Tahrcountry

For people interested in managing land with a focus on improving habitats and encouraging wildlife in a natural way

2012-01-31T09:28:00.001+05:30

WildLand Management Standards website launched by John Muir Trust

TheJohn Muir Trust has launched its new Wild Land Management Standardswebsite which illustrates theprinciples that guide its management of wild land.

Thesite is aimed at other land managers and anyone interested in managing landwith a focus on improving habitats and encouraging wildlife in a natural way. It offers a range of resourcesincluding a Wild Land Management Standards Handbook, management plan templateand links to useful online resources.

Eventhough aimed at UK’s wild land supporting natural habitats and species it would come in handy for othersalso.

Thewebsite details 28 wild management standards falling into six categories:management planning; soil, carbon, water; biodiversity & woodland; deer& livestock; facilities & heritage; communities, visitors &awareness.

Click HERE togo to the site

Crash in bee population - indirect effect of pesticides

2012-01-30T11:37:00.001+05:30

A study, led by Dr Jeffrey Pettis, the head of the US Departmentof Agriculture's Bee Research Laboratory has come up with solid evidence that pesticides may be a major cause of collapsing beepopulations. Read this against backdrop of more than 70 of the 100 crops thatprovide 90 per cent of the world's food getting pollinated by bees.

Researchers found that bees deliberately exposed to minuteamounts of the pesticide were, on an average, three times more likely to becomeinfected when exposed to a parasite called nosema. Environmentalist has beencrying themselves hoarse for sometime that new group of insecticides calledneonicotinoids are behind a worldwide decline in honey bees. Linksbetween widely used pesticides and pathogens have been scientifically provednow.

Imidacloprid is the bestselling neonicotinoid. Neonicotinoids are "systemic"pesticides. They effectively become part of the plant, including thepollen and nectar that bees and other pollinating insects carry away.

The new study has evinced interest worldwide

Details of the study appears in the journal Naturwissenschaften

Top conservation award for Nik Lopoukhine, Chairman of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)

2012-01-28T21:44:00.002+05:30

Nik Lopoukhine, Chairman of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas has been selected by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society to receive the prestigious J.B. Harkin Award for 2012. The award is for his lifetime contribution to protecting Canada’s parks and wilderness. The award will be presented at a reception on February 1, 2012 at 7 PM at the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa.

The award is named after Harkin, the founder of Canada’s national parks system.

Mr Lopoukhine’s contribution to Canadian Park service is nonpareil. He devised Parks Canada’s fire management program. As Director General of National Parks for Parks Canada, he was responsible for developing and implementing important components within Canada’s New National Parks Act, the Species at Risk Act and the National Marine Conservation Act Areas.

As the elected Chair of the IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas Mr Lopoukhine is very active internationally

Tahrcountry salutes this magnificent officer and wish him Godspeed in his conservation ventures.

Book Recommendation

2012-01-27T19:56:00.000+05:30

The book gives tools and methods using Microsoft Excel and the powerful Open Source R program to carry out data handling. How to plan for data collection, how to assemble data, how to analyse data and how to present the results are explained lucidly. Tests like t-tests, correlation, ANOVAs, regression and the non-parametric equivalents find a place in the book. Screen shots of relevant examples are a plus point.

· Hardcover: 334 pages

· Publisher: Pelagic Publishing Ltd (January 2, 2012)

· Language: English

· ISBN-10: 1907807136

· ISBN-13: 978-1907807138

Effectively monitoring, populations of conservation concern - New single-sample approaches

2012-01-27T10:58:00.000+05:30

Monitoring the effective population size of a brown bear (Ursus arctos) population using new single-sample approaches

TOMAŽ SKRBINŠEK, MAJA JELENČIC, LISETTE WAITS, IVAN KOS, KLEMEN JERINA, PETER TRONTELJ

Molecular Ecology, Volume 21, Issue 4, pages 862–875, February 2012

The ideal parameter for monitoring populations of conservation concern is the effective population size (N_e). It effectively summarizes both the evolutionary potential of the population and its sensitivity to genetic stochasticity.

Tracing the effective population size through time is difficult in natural populations. Here the researchers applied four new methods for estimating N_e from a single sample of genotypes to trace temporal change in N_e for bears in the Northern Dinaric Mountains. They genotyped 510 bears using 20 microsatellite loci and determined their age. The samples were organized into cohorts with regard to the year when the animals were born and yearly samples with age categories for every year when they were alive.

The researchers used the Estimator by Parentage Assignment (EPA) to directly estimate both N_e and generation interval for each yearly sample. For cohorts, they estimated the effective number of breeders (N_b) using linkage disequilibrium, sibship assignment and approximate Bayesian computation methods and extrapolated these estimates to N_e using the generation interval.

The N_e estimate by EPA is 276 (183–350 95% CI), meeting the inbreeding-avoidance criterion of N_e > 50 but short of the long-term minimum viable population goal of N_e > 500. The results obtained by the other methods are highly consistent with this result, and all indicate a rapid increase in N_e probably in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The researchers contend that new single-sample approaches to the estimation of N_eprovide efficient means for including N_e in monitoring frameworks and will be of great importance for future management and conservation.

Orchid’s fate hinges on two factors: a forest's age and its fungi

2012-01-26T19:28:00.002+05:30

Scientists from Smithsonian led by Dr Melissa McCormick have established that a forest's age and its fungi are very important factors for the growth of orchids.

Around 10 percent of all plant species are orchids. This makes them the largest plant family on Earth.

Orchids depend solely on microscopic fungi in the early stages of their lives. Orchid seeds germinated only where the fungi they needed were abundant. Mere presence was not enough. The fungi in turn displayed a strong preference for older forests.

The new discovery has great conservation significance. To save endangered orchids, planting new forests may not be enough. If the forests are not old enough or do not have enough of the right fungi our efforts at restoring orchids may not come to fruition.

Journal Reference:

Melissa K. Mccormick, D. Lee Taylor, Katarina Juhaszova, Robert K. Burnett, Dennis F. Whigham, John P. O’Neill.Limitations on orchid recruitment: not a simple picture. Molecular Ecology, 2012

Yeti crab farms its own food

2012-01-25T19:59:00.001+05:30

Scientists have recently found a species of crab that cultivates bacteria on its claws, and then eats them. The discovery was made by DR Andrew Thurber, a marine ecologist at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Dr Thurber has named the crab Kiwa puravida, after a common Costa Rican saying that means 'pure life'.

Dr Thurber says K. puravida waves its claws to actively farm its bacterial gardens. They stir up the water around the bacteria, ensuring that fresh supplies of oxygen and sulphide wash over them and helping them to grow. The bacteria are the crab’s main food source.

Have a look at the videos

Dr. Ullas Karanth conferred with the prestigious Padma Shri award

2012-01-25T19:26:00.000+05:30

Dr. Ullas Karanth, who has conducted ground breaking research on the ecology of tigers and other large mammals, has been awarded India's fourth highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, for the year 2012. Dr. Karanth has received this award for his outstanding contribution to Wildlife Conservation and Environment Protection.

Dr Ullas Karanth has published over 135 international peer-reviewed scientific papers and popular articles, and authored seven books in English and Kannada.

Tahrcountry congratulate Dr Karanth and wish him many fruitful years of wildlife research. He truly deserves this award.

Sumatran elephant on the critically endangered list

2012-01-25T10:42:00.000+05:30

Photo Credit:WWF Indonesia

The Sumatran elephant which has lost half of its population in a single generation has been placed on the list of critically endangered species by IUCN. It is now at risk of becoming extinct within decades. There is a loss of 69% of the animal's habitat over the past 25 years. Sumatra has experienced one of the worst deforestation rates in the world

The total wild population is around 2,800 only. WWF has called for an immediate moratorium on habitat destruction to stem the tide. Indonesia needs to keep a close watch on loggers and plantation owners.

Multi-scale models offer an important tool for identifying conservation requirements at the fine landscape level

2012-01-24T19:50:00.002+05:30

Using multi-scale modelling to predict habitat suitability for species of conservation concern: The grey long-eared bat as a case study
Orly Razgour,Julia Hanmer,Gareth Jones
Biological Conservation, Volume 144, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 2922–2930

Habitat suitability modelling has been used traditionally to understand broad-scale patterns of species distribution. It also comes in handy to address conservation needs at finer scales.

Studies combining a range of scales for understanding ecological processes are rare. Here the researchers studied the ability of presence-only species distribution modelling to predict patterns of habitat selection at broad and fine spatial scales for one of most endangered animal in the UK, the grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus).

Models were constructed with Maxent using broad-scale distribution data from across the UK and fine-scale radio-tracking data from bats at one colony. Fine-scale model predictions were evaluated with radio-tracking locations from bats from a distant colony. This was compared with results of traditional radio-tracking data analysis methods.

Broad-scale models indicated that winter temperature, summer precipitation and land cover were the most important variables limiting the distribution of the grey long-eared bat in the UK. Fine-scale models predicted that proximity to unimproved grasslands and distance to suburban areas determines foraging habitat suitability around maternity colonies. Compositional analysis identified unimproved grasslands as the most preferred foraging habitat type.

The authors say this strong association with unimproved lowland grasslands highlights the potential importance of changes in agricultural practices in the past century for wildlife conservation. They reiterate that multi-scale models offer an important tool for identifying conservation requirements at the fine landscape level that can guide national-level conservation management practices.

The need to integrate phylogeny to improve models of community structure and dynamics

2012-01-23T21:08:00.003+05:30

Phylogenetic signal in predator–prey body-size relationships

Russell E. Naisbit,Patrik Kehrli,Rudolf P. Rohr,and Louis-Félix Bersier

Ecology,Volume 92, Issue 12 (December 2011)

Body mass affects metabolism, life history, and population abundance. It frequently sets bounds in food chain.

Based on a collection of topological food webs, Ulrich Brose and colleagues presented a general relationship between the body mass of predators and their prey. Brose analysed how mean predator–prey body-mass ratios differed among habitats and predator metabolic categories.

Here the researchers show that the general body-mass relationship conceals significant variation associated with both predator and prey phylogeny. They say Major-axis regressions between the log body mass of predators and prey differed among taxonomic groups. The global pattern for Kingdom Animalia had slope >1, but phyla and classes varied, and several had slopes significantly <1. The researchers contend that predator–prey body-mass ratio can therefore decrease or increase with increasing body mass, depending on the taxon considered.

The researchers also found a significant phylogenetic signal in analyses of prey body-mass range for predators and predator body-mass range for prey, with stronger signal in the former.

The researchers sign off with the following words” Besides providing insights into how characteristics of trophic interactions evolve, our results emphasize the need to integrate phylogeny to improve models of community structure and dynamics or to achieve a metabolic theory of food-web ecology.”

Musicians against Illegal Logging

2012-01-23T20:52:00.003+05:30

Here is a video featuring Razia Said, Malagasy singer and songwriter. The video highlights the plight of Madagascar's protected tropical forests which are being ravaged by unscrupulous foreign contractors.

Wildlife conservation - A very sad incident that just recently occurred in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington

2012-01-21T15:20:00.001+05:30

IUCN WCPA News Release

Park rangers protect the natural areas that we all enjoy and benefit from – sometimes risking paying the highest price, as is demonstrated by the tragic incident that just recently occurred in Mount Rainier National Park, Washington:

Park ranger Margaret Anderson, 34, was shot on New Year’s Day while on duty. She set up a traffic block to stop a car that had passed an earlier checkpoint violating some winter driving regulations. The driver opened fire, killing her, and then fled into the woods. His body was found dead in the park the next day.

Margaret Anderson leaves behind a husband, who is also a ranger, and two young girls. Nearly 3,000 people attended the memorial service on 10 January. Even though she was only the 9th ranger killed on duty in the history of the US National Park Service, the numbers have increased over the last 20 years.

In other countries around the world, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, rangers have to face even greater danger on their job, arising not only from the risk associated to their work in the wild but often from humans; particularly in a pace of armed conflicts and difficult anti-poaching operations. The great risks that rangers such as Margaret Anderson and her colleagues worldwide take to protect our nature should not be underestimated. They are protecting places that contribute to the health of the planet and therefore benefit all of us. These “guardians” of an increasingly threatened nature deserves society’s respect and highest recognition.

New book on Carnivore Ecology and Conservation

2012-01-20T20:34:00.000+05:30

Carnivore Ecology and Conservation

A Handbook of Techniques

Edited by Luigi Boitani and Roger A. Powell

Oxford University Press, UK

Techniques in Ecology & Conservation

528 pages | 60 illustrations | 234x156mm

978-0-19-955853-7 | Paperback | 12 January 2012

Also available as: Hardback

The book provides concise, yet authoritative descriptions of the most common techniques used to study wild carnivores and to conserve and manage their populations within increasingly human-dominated landscapes

Collates and synthesizes a widely dispersed literature, creating a single handbook for its application to field work

Descriptions of the latest techniques are supported by references to case studies, whilst dedicated boxes are used to illustrate how a technique is applied to a specific land cover type, species, or particular socio-economic context

Contributors:
Cheryl S. Asa, Saint Louis Zoo, USA
Julie Betsch, University of Montana, USA
Luigi Boitani, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
Urs Breitenmoser, University of Berne, Switzerland
Christine Breitenmoser-Würsten, KORA, Switzerland
Marc R. L. Cattet, University of Saskatchewan, Canada Paolo Ciucci, Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
Deana L. Clifford, California Department of Fish and Game, USA and Wildlife Health Center, University of California, Davis, USA
Hilary S. Cooley, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USA
David Christianson, Montana State University, USA
Kerry R. Foresman, The University of Montana, USA
Mark R. Fuller, US Geological Survey and Boise State University, USA
Todd K. Fuller, University of Massachusetts, USA
Mourad W. Gabriel, Integral Ecology Research Center, USA and University of California, Davis, USA
Jean-Michel Gaillard, Université Lyon 1, France
Eric M. Gese, Utah State University, USA
Duncan Halley, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norway
Mark Hebblewhite, University of Montana, USA
K. Ullas Karanth, Wildlife Conservation Society, Bangalore, India
Marcella J. Kelly, Virginia Tech, USA
Frederick F. Knowlton, Utah State University, USA
John D.C. Linnell, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norway
Annette Mertens, Institute of Applied Ecology, Rome, Italy
Bernardo Mesa, Virginia Tech, USA
L. Scott Mills, University of Montana, USA
Michael S. Mitchell, US Geological Survey and University of Montana, USA
Alessio Mortelliti, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
James D. Nichols, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, USA
Erlend B. Nilsen, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norway
John Odden, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norway
Morten Odden, Hedmark University College, Norway
Manuela Panzacchi, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norway
Kenneth H. Pollock, Murdoch University, Australia
Roger A. Powell, North Carolina State University, USA
Gilbert Proulx, Alpha Wildlife Research & Management Ltd., Canada
Carlo Rondinini, Sapienza Università di Roma, Italy
Michael K. Stoskopf, North Carolina State University, USA
Carole Toigo, ONCFS, Gières, France
Greta M. Wengert, Integral Ecology Research Center, USA and University of California, Davis, USA
Claudia Wultsch, Virginia Tech, USA
Barbara Zimmermann, Hedmark University College, Norway

Dr Ullas Karanth co-authored chapter titled "Estimating demographic parameters", with Ken Pollock and Jim Nichols.

Dr Ullas Karanth was kind enough to send me a copy of this excellent paper. I thank him for this wonderful gesture

Whale Protected Areas Google Earth Tour from IUCN

2012-01-18T20:24:00.003+05:30

The other day I was discussing with my friend Ramesh, the merits of a recent video from IUCN, titled Whale Protected Areas Google Earth Tour. Ramesh was delighted with the video and wanted me to embed it here

Meet sperm whales, humpback whales and blue whales in the special places where they live. This animated Google Earth Tour is narrated by Dan Laffoley, Marine Vice Chair of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s World Commission on Protected Areas, and follows the migrations of whales above and below the surface, visiting some of the key marine protected areas and sanctuaries for whales around the world. This Google Earth Tour was first presented as part of a keynote lecture by Dan Laffoley at the opening of the 2nd International Conference on Marine Mammal Protected Areas (ICMMPA) on 7 November 2011 in Martinique. It was prepared with the help of Jenifer Austin Foulkes (Google), Charlotte Vick (Sylvia Earle Alliance/Mission Blue) and Erich Hoyt (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society/IUCN) and features a segment on the Arctic Ocean with Dr. Sylvia Earle, IUCN’s Ambassador for Nature. It was prepared with the help of Jenifer Austin Foulkes (Google), Charlotte Vick (Sylvia Earle Alliance/Mission Blue) and Erich Hoyt (Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society/IUCN).

Typical variability in abundance, failure to detect initial declines and errors in classification of extinction risk

2012-01-18T13:45:00.004+05:30

Population Abundance and the Classification of Extinction Risk

HOWARD B. WILSON, BRUCE E. KENDALL and HUGH P. POSSINGHAM

Conservation Biology, Volume 25, Issue 4, pages 747–757, August 2011

In conservation practice classifying species according to their risk of extinction is common. The authors of this paper say the reliability of such classifications rests on the accuracy of threat categorizations, but very little is known about the magnitude and types of errors that might be expected.

The process of risk classification depends on information gleaned from multiple sources. The quality of information from each source is critical to evaluating the overall status of the species.

Abundance is a direct indicator of effectiveness of measure of conservation. So counts of individuals are generally the preferred method of evaluating whether there is a decline in abundance

Using the thresholds from criterion A of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List (critically endangered, decline in abundance of >80% over 10 years or 3 generations; endangered, decline in abundance of 50–80%; vulnerable, decline in abundance of 30–50%; least concern or near threatened, decline in abundance of 0–30%), the researchers assessed 3 methods used to detect declines solely from estimates of abundance: use of just 2 estimates of abundance; use of linear regression on a time series of abundance; and use of state-space models on a time series of abundance.

The researchers generated simulation data from empirical estimates of the typical variability in abundance and assessed the 3 methods for classification errors.

The researchers say the estimates of the proportion of falsely detected declines for linear regression and the state-space models were low (maximum 3–14%), but 33–75% of small declines (30–50% over 15 years) were not detected. Ignoring uncertainty in estimates of abundance (with just 2 estimates of abundance) allowed more power to detect small declines (95%), but there was a high percentage (50%) of false detections. For all 3 methods, the proportion of declines estimated to be >80% was higher than the true proportion.

The researchers contend that use of abundance data to detect species at risk of extinction may either fail to detect initial declines in abundance or have a high error rate.

Bird-friendly lighting on oil and gas platforms urgently needed

2012-01-16T20:34:00.002+05:30

The recent unexpected discovery of woodpeckers, tanagers, meadowlarks, catbirds, kingbirds, and swallows in the diet of Tiger sharks has prompted environmentalists to request authorities to fix bird friendly lighting on oil and gas platforms. The scientists led by Dr Marcus Drymon, were studying the diets of the sharks in the Gulf of Mexico and the results were a surprise for the researchers.

Large numbers of night-migrating birds are fatally attracted to lighted oil and gas platforms. This happens more often on cloudy nights. Some birds circle in confusion before crashing into the platform or the open sea, exhausted. Even if the birds mange to fly off after some time they fall easy prey to predators.

Scientists say using green lighting at platforms would nearly eliminate the circling behaviour. Cycling lighting off and on is also proving to be real beneficial. Strobing white and red lights have far less propensity, than steady burning ones.

Netherlands has already instituted bird friendly lighting on oil and gas platforms off their coast. Conservationists want other countries to follow suit.

Human societies as driving forces of ecosystem change

2012-01-16T10:06:00.000+05:30

Advancing the Integration of History and Ecology for Conservation

Conservation Biology, Volume 25, Issue 4, pages 680–687, August 2011

Here is another very interesting paper that I managed to read this weekend. The authors of the paper discuss the importance of advancing the integration of history and ecology for Conservation.

Even though the important role of humans in the development of current ecosystems was recognized decades ago, the integration of history and ecology has been a difficult process. The researchers identified four issues that hinder historical ecological research and considered possible solutions

1) The differences in concepts and methods between the fields of ecology and history are large. The researchers say most of the differences stem from miscommunication between ecologists and historians and are less substantial than is usually assumed. They add on that cooperation can be achieved by focusing on the features ecology and history has in common and through understanding and acceptance of differing points of view.

2) The researchers contend that historical ecological research is often hampered by differences in spatial and temporal scales between ecology and history. They argue that historical ecological research can only be conducted at extents for which sources in both disciplines have comparable resolutions. Researchers must begin by clearly defining the relevant scales for the given purpose.

3) Periods for which quantitative historical sources are not easily accessible (before AD 1800) have been neglected in historical ecological research. However data from periods before 1800 are as relevant to the current state of ecosystems as more recent data. The researchers suggest that historical ecologists actively seek out data from before 1800 and apply analytic methods commonly used in ecology to these data.

4) Humans are not usually considered an intrinsic ecological factor in current ecological research. In the researchers view, human societies should be acknowledged as integral parts of ecosystems and societal processes should be recognized as driving forces of ecosystem change.

More on Tree hollows

2012-01-15T19:44:00.001+05:30

I have always been a votary for giving old growth forest its very important place in wildlife management. The importance of tree hollows should never be overlooked. I read this weekend another good paper on tree hollows.

The authors of this paper say tree hollows harbour a specialized fauna, and mites usually are the most numerous arthropods in this microhabitat.

The researchers studied Mite fauna in 3 types of tree hollows in the forest reserve "Śrubita" near Żywiec in Poland. They collected 2037 individuals of Acari and 1414 of Oribatida, representing 72 species. Over 1200 individuals per 100 g dry weight of wood dust were collected from tree hollows. The total number of oribatid species in tree hollows was higher than in the forest floor.

Yes tree hollows are very important for wildlife mangers.

Journal reference

Importance of tree hollows for biodiversity of mites (Acari) in the forest reserve "Śrubita" (Carpathian Mountains, south Poland)

Piotr SKubała and Beata Gurgul

Biological Letters, Volume 48, Number 1 / 2011

Genetic Monitoring: Wildlife mangers here is an online resource for you

2012-01-13T19:24:00.000+05:30

Genetic Monitoring for Managers: A New Online Resource

Jeff B. Stetz, Katherine C. Kendall, Christina D. Vojta

Journal of Fish and Wildlife Management, Volume 2, Issue 2 (December 2011)

It was with great fascination that I read this paper about a new online resource for genetic monitoring meant for wildlife mangers.

Genetic monitoring is increasingly being used to understand and respond to invasive species, habitat degradation, fragmentation, disease, or climate-related changes.

Many mangers find dealing with genetic monitoring a difficult task. They are flummoxed by the terminologies and methodologies.

To aid managers and researchers with limited genetics experience the researchers here developed a web-based resource to help them identify which, if any, molecular genetic methods would be appropriate for population assessments or monitoring.

The researchers say the site was developed in cooperation with a team of experts in fields such as evolutionary biology, demographic parameter estimation, and exotic species detection to provide a broad, dynamic, and easily understood resource with limited jargon.

The website, Genetic Monitoring for Managers, is available HERE

Here comes the world’s smallest frog

2012-01-12T20:26:00.001+05:30

Photo credit: RITTMEYAR ET AL

Two new species of diminutive terrestrial frogs from the megadiverse hotspot island of New Guinea, has been discovered US based researchers. One of them represents the smallest known vertebrate species, attaining an average body size of only 7.7 mm. They belong to the genus Paedophryne.

The researchers say minute frogs are not mere oddities, but represent a previously unrecognized ecological guild found in moist leaf litter of tropical wet-forests.

Before this discovery the title of "world's smallest frog" was with the Brazilian gold frog (Brachycephalus didactylus) and its slightly larger Cuban relative, the Monte Iberia Eleuth (Eleutherodactylus iberia). They both measure less than 1cm long.

Journal reference

Ecological Guild Evolution and the Discovery of the World's Smallest Vertebrate

Eric N. Rittmeyer,Allen Allison,Michael C. Gründler,Derrick K. Thompson,Christopher C. Austin

Rittmeyer EN, Allison A, Gründler MC, Thompson DK, Austin CC (2012) Ecological Guild Evolution and the Discovery of the World's Smallest Vertebrate. PLoS ONE 7(1): e29797. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0029797

First ever photo of Myanmar snub-nosed monkey

2012-01-11T21:06:00.001+05:30

Photo credit: FFI/BANCA/PRCF

In 2010 scientists led by Swiss primatologist Thomas Geissman and Ngwe Lwin of the Myanmar Biodiversity And Nature Conservation Association, working in Myanmar, heralded the discovery of a new species of primate, the Myanmar snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri). The monkey sneezes when it rains. The descriptions of the monkey come from a carcass killed by a local hunter. The team encountered seven live specimens, including an infant, but they could not be photographed

Now scientists have succeeded in taking a camera trap photo of this elusive species. Photographer Jeremy Holden led the team that succeeded in talking the photo. Conservationists are delighted with this first ever record of the animal in its natural habitat

40 questions that, if addressed or answered would help formulate appropriate conservation policy and management at a national Level

2012-01-11T10:13:00.000+05:30

Generation of Priority Research Questions to Inform Conservation Policy and Management at a National Level

MURRAY A. RUDD,KAREN F. BEAZLEY,STEVEN J. COOKE,ERICA FLEISHMAN,DANIEL E. LANE,MICHAEL B. MASCIA,ROBIN ROTH,GARY TABOR,JISELLE A. BAKKER,TERESA BELLEFONTAINE,DOMINIQUE BERTEAUX,BERNARD CANTIN,KEITH G. CHAUK,KATHRYN CUNNINGHAM,ROD DOBELL,ELEANOR FAST,NADIA FERRARA,C. SCOTT FINDLAY,LARS K. HALLSTROM,THOMAS HAMMOND,LUISE HERMANUTZ,JEFFREY A. HUTCHINGS,KATHRYN E. LINDSAY,TIM J. MARTA,VIVIAN M. NGUYEN,GREG NORTHEY,KENT PRIOR,SAUDIEL RAMIREZ-SANCHEZ,JAKE RICE,DARREN J. H. SLEEP,NORA D. SZABO,GENEVIÈVE TROTTIER,JEAN-PATRICK TOUSSAINT,JEAN-PHILIPPE VEILLEUX

Conservation Biology, Volume 25, Issue 3, pages 476–484, June 2011

Here is a very interesting paper that I read recently. It is an open access paper. The accent is on Canada, but it has relevance worldwide.

Under the present day realities societal tradeoffs between human use of biological diversity and its preservation is a sine qua non. To achieve this objective Integrating knowledge from across the natural and social sciences is necessary.

The authors say collaborative processes can change the ways decision makers think about scientific evidence, enhance levels of mutual trust and credibility, and advance the conservation policy discourse.

Here the researchers identify 40 questions that, if addressed or answered, would advance research that has a high probability of supporting development of effective policies and management strategies for species, ecosystems, and ecological processes in Canada.

The emphasize was on understanding ecosystems, the effects and mitigation of climate change, coordinating governance and management efforts across multiple jurisdictions, and examining relations between conservation policy and the social and economic well-being of Aboriginal peoples.

The researcher says the questions they identified provide potential links between evidence from the conservation sciences and formulation of policies for conservation and resource management.

The researchers stress that their collaborative process of communication and engagement between scientists and decision makers for generating and prioritising research questions at a national level could be a model for similar efforts beyond Canada.

Facts and figures on biodiversity

2012-01-09T20:45:00.000+05:30

IUCN News Release

Discover more about biodiversity and its impact on our lives.

Species - our food and medecine

· While most people depend mainly on domesticated species for their dietary needs, some 200 million depend on wild species for at least part of their food.

· More than 60 wild species have been used to improve the world’s 13 major crops by providing genes for pest resistance, improved yield, and enhanced nutrition.

· Since agriculture began about 12,000 years ago, roughly 7,000 plant species have been used for human consumption.

· Amphibians play a vital role in ecosystems, are indicators of environmental health, and are ‘hopping pharmacies’ being used in the search for new medicines. Yet 41% of amphibian species are threatened with extinction.

· In some countries, medicinal plants and animals provide most of the drugs people use, and even in technologically-advanced countries like the USA, half of the 100 most-prescribed drugs originate from wild species.

· More than 70,000 different plant species are used in traditional and modern medicine.

Nature’s services

· Production of at least one third of the world’s food, including 87 of the 113 leading food crops, depends on pollination carried out by insects, bats and birds. This ecosystem service is worth over US$ 200 billion per year.

· A square kilometre of coastal ecosystem such as mangroves forests can store up to five times more carbon than the equivalent area of mature tropical forests. But these areas are being destroyed three to four times faster than forests, releasing substantial amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and the ocean, and contributing to climate change.

· Wild species are important in pest regulation. Bats, toads, birds, snakes, and so on consume vast numbers of the major animal pests found on crops or in forests.

· A single colony of Mexican Free-tailed Bat eats more than 9,000 kg of insects per night, targeting especially Corn Earthworms and Fall Armyworms, both major crop predators. Yet 18% of bat species are threatened with extinction.

· A single brood of woodpeckers can eat 8,000-12,000 harmful insect pupae per day, helping to maintain the health of forests, whilst in fruit plantations, insectivorous birds can make the difference between a bumper crop or a costly failure.

Human impact

· Overfishing has reduced some commercial fish stocks by more than 90%.

· The Giant Manta Ray is the largest living ray, which can grow to more than seven metres in width. Manta Ray products have a high value in international trade and targeted fisheries hunt them for their valuable gill rakers used in traditional Chinese medicine.

· In China, 78 million dryland cashmere goats supply up to 75% of the world’s cashmere fibre.

· Eighty five percent of sturgeon, one of the oldest families of fishes in existence, valued around the world for their precious roe, are at risk of extinction.

Conservation success

· The regal Arabian Oryx which was hunted to near extinction, is now facing a more secure future thanks to captive breeding and reintroduction efforts. Its wild population now stands at 1,000 individuals.

· The Southern White Rhino subspecies has increased from a population of less than 100 at the end of the 19th century to an estimated wild population of over 20,000.

· The status of Przewalski’s Horse has improved from Critically Endangered to Endangered. Originally, it was listed as Extinct in the Wild in 1996, but thanks to a captive breeding reintroduction programme, the population is now estimated at more than 300.

· The Campbell Island Teal has benefitted from a massive programme to eradicate rats, plus captive-breeding of remaining individuals. The species has now returned to New Zealand’s Campbell Island and the majority of birds are now thriving, resulting in a reclassification of the threat status to Endangered.

Awe and wonder

· Tourists spend billions of dollars every year to watch birds or whales, or witness wildlife spectacles such as the great annual migrations in the Serengeti ecosystem of Tanzania and Kenya where 1.5 million wildebeest, 500,000 Thomson’s gazelle and 200,000 zebra cross the plain.

· Visitors to national parks, are drawn by the wildlife they see, and the thriving diving industry is largely based on the species of coral, fish, and other marine species that provide a colourful spectacle.

· King penguins are found in their thousands in the sub-Antarctic Crozet archipelago, which is nicknamed the “25 million bird island”. The density of the marine bird population there reaches a staggering 60 tonnes/km².

Into the unknown

· The oceans cover 70% of the planet but we know so little about life within them.

· A team of scientists including from IUCN are exploring seamounts—underwater mountains which rise to at least 1,000 metres above the sea floor. Seamounts are home to a rich biodiversity and act as a type of ‘bed and breakfast’ for deep sea predators such as sharks but face many serious threats from human activities.

A fish that disguises itself as octopus

2012-01-08T19:54:00.001+05:30

It is a known fact that octopus impersonate lionfish and sea snakes. But, a fish imitating octopus is something new. This is exactly what scientists from the University of Gottingen, Germany, have discovered. They have recorded a black-marble jawfish (Stalix cf. histrio) disguising itself among the octopus' tentacles.

This is the first evidence of association between a fish and a mimic octopus (Thaumoctopus mimicus).

The scientists believe that jawfish is an "opportunistic mimic" using disguise as protection while it forages.

Journal reference

Opportunistic mimicry by a Jawfish

L. A. Rocha, R. Ross and G. Kopp

Coral Reefs, Online 10 December 2011

GPS telemetry is biased against small prey

2012-01-07T20:35:00.002+05:30

Do GPS clusters really work? Carnivore diet from scat analysis and GPS telemetry methods

Michelle M. Bacon, Greg M. Becic, Mark T. Epp and Mark S. Boyce

Wildlife Society Bulletin

Volume 35, Issue 4, pages 409–415, December 2011

Global Positioning System (GPS) in combination with radiocollars are invaluable tools for researchers to identify sites where predators have killed prey. This modern method has yet to be compared with traditional scat analysis. Here the researchers are attempting a comparison.

The researchers analyzed 211 scat samples and compared composition of prey items with 266 kill sites found using GPS radiotelemetry data on cougars (Puma concolor) in the Cypress Hills of southeast Alberta and southwest Saskatchewan, Canada.

Scat samples were better able to detect small mammals. When it comes to big prey species both methods estimated nearly identical biomass consumed.

The research clearly demonstrated that GPS telemetry is biased against small prey but the method provides results comparable to scat analysis for larger prey that make up the majority of biomass consumed by cougars.

A new understanding of conservation leadership

2012-01-06T09:53:00.004+05:30

Leadership and conservation effectiveness: finding a better way to lead

Simon A. Black, Jim J. Groombridge, and Carl G. Jones

Conservation Letters, Volume 4, Issue 5, pages 329–339, October/November 2011

Here is a very interesting paper that is very relevant to conservation. The researchers take a deep look in to the aspects of leadership as an important component for conservation programs.

The attributes of effective leaders in conservation scenario are not yet clearly defined. The researchers identify a leadership approach that enables a conservation organization to be more effective in achieving positive results.

The researchers say successful approaches resonate strongly with both the characteristics of species conservation and established leadership theory in mainstream management literature. They describe the practices identified in successful species conservation programs to provide the basis for a new understanding of conservation leadership using established management theory.

Here are the traits of what the authors say indicates good conservation leadership

1) An ability to share a clear, long-term vision; orientation toward “hands-on” management;

2) An ability to switch thinking between the big picture and the detail

3) A willingness to encourage learning, improvement, and receptiveness to alternative solutions

The authors assert that activities in the conservation sector are typically influenced by factors beyond the control of managers, but conversely, a leadership approach is under managers’ direct control and has an impact on attainment of results.

The researchers sign off with the following words

“Effective leadership is one factor that should not be left to chance but should be considered seriously for its impact on achievement in biodiversity conservation”.

Creating and restoring wetlands can be valuable tools for amphibian conservation

2012-01-05T20:35:00.001+05:30

A Place to Call Home: Amphibian Use of Created and Restored Wetlands

Donald J. Brown,Garrett M. Street, Robert W. Nairn and Michael R. J. Forstner

International Journal of Ecology
Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 989872

Amphibians are on a decline worldwide due to loss and degradation of wetland habitats. In this paper the authors make an assessment of the impact of creation and restoration of wetlands.

The researchers found that Amphibian species richness or abundance at created and restored wetlands was either similar to or greater than reference wetlands in 89% of studies. They say use of created and restored wetlands by individual species was driven by aquatic and terrestrial habitat preferences, as well as ability to disperse from source wetlands.

Based on their research the researchers conclude that creating and restoring wetlands can be valuable tools for amphibian conservation.

Here is a rider from the authors “Because hydroperiod dynamics exert such a strong influence on amphibian communities, we recommend that managers consider the surrounding wetland community when engaging in wetlands creation initiatives”

Taking a break

2011-12-22T09:08:00.000+05:30

I am taking a break of 15 days. Next update will be on 7th January 2012

I wish all the readers a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy New Year

Sound as a way to understand the ecological characteristics of a landscape

2011-12-21T10:38:00.002+05:30

I have always been a votary for managing soundscape in wildlife reserves. The other day I was discussing with my friend Ramesh, the increasing cacophony in wildlife reserves and its implications for wildlife. Ramesh wanted me to give him a good paper on soundscape ecology. Here is the paper that I suggested

What is soundscape ecology? An introduction and overview of an emerging new science

Bryan C. Pijanowski, Almo Farina, Stuart H. Gage, Sarah L. Dumyahn and Bernie L. Krause

From the issue entitled "Special Issue: Soundscape Ecology"

LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY, Volume 26, Number 9, 1213-12328

In this paper the researchers summarise the fundamental elements of soundscape ecology. The various aspects of sound from various sources biological, geophysical and anthropogenic is discussed across different spatial and temporal scales. Terms, soundscapes, biophony, geophony and anthrophony, are introduced and defined.The intellectual foundations of soundscape ecology are described—those of spatial ecology, bioacoustics, urban environmental acoustics and acoustic ecology.

The researchers argue that soundscape ecology differs from the humanities driven focus of acoustic ecology although soundscape ecology will likely need its rich vocabulary and conservation ethic. They present a fascinating framework that describes how climate, land transformations, biodiversity patterns, timing of life history events and human activities create the dynamic soundscape.

What is currently known about factors that control temporal soundscape dynamics and variability across spatial gradients are summarised. Several different phonic interactions (e.g., how anthrophony affects biophony) are also described.

Soundscape ecology tools that will be needed by the mangers and researchers are discussed. Ways in which soundscapes need to be managed are also presented.

This paper is highly recommended for wildlife mangers.

IUCN SSC News - New IUCN Red List map browser: visualize and explore

2011-12-20T22:14:00.001+05:30

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species website has a brand new feature designed to facilitate the exploration and visualization of species distribution ranges. This new ‘map browser’ allows Red List users to understand species’ distribution with the help of underlying imagery, both terrestrial and marine. Over 30,000 species maps can be explored in the browser, including all comprehensively assessed groups (such as amphibians, mammals, birds and several marine groups including corals, sharks and many others), as well as several freshwater groups. You can zoom in and out of the maps, and overlay 12 base maps which can be accessed via the basemap feature. The map browser can be accessed via the map thumbnails on individual species fact sheets on the Red List website. Try it out here

World's tiniest frogs

2011-12-19T11:19:00.002+05:30

Image courtesy of ZooKeys.

This weekend, I was discussing with my friend Ramesh, the recent discovery of new frogs in Wayanad, Naturally our conversation veered towards the World's tiniest frogs that have just been discovered in Papua New Guinea by Dr Fred Kraus.

Two new species in the miniaturized microhylid frog genusPaedophryne were discovered from the forests in south-eastern Papua New Guinea. The first species is described on the basis of two specimens and exhibits female snout-vent length of 8.5–9.0 mm (no males known), whereas that of the second species, described on the basis of 12 specimens, is 8.8–9.3 mm, with males 8.1–8.9 mm. They are currently the smallest known species of tetrapods and inhabit leaf litter

Journal reference

At the lower size limit for tetrapods, two new species of the miniaturized frog genus Paedophryne (Anura, Microhylidae), Fred Kraus

ZooKeys 154 (2011) : 71-88

Scientists hope to develop natural insecticides from Dufour gland secretions of ant

2011-12-18T19:36:00.004+05:30

At the edge of forests in Cameroon, scientists have discovered that a common African ant (Crematogaster striatula) deploys a powerful venom from their stingers to kill termites. A remote application that is very effective.

This is the first study to report that the toxicity of the Dufour gland contents leads to the irreversible paralysis of termites without direct contact occurring between the ants and the prey.

The scientists say the results of the study are quite promising because they provide a basis from which further studies can be conducted in the search for natural insecticides, including new molecules effective against insects resistant to currently-used insecticides. They add that once the paralysing substance has been successfully identified, a synthetic product can be created that has numerous applications, something that is easier to do with volatile chemicals than with alkaloids.

Journal reference

Paralyzing Action from a Distance in an Arboreal African Ant Species

Aline Rifflet,Nathan Tene, Jerome Orivel, Michel Treilhou, Alain Dejean and Angelique Vetillard

PLoS ONE 6(12): e28571. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0028571

Simplified criteria for selecting the best wildlife satellite tracking technology

2011-12-16T10:40:00.003+05:30

Wildlife tracking technology options and cost considerations

Bindi Thomas, John D. Holland, and Edward O. Minot

Wildlife Research 38(8) 653-663

Long-distance remote wildlife tracking is de rigueur for many wildlife research projects. Biologists and wildlife mangers are some times on the horns of dilemma trying to select appropriate technologies as a trade off involving financial, technical and operational has to be effected.

Here the researchers try to find options and associated costs to help wildlife researchers and mangers select the best tracking solution for their needs.

The researchers developed a technology-choice decision guide to assist wildlife scientists and mangers select an optimal tracking technology. They undertook four satellite tracking case studies involving avian, aquatic and terrestrial species living in diverse environments around the world and use these case studies to validate and test the technology-choice decision guide and to calculate the cost effectiveness of alternative tracking methods.

The researchers say choosing the tracking method best suited for a project requires (1) clearly specifying the data required to meet project objectives, (2) understanding the constraints imposed by the study species and its environment, and (3) calculating the net cost per datum of the various tracking methods available.

The researchers suggest that, in most circumstances, global positioning system (GPS) tracking is preferable to other options. Where weight and environmental limitations prevent the use of GPS, alternatives such as Argos satellite Doppler-based positions (Argos) or very high frequency (VHF) can function adequately.

On the whole this is a very useful paper for people trying to go in for long-distance remote wildlife tracking

The importance of tree hollows

2011-12-15T20:44:00.003+05:30

Tree hollows are of conservation importance for a Near-Threatened python species

G. L. Bryant, S. J. Dundas, and P. A. Fleming

Journal of Zoology

Volume 286, Issue 1, pages 81–92, January 2012

This is a very interesting paper that zeroes in on the great importance of the tree hollows with accent on ectotherms . These hollows provide micro habitats for many species. Understanding microhabitat requirements of species vulnerable to anthropogenic threats are very germane for conservation managers. There is definite decline in availability of this important microhabitat throughout the world.

In ectotherms, behaviour and physiology are strongly influenced by thermal conditions of microhabitat retreat sites. Here the researchers identified retreat sites selected by south-west carpet pythons (Morelia spilota imbricata) through radiotracking 46 pythons over 3 years. 61% (22 of 36 individuals tracked over winter) used tree hollows as retreat sites (56% of all observations in winter), and remained in hollows for an average of 124 ± 49 (range 34 to 210) days. If pythons did not use tree hollows over winter, they found refuge in one of four alternative microhabitats: low vegetation cover (26% of winter observations), ground cover (10%), on tree branches (6%) or in hollow logs on the ground (2%).

The researchers tested whether tree hollows provide a thermally distinct environment compared with alternative microhabitats. They found no difference in minimum, average, maximum or range of temperatures recorded between microhabitats. When they are inside the tree hollows over winter, pythons had colder daily average and maximum body temperatures (cf. pythons that used other microhabitats), but this did not give them an energy saving .

Pythons ate very little over winter and the researchers predict that animals sequestered within tree hollows do not access prey at this time. Tree hollows provide a critical refuge over winter when python body temperature is low, and their responsiveness is limited. At this time individuals are vulnerable to predation by terrestrial predators. Destruction of hollows through fire, land clearing, competition with other fauna species and the significant age required for hollows to form in trees all contribute to the decline in availability of this important microhabitat.

Path breaking research on savanna chimpanzees at Fongoli, Senegal

2011-12-13T17:08:00.000+05:30

Now, here comes a big surprise, a fact that is turning topsy-turvy our understanding of animal behaviour.

Sharing food has always been thought of as a defining characteristic of human beings. Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) are one exception, as they commonly transfer meat among non relatives. Latest Research by Jill Pruetz and Stacy Lindshield from Iowa State University has conclusively proved that chimpanzees from her Fongoli research site in Senegal frequently share food and hunting tools with other chimps. This is the first study to document non-meat sharing behavior.

The researchers examined four hypotheses that have been applied to food transfer in apes:

(1) Testing for male-coercive tendency (van Noordwijk and van Schaik, Behav Ecol Sociobiol 63:883-890, 2009),

(2) Costly signaling (Hockings et al. PLoS ONE 2:e886, 2007),

(3) Food-for-sex (Gomes and Boesch, PLoS ONE 4:5116, 2009), and

(4) sharing-under-pressure (Gilby, Anim Behav 71:953-963, 2006).

The researchers also consider hypotheses posed to explain transfer among callitrichids, where such behavior is more common (Ruiz-Miranda et al. Am J Primatol 48:305-320, 1999)

Finally, they examined variables such as patch and food size and food transport. They discuss their findings relative to general patterns of non-meat transfer in Pan and examine them in the context of chimpanzee sociality in particular. They then contrast chimpanzee species and subspecies in terms of non-meat food and tool transfer and address the possibility that a savanna environment contributes to the unusual pattern observed at Fongoli.

Journal reference

Jill D. Pruetz, Stacy Lindshield. Plant-food and tool transfer among savanna chimpanzees at Fongoli, Senegal. Primates, 2011; DOI: 10.1007/s10329-011-0287-x

The importance of quantifying inbreeding costs relative to population dynamics to effectively manage endangered populations

2011-12-12T19:16:00.000+05:30

Translating Effects of Inbreeding Depression on Component Vital Rates to Overall Population Growth in Endangered Bighorn Sheep

HEATHER E. JOHNSON,L. SCOTT MILLS,JOHN D. WEHAUSEN,THOMAS R. STEPHENSON,GORDON LUIKART

Conservation Biology

Volume 25, Issue 6, pages 1240–1249, December 2011

Here is a paper that would be of great interest to those engaged in the conservation efforts of wild goats and sheep.

Evidence of inbreeding depression can be detected from the fitness traits of animals, but, its effects on population growth rates of endangered species ha not been properly assessed. Here the researchers examined whether inbreeding depression was affecting Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae), a subspecies listed as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

The objectives were

1) To characterize genetic variation in this subspecies

2) Test whether inbreeding depression affects bighorn sheep vital rates (adult survival and female fecundity)

3) Evaluate whether inbreeding depression may limit subspecies recovery;

4) Examine the potential for genetic management to increase population growth rates.

Matrix-based projection models demonstrated that inbreeding depression would not substantially inhibit the recovery of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep populations in the next approximately 8 bighorn sheep generations (48 years). Simulations of genetic rescue within the subspecies did not suggest that such activities would appreciably increase population sizes or growth rates during the period the researchers modeled (10 bighorn sheep generations, 60 years).

Only simulations that augmented the Mono Basin population with genetic variation from other subspecies, predicted any significant increases in population size.

The researchers say although they recommend that recovery activities should minimize future losses of genetic variation, genetic effects within these endangered populations—either negative (inbreeding depression) or positive (within subspecies genetic rescue)—appear unlikely to dramatically compromise or stimulate short-term conservation efforts.

The researchers conclude that distinction between detecting the effects of inbreeding depression on a component vital rate (e.g., fecundity) and the effects of inbreeding depression on population growth underscores the importance of quantifying inbreeding costs relative to population dynamics to effectively manage endangered populations.

International Mountain Day

2011-12-11T20:24:00.001+05:30

International Mountain Day 11/12/2011

International Mountain Day is an opportunity to create awareness about the importance of mountains to life, to highlight the opportunities and constraints in mountain development and to build partnerships that will bring
positive change to the world’s mountains and highlands

Sustainable practices create added value for businesses and visitors in protected natural areas

2011-12-09T20:44:00.001+05:30

IUCN WCPA Article

The project ‘Sustainable Tourism in Enterprises, Parks and Protected Areas’ (STEPPA) comes to a close this month. The results of the research carried out within STEPPA show that the performance of a business improves when sustainable measures are implemented. In addition, eco-labels could improve the experience of tourists in protected areas if they were more recognisable.

STEPPA, funded through the EU grant scheme Knowledge networks for the competitiveness and sustainability of European Tourism, ran from June 2010 until the end of this month. The project involved ten partners from seven European countries including the EUROPARC Federation, Leeds Metropolitan University and the lead partner the University of Eastern Finland. The project specifically examined the added value of sustainable tourism in protected natural areas for local businesses using EUROPARC’s European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in Protected Areas (ECST) as the basis for the research.

Research done by Leeds Metropolitan University on nearly 900 tourism and hospitality businesses from 59 European protected areas showed that sustainability and business performance have a positive impact on each other. The main reasons for acting sustainably are altruistic ones, with savings, marketing benefits, and customer demand raking lower. Unfortunately businesses that claim to undertake a large number of sustainability actions often find it hard to implement specific examples. In general businesses that carryout more sustainability measures believe they have benefitted from them and are more satisfied with their financial performance. Finally green businesses do not communicate this effectively.

A second survey was carried out by the University of Eastern Finland on 1300 visitors in protected natural areas across Europe. The aim was to find out visitors' views on sustainability and whether sustainable tourism schemes give added value to their trip. The results showed that there is a definite added value for visitors. In addition, tourists in protected areas are willing to participate in sustainable activities whilst travelling and they have positive opinions on eco-labels. Unfortunately green certificates or eco-labels are not very recognisable to these tourists.

Other project results included a literature review of sustainable practices within the ECST and a document proposing a revised and updated methodology for the ECST with regards to the businesses in the parks participating in the ECST. A summary of each of the research reports are available in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish, and the comprehensive reports in English from

www.europarc.org/what-we-do/steppa.

Perceived predation risk and its effect on population

2011-12-09T08:28:00.000+05:30

Perceived Predation Risk Reduces the Number of Offspring Songbirds Produce per Year

Liana Y. Zanette,Aija F. White,Marek C. Allen and Michael Clinchy

Science 9 December 2011:
Vol. 334 no. 6061 pp. 1398-1401

Traditionally predator effects on prey demography are associated with direct killing in studies of population ecology and wildlife management. In this paper the researchers show that perception of predation risk itself can act as a big damper on population.

The researchers isolated effects of perceived predation risk in a population of free living sparrows by actively eliminating direct predation. They then played back predator recorded calls and sounds to manipulate perceived risk. The researchers found that perception of predation risk alone brought down number of offspring by 40%.

The researchers conclude that predation risk perception should be given greater consideration in vertebrate conservation and management

Modelling patterns of habitat selection at multiple scales

2011-12-07T09:57:00.001+05:30

Using multi-scale modelling to predict habitat suitability for species of conservation concern: The grey long-eared bat as a case study

Orly Razgou r, Julia Hanmer and Gareth Jones

Biological Conservation

Volume 144, Issue 12, December 2011, Pages 2922-2930

Traditionally Habitat suitability modelling is used to study broad-scale patterns of species distribution. It also comes in handy to address conservation needs at finer scales.

Sure, spatial scale is important to come to grips with ecological processes and guiding conservation planning. But studies combining a range of scales are rare. Here the researchers studied the ability of presence-only species distribution modelling to predict patterns of habitat selection at broad and fine spatial scales for one of the rarest mammals in the UK, the grey long-eared bat (Plecotus austriacus).

The researchers constructed models with Maxent using broad-scale distribution data from across the UK (excluding Northern Ireland) and fine-scale radio-tracking data from bats at one colony. Fine-scale model predictions were evaluated with radio-tracking locations from bats from a distant colony, and compared with results of traditional radio-tracking data analysis methods (compositional analysis of habitat selection).

The researchers say broad-scale models indicated that winter temperature, summer precipitation and land cover were the most important variables limiting the distribution of the grey long-eared bat in the UK. Fine-scale models predicted that proximity to unimproved grasslands and distance to suburban areas determine foraging habitat suitability around maternity colonies, while compositional analysis also identified unimproved grasslands as the most preferred foraging habitat type.

The researchers contend that this strong association with unimproved lowland grasslands highlights the potential importance of changes in agricultural practices in the past century for wildlife conservation. Hence, multi-scale models offer an important tool for identifying conservation requirements at the fine landscape level that can guide national-level conservation management practices.

Culturally defined dialect that sperm whales use.

2011-12-06T12:44:00.002+05:30

Sperm whales and culturally defined dialect that they use? Is this something straight out of fiction?. No, this is exactly what Dr Luke Rendell from the University of St Andrews and his colleagues have discovered. All sperm whales in a pod use the same small selection of patterned clicks.

Scientists have discovered that in the pacific, the whales belong to one of five clans, with each clan using a different dialect. They use definite patterned clicks called codas.

The scientists studied mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation among sympatric vocal clans in the Pacific Ocean, using sequences extracted from sloughed skin samples. Their intention was to find out whether the whales' dialects were biologically determined. If the whales' dialects were biologically determined those that share the same dialect would have similar genes too. They found that whales with different repertoires of codas are often genetically similar.

The study points to the fact that instead of focussing solely on where the animals live, protection should also consider which dialect they use. The researchers say ulturally-defined vocal clans may be more appropriate management units.

Journal reference

Can Genetic Differences Explain Vocal Dialect Variation in Sperm Whales,Physetermacrocephalus?

Luke Rendell, Sarah L. Mesnick, Merel L. Dalebout, Jessica Burtenshaw and Hal Whitehead

BEHAVIOR GENETICS DOI: 10.1007/s10519-011-9513-y

If the forestry sector ignores gender issues it will miss a huge opportunity to reduce poverty, conserve biodiversity and bolster sustainable development. IUCN News Release

2011-12-05T09:36:00.000+05:30

Gender key to sustainable forests

04 December 2011 | News story

Durban, South Africa, 4 December 2011 (IUCN) – If the forestry sector ignores gender issues it will miss a huge opportunity to reduce poverty, conserve biodiversity and bolster sustainable development. This new information is the conclusion of an IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) book, Gender and Forests, launched today – the first ever book of its kind.

Published in partnership with the Women’s Environment & Development Organization (WEDO), Gender and Forests recognizes that, after decades of neglect and marginalization, gender issues are at last finding their way into many forest, land use and environmental policies. The new publication takes a fresh look at the issues facing gender and forests around the world, and considers how gender is being addressed both on the ground and in national and international policy discussions on climate change and REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation). New evidence from forest communities around the world reveal that wherever forest management recognizes the differing needs and capacities of men and women, multiple human and environmental benefits have been obtained.

“Women have important primary roles as managers of forests, land, water and other natural resources in many communities—a position which makes them powerful agents of change in formulating responses to climate change,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General, IUCN. “Women are part of the solution. By inserting gender considerations in to each element of forest management and forest projects, and by developing such things as national gender-sensitive climate change strategies, we can take concrete, practical steps that lead to improved benefits for men, women and nature.”

Women across the developing world are primary users of forest resources and their sale of non-timber forest products is vital to covering household expenses and tiding them through leaner times of the year. Women’s heavy dependence on forests also means that they have more at stake than men when forests are degraded or forest access is denied. For example, in Cambodia, men collect non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as resin, to sell at the market and women collect NTFPs, such as bamboo, to meet family dietary needs. In Benin and Cameroon, women increase their collection and sale of NTFPs at times of increased need for income, such as during the hungry pre-harvest period.

“There are important differences between men and women’s perspectives on—and use of—forest resources for the wellbeing of their families and communities,” says Stewart Maginnis, Director of IUCN's Environment and Development Group. “Taking a gender perspective in forestry has nothing to do with political correctness and everything to do with development and conservation effectiveness. We must ensure that the resources forests offer are used sustainably and equitably.”

Numerous studies have shown that women's concerns are often not the same as those of men in the community, and the concerns are often neglected as the ownership of forests and sales of valuable forest products are largely under the control of men. For instance, in Salvatierra, men from Bolivia clear forests for cultivation and hunting, while women visit forests to collect firewood and water. In southern Brazil, women know a wider diversity of plants and cite 41 species that they use exclusively; whereas men cite only 22 species they use exclusively.

“We need to start taking gender issues more seriously, not only to make our work more effective but also to redress gender imbalances by enhancing women’s empowerment, strengthening women’s rights and ensuring that women get their fair share of benefits. More men must take up gender advocacy instead of letting the cause fall to women, as it has in the past,” says Lorena Aguilar, IUCN’s Senior Global Gender Advisor. “This means taking account of gender differences not only when planning projects but also when designing policy interventions that will affect forest communities. When we begin to take these proactive steps towards equality, we will see numerous human and environmental benefits.”

The impact of the 2008–2009 global financial crisis (GFC) on emissions has been short-lived

2011-12-05T09:29:00.000+05:30

According to latest research Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil-fuel combustion and cement production grew 5.9% in 2010, surpassed 9 Pg of carbon (Pg C) for the first time, and more than offset the 1.4% decrease in 2009. On average, fossil fuel emissions have risen by 3.1 per cent each year between 2000 and 2010

Evidence from atmospheric measurements show actual emissions tend to be greater than declared. Under the Kyoto Protocol, nations are required to declare their greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2008-09 emissions temporarily decreased. Last years high growth was caused by both emerging and developed economies. Rich countries continued to outsource part of their emissions to emerging economies through international trade.

Nearly 50% of the emissions remained in the atmosphere, where CO₂ concentration reached 389.6 parts per million. The balance emissions were taken up by the ocean and land reservoirs.

The authors say "The global financial crisis has helped developed countries meet their production emission commitments as promised in the Kyoto Protocol and Copenhagen Accord, but its impact has been short-lived and pre-existing challenges remain."

Journal reference

Rapid growth in CO₂ emissions after the 2008–2009 global financial crisis

Glen P. Peters, Gregg Marland, Corinne Le Quéré, Thomas Boden, Josep G. Canadell & Michael R. Raupach

Nature Climate Change (2011) doi:10.1038/nclimate1332 Published online 04 December 2011

Royal Society is offering a special theme issue of its Philosophical Transaction B journal on rainforest conservation for free.

2011-12-04T10:35:00.000+05:30

Here is a chance to read some excellent papers on rainforest conservation for free. Till December 31^st Royal Society is offering a special theme issue of its Philosophical Transaction B journal on rainforest conservation for free. The special them issue is entitled 'The future of Southeast Asian rainforests in a changing landscape and climate'.

Click HERE to go to the site

IUCN Youtube link

2011-12-03T10:09:00.001+05:30

The other day I was discussing with my friend Ramesh IUCN's Youtube link. Surprisingly Ramesh was not aware of the link. Ramesh wants me to publish the link for the benefit of others also. So guys click here for the link

Instant Wild – Images of wild animals are sent to you directly from small automatic cameras placed in remote locations.

2011-12-02T19:17:00.001+05:30

The Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) Instant WILD app and website sends Images triggered by wild animals walking past camera straight to you in real-time.

ZSL says the new technology will save field workers hours of vital time by asking users to help identify species from live camera trap photographs. Traditionally it could take one conservationist days to sort through photographs from a camera in order to log information from the pictures.

ZSL’s conservation director Professor Jonathan Baillie says: "By asking people to help us identify species through the app, we are turning wildlife conservation into the massive team effort that it needs to be.

Click here to experience this wonderful idea.

A wasp that recognises facial features

2011-12-02T08:28:00.000+05:30

Now this is truly amazing. Researchers have demonstrated that the paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, is able to differentiate among individuals based on varying facial markings. The wasp can differentiate among normal wasp face images more rapidly and accurately than nonface images or manipulated faces. A close relative lacking facial recognition, Polistes metricus, do not have the ability of face learning. In Polistes fuscatus it is an independent evolution of specialization.

The researchers sign off saying “Convergence toward face specialization in distant taxa as well as divergence among closely related taxa with different recognition behavior suggests that specialized cognition is surprisingly labile and may be adaptively shaped by species-specific selective pressures such as face recognition.”

Journal reference

Science 2 December 2011:
Vol. 334 no. 6060 pp. 1272-1275

Frogs hold promise of new drugs against antibiotic-resistant infections

2011-12-01T20:24:00.002+05:30

Frogs live in warm, wet places where bacteria thrive. To ward off problems of infections frogs have adapted skin that secretes chemicals, known as peptides.

Researchers Yun Zhang, Wen-Hui Lee and Xinwang in an effort to extract new drugs identified more than 700 of these peptides from nine species of odorous frogs and concluded that the AMPs account for almost one-third of all AMPs found in the world. This is the the greatest known diversity of these germ-killing chemicals.

The researchers say peptidomic and genomic investigation of natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from amphibian skin secretions can provide a large amount of structure–functional information to design peptide antibiotics with therapeutic potential.

Purified peptides showed strong antimicrobial activities against 4 tested microbe strains. Twenty-three deduced peptides were synthesized and their bioactivities, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, hemolytic, immunomodulatory and insulin-releasing activities, were evaluated. Some of the AMPs have a dual action, killing bacteria directly and also activating the immune system

Journal reference

Xinwang Yang, Wen-Hui Lee, Yun Zhang. Extremely Abundant Antimicrobial Peptides Existed in the Skins of Nine Kinds of Chinese Odorous Frogs. Journal of Proteome Research, 2011 DOI:10.1021/pr200782u

Solving the climate change crisis naturally

2011-12-01T08:18:00.001+05:30

IUCN news release

Promoting natural solutions

The most pressing issue, upon which any possible agreement in Durban may rest, is whether there will be at least a political agreement on a second commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol. This is closely linked to the legally binding form of any future global agreement on climate change.

While the politicians deliberate, IUCN for many years has been getting on with the urgent task of helping countries adapt to climate change impacts and pressing governments to include nature-based solutions in national climate change policies.

Conserving and sustainably managing nature can help people become resilient to climate change. Healthy mangroves and wetlands can shield us from extreme weather and help to regulate floods. These natural buffers are often less expensive to maintain and in some cases, can be as effective as built structures such as dykes or concrete walls. Managing agricultural land using local knowledge of crop varieties and maintaining diverse landscapes can help ensure food supplies in uncertain conditions.

IUCN is also promoting the implementation of an environmentally-sound and equitable mechanism on REDD—Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) at the national level.

“A tool that both conserves forest resources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions can help in the battle to assuage the impacts of climate change,” says Stewart Maginnis, IUCN’s Director of Environment and Development. “In order to be effective, however, implementation needs to take place at the national level, and address issues such as benefit sharing, governance and participation of women and indigenous peoples.”

Our experts are reporting live from the Durban conference, giving the inside track on the key issues and developments as they happen.