scholarly journals Anthropogenic influences on the distribution of a Vulnerable coniferous forest specialist: habitat selection by the Siberian musk deerMoschus moschiferus

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 174-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan C. Slaght ◽  
Brian Milakovsky ◽  
Dariya A. Maksimova ◽  
Ivan V. Seryodkin ◽  
Vitaliy A. Zaitsev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Musk Deer ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Primorskii Krai ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Logging Roads

AbstractThe Siberian musk deerMoschus moschiferus, categorized as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, is a small ungulate associated with coniferous forests of East Asia. In Russia the species is hunted both legally and illegally for the commercially valuable musk gland in males. Steep population declines recorded in recent decades have been generally attributed to intensive illegal hunting, but the decline has coincided with increased logging activity and the concomitant expansion of logging roads. We conducted an occupancy analysis in Primorskii Krai, Russia, to elucidate the relative importance of environmental, ecological and anthropogenic features associated with the presence of musk deer. The top model contained covariates related to the abundance of bearded lichenUsneaspp., the distance to a main road and the distance to logging sites, suggesting that both intensive hunting of musk deer (associated with greater accessibility via roads) and logging of habitat are influencing the occurrence of this species. We propose several management actions to limit the negative influence of logging and logging roads on musk deer in Russia, including encouraging logging companies to set aside high conservation value forests (to retain intact forests) and to close logging roads post-harvest (to reduce access by poachers).

scholarly journals What is the Best Available Science?: Conservation Status of Two California Desert Vertebrates

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam G. Clause ◽  
Christopher J. Norment ◽  
Laura Cunningham ◽  
Kevin Emmerich ◽  
Nicholas G. Buckmaster ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flash Flood ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
Flood Damage ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Technical Literature ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Use Context ◽  
Status Assessment

AbstractScientific progress depends on evidence-based research, and reliance on accurate scholarship is essential when making management decisions for imperiled species. However, erroneous claims are sometimes perpetuated in the scientific and technical literature, which can complicate policy and regulatory judgments. The literature associated with two enigmatic California desert vertebrates, the Panamint alligator lizardElgaria panamintinaand the Inyo Mountains salamanderBatrachoseps campi, exemplifies this problem. We produced a comprehensive threat analysis and status assessment for these species, which are both under review for possible listing under the US Endangered Species Act (ESA). Despite uncertainties and limited data, we find that many sources contain factual errors about the status of these two species, particularly the original petition that advocated for ESA listing. Although localized declines may have gone undetected, no evidence exists of population declines, population extirpation, or population-scale habitat conversion forE. panamintina. However, there is evidence of recent flash flood damage to some occupiedB. campihabitat, which has possibly led to population declines at those localities. Contrary to inaccurate statements by some authors, all known populations of both species occur exclusively on federal lands, and numerous populations have likely benefited from recent federal management targeted at reducing known threats. Of the 12 threats that we identified for one or both species, only three currently appear to be serious: water diversions, climate change, and flash floods. The remaining threats are neither widespread nor severe, despite numerous contrary yet poorly supported statements in the literature. We thus evaluate the contemporary conservation status of both species as relatively secure, althoughB. campiis more at-risk compared toE. panamintina. This conclusion is independently supported by a recent review. Nonetheless, ongoing stewardship of these species in a multi-use context by federal agencies remains vital, and we identify several priority management actions and research needs for both species. We also recommend updated determinations on the IUCN Red List, and the Species of Conservation Concern list of the Inyo National Forest. To maximize the quality and effectiveness of conservation planning, we urge government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and individual scientists to maintain high standards of scholarship and decision-making.

scholarly journals Distribution and illegal killing of the Endangered Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata on the Potohar Plateau, Pakistan

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tariq Mahmood ◽  
Faraz Akrim ◽  
Nausheen Irshad ◽  
Riaz Hussain ◽  
Hira Fatima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information System ◽  
Food Web ◽  
Geographical Information System ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Geographical Information ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Iucn Red List Assessment ◽  
Iucn Assessment ◽  
Illegal Killing

AbstractThe Endangered Indian pangolin Manis crassicaudata, a burrowing, armoured mammal, plays an important role in the food web by consuming insects and termites. In Pakistan the species’ range includes the 22,000 km2 Potohar Plateau, where it is under pressure from illegal hunting for its scales and requires conservation attention. We used a geographical information system to quantify the range of the Indian pangolin on the Plateau and to compare this with the range estimated in the IUCN Red List assessment of the species. We found that the species occupies c. 89% of the Plateau, in eight of the 10 protected areas, compared with the IUCN estimate of 71%, and we recorded the species at 40 locations on the Plateau outside the range predicted by the IUCN assessment. We collected data on the illegal capture and killing of the species, recording 412 individuals that had been killed at 48 locations between January 2011 and the end of April 2013. The highest number of killings was recorded in Chakwal District (n = 156, at 13 sites) followed by the Attock District (n = 149, at eight sites). Although the Indian pangolin's range on the Potohar Plateau is c. 18% larger than that estimated in the IUCN assessment, the species is under pressure from illegal killing and requires urgent conservation measures to save the small remaining population and avoid the extirpation of this vital insectivorous predator from the area.

Combining local knowledge and field surveys to determine status and threats to Timneh Parrots Psittacus timneh in Guinea-Bissau

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (03) ◽  
pp. 400-412
Author(s):  
DANIEL C. LOPES ◽  
ROWAN O. MARTIN ◽  
MOHAMED HENRIQUES ◽  
HAMILTON MONTEIRO ◽  
PAULO CARDOSO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Local Community ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Habitat Modification ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Pet Trade ◽  
Field Surveys ◽  
Guinea Bissau ◽  
The Status ◽  
Line Transects

SummaryTimneh Parrots Psittacus timneh are a threatened species endemic to the moist forests of West Africa. In 2016, they were categorised as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List, due to suspected rapid population declines driven by habitat loss and heavy trapping for the pet trade. Systematic assessments of the status of populations are lacking for much of their range and addressing this knowledge shortfall has been identified as a priority action. We combined multiple research approaches to investigate the distribution, trends and threats to Timneh Parrots in Guinea Bissau, where the species is restricted to the islands of the Bijagós archipelago and Pecixe. Direct observational surveys were conducted along line transects on 19 islands. A total of 69 groups were observed on eight of these islands, with the majority (78%) seen on just two islands. Forty-two interviews were conducted with local community members on 24 islands. Interviewees reported the species to occur on 20 islands and that populations are generally perceived to have declined in recent decades. Based on these findings and existing data we conclude that Timneh Parrots occur on 22 of the 32 islands considered and estimate the national population in Guinea-Bissau to be in the order of several hundred individuals, with perhaps half of the parrots occurring on the islands of João Vieira and Meio. Investigations into the factors linked to inter-island variation in parrot densities indicate that densities are highest on the islands which are most remote from permanent human settlements. These findings suggest that human activities including habitat modification and trapping have been important in driving population declines in Guinea-Bissau. We consider the implications of these findings for the conservation of Timneh Parrots.

scholarly journals The decline of the bumble bees and cuckoo bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombini) of Western and Central Europe

Oryx ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-88 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Kosior ◽  
Waldemar Celary ◽  
Paweł Olejniczak ◽  
Jan Fijał ◽  
Wieslaw Król ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
20Th Century ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Expert Review ◽  
Iucn Red List Categories

The bumble and cuckooo bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombini; Bombus spp. and Psithyrus spp., respectively) are important plant pollinators and any decline in numbers or species constitutes a significant threat both to biological diversity and to whole economies. The distribution, status and factors threatening all 60 known taxa (species and subspecies) of Bombini of 11 countries of Western and Central Europe (Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland) were assessed from the beginning of the 20th century. The analysis was based on a literature review, unpublished data, personal communications, our own observations, and an expert review. The IUCN Red List categories were used for assessing the threat of extinction. Eighty per cent of taxa were threatened in at least one country of the region, and 30% of taxa were threatened throughout their range in the countries considered. More species went extinct per country in the second than in the first half of the 20th century, and four taxa went extinct in all 11 countries during 1951–2000. Amongst the factors adversely affecting the Bombini anthropogenic factors (particularly those associated with large-scale farming schemes) appear to be of greater importance than natural factors. To halt population declines and species extinctions it will be necessary to preserve aspects of traditional farming practices and for all Bombini to be afforded legal protection in all countries of the region. The implementation of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy is likely to have the greatest single impact upon pollinators in the near future.

scholarly journals Habituating the great apes: the disease risks

Oryx ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael H. Woodford ◽  
Thomas M. Butynski ◽  
William B. Karesh
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Human Diseases ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Civil Unrest ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Disease Risks ◽  
International Visitors

All six great apes, gorillas Gorilla gorilla and G. beringei, chimpanzees Pan troglodytes and P. paniscus, and orang-utans Pongo pygmaeus and P. abelii, are categorized as Endangered on the 2000 IUCN Red List and face many threats to their continued existence in the wild. These threats include loss of habitat to settlement, logging and agriculture, illegal hunting for bushmeat and traditional medicine, the live ape trade, civil unrest and infectious diseases. The great apes are highly susceptible to many human diseases, some of which can be fatal while others can cause marked morbidity. There is increasing evidence that diseases can be transmitted from humans to free-living habituated apes, sometimes with serious consequences. If protective measures are not improved, ape populations that are frequently in close contact with people will eventually be affected by the inadvertent transmission of human diseases. This paper describes the risks, sources and circumstances of infectious disease transmission from humans to great apes during and consequent upon habituation for tourism and research. A major problem is that the regulations that protect habituated apes from the transmission of disease from people are often poorly enforced. Suggestions are made for improving the enforcement of existing regulations governing ape-based tourism, and for minimizing the risk of disease transmission between humans, both local people and international visitors, and the great apes.

Problems Related to Conservation of Coniferous Forest in Norway

1991 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 255-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Korsmo
Keyword(s):  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
National Plan ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Scientific Principles ◽  
Full Compensation ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Representative Selection ◽  
Privately Owned ◽  
Selection Of

In this paper, it is argued that the Norwegian Government must tackle the problems related to the conservation of coniferous forests more seriously and urgently than hitherto, and not let this important task be governed by commercial interests. A national plan based on political, non-scientific motives will not safeguard these ecocomplexes and their component ecosystems and the endangered species found in them.A practical way to solve the time-consuming disagreements between environmental authorities and forest owners would be to guarantee full compensation, and to start paying for sites of high conservation interest immediately. This compensation must ensure that the forest owners can fulfil such financial commitments as they already have. An alternative would be the exchange of privately-owned forest for public forest land, including forests owned by ‘The Educational Fund’.The Ministries involved must learn to cooperate in such work. If they do not, Norway's credibility in environmental matters may suffer. Solutions must be reached which do not put sectorial interests before national or international environmental values, and which guarantee the protection of a representative selection of coniferous forests according to scientific principles.

scholarly journals Ecology and demography of the Critically Endangered Kandian torrent toadAdenomus kandianus: a long-lost endemic species of Sri Lanka

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 619-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suranjan Karunarathna ◽  
Sujan Henkanaththegedara ◽  
Dinesh Gabadage ◽  
Madhava Botejue ◽  
Majintha Madawala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Woody Debris ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Critically Endangered ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Management Actions

AbstractThe tropical island nation of Sri Lanka is a biodiversity hotspot with a high diversity and endemism of amphibians. The endemic, stream-dwelling Kandian torrent toadAdenomus kandianusis Critically Endangered and was considered to be extinct until its rediscovery in 2012. The species is now known from two localities in tropical montane forests. We conducted a 4-year study using transect surveys and opportunistic excursions to assess habitat associations, demographics and abundance ofA. kandianusin and around Pidurutalagala Conservation Forest. We recorded a mean of 44.25 post-metamorphs per year, with a density of < 1 individual per 100 m2, with occurrence within a narrow extent (c. 0.005 km2) of the stream channel. Behaviour and microhabitat selection varied depending on sex and stage of maturity. The species preferred moderately sized montane streams with rocky substrates and woody debris, colder temperatures, and closed-canopy, intact riparian forests. We noted size-based reversed sexual dimorphism and a strong ontogenetic relationship between snout–vent length and body weight. Anthropogenic activities such as intensive crop farming deterred the species; proximity to croplands had a negative influence on abundance. We recommend re-delineation of the boundary of Pidurutalagala Conservation Forest to incorporate the toad's habitat into the core of the reserve and thus limit the impacts of human activities. Conservation and management actions such as ex-situ breeding, population monitoring, and restoration of degraded habitats could also contribute towards the persistence of this toad. Our findings provide useful insights into ecological research on and conservation of range-restricted aquatic amphibians.

scholarly journals Predator management and species at risk in Alberta

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dave Hervieux
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Apparent Competition ◽  
Provincial Government ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Woodland Caribou ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Habitat Recovery ◽  
Predator Management ◽  
Anthropogenic Habitat

Alberta has employed lethal techniques to reduce predator populations in several wildlife-management situations, particularly in attempts to achieve goals and objectives for threatened or endangered species. Annual wolf populations reductions within and adjacent to woodland caribou population ranges in West Central Alberta are a notable example of this management approach. Almost all woodland caribou populations in Alberta are exhibiting ongoing population declines, with some populations declining at rapid rates. Current knowledge indicates that these declines are from apparent competition due to anthropogenic habitat changes, with resulting unsustainably high levels of wolf predation on woodland caribou populations. Delivery of annual wolf population reductions for two woodland caribou populations has resulted in stable or slightly increasing caribou population growth; in the absence of the wolf program at least one of the caribou populations would now be extirpated. The delivery of lethal wolf management for woodland caribou conservation and recovery in Alberta is enabled by a variety of provincial government approved management plans and policies. It is fully recognized that predator management for woodland caribou recovery must be predicated on management approaches and actions to improve caribou habitat conservation and recovery and thereby address the ultimate factors influencing apparent competition and unsustainably high levels of predation. Considerable effort is now being devoted to planning, policy revisions, regulatory adjustments, and management actions to address fundamental considerations related to caribou habitat. Progress on woodland caribou habitat will have little relevance; however, if the resident caribou population becomes extirpated before sufficient habitat recovery is achieved. Effective reductions in predation rates are needed immediately.

scholarly journals Bycatch mitigation could prevent strong changes in the ecological strategies of seabird communities across the globe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cerren Richards ◽  
Robert S. C. Cooke ◽  
Diana E. Bowler ◽  
Kristina Boerder ◽  
Amanda E. Bates
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Fishing Effort ◽  
Population Declines ◽  
Ecological Strategies ◽  
Mass Generation ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Distribution Ranges ◽  
Fisheries Bycatch

Fisheries bycatch, the incidental mortality of non-target species, is a major threat to seabirds worldwide. Mitigating bycatch is an important factor to reduce seabird population declines and consequent changes in ocean trophic dynamics and ecosystem functioning. However, it remains an open question how and where mitigating bycatch at a global scale may conserve seabird traits and the ecological strategies that traits represent. Here we combine a dataset of species traits and distribution ranges for 341 seabirds with spatially resolved fishing effort data for gillnet, longline, trawl, and purse seine gears to: (1) understand spatial variation in seabird community traits; and (2) test whether mitigating fisheries bycatch may prevent shifts in traits of seabird communities and loss of ecological strategies. We find distinct spatial variation in the community weighted mean of five seabird traits (clutch size, body mass, generation length, foraging guild, and diet guild). Furthermore, our analysis suggests that successful bycatch mitigation could prevent strong shifts in the traits of seabird communities across the globe particularly in the North Atlantic and Southern Oceans. Specifically, changes in dominant foraging and diet guilds, and shifts towards communities with faster reproductive speeds (larger clutch sizes and shorter generation lengths) and smaller body masses could be avoided. Therefore, bycatch mitigation may have important indirect benefits for sustaining ecosystem functioning, as mediated by species traits. Incorporating species traits into management actions will provide valuable tools for marine spatial planning and when evaluating the success of conservation initiatives.

scholarly journals Freshwater fish of the Wilderness National Park

Koedoe ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I.A. Russell
Keyword(s):  
Freshwater Fish ◽  
National Park ◽  
Fish Assemblages ◽  
Micropterus Salmoides ◽  
Negative Influence ◽  
Catchment Management ◽  
Indigenous Species ◽  
Freshwater Species ◽  
Estuarine Species ◽  
Management Actions

The study aimed to determine the distribution and relative abundance of freshwater fish in the Wilderness National Park. Fish assemblages in the Touw and Duiwe rivers were sampled in 1997 and 1998, with a total of 327 fish from nine species recorded. Indigenous species included two freshwater species (Pseudobarbus afer, Sandelia capensis), two catadromous species (Anguilla mossambicus, Myxus capensis), and two estuarine species (Monodactylusfalciformis, Caffrogobius multifasciatus). Three of the nine recorded species were alien (Micropterus dolomieu, Micropterus salmoides, Gambusia affinis), with the Micropterus spp., in particular, likely to have a substantial negative influence on indigenous species. A further one indigenous species, two translocated indigenous species, and five estuarine species could potentially be recorded in these rivers. River catchment management actions to restore perennial flow to the Duiwe River, to prevent the attenuation of floods, and to prevent further establishment and spread of alien and translocated biota are required to conserve indigenous fish assemblages.

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