scholarly journals An annotated bird checklist for Gam island, Raja Ampat, including field notes on species monitoring and conservation

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 310
Author(s):  
Julian Schrader ◽  
Christoph Parsch ◽  
Soetjipto Moeljono ◽  
John D Kalor ◽  
Tim Hofmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Strong Focus ◽  
Field Notes ◽  
Marine Areas ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria ◽  
Terrestrial Biodiversity

Species checklists are a fundamental component of biodiversity research. They foster understanding of species distributions and habitat preferences, thus reducing gaps of knowledge in geographical occurrences of species. Especially in light of the limited availability of data on species distributions for Tanah Papua, an increasing scientific focus on the region is crucial to foster and refine the knowledge of species occurrences and to inform potential conservation planning. Despite a strong focus on conservation of Raja Ampat´s marine areas, surprisingly few studies have focused on the terrestrial biodiversity of the archipelago. As a consequence, detailed species checklists are largely missing. Here, we provide a preliminary bird species checklist for the island of Gam and its surrounding islands, located in the central Raja Ampat archipelago. During nine sampling periods between 2013 and 2019, we recorded 132 bird species in six distinct habitat types. Of the detected species, six are considered threatened by IUCN Red List criteria. We further recorded three new species for Gam Island, thereby expanding their known extent of occurrence.

scholarly journals A data-driven geospatial workflow to improve mapping species distributions and assessing extinction risk under the IUCN Red List

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruben Dario Palacio ◽  
Pablo Jose Negret ◽  
Jorge Velásquez-Tibatá ◽  
Andrew P. Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Distance Weighted ◽  
Extinction Risk Assessment

ABSTRACTSpecies distribution maps are essential for assessing extinction risk and guiding conservation efforts. Here, we developed a data-driven, reproducible geospatial workflow to map species distributions and evaluate their conservation status consistent with the guidelines and criteria of the IUCN Red List. Our workflow follows five automated steps to refine the distribution of a species starting from its Extent of Occurrence (EOO) to Area of Habitat (AOH) within the species range. The ranges are produced with an Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation procedure, using presence and absence points derived from primary biodiversity data. As a case-study, we mapped the distribution of 2,273 bird species in the Americas, 55% of all terrestrial birds found in the region. We then compared our produced species ranges to the expert-drawn IUCN/BirdLife range maps and conducted a preliminary IUCN extinction risk assessment based on criterion B (Geographic Range). We found that our workflow generated ranges with fewer errors of omission, commission, and a better overall accuracy within each species EOO. The spatial overlap between both datasets was low (28%) and the expert-drawn range maps were consistently larger due to errors of commission. Their estimated Area of Habitat (AOH) was also larger for a subset of 741 forest-dependent birds. We found that incorporating geospatial data increased the number of threatened species by 52% in comparison to the 2019 IUCN Red List. Furthermore, 103 species could be placed in threatened categories (VU, EN, CR) pending further assessment. The implementation of our geospatial workflow provides a valuable alternative to increase the transparency and reliability of species risk assessments and improve mapping species distributions for conservation planning and decision-making.

scholarly journals The Avifauna of Lake Seyfe

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 484
Author(s):  
Elif Omca Çobanoğlu
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Location ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Ecological Value ◽  
The Status ◽  
International Importance ◽  
Protection Area ◽  
Natural Protection ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria

Turkey has a great ornithological importance, due to its geographical location, topography, wide territory and different climatic types. From a biodiversity perspective, wetlands are one of the most important areas. Lake Seyfe is one of the important wetlands with economic and ecological value. After being declared a Natural Protected Area in 1989, Lake Seyfe, which gained the status of Natural Protection Area in 1990 and finally declared Ramsar Site in 1994, is extremely important for birds. The lake meets 3 out of 9 Criteria for Identifying Wetlands of International Importance. The research aims to determine bird species of Lake Seyfe by gathering the information contained in the literature covering all observations made in the following years, in addition to the regular field studies conducted weekly between 1996 and 1998. Therefore, a list of birds obtained from all observations made between 1996-2019 has been created. As a result, 26 orders, 57 families, 242 species and 4 subspecies were identified in the site. 20 of the recorded species are globally endangered according to the IUCN red list criteria. Lake Seyfe, an internationally important wetland, is also an important feeding and visiting place for birds during migration.

Towards a Revision of the Genus Vitex (Lamiaceae) in Madagascar. II: Three New Species from the Littoral Forests

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 38-47
Author(s):  
Martin W. Callmander ◽  
Peter B. Phillipson
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Native Species ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Line Drawing ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria ◽  
Littoral Forests ◽  
Near Threatened

The genus Vitex L. (Lamiaceae, Viticoideae) comprises 45 native species in Madagascar, all but one of which are endemic to the country. Several new species are still to be described, and we propose here three new species from the littoral forests: V. mcphersonii Callm. & Phillipson, V. rabenantoandroi Callm. & Phillipson, and V. zigzag Callm. & Phillipson. These three distinctive new species grow in the threatened littoral forests of the east coast of Madagascar. The risk of extinction to these species was assessed following the IUCN Red List Criteria, revealing that V. mcphersonii should be assessed as “Vulnerable,” V. rabenantoandroi as “Near Threatened,” and V. zigzag as “Critically Endangered.” Each new species is provided with a discussion of its morphological affinities and a line drawing.

scholarly journals Towards an Integrated Species Distribution Modelling Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. e25165
Author(s):  
Tania Laity
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
National Level ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
Species Distribution Modelling ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Assessment Process ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Secure Environment ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria

The Australian Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE) is working with the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), Biodiversity Climate Change Virtual Laboratory (BCCVL) together with 2 state environment departments (New South Wales and Queensland) to develop a standard framework for modelling threatened species distributions for use in policy / environmental decision making. In addition, DoEE is working with 7 state and territory environment departments to implement a common assessment method (CAM) for the assessment and listing of nationally threatened species. The method is based on the IUCN Red List criteria. Each Australian jurisdiction has traditionally used different assessment method, including categories, criteria, thresholds, definitions and scales of assessment to list threatened species within their jurisdiction. The CAM is a standardised method for species assessed for listing at the national level. Through cross-jurisdictional collaboration, this will improve the efficiency of the assessment process and facilitate consistency across jurisdictional lists. The BCCVL includes linkages to species observations on the ALA and users are able to add their own data including contextual and species data. The project aims to create a secure environment where cross-jurisdictional collaboration can occur both on the standardisation of methodologies for creating species distributions and the integration of data. The project also aims to provide a secure platform for jurisdictions to contribute sensitive observations not available through the ALA and take into consideration expert feedback on the distribution of species. The project will provide a public-facing platform whereby SDM’s can be published. This will be searchable by area, species or contributor. All outputs will be scientifically robust, repeatable, maintainable, open and transparent. The increased validity and robustness of models lead to better informed decisions relating to impacts of development and conservation of species.

Taxonomy of Neomuscina Townsend (Diptera, Muscidae) from Brazil

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3504 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
ALESSANDRE PEREIRA-COLAVITE ◽  
CLAUDIO J. B. DE CARVALHO
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Species Distributions ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Minas Gerais ◽  
Identification Key ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Three New Species ◽  
New Distribution

Neomuscina Townsend includes 41 species distributed throughout the Nearctic and Neotropical Regions. Although the genus has a large number of species, it has been ignored and its taxonomy is confusing and has many flaws. In this work we analyzed the following species recorded for Brazil: Neomuscina atincta Snyder, N. atincticosta Snyder, N. capalta Snyder, N. currani Snyder, N. douradensis Lopes & Khouri, N. goianensis Lopes & Khouri, N. inflexa (Stein), N. instabilis Snyder, N. mediana Snyder, N. mimosa Lopes & Khouri, N. neosimilis Snyder, N. nigricosta Snyder, N. paramediana Lopes & Khouri, N. pictipennis pictipennis (Bigot), N. ponti Lopes & Khouri, N. sanespra Snyder, N. schadei Snyder, N. similata Snyder, N. stabilis (Stein), N. transporta Snyder, N. vitoriae Lopes & Khouri and N. zosteris (Shannon & Del Ponte). Neomuscina nigricosta and N. transporta are new distribution records for Brazil. Three new species are described: Neomuscina anajeensis sp. nov. from Anagé (Bahia), Neomuscina maculata sp. nov. from Botelhos (Minas Gerais) and Neomuscina snyderi sp. nov. from Mata de São João (Bahia). An identification key based on the morphological characters of both male and female is provided. Species distributions are discussed and updated, and the number of species now recorded for Brazil is 29.

scholarly journals How many bird extinctions have we prevented?

Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 266-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart H.M. Butchart ◽  
Alison J. Stattersfield ◽  
Nigel J. Collar
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Additional Species ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Declining Populations ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Principal Actions

Considerable resources and efforts have been directed at biodiversity conservation in recent years, but measures of the success of conservation programmes have been limited. Based on information on population sizes, trends, threatening processes and the nature and intensity of conservation actions implemented during 1994–2004, we assessed that 16 bird species would have probably become extinct during this period if conservation programmes for them had not been undertaken. The mean minimum population size of these 16 species increased from 34 to 147 breeding individuals during 1994–2004. In 1994, 63% of them had declining populations but by 2004, 81% were increasing. Most of these species (63%) are found on islands. The principal threats that led to their decline were habitat loss and degradation (88%), invasive species (50%) and exploitation (38%), a pattern similar to that for other threatened species, but with exploitation and invasive species being relatively more important. The principal actions carried out were habitat protection and management (75% of species), control of invasive species (50%), and captive breeding and release (33%). The 16 species represent only 8.9% of those currently classified as Critically Endangered, and 1.3% of those threatened with extinction. Many of these additional species slipped closer to extinction during 1994–2004, including 164 that deteriorated in status sufficiently to be uplisted to higher categories of extinction risk on the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2006). Efforts need to be considerably scaled up to prevent many more extinctions in the coming decades. The knowledge and tools to achieve this are available, but we need to mobilize the resources and political will to apply them.

scholarly journals Habitat associations and conservation status of an endemic forest dwarf chameleon (Bradypodion sp.) from South Africa

Oryx ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter J. Reisinger ◽  
Devi M. Stuart-Fox ◽  
Barend F.N. Erasmus
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Area Of Occupancy ◽  
Forest Interior ◽  
Forest Remnants ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria

We quantified habitat associations and evaluated the conservation status of a recently identified, undescribed species of dwarf chameleon, Bradypodion sp. nov. Dhlinza, endemic to scarp forest remnants in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. At the microhabitat scale the Dhlinza dwarf chameleon was found more often in forest gaps and near paths than highly disturbed edges or forest interior. Chameleon presence was not explained by forest physiognomic variables such as vine cover, shrub and tree density, or canopy cover. Presence near gaps may be better explained by the combined effects of the thermal microenvironment and food availability. The species is moderately common where it occurs, with estimated densities of 4.7, 8.7 and 29.7 individuals per ha within forest interior, edges and gaps respectively. At the landscape scale, the chameleon occurs only in three remnant forests: the Dhlinza, Entumeni and Ongoye Forests. The species' extent of occurrence was estimated to be 88 km2 and its area of occupancy 49 km2. Based on the small area of remaining suitable habitat, this species meets the requirements for categorization as Endangered according to IUCN Red List criteria.

scholarly journals Endemic Cyprus Scops Owl Otus cyprius Readily Breeds in Artificial Nest Boxes

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1775
Author(s):  
Savvas Iezekiel ◽  
Reuven Yosef ◽  
Constantinos Themistokleus ◽  
Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis ◽  
Christos G. Vlachos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Artificial Nests ◽  
Breeding Parameters ◽  
Island Endemic ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Ecological Requirements ◽  
Old Trees

As is well-known, endemic island bird species are especially vulnerable to extinction from anthropogenic environmental change and reduced fitness compared with mainland taxa. The Cyprus Scops Owl, Otus cyprius, is a recently recognized island endemic species whose ecology and breeding biology have not been studied. It nests mainly in holes in trees and buildings, so the felling of old trees, modern architectural practices, and the renovation of old houses in villages may reduce nest site availability. Its population trend is also unknown. Therefore, to better determine its ecological requirements and habitat preferences we placed nest boxes in rural areas adjacent to the forest, in the forest, and in the ecotone between them, and used breeding success as our indicator of habitat suitability. We found that breeding parameters like laying date, clutch size, length of the incubation period, hatching day, hatching success, and number of nestlings did not differ between the three habitats. Despite the low level of nest box occupancy rate (5–11%) the endemic Cyprus Scops Owl readily breeds in artificial nests. Therefore, although we are unaware of any current threats to the Cyprus Scops Owl, we recommend that its conservation be prioritized, including studies, monitoring, habitat conservation, and the provision of nest boxes.

Updating the knowledge of the flower flies (Diptera: Syrphidae) from Chile: Illustrated catalog, extinction risk and biological notes

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4959 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-178
Author(s):  
RODRIGO M. BARAHONA-SEGOVIA ◽  
PAMELA RIERA ◽  
LAURA PAÑINAO-MONSÁLVEZ ◽  
VICENTE VALDÉS GUZMÁN ◽  
PATRICIA HENRÍQUEZ-PISKULICH
Keyword(s):  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Floral Biology ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Decomposition Of Organic Matter ◽  
Management Plans ◽  
Flower Flies ◽  
Iucn Red List Criteria ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
First Time

Syrphidae, more commonly known as flower flies, are considered one of the most important Diptera families worldwide because of their critical role in pollination, biological control and decomposition of organic matter. The study of these flies in Chile has stagnated due to a lack of local experts as well as the absence of an updated catalog of species. This study is an attempt to remedy the latter of these issues by providing an illustrated and updated catalog to the Syrphidae of Chile. Species are presented under currently accepted names, with synonyms and previous combinations listed and original references. Type localities, world and Chilean distribution by geopolitical Chilean regions, taxonomic and biological notes, a complete record of bibliographic references and extinction risk under IUCN Red List criteria are provided. This catalog recognizes 132 species of Syrphidae, belonging to four subfamilies (Eristalinae, Microdontinae, Pipizinae and Syrphinae), 13 tribes and 47 genera. A total of 46 species (34.84 %) is restricted to the geopolitical territory of Chile. Eight species are considered exotic, one is considered incertae sedis and three are based on doubtful records. Seventeen species of 10 different genera (Copestylum Macquart, 1846; Dolichogyna Macquart, 1842; Eosalpingogaster Hull, 1949b; Eupeodes Osten Sacken, 1877; Meromacrus Rondani, 1848; Palpada Macquart, 1834; Paragus Latreille, 1804; Sphiximorpha Rondani, 1850; Sterphus Philippi, 1865 and Toxomerus Macquart, 1855) are reported from Chile for the first time. A total of 44 species (33.33 %) reported from Chile are directly threatened by human activities such as agriculture, forestry, mining and/or urbanization and indirectly by climate change. The gaps found in the geographic distribution of Chilean flower fly species and what it means for its use by disciplines such as ecology, floral biology and agronomy, are discussed. In addition, the use of this illustrated catalog for biological conservation, the potential definition of priority areas and ecosystem management plans based on this group of Diptera are also discussed. 

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