Abstracts available here - Society for Conservation Biology

25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011
While the 12% goal was ambitious at its time, this arbitrary threshold has
since been used by the majority of governmental bodies as a justified ceiling
for conservation and not as a foundation to build upon. In the past quarter
century, conservation science and global ecological monitoring continue
to confirm the declining dashboard indicators on the health of the natural
world. With wholesale climate change impacts looming, not only does
the status of biodiversity appear on the ropes, so does the influence and
ambitions of the conservation community. Large landscape conservation
approaches have emerged as a conservation necessity to ensure species
protection and the integrity of ecological processes. These efforts by well
design encourage the sustainability of human livelihoods and prosperity.
There is growing discourse within the conservation science community that
50% for nature is ecologically realistic and scientifically sound; however,
advancing this agenda faces the challenge of societal opprobrium. This
presentation provides an overview of large landscape successes, some of
the key science that was marshaled in these efforts, and the strategies to
gain public acceptance. On the shoulders of these exemplars, conservation
efforts may yet work at the scale nature functions.
2011-12-08 18:30 Population and Density Estimate of Black Rat
(Ratts rattus) in Mangrove Forest
Taher Ghadirian*, Mahmood Karami(2), Afshin Danehkar(2) &
Mahmood Reza Hemami(3)
(1) Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran,
Iran; (2) Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj,
Iran; (3) Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of
Technology, Isfahan, Iran
Population and density estimate of Black Rat in Mangrove forests was
conducted by two independent procedure including Seber-Jolly and
Catch-Effort Methods. A selected trapping area with 15 hectare area was
studied. We used Color earrings and numerical rings for marking the
captured individuals. Seber-Jolly method was performed in 7 steps which
population for steps 2 to 6 were estimated 68.5, 96.9, 105.8, 61.7 and
73.6 respectively with density of 4.1 to 7 Rat/ha. Catch-Effort method
performed in 6 steps and population estimate was 89.3 with density of 5.9
Rat/ha. For comparing the population estimates with the total population
captured in the trapping area, the total number of rats were 96 with density
of 6.4 Rat/ha. Considering the results, around 4-7 Black Rats survive in
every single Hectare of Mangrove forests of study site, which states low
differences between the results of Seber-Jolly, Catch-Effort and total count
methods. All of these methods appear to be suitable for population-estimate
for this species in this habitat, but because of lower Standard Error(SE) of
Catch-Effort method, it is the most recommended to study Black Rats in
Mangrove forests. Black Rat is an exotic and pest species in this habitat and
removal them for scientific reasons would not damage their population or
the ecosystem. The other advantages of the Catch-Effort method is its low
cost and efficiency which could lead us to a total population estimate of
the area.
2011-12-08 10:54 Mussel and dogwhelk distribution along the northwest
Atlantic coast: testing predictions from the abundant-centre model
Tam, J.C.*, Victoria University of Wellington;
We performed the first test of predictions from the abundant-centre model
using north-west Atlantic coastal organisms. We tested the hypotheses
that the density of intertidal mussels (Mytilus edulis and M. trossulus)
and dogwhelks (Nucella lapillus) would peak at an intermediate location
along their distribution range. We also assessed the latitudinal variation in
critical aerial exposure time. We measured mussel density and dogwhelk
density in 60 wave-exposed rocky intertidal sites spread evenly in six
regions from Newfoundland to New York. Critical aerial exposure times
were determined using online data. Density data for M. edulis and N.
lapillus provided limited support for an abundant-centre pattern and M.
trossulus showed a clear ramped-south distribution. Critical aerial exposure
times were negatively correlated with overall mussel density. This suggests
that the level of physiological stress experienced by mussels during summer
and winter low tides might partially explain the observed patterns in mussel
abundances. Dogwhelks, which prey on mussels, seem to respond positively
to prey density at the regional scale. Our study supports the notion that,
while the abundant-centre model is a useful starting point for research and
conservation efforts, it often represents an oversimplification of reality.
2011-12-09 15:30 The role of legislation and formal education in the
conservation of biocultural diversity
Tang, R*, Victoria University of Wellington; McCarter, J, Victoria
University of Wellington; Gavin, M, Victoria University of Wellington;
The traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of local people is a key
determinant of the success or otherwise of biocultural approaches to
conservation. However, little research has thoroughly examined means for
the maintenance and revitalization of TEK, despite the fact it is at risk in
the context of pervasive environmental and social change. Here we present
original case study research based on qualitative methodology from Inner
Mongolia and Vanuatu, examining the role of top-down governmental
actions in the conservation of TEK. Specifically, we describe the enactment
of a novel legislative intervention in China focusing on the revitalization
of traditional institutions; and evaluate the potential of formal education
systems in Vanuatu to both erode and conserve TEK.
We find that governmental instruments, such as legislation and formal
education, can be effective tools for the revitalization of TEK, and have
potential to strengthen the ability of local people to sustainably manage
resources. However, we find there are critical barriers to the effective
conservation of TEK through top-down initiatives such as these, and
note the importance of considering complete cultural landscapes for the
maintenance of biocultural diversity.
2011-12-06 14:15 Prioritising threat management for global
biodiversity conservation
Tara Martin*, CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems; Josie Carwardine,
CSIRO Sustainable Ecosystems; Trudy O’Conner, The Wilderness
Society; Sarah Legge, Australian Wildlife Conservancy; Brendan
Mackey, Australian National University; Hugh Possingham,
University of Queensland;
Biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate around the globe due to a range
of threatening processes. The management of key threats to biodiversity is
essential for conserving species within functioning ecosystems, but threat
management actions are rarely costed and prioritised for decision-making.
We present a widely adaptable and economically-grounded approach for
prioritising threat management to maximise the protection of biodiversity
in-situ per dollar spent. Our approach draws on empirical data and expert
predictions of the likely responses of species to a set of costed management
scenarios. An application to the iconic Kimberley region of northwestern
Australia shows that the loss of 45 mammals, birds and reptiles
can be averted by managing fire, grazing and invasive species at a cost of
approximately $40 million per year. Our approach is flexible and can be
rapidly applied even where formal survey data is limited but expert advice
is available. It delivers transparent guidance for protecting species and
ecosystems and is relevant to decision-makers the world over.
2011-12-08 18:30 Community-Based Adaptive Marine Co-
Management in the South Pacific: A Fiji experience
Tawake, A*, James Cook University; Meo, S, Institute of Applied
Science, University of the South Pacific, Fiji; Bogiva, A, Institute of
Applied Science, University of the South Pacific, Fiji; Fong, S, Institute
of Applied Science, University of the South Pacific, Fiji; Tawake, L,
University of Sunshine Coast (Aus); Vave, R, Institute of Applied
Science, University of the South Pacific, Fiji; Comley, J, Institute of
Applied Science, University of the South Pacific, Fiji; Aalbersberg, B,
Institute of Applied Science, University of the South Pacific, Fiji
Marine resources, the mainstay of most Pacific Islands people’s livelihoods
have been dwindling rapidly over the last several decades. This led to the
judicious revival of local management practices since the 1990s utilizing
community based adaptive management (CBAM) process. CBAM is based
on progressive participatory community-driven approaches informed by
marrying scientific and traditional knowledge. Despite the widespread
promotion of CBAM, their role and effectiveness remains contested.
Hence, this paper focused on the key question: to what extent does CBAM
work as a practical and useful approach to marine conservation in the South
Pacific? The progress of CBAM initiatives in the Pacific is first reviewed
and both empirical and experiential evidences on successes and challenges
of CBAM in Fiji presented as a case study. Household incomes have
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