Roadless and low-traffic areas as conservation targets and wilderness surrogates- the European perspective

With more than 100 million km of roads worldwide, the road network plays a main role in shaping the environment. Road impacts on the environment are numerous, very complex, time-lagged and extend far beyond the edge of the road itself. Probably the most important road effect is what we have termed “contagious development”: roads provide access to previously remote areas, thus opening them up for more roads and developments, and triggering land-use changes, resource extraction and human disturbance. In this context, keeping road-free the remaining large unfragmented patches of natural habitats is of crucial importance for their conservation. Roadless and low-traffic areas represent relatively undisturbed natural habitats and functioning ecosystems. They increase landscape connectivity, act as barrier against pests and invasions, and render many ecosystem services. Roadless areas largely contribute to the preservation of native biodiversity and contain more species and individuals, species with large spatial requirements (e.g. top carnivores) and species sensitive to human disturbance. They get special relevance in the context of climate change because their higher resilience and buffering capacity. Roadless areas have become a rare element of the landscape, particularly in Europe, where roads are among the biggest land consumers in the European Union. An analysis of conservation legislation in Europe illustrates that although most laws aimed at protecting targets which are inherent to fragmentation, like connectivity, ecosystem processes, or integrity, roadless areas are widely neglected. For example, in Germany, although the Natura 2000 network covers an important proportion of the country (16%), most low-traffic and roadless areas (75%) lie outside this network. Additionally, Natura 2000 sites are highly fragmented. A similar study in Greece shows that less than 3% of the roadless areas in the country were protected under the Natura 2000 network, mostly in mountains tops. We propose that the few still existing roadless and low-traffic areas in Europe shall be an important focus of conservation efforts and that “roadlessness” must be an essential component of wilderness. Recent initiatives include the Report on Wilderness in Europe by the European Parliament, the European Union Strategy on Green Infrastructure or the Federal Defragmentation Programme in Germany.

Mercury and plastic pollution levels in the Pacific Ocean are considered to be increasing with high levels of mercury, lead, and plastic documented in North Pacific albatross species. Our group has shown that changes in methylmercury levels, in Black-Footed Albatross (BFAL) have increased as predicted from anthropogenic mercury emissions using museum specimens spanning the past 130 years. At the local scale, lead paint exposure from buildings on their breeding ground affected the population viability of Laysan albatross (LAAL), suggesting albatross are threatened by heavy metal exposure at both local (lead) and global scales (mercury). Plastic pollution in the oceans accumulates in zones of high density or "gyres". Our pilot study indicates that plastic can leach potentially toxic concentrations of metals (e.g., lead, zinc). Since the BFAL and LAAL feed at the top of the marine food chain, range across the Pacific, and feed along the gyres of plastic pollution, they are ideal sentinel species for marine pollution. Therefore, we propose that North Pacific albatross are an effective marine flagship species and understanding their exposure risks will support broader biodiversity conservation across the North Pacific.

The federally endangered Shenandoah salamander (Plethodon shenandoah) is an endemic, high elevation, terrestrial salamander found exclusively on three mountaintops in Shenandoah National Park. In the face of climate change and other potential stressors on the species, management agencies need the ability to make informed decisions. Few studies have been conducted on the Shenandoah salamander since the early 1970s and historic hypotheses related to distribution and habitat use are conflicting. As part of a broader collaboration among state and federal agencies, this study uses multi-season occupancy data, coupled with macro and micro habitat data, to explore multiple hypotheses relating to distribution and habitat preference. Results do not support historic hypotheses and have led to the formation of new hypotheses. This research provides useful information for the development of a long-term monitoring plan for the Shenandoah salamander and will assist managers as they evaluate management options to reduce extinction risk for this salamander, given expectations of future climate change.

Geospatial datasets representing Earth's tree cover are crucial for detecting forest gains, losses, and degradation. We generated a global, 30-m percent tree cover dataset using circa-2000 and -2005 Landsat images and the MOderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Cropland Probability and Vegetation Continuous Fields (VCF) Tree Cover layers. Our estimates maintain fidelity to the MODIS VCF (RMSE = 9% in 2000 and 12% in 2005) but improve accuracy in agricultural areas and discrimination of small clearings. Compared against lidar measurements in multiple biomes, the Landsat-based estimates exhibit accuracy equivalent to that of the MODIS VCF (RMSE = 17% for both MODIS- and Landsat-based estimates), but RMSE of Landsat estimates relative to lidar measurements is 3% percentage points lower than that of the MODIS data in a mixed forest-agricultural region. Saturation of the MODIS VCF at ≥80% tree cover is retained in the Landsat estimates, but the Landsat data show greater potential for removal of errors through calibration to lidar, with post-calibration RMSE of 9% compared to 14% in MODIS estimates. With 30-m spatial resolution and improved accuracy in agricultural regions, the 2000 and 2005 Landsat-based tree cover dataset is the highest-resolution multi-temporal depiction of Earth's tree cover available to the conservation community. The data and associated quality layers are provided for free download at the Global Land Cover Facility website (www.landcover.org).

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) is the largest tract of wild land remaining in the lower 48 states; however its habitat is being fragmented by various human activities. The flagship species in the GYE is the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) which persists here at its southernmost North American latitude. This GYE subpopulation is perceived to have been isolated from other grizzly bear subpopulations in the United States for around a century. In fact, some scientists have measured a loss of genetic diversity in the GYE population compared to the one in the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem (NCDE). Retaining or reestablishing usable habitat connectivity between the GYE, the NCDE and the Selway-Bitterroot Ecosystem would help mitigate this genetic loss. Using GIS analysis, I examine the relationship between GYE grizzly bear emigration distance various influences on the land. Roads may be the primary barrier. Additional GIS insight is that roads and mining/oil and gas leases occur within the grizzly bear Primary Conservation Area and within GYE Roadless Areas. The opportunity to create a usable landscape matrix allowing the GYE grizzly bear to emigrate to other sub-populations will not last indefinitely.

It is postulated that specialist species, having narrow ecological niches are highly vulnerable, and in patchy habitats they may fail to form a metapopulation. We examined this hypothesis by comparing two closely related species, the generalist Lichtenstein's short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus sthenodactylus), and the specialist endangered Middle Eastern short-fingered gecko (Stenodactylus doriae), both living in the Arava valley shared by Israel and Jordan. Using AFLP analysis and comparing sub populations we found that among populations, as expected, the specialist S. doriae had an interrupted gene flow, while the generalist S. sthenodactylus showed an undisturbed connectivity. However, we were surprised to find that the most isolated population of the specialist S. doriae, located in the smallest sand dune (Samar), exhibited the highest gene diversity of all the populations studied (He = 0.4286). This population was also found to be genetically unique when compared to its neighboring populations, and gene flow between two populations located to the north and to the south bypassed it. The generalist S. sthenodactylus, in contrast, did not exhibit exceptional heterozygosity. Based on the results we suggest that high quality habitats may provide adaptive advantage to specialists that can hold exceptional diversity even in small, secluded patches and thus we need to pay special conservation attention for such unique habitats.

A study of impact of climate change on the critical wildlife habitats was carried out through extensive biodiversity surveys, participatory community consultation and socio-economic assessments covering 2000 sq km in the Alpine/Trans-Himalaya (2500−6000 m) of Sikkim in the Eastern Himalayas. Rotational pastoralism of nomadic Dokpas, stocking density, and indigenous resources management pattern were assessed. Of the total 85 locations assessed, 80% had high stocking density of domestic yak and sheep resulting into overgrazing competition with wild ungulates. With the impact of globalization, ecological resilience and socio-cultural systems of the region suffer from unbalanced economic exploitation such as hydropower projects, unregulated tourism, and illegal collection/trade of species. Pronounced impact of climate change resulted into species migration, emergence of new diseases in domestic/wild ungulates, resource degradation and reduction of grazing regime due to low productivity. Further, habitat fragmentation, lowering of habitat ranges, population decline and vulnerability were also recorded. Thus, habitats of the last surviving species of the region such as Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Tahr, Tibetan Argali, Southern Kiang, Tibetan Gazelle, Eurasian Lynx, Red/Tibetan Fox, Tibetan Wolf etc. are rapidly degrading. This globally significant biodiversity hotspot in the Khangchendzonga complex needs sustainable transboundary cooperation and conservation strategies.

We used multiallelic genotypic information from 273 individually identified tigers and used Bayesian and coalescent-based analyses to answer questions about spatial genetic structure and gene flow in the tiger meta-population of the Satpura-Maikal landscape. We found that the tiger meta-population in central India has high rates of historical and contemporary gene flow. Their population sub-division began about 1000 years ago and accelerated about 200 years ago due to habitat fragmentation, leading to four spatially separated populations that have been in immigration-drift equilibrium maintained by high gene flow. We also found the highest rates of contemporary gene flow in populations that are connected by forest corridors.

Human activities in Antarctica are greater than ever before and are predicted to increase. Here we evaluate the protection of Antarctic biodiversity provided by the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty System. We examined the Antarctic Specially Protected Area (ASPAs) network, identifying that 54 specifically protect Antarctic biodiversity. The spatial aspects of the ASPA network in relation to human activity were examined and, using a recent continent wide risk-assessment, the likelihood of non-native species establishment was quantified. We also looked at protection in a global context by incorporating recent research on the bioregionalisation of terrestrial Antarctica. Spatial analysis highlighted that ASPA were significantly closer to sites of human activity than would be expected by chance. Seven APSAs are at high risk of non-native species establishment and all are located on the Antarctic Peninsula. We show that in a global context the overall level of protection of Antarctic biodiversity is low, with only 1.5% of ice free land protected for biodiversity conservation. Five of the 15 bioregions have no protected areas suggesting that the ASPA network is not representative. Given the increasing levels of human activity and that non-native species establishment is one of the greatest threats to terrestrial biodiversity, the ASPA network requires revision to be more systematic, representative and comprehensive in a changing environment.

The forest ecosystem in eastern North America has experienced duel impacts from exotic plant invasion and chronic high herbivore density, yet the interaction between these factors is not well understood. We examined the impact of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) on the abundance of four exotic (Rosa multiflora, Berberis thunbergii, Rubus phoenicolasius and Microstegium vimineum) and a native (Cynoglossum virginianum, known to be deer-dispersed) plant species, within a 25.6-ha mature temperate forest plot in Virginia, USA. A 4-ha 30-year-old fenced subplot was paired with a 4-ha control subplot within the plot. In each 400-m2 quadrat, we measured each species' abundance and determined 11 environmental and stand variables. For each species, we constructed a conditional inference tree using the quadrats outside the two subplots to identify significant predictors for their abundance, and then constructed a second tree using the relevant significant variables from the two subplots and presence/absence of deer to examine the role of deer on their abundance. We found lower abundance of C. virginianum, B. thunbergii, R. phoenicolasius and M. vimineum but higher abundance of R. multiflora in the fenced subplot. Our results indicate chronic high densities of deer increased plant abundance for several exotic species with notable exceptions to R. multiflora possibly because lower diversity and abundance of avian community indirectly induced by deer limited its seed dispersal.

This research focuses on the sacred forests of the Mijikenda in coastal Kenya. It aims to investigate how changes in local cultures, attitudes, values alters the use of sacred natural sites, and how this impacts the management of such sites. Existing management plans are framed around the traditional animistic belief systems of the Mijikenda, and assumes that the majority of local people adhere to these beliefs and associated practices. However, to date continued degradation of these forests have cast doubt over the efficacy of the existing management plans. I used an interdisciplinary approach to investigate the value of the forests to the local biodiversity, the extent of existing sacred forests in the area, as well as how attitudes and values of local people have changed, how these changes affect the use of the forests and what impacts they may have for the management and preservation of these sites. This research has found that the sacred sites are important for biodiversity, culture and ecosystem services. However, the attitude, values and behaviours towards the sacred sites have changed. Many people no longer subscribe to the traditional belief systems, do not take part in traditional practices, and do not use the sites in accordance with traditional laws. The management to date has not adapted to meet the changes in local culture and associated behaviours (including more extractive activities) and therefore is not a practical approach to the conservation of these sites. In order to effectively manage the Mijieknda sacred Kaya forests, for biodiversity and cultural heritage, management must take into account the attitudes and values of the local people as they are today.

The traditional Chinese Buddhist practice of releasing animals slated for slaughter or suffering is considered an act of kindness through which the individual can gain merit. Originally the animal was locally caught or raised, purchased in a local market, and released with minimal negative impact on the environment. Today Release Life is very popular in China, other Asian countries, and many in South East Asia where the practice has become a “big business.” Millions of animals are released annually into rivers, lakes, farmland, suburbs, cities, and animal reserves. The devastating environmental impact and the cruelty to the animals released have been documented. As more Buddhist learn about the harm that is caused through Release Life practices, members of the Chinese Buddhist communities are endeavoring to educate Buddhist congregations with the help of conservation biologists, environmentalists, rehabbers, and rescue groups.

If more conservation-minded citizens were aware of certain environmental threats and how to resolve them, these issues could be resolved more effectively. Scientific conferences focusing on conservation (like the ICCB) bring together countless experts on environmental problems and solutions, but are not an effective means of reaching the interested public on a large scale. If used properly, social media technology such as twitter can be a powerful tool for science and conservation outreach from conferences. This presentation will discuss using twitter to share important information from scientific conferences with the interested public around the world in real time. It will explain general principles of twitter for science and conservation outreach, and will include a case study from the 2011 ICCB in Auckland, New Zealand.

Much has been made of citizen science as a new approach to scientific research, one that can provide scientists and communities access to otherwise unavailable knowledge. By engaging members of the public in the scientific process, citizen science also has the opportunity to bring social considerations into conversation with technical aspects of research, a necessity when approaching problem-focused work in complex social-ecological contexts such as conservation. As scientists are significant partners in research design and project management, their considerations of relevant social and scientific concerns related to conservation problems may influence research questions, protocols, and opportunities afforded to the public in the process of knowledge production and use. Some scientists working with citizen science projects speak of their commitments to conservation purposes, and demonstrate willingness to think creatively about their roles as experts in bringing their knowledge to bear on problems. But not much is known about the choices scientists make towards generating knowledge via citizen science, or about their considerations of the use or usefulness of different knowledges for conservation purposes. Stories of practice, from professional scientists committed to citizen science, reveal ways in which scientists’ work at the intersection of research and the public can offer new ways of understanding and pursuing knowledge for conservation purposes.