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2. An Ecosystem Approach to Invasive Species Management: An Aquatic Ecosystem Case Study

Author

Villamagna, A. M. and Karpanty, S. M.

Abstract

College students in natural resources continue to encounter instructor-centered teaching, despite strong evidence that suggests active-learning experiences benefit students more than passive learning activities. Case studies provide an active-learning alternative to lectures by teaching students new content and challenging them to engage in contemporary and relevant natural resource issues. In this article we present an interrupted teaching case that introduces students to problems associated with invasive species and the challenges of ecosystem-level management. We challenge students to assume the role of a lake manager that is faced with the introduction of a non-native plant about which little is known. Invasive species are a key area of research and management in the fields of ecology and natural resources. Students hoping to pursue a career in these fields should possess critical analysis, creative thinking, and collaboration skills, which are all fostered through the uses of case studies in the classroom. The interrupted case study technique used here models a real-life management experience by asking students to think critically about scientific information that they are provided, develop a study to collect information, make management decisions based on a suite of information provided, and finally to justify their management decision in light of prior and current knowledge. This case study is based on a wide-spread invasive species problem; one that has yet to be completely solved, although there are several success stories.

Published
2009

3. Right on track?

Author

Hofman, Maarten P. G., Hayward, M. W., Heim, M., Marchand, P., Rolandsen, C. M., Mattisson, Jenny, Urbano, F., Heurich, M., Mysterud, A., Melzheimer, J., Morellet, N., Voigt, Ulrich, Allen, B. L., Gehr, Benedikt, Rouco Zufiaurre, Carlos, Ullmann, Wiebke (Dr.), Holand, O., Jorgensen, n H., Steinheim, G., Cagnacci, F., Kroeschel, M., Kaczensky, P., Buuveibaatar, B., Payne, J. C., Palmegiani, I, Jerina, K., Kjellander, P., Johansson, O., LaPoint, S., Bayrakcismith, R., Linnell, J. D. C., Zaccaroni, M., Jorge, M. L. S., Oshima, J. E. F., Songhurst, A., Fischer, C., Mc Bride, R. T., Thompson, J. J., Streif, S., Sandfort, R., Bonenfant, Christophe, Drouilly, M., Klapproth, M., Zinner, Dietmar, Yarnell, Richard, Stronza, A., Wilmott, L., Meisingset, E., Thaker, Maria, Vanak, A. T., Nicoloso, S., Graeber, R., Said, S., Boudreau, M. R., Devlin, A., Hoogesteijn, R., May-Junior, J. A., Nifong, J. C., Odden, J., Quigley, H. B., Tortato, F., Parker, D. M., Caso, A., Perrine, J., Tellaeche, C., Zieba, F., Zwijacz-Kozica, T., Appel, C. L., Axsom, I, Bean, W. T., Cristescu, B., Periquet, S., Teichman, K. J., Karpanty, S., Licoppe, A., Menges, V, Black, K., Scheppers, Thomas L., Schai-Braun, S. C., Azevedo, F. C., Lemos, F. G., Payne, A., Swanepoel, L. H., Weckworth, B., Berger, A., Bertassoni, Alessandra, McCulloch, G., Sustr, P., Athreya, V, Bockmuhl, D., Casaer, J., Ekori, A., Melovski, D., Richard-Hansen, C., van de Vyver, D., Reyna-Hurtado, R., Robardet, E., Selva, N., Sergiel, A., Farhadinia, M. S., Sunde, P., Portas, R., Ambarli, Hüseyin, Berzins, R., Kappeler, P. M., Mann, G. K., Pyritz, L., Bissett, C., Grant, T., Steinmetz, R., Swedell, Larissa, Welch, R. J., Armenteras, D., Bidder, O. R., Gonzalez, T. M., Rosenblatt, A., Kachel, S., and Balkenhol, N.

Subjects
ddc:590, Institut für Biochemie und Biologie
Abstract

Satellite telemetry is an increasingly utilized technology in wildlife research, and current devices can track individual animal movements at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. However, as we enter the golden age of satellite telemetry, we need an in-depth understanding of the main technological, species-specific and environmental factors that determine the success and failure of satellite tracking devices across species and habitats. Here, we assess the relative influence of such factors on the ability of satellite telemetry units to provide the expected amount and quality of data by analyzing data from over 3,000 devices deployed on 62 terrestrial species in 167 projects worldwide. We evaluate the success rate in obtaining GPS fixes as well as in transferring these fixes to the user and we evaluate failure rates. Average fix success and data transfer rates were high and were generally better predicted by species and unit characteristics, while environmental characteristics influenced the variability of performance. However, 48% of the unit deployments ended prematurely, half of them due to technical failure. Nonetheless, this study shows that the performance of satellite telemetry applications has shown improvements over time, and based on our findings, we provide further recommendations for both users and manufacturers.

Published
2019

4. Right on track? Performance of satellite telemetry in terrestrial wildlife research

Author

Hayward, M.W., Heim, M., Marchand, P., Rolandsen, C.M., Mattisson, J., Urbano, F., Heurich, M., Mysterud, A., Melzheimer, J., Morellet, Nicolas, Voigt, U., Allen, B.L., Gehr, B., Rouco, C., Ullmann, W., Holand, O., Jorgensen, N.H., Steinheim, G., Cagnacci, F., Kroeschel, M., Kaczensky, P., Buuveibaatar, B., Payne, J.C., Palmegiani, I., Jerina, K., Kjellander, P., Johansson, O., LaPoint, S., Bayrakcismith, R., Linnell, J.D.C., Zaccaroni, M., Jorge, M.L.S., Oshima, J.E.F., Songhurst, A., Fischer, C., Mc Bride, R.T., Thompson, J.J., Streif, S., Sandfort, R., Bonenfant, C., Drouilly, M., Klapproth, M., Zinner, D., Yarnell, R., Stronza, A., Wilmott, L., Meisingset, E., Thaker, M., Vanak, A.T., Nicoloso, S., Graeber, R., Said, S., Boudreau, M.R., Devlin, A., Hoogesteijn, R., May-Junior, J.A., Nifong, J.C., Odden, J., Quigley, H.B., Tortato, F., Parker, D.M., Caso, A., Perrine, J., Tellaeche, C., Zieba, F., Zwijacz-Kozica, T., Appel, C. L., Axsom, I., Bean, W.T., Cristescu, B., Periquet, S., Teichman, K.J., Karpanty, S., Licoppe, A., Menges, V., Black, K., Scheppers, T.L., Schai-Braun, S.C., Azevedo, F.C., Lemos, F.G., Payne, A., Swanepoel, L.H., Weckworth, B., Berger, A., Bertassoni, A., McCulloch, G., Sustr, P., Athreya, V., Bockmuhl, D., Casaer, J., Ekori, A., Melovski, D., Richard-Hansen, C., van de Vyver, D., Reyna-Hurtado, R., Robardet, E., Selva, N., Sergiel, A., Farhadinia, M. S., Sunde, P., Portas, R., Ambarli, H., Berzins, R., Kappeler, P.M., Mann, G.K., Pyritz, L., Bissett, C., Grant, T., Steinmetz, R., Swedell, L., Welch, R.J., Armenteras, D., Bidder, O.R., Gonzalez, T.M., Rosenblatt, A., Kachel, S., Balkenhol, N., and Hofman, M.P.G.

Subjects
GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM, GPS-TELEMETRY, COLLAR PERFORMANCE, FIX SUCCESS, R PACKAGE, HABITAT, BEHAVIOR, SELECTION, LOCATION, PATTERNS
Abstract

Satellite telemetry is an increasingly utilized technology in wildlife research, and current devices can track individual animal movements at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. However, as we enter the golden age of satellite telemetry, we need an in-depth understanding of the main technological, species-specific and environmental factors that determine the success and failure of satellite tracking devices across species and habitats. Here, we assess the relative influence of such factors on the ability of satellite telemetry units to provide the expected amount and quality of data by analyzing data from over 3,000 devices deployed on 62 terrestrial species in 167 projects worldwide. We evaluate the success rate in obtaining GPS fixes as well as in transferring these fixes to the user and we evaluate failure rates. Average fix success and data transfer rates were high and were generally better predicted by species and unit characteristics, while environmental characteristics influenced the variability of performance. However, 48% of the unit deployments ended prematurely, half of them due to technical failure. Nonetheless, this study shows that the performance of satellite telemetry applications has shown improvements over time, and based on our findings, we provide further recommendations for both users and manufacturers.

Published
2019

5. Right on track? Performance of satellite telemetry in terrestrial wildlife research

Author

Hofman, MPG, Hayward, MW, Heim, M, Marchand, P, Rolandsen, CM, Mattisson, J, Urbano, F, Heurich, M, Mysterud, A, Melzheimer, J, Morellet, N, Voigt, U, Allen, BL, Gehr, B, Rouco, C, Ullmann, W, Holand, Ø, Jørgensen, NH, Steinheim, G, Cagnacci, F, Kroeschel, M, Kaczensky, P, Buuveibaatar, B, Payne, JC, Palmegiani, I, Jerina, K, Kjellander, P, Johansson, Ö, Lapoint, S, Bayrakcismith, R, Linnell, JDC, Zaccaroni, M, Jorge, MLS, Oshima, JEF, Songhurst, A, Fischer, C, Bride, RT, Thompson, JJ, Streif, S, Sandfort, R, Bonenfant, C, Drouilly, M, Klapproth, M, Zinner, D, Yarnell, R, Stronza, A, Wilmott, L, Meisingset, E, Thaker, M, Vanak, AT, Nicoloso, S, Graeber, R, Said, S, Boudreau, MR, Devlin, A, Hoogesteijn, R, May-Junior, JA, Nifong, JC, Odden, J, Quigley, HB, Tortato, F, Parker, DM, Caso, A, Perrine, J, Tellaeche, C, Zieba, F, Zwijacz-Kozica, T, Appel, CL, Axsom, I, Bean, WT, Cristescu, B, Périquet, S, Teichman, KJ, Karpanty, S, Licoppe, A, Menges, V, Black, K, Scheppers, TL, Schai-Braun, SC, Azevedo, FC, Lemos, FG, Payne, A, Swanepoel, LH, Weckworth, BV, Berger, A, Bertassoni, A, McCulloch, G, Šustr, P, Athreya, V, Bockmuhl, D, Casaer, J, Ekori, A, Melovski, D, Richard-Hansen, C, Van De Vyver, D, Reyna-Hurtado, R, Robardet, E, Selva, N, Sergiel, A, Farhadinia, MS, Sunde, P, Portas, R, Ambarli, H, Berzins, R, Kappeler, PM, Mann, GK, Pyritz, L, Bissett, C, Grant, T, Steinmetz, R, Swedell, L, Welch, RJ, Armenteras, D, Bidder, OR, González, TM, Rosenblatt, A, Kachel, S, Balkenhol, N, University of Goettingen, Bangor University, Nelson Mandela University, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Unité Ongulés Sauvages, Université Grenoble Alpes, University of Freiburg, Bavarian Forest National Park, University of Oslo, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, INRA, University of Veterinary Medicine, Institute for Agriculture and the Environment, University of Zurich, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Landcare Research, Universidad de Córdoba, University of Potsdam, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Fondazione Edmund Mach, Forest Research Institute of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Mongolia Program, Biotechnical Faculty, Swedish University for Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Snow Leopard Trust, Max-Planck Institute for Ornithology, Columbia University, Panthera, University of Florence, Vanderbilt University, Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Ecoexist, University of Oxford, Texas A and M University, D’Ingenierie et d’Architecture de Geneve, Faro Maro Ecoresearch, Guyra Paraguay—CONACYT, Instituto Saite, Ronin Institute, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, University of Cape Town, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Brackenhurst Campus, Office of Environment and Heritage, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Indian Institute of Science, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, DBT India Alliance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, D.R.E.Am. Italia, Unités Ongulés Sauvages, Trent University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, University of Santa Catarina, Onçafari, Environmental Laboratory, Rhodes University, University of Mpumalanga, Ministery of Environment and Natural Resources of Mexico, Alianza Nacional Para la Conservacion del Jaguar A.C., California Polytechnic State University, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy–CONICET, Tatra National Park, Humboldt State University, South Africa, Main Camp Research, University of British Columbia, Virginia Tech., Service Public de Wallonie, Research Institute for Nature and Forest, Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG), Fazenda Limoeiro, University of Venda, Instituto de Pesquisa e Conservação de Tamanduás no Brasil, Global Change Research Institute CAS, Wildlife Conservation Society—India, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Western Switzerland, Macedonian Ecological Society, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Université de Guyane), El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, ANSES Nancy Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Polish Academy of Sciences, Aarhus University, Duzce University, WWF Thailand, City University of New York, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, University of California, University of North Florida, University of Washington, University of Newcastle, Black Rock Forest, Sequoia Riverlands Trust, Ongava Research Centre, Scientific Services, Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT), CEntre Technique des Industries Mécaniques (CETIM), CEntre Technique des Industries Mécaniques - Cetim (FRANCE), Department of Research and Documentation, Laboratoire de Biométrie et Biologie Evolutive - UMR 5558 (LBBE), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (UCBL), Université de Lyon-Université de Lyon-Institut National de Recherche en Informatique et en Automatique (Inria)-VetAgro Sup - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur et de recherche en alimentation, santé animale, sciences agronomiques et de l'environnement (VAS)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Deutscher Wetterdienst [Offenbach] (DWD), Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik ( Albert-Einstein-Institut ) (AEI), Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Department of Animal and Man Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze = University of Florence [Firenze] (UNIFI), Université de Lyon, Office Nationale de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, DAM Île-de-France (DAM/DIF), Direction des Applications Militaires (DAM), Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA)-Commissariat à l'énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), Centro de Engenharia Biologica e Quimica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade Técnica de Lisboa (IST), SOPTOM, CRCC Centre for Research and Conservation of Chelonians, Laboratoire Chrono-environnement - CNRS - UBFC (UMR 6249) (LCE), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)-Université de Franche-Comté (UFC), Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté [COMUE] (UBFC)-Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté [COMUE] (UBFC), Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP), Life Cycle Strategies, Georg-August-University [Göttingen], Università degli Studi di Firenze = University of Florence (UniFI), Laboratoire Chrono-environnement (UMR 6249) (LCE), Georg-August-University = Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, and Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Subjects
Questionnaires, SELECTION, Forests, Wildlife, Data acquisition, Temperate forests, Animal performance, Data reduction, Global positioning system, Movement ecology, Telemetry, R PACKAGE, Spacecraft, HABITAT, Animal Management, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Ecology, Eukaryota, Agriculture, Terrestrial Environments, Navigation, GPS-TELEMETRY, Multidisciplinary Sciences, Data Acquisition, Research Design, Engineering and Technology, Science & Technology - Other Topics, Medicine, Temperate Forests, Information Technology, BEHAVIOR, Research Article, Environmental Monitoring, Computer and Information Sciences, Animals, Animals, Wild, Ecosystem, Geographic Information Systems, Animal Types, Science, GPS telemetry, Research and Analysis Methods, Ecosystems, COLLAR PERFORMANCE, FIX SUCCESS, Settore BIO/07 - ECOLOGIA, LOCATION, Animal Performance, GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM, Survey Research, Science & Technology, Bio-logging, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Organisms, Biology and Life Sciences, Data Reduction, Wildlife conservation, PATTERNS, [SDE.BE]Environmental Sciences/Biodiversity and Ecology, Zoology
Abstract

Satellite telemetry is an increasingly utilized technology in wildlife research, and current devices can track individual animal movements at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. However, as we enter the golden age of satellite telemetry, we need an in-depth understanding of the main technological, species-specific and environmental factors that determine the success and failure of satellite tracking devices across species and habitats. Here, we assess the relative influence of such factors on the ability of satellite telemetry units to provide the expected amount and quality of data by analyzing data from over 3,000 devices deployed on 62 terrestrial species in 167 projects worldwide. We evaluate the success rate in obtaining GPS fixes as well as in transferring these fixes to the user and we evaluate failure rates. Average fix success and data transfer rates were high and were generally better predicted by species and unit characteristics, while environmental characteristics influenced the variability of performance. However, 48% of the unit deployments ended prematurely, half of them due to technical failure. Nonetheless, this study shows that the performance of satellite telemetry applications has shown improvements over time, and based on our findings, we provide further recommendations for both users and manufacturers. Forest and Nature for Society (FONASO) Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programme [2013-09] University of Goettingen Norwegian Environment Agency Research Council of Norway [212919] Norwegian Institute for Nature Research Messerli Foundation, WWF Landcare Research Ltd New Zealand TBfree New Zealand (AHB project) [R10737] Norwegian Research Counsil, Smafefondet, NMBU Research Council of Norway Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg (Landesjagdabgabe) Wildlife Conservation Society Swedish Environmental Protection Agency private foundation "Marie Clair Cronstedts stiftelse" NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment [NNX15AV92A] National Geographic Society Waitt Grant Program [W157-110] FAPESP [2013/50421-2, 2014/23132-2] CNPq [312045/2013-1, 312292/2016-3, 161089/2014-3] Silicon Valley Community Foundation The Overbrook Foundation International ReSource Award WCS Brasil Vanderbilt University PROCAD/CAPES [88881.068425/2014-01] MLSJ Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo Fapesp [2013/50421-2, 2014/23132-2] Projeto Pecarideos - WCS Brasil Howard G Buffett Foundation Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia -CONACYT Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) [814274, 834118] Leobner Realgemeinschaft Forstbetrieb Kletschach WWF Nedbank Green Trust [GT 2251] DFG [Fi707/9-1/DFG Zi548/6-1/DAAD (D/12/41834), FI707/9-1, ZI548/6-1] DAAD [D/12/41834] Nottingham Trent University The Howard G. Buffett Foundation ISRO-IISc Space Technology Cell Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance and Space Technology Cell, Indian Institute of Science Lower Saxony Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection Panthera Kaplan Graduate Award Bank of America Reindeer Development Fund in Norway Rhodes University Robin Hurt Wildlife Foundation Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute Wildlife Conservation Network Humboldt State University HSU Marine and Coastal Science Initiative Humboldt State University Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Grant Claude Leon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship The Cape Leopard Trust Conservation South Africa South African National Parks HERD project (Hwange Environmental Research Development) - Agence Nationale de la Recherche (FEAR project) [ANR-08-BLAN-0022] Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Programme Zones Ateliers) National Geographic Society [C151-08] NSERC CGS D U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Service public de Wallonie Direction generale de l'Agriculture, des Ressources naturelles et de l'Environnement U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Parrotia-Stiftung Stiftung Dr. Joachim de Giacomi Basler Stiftung fur biologische Forschung Messerli Stiftung Carl Burger Stiftung CIC Schweiz CIC Deutschland Paul Schiller Stiftung Karl Mayer Stiftung Consorcio Capim Branco de Energia Ministere de l'Agriculture de l'Agroalimentaire et de la Foret Conseil Regional de Bourgogne Conseil General de la Cote d'Or Federation Departementale des Chasseurs de Cote d'Or Groupement de Defense Sanitaire de Cote d'Or Federation Nationale des Chasseurs Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage South African National Research Foundation [107099] Sao Paulo Research Foundation [FAPESP 2013/04957-8, FAPESP 2013/18526-9] MAVA Foundation, Switzerland The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt DBU (German Federal Environmental Foundation) Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) Project GLOBE - Polish-Norwegian Research Programme [POLNOR/198352/85/2013] ASer: Norway Grants under the Polish-Norwegian Research Program [POL-NOR/198352/85/2013] The People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) Zoologische Gesellschaft fur Arten-und Populationsschutz (ZGAP) Iranian Cheetah Society Quagga Conservation Fund IdeaWild Association Francaise des Parcs Zoologiques (AFdPZ) DEAL (Direction de l'Environnement de l'Amenagement et du Logement) de Guyane CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) The Nedbank WWF Green Trust The International Foundation for Science Cape Leopard Trust German Research Foundation [DFG: KA 1082/16-1] The Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group (WRMRG) International Foundation for Science (IFS) Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF) The Rufford Small Grants Foundation Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust WWF Sweden Leakey Foundation National Geographic Society WennerGren Foundation Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion Colciencias, Project "Efecto de la presencia de saladosnaturales en la distribucion y uso de habitat de la danta de tier-ras bajas (Tapirus terrestris) en las amazonas colombiano" [1101569-33286, 0385-2013] Alexander von Humboldt Foundation NSF Graduate Research Fellowship [DEG-125608] Sustainability East Asia LLC - SEA Amarula Trust National Geographic Earthwatch Institute World Wildlife Fund for Nature Columbus Zoo California North Coast Chapter of The Wildlife Society Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation Anses This work was supported by: Forest and Nature for Society (FONASO) Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate programme (CONTRACT NO. 2013-09) to MPGH, Publication costs were covered by the Open Access Publication Fund of the University of Goettingen; The Norwegian Environment Agency, the Research Council of Norway (project 212919), Norwegian Institute for Nature Research to JM; Messerli Foundation, WWF to JMel; CRou: The author was supported in the form of salary by a postdoctoral grant funded by Landcare Research Ltd New Zealand and data provided was funded by research project grant from TBfree New Zealand (AHB project number R10737). Norwegian Research Counsil, Smafefondet, NMBU to NHJ; The Research Council of Norway to GS; Federal State of Baden-Wuerttemberg (Landesjagdabgabe) to MK; Funding for the capture and collaring of khulan was received from Wildlife Conservation Society, administered through a cooperative agreement with Sustainability East Asia LLC - SEA and originating from Oy Du Tolgoi -OT gold and copper mining company to PK; Swedish fieldwork was supported by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency and by the private foundation "Marie Clair Cronstedts stiftelse" to PKje; NASA Arctic Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (project #NNX15AV92A), National Geographic Society Waitt Grant Program (Grant #W157-110) to SL; Research Council of Norway to JDCL; FAPESP (2013/50421-2, 2014/23132-2), CNPq (312045/2013-1; 312292/2016-3; 161089/2014-3), Silicon Valley Community Foundation, The Overbrook Foundation, the International ReSource Award, WCS Brasil, and Vanderbilt University. PROCAD/CAPES (88881.068425/2014-01); MLSJ Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo Fapesp (process: 2013/50421-2 and scholarship: 2014/23132-2) and CNPQ (scholarship: 161089/2014-3), Projeto Pecarideos - WCS Brasil and Vanderbilt University for funding this research to JEFO.; Howard G Buffett Foundation, Amarula Trust to AS; Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia -CONACYT with resources from the FEE to JJT; Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) grant numbers 814274 and 834118, Leobner Realgemeinschaft and Forstbetrieb Kletschach to RS; WWF Nedbank Green Trust (grant number GT 2251) to MD; DFG Fi707/9-1/DFG Zi548/6-1/DAAD (D/12/41834) to MKla; DFG FI707/9-1, DFG ZI548/6-1, DAAD D/12/41834 to DZ; GPS tags were funded by Nottingham Trent University, National Geographic, Earthwatch Institute, World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Columbus Zoo to RY; The Howard G. Buffett Foundation to AStr; ISRO-IISc Space Technology Cell to MT; Wellcome Trust/DBT India Alliance and Space Technology Cell, Indian Institute of Science to ATV; D.R.E. Am. Italia provided support in the form of salary for author SN, but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific role of this author is articulated in the 'author contributions' section.; RG was supported by funds of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection; Panthera Kaplan Graduate Award to AD; Bank of America to JAM; The Norwegian Environment Agency, the Research Council of Norway (Project 212919), the Reindeer Development Fund in Norway, and several County administrations around Norway to JO; Rhodes University to DMP; Robin Hurt Wildlife Foundation, Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute to AC; Wildlife Conservation Network, Panthera to CT; Humboldt State University, HSU Marine and Coastal Science Initiative, California North Coast Chapter of The Wildlife Society, Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation to CLA; Humboldt State University Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Grant to IA; Humboldt State University Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities Grant to WTB; Claude Leon Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship, The Cape Leopard Trust, Conservation South Africa, South African National Parks to BC; GPS collars were funded by the HERD project (Hwange Environmental Research Development), funded by the Agence Nationale de la Recherche (FEAR project ANR-08-BLAN-0022), and the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (Programme Zones Ateliers). Some collars were funded by the National Geographic Society GRANT #C151-08 to SP; NSERC CGS D to KJT; SK: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to SK; Service public de Wallonie. Direction generale de l'Agriculture, des Ressources naturelles et de l'Environnement to AL; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to KB; Parrotia-Stiftung, Stiftung Dr. Joachim de Giacomi, Basler Stiftung fur biologische Forschung, Messerli Stiftung, Carl Burger Stiftung, CIC Schweiz, CIC Deutschland, Paul Schiller Stiftung and Karl Mayer Stiftung to SCS; Consorcio Capim Branco de Energia to FCA; Consorcio Capim Branco de Energia to FGL; Ministere de l'Agriculture de l'Agroalimentaire et de la Foret, the Conseil Regional de Bourgogne, the Conseil General de la Cote d'Or, the Federation Departementale des Chasseurs de Cote d'Or, the Groupement de Defense Sanitaire de Cote d'Or, the Federation Nationale des Chasseurs and the Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage to AP.; ; South African National Research Foundation (Grant number: 107099) to LHS; Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP 2013/04957-8 and FAPESP 2013/18526-9) to ABer; MAVA Foundation, Switzerland; The Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt DBU (German Federal Environmental Foundation) to DM; Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) to CRic; Anses to ER; Project GLOBE (POLNOR/198352/85/2013) funded by the Polish-Norwegian Research Programme operated by the National Centre for Research and Development; ASer: Norway Grants under the Polish-Norwegian Research Program operated by the National Centre for Research and Development (GLOBE, POL-NOR/198352/85/2013) to NS; The People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), Zoologische Gesellschaft fur Arten-und Populationsschutz (ZGAP), Iranian Cheetah Society, Quagga Conservation Fund, IdeaWild, Panthera and Association Francaise des Parcs Zoologiques (AFdPZ) to MSF; DEAL (Direction de l'Environnement de l'Amenagement et du Logement) de Guyane, CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) to RBer; The Nedbank WWF Green Trust, The International Foundation for Science, the Cape Leopard Trust, Rhodes University to GKM; German Research Foundation (DFG: KA 1082/16-1) to LP; The Wildlife and Reserve Management Research Group (WRMRG), International Foundation for Science (IFS), Safari Club International Foundation (SCIF), The Rufford Small Grants Foundation, Ernst & Ethel Eriksen Trust to TG; WWF Sweden to RSte; Leakey Foundation, National Geographic Society, WennerGren Foundation to LS; Departamento Administrativo de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion Colciencias, Project "Efecto de la presencia de saladosnaturales en la distribucion y uso de habitat de la danta de tier-ras bajas (Tapirus terrestris) en las amazonas colombiano" (grantnumber 1101569-33286, contract: 0385-2013) to DA; PostDoctoral Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to ORB; NSF Graduate Research Fellowship DEG-125608 to SKac. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.; We thank Horst Reinecke and Christian Trothe for database management and data entry, and James Gibbons, Matthias Schmid and Benjamin Hofner for their enlightening explanations on the statistics. We thank Stan Tomkiewicz for insightful discussion on GPS collar functioning, and the Eurodeer. org network, Sarah Davidson of Movebank. org, and Stephanie O'Donnell of WILDLABS. NET for helping to spread the word about this study. We also thank Jonah Gula, Olav Strand, Ole Roer, Liu Yanlin, Bernt-Erik Saether, Anders Borstad, Laura McMahon, Thomas Morrison, Maurizio Ramanzin, Vebjorn Veiberg, Erling Johan Solberg, Leif Soennichsen, Hans Christian Pedersen, Tom McCarthy, Jacqueline L. Frair, Siobhan Dyer, Morten Odden, Lars Haugaard, and Peter G. Crawshaw, Jr. for their data contributions. The publication was supported by the Open Access Publication Fund of the University of Goettingen.

Published
2019
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8. Using camera traps to investigate spatial co‐occurrence between exotic predators and native prey species: a case study from northeastern Madagascar.

Author

Murphy, A., Kelly, M. J., Karpanty, S. M., Andrianjakarivelo, V., and Farris, Z. J.

Subjects
PREDATORY animals, VIVERRICULA indica, WILDCAT, DOGS
Abstract

The presence of exotic predators in ecosystems across the world is a leading driver of native species' declines. Exotic predators largely influence native species through predation and harassment, which may cause native species to avoid them spatially. We used a camera trap dataset from seven sites in Madagascar's largest protected area complex to investigate spatial co‐occurrence patterns between three exotic predators (free‐ranging domestic dogs Canis familiaris and cats Felis silvestris, and small Indian civet Viverricula indica) and native ground‐dwelling forest birds (n = 5) and small mammals (n = 4). We created 216 two‐species occupancy models for 27 exotic predator‐native species pairings to examine how habitat, exotic predator presence or both, influenced each native species' occupancy and/or detection. We found that native bird and small mammal occupancy and/or detection were strongly related to an exotic predator's presence 52% of the time (i.e. 14 of 27 exotic predator‐native species pairings). Six of the 14 species pairings (i.e. 43%) had non‐independent co‐occurrence patterns, four of which were habitat‐mediated. The effect of exotic predator presence on native species' detection was largely negative, depressing native species' detection in seven out of 12 instances (i.e. 58% of the time). The small Indian civet and free‐ranging cats each strongly influenced the occupancy and/or detection of six species for a combined impact on seven native species, while domestic dogs strongly influenced two species. By including habitat covariates in two‐species occupancy models, we gained deeper insight into the effect exotic predator presence has on native species' distribution. We also note that the strong effect of exotic predator presence on our ability to detect native species can hinder the ability of researchers to provide accurate parameter estimates. We recommend future research into the synergistic effects that habitat degradation and exotic species presence has on native species. The presence of exotic predators is one of the leading causes for declines in native biodiversity across the world. In northeastern Madagascar, we found that three exotic predators (free‐ranging dogs and cats, and small Indian civets) and habitat degradation are causing declines in native small mammal and bird occupancy and detection. In particular, free‐ranging cats and small Indian civets each strongly influenced six species. We recommend that further research on the influence of exotic predators on native populations take into account other possible influences (such as habitat degradation) to pinpoint any possible synergistic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2019
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11. Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program (DCERP1)

Author

RESEARCH TRIANGLE INST (RTI) RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK NC, Cunningham, Pat, Anderson, I, Baumann, K, Brush, M, Christensen, N, Currin, C, Fraser, J, Fonseca, M, Karpanty, S, Morris, J, RESEARCH TRIANGLE INST (RTI) RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK NC, Cunningham, Pat, Anderson, I, Baumann, K, Brush, M, Christensen, N, Currin, C, Fraser, J, Fonseca, M, Karpanty, S, and Morris, J

Abstract

The Defense Coastal/Estuarine Research Program (DCERP) is a research-based program that was sited at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCBCL), NC. The overall objective of DCERP was to help ensure that MCBCL sustains military training and testing activities using adaptive management based on a relevant and applied monitoring and research program. This program provides a unique opportunity to integrate the results of broadly scoped ecological research to understand the structure and function of diverse coastal ecosystems, while directly integrating this research to address the Base's management needs. To facilitate an understanding of the ecosystem state and dynamics of MCBCL, the following five ecosystem modules were established for monitoring, modeling, and research: the Aquatic/Estuarine, Coastal Wetlands, Coastal Barrier, Terrestrial, and Atmospheric modules and a Data Management Module. This report includes the results and conclusions from the 13 research projects conducted at MCBCL during the first cycle of the DCERP (July 2007 to September 2012).

Published
2013

12. Patterns of spatial co-occurrence among native and exotic carnivores in north-eastern Madagascar.

Author

Farris, Z. J., Kelly, M. J., Karpanty, S., and Ratelolahy, F.

Subjects
CARNIVOROUS animals, EXOTIC animals, DOMESTIC animals, HABITATS
Abstract

Human populations continue to increase and encroach on remaining natural habitats worldwide, resulting in greater numbers and larger ranges of commensal exotic carnivores such as cats and dogs. This results in increased interactions with native wildlife. In Madagascar, we know relatively little about the effects of domestic and/or feral dogs and cats on native carnivore populations. We investigated spatial interactions by combining photographic sampling across seven sites with two-species co-occurrence modeling to provide the first assessment of the spatial co-occurrence of native and exotic carnivores in Madagascar, including an examination of habitat characteristics that explain these relationships. Our surveys from 2008 to 2013 accumulated 2991 photo-captures of native and exotic carnivores in 8854 trap nights. We found that native and exotic carnivores in rainforest habitat occur together less often than expected and that exotic carnivores may be replacing native carnivores, particularly in forest areas nearest villages. Six of the native carnivores in this study had higher site use in the absence of exotic carnivores and their species interaction factors ( SIF) revealed a lack of co-occurrence (e.g. SIF < 1.0). We found that nocturnal and/or crepuscular native carnivores were less likely to co-occur with exotic carnivores. We demonstrate the effectiveness of combining photographic sampling with co-occurrence modeling to investigate the effects of exotic carnivores on an entire community of native carnivores. Our study exposes the strong negative influence of exotic carnivores, ranging from exclusion to complete replacement of native carnivores, and we urgently recommend a combination of targeted educational programs and removal programs to combat the influx of exotic carnivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2016
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13. When carnivores roam: temporal patterns and overlap among Madagascar's native and exotic carnivores.

Author

Farris, Z. J., Gerber, B. D., Karpanty, S., Murphy, A., Andrianjakarivelo, V., Ratelolahy, F., and Kelly, M. J.

Subjects
EXOTIC animals, CARNIVOROUS animals, FOSSA (Mammals), FALANOUCS, ECOLOGICAL niche
Abstract

Madagascar's Eupleridae carnivores are perhaps the least studied and most threatened family of Carnivora. Investigating potential direct and indirect competition among these native species and sympatric exotic carnivores is necessary to better direct conservation actions. From 2008 to 2013, we photographically surveyed a diverse rainforest landscape, comparing six native and three exotic carnivores' activity patterns throughout the diel cycle. We used hierarchical Bayesian Poisson analysis to describe the activity patterns of Madagascar's carnivore community, assessed effects of season and site on temporal activity patterns, and estimated coefficients of overlap between carnivore pairings to assess effects of body size and ecological niche on temporal overlap among native and exotic carnivores. We observed changes in temporal activity patterns across seasons particularly during the austral summer (hot-dry season) for four native and two exotic carnivores, including evidence of fossa Cryptoprocta ferox altering their temporal activity during their mating season (hot-dry season). We found evidence of high overlap between natives and exotics indicating the potential for increased interactions and competition. The greatest overlap in temporal activity occurred between both ring-tail Galidia elegans and brown-tail vontsira Salanoia concolor and exotic dogs Canis familiaris. Cr. ferox, falanouc Eupleres goudotii and spotted fanaloka Fossa fossana also overlapped in activity with the nocturnal, exotic Indian civet Viverricula indica. Cr. ferox avoided humans and Ca. familiaris across all seasons. Unexpectedly, carnivore body size and ecological niche were not important predictors of temporal overlap. Previous research has shown these native and exotic carnivores overlap spatially and these new findings of temporal overlap among native and exotic carnivores add urgency to the need to manage exotic carnivores across Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2015
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14. Assessing carnivore distribution from local knowledge across a human-dominated landscape in central-southeastern Madagascar.

Author

Kotschwar Logan, M., Gerber, B. D., Karpanty, S. M., Justin, S., and Rabenahy, F. N.

Subjects
CARNIVOROUS animals, HABITAT destruction, HABITATS, FOREST management, LANDSCAPE protection, FORESTRY research
Abstract

Carnivores are often sensitive to habitat loss and fragmentation, both of which are widespread in Madagascar. Clearing of forests has led to a dramatic increase in highly disturbed, open vegetation communities dominated by humans. In Madagascar's increasingly disturbed landscape, long-term persistence of native carnivores may be tied to their ability to occupy or traverse these disturbed areas. However, how Malagasy carnivores are distributed in this landscape and how they interact with humans are unknown, as past research has concentrated on populations within continuous and fragmented forests. We investigated local ecological knowledge of carnivores using semi-structured interviews in communities 0 to 20 km from the western edge of continuous rainforest in central-southeastern Madagascar. Responses from 182 interviews in 17 different communities indicated distinct distribution patterns for two native and two exotic carnivore species, suggesting a range of tolerances to the human-dominated landscape. The largest extant native carnivore, the fossa C ryptoprocta ferox, does not persist in much of this landscape; they were only observed in communities < 5 km from the continuous forest within the last five years. In contrast, the ring-tailed mongoose G alidia elegans was observed by most communities (82%), but was observed by a higher proportion of interviewees from communities in close proximity to continuous forest. The exotic small Indian civet V iverricula indica was ubiquitous, while the exotic/feral cat ( F elis sp.) was observed by a higher proportion of interviewees in communities farther from continuous forest. Over 20% of interviewees had experienced loss of poultry to wild carnivores in the last year and negative perceptions of carnivores were common. We found the human-dominated landscape to provide little conservation value to native carnivores, emphasizing the need for adequate protected areas and increased engagement of local communities to sustain Madagascar's carnivore species. This information is critical to multitaxon conservation planning in Madagascar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2015
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17. MULTIPLE PREDATORS ON LEMURS IN THE RAINFOREST OF MADAGASCAR: OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS.

Author

Razafimahaimodison, J., Karpanty, S., Godfrey, L., and Wright, P. C.

Subjects
*LEMURS, *PREDATORY animals
Abstract

The article presents an abstract of the paper "Multiple Predators on Lemurs in the Rainforest of Madagascar: Observations and Experiments," by J. Razafimahaimodison and colleagues, at the Twenty-First Congress of the International Primatological Society to be held in Entebbe, Uganda, on June 25-30, 2006.

Published
2006

18. Senescence and carryover effects of reproductive performance influence migration, condition, and breeding propensity in a small shorebird.

Author

Weithman C, Gibson D, Hunt K, Friedrich M, Fraser J, Karpanty S, and Catlin D

Abstract

Breeding propensity, the probability that an animal will attempt to breed each year, is perhaps the least understood demographic process influencing annual fecundity. Breeding propensity is ecologically complex, as associations among a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors may interact to affect an animal's breeding decisions. Individuals that opt not to breed can be more difficult to detect than breeders, which can (1) lead to difficulty in estimation of breeding propensity, and (2) bias other demographic parameters. We studied the effects of sex, age, and population reproductive success on the survival and breeding propensity of a migratory shorebird, the piping plover ( Charadrius melodus ), nesting on the Missouri River. We used a robust design Barker model to estimate true survival and breeding propensity and found survival decreased as birds aged and did so more quickly for males than females. Monthly survival during the breeding season was lower than during migration or the nonbreeding season. Males were less likely to skip breeding (range: 1-17%) than females (range: 3-26%; β sex  = -0.21, 95% CI: -0.38 to -0.21), and both sexes were less likely to return to the breeding grounds following a year of high reproductive success. Birds that returned in a year following relatively high population-wide reproductive output were in poorer condition than following a year with lower reproductive output. Younger adult birds and females were more likely to migrate from the breeding area earlier than older birds and males; however, all birds stayed on the breeding grounds longer when nest survival was low, presumably because of renesting attempts. Piping plovers used a variety of environmental and demographic cues to inform their reproduction, employing strategies that could maximize fitness on average. Our results support the "disposable soma" theory of aging and follow with predictions from life history theory, exhibiting the intimate connections among the core ecological concepts of senescence, carryover effects, and life history.

Published
2017
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19. Hunting, Exotic Carnivores, and Habitat Loss: Anthropogenic Effects on a Native Carnivore Community, Madagascar.

Author

Farris ZJ, Golden CD, Karpanty S, Murphy A, Stauffer D, Ratelolahy F, Andrianjakarivelo V, Holmes CM, and Kelly MJ

Subjects
Animals, Conservation of Natural Resources, Dogs, Madagascar, Photography, Population Density, Predatory Behavior, Seasons, Carnivory, Ecosystem, Recreation
Abstract

The wide-ranging, cumulative, negative effects of anthropogenic disturbance, including habitat degradation, exotic species, and hunting, on native wildlife has been well documented across a range of habitats worldwide with carnivores potentially being the most vulnerable due to their more extinction prone characteristics. Investigating the effects of anthropogenic pressures on sympatric carnivores is needed to improve our ability to develop targeted, effective management plans for carnivore conservation worldwide. Utilizing photographic, line-transect, and habitat sampling, as well as landscape analyses and village-based bushmeat hunting surveys, we provide the first investigation of how multiple forms of habitat degradation (fragmentation, exotic carnivores, human encroachment, and hunting) affect carnivore occupancy across Madagascar's largest protected area: the Masoala-Makira landscape. We found that as degradation increased, native carnivore occupancy and encounter rates decreased while exotic carnivore occupancy and encounter rates increased. Feral cats (Felis species) and domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) had higher occupancy than half of the native carnivore species across Madagascar's largest protected landscape. Bird and small mammal encounter rates were negatively associated with exotic carnivore occupancy, but positively associated with the occupancy of four native carnivore species. Spotted fanaloka (Fossa fossana) occupancy was constrained by the presence of exotic feral cats and exotic small Indian civet (Viverricula indica). Hunting was intense across the four study sites where hunting was studied, with the highest rates for the small Indian civet (mean=90 individuals consumed/year), the ring-tailed vontsira (Galidia elegans) (mean=58 consumed/year), and the fosa (Cryptoprocta ferox) (mean=31 consumed/year). Our modeling results suggest hunters target intact forest where carnivore occupancy, abundance, and species richness, are highest. These various anthropogenic pressures and their effects on carnivore populations, especially increases in exotic carnivores and hunting, have wide-ranging, global implications and demand effective management plans to target the influx of exotic carnivores and unsustainable hunting that is affecting carnivore populations across Madagascar and worldwide.

Published
2015
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20. Averting biodiversity collapse in tropical forest protected areas.

Author

Laurance WF, Useche DC, Rendeiro J, Kalka M, Bradshaw CJ, Sloan SP, Laurance SG, Campbell M, Abernethy K, Alvarez P, Arroyo-Rodriguez V, Ashton P, Benítez-Malvido J, Blom A, Bobo KS, Cannon CH, Cao M, Carroll R, Chapman C, Coates R, Cords M, Danielsen F, De Dijn B, Dinerstein E, Donnelly MA, Edwards D, Edwards F, Farwig N, Fashing P, Forget PM, Foster M, Gale G, Harris D, Harrison R, Hart J, Karpanty S, Kress WJ, Krishnaswamy J, Logsdon W, Lovett J, Magnusson W, Maisels F, Marshall AR, McClearn D, Mudappa D, Nielsen MR, Pearson R, Pitman N, van der Ploeg J, Plumptre A, Poulsen J, Quesada M, Rainey H, Robinson D, Roetgers C, Rovero F, Scatena F, Schulze C, Sheil D, Struhsaker T, Terborgh J, Thomas D, Timm R, Urbina-Cardona JN, Vasudevan K, Wright SJ, Arias-G JC, Arroyo L, Ashton M, Auzel P, Babaasa D, Babweteera F, Baker P, Banki O, Bass M, Bila-Isia I, Blake S, Brockelman W, Brokaw N, Brühl CA, Bunyavejchewin S, Chao JT, Chave J, Chellam R, Clark CJ, Clavijo J, Congdon R, Corlett R, Dattaraja HS, Dave C, Davies G, Beisiegel Bde M, da Silva Rde N, Di Fiore A, Diesmos A, Dirzo R, Doran-Sheehy D, Eaton M, Emmons L, Estrada A, Ewango C, Fedigan L, Feer F, Fruth B, Willis JG, Goodale U, Goodman S, Guix JC, Guthiga P, Haber W, Hamer K, Herbinger I, Hill J, Huang Z, Sun IF, Ickes K, Itoh A, Ivanauskas N, Jackes B, Janovec J, Janzen D, Jiangming M, Jin C, Jones T, Justiniano H, Kalko E, Kasangaki A, Killeen T, King HB, Klop E, Knott C, Koné I, Kudavidanage E, Ribeiro JL, Lattke J, Laval R, Lawton R, Leal M, Leighton M, Lentino M, Leonel C, Lindsell J, Ling-Ling L, Linsenmair KE, Losos E, Lugo A, Lwanga J, Mack AL, Martins M, McGraw WS, McNab R, Montag L, Thompson JM, Nabe-Nielsen J, Nakagawa M, Nepal S, Norconk M, Novotny V, O'Donnell S, Opiang M, Ouboter P, Parker K, Parthasarathy N, Pisciotta K, Prawiradilaga D, Pringle C, Rajathurai S, Reichard U, Reinartz G, Renton K, Reynolds G, Reynolds V, Riley E, Rödel MO, Rothman J, Round P, Sakai S, Sanaiotti T, Savini T, Schaab G, Seidensticker J, Siaka A, Silman MR, Smith TB, de Almeida SS, Sodhi N, Stanford C, Stewart K, Stokes E, Stoner KE, Sukumar R, Surbeck M, Tobler M, Tscharntke T, Turkalo A, Umapathy G, van Weerd M, Rivera JV, Venkataraman M, Venn L, Verea C, de Castilho CV, Waltert M, Wang B, Watts D, Weber W, West P, Whitacre D, Whitney K, Wilkie D, Williams S, Wright DD, Wright P, Xiankai L, Yonzon P, and Zamzani F

Subjects
Agriculture statistics & numerical data, Animals, Data Collection, Ecology statistics & numerical data, Environmental Pollution adverse effects, Environmental Pollution statistics & numerical data, Fires statistics & numerical data, Forestry statistics & numerical data, Interviews as Topic, Mining statistics & numerical data, Population Growth, Rain, Reproducibility of Results, Research Personnel, Surveys and Questionnaires, Temperature, Biodiversity, Conservation of Natural Resources statistics & numerical data, Endangered Species statistics & numerical data, Trees physiology, Tropical Climate
Abstract

The rapid disruption of tropical forests probably imperils global biodiversity more than any other contemporary phenomenon. With deforestation advancing quickly, protected areas are increasingly becoming final refuges for threatened species and natural ecosystem processes. However, many protected areas in the tropics are themselves vulnerable to human encroachment and other environmental stresses. As pressures mount, it is vital to know whether existing reserves can sustain their biodiversity. A critical constraint in addressing this question has been that data describing a broad array of biodiversity groups have been unavailable for a sufficiently large and representative sample of reserves. Here we present a uniquely comprehensive data set on changes over the past 20 to 30 years in 31 functional groups of species and 21 potential drivers of environmental change, for 60 protected areas stratified across the world’s major tropical regions. Our analysis reveals great variation in reserve ‘health’: about half of all reserves have been effective or performed passably, but the rest are experiencing an erosion of biodiversity that is often alarmingly widespread taxonomically and functionally. Habitat disruption, hunting and forest-product exploitation were the strongest predictors of declining reserve health. Crucially, environmental changes immediately outside reserves seemed nearly as important as those inside in determining their ecological fate, with changes inside reserves strongly mirroring those occurring around them. These findings suggest that tropical protected areas are often intimately linked ecologically to their surrounding habitats, and that a failure to stem broad-scale loss and degradation of such habitats could sharply increase the likelihood of serious biodiversity declines.

Published
2012
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