Partridges, Quails, Francolins, Snowcocks, Guineafowl, and Turkeys

Resources: Assuming that most advice could be offered
electronically, the main costs will be limited to the
production of special publications.
Project 2b. Improving international exposure of
research findings.
Aim: To increase the publication of research findings in
international peer-reviewed journals.
Justification: The international scientific community does
not become aware of research findings unless papers are
published in quality journals. A project to publish and
disseminate much needed information would help ensure
that conservation action is based on sound scientific
evidence. If major agencies involved in global conservation
are to advocate action relating to conservation, it is necessary
for them to have access to such material. In addition,
authorship of papers in international peer-reviewed journals
can do a great deal for the career prospects of researchers,
which will in turn improve their prospects of permanent
employment in the conservation sector and increase their
capacity to raise project funds at home and abroad.
Project description: Specialist Group members with the
most experience in this area should be asked to assist
others on a one-to-one basis. This would probably involve
visits in one or both directions to facilitate data
presentation, statistical analysis, interpretation of findings,
access to existing literature, and manuscript preparation.
Timescale: As an ongoing project, this work should
continue throughout the five-year implementation period
of this Action Plan.
Resources: The costs of travel, accommodation, and
subsistence would usually need to be covered for visitors.
4.2 Regional projects
Project 3. Maintaining the WPA Asian
Galliformes sites database
Aim: To update and maintain a database of localities and
associated information for Asian Galliformes.
Justification: Reliable information regarding where species
occur is the cornerstone of many conservation activities,
including conservation assessments of the type undertaken
in this Action Plan, and the identification of important
areas for groups of species and areas where surveys or
similar action are required. This information can be used in
combination with other data sets, such as habitat types and
protected areas, to carry out a variety of strategic analyses.
Project description: A database has been compiled for
Asian Galliformes (see McGowan et al. 1999 for an example
of its use), but as new fieldwork is carried out, new sites are
documented. There is a need, therefore, to update the
database and establish it in such a way that it can readily be
used for conservation. The existing database contains
localities on all Galliformes in Asia (except the megapodes)
and it seems sensible to maintain this structure. As many
Galliformes inhabit the same areas and are studied or
surveyed by the same people, it will also maximise the
efficiency with which data are compiled, assessed, stored,
and then retrieved. The World Pheasant Association
provides the logical place for such a database to be housed.
Once established, updating procedures should be finalised.
Timescale: As an ongoing project, this work should continue
through the five-year implementation of this Action Plan,
although the database should be fully established as soon
as possible.
Resources: The main resource requirement is the time to
administer the database.
Project 4. Assessing the taxonomic and
conservation status of the Andean woodquails
Odontophorus
Aims: To revise the species-level taxonomy of the Andean
wood-quails; to examine how habitat loss is affecting these
species; to assess the efficacy of the protected area network
covering these species, particularly in terms of altitudinal
distribution.
Justification: There is a large number of little-known
Andean wood-quails, and most species have small
distributions and specialise in habitats that are rapidly
disappearing. The taxonomic status of several of the forms
is unclear, and it is important that limited resources for
conservation are used where they are most needed to
safeguard biological diversity. Habitat loss is accelerating
across much of the region and, as this may affect different
species in different ways, an assessment of status in relation
to habitat distribution is urgently required.
Project description: Various taxonomic methods should be
employed to examine the degree of distinctiveness of several
Andean wood-quail populations, with the aim of identifying
units most appropriate for species-level recognition. This
is important, as some species have subpopulations and
subspecies that are highly threatened, while the species as
a whole may be considered Lower Risk (e.g., chestnut
wood-quail). It is essential to look at how habitat loss is
affecting Andean wood-quail species, and this may be
accomplished by characterising each species’ precise habitat
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