Abstracts available here - Society for Conservation Biology

25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011
SCUBA diving/snorkeling was not as good as they expected because of coral
bleaching. Most tourists were happy to pay the extra money to see better
coral reef condition in Thailand. About 95% of tourists interviewed said that
they would like to visit Mu Koh Chang again. A proper management plan
should be implemented with close collaboration of Mu Koh Chang National
Park and private tourism companies in order to ensure sustainable tourism
in Mu Koh Chang and its vicinity.
2011-12-09 17:45 Drift and selection result in greater loss of adaptive
MHC diversity compared to loss of neutral genetic diversity following
population bottlenecks.
Sutton, JS*, University of Otago; Nakagawa, S, University of Otago;
Robertson, BC, University of Otago; Jamieson, IG, University of
Otago;
Despite over 15 years of research, empirical studies offer highly contradictory
explanations of the relative roles of selection and genetic drift acting on genes
of the functionally important major histocompatibility complex (MHC)
during bottlenecks. We take a unique meta-analytical approach to examine
the effects of bottlenecks on MHC polymorphism. Contrary to the majority
of previous studies, we show that the consequences of genetic drift and
selection result in overall loss of MHC polymorphism that is approximately
15% greater than loss of neutral genetic diversity. We suggest that postbottleneck
patterns of MHC diversity may be more reflective of other
functional gene complexes (on which both selection and drift act) compared
to patterns of putatively neutral genetic diversity (which reflect drift, but not
selection). Our results are important for conservation managers wishing to
maintain adaptive potential of small, threatened populations, particularly in
cases where previous research has focused on neutral markers as surrogates
for genome-wide diversity. However, rather than viewing inexpensive
neutral markers, such as microsatellites, as potentially misleading proxies for
assessing loss of adaptive variation in bottlenecked populations, we suggest
that they could be considered conservative estimators of the true loss of
functional genetic diversity.
2011-12-08 18:30 Experience and Results of Conservation of the
White-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala, EN/IUCN) in Russia
Svetlana Nimirskaya*, Deputy leader of Environmental Education
; Evgeniy Murzakhanov, Leader of project ; Andrey Bazdyrev,
Member of project;
Russia – is one of the 4 key countries of habitation of the white-headed
duck (Oxyura leucocephala, EN/IUCN) in the world. Here nests not less
than 500 birds and migrates not less than 4000 birds of this species. In
2006-2011 the team of the conservation centre «Strizh» has been realizing
the projects on conservation of the white-headed duck in 46 key habitats in
Russia. The conducted work is unique, bases on the complex approach and
wide involvement of the stakeholders. Methods: scientific investigations,
selection of IBA, monitoring of the number, interaction with the authorities
and NGO, raising the information awareness level of the local population,
establishment and support of the children’s clubs of observation of birds.
Results of project: the modern number and distribution of the white-headed
duck as well as its change during the last 50 years were revealed; the key
factors and threats for the white-headed duck population in Russia were
determined; more than 35 thousand people were involved into the activity
on the conservation of the species; a protected area on the key place of
the white-headed duck nesting in Western Siberia is founded; the level of
the information awareness of the local communities was raised from 3%
to 86%; the National Working Group on the conservation of the whiteheaded
duck in Russia was established; the National Action Plan on the
conservation of the white-headed duck was developed.
2011-12-08 18:30 Population and Community Characteristics of
Wildlife Rescued During the Expansion of the Panama Canal
Swan, JL*, Department of Forestry; Carver, AD, Department of
Foresty; Correa, NJ, Asociación Panamericana para la Conservación ;
Nielsen, CK, Cooperative Wildlife Research Laboratory;
Since the ceding of the Panama Canal from the United States to the Republic
of Panama in 1999, human development has accelerated in Panama,
resulting in the loss of tropical rainforest habitat and declines in wildlife
populations. Researchers from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and
a local Panamanian conservation NGO (Asociación Panamericana para
la Conservación, APPC) have partnered to address wildlife conservation
challenges in Panama, including wildlife rescue in the Canal Zone due to the
Third Locks Expansion Project. Herein, we summarize these wildlife rescue
efforts, including human labor required and wildlife species composition.
During 2006-2009, 1,343 wild animals were rescued from 8 core areas
along the canal; 1,179 animals were successfully relocated to protected
areas or secondary forests. Of the rescued wildlife, 425 were protected
under Panamanian law, 771 were IUCN Red Listed, and 528 CITES
listed. Of the rescues, 40% were reptiles, 37% mammals, 10% birds, 9%
amphibians, 4% insects, and 1% fish. We also used these data to assess the
relationship between wildlife community characteristics (e.g., biodiversity,
relative abundance) and habitat attributes of rescue sites (e.g., % forest cover,
distance to roads). Our analyses provide rare insight into wildlife rescue
operations and relationships between wildlife community characteristics and
habitat in a Neotropical environment.
2011-12-07 17:15 Pathogen spillover from greenhouses and declines of
North American bumble bees
Szabo, ND*, University of Ottawa; Kerr, JT, University of Ottawa;
Bumble bee species in the subgenus Bombus sensu stricto have recently
undergone dramatic declines in North America. Commercial bumble
bees began to be supplied for vegetable pollination in greenhouses shortly
before the declines of these species were noted and it has been shown that
commercial bumble bees and wild bumble bees near greenhouses have
high pathogen loads. This has led to speculation that pathogen spill over
from greenhouses is the main cause of the decline of Bombus species.
We examined this hypothesis using a database of bumble bee occurrence
records compiled from museum, university and government collections, and
greenhouse data from Canadian and American Agricultural Censuses. Our
results indicate that patterns of range loss for these species are not consistent
with the hypothesis that pathogen spill over from greenhouses is a major
cause of decline. These results suggest that future research and conservation
efforts should be directed towards other potential causes of decline of these
important pollinators.
2011-12-08 12:00 From artisanal fishing vessels to space: using all the
available tools to know more about the endangered franciscana dolphin
(Pontoporia blainvillei)
Szephegyi, MN*, Cetaceos Uruguay; Facultad de Ciencias; Franco
Trecu, V, Cetaceos Uruguay; Passadore, C, Cetaceos Uruguay; Costa,
P, Cetaceos Uruguay; Dimitriadis, C, Cetaceos Uruguay; Laporta, P,
Cetaceos Uruguay; Abud, C, Cetaceos Uruguay;
By-catch has become the biggest threat to small cetaceans in the world,
and Franciscana dolphin (Pontoporia blainvillei) is not out of this threat.
Considered the most endangered dolphin in the South-western Atlantic,
it is caught in artisanal fishing nets all along its distribution. However,
this interaction is not completely known in Uruguay, neither the habitat
use it makes of the coast, both basic requirements to design management
strategies if needed. Here we present preliminary results from the joint
work with artisanal fishermen from the Uruguayan coast, where they
voluntarily registered the dolphin by-catch as well as fishing data. In 3060
fishing events monitored (2006-2008), 162 franciscanas were caught, with
maximum in spring (N=73) and minimum in winter (N=17), representing
an annual mortality of 289 (95% CI: 266-350). GLM analysis suggests
that soaking net time, number of nets and depth are the main variables
significantly affecting by-catch. This information is being complemented
with remotely sensed information to obtain habitat use models. After
this joint work experience, we can affirm fishermen inclusion along the
daily research process, strengthened with interactive workshops, provides
previously unknown information, but also generates a strong bond allowing
the discussion and even joint design of management strategies in the future.
2011-12-07 14:15 From Pattern to Process -- Advancing the science and
practice of large scale conservation around the globe.
Tabor, GM*, Center for Large Landscape Conservation;
In 1987, the Brundtland Commission report (“Our Common Future” - the
United Nations Environmental Perspective to the Year 2000 and Beyond)
suggested that 12% of a jurisdiction should be protected for conservation.
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