Tiger conservation- A message from Inger Andersen Director General of IUCN

In the last hundred years, the number of tigers in the wild has plummeted by a staggering 97%. The answer to this alarming fall was 2010’s St Petersburg Declaration, strongly backed by the World Bank, which aimed to double the global tiger population by 2022. 

Almost six years have passed since St Petersburg and over this time I have witnessed encouraging signs of progress. Tiger populations are believed to have increased in India, Bhutan, Nepal, the Russian Federation and Thailand. Much more remains to be done, however. These efforts must be sustained over time: countries must scale up their action and monitor remaining tiger populations to ensure the world can meet this ambitious goal.

IUCN’s Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP) provides resources and technical expertise where they are most needed. I am delighted to announce that the first seven initiatives are now underway. The programme builds on the experience of the Global Species Programme and the Species Survival Commission, with input from a number of global experts in species conservation, protected area management and community empowerment.

I am grateful to the German government and  KfW  the German Development Bank, for their support towards conserving this amazing species.

Tiger conservation reflects the challenges conservation is facing globally. Tigers are apex predators and need vast spaces and abundant prey to survive. Pressure on these very resources is increasing as human populations in Asia continue to grow, frequently resulting in conflict with humans. Involving local communities in conservation work is essential to harmonize coexistence between tigers and people and that is what we have done with all the projects under this programme. They simply would not work without it.

Tiger-focused conservation interventions yield benefits to the management of ecosystems that provide vital services to local communities. For instance, ITHCP contributes to watershed management in regions where habitats provide clean water to millions of people. Additionally, significant revenue will be generated by alternative income streams such as sustainable ecotourism developments in the targeted countries

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Tigers do not recognise borders. The transboundary nature of many tiger landscapes requires practitioners to collaborate to achieve positive results. IUCN’s objective and evidence-based approach is critical in bringing together multiple states, sectors and stakeholders in working towards this ambitious goal.

Inger Andersen

Effectiveness of Wildlife fencing in combination with crossing structures – An interesting study

Effectiveness of short sections of wildlife fencing and crossing structures along highways in reducing wildlife–vehicle collisions and providing safe crossing opportunities for large mammals

Marcel P. Huijser,Elizabeth R. Fairbank, Whisper Camel-Means, Jonathan Graham, Vicki Watson,Pat Basting and Dale Becker

Biological Conservation.Volume 197, May 2016, Pages 61–68

Here is a good paper for those interested in wildlife fencing.  Wildlife fencing in combination with crossing structures is the most effective strategy to reduce large mammal–vehicle collisions while also maintaining wildlife connectivity across roads. The down side is that it affects the beauty of the environment and it is costly. To overcome this, length of fencing is often reduced arbitrarily.

Here the researchers investigated 1) whether short fenced road sections were similarly effective in reducing large mammal–vehicle collisions as long fenced road sections (literature review), and 2) whether fence length influenced large mammal use of underpasses (two field studies).

The researchers found that   1) short fences (≤ 5 km road length) had lower (52.7%) and more variable (0–94%) effectiveness in reducing collisions than long fences (> 5 km) (typically > 80% reduction); 2) wildlife use of underpasses was highly variable, regardless of fence length (first field study); 3) most highway crossings occurred through isolated underpasses (82%) rather than at grade at fence ends (18%) (Second field study); and 4) the proportional use of isolated underpasses (compared to crossings at fence ends) did not increase with longer fence lengths (up to 256 m from underpasses) (second field study). 

The authors signs off with the remark “Data suggest fence lengths of at least 5 km. While longer fence lengths do not necessarily guarantee higher wildlife use of underpasses as use varies greatly between locations, wildlife fencing can still improve wildlife use of an individual underpass.”

A blog post inspired by efforts to conserve Vultures in Wayand Wildlife Sanctuary

Under the dynamic leadership of Chief Conservator of Forests Shri Pramod Krishnan IFS, an intensive recovery programme for vultures has been started in Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala. Awareness programmes, continuous monitoring of the birds and year-round protection to the nests are ensured under this dispensation. 25 indigenous tribal watchers have been selected for monitoring the birds .51 infrared cameras are also in place. Wayand is the only place in Kerala with a breeding population of Gyp vultures which are critically endangered, Indian White-backed Vulture (Gyps Bengalensis) and a Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus) 

In the early 1990s, the Gyps vultures of India were among the most abundant large raptors in the country. Within a decade, the populations of three species, White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Indian Vulture G. indicus, and Slender-billed Vulture G. tenuirostris, took a nose dive. All three are considered Critically Endangered. 

The main villain responsible for the decline of vultures is the veterinary drug diclofenac used to treat inflammation in livestock. When the birds eat carcasses of animals treated with the drugs, they experience acute kidney failure and die within days. Even very low rates of diclofenac contamination—between 1:130 and 1:760—are sufficient to trigger population crash (Green et al. 2004).Use of diclofenac is prohibited for veterinary  use now. This ban has made a remarkable change in the recovery of vultures. Diclofenac is still available for human use, but the Indian Government has recently stipulated that it should be marketed in small vials for single use only

Vultures provide a crucial ecosystem service through the disposal of livestock carcasses .Without vultures, hundreds of thousands of animal carcasses have been left to rot in the open. Livestock carcasses provide a potential breeding ground for numerous infectious diseases, including anthrax. It also brings in its wake a proliferation of pest species, such as rats. Feral dogs have proliferated the bites of which is the most common cause of human rabies. The researchers believe that the increased number of rabies victims may have cost the Indian economy close to $34 billion.

In Peru vultures equipped with GPS and camera have been put to use to track trash dumps. Most trash in Lima, Peru—a city of 10 million people—ends up in illegal dumps. The birds are better at finding the trash than people. Researchers affirm that vultures are better than drones. Drones can't sense trash—vultures can

Vultures are not a popular birds but the campaign in Peru had the unintended effect of helping the reputation of vultures. Now people in Lima like the bird for what they do, locating trash. Social media is abuzz with likes for what the vultures do for the environment

Here's footage from Basan, one of the vultures involved in the programme in Lima.

Targeted gene flow as a tool for conservation

Ella Kelly and Ben L. Phillips from School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne argues that  targeted gene flow, which involves moving individuals with favorite  traits to areas where these traits would have a conservation benefit, could have much broader application in conservation. Across a species’ range there may be long-standing geographic variation in traits or variation that  may have rapidly developed in response to a threatening process.   Rather than simply assuming persistent populations are there purely because of attributes of their environment, decision makers should carefully consider the possibility that these populations persist because of genetic variation in relevant traits. The persistent populations can be exploited for both targeted gene flow and reintroduction efforts. Targeted gene flow could be used to promote natural resistance to threats to increase species resilience. They go on to add that targeted gene flow is a currently underappreciated strategy in conservation.  Targeted gene flow may provide novel solutions to a number of conservation problems across a wide range of species and threatening processes.

   Targeted gene flow for conservation

    Ella Kelly and Ben L. Phillips

Conservation Biology, Volume 30, Issue 2, pages 259–267, April 2016

Desert cactus purifies contaminated water

To clean contaminated water for farmed fish, drinking and other uses, scientists are now turning to mucilage or inner 'guts' of cacti. Have a look at the video below

Dr Norma Alcantar, the lead researcher from University of Florida says “The mucilage also attracts sediments, bacteria and other contaminants. It captures these substances and forms a large mass or ‘floc’ that sort of looks like cotton candy. For sediments, the flocs are large and heavy, which precipitate rapidly after the interaction with mucilage.” The technology grew from century-old knowledge that mucilage from some common cacti can clean drinking water

Achievement of the required area in Target 11of CBD should not be an end in itself but generate genuine benefits for biodiversity

The Convention on Biological Diversity established ambitious PA targets as part of the 2020 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity. The avowed targets are to “improve the status of biodiversity by safeguarding ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity. Target 11 aims to put 17% of terrestrial and 10% of marine regions under PA status by 2020. These areas are expected to be of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative, and well-connected and to include “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECMs). The authors of the paper say “There is a real risk that Target 11 may be achieved in terms of area while failing the overall strategic goal for which it is established because the areas are poorly located, inadequately managed, or based on unjustifiable inclusion of OECMs”. They argue that the conservation science community can help establish ecologically sensible PA targets to help prioritize important biodiversity areas and achieve ecological representation; identify clear, comparable performance metrics of ecological effectiveness so progress toward these targets can be assessed; and identify metrics and report on the contribution OECMs make toward the target. By providing ecologically sensible targets and new performance metrics for measuring the effectiveness of both PAs and OECMs, the science community can actively ensure that the achievement of the required area in Target 11 is not simply an end in itself but generates genuine benefits for biodiversity.

Bolder science needed now for protected areas

James E. M. Watson^, Emily S. Darling,Oscar Venter^, Martine Maron^, Joe Walston^, Hugh P. Possingham^, Nigel Dudley^, Marc Hockings^, Megan Barnes and Thomas M. Brooks

Conservation Biology, Volume 30, Issue 2, pages 243–248, April 2016

Drones that fly into a wildfire and send back information in real time

Professor Andrew Bennett and his team of students from Robotics department of Olin College are at work to use drones to aid in fighting wildfires. Their drones will fly into wildfire and send back information in real time.

Professor Bennett was approached by Scientific Systems, a company that specializes in developing products that "collaboratively accomplish missions in difficult environments." armed with a NASA-funding to pay for the research. Highly impressed with their previous work, FAA has granted Olin College a research exemption to fly drones to "conduct research on its own behalf and on behalf of other research groups.” Professor Bennett was the brain behind SnotBot, which is a drone that collects whale blow via a sponge-like attachment on its underside. The drone captures the mucus and flies back to a boat. 

Right now, firefighters receive information on where a fire is headed from pilots and first-hand info from the field. This info is used to deploy fire bombers, personnel, and other resources. The flip side of this data is that the data can be 12-24 hours out of date and is often unreliable. If a fire shifts course, the firefighters may be caught on wrong foot and unprepared to quickly move resources to a new location. It is here that the new drone comes in handy. It will send back data immediately.

Professor Bennett said, "We can fly over land, water and sea. We have equipped our drones with 1080 quality video cameras, as well as thermal imaging cameras,” Great work Professor Bennett. We salute you.

New frog species discovered in India’s rocky wastelands

A new frog species Microhyla laterite has been discoverd in laterite habitats in and around the coastal town of Manipal, India. The frog, which is the size of a thumbnail, was discovered by a team of researchers from India and the National University of Singapore (NUS). The research team was led by Mr Seshadri K S, a PhD student from the Department of Biological Sciences at the NUS. The frog was delimited using molecular, morphometric and bioacoustics comparisons. The frog has a call that can be easily mistaken for that of a cricket. 
The laterite rock formations date as far back as the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary and are considered to be wastelands in-spite of their intriguing geological history.

The researchers sign off saying “With molecular tools becoming increasingly reliable and affordable; studies could shed light into the population dynamics of these small frogs found in isolated and severely fragmented landscapes. In context of laterite habitats, studies have estimated the early diversification period of Microhylidae to be at the late Cretaceous period and that of Microhyla to be in the lower Tertiary period; signifying that several lineages survived through the KT boundary. Since M. laterite appears to be restricted to laterite rock formations along the West coast, further research on determining divergence times of M. laterite and testing for an association with laterite formations would enable a better understanding of biogeography, systematics and paleo-ecology. This will enable us to explore interesting evolutionary ecology questions inMicrohyla.”

Journal Reference:

K. S. Seshadri, Ramit Singal, H. Priti, G. Ravikanth, M. K. Vidisha, S. Saurabh, M. Pratik, Kotambylu Vasudeva Gururaja. Microhyla laterite sp. nov., A New Species of Microhyla Tschudi, 1838 (Amphibia: Anura: Microhylidae) from a Laterite Rock Formation in South West India. PLOS ONE, 2016; 11 (3): e0149727

Rediscovery of a tree species thought to be extinct in Malaysia

Rediscovering a species thought to be extinct is indeed great news to conservationists. It was with great delight that I read about the rediscovery of Aquilaria rostrata by Malaysian researchers. It was last seen in the wild about 100 years back

The tree was discovered in the forested Gunung Tebu, Besut, Terengganu, about 100 kilometers from the spot where it was first found in Gunung Tahan, Pahang. The species was first discovered in 1911 at Wray's Camp, Gunung Tahan by H.N Ridley.

Details appear in the latest issue of journal Blumea - Biodiversity, Evolution and Biogeography of Plants

6th WORLD CONGRESS ON MOUNTAIN UNGULATES AND Vth INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MOUFLON -ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING WEBSITE

Congress Website  is ready. It is up and running. Log on to  http://www.mountainungulates.gov.cy    to get all the details

Announcement from Congress Chairman:Dr Eleftherios Hadjisterkotis

The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, Frederick University, and the IUCN Caprinae Specialist Group, invites you to attend the: 6th WORLD CONGRESS ON MOUNTAIN UNGULATES and 5th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MOUFLON

AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 1, 2016, NICOSIA, CYPRUS, Under the Auspices of the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Socrates Hasikos.

Congress Chairman:Dr Eleftherios Hadjisterkotis

The Congress website is ready now.

Website:   http://www.mountainungulates.gov.cy    

Study by DR Kieron Doick establish that even small to medium green spaces in a city provide beneficial cooling effects

DR Kieron Doick and his team from Forestry Research UK, Studied small and medium sized parks in London to determine the optimum size, distribution and composition of urban green spaces needed to achieve urban cooling.

Very small green spaces with areas of less than 0.5 ha (slightly smaller than an average football pitch) did not affect the air temperatures of their surrounding areas; however as the area of green space increased the distance over which cooling was achieved increased linearly.

Spaces with more tree canopy coverage increased the distance beyond the boundaries of the green space over which cooling was measurable, while the amount of cooling was more strongly linked to the amount of grass coverage present. On calm warm nights they estimate that a network of green spaces of around 3-5 hectares each situated 100-150 m apart would provide comprehensive cooling for a city with a climate and characteristics similar to London.

DR  Kieron Doick says “This information could help urban planners to design environments that can lead to lower temperatures in cities” said Dr Kieron Doick who led the research, “Trees and areas of grass both have an important role to play in aiding the cooling of cities – trees mean that a cooling effect is felt further afield and areas of grass increase the amount of cooling so a mix of the two is ideal”.

Details of the study appears in the latest issue of journal Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Understanding differences within species is critical to conservation efforts

A new study led by Maria Hällfors, a doctoral student at the Finnish Museum of Natural History at the University of Helsinki, and Jessica Hellmann, director of the University of Minnesota Institute on the Environment has come up with the finding that differences within a species across geographically distinct ranges should be taken into account during conservation planning as the climate changes.  Local populations of species might have adapted to the specific conditions in the areas where they occur; which means they would require different conditions than other individuals of the same species. This against the back drop that scientists, conservationists and land managers often predict future distributions of species assuming that all individuals of the species thrive in the same conditions.

Hällfors says  "This study shows that the models ecologists and others typically use to predict the future of species can reach very different conclusions if we consider the species as one single group versus composed of distinctly different populations,"

Hellmann.says "This study highlights the importance of understanding population differences when designing conservation plans for endangered species,"

Journal Reference:

Jessica Hellmann et al.  Addressing potential local adaptation in species distribution models: implications for conservation under climate change. Ecological Applications, March 2016

High degree of reproductive competition trigger violent evictions of male and female banded mongooses from their family groups

It was with great fascination that I read this paper on banded mongoose that appeared in the latest issue of Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. Published 2 March 2016.DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2015.2607

In a 16-year study in Queen Elizabeth National Park in southwest Uganda, University of Exeter researchers have found out that intense levels of reproductive competition bring about violent evictions of male and female banded mongooses from their family groups. Another striking feature is that all group members help to raise pups even if they don't breed themselves. All adult females breed together, giving birth to a communal litter on exactly the same day. Eviction can also act as a major source of gene flow in social animals.

The researchers summarize their results like this.

“To summarize, our results suggest that intrasexual reproductive competition is the trigger for mass eviction of both sexes from groups of banded mongooses. Eviction of females appears to alter the landscape of intrasexual competition among males, leading to the mass eviction of males at the same time as, but separate from, the eviction of females. We did not find evidence to link eviction events to the enforcement of helping or the propagation of alleles through a structured population. Nevertheless, our study highlights that the consequences of resolving within-group reproductive competition can scale up to affect population structure and demography. This link between within-group conflict strategies and population processes has been little studied theoretically or empirically, but may be an important determinant of life-history evolution in viscous animal societies.”

Be wary of energy drinks. They could trigger abnormal heart rhythm, rise in blood pressure

A clinical study led by researchers from University of the Pacific and David Grant Medical Center has come out with strong evidence to suggest that energy drinks may be bad for your heart. 

Dr Phillip Oppenheimer, who spearheaded the study said the findings are of special concern among young adults. “Energy drinks are widely consumed within the college population, which further extends the relevance of this study,” 

Primary investigator DR Sachin A Shah, an associate professor of pharmacy practice at Pacific’s Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences said “ “Our findings suggest certain energy drinks may increase the risk of having an abnormal heart rhythm when consumed in high volumes,” 

The study enrolled 27 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40. Subjects drank either two cans of an energy drink, an equivalent volume of a drink containing panax ginseng (an ingredient in the energy drink), or a placebo beverage once a day, every six days, for three weeks. Neither the volunteers nor the researchers knew who was getting which drink until the end of the three weeks.

The volunteers who consumed the energy drink experienced a statistically significant increase in a marker of abnormal heart rhythm risk known as the QTc interval. These volunteers also experienced a slight rise in blood pressure. These effects persisted for two hours after the energy drink was consumed.  The ginseng and placebo groups showed no rises in QTc interval or blood pressure.

The research was funded by a University of the Pacific Eberhardt Research Grant.

Habitat fragmentation and genetic diversity in natural populations of the elephant – Importance of connectivity between spatially distinct populations- A case study of Bornean elephant population in Sabah

Habitat fragmentation and genetic diversity in natural populations of the Bornean elephant: Implications for conservation

Benoit Goossensa,Reeta Sharmae, Nurzhafarina Othmana, Célia Kun-Rodriguese, Rosdi Sakonga, Marc Ancrenazf, Laurentius N. Ambuc, Nathaniel K. Jueg, Rachel J. O'Neillg, Michael W. Bruforda and  Lounès Chikhie.

Biological Conservation,Volume 196, April 2016, Pages 80–92

The Bornean elephant population in Sabah, with only 2000 individuals, is currently found in limited number of forest reserves. Fragmentation of habitat and isolation of the existing herds are posing serious threat to elephants. To give a boost to the conservation initiatives the researchers assessed the genetic diversity and population structure of Bornean elephants using mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms. The results reinforced a previously reported lack of mitochondrial control region diversity, characterized by a single widespread haplotype. Microsatellite analysis showed that Bornean elephants from the Lower Kinabatangan and North Kinabatangan ranges are differentiated and perhaps isolated from the main elephant populations located in the Central Forest and Tabin Wildlife Reserve. 

The results of the study amply demonstrated that (i) Bornean elephants probably derive from a very small female population, (ii) they rarely disperse across current human-dominated landscapes that separate forest fragments, and (iii) forest fragments are predominantly comprised of populations that are already undergoing genetic drift. The researchers emphasize that to maintain the current levels of genetic diversity in fragmented habitats, conservation of the Bornean elephants should aim at securing connectivity between spatially distinct populations.

Healthier diabetic friendly bread formulated with natural plant pigment anthocyanin

A team of food scientists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have formulated a recipe for making bread ideally suited for diabetic patients. The healthier bread was formulated by adding a natural plant pigment, called anthocyanin, extracted from black rice. This new bread gets digested at a slower rate which helps in improving blood glucose control. The bread is also high in antioxidants to boot. The findings open up exciting possibilities of creating healthier, diabetic-friendly food products.

The usual bread contains high amount of rapidly digestible starch, and have a high glycemic index. It is rapidly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream quickly, causing a sharp increase in blood sugar levels. Rapid digestion of bread may also result in people consuming more bread than required to make up the hungry feel. The excessive consumption of bread could increase the risk of overweight and obesity, and their associated diseases, such as Type II diabetes.

Anthocyanins are rich in antioxidant properties and may help prevent cardiovascular and neurological diseases, cancer, and inflammation according to the scientists.

Journal Reference:

Xiaonan Sui, Yan Zhang, Weibiao Zhou. Bread fortified with anthocyanin-rich extract from black rice as nutraceutical sources: Its quality attributes and in vitro digestibility. Food Chemistry, 2016; 196: 910

The importance of simultaneously analyzing interacting mechanisms that acts at different spatial scales

Stability and distribution of predator–prey systems: local and regional mechanisms and patterns

Authors: Adam Lampert and Alan Hastings

Ecology letters Volume 19, Issue 3, March 2016, Pages 279–288

Here is an interesting paper. The researchers say at the beginning that explaining the coexistence and distribution of species in time and space remains a fundamental challenge. Species coexistence depends on both local and regional mechanisms but it is sometimes unclear which role each mechanism takes in a given ecosystem. Due to this reason it is very hard to predict the response of the ecosystem to environmental changes. Here the researchers developed a model to study spatial patterns of coexistence, focusing on predator–prey and host–parasite populations. They demonstrate both theoretically and empirically, that these systems may exhibit both local and regional patterns and mechanisms of coexistence. Changes such as spatial connectivity, may lead to a transition from regional to local coexistence or it may lead directly to extinction, depending on demographic parameters. 

The researcher’s signs off saying their research demonstrate the importance of simultaneously analyzing interacting mechanisms that act at different spatial scales to understand the response of ecosystems to environmental changes.

Umberto Eco – An Obituary

A guest blog post by Ramesh Wayanad

The great novelist Umberto Eco, who died at the age of 84, is often referred to as Italy’s best known literary export.

I was introduced to the joy of writings of Umberto Eco, by Mohanji. He gave me a copy of “The Name of the Rose”. I was hooked on to the novel and since then I have read whatever he wrote. I often made it a point to get the copy of his latest offering the minute they were available in India. He has also published more than 20 nonfiction books. I am an unabashed aficionado of Umberto Eco.

Umberto Eco is a recipient of Italy’s highest literary award, the Premio Strega. He was named a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur by the French government.

With the passing of Umbeto Eco we have lost a great novelist, a great academician, and a great scholar in the field of semiotics

Umberto Eco is survived by his wife, Renate an architecture and arts teacher, whom he married in 1962 and with whom he had a son, Stefano, and daughter, Carlotta.

Umberto Eco, born January 5 1932, died February 19 2016

First scientific evidence to prove that meditation can change the brains of ordinary people and has the potential to improve their health.

It was with great fascination that I read a recent paper in the journal Biological Psychiatry titled “Alterations in resting state functional connectivity link mindfulness meditation with reduced interleukin-6: a randomized controlled trial” The paper gives scientific evidence to prove that benefits of meditation is not a placebo effect. It has the potential to change the brains of ordinary people and improve their health. Dr J. David Creswell, an associate professor of psychology and the director of the Health and Human Performance Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University led the study. So, guys include meditation in your daily routine. It will do a world of good to you.

Large forest fragments outside protected areas are important for sustaining amphibian diversity

Patch size matters for amphibians in tropical fragmented landscapes

Mauricio Almeida-Gomesa, Marcus Vinícius Vieiraa,Carlos Frederico Duarte Rochab,

Jean Paul Metzgerc and Greet De Costerc.

Biological Conservation, Volume 195, March 2016, Pages 89–96

Fragment size is considered to be the main factor deciding species diversity for most taxa, but it is not well known how it affects amphibian diversity. In this new study the researchers contend that may be the scale at which previous studies were conducted was too small (only few forest fragments and/or a small range of fragment sizes considered) and/or the sampling method was not the most optimal one. Here the researchers investigated whether amphibian diversity is affected by patch size in the largest study (in terms of number of fragments and range of fragment sizes) ever conducted in tropical forests. The site selected was Brazilian Atlantic Forest, a highly threatened biodiversity hotspot.

The researchers found that, larger fragments had more species, more integer communities and a larger diversity of reproductive modes than smaller ones. The researchers contend that the result of their study  indicate that continuous forests are irreplaceable for amphibian conservation, but also show that large forest fragments outside these areas are important for sustaining amphibian diversity.

The study gives the first robust empirical evidence for the importance of fragment size for amphibian persistence in tropical fragmented landscapes. It also highlights the need for an adequate sampling design and method that enable the detection of a higher number of species.

Twitter can be used to effectively communicate speakers’ findings beyond conference halls

Using Twitter to communicate conservation science from a professional conference

Sara P. Bombaci, Cooper M. Farr, H. Travis Gallo, Anna M. Mangan, Lani T. Stinson, Monica Kaushik and Liba Pejchar

Conservation Biology, Volume 30, Issue 1, pages 216–225, February 2016

Here is an interesting paper. The researchers examine the feasibility of using twitter for scholarly discussion, dissemination of research, and extending and diversifying the scope of audiences reached. They examined live tweeting as a means of communicating conservation science at the 2013 International Congress for Conservation Biology (ICCB).  The groups often reached through live tweeting were not the presenters’ intended audiences. Policy makers and government and non-governmental organizations were rarely reached (0%, 4%, and 6% of audience, respectively). Over half the presenters believed the tweets about their talks were effective. 

The researchers recommend that presenters who want their science to be communicated accurately and broadly through Twitter should provide Twitter-friendly summaries that incorporate relevant hashtags and usernames.

The scientist caution that if Twitter does not accurately convey science due to the inherent brevity of this media, misinformation could cascade quickly through social media.

The new book by Bernie Krause “Voices of the Wild”. A disappointment

I just finished reading the new book by Bernie Krause “Voices of the Wild” and I am a wee bit disappointed. All his previous works are outstanding and I would recommend those books unreservedly. Go ahead and read those books if you have not read them. “Voices of the Wild” is a short book by Bernie Krause. In this new book Bernie Krause discusses where the study of natural sounds has come from and discusses where it might be going. He dwells on how the soundscapes have changed over the last 40 years. I fully subscribe to what one reviewer said "This book is of the length and tone of a dry, academic thesis ".

Product details

·               Hardcover: 160 pages

·               Publisher: Yale University Press (29 October 2015)

·               ISBN-10: 0300206313

·               ISBN-13: 978-0300206319

The first experimental evidence that noise alone can affect a wild vertebrate's early-life telomere length.

Traffic noise exposure affects telomere length in nestling house sparrows.

Biology letters, September 2015, Volume: 11 Issue: 9

This paper appeared couple of months back. I read it only yesterday. Researchers Alizée Meillère, François Brischoux, Cécile Ribout and Frédéric Angelier have shown that noise alone can affect a wild vertebrate's early-life telomere length

.Lot of evidences has come up recently to show that high noise levels can have major impacts on wildlife. Most of the research has been on adult animals, but there is nothing much on the effects of noise pollution on developing organisms in the research sphere. Here the researchers experimentally manipulated the acoustic environment of free-living house sparrows (Passer domesticus) breeding in nest boxes. Disturbance on nestlings’ telomere length and fledging success were put to test. Telomeres (the protective ends of chromosomes) are a predictor of longevity.  Nestlings reared under traffic noise exposure exhibited reduced telomere lengths. Based on their findings the researchers assert that noise alone can affect a wild vertebrate's early-life telomere length and it may entail important costs for developing organisms.

Use barley and improve your blood sugar levels, reduce appetite.

Here is good news for people prone to diabetes. A recent study from Lund University in Sweden shows that barley can rapidly improve people's health by reducing blood sugar levels and the risk for diabetes. The special mixture of dietary fibres found in barley does the trick.  Barley stimulates the increase of good bacteria and the release of important hormones. Participants' metabolism improved for up to 14 hours after the intake. Anne Nilsson, Associate Professor at the Food for Health Science Centre of University of Lind, headed the research. Details of the research appear in the latest issue of British Journal of Nutrition.

A global assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas

J. A. Oldekop, G. Holmes, W. E. Harris and K. L. Evans conducted a global meta-analysis on 165 PAs using data from 171 published studies to assess how PAs affect the well-being of local people, the factors associated with these impacts, and most important  the relationship between PAs’ conservation and socioeconomic outcomes. The researchers found that protected areas associated with positive socioeconomic outcomes were more likely to report positive conservation outcomes. PAs which adopted a management strategy which empowered local people, reduced economic inequalities, and maintained cultural and livelihood benefits prospered more when compared to areas where strict measures were implemented to exclude anthropogenic influences to achieve biological conservation objectives. The researchers affirm that conservation and development objectives can be synergistic and highlight management strategies that increase the probability of maximizing both conservation performance and development outcomes of PAs.

Conservation Biology, Volume 30, Issue 1, pages 133–141, February 2016

Conservation action can be effective even when a population has lost 90% of its individuals

It was with great fascination that I read this paper titled "  Overcoming extinction - Understanding process of recovery in Tibetan Antelope". The paper appeared in the journal Ecosphere in the September 2015 edition. The paper points towards the potential for reversal of the process even in a population plunging towards extinction .The authors affirm that even when the population has entered extinction vortex there is hope.
The paper was authored by C. Leclerc , C. Bellard, G.M Luque and and F.Courchamp. Ecosphere Volume 6, Issue 9 September 2015
Pages 1- 14

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate—Discoveries from a Secret World

Here is wonderful book written by German forest ranger Peter Wohlleben that is sure to captivate you. According to Peter Wohlleben like human families, tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, and support them as they grow. Peter explores the science behind the secret and previously unknown life of trees and their communication abilities. He adds "They can count, learn and remember; nurse sick neighbors; warn each other of danger by sending electrical signals across a fungal network known as the 'Wood Wide Web' – and, for reasons unknown, keep the ancient stumps of long-felled companions alive for centuries by feeding them a sugar solution through their roots."

Hardcover: 240 pages

Publisher: Greystone Books 

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1771642483

ISBN-13: 978-1771642484

Female marine turtles are outnumbering male turtles

The sex ratio of marine turtles is getting skewed. Female marine turtles are outnumbering male turtles. The phenomenon is attributed to global warming. The sex ratio of marine turtle hatchlings are influenced by ambient temperature. Warmer temperature produces more number of female hatchlings. The information is a direct outcome of research by University of Florida researchers. The study was headed by Asst: Professor Mariana Fuentes.

In Northern Brazil 94% female bias was noticed by researchers. In Southern Brazil 47% o male was hatchlings were observed. This is essential to sustain the population. Even though the researchers concentrated on Brazil the result is applicable to other areas also because all turtles have temperature determined sex determination.

The details appear in the latest issue of Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 

A green view from the classroom can improve students’ performance

Latest research from the University Of Illinois Department Of Landscape Architecture has indicated that students perform better on tests if they are in a classroom with a view of a green landscape. They also recovered better from stress. Students' capacity to pay attention increased 13 percent if they had a green view outside their classroom window.

The researchers suggest “planners can identify sites for new schools that already have trees and other vegetation, or they can plant many trees on the site; architects can locate classroom, cafeteria and hallway windows so they look onto green spaces; and school schedules can allow short breaks to restore students' attention and help them recover from stressful tasks.”

The findings are being published in the April 2016 issue of the journal Landscape and Urban Planning.

Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge – Top slot for Indian IT firm

The Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge is an initiative of USAID, in partnership with National Geographic, the Smithsonian Institution and TRAFFIC. They have announced the winners of its competition for designing new, innovative solutions to the most intractable issues in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

Indian IT firm Binomial Solutions Private Limited (India) has found the top slot for its innovative “e-Eye ® (Electronic Eye): Real-time Anti-Poaching, Surveillance & Wildlife Tracking System.” Congrats. Give a big hand to them, guys.

The other winners are

Bosque Antiguo (Mexico): “High Throughput STRs and Sequence Genotyping as Forensic Tools for Species Protection”.

For the Fishes (U.S.): “Tank Watch--The Good Fish/Bad Fish Tool for Saltwater Aquariums.”

Jennifer Jacquet (U.S.): “Enforcement Gaps Interface.”

Kalev Hannes Leetaru (U.S.): “A Real-time Global Platform for Mapping, Forecasting, and Network Assessment of Wildlife Crime.”

Mars Omega Partnership Ltd (U.K.):“The JIGZAW Information Collaboration Project.”

National Whistleblowers Center (U.S.): “Secured Internet Wildlife Crime Reporting System.”

New England Aquarium (U.S.): “Live Digital Invoices for Real Time Data Analytics to Enhance Detection of Illegal Wildlife Trade.”

Paso Pacifico (U.S.): “The Trade of Endangered Sea Turtle Eggs: Detecting and Monitoring Regional Transit Routes.” 

Planet Indonesia (U.S.): “Enhancing Bird Market Monitoring in Indonesia through Smartphone Technology.”

University of Leicester (U.K.): “Universal Species Identification in the field by Rapid and Affordable Nanopore DNA Sequencing.”

University of Pretoria (South Africa): Internationalization of RhODIS® and eRhODIS®

University of Technology Sydney (Australia): “Rapid Chemical Odor Profiling for Frontline Identification of Illegal Wildlife Products.”

University of Washington (U.S.): High Throughput Methods for Locating Source Populations in the Illegal Wildlife Trade.”

Yayasan Inisiasi Alam Rehabilitasi Indonesia (Indonesia): “Conservation of threatened Indonesian Slow Lorises Using DNA-based Forensic Methods to Tackle Trade.”

Zoological Society of London (U.K.): “Instant Detect- Exposing the Movement of Poachers in Real Time.”

USAID will award USD10, 000 to each winner and provide technical support to help them fine tune their solutions to stamp out illegal trade in wildlife. Winners are eligible to compete for a Grand Prize of up to USD500, 000.

Road ecology and small animals

Road ecology is a comparatively new stream,but tremendous advances have been made recently. The  main problem is that road ecologists bestow lot of attention to the travails of big animals while the needs of the small animals gets short shrift. It is against this background that I read a good book detailing the needs of the small animals. The book titled 'Roads and Ecological Infrastructure' is authored by Kimberly M.Andrews, Priya Nanjappa and SethP.D.Riley and published by Johns Hopkins University in association with Wildlife Society
 This is the first book to focus on reducing conflict between Roads and small animals.. Challenges involved from a transportation and ecological point of view are put under scanner and discussed extensively.The goal is realistic problem solving.. I recommend the book unreservedly to practising and budding road ecologists.

I have been traveling for the past two weeks and just managed to finish it .The due date for return is tomorrow. Today I am going to fade into areas without net connectivity for a couple of days. For the past two weeks I have been using my phone for all communication. Couple of typos have crept in while typing. Sorry about this guys. Have a great day.

A good paper on local community tolerance for endangered carnivores

I just read a good paper on local community tolerance for endangered carnivores. The paper authored by Chloe Inskip,Neil Carter, Shawn Riley, Thomas Roberts and Duglas Macmillan examines the tolerance for Tigers in Bangladesh. The paper appears in the latest issue of journal Plos One.
 Fostering community participation is a core component in present day Conservation strategies.. The researchers used stated preference approach for measuring tolerance, based on the "Wildlife Stakeholder acceptance capacity' concept. The results indicate that beliefs about tigers and perceived current population trend are predictors of tolerance. Positive beliefs about tigers and the belief that tiger population is currently not increasing are both associated with greater tolerance towards the species. Contrary to common belefs negatice experience about tigers do not directly affect tolerance.;instead their effect is mediated by villagers beliefs about tigers and risk perceptions concerning human-tiger conflict incidents.. The findings stress the urgent need to explore and understand the socio-psychological factors that encourage tolerance towards endangered species.

I thank Vidya Athreya for sending me the paper.

Europe's migration dilemma is threatening wildlife

Yesterday I talked to some of my contacts in Europe. The guys are a worried lot after the migration crisis hit Europe. Every other day we hear about human suffering related to migration in Europe, but very little attention is paid to the suffering of wildlife that the migration engenders.
The hastily built anti-refugee fences along national borders is bringing in animal casualties. It is curtailing animal movements..Some of the animals involved are highly endangered. For small endangered species like lynx every individual is important.The crisis is deep and needs immediate attention. The guys jokingly said what is needed is a cross border Schengen for the animals. I hope the efforts of conservationists in Europe would bear fruits. All the best guys

A better conservation drone

Keeyen Pam from Conservation Drones Asia team has tweaked his drone for better performance.. It can now fly 100 KM, approximately 3 hours. That is a big boost for conservation biologists and managers.The basic equipment remains the sturdy Skywalker air frame. The major breakthrough comes in the form of new Lithium ion battery pack. Large mapping is now possible with a single flight. 

Planning a genetic rescue ? Take a cue from this

Dr Richard Frankham after extensive studies has found that genetic rescue benefits persist to at least the F3 generation. A meta - analysis was carefully done by him to arrive at the conclusion.

 Many species with inbred populations facing high risk of extinction stand a reversal in fortune with outcrossing. Doubts have been voiced whether the benefits persist across generations. Dr Frankham found that outcrossing was beneficial inF1, F2 and F3 generations.

 Read the details in the journal Biological Conservation,March 2016,Vol195:33-36

Publishing scientific papers? Soon 16 digit ORCID Id might become mandatory

For researchers getting noted for their work is an absolute must for the advancement of their career. This becomes difficult when you have a common surname compounded if the first name also happens to be equally popular. World's leading academic publishers recently got together to resolve this dilemma. They have recommended that researchers apply for an ORCID 16 digit identifier and attach it to their papers in future. The publishers will soon make it a mandatory requirement in the immediate future.

ORCID is a non-profit organisation identified by the publishers for issuing the 16 digit id

A global assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas

There is good paper on global assessment of the social and conservation outcomes of protected areas in the latest issue of journal Conservation Biology .The paper is authored by j A Oldekop, G. Holmes, WmE.Harris and K.E Evans. 165 PAs were put under scanner based on171 published papers. They assessed how PAs affect the well being of people, the factors associated with these impacts, and the relationship between PAs conservation and socioeconomic outcomes. Wherever PAs adopted comanagement regimes , empowered local people ,reduced economic inequalities and maintained cultural and livelihood benefits positive socioeconomic outcomes were noted.. The analysis amply demonstrates that conservation and development objectives can be synergistic
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 Conservation Biology
 Volume 30,Issue 1,Pages 133_141,February 2016

What has gone wrong with administration in Kerala Forest Department

The administration in Kerala Forest Department is adrift like a ship that has busted its engine in midsea.
when Mr Brandon S Corey a comparatively young officer was appointed to the post of Head of Forest Forces lot of high hopes were reposed on him. He had no ghosts of the past chasing him and the coast was clear to make some sea changes. But alas things have not gone  the right way.The department is now split vertically with a pro and anti corey groups baring  fangs ready to pounce
 I know Mr Corey personally.. He is good at heart and both he and his wife are excellent hosts. I have experienced the warmth.

How did this vertical split occur.?How can an officer under you show open defiance? .There can never be smoke without fire. There must be something in the style of working of Mr Corey that irritates the offcers under him..Mr Corey should come out of he ivory tower and should be willing to do an introspection. He should start administering with an iron hand but with a marshmallow heart.There is still time to make amends.

Mr Corey is also accused of being acting as a lackey of the minister. You may have to listen to politicians but an IFS officer need not bend over backwards to please the politicians. When asked to bend there is absolutely no need to crawl if your hands are clean.,
I earnestly request Mr Corey Saab to put the house in order at the earliest. It would also be worthwhile to put your hands on latest wildlife  papers and get a grip of what exactly is happening in the wildlife scenario.

How people who pretends at being friends can screw up your life

This blog usually does not veer away from wildlife and gets into personal affairs.Today I am making an exception and writing about some of my bad experiences. I have changed names deliberately.
Bhaskar is a guy I met widway through life. It was too late before I realised his skills at machinations. This guy always puts up a facade of oozing friendship. But it all depends on how much money he can make short time or long time. Many have rued the day they befriended him. Santhanam is another guy who I have befriended for long time. We shared many happy moments.I had told Santhanam in glowing terms about Bhaskar. Santhanam who had excellent contacts with higher ups introduced him to some VIPs. Soon Bhaskar started his machinations and money alone was the criterion. I defended Bhaskar like a fool without realising the full implications. This in turn created bad blood between me and Snthnom who happens to be good at heart but easily gets hurt. A series of incidents made the situation even worse and it reached a stage beyond recovery. Now Santhanam is not in talking terms with me. Attempts by friends to patch up did not succed.Santhanam started spreading canards about me which naturally infuriated me. I started giving tit for tat for every canard. Thus ended a beautiful friendship. One weaknesses I have is that I am brutally frank. This has antagonised many guys. Surprising fact is that I have absolutely no problems with guys from Europe and America. They love my frankness and there has not been even a single case of rubbing them the wrong way.

AirAsia on a downswing?

On 4th night when I walked in to the Kochi Bangalore flight I was in for a shock. Below and right in front of my seat there was litter. As it was the last flight to Bangalore and I had walked in at the last moment I did not create a scene. The landing at Bangalore airport was most probably done by a trainee first officer. It was an atrocious landing. May be the crew wanted to land and rush off to home. The affair was a far cry from my experience with Airasia a few months back. The aircraft was spick and span and the landing was perfect. It was what a pilot would describe as butter landing. I can speak authoritatively as I hold a Pilots licence.
The very next morning I wrote a email letter to AirAsia describing my experience. I had expressed my distress at the litter found on the aircraft. AirAsia did not bother even to acknowledge the email. Indigo immediately responds  to customers emails.
I had expressed my apprehension that AirAsia is cutting corners in an effort to save money

 I have enough of AirAsia. I will now stick to my favourite airline Indigo.

Social and biological implications of using conservation drones in the field

Conservation drones are increasingly being deployed by biologists and managers in conservation. Drones are great tools that gives us new perspectives unimaginable a few years back. From the comforts of my tent in the field or from my office, I can get information on my laptop in real time.  I have used a borrowed drone for a short period  and has been bowled over by the innumerable way that I can use it. Conservation drones are going to open new vista in conservation.

As drones becomes a hot favourite with researchers and managers, it also time to think about social and political implications involved in the use of drones. It could very well  be perceived as an invasion in to their privacy by the local communities and indigenous peoples. It is here that stakeholder involvement assumes great significance. Talk to the people and allay their fears and prejudices. The political implications also have to be tackled right at the beginning. A proper interface has to be established between wildlife researchers social scientists and local stakeholders. Over to you conservationists managers and social scientists.

6th WORLD CONGRESS ON MOUNTAIN UNGULATES

First Announcement

The Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, Frederick University, and the IUCN Caprinae Specialist Group, invites you to attend the:  6th WORLD CONGRESS ON MOUNTAIN UNGULATES and  5th INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON MOUFLON

AUGUST 29 - SEPTEMBER 2, 2016, NICOSIA, CYPRUS,Under the Auspices of the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Socrates Hasikos.

Congress Chairman:Dr Eleftherios Hadjisterkotis

The website is under construction. We will keep you updated about latest announcements.

The failure of High Range landscape project to take off in Kerala

The failure of High Range landscape project to take off in Kerala should act as an eye opener to planners in Kerala. It was a grandiose project conceived with very good intentions. But, in a thickly populated and highly literate state like Kerala the planners should have taken much more care before even thinking of implementing it.
The project funded by UNDP was planned in near secrecy with deliberations limited to few individuals. The interaction with local administrators lacked the urgency and empathy that was obviously needed. The local administrators were treated with disdain and supercilious attitude.
The attitude of UNDP officials also came in for criticism when they visited areas like Munnar. They had the know all attitude. Disdain and insouciance was written large in their demeanour. A furious estate manager rang me up and said" Who the bloody hell the UNDP officials think they are. They were trying to lord it over us. We do not like the attitude"
Even the wording of the project document had lot of lacunae. Sentences like an increase in protected area is expected was thrown out of context by the politicians and the bogey of taking away peoples' rights was spread by the politicians with ulterior motives. The officials concerned failed to read the danger signals in time or may be they took it lightly in their stride.
The church which has sizable followers in High Ranges also took a negative attitude. The mix of politicos and church was potent. Emotions were whipped up by interested elements with ulterior motives and their own agendas.
The failure of proper dialogue spelt the death knell of the project. Even within the departments proper dialogue was not initiated. Forest department which was the nodal agency failed miserably in this respect. When the newly appointed chief of forest forces Dr B.S Correy was asked about his comments on the project by a journalist he was frank enough to admit that he does not know anything much about the project. "It was conceived by a coterie within the forest department and they tried to implement it according to their will and pleasure". That in a nut shell explains the reasons for the failure of the project.