A simple population viability analysis of the Critically Endangered Euphorbia clivicola R.A. Dyer under four management scenarios

2000 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.F Pfab ◽  
E.T.F Witkowski
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander García-Antón ◽  
Juan Traba

AbstractSteppe lands in Europe are critically affected by habitat loss and fragmentation, and hold over 50% of IUCN Red List bird species in Europe. Dupont’s Lark is a threatened steppe-specialist passerine whose European geographic range is restricted to Spain, with less than 2000 pairs and an annual population decline of − 3.9%. Its strongly fragmented habitat leads to a metapopulation structure in the Iberian Peninsula that includes 24 populations and 100 subpopulations. We present an updated Population Viability Analysis based on the latest scientific knowledge regarding distribution, population trends, breeding biology and connectivity. Our results predict metapopulation extinction in 2–3 decades, through a centripetal contraction process from the periphery to the core. The probability of extinction in 20 years was 84.2%, which supports its relisting to Endangered in Spain following IUCN criteria. We carried out a sensitivity analysis showing that some parameters, especially productivity and survival of adults and juveniles, help to increase metapopulation viability. Simulation of management scenarios showed that habitat restoration in a subset of key subpopulations had a positive effect on the overall metapopulation persistence. Translocations of a limited number of individuals from source to recipient locations may help to rescue the most endangered subpopulations without reducing the global time to extinction of the metapopulation. In addition, we identified the most critical areas for action, where local populations of the species are prone to extinction. This work suggests that the viability of the Dupont’s Lark metapopulation could be improved and its risk of extinction reduced if urgent and localized conservation measures are applied. In the short-term, habitat loss and fragmentation due to ploughing, reforestation and infrastructures implementation in Dupont’s Lark habitat must be avoided. Habitat restoration and translocations could help to avoid imminent extinction of critical subpopulations. Restoration of extensive grazing is recommended as the most effective way to achieve the long-term conservation of Dupont’s Lark in Spain.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 565-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan C. Milligan ◽  
Smith L. Wells ◽  
Lance B. McNew

Abstract Sharp-tailed grouse Tympanuchus phasianellus were effectively extirpated from western Montana during the last century as a result of settlement by Euro-Americans. Recent interest in reestablishing the species west of the Continental Divide has identified information gaps related to the potential success of a restoration effort. Elsewhere, sharp-tailed grouse are widespread and exhibit plasticity in habitat use, suggesting a high potential for successful reintroduction. Using life history information from the published literature, we conducted a population viability analysis to assess the potential viability of a reintroduced population of sharp-tailed grouse in western Montana and to evaluate what management scenarios, with regard to both translocation protocols and habitat management, would be necessary to produce a viable population. Results of the population viability analysis indicated that a population parameterized with mean reported demographic rates and related environmental variation would not be viable and suggest a potential downward bias in demographic estimates in the published literature. Based on our simulation results, improvements in both fecundity and annual survival resulting from improvements in nesting and winter habitat would be necessary to produce a viable population of sharp-tailed grouse in western Montana. The minimum amount of habitat required to support a viable population of 280 individuals was 1,867–5,600 ha, assuming habitat is sufficient to support an average density of 5–15 grouse per km2. We provide a review of demographic and reintroduction information for sharp-tailed grouse and recommendations regarding reintroduction approaches based on our population viability analysis results that should increase the relative success of restoration efforts in western Montana and elsewhere. We recommend that nesting and winter habitat improvements be the focus of pre- and postrelease management and that post-translocation population studies be conducted to monitor reintroduced populations and provide site-specific demographic information to update population viability analyses.


2015 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria S. N. Volampeno ◽  
Guy H. Randriatahina ◽  
Riddhika Kalle ◽  
Amy-Leigh Wilson ◽  
Colleen T. Downs

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 456-473
Author(s):  
LEUNGO B. L. LEEPILE ◽  
GLYN MAUDE ◽  
PETE HANCOCK ◽  
RICHARD P. READING ◽  
BRIAN BRIDGES ◽  
...  

SummaryAfrican White-backed Vultures were recently uplisted to ‘Critically Endangered’ by IUCN due to declines across their range. Poisoning is widely accepted as the major reason for these declines. Botswana supports a high number of this species (breeding pairs > c.1,200), but as yet no published information exists on their breeding success in the country. However, mass poisonings within Botswana and neighbouring countries have killed thousands of White-backed Vultures in recent years. We therefore expected that nesting numbers may have declined in this region if these poisoning events killed local breeding birds. We used information from aerial surveys conducted between 2006 and 2017 in Khwai and Linyanti, two important breeding areas for this species in north-central Botswana, to determine if there was any change in nesting numbers and breeding success of White-backed Vultures. Results showed an overall 53.5% decline in nesting numbers, with a greater decline in Linyanti than in Khwai. In both areas, breeding success was significantly lower in 2017 than it was 10 ten years earlier. We recommend that similar repeat surveys are continued to provide greater confidence in the trends of both nesting numbers and breeding performance. Population viability analysis suggested that if the productivity levels detected in 2017 were a true indication of current productivity levels for this population, and if recent high poisoning rates continue, this population could be extirpated from the area in the next 13 years.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yashuai Zhang ◽  
Fang Wang ◽  
Zhenxia Cui ◽  
Min Li ◽  
Xia Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background One of the most challenging tasks in wildlife conservation and management is clarifying which and how external and intrinsic factors influence wildlife demography and long-term viability. The wild population of the Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) has recovered to approximately 4400, and several reintroduction programs have been carried out in China, Japan and Korea. Population viability analysis on this endangered species has been limited to the wild population, showing that the long-term population growth is restricted by the carrying capacity and inbreeding. However, gaps in knowledge of the viability of the reintroduced population and its drivers in the release environment impede the identification of the most effective population-level priorities for aiding in species recovery. Methods The field monitoring data were collected from a reintroduced Crested Ibis population in Ningshan, China from 2007 to 2018. An individual-based VORTEX model (Version 10.3.5.0) was used to predict the future viability of the reintroduced population by incorporating adaptive patterns of ibis movement in relation to catastrophe frequency, mortality and sex ratio. Results The reintroduced population in Ningshan County is unlikely to go extinct in the next 50 years. The population size was estimated to be 367, and the population genetic diversity was estimated to be 0.97. Sensitivity analysis showed that population size and extinction probability were dependent on the carrying capacity and sex ratio. The carrying capacity is the main factor accounting for the population size and genetic diversity, while the sex ratio is the primary factor responsible for the population growth trend. Conclusions A viable population of the Crested Ibis can be established according to population viability analysis. Based on our results, conservation management should prioritize a balanced sex ratio, high-quality habitat and low mortality.


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