Conservation of Micromeria browiczii (Lamiaceae), Endemic to Zakynthos Island (Ionian Islands, Greece)

The massive decline in biodiversity due to anthropogenic threats has led to the emergence of conservation as one of the central goals in modern biology. Conservation strategies are urgently needed for addressing the ongoing loss of plant diversity. The Mediterranean basin, and especially the Mediterranean islands, host numerous rare and threatened plants in need of urgent conservation actions. In this study, we assess the current conservation status of Micromeria browiczii, a local endemic to Zakynthos Island (Ionian Islands, Greece), and estimate its future risk of extinction by compiling and assessing scientific information on geographical distribution, population dynamics and reproductive biology. The population size and the geographical distribution of the species were monitored for five years. The current population of the species consists of 15 subpopulations. Considerable annual fluctuation of population size was detected. The species is assessed as Endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature threat categories. According to population viability analysis results, its extinction risk was estimated to be 5.6% over the next 50 years, when six of the fifteen subpopulations (40%) might become extinct. The investigation of certain aspects of the species’ biology yielded important data necessary to identify critical aspects for its survival and to propose conservation measures.

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Conservation biology of threatened Mediterranean chasmophytes: The case of Asperula naufraga endemic to Zakynthos island (Ionian islands, Greece)

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0246706 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (2) ◽

pp. e0246706 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Anna-Thalassini Valli ◽

Vassiliki Lila Koumandou ◽

Gregoris Iatrou ◽

Marios Andreou ◽

Vasileios Papasotiropoulos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Population Size ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Small Population ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Current Conservation ◽

Ionian Islands ◽

Small Population Size ◽

Area Of Occupancy

Asperula naufraga is a rare and threatened obligate chasmophyte, endemic to Zakynthos island (Ionian islands, Greece). In this study, we provide a combined approach (including monitoring of demographic and reproductive parameters and study of genetic diversity) to assess the current conservation status of the species and to estimate its future extinction risk. The five subpopulations of A. naufraga were monitored for five years (2014–2018). Population size markedly fluctuated between 68–130 mature individuals during the monitoring period. The extent of occurrence (EOO) was estimated at 28.7 km2 and the area of occupancy (AOO) was 8 km2. Stage-structure recordings were similar for all subpopulations, characterized by high proportions of adult and senescent individuals, following a common pattern, which has been observed in other cliff-dwelling plants. Preliminary genetic analysis with SSRs markers revealed low heterozygosity within subpopulations and significant departure from H-W equilibrium, which combined with small population size suggest increased threat of genetic diversity loss. Our results indicate that the species should be placed in the Critically Endangered (CR) IUCN threat category, while according to Population Viability Analysis results its extinction risk increases to 47.8% in the next 50 years. The small population size combined with large fluctuations in its size, low recruitment and low genetic diversity, indicate the need of undertaking effective in situ and ex situ conservation measures.

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Update of distribution, habitats, population size, and threat factors for the West African crocodile in Mauritania

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/15685381-00003059 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 37 (3) ◽

pp. 325-330 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

João Carlos Campos ◽

Fernando Martínez-Freiría ◽

Fábio Vieira Sousa ◽

Frederico Santarém ◽

José Carlos Brito

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Conservation Status ◽

West African ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Temperature Extremes ◽

Local Conservation ◽

The West ◽

Water Abstraction ◽

New Localities ◽

Domestic Use

The West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus) is an emblematic species from the Sahara-Sahel with scarce knowledge on distribution and conservation status. This study updated the knowledge on distribution, occupied habitats, population size, and factors that threaten C. suchus and its habitats in Mauritania. Five field expeditions to Mauritania (2011-2016), allowed the detection of 26 new localities, increasing by 27% the current number of all known locations (adding up to ). In most localities less than five individuals were observed, and in all visiting sites the number of observed individuals ranged from one to 23. Eleven threat factors were identified, being droughts and temperature extremes (100% localities affected) and water abstraction for domestic use and nomadic grazing (94%) the most frequent. These findings suggest that crocodiles are apparently vulnerable in Mauritania and that future local conservation strategies are needed to assure the continuity of its fragile populations and preserve their habitats.

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Density and population viability of coastal marten: a rare and geographically isolated small carnivore

10.7287/peerj.preprints.3319v1 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Mark A Linnell ◽

Katie Moriarty ◽

David S Green ◽

Taal Levi

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Population Viability Analysis ◽

Credible Interval ◽

The United States ◽

Population Viability ◽

Coastal Forests ◽

Private Lands ◽

Geographically Isolated

Pacific martens (Martes caurina) in coastal forests of Oregon and northern California in the United States are rare and geographically isolated, prompting a petition for listing under the Endangered Species Act. If listed, regulations have the potential to substantially influence land-use decisions and forestry on public and private lands, but no estimates of population size, density, and viability of remnant marten populations are available for evaluating their conservation status. We used GPS telemetry, territory mapping, and spatial mark-recapture to estimate population size and density within the current extent of Pacific martens in central Oregon, within coastal forest in the Oregon dunes national recreational area. We then estimated population viability at differing levels of human-caused mortality (e.g. roadkill). We estimated 63 adult martens (95% Credible Interval: 58-73) and 73 (range: 46-91) potential territories across two subpopulations separated by a large barrier (Umpqua River). Marten density was 1.02 per km2, the highest reported in North America. Using population viability analysis, extinction risk for a subpopulation of 30 martens ranged from 34% to 100% with two or more annual human-caused mortalities. Absent broad-scale restoration of forest to conditions which support marten populations, limiting human-caused mortalities would likely have the greatest conservation impact.

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Current status and conservation of the Endangered Przewalski's gazelle Procapra przewalskii, endemic to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, China

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605310001134 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 46 (1) ◽

pp. 145-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Chunlin Li ◽

Zhigang Jiang ◽

Xiaoge Ping ◽

Jing Cai ◽

Zhangqiang You ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Population Size ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Distance Sampling ◽

Current Status ◽

Qinghai Lake ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Lake Basin ◽

Domestic Livestock ◽

Procapra Przewalskii

AbstractIn 2008 Przewalski's gazelle Procapra przewalskii, endemic to the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau, China, was recategorized from Critically Endangered to Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The species is still, however, threatened, and the human population and accompanying domestic livestock are increasing around Qinghai Lake. Here we provide up-to-date information on the distribution and population size of the species, evaluate its current conservation status and discuss the difficulties of protecting this gazelle species. We used both distance sampling and total counts to survey 16 sites where the species has been reported and found it at 13 of these, occupying a total area of c. 250 km2. Population size estimated from distance sampling (1,635) and total counts (1,544) was similar. About 20% of the gazelles located were in newly discovered areas for the species. The results indicate an overall growth in the population of Przewalski's gazelle since 2003, although some subpopulations have declined or been extirpated. In spite of conservation efforts Przewalski's gazelle is still threatened by habitat degradation and loss, habitat fragmentation, fencing, intensified competition with domestic livestock and predation. Further growth of this gazelle population is constrained by limited habitat availability and human–gazelle conflict. We recommend that management and conservation strategies need to incorporate comprehensive knowledge of the gazelle, long-term monitoring, and captive breeding of injured and orphaned gazelles to form a potential pool of individuals for future reintroductions to the historical range of the species outside the Qinghai Lake basin.

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From troubles to solutions: conservation of Mediterranean tortoises under global change

Basic and Applied Herpetology ◽

10.11160/bah.196 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Eva Graciá ◽

Roberto Carlos Rodríguez-Caro ◽

Marcos Ferrández ◽

Albert Martínez-Silvestre ◽

Irene Pérez-Ibarra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mediterranean Region ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Wild Animals ◽

Wild Populations ◽

Testudo Graeca ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Endangered Status

Chelonians are among the animal groups with the poorest conservation status. Since tortoises are long-lived species that need very long time to reach sexual maturity, they are extremely vulnerable to human pressure. Despite their endangered status, there are no common strategies for the development of conservation actions. At the “Mediterranean workshop to develop tortoise conservation strategies”, scientists, conservation associations, environmental managers, IUCN advisers and CITES inspectors met in October 2019 in Alicante (Spain). The aims were to update the diagnosis of the conservation status of the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) and the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) and to suggest strategies that guarantee their preservation at the Mediterranean Region. The main conclusions are summarized by: i) Mediterranean tortoises are wild endangered species that must be protected in, and together with, their natural habitat. Their main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation and pet trade, but we should also pay attention to wildfires, spread of diseases, the introduction of exotic species or lineages and climate change. ii) Long-term efforts and stablished protocols are needed to accurately diagnose and monitor the conservation status of wild populations, as well as flows among captive and wild animals. iii) Tortoise trade should be banned because it threatens the conservation of wild populations of tortoises. Illegal practices related to tortoises should be decidedly persecuted. People should consider tortoises as wild animals that are endangered and deserving of protection. It is possible to enjoy them by responsibly observing them in their habitat. iv) Tortoises may carry pathogens or parasites and their sanitary status cannot be fully assessed. They should always be considered potential vectors of tortoise diseases and of zoonosis. Hygiene protocols should be implemented when managing them. v) The researchers attending this workshop aimed to develop a scientific network for the long-term monitoring of graeca and T. hermanni populations in the Mediterranean Region. They will need the support from public administrations.

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Habitat Suitability, Population Structure and Conservation Status of Pinanga arinasae (Arecaceae), an Endemic Palm in Bali Island, Indonesia

Diversity ◽

10.3390/d14010010 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 10

Author(s):

Angga Yudaputra ◽

Joko Ridho Witono ◽

Inggit Puji Astuti ◽

Esti Munawaroh ◽

Yuzammi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Structure ◽

Population Size ◽

Habitat Suitability ◽

Size Structure ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Canopy Openness ◽

Litter Depth ◽

Population Size Structure

The conservation of species should be based on knowledge of habitat requirements, population structure and conservation status. This knowledge is quite important to design conservation areas for species and to promote long-term persistence. In this study, we investigated habitat suitability, population size structure and conservation status of Pinanga arinasae in Bali. Plots with palms and adjacent areas with no palms were sampled to characterize key habitat variables. Habitat suitability was modeled using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Random Forest (RF) methods. The population size structure was characterized by counting and measuring the height and reproductive status of the individuals found in plots. Furthermore, we assessed the extinction risk of the species using the IUCN Red List Criteria. The ANN variables that best explained occurrence were litter depth, elevation, canopy openness and slope. The RF variables that best explained the data were elevation, litter depth, slope, and aspect. Both ANN and RF are robust models that can be used to predict the occurrence of P. arinasae. The population size structure included many seedlings, but juvenile and mature individuals were found in relatively small numbers. Based on the findings, we proposed Endangered B1+B2ab(i,ii,iii,v); D as the conservation status of P. arinasae.

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Waterbird population estimates for a key staging site in Kazakhstan: a contribution to wetland conservation on the Central Asian flyway

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270908000087 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

pp. 71-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Holger Schielzeth ◽

Götz Eichhorn ◽

Thomas Heinicke ◽

Johannes Kamp ◽

Maxim A. Koshkin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Steppe Zone ◽

Wetland Conservation ◽

Conservation Strategies ◽

Population Estimates ◽

The South ◽

Migration Routes ◽

South West ◽

Population Size Estimates

AbstractRealistic population size estimates for waterbirds are crucial for the application of wetland conservation strategies, since the identification of internationally important wetlands is based on local numbers relative to the population size of the respective species. Central Asia is a poorly surveyed region that is situated at the intersection of migration routes that lead waterbirds from Western Siberia to the south-west (South-West Asia, East Africa) and to the south-east (South Asia, India). We calculated waterbird population estimates for the Tengiz–Korgalzhyn region, a large wetland complex in the steppe zone of Central Kazakhstan, based on waterbird surveys conducted between 1999 and 2004. For 20 of 43 species analysed the region supported more than 5% of the relevant flyway populations. Five species occurred with more than 40% of the flyway totals, including the Endangered White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and the Vulnerable Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus. Peak numbers were recorded in summer and autumn and for most species numbers were more than an order of magnitude lower on spring migration compared with autumn migration. We identified 72 individual sites that held more than 20,000 waterbirds or more than 1% of a particular flyway population at least once. These sites are likely to constitute priorities for conservation. The general conservation status of the region is favourable, since many of the important sites are located within a strict nature reserve. However, outside the reserve hunting, fishing and powerline casualties represent conservation issues that should be monitored more carefully in the future.

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A downlist is not a demotion: Red List status and reality

Oryx ◽

10.1017/s0030605317000606 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 605-609 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

David P. Mallon ◽

Rodney M. Jackson

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Giant Panda ◽

Total Population ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Field Research ◽

Iucn Red List ◽

Red List ◽

Ailuropoda Melanoleuca ◽

Snow Leopard

AbstractAssessments of biodiversity status are needed to track trends, and the IUCN Red List has become the accepted global standard for documenting the extinction risk of species. Obtaining robust data on population size is an essential component of any assessment of a species’ status, including assessments for the IUCN Red List. Obtaining such estimates is complicated by methodological and logistical issues, which are more pronounced in the case of cryptic species, such as the snow leopardPanthera uncia. Estimates of the total population size of this species have, to date, been based on little more than guesstimates, but a comprehensive summary of recent field research indicates that the conservation status of the snow leopard may be less dire than previously thought. A revised categorization, from Endangered to Vulnerable, on the IUCN Red List was proposed but met some opposition, as did a recent, similar recategorization of the giant pandaAiluropoda melanoleuca. Possible factors motivating such attitudes are discussed. Downlisting on the IUCN Red List indicates that the species concerned is further from extinction, and is always to be welcomed, whether resulting from successful conservation intervention or improved knowledge of status and trends. Celebrating success is important to reinforce the message that conservation works, and to incentivize donors.

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Density and population viability of coastal marten: a rare and geographically isolated small carnivore

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.4530 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. e4530 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Mark A. Linnell ◽

Katie Moriarty ◽

David S. Green ◽

Taal Levi

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Extinction Risk ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Population Expansion ◽

The United States ◽

Population Viability ◽

Home Ranges ◽

Coastal Forests ◽

Private Lands ◽

Geographically Isolated

Pacific martens (Martes caurina humboldtensis) in coastal forests of Oregon and northern California in the United States are rare and geographically isolated, prompting a petition for listing under the Endangered Species Act. If listed, regulations have the potential to influence land-use decisions on public and private lands, but no estimates of population size, density, or viability of remnant marten populations are available for evaluating their conservation status. We used GPS and VHF telemetry and spatial mark-resight to estimate home ranges, density, and population size of Pacific martens in the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, central coast Oregon, USA. We then estimated population viability at differing levels of human-caused mortality (e.g., vehicle mortality). Marten home ranges were small on average (females = 0.8 km2, males 1.5 km2) and density (1.13 martens/1 km2) was the highest reported for North American populations (M. caurina, M. americana). We estimated 71 adult martens (95% CRI [41–87]) across two subpopulations separated by a large barrier (Umpqua River). Using population viability analysis, extinction risk for a subpopulation of 30 martens, approximately the size of the subpopulation south of the Umpqua River, ranged from 32% to 99% with two or three annual human-caused mortalities within 30 years. Absent population expansion, limiting human-caused mortalities will likely have the greatest conservation impact.

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Size and structure of the Mediterranean medicinal leech, Hirudo verbana populations inhabiting wetlands around Lake Eğirdir, Turkey

Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences ◽

10.12714/egejfas.38.4.05 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 38 (4) ◽

pp. 437-447

Author(s):

Mustafa Ceylan ◽

Osman Çetinkaya

Keyword(s):

Population Size ◽

Body Length ◽

Conservation Status ◽

Medicinal Leech ◽

Age Classes ◽

Control Units ◽

Hirudo Verbana ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Stability ◽

Size And Structure

In the present study size and structure of the Mediterranean medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana Carena, 1820) populations inhabiting wetlands around Lake Eğirdir (Turkey) were investigated. Population size was estimated by removal methods, age classes were estimated for the first time in leeches (Hirudinea) using “Modal Progression Analysis” of body length frequencies using Bhattacharya's method. The population size and biomass of medicinal leeches around Lake Eğirdir were estimated to be 1,562,696 ± 805,613 leeches and 467.26 ± 172.91 kg, respectively. Three age classes were identified; the age group of 0+ was dominant with 78.6%. While 89.9% of the individuals weighed less than 1 g, whereas the broodstock was estimated to represent only 7%. Body weight, body length and condition factor were found to be 0.52 ± 1.19 g, 4.5 ± 2.4 cm and 0.620 ± 0.123, respectively. This study reveals that the population size of H. verbana in the wetlands around Lake Eğirdir is relatively well preserved and there is no significant threat to the sustainability of the exploitation of the medicinal leech populations. It is concluded that the stability of the lake's water budget, the variety and abundance of the host in the undamaged wetlands, the socioeconomic structure of the leech collectors, the sales policies, and the effective activities of conservation and control units might affect conservation status of the medicinal leech populations inhabiting wetlands around Lake Eğirdir.

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