Conservation status of birds on Mindoro, Philippines

SummaryFour weeks of fieldwork in the forests of Mindoro, Philippines, in 1991 has elucidated the status of the six bird species endemic to the island. Of these, Ducula mindorensis and Otus mindorensis are high-altitude species with restricted ranges and in need of active conservation in the medium term. Three of the four lowland species, Gallicolumba platenae, Centropus steerü and Penelopides mindorensis are under immediate threat of extinction through forest clearance and fragmentation, while the fourth, Dicaeum retrocinctum, s i not under immediate threat but is certainly at risk of extinction in the long term. Whilst deforestation is an enormous problem across the entire Philippines, Mindoro is the smallest centre of endemism with the least forest cover after the Sulu Islands. Extinctions are believed inevitable within the next 10 years unless concerted action is urgently taken. The Halcon range must receive attention in order to conserve the montane species, but more urgent by far is the preservation of lowland forest remnants, concentrating on central-west Mindoro.

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An assessment of the distribution, population size and conservation status of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner Automolus rufipectus: a Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta endemic

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270914000513 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 451-465 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

ESTEBAN BOTERO-DELGADILLO ◽

NICHOLAS BAYLY ◽

CAMILA GÓMEZ ◽

PAULO C. PULGARÍN-R. ◽

CARLOS ANDRÉS PÁEZ

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Sierra Nevada ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Bird Species ◽

Environmental Niche ◽

Coffee Plantations ◽

Habitat Transformation ◽

Elevation Range ◽

Area Of Occupancy

SummaryThe Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner Automolus rufipectus is one of 19 endemic bird species found in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) in northern Colombia but until recently it was considered a sub-species of the Ruddy Foliage-gleaner Automolus rubiginosus. Consequently, published information on its distribution and ecology is lacking, and while it is classified as near- threatened, this designation was based on limited quantitative data. To improve our knowledge of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner’s geographical distribution, elevation range, population density, habitat use and conservation status, we analysed both historical and recent site locality records and carried out variable distance transects within forested habitats and shade coffee plantations. We modelled the environmental niche of the species and subsequently estimated its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy, as well as population size. Our results consistently showed that the distribution of the Santa Marta Foliage-gleaner is more restricted than previously considered, both geographically and by elevation (we redefine elevation range as 600–1,875 m). This suggests that the species is more at risk of habitat transformation and combined with our estimates of population size (< 10,000 individuals), it is likely that the species will be uplisted to a higher threat category. More positively, and contrary to published accounts, we found that approximately 40% of the species’ range lies within protected areas. Nevertheless, we recommend the implementation of strategies to maintain forest cover on the western flank of the SNSM and further research to better define the species’ habitat needs and population dynamics.

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Which is worse for the red-billed curassow: habitat loss or hunting pressure?

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605319000711 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

Elaine Rios ◽

Philip J. K. McGowan ◽

Nigel J. Collar ◽

Maíra Benchimol ◽

Gustavo R. Canale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Loss ◽

Habitat Quality ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Explanatory Power ◽

Forest Patches ◽

Hunting Pressure ◽

North East ◽

Forest Remnants ◽

The Status ◽

Patch Density

Abstract Large ground-dwelling Neotropical gamebirds are highly threatened by habitat loss and hunting, but conservationists rarely attempt to distinguish between these two threats in the management of populations. We used three different types of species records to determine the status (i.e. persistence level) of the Endangered red-billed curassow Crax blumenbachii in 14 forest remnants in north-east Brazil, as either persistent, precarious or extirpated. We related these persistence levels to variables measured in a 2-km buffer radius, including variables associated with habitat quality (proportion of forest cover, length of rivers, patch density, distance from rivers) and hunting pressure (proportion of cacao agroforests and farmlands, length of roads, total area occupied by settlements, distance from roads and from settlements). Curassows were more persistent in forest patches located (1) more distant from settlements, (2) in landscapes with few settlements, (3) in landscapes with a high incidence of roads, (4) in a mosaic with a high proportion of forest, shaded cacao agroforest and farmland, and (5) more distant from other forest patches. Hunting pressure potentially exerts more influence on persistence than habitat quality: (1) hunting pressure submodels had a higher explanatory power than habitat quality submodels, (2) final models comprised four hunting pressure variables but only two habitat quality variables, and (3) hunting pressure variables appeared in all models whereas habitat quality variables appeared in only one final model. If hunting pressure is driving declines in curassows, regions with low human presence and a high proportion of forest cover are recommended for establishing new reserves.

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Global distribution and conservation status of ecologically rare mammal and bird species

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-18779-w ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nicolas Loiseau ◽

Nicolas Mouquet ◽

Nicolas Casajus ◽

Matthias Grenié ◽

Maya Guéguen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Human Development ◽

Rare Species ◽

Human Development Index ◽

Ecosystem Functioning ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Bird Species ◽

Ecosystem Processes ◽

Potential Contribution ◽

Development Index

Abstract Identifying species that are both geographically restricted and functionally distinct, i.e. supporting rare traits and functions, is of prime importance given their risk of extinction and their potential contribution to ecosystem functioning. We use global species distributions and functional traits for birds and mammals to identify the ecologically rare species, understand their characteristics, and identify hotspots. We find that ecologically rare species are disproportionately represented in IUCN threatened categories, insufficiently covered by protected areas, and for some of them sensitive to current and future threats. While they are more abundant overall in countries with a low human development index, some countries with high human development index are also hotspots of ecological rarity, suggesting transboundary responsibility for their conservation. Altogether, these results state that more conservation emphasis should be given to ecological rarity given future environmental conditions and the need to sustain multiple ecosystem processes in the long-term.

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Distribution and conservation status of Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270900002136 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 373-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Timothy G. O'Brien ◽

Nurul Laksmi Winarni ◽

Frida Mindasari Saanin ◽

Margaret F. Kinnaird ◽

Paul Jepson

Keyword(s):

Habitat Loss ◽

Protected Area ◽

National Park ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Conservation Action ◽

Lowland Forest ◽

Central Kalimantan ◽

The Status ◽

Lowland Rainforest ◽

And Control

SummaryWe distributed questionnaires and conducted interviews between July and November 1996 to develop a better understanding of the status and distribution of Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. We found that many people were familiar with the species, that it is apparently widely distributed but rare in lowland forest, and that populations may be declining. We received reports of recent sightings of the pheasant at 23 locations in 9 survey areas. The primary threats to Bornean Peacock-pheasants are habitat loss within logging concessions and hunting. Recommendations for future conservation action include increasing the representation of lowland rainforest in Kalimantan's protected area system, specifically the proposed extension of Bukit Raya National Park, and control of hunting within logging concessions.

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Population sizes and the status of endemic and restricted-range bird species on Sangihe Island, Indonesia

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270902002046 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 53-78 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Jon Riley

Keyword(s):

Endemic Species ◽

Bird Species ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Restricted Range ◽

Lowland Forest ◽

Island Endemic ◽

The Status ◽

Secondary Habitats ◽

Primary Habitat

The island of Sangihe, Indonesia, was visited in 1998–99 with the aim of producing population estimates of the island's endemic and other restricted-range bird species, some of which were poorly known and thought to be at risk of extinction due to habitat change. The study focused on the last remaining patch of primary forest, on Mount Sahendaruman in southern Sangihe, home to three critically endangered endemic species: Cerulean Paradise-flycatcher Eutrichomyias rowleyi, Sangihe Shrike-thrush Colluricincla sanghirensis, and Sangihe White-eye Zosterops nehrkorni. Population densities were estimated from primary forest and secondary habitats across Sangihe to assess species dependency on primary habitat. Twenty of 24 restricted-range, globally threatened or endemic taxa were recorded and density estimates were calculated for 15 of these. The endemic Red-and-blue Lory Eos histrio is extinct on Sangihe as a result of lowland forest loss. Six species (Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica, Sulawesi Dwarf Kingfisher Ceyx fallax, Golden Bulbul Ixos affinis, E. rowleyi, C. sanghirensis, and Z. nehrkorni) were either not recorded or have very small populations and are critically endangered on Sangihe; two species of Tanygnathus parrot are also facing local extinction on the island. The major threat to all these species is the destruction of primary forest; larger species are also threatened by hunting. The remaining endemic and restricted-range species (Blue-tailed Imperial Pigeon Ducula concinna, Sangihe Hanging-parrot Loriculus catamene, Sangihe Scops-owl Otus collari, Lilac-cheeked Kingfisher Cittura cyanotis and Elegant Sunbird Aethopyga duyvenbodei) were more widespread and occurred in secondary habitats. I recommend that L. catamene and A. duyvenbodei, currently treated as globally endangered, be reclassified as near-threatened and vulnerable respectively because of their large populations and tolerance of disturbed habitats. Species with wide global ranges that are represented by endemic subspecies have the greatest tolerance for disturbed habitat. The widespread deforestation of Sangihe has had serious consequences for many bird species and today the island supports the most threatened assemblage of single-island endemic species in Indonesia. Species-specific research to determine the status and ecology of E. rowleyi, C. sanghirensis and Z. nehrkorni, and monitoring of the Sahendaruman forest are desperately needed as a basis for future conservation efforts.

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The Status of Floristic Analysis of Mt. Pangasugan, Leyte, Philippines – a Conservation Priority Area Classified as “Extremely High Critical”

Annals of Tropical Research ◽

10.32945/atr3321.2011 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 1-21

Author(s):

Gerhard Langenberger ◽

Beatriz Belonias

Keyword(s):

Vascular Plant ◽

Current Status ◽

Primary Forest ◽

Central Position ◽

Conservation Priority ◽

Lowland Forest ◽

Priority Area ◽

Forest Remnants ◽

The Status ◽

Specimen Processing

the island of Leyte in the Eastern Visayas takes a central position between the Philippine main islands of Luzon and Mindanao. It is characterized by the Leyte cordillera, which is part of the Philippine fault line. Within the Leyte cordillera, Mt. Pangasugan takes an exceptional role since it provides a catena from lowland forest remnants on its foothills to mossy forest on its summit at 1158 m a.s.l.. recently, Mt. Pangasugan has been identified as conservation priority area classified as of ‘extremely high critical’ level. Mt. Pangasugan has been the focus of comprehensive botanical studies within the last few years. We present the current status of the floristic assessment of the mountain and introduce the Visayas state University Herbarium, located at the foot of Mt. Pangasugan, where the majority of collected specimens are deposited. At present, the Herbarium houses c. 6100 specimens, 3000 of them originating from the primary forest of Mt. Pangasugan. based on the present status of specimen processing and identification they represent 115 families, and 418 genera of Angiosperms, 2 families, 2 genera, and 3 species of Gymnosperms, 27 families and 64 genera of Pteridophytes, and 3 classes, 38 genera and 51 species of bryophytes. the number of vascular plant species represented in the VsU Herbarium can safely be estimated at c. 800-1000. Given the small overall sampling area intensively studied so far these figures can be assumed as representing just a fraction of the total floristic richness of the area.

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The conservation status of key bird species on Taliabu and the Sula Islands, Indonesia

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270900002926 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 1-20 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Peter Davidson ◽

Tony Stones ◽

Rob Lucking

Keyword(s):

Forest Type ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Bird Species ◽

Type Specimen ◽

Montane Forest ◽

Restricted Range ◽

Lowland Forest ◽

Lowland Forests ◽

First Time ◽

Near Threatened

SummaryOrnithological surveys were conducted over a seven-week period on Taliabu, Sula Islands, Indonesia in 1991, concentrating on eight species (seven of which have restricted ranges) considered (in 1991) to be threatened and six species (two of which have restricted ranges) considered near-threatened. All of the restricted-range species are dependent on lowland forest, although most persist in secondary habitats, and some also occur in montane forest. Tyto nigrobrunnea was recorded for the first time since the type-specimen was collected in 1938, and is perhaps the most threatened of all the restricted-range birds. Megapodius bernsteinii, Pitta dohertyi, Rhinomyias colonus, Basilornis galeatus and Streptocitta albertinae are threatened in the longer term, primarily by habitat loss. Both Coracina schistacea and C. sula are able to persist in all but the most degraded of habitats. Of the two restricted-range species considered near-threatened, Zoothera erythronota is at greatest risk on Taliabu, apparently restricted to lowland forests. The other, Ptilinopus subgularis, is common in lowland forest and also occurs in montane forest. Little primary lowland forest was found in the areas visited on the island, and identifying remaining areas of this forest type and its relative importance to the birds, especially restricted-range species, should be given highest priority in further surveys. The suitability of a proposed reserve area on the island was evaluated: a larger area of lowland forest than is currently proposed should be afforded protection in order to safeguard the island's characteristic avifauna.

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Defining favourable reference values for bird populations in Italy: setting long-term conservation targets for priority species

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270910000407 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 107-118 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

MATTIA BRAMBILLA ◽

MARCO GUSTIN ◽

CLAUDIO CELADA

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Reference Values ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Bird Species ◽

Population Viability Analysis ◽

Breeding Density ◽

Isolated Populations ◽

Conservation Targets

SummarySetting favourable reference values (FRV) for conservation targets may help in assessing the conservation status of species and habitats. FRVs should be expressed through population size or demographic parameters that are likely to ensure the long-term persistence of a species across its range. We developed a conceptual framework for defining FRVs for Italian birds included in Annex I of the European Union’s Wild Birds Directive 79/409/CEE. The approach was based on demographic trends, current population size and the minimum viable population concept. We subdivided bird species according to abundance at the national scale, spatial distribution in discrete isolated populations and/or biogeographic categories. FRVs based on population viability analysis (PVA) were provided for populations of less than 2,500 pairs. For species with more than 2,500 pairs and a wide, more or less continuous range, the FRV was expressed in terms of breeding density at different spatial scales for non-colonial species. Out of the 88 species considered, we were able to formulate FRVs based on PVA for 47 populations belonging to 21 species, and breeding density for 15 further species; lack of adequate data prevented us from defining FRVs for the remaining species. Further work should focus on the translation of FRV density values into population size and on the definition of reference values for range and habitat.

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Incorporating explicit geospatial data shows more species at risk of extinction than the current Red List

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.1601367 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2 (11) ◽

pp. e1601367 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela ◽

Clinton N. Jenkins ◽

Varsha Vijay ◽

Binbin V. Li ◽

Stuart L. Pimm

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Spatial Data ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Bird Species ◽

Red List ◽

Geospatial Data ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Local Conservation ◽

Critically Endangered Species ◽

Risk Of Extinction

The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List classifies species according to their risk of extinction, informing global to local conservation decisions. Unfortunately, important geospatial data do not explicitly or efficiently enter this process. Rapid growth in the availability of remotely sensed observations provides fine-scale data on elevation and increasingly sophisticated characterizations of land cover and its changes. These data readily show that species are likely not present within many areas within the overall envelopes of their distributions. Additionally, global databases on protected areas inform how extensively ranges are protected. We selected 586 endemic and threatened forest bird species from six of the world’s most biodiverse and threatened places (Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Central America, Western Andes of Colombia, Madagascar, Sumatra, and Southeast Asia). The Red List deems 18% of these species to be threatened (15 critically endangered, 29 endangered, and 64 vulnerable). Inevitably, after refining ranges by elevation and forest cover, ranges shrink. Do they do so consistently? For example, refined ranges of critically endangered species might reduce by (say) 50% but so might the ranges of endangered, vulnerable, and nonthreatened species. Critically, this is not the case. We find that 43% of species fall below the range threshold where comparable species are deemed threatened. Some 210 bird species belong in a higher-threat category than the current Red List placement, including 189 species that are currently deemed nonthreatened. Incorporating readily available spatial data substantially increases the numbers of species that should be considered at risk and alters priority areas for conservation.

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The status and conservation of the Blue-Throated Macaw Ara glaucogularis

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270900000216 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 255-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Alan J. Hesse ◽

Giles E. Duffield

Keyword(s):

Central Government ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Basic Research ◽

Habitat Characteristics ◽

Current Conservation ◽

Ecological Requirements ◽

The Status ◽

Savanna Burning ◽

Live Bird

The conservation status of the Blue-throated Macaw Ara glaucogularis, a Bolivian endemic, is assessed using the most recent information available. The known range of the species is patchily distributed within an 8,600 km2 area of lowland savanna–forest habitat in the Beni department, under private ownership for cattle ranching, which is the main form of land use in the region. Population surveys of the Blue-throated Macaw revealed this species to exist in very low numbers. The immediate threat to the species is illegal trapping for the live bird trade. Effects of cattle grazing and savanna burning may modify habitat characteristics, but there is no direct evidence suggesting that these factors negatively influence the ecological requirements of Ara glaucogularis. The species is highly associated with the Attalea phalerata palm, which it uses for feeding and nesting. Current conservation efforts include: population and distribution surveys and assessment of habitat requirements; environmental awareness targeted at landowners and ranch personnel; collaboration with subnational and central government bodies; and development of strategies to curtail parrot trafficking activities. Recommendations for the long-term conservation of the species include increasing the involvement of landowners to strengthen protection for wild macaws; working with the Bolivian government on strategies to curb macaw trafficking; increasing environmental education activities with local inhabitants; basic research on breeding requirements and limitations of wild Blue-throated Macaws; and investigating the application of private reserves to the Blue-throated Macaw range.

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