2008 Conference - Poster abstracts

Download the entire 2008 Book of Abstracts here.

Effect of logging on butterfly habitats in central Bobiri Forest Reserve.

Louis Addae-Wireko
Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana Email: laweko@gmail.com

The ability of remote sensing data to contribute to the mapping and prediction of invertebrate diversity is poorly investigated and even when done, much of these have focused on pests rather than for conservation purposes. This study sought to predict the distribution of butterflies in central Bobiri Forest Reserve using the Genetic Algorithm for Rule-set Production (GARP) and Maximum Enthropy Method (Maxent) using presence only data. Three forest blocks with different levels of disturbance and at different stages of regeneration were sampled and results show that there is significant difference in diversity of the blocks.

 

Ecological Education and Conservation of the Darevsky’s viper

Levon Aghasyan
Institute of Zoology of National Academy of Sciences, Paruir Sevak Str. 7 Yerevan 0014 Armenia       Email: agaslev@yahoo.com

The range of the Darevsky’s viper (Vipera darevskii) spreads over the south-eastern part of the Javakheti Ridge in the Shirak Province, north-western Armenia, up to the border with Georgia. This species has very limited distribution and is listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as critically endangered (category CR C2b).  We obtained the first-hand information essential for assessment and development of conservation measures aimed at mitigating the conflicts with local land-users. The key habitats are mapped, studied and proposed to be incorporated into the Arpi Lich National Park which is, in 2007, in the process of establishment in the Shirak Province. An awareness-raising campaign was also carried out with local communities. The surveys were done to investigate the possibilities to create new watering points for livestock and fence off the viper habitats so that to prevent livestock damage to viper haunts.

 

 Status of Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus caucasica) throughout its distribution range in the Caucasus eco-region

Ali Aghili
Leopard Conservation Society and Biodiversity and Ecosystems Conservation Society, No 208, South Mofateh Ave, Farihan Complex, Block E, Floor3, No6, Tehran-Iran,  P.O.BOX: 15849 18118 Email: aagili9@yahoo.co.uk

Caucasus eco-region is a globally biodiversity hotspot, and there is multi organization International conservation project running to help its endangered Species survive, Persian(Caucasian) Leopard (Panthera Pardua caucasica) is a significant and a flag specie of this mountainous  region, which several projects running for its conservation in the countries listed as fully or partly within the Caucasus eco-region, which are Georgia, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran.

 

Ecological, socio-economic basis, impact and conservation implications of spotted necked otters (Lutra maculicollis) – fish farmers’ conflicts in Southern Benin.

Hugues Adéloui Akpona
Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agronomy Sciences, University of Abomey – Calavi, Benin Email: akpona@gmail.com

Otters, species poorly known and threatened are in permanent conflict with fishermen in Benin. A monitoring and threats assessment by local interview and field records allow assessing hunting and capturing records, quantifying damages, document adaptation methods and identifying conservation issues. Otters destroy from 40 to 200 gears / fishermen / year. Eight hunting’s methods little selective are improved each year. We recorded accidental catching, pollution, fisheries overexploitation and the practice of poisoned soft food used as bait. Otters are highly endangered in Benin’ wetlands and extinction could occur if the current threats are maintained.

 

Collaborative wildlife management and community conservation in Rwenzori Mountains National Park Ecosystem, Uganda.

Simon Akwetaireho
Uganda Wildlife Authority, Queen Elizabeth Conservation Area, Rwenzori Mountains National Park, P.O Box 188, Kasese, Uganda Email: akwetsimo@yahoo.co.uk

The Rwenzori Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Site covers 100,000 ha in western Uganda. The parks unique conservation values are; scenic landscapes, natural habitats of endangered species, a rich and unusual flora and fauna. These unique values are threatened by illegal
activities carried out by local communities that range from poaching, illegal resource off-take setting of fires and encroachment. A community conservation approach is used to secure better management of the park through conservation education and awareness, resource access agreements, revenue sharing activities, community based tourism enterprises, collaborative park boundary management and popularising alternatives to the park resources.

 

Impact of artisanal fisheries on marine turtle habitats in the southeast Pacific and the implications for their conservation

Joanna Alfaro Shigueto1 and Jeffrey C. Mangel2
Pro Delphinus (Peruvian ngo), Octavio Bernal 572-5, Lima 11. Peru     
1Email: jas_26@yahoo.com       2Email: jeffrey_mangel@yahoo.com 

Flagship species like sea turtles spend almost their entire lives at sea, yet at-sea studies for these species are scarce.  As a consequence, many management plans focus on nesting ground studies, which in many cases may be inappropriate. Here we present an overview of findings based upon fisheries observation, satellite tracking and genetic analyses to study marine turtles while at sea.  Endangered and Critically Endangered species, like loggerhead Caretta caretta and leatherback turtles Dermochelys coriacea, use Peruvian waters as foraging grounds and migratory paths. Based on these results we present recommendations for an NPOA for these species in the region.

 

Development of a blueprint for a western Indian Ocean Regional Dugong conservation strategy

Björn Alfthan
Community Centred Conservation (C3), 17 Northcliffe Drive, London, N20 8JX
Email: bjorn.alfthan@worc.ox.ac.uk

This study combined local knowledge of fishers with in-water habitat surveys to identify the distribution, current threats and key habitat of the dugong in the Comoros.  A public awareness campaign was initiated to promote understanding of this species and a National Conservation Action Plan is under preparation. A collaborative monitoring programme, implemented by local organizations, communities and national government will ensure that dugong conservation is centred on a participatory and inclusive approach to ensure sustainability. This low-cost, yet effective approach is being promoted as a blueprint for dugong conservation throughout the region, where technical capacity and financial resources are limited.

 

Simians and Prosimians in Africa and Asia: emerging patterns

Filipa Alves
University of Barcelona, Faculty of Psicology, Campus Mundet, Universidad de Barcelona, Paseo Valle de Hebrón, 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain Email: afmalves@gmail.com

The conservation status of African and Asian Simians and Prosimians (2007 UICN Red List) were analysed through Loglineal, Correspondence and Qui-square analysis. Current threat patterns and their causes were compared with reference to past diversity patterns and extinction causes. The probability that a species is threatened depends on the grade it belongs to and on its interaction with the geographical distribution of the species. Such a higher than species-level analysis may be useful in devising patterns of resilience of species belonging to the same taxa, enabling predictions about the vulnerability of species in these taxa that are not currently endangered.

 

Cost-effectiveness, strengths and weakness of a participatory approach to ecological monitoring in Madagascar

Herizo Andrianandrasana
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, Madagascar Program. Lot II Y 49 J Ampasanimalo, BP 8511, 101 Antananarivo Email: herizo_andrianandrasana@yahoo.fr

Fire, wood-cutting, hunting, over-fishing are main biodiversity pressures in Madagascar. What kind of approach makes villagers integrated into conservation’s action to reduce these pressures? To solve the problem Participatory monitoring is an effective approach which cost less than 1$/ha/year. A villager meeting is followed by fieldwork for data collection. A team including villagers is formed to visit transects in the forest. Results are explained publicly during village meetings attended by local authorities and government services. Data are used to make a decision for improvement of resource management. The yearly ecological monitoring takes 3-5 days per village. Thus, data are not always scientifically reliable; sometimes real tendencies, trend of the population size or pressures are not significant.

 

Eco-dynamics of small mammal communities in Kerangas forests, Brunei Darussalam

Ang Bee Biaw
Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Gadong BE1410, Universiti Brunei Darussalam
Email: ang_beebiaw@yahoo.com

Small mammal surveys were conducted in eight Kerangas fragments and three undisturbed Kerangas forests from 2005 to 2007 in Brunei Darussalam. Mark-recapture method was used to census small mammal populations, and the species richness and relative abundance of species in fragments and undisturbed forests were compared. Species encountered in disturbed fragmented forests were not found in continuous undisturbed forests, whereas species which were commonly present in undisturbed forests were generally absent from fragments. The relative abundance of small mammal species found in forest fragments were very high whereas there was a consistent lower abundance of small mammals in undisturbed forests.

 

Relative abundance, agonistic behaviour, and resource partitioning  in three scavenging bird species on the university of ghana campus, legon

Annorbah Nathaniel N. D.
Department of Zoology, P. O. Box LG 67, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra.
Email: niidjan2000@yahoo.com

The populations of the Hooded Vulture (Necrosyrtes monachus), Pied Crow (Corvus albus), and Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), all of which are scavengers at refuse dumps at the University of Ghana, are currently higher compared to four decades earlier. This study examined their populations, interactions while feeding, and food types they consumed. Transect surveys and point counts indicated the highest relative abundance for Vultures, followed by Crows and Egrets, respectively. Eleven different agonistic interactions were observed in the three species, whereas seven food types were identified. Further studies are recommended due to sudden change in the ecology of the refuse dumps.

  

Revisiting reconciliation ecology: Mammal conservation in traditional coffee plantations in the Western Ghats, India.

Archana Bali
Resilience and Adaptation Program (RAP), University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA Email: ittibali@gmail.com

We examined the scope for reconciliation between socio-economic goals and conservation objectives in traditional coffee plantations in Western Ghats, India. We studied mammalian diversity and practices of local communities. Results show that traditional plantations can support rich mammalian diversity but two factors constrained conservation: widespread hunting and conversions of diverse-shade to monocultures of timber species. Economics strongly influence the outcomes of conservation efforts as State policies lack effective implementation and local communities lack awareness and interest in biological conservation. Alternately, since most respondents agreed to comply with laws if direct incentives were provided, bottom-up approaches may be a better strategy.

 

Habitat structure studies for manned sloth’s conservation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Rebeca Mascarenhas F. Barreto
Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zoologia, Campus Soane Nazaré de Andrade, km 16, Rodovia Ilhéus-Itabuna, CEP- 45662-000,  Ilhéus   Bahia   BrasilEmail: mascarenhasecologia@yahoo.com.br

The main goal is to describe and identify forest resources used by maned sloths through microhabitat characterization in forest fragments and cocoa plantations. Eight animals were followed using radiotelemetry, through primary forest, secondary forest and cocoa plantations. We registered height and position of each sloth on the tree. Botanical species used by sloths were collected, identified and measured (height, diameter and liana and latex presence). Sloths in disturbed areas use smaller trees and were found at shorter heights. Animals that reside in primary forests used the most tree diversity. Cocoa agroforests have native trees potentially used by sloths.

  

Effect of railroad on migration and mortality of Mongolian gazelles in central Mongolia

Bayarbaatar Buuveibaatar
Institute of Biology, Mongolian Academy of Sciences
Email: buuveibaatar@biology.mas.ac.mn

The international railroad between China and Russia has opened in 1956, through Mongolia, which bisects the habitat of the Mongolian gazelle. We satellite collared three gazelles to examine the movements of this migratory ungulate in relation to the railroad and also we conducted a gazelle carcass census along the railroad. The collared gazelles never crossed the railroad, despite the fact that most of their location points were close to it. We found 241 gazelle carcasses died within a year, in which 166 were in the western and 75 were in the eastern side railroad.

 

Relationship between nutrient loading and the growth of the benthic cyanobacterium, Lyngbya wollei, in Lake Mahopac.

Michael Bell
Texas A&M University of Galveston, 200 Seawolf Parkway, Galveston, TX, 77554-1675
United States Email: bellmike@tamu.edu

Lyngbya wollei, a filamentous cyanobacterium that forms benthic mats in southeastern U.S. eutrophic lakes, has been observed in Lake Mahopac, NY.  A study of possible nutrient sources and effects on its presence was undertaken in summer 2007.  Greater available NH4+-N was measured in sediments from Lyngbya habitats versus other localities; terrestrial soils adjacent to these sites had more than 10x greater available NO3- -N and SRP than lake sediments. Trends suggested that N and/or P additions stimulated Lyngbya growth. Overall, results suggest that adjacent soils are important sources of NO3-N and SRP to the littoral zone of Lake Mahopac and that Lyngbya wollei abundance is greater in these locations.

 

Human pressures on amphibian biodiversity are concentrated in regions critical to conservation

Nirmal K. Bhagabati
Sustainable Development and Conservation Biology Program, Dept. of Biology,
University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-4415, USA Email: nb7234@gmail.com

We investigated how past and emerging human pressures overlap with amphibian biodiversity distribution. We overlaid an equal-area hexagon grid over global amphibian ranges and evaluated irreplaceability of grid cells in the context of human pressures. 66% of highly irreplaceable sites are densely populated, compared to only 35% of remaining sites. 85% of the most irreplaceable sites are suboptimal for agriculture, and 90% have experienced low habitat conversion. Thus, the main threat to these regions may be population pressure, not commercial agriculture. Emerging pressures are notably concentrated in northwestern South America, coastal North America, Central Africa, Madagascar, northern Australia and Borneo.

 

Main results of the opinion poll on bird hunting in Tunisia within the framework of  the Sustainable Hunting Project, Tunisia – 2006/2007

Faten Blibeche
Ariana Center, Bureau C208-209, 2080-Ariana, Tunisie Email: aao.shp@topnet.tn

Hunting is one of the major factors contributing to declines in birds and is often indiscriminate due to lack of knowledge and/or irresponsible behaviour. In 2006 Association “Les Amis des Oiseaux”, the BirdLife International Partner in Tunisia, in the framework of a EU funded project1 designed a field survey on the general awareness of the Tunisian hunters and bird hunting. The survey was developed in collaboration with the main national stakeholders in hunting and game management. The survey was carried out among registered hunters.  This poster presents the main findings of the survey, which will allow promoting more sustainable hunting practices in Tunisia and making a contribution to international conservation efforts. 
1 Building Capacity for Sustainable Hunting of Migratory Birds in Mediterranean Third Countries. Project Ref: 04 TCY/INT/000054

 

Biodiversity in a Forest Island: Amphibians of the Atewa Upland Forest Reserve

Ofori Caleb Boateng
Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources (FRNR), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), University Post Office. Kumasi, GHANA
Email: calebofori@gmail.com

We report the results of the first amphibian survey in the Atewa Upland Forest Reserve; a proposed mining site. We recorded a total of 32 species and predict an overall species richness of 40-50 species. The recorded amphibian community is exceptional by comprising an extremely high proportion of threatened species (almost one third), a very high percentage of species that are endemic to the Upper Guinea Forests and the largest possible remaining population of the critically endangered species (Conraua derooi). Atewa represents an outstanding site for the maintenance of West African amphibian diversity in particular and biodiversity in general.

 

Canopy disturbance in Amazonian forest fragments.

Tharsila Carranza
University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK. Email: tharsilat@gmail.com

The loss of pristine habitat is a major cause of extinction in tropical forests. In this study, the proportion of primary forest was estimated for 265 forest fragments in the Brazilian Amazon (151,559 ha) based on canopy disturbance data obtained using remote sensing. The loss of 50% and 20% of primary forest cover was found at a median of 50 and 200 metres of distance from fragments nearest edge, reaching a maximum of 1200 and 3450 metres, respectively. This result indicates that edge effect can reach large areas inside forest fragments and cause severe habitat impoverishment in the Amazon.

 

Factors influencing the spread of Clidemia hirta in a highly disturbed (large trials) and less disturbed (small trails) areas of the Amani, Nature Reserve

Cham Ethel Bei
University of Yaounde I, Department of Plant Physiology, Cameroon
Email: ethelbei@yahoo.com

The project goal was to examine the abundance of Clidemia hirta (invasive plant) in relation to disturbance and environmental factors. Comparison of number of Clidemia between two trails of different sizes carried out indicated that, the larger trail had more individuals of Clidemia. The distance from the edge into the forest based on environmental factors (temperature, light intensity and relative humidity) influenced Clidemia number between plots. Vigour was tested from height and diameter. These parameters both decreased from edge to interior. The % of herbivore was not related to fruit number.

 

Trends in sea turtle mortality in Bahía Magdalena, México: Effects of human consumption

Laura Chartier
Oxford University Centre for the Environment, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY
Email: laura.chartier@gmail.com

In Bahía Magdalena, Mexico, endangered sea turtle populations struggle against anthropogenic forces, particularly human consumption of turtles. With the School for Field Studies, we researched trends in turtle mortality in the region. Mortality survey results showed that sites with the largest human populations had the highest numbers of consumed turtles. The majority of dead turtles found were below reproductive size, and this, in addition to other results, may point to the possibility of a continued population decline. Though human consumption remains a threat to sea turtles – especially since many turtles are extracted and eaten before they reach reproductive size – our data also suggests that environmental education may reduce consumption rates over time.

  

Beyond Subsistence Energy Use: Integrating Local Energy Needs and Conservation Efforts

JEFFREY L. CHATELLIER
Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, 205 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT 06511,  USA Email: jeffrey.chatellier@yale.edu

Poor relations exist between park officials and local communities in the Saloum Delta National Park in Senegal. The forestry code has criminalized resource extraction in the park but officials are unable to enforce the code uniformly creating misconceptions about official policy. A nationwide construction boom, fueled by remittances from émigrés, has created local commercial wood and shell-lime markets. These markets have increased wood scarcity forcing women to travel longer for subsistence collecting. However, conservation policy that prohibits these commercial activities will be viewed by local communities as a barrier to economic development and thus have little chance of success.

  

Ecological development of soil microbial community in three restored quarries in Hong Kong

L M Chu and H Zhang
E401, Department of Biology, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Email: scauzh@21cn.com

Ecological changes in soil covers were studied in terms of microbial community size, activity and metabolic diversity at different restored phases in three quarries in Hong Kong.  Results showed that soil microbial population, biomass and diversity of utilized carbons increased with increasing restoration age in Shek O Quarry, but these trends were not obvious in Lam Tei and Turret Hill Quarry.  These suggested different engineering constructions and exotic species adopted in quarry rehabilitation could have different effects on the ecological development of soil microbial community.

 

Measuring protected area effectiveness for conservation.

Ian Craigie
Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJEmail: idc28@cam.ac.uk

Relatively little is known about the status or effectiveness of protected areas as a conservation strategy. Most systems that currently assess protected areas do so by measuring inputs and processes. However the knowledge required by conservationists is the outcome and output of the protected area. The aim of this work is to use population trends from within protected areas as a measure of how well they are doing. By modelling these population trends it is hoped to show the correlates of more or less successful protected areas and thus provide guidance for policy makers and protected area managers.

 

Toward collaborative monitoring and evaluation in adaptive co-management: a framework and lessons from South Africa

Georgina Cundill
Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa        Email: g.cundill@ru.ac.za

Although adaptive co-management is based firmly on the principle of ‘learning by doing’, the relationship between learning and collaborative monitoring in adaptive co-management has not been expressly articulated in the literature.  In this poster we present an integrated framework and methodological approach to collaborative monitoring and evaluation that has been tested in several sites around South Africa in an on-going manner over the course of a year. Based on this experience, methodological lessons are presented, as well as practical lessons about the future of adaptive co-management under resource poor conditions.

 

Species diversity and abundance of fig wasps in two Ficus species in Amurum Forest Reserve, North Central, Nigeria

Mwansat, G. S. 1, Daru, B. H. 1, Abalaka, J. 1 and Imandeh, G. N. 2
1A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, University of Jos Biological Conservatory, P. O. Box 13404 Laminga, Jos, Nigeria.
2Department of Zoology, University of Jos, P. M. B. 2084 Jos, Nigeria
Email: darunabas@yahoo.com

Fig wasps associated with Ficus umbellata and Ficus exasperata in the Amurum Forest Reserve were surveyed. 18 species of wasps were collected from F. umbellata, 17 previously unrecorded; and 2 species from F. exasperata. A sample size of 120 figs from study trees showed sufficient sampling effort to record associated fig wasp species for the two study fig species, as their species accumulation curves reached an asymptote. In F. exasperata, the pollinator (Kradibia gestroi afrum) dominated the community, while Philosycus sp., a galler dominated the community in F. umbellata species. Gallers generally had higher abundance than parasitoids.

 

Responses of the butterflies to the natural tree fall gaps in a tropical evergreen forest in Western Ghats, India.

Anoop Das
Division of Conservation Ecology, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore, 641 108, Tamil Nadu, India Email: dasksa@gmail.com

The study attempted to find out what is the relationship of forest gap dynamics and butterfly community assemblages in the rainforest of the Western Ghats. Different microhabitats, with respect to butterflies, namely, natural forest and treefall gaps were compared using fruit-bait trap data. At the gaps, higher diversity, greater evenness and lower scaled dominance of bird assemblages were observed. Species abundance was more in gaps, than natural forest. The study unequivocally showed that treefall gaps are not neutral with respect to the community structure of butterflies and provided excellent setting to understand the ecosystem dynamics.

 

The structures and genetics of an Austrian relict population  ofEnglish yew (Taxus baccata L.)

Amalesh Dhar
Institute of Silviculture, Waldbau, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Peter Jordan str.82, Vienna 1190, Austria Email: amalesh.dhar@boku.ac.at

The English yew (Taxus baccata L.) is a native evergreen long-lived dioecious, conifer tree species in central Europe. At present it has come into prominence throughout the world due to its anti-cancer substance Taxol and it has recognised as an endangered tree species. The aim of the present work was to describe the population (height, DBH, etc) and genetic structure based on isozyme analysis. It represents a core population of yew, which has 2236 individual trees with a DBH range from 5 to 24,8 cm. For isozyme analysis 10 isozyme gene loci and 29 alleles were investigated. It has showed high level of genetic variation with 90 % of polymorphic loci. Considering the population structure, high level of genetic diversity, and relatively large population size, the site Stiwoll represents high endurance ability and an important gene pool for yew. From the result it is clear that this stand has to be recognised as a unique population compared to other gene conservation forests in Austria.

 

Dynamics of dune slack vegetation on a barrier island in the Netherlands: the effects of changes in the hydrology due to global climate changes

Bikila Warkineh Dullo
P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA, Kerklaan 30, Haren, The Netherlands Email: B.W.Dullo@student.rug.nl

The effect of global climate change on dune slack vegetation on the barrier island of the Netherlands has been studied. The most prominent factors affecting the dynamics of dune vegetation were isolated and tested. The hypothesis that changes in the amount of rainfall (precipitation surplus) observed in recent years affected water table and has altered the balance between groundwater and precipitation and accelerate the succession of dune slack vegetation was tested. Several Multivariate analyses were used to unravel the trend of vegetation changes over time. Successional changes were observed in plots where the local hydrology has been changed.

 

Can lizards pathogens and parasites influence on their fitness under high predatory pressure?

Anna Ekner
Department of Behavioural Ecology, Adam Mickiewicz University, ul. Umultowska 89,
61-614 PoznaD, Poland Email: aekner@wp.pl

Aim of the study was to understand how mites and mites-transmitted pathogens influence on lizard demography, morphology and their interaction with predators (shrikes Lannidae). Important pathogen for a lot of animals is Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which was discovered only in a few species of lizards till now, e. g. in blood and tissues of species used in this study (Lacerta agilis & L. vivipara). Role of lizards in cycle of spread of the bacteria isn't examinated enough and is still controversial. Better understanding of these relations can help to develop suitable conservation tools for protection of lizards.

 

Sustainable shrimp farming and its potential implications in East Africa

Zahor El Kharousy
UNEP-WCMC, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 0DL
Email: Zahor.ElKharousy@unep-wcmc.org

The advancement of the production technology and the increased demand of shrimp products from emerging markets (like China) alongside the traditional markets of North America, Japan and Europe have resulted into private investors, development agencies and some governments to be very keen in encouraging shrimp production from less developed countries. The overdevelopment of the industry in other developing parts of the world, together with the need of new sources of income and affordable protein for coastal communities in Africa, indicates that a certain amount of investment will occur in the future. Indeed many governments are beginning to look into the potential of using their coastline for shrimp culture development. Inconsiderate expansion of the industry could result in serious environmental, social and economic problems in the region.

 

Correspondance between scientific and traditional ecological knowledge: Forest types in the Colombian Andes

Catherine Gamba-Trimiño
School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
Email: cgambatrimi@gmail.com

Local knowledge has been historically ignored by western scientists.  I matched western science methodologies with the traditional ecological knowledge of Campesinos, to test their efficacy in cataloguing different forests.  Floristic composition and environmental variables were recorded in 0.7 ha.  Non-metric Multi-dimensional Scaling (MDS) ordinations of the plots revealed two vegetation types that matched the ones described by local collaborators.  Campesinos' ecological knowledge proved to be an effective shortcut to assess forest beta diversity.  Rapid ecological assessments should include and test traditional ecological knowledge as a methodology, and a way to build alliances between conservationists and local communities.

 

Protea abundance and diversity determining nectar feeding bird community composition in the Cape, South Africa

Sjirk Geerts
Botany and Zoology Department, University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch, Western Cape
South Africa Email: sjirk@sun.ac.za

The topic of pollination communities has hardly been touched on in South Africa, while little is known about the factors determining bird community composition in general. The nectar feeding bird community is relatively simple (few species), aiding in understanding the processes governing its assembly and disassembly. I test the hypothesis that these simple communities follow a predictable sequence of assembly in relation to nectar availability. By combining Bird and Protea Atlas data, I find that
nectar feeding birds are assembled in a nested way (were species present in species-poor communities are subsets of species present in more diverse communities) with protea abundance and diversity the determinant factors.

 

Designing conservation strategies for Nothapodytes nimmoniana : An endangered medicinal tree from Western Ghats of India

Gandhali Gurunath Gharpure
Biodiversity section, Dept. of Microbiology, Abasaheb Garware College, Karve Road, Pune-411 004 Email: gandhali.gharpure@gmail.com

Nothapodytes nimmoniana is an endangerd tree species from Western Ghats of India, a global biodiversity hot-spot. It is threatened because of over-harvest of its bark that yields Camptothecin (CPT), an anti-tumour alkaloid. As a result, the population of this species has declined over 50-80% in the last decade. In view of the mounting demand and perceived threat to the native populations, it is highly essential to develop an appropriate strategy for its conservation. Present study addresses this by (a) transferring the standardized technology to mass propagate the species, (b) identifying sustainable methods of harvest and (c) prospecting alternative plant species for CPT production.

 

Estimating population sizes of forest elephants at the Bia Conservation Area (BCA) in Ghana.

Gonzalo Griebenow
Research carried out in association with Yale University, 205 Prospect St, New Haven CT 06511 USA Email: gonzalo.griebenow@gmail.com

The standard line-transect method was used for counting elephant dung piles and determine age clusters. Distance® software was employed to calculate the dung piles density on 50 transects using a stratified sampling. Rainfall model was used to estimate number of forest elephants. According to our estimations 208 elephants were found at the BCA with a predominance of individuals between 3 - 6 years old. The study also includes an analysis of the potential threats for the species and possible future solutions. The results of this study will be useful to guide conservation actions and to make policies that deal with the effects of human disturbance.

 

Aspect and edge orientation explain patterns of cyclonic disturbance in fragmented Australian tropical rainforest

Daniel J. Gurdak
Oxford University Centre for the Environment (OUCE), South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY
United Kingdom Email: DGurdak@gmail.com

We assessed whether patch-scale factors influenced levels of disturbance to fragments of critically endangered 'Mabi' rainforest in north Queensland, following Cyclone Larry.  We measured damage by estimating loss of canopy cover and by categorizing plots on a disturbance scale.  Directly exposed edge orientations had significantly more plots with severe disturbance levels and aspect influenced the percentage of canopy cover at sites sampled within plots. We recommend conserving and restoring Mabi on a wide range of aspects and topographic positions to provide refugia from future cyclones and to establish shelterbelts of cyclone resistant tree species to protect existing patches.

  

Using tradtional knowledge to understand species

Stephanie J. Hauck
Princeton University, Department of EEB, 109 Guyot Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544
Email: shauck@princeton.edu

Preserving biodiversity requires understanding the factors that determine species distributions.  Examining the distribution of plant species by habitats can help identify these factors and provide a strong foundation for successful conservation practice. Enabling indigenous peoples to conserve endangered landscapes requires that they understand habitat-species relationships. Using 113 plant species in Monduli District, Tanzania, this study shows that a western habitat classification scheme of plant distribution closely matches one based on traditional knowledge.  This strong correlation suggests that traditional knowledge, in conjunction with ecological data, will make it easier for communities to understand  patterns of species distribution thus fostering conservation.

 

How does the arachnid community structure change with tree growth?

Samuel Yu-Lung Hsieh
Zoologie III,Am Hubland, University of Wuerzburg, D-97074,Germany
Email: hsieh@biozentrum.uni-wuerzburg.de

The research is focused on the community structure and diversity of arachnids in three different growth stages of beeches. Insecticide knockdown fogging were used in order to obtain arboreal arthropod on a monthly basis. Totally 24,216 specimens from 324 beeches were collected in Bavaria forest between June 2005 and October 2007. There are three main seasonal patterns with the highest abundance in August and least in February. The amounts of spiders and insects sampled with beating trays are strongly positive correlated in winter (r = 0, 91). The results could be used as references for sustainable forest management and conservation.

 

Building civil society capacity for biodiversity conservation within the Eastern Mindanao Corridor

Jayson Ibanez
c/o Philippine Eagle Foundation. VAL Learning Village, Ruby St., Marfori Heights, 8000 Davao City Email: falcon2car@yahoo.com

A project to build capacity within Eastern Mindanao Corridor to map biodiversity, set scientifically based conservation priorities, and monitor progress in priority areas is on-going. While the project centers on three key biodiversity areas it aims to generate skills and information for the development of a corridor-wide conservation framework for use by government and civil society to conserve Eastern Mindanao's biodiversity. Building awareness among planners and decision makers and providing access to information is very important and should couple biodiversity research.  Local government units and indigenous communities are strong conservation allies as the government has devolved forest management to them.

 

Social taboos and narratives in the species conservation – a case of the Babakoto (Indri indri) from the Analamazaotra Forest in Madagascar

Jelena Ilic
Wageningen University Email: cili.anelej@gmail.com

The existence of fady (taboo), places Babakoto (Indri indri), as a sacred species in the Betsimisaraka worldview. Stories about indris, apart from building cultural identity, open a new perspective on cultural mechanism in the species conservation. Based on different narratives, the cultural model of indris’ conservation is proposed. The origin of taboo is enforced by mysterious encounter with indris. In the process of rationalization, the strength of taboo is challenged by daily crises such as food shortage. Therefore, narratives have to regain their core values, in order to avoid breaking of taboo and to maintain ancestors’ legacy in the communities.

 

The causes of insect endemicity with the example of Madagascar

Benjamin Isambert
Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, UK
Email: b.isambert@nhm.ac.uk

Madagascar presents outstanding biodiversity richness and imbalance, and high levels of endemism across the different taxa, which places it as one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. The island is presently the target of a considerable effort of biological research, but to date, little is known about its insect fauna. In this project, DNA barcoding and phylogenetic tools were used to investigate water-beetle endemism, suggesting an underestimated diversity of several endemic taxa and a strong correlation between species turnover and ecoregions distribution on the island. The importance of habitat diversity for optimizing the conservation of species richness is discussed.

 

Response of macroinvertebrate communities to river rehabilitation in a section of lowland chalk river

Jo Jasper
Centre for Environmental Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, University Road, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BJ Email: joannejasper77@hotmail.com

River rehabilitation measures are commonly implemented in UK lowland rivers, primarily as a method for safeguarding fish stocks.  Rehabilitation is based on the premise that increased habitat heterogeneity leads to favourable changes in biota.  However, detailed assessments of the longer-term impacts of these measures on macroinvertebrates are rare.  This study used data from two surveys collected in 1999 and 2007 to look at changes in community composition and identify possible causes of this change.  The results show that rehabilitation had no adverse impacts on diversity and suggest that the encouragement of marginal vegetation be of high priority for macroinvertebrate conservation.

 

Population status of endemic tree species in northern Western Ghats of India, a biodiversity hotspot

Radhika Kanade
Research and Action in Natural Wealth Administration (RANWA), c/o Bhushan Sathe, 16 Swastishree Society, Ganeshnagar, Kothrud, Pune-411052. India
Email: radha.kanade@gmail.com

Present study assesses the conservation potential of endemic tree species from a biodiversity hotspot. Demographic status of these species was studied and correlated with their reproductive strategies so as to prioritise them for further conservation actions. Endemic species were intensively sampled across grids using 60 belt transects. It was found that the endemic richness increases from north to south latitude with increase in evergreenness. Out of the total 25 species encountered, 6 species were extremely rare and highly localised, recorded only once in very low abundance and were also represented very poorly in regeneration plots. This study also highlights potential sites for reintroduction and recovery of these species if further need arises. This study promotes an ecosystem conservation approach as most of the vulnerable endemic species depend on biological vectors for their dispersal.

 

Towards integrated aquaculture: the key to the emergent pressure on kelp resources due to the growing abalone industry in Namibia

Lineekela Kandjengo
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, University of Namibia, Private Bag 13301, Windhoek, Namibia Email: lineekela.kandjengo@uct.ac.za

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing industries in Namibia with Shellfish fast overtaking the traditional fish aquaculture. For a long time oyster farming have been the frontrunner, but in the past eight years there has been a marked shift towards the farming of abalones (Haliotis midae). The staple diet for abalone is kelp (Laminaria pallida and Ecklonia maxima) which is a fairly limited resource. In the neighbouring South Africa, integrated aquaculture, utilizing mainly Ulva and Gracilaria, has been introduced to counter the dwindling supplies of kelp. With no other alternatives in sight, Namibia has to follow suit.

 

Tree species functional classification and its importance in restoration of degraded forests; a case of Mabira forest, Uganda

B. M. Katumba, J. Dick, G. Eilu
National Forestry Resources Research Institute. P.O Box 1752 Kampala
Email: bmkatumba@yahoo.com

Forest degradation is a major problem in many countries. Human aided forest restoration is a key intervention that has to be guided by information on the role of tree species in ecosystem functioning. Morphological data that represents adaptation for succession for 120 species was compiled from several tree species publications in Uganda. Multivariate analysis methods were used to generate groups of species with similar functional roles. Fifteen groups were generated and since the 120 species are about 40% of tree species in the forest, these groups represent much of the variation therein, therefore; choice for restoration through replanting is simpler.

 

Wildlife in dispersal forest corridors

Peechanit Ketsuwan
Ecology and Conservation Group, Room N505, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Rama VI Rd. Rajathevi, PrayaThai, Bangkok, Thailand 10400
Email: pee_ket@yahoo.com

Thong Pha Phum National Park, a forest corridor connecting protected areas in western Thailand, is difficult to manage. Wildlife disturbance has always occurred in this easily accessed area.  To maintain this corridor for wildlife dispersal, reconnaissance surveys of 300 km2 on ungulate were made. Relative abundance was calculated and mapped using ArcView. Information on areas of high abundance of ungulate has been given to protected area manager for protective measures.  Such management will help ungulate movement from one area to another like stepping stone.  Cooperative monitoring by training basic techniques to wildlife rangers and conservation success will eventually be evaluated.

 

Nutrient hotspots in a South African savanna: soil-plant-herbivore interactions

Ada Kool
Wageningen University (WUR), Costerweg 50, Building 400, 6701 BH Wageningen, The Netherlands Email: ada.kool@wur.nl

Abandoned cattle holding pens, known as “kraals”, have been found to remain high in nutrients decades after abandonment. This study explores the long-term effects of anthropogenic nutrient hotspots on herbivore distribution and the balance between grasses and trees in South Africa. It was found that kraals contain more nutrients in both the soil and the vegetation. The lack of trees on kraals might be attributed to increased soil nutrient levels, which seem to alter the tree-grass balance in favour of grasses. Herbivore use was higher on kraals, indicating that herbivores respond to heterogeneity in soil and plant nutrients across the landscape.

 

Community engagement in the Sustainable Management of Rivers: Barekese Catchment Area, Kumasi, Ghana.

Tyhra Kumasi
Dept. of Theoretical and Applied Biology, Faculty of Bioscience, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University Post, Kumasi, Ashanti Region
Ghana Email: carino979@yahoo.co.uk

The Barekese Reservoir is a facility created to serve the purpose of reserving water for treatment and subsequent consumption of the populace in the Kumasi conurbation and its environs. The reservoir which provides 80 percent of the total public water supply of the Kumasi locale is visage with persistent degradation through anthropogenic activities along its catchment area which also raises concern on the deteriorating water quality. The study aims at finding the attitudes of people towards their involvement in river water management and sustainable exploitation of natural resources. The results suggest that individual residents in these communities have not been involved in the management of the watershed which has adversely affected its sustainable management. There is the need for a collaborative approach from all stakeholders in the use of freshwater resources.

 

Conservation and poverty; Human elephant conflict study in Ghana

Bright Boye Kumordzi
UNEP-WCMC, 219 Huntingdon Road, Cambridge Email: Brightkumordzi@yahoo.com

The Digya national park is believed to host probably a quarter of Ghana’s elephant population. Located in one of Ghana’s most important food production areas and reports of elephant crop raiding are common.  We conducted a systematic survey of elephant issues in the range. We employed transect count, PRA and GIS techniques to determine elephant distribution and understand the problem of human elephant conflict in the area. We estimated 357 +/- 54 elephants in the area. Location and crop type influenced their raiding. Raiding was pronounced in April-June. Yam was the most preferred. Local mitigation methods applied in isolation were temporary effective. We recommended the combination of local methods and a special cropping system and provided vital information on strategic control by the wildlife division staff.

 

Microhabitat structure analysis: one way to explain the distribution of the two Mouse lemurs’ species in North-western Madagascar.

Sehen Lalandy Razafy
Université d Antananarivo, Faculté des Sciences, Département de Biologie et Ecologie végétales, BP 906, Madagascar Email: lalandyrazafy@yahoo.fr

An uneven distribution pattern of the Golden-brown mouse lemurs (Microcebus ravelobensis) and the grey mouse lemurs (Microcebus murinus) is found in North-western Madagascar. In one area, the two species lived sympatrically, whereas in other forest area, Microcebus ravelobensis occurred exclusively (Antje et al. 2003). Our studies try to show how it can be related with their microhabitat structure? Our results indicate preference differences of the two species for their habitat. Microcebus ravelobensis prefers habitat with a higher percentage of trees with many lianas whereas Microcebus murinus prefers habitat with a higher percentage of trees with DBH > 10cm.

 

Conservation of molluscs and bioremediation of polluted lakes in Yunnan Province, PR China

Du Lina AND Jiang Yan’E
Kunming Institute of Zoology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, 32 jiaochang Donglu Kunming, Yunnan 650223 P. R. China
Email: duln04@post.kiz.ac.uk, jiangyane03@yahoo.com

Little is known about the biota of China’s lakes.  Yunnan’s plateau lakes contain over 50 endemic fish species and many undescribed molluscs.  We have documented dramatic declines in these taxa but we are working on rehabilitation and education projects to help conserve species and improve these important ecosystems. Review of the literature, structured standardised surveys for fish and molluscs, development of baseline water quality monitoring, establishment of pilot sites to test the effects of using indigenous bivalves as biological filters. Improved water clarity, discovery of new species, quantification of extinctions, engagement with local communities. Prevention of further declines, sustainable improvements to water quality, development of techniques that can be used effectively in other polluted lake systems around the world.

 

Kenya’s plastic pollution menace; a nation’s effort to save itself

Larry Liza
Kenya Revenue Authority, P. O. Box 48240, Nairobi, Kenya Email: larryliza@yahoo.co.uk

The Kenyan government has discouraged the use of polyethene bags by banning thin plastic bags and imposing excessive taxation on others, thus an importation worth $100,000 raises $219,000 in taxes alone. Plastic bags are currently unaffordable to the population – 55% living under a dollar daily– that uses them as packaging materials for virtually all foodstuffs. With no proper refuse collection mechanism, their disposal is uncontrolled. Players have introduced recyclable and biodegradable bags while local authorities plan to introduce penalties on polyethene use in public. The shocked social fabric adopts new trends as a grumbling nation accustoms to the new rules.

  

Site selection for conservation at Mesoamerica, Tropical Andes and Choco hotspots: a preliminary analysis

M.C. Londono-Murcia
Laboratorio de Sistemas de Informacion Geografica, Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Circuito Exterior, Ciudad Universitaria Sin Numero. CP: 04510, Mexico DF Email: ninaatelopus@yahoo.com

Species’ ecological niches were modeled for 78 species in the IUCN categories of CR, EN and VU. Niche models were constructed using the Maxent software. Areas were prioritized for conservation using a complementarity-based algorithm in the ResNet software. Targets of representation for species were set at 10 -90 %, in 10% intervals, and for the ecoregions at 10%. Selected areas were widely dispersed across the study region, confirming its importance for biodiversity. In general, existing protected areas were no more representative of biodiversity than areas outside them. Biodiversity conservation in Mesoamerica, Tropical Andes and Choco, will require integrative landscape management.

 

Managing stingless bees for forest conservation: a case study of Kakamega Rainforest

Joseph Maharia
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe), P. O Box 30772 00100, Nairobi, Kenya Email: jmacharia@icipe.org

Enormous challenges face Africa while striving to balance the conservation of the natural resources and improving the livelihoods of the people. There is a great need to find species that can offer an economic incentive to
communities to enhance their active role in the conservation of natural resources. Stingless bee keeping is an activity that is highly suitable for local communities around protected areas. It provides rural people with additional income and provides pollination services. This study identified 5 stingless bees species found in Kakamega forest and nesting preferences using the local people, developed a rational hive for domestication and colony multiplication methods.

  

Assessment of genetic variability in genes involved in disease resistance and reproductive fitness in species of high conservation priority

Amy Marshal
School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch
New Zealand Email: amyjoannamarshall@gmail.com

Conservation scientists are ever-appreciating the role of genetics in species conservation.  My project aims to utilitse current genetic and genomic technology to elucidate the level of genetic imperilment, and hence future evolutionary potential, of species of conservation significance. The focal species for my project is the New Zealand (Hooker’s) sea lion, the rarest sea lion in the world.  Despite protection efforts, the species remains in decline through by-catch and a high susceptibility to epizootics.  I will characterise the level of neutral genetic variation - evolvability - of the species and will describe a number of genes important for species fitness, correlating heterozygosity with species fitness and aiding future species conservation.

 

Using ground beetles to compare the conservation status of Kingfisher’s Bridge, a newly recreated fenland reserve with Wicken Fen, parts of which are original fen.

Blaise Martay
Anglia Ruskin University, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1PT
Email: blaise.martay@student.anglia.ac.uk

Ground beetles (Coleoptera, Carabidae) were used to compare the conservation value of Kingfisher’s Bridge, a newly recreated fenland, to Wicken Fen, parts of which are original fen. Ground beetle samples obtained from pitfall trapping at Kingfisher’s Bridge were compared with ground beetle records from Wicken Fen collected by various recorders. Although there were more ground beetle species found at Kingfisher’s Bridge, there were more wetland and rare species found at Wicken Fen. The habitat preferences and dispersal capabilities of species indicated that habitat selection, possibly for vegetation composition or structure, rather than colonisation opportunities, largely determined ground beetle assemblages.

  

Effects of wood habitat fragmentation on suburban populations of Vipera aspis (Reptilia, Viperidae), in a Mediterranean area of central Italy

Maura Michela
Università degli Studi  Roma Tre , Department of Biology, 446, Viale Guglielmo Marconi, 00146, Rome, Italy Email: michela_maura@libero.it

The effects of different degrees of habitat fragmentation on central Italy populations of the asp viper (Vipera aspis francisciredi) in urban environment were studied.  Size, shape, isolation and matrix type of the patches influenced population structure. The presence of physical connections (= corridors) among remnant fragments, and the development of ecotonal areas (forest edge) were the main ecological determinants for the viability of the viper populations. Our results indicate that it is crucial for any conservation programme that wants to preserve forest-dwelling, sedentary, specialized and scarcely vagile snake species, to maintain patch heterogeneity and connection between sparcely spread wooded fragments.

 

Spatial distribution and environmental correlates of landscape impermeability in Afrotropical birds

Lynsey McInnes
Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY
Email: lynsey.mcinnes01@imperial.ac.uk

To move beyond simplistic models that either assume that species move freely across a homogenous landscape or assert that particular features act as hard barriers, we develop models that quantify landscape “impermeability” using Afrotropical birds as our study group. We correlate this impermeability with environmental variables representing distinct hypotheses of the determinants of range boundaries. Non-spatial models implicate measures of energy as the best predictors, while spatially-explicit models down-weight these variables in favour of human population density and two measures of habitat heterogeneity. These outcomes confirm the interplay of multiple factors in determining range boundaries, and identify regions where critical levels of these factors coincide, preventing free movement of species. They also suggest that the permeability of the Afrotropical landscape is not static and will alter following both climate change and land-use transformation.

  

Nutrient hotspots in a South African savanna: soil-plant-herbivore interactions

Seline Meijer
Wageningen University, Costerweg 50, Building 400,  6701 BH Wageningen, The Netherlands Email: seline.meijer@wur.nl

Abandoned cattle holding pens, known as “kraals”, have been found to remain high in nutrients decades after abandonment. This study explores the long-term effects of anthropogenic nutrient hotspots on herbivore distribution and the balance between grasses and trees in South Africa. It was found that kraals contain more nutrients in both the soil and the vegetation. The lack of trees on kraals might be attributed to increased soil nutrient levels, which seem to alter the tree-grass balance in favour of grasses. Herbivore use was higher on kraals, indicating that herbivores respond to heterogeneity in soil and plant nutrients across the landscape.

 

Soil Seed bank and its implication for biodiversity conservation of degraded land in mid law-lands of Ethiopia

Yohannes Adane Mihiret
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O.Box 2003, Addis Ababa
Email: yoh7704@yahoo.com

A degraded land rehabilitation project was started in Dodota, Arsi Zone of the Oromia region in Ethiopia. Among the objectives of the project was investigation of potentials of the land (soil seed banks) for rehabilitation. Soil samples were taken 3 times (before, six months after and a year after area closure) from three soil depths (0-15cm, 1-30cm and 31-45cm) in 4-replications. Moreover, woody plants were enumerated during soil sample collections. The results indicate that there were 22 grasses, 16 woody, (mainly Acacias) and more than 35 other plant species emerging from the samples. With respect to the number of EPs’ from the samples, there was no significant difference between the first two soil-sampling times. The number of EPs’ during the last sampling time significantly decreased. This positively correlated to the plant enumeration during the same time, indicating that there has been recruitment of new plants from the soil seed bank.

 

Decline of Irish pollinators: The case of Bombus terrestris

Antonio Sergio Camelo Moreira
Molecular Ecology and Nematode Work Group, Department of Science and Health, Institute of Technology, Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Ireland Email: Antonio.Moreira@itcarlow.ie

An increasing number of Irish farmers are using imported bumblebees to improve fruit yield and quality. Unregulated importation of exotic bumblebees has a number of associate risks, including loss of bee diversity as a result of competition and hybridasition.  A phylogenetic tree of north European Bombus terrestris, including commercially reared stock, will be carried out to assess risks involved in importing bees and in an attempt to identify hybrid material. This study will bring more information on bumblebee management and importation legislation and, it will be fundamental in the implementation of conservation programmes of native bumblebees in Ireland.

 

Studying and conservation of rear species of birds in the South-Eastern part of the West Siberia, Russia

Yevgeniy Murzakhanov
Russia, Tomsk, 634034, Prospect Lenina street 36, office 123 Email: rbcu@mail.tsu.ru

At present we do not know the real number of White-headed duck, Sociable lapwing, Black-winged pratincole and Dalmatian pelican and its distribution in the southeast part of Western Siberia. Still we do not know the reasons and factors that lead to reduction of White-headed duck and Black-winged pratincole population in the region. The main research methods were using GIS system, quantitative monitoring, selecting the limiting factors, revealing IBA.  The most important results were revealing seven IBA, finding about 100 of individuals of White-headed duck in the Barabinskay lowland, approximate estimation of Sociable lapwing, Black-winged pratincole and Dalmatian pelican numbers.

 

Youth and community volunteerism towards achievement of Environmental sustainability

James Musinguzi
Uganda Wildlife Education Centre, P O Box 369, Entebbe, Uganda, East Africa
Email: jamesinguzi@yahoo.co.uk

This poster presents a case study of a Conservation Education program with demonstrated success. It looks at tapping into the aspect of volunteerism an impetus in bringing about the necessary change in environmental and resource management practices so as to contribute towards the achievement of environmental sustainability for sustainable development. This project aims at sensitizing the youth and community members on the MDG and proper environment and resource management practices, mobilizing and engaging the youth and the community in environmental management maintenance and protection practices as well as developing a sustainable youth and community voluntary movement on environmental awareness, protection and management as well as the MDG.

 

Fragmentation in Eastern Mau Forest; What Does It Mean to Avifauna

M.F.W Ngugi
Centre for Development Services, P.O. Box 2961, Nakuru, Kenya
Email: fngugi2001@yahoo.com

Forest fragmentation, destruction and habitat alteration in Eastern Mau Forest have affected the population of birds in that ecosystem. There are distinct differences between the bird species composition and diversity in the different fragments depending on the size, structure and proximity of a fragment to intense human activity and features like a river. Forest species are limited to the larger fragments or rather the seemingly continuous fragments and are few in number. Forest opening has seen forest bird species replaced gradually by species that are associated with human activities.

 

Understanding Human-large carnivore conflict in Chobe, Botswana.

Sahil Nijhawan
Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Box 90328 Duke University
Levine Science Research Center, Durham, NC 27708. USA Email: sn35@duke.edu

This study is part of the Large Carnivore Research Project initiated by African Wildlife Foundation in the Chobe-Caprivi area of Botswana and Namibia. Using GPS collars and spoor counts, data are being gathered on population size, distribution, movement patterns and habitat use of large carnivores; human settlements are also being mapped. Preliminary results confirm that areas of high carnivore activity correlate positively with protected areas and water availability, and negatively with human presence. Additionally, enormous difference in space usage was observed between male and female lions, which is likely to bring males closer to humans and exacerbate conflicts. Results from this project will be incorporated into the current Chobe Land Use and Management Plan.

  

Is Pantepui protected in front of the Global Change? A new list of threatened species.

Sandra Nogue
Departament de Biologia Animal, Vegetal i Ecologia, Grup de Paleoecologia Tropical i Alta Muntanya (PATAM), Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Facultat de Biociencies, C1-215/227, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain   Email: sandra.nogue@uab.cat

Pantepui is a biogeographical province of the Guayana Highlands which its biodiversity and endmism are threatened by global warming. This work analizes the endemic species currently included in red lists of endangered species as IUCN and WCMC. Previous studies involving habitat loss modelling predict a potential extinction of 60% vascular plants endemics. This study shows that less than  2% of these species are under offical protection, and stresses the need of considering global warming predcitions on conservation planning.

 

Managing human-elephant conflict: a case study at Thong Pha Phum National Park, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand

Bhichet Noonto
Ecology and Conservation group, Department of Biology, Mahidol University, Rama VI road, Rachathevi, Bangkok 10400 Email: bhichetbio@hotmail.com

The best solutions for Human-Elephant Conflict have been explored using information on human and elephant behaviors.  Observations on elephant behaviors in controlled and experimented raiding farms were used for detecting effective repellent stimuli. Human behaviors have been compiled during solution implementations including crop protecting measures and using elephant for ecotourism. Most elephants responded by hiding, lone male elephant responded to super-loud noises but elephant family group fleeing even by spotlights. Villagers selected effective repellent measures using the above information to different elephants. Villagers using elephant for ecotourism spent more time towards elephant management by group discussing and developing management plans.

  

Tamarindus indica establishment methods and niche ecology on farms within the Great Rift Valley Ecozones in East Africa

Priscilla Nyadoi
Department of Forest Biology and Ecosystems Management, Faculty of Forestry and Nature Conservation, Makerere University, PO BOX 7062, Kampala, Uganda
Email: pnyadoi@forest.mak.ac.ug

The World Agroforestry Centre is promoting increased adoption of tamarinds on-farms in East Africa, to increase production while ensuring conservation ex-situ for the declining wild habitat populations. Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) is a multipurpose legumnoseae tree species recently prioritsed by farmers for livelihood diversification in East Africa.  Knowledge on establishment methods and niches of on-farm tamarinds East Africawide was needed to elucidate regionally appropriate conservation interventions, including mechanisms for farmer involvement.  Thus our objective in this study was to characterise on-farm tamarind populations using their method of establishment and niches in East Africa.  Our findings imply that genetic studies of the wild and planted tamarinds in their distinct on-farm niches are needed to elucidate specific conservation guidelines. Sensitization of farmers and securing their commitment to preserving wild tamarinds in the elsewhere niches on-farms could be a conservation option for East Africa’s declining wild habitat populations.

 

Comparison between the use of higher plants and lower plants as biomonitors: case study of Jacaranda mimosifolia and Permelia sulcata

Olowoyo Joshua Oluwole
University of Limpopo, Dept of Biology, Medunsa Campus. P.O.Box 139, Medunsa, Pretoria, 0204 Email: woleolowoyo@yahoo.com

We compared the effectiveness of Jacaranda mimosifolia (higher plant) to lichen, Permelia sulcata (lower plant) in Tshwane area, South Africa. Lichens species were transplanted on the tree trunk of J.mimosifolia in 10 different sites in the city. Collected samples were analysed for heavy metals concentrations using ICP – MS. The result showed that lichen and bark gave a relatively similar result. Sites with high concentrations of trace metals showed absence of lichens. It was concluded from the study that the tree of J.mimosifolia can also serve as a good biomonitor especially in areas that were highly polluted in the city.

 

Feeding ecology and associated movement patterns of a poorly-known primate: the bald-faced saki monkey (Pithecia irrorata)

Suzanne Palminteri
School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom Email: s.palminteri@uea.ac.uk

Knowledge of species’ resource requirements and distribution patterns are essential to their protection.  Through scan sampling, habitat plot inventories, and GIS analysis, we investigated factors associated with bald-faced saki’s high densities in a sustainable resource use area in SE Peru and its absence or low density in two neighbouring protected areas.  These monkeys consume over 200 species of plants, and their relatively small home ranges include a variety of forest habitats, indicating a lack of both dietary and habitat specialization.  Factors causing their apparently patchy distribution may instead include fine-scale differences in forest structure or presence of large rivers.

 

Biodiversity Conservation in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, México

Roberto Pedraza Ruiz
Carlos Septién García #46, Colonia Cimatario, Querétaro, Qro., C.P. 76030, México
Email: pedraza_roberto@yahoo.com

The Sierra Gorda Ecological Group (México) obtained in the 2001 the approval from the international community for the outstanding ecodiversity of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve, finally receiving a response from the Global Environment Facility. The ambitious and holistic project “Biodiversity Conservation in the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve” was awarded a 6.7 million dollar seed fund on behalf of GEF, managed by the United Nations Development Programm, administered by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP) and executed by the SGEG, obtaining a broad social participation and pioneering with new conservation schemes, like productive diversification, environmental education and the development of ecosystemic products and payments among others.

 

Developing molecular tools for Pteronura brasiliensis studies

Robert Pickles
Institute of Zoology, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY Email: robert.pickles@ioz.ac.uk

The expansion of non-invasive genetic techniques in recent years has proved useful for elucidating the relationship both between individuals and between populations. However, although there have been several such studies involving Lutra lutra, research in this area concerning Pteronura brasiliensis has been lacking. A three year project at the Institute of Zoology and Durrell Institute of Conservation Ecology has begun firstly to identify microsatellite and control region primers in the genome of the giant otter, and secondly to use these tools to reveal the structure of relatedness and distribution of individuals within populations in study sites in Bolivia, Guyana and Peru.

 

Managing an emerging infectious disease in an endangered endemic species

Claire Raisin
Durrell Institute of Conservation & Ecology, Marlowe Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent. CT2 7NZ  Email: cr200@kent.ac.uk

Despite its rapid recovery over the last 20 years and its recent downgrading by the IUCN the echo parakeet (Psittacula eques) is still under threat.  The emergence of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease (PBFD), a highly contagious viral disease is having an impact on the population and the way in which its recovery can be managed.  Disease data is being considered alongside genetic data to investigate the possible impacts of inbreeding on disease resistance.  Understanding the spread of the disease will not just help the echo parakeet programme but also help to manage the spread of emerging infectious diseases in other projects.

 

Threatened medicinal plant of north-western Himalaya: status, indigenous uses and conservational aspects

Abdul Rashid
Department of Botany, University Of Jammu, Jammu-180006, India
Email: arashid08@gmail.com

The study deals with the diversity, distribution, indigenous uses, status and conservational aspects of threatened medicinal plants of North-Western Himalaya in detail. A total of plant 68 species belonging to 56 genera and 33 families have been reported from the region. Of these, 9 species are trees, 15 species are shrubs and 44 species are herbs. The study is an attempt to see how the above stated factors are interlinked with each other and what influence do they have on conservational aspects of reported taxa. Also the study is first ever integrated conservation effort from the region taking into account various important factors in conservation biology.

 

Conserving Malagasy Fruit bats through environmental education

Julie Hanta Razafimanahaka
Madagasikara Voakajy, Lot II F 14 P Bis A, Andraisoro, 101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
Email: hantajulie@moov.mg

Malagasy fruit bat populations are declining because of habitat loss and overhunting. Legislation authorizes hunting and few roosts are in protected areas. Our project aims to increase population awareness to conserve bats. We worked with the Ministry of Education to write booklets on bat conservation fitting with the curricula in primary schools. Using these booklets, teachers in pilot schools included bats examples and conservation issues during classes. Feedbacks from teachers and market visits provided evidence of conservation progress. We recommend such approach to be developed for all taxa for effective conservation in Madagascar and other hotspot countries.

 

Applied research for conservation of the Herpetofauna of Bangladesh

AHM Ali Reza
Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh       Email: wild_reza@yahoo.com

Roughly 85% of the amphibians and reptiles of Bangladesh are facing conservation threats. This is obviously an under-estimate since it includes 46 ‘data deficient’ species and survey effort has mostly been conducted by British researchers over a century ago. This current study, conducted by a Bangladeshi student in collaboration with western experts, aims to prepare
an updated species list and to prioritize most species diverse habitats in Bangladesh for immediate conservation measures. Results, to date, include 13 additional species for the country, and an evergreen forest in the northeast, Lawachara National Park, was identified as the best habitat for herpetofauna.

 

Nest protection and electro-fences to increase brood survival in a ground nesting farmland bird, the Lapwing Vanellus vanellus.

Olivia Rickenbach
Swiss Ornithological Institute, 6204 Sempach, Switzerland or Zoological Institute
Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland Email: springolive@yahoo.com

Poor reproduction in farmland is a major reason for the decline of the Western Lapwing. In our study we showed that nests protected or removed during agricultural activities did not get deserted more often than control nests. Evaluations on the basis of telemetry data further suggested that fences can increase nest and chick survival: inside the fence 17.9 % of the chicks survived compared to only 0.5 % outside. Protecting nests from destruction by agricultural activities and fencing selected habitats could thus be important tools in lapwing conservation.

 

Climate change and its effects on species distribution of legumes in Madagascar.

Malin Rivers
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AB, UK or School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9TH, UK Email: m.rivers@kew.org

This study evaluates the threat of climate change using a widespread plant family (Leguminosae) in the tropics (Madagascar). GIS modelling (Maxent) using georeferenced specimen data measures species ranges now and under future climate change scenario. The results show that one in ten endemic legumes in Madagascar is expected to lose over half its habitable range in 2100 due to climate change alone. However, certain vegetation types are more threatened with extinction risks more than twice as high. The results are also used to assess conservation status through range size, and in such way help to assign scientifically-supported conservation priorities.

 

 Stump Survival in commercial Sitka spruce plantations in Ireland

Samuel Olajuyigbe
Forestry Section, UCD School of Biology and Environmental Science, Agriculture and Food Science Centre, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Email: Samuel.Olajuyigbe@ucdconnect.ie

Deadwood is a crucial component of healthy, well-managed, biologically diverse forests.  This study estimated the number and volume of stumps and roots that were still alive after thinning had taken place in a series of Sitka Spruce (Picea sitchensis) forest stands. The results show the level of survival of stumps, at different times since their creation as a result of thinning operations, through root grafting to neighbouring trees. The amount of ‘live’ stumps has implications for the delay in the decomposition of the roots and stumps, thus affecting the recycling of nutrients and carbon and their availability to the ecosystem.

 

Genetic diversity and population structure of the Hawaiian monk seal

Jennifer Schultz
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology/Department of Zoology, University of Hawaii, P.O. Box 1346, Kaneohe HI 96744 Email: jschultz@hawaii.edu

The Hawaiian monk seal (Monachus schauinslandi) was hunted to near-extinction in the nineteenth century. Though partial recovery was made by the late 1950s, the species has since declined. To assess genetic diversity and population structure, I isolated microsatellite loci from the Hawaiian monk seal genome. Of 143 loci tested, only seven are polymorphic, with low alellism (on average, 3.5 alleles/locus) and low heterozygosity (He = 0.49). During the bottleneck, the effective population size likely fell below 50 individuals, but there is little indication of inbreeding (FIS = 0.018).  Analysis of 2,402 individuals from seven populations provides little evidence for substructure.

 

Climate change, rainfall patterns and breeding phenology in a tropical bird

Deepa Senapathi
Centre for Agri-Environmental Research (CAER), School of Agriculture, Policy & Developement. University of Reading, Reading RG6 6AR Email: g.d.senapathi@rdg.ac.uk

The tropical island of Mauritius is experiencing climate change in the form of changing rainfall patterns. The number of rain days has significantly increased within the study area in the last 50 years, which can in part be explained by increasing Sea Surface Temperature and ENSO effects. This in turn has implications for the breeding phenology of the formerly endangered Mauritius kestrel. The timing of egg laying is significantly affected by the number of rain days prior to breeding and increasing number of rain days cause the birds to lay their eggs significantly later.

 

An interdisciplinary assessment of the spiny forest in southern Madagascar

Johannes Signer
University of East Anglia NR4 7TJ Norwich Email: j.m.signer@gmail.com

The spiny forest of Madagascar is rapidly disappearing and proportionally underrepresented within all protected areas. The challenge to conservation professionals is to acquire reliable biological data for successful planning and to understand the needs and culture of local villagers to implement protected area that are sustainable in the long term. The aim of this project was to get an insight into the diversity of plants, abundance of lemurs and the activity of human livelihood in the spiny forest of southern Madagascar. This data will serve, among others, as a base for implementing further protection policy.

 

Wildlife damage compensation models: an overview of strengths, weaknesses, and effectiveness

Myra Sinnott
Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, New Haven, CT
Email: myrasinnott@gmail.com

Livestock and crop depredations by endangered wildlife are a problem worldwide.  Conservation status of these species leaves people living amongst them few options for protecting their livelihoods and preventing future incidents.  Compensation programs are a controversial option that is widely used to mitigate economic losses and provide positive incentive for coexisting with wildlife.  This study provides understanding of how compensation is applied by examining the basic forms of wildlife damage compensation programs. Three case studies are examined: a program that failed (Israel), one that has persisted but has many problems (India), and a program that is an overall success (Pakistan).

 

Conservation and ecology in European tidal freshwater wetlands: opportunities and challenges

Ronaldo Sousa
CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal            Email: ronaldo.sousa@ciimar.up.pt

Tidal freshwater wetlands (TFWs) support characteristic species composition and perform fundamental ecological functions. In this study, an overview of the River Minho TFWs’ diversity and their conservation state is provided, including temporal comparisons documenting faunal declines. We also discuss how this study can be representative of actual ecological and conservational conditions of European TFWs and the alarming actual rates of biodiversity losses. Probably, other European TFWs with comparable characteristics are under a similar unexpected risk and, therefore, they should also be considered for conservation purposes. Finally, the principal threats to these estuarine ecosystems are discussed and some practices that should be implemented to reverse this situation are indicated.

 

Woody species diversity across Protected Areas of northern Western Ghats, India.

Tadwalkar Medhavi
Biodiversity section, Dept. of Microbiology, Abasaheb Garware College, Karve Road, Pune-411 004 Email: medhavitadwalkar@yahoo.co.in

The study outlines protocol for developing biological richness maps that aid in identifying conservation priority areas. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling technique was employed to identify gradients affecting woody species composition. Study spans over 40 belt transects covering an area of 20ha. High conservation priority areas were identified based on ranking that includes parameters such as species richness, endemicity and RET status. Tree-based models and prediction mapping was done to find whether species rich areas also exist outside PAs. Low temperature seasonality was correlated with high species richness whereas endemic species richness was governed by evergreen to deciduous ratio.

 

Changes in Age Structure of Mussel Populations Over 2 Decades

Liz Tarr
Dept of Zoology, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ
Email: e.c.tarr@abdn.ac.uk

The Freshwater Pearl Mussel (Margaritifera margaritfera) has undergone a massive decline and is now threatened throughout its range, due to pollution, pearl fishing and habitat modification. It is believed that many populations are not successfully recruiting juveniles, and are therefore considered as functionally extinct. This researched aim to see how the age-structure of particular populations changed over 2 decades. Sites first visited in 1984 were revisited in 1997 and then again in 2006/07. Sites were searched for mussels, and the length of these measured. Lengths were then converted into age by age-at-length equations. The age structures of the three periods were then compared. Some rivers have maintained a reasonable level of recruitment, with very little change in the age structure over time, while others show a marked decline in the proportion of juveniles present, indicating recent poor recruitment. On a more positive note, some populations are showing an increase in the proportion of old mussels since the introduction of the ban on pearl fishing.

  

Prioritizing stakeholders of integrated conservation management of forest ecosystems in Arasbaran, Iran

Morteza Tashakori Ghojdy
University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna; Gregor Mendel Straße 33 ; A-1180 Vienna, Austria Email: mo_tashakori@yahoo.com

Arasbaran biosphere reserve suffers from on going overuse of ecosystems by livestock grazing, fuel wood and timber harvesting. A prerequisite to any participative conservation planning is a stakeholder analysis to identify and classify stakeholders. I demonstrate a multi-criteria stakeholder analysis method and discusses its implications for participative conservation planning.  The Analytic Hierarchy Process was used to prioritise stakeholders to derive cardinal rankings per indicator, dimension and overall. This research highlights the characteristics of forest dwellers and their relations to forests. The proposed approach extends the proposition by Colfer et al. (1999) and includes a powerful multi-criteria analysis method to derive consistent local rankings of stakeholders. Successful conservation plans need to secure the participation of all relevant stakeholder groups.

 

Bamboo-Aves association in Southern Ghana: A missing link

Stephen Tekpetey
Department of Wood Science, Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources,  Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and technology(KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana
Email: lartekp@yahoo.com

Sympodial bamboos are believed to have many unrecognized associations including its aves association in the tropics. My main aim was to investigate the association of different bamboo species with bird types and the relevance of such association for conservational purposes in different ecological zones in Ghana. Questionnaires and field observations revealed that Bambusa vulgaris association with Ploceus cucullatus was predominant in the Moist Semi- Deciduous Forest types in Southern Ghana. I concluded with recommendations for further international collaboration and research on this association for enhanced understanding and full conservational benefits.

  

A Study on identification and distribution of Sea urchins ((Phylum:  Echinodermata, Class: Echinoidea) in coastal zone of Sri Lanka

RMGN Thilakarathna
Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Makandura, Gonawila(NWP), Sri Lanka
Email: nilupikat@yahoo.com

The true diversity of sea urchins is a mystery in tropical waters. In Sri Lanka, sea urchins experience disturbances due to coastal reclamation, fisheries and ornamental trade. To date, no proper studies have been conducted on the diversity, abundance and habitat preferences of them. In this study collected specimens are recorded for external features and tests are identified through a key developed by British Natural History Museum, UK. So far 8 species have been identified falling into 4 families (Stomopneustidae, Toxopneustidae, Diadematidae,Echinometridae) namely; Stomopneustes variolaris, Tripneustes gratilla, Echinothrix diadema, Astropyga radiata, Toxopneuses pileolus, Diadema savignyi Echinometra mathaei and Echinothrix calamaris.

 

The feeding ecology of the golden monkey (Cercopithecus mitis kandti) in the Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda

Deogratias Tuyisingize
Karisoke Research Center, Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, PO.Box 105 Ruhengeri-Rwanda   Email: tuyideo@yahoo.fr

The Albertine Rift is the only confirmed location for this endangered subspecies (IUCN Red List). The influence of seasonality on diet and feeding behaviour was determined. Both opportunistic and scan sampling methods were used to collect data during a 3 year period from April 2004 to March 2007. The two study group’s sizes are estimated between 54 and 82 individuals. Home range sizes were 0.76 km2 and 0.68 km2 respectively and are considered to be small in comparison to blue monkeys.  Golden monkeys are mainly folivorous (bamboo was the key food species) and they spend 56.21% of their time feeding.

 

Conservation in Alpine environment of Nepal

Yadav Uprety and Emmanuel Boon
Department of Human Ecology, Vrije University Brussels, Belgium
Email: yadein75@yahoo.com

High value medicinal plants are important resources in alpine environment of Nepal. Rural communities are dependent on these resources for the livelihood since time immemorial. But the sustainability of these resources is questioned because of over-exploitation due to high market demand and habitat loss. Conservation programmes are low prioritised due to lack of awareness among people and also lack of other resources. It is important to conserve these resources for the livelihood support and ecosystem conservation. Interdisciplinary attempt is made to analyse these situations in Nepal.

 

Matrix use determines edge effect in amphibian diversity in montane forests, southern Mexico

J. Nicolas Urbina-Cardona
Museo de Zoología  Alfonso L. Herrera , Departamento de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias   UNAM, CU, México D.F., C.P. 04510 Email: nurbina@yahoo.com

Mexican amphibians and tropical montane cloud forest (TMCF) are highly threatened and remains isolated in forest patches surrounded by a matrix of agricultural lands. We surveyed eight ecotones containing TMCF edge, TMCF interior and coffee or corn plantations. We found 41 individuals of 5 species in the ecotones between forest and coffee, and 4 individuals of 2 species in the forest-corn ecotones. Shaded coffee plantations play an important role for the TMCF conservation because the similarity between the structure of coffee plantations and the TMCF, the capacity to buffer the edge effects and the maintenance of microhabitats for the amphibians.

 

Direct consumptive use value of ecosystem goods and services in the Bale Mountains Eco-region, Ethiopia

Charlene Watson
Centre for Environmental Policy, 3rd Floor, Mechanical Engineering Building, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 2AZ,  United Kingdom
Email: charlene.watson06@imperial.ac.uk

The Bale Mountains support diverse ecosystem goods and services. However, environmental contributions to crops, livestock and forest products are not adequately represented in policy, resulting in Eco-region degradation. Assessing the economic importance of ecosystem attributes supporting agro-pastoral livelihoods, annual household direct-consumptive-use value is US$1157 from crops, US$228 from livestock, and US$407 from forest products. Production decisions appear opportunistic but motivated by a subsistence level; overall value is US$1791 irrespective of livelihood sources. Under current management, declining resource quality will impact rural communities substantially. Understanding economic incentives and household dynamics, considering ecological conditions, is required to align conservation and development strategy.

Saving Species on the EDGE: Prioritising based on Evolutionary Distinctiveness and Global Endangerment

Sally Wren
EDGE Programme - Amphibians, Indicators and Assessments Unit, Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY Email: Sally.Wren@ioz.ac.uk

Conservation priority setting based on phylogenetic diversity has frequently been proposed but rarely implemented. Here, we define a simple index that measures the contribution made by different species to phylogenetic diversity and show how the index might contribute towards species-based conservation priorities.  The approach has been applied to the Mammalia and Amphibia.  Many species that are both evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered (EDGE species) do not benefit from existing conservation projects, suggesting that global conservation priorities may have to be reassessed in order to prevent a disproportionately large amount of evolutionary history becoming extinct in the near future.

 

Extinction risk of Venezuelan terrestrial ecosystems: human impacts in two contrasting regions

Irene Zager, Fabián Carrasquel and Jon Paul Rodríguez
PROVITA. Av. Las Acacias, Edif. Torre La Previsora, Piso 15, Ofic. 15-A, Los Caobos, Caracas 1050-A, Venezuela         Email: izager@gmail.com

Extinction risk estimates are a key input for defining conservation priorities. We assessed the status of terrestrial ecosystems in two Venezuelan regions: Margarita Island and Amazonas state. We contrasted historical and recent land cover at multiple scales and applied a set of quantitative criteria which explicitly separate risk assessment from priority setting. We found that in Margarita Island, both evergreen and dry forests were threatened at all spatial scales, mainly due to land cover loss for urban developments. In contrast, evergreen forests in Amazonas state were threatened only at the finer spatial scales, mainly in areas of indigenous settlements.

  

Importance of Kolguev Island for maintaining European populations of White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons)

Elmira Zaynagutdinova
Saint-Petersburg State University, Faculty of biology and Soil Science, Department of vertebrate Zoology, 199034 Saint-Petersburg, Universitetskaja nab.  7/9
Email: zem9@rambler.ru

One third of the Western Palearctic Population of White-fronted goose arrives to Kolguev Island at spring. Any changes there can influence number of geese in Europe. We individually observed 800 nests of this species. Breeding success factors were analyzed (landscapes, human impact, biogenic and abiotic factors). Nesting density (35-56  nests/km2) and success (82-91%) were extremely high and regular in all available landscapes. But in areas with human impact it locally dropped to 44%. High breeding density on Kolguev makes one third of European White-fronted geese very sensitive to any changes in human activities. Sustainable management of traditional activities and special conservation regime of this territory are necessarily.

 

Sexual size dimorphism in breeding plovers Charadrius ssp in Madagascar

Sama Zefania
Department of Animal Biology, University of Antanarivo, PO Box 906, Antananarivo, Madagascar Email: samazefania@yahoo.fr

In Madagascar plover, there is an assortative mating between males and females in regards to the body mass, tarsus length and wing length  (T-test from monomorphic is significant, with significant allometry β>1 in all traits).  In Kittlitz’ s plover, there is not an assortative mating between males and females in regards to any traits (T-test from monomorphic is not significant). In White-fronted plover, there is an assortative mating between males and females in regards to wing length only (T-test from monomorphic is significant, with significant allometry β >1 in this trait).

  

The inshore fish community of Lake Kariba half a century after its creation: what happened to the Upper Zambezi species invasion?

Tsungai Zengeya
University of Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba Research Station, P.O. Box 48, Kariba, Zimbabwe
Email: zengeya@yahoo.com

When Lake Kariba was created 50 years ago, little was known about the fish fauna of the middle Zambezi or how the native species would respond. The appearance in the lake of some species normally found in the upper Zambezi above Victoria Falls led to the suggestion that they might be in the process of colonising the new lake. An extensive survey undertaken in 2006 found no evidence that any of these species occur in significant numbers, except the cichlid Serranochromis macrocephalus. It is suggested that these invaders failed to become established owing to the absence of suitable ecological niches.

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