Wildlife health outcomes and opportunities in conservation translocations

It is intuitive that the health status of wildlife might influence conservation translocation outcomes, however, health as a topic has received limited attention in the conservation translocation literature. We determined the forms and frequency of disease and other biological problems reported in translocated animals and plants, and in populations linked to translocation, and associations between their mention and translocation ‘success’. From these problems we deduced the forms of ill-health potentially associated with conservation translocation and developed contextual frameworks to inform health management

Terrestrial Mammal Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions for terrestrial mammals excluding bats and primates

Terrestrial Mammal Conservation provides a thorough summary of the available scientific evidence of what is known, or not known, about the effectiveness of all of the conservation actions for wild terrestrial mammals across the world (excluding bats and primates, which are covered in separate synopses). Actions are organized into categories based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifications of direct threats and conservation actions. Over the course of fifteen chapters, the authors consider interventions as wide ranging as creating uncultivated margins around fields, prescribed burning, setting hunting quotas and removing non-native mammals.This book is written in an accessible style and is designed to be an invaluable resource for anyone concerned with the practical conservation of terrestrial mammals.The authors consulted an international group of terrestrial mammal experts and conservationists to produce this synopsis. Funding was provided by the MAVA Foundation, Arcadia and National Geographic Big Cats Initiative.Terrestrial Mammal Conservation is the seventeenth publication in the Conservation Evidence Series, linked to the online resource www.ConservationEvidence.com. Conservation Evidence Synopses are designed to promote a more evidence-based approach to biodiversity conservation. Others in the series include Bat Conservation, Primate Conservation, Bird Conservation and Forest Conservation and more are in preparation. Expert assessment of the evidence summarised within synopses is provided online and within the annual publication What Works in Conservation

Terrestrial Mammal Conservation

"Terrestrial Mammal Conservation provides a thorough summary of the available scientific evidence of what is known, or not known, about the effectiveness of all of the conservation actions for wild terrestrial mammals across the world (excluding bats and primates, which are covered in separate synopses). Actions are organized into categories based on the International Union for Conservation of Nature classifications of direct threats and conservation actions. Over the course of fifteen chapters, the authors consider interventions as wide ranging as creating uncultivated margins around fields, prescribed burning, setting hunting quotas and removing non-native mammals. This book is written in an accessible style and is designed to be an invaluable resource for anyone concerned with the practical conservation of terrestrial mammals. The authors consulted an international group of terrestrial mammal experts and conservationists to produce this synopsis. Funding was provided by the MAVA Foundation, Arcadia and National Geographic Big Cats Initiative. Terrestrial Mammal Conservation is the seventeenth publication in the Conservation Evidence Series, linked to the online resource www.ConservationEvidence.com. Conservation Evidence Synopses are designed to promote a more evidence-based approach to biodiversity conservation. Others in the series include Bat Conservation, Primate Conservation, Bird Conservation and Forest Conservation and more are in preparation. Expert assessment of the evidence summarised within synopses is provided online and within the annual publication What Works in Conservation.

A scientific note on range expansion of a sedentary bumble bee (Bombus hortorum) in New Zealand

International audienceNo abstract availabl

Exploring the evidence base for reptile conservation actions: gaps, biases and research priorities

With over 21% of reptile species threatened with extinction, we urgently need to ensure conservation actions to protect and restore populations are informed by relevant, reliable evidence. Here we examine the geographic and taxonomic distribution of 707 studies synthesised in Conservation Evidence’s Reptile Conservation synopsis testing the effects of actions to conserve reptiles. We found that more studies were conducted in countries with higher GDP per capita and more reptile species, clustered in the USA (43%) and Australia (15%), with large gaps across South-East Asia, South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. Taxonomically, 46% of 92 (mostly Squamata) families were not studied at all. Although Squamata and Testudines both featured in approximately 50% of studies, the eight most-studied species were Testudines (36% of studies) with significantly more studies per species. There were significantly more studies for species with more Wikipedia page views, significantly fewer studies for Data Deficient species than other IUCN Red List categories, and no significant relationship between the number of studies and evolutionary distinctiveness of species. Our results highlight pressing evidence needs, including for underrepresented and threatened species and regions (e.g., Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered reptiles in South America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South-East Asia). To overcome evidence gaps and a lack of basic ecological data, we also need to explore how the effects of actions transfer across taxa and regions. We call for greater efforts to strategically increase and coordinate the testing and reporting of the effects of conservation actions to inform more effective and efficient conservation globally

Eimeria spp. in captive-reared corncrakes (Crex crex):results of a GeneScan assay consistent with high prevalence of infection and extra-intestinal life stages

Eimeria crecis and Eimeria nenei have been detected in association with enteric disease (‘coccidiosis’) in the corncrake (Crex crex: Family Rallidae, Order Gruiformes). Both parasite species are common in apparently healthy free-living corncrakes, but captive-bred juvenile birds reared for reintroduction appeared particularly susceptible to clinical coccidiosis. We investigated the occurrence and relative pathogenicity of these Eimeria species in this juvenile corncrake population and developed a diagnostic species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for their identification. PCR amplification and sequencing of 18S rDNA was performed on genomic DNA extracted from samples of corncrake intestine, liver and spleen. Sequences generated were used to design a GeneScan diagnostic PCR assay targeting a species-specific TTA indel located within the 18S rDNA – the results suggested this assay was more sensitive than the 18S rDNA/amplicon sequencing approach. Eimeria sp. DNA (consistent with Eimeria sp. infection) was detected at a high prevalence and E. crecis was the predominant species. Each Eimeria species was detected in cases with and without histological evidence of coccidiosis: parasite detection was not statistically associated with disease. In addition to intestinal tissue, liver and spleen samples were positive for Eimeria sp. DNA. Its detection in tissues other than intestine is unusual and a novel finding in corncrakes, although extra-intestinal infection occurs with closely-related Eimeria species in cranes (Family Gruidae, Order Gruiformes). Eimeria sp. infection of corncrakes appears typically to be chronic, and to exhibit extra-intestinal spread: as in cranes, these characteristics may be adaptations to the host’s migratory nature

3. Threat: Agriculture and aquaculture

All farming systems 3.1. Establish wild flower areas on farmland https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/2359 • Four studies evaluated the effects of establishing wild flower areas on farmland on small mammals. Two studies were in Switzerland2,3, one in the UK1 and one in Germany4. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (4 STUDIES) • Abundance (4 studies): Three of four site comparison studies (including three replicated studies), in Switzerland2,3, the UK1 and Germany4, foun..

9. Threat: Invasive alien and other problematic species

9.1. Use fencing to exclude grazers or other problematic species https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/2495 • Three studies evaluated the effects on mammals of using fencing to exclude grazers or other problematic species. One study was in each of the USA1, Australia2 and Spain3. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (1 STUDY) • Richness/diversity (1 study): A controlled, before-and-after study in Australia2 found that after fencing to exclude introduced herbivores, native mammal species richness increas..

14. Species management

14.1. Cease/reduce payments to cull mammals https://www.conservationevidence.com/actions/2349 • One study evaluated the effects of ceasing or reducing payments to cull mammals. This study was in Sweden and Norway1. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) • Survival (1 study): A before-and-after study in Sweden and Norway1 found that fewer brown bears were reported killed after the removal of financial hunting incentives. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) BackgroundFinancial incentive..