Threatened Plant Translocation for Mitigation: Improving Data Accessibility Using Existing Legislative Frameworks. An Australian Case Study

Translocation of plants is used globally as a conservation action to bolster existing or establish new populations of threatened species and is usually communicated in academic publications or case studies. Translocation is also used to mitigate or offset impacts of urbanization and development but is less often publicly published. Irrespective of the motivation, conservation or mitigation, on ground actions are driven by overriding global conservation goals, applied in local or national legislation. This paper deconstructs the legislative framework which guides the translocation process in Australia and provides a case study which may translate to other countries, grappling with similar complexities of how existing legislation can be used to improve accessibility of translocation records. Each year, across Australia, threatened plants are being translocated to mitigate development impacts, however, limited publicly accessible records of their performance are available. To improve transparency and opportunities to learn from the outcomes of previous mitigation translocations, we propose mandatory recording of threatened plant translocations in publicly accessible databases, implemented as part of development approval conditions of consent. The contribution to these need not be onerous, at a minimum including basic translocation information (who, what, when) at project commencement and providing monitoring data (outcome) at project completion. These records are currently already collected and prepared for translocation proposals and development compliance reporting. Possible repositories for this information include the existing national Australian Network for Plant Conservation translocation database and existing State and Territory databases (which already require contributions as a condition of licensing requirements) with new provisions to identify and search for translocation records. These databases could then be linked to the Atlas of Living Australia and the Australian Threatened Plant Index. Once established, proposals for mitigation translocation could be evaluated using these databases to determine the viability of mitigation translocation as an offset measure and to build on the work of others to ensure better outcomes for plant conservation, where translocations occur.

West African Crop Wild Relative Checklist, Prioritization and Inventory

Crop wild relatives (CWR) are wild plant taxa genetically related to domesticated crops with trait diversity that can be used in plant breeding to sustain food security. Prioritization is a prerequisite for the cost–effective conservation of CWR as it allows CWR in a checklist to be reduced to a manageable number for active conservation action. In this study, a partial CWR checklist comprising 1651 taxa was compiled for West Africa. Prioritization of the annotated CWR checklist was based on three criteria: (i) economic value of the related crop in West Africa, (ii) CWR genetic closeness to its related crop and (iii) threat status. After applying the three criteria using the parallel method of prioritization, 102 priority CWR were selected for active conservation action. The priority CWR are related to food crops that are nationally, regionally and globally important, such as white guinea yam (Dioscorea cayenensis subsp. rotundata (Poir) J. Miège), cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz), rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.), sweet potato (Ipomea batatas (L.) Lam.), common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench). This CWR checklist and prioritization will help in the development of a regional conservation action plan for West Africa.

How should conservation be professionalized?

Meeting the complex demands of conservation requires a multi-skilled workforce operating in a sector that is respected and supported. Although professionalization of conservation is widely seen as desirable, there is no consistent understanding of what that entails. Here, we review whether and how eight elements of professionalization observed in other sectors are applicable to conservation: (1) a defined and respected occupation; (2) official recognition; (3) knowledge, learning, competences and standards; (4) paid employment; (5) codes of conduct and ethics; (6) individual commitment; (7) organizational capacity; and (8) professional associations. Despite significant achievements in many of these areas, overall progress is patchy, and conventional concepts of professionalization are not always a good fit for conservation. Reasons for this include the multidisciplinary nature of conservation work, the disproportionate influence of elite groups on the development and direction of the profession, and under-representation of field practitioners and of Indigenous peoples and local communities with professional-equivalent skills. We propose a more inclusive approach to professionalization that reflects the full range of practitioners in the sector and the need for increased recognition in countries and regions of high biodiversity. We offer a new definition that characterizes conservation professionals as practitioners who act as essential links between conservation action and conservation knowledge and policy, and provide seven recommendations for building a more effective, inclusive and representative profession.

DISTRIBUTION AND GENETIC ANALYSIS OF WILD-LIVING EURASIAN BEAVERS IN CENTRAL ITALY

The presence of the Eurasian beaver Castor fiber L. has been recently confirmed with two separated populations in Tuscany (Central Italy) and probably represents the result of an unofficial release. In late spring and summer 2021, seven reliable records of Eurasian beaver have been collected in Umbria and other neighbouring regions, implying that the distribution of this large rodent is even wider than previously reported. In this short work, we updated the distribution of this protected species in Central Italy, by collecting and mapping all the confirmed occurrences. Beavers were proved to be present throughout the Tiber (Tevere) river basin in both provinces of Umbria, and another individual has been road-killed in the Marche region, near the border with Tuscany. Other single signs of presence occurred in Emilia Romagna and Latium. The only hair sample we were able to collect confirmed it as the Eurasian beaver species. No reliable evidence is available on the number of free-ranging beavers in Central Italy, and systematic monitoring is needed. Before any management and conservation action, further data are required concerning distribution range, potential origin, social perception, and the effects on the ecosystems.

Abundance and Habitat Preference of the Genus Euplectes in Protected and Non protected Habitats of Jos East Plateau State, Nigeria

The knowledge on the factors influencing habitat selection is of uttermost importance because it guides the development of conservation action plan for species. Till date, there is no baseline study on the genus Euplectes in Northern Nigeria thus, an attempt to investigate the habitat preference of the genus was carried out in Amurum Forest Reserve and the nonprotected habitats of Fobur. Line transects of 200m were randomly laid across the study sites. The abundance of Bishop species was highest in farmland compared to grassland and rocky outcrop. Therefore, the number of the species was significantly different between habitats (F2, 573 = 5.454, P = 0.0015). There was a significant relationship between flock size and number of seeds across habitat types. Number of individual birds increased with increase in seed number (F1, 57 = 21687.786, P < 0.001). With the exception of grass height, there was a highly significant difference in relation to vegetation variables taken between plots where Bishop species were sighted and the random points where they were not seen (P < 0.001). The finding suggests that farmlands should be integrated into conservation plan in the nonprotected area based on the high population of the genus recorded.

First Satellite Telemetry Study of Movement Behavior of Juvenile Golden Eagles from Mexico

ABSTRACT The southern limit of the Golden Eagle's (Aquila chrysaetos) breeding range in North America is Mexico, where the eagle is the national symbol yet designated as a threatened, high priority species for conservation action. Movement information needed for conserving Mexico's Golden Eagles is sparse; knowledge of dispersal from natal areas is essential to understand the eagle's ecology and help provide for its management. Using satellite telemetry data, we analyzed movements of three males and one female from central Mexico during their first year of life; we documented (1) timing and distance of initial dispersal movements, (2) total distance traveled and maximum distance from natal site by month of age following fledging, and (3) size of areas (based on 95% adaptive local convex hulls) across which eagles ranged following initial dispersal. Individual eagles dispersed from their natal areas between mid-September and mid-November, at 6–8 mo of age. Monthly total distance traveled by males reached approximately 350–1350 km at 8–11 mo; the female's peak monthly travel was 3000 km, at age 7 mo. Monthly proximity to natal sites by individuals at ages 8–12 mo was relatively constant, averaging 17.9 km (SD = 5.7) to 129.1 km (SD = 11.3). After dispersal, the monthly ranging areas overall increased during the first year of life for all eagles, especially the female, due mainly to multiple long-distance excursions. Our data suggest that movement behavior of juvenile Golden Eagles from Mexico is mostly similar to that of conspecifics from nonmigratory populations elsewhere. Our study may help serve as a foundation for future work to better understand movement dynamics and resource selection by Mexico's Golden Eagles.

Moisture and Salinity Drive the Vegetation Composition of Wadi Hargan, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Wetlands are represented in Saudi Arabia in the form of mangrove, sabkha, and wadi (valleys) systems, and these habitats are considered as a sanctuary for biodiversity. The present study aimed to identify different vegetation groups in a wetland site in Wadi Hargan near Alqurainah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and to relate different plant communities and plant diversity to soil moisture, salinity, and other soil properties. Floristic analysis and vegetation structure were investigated within 15 stands along the wadi and were subjected to correlation analysis with soil factors via multivariate analysis. The floristic survey revealed the presence of 111 plant species belonging to 39 families. The most represented families were Asteraceae, Poaceae, Brassicaceae, Caryophyllaceae, and Papilionaceae, which accounted for the largest proportion (55.4%) of the total species. The therophytes were the dominant life form, where they were represented by 46.9% of the total number of species. The application of cluster analysis (TWINSPAN) to the importance value of each species based on the relative cover and density led to the recognition of four plant communities: (A) Phragmites australis—Tamarix nilotica community, (B) Zygophyllum coccineum—Acacia gerrardii community, (C) Lycium shawii—Zygophyllum coccineum community, and (D) Rhazya stricta community. The soil analysis and correlation test revealed significant variations in the content of salinity, moisture, CO3, Cl, SO4, Ca, Mg, and Na among the plant communities. It can be concluded that soil moisture and salinity factors were the fundamental driving forces for plant community structure in the studied wadi. The wadi was moderately grazed, mainly by camels; thereby, the invasive plant Rhazya stricta dominated the central region of the wadi. Also, human interference was observed at the end of the wadi, where some weeds sprouted such as Malva parviflora. The presence of those two rare wetland species, Adiantum capillus-veneris and Ficus salicifolia, in the study area, showed the unique properties of the studied wadi and necessitate an urgent biodiversity conservation action to protect its natural vegetation from overgrazing and human interference.

The Application of Persuasive Communication Theory to Promote Visitor Conservation Behaviour at Wellington Zoo

<p>Zoos can play a key role in conservation by facilitating behaviour change in their 600 million visitors annually. However, while numerous articles reinforce the potential zoos have in influencing conservation behaviour in visitors, only a few zoos have quantified the impact a visit has on visitor conservation behaviour. In this thesis, I applied a persuasive communication framework to develop a conservation communication campaign at Wellington Zoo, New Zealand. My results make a significant contribution to the body of literature that evaluates communicating conservation behaviour to zoo visitors and suggest future directions zoos can take to achieve their goal of facilitating conservation behaviour in their visitors. In Study 1, I determined visitor perceptions of conservation wildlife threats and the corresponding actions that could be taken to alleviate these threats. Visitor perceptions were biased towards global awareness of conservation threats with less awareness of local threats, a condition referred to as environmental hyperopia. Furthermore, there was an expert-lay discrepancy in the perception of local and global threats and mitigating actions. Based on these results, two conservation behaviours were selected to advocate to zoo visitors. To determine the content of the message, I applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour in Study 2 to identify the variables (attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioural control) linked to behavioural intention. The variance in visitor intentions for bringing cats in at night and for purchasing FSC wood products were explained by the TPB constructs, with visitor attitudes and norms both strongly linked to intention. Past behaviour also played a role in the habitual behaviour of bringing cats in at night, but not the non-habit forming behaviour of purchasing FSC wood products. In Study 3, I tested which method of communication (signs or animal talks) was the most effective for communicating conservation behaviours. I also tested if talks and signs based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model, implemented after a staff training programme, were more likely to increase visitor satisfaction, relevancy, and elaboration, all key cognitive components that ultimately influence behaviour change. Signs were an ineffective method to communicate conservation messages but animal talks were much more effective in communicating conservation messages to visitors. However, elaboration did not increase after the training programme. This could reflect that the training programme was ineffective and a more intense training programme may need to be implemented in the future. It is also possible that visitors enter the zoo with an already high level of elaboration and attending a keeper talk is not sufficient to increase visitor elaboration above the threshold. Results of this thesis have implications for how zoo programming to enhance zoos’ abilities to foster conservation action in their visitors. Additionally, my results also have broader implications to the field of conservation psychology and provide insight for environmental communication community.</p>

The Application of Persuasive Communication Theory to Promote Visitor Conservation Behaviour at Wellington Zoo

<p>Zoos can play a key role in conservation by facilitating behaviour change in their 600 million visitors annually. However, while numerous articles reinforce the potential zoos have in influencing conservation behaviour in visitors, only a few zoos have quantified the impact a visit has on visitor conservation behaviour. In this thesis, I applied a persuasive communication framework to develop a conservation communication campaign at Wellington Zoo, New Zealand. My results make a significant contribution to the body of literature that evaluates communicating conservation behaviour to zoo visitors and suggest future directions zoos can take to achieve their goal of facilitating conservation behaviour in their visitors. In Study 1, I determined visitor perceptions of conservation wildlife threats and the corresponding actions that could be taken to alleviate these threats. Visitor perceptions were biased towards global awareness of conservation threats with less awareness of local threats, a condition referred to as environmental hyperopia. Furthermore, there was an expert-lay discrepancy in the perception of local and global threats and mitigating actions. Based on these results, two conservation behaviours were selected to advocate to zoo visitors. To determine the content of the message, I applied the Theory of Planned Behaviour in Study 2 to identify the variables (attitudes, norms, and perceived behavioural control) linked to behavioural intention. The variance in visitor intentions for bringing cats in at night and for purchasing FSC wood products were explained by the TPB constructs, with visitor attitudes and norms both strongly linked to intention. Past behaviour also played a role in the habitual behaviour of bringing cats in at night, but not the non-habit forming behaviour of purchasing FSC wood products. In Study 3, I tested which method of communication (signs or animal talks) was the most effective for communicating conservation behaviours. I also tested if talks and signs based on the Elaboration Likelihood Model, implemented after a staff training programme, were more likely to increase visitor satisfaction, relevancy, and elaboration, all key cognitive components that ultimately influence behaviour change. Signs were an ineffective method to communicate conservation messages but animal talks were much more effective in communicating conservation messages to visitors. However, elaboration did not increase after the training programme. This could reflect that the training programme was ineffective and a more intense training programme may need to be implemented in the future. It is also possible that visitors enter the zoo with an already high level of elaboration and attending a keeper talk is not sufficient to increase visitor elaboration above the threshold. Results of this thesis have implications for how zoo programming to enhance zoos’ abilities to foster conservation action in their visitors. Additionally, my results also have broader implications to the field of conservation psychology and provide insight for environmental communication community.</p>

Enhancing green open spaces while conserving local genetic resources: Evaluating growth performance of five native tree species

Enhancing green open spaces in cities and their buffer areas has gained increasing recognition. While creating a more sustainable, liveable, and comfortable environment, green spaces could also provide an effort for plant domestication and conservation. We consider the potential urban greening and conservation action by planting five tree species consisting of one highly valuable and slow-growing species Eusideroxylon zwageri trees from four different origins and four fast-growing species of Duabanga moluccana, Anthocephalus macrophyllus, Duabanga grandifolia, and kayu papaya at the water reserve in suburban Ciherang-Bogor. Growth performance on mortality rate and the average height of the 4.5-year-old planted seedlings were observed to evaluate the adaptability and suitability of the species in the area. The results of mortality rate revealed that E. zwageri seedlings were ranged from 35% (from South Kalimantan) to 50% (from Jambi), while the four fast-growing species were ranged from 14% (Kayu papaya) to 83% (Duabanga moluccana) indicated that the mortality rate for the five species of seedlings planted varied. Whereas, the results of average height showed that E. zwageri seedlings were ranged from 196.15 cm (South Kalimantan) to 332.50 cm (Natuna), and four fast-growing species was ranged from 582.35 cm (Duabanga grandiflora) to 1411.10 cm (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) indicated that planting fast-growing trees in the suburban area is suitable to increase land coverage in a relatively short time, while slow-growing species are more suitable for species preservation purposes.