Abstracts available here - Society for Conservation Biology

25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011
is urgently required. Using decision science thinking, we construct a
framework to guide the timing of relocation given climate change. Counterintuitively,
we show that in some circumstances it may be optimal to wait
and allow small populations to grow before moving them. Where there is
uncertainty about the impact of climate change, it can be advantageous to
wait and learn. These counterintuitive results show the importance of our
framework for aiding decision-making on the timing of manage relocation.
Our framework advances decision-making in the face of uncertainty about
climate change.
2011-12-07 11:00 Niche Partitioning and Ontogenic Changes in
Feeding Habits of Green Sea Turtles (Chelonia mydas) at a Foraging
Ground in the Central Pacific
McFadden, K*, American Museum of Natural History; Sterling,
E., American Museum of Natural History; Arengo, F., American
Museum of Natural History; Vintinner, E., American Museum of
Natural History; Gomez, A., American Museum of Natural History;
E. Naro-Maciel, City University of New York, Staten Island;
Juvenile green sea turtles are thought to spend several years in surface
pelagic habitat prior to recruiting to neretic foraging grounds at 25-
35 cm curved caparace length (CCL). After recruitment, the prevailing
hypotheses suggest they switch from an omnivorous foraging strategy to
a more herbivorous adult diet. However, data on the range of variation
in feeding behavior of newly recruited, immature, and mature green sea
turtles remains poorly understood. In this study, we examine the variability
in feeding habits of different stage classes of green sea turtles at a major
foraging ground at Palmyra Atoll in the Central Pacific Ocean using stable
carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses of turtle tissue samples in order to
better understand the ecological requirements of these globally endangered
species. A one-way ANOVA indicated a significant bimodal distribution in
δ15N signatures with the smallest groups of turtles (< 59.9 cm CCL) and
largest turtles (> 90 cm CCL) having enriched δ15N signatures compared
to turtles 60.0 - 89.9 cm CCL (p < 0.05). This suggests that new recruits
and adults of breeding size may consume prey items higher on the trophic
chain compared to medium sized turtles. The smallest turtles (< 49.9 cm
CCL) were significantly depleted in δ13C values compared to all other
sized turtles and may suggest that new recruits retain some signatures of
their previous planktonic foraging habits. An understanding of the possible
ontogenetic shifts in feedings habits and changes in their reliance on various
prey items is necessary for effective species and habitat conservation.
2011-12-06 11:45 Resistant kernel modeling of landscape connectivity
at multiple scales: a case study involving marbled salamanders in
central Massachusetts, USA
McGarigal, Kevin*, University of Massachusetts; Compton, Brad,
University of Massachusetts; Cushman, Sam, USDA Forest Service,
Rocky Mountain Research Station; Whiteley, Andrew, University of
Massachusetts; Gamble, Lloyd, US State Department;
Population dynamics of vernal pool-breeding amphibians take place at
multiple scales, representing pool-centered breeding, and connectivity to
local upland habitat, to neighboring pools, and among regional clusters
of pools. Strategic conservation must take connectivity at these multiple
scales into account. We developed a model of connectivity for the marbled
salamander (Ambystoma opacum) in Massachusetts, and applied it to
nearly 30,000 potential vernal pools across the state. This model is based
on the resistant kernel estimator, a modification of the standard kernel
estimator that takes landscape resistance into account. The model is
parameterized with data from an intensive long-term demographic study
of a single metapopulation and an extensive landscape genetics study. We
used inferred rates of gene flow among populations to empirically estimate
landscape resistance for dispersal between pools. Model results rank
pools in Massachusetts by an integrate measure of local, neighborhood,
and regional connectivity. Results suggest that the most connected pool
complexes occur in areas with rapidly increasing suburban development.
A sensitivity analysis suggests that pool rankings are relatively insensitive
to uncertainty in parameter estimates. This connectivity model can be an
important tool in prioritizing conservation areas and demonstrates the
usefulness of resistant kernel estimators for connectivity modeling.
2011-12-09 14:52 From policy to practice via the science of invasion
biology
McGeoch, MA*, South African National Parks and Centre for
Invasion Biology;
International policy responses to biological invasion have increased
significantly over the last four decades. However, trends in the numbers
of alien species and the threat that they pose to species extinction risk have
increased over the same period. The Convention on Biological Diversity’s
2020 Aichi Target for invasive alien species nonetheless remains largely
similar to previous targets. The interplay between policy, monitoring and
reporting on the status of biological invasion, and implementing actions to
manage this environmental problem is thus not always clear. The science
of biological invasion has an important contribution to make here. It has
provided the basis for sound policy and management to date, and has also
identified and illustrated the caveats and connections between policy and
prevention and control activities. This has been clearly apparent at global,
national and protected area scales. The fields of science most relevant in this
context have been systematics and vector ecology, although evidence of the
impact of invasive species on biodiversity has been essential for motivating
the policy response at all levels. Although science plays a unifying role in the
management of biological invasions, focussed effort by invasion biologists
is needed to realise this.
2011-12-06 12:30 Future Ocean Governance in [Aotearoa] New
Zealand: Linking Science to Policymaking
McGinnis, Michael Vincent*, Institute of Policy Studies, School of
Government, Victoria University of Wellington, PO Box 600, Level 5,
West Wing Railway Building, Bunny Street ;
The changing character to the world’s oceans and coastal ecosystems will
make ecological sustainability a significant challenge. Global climate
disturbance and the over-use of coastal marine resources have synergistic
impacts on coastal marine ecosystems. A sector-by-sector approach to
ocean governance will prove irresponsive to these cumulative impacts.
New Zealand does not have a comprehensive coastal marine governance
framework in place that can protect marine life. In addition, the country
does not require environmental assessments for proposed use of marine
areas beyond 12 nm. Yet, the country has begun to lease marine areas
for aquaculture, marine mining and offshore oil development. A range
of planning tools are described that can improve and strengthen New
Zealand’s ocean governance framework, including marine spatial plans,
marine zoning, and the designation of marine protected areas or MPAs in
support of marine life. These planning tools should include stakeholders,
policymakers, and scientists in public planning activities that cut across
sectors, interests, and issue areas.
2011-12-08 18:30 Gathering Scientific Input to Government
Conservation Policy-making: A Case Study Highlighting Ecological
Processes
McGregor, AM*, Environmental consultant; Bennett, AF, School of
Life & Environmental Sciences, Deakin University;
How can scientific knowledge and the ‘accumulated wisdom’ of experienced
ecological scientists be efficiently gathered to inform government
conservation policy-making? In the State of Victoria, Australia, a twopart
project was commissioned by an alliance of environmental nongovernment
organisations. A range of scientists, other relevant professionals
and practitioners were consulted via workshops, extended interviews and
discussion groups. Their views were compiled regarding the condition
and importance of the ecological processes that sustain biodiversity in
Victoria, and consequently the policy priorities for their management and
conservation. The resultant reports distilled the findings as credible, wellinformed
and focussed input to preparation of the State Government’s
long-term policy on biodiversity and land health. Further benefits arising
from the project included: 1) it stimulated new ways of thinking about
conservation priorities in Victoria; 2) it fostered greater interaction among
and between ecologists, policy analysts and conservation groups; and 3)
the credibility of the recommendations was enhanced by both the breadth
and reputation of those participating and the production of peer-reviewed
publications.
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