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 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 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 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 Bats of the Philippine Islands –a review of research directions and relevance to national-level priorities and targets

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler C Tanalgo ◽  
Alice C Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Future ◽  
Bat Conservation

Effective science-based conservation priorities and policies are crucially important to effectively maintain biodiversity into the future. For many threatened species and systems insufficient information exists to generate priorities, or the mechanisms needed to effectively conserve species into the future, and this is especially important in megadiversity countries like the Philippines, threatened by rapid rates of development and with few overarching strategies to maintain their biodiversity. Here, using a bibliographic approach to indicate research strengths and priorities, we summarised scientific information on Philippine bats from 2000-2017. We examine relationships between thematic areas and effort allocated for each species bat guild, and conservation status. We found that an average of 7.9 studies was published annually with the majority focused on diversity and community surveys. However, research effort is not even between taxonomic groups, thematic areas or species, with disproportionate effort focusing on ‘taxonomy and systematics’ and ‘ecology’. Species effort allocation between threatened and less threatened species does not show a significant difference, though this may be because generalist species are found in many studies, whereas rarer species have single species studies devoted to them. A growing collaborative effort in bat conservation initiatives in the Philippines has focused on the protection of many endemic and threatened species (e.g., flying foxes) and their habitats. The implementation of conservation relevant policies, outreach programs, capacity building, and mainstreaming of evidence-based conservation are encouraged to strengthen bat conservation in the Philippines.

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):  
Grey Literature ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Community Surveys ◽  
Conservation Policies ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Status ◽  
Bat Conservation ◽  
Taxonomic Studies ◽  
Effective Conservation

Empirical evidence is crucial to develop effective conservation policies. Documenting and assessing the status and threats towards a species and its habitat are essential steps towards developing appropriate policies to protect its population and mitigate existing threats to prevent future extinction. Here, we summarize recent bat research in the Philippines using a bibliographic approach to assess progress and gaps in different aspects of bat research species in a period of post-millennia to present. Overall, an average of 7.9 bat studies was reported per year including grey literature. Our analysis revealed that majority of bat studies conducted have been directed at community surveys (i.e., species inventories, rapid assessments). However, we found a disparity in terms of an average number of study per group; the “insectivorous bats” (6.15 study/yr) remain understudied compared to “fruit bats” (13.78 No study/year) for the past 18 years reflecting the lack of taxonomic studies in the country. While bat ecology research is still uncommon for most species. Interestingly, despite the lack of studies in many areas of bat research, there is a growing collaborative effort in bat conservation initiatives in the Philippines focused on the protection of many endemic and threatened species (e.g., flying foxes) and their habitats.

scholarly journals Bats of the Philippine Islands –a review of research directions and relevance to national-level priorities and targets

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krizler C Tanalgo ◽  
Alice C Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Threatened Species ◽  
Research Effort ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
National Level ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Conservation Priorities ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Future ◽  
Bat Conservation

Effective science-based conservation priorities and policies are crucially important to effectively maintain biodiversity into the future. For many threatened species and systems insufficient information exists to generate priorities, or the mechanisms needed to effectively conserve species into the future, and this is especially important in megadiversity countries like the Philippines, threatened by rapid rates of development and with few overarching strategies to maintain their biodiversity. Here, using a bibliographic approach to indicate research strengths and priorities, we summarised scientific information on Philippine bats from 2000-2017. We examine relationships between thematic areas and effort allocated for each species bat guild, and conservation status. We found that an average of 7.9 studies was published annually with the majority focused on diversity and community surveys. However, research effort is not even between taxonomic groups, thematic areas or species, with disproportionate effort focusing on ‘taxonomy and systematics’ and ‘ecology’. Species effort allocation between threatened and less threatened species does not show a significant difference, though this may be because generalist species are found in many studies, whereas rarer species have single species studies devoted to them. A growing collaborative effort in bat conservation initiatives in the Philippines has focused on the protection of many endemic and threatened species (e.g., flying foxes) and their habitats. The implementation of conservation relevant policies, outreach programs, capacity building, and mainstreaming of evidence-based conservation are encouraged to strengthen bat conservation in the Philippines.

scholarly journals Cell proliferation controls body size growth, tentacle morphogenesis, and regeneration in hydrozoan jellyfish Cladonema pacificum

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sosuke Fujita ◽  
Erina Kuranaga ◽  
Yu-ichiro Nakajima
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Size Control ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Proliferating Cells ◽  
Size Growth ◽  
Local Cell ◽  
Proliferating Cell

Jellyfish have existed on the earth for around 600 million years and have evolved in response to environmental changes. Hydrozoan jellyfish, members of phylum Cnidaria, exist in multiple life stages, including planula larvae, vegetatively-propagating polyps, and sexually-reproducing medusae. Although free-swimming medusae display complex morphology and exhibit increase in body size and regenerative ability, their underlying cellular mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we investigate the roles of cell proliferation in body-size growth, appendage morphogenesis, and regeneration using Cladonema pacificum as a hydrozoan jellyfish model. By examining the distribution of S phase cells and mitotic cells, we revealed spatially distinct proliferating cell populations in medusae, uniform cell proliferation in the umbrella, and clustered cell proliferation in tentacles. Blocking cell proliferation by hydroxyurea caused inhibition of body size growth and defects in tentacle branching, nematocyte differentiation, and regeneration. Local cell proliferation in tentacle bulbs is observed in medusae of two other hydrozoan species, Cytaeis uchidae and Rathkea octopunctata, indicating that it may be a conserved feature among hydrozoan jellyfish. Altogether, our results suggest that hydrozoan medusae possess actively proliferating cells and provide experimental evidence regarding the role of cell proliferation in body-size control, tentacle morphogenesis, and regeneration.

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 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.

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