Morphological, Physiological and Photophysiological Responses of Critically Endangered Acer catalpifolium to Acid Stress

Acid rain deposition (AR) has long-lasting implications for the community stability and biodiversity conservation in southwest China. Acer catalpifolium is a critically endangered species in the rain zone of Western China where AR occurs frequently. To understand the effects of AR on the morphology and physiology of A. catalpifolium, we conducted an acid stress simulation experiment for 1.5 years. The morphological, physiological, and photosynthetic responses of A. catalpifolium to the acidity, composition, and deposition pattern of acid stress was observed. The results showed that simulated acid stress can promote the growth of A. catalpifolium via the soil application mode. The growth improvement of A. catalpifolium under nitric-balanced acid rain via the soil application mode was greater than that of sulfuric-dominated acid rain via the soil application mode. On the contrary, the growth of A. catalpifolium was significantly inhibited by acid stress and the inhibition increased with the acidity of acid stress applied via leaf spraying. The inhibitory impacts of nitric-balanced acid rain via the leaf spraying of A. catalpifolium were greater than that of sulfur-dominant acid rain via leaf spraying. The observations presented in this work can be utilized for considering potential population restoration plans for A. catalpifolium, as well as the forests in southwest China.

Efficacy of acclimating and releasing captive-reared and wild-translocated Northern bobwhites

Northern bobwhite populations are dwindling across their range. Accordingly, in areas with bobwhite habitat restoration and no nearby populations, effective population restoration techniques are needed. Here, we evaluated three bobwhite restoration release strategies: (1) release of captive-reared bobwhites on sites with and without resident populations, (2) translocation of wild-trapped bobwhites from a region of high population density to a region with no population, and (3) release of captive-reared and wild-translocated bobwhites acclimated on site prior to release in year 2. Wild-translocated birds survived longer than captive-reared birds. Mean survival for captive-reared bobwhites was 2.42 weeks, and 4.27 weeks in year 1, and 1.91 and 1.40 weeks in year 2, for study sites without resident and with resident birds present, respectively. Mean survival for wild-translocated birds was 8.50 weeks in year 1, and 11.54 weeks in year 2. Wild-translocated birds dispersed shorter distances than captive-reared birds. Both captive-reared and wild-translocated bobwhites only nested on study sites with conspecifics. Captive-reared birds had 0 nesting attempts on the site with no resident bobwhites, and ⩾8 nests on the site with resident bobwhites. Wild-translocated females nested six times and were subsequently observed with juveniles. On-site acclimation did not increase post-release survival for northern bobwhites. Acclimation increased site fidelity but reduced survival for captive-reared birds and had no impact on survival for wild-translocated bobwhites. Population restoration by release of captive-reared or wild-translocated birds is not irrelevant, but further investigation is needed into the relationship between captive-reared birds and predators, and methods to increase survival and reproduction of released birds.

Paragonimus westermani ichunensis and paragonimosis in the south of the Russian Far East: yesterday, today and tomorrow

Paragonimosis is a severe parasitic disease, which causative agent (on the territory of Russia, trematode Paragonimus westermani ichunensis Chung, Hsu et Kao, 1978) circulates in the south of the Far East. Two forms of paragonimosis are known: pulmonary and muscular (larval) with clinical manifestations like diseases of a different etiology, mimicking the symptoms of malignant tumors, and in cases of late diagnosis and improper treatment, leading to death. Long-term studies of the ecology and biology of the parasite, as well as monitoring the incidence among residents of the southern Far East of Russia made it possible to analyze the situation with paragonimosis in the designated region. Based on the available data, until the mid-1990s, natural sites of disease were found almost everywhere in the river basins inhabited by mollusks of the genus Parajuga and crayfish of the genus Cambaroides as parasite intermediate hosts. During this period, according to official information, the population invasion rate reached 6%. Then, as a result of the mass extinction of freshwater crayfish, the population of P. westermani ichunensis was on the brink of survival, and from that moment on, the number of diagnosed cases of paragonimosis in the inhabitants of the region began to decline, down to zero in recent years. Currently, the population of crayfish Cambaroides is reviving and a case of P. westermani ichunensis infestation of a tiger cub has been recorded, which indicates the population restoration of the parasite itself. This indicates the functioning resumption of the Paragonimus sp. infection centers in the south of the Russian Far East. It is necessary to be prepared for the possibility of an exponential growth in the number of infected animals with such a developmentтof events. Due to the complexity of the disease diagnosing and the lack of certain knowledge about the parasite biology among the majority of medical workers, it is necessary to be ready to low detection rate among the region population.

Do Differing Levels of Boldness Influence the Success of Translocation? A Pilot Study on Red Squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris)

Conservation translocations, including reintroductions, are practices that are vital to restoring biodiversity and ecosystem function within conservation schemes globally. Sadly, population translocations have had a poor success rate historically. At a time where biodiversity is constantly decreasing, improving translocation success is vital for future conservation schemes. Often, to improve success, the selection of individuals is based on genetic characteristics and behaviours linked directly to survival. Further development to improve selection is proposed within this paper using animal personality. The study took place opportunistically to test how personality, in particular an animal’s boldness/timidness, may influence a population restoration of red squirrels into the Ogwen Valley, North Wales. Despite frequent translocations, data on how boldness and timidness may affect the establishment of this species are low. Testing was performed on key survival behaviours and boldness/timidness pre-release. This was performed via video data collection and identification of key behaviours that could be used to identify boldness or behaviours that could be linked to reduced fitness once released. Encounters at different distance intervals were monitored post-release via camera trapping to identify if boldness/timidness may change the furthest encounter distance of focal animals away from their release site. Relationships between the period for an individual to reappear post-threat was significantly linked to boldness, with other behavioural results and the encounter distance also showing trends of a potential relationship. Our results indicate that bolder individuals have a higher chance of expressing behavioural traits that will increase exposure to risks and, therefore, reduce the likelihood of successfully establishing populations. However, the small sample size of this study means that further research is needed. We suggest that during early stages of conservation translocation programmes, personality testing for boldness should become common practice, and we recommend selecting timid individuals for an initial release to improve population establishment, with bolder individuals utilised later to expand population distribution.

The Vanishing Viper: themes from a meeting to consider better conservation of Vipera berus

‘Vanishing Viper 2019’ was organised in the wake of continuing evidence for declines in British populations of the northern viper or adder (Vipera berus). The meeting included British participants as well as those from other European countries, whose insights suggest that the drivers of adder declines in mainland Europe are similar to those in Britain. Consequently, we stand to benefit from their knowledge and experience. It was concluded that if adder declines continue at the present pace then Britain may be left with a few large, flourishing populations, but that many of the smaller populations will be lost as appears to have happened in Belgium, France, Germany and The Netherlands. The meeting considered a range of conservation actions including improvements to habitat management, the creation of adder ‘ARKs’, population restoration by genetic or demographic enhancements, community level promotion and outreach, and opportunities for new policy-driven environmental schemes. It is recommended to create a national Adder Working Group to help crystallise and prioritise the main issues and a larger, more informal Adder Network to link and co-ordinate adder researchers and land managers to ensure a free flow of ideas, information and advice. Our chances of success in these ventures will be all the greater if we continue to share experience with our European neighbours.

Impact of artificial light at night on the foraging behaviour of the European Hamster: consequences for the introduction of this species in suburban areas

Among the pressures introduced by urbanization, artificial light at night (ALAN) can be problematic, particularly for nocturnal species. Populations of European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus) have dramatically decreased in France since 1972 because of habitat loss due to urbanisation and changes in agricultural methods. The conservation project Life Alister aims to increase the abundance of this species in suburban areas via hamster release. However, the success of this population-restoration project may be compromised due to the possible effects of ALAN on the daily and seasonal cycles and behaviour of this nocturnal species. To understand how hamsters may respond to relocation, we experimentally studied the impact of ALAN on hamster foraging, a decisive behaviour for survival in natural habitats. This study assessed the behavioural responses of 18 animals when choosing between two food sources of different palatability in two different lighting conditions: artificial light (4 or 40 lux) or darkness. Our results show that hamsters avoided lighting that mimics suburban streetlights, particularly when grooming. Moreover, this study reveals that hamsters do not avoid street-lit areas when highly palatable food is present, suggesting they would be more susceptible to predation under these circumstances. Our results suggest that the adverse effects of ALAN on the behaviour of hamsters released on the outskirts of developed suburban areas could be limited by restricting the number of street lights, moderating the intensity of street lighting, or switching lights off during the hours hamsters are most active. We further recommend that wildlife managers avoid planting plants that are highly palatable to hamsters close to lighting in suburban areas to limit the risk of predation for this species.

Post-release breeding of translocated sharp-tailed grouse and an absence of artificial insemination effects

Context Translocation has become a widely used method to restore wildlife populations following extirpation. For some species, such as lekking grouse, which breed at traditional mating grounds, reproduction is linked to culturally established geographic locations. Cultural centres are lost upon extirpation, making restoration into otherwise rehabilitated habitats especially challenging. The process by which species with culturally dependent reproduction sometimes become re-established is poorly understood and merits investigation to improve conservation strategies. Historically, population restoration of North American lekking grouse (Tympanuchus spp. and Centrocercus spp.) via translocation has yielded poor results, in part because translocation sites lack leks, culturally determined breeding locations for which breeding adults form a high degree of philopatry. Columbian sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus; CSTG) occurs in <10% of its historic range, but the existence of rehabilitated historic habitat provides for the potential of population restoration via translocation. Aims We reintroduced CSTG to vacant habitat in north-central Nevada, USA, from 2013 to 2017, with concordant goals of promoting females to nest and males to lek. We tested the utility of performing artificial insemination (AI) on females before translocation and we conducted paternity analyses to understand male reproduction. Methods We monitored females for the effects of AI on nest initiation, nest survival and egg fertility. We used post-hatch extra-embryonic membranes and other tissues to evaluate paternity of chicks produced at the restoration site. Key results Artificial insemination had no effect on female survival or nest initiation, and did not fertilise any eggs within nine sampled clutches (n=102 eggs). Most paternity was attributable to male residents that had survived for ≥1 year at the restoration site before the arrival of translocated females. Conclusions Artificial insemination neither aided nor harmed female reproduction. A small number of translocated, resident adult males sired reproduction following female release. Implications The presence of resident males at restoration sites may be more likely to result in post-translocation reproduction than is pre-translocation AI. Restoring CSTG to vacant habitat should focus on translocating females into suitable nesting habitat while simultaneously ensuring that reproductively capable males are available within or adjacent to the nesting habitat.

Population trends and diversification of breeding habitats of Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in the Czech Republic since 1990

The population of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) in the Czech Republic recovered from a nearly total extinction during the 1960s and 1980s (0­3 breeding pairs) and the first successful breeding after this interval was confirmed in 1995. The increase of the population size accelerated after 2000 and it is still growing despite the limited amount of suitable natural breeding opportunities. There were 89 known pairs in 2016, 70 of them were proven to breed with altogether at least 121 reared young. Several breeding attempts on historical buildings in city­centres were recorded up to 2002 (in Prague and Pilsen), but this breeding habitat was abandoned later. More and more pairs are nowadays breeding on industrial buildings. The first breeding on a power plant chimney, 300m above the ground was discovered in 2010. Moreover, 16 breeding pairs were found on industrial buildings in 2016 (mainly tall chimneys or cooling towers and power­plant buildings), all of them breeding in nest boxes. The colonization of industrial buildings started in western part of the Czech Republic and continues eastwards every year. Currently, the easternmost colonized building is in Mladá Boleslav. We have no recent tree­breeding pairs and all eight published historical cases are at least doubtful. Most of the observed Peregrines ringed abroad came from Germany, indicating a strong influence of German population on restoration of the population in the Czech Republic. Within these recoveries, some of Peregrines were released in the tree­breeding population restoration project in Germany and Poland, but all these birds bred on rocks.