-term, large-scale capture–mark–resighting raptor studies: climb hard, band fast. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2013. [DOI: 10.1071/wr12188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Context
Efficiency of large-scale capture–mark–recapture (CMR) studies can be improved by developing accurate methods for predicting the window of opportunity in which banding can occur.
Aims
This research aimed to investigate potential efficiency improvements in a long-term CMR raptor study. The research focussed on: (1) developing selection processes for adopting CMR protocols; (2) testing methods for increasing the number of nestlings successfully banded; and (3) assessing the efficacy of visual identification (VID) bands for collecting re-sight data.
Methods
Ten selection criteria were developed into a robust CMR-technique selection process and used to assess marking techniques commonly applied to birds. Optimising banding effort by predicting banding dates using two different techniques a priori and a posteriori were tested against a traditional approach to the timing of banding. The cost (in time) to collect resight data at an active nest site was also measured.
Key results
The CMR selection criteria and parameters provided a transparent selection process and scored metal VID bands the highest for the study design. This provided individual recognition of marked birds up to the expected life-span of 14 years. Both techniques for predicting banding dates improved the proportion of whole clutches banded by 40%. The average time to identify both peregrine falcon adults of a breeding pair wearing VID bands was 30 min.
Conclusions
The two methods described here for predicting preferred banding dates are of particular value as efficient approaches to banding large numbers of nestlings are key to the success of CMR studies. All of the methods developed in this research can be applied to CMR studies of almost any bird species with a predictable seasonal breeding system.
Implications
Optimisation and cost effectiveness of CMR studies for seasonal breeding birds can be significantly improved by accurately predicting the window of opportunity in which banding of nestlings can be carried out, and also utilising VID colour bands for rapid collection of recapture data.
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Howe C, Milner-Gulland EJ. The view from the office is not all bad: conservation evaluation as a ‘sexy’ research goal. Anim Conserv 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2012.00563.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. Howe
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Environmental Policy; Imperial College London; London; UK
| | - E. J. Milner-Gulland
- Department of Life Sciences and Centre for Environmental Policy; Imperial College London; London; UK
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