scholarly journals A simple, sufficient, and consistent method to score the status of threats and demography of imperiled species

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob W Malcom ◽  
Whitney M Webber ◽  
Ya-Wei Li
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
The Status ◽  
Trend Data ◽  
Strategic Allocation

Managers of large wildlife conservation programs need information on the conservation status of each of many species to strategically allocate limited resources. Oversimplified status data, however, runs the risk of missing information essential to strategic allocation. Conservation status consists of two components, the status of threats a species faces and the species’ demographic status. Neither component alone is sufficient to characterize conservation status. Here we present a simple key for scoring threat and demographic changes for species using detailed information provided in free-form textual descriptions of conservation status. Importantly, this key applies equally to any taxon and can be used where quantitative trend data for threats or demography is sparse. We scored the threat and demographic status of 37 species recently recommended for reclassification under the Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and 15 control (not recommended for reclassification) species. We then compared the threat and demographic status scores to two metrics that FWS uses for their decision-making and reports to Congress: the reclassification recommendation and the recovery priority numbers (RPNs). While the metrics reported by FWS are often consistent with our scores for 52 species analyzed, our analyses highlight two problems with the oversimplified metrics. First, we show that both metrics can mask underlying demographic declines or threat increases; for example, ~40% of species not recommended for reclassification had changes in threats or demography. Second, we show that neither metric is consistent with either threats or demography alone, but conflates the two. We propose that large conservation programs, such as FWS’s Endangered Species program, adopt our simple scoring system for threats and demography. By doing so, program administrators will have better information to monitor program effectiveness and guide their decisions.

scholarly journals A simple, sufficient, and consistent method to score the status of threats and demography of imperiled species

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob W Malcom ◽  
Whitney M Webber ◽  
Ya-Wei Li
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
The Status ◽  
Strategic Allocation ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Status Data

Managers of large, complex wildlife conservation programs need information on the conservation status of each of many species to help strategically allocate limited resources. Oversimplifying status data, however, runs the risk of missing information essential to strategic allocation. Conservation status consists of two components, the status of threats a species faces and the species’ demographic status. Neither component alone is sufficient to characterize conservation status. Here we present a simple key for scoring threat and demographic changes for species using detailed information provided in free-form textual descriptions of conservation status. This key is easy to use (simple), captures the two components of conservation status without the cost of more detailed measures (sufficient), and can be applied by different personnel to any taxon (consistent). To evaluate the key’s utility, we performed two analyses. First, we scored the threat and demographic status of 37 species recently recommended for reclassification under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and 15 control species, then compared our scores to two metrics used for decision-making and reports to Congress. Second, we scored the threat and demographic status of all non-plant ESA-listed species from Florida (54 spp.), and evaluated scoring repeatability for a subset of those. While the metrics reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are often consistent with our scores in the first analysis, the results highlight two problems with the oversimplified metrics. First, we show that both metrics can mask underlying demographic declines or threat increases; for example, ~40% of species not recommended for reclassification had changes in threats or demography. Second, we show that neither metric is consistent with either threats or demography alone, but conflates the two. The second analysis illustrates how the scoring key can be applied to a substantial set of species to understand overall patterns of ESA implementation. The scoring repeatability analysis shows promise, but indicates thorough training will be needed to ensure consistency. We propose that large conservation programs adopt our simple scoring system for threats and demography. By doing so, program administrators will have better information to monitor program effectiveness and guide their decisions.

scholarly journals A simple, sufficient, and consistent method to score the status of threats and demography of imperiled species

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e2230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob W. Malcom ◽  
Whitney M. Webber ◽  
Ya-Wei Li
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
The Status ◽  
Strategic Allocation ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Status Data

Managers of large, complex wildlife conservation programs need information on the conservation status of each of many species to help strategically allocate limited resources. Oversimplifying status data, however, runs the risk of missing information essential to strategic allocation. Conservation status consists of two components, the status of threats a species facesandthe species’ demographic status. Neither component alone is sufficient to characterize conservation status. Here we present a simple key for scoring threat and demographic changes for species using detailed information provided in free-form textual descriptions of conservation status. This key is easy to use (simple), captures the two components of conservation status without the cost of more detailed measures (sufficient), and can be applied by different personnel to any taxon (consistent). To evaluate the key’s utility, we performed two analyses. First, we scored the threat and demographic status of 37 species recently recommended for reclassification under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and 15 control species, then compared our scores to two metrics used for decision-making and reports to Congress. Second, we scored the threat and demographic status of all non-plant ESA-listed species from Florida (54 spp.), and evaluated scoring repeatability for a subset of those. While the metrics reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are often consistent with our scores in the first analysis, the results highlight two problems with the oversimplified metrics. First, we show that both metrics can mask underlying demographic declines or threat increases; for example, ∼40% of species not recommended for reclassification had changes in threats or demography. Second, we show that neither metric is consistent with either threats or demography alone, but conflates the two. The second analysis illustrates how the scoring key can be applied to a substantial set of species to understand overall patterns of ESA implementation. The scoring repeatability analysis shows promise, but indicates thorough training will be needed to ensure consistency. We propose that large conservation programs adopt our simple scoring system for threats and demography. By doing so, program administrators will have better information to monitor program effectiveness and guide their decisions.

scholarly journals A simple, sufficient, and consistent method to score the status of threats and demography of imperiled species

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob W Malcom ◽  
Whitney M Webber ◽  
Ya-Wei Li
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Free Form ◽  
Conservation Programs ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
The Status ◽  
Strategic Allocation ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Status Data

Managers of large, complex wildlife conservation programs need information on the conservation status of each of many species to help strategically allocate limited resources. Oversimplifying status data, however, runs the risk of missing information essential to strategic allocation. Conservation status consists of two components, the status of threats a species faces and the species’ demographic status. Neither component alone is sufficient to characterize conservation status. Here we present a simple key for scoring threat and demographic changes for species using detailed information provided in free-form textual descriptions of conservation status. This key is easy to use (simple), captures the two components of conservation status without the cost of more detailed measures (sufficient), and can be applied by different personnel to any taxon (consistent). To evaluate the key’s utility, we performed two analyses. First, we scored the threat and demographic status of 37 species recently recommended for reclassification under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and 15 control species, then compared our scores to two metrics used for decision-making and reports to Congress. Second, we scored the threat and demographic status of all non-plant ESA-listed species from Florida (54 spp.), and evaluated scoring repeatability for a subset of those. While the metrics reported by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are often consistent with our scores in the first analysis, the results highlight two problems with the oversimplified metrics. First, we show that both metrics can mask underlying demographic declines or threat increases; for example, ~40% of species not recommended for reclassification had changes in threats or demography. Second, we show that neither metric is consistent with either threats or demography alone, but conflates the two. The second analysis illustrates how the scoring key can be applied to a substantial set of species to understand overall patterns of ESA implementation. The scoring repeatability analysis shows promise, but indicates thorough training will be needed to ensure consistency. We propose that large conservation programs adopt our simple scoring system for threats and demography. By doing so, program administrators will have better information to monitor program effectiveness and guide their decisions.

scholarly journals Dactylorhiza kalopissii (Liliopsida: Orchidacea) in Bulgaria: Distribution and conservation status

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antoaneta Petrova ◽  
Diana Venkova ◽  
Irina Gerasimova
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Red List ◽  
Local Distribution ◽  
Council Directive ◽  
The Status ◽  
Population Numbers ◽  
Single Locality

The Balkan sub-endemic species Dactylorhiza kalopissii E. Nelson is distributed in Bulgaria, Greece and North Macedonia. It has a local distribution and inhabits alkaline fens, wet meadows, and mountain rivulet banks. This orchid is a globally endangered species, included in Annex IIb of the Council Directive 92/43 EEC. It was first reported for Bulgaria in 1991 and until 2008 it was known only from this single locality in the country. Here we summarize the recent data on the distribution of the species in Bulgaria, the population numbers and their fluctuation in time. During the period 2008 - 2019 the species was found in more than ten localities of six floristic regions. Populations usually number less than 250 individuals. For some of the populations, data from recurrent observations are provided. We discuss the habitats and their management. The negative changes of the habitat quality during the last years for some of the localities are described as well. The species was evaluated as CR B1ab (iii) + 2ab (iii) according to the Red List of Bulgarian vascular plants. We reevaluate the status based on the improved knowledge. The species is still Critically Endangered in Bulgaria, but В2ab (iii, v) status better corresponds with recent data. Five of the known localities fall within the boundaries of Natura 2000 SCIs.

scholarly journals The status of Nepal’s mammals

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 11361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajan Amin ◽  
Hem Sagar Baral ◽  
Babu Ram Lamichhane ◽  
Laxman Prasad Poudyal ◽  
Samantha Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Mammal Species ◽  
Illegal Hunting ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
The Status ◽  
Data Deficient

The main objectives of the Nepal National Mammal Red Data Book (RDB) were to provide comprehensive and up-to-date accounts of 212 mammal species recorded in Nepal, assess their status applying the IUCN Guidelines at Regional Levels, identify threats and recommend the most practical measures for their conservation.  It is hoped that the Mammal RDB will help Nepal achieve the Convention on Biological Diversity target of preventing the extinction of known threatened species and improving their conservation status.  Of the 212 mammal species assessed, 49 species (23%) were listed as nationally threatened.  These comprise nine (18%) Critically Endangered species, 26 (53%) Endangered species and 14 (29%) Vulnerable species.  One species was considered regionally Extinct.  A total of seven species (3%) were considered Near Threatened and 83 species (39%) were Data Deficient.  Over sixty percent of Nepal’s ungulates are threatened and almost half of Nepal’s carnivores face extinction (45% threatened).  Bats and small mammals are the least known groups with 60 species being Data Deficient.  Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are the most significant threats.  Other significant threats include illegal hunting, small and fragmented populations, reduction of prey base, human wildlife conflict and persecution, climate change, invasive species, disease and inadequate knowledge and research.  Adequate measures to address these threats are described.  It was also concluded that re-assessments of the status of certain mammal groups be carried out every five years and the setting up of a national online species database and mapping system would also greatly help in land-use planning and policies.

scholarly journals Preliminary notes on the conservation status of Baird's tapir Tapirus bairdii in north-eastern Honduras

Oryx ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Flesher
Keyword(s):  
Forest Cover ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Rapid Decline ◽  
North Eastern ◽  
The Status ◽  
Trend Data ◽  
Human Colonization ◽  
Stochastic Events ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBetween April and August 1994, three steps were taken to assess the status of Baird's tapir Tapirus bairdii in north-eastern Honduras: (i) forest cover was mapped to estimate the amount of habitat available; (ii) interviews with local people were conducted to determine where the species occurs; and (iii) searches were made for tapir signs in several mountain ranges to corroborate interview information. Local reports and searches indicated that the species occurred in forests throughout the area. Using density estimates of 0.05–0.24 tapirs per sq km, there may be 520–2760 tapirs in the 10,400–11,500 sq km of contiguous rain forest that remains in north-eastern Honduras—a population large enough to have a good chance of long-term persistence. The main threat to the population is human colonization, which is destroying the forest along the rivers and major streams. This is fragmenting the tapii population into isolated units, which will be increasingly subject to the stochastic events that drive small populations to extinction. Hunting, which along with habitat destruction, is a major contributor to the rapid decline of tapir populations in areas of human colonization, does not appear to pose an immediate threat in the study area. However, population trend data are lacking and the impact of hunting on tapirs remains unassessed.

scholarly journals Uncovering Stakeholder Participation in Payment for Hydrological Services (PHS) Program Decision making in Mexico and Colombia

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 8562
Author(s):  
Andres M. Urcuqui-Bustamante ◽  
Theresa L. Selfa ◽  
Paul Hirsch ◽  
Catherine M. Ashcraft
Keyword(s):  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Policy Design ◽  
Stakeholder Participation ◽  
Market Mechanism ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Program Administrators ◽  
Water Users ◽  
Hydrological Services

Payment for ecosystem services (PES) is a market-based policy approach intended to foster land use practices, such as forest conservation or restoration, that protect and improve the benefits from healthy, functioning ecosystems. While PES programs are used globally, they are an especially prominent environmental policy tool in Latin America, where the vast majority are payment for hydrological services (PHS) programs, which incentivize the conservation and restoration of ecosystems associated with water production and clean water for clearly defined water users. As a market mechanism, PHS approaches involve a transactional relationship between upstream and downstream water users who are connected by a shared watershed. While existing literature has highlighted the important role of non-state actors in natural resource management and program effectiveness, few studies have explored the role of stakeholder participation in the context of PHS programs. Building on the collaborative learning approach and the Trinity of Voice framework, we sought to understand how and to what extent PHS program stakeholders are engaged in PHS design, implementation, and evaluation. In this paper we explored (1) the modes of stakeholder engagement in PHS programs that program administrators use, and (2) the degree to which different modes of stakeholder participation allow PHS stakeholders to have decision power with which to influence PHS policy design and expected outcomes. To better understand the role of stakeholder participation, and the different ways participation occurs, we used a comparative multiple-case study analysis of three PHS program administration types (government, non-profit, and a mixed public–private organization) in Mexico and Colombia that have incorporated stakeholder engagement to achieve ecological and social goals. Our analysis draws on institutional interviews to investigate the modes of stakeholder engagement and understand the degree of decision space that is shared with other PHS stakeholders. Across all cases, we found that the trust between key actors and institutions is an essential but underappreciated aspect of successful collaboration within PHS initiatives. We conclude with recommendations for ways in which program administrators and governmental agencies can better understand and facilitate the development of trust in PHS design and implementation, and natural resources management more broadly.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Human Disturbance on the Activity of Medium–Large Mammals in Myanmar Tropical Forests

Forests ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Giacomo Cremonesi ◽  
Francesco Bisi ◽  
Lorenzo Gaffi ◽  
Thet Zaw ◽  
Hla Naing ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Disturbance ◽  
Daily Activity ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Circular Statistics ◽  
Large Mammals ◽  
Human Presence ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Status ◽  
Statistical Approaches

The effects of human disturbance represent one of the major threats for wildlife conservation. Many studies have shown that wildlife avoids or reduces direct contact with human activities through changes in activity patterns, and by minimizing spatiotemporal overlap. In this study, we investigated the possible effects of human presence on the temporal activity of medium-to-large mammals using two areas in Myanmar that differ in the intensity of human disturbance. We monitored temporal segregation mechanisms using camera trapping data and with two statistical approaches: daily activity overlaps between humans and wildlife and circular statistics. We did not find a significant difference in overlapping activity between areas but, thanks to circular statistics, we found that some species show changes in activity patterns, suggesting temporal avoidance. We observed that the daily activity of five species differed between areas of Myanmar, likely adopting mechanisms to reduce overlap in areas highly frequented by humans. Interestingly, these species are all threatened by hunting or poaching activities, four of which have been described in literature as “cathemeral”, or species that are active through day and night. This study suggests that some species adapt their behavior, at least partially, to avoid human presence in habitats with higher anthropic occurrence and increase our knowledge on the status of medium–large mammals in a poorly studied country as Myanmar.

scholarly journals Co-extinct and critically co-endangered species of parasitic lice, and conservation-induced extinction: should lice be reintroduced to their hosts?

Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lajos Rózsa ◽  
Zoltán Vas
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Host Specificity ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Red List ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Common Phenomenon ◽  
Global Extinction

AbstractThe co-extinction of parasitic taxa and their host species is considered a common phenomenon in the current global extinction crisis. However, information about the conservation status of parasitic taxa is scarce. We present a global list of co-extinct and critically co-endangered parasitic lice (Phthiraptera), based on published data on their host-specificity and their hosts’ conservation status according to the IUCN Red List. We list six co-extinct and 40 (possibly 41) critically co-endangered species. Additionally, we recognize 2–4 species that went extinct as a result of conservation efforts to save their hosts. Conservationists should consider preserving host-specific lice as part of their efforts to save species.

Adesmia subtropicalis (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae), a new endangered species from the Brazilian Pampas

Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 521 (3) ◽  
pp. 219-226
Author(s):  
THIAGO COBRA E MONTEIRO ◽  
JOÃO RICARDO VIEIRA IGANCI ◽  
SILVIA T.S. MIOTTO ◽  
ANA PAULA FORTUNA-PEREZ
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
Endangered Species ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Taxonomic Review

In the context of an ongoing taxonomic review of Adesmia subg. Adesmia ser. Bicolores, a new endangered species endemic to Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, is herein described. The new species present a long glandular ochraceous indumentum, flowers 10–15 mm long, and arilated seeds. Information about morphology, differences from closely related species, phenology, conservation status, and etymology are provided.

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