scholarly journals Important but not a priority? Conservation concerns & priorities for Philippine bats in the Anthropocene

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler C Tanalgo ◽  
Alice C Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Vulnerability Index ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Mammalian Fauna ◽  
Species Vulnerability ◽  
Strong Positive Relationship ◽  
Effective Conservation

Anthropogenic caused environmental changes coupled with rapid population growth are altering the Earth’s biota at unprecedented rates, posing an alarming threat to the long-term persistence of many species of both animals and plants and so, a science-based prioritisation encompassing multiple dimensions is necessary. In the over 7000 Islands of the Philippine archipelago, a large proportion of bat diversity constitute the mammalian fauna of the country, which performs various ecological functions. However, many species are in need of high conservation attention yet the level and understanding of their vulnerability remain anecdotal. In this study, we aim to determine the vulnerability of Philippine bat species from different threats, which is important to establish effective conservation decision making and prioritisation in the future. We found that habitat loss and direct human-driven (e.g., hunting) is the main threat to more than half of the Philippine bat species. As expected, threatened and endemic species are facing higher levels of vulnerability with the strong positive relationship between Species Vulnerability Index (SVI) and Absolute Number of Threats. However, a weak relationship between Species-Research Effort Allocation (SREA) and SVI indicating a strong disparity in efforts and priorities among species. Given the high species richness, endemism, vulnerabilities, and disparity in efforts, the Philippine is indeed a conservation hotspot for bat biodiversity. We suggest that priorities should holistically consider multiple facets in knowledge paucity, levels of threats and species vulnerability for effective conservation process. Eyeing carefully on the emerging and unknown threats, increasing conservation education, and forging equitable partnerships and capacity building to bolster bat conservation in the Philippines.

scholarly journals Important but not a priority? Conservation concerns and priorities for the Philippine bats in the Anthropocene

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler C Tanalgo ◽  
Alice C Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Species Vulnerability ◽  
Bat Conservation ◽  
High Species Richness ◽  
Effective Conservation

Anthropogenic environmental changes coupled with rapid population growth are altering the Earth’s biota at an unprecedented rate, posing an alarming threat to the long-term persistence of many species of both animals and plants. The Philippine archipelago includes over 7000 islands, and of its diverse mammalian biota bats make up a significant proportion, and fulfil vital roles to maintain ecosystem health. Given the high species richness, endemism, vulnerability, and disparity in efforts, the Philippines is a conservation priority for bats. In this study, we aim to determine the vulnerability of Philippine bat species from different threats in order to establish effective conservation decision making and prioritisation in the future. Habitat loss and direct human-driven factors (e.g., hunting) are the main threats to more than half of Philippine bat species. We found that body size and number of threats are important correlates of species vulnerability. While there is no correlation in neither threat levels nor body size with research effort and allocation. We suggest that priorities should consider multiple facets of knowledge gaps, levels of threats and species vulnerability for effective conservation. Carefully looking at the emerging threats, increasing conservation education, and forging equitable partnerships and capacity building to bolster bat conservation in the Philippines.

scholarly journals Important but not a priority? Conservation concerns and priorities for the Philippine bats in the Anthropocene

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler C Tanalgo ◽  
Alice C Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Species Vulnerability ◽  
Bat Conservation ◽  
High Species Richness ◽  
Effective Conservation

Anthropogenic environmental changes coupled with rapid population growth are altering the Earth’s biota at an unprecedented rate, posing an alarming threat to the long-term persistence of many species of both animals and plants. The Philippine archipelago includes over 7000 islands, and of its diverse mammalian biota bats make up a significant proportion, and fulfil vital roles to maintain ecosystem health. Given the high species richness, endemism, vulnerability, and disparity in efforts, the Philippines is a conservation priority for bats. In this study, we aim to determine the vulnerability of Philippine bat species from different threats in order to establish effective conservation decision making and prioritisation in the future. Habitat loss and direct human-driven factors (e.g., hunting) are the main threats to more than half of Philippine bat species. We found that body size and number of threats are important correlates of species vulnerability. While there is no correlation in neither threat levels nor body size with research effort and allocation. We suggest that priorities should consider multiple facets of knowledge gaps, levels of threats and species vulnerability for effective conservation. Carefully looking at the emerging threats, increasing conservation education, and forging equitable partnerships and capacity building to bolster bat conservation in the Philippines.

scholarly journals Understanding Local Perceptions of the Drivers/Pressures on the Coastal Marine Environment in Palawan, Philippines

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Roderick V. Madarcos ◽  
Lota A. Creencia ◽  
Bethany R. Roberts ◽  
Mathew P. White ◽  
Johana Nayoan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Environment ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Coastal Communities ◽  
Coastal Resource Management ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Coastal Marine ◽  
Gender Education ◽  
Health And Well Being

The Philippines, as a tropical archipelagic country, is particularly vulnerable to environmental changes affecting coastal and marine settings. However, there are limited studies investigating how these changes are perceived by the local populations who depend directly on the marine environment for their livelihoods, health, and well-being, and who are the most vulnerable to such changes. To explore these issues, we conducted an in-home face-to-face structured survey in 10 coastal communities in Palawan, Philippines (n = 431). As part of the survey, respondents were asked to comment on how important they believed a list of 22 drivers/pressures (e.g., “land-use change”) were in affecting their local marine environment. Statistical analysis of this list using Exploratory Factor Analysis suggested the 22 drivers/pressures could be categorized into 7 discrete groups (or in statistical terms “factors”) of drivers/pressures (e.g., “urbanization,” “unsustainable fishing practices” etc.). We then used ordinary least squared regression to identify similarities and differences between the perspectives within and across communities, using various socio-demographic variables. Results suggested that among the seven identified factors, four were perceived by the local communities as making the marine environment worse, two were perceived as having no impact, and one was perceived to be making the marine environment better. Perceptions differed by gender, education, ethnicity, and study site. A subsequent survey with 16 local coastal resource management experts, suggested that public perceptions of the most critical drivers/pressures were broadly consistent with those of this expert group. Our findings highlight how aware local coastal communities are of the drivers/pressures underpinning the threats facing their livelihoods, health, and well-being. Ultimately, this information can support and inform decisions for the management of local marine resources.

scholarly journals Cave-dwelling bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) and conservation concerns in South central Mindanao, Philippines

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (15) ◽  
pp. 8185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler C. Tanalgo ◽  
John Aries G. Tabora
Keyword(s):  
Conservation Status ◽  
Anthropogenic Disturbances ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Large Species ◽  
Local Disturbance ◽  
South Central ◽  
Bush Meat ◽  
High Species Richness ◽  
The Town ◽  
Effective Conservation

<p>The stable microclimate in caves provides a relatively constant habitat for many bat species in the Philippines, but human encroachment continues to disrupt this habitat and imperil many of the species roosting in the caves.  In South central Mindanao, the diversity and conservation status of cave bats remain undocumented and unexplored.  We employed mist-netting to capture bats from five different caves within the town of Kabacan, northern Cotabato, Philippines.  A total of 14 bat species were identified including the Philippine endemics <em>Hipposideros pygmaeus </em>and <em>Ptenochirus jagori </em>and the threatened <em>Megaerops wetmorei. </em>However, despite the declining conservation status of the bats, local disturbance such as bat hunting for bush meat and unregulated tourism are currently taking place in the caves.  Large species such as <em>Eonycteris spelaea </em>and <em>Rousettus amplexicaudatus </em>are killed almost every day for food and trade.  Therefore, the high species richness, and the presence of endemic and threatened species coupled with the occurrence of anthropogenic disturbances in caves suggests the need for an urgent and effective conservation intervention involving the local government and public community.</p><div> </div>

scholarly journals Considering adaptive genetic variation in climate change vulnerability assessment reduces species range loss projections

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 10418-10423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orly Razgour ◽  
Brenna Forester ◽  
John B. Taggart ◽  
Michaël Bekaert ◽  
Javier Juste ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Landscape Connectivity ◽  
Future Climate ◽  
Future Climate Change ◽  
Adaptive Genetic Variation ◽  
Climate Change Vulnerability ◽  
Species Vulnerability ◽  
Evolutionary Rescue

Local adaptations can determine the potential of populations to respond to environmental changes, yet adaptive genetic variation is commonly ignored in models forecasting species vulnerability and biogeographical shifts under future climate change. Here we integrate genomic and ecological modeling approaches to identify genetic adaptations associated with climate in two cryptic forest bats. We then incorporate this information directly into forecasts of range changes under future climate change and assessment of population persistence through the spread of climate-adaptive genetic variation (evolutionary rescue potential). Considering climate-adaptive potential reduced range loss projections, suggesting that failure to account for intraspecific variability can result in overestimation of future losses. On the other hand, range overlap between species was projected to increase, indicating that interspecific competition is likely to play an important role in limiting species’ future ranges. We show that although evolutionary rescue is possible, it depends on a population’s adaptive capacity and connectivity. Hence, we stress the importance of incorporating genomic data and landscape connectivity in climate change vulnerability assessments and conservation management.

scholarly journals Sibuyan Island in the Philippines – threatened and in need of conservation

Oryx ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 174-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. M. Goodman ◽  
N. R. Ingle
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Mammalian Fauna ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Excellent Candidate ◽  
Faunal Survey

In the spring of 1992 a group of zoologists completed a faunal survey of Sibuyan Island, a small mountainous island in the central Philippines. This island, which is oceanic in origin and during the Pleistocene at least was not connected to any other island mass, has an exceptional amount of intact primary forest, including lowland forest, a habitat that has all but been destroyed in the Philippines. The mammalian fauna of Sibuyan Island is exceptionally high in endemic species and also contains many other species that are threatened throughout the Philippines. Current logging operations severely threaten the remaining areas of lowland forest on the island. With forests of the Philippines under intense pressure, the most realistic hope for conservation lies in the protection of forests on islands where the population and political pressures are less intense. Sibuyan Island is an excellent candidate for such initiative.

scholarly journals Bat research efforts in the Philippines: a post-millennium review to identify future research prospects and priorities

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler C Tanalgo ◽  
Alice C Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Geographic Area ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Numerous Species ◽  
Conservation Policies ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
The Status ◽  
Bat Conservation ◽  
Research Types ◽  
Effective Conservation

Empirical evidence is important to develop effective conservation policies. The documentation and assessment of the status and threats towards a species and its habitat are essential steps toward developing appropriate policies to protect its population and mitigate existing to prevent future extinction. Bats are the example of taxa imperilled with the changing environment coupled with continuous human encroachment on its known habitats. Here, we summarize recent bat research in the Philippines using a bibliographic approach to assess progress and gaps both in different bat research areas and efforts towards each species in the post-millennia period (2000-2017). We examined 145 reports and peer-reviewed articles, including species records and research types. Our analysis revealed that regardless that most of the bat research in the Philippines are directed towards surveys in a certain geographic area, which generally limited in species inventories. Numerous species remain understudied and taxonomically unresolved. While other aspect of bat research especially on bat ecology and ecosystem services are not well understood. Remarkably, there is a growing effort in bat conservation initiatives in the Philippines involving the academe, NGO’s, and conservationists aiming to protect threatened population and habitats.

scholarly journals COMMUNITY-BASED MANGROVE FORESTS CONSERVATION FOR SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Syaiful Eddy ◽  
Andy Mulyana ◽  
M.Sc. Prof. Dr. Iskhaq Iskandar ◽  
M.Si. Dr. Moh. Rasyid Ridho
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Conservation Education ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Mangrove Forests ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Tourist Attractions ◽  
Complex Functions ◽  
Physical Functions ◽  
Genetic Pool

Mangrove forests are type of salt tolerant vegetations, living in tidal zones in tropical and subtropical coastal areas with unique ecosystem that have a strategic function as a connector and counterweight of terrestrial and marine ecosystems. These forests as a whole is considered a productive ecosystem and it have complex functions, such as physical functions, biological functions and socio-economic functions. Fishery resources of mangrove forests are very productive, both quantitatively and qualitatively, because the mangrove forests act as the natural habitat (spawning, nursery and feeding grounds) for various species of fish, shrimps and crabs, as well as a source of germplasm and genetic pool. Mangrove forests also provide valuable ecosystem services to coastal communities, tourist attractions, nature conservation, education and research. However, these ecosystems are fragile because it is very sensitive to environmental changes, usually because anthropogenic influences; therefore, it is difficult to be restored. In addition, these ecosystems are so openly accessible that easily exploited by humans; this can reduce its quality and quantity. Local communities who use mangrove forests and their resources may have considerable botanical and ecological knowledge about their forests. Silvofishery techniques in aquaculture are very suitable for community-based mangrove forests conservation efforts. Silvofishery is an integrated model that considers both economically benefit and conservation.

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