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25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011 and abundance. We undertook row-boat surveys and stationary bank observations to record gharial encounters, ecological & anthropogenic covariates; and used photographic capture-recapture to estimate detection probabilities and abundance. Our results show that sandy banks adjacent to deep pools are the most critical factor affecting gharial abundance, and that gharials have a low threshold of tolerance for anthropogenic disturbance. We also demonstrate the conceptual, technical and logistic feasibility of applying photographic capture-recapture techniques for estimating gharial abundance in the wild, a technique that has never been used for crocodilians before. We suggest that gharial ‘hot-spots’ be identified, based on empirical data such as ours, to help prioritize conservation zones, and invest available resources in tackling known, specific problems. We are also of the opinion that without determining the current status of gharials, highly intensive strategies like egg-collection and captive-bred releases are unwarranted, and divert valuable conservation resources away from essential protection measures. 2011-12-09 17:30 Does inbreeding reduce fitness in a hatchery salmon population? Naish, Kerry*, University of Washington; Seamons, Todd, University of Washington; Hauser, Lorenz, University of Washington; Quinn, Tom, University of Washington; Changes in fitness related traits may affect population productivity. However, detecting the casual factors underlying a change in such traits is difficult in individuals that spend most of their time in natural environments, because genetic and environmental trends cannot be readily separated. It is particularly important to identify such factors in managed populations, because these populations may appear demographically healthy but practices can result in inadvertent reductions in genetic variation underlying phenotypes. Here, we investigate the effects of four generations of culture on the genetic diversity and fitness of an anadromous steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) hatchery population. We constructed an extensive molecular pedigree on more than 6000 adult fish returning to the hatchery over a 14 year period. We used this pedigree to estimate the effective population size and the rate of inbreeding within the population. We also implemented an ‘animal model’, a form of mixed effects model, to determine the effects of inbreeding on fitness-related traits such as length, weight, fecundity and age and date at return to the hatchery. We found that hatchery practices led to inadvertent inbreeding, that effective size stayed small and constant despite an increase in the population size, and that inbreeding was related to a change in some fitness traits. This study provides guidance on possible improvements to management practices, and illustrates the value of ongoing genetic monitoring programs. 2011-12-08 18:30 An integrated avian habitat fragmentation assessment method using dispersal data and functional habitat categorization Nan Lu*, Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Chenxi Jia, Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Huw Lloyd, World Pheasant Association; Yuehua Sun, Key Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; The ability to assess avian habitat fragmentation effectively requires ecologists to develop integrated methods that are truly representative of ecological systems across fragmented landscapes. Here we develop an integrated method for assessing avian habitat fragmentation that combines habitat suitability (MaxEnt) modelling with dispersal functional response data and functional habitat categorization models for two sympatric montane Galliforme species in China - Chinese Grouse Bonasa sewerzowi and Blood Pheasant Ithaginis cruentus. Twenty-four environmental predictor variables corresponding to three different data categories (bio-climatic, topographic and habitat) were selected to construct habitat suitability models for both species, with dispersal distance functions of 4 and 7 km, and functional habitat categorization models constructed using Matlab. The model fitting procedure provided habitat suitability models with good fit, with the ROC plots exhibiting high average test AUC for replicates for both Chinese Grouse (0.980 ± 0.007) and Blood Pheasant (0.964 ± 0.007). Five-fold cross-validation suggested that both models were robust with AUC values for both training data and test data > 0.95. Distribution ranges for both species in China were largely concentrated at the southeastern edge of Qinghai-Tibet plateau but that of the globally threatened Chinese Grouse was predicted to be significantly smaller (85,793 km2) than that of Blood Pheasant (267,774 km2). The majority of suitable areas identified for both species were very small, with only 29 and 12 areas identified as being > 100 km2 for Chinese Grouse, and 42 and 16 areas being > 100 km2 for Blood Pheasant. Habitat for the Chinese Grouse was more severely fragmented with fewer large areas that were also more degraded and functionally isolated. By combining habitat suitability models with the direct effects of habitat loss and degradation, and the indirect effects of reduced inter-patch dispersal our integrated assessment method enables conservation planners to consider different functional habitat categories for landscape conservation that would otherwise appear cryptic under more typical habitat suitability modelling approaches. 2011-12-07 16:54 Does human landscape perturbation impact genetic diversity on the guigna (Leopardus guigna, Mammalia, Felidae)? Insights from Chiloe Island, southern Chile Napolitano, C*, Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Sanderson, J, Small Cat Conservation Alliance; Johnson, W, Laboratory of Genomic Diversity, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, Maryland, USA; Ritland, K, Laboratory of Population Genetics and Genomics, Department of Forest Sciences, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada; Poulin, E, Laboratory of Molecular Ecology, Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity, University of Chile, Santiago, Chile; Human landscape perturbation is the main cause of species extinction worldwide. Wild felids are one of the most threatened groups inhabiting a perturbated landscape, mainly because of their large home ranges, low population densities and highly territorial behaviour. The guigna (Leopardus guigna) is the smallest felid in the American continent and one of the smallest in the world. It has the most restricted geographic range of all the New World cat species, inhabiting only around 160,000 km2. It is highly associated with the temperate rain forests of southern South America and it is currently considered Vulnerable due to habitat loss and fragmentation and also human persecution. To assess the effects of human landscape perturbation over genetic diversity of guigna populations, we analyzed samples from guignas inhabiting landscapes with different degrees of human perturbation using genetic markers (mitochondrial DNA and 15 microsatellites) and explored genetic diversity, kinship and inbreeding levels. We found that genetic diversity decreases with landscape perturbation, and that kinship and inbreeding levels increase with landscape pertubation. We conclude that genetic diversity in guigna populations is therefore impacted by human landscape perturbation on Chiloe island, discuss the possible causes and how this situation could threaten the persistence of the species in the long term. These findings contribute to our knowledge of species responses to landscape alteration and will be used in the conservation and management of this and related species. 2011-12-07 14:45 Recovery Programme for Critically Endangered Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania) through Conservation Breeding and Reintroduction in Restored Grasslands in Assam Narayan, G.*, EcoSystems-India and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust; Deka, P. J., EcoSystems-India and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust; Oliver, W. L. R., IUCN/SSC Wild Pigs Specialist Group; Critically endangered and world’s most threatened wild suid, the pygmy hog (Porcula salvania), is on the path of recovery despite stiff challenges faced by attempts to reintroduce captive-bred hogs in partially restored grassland habitats in Assam. The main threats to these grasslands are extensive dryseason grass burning and livestock grazing. A conservation breeding project was started in 1996 by capturing six wild founders from the last surviving population of a few hundreds in Manas Tiger Reserve. The project was able to multiply the captive population by twelve times in five years and continues to provide animals for reintroduction. The process to restore the protection and management of some identified grasslands could however begin only after cessation of political disturbances in the region. The restoration process in Manas and three other Protected Areas of Assam was assisted by the local frontline protection staff members trained by the project. Under the reintroduction exercise a total of 35 pygmy hogs were released in Sonai Rupai Wildlife Sanctuary between 2008 and 2010. Each year three social groups 118
25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011 of hogs were ‘pre-conditioned’ under minimum human contact at a ‘prerelease’ facility with simulated natural habitat. Field surveys have revealed that up to two-thirds of the released hogs survived, and are breeding and dispersing successfully in the wild. Now, efforts are underway to release 13 similarly ‘pre-conditioned’ hogs in Orang National Park in 2011. 2011-12-07 15:00 Linking Landscape Connectivity, Source-Sink Dynamics, and Population Viability Nathan H. Schumaker*, US EPA; Allen Brookes, US EPA; Julie A. Heinrichs, University of Washington; The importance of connectivity and source-sink dynamics to conservation planning is widely appreciated. But the use of these concepts in practical applications such as the identification of critical habitat has been slowed because few models are designed to identify demographic sources and sinks, and popular methods for quantifying landscape connectivity tend to forgo realism in favor of tractability. Better linkages between connectivity and source-sink models, and greater biological and ecological realism are needed before landscape connectivity-based studies can more fully contribute to conservation planning. Here we illustrate how a new spatially-explicit population model (HexSim) addresses these challenges. HexSim is a versatile multi-species, multi-stressor life history simulator that can account for landscape change, road networks, landscape genetics, disease dynamics, and many other practical concerns. What distinguishes our new methodology is that source-sink dynamics and connectivity become emergent properties of HexSim simulations. It is not necessary to limit biological or ecological realism, to decompose landscapes into nodes or patches, or to identify sources, sinks, or dispersal corridors in advance. In this presentation, we will use a range-wide simulation of the Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) to illustrate the model and methodology, and to tie our landscape connectivity metrics to the identification of critical habitat. 2011-12-06 10:45 Advance, invading hordes: an experimental island invasion. Nathan, HW*, University of Auckland; Clout, MN, University of Auckland; Murphy, EC, Department of Conservation; MacKay, JWB, University of Auckland; The House mouse (Mus musculus) is an important mammalian pest species both in New Zealand and worldwide. This study follows the invasion of a small mammal-free island by mice. A founder pair of mice was released on Te Haupa (Saddle) Island in December 2009. An invasive population was allowed to establish and persist until August 2010 and was intensively studied throughout this period. Capture-Mark-Recapture methodology was used to estimate population size at regular intervals, allowing the population growth from the initial two individuals to be quantified. In addition, the hypothesis that mice would be less detectable at lower population density was tested using selected detection devices and strategies at regular intervals throughout the study period. Key findings were that the mouse population showed a logistic pattern of growth characteristic of many invasive species and that commonly used detection methodologies were adequate even at low population density. While there have been many studies investigating the population dynamics of existing populations of mice, those of a population in the initial stages of invasion have never been documented. As such this project represents an important advance in the study of the colonising behaviour of this prolific invader. 2011-12-08 10:42 Influence of Biotic Factors and Spatial Scale on Range Margin Dynamics Among Competing Species Under Climate Change Naujokaitis-Lewis, I*, University of Toronto; Fortin, MJ, University of Toronto; Determinants of species’ range limits are a complex interplay between abiotic factors and biotic interactions that influence persistence. Understanding the ecological dynamics at species’ range margins is critical for accurately predicting species’ responses to climate changes and idenitification of conservation actions. However, our understanding of the relative influence of processes at the range margins remains unresolved, and likely varies as a function of scale. Thus it is important to evaluate whether accounting for biotic interactions improve the fit and predictive power of species distribution models (SDMs), and whether distribution patterns change with spatial scale. We developed SDMs for 10 closely related and competing bird species exhibiting variable patterns of sympatry along the range margins, and assessed past and future range dynamics under climate change scenarios using a consensus modelling framework. We applied variance partitioning approaches to estimate the relative influence of abiotic and biotic variables and related this to indices of species turnover and co-occurrences across multiple scales. We show that species ranges margins are temporally and spatially dynamic in the past, and under future predicted climate changes but the magnitude of changes were a function of spatial scale. Accounting for biotic interactions improved model predictive accuracy and was scale dependent. Our results underscore the need to consider biotic processes and spatial scale when examining range dynamics and predicting how species’ ranges will shift with climate change. 2011-12-06 10:45 Applying Shark Attack Policy Responses to Carnivore Conservation Strategies Neff, Christopher*, University of Sydney; Shark attacks illustrate unique problems in carnivore conservation, but they also offer new insights for the management of endangered predatory species. With shark bites reported from Boston to Bangkok they represent the most broad-based human-wildlife conflict in the world. Shark bites garner public attention in unique ways and negative frames following these events make the killing of all sharks more publicly acceptable and conservation more difficult. The beach represents ground-zero in the education of the public regarding balanced approaches to protecting sharks and protecting beachgoers. A content analysis of media frames and public policy responses following shark bites on beaches in South Africa in 2004, Australia in 2000 and the United States in 2001 finds the emergence of a new policy trend that favors human-control measures in the U.S. and South Africa, even when sharks are identified as the problem and blamed for the incident. In these cases, punitive policies were not directed at sharks. These case-studies offer an applicable analysis for other carnivore conservation efforts, policy approaches and public education initiatives. 2011-12-07 11:45 Salt marsh as a coastal filter for the oceans: changes in function with increased nitrogen loading and sea-level rise NELSON, JOANNA*, University of California, Santa Cruz; Zavaleta, Erika, University of California, Santa Cruz; Coastal salt marshes are among Earth’s most productive ecosystems and provide important ecosystem services, including interception of watershed-derived nitrogen (N) before it reaches nearshore oceans. N pollution and climate change are two dominant drivers of global-change, yet their interacting effects in salt marshes at the land-sea interface are poorly understood. We examined how sea-level rise and anthropogenic N additions affect salt marsh N uptake using a dual strategy: a) a fieldbased manipulative experiment in one marsh over the course of two years; and b) an observational experiment at nine sites throughout the estuary in Elkhorn Slough, California. We crossed simulated sea-level change and ammonium nitrate addition treatments in a fully factorial design. We found that N-addition had a significant, positive effect on aboveground biomass (a 315% increase at maximum), plant tissue N concentrations, N stock sequestered in plants – where marsh plants with added N sequestered more than four times as much N as controls – and shoot:root ratios. In the observational study, marsh elevation serves as the simulated sea-level proxy, and water quality monitoring quantifies the N treatment. Both our experimental and observational results suggest that coastal salt marsh plants serve as a robust N trap and coastal filter and that in Elkhorn Slough this function is not saturated despite high background annual N inputs from upstream agriculture. However, accelerating sea-level rise, and subsequent drowning of the marsh, restricts the capacity for buffering the coastal ocean from eutrophication. 2011-12-08 11:15 Conservation issues in Australian fisheries management: the application of the precautionary and ecosystem approaches in five case studies. Nevill, J*, Retired - University of Tasmania; The objective of this paper is to examine the ways in which the ecosystem and precautionary approaches are applied to Australian fisheries management, 119
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Index Benini, Rubens 42 Beniston, M
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Index DeWan, Amielle 14 Dianne Brun
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Index Hilborn, Ray 27 Hill, CM 176
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Index Loutit, R. 116 Louwe Kooijman
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Index Ottewell, K 81 Overton, J 61,
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Index Sequeira, Ana 151 Serebryakov
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Index Winandy, L 181 Winner, J. 112
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