Towards an Integrated Approach to Conservation: Lessons learned from a National Capacity Building Project in Madagascar

Due to its hotspot status, Madagascar has become the operating field of numerous conservation projects and practitioners. Among these efforts, the Network of Conservation Educators and Practitioners-Madagascar (NCEP-MD) was among the first to endeavor to de-compartmentalize disciplines, institutions, visions and methods. NCEP-MD aims to improve professional conservation capacity within the country through increasing access to high-quality teaching resources and training opportunities, and fostering collaboration beyond traditional frameworks. Since its inception in 2003, NCEP-MD has striven to implement an integrated approach to biodiversity conservation through the development and dissemination of trans-disciplinary training modules, trainings events for multi-level and multi-disciplinary academic and professional audiences, and the organization of exchange platforms for NCEP-MD network members. This presentation focuses on lessons learned during the past ten years. Project evaluations show that NCEP-MD has contributed to significant increases in conservation knowledge and opportunities for collaboration among conservation educators and practitioners in Madagascar. However, improvements in individual or institutional performances were difficult to measure. Therefore, in 2011, NCEP-MD began developing certification programs that assess individual performance and reinforce shared responsibilities between public institutions, conservation NGOs, training centers and communities.

The Niceforo's wren (Thryothorus nicefori) is an endemic bird of the Chicamocha Canyon (Colombia), which is classified as critically endangered due to habitat degradation and restricted geographic distribution. To date, it is necessary to gain insight of their distribution, which will be base for future protection plans. Applying the maximum entropy analysis (MaxEnt), and using 44 historical records for the initial distribution, three sequential versions of the potential geographic distribution of this species were generated, as new records were collected over three fieldwork explorations. Each distribution version was used to select the localities for the next exploration. After the three exploratory phases, 74 records were accumulated, which were used to generate a final updated geographic distribution for T. Nicefori. The final distribution shows that the potential distribution of this species is restricted to 3200 Km2 and concentrated mainly in the mid-west region and south-east region within the distribution. With the update of the distribution of this species, it is confirmed that this species remains in the critically endangered condition because its distribution continue restricted and the degradation of their habitat continues due to fragmentation

Conservation biologists seek to conserve and protect biodiversity but face considerable challenges because prevailing land-use practices are at odds with biodiversity conservation. Solutions are needed to redress the imbalance and practitioners employ a wide range of strategies to mitigate the effects of the many challenges faced. Problematically, environmental decision-making is not devoid of human interests, and strategies are commonly employed that suit entrenched positions and commercial gain, rather than valuing the needs of the non-human animals intended to be protected. We explore this by discussing the killing of kangaroos for conservation in Australia using the principles of ‘Compassionate Conservation’. Ethical debate on the killing of kangaroos has polarised conservation and welfare scientists, yet the unifying aim of reducing harm to non-human animals of both conservation and animal welfare provides an opportunity to redefine the debate. Here we use a compassionate framework to explore restoration activities employing the principles of conservation through sustainable use within the heavily degraded rangelands of Australia. We contrast the dominant paradigm of consumptive use versus the more compassionate approach of eco-tourism. In doing so, we highlight some of the frailties in the arguments and suggest a way forward for conservation in Australia’s rangelands.

Multidisciplinary research initiatives (climate monitoring, ecological monitoring, participatory action research) have been undertaken in eastern Madagascar to better understand impacts of changing climate on biodiversity conservation and community livelihood. Local monitoring with local perceptions show increased frequency and intensity of cyclones on the last three decades, as well as seasonal decrease of rainfall. These also demonstrate importance of climate variability with recurrent droughts and heat waves. In this context, adaptation strategies and related decision processes may need to address divergent conclusions and recommendations through multidisciplinary approach. Indeed, studies show that lesser rainfall and more cyclones perturb forest ecology, and could threaten productivity and sustainability of farming systems. However, results also demonstrate that warmer temperatures that are observed these last thirty years could induce better opportunities for rice and cash crops productivity.

Madagascar is known for its rich natural biodiversity although its status as a hotspot is threatened by human activities. Integrated conservation approaches have been implemented in the past, such as earning money through unconventional sericulture involving rearing Antherina suraka (Saturniidae), near riparian forests for commercial silk production. In our study, we investigated the feasibility of adding another alternative income stream from sericulture by utilization of the pupae for human consumption. As entomophagy has been a common practice since ancient times, we set out to confirm whether insects remain a constituent of contemporary diets and whether new species could be incorporated in the diet. We designed a survey of local people in potential or current sites of sericulture located near endangered forests of Madagascar comprising interviews of households and collections of edible insects. Evaluating preferences for particular species and willingness to try new ones, especially A. suraka pupae, was our chief objectives. Varieties of insects are known to be consumed by local people. Consuming the pupae of A. suraka would not be too great a cultural challenge as a new food in view of the fact that the same life stage in other Lepidoptera has been consumed before. This study may potentially contribute to more widespread adoption of sericulture of native species, increasing the economic value of local biodiversity and reducing overexploitation of forests in Madagascar.

Earthworms are widely recognized as ecosystem engineers through their modifications to soil structure. North America is home to both native and invasive earthworms, providing a good system to compare effects between closely related native and invasive engineers. Here I determined where and what earthworm species occur near Mountain Lake Biological Station in Virginia, and compared effects of native and invasive earthworms on the woodland salamander, Plethodon cinereus. Earthworms can positively affect P. cinereus by providing burrows for shelter and as prey, but may negatively impact this species by decreasing microinvertebrates, another key prey, in the soil and leaf litter. The native worm Eisenoides carolinensis was the most common earthworm found, occurring on 41% of 48 plots. The invasive earthworms Dendrobaena octaedra and Octolasion tyrtaeum occurred on 27% and 16% of plots, respectively. Using SEM, I found O. tyrtaeum was negatively correlated with nighttime salamander counts, mediated by negative effects on O-horizon depth and microinvertebrate numbers. In the lab, O. tyrtaeum and D. octaedra consumed more leaf litter per g of worm per day than the native E. carolinensis. However, salamanders consumed and used burrows of all earthworm species similarly. Seemingly small differences between native and invasive ecosystem engineers have the potential to significantly alter the effects of these closely related organisms leading to larger conservation implications.

The United States Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) consists of approximately 1.7 billion offshore ocean acres. Compared to coastal areas, relatively less scientific data is available on the distribution, abundance and diversity of marine organisms in the offshore marine environment. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's Environmental Studies Program (ESP) develops, conducts and oversees science designed to inform policy decisions for managing offshore energy and mineral resources on the OCS. Specific examples of applied research conducted by the ESP will be discussed, including projects focused on investigating arctic fish community ecology, mapping deep water corals, and determining the abundance and distribution of birds with high resolution aerial imagery. These examples will illustrate how the ESP is using the latest remote sensing technology and other advanced methods to collect and analyze scientific information over large areas of OCS in a cost effective manner. Results from studies such as these are continually enhancing the quality of resource management and stewardship decisions for the vast offshore environment.

Biodiversity conservation often involves urgent, yet complex decision-making dilemmas that do not have clear solutions. Such problems typically involve stakeholders with divergent viewpoints and interests, leading to disagreement, controversy and political dispute. In these situations it becomes critical for conservation managers and policy-makers to distinguish the worldviews driving the debate. Focusing on the case of tiger conservation in India, we combined the Q-Method with a traditional survey instrument to explore the diverse viewpoints of conservationists in India. The results indicate five dominant viewpoints: 1) community-centered; 2) tiger-centered; 3) science and tourism-led; 4) instrumental approach; and 5) moral-centered. Further, our research suggests that despite 'tiger-tribal' issues often overwhelming conservation debates in India, there are important areas of overlap within the tiger-centered and community-centered viewpoints, and with other independent (albeit rarely evident) viewpoints. To help foster consensus, we suggest the need to avoid framing conservation policy discussions along the tiger-tribal debate and instead focus on existing areas of agreement. One such area is provided by the moral-centered viewpoint, favored by nearly 89% participants. Creating a discourse around these views can help organize conservation professionals into a more coherent and united body, crucial for effective participation in policy advocacy, design and implementation.

Cloud forests in Sri Lanka are being rapidly degraded due to forest dieback (FDB). A climate-driven factor such as accumulation of toxic heavy metals in soils on wind slopes has been identified as the major reason for the observed FDB. Yet, very limited knowledge exists on how FDB affects endemic forest-dwelling birds in Sri Lanka. This study aimed to monitor habitat occupancy of the endangered Sri Lanka Whistling-Thrush (SLWT) in Horton Plains National Park (HPNP) where severe FDB has been observed. We used three different FDB levels - low, moderate and heavy dieback and estimated the probability of occupancy of SLWT. A total of 48 line transects (100m) stratified according to the FDB level were used in four 1km2 plots. Call play back was used to detect the elusive SLWT to maximize detection probability. Single-season occupancy modelling in PRESENCE software was used to estimate the probability of occupancy in different FDB gradients and the habitat occupancy of SLWT in HPNP was predicted by using the maximum entropy method (MAXENT software) and a habitat suitability map constructed. We found no difference in probability of occupancy of SLWT between FDB gradients. The constructed habitat suitability map for HPNP will contribute to developing a conservation management plan for SLWT in protected areas of Sri Lanka.

In addition to its intrinsic value, biodiversity provides many important goods and services that are essential for human well-being. Madagascar's biodiversity faces immediate threats from human activities, as well as other underlying threats. Biodiversity risk assessment is an important tool to enhance understanding of these challenges. It requires long term information in order to detect, describe and respond to environmental changes. Our paper illustrates the interconnectedness of social and natural sciences in risk assessment and shows the importance of ecological and socioeconomic monitoring at spatial and temporal scales. Our example comes from the monitoring program established 25 years ago at Beza Mahafaly, southwest Madagascar, in collaboration with the local community. We show how information collected at Beza Mahafaly is used as a warning system, and helps developing effective strategies to slow or reverse continued threats and loss of biodiversity in the areas.

The interplay of scientific information and value-based information and decision-making under Canada's Species at Risk Act (SARA) requires careful, transparent distinctions between scientific and non-scientific considerations. Intended to guide the recovery — not simply the survival — of listed Threatened or Endangered species, a recovery strategy must be a scientific document and include recovery targets for that species across its entire Canadian distribution. These are meant to provide a scientifically defensible baseline to enable informed and transparent political decisions that follow about when, whether, and how to attain it. The absence of a statutory definition of “recovery” under SARA, however, requires reliance on interpretations of the legislation for guidance as to intent, as well as on scientific understanding of what is necessary to secure the long-term conservation of species. In this context, it is important to consider: 1) the legal and policy context for the definition of recovery objectives under SARA; 2) the scientific foundation for defining the necessary attributes for recovery; and 3) examples of how these concepts apply to various species. Although it might appear logical to declare a species recovered once it qualifies for down-listing or de-listing (an already ambitious target), this would shift the aim from providing for long-term persistence across a species’ geographic range towards minimizing extinction risk.

Multiple frameworks of conservation opportunity have recently been presented in the conservation planning literature. This presentation will provide a synthesis of existing frameworks and a new multi-disciplinary understanding, as developed by a team of researchers and practitioners who attended a workshop in Australia on The Development of New Tools and Processes for Assessing Conservation Opportunity (April 23-26 2013). The framework defines and quantifies conservation priority and feasibility dimensions of opportunity assessments. The presentation will conclude with a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of this framework in regards to the translation of conservation priorities into effective conservation actions.

An innovative, decade-long partnership between landowners, NGO's and scientists has successfully mitigated pressure to log Tetepare Island, the largest uninhabited island in the South Pacific and one of the last remaining unlogged islands in the Solomon Islands. Three key factors underpin this partnership's success: 1) a well organized local landowner association that supports protection; 2) a conservation agreement that buttresses this support by providing tangible benefits in exchange for continued conservation performance, and 3) the high conservation value of the area protected compelling long-term international funding. Project rangers, staffed by the local community association, manage the largest marine and terrestrial protected area in the Solomon Islands, and have measured significant recovery of key resources (e.g., fish, trochus and coconut crabs). Hunting at nest-sites of critically endangered leatherback turtles has ceased and secondary threats (e.g., sea level rise, monitor predation) are being adaptively managed. In exchange for their support, community members receive employment, scholarships and sustainable livelihoods in lieu of short-term benefits from logging. The Tetepare model has been successfully duplicated at other biologically significant Melanesian locations. With continued enthusiasm of their support network, the project has left Tetepare's owners well-equipped to navigate an uncertain future with ever-increasing social and economic pressures.

Feral cats are a significant factor in the mortality of birds and other small animals, they can be a public nuisance, and can spread disease. The American Veterinary Medical Association strongly encourages and supports actions to eliminate the problem of feral cats. Management of feral cat populations by trap, neuter, and release (TNR) has gained popularity in recent years. TNR as presently employed, however, is insignificant to the overall problem and is largely viewed as ineffective. In fact, TNR increases survival of neutered animals, and kitten survival increases as adults are neutered. As a collaborative effort (ecologist, veterinarian, systems modeler) we created an individual-based simulation model to predict the effectiveness of TNR, lethal control (LC), and trap-vasectomy/hysterectomy-release (TVHR) in decreasing feral cat population size. TVHR outperformed TNR and LC at all annual capture probabilities from 10% and 90%. TNR was counterproductive, generating population size increases compared to no intervention at all. Unless over 57% of cats are trapped and sterilized annually by TNR or removed by LC there is minimal effect on population size. In contrast, with an annual capture rate of ≤35%, TVHR causes population size to decline. An annual capture rate of 57% eliminated the modeled population in 4000 days using TVHR, whereas >82% was required for TNR and LC. TVHR should be preferred over TNR for management of feral cats if decline in population size is the goal.

Many protected areas around the world are managed under multiple-use mandates that combine goals of preserving biodiversity, permitting resource extraction, and providing nature-based recreation for people. We investigated the compatibility of these goals in a study of the effects of motor vehicle routes, traffic levels, and noise propagation on wildlife communities in a U.S. national forest. We used point counts, track plates, and bioacoustic monitors to survey for birds, mammals, and motor vehicle traffic along paved, gravel, and natural-surface roads and motor vehicle trails over two years in Sierra National Forest, California. Motor vehicle noise exceeded ambient natural sound levels up to 625 m from the nearest road. Detections of mammalian carnivores increased with distance to road, and the greatest numbers of native species were detected at the most isolated sites with lowest levels of human activity; sites with one-third fewer motor vehicle events produced detections of 3.2 times more native carnivores. We found no effect of distance to road or traffic level on detections or species richness of birds. Participation in motorized recreation activities has more than doubled in the past 20 years. By integrating information about traffic levels and noise propagation into transportation and recreation planning decisions, scientists and land managers can balance human use with species protection in protected area management.

The importance of wetlands for water filtration, flood control, carbon storage, and as drivers of ecosystem productivity are well known and at the forefront of reasons why conservation of wetlands is given a priority in much of the world. Less well known are some of the global and continental linkages that showcase the need for an expansive view of the shared responsibilities among nations for stewardship of wetland habitats. For example, the vast freshwater flow of boreal rivers into northern seas drives northern marine ecosystem productivity from which much of the human population of the world derives its protein. The same freshwater flow also powers global ocean currents that determine continental weather patterns and in turn agricultural outputs of nations. Another interesting global linkage has recently become better understood—that of the millions of birds that move annually from boreal wetlands where they breed to wetlands across the globe where they spend the winter. Bar-tailed Godwits breed in western Alaska and Siberia and winter in Australia and New Zealand. They have historically been hunted by the Yupiks In the north and the Moari in the south. Sea ducks that breed in the Northwest Territories make their way to coastal wetland complexes in the U.S. like San Francisco Bay and Chesapeake Bay for the winter. Billions of birds that nest in North America’s boreal region in winter become integrated into wetland natural communities across the Americas, some as far south as southern South America.