Determining effects of multiple stressors to develop successful management of rare and endangered forest plants

Forest ecosystems in eastern North America face multiple threats including habitat loss and fragmentation, invasions, overabundance of native species, nutrient deposition and climate change. While each stressor may have independent detrimental effects on native biota, stressors often co-occur and are likely to have synergistic effects. We used a combination of field and common garden experiments, and matrix population models to assess the importance of deer herbivory, nutrient addition, and introduced plants and earthworms on the demography of four rare forest herbs (Aristolochia serpentaria, Agrimonia rostellata, Carex retroflexa, and Trillium erectum). After five years, individuals of all species, except for C. retroflexa, responded to deer exclusion with significant increases in size and reproduction and population growth rate. Life table response analysis indicated positive contributions of deer exclusion to growth rate, mainly by increasing the probability of flowering plants to remain reproductive. The remaining studied factors had no independent or interactive effect on the demographic parameters of either species. Biodiversity conservation projects should critically consider effects of multiple stressors; however, our results emphasize the importance of deer as structural forces in forests of North America and indicate that reductions in deer populations are imperative (and may be sufficient) to restore and preserve populations of rare plant species.

One-quarter of all mammals are in danger of extinction, and over half of all mammal populations are in decline. A major priority for conservation science is to identify those species that are most vulnerable to extinction and map their spatial distribution around the globe. Here, we: 1) used machine-learning and spatial modeling approaches to understand the interactions of intrinsic and extrinsic drivers of mammal extinction risk; 2) used this information to predict risk across all mammals, including IUCN "Data Deficient" species; and 3) conducted a spatially-explicit assessment of these results to understand how risk is spatially related to human impacts across the globe. We found that intrinsic and extrinsic variables interact strongly to predict extinction risk across mammals, and that there are critical thresholds in these variables at which risk rapidly increases. We also identify regions of high current and latent risk, and show how these areas overlap with human impacts and protected areas.

Land use change is a major threat to biodiversity through loss of habitats and fragmentation, particularly in developing regions, where human populations are expanding and where the majority of people depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. Understanding and quantifying the impacts of land use change on both biodiversity and the local people is important in order to develop appropriate conservation management plans. Using a remote region of the Solomon Islands as a case study, we undertook a multidisciplinary approach that included assessing species richness and relative abundance of birds (line transects) and bats (acoustic monitoring) in 5 land use types (primary and secondary forest, gardens, mixed cocoa and monoculture cocoa). We also assessed how household wealth affected livelihood strategies and use of natural resources, using locally defined indicators of poverty and multi-round interviews during a 6-month period. We found wealthier households were more likely to be engaged in cash cropping activities and also found biodiversity to be lower in these areas. This suggests that the activities of the wealthiest are having a negative impact on both biodiversity and the forest-based subsistence livelihoods of the poor. Our study demonstrates the importance of understanding the socioeconomic context for large-scale habitat management to ensure equitable sharing of benefits and that the poor are not further marginalised through restriction to essential resources.

Hundreds of public and non-governmental organizations ranging from large federal land management agencies to local land trusts engage in some form of conservation planning in California. Although much of this planning remains poorly coordinated, especially across public and private lands, regional multi-jurisdictional conservation plans are being developed and implemented throughout the state, many in response to state and federal endangered species laws. In this talk I will describe several innovative conservation planning efforts that connect regional priority-setting to local implementation. I will also discuss some institutional challenges to narrowing the planning-implementation gap, and new opportunities for financing conservation actions.

The case has long been made that GDP is not a measure of welfare or progress—yet it continues to be misused as a proxy for or condition of progress. Laws and treaties are in place to protect endangered species and biological diversity, yet their implementation is often ignored or trumped on the basis that it is “too costly.” At the same time, the field of ecological and environmental economics is mature. The case for tools and measures that better value the environment is well established. Some governments or agencies are making progress using those tools and measures. To accelerate this integration, existing practical leverage points and “bridges” to decision-making need to be reinforced, and new ones identified and used. International leverage points include international organizations that issue relevant guidelines, and treaties asking parties to develop and use such measures. Leverage points at the national and state level, with a major, but not exclusive, focus on the U.S. including instances of federal policies, rulemakings, and programmatic decisions will be discussed. We will present the results from consultations and interviews with decision makers and practitioners in government and in the investment and nonprofit communities about such leverage points and how they can drive more environmentally sustainable and restorative decisions and investments.

Understanding ecological processes in human-dominated environments is critical for conservation and management practices. Wildlife restoration in Europe is indeed challenged by widespread human presence and activities. Diet studies are particularly important for evaluating the ecology of population of conservation concern, and have a key role in monitoring feeding habits under climate change and increased human-induced modifications. We used DNA metabarcoding and next generation sequencing to develop a standardized approach for molecular, non-invasive, omnivorous diet analysis. We validated this method on 370 fecal samples collected from the reintroduced brown bear population in Northern Italy over eight years since the translocation. We identified plant, vertebrate, and invertebrate components of omnivorous bear diet with a taxonomic resolution at the genus and species level in >65% of the cases. Plants and invertebrates majorly comprised diet composition at the population level, but individual variability and seasonal patterns in diet were revealed. Species of agronomic importance for the local human population and cattle were also found in the diet. The results of this study provide unprecedented ecological insights that are critical for understanding the impact of human activities on this bear population and for the implementation of conservation strategies to reduce conflicts with humans. It also shows the value of this molecular approach for deciphering complex diets.

In highly fragmented landscapes there is not much space for nature. Therefore it is crucial to understand how policy decisions can maintain/improve biodiversity. Our study aimed to get scientifically based insight in possible evolutions of biodiversity under different policy choices within a given socio-economic context. Models should be simple and easy to understand for non-specialist policymakers. In short, we modelled 6 land use scenario's. A combination of two environmental and three nature scenario's. The business as usual scenario's continue present policy into the future. The Europe scenario puts on more resources to achieve the European environmental targets. Under the segregation scenario, the use of open space is strictly divided between nature and other uses. The intertwine scenario strives to realise good nature quality everywhere. To model the effects of changes in land use we used the LARCH model (Landscape ecological Analysis and Rules for the Configuration of Habitat). LARCH is based on metapopulation systems. It includes habitat requirement, carrying capacity and dispersal capacity of the target species to construct habitat networks. These habitats are tested whether they are viable. To generalise our findings, we used ecoprofiles. Ecoprofiles are fictive taxa that represent a series of species with comparable ecological requirements.

The Philippine Forest Turtle, Siebenrockiella leytensis is currently categorized as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List of threatened species. Understanding its ecology is crucial in establishing the baseline information necessary for the formulation of conservation strategies of the species. Thread trailing was used to gather data on the movement of Siebenrockiella leytensis in two study sites along the Cabayugan River, Puerto Princesa City. The turtles were captured using modified hoop traps. Morphometric measurements were taken before each individual was fitted with spools and released. Terrestrial movement were calculated from coordinates of the thread trail taken from the point of release to the endpoint near the river. Movement were calculated from the coordinates obtained. Vegetation along the thread trail was compared with movement maps to indicate habitat use. Results showed that males have the longest distance travelled at 137.5m while females and juveniles traversed an average distance of 137m and 109.3m respectively. Adults moved through areas with relatively less vegetative cover whereas juveniles moved across areas with thicker cover. During these movements, turtles were observed roaming, feeding and resting. Thread trailing proved to be useful on land but is disadvantageous in aquatic habitats because evaluation of the spatial ecology of terrapins in water is limited by the length of the thread in the spool, water current and depth.

Industrial operations in the Amazon Basin inevitably have impacts on the vast biodiversity within. These influences are likely to grow as human activity moves further into Amazonia. Working in collaboration with industry during development is an important step in identifying and avoiding potential impacts, and mitigating or restoring biodiversity post-impact. In order to strengthen biodiversity conservation during development across the complex landscape of Amazonia, we must first define which microhabitats are most important for species survival, which of these are most sensitive to changes, and to what degree they can sustain different impacts. To answer these questions, we surveyed 100 taxonomic experts representing a wide range of Amazonian fauna to develop a list of Biologically Sensitive Microhabitats (BSMs), such as natural licks for mammals and birds or phytotelmata for amphibians. BSMs were then ranked based on characteristics of BSM-dependent species (endemism, range, reproduction, etc) to create a hierarchy of sensitivity. Our next step is to identify BSMs in operation areas and test their susceptibility to a variety of impacts including seismic exploration, establishment of wells and camps, and construction of linear infrastructure. By defining and evaluating the sensitivity of BSMs essential to species' survival, we can provide specific recommendations to government and corporations on how to minimize the impacts of operations and how to restore BSAs if affected.

Niceforo's Wren and Chestnut-bellied Hummingbird are endemic and endangered bird species to the Chicamocha canyon in Colombia. Agriculture, fires and logging have been identified the most common causes of habitat loss affecting the distribution and population sizes of both species. In order to develop a conservation plan in the region, local perceptions of natural resources and territorial planning were investigated in 36 communities. 48 workshops were organised to identify territorial perception features based on social cartography methods. Water was identified as the most important natural resource for communities. Pollution, drought and misuse were perceived as main causes of shortage of water supply. Although participants showed knowledge about plants and animal species of the region, few people identified the endangered bird species and ignored their ecological importance. Participants perceived also that social aspects such as envy and the lack of solidarity influence on the way in which the community faces environmental challenges. Thus, locals identified weak capacities in sustainable production, soil recovery, reforestation, recycling, territorial planning and leadership strategies. Our results show that social and educational changes are urgent for the protection of the two endangered bird species. Therefore, conservation plans should build up key capacities for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in the Chicamocha.

The spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) is a shark of significant international commercial value and there is concern over its conservation status. The major demand for its meat is from the European Union (EU) market, with the US and Canada as its two major contributors. The US has yet to support a spiny dogfish listing in the CITES Appendix II, although the US Atlantic stock is under a fishery management plan (FMP) that proved to be successful in providing a certified sustainable fishery. We employed a cumulative sum technique to compare trade data for frozen spiny dogfish export from US and Canada to the EU in relation to the FMP adoption. We also constructed a social network to visualize changes in the European trade scenario for spiny dogfish after adoption of the FMP and to predict future trade flow potentially affecting the conservation status of regional dogfish stocks in relation to recent management measures introduced in Europe. The social network analysis revealed that the exclusion of spiny dogfish from trade regulation lists eventually will affect the conservation status of dogfish stocks in Africa, Asia, South America, and the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Our results suggest that the species listing would provide an economic benefit for the US Northwest Atlantic fishery, and will eventually foster the conservation status of other regional stocks worldwide and the search for a more sustainable global exploitation of spiny dogfish.

Roadless areas play a pivotal role in preparing large landscapes for climate change. In the USA, the Roadless Conservation Rule protected >23 million ha of inventoried roadless areas (IRAs) that provide refugia for climate-forced wildlife migrations, are a buffer against weed invasions, and contain high concentrations of carbon-dense forests. IRAs are source areas for facilities that treat and distribute drinking water; the cost-savings to water treatment plants and highway departments from avoiding sedimentation caused by logging in IRAs is estimated at ~ $18 billion annually. IRAs also provide $490 million annually in waste treatment, services that will only increase in value as climate change triggers regional droughts. Although there is no national roadless policy in Canada, an inventory of intact areas by Global Forest Watch-Canada shows them concentrated in northern latitudes and forest zones with boreal and coastal rainforests. Canada’s boreal region, in particular, contains one-quarter of the world’s wetlands, more surface water than any other continental-scale landscape, and stores an estimated 147 billion tonnes of carbon, equivalent to >25 years of current emissions. Road building and development compound stressors to ecosystems already dealing with accelerated climate change and degradation of critical ecosystem services. Climate change policies need to protect intact areas to achieve effective climate adaptation and mitigation responses.

Environmental report cards have emerged as a technique to integrate monitoring data and provide feedback to a wide audience. There are several reasons for employing environmental report cards including a) raising environmental awareness, b) engaging citizen scientists and c) catalyzing management actions. Management objectives need to be clearly defined and a five step process of developing report cards can be used to assess progress in achieving these objectives: 1) conceptualization, 2) choosing indicators, 3) defining thresholds, 4) calculating scores and 5) communicating results. Effectiveness of management actions can be tracked with report cards. Report card credibility relies on independent rigorous assessments by environmental scientists. Citizen scientists can also contribute to report cards, particularly at small spatial scales, provided adequate training and quality control mechanisms are in place. Report cards can take advantage of emerging sensor, information and computational technologies. There are several environmental report card examples that serve as models for other regions, for example, Chesapeake Bay, Great Barrier Reef, Mississippi River, Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Queensland waterways, Maryland Coastal Bays. These examples of report cards used at different geographic and complexity scales will be used to develop some insights as to which report card approach may be applicable in other areas. In addition, the coupling of environmental report cards with a governance model, e.g., BayStat, will be discussed.

In coastal India 78% mangroves occur in Sundarbans, the largest continuous block of deltaic mangrove estuary in the world. Mangroves have limited capacity for vegetative reproduction and depend on successful establishment and survival of seedlings for forest regeneration or spread. Mangrove seedlings can sequester more carbon than mature mangrove and in addition, seedlings play important role in quantification of net carbon flux in mangrove ecosystem. But the seedling stage is a critical phase in the life cycle and is particularly crucial for mangrove establishment owing to climatic stress in the intertidal habitat. Present study tries to assess the seedling survival rate and simulates growth of the ones that survived in different estuarine system of Indian Sundarbans, which is under climatic stress owing to saltwater intrusion and rigorous erosion. Perusal of results suggest that propagule buoyancy, period of obligate dispersal, anchoring time in action of tides and currents are found to be the primary factors determining dispersal and establishment of mangroves. Further, when propagules reach a newly formed habitat other factors like predation, interspecies competition, frequency and duration of flooding along with physico-chemical characteristics of soil and water become important in determining establishment, survival and succession. The intervention is significant as a decision support research in mangrove conservation under climatic stress.