Exploring potential downsides of conservation linkages: plant invasion in Southern California linkages

The potential downsides of conservation linkages or corridors remain a recurrent yet still largely unexplored issue in the connectivity and conservation world. This research examines one major understudied concern: how invasive plants interact with conservation linkages. As part of a multisystem and multiscale study to address the potential problem of linkages facilitating invasive plants, I examined the patterns and potential mechanisms of plant invasion associated with large-scale conservation linkages in Southern California. I collected data from eight linkages dominated by chaparral and coastal sage scrub in two Southern California counties. Surveys confirm that plant invasion has a spatially explicit structure, with linkage interiors being more invaded than their edges. I show how that spatial pattern changes depending on the type of directly adjacent habitat (e.g., suburban housing vs. agricultural orchard). Moreover, I examined how those spatially-and-matrix dependent patterns change depending on species dispersal mode. What constitutes a landscape for a wind-dispersed invasive species is not the same as that of an animal-dispersed invasive species or a bird-dispersed species. By demonstrating the probable hotspots for certain types of invasive plants along a linkage edge and the associated factors that play into those patterns, this research will help land managers/owners better plan, design, and manage their conservation linkages.

The case for monitoring wildlife health is compelling. The potential benefits include: detection of emerging infectious or zoonotic diseases; control of certain diseases in domestic animals, especially livestock; ascertaining effects of habitat change or invasive species; increased understanding of disease ecology and wildlife biology; and wildlife preservation. While there are systems in place for monitoring emerging disease in humans and some domestic animals, there is currently no comprehensive, integrated, national strategy for the monitoring or surveillance of wildlife disease in the United States. There are inherent challenges to creating an effective system for wildlife disease monitoring and surveillance. A surveillance system is dependent on the ability to collect an adequate number of biological samples from a representative wildlife population, analyze those samples for the presence of disease agents, interpret the results, identify trends and respond to emerging issues. Such a system requires a mandate, strategic planning and significant training and funding resources for implementation. Veterinarians involved in wildlife rehabilitation have a critical role in monitoring wildlife health, need to practice a more enlightened and comprehensive level of medicine, and should use the resultant information to educate and inform public policy.

Next-generation metagenomic sequencing may provide insight into the giant panda's unique gastrointestinal tract's (GIT) microbial system and how this carnivore makes use of a bamboo diet. Moreover, the distinctive GIT microflora of the giant panda may have inherent cellulolytic aspects that would be beneficial in the production of second-generation lignocellulosic biofuels for green energy. Metagenomic analysis (Illumina GA) elucidated seventeen cellulolytic, six lignolytic, seven oleaginous, five nitrogen-fixing, and seven alcohol-producing microorganisms, and these organisms have also been validated using species-specific PCR. In our preliminary study, these organisms have been shown to degrade cellobiose (cellulose surrogate) and accumulate transesterifiable lipids under anaerobic conditions. Analyses indicate that 65.4 % of cellobiose was consumed (HPLC/ELSD), and that transesterifiable lipids were accumulated (GC-FID) suggesting the giant panda microbes' ability to convert lignocellulosic biomass into lipids. The integration of new genomic technologies provides novel insights into how symbiotic animal-microbial diversity impacts animal nutritional ecology and also connects disciplines for the development of green energy in the form of biofuels.

Community-based Conservation (CBC) has been advocated as a means to address the degradation of the wildlife habitat outside formal protected areas. Assessments of CBC conservation impact in Africa, however, have been hampered by a lack of quantitative data and analysis as monitoring and evaluation efforts were constrained from a lack of practical and cost-effective tools, especially for use by overstretched conservation and development staff. We used GIS to perform relatively simple but cogent spatial analyses to assess threat management for 2 tourism-based CBC projects in Kenya. Comparing high resolution imagery from project onset to the present, we applied straightforward image interpretation techniques to capture changes in land use and settlement patterns across CBC land management zones. In both cases, we found the CBC projects adhered well to their land use plans in not permitting settlement or cultivation in the conservation land use zones. CBC land management practices prevented further habitat degradation in valuable wildlife corridors and buffer zones contributing to significant threat reductions and increased wildlife use. Our approach is relatively easy to apply, uses increasingly affordable and available imagery, generates results that are easily communicated and replicated over time, and as such should complement the growing toolset for evidence-based conservation.

Confronting increasingly complex environmental challenges (e.g., climate change, wildfire, invasive species, etc.) requires conservation organizations to develop targeted strategies at appropriate scales. Advances in remotely sensed data and analysis techniques, use of citizen science, and improvements in extant monitoring programs have broadened the foundation for decision-making; however, integrating this information into successful conservation action can be challenging. We describe an approach using a variety of high resolution datasets describing forest structural conditions, wildlife habitat quality and connectivity, livestock grazing intensity, annual grass invasion risk, and risk of uncharacteristic wildfire to prioritize conservation on the Grand Canyon Trust's (GCT's) Kane and Two Mile Ranches (Arizona, USA), a 340,000-ha public lands ranch on the Grand Canyon's North Rim. The Kane and Two Mile Research and Stewardship Partnership?a public-private partnership between land management agencies, academic institutions, and conservation organizations?used this data to prioritize values and threats to generate spatially explicit recommendations for action. Values differed among partners; however, risk of severe wildfire and invasion by Bromus tectorum were identified as high priority threats by all parties. This approach resulted in an integrated, transparent, and spatially explicit strategy for targeting and evaluating advocacy and management by GCT and their partners.

Domoic acid (DA) is a bio-accumulated neurotoxin produced by the diatom Pseudonitzschia australis that targets the hippocampus in the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus). Laboratory diagnostics are challenging due to a short excretion time. Similarity of clinical signs to other diagnoses further complicates diagnostics. Annual strandings of Z. californianus have occurred since 1998 (excluding 1999) and the abundance of DA producing blooms of P. australis appears to be increasing. The goal of our research is to formulate behavioral criteria for diagnostics. From May 2011 - December 2012 we observed 152 Z. californianus undergoing rehabilitation at the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito California. Focal animal continuous scans were done for up to 15 minutes on each animal by a single observer. Abnormal behaviors were quantified from an ethogram. Animals with DA toxicosis preformed head weaving (Wilcoxon's Z=6.38050 p.001) more often than animals with other diagnoses. Animals with DA toxicosis experienced muscle fasciculations both at the center and on the beach during rescue (Fisher's Exact Test, P

Conservation initiatives on private lands are becoming increasingly important for the maintenance and restoration of biodiversity worldwide. Simultaneously, scope and ambition of such initiatives have also been increasing. There is, however, currently a lack of legislation governing private conservation efforts in many countries and little transmission of information among stakeholders both before and after conservation efforts are implemented. This makes assessment of the efficiency of projects nearly impossible. We present results showing that management on private lands negatively affected the viability of endangered huemul deer in Chilean Patagonia. Specifically, following the large-scale removal of livestock, together with the abrupt cessation of predator control efforts, huemul mortality from predation increased threatening their viability. Although these negative effects have been documented in the peer-reviewed literature, the private landholders have not implemented management to counteract them. We use this example to illustrate the urgent need for an independent certification system for conservation on private lands. Such a certification system could disperse information and provide scientific guidance to private landowners prior to the implementation of restorative management, while simultaneously acting as a repository to document associated outcomes. Ideally such a program would be spearheaded by a large international conservation organization, such as the IUCN.

Many anthropogenic drivers are compromising ecosystems and rapidly changing the landscape and the availability of ‘wild’ spaces. One outcome of these changes is the manifestation of a new global reality for wildlife. Where truly ‘wild’ populations are increasingly rare and more animals are managed in protected zones, refuges and conservation centers, the difference between in situ (wild populations in native habitat) and ex situ (captive populations in non-native habitat) becomes less distinct. In fact, most wildlife populations of today and tomorrow exist on a continuum between in situ and ex situ. We define this new reality as ‘sorta situ’ ‒ neither one nor the other‒ to describe the changing nature of population management in the 21st century. The continuum of conditions for sorta situ populations can be viewed across two key variables: available habitat including space, habitat quality and the maintenance of ecosystem processes; and management intensity including health care and protection from outside threats. In the past, wildlife populations lived in their native habitat, without human intervention. Diseases and populations were, for the most part, self-limiting, and terrestrial animals were free to move in response to seasonal and dietary needs. On the other end of the spectrum, zoos managed animals outside their native habitat in small captive groups, treating disease and injury on an individual basis and controlling nutritional input and reproductive output. Today, fences, borders and human habitation limit the spaces wild populations can occupy, and small, fragmented populations require careful monitoring and management to avoid devastating population declines and extinction.

Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island, NY has not received materials since April 2001, and is now is being converted into Freshkills Park. Habitat destruction is the leading cause of biodiversity loss, but the value of reclaimed habitats, such as Freshkills, to make up for such loss is still poorly understood. Turtles are long lived and occupy a high level on the food web turtles are a prime organism for long-term monitoring on reclamation efforts. In the summer of 2012, we began a long-term monitoring of the freshwater turtles at Fresh Kills(FK) and Long Pond(LP), a reference pond to assess the stage of colonization of the reclaimed habitat. We tested the null hypothesis of no difference between shell length and body mass, sex ratios and age-class distribution of painted turtles at Freshkills (n=29) and Long Pond (n=48). The null hypothesis was accepted for shell length (mean FK = 120.2mm; mean LP=120.1mm), and the sex-ratio (both locations = 1:1). Body mass (mean FK = 271.6g; mean LP = 295.0g) show statistical difference; visual assessment of age-distribution curve reveal an older distribution at Freshkills, whereas a normal curve was found at Long Pond. These results indicate that Freshkills is in the early stages of colonization by painted turtles. Blood samples were taken to assess the rate of health issues and parasite load at the two sites. Currently, little is known colonization of reconstructed habitats that we are providing new data on these processes.

Originally established as an international funding mechanism by developed countries to reduce carbon emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD), REDD+ has become a means in many developing countries to finance and enhance local collaborations and policy development that support forest conservation, natural resource management, and the welfare of local communities. This presentation examines the efforts of The Nature Conservancy (TNC)'s Forest Carbon Programs to bridge forest conservation and human well-being. It focuses on a participatory process of identifying human well-being objectives, and indicators to measure the impacts of forest conservation on different aspects of human well-being. Two REDD+ projects will be used to illustrate the process. The first is in Berau, Indonesia. TNC works closely with local communities and governments to improve the societal welfare of forest dependent communities. Their well-being is defined as having 3 main constituents: 1) security through community forest management rights, 2) opportunities in livelihood and social services, and 3) empowerment. The second is in Central Xingu, in the Brazilian Amazon. There, the REDD+ effort is led by a coalition of multiple stakeholders to operate a program of incentives to reduce deforestation and degradation and to promote sustainable development. Both cases offer important lessons for how forest conservation and bettering human welfare are interdependent and mutually beneficial.

Biodiversity conservation is a primary goal of protected areas. However, over the last half-century in the United States, housing growth on private inholdings and on nearby private lands of protected areas has increased abruptly. It is unclear how this affects the conservation benefit of these lands. We used data from the North American Breeding Bird Survey to explore how the proportional abundance of species of greatest conservation need (SGCN), land cover affiliates (e.g. forest breeders) and synanthropes, within protected areas, are associated with housing density on inholdings and nearby private lands from 1970 to 2010. SGCN and land cover affiliates were generally strongly negatively associated with housing density on inholdings whereas the opposite pattern was found for synanthropes. The strength of the association varied geographically. In the densely developed eastern forests, as housing development increased on inholdings from 1970 to 2010, SGCN and land cover affiliates steadily declined whereas synanthropes steadily increased. In the sparsely populated west, we found similar trends, though the effect was not as strong. Housing density on nearby private lands of protected areas was also negatively associated with SGCN and land cover affiliates in eastern forests and the deserts. Our results raise concern that as housing development continues on inholdings and nearby private lands of protected areas, the conservation benefit of these lands will likely be diminished.

The environmental challenges of the 21st century-notably loss of biodiversity-require creative and inspiring collaborations and demand that we work across disciplines. Science and art can complement one another and offer an integrative approach to conservation science. This presentation will highlight a natural resource inventory at Saguaro National Park, AZ, employing Art-Based Perceptual Ecology (ABPE), a novel research strategy used in collaboration with traditional scientific inquiry. Findings from the researcher's study: "Art-Based Perceptual Ecology as a way of knowing the language of place," demonstrate that practicing ABPE provides a shift in awareness, opening the researcher to detail in the landscape at scales previously unnoticed. The ABPE practice lends itself well to conservation, as accessibility to multiple scales in ecosystems is of great relevance to scientists studying global environmental change. Art-Based Perceptual Ecology does not reveal all of the answers, but it does offer a new language that may generate good questions and work synergistically with scientific inquiry to provide new solutions for scientists working in conservation and restoration efforts. Today we are in need of bringing more attention to the field of science-novel research strategies such as ABPE may be one way to inspire and attract creative minds to the field of science through the portal of the arts.

The deep sea in increasingly being exploited for fisheries and mineral resources. Describing and visualizing turnover of deep-sea (200-2500 m) biodiversity is urgently required by government and international agencies for area-based conservation and resource management. Despite thousands of research expeditions, our knowledge of large scale biogeography in the deep sea is largely based on qualitative analyses or environmental and physical surrogates. The prospect of producing maps of turnover based on a statistical analysis of distribution data has remained elusive. This study uses distributions of brittle star species (Ophiuroidea) to model beta diversity across Australia and New Zealand. The nature of data available from the deep-sea severely restricts the types of analyses available for use. Here we use a 'predict and then assemble' approach to determine regional and inter-regional changes in species distributions. Our results suggest the presence of transitional zones rather than abrupt biogeographical breaks. Primary production regimes and oceanographic currents, rather than sea surface temperature (solar radiation) appear to be driving latitudinal turnover. Models of turnover will help describe biogeography in the deep-sea and contribute to developing a strategy for broad-scale spatial prioritization for bathyal marine ecosystems.

Bridging as it does key global regions of cocaine supply and demand, Central America has become a primary conduit for trafficking from South America to the United States. As interdiction closed other northward pathways through the 1990s and 2000s, a Golden Spike for drug flows has emerged: the Meso American Biological Corridor (MABC). These remaining forests between Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala now serve as the primary relay point for trafficking activities, but other related activities -repackaging, smuggling and money laundering- have left a more enduring impact on forests. Satellite imagery shows a rapid spatial and temporal pattern of deforestation that coincides with trafficking relay points. For decades, a tension has existed in MABC conservation strategy around the questionable conservation dividend of indigenous-led forest management, and this tension has contributed to the weak land entitlement to indigenous communities. But now, drug trafficking is both driving deforestation and displacing indigenous communities, who are the last hope for an integrated solution.