1
|
McClure CJW, Berkunsky I, Buechley ER, Dunn L, Johnson J, McCabe J, Oppel S, Rolek BW, Sutton LJ, Gumbs R. Conserving the evolutionary history of birds. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2023; 37:e14141. [PMID: 37424371 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.14141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
In the midst of the sixth mass extinction, limited resources are forcing conservationists to prioritize which species and places will receive conservation action. Evolutionary distinctiveness measures the isolation of a species on its phylogenetic tree. Combining a species' evolutionary distinctiveness with its globally endangered status creates an EDGE score. We use EDGE scores to prioritize the places and species that should be managed to conserve bird evolutionary history. We analyzed all birds in all countries and important bird areas. We examined parrots, raptors, and seabirds in depth because these groups are especially threatened and relatively speciose. The three focal groups had greater median threatened evolutionary history than other taxa, making them important for conserving bird evolutionary history. Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, New Zealand, and the Philippines were especially critical countries for bird conservation because they had the most threatened evolutionary history for endemic birds and are important for parrots, raptors, and seabirds. Increased enforcement of international agreements for the conservation of parrots, raptors, and seabirds is needed because these agreements protect hundreds of millions of years of threatened bird evolutionary history. Decisive action is required to conserve the evolutionary history of birds into the Anthropocene.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Igor Berkunsky
- Instituto Multidisciplinario sobre Ecosistemas y Desarrollo Sustentable-CICPBA, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Tandil, Argentina
| | | | - Leah Dunn
- The Peregrine Fund, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - Jeff Johnson
- Wolf Creek Operating Foundation, Wolf, Wyoming, USA
| | | | - Steffen Oppel
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | | | - Rikki Gumbs
- EDGE of Existence Programme, Zoological Society of London, London, UK
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Berkshire, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Miranda R, Escribano N, Casas M, Pino-Del-Carpio A, Villarroya A. The Role of Zoos and Aquariums in a Changing World. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:287-306. [PMID: 36266060 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050622-104306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Zoos and aquariums have evolved significantly. From their origins as enclosures for the mere entertainment of the public, these institutions have undertaken new functions responding to the biodiversity crisis and social demands. Modern zoos and aquariums have the opportunity to educate people, contribute to species conservation, and produce animal-related research. However, there is increasing criticism toward the outcomes of their actions and the holding of species in their facilities. This review offers an integrated analysis of the state of knowledge about the role that zoos and aquariums play today. It describes their performance regarding their conservation, education, and research functions, highlighting general patterns and offering future perspectives. It identifies some challenges common to all these institutions, concluding that the way they keep up with the ever-growing social and environmental expectations will be decisive hereafter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Miranda
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (BIOMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; , , , ,
| | - Nora Escribano
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (BIOMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; , , , ,
| | - María Casas
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (BIOMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; , , , ,
| | - Andrea Pino-Del-Carpio
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (BIOMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; , , , ,
| | - Ana Villarroya
- Instituto de Biodiversidad y Medioambiente (BIOMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain; , , , ,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Escribano N, Ariño AH, Pino-Del-Carpio A, Galicia D, Miranda R. Global trends in research output by zoos and aquariums. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2021; 35:1894-1902. [PMID: 33949728 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Zoos and aquaria, often regarded as preservation-cum-entertainment enterprises, are also actors in the effort to curb the biodiversity crisis: raising awareness, supporting conservation, and conducting research. We assessed trends in zoo and aquaria research topics and study organisms over time worldwide. For the zoos and aquaria registered in the Species360's Zoological Information Management System and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, we compiled metadata on their research published in the peer-reviewed literature indexed in Scopus and carried out a keyword frequency analysis. The production of scientific papers by zoos increased at a much faster rate than the average accrual of scientific papers in the literature. Evolution of research themes ran parallel to that of biological sciences (e.g., development of molecular genetics or increased awareness about conservation). The focus of 48.5% of zoo-led research was on vertebrates, of which mammal research was 33.7%. Whether zoos are effectively contributing to conservation may still be debatable, but our results highlight their institutional efforts to increase knowledge about the species in their care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nora Escribano
- Department of Environmental Biology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Arturo H Ariño
- Department of Environmental Biology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Biodiversity and Environment Institute, Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - David Galicia
- Department of Environmental Biology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Biodiversity and Environment Institute, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rafael Miranda
- Department of Environmental Biology, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
- Biodiversity and Environment Institute, Pamplona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Luther D, Cooper WJ, Wong J, Walker M, Farinelli S, Visseren‐Hamakers I, Burfield IJ, Simkins A, Bunting G, Brooks TM, Dicks K, Scott J, Westrip JRS, Lamoreux J, Parr M, de Silva N, Foster M, Upgren A, Butchart SHM. Conservation actions benefit the most threatened species: A 13‐year assessment of Alliance for Zero Extinction species. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- David Luther
- Department of Biology and Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USA
| | - William Justin Cooper
- Department of Biology and Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USA
| | - Jesse Wong
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USA
| | | | - Sarah Farinelli
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Thomas M. Brooks
- International Union for Conservation of Nature Gland Switzerland
| | - Kara Dicks
- International Union for Conservation of Nature Cambridge UK
| | - Janet Scott
- International Union for Conservation of Nature Cambridge UK
| | | | - John Lamoreux
- Department of Biology George Mason University Fairfax Virginia USA
| | - Mike Parr
- American Bird Conservancy The Plains Virginia USA
| | | | - Matt Foster
- Global Wildlife Conservation Austin Texas USA
| | - Amy Upgren
- American Bird Conservancy The Plains Virginia USA
| | - Stuart H. M. Butchart
- BirdLife International Cambridge UK
- Department of Zoology University of Cambridge Cambridge UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Zhu L, Hughes AC, Zhao XQ, Zhou LJ, Ma KP, Shen XL, Li S, Liu MZ, Xu WB, Watson JEM. Regional scalable priorities for national biodiversity and carbon conservation planning in Asia. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabe4261. [PMID: 34446433 PMCID: PMC8388611 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe4261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
To achieve the goals of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework, we must identify representative targets that effectively protect biodiversity and can be implemented at a national level. We developed a framework to identify synergies between biodiversity and carbon across the Asian region and proposed a stepwise approach based on scalable priorities at regional, biome, and national levels that can complement potential Convention on Biological Diversity targets of protecting 30% land in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Our targets show that 30% of Asian land could effectively protect over 70% of all assessed species relative to only 11% now (based on analysis of 8932 terrestrial vertebrates), in addition to 2.3 to 3.6 hundred billion metric tons of carbon. Funding mechanisms are needed to ensure such targets to support biodiversity-carbon mutually beneficial solutions at the national level while reflecting broader priorities, especially in hyperdiverse countries where priorities exceed 30% of land.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Alice C Hughes
- Centre for Integrative Conservation, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Menglun, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan 666303, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Li-Jing Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ke-Ping Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiao-Li Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental Change, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ming-Zhang Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Wu-Bing Xu
- Centre for Biodiversity Dynamics in a Changing World (BIOCHANGE) and Section for Ecoinformatics and Biodiversity, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - James E M Watson
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Wildlife Conservation Society, Global Conservation Program, 2300 Southern Boulevard Bronx, New York, NY 10460, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
McCay SD, Lacher TE. National level use of International Union for Conservation of Nature knowledge products in American National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans and National Reports to the Convention on Biological Diversity. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Shelby D. McCay
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute, Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| | - Thomas E. Lacher
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Green RE, Gilbert G, Wilson JD, Jennings K. Implications of the prevalence and magnitude of sustained declines for determining a minimum threshold for favourable population size. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0228742. [PMID: 32050003 PMCID: PMC7015407 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
We propose a new approach to quantifying a minimum threshold value for the size of an animal population, below which that population might be categorised as having unfavourable status. Under European Union law, the concept of Favourable Conservation Status requires assessment of populations as having favourable or unfavourable status, but quantitative methods for such assessments have not yet been developed. One population threshold that is well established in conservation biology is the minimum viable population (MVP) defined as the size of a small but stable population with an acceptably low risk of extinction within a specified period. Our approach combines this small-population paradigm MVP concept with a multiplier, which is a factor by which the MVP is multiplied to allow for the risk of a sustained future decline. We demonstrate this approach using data on UK breeding bird population sizes. We used 43-year time-series data for 189 species and a qualitative assessment of population trends over almost 200 years for 229 species to examine the prevalence, duration and magnitude of sustained population declines. Our study addressed the problem of underestimation of the duration and magnitude of declines caused by short runs of monitoring data by allowing for the truncation of time series. The multiplier was derived from probability distributions of decline magnitudes within a given period, adjusted for truncation. Over a surveillance period of 100 years, we estimated that there was a 10% risk across species that a sustained population decline of at least sixteen-fold would begin. We therefore suggest that, in this case, a factor of 16 could be used as the multiplier of small-population MVPs to obtain minimum threshold population sizes for favourable status. We propose this 'MVP Multiplier' method as a new and robust approach to obtaining minimum threshold population sizes which integrates the concepts of small-population and declining-population paradigms. The minimum threshold value we propose is intended for use alongside a range of other measures to enable overall assessments of favourable conservation status.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rhys E. Green
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United kingdom
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Sandy, Bedfordshire, United kingdom
| | - Gillian Gilbert
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science, Glasgow, United kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Kate Jennings
- RSPB Department of Site Conservation Policy, Sandy, Bedfordshire, United kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Mellish S, Ryan JC, Pearson EL, Tuckey MR. Research methods and reporting practices in zoo and aquarium conservation-education evaluation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2019; 33:40-52. [PMID: 30044901 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Zoos and aquariums are increasingly incorporating conservation education into their mission statements and visitor experiences to address global biodiversity loss. To advance knowledge and practice in the field, research is being conducted to evaluate the effect of zoo conservation-education experiences on visitor psychosocial outcomes (e.g., knowledge, attitude, emotions, motivations, behavior). Following recent discussions among scholars and practitioners concerning logistical and methodological challenges that likely undermine the conclusions of such research, we identified and reviewed the methods and reporting practices in peer-reviewed articles published in English from May 1998 to June 2016 that focused on adult visitor samples (47 articles, 48 studies). We examined elements of internal, external, construct, and statistical conclusion validity. Methodological quality of quantitative methods and reporting practices was determined using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. Each study was coded as either strong (no weak ratings), moderate (1 weak rating), or weak (≥2 weak ratings). The quantitative methods of 83.3% of studies were weak. The remaining 16.7% had methods of moderate quality. Using an existing checklist, we also assessed the quality and rigor of qualitative methods and reporting practices and found that some aspects of these methods were reported more comprehensively than others. For example, 69.6% of articles discussed methods for identifying key themes from the data, whereas only 34.8% reported how data verification was performed. We suggest increased application of intensive longitudinal methods (e.g., daily diary) to strengthen self-reported data, experimental and repeated-measures designs, and mixed-methods approaches. Our findings and recommendations could strengthen and guide the research and evaluation agenda for the field and ultimately enhance the contribution zoos make to global biodiversity conservation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mellish
- Conservation Psychology and Applied Animal Behaviour Centre, School of Psychology, Social Work, and Social Policy, Magill Campus, St Bernards Road, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Jillian C Ryan
- Conservation Psychology and Applied Animal Behaviour Centre, School of Psychology, Social Work, and Social Policy, Magill Campus, St Bernards Road, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Elissa L Pearson
- Conservation Psychology and Applied Animal Behaviour Centre, School of Psychology, Social Work, and Social Policy, Magill Campus, St Bernards Road, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| | - Michelle R Tuckey
- Centre for Applied Psychological Research, School of Psychology, Social Work and Social Policy, Magill Campus, St Bernards Road, University of South Australia, GPO Box 2471, Adelaide, SA, 5001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|