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25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011 the geographic range at a variety of temporal scales. Chronosequences demonstrate woodrats respond as expected on the basis of Bergmann’s rule: colder climatic conditions select for larger body size and warmer conditions select for smaller body size. For this genus, morphological adaptation is the dominant mode in coping with changing climatic regimes. Our work documents the entire range of responses – phenotypic adaptation, migration and species replacements, and local extirpation. 2011-12-08 18:30 Wildlife Responses to Black Rat Control in Sydney Harbour National Park Smith, HM*, The University of Sydney; Banks, PB, The University of Sydney; The Black Rat Rattus rattus is a major threat to biodiversity, and, is particularly devastating on islands where endemic fauna and flora have not evolved defence mechanisms. The Black Rat has successfully colonised suburban and rural regions of Australia, and has caused a significant decline in Australian native fauna and flora through competition, predation pressures and disease. Complex population interactions post-eradication may upset the ecological balance beyond repair. Furthermore, the reintroduction of native fauna, specifically the Bush Rat Rattus fuscipes, may result in incomplete niche overlap and subsequent ecological changes. It is therefore imperative to consider the impacts of Black Rats post-eradication, in order to assess the removal success, and to stop future reinvasions. Specifically, we will report on four ecological systems in response to Black Rat control: seedling survival, bird egg predation, bat survival, and the presence of lungworm. Furthermore, we will report on the ecosystem health when the native Bush Rat has re-established. This research will inform management authorities of the primary post-eradication affects of Black Rat removal, and will help authorities to use management techniques that promote ecologically sustainable bushland reserves. 2011-12-07 18:00 Post-fire potoroo hide and seek Smith, J K*, Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne; Coulson, G, Department of Zoology, The University of Melbourne; Although many animals are able to survive fire events, immediate post-fire survival is threatened by reduced food and habitat resources, and increased predation. The long-nosed potoroo, Potorous tridactylus, is a threatened native Australian small mammal, inhabiting densely vegetated fire-prone forest in southeast Australia. Following a planned burn in southwest Victoria, which left a mosaic of burnt and unburnt patches of vegetation, eleven longnosed potoroos (6 males/5 females) were radio-tracked to investigate their survival and use of the post-fire environment. Results show a clear reliance on habitat provided by remaining unburnt vegetation patches. Diurnally, tracked potoroos nested exclusively in unburnt vegetation within the burn area. During nocturnal foraging activities, 66.5% of records were in unburnt vegetation. There was no difference between sexes. This study indicates the importance of unburnt patches within burn areas for providing refuge habitat to long-nosed potoroos, which is likely to assist in continued postfire survival. Fire management in forests with populations of long-nosed potoroos, should aim to retain unburnt vegetation at a scale appropriate to the species. 2011-12-08 18:30 Grey Nurse Shark (Carcharias taurus) Diving Tourism: Tourist Compliance, Shark Behaviour & Environmental Knowledge & Attitudes At Fish Rock, Australia Smith, KR*, Victoria University; Scarpaci, C, Victoria University; Scarr, M, Victoria University; Satisfactory (80% or greater) compliance of tourists with a voluntary code of conduct and mandatory legislation for diving with grey nurse sharks was exhibited during this preliminary study from December 2008 to January 2009. Grey nurse shark school behaviour during interactions with tourist divers significantly altered from milling to more active swimming when more than six divers were present. Initial observations of individual shark behaviour types were also recorded. Significant improvements to tourists’ grey nurse shark knowledge and environmental attitudes were documented post-dive experience; however, the majority of improvements occurred within tourists already deemed to be in possession of strong environmental knowledge and attitudes pre-dive experience. Provision of educational talks to alternating diver groups significantly improved their environmental knowledge but not their environmental attitudes. This research highlighted factors that may promote compliance to wildlife tourism management strategies. It demonstrated that satisfactory compliance does not always facilitate protection of target species from behavioural changes during tourist-wildlife interactions; hence, consideration of reducing the number of divers allowed per interaction was suggested. Finally, the potential for this industry to benefit conservation by encouraging people to adopt more pro-environmental attitudes may be further realised by targeting alternate demographics. 2011-12-06 17:00 Can site prioritisation for one taxonomic group conserve other taxonomic groups? Smith, R*, Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England ; Reid, N, Ecosystem Management, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England ; Does conservation value for one taxonomic group predict value for another? How can we efficiently conserve the most biodiversity in an agricultural landscape? We measured the value of five vegetation communities under different management for vascular plant and bird conservation in an agricultural region (12 000 km2) in northern NSW. By ranking sites according to overall species richness and the number of rare (i.e. infrequently observed) species present in each taxonomic group, our results showed that in the top 30% (16 of 54) of sites ranked according to conservation value, only five sites were valuable for both plant and bird conservation. River red gum gallery forests were ranked highest for vascular plant and bird conservation value. However, for both taxonomic groups, all five vegetation communities were included among the top 30% of sites of highest conservation value. Increasing livestock grazing intensity severely diminished both plant and bird conservation value as a result of the loss of rare species. Taken together, these results suggest that conservation value for one taxonomic group does not predict conservation value for another taxonomic group and confirms the need for a range of sites with different vegetation types and different management to conserve the greatest amount of vascular plant and avian biodiversity in agricultural regions. 2011-12-09 14:00 Moving out of the shallows: getting to grips with trade-offs between conservation and development Smith, RJ*, DICE, University of Kent; Abram, NK, DICE, University of Kent; Metcalfe, K, DICE, University of Kent; Davies, ZG, DICE, University of Kent; Successful conservation has to account for a range of social, economic and political factors, so we need a better understanding of resulting trade-offs when dealing with the interactions between conservation and development. However, these issues have become increasingly complicated, as more areas are impacted by anthropogenic activities and as conservationists develop increasingly sophisticated and varied approaches for reducing biodiversity loss. Here, we review these trade-offs and show how an interdisciplinary approach is vital if we are to avoid simplistic interpretations and responses. We then illustrate some of these trade-offs with case studies from South Africa, Borneo and The English Channel and show that the anthropogenic factors that influence conservation outcomes are often idiosyncratic, unpredictable and/or beyond the control of local stakeholders. Despite this uncertainty, and the difficulty of predicting how natural systems will respond to our interventions, we argue that research on trade-offs remains important, partly because it encourages conservationists to take a wider perspective. However, we will also argue that this research and monitoring must be part of social learning institutions, as this will provide a better understanding of the different factors involved and help broaden support for conservation action. 2011-12-06 15:30 Involving the business sector in conservation with (bird) habitat development at business districts and industrial areas Snep, RPH*, Alterra - Wageningen UR; Louwe Kooijmans, J, Birdlife Netherlands; WallisDeVries, MF, Butterfly Conservation Netherlands; Business sites, the areas where companies are located, are currently not within the scope of conservation organisations. If - however - more engagement of society in conservation is demanded, and business life is generally recognized as a key player in human society, the places where people work may be 158
25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011 an interesting area to explore. In 2004-2011 we studied the actual and potential value of Dutch business sites and industrial areas for biodiversity conservation and experience. As published in a series of papers, we were able to identify main drivers for utilizing conservation opportunities at these economic areas, using empirical data (e.g. bird counts), modelling studies and stakeholder enquiries. Existing international corporate conservation practices thereby served as reference. From 2007 on, we got involved in actual business site practices. Cooperating with entrepreneurs, employees, project developers, (landscape)architects, local governments and NGOs learned us about opportunities and pitfalls in the process of (re) connecting business society with local nature. Birds appeared as a trigger to get companies interested in conservation. However, it requires a whole different perspective and attitude from involved conservationists, to get companies to the point that they will actually develop habitat at their own land. We conclude that targeting business sites could become a promising strategy to get conservation (back) in the mind of people, even business people. 2011-12-08 10:45 Evaluating the effectiveness of road mitigation measures for wildlife: how much monitoring is enough? Soanes, K*, Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology; van der Ree, R, Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology; Monitoring programs have a poor record of evaluating the success of wildlife restoration projects. Study design, duration and sampling methods are often reduced to save cost, limiting the ability of these programs to detect an effect. For example, millions of dollars are spent worldwide on wildlife crossing structures in an attempt to mitigate the negative impact of roads on wildlife. Despite the high cost of these structures, research on their effectiveness in increasing population viability is currently lacking. Before-after-control-impact studies which address population level effects are urgently required. This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of crossing structures for arboreal mammals along a major highway in southeast Australia using results from two BACI monitoring programs. Premitigation data on the population density, survival rates, movement and gene flow of two species of arboreal mammal have been collected, and postmitigation data collection is currently underway. Preliminary results from radiotelemetry and crossing structure monitoring indicate that structures facilitate movement of arboreal mammals across the road. Further analysis of population density, survival rates and gene flow will determine if this movement has resulted in increased population viability. Upon completion this project will compare the information costs of using more limited study designs in an attempt to identify an optimal monitoring effort. 2011-12-09 10:45 Using the theory of planned behaviour to assess the effectiveness of training on cultivation of over-harvested species Sophie Williams*, Bangor University and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; James Gibbons, Bangor University; Julia Jones, Bangor University; Colin Clubbe, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Cultivation of wild harvested products has been proposed as a way of reducing over-exploitation of wild populations. However this will only be effective if it changes individual’s behaviour. Using the theory of planned behaviour as a framework, we assessed the impact of a community training programme aiming to encourage cultivation of an over-harvested palm species (xaté - Chamaedorea ernesti-augustii). We surveyed untrained and trained participants, focusing on three primary predictors of behaviour: attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control. Regardless of training, participants perceived xaté cultivation as a profitable use of land. However, participants reported two barriers to cultivation; access to seeds and lack of local markets. Increased knowledge and perceived behavioural control among trained participants resulted in increased cultivation. Our results demonstrate training can facilitate development of skills and technical knowledge required to initiate cultivation of a new species. Training also increases perceived behavioural control. However, behavioural changes are unlikely to occur if limitations to implementing the behaviour remain. We suggest the potential barriers to implementing a new behaviour should be assessed prior to initiating a conservation intervention such as training. 2011-12-08 14:32 Do sweat the small stuff: why we should pay attention to “rare” species in biodiversity studies South, Paul*, University of Canterbury; Schiel, David, University of Canterbury; Measuring biodiversity through time is a complex business because it depends on numerous spatial and temporal factors involving the appearance and disappearance of many species. There are few ways to be “common” but many ways to be “rare” in communities. Our experimental studies in rocky intertidal communities of New Zealand show that the great majority of species are rare, cryptic or ephemeral in space or time. Unfortunately, the functional roles of most of these species are difficult to ascertain and usually overlooked. We therefore know little about the ecological or functional roles of the bulk of species that comprise communities. Here, we consider what it means to be common and rare in the marine environment, categorising species according to known functional roles, obligate associations or “neutral” species which, individually, appear to have little “function”. We discuss why such considerations are important to those who collect, use and manage ecological data. 2011-12-08 11:45 Conservation implications of ecotypic differentiation in a changing climate Souther, Sara*, West Virginia University; McGraw, James B., West Virginia University; Ecotypic differentiation of populations within a species’ range can occur with respect to various environmental factors, as well as to complex gradients of these variables present in ecosystems. When ecotypic differentiation occurs such that populations are adapted to local climatic conditions, persistence of even widespread species may be threatened by climate change. We examined the effect of climate change on extinction risk of one locally climatically adapted species, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.). Demographic data were collected over a 13-year period from populations that occurred across an extensive portion of ginseng’s range. In total, 74 transition matrices were used to parameterize a population viability analysis of ginseng response to warming. Viability was calculated over a 70-year period for 4 warming levels, ranging from no warming to a 1.0°C increase in temperature that corresponded to a midrange IPCC climate change scenario. Warming decreased viability and increased extinction risk. Minimum viable population size (MVP) was 300 individuals, a size greater than 84% of the 30 ginseng populations that we currently monitor. Because ginseng populations have specialized to local climatic conditions, a relatively small degree of warming increased extinction risk for all populations throughout ginseng’s range. For species that form climatic ecotypes, managed relocation may be necessary to prevent climate change driven extinctions. 2011-12-08 15:15 Bringing together the aspirations of Indigenous people and conservation biologists in the vastness of arid Australia Southgate, RI*, Envisage Environmental Sciences; King, Z, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa; Arid Australia is vast covering millions of square kilometers but people are few and dispersed mainly among Indigenous communities, mining and pastoral operations. To achieve positive conservation outcomes, it is critical to engage the residents and bridge traditional knowledge with western science. A framework is suggested in which the view of the environment held by local people is clarified and mapped. Methods to investigate and monitor need to be culturally appropriate and simple to implement resulting in meaningful information that can be compared across regions. Forms of management need to meet local expectations with the right people looking after the right land and leading to low intensity manipulative or custodial approaches. This presentation brings together two perspectives, one developed from working primarily with the Martu Indigenous people in northwest Western Australia with a focus on the needs of Traditional Owners, the other from working primarily within the world of western science. 159
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Page 189 and 190: Index Benini, Rubens 42 Beniston, M
Page 191 and 192: Index DeWan, Amielle 14 Dianne Brun
Page 193 and 194: Index Hilborn, Ray 27 Hill, CM 176
Page 195 and 196: Index Loutit, R. 116 Louwe Kooijman
Page 197 and 198: Index Ottewell, K 81 Overton, J 61,
Page 199 and 200: Index Sequeira, Ana 151 Serebryakov
Page 201 and 202: Index Winandy, L 181 Winner, J. 112
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