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25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011 2011-12-07 10:54 Conserving leopards in non-protected forest of Karnataka, India Usham Singh*, Wildlife SOS; Kartick Satyanarayan, Wildlife SOS; Geeta Seshamani, Wildlife SOS; Haobijam P. Meetei, Wildlife SOS; Samad Kottur, Wildlife SOS; Human-leopard conflict is a serious challenge since conflict centered around the non-protected forest and human-dominated landscape. A survey was conducted during 2008-09 in Karnataka, India, covering vast non-protected landscape in nine administrative districts. Leopards Panthera pardus killed 331 animals, comprising 8 species namely goat (40.7 %), cattle (26.5 %), sheep (15.1 %), dog (14.8 %), horse (1.2 %), buffalo (0.9 %), cat (0.3 % and domestic fowl (0.3 %). District-wise distribution of conflict showed that high conflict occurred in Bellary (30. 6 %), Koppal (26.3 %), Chittadurga (16.6 %), Uttar Kannada (10 %) and Gadak (6.5 %). 88 % locals who loss livestock due to predation by leopards were unaware of the Govt-sponsored compensation scheme. Lack of awareness among the locals motivated WSOS to conduct further study. An extensive education programme is currently being undertaken in the high-conflict areas. A joint-venture programme involving local’s representatives and managers is being planned primarily to bridge the relation between locals and managers. Conserving leopards in the non-protected forests require developing public relations. 2011-12-07 17:00 Effects of pond draining on farm pond biodiversity and water quality USIO, NISIKAWA*, Niigata University, Japan; Miho Imada, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan; Megumi Nakagawa , National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan; Munemitsu Akasaka , National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan; Noriko Takamura, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan; Farm ponds have high conservation values because they contribute significantly to regional biodiversity and ecosystem services. In Japan, pond draining is a traditional management method that is widely believed to improve water quality and to eradicate invasive fish. On the other hand, pond draining may reduce freshwater biodiversity through extirpation of immobile aquatic animals. However, scientific evaluation of the effects of pond draining is lacking. Here, we evaluated through a natural experiment the effects of pond draining on freshwater biodiversity and water quality with regards to differential pond management practices and heterogeneous landscapes. Sixty four farm ponds were surveyed for various aquatic animals and plants. Macroinvertebrates and bloom-forming Cyanobacteria were used as indicators for freshwater biodiversity and water quality, respectively, and these variables were related to pond management practice and land use variables. The key findings are that: 1) contrary to the expectations, pond draining was neither effective in eradicating invasive animals (i.e. bluegill sunfish and red swamp crayfish) nor improving water quality and 2) pond draining can have adverse effects on red list species (mainly snails) in forestdominated landscapes. Overall, our results indicate that pond draining is not effective at least for the selected variables. There is a pressing need for developing target-specific management methods of farm pond ecosystems. 2011-12-09 11:06 How landholders have organized to lead conservation efforts on Kolombangara Island, Solomon Islands Vaghi, F*, Coordinator, Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association; Cox, AS, Technical Officer, Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association; The biodiversity of the Solomon Islands is globally recognized yet less than 1% of land or sea is under formal protection, partly due to complex systems of customary land tenure. However, on Kolombangara Island, a strong conservation program led by landholders has emerged. This paper presents the story of how community leaders, a sustainable forest plantation company and scientists found a way forward by bringing together a variety of perspectives and opportunities. The approach has been rooted in respecting and reinvigorating customary practices and honoring a vision conceived by island elders rather than relying heavily on traditional science and conservation-based approaches. Creating a neutral body separate from divisive land ownership issues has been fundamental. This empowered, locally-driven conservation institution is now leading real efforts to conserve Kolombangara Island’s unique biodiversity, including its renowned endemic birds, under threat from industrial-scale logging and unsustainable land practices. Kolombangara Island Biodiversity Conservation Association, is in the process of formally creating a conservation area for all lands above 400m altitude, won a High Court challenge against logging in 2010 and is improving the quality of life of Kolombangara’s Dughore people. The paper explains the reasons underlying KIBCA’s success, sets out KIBCA’s ongoing challenges and makes general observations applicable to other locations. 2011-12-08 18:30 Relative abundance estimation of the mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) in the high-Andean forests of the Puracé National Park, Colombia. Valderrama, Stephany*, No; Abud, Melissa, No; Duque, Sebastian, No; Calero, Humberto, No; The mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) is a species in dangerous, it is an ungulate that only inhabits in the Andes of Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. To ensure effective conservation measures it is necessary to collect information regarding the natural history and population status of the species. Our aim was to estimate the relative abundance in the north and south of Puracé national park through camera-trapping. Our study is the first cameratrapping with the tapir in the area. We achieved 1546 camera-nights in the north and 1008 camera-nights in the south of the park. An overall capture of 38 photographic events indicate that in average there are 4 individuals per 100 camera- nights. Furthermore we obtained 32 photographs of other wildlife such as cougars and spectacled bears. We conclude that cameratrapping is effective in the area and allows us to know the minimum sampling effort necessary for a remote camera survey for these species. More cameratrap stations and a larger area coverage could result in a reliable approach to population parameters of the tapir in the park. Additionally we developed an educational strategy with local and government stake-holders to promote the importance of the tapir and its ecosystem. 2011-12-09 15:45 The song of the North Island kokako: From island to island on an island Valderrama, SV*, Department of Biological Sciences,The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand; Molles, LE, Agriculture and Life Sciences Division, Lincoln University, Christchurch, New Zealand; Slabbekoorn, H, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Sylvius Laboratory, Leiden, The Netherlands; Waas, J, Department of Biological Sciences,The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand; Cultural transmission of vocal traditions in the once widespread North Island Kokako (Callaeas wilsoni) may be currently undergoing disruption and drift in the remaining fragmented and isolated populations. Endangered and endemic, kokako are a flagship species requiring rigorous management of introduced predators, and translocation of individuals to areas with suitable habitat. Song traditions in small surviving and translocated populations could be especially susceptible to founder effects and rapid cultural drift. We first studied song variation in five surviving populations and two translocated populations. Our study suggests that geographic dialects in surviving populations and divergence in translocated populations are forged by fragmentation and isolation. Vocal divergence might lead to discrimination against immigrants due to reduced mutual recognition – a potential issue when multiple translocations among populations may be needed to maintain genetic diversity. Subsequently, a reciprocal playback experiment was performed to examine the impact of song divergence on behavioural responses of translocated and source populations. None of the populations discriminated between local and non-local songs. However, overall differing vocal performance and intensity of response to playback suggest that simulated intruders represent different levels of threat to different populations. Consequently, further vocal divergence over longerterm isolation may create reproductive barriers between populations. 2011-12-06 14:30 Managing habitat for endangered species: Carnaby’s black-cockatoo, food resources and time since last fire Valentine, LE*, WA State Centre of Excellence for Climate Change, Woodland and Forest Health; Wilson, BA, Department of Environment and Conservation, Bentley; Stock, WD, School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University; Fleming, PA, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University; Hardy, GEStJ, Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Murdoch University; Hobbs, RJ, School of Plant 172
25th International Congress for Conservation Biology • Auckland, New Zealand • 5-9 December 2011 Biology, University of Western Australia; Habitat loss is often the primary factor contributing to a decline in the range or abundance of threatened species. Management of threatened or endangered species is often focused on acquisition of remnant habitat, with minimal focus on habitat quality, in terms of resource provisioning. We investigated the influence of time since last fire on food resources in banksia woodlands for the endangered Carnaby’s black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) in southwest Western Australia. We measured tree density and fruit productivity of two dominant banksia species (Banksia attenuata and B. menziesii) in 38 sites with varying fire ages. Using pre-existing information on the calorific content of banksia seeds and the field metabolic rate of Carnaby’s black-cockatoo, we estimated the number of birds per hectare of habitat of different fire ages (0-5, 6-10, 11-19, 20- 29 and ≥ 30 years since last fire) could support. Time since fire strongly influenced the fruit productivity of both banksia species. Recently burnt habitat (< 6 years since last fire) could support the least number of birds (~ 50 birds/ha) as opposed to habitat that was 20 – 29 years since last fire (~ 300 birds/ha). Fire is a management tool often used in conservation reserves and appropriate fire management will be important for ensuring adequate food resources for the endangered Carnaby’s black-cockatoo. 2011-12-07 18:15 Regional and species-specific variation in long-term habitat-occupancy relationships Van der Hoek, Yntze*, City University of New York/College of Staten Island; Manne, Lisa, City Univeristy of New York/College of Staten Island; The minimum amount of habitat needed in a landscape for a species to persist has been a widely recognized conservation target. Several studies have identified habitat thresholds below which persistence rapidly declines, but as yet we know little of the extent to which thresholds vary spatially and between species. This information is necessary for establishing whether we can apply the same conservation targets across broad geographical regions. We used repeated state-wide breeding bird atlases of several U.S. states to investigate long-term occupancy dynamics. Our objectives were to determine: (1) whether threshold models were always the best models to describe a species’ habitat occupancy relationship, (2) to what extent threshold curves varied regionally within species, and (3) if species characteristics could explain variation in threshold curves across species. We used threshold (segmented regression) and non-threshold (logistic regression) models to describe the relationship between forest cover and occupancy dynamics. Estimates between species and between regions vary significantly, supporting the notion that previous studies on this topic are case-specific and difficult to extrapolate. Threshold estimates vary regionally due to variation in the overall availability of suitable habitat on a landscapewide scale. We argue that our approach can be repeated for species or regions that are of particular conservation interest, therefore providing a valuable methodology to be included in environmental planning and ecosystem management. 2011-12-09 10:50 The Asian Crocodile Crisis van der Ploeg, J*, Leiden University; van Weerd, M, Leiden University; Crocodiles are a conservation success-story. In most parts of the world crocodilian populations have rapidly recovered in response to regulation of harvesting, captive breeding and the creation of protected areas. But not in Asia. Of the seven endangered crocodilians in the world, five occur in the Oriental zoogeographical region: the Philippine crocodile Crocodylus mindorensis, the Indian Gharial Gavialis gangeticus, the Chinese alligator Alligator chinensis, the Siamese crocodile Crocodylus siamensis, and the Malay Gharial Tomistoma schlegelii. Crocodile populations in tropical Asia continue to decline in the wild as a result of hunting, the use of destructive fishing methods and the degradation of freshwater wetland habitat. Asia poses a specific set of challenges that demand innovative solutions. The classic conservation model focused on sustainable use and protected areas, which has been successful in other parts of the world, is clearly failing. An alternative community-based approach to conserve crocodiles in humandominated landscapes is beginning to take shape in several countries in Southeast Asia, most notably in the Philippines and Cambodia. These grassroots initiatives actively engage rural communities in conservation through education and public awareness campaigns. These small-scale conservation projects counter ‘the use it or lose it’ narrative that has shaped crocodile conservation policy and practices, and provide hope for the survival of Asia’s dragons. 2011-12-08 12:00 Experimenting with roads: Learning how to improve mitigation for wildlife VAN DER REE, R*, Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology; Jaeger, J, Concordia University, Canada; Fahrig, L, Carleton University, Canada; Madrinan, F, Concordia University, Canada; Houlahan, J, University of New Brunswick at St john; Findlay, S, 4Institute of the Environment, & Ottawa-Carleton Institute of Biology; Roads and traffic affect wildlife by increasing rates of mortality, creating barriers to movement and reducing habitat quality. Road agencies around the world routinely include mitigation measures (under and overpasses, fencing) in road projects to minimize their negative effects, often at significant cost. Research to quantify the effectiveness of mitigation is also underway. Now and into the future, road agencies will need to address the following scenario: If this mitigation is not fully effective, what and by how much does it need to be modified? An experimental approach to the mitigation should be adopted now so that the modifications made in 10 or 20 years time are based on rigorous science and offer the best value for money. Numerous changes to the current system is required, including i) support for the role of science in road agencies; ii) ability to spend money across project, state or national borders; iii) a willingness to delay mitigation at some locations; iv) development of an international database of mitigation measures; v) prioritization of parameters to be tested; vi) improved reporting and data sharing; and vi) establishment of an “experimental mitigation area”. In this paper we will demonstrate the need for this approach and outline the necessary steps to design and implement the experiments. Importantly, road and conservation agencies must take this next step to ensure the maximum benefit for conservation is obtained from the funds spent. 2011-12-06 14:45 Urban ecology in New Zealand: challenges and opportunities van Heezik, Y.M.*, University of Otago; Studies of birds in urban New Zealand (NZ) are rare and recent, reflecting environmental management that continues to follow a largely preservationist model involving the protection of endangered species in wilderness areas, with little value being accorded modified habitats. NZ’s human population is small compared with that of other developed countries, however, for the >86% of people that live in NZ urban areas, encounters within the city will shape their knowledge, appreciation, and awareness of biodiversity. While NZ urban areas are small and apparently green on a global scale, there is a very high degree of homogenization, with exotic birds comprising >40% of bird species. NZ natives have evolved in the absence of mammalian predators, and urban areas contain dense concentrations of predators such as domestic cats, the control of which is complex and contentious. Community-led restoration projects involving the creation of predator free areas, so called mainland islands, when located close to urban areas (e.g. Zealandia in Wellington and Orokonui in Dunedin) have the potential to act as source populations provided there is adequate connectivity. 2011-12-06 12:15 Gender, Pregnancy and Individual Identification in Giant Panda Populations using Fecal Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (FNIRS). Vance, CK*, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, MS USA; Kouba, AJ, Memphis Zoological Society, Memphis, TN USA; Holtvoigt, A, Memphis Zoological Society, Memphis, TN USA; Nei, YG, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Wei, FW, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Willard, ST, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, MS USA; Fecal Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (FNIRS) is a remote sensing approach we are applying to the study of giant pandas and other wildlife in the field with the aim of developing rapid methods to identify gender, reproductive state, and possibly individual identity for population surveys. 173
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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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