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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 Symposium
Three
Gerald Durrell’s legacy: managing species
in human-modified landscapes
Cornwallis Lecture Theatre 1
Tuesday 16th July: 13.30 - 17.30
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(BLOCK CAPITALS indicate the presenting author)
13.30 - 13.33
DURRELL, Lee
BRIEF INTRODUCTION: THE LEGACY OF GERALD DURRELL
Gerald Durrell, the naturalist, author and TV documentary personality, was loved
by millions around the world. Durrell was a pioneer and visionary on many fronts.
He fulfilled his childhood dream/ambition of having his own zoo, establishing the
Jersey Zoo in 1959. His institution eventually became internationally recognized
as at the forefront of modern zoos. He challenged the zoo community with his belief
that zoos could have an impact on species conservation, and championed captive breeding
for species conservation when most zoos regarded the idea as anathema. A pragmatic
man, he knew that we know much more and can learn much more about managing species
in ecosystems than managing ecosystems for species. At his core, Durrell was a very
sensitive human being who was fascinated by and loved animals, and could not bear
not to intervene when he saw a species in peril. He knew that nearly all human beings
are sympathetic to individual animals and even species – more so than to abstract
concepts, and so was at the forefront of "flagship," species-based conservation.
As a conservation leader, Durrell was an iconoclast, unafraid of defying intellectual
fashions or challenging comforting paradigms.
13.33 - 13.45
VALLADARES-PADUA, CLAUDIO and Cristiana S. Martins. University of Brasilia, UnB
Colina Bloco G Apto 503, Brasilia, DF, 70910-900, Brazil, <cpadua@unb.br>,
IPE - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecologicas, C. Postal 47, 12960-000 Nazare Paulista,
Sao Paulo, Brazil (CVP, CSM).
METAPOPULATION MANAGEMENT BLACK LION TAMARINS (LEONTOPITHECUS CHRYSOPYGUS)
IN REMNANTS OF ATLANTIC FOREST OF THE INTERIOR.
The Atlantic Forest of the Interior in the Pontal do Paranapanema, São Paulo,
Brazil, hosts the last subpopulations of black lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysopygus).
A conservation program for the species began 15 years ago with a research
agenda that included ecology, behavior, genetics and demography. Environmental education
was then added to raise public awareness about the importance of conservation. Habitat
protection followed the efforts to enhance the species’ long-term survival. Research
results have led to a conservation programme where wild and captive bred populations
are integrated in the implementation of a metapopulation management plan. The project
includes shifting animals from one forest fragment to another through reintroduction
of mixed groups, translocations and induced dispersals. Data indicate that the species
can be saved if forest connectivity is established among the different fragments
where the subpopulations are found. To implement this programme, a landscape restoration
initiative was created with the participation of local communities, governmental
and non-governmental groups as well as representatives from the agrarian reform movement.
This synergy is influencing policies and introducing new models for the practice
of conservation.
13.45 - 14.00
GUNAWARDENA, MANORI, H.K. Janaka, L.K.A. Jayasinghe, Ajith Sandanayake, Eric
Wikramanayake, Devaka Weerakoon and Prithiviraj Fernando. Southern Elephant Research
Project, Tissamaharama, Sri Lanka <manorig@slt.lk>
(MG, HKJ, LKAJ, AS, EW, DW, PF), Conservation Science Program, World Wildlife Fund
- United States, 1250, Twenty-Fourth St. NW, Washington D.C. 20037, USA, (EW), Department
of Zoology, University of Colombo, Colombo, Sri Lanka (DW), Center for Environmental
Research and Conservation, Columbia University, 1200 Amsterdam Avenue, New York,
NY 10027 USA (PF).
ELEPHANTS IN A ‘TRADITIONAL’ LAND-USE LANDSCAPE: OPTIONS FOR CONSERVATION
As a charismatic megavertebrate with strong cultural and economic relevance, the
Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is a ‘flagship species’ in Asia. But, as
people and elephants compete for land-uses, conflicts have increased, engendering
its status from flagship to pest and threatening its survival in the wild. We studied
the ecological needs of elephants and land-use practices in long-standing human communities
in southern Sri Lanka to identify parameters for designing elephant conservation
landscapes. Here, elephants have access to a large protected area, surrounded by
a buffer zone where people have practiced slash and burn, rain-dependent agriculture
for generations. Radio-tracking data showed that elephants in this landscape used
natural habitats—mostly within the protected area—during the wet season, when crops
were cultivated. During the dry season elephants entered agricultural areas more
frequently; 84% of instances when elephants entered fields were during the dry season.
But because these fields lay fallow during this season there was no conflict. Our
results show that traditional land-use practices allow resource partitioning between
humans and elephants, minimizing conflicts. Thus, land-use practices, which have
persisted for generations in areas inhabited by elephants minimize conflicts and
should be encouraged in buffer zones when creating elephant conservation landscapes.
14.00 - 14.15
MOEHRENSCHLAGER, AXEL, and David W. Macdonald. Conservation Research, Calgary
Zoo, 1300 Zoo Road NE, Calgary, Alberta, T2E 7V6 <axelm@calgaryzoo.ab.ca>
(AM), Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, Oxford University,
South Parks Road, OX1 3PS, UK (AM + DWM).
THE SUCCESS OF SPECIES-ORIENTED APPROACHES IN THE REINTRODUCTION OF CANADIAN SWIFT
FOXES
Human-modified landscapes are frequently associated with habitat degradation and
associated alterations to ecosystem composition and processes. In extreme cases,
and with increasing frequency, such perturbations result in species loss. The conversion
of Canada’s prairies to cropland agriculture combined with the direct killing of
carnivores resulted in the extirpation of formerly abundant swift foxes (Vulpes
velox) in the 1930s. The reintroduction of swift foxes to Canada since 1983 exemplifies
a species approach to ecosystem restoration raising several fundamental questions:
1) Can species-specific strategies effectively restore carnivores?; 2) Does species
management for reintroductions require continual human intervention?; and 3) Can
species approaches serve as tools for ecosystem restoration? Translocated foxes from
the United States had similar survival rates to those of recently re-established,
resident foxes in Canada from 1994 – 1997. Subsequent monitoring from 1997-2001,
when releases were not conducted, documented significant increases in population
size and population distribution, changes in sex ratio, and increases in the proportion
of wild individuals within the population. Hence species approaches can be effective
in restoring small carnivores. Moreover, concurrent radio-tracking of swift foxes
and coyotes in Canada and Mexico from 1994-1997, served to detect Canadian prairie
ecosystem deficiencies in small mammal prey productivity and badger abundance.
14.15 - 14.30
RATSIMBAZAFY, JONAH, University of New York, Stony Brook, SBS Building, 5th Floor,
Stony Brook, NY 11794-4364, USA, <jratsim@ic.sunysb.edu>
RAISING THE FLAGSHIP SPECIES: THE BLACK-AND-WHITE RUFFED LEMUR (VARECIA VARIEGATA
VARIEGATA) OF MADAGASCAR
Madagascar ranks third in the world in primate diversity, with every taxon endemic.
However, rapid environmental degradation has led to population reductions. Many lemurs
are threatened with extinction by human pressure on remnant patches of suitable habitat.
The highly endangered black-and-white ruffed lemur (Varecia variegata variegata)
is found throughout the eastern rainforest of Madagascar, but is threatened by hunting
in most areas. Varecia’s numbers are plummeting from combined effects of anthropogenic
and natural disturbances. Varecia displays a number of life history traits
that are rarely observed in primates, including nest building and multiple offspring
per litter. Varecia is highly frugivorous and disperses seeds over its extremely
large home range. It is charismatic, with attractive black and white pelage, a large
body size, and loud calls. Varecia is thus an important tourist attraction
for Madagascar’s protected area network. Because Varecia is highly susceptible
to disturbance, it may be useful as an umbrella species and help ensure the survival
of other endangered plants and animals. Varecia is not only a flagship species,
but also a keystone species for the rainforest of Madagascar. In our conservation
project at Manombo forest, Varecia v. variegata is used as a study subject
for training and education.
14.30 - 14.45
AGUIRRE, A. ALONSO and Anthony F. Allchurch. Wildlife Trust, Columbia University,
61 Route 9 W, Palisades, NY 10964-8000, USA <aguirre@wildlifetrust.org> (AAA),
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3
5BP, British Isles (AFA)
SPECIES AS ECOSYSTEM HEALTH SENTINELS IN MOSAIC LANDSCAPES
Global climate change, the impact of persistent contaminants, urban and agricultural
development, habitat degradation, over harvesting, increased ultraviolet radiation,
and introduced species are working in concert to disrupt ecological processes in
both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The consequences of these multiple environmental
stresses include outbreaks of emerging diseases, destabilization of trophic levels
of the food chain and insidious physiological effects on wildlife health and fragmented
habitats. Sentinel species reflect unique health indicators because of their ability
to reflect environmental perturbations. We explore an integrated health assessment
approach using sentinel species surveillance in mosaic landscapes linked to conservation
and management policies. Projects encompass the examination of systemic health threats
of selected species, the integration of fieldwork, data collection, and the development
of databases to share methods and information among collaborating institutions. Ideal
sentinel species assist in increasing monitoring efficiency at the ecosystem level.
They can be used during rapid risk assessments to provide information on the environmental
conditions of a landscape. Based on their life history and physiological attributes,
sentinel species can provide insightful information about environmental changes at
various spatial, temporal, and trophic scales of mosaic landscapes.
14.45 - 15.00
SUKUMAR, RAMAN. Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science,
Bangalore – 560012, India, rsuku@ces.iisc.ernet.in
WILDLIFE-HUMAN CONFLICTS: ECOLOGICAL ISSUES IN RELATION TO MANAGEMENT
Many wildlife species come into serious conflict with people through their depredation
of agricultural crops, damage to property and manslaughter. It is now recognized
that resolution of wildlife-human conflicts is crucial to the success of conservation
efforts. In this paper I review the ecological basis of wildlife-human conflicts
with particular reference to elephants. Crop depredation by elephants is influenced
by a complex interaction of various attributes of a forest/grassland-agricultural
landscape, foraging strategy and the behavioural ecology of the sexes. Fragmentation
of habitat increases contact between elephants and cultivation, increases the home
range size and results in escalation of conflict. The difference in sensory and nutritive
qualities of wild forage and cultivated crops seems an important consideration in
foraging decisions by elephants. The tendency for males in a polygynous species to
indulge more often in risk-taking behaviour as compared to females is now well-established
from several studies of crop raiding by elephants. Extreme climatic events such as
drought seem to trigger dispersal of herds with attendant increase in conflict. Some
of these ecological principles may also apply to other larger mammals including carnivores.
I also briefly discuss the management implications of the ecological bases of wildlife-human
conflict.
15.30 - 15.45
ACOSTA, MARTÍN, Lourdes Mugica, Orlando Torres, Dennis Denis, Ariam Jimenez,
Omar Labrada y Antonio Rodriguez. Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La
Habana, 25 entre J y el Vedado, Ciudad Habana, Cuba (MA, LM, OT, DD, AJ, AR), Empresa
Nacional de Flora y Fauna, Habana, Cuba (OL) (15 min.)
COLONIAL WATERBIRD CONSERVATION ACROSS RICE PADDIES AND WETLANDS IN CUBA.
Currently natural wetland habitats for birds are becoming rare and those that remain
are prone to destruction so rice paddies are very important bird habitats. In Cuba,
the biggest island in the Caribbean, rice is the second most important crop and is
highly associated with natural wetlands. Our country is in the middle of two important
flyways for North American migrant birds. Also, Cuba is host to some of the last
significant populations of a number of Caribbean bird species, such as the West Indian
whistling duck, that are closely associated with rice paddies and natural wetlands.
These and many other species use both ecosystems at different times of the day or
the year, because in spite of the fact that natural wetlands offer nesting sites
and protection, a great quantity of birds also need to make use of rice paddies as
a ready source of food, in this way reducing their energetic intake.
15.45 - 16.00
CULLEN, LAURY, Jr. IPÊ – Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas. C.P
91. Teodoro Sampaio, SP. Brazil. Cep: 19280-000. <lcullen@stetnet.com.br>
LANDSCAPE CONSERVATION IN AGRICULTURAL/FOREST MOSAICS IN THE BRAZILIAN ATLANTIC FOREST
Fragmentation of previously intact tropical forests is proceeding at a rapidly escalating
rate. As these valuable centers of life are cleared and fragmented, immense amounts
of invaluable genetic diversity are lost, diversity that was only accumulated after
millions of years of evolutionary time. In face of this problem, innovative conservation
approaches must be used to develop a viable conservation strategy for rural landscapes
in the highly fragmented Atlantic Forest. I present the results of two approaches
developed for the Brazilian Atlantic Forest that incorporate adaptability analysis,
a farming system framework in conjunction with agroforestry practices which combine
to result in the protection and conservation of the remaining forests and the production
of multiple outputs to local communities. First, buffer zones consisting of agroforestry
parcels help to ease conflicts and reduce "edge effects", since primary
forest are surrounded by forested systems instead of completely open pasture or cropland.
The edge effect inside the forest would, therefore, is reduced. Second, stepping-stones
- small, patches of trees, specially certain flowering and fruit plant genera - that
increase connectivity among forest fragments - formed by agroforestry home gardens
contribute to the genetic flux of many species by promoting animal and plant dispersal.
16.00 - 16.15
FA, JOHN E., and Mark Stanley-Price, Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, jfa@durrell.org, mark.stanleyprice@durrell.org
PIECING TOGETHER FRAGMENTS OF NATURE: INITIATIVES FOR RESTORING ISLAND BIODIVERSITY
Islands, particularly oceanic ones, provide spectacular examples of evolution.
Isolation has permitted the development of unique floras and faunas with large numbers
of endemic species. Nature conservation is critical on islands because the small
size of their animal and plant populations increases vulnerability. This is reflected
in that most documented species extinctions have been on islands, largely as the
result of the impact of introduced species. The situation on many islands is becoming
critical due to factors that ultimately threaten the sustainable use and management
of their limited resources. From a biodiversity viewpoint, there are probably more
endangered species per capita in small-island developing states and territories than
anywhere else in the world. Durrell Wildlife has been involved in species conservation
in a variety of archipelagos worldwide, and has developed a unique set of skills
and experiences to assist in island biodiversity conservation on a much wider front.
This paper reports results from a global survey of island biodiversity and threats,
and proposes a set of new initiatives that can be taken to help resolve critical
island biodiversity issues.
16.15 - 16.30
KOONTZ, FRED. Wildlife Trust, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York 10964 USA, (koontz@wildlifetrust.org).
BIOSCAPES: A PARADIGM FOR BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION IN HUMAN-MODIFIED REGIONAL LANDSCAPES
New strategies are needed to better incorporate the human dimension in conservation
activities. The "bioscape paradigm" is recommended as a conceptual framework
with a clear human dimension that can organize thinking and catalyze action for environmental
management. A "bioscape" is defined as a human/wildlife landscape mosaic
whose geographic area is described by a common sphere of human influence, and it
serves as a regional unit where conservationists integrate science and biodiversity
management with other human activities that affect the landscape. Setting regional
boundaries based on the human perception of "sense of place" is in sharp
contrast to other more biocentric landscape paradigms (e.g. ecoregions). The bioscape
concept links physical, biological, and human processes. It employs multidisciplinary
teams that apply their science mainly through species-focused research, conservation
medicine, adaptive land-use planning, and public education. Wildlife Trust’s New
York Bioscape Program is implementing the bioscape paradigm by conducting species
conservation research linked to ecological health concerns (e.g. studying water pollution
effects on threatened sea turtles). We suggest that answering questions that couple
threatened species recovery to regional ecosystem health issues, and presenting the
results to the public within a bioscape paradigm, is a promising new direction for
biological conservation in human-modified landscapes.
16.30 - 16.45
DON J. MELNICK
SPECIES BASED APPROACHES TO BROADER SCALE CONSERVATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY
Center for Environmental Research and Conservation (CERC) and Departments of Ecology
Evolution, and Environmental Biology; Anthropology; Biological Sciences, Columbia
University, New York, NY, 10027, USA. <djm7@columbia.edu>
We are witnessing a rapid decline in ecological, species and genetic diversity as
a direct consequence of human activity. For this reason, we must be extremely efficient
in our approaches to conservation research and action. For conservation genetics,
this means our choice of species must be carefully considered and our research must
have direct conservation implications beyond the immediate subject of study. We have
adopted this approach and present the broader implications of our studies of flagship
(Black Lion Tamarin), indicator (Javan Silvery Gibbon), umbrella (Asian Elephant),
and landscape (Sulawesi Macaques and Toads) species in developing efficient strategies
for broad based conservation action. In each case, we have described and mapped mitochondrial
and nuclear genetic diversity over the entire range of the species and used these
results to design metapopulation, species-wide, or landscape strategies for the conservation
of the subject species, as well as other flora and fauna occupying the same ranges.
Species are the defining metric of much conservation legislation, yet we know that
conserving biological diversity is more complex than simply saving species. Conservation
geneticists must now face the challenge of choosing the appropriate species in order
to serve the larger goal of biodiversity conservation.
16.45 - 17.00
DURBIN, JOANNA C., Anna T.C. Feistner, Richard E. Lewis and Lala Jean Rakotoniaina.
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, BP 8511, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar (mesite@dts.mg) (JCD, REL, LJR), Durrell Wildlife Conservation
Trust, Les Augrès Manor, Trinity, Jersey, JE3 5BP, Channel Islands, UK (ATCF).
SPECIES RECOVERY AS A CATALYST FOR CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT IN MADAGASCAR
Implementation of species-led conservation projects in Madagascar has required development
of capacity in diverse skills across a range of actors and of organisational and
communication capacity to enable stakeholders to work together. To investigate status,
distribution and causes of decline of endangered species, teams that have complementary
skills have developed, for example local people with acute tracking and identification
skills working with university-trained researchers. They have developed competence
in census techniques, characterisation and mapping of habitat, behaviour and ecology,
to monitor species in recovery programmes and with potential to contribute to other
conservation projects in Madagascar. Knowledge about endemic and endangered species
has been used to draw attention to and find common concerns linking species and people’s
needs. Environmental festivals and regional meetings have initiated effective dialogue
between the parties concerned, such as between government agencies and local people.
These events enabled expression of concern about issues of common rather than individual
interest and often led to establishment of strong representative organisations to
define and implement rules, to define objectives and activities, not only for conservation
of natural resources and biodiversity but also to serve other community development
goals to the benefit of people, biodiversity and the threatened species.
17.00 - 17.15
CLARK, CHRIS C. M. and Susan B. Elbin. Durrell Wildlife Preservation Trust, Les
Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey JE3 5BP Channel Islands (cclark@durrell.org)
(CCMC), Wildlife Trust, 61 Route 9W, Palisades, New York, 10964 USA (SBE).
MANAGING TEAMS FOR ENDANGERED SPECIES RECOVERY IN HUMAN-MODIFIED LANDSCAPES.
Species protection and recovery requires leaders with broad expertise in scientific
theory, technical knowledge, practical experience, and human resource management.
Success or failure often hinges on the ability of conservationists to assemble, build
consensus, and coordinate a multidisciplinary project. Training opportunities embracing
such a holistic, multidisciplinary perspective are lacking. Based on Durrell’s philosophy
of species-based research, "Managing Endangered Species Recovery Teams"
meets this training need.
The course includes: 1) theoretical and applied conservation biology techniques;
2) case studies discussions; 3) human resource management; 4) communication and decision
making; 5) field trips; and 6) a course long guided species recovery workshop process.
The course has emerged with high scores in evaluations of both short-term and long-term
effects. More than two years after the first course, most of the students are engaged
in local conservation, use their skills acquired during the course, and network with
each other about conservation issues. We believe this course will increase regional
species protection and recovery efforts because of its emphasis on "real life"
examples and applications and increase their effectiveness through improved collaboration
and communication. A single species focus can illustrate problems and highlight solutions
in mitigating the impacts of human/wildlife conflict in human-modified landscapes.
17.15 - 17.30
PEARL, MARY, Mark Stanley Price, and Elaine Williams. Wildlife Trust, <pearl@wildlifetrust.org > P.O. Box 1000, Palisades NY 10964
USA (MP), Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Les Augres Manor, Trinity, Jersey,
Channel Islands JE3 5BP UK (MSP), Wildlife Preservation Trust Canada, 120 King Street,
Guelph ONT N1E 4P8 Canada (EW).
FUTURE DIRECTIONS FOR SPECIES-BASED CONSERVATION IN HUMAN-MODIFIED LANDSCAPES.
While it has been advocated that ecosystem-level approaches to biodiversity conservation
are more efficient in terms of numbers or organisms protected, a wide range of species-based
research has produced exciting innovations and successes in biodiversity conservation.
From the use of genetics research on tamarin populations to create management plans
for the recovery of that species in mosaic agricultural/Atlantic Forest landscapes
in Brazil, to the use of research on movement patterns of elephants to design conflict-reducing
land use choices across mosaic landscapes in Sri Lanka and India, essential conservation
issues in human dominated landscapes are being addressed through a species-level
focus. Promising avenues for future species-focused conservation research include
more interdisciplinary efforts, such as linking epidemiological and zoonotic approaches
to addressing the health of ecosystems by monitoring "sentinel" species,
or linking social and natural science to understand better how to use species as
flagships for effective landscape conservation. More generally, given that species-based
conservation legislation or political arrangements, such as CITES, are in wide use,
conservation biologists can better design species-based research so that results
can more easily be translated into policies that protect biodiversity.
The SCB2002 pages are maintained by Christine Eagle
email: C.M.Eagle@ukc.ac.uk
Conference email: scb2002@ukc.ac.uk
Last updated: 01.07.02