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Julien M, Ducrettet J, Diallo M, Imbert E, Colas B, Schatz B. Plant Translocations in France: Identifying Gaps between Knowledge, Practice and Perception by Conservation Actors. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024:10.1007/s00267-024-02055-4. [PMID: 39327284 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-024-02055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024]
Abstract
In the current context of global changes, threatened flora is declining and homogenising at the expense of rare and protected species. Among conservation biology and ecological restoration techniques, plant translocation is one of the recommendations increasingly used. However, translocation remains risky and is recommended as a last resort to conserve protected flora in land use planning. Furthermore, it raises ethical questions partly linked to genetic processes. In this context, we studied how plant translocations are perceived by conservation actors in France, including their genetic aspects. The analysis of translocation perception complements that of feedback on concrete translocation operations and allows us to provide a qualitative assessment of current practices. We have adopted an interdisciplinary approach to survey different types of actors in nature conservation, involved or not in at least one stage of translocation operations (preparation, implementation and monitoring). Three main types of translocation perception divide our sample quite strongly (50% favourable/ 45% unfavourable/ 5% undecided). Surprisingly, their professional activity or the level of involvement in such an operation have no influence on their opinion on translocation, nor on the proposals of alternative measures. Only 15% of the actors involved in translocations used genetic data at least once. To conclude, it would be necessary to promote the sharing of feedback from past experiences. This would allow an up-to-date list of species unacceptable for translocation. Comparing the results of different protocols and implementation conditions for the same species or group should improve overall translocation success rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Julien
- CEFE, CNRS, Univ Montpellier, EPHE IRD, Montpellier, France.
- Ecotonia, Eguilles, France.
| | | | - Mohamed Diallo
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, AgroParisTech Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Eric Imbert
- ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Bruno Colas
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, AgroParisTech Ecologie Systématique et Evolution, Gif sur Yvette, France
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Ożgo M, Urbańska M, Biereżnoj-Bazille U, Marczakiewicz P, Tarka K, Kamocki A. Reintroduction of freshwater mussels (Bivalvia, Unionida) directly after channel dredging can serve as an effective measure in mitigation conservation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16967. [PMID: 39043878 PMCID: PMC11266403 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67836-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
This study is based on a natural experiment carried out in the Biebrza National Park, Poland. The study site was a channel inhabited by Anodonta anatina, A. cygnea, Unio pictorum and U. tumidus. The deepening of the channel to restore ecosystem connectivity provided an opportunity to conduct this study. Mussels were collected before dredging, held in captivity for 48 h, measured, individually tagged and released post-dredging to the same 5-m channel sections they originated from. They were subsequently monitored for three consecutive years. Mussel survival remained high throughout the study, and no increased mortality in the year following reintroduction was observed. There was no growth retardation. Mussel mobility was low, with most individuals remaining in the same channel section in which they were released. Recolonisation patterns were consistent with the composition of mussel communities in adjacent unaffected habitats. Although dredging drastically changes mussel habitat, some characteristics: microclimate, water chemistry, nutrient availability and host fish can remain adequate. Our study shows that reintroducing mussels to the same site can serve as an effective mitigation conservation measure and can be preferable to translocation, particularly when carried out under time pressure with limited possibilities of assigning appropriate destination sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Ożgo
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
| | - Maria Urbańska
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | | | | | | | - Andrzej Kamocki
- Faculty of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Białystok University of Technology, Białystok, Poland
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Massei G. Fertility Control for Wildlife: A European Perspective. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:428. [PMID: 36766317 PMCID: PMC9913817 DOI: 10.3390/ani13030428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Trends of human population growth and landscape development in Europe show that wildlife impacts are escalating. Lethal methods, traditionally employed to mitigate these impacts, are often ineffective, environmentally hazardous and face increasing public opposition. Fertility control is advocated as a humane tool to mitigate these impacts. This review describes mammalian and avian wildlife contraceptives' effect on reproduction of individuals and populations, delivery methods, potential costs and feasibility of using fertility control in European contexts. These contexts include small, isolated wildlife populations and situations in which lethal control is either illegal or socially unacceptable, such as urban settings, national parks and areas where rewilding occurs. The review highlights knowledge gaps, such as impact of fertility control on recruitment, social and spatial behaviour and on target and non-target species, provides a decision framework to assist decisions about the potential use of wildlife fertility control, and suggests eight reasons for Europe to invest in this area. Although developing and registering contraceptives in Europe will have substantial costs, these are relatively small when compared to wildlife's economic and environmental impact. Developing safe and effective contraceptives will be essential if European countries want to meet public demand for methods to promote human-wildlife coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giovanna Massei
- Botstiber Institute for Wildlife Fertility Control Europe, Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, 290 Wentworth Way, Heslington, York YO10 5NG, UK
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Goldenberg SZ, Parker JM, Chege SM, Greggor AL, Hunt M, Lamberski N, Leigh KA, Nollens HH, Ruppert KA, Thouless C, Wittemyer G, Owen MA. Revisiting the 4 R’s: Improving post-release outcomes for rescued mammalian wildlife by fostering behavioral competence during rehabilitation. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2022.910358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Rescue, rehabilitation, and release (‘rescue-rehab-release’) of wildlife is an increasingly widespread practice across ecosystems, largely driven by habitat loss, wildlife exploitation and a changing climate. Despite this, its conservation value has not been realized, in part due to the scarcity of what has been termed “the 4th R”, research. Similar to conservation breeding and headstarting, rescue and rehabilitation entails close association of humans and the wildlife in their care over impressionable and extended periods. However, unlike these interventions, rescue and rehabilitation require an initial, and sometimes sustained, focus on crisis management and veterinary needs which can impede the development of natural behaviors and promote habituation to humans, both of which can compromise post-release survival and recruitment. In this perspective, we discuss the pathways toward, and implications of, behavioral incompetence and highlight opportunities for testable interventions to curtail negative outcomes post-release, without compromising the health or welfare of rescued individuals. We propose that practitioners ‘switch gears’ from triage to fostering behavioral competence as early in the rehabilitation process as is possible, and that research be implemented in order to develop an evidence-base for best practices that can be shared amongst practitioners. We focus on four mammalian species to illustrate specific contexts and considerations for fostering behavioral competence by building on research in the conservation translocation literature. Finally, we discuss a way forward that calls for greater cross-pollination among translocation scenarios involving extended time under human care during developmentally sensitive periods.
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Hennessy SM, Wisinski CL, Ronan NA, Gregory CJ, Swaisgood RR, Nordstrom LA. Release strategies and ecological factors influence mitigation translocation outcomes for burrowing owls: a comparative evaluation. Anim Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. M. Hennessy
- Recovery Ecology San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido CA USA
| | - C. L. Wisinski
- Recovery Ecology San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido CA USA
| | - N. A. Ronan
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Office Palm Springs CA USA
| | - C. J. Gregory
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Palm Springs Fish and Wildlife Office Palm Springs CA USA
| | - R. R. Swaisgood
- Recovery Ecology San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido CA USA
| | - L. A. Nordstrom
- Recovery Ecology San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Escondido CA USA
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Doyle CA, Pellow BJ, Bell SAJ, Reynolds DM, Silcock JL, Commander LE, Ooi MKJ. Threatened Plant Translocation for Mitigation: Improving Data Accessibility Using Existing Legislative Frameworks. An Australian Case Study. FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fcosc.2021.789448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Translocation of plants is used globally as a conservation action to bolster existing or establish new populations of threatened species and is usually communicated in academic publications or case studies. Translocation is also used to mitigate or offset impacts of urbanization and development but is less often publicly published. Irrespective of the motivation, conservation or mitigation, on ground actions are driven by overriding global conservation goals, applied in local or national legislation. This paper deconstructs the legislative framework which guides the translocation process in Australia and provides a case study which may translate to other countries, grappling with similar complexities of how existing legislation can be used to improve accessibility of translocation records. Each year, across Australia, threatened plants are being translocated to mitigate development impacts, however, limited publicly accessible records of their performance are available. To improve transparency and opportunities to learn from the outcomes of previous mitigation translocations, we propose mandatory recording of threatened plant translocations in publicly accessible databases, implemented as part of development approval conditions of consent. The contribution to these need not be onerous, at a minimum including basic translocation information (who, what, when) at project commencement and providing monitoring data (outcome) at project completion. These records are currently already collected and prepared for translocation proposals and development compliance reporting. Possible repositories for this information include the existing national Australian Network for Plant Conservation translocation database and existing State and Territory databases (which already require contributions as a condition of licensing requirements) with new provisions to identify and search for translocation records. These databases could then be linked to the Atlas of Living Australia and the Australian Threatened Plant Index. Once established, proposals for mitigation translocation could be evaluated using these databases to determine the viability of mitigation translocation as an offset measure and to build on the work of others to ensure better outcomes for plant conservation, where translocations occur.
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Cross SL, Bradley HS, Tudor EP, Craig MD, Tomlinson S, Bamford MJ, Bateman PW, Cross AT. A life‐of‐mine approach to fauna monitoring is critical for recovering functional ecosystems to restored landscapes. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13540] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie L. Cross
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Kent Street, Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Holly S. Bradley
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Kent Street, Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Emily P. Tudor
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Kent Street, Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Michael D. Craig
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009 Australia
- Environmental and Conservation Sciences Murdoch University South Street, Murdoch WA 6150 Australia
| | - Sean Tomlinson
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Kent Street, Bentley WA 6102 Australia
- School of Biological Sciences University of Adelaide North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000 Australia
| | - Michael J. Bamford
- School of Biological Sciences University of Western Australia Stirling Highway, Nedlands WA 6009 Australia
- Bamford Consulting Ecologists 23 Plover Way, Kingsley WA 6026 Australia
| | - Philip W. Bateman
- School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Kent Street, Bentley WA 6102 Australia
| | - Adam T. Cross
- ARC Centre for Mine Site Restoration, School of Molecular and Life Sciences Curtin University Kent Street, Bentley WA 6102 Australia
- EcoHealth Network 1330 Beacon St, Suite 355a, Brookline MA 02446 U.S.A
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Lindenmayer D, MacGregor C, Blanchard W, Foster C. The fire regime response of a reintroduced endangered species. Restor Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/rec.13607] [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)
- David Lindenmayer
- Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Christopher MacGregor
- Threatened Species Recovery Hub, Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Wade Blanchard
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Claire Foster
- Fenner School of Environment and Society The Australian National University Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
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