A conceptual framework for the emerging discipline of conservation physiology

Current rates of biodiversity decline are unprecedented and largely attributed to anthropogenic influences. Given the scope and magnitude of conservation issues, policy and management interventions must maximize efficiency and efficacy. The relatively new field of conservation physiology reveals the physiological mechanisms associated with population declines, animal- environment relationships and population or species tolerance thresholds, particularly where these relate to anthropogenic factors that necessitate conservation action. We propose a framework that demonstrates an integrative approach between physiology, conservation and policy, where each can inform the design, conduct and implementation of the other. Each junction of the conservation physiology process has the capacity to foster dialogue that contributes to effective implementation, monitoring, assessment and evaluation. This approach enables effective evaluation and implementation of evidence-based conservation policy and management decisions through a process of ongoing refinement, but may require that scientists (from the disciplines of both physiology and conservation) and policy-makers bridge interdisciplinary knowledge gaps. Here, we outline a conceptual framework that can guide and lead developments in conservation physiology, as well as promote innovative research that fosters conservation-motivated policy

Exposure to sublethal levels of PCB-126 impacts fuel metabolism and swimming performance in rainbow trout

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are recognized physiological stressors to fish which over time may impair individual performance and perhaps fitness by inducing changes that could have population-level consequences. PCB-126 (3,3′,4,4′,5-pentachlorobiphenyl) accumulates in lipids and can subsequently be released into the bloodstream during periods of high activity that involve the mobilization of stored fuels to meet with increasing energy demands. The goal of this study was to determine if a sublethal exposure to PCB-126 altered the content of tissue energy supplies (carbohydrates, proteins, amino acids, triglycerides) and impaired swimming performance as well as oxygen consumption in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Trout were injected intraperitoneally with a single Low (100 μg kg− 1) or High (400 μg kg− 1) dose of PCB-126 then swimming performance and metabolic rates from 1 to 9 days post-injection were compared to Control (non-dosed) fish. Liver ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity was assessed as an indication of PCB-126 intoxication while plasma and white muscle tissue metabolites were analyzed as an index of physiological disturbance. Swimming performance, assessed using two successive modified critical swimming speed (Ucrit) tests, was highest for fish in the High PCB-126 treatment; however, their initial condition factor (K) was also higher, largely due to their greater body mass. Trout in the High and Low PCB-126 treatments exhibited impaired recovery following intense exercise as they swam comparatively poorly when provided a second challenge. PCB-exposed fish exhibited reduced spleen somatic indices as well as muscle glucose and glycogen contents; whereas plasma cortisol and glucose levels were elevated, indicating higher metabolic costs during recovery and muscle restoration. Overall, this research provides insights into the sublethal effects of a toxic organic compound on swimming performance in trout

As I see it: On the neglected cold side of climate change and what it means to fish

Over the past decade nearly all of the research on the effects of climate change on fish has focused on the effects of warmer water temperatures. Yet, it is expected that temperature variability will also increase, resulting in more frequent incidences of rapid decreases in water temperatures (i.e. cold shock). Cold shock events have caused large-scale fish mortalities, and sublethal impacts are also known to occur but are less well documented. We argue that cold shock will become an important selective force in climate change scenarios. There is a rich history of research on cold shock in the context of industrial cooling effluents and aquaculture, providing a foundation upon which to develop and extend future work on cold shock and climate change. To understand the diverse effects climate change may have on fish populations, future research needs to expand beyond the projected increases in water temperatures to include consideration of variability in temperature and the potential for cold shock

Cortisol modulates metabolism and energy mobilization in wild-caught pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus)

Acute elevation of cortisol via activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis aids the fish in dealing with a stressor. However, chronic elevation of cortisol has detrimental effects and has been studied extensively in lab settings. However, data pertaining to wild teleosts are lacking. Here, we characterized the metabolic consequences of prolonged cortisol elevation (96 h) in wild-caught pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbosus). Pumpkinseed were implanted with cocoa butter alone (sham) or containing cortisol (25 mg kg−1 body weight), and at 24, 48, 72, and 96 h, tissue samples were collected, whole-body ammonia excretion was determined, and whole-organism metabolism was assessed using intermittent

Tourisme et ressources naturelles

Ce numéro de la Revue Études Caribéennes s’intéresse aux liens qui unissent et opposent l’activité touristique et les ressources naturelles, particulièrement dans les pays du Sud. Dans un contexte de médiatisation accrue des enjeux liés à la biodiversité et aux menaces qui pèsent sur elle, le tourisme – et particulièrement l’écotourisme – est souvent présenté comme un moyen de concilier la conservation et le développement. Les autorités locales, malgré l’existence d’un cadre réglementaire propre à l’environnement, ne disposent souvent pas de moyens suffisants (humains, matériels et financiers) pour gérer la croissance de la fréquentation des aires protégées et ses effets potentiels sur l’environnement naturel et humain. En réponse à cette problématique, les institutions financières internationales et les organismes associés proposent aux pays du Sud de trouver un équilibre entre une fréquentation de masse et une fréquentation de bas volume afin de développer « un tourisme de haute qualité ». Même si cela était possible, quels critères peuvent être utilisés pour « cesser » le développement d’un pôle ou d’une région touristique ? L’évolution géographique « naturelle » du tourisme – c’est-à-dire essentiellement basée sur la mise en tourisme de la nature et sur l’accessibilité de ces ressources – pose déjà des problèmes politiques et économiques importants. Les gouvernements (central, régional ou local) sont difficilement en mesure de réaliser un arbitrage de long terme dans ce contexte qui permettrait l’adéquation entre le développement touristique et la préservation des espaces naturels. La relation entre le tourisme et les ressources naturelles s’articule souvent autour de deux objectifs spécifiques, soient : développer un produit à moindre impact, mais aux dépenses élevées et viser un volume de visiteurs qui contribue aux profits économiques, mais qui amène le moins de dégradation écologique/sociale possible. Cette position résume à elle seule à la fois la complexité et les multiples paradoxes dans lesquels s’insère la mise en tourisme de la nature. Les dynamiques sociales et l’extension de l’appropriation privative des espaces naturels et agricoles posent la problématique des modes de gestion des ressources communes et de leur pérennité, particulièrement dans les pays du Sud. Dans ce contexte, les objectifs, les ressources et les stratégies des principaux acteurs concernés sont difficilement conciliables et le système de relation qu’il induit n’est pas nécessairement en phase avec les finalités poursuivies. This edition of Revue Etudes Caribéennes focuses on the links that unite and oppose tourism and natural resources, specifically in southern countries. In a context of increased media coverage of issues related to biodiversity (including threats to it), tourism – particularly ecotourism – is often presented as a mean to reconcile conservation and development. Local authorities, despite the existence of a specific environmental regulatory framework, often have insufficient resources (human, material, financial) to manage the increase of visits to protected areas, and the potential impact of these visits on natural and human environments. In response to this problem, international financial institutions and associated organizations offer to try to find a balance between mass attendance and low volume attendance in order to develop "high quality tourism" in southern countries. Even if this were possible, what criteria can be used to "stop" the development of a tourist site or region for environmental reasons? The “natural” geographic evolution of tourism – in other words, essentially based on the development of nature tourism and accessibility of these resources – already causes huge political and economic problems. Governments (central, regional or local) are hardly able to arbitrate over the long term in a context that would allow finding a balance between tourism development and preservation of natural areas. The relationship between tourism and natural resources often revolves around two specific objectives: to develop a product with less impact, but at high cost and a target volume of visitors that contributes to economic profits, but that causes the least ecological / social degradation possible. This position epitomizes both the complexity and the many paradoxes of nature tourism development. Social interactions and the expansion of private appropriation of natural and agricultural areas highlight the challenges of managing common resources and their sustainability, especially in the southern countries. In this context, development objectives, natural resources and the strategies of key stakeholders are difficult to reconcile, and the relationship between leading actors do not always correspond with these objectives. Esta edición de “Revue Études Caribéennes” se interesa a los lazos que unen y separan la actividad turística y los recursos naturales, particularmente en los países del sur. En un contexto de mediatización en alza sobre los objetivos ligados a la biodiversidad y a las amenazas que pesan sobre ella, el turismo – y particularmente el ecoturismo – está a menudo presentado como un medio de conciliar la conservación y el desarrollo. Las autoridades locales, pese a la existencia de un cuadro propio de reglamentación al medio ambiente, no disponen habitualmente de suficientes medios (humanos, materiales y financieros) para controlar el aumento de visitas en las áreas protegidas y sus efectos potenciales sobre el ambiente natural y humano. En respuesta a esta problemática, las instituciones financieras internacionales y los organismos asociados proponen a los países del sur encontrar un equilibrio entre la frecuentación de masas y una frecuentación de bajo volumen con el objetivo de desarrollar “un turismo de alta calidad”. Incluso si fuese posible, ¿qué criterios podrían ser utilizados para “cesar” el desarrollo de un centro o una región turística? La evolución geográfica “natural” del turismo – esencialmente basada en el desarrollo del turismo de la naturaleza y el acceso de sus recursos – crean problemas políticos y económicos enormes. Los gobiernos (central, regional o local) tienen dificultades para realizar un arbitraje a largo plazo en este contexto que permitiría la adecuación entre el desarrollo turístico y la preservación de los espacios naturales. La relación entre el turismo y los recursos naturales se articula a menudo alrededor de dos objetivos específicos, sean: desarrollar un producto con mínimo impacto, pero con gastos elevados y aspirar a un volumen de visitantes que contribuya a las ganancias económicas, pero que traiga la menor degradación ecológica/social posible. Esta posición resume la complejidad y las múltiples paradojas en las cuales se encaja la puesta del turismo en la naturaleza. Las dinámicas sociales y la extensión de la apropiación privativa de los espacios naturales y agrícolas plantean una problemática en los modos de gestión de los recursos comunes y de su perennidad, particularmente en los países del sur. En este contexto, los objetivos, los recursos y las estrategias de los principales actores concernidos son difícilmente conciliables y el sistema de relación que induce no es necesariamente en la misma fase con los objetivos perseguidos