Management and evaluation of habitat for wildlife Research Papers (original) (raw)

Вперше для відділення Українського степового природного заповідника "Крейдова флора" проведено інвентаризацію з класифікацією та оцінкою біотопів, з використанням сучасних підходів, не так давно впроваджених в Україні. Йдеться про найбільш детальну класифікацію біотопів UkrBiotp, яка стала основою для класифікації біотопів степової зони України і наразі активно розвивається, і національний каталог біотопів, а також співвідношення національних типів/підтипів з типами біотопів інших загальноприйнятих класифікацій, що використовуються у світі, як то EUNIS, перелік оселищ Резолюції 4 Бернської конвенції, та Додаток І Оселищної Директиви ЄС. Оцінка стійкості та созологічної цінності біотопів здійснювалась для деталізації стану рослинності і створення у подальшому плану управління територією заповідника, якого, нажаль, як і порядку організації, досі не розроблено. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For the first time in the "Kreidova flora" department of Ukrainian steppe nature reserve there biotopes inventory was conducted with their classification and assessment. There were used modern approaches recently introduced in Ukraine, such as UkrBiotop classification - the most detailed habitat classification, which is actively developing now, and the national catalog of biotopes. For each type there were selected the most suitable equivalent from other common classifications used in the world, such as EUNIS, Berne Convention Res. 4 and Annex I of the EU Habitat Directive. The assessment of the stability and sozological value of biotopes also were carried out to detail the state of vegetation and create a further management plan for the reserve, which, unfortunately, has not been developed yet.

Over the centuries, there has been a widespread destruction of wildlife species at the global level. Some of the causes of wildlife extinctions have been the loss of habitats due to global population growth rates. Some areas which used to be habitats for wildlife have been turned into commercial farms, towns and cities. In traditional Africa wildlife co-existed peacefully with human populations. Although some animals were occasionally hunted for meat and ivory, this practice could never upset the ecological balance due to the primitive nature of the weapons which were employed. However, with the advent of colonialism, many animal species were driven to extinction due to the efficiency of the weapons which were used. The use of fire arms in hunting expeditions became a major threat to animals such as elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, lions and impalas. While in North America many species such as the passenger pigeon disappeared, in Africa many have survived although they are still under threat from poachers. This paper examines the challenges which confront the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (PWMA) in the conservation of wildlife species such as elephants, lions, rhinos, buffaloes and impala. It focuses on the challenges which have occurred since 2000 during the ‘Fast Track Land Reform Programme’ (FTLRP). It is based on information which was collected in October, 2017. This involved the use of secondary and primary sources of information including interviews and questionnaires.

ลู กด้ วยนม ด้ วยวิ ธี การติ ดตั ้ งกล้ องดั กถ่ ายภาพสั ตว์ ป่ า(camera trap) เป็ นจ านวน 727 กั บดั กคื น(trap night) ผลการศึ กษาพบสั ตว์ เลี ้ ยงลู กด้ วยนมทั ้ งหมด 8 อั น 20 วงศ์ 27 สกุ ล 27 ชนิ ด จากการส ารวจ ด้ วยอุ ปกรณ์ กั บดั กกล้ องถ่ ายภาพ พบทั ้ งหมด 22 ชนิ ด ซึ ่ งประกอบไปด้ วย กระแตเหนื อ (Tupaia belangeri) ลิ งลม (Nycticebus coucang) ลิ งแสม (Macaca fascicularis) ชะนี ธรรมดา (Hylobates lar) ลิ ่ นชวา (Manis javanica) กระต่ ายป่ า (Lepus peguensis) กระรอก (Callosciurus sp.) กระจ้ อน (Menetes berdmorei) อ้ นใหญ่ (Rhizomys sumatrensis) อ้ นเล็ ก (Cannomys badius) เม่ นใหญ่ (Hystrix brachyuran) หนู sp. หมาจิ ้ งจอก (Canis aureus) หมี (Ursus sp.) หมาไม้ (Martes flavigula) หมู หริ ่ ง (Arctonyx collaris) นากใหญ่ ขนเรี ยบ (Lutrogale perspicillata) ชะมดเช็ ด (Viverricula indica) อี เห็ นข้ างลาย (Paradoxurus hermaphrodites) พั งพอนกิ นปู (Herpestes urva) แมวดาว (Prionailurus bengalensis) เสื อโคร่ ง (Panthera tigris) ช้ างเอเชี ย (Elephas maximus) หมู ป่ า (Sus scrofa) เก้ งธรรมดา (Muntiacus muntjak) กวางป่ า (Cervus unicolor) และกระทิ ง (Bos gaurus) และจากการส ารวจโดยการพบเห็ (3) สารบั ญภาพ ภาพที ่ หน้ า 1 กล้ องดั กถ่ ายภาพอั ตโนมั ติ ยี ่ ห้ อ Bushnell Trophy Cam 14 2 สภาพพื ้ นที ่ บริ เวณพื ้ นที ่ ป่ าฟื ้ นฟู ริ มน ้ าแม่ วงก์ อุ ทยานแห่ งชาติ แม่ วงก์ 24 3 สภาพพื ้ นที ่ ที ่ ใช้ วางกั บดั กกล้ องถ่ ายภาพ (camera trap) 24 4 แผนที ่ แสดงพื ้ นที ่ ศึ กษาบริ เวณริ มน ้ าแม่ วงก์ อุ ทยานแห่ งชาติ แม่ วงก์ 25 5 การติ ดตั ้ งอุ ปกรณ์ กั บดั กกล้ องถ่ ายภาพ (camera trap) 26 6 แผนที ่ อุ ทยานแห่ งชาติ แม่ วงก์ 29 7 ความมากมายสั มพั ทธ์ ของสั ตว์ เลี ้ ยงลู กด้ วยนมที ่ ส ารวจพบ 38 8 ร้ อยละความชุ กชุ มของสั ตว์ เลี ้ ยงลู กด้ วยนมที ่ ส ารวจพบ 41 ภาพผนวกที ่ 1 กระแตเหนื อ Northern Treeshrew (Tupaia belangeri)-ภาพบนซ้ าย, ลิ งลม Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang)-ภาพบนขวา และ ลิ งแสม Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)-ภาพล่ าง 52 2 ลิ ่ นชวา Sunda Pangolin (Manis javanica)-ภาพบน และ กระต่ ายป่ า Siamese Hare (Lepus peguensis)-ภาพล่ าง 53 3 กระจ้ อน Indochinese Ground Squirrel (Menetes berdmorei)-ภาพบนซ้ าย, อ้ นใหญ่ Large-Bamboo Rat (Rhizomys sumatrensis)-ภาพบนขวา และ เม่ นใหญ่ East Asian Porcupine (Hystrix brachyura)-ภาพล่ าง 54 4 หนู sp.-ภาพบนซ้ าย, หมาไม้ Yellow-throated Marten (Martes flavigula)-ภาพบน ขวา และ หมาจิ ้ งจอก Golden Jackal (Canis aureus)-ภาพล่ าง 55 5 หมู หริ ่ ง Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris)-ภาพบน และ ชะมดเช็ ด Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica)-ภาพล่ าง 56 6 อี เห็ นข้ างลาย Common Plam Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)-ภาพบน และ พั งพอนกิ นปู Crab-eating Mongoose (Herpestes urva)-ภาพล่ าง 57 (4) 7 แมวดาว Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis)-ภาพบน และ เสื อโคร่ ง Tiger (Panthera tigris)-ภาพล่ าง 58 8 หมู ป่ า Eurasian Wild Pig (Sus scrofa)-ภาพบน และ เก้ งธรรมดา Red Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak)-ภาพล่ าง 59 9 กวางป่ า Sambar (Cervus unicolor)-ภาพบน และ กระทิ ง Gaur (Bos gaurus)-ภาพ ล่ าง 60 10 ปั จจั ยคุ กคาม (threats) พราน-ภาพบน และ สั ตว์ เลี ้ ยง-ภาพล่ าง 61 11 อ้ นเล็ ก Bay Bamboo Rat (Cannomys badius)-ภาพบน และ ขนเม่ น (quill)-ภาพ ล่ าง 62 12 รอยเล็ บหมี sp.-ภาพบนซ้ าย-ขวา และ นากใหญ่ ขนเรี ยบ Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata)-ภาพล่ าง 63 13 มู ลช้ างป่ า-ภาพบน และ ร่ องรอยช้ างป่ าล้ มต้ นกล้ วยบริ เวณริ มน ้ าแม่ วงก์ -ภาพ ล่ าง 64 14 รอยตี นเสื อโคร่ ง 65 15 กวางป่ า Sambar (Cervus unicolor)-ภาพบน และ มู ลกวางป่ า-ภาพล่ าง 66

- by Mohammad Rifky
- •
- Management, Animal Science, Human-Animal Relations, Project Management

Abrupt collapse of the tropical rainforest biome (Coal Forests) drove rapid diversification of Carboniferous tetrapods (amphibians and reptiles) in Euramerica. This finding is based on analysis of global and alpha diversity databases in a precise geologic context. From Visean to Moscovian time, both diversity measures steadily increased, but following rainforest collapse in earliest Kasimovian time (ca. 305 Ma), tetrapod extinction rate peaked, alpha diversity imploded, and endemism developed for the first time. Analysis of ecological diversity shows that rainforest collapse was also accompanied by acquisition of new feeding strategies (predators, herbivores), consistent with tetrapod adaptation to the effects of habitat fragmentation and resource restriction. Effects on amphibians were particularly devastating, while amniotes ('reptiles') fared better, being ecologically adapted to the drier conditions that followed. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that Coal Forest fragmentation influenced profoundly the ecology and evolution of terrestrial fauna in tropical Euramerica, and illustrate the tight coupling that existed between vegetation, climate, and trophic webs.

- by Sarda Sahney
- •
- Landscape Ecology, Evolutionary Biology, Paleobiology, Environmental Geography

Rusa Jawa (Cervus timorensis) merupakan satwa dilindungi Undang-Undang yang kini populasinya terancam secara global. Untuk menjamin kelestarian populasi Rusa Jawa, di Hutan Pendidikan Wanagama I, dilaksanakan kegiatan restorasi Rusa Jawa. Hutan Wanagama I dipilih menjadi lokasi restorasi dengan harapan sumber daya yang ada di Wanagama I mampu memenuhi kebutuhan populasi Rusa Jawa. Selain daya dukung habitat, masyarakat di sekitar Wanagama I diharapkan mendukung jalannya kegiatan restorasi Rusa Jawa di Wanagama I. Namun pada tahun ini perlu dilakukan studi kelayakan lokasi, untuk mengkaji apakah Wanagama I masih layak menjadi lokasi restorasi atau tidak.

Résumé :
L’Etat Algérien a énormément investi dans le domaine de l’habitat par la mise en place de plusieurs formules de logements de type public.
Pour réaliser ce programme, des prescriptions techniques et fonctionnelles applicables aux logements publics locatifs sont mises en place afin d’orienter les maitres d’œuvre dans leurs conceptions, et traduire ainsi, la volonté des maîtres d’ouvrage à trouver les meilleures solutions en vue d’obtenir un habitat fonctionnel en assurant une production de logements qui réponde qualitativement aux préoccupations liées à la conciliation de pratiques culturelles et sociales diversifiées.
L’habitat occupe une place très importante dans la vie quotidienne de la famille algérienne dans sa forme matérielle où immatérielle. Les logements réalisés dans leurs différentes formules organisent les espaces familiaux du fait des indications mises en place par les cahiers des charges.
A travers trois cas d’étude; 100 logements publics locatifs à El Achir, 38 logements à Ain Taghrout wilaya de Bordj Bou Arréridj, et 100 logements participatifs à El Eulma, nous avons tenté de vérifier l’application et la prise en charge de ces prescriptions techniques et fonctionnelles ainsi que l’adaptabilité de ces formules de logements à notre société dans les différents ordres : fonctionnel, structurel et organisationnel.
Mots clés : Logement social locatif, Logement social participatif, pratique des espaces, prescriptions techniques et fonctionnelles.

- by SEHILI Farida and +1
- •
- Management and evaluation of habitat for wildlife
- by Afrizal M Alfarisi and +2
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- Forestry, Wildlife Ecology And Management, Biodiversity, Wildlife Conservation

An announcement was made in 2013 by the National Water Conservation and Pipeline Corporation that the “Crocodile Jaw Dam” will be built on Ewaso Ng’iro River at Oldonyiro in Isiolo County to supply water to the proposed Isiolo Resort City. The dam will be on the border between Isiolo and Laikipia Counties. Once completed, the dam will benefit three counties in the region according to the Corporation. The dam construction is expected to cost Ksh 10 billion. This is one of the projects under LAPSSET corridor that will be financed by Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia governments as well as private developers in a public-private project arrangement.

The authors present a remarkable site with a remarkable interpretation: a structured platform of dugong bones, containing skulls laid in parallel and ribs in sets, together with artefacts of the Neolithic period. They propose that the bones have been symbolically arranged and the mound as a whole had a ritual purpose -an interpretation endorsed by analogy with dugong platforms noted in the Torres Strait in recent times.

- by Vincent CHARPENTIER and +1
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- Organizational Behavior, Architectural Engineering, Religion, Sumerian Religion

An overview and the results of the best LIFE Nature projects concluding in 2015.

- by Martyn Everett
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- Wildlife Ecology And Management, Natural History, Biodiversity, Bats (Mammalogy)

The growing popularity of the OTC medication directs the attention of the three institutions, the Government, the Pharma industry and the family to deal with it in such a way that the valid use of the OTC is not put aside and at the same time, the inordinate popularity of the OTC among the youth in particular with a woeful weight on the misuse and abuse of it must be checked as early as possible and as efficiently as possible. This paper purports to discuss the role the three vital institutions have to play in dealing with the abuse and misuse of the OTC medication with focus on painkillers. In the early part, the article probes into the reason for the popularity of the OTC and it touches upon the ways and means to restrict the abuse of the OTC with a better understanding of the pain and its management. Drug addiction is such a growing social menace particularly among the youth, it becomes primary obligation of the government to deal with it effectively. The individual who becomes the victim is a member of the family; the medicine brings in pharma companies; and the government has to step as the administrator of the state, the country. In other words, government is for all societies, pharma companies function amidst societies and societies are nothing but group of different kinds of families. All the three have an ethical obligation to address the issue of drug addiction. Ethical character of an act thus becomes a common factor for all the three institutions. This paper establishes this fact of commitment to promotion of well-being of societies on the part of the government as well as the corporate and the focused attention of the family members of the victim of drug addiction towards his redemption.

Abstract: Non-timber forest products play a fundamental role in maintaining the livelihood of the rural areas peoples. NTFPs also provide the well range of valuable resources to the tribal community. The present study was focused of the diversity of NTFPs of Garampani Wildlife Sanctuary in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, India. The data was collected by using random sampling method through laying quadrats along the transect of 5×5 m2 (herbs & shrubs), 10×10 m2 (tree) and calculated their diversity index and importance value index. 14 species of herbs/shrubs, 13 species of ferns/climber/epiphytes and 5 species of wild edible fruits were recorded. The average Shannon wiener index of diversity of different species were 1.96 (herbs/shrubs), 2.27 (ferns/climbers/epiphytic) and 1.50 (fruit edible) where ferns/climbers/ epiphytic species indicated higher importance value and diversity in comparison to herbs/shrubs and wild edible fruits species. Delima sarmentosa L. (climber) have high importance value index (115.81) and Solanum indicum L. (20.25) have lowest importance value index.
Keywords: Diversity index, IVI (Importance value index), Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), Quadrat.

The ecosystems of Bangladesh support three different monitor lizard's species (Varanus bengalensis, V. flavescens and V. salvator). But, these huge populations are in great threats from habitat loss and fragmentation point of view. Nonetheless, maximum research studies have not given clear insights into their population-level implications. There is an obvious need to explore the mechanisms that dispose activity patterns, abundance and distribution of monitor lizard. The primary objectives of this paper is to sum up the current research knowledge, information gaps and propose scientific approaches to give clear idea, efficient management and conservation of monitor lizard populations in ecosystems facing habitat loss and fragmentation. Most of the research study showed that due to habitat loss and fragmentation all of the Monitor lizards are facing continuous threats for surviving in their natural habitats. Habitat fragmentation decreases territory range and dispersal and increases mortality rates of the Monitor lizards. It's narrowing the genetic diversity and perhaps the production of infertile youths. The species also faces the high vulnerability to pathogens, invasive species, climate change, increased Ultraviolet-B exposure and environmental pollution. The ultimate result or impact of habitat loss and fragmentation is actually the total loss or extinction of wild fauna including monitor lizards from that particular habitat. So, proper conservation and management strategy could only save these important species from extinction.

- by K M Mijanur Rahman and +1
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- Herpetology, Ecology, Management and evaluation of habitat for wildlife, monitor lizards, Varanidae

Selective logging is one of the most widespread disturbances to tropical forests worldwide, yet its impacts on large mammals remain poorly understood. We used camera trapping and hierarchical models to compare local abundance of a variety of terrestrial mammal species in Borneo between selectively logged and unlogged forest, and to assess the impacts of edge effects. Our methods circumvent confounding factors that have plagued previous assessments of logging impacts by explicitly accounting for differential detection probability among habitats, separating the effects of hunting from those of logging-induced habitat disturbance, and explicitly measuring the distances over which edge effects occur. We found that mam-malian carnivore species were either largely or completely confined to primary forest, although habitat use for the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) increased toward the ecotone. Several large ungulates, however, were either completely (elephant Elephas maximus and banteng Bos javanicus) or mostly (sam-bar Rusa unicolor) found in logged forest. This suggests that, in the absence of hunting, disturbed habitats can be important for the conservation of certain endangered and vulnerable species. Sambar and munt-jac (Muntiacus spp.) both strongly avoided habitat edge in logged forest and primary forest, respectively. Lower habitat use by these species persisted 2-4 km from the habitat boundary-farther than has been observed for the infiltration of other edge effects such as canopy desiccation. Such avoidance of ecotones implies that 20-40% of the intact primary forest habitat in our study area is actually degraded "edge habitat" from the point of view of primary forest specialists. Our results suggest that, while selectively logged forests retain conservation value for certain large mammal species, it is critical that thresholds in logging intensity be identified so as to avoid declines in habitat use by taxa, such as carnivores, which appear intolerant of intensive logging pressure.

Four species of horseshoe crabs exist today. All the four species of horseshoe crabs are classified as either near threatened or data deficient. Out of the four, two species are distributed along the northeast coast of India. Spawning activity has been adversely affected by the degradation and destruction of spawning beaches. The study was carried out from February 2015 to June 2017 to identify the most influential factors that worked against the nesting sites of Tachepleus gigas in two estuaries namely Khandia (Site-1) and Balaramgadi (Site-2). The nesting activity of T. gigas was found only during full moon periods and took place mostly at Site-1. The present study also confirmed that Khandia was a potential breeding ground for T. gigas where its male and female brooders were found throughout the investigation during 2015-16, but due to over human activities their population declined drastically during 2017. Balaramgadi estuary was earlier reported to be a national breeding ground...

- by Gobinda Chandra Biswal
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- Zoology, Conservation Biology, Marine Ecology, Marine Protected Areas

Breeding status for the ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) within the 379-acre property of Riveredge Nature Center in Saukville, Wisconsin was previously unknown as neither paired birds nor a nest had been observed, yet males had been observed singing in the past. Five sites were hypothesized as ideal breeding habitats based on the preferred habitat characteristics of S. aurocapilla and were searched for behaviors indicating their breeding status. Observed behaviors were categorized into a qualitative, sequential checklist, and results displayed sightings at four of the five sites, all four of which contained habitually singing males. Positive breeding status could be concluded at only one of these four sites, as behaviors indicating pairing success and a nest with young that later fledged were observed. Microhabitat measurements were conducted to compare qualitative and quantitative characteristics amongst these four sites and results of other research. Results had shown some similarity between the microhabitat surrounding this nesting site and the nesting sites of LeBlanc, Burke, and Nol (2011), such as leaf litter depth, a low basal area, and dense canopy cover. The nesting site found on Riveredge property more closely resembled a preferred ovenbird habitat than the other three sites, however, this site was unique in that the forest was burned the year prior to remove invasive shrubs and release oak species. Prior burning at the nesting site did not impact ovenbird pairing success nor reproduction the following year.

- by Erica Gerloski
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- Ethology, Ornithology, Conservation Biology, Conservation
- by Varsha Pilbrow
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- Zoology, Primatology, Paleopathology, Dental Anthropology
- by Dinal J S Samarasinghe
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- Zoology, Environmental Science, Social Sciences, Conservation Biology

Despite it is listed as a vulnerable species since 2006, the population of the goitered gazelle is continuously declining. Illegal hunting and habitat destruction are considered as the main causes of this decline, even though this species is very adaptable to various ecosystems - especially arid environments - and was highly resilient to intense hunting pressures until the late nineteen century. Important efforts for conservation have been realized by the implementation of protected areas and have even led to re-introduction. However, the design of these protected areas could be improved. Several studies about habitat selection and home range size of re-introduced goitered gazelles have shown that protected areas should be re-arranged or shifted to areas more intensively used by gazelles. Moreover, habitat fragmentation, which can be involuntary reinforced by the design of protected areas, is a real threat for this migratory species. Indeed, isolation, whatever its origin, leads inevitably to lower genetic diversity.

In a mountainous region of Austria the suitability of color-infrared aerial photos for evaluating habitat quality of ungulate game was tested. On the basis of a fundamental system of habitat analysis the possible contribution of the aerial photos and the investigation methode are shown. With the use of CIR aerial photos an area extensive first step towards habitat evaluation, and a long-term and objective habitat monitoring are possible in a cost-saving way. The methode gives swiftly and independent of weather conditions a detailed and comprehensible (reconstructable) documentation of a given habitat situation, especially regarding vegetation structure, ground and top- ography. The work of wildlife managers is made much easier. Data processing with GIS and maps created from CIR aerial photos give a help that outdoor work can be concentrated on other, more special problems.

Sumba cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata) is an endangered endemic bird, which requires a serious
attention. Sumba cockatoo is protected by Government Regulation No.7/1999 and the Ministry of Forestry Regulation
No. 350//Kpts-11/1997. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and habitat preferences of
Sumba cockatoo at Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park (LWNP) of East Nusa Tenggara Province. Vegetation
analysis by making plots of 2 km in length with a total of 20 plots per location was used to discover the habitat
characteristics. Chi-square test was used to determine the preference of cockatoo habitat variable. The habitat
preference was analyzed by Neu’s method. The result showed that the habitat of Sumba cockatoo at LWNP has
a relatively good richness of species with relatively even numbers each (good evenness). The habitat variables
at LWNP were at altitude with the range of 251–400 meters above the sea level and the grade of slopeness was
rather steep i.e. 26–40 % whereas the rampnesss is at 3–8 %. The most preferred location of Sumba cockatoo was
at Billa forest block.
Keywords: Characteristics, Preference, Habitat, Sumba cockatoo

Knowledge of the factors determining species
distributions is essential for developing conservation
strategies. Sandgrouse Pterocles alchata and P. orientalis
are threatened in Spain, the stronghold of European
populations. Spatial modelling was used to: (1) assess
the relative importance of abiotic, anthropogenic
and geographical factors in the distribution of both
sandgrouse species, (2) determine the most important
anthropogenic predictors for each species occurrence,
and (3) identify areas where conservation efforts
should be prioritized. Abiotic and anthropogenic
factors explained most of the variation in sandgrouse
distributions. Both species were associated with arid
flatlands, arable land cover being the most important
anthropogenic variable determining their distribution.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the main
driver of agriculturalmanagement in Europe, and may
thus have a direct effect on sandgrouse distributions.
P. orientalis exhibited broader habitat tolerance than P.
alchata; the latter species tolerates warmer climates.
Consequently, the network of core and marginally
suitable areas identified for each species differs, and
connectivity between the populations of these areas
seems unlikely. Potential future changes in sandgrouse
distribution will probably be directed principally by
the synergistic effects of climate change and expected
land-use transformations resulting from the new CAP
and ongoing population growth, urbanization and
infrastructure development.

Major declines of populations of caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) that permanently reside on Arctic tundra have been attributed to short-term inaccessibility of forage through restrictive snow cover. Such density-independent phenomena would produce unpredictable changes in populations of Arctic tundra caribou. In 1985, Inuit correctly predicted mass emigration from the winter range of a caribou subpopulation on Foxe Peninsula (FP), southern Baffin Island, Canada. During 1982-94, we conducted aerial surveys, satellite telemetry, and physical condition studies to examine features of the predicted range shift. Between 1984 and 1992, caribou density on upland terrain on FP dropped (P < 0.001) from 6.2 to 0.3 caribou/km2. Cows began to emigrate en masse during winter 1988-89 (P = 0.10) toward Meta Incognita Peninsula (MIP), where caribou showed greater fidelity to that wintering area during 1988-94 (P = 0.005). Density of caribou on upland terrain on MIP increased (P = 0.001) from 0.2 to 5.0 caribou/km2 between 1982 and 1992. In April 1992, body size did not differ (P - 0.47) between FP and MIP. Cows on MIP had greater (P - 0.04) fat and muscle reserves than cows on FP, while only fat reserves of MIP bulls were greater than (P - 0.03) those of FP bulls. Our results support Inuit observations of declining physical condition of FP caribou in the early 1980's, and their view that the range shift was caused by cumulative annual overgrazing of the winter range during the previous 10 to 30 yr. Fewer cows on FP were pregnant (2 of 8) than on MIP (10 of 10; P = 0.002). Calf:cow ratios were higher (P = 0.05) on MIP than on FP in 1992. Although few caribou had occupied MIP for 50 yr before 1988-89, MIP caribou were in relatively poor condition by April 1992 compared to those on overgrazed Coats Island during mild winters. Winter range shifts and population declines by Arctic tundra caribou may be predictable. Ecological indicators may enable managers to mitigate the effects of overgrazing on caribou populations through intensive harvesting at critical stages during long-term population increases.

- by Michael (Mike) A.D. Ferguson
- •
- Botany, Landscape Ecology, Conservation Biology, Conservation

Effect of tropical dry forest succesional stages on microhabitat use by Agalychnis dacnicolor (Anura: Phyllomedusidae) and Smilisca fodiens (Anura: Hylidae). Habitat disturbance can modify micro-habitats and therefore have a significant effect on the abundance and distribution of anurans species, particularly those associated to specific microhabitats. In this study we evaluated changes in the use of microhabitat by two syntopic species of tree frogs, Agalychnis dacnicolor and Smilisca fodiens along a successional gradient of Tropical Dry Forest in the region of the Biosphere Reserve of Chamela-Cuixmala at the coast of Jalisco, Mexico. We hypothesized that because these two species are habitat generalists, microhabitat use would change in response to secondary forest succession and to the climatic season of the year. Although both species were registered in both secondary and mature forests, A. dacnicolor was associated to mature forest, whereas S. fodi-ens was more associated to disturbed sites. Neither species showed differences in biomass among successional stages (ES) or between climatic seasons. Unlike S. fodiens, A. dacnicolor presented larger sizes during the rainy season. Body temperature of both species varied between ES and climatic season. S. fodiens presented a more constant temperature among individuals in pastures, while A. dacnicolor in mature forests. Environmental and structural habitat variables that influenced the presence of both species in ES were substrate temperature, height of tree or shrub where the frog was perching and percentage cover of litter, grasses, shrubs, trees and bare soil. The variables that best explained biomass, snout-vent length (LHC) and body temperature of S. fodiens were cover of dry branches and substrate temperature, whereas biomass of A. dacnicolor was better explained by cover of herbs, LHC, height of the tree or shrub where the frog was perching, body temperature and the substrate temperature. Both species used differentially environmental and structural variables of microhabitats along the gradient of initial to late ES. The variables that separated the species were the height of the shelter or perch and the percentage of trees in different ES. Whereas A. dacnicolor was more associated to the lowest strata of vegetation, S. fodiens showed plasticity in microhabitat use, especially in height of shelter or perch. Our results suggested that even when both species are considered habitat generalists, in anthropic landscapes, A. dacnicolor is specialist in microhabitat use, whereas S. fodiens is a species with greater ecological plasticity in microhabitat use. These differences in microhabitat use in response to habitat disturbance may help explain the success of these species in these new landscapes, as well as the importance of secondary forests in different stages of succession to maintain adequate microhabitats for the permanence of species in anthropogenic landscapes. Rev. Biol. Trop. 65 (2): 777-798. Epub 2017 June 01.

- by J. Nicolas Urbina-Cardona
- •
- Herpetology, Anurans, Herpetofauna, Tropical forest biomass

We quantified the güiña diet (Leopardus guigna) by analyzing 39 scats collected during summer–autumn 2001 in an Andean mixed Nothofagus–Lophozonia forest, southern Chile. Five small mammal species, three passerine species, lizards of one genus, and insects of two orders were identified in the scats. Small mammals were the most frequently consumed prey (47% of all identified prey individuals) and constituted most of the biomass contributed by all prey (75%). The arboreal/scansorial small mammals Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, Irenomys tarsalis, and Dromiciops gliroides were the most frequently consumed vertebrate prey (14.4, 11.5 and 11.5% of all identified prey individuals; 22.7, 21.5 and 18.2% of biomass contributed by all prey, respectively). The frequency of each small mammal species in the scats was not reflected in its respective capture-frequency as evaluated by live-trapping. O. longicaudatus, I. tarsalis, and D. gliroides were ‘overconsumed’ regarding their capture-frequency. Akodon longipilis, the most frequently captured species, was not found in the scats. As a whole, the arboreal/scansorial smallmammals were preyed upon by güiñas much more than expected given their capture-frequency. Our results suggest that the güiña is a predator partially specialized for arboreal/scansorial small mammal species, being able to take alternative prey when available.

- by Dr. Siddhartha Pati
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- Zoology, Conservation Biology, Marine Ecology, Marine Protected Areas

Volume della collana Conoscere, di Compagnia delle Foreste, dedicato alle problematiche tra fauna selvatica (ungulati) e foreste. Si tratta dell’analisi della bibliografia riguardante nello specifico l’impatto di cervi, caprioli e daini sugli ecosistemi forestali, in particolare sulla rinnovazione, che raccoglie una panoramica sulla ricerca svolta dal secondo dopoguerra fino ad oggi, considerando studi ed esperienze applicative in ambito europeo ed italiano. Come tutti sappiamo, il problema è molto attuale e riguarda più o meno gravemente la maggior parte dei boschi italiani. I tecnici che si trovano a dover risolvere tale problema hanno bisogno di reperire informazioni chiare e precise sia per affrontarlo nel migliore dei modi, sia per spiegarlo e condividerlo con tutti i portatori d’interesse legati a vario titolo con l’ecosistema forestale. Per questo la pubblicazione, dedicata particolarmente a questa categoria di tecnici, offre una panoramica a 360° affrontando il problema in modo il più possibile ampio e multidisciplinare. Nella prima parte si descrivono le specie animali e vegetali coinvolte, il tipo di danni e di effetti causati; nella seconda parte si offre invece una panoramica sulle metodologie d’indagine e l’approccio al problema descrivendo esperienze applicative e gestionali.
Trattandosi di una disamina bibliografica, la pubblicazione fornisce gli strumenti minimi per chi, per motivi di studio o professionali, voglia approfondire specifici aspetti.

This paper is trying to talk about the Egyptian turtle and how this animal will benefit society and how it could contribute as an exhibit in the Audubon zoo. We have to explain the taxonomy/evolution of my species, my reasons of choosing this animal, how this species important for the ecosystem & society, Where the species is found, the predator of my species and what they eat, the species habitat, the evolutionary history of the species, how my species reproduce, some of their evolutionary adaptations for their environment, and what the impact the exhibit will have on over the zoo and society. The essay is required to be 3-4 pages long. This section contains a summary of all of the key point from the section.

The 1993 flood of the Missouri River led to the abandonment of agriculture on considerable land in the floodplain. This abandonment led to a restoration opportunity for the U.S. Federal Government, purchasing those lands being sold by farmers. Restoration of this floodplain is complicated, however, by an imperfect understanding of its past environmental and vegetative conditions. We examined environmental conditions associated with the current placement of young forests and wet prairies as a guide to the potential successional trajectory for abandoned agricultural land subject to flooding. We used Bayesian mixed-effects logistic regression to examine the effects of flood frequency, soil drainage, distance from the main channel, and elevation on whether a site was in wet prairie or in forest. Study site was included as a random effect, controlling for site-specific differences not measured in our study. We found, after controlling for the effect of site, that early-successional forest sites were closer to the river and at a lower elevation but occurred on drier soils than wet prairie. In a regulated river such as the lower Missouri River, wet prairie sites are relatively isolated from the main channel compared to early-successional forest, despite occurring on relatively moister soils. The modeled results from this study may be used to predict the potential successional fate of the acquired agricultural lands, and along with information on wildlife assemblages associated with wet prairie and forest can be used to predict potential benefit of these acquisitions to wildlife conservation.

- by Wayne Thogmartin and +1
- •
- Management and evaluation of habitat for wildlife, Flooding, Mixed-Effects Regression, Wet Prairie

Habitat disturbance can modify microhabitats and therefore have a significant effect on the abundance and distribution of anurans species, particularly those associated to specific microhabitats. In this study we evaluated changes in the use of microhabitat by two syntopic species of tree frogs, Agalychnis dacnicolor and Smilisca fodiens along a successional gradient of Tropical Dry Forest in the region of the Biosphere Reserve of Chamela-Cuixmala at the coast of Jalisco, Mexico. We hypothesized that because these two species are habitat generalists, microhabitat use would change in response to secondary forest succession and to the climatic season of the year. Although both species were registered in both secondary and mature forests, A. dacnicolor was associated to mature forest, whereas S. fodiens was more associated to disturbed sites. Neither species showed differences in biomass among successional stages (ES) or between climatic seasons. Unlike S. fodiens, A. dacnicolor presen...

- by J. Nicolas Urbina-Cardona
- •
- Herpetology, Anurans, Herpetofauna, Tropical forest biomass

A long-standing debate within conservation is how best to allocate limited management resources: should reserve area be increased, should anthropogenic disturbances be mitigated, or should connectivity be increased? We explore these issues for the San Diego cactus wren, a California Species of Special Concern. To assess the relative benefit of different post-fire habitat restoration strategies, we forecasted wren abundance over the next 100 years under three restoration strategies: (i) create new ‘‘stepping stone’’ habitat patches to form corridors which connect existing patches, (ii) augment existing habitat patches, and (iii) create new habitat patches in areas with low fire risk. We considered both small-scale and large- scale restoration efforts of 20 and 200 ha of habitat, respectively. To forecast wren abundance, we used a meta-population model created from maps of wren abundance, cactus abundance, land use, and estimated fire probability. Estimates of fire probability were obtained by relating previous fire locations to environmental variables and human population density. Results indicate that the best management strategy for a 20-ha restoration effort is to augment habitat in patches habitable for wrens, and that the best strategy for 180 ha of additional restoration (or 200 total hectares) is to improve wren dispersal via new corridors. Results also indicate that there is no decline in long-term wren abundance caused by planning the first 20 ha of restoration separately from planning a subsequent 180 ha. Our modeling approach provides insight into the relative benefit of several realistic restoration scenarios, providing an important tool for species conservation and habitat restoration on complex landscapes.

- by SANATAN TUDU
- •
- Zoology, Conservation Biology, Marine Ecology, Marine Protected Areas

Background In Probolinggo coastal waters, part of the Madura Strait, the appearance of whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) is a common sight especially during late December to March. The aggregation of these large vertebrates in this area have become highly attractive for local coastal tourism. Yet there has been limited scientific information regarding their population, from which better conservation management might result. The present study partly dealt with an exploration of whale shark habitat conditions at their arrival in this region. Approach Twelve days of whale shark sightings were made on board a wooden fishing boat (8 m length), coupled with weather data based on Beaufort's scale and plankton sampling at the time of shark surfacing. Observations were performed from early morning to late afternoon (7 am to 4 pm). The animals were counted and their length estimated by placing the boat and a whale shark in parallel positions. Zooplankton was sampled by filtering 100 L seawater using a 250 µm mesh-size plankton net. Site marking was done at each sight using GPS. The combination of primary data and secondary supporting information was combined to understand why whale sharks are present in the area. Results There were 72 individual whale sharks recorded during 12 d of observation, of which 94% appeared between morning to late morning. The highest number of sharks was found on day 6 with 14 individuals. Shark size ranged between 2 – 8 m, with most animals between 3 – 6 m, indicating the population might by dominated by immature individuals. During observation, there was no preferred temperature for whale shark sightings, with temperatures ranging between 28.5 – 30.0°C. Instead, whale shark presence coincided with relatively calm weather (1 – 3 Beauforts' scale). Whale sharks were absent on days 3, 7, and 12, when weather conditions were between 4 – 5 Beauforts' scale. The sharks swim as close as 1 nm to shore, in 5 – 10 m water depths. Among potential food items, there were 5 dominating zooplankton groups, i.e. crustaceans, sagittoideans, urochordatans, hydrozoans, and scyphozoans. In addition, fish eggs and larvae were also found. Regarding crustaceans, the copepods were the dominant group, especially genera Lucifer, Mysis, Sergia, and nauplii larvae forms. Conclusion The aggregation of whale sharks in Madura Strait is likely feeding-based in this area where wind-driven oceanographic conditions cause food to be in high abundance. Research on ID-based population structure of this whale shark aggregation is required.

- by Yusli Wardiatno
- •
- Marine Biology, Conservation Biology, Conservation, Marine Ecology

SEQ Catchments habitat mapping methodology produces the known and possible spatial extent and importance of Boronia keysii habitat within the Southeast Queensland bioregion. The approach relies on statistical analysis of preferred habitats and landscape criteria for the species. The resultant GIS Modelling is evaluated by expert review and further validated through ground-truthing and correlated with additional species records. This method aims to overcome bias's and gaps in species observations and provides a defensible, robust and precautionary approach to habitat mapping.

Reintroduction projects represent viable options for animal conservation. They allow the establishment of new local populations and may contribute to recreating functional networks within a metapopulation. In the latter case, landscape connectivity may be a major determinant of the phase of spread of the reintroduced populations. Here, we deal with an example of a red deer (Cervus elaphus) translocation planned to enable the connection among existing isolated populations of the species in the Italian Alps. Our aim was to assess whether the analysis of landscape suitability and the simulation of dispersal of released individuals could shed light on the actual process of population spread. For these purposes, we adopted a modelling approach using radiotracking data to develop a habitat suitability map. On the basis of this map, we simulated the dispersal of the animals after release and we then compared the simulation results with the outcome of null models and with the observed population redistribution. The results suggest that the spread of the subpopulation was easier north-westward than southward. Taking into account landscape suitability, our simulations produced a reliable estimate of the ease of colonization of the valleys neighbouring the release-site and they allowed the identification and validation of a potential pathway for animal dispersal. The suitability model based on the monitoring of individuals in the earliest phase of establishment shed light on the spread of the population and on its potential connections with other deer subpopulations.

- by V. La Morgia and +2
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- Landscape Ecology, Earth Sciences, Regression Models, Reintroduction Biology

Emys orbicularis is the species of turtles that is the most distributed to the north in Europe the known at present extremely northern European edge of the species' area, where breeding was registered, passes through Latvia. Actions of Emys-connected projects can affect the state of Emys orbicularis natural population and its habitats and affect results of carried out and future studies of pond turtles in Latvia. 42 young adult Emys orbicularis were released in wild in Silene Nature Park, Latvia in 2014 for the first time. In the research 9 Emys-connected projects, carried out in 1984 – 2014, were described; their biological aspects, results and effect on Emys orbicularis population and ecosystems were estimated.

- by Aija Pupina and +1
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- European Union, Management and evaluation of habitat for wildlife, Reptiles, Latvia

Many bird species use human-made habitats and an important issue is whether these are equally suitable foraging habitats as are historical, natural habitats. Historically, Lesser Snow Geese ( Chen caerulescens caerulescens ; hereafter Snow Geese) wintered in coastal marshes in Louisiana but began using rice-prairies within the last 60 years. Time spent feeding was used as an indicator of habitat suitability and time and energy budgets of Snow Geese were compared between rice-prairies and coastal marshes in southwest Louisiana. Composite diets of Snow Geese have a lower energy density in the rice-prairies than in coastal marshes; thus, we predicted that Snow Geese would spend relatively more time feeding in rice-praires to obtain existence energy. However, time spent feeding was higher in coastal marshes and thus, not proportional to energy density of composite diets. Snow Geese in coastal marshes ingested less apparent metabolizable energy than did Snow Geese in rice-prairies. In rice-prairies, juveniles spent more time feeding than did adults; however, time spent feeding was similar between age classes in coastal marshes. Undeveloped foraging skills probably cause juvenile Snow Geese to forage less efficiently in coastal marshes than in rice-prairies. These findings are consistent with recent trends in Snow Goose numbers, which increased in rice-prairies but remained stable in coastal marshes.

Emys orbicularis is the species of turtles that is the most distributed to the north in Europe (Uetz 2006); the known at present extremely northern European edge of the species' area, where breeding was registered, passes through Latvia. Actions of Emys-connected projects can affect the state of Emys orbicularis natural population and its habitats and affect results of carried out and future studies of pond turtles in Latvia. 42 young adult Emys orbicularis were released in wild in Silene Nature Park, Latvia in 2014 for the first time. In the research 9 Emys-connected projects, carried out in 1985 – 2015, were described; their biological aspects, results and effect on Emys orbicularis population and ecosystems were estimated.

The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) has suffered a dramatic reduction in numbers in many parts of the Iberian Peninsula over the past 50 years. The European rabbit is a keystone species of Mediterranean ecosystems and an important game resource. Because of its role as a prey animal, it is important for the preservation of globally threatened Iberian predators. Several techniques have been used to help wild rabbit populations recover. Restocking is one of the most important techniques because of its frequent use throughout the rabbit's Mediterranean range. In the present study, we analyzed the population dynamics and spatial behavior observed between 2004 and 2007 in 6 different wild rabbit restockings with subterranean tube warrens in 3 private estates located in Extremadura (SW Spain). In all the estates, increases in spatial relevance in the rabbit population were observed, with expansions across >150 ha in one of the estates and an average of 69.86 ha 2 years after the last release. After the rabbits were restocked, they were observed continuously in 2 of the estates for 3 years after the initial release. In these high-quality habitat sites, restockings have served as a source area. Restocking with subterranean tube warrens proved to be a suitable method for creating medium-term sustainable populations with medium abundance (10.88 latrines/km 2 yr after the last release). This technique can be broadly applied for managing threatened species dependent on the rabbits in Mediterranean areas and for other threatened fossorial species