Circumventing limitations of GIS technology

Greater Sage-Grouse Nesting Habitat: The Importance of Managing at Multiple Scales

Doherty, K.E., Naugle, D.E. & Walker, B.L. Greater Sage-Grouse Nesting Habitat: The Importance of Managing at Multiple Scales. Journal of Wildlife Management 74, 1544-1553 (2010).

The other day I was discussing with my friend Ramesh, the limitations of use of GIS in wildlife management.  GIS often takes in to account only landscape scale vegetation patterns. This is the result of extreme resolution required to know about local level vegetation characteristics from satellite imagery.  The starting point was a 2010 paper referred to above. Here is a paper that looks at the limitations of GIS. The researchers come up with alternate solutions to plug the loop.

A close look at habitat selection at multiple scales is essential to fully understand habitat requirements and dovetail it to the management needs for wildlife. The researchers used a hierarchical information-theoretic approach and variance decomposition techniques to analyze habitat selection using local-scale habitat variables measured in the field and landscape-scale variables derived with a Geographic Information System (GIS) for nesting greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in the Powder River Basin (PRB), Montana and Wyoming, USA.

The authors say variance decomposition showed that local-scale measures explained the most pure variation (50%) in sage-grouse nesting-habitat selection. Landscape-scale features explained 20% of pure variation and shared 30% with local-scale features. The landscape-scale model produced was accurate in predicting priority landscapes where sage-grouse nests would occur and is, therefore, useful in providing landscape context for management decisions. It accurately predicted locations of independent sage-grouse nests (validation R²  =  0.99) and showed good discriminatory ability with >90% of nests located within only 40% of the study area.

The model also accurately predicted independent lek locations and supported predictions of the hotspot theory of lek placement. 

The authors signs off saying “ Local-scale habitat variables that cannot currently be mapped in a GIS strongly influence sage-grouse nest-site selection, but only within priority nesting habitats defined at the landscape scale. Our results indicate that habitat treatments for nesting sage-grouse applied in areas with an unsuitable landscape context are unlikely to achieve desired conservation results.”

Understanding the effect of human-driven changes on population performance of long-lived species

Decomposing variation in population growth into contributions from environment and phenotypes in an age-structured population

Fanie Pelletier,Kelly Moyes,Tim H. Clutton-Brock andTim Coulson

Published online before print June 29, 2011, doi:10.1098/rspb.2011.0827 Proc. R. Soc. B

Here is a new paper that attempts to understand the effect of human-driven changes on population performance of long-lived species. It is not an easy task. It is a real challenge to come to grips with the relative importance of ecological drivers responsible for natural population fluctuations.

The authors used a recently developed approach to decompose the observed fluctuation in population growth of the red deer population on the Isle of Rum into contributions from climate, density and their interaction and to quantify their relative importance. They also quantified the contribution of individual covariates, including phenotypic and life-history traits, to population growth.

Fluctuations in composition in age and sex classes of the population contributed substantially to the population dynamics. Density, climate, birth weight and reproductive status contributed less and approximately equally to the population growth.

The researchers signs off saying “ Our results support the contention that fluctuations in the population's structure have important consequences for population dynamics and underline the importance of including information on population composition to understand the effect of human-driven changes on population performance of long-lived species.

Light at the end of the tunnel for Dr Ullas Karanth

We all are aware of the trials and tribulations that Dr Ullas Karanth had to undergo while doing his research on tigers in Karnataka. He was hassled unnecessarily. Profesional jealousy added salt to the wound. But things have suddenly started looking very rosy for the renowned scientist.

Centre for Wildlife Studies headed by Dr Ullas Karanth  has been recognized as a "Centre of Excellence" by the Government of Karnataka for its contribution to conservation biology over the pas two decades. The ongoing project titled "Meta-Population dynamics of tigers in Malenad-Mysore Tiger Landscape (MMTL) of Karnataka" conducted in collaboration with the Karnataka Forest Department has come in for laurels.The Award was presented to  Dr. Ullas Karanth, by Chief Minister of Karnataka B. S. Yeddyurappa at a function held in Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore on 6th July 2011. 

My views on this mirrors what Dr. George Schaller said. In a congratulatory message to Dr Ullas Karanth he  said " It is so well deserved, and it's wonderful to  see that after years of getting hassled or your important work ignored you are finally recognized officially and valued”.

We wish Dr Ullas Karanth many more years of fruitful, research. You have shown the youngsters what grit can do.

Fresh lease of life for the blog

I have received several requests from friends to continue blogging. In deference to their wishes I have decided to start blogging again. I may not be able to blog with almost religious fervor that I am used to. I will try to post whenever I have spare time on my hands.

End of the road

After 6 years it is the end of the road for this blog.  I am discontinuing the blog. I thank all the readers who have given me great support for the past 6 years. Thank you very much

Smart-phones and wildlife conservation

Modern life styles have put a damper on wildlife conservation efforts across the world.  Conservationists have rued the use of many modern gadgets. To buck the trend here is a case where a modern invention is coming to the rescue of wildlife.

Scientists at the Zoological Society for London (ZSL) have announced the launch of a new "bat phone”, a smart phone application that ordinary people can use to track the movements of local bat species. It has has been developed for a global bat monitoring programme covering at least 16 countries. More than 900 species of bat can be tracked with the help of an ultrasonic microphone.

Smart phones, internet, online crowd sourcing and social networks are being judiciously put to use to further the cause of conservation. The citizens en masse act as field researchers collecting valuable data. The data is uploaded to a website that identifies each of the calls to build an accurate picture of bat populations. 

Effectiveness of camera trapping Vis-à-vis live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities

A comparison of the effectiveness of camera trapping and live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities
Natasha De Bondi , John G. White , Mike Stevens , Raylene Cooke 

Wildlife Research 37(6)

I just read a very interesting paper about the comparison of the effectiveness of camera trapping and live trapping for sampling terrestrial small-mammal communities

Camera-trap technologies are being increasingly used for surveys of medium to large terrestrial mammals. The authors content that the method also have significant applications for broad-scale surveys of small mammals.


In this study the researchers tried to compare results from camera-trapping surveys to those of the more traditional live-trapping techniques. The aim was to test the effectiveness of the techniques for detecting species, and the cost effectiveness of both approaches.


Surveys were conducted in 36 sites in the Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia, between April and July 2009. A combination of Elliot and cage trapping and camera trapping were tried. 
Results were compared for both their ability to generate small-mammal presence data and their cost effectiveness.
Camera-trapping surveys compared favourably with those of live-trapping surveys. Similar species were detected across the sites. Camera trapping was definitely more cost effective than live trapping.


The researchers signs off saying “camera-trapping surveys of small terrestrial mammals may provide a new and cost-effective technique for surveying terrestrial small mammals.  Improving the replication and spatial coverage of studies has the potential to significantly increase the scope of research questions that can be asked, thus providing the potential to improve wildlife management”.

A grain of hope in the desert - News story about the latest red list from IUCN

16 June 2011 | IUCN News story

The regal Arabian Oryx (Oryx leucoryx), which was hunted to near extinction, is now facing a more secure future according to the latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™. Its wild population now stands at 1,000 individuals.  

“To have brought the Arabian Oryx back from the brink of extinction is a major feat and a true conservation success story, one which we hope will be repeated many times over for other threatened species,” says Ms Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Director General of the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi. “It is a classic example of how data from the IUCN Red List can feed into on-the-ground conservation action to deliver tangible and successful results.”

The Arabian Oryx, a species of antelope found only on the Arabian Peninsula, is locally known as Al Maha. It is believed the last wild individual was shot in 1972. This year, thanks to successful captive breeding and re-introduction efforts, the oryx has finally qualified for a move from the endangered category to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List—the first time that a species that was once Extinct in the Wild has improved by three categories.

Although we are achieving successes, there are some alarming new findings. Of the 19 species of amphibian (frogs, toads and salamanders) that have been added to the IUCN Red List this year, eight are listed as Critically Endangered, including Atelopus patazensis, a species of harlequin toad from Peru, and Dendrotriton chujorum, a dwarf species of salamander from Guatemala. Amphibians remain one of the most threatened species groups with an estimated 41% at risk of extinction; the main threats they face include habitat loss, pollution, disease and invasive species.

In the case of New Caledonia’s endemic reptiles, which have been assessed for the first time, two thirds (67%) of species within this group for which we have sufficient data are at risk of extinction. Many of these reptiles are threatened by ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation as New Caledonia’s nickel mining industry continues to expand. This is compounded by the effects of introduced species; for example, deer and pigs damage remaining available habitat, and fire ants, which are invasive alien species, decimate lizard populations, leading to localized extinctions.

“The key to halting the extinction crisis is to target efforts towards eradicating the major threats faced by species and their environment; only then can their future be secured. The IUCN Red List acts as a gateway to such efforts, by providing decision makers with a goldmine of information not only on the current status of the species, but also on existing threats and the conservation actions required,” says Simon Stuart, Chair of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission.

A further new addition to the IUCN Red List is the recently discovered primate Wallace’s Tarsier (Tarsius wallacei). This forest-dwelling species was first described in 2010, and is found in just two small areas of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Unlike its cousin the Siau Island Tarsier (Tarsius tumpara), also new on the IUCN Red List this year and classified as Critically Endangered, Wallace’s Tarsier has been listed as Data Deficient. Species are classified as Data Deficient when not enough information is known to assign them to another category.

An assessment of all 248 lobster species has been completed, with 35% being classified as Data Deficient, including the Caribbean Spiny Lobster (Panulirus argus). This species shows decreasing populations as a result of over-exploitation, but unfortunately very little else is known about it. An estimated 1.2 billion people worldwide rely on marine species for food and livelihoods, so obtaining reliable information on catch levels is essential.

“It is extremely important that we keep pushing forward with surveys of little-known species, as without adequate data, we cannot determine their risk of extinction and therefore cannot develop or implement effective conservation actions which could prevent the species from disappearing altogether,” says Jane Smart, Director, IUCN’s Global Species Programme.

Biodiversity loss is one of the world’s most pressing crises, with many species declining to critically low levels. Numerous extinctions are taking place unnoticed, and the number of species classified as Critically Endangered (those at most severe risks are increasing ). Estimations from the IUCN Red List indicate that extinctions are happening at anywhere from 100 to 1,000 times the ‘background’ or natural rate. The causes are many, including habitat destruction, land conversion for agriculture and development, climate change, pollution, illegal wildlife trade, and the spread of invasive species.

“Conservation does work and species can recover, as shown in the case of the Arabian Oryx. Using data from the IUCN Red List, an opportunity exists for governments and society to guide conservation programmes to put the brakes on species extinctions,” says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN’s Director General.
 

For more information, please contact:

Borjana Pervan, IUCN Media Relations, m +41 79 857 4072, eborjana.pervan@iucn.org
Lynne Labanne, Species Programme Communications,IUCN, t +41 22 999 0153, m +41 79 527 7221, e lynne.labanne@iucn.org
Kathryn Pintus, Species Programme Communications, IUCN, t +41 22 999 0154, e kathryn.pintus@iucn.org

Population regulation of territorial species and the complexity of the regulatory process.

Population regulation of territorial species: both site dependence and interference mechanisms matter

Marie Nevoux1,Olivier Gimenez,Debora Arlt, Malcolm Nicoll, Carl Jones and Ken Norris

Published online before print December 15, 2010, doi: 10.1098/rspb.2010.2352 Proc. R. Soc. B 22 July 2011 vol. 278 no. 1715 2173-2181

I read this paper the other day and found it very interesting.

It is assumed that spatial patterns of site occupancy are driven by habitat heterogeneity and this has a bearing in shaping population dynamics through a site-dependent regulatory mechanism. The authors say most studies have only focused on a single vital rate (reproduction), and little is known about how space effectively contributes to the regulation of population dynamics. They investigated the underlying mechanisms driving density-dependent processes in vital rates in a Mauritius kestrel population where almost every individual was monitored.

Different mechanisms acted on different vital rates. The breeding success was regulated by site dependence (differential use of space) and juvenile survival by interference (density-dependent competition for resources).

Although territorial species are frequently assumed to be regulated through site dependence, the researchers show that interference was the key regulatory mechanism in this population.  The integrated approach demonstrated that the presence of spatial processes regarding one trait does not mean that they necessarily play an important role in regulating population growth, and demonstrates the complexity of the regulatory process.

Monitoring carnivore populations at the landscape scale: occupancy modeling of tigers from sign surveys

Monitoring carnivore populations at the landscape scale: occupancy modeling of tigers from sign surveys

Kota Ullas Karanth1,, Arjun M. Gopalaswamy, Narayanarao Samba Kumar, Srinivas Vaidyanathan, James D. Nichols and Darryl I. MacKenzie

Here is a new paper from Dr Ullas Karanth et al, which is of great relevance to conservationists. It has appeared in the Journal of Applied Ecology. The paper lays emphasis on the use of surveys of large carnivore signs such as tracks and scats, to assess their distributions across large landscapes.

This is an application of an occupancy model Dr Ullas had earlier developed with Jim Hines and other colleagues at USGS and was used to assess tiger distributions in 30,000 sq.km landscape in Karnataka.

The method uses spatial replication and deals explicitly with the problem of imperfect detections, which is often a problematic issue with distribution surveys.The method has great potential for cost effective surveys of tigers and other similar wide-ranging species.  

Dr Ullas Karanth is currently working on further model extensions to link these data to rigorous estimates of tiger density from camera trap surveys at specific sites to generate tiger abundance estimates for larger regions.

This paper is a must read paper for wildlife researchers and managers. I recommend it unreservedly. 

Taking a break

Hi Guys,
              I am taking my annual break of one month. I plan to pursue my other two interests that are close to my heart. These are flying and Reiki. I have stopped flying due to exorbitant rates. I have not renewed my flying licence for some time now. A few days back I ran in to a guy who has promised to give me lengthy whirls in his two seater aircraft. I also plan to polish my Reiki and meditation skills. I plan to stay away from internet during this one month. Consequently there won't be any updates during this period.

Estimating body mass of pumas

Estimating body mass of pumas (Puma concolor)

Brian D. Jansen and Jonathan A. Jenks 

Wildlife Research 38(2) 147-151, Published: 20 April 2011

Even though this paper is about estimating body mass of pumas, the facts enumerated here might come in handy for other researchers also

Here Brian D. Jansen and Jonathan A. Jenks from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences, South Dakota State University have attempted to estimate body mass of Pumas from their size.

 In remote and rugged terrain transporting equipment needed to weigh a captured animal is not often a feasible proposition. Here the option is to go in for a workable formula. Formulas have been developed for some species of large ungulates and carnivores. No work has so far been done on Pumas till the researchers here attempted it.

The researchers investigated whether body measurements were related to body mass for pumas, to develop an equation that would accurately estimate body mass of pumas within desired tolerances (~10 kg). 

Multiple regressions were used to determine the relationships between body measurements and body mass for 58 pumas in the Black Hills. The researchers then applied the equation to eight pumas that they captured in areas outside the Black Hills study population.

It was found that a model using body length (cm) and head and chest circumferences (cm) explained 89% of the variation in body mass; sex and age-class information did not contribute significantly to the model. The equation was as follows: body mass (kg) = –61.07 + 0.21 × body length (cm) + 0.56 × head circumference (cm) + 0.83 × chest circumference (cm). The 95% prediction interval for the model was –6.3–6.3 kg. The researchers found the difference between predicted and actual body mass of pumas from other populations was –0.40 kg ± 1.45 (s.e.). The relationship between body measurements and body mass was similar, despite the differences in location and environments

Eco-tourism tips from IUCN

Ecotourism could prove to be a double edged sword if it is not handled judiciously. Several World Heritage sites have suffered from the negative impacts of tourism. A classic case is the Belize Barrier Reef System where uncontrolled lease and development of land for tourism within the site has led to it being included on the List of World Heritage in Danger in 2009.

IUCN has come out with ten tips for eco-tourists who want to visit some of the most beautiful natural sites in the world without damaging the environment. The tips accompany a recent report by IUCN, Sustainable tourism in natural World Heritage.

Here are the tips

1.  Visit destinations which have conservation value, such as protected areas, World Heritage sites or areas where nature and culture is a key attraction. Include in your trip visits and activities related to conservation projects. Visitwww.protectedplanet.net

Or take this a step further and plan a “doing” holiday! Many organizations plan expeditions where you can spend time working on a local conservation project.

2.  Travel light: limit the packaging you bring with you. This will become waste in your holiday destination.

3.  Before you travel, learn as much as possible about your destination, about the natural assets, the local people and their culture and any environmental concerns (for example if there is a drought, if forest fires are a major threat ..). This should help to make your journey more enjoyable!

4.  Use reputable local tour operators, preferably those who contribute to conservation themselves. Aim to follow any local codes, for example regarding behaviour or dress if visiting cultural or sacred natural sites.

5.  Pick nature-friendly accommodation: ask hotels if they are truly eco, for example do they have an environmental policy? Have they implemented energy and water saving measures? Do they contribute to local conservation efforts and support local communities?

6. If you can, try to get to your destination by train or coach – you’ll see more of the country you’re travelling in as well as reducing your carbon emissions. Consider also offsetting your travel using a Gold Standard supplier (http://www.cdmgoldstandard.org/GS-Portfolio-Pledgers.287.0.html)

7.  When you’re on holiday, choose wisely what you put on your plate. Choose locally sourced produce that’s in season and be aware that certain Endangered species may be on the menu without your knowledge - ask local conservation organizations for a list of what to look out for.

8.  Many wild plants and animals are in great danger … you can contribute to protecting them by avoiding buying souvenirs made from Endangered species (jewellery made from red coral and turtle carapace,shatoosh and many others). Be careful if you’re bringing plants or seeds back from your travels – check that they couldn’t become invasive species.

9.  Wildlife watching can be an incredible experience… but don't disturb wildlife, for your own safety and theirs!

10.  Maintain a relationship with your new friends in the destination, become a member of local conservation organizations.
 

Reliable tiger counts

Dr Ullas Karanth has published an excellent article titled India's Tiger Counts: The Long March to Reliable Science in "Economic and Political Weekly" dated 30 April 2011.


This article makes a review of tiger counts and makes excellent suggestions for future protocols. The author also makes a fervent plea for public private partnership in tiger counts to make them more reliable.


I believe this article has to be read by all people involved in tiger conservation. So guys here is the link for it.Click HERE

Elephants - Age and enhanced ability to make crucial decisions

Leadership in elephants: the adaptive value of age

Karen McComb, Graeme Shannon,Sarah M. Durant,Katito Sayialel,Rob Slotow,Joyce Poole and Cynthia Moss

Published online before print March 16, 2011, doi:10.1098/rspb.2011.0168 Proc. R. Soc. B

This paper makes very interesting reading.

The value of age is well recognized in human societies. Older individuals with vast and varied experience often emerge as leaders in tasks that call for specialized knowledge. Despite this awareness about what happens in human beings no detailed study has so far been done to find the nexus between age and the ability to make crucial decisions in other cognitively advanced social species.

Here the researchers used a novel playback paradigm to demonstrate that in African elephants (Loxodonta africana), age affects the ability of matriarchs to make ecologically relevant decisions in a domain critical to survival—the assessment of predatory threat. 

The researchers found that while groups consistently adjust their defensive behaviour to the greater threat of three roaring lions versus one, families with younger matriarchs typically under-reacted to roars from male lions despite the severe danger they represent. Sensitivity to this key develops exponentially with matriarch age. It is best developed in the oldest matriarchs, who are likely to have accumulated the most experience.

The researchers say their study provides the first empirical evidence that individuals within a social group may derive significant benefits from the influence of an older leader because of their enhanced ability to make crucial decisions about predatory threat, generating important insights into selection for longevity in cognitively advanced social mammals.

Rapid assessment of historical small-mammal community baselines using skeletal remains

The dead do not lie: using skeletal remains for rapid assessment of historical small-mammal community baselines

Rebecca C. Terry

Published online before print December 23, 2009, doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.1984 Proc. R. Soc. B 22 April 2010 vol. 277 no. 16851193-1201

 Baseline information on the status of ecological communities from before the onset of recent and rapid anthropogenic environmental change is a must for meaningful conservation and restoration efforts. Historical biological survey data that pre-date the onset of intense human activity are scarce

In this paper the authors document that natural accumulations of skeletal remains represent a potential source of high-quality data on the historical composition and structure of small-mammal communities.

To test the power of skeletal remains to reveal baseline shifts ,the researcher employed the design of a natural experiment, comparing two taphonomically similar Great Basin cave localities in areas where anthropogenic land-use practices have diverged within the last century.

The author found relative stasis at the undisturbed site, but document rapid restructuring of the small-mammal community at the site subjected to recent disturbance. The result was validated using historical trapping records to show that dead remains accurately capture both the magnitude and direction of this baseline shift.

The researchers assert, based on her research, that surveys of skeletal remains provide a simple, powerful and rapid alternative approach for gaining insight into the historical structure and dynamics of modern small-mammal communities.

This paper is marked as an open access paper

Risk perception associated with roads

Road proximity and traffic flow perceived as potential predation risks: evidence from the Tibetan antelope in the Kekexili National Nature Reserve, China

Xinming Lian , Tongzuo Zhang , Yifan Cao , Jianping Su  and Simon Thirgood

Wildlife Research 38(2) 141-146, Published: 20 April 2011

Here is an interesting Paper on animal behavior connected with roads.

The risk-disturbance hypothesis says that animals exhibit risk-avoidance behaviours when exposed to human disturbance.  The animals perceive the disturbance as a predatory threat.

In this study the researchers examined whether Tibetan antelopes (Pantholops hodgsoni) exhibit risk-avoidance behaviour with proximity to a major highway and with increasing traffic.

The researchers used focal-animal sampling to observe the behaviour of Tibetan antelopes. The behaviours were categorised as foraging, vigilance, resting, moving, or other associated activity. The time, frequency, and duration of foraging and vigilance were calculated.

It was noted that as distance from the road increased, time spent foraging and foraging duration increased. Foraging frequency, time spent being vigilant and vigilance frequency decreased. The results indicate that that there is a risk perception associated with roads. Tibetan antelopes presented more risk-avoidance behaviours during high-traffic periods compared with low-traffic periods.

The researchers sign off saying  “The consequences of risk-avoidance behaviour should be reflected in wildlife management by considering human disturbance and road design”.

Biodiversity conservation and human welfare – Attempts for tradeoffs

Hard choices: Making trade-offs between biodiversity conservation and human well-being

Thomas O. McShane, Paul D. Hirsch, Tran Chi Trung, Alexander N. Songorwa, Ann Kinzig, Bruno Monteferri, David Mutekanga, Hoang Van Thang, Juan Luis Dammert, Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Meredith Welch-Devine, J. Peter Brosius, Peter Coppolillo, Sheila O’Connor

Pages 966-972,  Biological Conservation Volume 144, Issue 3, March 2011

A Win–win solution where biodiversity conservation goes hand in hand with human welfare looks good in theory, but is difficult to practice. The researchers say trade-offs and hard choices are sine qua non in the present scenario.

Even a proper analysis is difficult. The researchers say “social problems – of which conservation is one – can be perceived and understood in a variety of disparate ways, influenced (in part at least) by how people are raised and educated, their life experiences, and the options they have faced.”

Pre-existing assumptions about the “right” approach to conservation often creates a smokescreen It can befuddle important differences in both power and understanding, and can limit the success of policy and programmatic interventions. The new conservation debate challenges conservationists to be explicit about losses, costs, and hard choices so they can be openly discussed and honestly negotiated. Not to do so can lead to unrealized expectations, and ultimately to unresolved conflict.

This paper explores the background and limitations of win–win approaches to conservation and human well-being, discusses the prospect of approaching conservation challenges in terms of trade-offs and hard choices, and presents a set of guiding principles that can serve to orient strategic analysis and communication regarding trade-offs.