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Society for Conservation Biology 16th Annual Meeting July 14-July 19 2002
co-hosted by DICE and the British Ecological Society
Abstracts for Conservation and Mammals
Session Two
Thursday 18th
July, 10.15 - 12.15, Grimond Lecture Theatre 3
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(BLOCK CAPITALS indicate the presenting author)
10.15 - 10.45
AYRES, MÁRCIO, Wildlife Conservation Society, New York and Instituto Mamirauá
de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, Caixa Postal 38, Tefé-Amazonas-69470,
Brasil. <ayreswcs.bel@terra.com.br>
A NEW MODEL FOR CONSERVING BIODIVERSITY IN CENTRAL AMAZONIA
A new model for biodiversity conservation has been developed for Central Amazonia
in Brasil. Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve is the first of the category
of areas within the new Brazilian System of Conservation Units It has been implemented
since the early 1990s. On these areas, local people have been empowered to the benefits
of conservation, while scientific research helps them to identify best management
practices. As a result, there has been considerable improvement of the quality of
life of local people. Furthermore, there has been a considerable increase of the
natural populations of some economically important species. The model seems appropriate
for the conservation of large areas of wilderness and is now being implemented across
other areas in Central Amazonia.
10.45 - 11.00
RACEY, PAUL, A., Clare Hawkins, Emma Long, Daudet Andriafidison, Radosoa Andrianaivoarivelo,
Solomon Fidiarisoavoninarino, Clarice Nirina, Martin Raheririarisena, Stephania Rakamiarison,
Gilbert Rakotondratsimba, Rosette Ralisoamala, Julie Ranivo, Fanja Ratrimomanarivo,
Noromampiandra Razadindrakoto, Vola Razakarivony and James MacKinnon. Department
of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, UK, <p.racey@abdn.ac.uk> (PAR,
CEH, EL, JLM) Department of Animal Biology, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar.
(DA, RA, MR, SR, JGR, RR, JR, FR, NR,VR) Department of Plant Biology, University
of Tulear, Madagascar (SF, CN).
THE ROLE OF FRUIT BATS IN MAINTAINING BIODIVERSITY IN MALAGASY FORESTS
This project: 1) surveyed roosts of Malagasy Megachiroptera Pteropus rufus,
Eidolon dupreanum and Rousettus madagascariensis all of which are endemic,
2) examined their role in pollination and seed dispersal by analysis of faeces and
ejecta, 3) evaluated the effects of hunting, and 4) produced a National Action Plan
for their conservation. Pteropus roosts occur mainly the coastal lowlands.
Twenty six of the hundred and thirty three Pteropus roosts surveyed have been
deserted within the last ten years, often as a result of hunting with guns. Eidolon
roosts in clefts in rock faces and although little forest remains on the central
high plateau, it still roosts there. Eighteen out of the forty one Eidolon
roosts surveyed have become deserted because of hunting. There were thirty five plants
species in the diet of Eidolon and thirty eight in the diet of Pteropus
and a total of fifty different plant species in all, only twenty three of which were
consumed by both bat species. Approximately two thirds of the plant species in the
diet were fruit and one third was pollen or parts of flowers. Over half the species
in Eidolon’s diet were endemics.
11.00 - 11.15
HEINEMEYER, KIMBERLY, Steven C. Minta, and Daniel F. Doak. Department of Environmental
Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, USA, <kimhein@time.ucsc.edu>
(KH, SCM), Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California,
Santa Cruz, CA, USA (DFD)
AMERICAN MARTEN (MARTES AMERICANA) MOVEMENT RESPONSES TO CLEAR-CUT FOREST MANAGEMENT
American marten avoid crossing large open areas, and may be directly impacted by
clear-cut forest management practices. We followed 145 marten snow-tracks over 4
winters (1994-1998), to map 308 km of path. We used fractal dimension as a measure
of path complexity, and compared the mean fractal dimension of paths moving through
landscapes with varying amounts of clear-cuts. Marten move increasingly more linearly
as the amount of clear-cut habitat increases above 20% of the landscape. Additionally,
the straight-line distance between subnivean foraging sites used by marten increases
as the amount of clear-cut habitat in the landscape increases. Yet, marten may effectively
reduce their travel distance by moving more linearly when travelling along a clear-cut
edge compared to when they are not moving along edges. While marten use forested
corridors to travel between clear-cuts, they are selective about the corridors they
use, as compared to the corridors available in the landscape. There may be a length:width
threshold of corridors used by marten, limiting the utility of many corridors in
the region to facilitate marten movement. Marten are impacted by clear-cut forest
management practices, yet show a diversity of responses that may allow them to successfully
navigate landscapes that contain sufficient connectivity.
11.15 - 11.30
SIEGEL, NICOLE, Lisa A. Shipley, and Rod D. Sayler. Natural Resource Sciences,
Washington State University, P.O. Box 646410, Pullman, WA 99164-6410, USA, <snjanine@cs.com>.
ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF PYGMY RABBITS IN THE SHRUB-STEPPE OF EASTERN WASHINGTON
The Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) has recently been
federally listed as an endangered species in the United States. Dramatic declines
in this genetically-unique population of small, burrowing rabbits in Washington are
likely the combined results of habitat degradation, fragmentation, disease, and predation.
A critical component of pygmy rabbit habitat includes sagebrush (Artemesia
spp.), which constitutes 82-99% of their winter and 10-50% of their summer diet.
Sagebrush also forms the bulk of hiding cover around burrow sites. Across the range
of pygmy rabbits, sagebrush habitat is grazed extensively by cattle. However, grazing
has unknown effects on the remaining, fragmented shrub-steppe habitat. We evaluated
the effects of three grazing treatments on vegetation and rabbit behavior at Sagebrush
Flat in central Washington in 1996 and 2000. We measured canopy cover, density, and
age of sagebrush within 103 permanent plots. Vegetation composition and structure
were similar among treatments, but nutritional quality of vegetation was altered
after grazing, reflected by an overall increase in dry matter, fiber and lignin and
a decrease in protein. Rabbits ate more grasses and forbs in ungrazed areas during
summer and winter than grazed areas. Ungrazed areas contained significantly more
burrows per unit area than did grazed areas.
11.30 - 11.45
MYERS, MARK, Charles Foerster, and Jorge Villalobos Cespedes. Conservation Biology
Program, University of Minnesota, 1985 Buford Ave., St. Paul, MN 55406, USA, <myer0132@umn.edu>
(MM), Baird's Tapir Research Project, TX, USA (CF), and Universidad Nacional, Heredia,
Costa Rica (JVC).
HOME RANGE CHARACTERISTICS AND HABITAT USE OF BAIRD'S TAPIR (TAPIRUS BAIRDII)
IN COSTA RICA.
Few studies have addressed the spatial ecology or habitat preferences of tapirs,
yet such knowledge is essential for understanding the tapir's ecological role in
tropical forests and for the effectively managing tapir populations. We investigated
the spatial ecology of Baird's tapir in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica. Using
radiotelemetry, we obtained over 1400 tapir locations during the wet and dry seasons.
Average home range size was 110 ha, and many ranges had multiple core areas. Home
range overlap was extensive, but seasonal changes in home range composition were
minor. We also mapped relevant landscape features in the study area, including vegetation
type, topography, and proximity to permanent water. We overlaid the radiolocations
and an equal number of random points on the habitat maps and classified all points
according to each habitat variable. Observed tapir locations were more likely to
be found in secondary forests, on flat terrain, and near permanent water sources
than random points. We developed a habitat selection model using logistic regression.
Our results identify variables that should be considered when making decisions about
managing tapir habitat. The study highlights the ability of tapirs to utilise regenerating
forest stands when given adequate protection from hunting.
11.45 - 12.00
WILLIAMS-GUILLÉN, KIMBERLY, and Colleen McCann. Department of Anthropology,
New York University, 25 Waverly Place, New York, NY 10003, USA, <kaw8468@nyu.edu>
(KWG), Department of Mammals, Wildlife Conservation Society, 2300 Southern Blvd.,
Bronx, NY 10460, USA (CM), New York Consortium of Evolutionary Primatology (KWG and
CM).
ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF MANTLED HOWLING MONKEYS IN THE SHADE COFFEE PLANTATIONS
OF MOMBACHO VOLCANO, NICARAGUA
Shade coffee plantations provide habitat for tropical wildlife, preserving biodiversity
outside of parks in agricultural areas. In Mombacho Volcano, Nicaragua, a large population
of mantled howling monkeys, Alouatta palliata, lives in the area’s shade coffee
plantations. We conducted a 14-month study of three groups of howlers to detail their
ecology and evaluate the potential of long-term primate conservation in shade coffee
plantations. Areas of active coffee cultivation comprised the majority of the groups’
home ranges. Of the approximately 65 tree species found in the coffee plantation,
the howlers fed from 50 species, including food sources largely ignored by conspecifics
at less disturbed sites. A GIS-based analysis of the location of food trees demonstrates
that feeding is concentrated in areas of active coffee cultivation. Although coffee
growers manage tree density and species composition in these agroforests, our data
suggest that shade coffee plantations in Mombacho can sustain a thriving population
of howler monkeys while serving as valuable sources of income for local people. A
long-term conservation program will focus on "eco-friendly" coffee certification
using howlers as a focal species to promote environmentally sound agricultural practices.
Future research will address the relationship between the presence of howlers and
indicators of biodiversity.
12.00 - 12.15
EZENWA, VANESSA. Dept. of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University,
Princeton, NJ 08544-1003 USA (voezenwa@princeton.edu).
BOVID SPECIES RICHNESS PREDICTS PREVALENCE OF GENERALIST PARASITES IN POPULATIONS
OF IMPALA IN GAME RESERVES
In this study I examined whether differences in gastrointestinal parasitism levels
among impala (Aepyceros melampus) populations in five different game reserves
in Kenya could be explained by differences in reserve stocking levels. I used coproplogical
methods to assess gastrointestinal parasite loads of live animals in each population,
and tested the effects of impala density, total bovid density, and bovid species
richness on parasite prevalence and richness. Six parasite taxa were detected in
impala populations across all reserves. The two most common parasite taxa were strongyle
nematodes, many of which are generalist parasites, and coccidia, which are extremely
host-specific protozoa. Analyses show that impala density and total bovid density
were not correlated with strongyle prevalence, coccidia prevalence, or parasite richness
(P > 0.1). However, bovid species richness was a significant predictor
of strongyle prevalence (P < 0.05), but not of coccidia prevalence (P
> 0.1) or parasite richness (P > 0.1). These results indicate that impala
occupying reserves with large numbers of other bovid species are more likely to be
infected with generalist parasites such as strongyle nematodes. This work suggests
that limiting the number of different bovids placed in reserves may be critical for
maintaining the health of individual species.
The SCB2002 pages are maintained by Christine Eagle
email: C.M.Eagle@ukc.ac.uk
Conference email: scb2002@ukc.ac.uk
Last updated: 30.06.02