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Sarkar UK, Kathirvelpandian A, Kantharajan G, Tyagi LK, Lakra WS. The concept of "state fishes of India": Current status, knowledge gaps, and strategic plans for conservation and sustainable utilization. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2024; 104:1675-1697. [PMID: 38530167 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.15729] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
The concept of "state fishes of India" highlights the importance and significance of the prioritized fish species distributed across various states within the country. This review article systematically documents the current status of state fishes from various perspectives, identifies the prevailing knowledge gaps, and also highlights the issues and strategic plans essential for the conservation and sustainable utilization of these valuable genetic resources. A total of 8357 publications were checked for the consolidated information on state fish species, and the appropriate items were selected under eight categories: biology, physiology and nutrition, aquaculture, habitat and environmental parameters, genetics and biotechnology, harvest and postharvest, fish health management, and others. The synthesized information was used to present the current status of research and development on state fish species. The knowledge gaps that are to be addressed are also depicted under the perspectives of fisheries management and conservation aquaculture. Based on the findings, strategic plans for the targeted conservation programmes are proposed and discussed under various in situ and ex situ conservation measures. Further, the departmental processes involved in the declaration, the importance of stakeholder involvement, namely, local communities and policymakers, in fostering effective conservation measures, and planning for utilization of these valuable fish genetic resources are also indicated.
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Kaszta Ż, Cushman SA, Hearn A, Sloan S, Laurance WF, Haidir IA, Macdonald DW. Projected development in Borneo and Sumatra will greatly reduce connectivity for an apex carnivore. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170256. [PMID: 38253102 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The islands of Borneo and Sumatra are strongholds for biodiversity and home for many endemic species. They also have experienced amongst the highest deforestation rates globally. Both islands are undergoing massive, rapid infrastructure development, leading to further deforestation and habitat fragmentation. Here, we identify priority areas for continued functional forest connectivity across Borneo and Sumatra, using spatial models of clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi, a forest indicator species) movement, and impacts thereto from existing and future infrastructure development. We specifically measure and map the anticipated impacts on forest functional connectivity of three major infrastructure development projects (Pan Borneo Highway, Trans-Sumatran Toll Road, and the new Indonesian capital city of Nusantara). We found that core clouded leopard habitats are already highly fragmented in Sumatra, constituting only ∼13 % of the island, with potential dispersal corridors still linking some habitat fragments. In Borneo, clouded leopard core habitats cover 34 % of the island, with one large central core area and several much smaller satellite cores, which are largely unprotected (15 % protected, compared to 42 % in Sumatra). The largest negative effect on habitat connectivity was predicted for Nusantara (66 % of the total connectivity loss predicted for all three infrastructure projects), reverberating across the entirety of Borneo with the strongest effects in East Kalimantan. The Pan Borneo Highway accounted for 28 % of the total connectivity loss, affecting every province in Borneo and Brunei, with 6 % of this decrease located within protected areas. The Trans-Sumatran Toll Road had the smallest negative effect on connectivity (6 %) but only when excluding the already built segments, which, when included, produce a total negative impact similar to that of the Pan Borneo Highway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Żaneta Kaszta
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Arizona University, 617 S Beaver, Flagstaff, AZ 86011, USA.
| | - Samuel A Cushman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew Hearn
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Sean Sloan
- Department. of Geography, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5, Canada
| | - William F Laurance
- Centre for Tropical Environmental and Sustainability Science, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Cairns, Australia
| | - Iding A Haidir
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Wildlife Work Indonesia - Regional Asia, Jakarta 102010, Indonesia
| | - David W Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Natsukawa H, Yuasa H, Sutton LJ, Amano H, Haga M, Itaya H, Kawashima H, Komuro S, Konno T, Mori K, Onagi M, Ichinose T, Sergio F. Utilizing a top predator to prioritize site protection for biodiversity conservation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 347:119110. [PMID: 37783076 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing global change makes it ever more urgent to find creative solutions for biodiversity preservation, but prioritizing sites for protection can be challenging. One shortcut lies in mapping the habitat requirements of well-established biodiversity indicators, such as top predators, to identify high-biodiversity sites. Here, we planned site protection for biodiversity conservation by developing a multi-scale species distribution model (SDM) for the raptorial Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis; goshawk) breeding in an extensive megacity region of Japan. Specifically, we: (1) examined the determinants of top predator occurrence and thus of high-biodiversity value in this megacity setting, (2) identified the biodiversity hotspots, (3) validated whether they actually held higher biodiversity through an independent dataset, and (4) evaluated their current protection by environmental laws. The SDM revealed that goshawks preferred secluded sites far from roads, with abundant forest within a 100 m radius and extensive forest ecotones suitable for hunting within a 900 m radius. This multi-scale landscape configuration was independently confirmed to hold higher biodiversity, yet covered only 3.2% of the study area, with only 44.0% of these sites legally protected. Thus, a rapid biodiversity assessment mediated by a top predator quickly highlighted: (1) the poor development of biodiversity-friendly urban planning in this megacity complex, an aspect overlooked for decades of rapid urban sprawl, and (2) the extreme urgency of extending legal protection to the sites missed by the current protected area network. Exigent biodiversity indicators, such as top predators, could be employed in the early or late stages of anthropogenic impacts in order to proactively incorporate biodiversity protection into planning or flag key biodiversity relics. Our results confirm and validate the applied reliability of top predatory species as biodiversity conservation tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Natsukawa
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana - CSIC, Seville, Spain.
| | - Hiroki Yuasa
- Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | | | | | - Masaru Haga
- Japan Accipiter Working Group, Ishikawa, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Takeo Konno
- Japan Accipiter Working Group, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kaname Mori
- Japan Accipiter Working Group, Ishikawa, Japan
| | | | - Tomohiro Ichinose
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Fabrizio Sergio
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana - CSIC, Seville, Spain
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Wang Y, Shi J, Wu Y, Zhang W, Yang X, Lv H, Xia S, Zhao S, Tian J, Cui P, Xu J. Selection of Flagship Species and Their Use as Umbrellas in Bird Conservation: A Case Study in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1825. [PMID: 37889725 PMCID: PMC10251992 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The concept of flagship species is widely used in conservation biology. Flagship birds play a key role in raising conservation funds, increasing awareness of biodiversity conservation, and maintaining ecosystem services. This study selected flagship bird species in Lishui, Zhejiang Province, China, and assessed their conservation effectiveness and ability to serve as umbrella species. A regional bird survey program from 2019-2022 recorded 361 bird species in Lishui. This study constructed a framework of flagship species selection based on social, ecological, economic, and cultural criteria. The analytic hierarchy process-entropy weight method (AHP-EM) was used to rank the score of 361 bird species, and the MaxEnt model was used to analyze the suitable distribution areas of these species. Finally, 10 species, which covered the distribution sites of all 361 bird species, were selected as the flagship species of Lishui. The distribution areas covered all the nature reserves and the priority areas of biodiversity of Lishui, in which these 10 species can also serve as umbrella species to protect local biodiversity. The methodology and ideas in this study could provide insights into the application of conservation concepts at the local level, as well as suggest possible recommendations for local governments to select flagship species for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Wang
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 East Qinghua Road Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China;
| | - Jie Shi
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Yi Wu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Wenwen Zhang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Xiao Yang
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Huanxin Lv
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (H.L.); (S.X.)
| | - Shaoxia Xia
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; (H.L.); (S.X.)
| | - Shengjun Zhao
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Jing Tian
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Peng Cui
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory on Biodiversity and Biosafety, Research Center for Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing 210042, China; (J.S.); (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (X.Y.); (S.Z.); (J.T.)
| | - Jiliang Xu
- School of Ecology and Nature Conservation, Beijing Forestry University, 35 East Qinghua Road Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China;
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Hooper J. Thinking with Civets: The Role of Zoos in the Decolonisation of Animal Tourism. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1739. [PMID: 37889662 PMCID: PMC10251905 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Civets belong to the family Viverridae, an ancient line of 'cat-like' animals. Despite their large geographic distribution across southeast Asia and parts of Africa, little scientific attention has been attributed to Viverrids or Viverrid-human relations. This paper applies the lens of civets to explore the tensive intersection between animal welfare, conservation, and colonialism within the tourism landscape. Through thinking with civets, this paper brings two forms of animal commodification into dialogue: (1) the management of civets in zoos around the globe and (2) the rising trend in civet coffee production and tourism in Asia. By qualitatively analysing the entanglements between colonialism, animal welfare, and conservation and how each impacts the lives and treatment of civets in tourism, this paper calls for enhanced reflexivity and thus the decolonisation of animal-based tourism. Suggestions are made on how zoos may progress towards the decolonisation of animal tourism, and the argument is made that zoos are well positioned and morally obligated to answer this call. By doing so, greater attention can be given to the animals whose lives are most affected by the global tourism landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jes Hooper
- The Department of Social and Political Sciences, Philosophy, and Anthropology, The University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LP, UK
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Samojlik T, Daszkiewicz P, Fedotova A, Ričkienė A, Cielemęcka O, Szczygielska M. Evolution of European bison image and its implications for current species conservation. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281113. [PMID: 36719893 PMCID: PMC9888683 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Visual media are one of the fastest and most effective tools informing the public about conservation goals and convincing societies to support conservation actions. Similar mechanisms functioned in the past, only within a much longer time scale and different communication channels. We analyse the evolution of European bison's depictions between 1500 and 1900 in the context of building public awareness of the species and its conservation needs. Experts evaluated the anatomical accuracy of thirty eight images of the species from the period analysed, and their conservation appeal was assessed by using an online survey of the general public. Existing knowledge and previous publications allowed authors to describe the development of the scientific knowledge about European bison in 1500-1900. By juxtaposing this with anatomical accuracy of depictions, a conclusion was reached that the accuracy of depictions was not directly linked to the state of knowledge about the species. In the survey, the public reception of the accuracy of historical pictures of European bison, as well as their potential to be used in conservation campaigns, was connected with subjective appeal of depicted animals. This lesson can be translated to modern conservation campaigns using mass media and global communication channels: popularization of knowledge on species of concern should be accompanied by appealing depictions of these species to strengthen public reception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Samojlik
- Mammal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Białowieża, Poland
| | - Piotr Daszkiewicz
- UMS PatriNat (OFB-CNRS-MNHN), Muséum National D’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
| | - Anastasia Fedotova
- Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Olga Cielemęcka
- Department of Gender Studies, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Lundberg P, Arponen A. An overview of reviews of conservation flagships: evaluating fundraising ability and surrogate power. NATURE CONSERVATION 2022. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.49.81219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The main role of flagship species in biodiversity conservation is to raise awareness and funds for conservation. Because of their marketing role, flagship species are often selected based on other than biodiversity related criteria, such as species charisma or aesthetic appeal. Nonetheless, funds raised through flagship species are often used to protect the species itself, making it important to evaluate the effectiveness of flagship species as conservation tools: For example, could superior fundraising ability outweigh the low biodiversity surrogate power of a flagship, justifying this ambivalent role in conservation? To assess flagship effectiveness from this dual perspective, we must synthesize evidence on a) the fundraising potential of flagship species vs. other conservation targets, such as ecosystems or biodiversity, and b) the biodiversity surrogate power of potential flagship taxa. We approached this broad topic through an overview of reviews on both subtopics. We found no evidence that charismatic flagship species were superior fundraisers over other conservation targets. In addition, studies evaluating the biodiversity surrogacy power of different taxa had mainly resulted in mixed findings, contesting the overall usefulness of the concept in conservation. The variability of study setups and methods made comparisons between studies difficult, highlighting the need to standardize future research (e.g., standardizing explanatory variables). Further possible reasons for lack of conclusive evidence on fundraising potential are the dominance of factors other than flagship identity (e.g., scope and conservation status) and differences in donor preferences. We recommend Environmental NGOs to develop and diversify their fundraising strategies based on best available knowledge, and rely less on mere species charisma.
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Natsukawa H, Sergio F. Top predators as biodiversity indicators: A meta‐analysis. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:2062-2075. [DOI: 10.1111/ele.14077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Haruki Natsukawa
- Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences Yokohama National University Yokohama Kanagawa Japan
| | - Fabrizio Sergio
- Department of Conservation Biology Estación Biológica de Doñana—CSIC Seville Spain
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Macdonald D, Johnson P, Burnham D, Dickman A, Hinks A, Sillero-Zubiri C, Macdonald E. Understanding Nuanced Preferences For Carnivore Conservation: To Know Them Is Not Always To Love Them. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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SAD but True: Species Awareness Disparity in Bees Is a Result of Bee-Less Biology Lessons in Germany. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14052604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Bee and insect mortality has recently moved to the forefront of current nature conservation debates and experiences intensive media coverage worldwide. In order to understand the complexity, it is necessary to raise awareness of the diversity of bees. This study investigated whether students are aware of the species diversity of bees. We are guided by the concept of ‘plant blindness’ and show that it cannot be assumed that people are only ’plant-blind’. Therefore, we introduce the concept of Species Awareness Disparity (SAD) in bees to describe a phenomenon which can be defined as the failure to appreciate the significance of wild bee species and the inability to distinguish between individual species of the Apidae family. A total of 421 German students in grades 5–7 participated. The majority of students did not associate a diversity of species with the term ‘wild bee’ but rather consider the honeybee as the bee. Only 2.7% (N = 421) of the students were able to correctly identify pictures of wild bees and the honeybee. This highlights the importance of educating students about the identity and nature of bees in their environment so that they become aware of their meaning from both a personal and an ecological perspective.
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Mekonnen A, Fashing PJ, Chapman CA, Venkataraman VV, Stenseth NC. The value of flagship and umbrella species for restoration and sustainable development: Bale monkeys and bamboo forest in Ethiopia. J Nat Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2021.126117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Fančovičová J, Prokop P, Repáková R, Medina-Jerez W. Factors Influencing the Sponsoring of Animals in Slovak Zoos. Animals (Basel) 2021; 12:ani12010021. [PMID: 35011128 PMCID: PMC8749688 DOI: 10.3390/ani12010021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary To achieve conservation goals with ex situ programs, zoos have two alternatives: government funding and private donations. By using published data from 2018 on the amount of money received by zoos through adoption programs (if any), we investigated the factors influencing donations in all Slovak zoos. Generalized linear mixed models were applied throughout statistical analyses. Although the majority of animal species in the zoos included in this study had low a conservation status, a few others, like amphibians, were rarely listed as threatened species. In general, vertebrates received more funding than invertebrates, and mammals were the preferred taxa by private contributors. Mammals were sponsored more frequently than non-mammal species, except for reptiles. We submit that zoo managers could concentrate their efforts on the breeding of threatened animals to support their reintroduction to the wild and to enhance people’s awareness of these animal species. Abstract Anthropogenic disturbance causes biodiversity loss, and consequently the captive conservation (ex situ) of threatened animals may be an effective strategy in protecting species. We used estimated body mass, phylogenetic closeness with humans, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conservation status, and species attractiveness scores, to examine the factors influencing the adoption likelihood of a species in all Slovak zoos. In general, vertebrates received more funding than invertebrates, and mammals were the preferred taxa by private contributors. In terms of funding, we propose that the perception of mammals as phylogenetically close to humans, and attractiveness factor, contribute to an advantage over less attractive and phylogenetically distant species. Conservation status also contributed to the amount of donations; however, the magnitude of these relationships was weak when compared to the effect of animal taxa. These results suggest that Slovak zoos might be more successful in raising donations by breeding threatened species, and raising public awareness about these animal species. Displaying popular, flagship species of non-mammal taxa may increase interest among the public as well, and may translate into a significant growth in the amount of donations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Fančovičová
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Trnava University, Priemyselná 4, 918 43 Trnava, Slovakia; (J.F.); (R.R.)
| | - Pavol Prokop
- Department of Environmental Ecology and Landscape Management, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 15 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 06 Bratislava, Slovakia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421-6-02-96236
| | - Róberta Repáková
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education, Trnava University, Priemyselná 4, 918 43 Trnava, Slovakia; (J.F.); (R.R.)
| | - William Medina-Jerez
- Teacher Education Department, College of Education, University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX 79968, USA;
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Díaz‐Restrepo A, Balcombe K, Fraser I, Smith RJ, Veríssimo D. Testing branding techniques on species common names to improve their fundraising profile for conservation. Anim Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Díaz‐Restrepo
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK
| | - Kelvin Balcombe
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development University of Reading Reading UK
| | - Iain Fraser
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK
- School of Economics University of Kent Canterbury UK
| | - Robert J. Smith
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology School of Anthropology and Conservation University of Kent Canterbury UK
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Kaszta Ż, Cushman SA, Slotow R. Temporal Non-stationarity of Path-Selection Movement Models and Connectivity: An Example of African Elephants in Kruger National Park. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.553263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Effective conservation and land management require robust understanding of how landscape features spatially and temporally affect population distribution, abundance and connectivity. This is especially important for keystone species known to shape ecosystems, such as the African elephant (Loxodonta africana). This work investigates monthly patterns of elephant movement and connectivity in Kruger National Park (KNP; South Africa), and their temporal relationship with landscape features over a 12-month period associated with the occurrence of a severe drought. Based on elephant locations from GPS collars with a short acquisition interval, we explored the monthly patterns of spatial-autocorrelation of elephant movement using Mantel correlograms, and we developed scale-optimized monthly path-selection movement and resistant kernel connectivity models. Our results showed high variability in patterns of autocorrelation in elephant movements across individuals and months, with a preponderance of directional movement, which we believe is related to drought induced range shifts. We also found high non-stationarity of monthly movement and connectivity models; most models exhibited qualitative similarity in the general nature of the predicted ecological relationships, but large quantitative differences in predicted landscape resistance and connectivity across the year. This suggests high variation in space-utilization and temporal shifts of core habitat areas for elephants in KNP. Even during extreme drought, rainfall itself was not a strong driver of elephant movement; elephant movements, instead, were strongly driven by selection for green vegetation and areas near waterholes and small rivers. Our findings highlight a potentially serious problem in using movement models from a particular temporal snapshot to infer general landscape effects on movement. Conservation and management strategies focusing only on certain areas identified by temporarily idiosyncratic models might not be appropriate or efficient as a guide for allocating scarce resources for management or for understanding general ecological relationships.
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Ecological corridors for the amphibians and reptiles in the Natura 2000 sites of Romania. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19464. [PMID: 33173154 PMCID: PMC7655805 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76596-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Landscape heterogeneity and fragmentation are key challenges for biodiversity conservation. As Earth’s landscape is increasingly dominated by anthropogenic land use, it is clear that broad-scale systems of nature reserves connected by corridors are needed to enable the dispersal of flora and fauna. The European Union currently supports a continent-wide network of protected areas, the Natura 2000 program, but this program lacks the necessary connectivity component. To examine whether a comprehensive network could be built in order to protect amphibians and reptiles, two taxonomic groups sensitive to environmental changes due to their physiological constrains and low dispersal capacity, we used species’ distribution maps, the sites of community interest (SCIs) in Romania, and landscape resistance rasters. Except Vipera ursinii rakosiensis, all amphibians and reptiles had corridors mapped that, when assembled, provided linkages for up to 27 species. Natura 2000 species were not good candidates for umbrella species as these linkages covered only 17% of the corridors for all species. Important Areas for Connectivity were identified in the Carpathian Mountains and along the Danube River, further confirming these regions as hot spots for biodiversity in Europe, where successful linkages are most likely. In the end, while such corridors may not be created just for amphibians and reptiles, they can easily be incorporated into more complex linkages with corridors for more charismatic species, therefore enhancing the corridors’ value in terms of quality and structure.
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Abundance of jaguars and occupancy of medium- and large-sized vertebrates in a transboundary conservation landscape in the northwestern Amazon. Glob Ecol Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e01079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Sunda clouded leopard Neofelis diardi densities and human activities in the humid evergreen rainforests of Sumatra. ORYX 2020. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605319001005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMost species of wild felids are threatened, but for many little is known about their status in the wild. For the cryptic and elusive Vulnerable Sunda clouded leopard Neofelis diardi, key metrics such as abundance and occupancy have been challenging to obtain. We conducted an intensive survey for this species on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. We deployed camera traps across four study areas that varied in elevation and threats, for a total of 28,404 trap nights, resulting in 114 independent clouded leopard photographs, in which we identified 18 individuals. Using a Bayesian spatially explicit capture–recapture analysis, we estimated clouded leopard density to be 0.8–2.4 individuals/100 km2. The highest predicted occurrence of people was at lower altitudes and closer to the forest edge, where we categorized more than two-thirds of people recorded by camera traps as bird poachers, 12.5% each as ungulate/tiger poachers and non-timber collectors, and < 2% as fishers. Our findings provide important insights into the status of this little known species in Sumatra. We recommend that the large volume of camera-trap data from other Sumatran landscapes be used for an island-wide assessment of the clouded leopard population, to provide up-to-date and reliable information for guiding future conservation planning.
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20
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Kaszta Ż, Cushman SA, Macdonald DW. Prioritizing habitat core areas and corridors for a large carnivore across its range. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ż. Kaszta
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) Department of Zoology The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre University of Oxford Tubney UK
| | - S. A. Cushman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) Department of Zoology The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre University of Oxford Tubney UK
- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Flagstaff AZ USA
| | - D. W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) Department of Zoology The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre University of Oxford Tubney UK
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21
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McGowan J, Beaumont LJ, Smith RJ, Chauvenet ALM, Harcourt R, Atkinson SC, Mittermeier JC, Esperon-Rodriguez M, Baumgartner JB, Beattie A, Dudaniec RY, Grenyer R, Nipperess DA, Stow A, Possingham HP. Conservation prioritization can resolve the flagship species conundrum. Nat Commun 2020; 11:994. [PMID: 32094329 PMCID: PMC7040008 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14554-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Conservation strategies based on charismatic flagship species, such as tigers, lions, and elephants, successfully attract funding from individuals and corporate donors. However, critics of this species-focused approach argue it wastes resources and often does not benefit broader biodiversity. If true, then the best way of raising conservation funds excludes the best way of spending it. Here we show that this conundrum can be resolved, and that the flagship species approach does not impede cost-effective conservation. Through a tailored prioritization approach, we identify places containing flagship species while also maximizing global biodiversity representation (based on 19,616 terrestrial and freshwater species). We then compare these results to scenarios that only maximized biodiversity representation, and demonstrate that our flagship-based approach achieves 79-89% of our objective. This provides strong evidence that prudently selected flagships can both raise funds for conservation and help target where these resources are best spent to conserve biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer McGowan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia.
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, USA.
| | - Linda J Beaumont
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Robert J Smith
- Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, School of Anthropology and Conservation, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NR, UK
| | - Alienor L M Chauvenet
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Environmental Futures Research Institute & School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport, QLD, 4222, Australia
| | - Robert Harcourt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Scott C Atkinson
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), New York, New York, USA
| | - John C Mittermeier
- School of Geography and Environment, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Manuel Esperon-Rodriguez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
- Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, 2753, Australia
| | - John B Baumgartner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
- Centre of Excellence for Biosecurity Risk Analysis (CEBRA), School of BioSciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew Beattie
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Rachael Y Dudaniec
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Richard Grenyer
- School of Geography and Environment, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - David A Nipperess
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Adam Stow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Hugh P Possingham
- Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia
- The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA, USA
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22
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Enquist BJ, Abraham AJ, Harfoot MBJ, Malhi Y, Doughty CE. The megabiota are disproportionately important for biosphere functioning. Nat Commun 2020; 11:699. [PMID: 32019918 PMCID: PMC7000713 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14369-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A prominent signal of the Anthropocene is the extinction and population reduction of the megabiota—the largest animals and plants on the planet. However, we lack a predictive framework for the sensitivity of megabiota during times of rapid global change and how they impact the functioning of ecosystems and the biosphere. Here, we extend metabolic scaling theory and use global simulation models to demonstrate that (i) megabiota are more prone to extinction due to human land use, hunting, and climate change; (ii) loss of megabiota has a negative impact on ecosystem metabolism and functioning; and (iii) their reduction has and will continue to significantly decrease biosphere functioning. Global simulations show that continued loss of large animals alone could lead to a 44%, 18% and 92% reduction in terrestrial heterotrophic biomass, metabolism, and fertility respectively. Our findings suggest that policies that emphasize the promotion of large trees and animals will have disproportionate impact on biodiversity, ecosystem processes, and climate mitigation. Human-driven losses of megafauna and megaflora may have disproportionate ecological consequences. Here, the authors combine metabolic scaling theory and global simulation models to show that past and continued reduction of megabiota have and will continue to decrease ecosystem and biosphere functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Enquist
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Arizona, AZ 85721, USA. .,The Santa Fe Institute, 1399 Hyde Park Rd, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, USA.
| | - Andrew J Abraham
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
| | - Michael B J Harfoot
- UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DL, UK
| | - Yadvinder Malhi
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK
| | - Christopher E Doughty
- School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011, USA
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23
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Morehouse AT, Hughes C, Manners N, Bectell J, Bruder T. Carnivores and Communities: A Case Study of Human-Carnivore Conflict Mitigation in Southwestern Alberta. Front Ecol Evol 2020. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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24
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Kusi N, Sillero‐Zubiri C, Macdonald DW, Johnson PJ, Werhahn G. Perspectives of traditional Himalayan communities on fostering coexistence with Himalayan wolf and snow leopard. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Naresh Kusi
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney UK
- Resources Himalaya Foundation Lalitpur Nepal
| | - Claudio Sillero‐Zubiri
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney UK
- IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group Oxford UK
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney UK
| | - Paul J. Johnson
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney UK
| | - Geraldine Werhahn
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre Tubney UK
- IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group Oxford UK
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25
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Consorte-McCrea A, Fernandez A, Bainbridge A, Moss A, Prévot AC, Clayton S, Glikman JA, Johansson M, López-Bao JV, Bath A, Frank B, Marchini S. Large carnivores and zoos as catalysts for engaging the public in the protection of biodiversity. NATURE CONSERVATION 2019. [DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.37.39501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Addressing the biodiversity crisis requires renewed collaborative approaches. Large carnivores are ambassador species, and as such they can aid the protection of a wide range of species, including evolutionarily distinct and threatened ones, while being popular for conservation marketing. However, conflicts between carnivores and people present a considerable challenge to biodiversity conservation. Our cross disciplinary essay brings together original research to discuss key issues in the conservation of large carnivores as keystone species for biodiversity rich, healthy ecosystems. Our findings suggest the need to promote coexistence through challenging ‘wilderness’ myths; to consider coexistence/conflict as a continuum; to include varied interest groups in decision making; to address fear through positive mediated experiences, and to explore further partnerships with zoos. As wide-reaching institutions visited by over 700 million people/year worldwide, zoos combine knowledge, emotion and social context creating ideal conditions for the development of care towards nature, pro-environmental behaviors and long-term connections between visitors and carnivores. Based on current research, we provide evidence that large carnivores and zoos are both powerful catalysts for public engagement with biodiversity conservation, recognizing barriers and suggesting future ways to collaborate to address biodiversity loss.
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26
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Tyrrell P, Toit JT, Macdonald DW. Conservation beyond protected areas: Using vertebrate species ranges and biodiversity importance scores to inform policy for an east African country in transition. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Tyrrell
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, Recanati‐Kaplan Centre, Tubney House Abingdon UK
- South Rift Association of Landowners Nairobi Kenya
- Department of Geography and Environmental StudiesUniversity of Nairobi Nairobi Kenya
| | - Johan T. Toit
- Department of Wildland ResourcesUtah State University Logan Utah
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, Recanati‐Kaplan Centre, Tubney House Abingdon UK
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27
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Curry OS, Hare D, Hepburn C, Johnson DDP, Buhrmester MD, Whitehouse H, Macdonald DW. Cooperative conservation: Seven ways to save the world. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver S. Curry
- Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary AnthropologyUniversity of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - Darragh Hare
- Department of Natural ResourcesCornell University Ithaca New York
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney Oxford UK
| | - Cameron Hepburn
- Smith School of Enterprise and the EnvironmentUniversity of Oxford Oxford UK
| | | | | | - Harvey Whitehouse
- Institute of Cognitive and Evolutionary AnthropologyUniversity of Oxford Oxford UK
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), Department of ZoologyUniversity of Oxford, The Recanati‐Kaplan Centre, Tubney House, Tubney Oxford UK
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28
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Rasphone A, Kéry M, Kamler JF, Macdonald DW. Documenting the demise of tiger and leopard, and the status of other carnivores and prey, in Lao PDR's most prized protected area: Nam Et - Phou Louey. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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29
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Macdonald DW, Bothwell HM, Kaszta Ż, Ash E, Bolongon G, Burnham D, Can ÖE, Campos‐Arceiz A, Channa P, Clements GR, Hearn AJ, Hedges L, Htun S, Kamler JF, Kawanishi K, Macdonald EA, Mohamad SW, Moore J, Naing H, Onuma M, Penjor U, Rasphone A, Mark Rayan D, Ross J, Singh P, Tan CKW, Wadey J, Yadav BP, Cushman SA. Multi‐scale habitat modelling identifies spatial conservation priorities for mainland clouded leopards (
Neofelis nebulosa
). DIVERS DISTRIB 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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30
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Wang B, Rocha DG, Abrahams MI, Antunes AP, Costa HCM, Gonçalves ALS, Spironello WR, de Paula MJ, Peres CA, Pezzuti J, Ramalho E, Reis ML, Carvalho Jr E, Rohe F, Macdonald DW, Tan CKW. Habitat use of the ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis) in Brazilian Amazon. Ecol Evol 2019; 9:5049-5062. [PMID: 31110661 PMCID: PMC6509378 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2018] [Revised: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 02/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amazonia forest plays a major role in providing ecosystem services for human and sanctuaries for wildlife. However, ongoing deforestation and habitat fragmentation in the Brazilian Amazon has threatened both. The ocelot is an ecologically important mesopredator and a potential conservation ambassador species, yet there are no previous studies on its habitat preference and spatial patterns in this biome. From 2010 to 2017, twelve sites were surveyed, totaling 899 camera trap stations, the largest known dataset for this species. Using occupancy modeling incorporating spatial autocorrelation, we assessed habitat use for ocelot populations across the Brazilian Amazon. Our results revealed a positive sigmoidal correlation between remote-sensing derived metrics of forest cover, disjunct core area density, elevation, distance to roads, distance to settlements and habitat use, and that habitat use by ocelots was negatively associated with slope and distance to river/lake. These findings shed light on the regional scale habitat use of ocelots and indicate important species-habitat relationships, thus providing valuable information for conservation management and land-use planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingxin Wang
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
- State Key Laboratory of Vegetation and Environmental ChangeInstitute of BotanyThe Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
- University of Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Daniel G. Rocha
- Graduate Group in EcologyDepartment of Wildlife, Fish, and Conservation BiologyUniversity of California DavisDavisCalifornia
- Grupo de Ecologia e Conservação de Felinos na AmazôniaInstituto de Desenvolvimento Sustentável MamirauáTeféBrazil
| | - Mark I. Abrahams
- Field Conservation and Science DepartmentBristol Zoological SocietyBristolUK
| | - André P. Antunes
- Redefauna - Rede de Pesquisa em BiodiversidadeConservação e Uso da Fauna da AmazôniaManausBrazil
| | - Hugo C. M. Costa
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da BiodiversidadeUniversidade Estadual de Santa CruzIlhéusBrazil
| | | | | | - Milton José de Paula
- Centre for Advanced Amazon StudiesUniversity of ParaAltamiraBrazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em EcologiaUniversidade Federal do Pará e EMBRAPA Amazônia OrientalBelémBrazil
| | - Carlos A. Peres
- School of Environmental ScienceCetre for Ecology, Evolution and ConservationUniversity of East AngliaNorwichUK
| | - Juarez Pezzuti
- Centre for Advanced Amazon StudiesUniversity of ParaAltamiraBrazil
| | | | | | - Elildo Carvalho Jr
- Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Mamíferos CarnívorosInstituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da BiodiversidadeAtibaiaBrazil
- Faculty of Ecology and Natural Resource ManagementNorwegian University of Life SciencesÅsNorway
| | - Fabio Rohe
- Programa de Pós‐graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva – GCBEvInstituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia – INPAManausBrazil
- Wildlife Conservation Society Brazil – Amazon ProgramManausBrazil
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
| | - Cedric Kai Wei Tan
- Wildlife Conservation Research UnitDepartment of ZoologyThe Recanati‐Kaplan CentreUniversity of OxfordTubney, OxonUK
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31
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Macdonald EA, Cushman SA, Landguth EL, Hearn AJ, Malhi Y, Macdonald DW. Simulating impacts of rapid forest loss on population size, connectivity and genetic diversity of Sunda clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) in Borneo. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196974. [PMID: 30208031 PMCID: PMC6135353 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Habitat loss is the greatest threat to biodiversity in Borneo, and to anticipate and combat its effects it is important to predict the pattern of loss and its consequences. Borneo is a region of extremely high biodiversity from which forest is being lost faster than in any other. The little-known Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) is the top predator in Borneo and is likely to depend critically on habitat connectivity that is currently being rapidly lost to deforestation. We modeled the effects of landscape fragmentation on population size, genetic diversity and population connectivity for the Sunda clouded leopard across the entirety of Borneo. We modelled the impacts of land use change between the years 2000, 2010 and projected forwards to 2020. We found substantial reductions across all metrics between 2000 and 2010: the proportion of landscape connected by dispersal fell by approximately 12.5% and the largest patch size declined by around 15.1%, leading to a predicted 11.4% decline in clouded leopard numbers. We also predict that these trends will accelerate greatly towards 2020, with the percentage of the landscape being connected by dispersal falling by about 57.8%, the largest patch size falling by around 62.8% and the predicted clouded leopard population falling by 62.5% between 2010 and 2020. We predicted that these large declines in clouded leopard population size and connectivity will also substantially reduce the genetic diversity of the remaining clouded leopard population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewan A. Macdonald
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Zoology Department, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel A. Cushman
- Rocky Mountain Research Station, United States Forest Service, Flagstaff, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Erin L. Landguth
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, United States of America
| | - Andrew J. Hearn
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Zoology Department, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney, Abingdon, United Kingdom
| | - Yadvinder Malhi
- Environmental Change Institute, School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David W. Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Zoology Department, University of Oxford, The Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney, Abingdon, United Kingdom
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32
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Hodgetts T, Lewis M, Bauer H, Burnham D, Dickman A, Macdonald E, Macdonald D, Trouwborst A. Improving the role of global conservation treaties in addressing contemporary threats to lions. BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION 2018; 27:2747-2765. [PMID: 30996533 PMCID: PMC6435094 DOI: 10.1007/s10531-018-1567-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Despite their iconic status, lion (Panthera leo) populations continue to decline across the majority of their range. In the light of the recent decision (in October 2017) to add lions to the Appendices of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), this paper identifies the new and existing legal protections afforded to lions through five global treaties, and maps these protections against the most critical contemporary threats facing the species. It thus offers a new analysis of the CMS listing, and draws on existing legal reviews, to highlight the ways in which global treaties offer differing forms of protection for lions. It then combines multiple concordant assessments of lion populations, to highlight nine categories of threat: human-lion conflict, bushmeat poaching, human encroachment, trophy hunting, trade in lion bones, unpredictable environmental events, socio-economic factors, policy failures, and governance/institutional weakness. The paper assesses how the various treaties each address these different categories of threat. The analysis identifies two pathways for improving legal protection: expanding the application of global treaties in respect of lions and their habitats (the paper considers the CMS listing in these terms), and improving the implementation of treaty commitments through local and national-scale actions. Furthermore, it identifies local implementation challenges that include the local knowledge of rules, compliance with rules and enforcement capacity, alongside the variety in local contexts and situations, and suggests where global treaties might provide support in meeting these challenges. We suggest that this analysis has wider implications for how treaty protection can and is utilised to protect various species of large-bodied, wide-ranging animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Hodgetts
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (Panthera et al.), University of Oxford, Tubney, UK
| | - Melissa Lewis
- Department of European and International Public Law, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Bauer
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (Panthera et al.), University of Oxford, Tubney, UK
| | - Dawn Burnham
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (Panthera et al.), University of Oxford, Tubney, UK
| | - Amy Dickman
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (Panthera et al.), University of Oxford, Tubney, UK
| | - Ewan Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (Panthera et al.), University of Oxford, Tubney, UK
| | - David Macdonald
- Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (Panthera et al.), University of Oxford, Tubney, UK
| | - Arie Trouwborst
- Department of European and International Public Law, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands
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