Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC / Nº 3 / December 2010 / Published quarterly / Price: 9 euros |||||||||||||||||||||||
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC / December 2010
04 12 40 60 Threatened R&D on Threatened Species: Supporting Socio-economic aspects species FGCSIC Proyectos Cero conservation efforts of conservation 03 LYCHNOS Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC
Nº 3 DECEMBER 2010
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC| Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 1 Executive Editor Reyes Sequera
Copy Editor Sira Laguna
Page layouts DiScript Preimpresión, S. L.
Illustration Lola Gómez
Translation Duncan Gilson
Published by
President Rafael Rodrigo Montero
Director Javier Rey Campos
Address Príncipe de Vergara, nº 9 - 2ª derecha; Madrid 28001
www.fgcsic.es
© Fundación General CSIC, 2010. All rights reserved. Use by third parties of the contents of this journal without the prior written consent of the copyright holder may constitute a criminal offence under intellectual property legislation.
Printed by: DiScript Preimpresion, S. L. Legal Deposit: M-33022-2010. ISSN: 2172-0207
2 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC CONTENTS LYCHNOS Nº 3 DECEMBER 2010
01 Threatened species: an introduction...... 4 Threatened species. Enrique Macpherson ...... 6
02 R&D on Threatened Species: FGCSIC Proyectos Cero ...... 12 02.1 Genomics and conservation of the Iberian lynx. José A. Godoy ...... 14 02.2 Studying Spain’s threatened plants: Are there still living fossils waiting to be discovered? Pablo Vargas ...... 19 02.3 How can we beat the invisible enemy of the amphibians? Jaime Bosch...... 24 02.4 “A step forward”. Economically viable farming and conservation of threatened bird species. L. Brotons, G. Bota, D. Giralt, B. Arroyo, F. Mougeot, C. Cantero and L. Viladomiu.... 29 02.5 The Patella ferruginea limpet: an endangered marine invertebrate. José Templado and Javier Guallart ...... 34
03 Supporting conservation efforts...... 40 03.1 The role of a germplasm and tissue bank in the conservation of endangered species. Eduardo Roldán and Montserrat Gomendio...... 42 03.2 Captive breeding programmes: an essential tool for the conservation of endangered species. Eulalia Moreno Mañas...... 48 03.3 Interview with Miguel Ángel Valladares...... 55
04 Socio-economic aspects of conservation...... 60 04.1 Studying and managing threatened species: the conservation biology perspective. Daniel Oro ...... 62 04.2 The socio-economic costs of biodiversity loss. Erik Gómez-Baggethun and Berta Martín-López...... 68 04.3 Interview with Cristina Narbona ...... 75
05 Forum ...... 80 The last chance. Javier Gregori...... 82
06 News...... 84
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 3 01
Threatened species: an introduction
01 THREATENED SPECIES |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Threatened species
The effects of human action on the environment are numerous and well documented. Plant cover is being destroyed at a rate of around 200,000 km2 a year. This means that over half of all tropical forests have been destroyed in the last 50 years. According to the author, in just half a century we have wiped out the product of between 50 and 100 million years of evolution.
Enrique Macpherson
Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes, CSIC
Imagine a field which is har- Our society still on regardless of the effect of about 200,000 km2 per year, vested seven times a year but our actions and will eventually and to date it has been accel- never fertilised or sown. Ridicu- has a simplistic end up destroying it. When an erating. This means that over lous? That is what we have view of what is oncologist diagnoses cancer half of all the world’s tropical been doing to the sea for no one calls him an alarmist. forests have been destroyed years. On average, every happening to our But anyone warning of the in the last 50 years. In other square metre of the seas on dangers faced by the planet words, in just half a century our continental shelf is ecosystems. tends to be met with scorn. we have wiped out the prod- trawled seven times a year. Although this view Our society continues to have uct of between 50 and 100 Any farmer would tell you that a simplistic view of what million years of evolution. that it is absurd, that you can- is changing is happening to our eco- not make a living this way, as rapidly, there is systems. And although this The root of the planet’s envir- you would be relentlessly view is changing rapidly, there onmental problems is basi- impoverishing the soil. And still a long way is still a long way to go. cally the size of the human yet no one says the same to go population the Earth has thing about the sea. This is Examples of man’s impact on to support. Before farming just one of many examples of his environment are numerous began to spread around what we are doing to our and familiar. Plant cover is 10,000 years ago, it is esti- planet, of how we are carrying being destroyed at a rate of mated that the world’s popu-
6 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| THREATENED SPECIES 01
The relationship between over-hunting and extinction is well documented. In the case of the sea, establishing this relationship is much more complex. / Photo: Enrique Ballesteros.
lation totalled some five mil- availability of food, particularly 10 billion in 2100. In the entire This impact is a consequence lion people. At the beginning Newfoundland cod, stocks of history of the Earth no spe- of technological development of the Christian era, two mil- which have since collapsed cies has come even remotely and obviously varies greatly lennia ago, there were already and have yet to recover. It close to this amount of bio- from one country to another, about 300 million people, ris- was in the twentieth century mass. and even from one individual ing to 500 million in the mid- that the growth rate really to another, depending on their seventeenth century. In the took off: there were 2 billion in Energy needs purchasing power, access to eighteenth century the world’s 1930, 4 billion in 1975, 5 bil- To these figures we need to resources, and means of population reached 800 mil- lion in 1987 and around 6 bil- add a second factor, because processing those resources. lion, and went on to reach a lion today. Although the rate man is not only a very numer- Most species meet their billion in the first half of the fol- of population growth has ous species, but is also able energy needs solely through lowing century. Interestingly, slowed somewhat in recent to exert an effect on his envir- their food intake and, conse- in Europe this increase was times, there could be 8.1 bil- onment that no other animal quently, their total demand is made possible by the ready lion people alive in 2020 and or plant species can. directly proportional to their
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 7 01 THREATENED SPECIES |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
population size. In the case of Most species meet realise what is happening by leading us to disaster at humans the relationship is not looking at our terrestrial eco- unsuspected speed. so direct, as the energy we their energy needs systems, where the effects of consume as food accounts solely through their human actions, such as for- In 1883, the then president of for just 12% of our total est fires and excessive urban the Royal Society of London, energy consumption. The food intake, and development, are leaving a Thomas Huxley, said that the total also includes energy consequently, their visible mark which we are fisheries of cod, herring and, expended on heating, trans- regularly shown on our TV in general, most marine spe- port, homes, industry, etc. total demand is screens. However, our con- cies were inexhaustible and This non-food energy comes directly science is much less troubled that nothing and no one could partly from current eco- by what happens beneath seriously affect them. Since systems (for example, wood), proportional to the surface of the sea. Indeed then this view has changed but much more of it comes we tend only to readily per- dramatically and we are now from fossil ecosystems (oil, their population. ceive what is happening aware that more than 65% of coal), which are favoured With humans this is within the first few metres of fisheries are currently either because they are cheap. the beach. heavily fished or overfished However, if their price were to not the case and that within 50 years, fish- include the external costs Our species is a quirk of evo- ing as we know it, will have arising from damage caused lution that is endowed in an practically disappeared. The to the biosphere and deple- intelligence other species do cod fisheries of Newfound- tion of resources, consump- not have. However, one can- land, once containing millions tion is likely to be directed not help but get the feeling of tonnes of fish, remain under towards more conservationist that there must a law of evolu- a moratorium even several alternative energy sources. tion that says that intelligence years after stringent measures has to end up making itself were put in place to protect The main consequence of the extinct. We are selfish and them. This is a catastrophe size of the human population, unable to see more than one unthinkable just 100 years and the misuse of resources, or two generations ahead, ago, and has enormous eco- is that our species consumes despite basing our values on nomic and social conse- between 30% and 40% of our loved ones and their off- quences. No family of fisher- the planet’s primary produc- spring. It is often said that we men, who have made a living tion. This is an unsustainable need to increase our popula- from fishing for generations, situation for any ecosystem tion because it is good for the can believe it. What is hap- and inevitably leads to the economy. Without this growth pening? How is a disaster of decline and disappearance of there can be no pensions, no such magnitude possible? many other species. There is consumption, there would be, The eminent ecologist, E.O. no lack of scientific studies in short, none of the things to Wilson, likes to illustrate this and papers alerting us to the which we have become with an example: “Imagine a disaster we face if we do not accustomed in recent years. lily pond. At first there is only change course. Fortunately, However, this implies ever one lily pad in the pond, but in recent years, some sectors accelerating consumption of the next day it has divided and of society are beginning to our natural resources, at rates there are two, the next day become aware of the situ- that double at ever shorter four, and this process is ation. It ought to be easy to intervals, and thus potentially repeated until the pond is
8 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| THREATENED SPECIES 01
Enrique MacPherson
Has a PhD in Biology from the University of Barcelona (1977), and has written more than 130 publications, 70 of them listed in the Science Citation Index (SCI). He has worked on 20 national and international projects and is also on the editorial board of the journals Aquatic Sciences, Crustaceana, Fisheries Research and Scientia Marina, all of which are included in the Science Citation Index (SCI).
A CSIC Research Professor in the Department of Marine Ecology at the Centro de Estudios Avanzados de Blanes (Blanes Centre for Advanced Studies), Gerona, he researches Benthic Marine Ecology, with a particular focus on coastal fish ecology and crustacean taxonomy. What must the Mediterranean have been like when people hunted seals the came to feed in the vineyards near the coast? / Photo: Enrique Ballesteros. covered with lily pads in find it hard to acknowledge impression that deforestation down by fungi and bacteria 30 days. When is the pond that we are doing something is not really a problem as it and the nutrients quickly re- half full? The answer is day 29. wrong. Hedonistically, we can be solved quickly by absorbed by the vegetation. And this is the risk we face.” hide our heads in the sand planting more trees and wait- The result is that removing the and do not want to face up to ing for rain. The truth is quite trees and shrubs leaves only Tropical forests our ignorance or our reckless- different. Many tropical soils barren soil from which the for- This risk can only be mini- ness. A couple of simple are extremely poor because est is unable to recover. mised by developing a better examples illustrate this. All too the bedrock has been leached Another example, and one scientific understanding and often people seem to believe of nutrients by continuous rain that has been the source of passing that knowledge on to that everything in a forest and all the existing nutrients absurd political wrangles for society. We should not forget grows quickly, smoothly, in a have been taken up by the years, and which again shows that many of the changes we Disneyesque world of lush vegetation. The plants, when a failure to grasp the scientific cause are irreversible, but we vegetation. This gives the they die, are rapidly broken basics, is the belief that the
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 9 01 THREATENED SPECIES |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
water in rivers is wasted when The main exploitation simply means kill- much more complicated. Who it flows into the sea. Has any- ing more individuals than the has not been scared of meet- one wondered what rivers consequence of the population can replace by ing a large shark in the sea? have been doing for millions of size of the human reproduction. And that was The truth is that it is as hard to years? What is responsible for probably what happened find a shark in the Mediterra- carrying nutrients to plankton? population, and the when the first humans arrived nean as a lynx in the pine Why are the estuaries of our misuse of resources, in certain areas where the woods of southern Spain. The rivers the most important wildlife had not evolved to fish our parents’ and grand- breeding grounds along our is that our species withstand such high levels of parents’ generations caught coasts? Without those waters, consumes between predation. were always bigger than those without the estuaries, without caught today, and those in these nutrients which are 30% and 40% of the Humans arrived in America their grandparents’ time were borne on the river’s waters, from Asia a little over ten thou- bigger still. In the late nine- marine plants (including phy- planet’s primary sand years ago and their teenth century, when bathing toplankton) would be much production arrival coincided with the dis- in the sea became fashiona- less abundant, as they do not appearance of approximately ble, many swimmers stopped have roots through which to 75% of the genera of large going in the water off the draw nutrients from the soil. mammals in North America beaches of Barcelona for a They can only assimilate them and 80% of those in South few summers because there if they are in suspension. America. The same happened were so many sharks. Early Without the rivers the seas in Australia, where man Spanish explorers to the would be very different and arrived about fifty thousand Caribbean found very different above all be very, very poor. years ago, and the palaeon- marine ecosystems to those tological record suggests that that exist today. Overexploitation in the following millennia Evolution cannot replace spe- almost all the large mammals, On Columbus’s second voy- cies at the rate at which they snakes, giant lizards, and age in two days of fishing they are currently disappearing. many of the flightless birds of caught more than four thou- The speed at which we are the island continent became sand groupers. Today fishing losing species is thousands of extinct. In Spain, mammals for them is banned in many times faster than nature can endemic to the Balearic places. What must the Medi- produce new ones. We need Islands (a species of wild terranean have been like to wake up to the fact that we sheep, a shrew as big as a when seals were hunted as are subjecting the world to rabbit, etc.) were extermin- they came ashore to feed in considerable stress, and that ated shortly man first settled the vineyards near the coast? countless species are already on the islands. The first well-documented extinct. No doubt, before extinction event occurred, not humans gave up being Going back in history, the link coincidentally, on an island, hunter-gatherers and started between over-hunting and and dates back to 1681. It to alter the landscape with the extinction of species is well was the dodo, a bird the size spread of farming practices, documented. The most com- of a turkey and related to the over-hunting was already a plete data are available for the pigeon. It had lost the ability major cause of species extinc- terrestrial species. In the sea, to fly and lived on Mauritius in tion. In any ecosystem, over- documenting this process is the Indian Ocean. The island
10 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| THREATENED SPECIES 01
There are those who suggest that the current man-made extinction is not critical for the planet since it has already endured mass extinctions, but we need to bear in mind the enormous speed with which it is happening The current extinction is taking place within the space of just over a century. Previous extinctions took many thousands of years. / Photo: Enrique Ballesteros. was discovered by the Portu- lution nearly 500 animal spe- these cases, evolution took the less tangible. It opens the guese in the early sixteenth cies and 600 plant species more than 10 million years to door for optimism and for the century and settled by the were lost. Today the figures regain the lost biodiversity. message that the solution Dutch from 1598 onwards. are much higher and the most The current extinction is tak- does exist. Not only because The settlers hunted the dodo, conservative estimates put ing place within the space of it will increase our knowledge collected their eggs, destroyed the number at about 17,000 just over a century. Previous about the conservation of our their habitat and introduced species becoming extinct extinctions took many thou- nature, but because it will cats and pigs, which preyed every year. Some people say sands of years. Therefore, any intensify efforts to get that on the chicks and eggs. The that the current man-made efforts we make to protect our message across to society. species became extinct in extinction is not critical for the biodiversity will always be wel- Although the examples I have just eighty years. Apart from a planet, since it has endured come. mentioned here seem to sug- few illustrations, all that mass extinctions before, but gest otherwise, it is now when remains are a few desiccated that is to forget the enormous This Fundación General CSIC there is most reason for opti- parts at the University of speed at which the current Proyectos Cero call for project mism. We have never had so Oxford; all that is left of a process is occurring. proposals on endangered much data and information specimen that was nearly species is a ray of hope in the about how our ecosystems destroyed by a fire in the late Over the past 500 million fight against the insensitivity work and how to protect eighteenth century. years there have been five to the deterioration of our them. We will never be so great extinctions comparable environment. The approved close to starting to protect the Between the seventeenth to that being caused by projects cover a wide variety most endangered species: century and the industrial revo- human expansion. In each of of species, from the iconic to ours.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 11 02
R&D on Threatened Species: FGCSIC Proyectos Cero
02.1 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genomics and conservation of the Iberian lynx
Sequencing the genome of the Iberian lynx will yield valuable information that might soon be lost if the species were to become extinct. At the same time it will generate useful resources and tools for research into the biology and evolution of the species and its conservation.
José A. Godoy
Estación Biológica Doñana, CSIC
The current biodiversity The loss of genetic only be addressed from a critical state and thus crisis multidisciplinary perspective exposed to the risk of extinc- The loss of biological diversity diversity represents that takes into account the tion due to random natural is one of the most serious a decrease in the cultural, economic and politi- environmental or demo- and worrying aspects of the cal dimensions as well as the graphic events, even after the current man-made crisis. The adaptive capacity biological aspects. It is clear original causes of their latest review of the state of of the species that much of the effort needs decline have been tackled. global biodiversity by the to be oriented towards redu- Changes in the genetic com- International Union for Con- cing the impact of factors position of the populations servation of Nature (IUCN) that have led to this situation, resulting from decline and reports that the survival of such as habitat destruction fragmentation are adding to around 25% of the species and fragmentation, pollution, the risks inherent in this situ- evaluated is compromised in overexploitation and invasion ation in a fundamental way. the short term to some by alien species. However, These changes limit the pos- degree. Slowing this process many species, which have sibilities for recovery, by cre- of mass extinction is a formi- been reduced to small and ating a perverse feedback dable challenge for society isolated populations over the spiral that has been termed today, and one which can decades may remain in this the “extinction vortex”.
14 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.1
José A. Godoy
Introduced genetics at the Estación Biológica Doñana (EBD) in 1997 by setting up a Molecular Ecology Laboratory, and since then he has coordinated the laboratory (up until December 2007) and collaborated with other EBD researchers to incorporate molecular markers and techniques in the study of ecology, population biology, and evolution, covering a broad spectrum of populations and taxonomic groups. His research has centred on the inference of demographic and evolutionary processes based on the description of genetic variation in natural populations, and his work includes the development and application of molecular assays to identify species, gender and individuals. The species he has studied include some of the most emblematic threatened Iberian fauna, such as the Lammergeier, Spanish imperial eagle, and the Iberian lynx. He is a representative of the Genetic Aspects Advisory Group for the Programa de Conservación Ex-situ As an emblematic species, the Iberian lynx has also become a symbol and challenge for the conservation of threatened fauna in del Lince Ibérico. Spain, Europe and the world. / Photo: H. Garrido, CSIC.
Genetic aspects of the an essential part of the extinc- adapt. This is a particular con- Genetic analysis can also conservation of threatened tion vortex. First of all, small cern in a world in which envir- be used to identify popula- species populations tend to lose onmental changes are taking tions with sufficient evolution- In the past less attention was genetic diversity as a result of place with unprecedented ary divergence to require paid to genetic factors in spe- the effect of stochastic proc- speed. Moreover, small popu- independent conservation. cies extinction, as they tended esses referred to as “genetic lations suffer progressive The underlying reasoning to be overshadowed by the drift.” Adaptation to environ- increases in consanguinity here being that these popula- more obvious ecological and mental changes requires there and the frequency of perni- tions may have functional demographic factors. How- to be a pool of pre-existing cious variants, which often divergences that are poten- ever, theoretical predictions variants, the relative frequen- have negative consequences tially the outcome of local and an ever growing number cies of which change due to for individuals’ chances of adaptations. Mixing these of empirical and experimental the effect of natural selection. survival and reproduction, population groups could studies have shown the Any loss of genetic diversity compromising the population therefore result in less viable importance of their impact, therefore implies a reduction dynamics and increasing the or poorly adapted offspring. identifying genetic factors as in the species’ capacity to likelihood of extinction. Given the impact of genetic
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 15 02.1 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
the time taken. For example, in 2008 the genome of an individual of African origin was sequenced in one month at a cost of 250,000 dollars. The progress of these technol- ogical towards greater pro- ductivity and lower cost means it is possible to envis- age genome sequences Source: Rodríguez and Delibes, 1990 Source: Rodríguez and Delibes, 1990 being obtained at costs of less than 10,000 dollars, a SIERRA MORENA 173 individuals. goal that seemed out of reach 43 females. just a few years ago.
The genomic focus has meant DOÑANA a genuine revolution for 73 individuals. molecular biology, genetics 20 females. and, of course, biomedicine, by facilitating the discovery of Source: Rodríguez and Delibes, 1990 Source: Ministry of the Environment and Rural the genetic basis of numerous and Maritime Affairs; Environment Department, diseases and holding out the Junta de Andalucía, 2010 promise of personalised medi- Around 1900 it was easy to find Iberian lynxes all over Spain. As the maps show, the rapid decline and fragmentation of the species cine. By contrast, the poten- in recent decades has caused the population to drop to just over 200 individuals in two separate and unconnected populations in Doñana and Andújar. tial of genomics for the study of ecology, evolution and con- factors on species survival, ever, the dynamics of neutral scientific milestones of the servation, although it is just describing genetic patterns variation and adaptive vari- 20th century. It represented beginning to emerge, has still and assessing genetic risks ation in a process of decline the culmination of decades of largely to be developed. In the are now among the funda- may differ substantially, due research into genetics and context of threatened species, mental goals of any conser- to the possible contribution molecular biology and inau- the genomic applications will vation programme. Thus, the of selection. This limitation of gurated the genomic era, a have a very considerable great majority of the genetic the traditional genetic new age full of promise and impact on at least three studies on threatened spe- approach to the analysis challenges. The cost of the important aspects. Firstly, cies carried out to date have of threatened species can human genome project has massive sequencing of a few analysed the variation in now be overcome by using been estimated at 2.7 billion random individuals will enable a few anonymous regions the genomic approach that dollars and the project the identification of thousands of the genome, on the new technology has made required more than ten years of polymorphisms distributed assumption that genetic vari- feasible. to complete. In recent years, throughout the genome with ation in these regions reflects the emergence of second potentially known genomic overall genetic variation and, The genomic revolution generation sequencing tech- locations and functions. in particular, the relatively Sequencing the human niques has revolutionised the small functional component genome in the late 90s is genomic field by substantially Secondly, these markers will involved in adaptation. How- considered one of the great reducing both the cost and contribute more robust esti-
16 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.1
mates of overall variation. The potential of emblematic endangered spe- decades and alerts to the They will make it possible to cies on the Iberian peninsula, risks from the likely loss of access the functional compon- genomics for the where it has become a sym- adaptive diversity and the ent of both beneficial and per- study of ecology, bol of conservation. More- negative effects of the build nicious genetic variations, over, it is also a huge challenge up of pernicious alleles and and they will enable more evolution and for government, scientists consanguinity over time, and detailed analysis of the demo- conservation, and experts involved in its worrying signs are starting to graphic and evolutionary preservation. The species accumulate. processes that have operated although it is also has the dubious honour on the species in the past. beginning to of being the world’s most The species is currently sub- The possibility of accessing threatened cat and has been ject to intensive monitoring the functional component emerge, has still classed as “critically endan- and conservation measures. of genomic variation will en- largely to be gered” by the International These include an ex situ con- able local adaptations to be Union for Conservation of servation programme and detected and adaptive diver- developed Nature (IUCN). Once abun- measures to translocate gences between populations dant and widespread across specimens between popula- to be quantified. It will also the Iberian peninsula, the tions, as well as reintroduc- allow natural genetic risks rapid decline and fragmenta- tion, with the first releases to be assessed better and tion suffered by the species taking place in 2009. The sci- genes responsible for disease during the 20th century has entific monitoring of these or congenital deformities left less than 250 individuals activities is generating a large identified. This information will in two remaining populations volume of information about facilitate the design of genetic in Doñana and Andújar (see the biology of the species, management strategies to maps). including health, aetiology, preserve local adaptations reproduction, demography, and maximise the species’ The decline and fragmentation and genetic information, at adaptive potential, and mini- of Iberian lynx populations both populational and individ- mise risks. seems to have had a dramatic ual levels. effect on the genetic variation Finally, in third place, genomic within the species. Previous All these factors make the Ibe- techniques will make better esti- studies, based on nuclear rian lynx a unique model with mates of kinship possible and microsatellites, have shown which to explore and apply enable multigenerational pedi- contemporary levels of diver- genomic approaches to con- grees to be reconstructed in sity which are extremely low in servation and investigate the wild populations. This is a goal comparison with those of effects of decline on non-neu- for which the use of just a few other cat species, and more tral genetic diversity and its molecular markers has shown revealing still, with the diver- implications for individual via- itself to be inadequate in the sity of the species in the bility and population dynamics. majority of natural scenarios. recent past, where this has been estimated based on an An FGCSIC Proyectos Ceros The Iberian lynx, an emblem analysis of museum speci- project: Sequencing the and a model mens. These results indicate genome of the Iberian lynx The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardi- that genetic drift has played a Sequencing the genome of nus) is perhaps the most fundamental role in recent the Iberian lynx will yield valu-
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 17 02.1 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
first mammal genome to be fully sequenced in Spain, drawing upon the technology potential and experience accumulated in the sequen- cing and analysis of the genomes of other organisms. Secondly, it will become one of the first complex genomes sequenced de novo using only new sequencing tech- nologies, and one of the first genomes of an endangered species to be obtained, with the object, inter alia, of aiding in its conservation. The only precedent to date is that of the giant panda, the first draft of the genome of which was published just a few months ago. Finally, given the iconic nature and high profile of the species, this project will also contribute to publicising the The Iberian lynx is subject to intensive monitoring at both populational and individual level, including health, reproductive, potential of Spanish science demographic and genetic aspects. / Photo: H. Garrido, CSIC. at the national and interna- tional level, and highlight the social value of science. able information that might be with that of the Eurasian lynx and captive populations. lost in the near future if the and other cats will enable the Finally, it is to be hoped that Saving the Iberian lynx and species were to become genomic changes that have the resources produce other endangered species extinct. At the same time it will made our lynx unique to be encourage and support fur- remains a formidable chal- produce useful resources and identified and the evolutionary ther research into specific lenge. While preserving the tools for research on the biol- history of the group to be aspects of the biology of the habitats and eliminating ogy and evolution of the spe- reconstructed. Among other Iberian lynx. direct threats are the immedi- cies and its conservation. The uses, sequencing several Ibe- ate priorities, and require bioinformatic analysis of the rian lynxes will enable thou- Apart from its interest from decisive action, the effective genome sequence will enable sands of polymorphisms to be the scientific and conserva- recovery of the species may an annotated draft to be pre- identified. These will make it tion point of view, this project depend on new scientific pared, inventorying the set of possible to study the animal’s embraces an important inno- knowledge, such as that genes and other genomic ele- genetic patterns, demo- vative and strategic compo- which unravelling the Iberian ments. Comparing the graphic history, and even nent. Firstly, the genome of lynx’s genome may help us genome of the Iberian lynx reconstruct pedigrees in wild the Iberian lynx will be the obtain.
18 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.2
Studying Spain’s threatened plants: Are there still living fossils waiting to be discovered?
The author believes an intensive study is warranted, focusing primarily on five genera of flowering plants: Avellara, Castrilanthemum, Gyrocaryum, Naufraga and Pseudomisopates. These meet two of the three criteria for living fossils, i.e. taxonomic isolation, as they all consist of a single species, and geographic isolation, as they all have a small populations with just a few individuals.
Pablo Vargas
Real Jardín Botánico de Madrid, CSIC
he study of plant con- Flora (covering both the main- The Iberian greater crime than the fines servation in Spain has land and the islands) has yet occasionally imposed, how- T expanded enormously to be prepared. Nevertheless, Peninsula is home ever, was the list of endan- over the past ten years. Our some preliminary attempts gered plants published shortly knowledge base of plant were made to publicise the to considerable afterwards in national and diversity has been built up conservation status of some plant biodiversity, regional official bulletins, over the centuries, but it was species in the 80s with the which unfortunately led to not until the late twentieth publication of a red book with more than misguided legislation. There- century that it became con- (Gómez Campo et al. 1987) eight thousand fore, the initiative by a group solidated with publications and a number of regional cat- of over a hundred botanists such as the partial Floras of alogues of threatened plant taxa (species and from all over Spain to draw up provinces, regions or the Iber- species, which in many cases subspecies) of critical lists on the threat sta- ian Peninsula and Balearic paid alarmingly little attention tus of the plants of the Span- Islands. A complete Spanish to scientific criteria. A far flowering plants ish mainland and islands at
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 19 02.2 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
the start of the 21st century on ously, not all these species A common By contrast, some plants the basis of consensus was face conservation issues. found in Spain have very few welcome. This was the first Successive assessments and misunderstanding individuals and populations, time this number of botanists reassessments of the initial is to equate and thus are threatened here had got together for such an red lists and books during the due to their scarcity, but are undertaking. This does not first decade of the twenty-first endemic species not endemic as they are mean that the results, century have allowed a thor- with threatened abundant in other countries. although subject to the strict- ough review of 747 taxa An example is the hornbeam est criteria of the International (Moreno 2008). Through the ones. An endemic tree (Carpinus betulus), of Union for Conservation of efforts of numerous botanists, which there are four small Nature (IUCN), are necessarily and despite the limited fund- taxon is one that is populations in Navarre and definitive. Far from it. How- ing received, 551 taxa were unique to a Guipuzcoa, but which is ever, these publications repre- monitored in the field over a abundant elsewhere in sented a turning point, partic- period of three years. After particular Europe. So, is there a special ularly so in the case of the list applying the most recent territory, regardless category for species that are of threatened flora published threat criteria defined by the both endemic and threat- in 2000 (Atlas of threatened IUCN (2001), the latest of the number of ened? The answer is no. flora) and the resulting red assessment of the “Red List” populations However, no one can be blind book (Bañares et al. 2004). (Moreno 2008) yields the fol- to the fact that the extinction 2004), both of which can be lowing results for Spanish taxa distributed in that of an endangered species that found at: http://www.mma.es/ (highest to lowest degree of territory is unique to Spain, and there- portal/secciones/biodiversi- threat): 25 extinct 308 critically fore involves an irreversible dad/inventarios/inb/flora_vas- endangered, 278 endangered loss of biodiversity in the cular and 610 vulnerable. world, is more serious than the loss of a non-endemic Data on plant biodiversity Endemic species should species that could be reintro- in Spain and the threat not be confused with duced from populations in a level endangered ones neighbouring country. The Iberian peninsula is home A common misunderstanding to considerable plant biodiver- is to equate endemic species Do all plants have the same sity with more than 8,000 taxa with threatened ones. An conservation value? (species and subspecies) of endemic taxon is one that is Another issue that is not flowering plants, though this unique to a particular territory, explicitly addressed in the lists figure varies depending on regardless of the number and and red books is the impor- authors and taxonomic cri- size of the populations distrib- tance (absolute value) of the teria. Of these, about 7,500 are uted in that territory. Thus, the plants to be protected. This is found in mainland Spain, the cork oak (Quercus suber) is something that needs a more Balearic Islands, Ceuta and basically endemic to Spain, scientific basis than simply the Melilla, while the Canary Morocco, France and Italy, anthropocentric value of Islands account for approxi- and although cork cannot be plants (for their nutritional, mately 1,500 taxa. These data obtained from trees anywhere pharmaceutical, and ritual place Spain in the lead in else in the world, it is not uses, etc.). Thus the classifi- Europe in terms of the number under threat given its abun- cation (systematics) of plants of continental species. Obvi- dance of all these countries. is the best starting point for
20 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.2
this purpose. When we talk of sil is understood to mean a taxa we usually refer to spe- surviving species with a cies and subspecies, as restricted distribution which reflected in the preceding para- has no surviving close rela- graphs. However, we must tives (i.e. its only relatives are not lose sight of the fact that fossils). While different defin- genera, families and higher itions of the term may exist, categories are also taxa. mean here those plants that are totally isolated from the Although they are all taxa, it geographic, taxonomic and seems clear that loss of a phylogenetic point of view as genus through extinction is a result of the disappearance more serious than the loss of a of other populations. Paradig- subspecies. That is to say, a matic cases in the botanical genus that is threatened world are the ginkgo (Ginkgo because very few populations biloba) from China, which is a remain of its sole species living fossil since all the other should receive priority over members of its family have other lower taxa. In Spain there disappeared since the are not many higher taxa as Jurassic. Another example is the only family endemic to the Welwitschia mirabilis in Spain’s latitudes (Aphyllan- Namibia and Angola, which is thaceae) is distributed through- a threatened genus of great out the Mediterranean. interest because in the Cret- aceous related species and Therefore, the absolute value genera were distributed of higher taxa is the funda- throughout Africa, Asia and mental argument being America. In Spain we have a addressed by the Fundación dozen genera endemic to the General CSIC Proyectos Cero Iberian Peninsula and the Bal- project whose title asks the earic Islands, of which five are question “Do all endangered rated “critically endangered”, species the same value?” a category just one step short The Castrilanthemum debeauxii is a species of daisy that went unnoticed until 1996. It is probably one of the genera with the best chances of being considered a living fossil. / (“¿Tienen todas las especies of “extinct plant.” Therefore Photo: Gabriel Blanca. amenazadas el mismo valor? we believe that an intensive Origen y conservación de study needs to focus primarily fósiles vivientes de plantas on these five genera of flower- have already been met, i.e. they all belong to lineages con flores endémicas en ing plants: Avellara, Castrilan- taxonomic isolation, as they that are distant from their España”). themum, Gyrocaryum, Nau- all consist of a single species, closest relatives? The first fraga and Pseudomisopates. and geographic isolation, as objective of the project under- Living fossils and threat- By the mere fact of choosing they all present small popula- way is to determine whether ened endemic genera five critically endangered gen- tions and few individuals. But these genera are relict line- From the point of view of the era two of the three criteria are they all phylogenetically ages. That is, we expect them concept of relicts, a living fos- for selecting living fossils isolated? That is to say, do to be poor lineages (single
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 21 02.2 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
most up-to-date conservation Spain to a single population in techniques and methodolo- Doñana National Park (Seville). gies available will be applied Another population located in to the population of the big Cadiz (Chiclana) has not been “five genera” to promote their located since 1927. Four popu- conservation. lations are known in Portugal. No phylogenetic studies have In particular, we need to find been carried out on this spe- out about the processes that cies, but it is expected to be led their populations to their very close to the genus Scor- current relict state so as to zonera. halt the most pressing causes of their disappearance. Fac- Castrilanthemum debeauxii tors affecting reproductive Populations of this annual biology, pollination, regenera- member of the Asteraceae tion, habitat and genetic diver- family have been found in the sity will be analysed in popula- mountains near Castril (Jaén), tions of each genus, given Guillimona (Granada) and that the level of knowledge is Cabrillo (Jaén). However, only surprisingly poor and frag- the population in Sierra de Island environments are extremely fragile. Thus the Canary and Balearic Islands are mentary. The ultimate goal is Guillimona has appeared sev- home to a number of threatened species. One highly endangered endemic species is Naufraga balearica, with only two populations in northern Majorca./ Photo: Eva to try to detect the root eral years in a row this decade. Moragues. causes preventing their popu- It would seem to fulfil all three lations from recovering. Once requirements for it to be con- species) vis-à-vis the closest its nearest relatives. Therefore, these are known, the next sidered a living fossil because, lineages that are comparatively if the date of separation is prior step is to propose mitigation apart from its taxonomic and rich in species (relative phylo- to an event of historic impor- measures to help enable popu- geographical isolation, a pre- genetic criterion). It may also tance in Europe, such as when lations recover and, where liminary phylogeny indicates be the case that the lineage the Mediterranean climate necessary, implement meas- that it forms a sister group with studied and the other lineages became established, these ures for their reintroduction. two genera (Leucanthemopsis, closest to it are poor in spe- ancient lineages would match Prolongoa) containing about cies. Then, although the line the definition of a living fossil. Biological characteristics ten species (see picture). being studied has been recog- of the “big five” nised as an independent Study of the “big five” The five biggest genera Gyrocaryum oppositifolium genus on account of its mor- Just as the term “big five” is belong to different families of This is another annual plant phological characteristics, a applied to all five species of flowering plants and are dis- appearing capriciously in the second time criterion may big game (lion, leopard, rhino, tributed throughout various spring, and it was discovered apply (absolute phylogenetic buffalo and elephant) that provinces and regions of in large numbers in the town of criterion). By applying the were hardest to capture in mainland Spain and the Bal- Constantina near Seville, but molecular clock approach, we South Africa, we have earic Islands. has not been seen there again would be able to date the phy- adopted the metaphor for the since 1982. Later, in 1994, it logeny so as to find out when five critically endangered spe- Avellar fistulosa was discovered another town (in absolute time) it became cies in the “biggest” taxo- Perennial plant of the Aster- in Leon (Ponferrada) and again separated from the lineage of nomic range (genera). The aceae family now reduced in in Madrid (Cadalso de los Vid-
22 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.2
Pablo Vargas ever, limited sampling of spe- cies from other genera, espe- Is a researcher at the Real Jardín Botánico (CSIC), where he has cially of celery (Apium spp.) worked for 25 years, with a break to makes it impossible to know if take a three and a half year this is a case of a true living postdoctoral fellowship at Berkeley fossil (see picture). (California), Reading (England) and Mainz (Germany). He began in Pseudomisopates botany with floristic studies and This plant, belonging to the biosystematics during his pre-doctoral Scrophulariaceae family, has studies, taking a more evolutionary undoubtedly been studied focus in subsequent years. Although more closely than the others the geographic regions he has studied were mainly floristic regions of the thanks to a member of our Mediterranean and Macaronesia, has team (Elena Amat) devoting also studied plants in Africa, America, her thesis to it. It is now and in remote areas such as Hawaii known to occur in various and the Galapagos. His ultimate parts of the Sierra de Gredos concern has been, and remains, (Avila), with plants, distributed the study of patterns and macro in two population centres in and micro-evolutionary mechanisms the Serrota and the Gredos to explain the great diversity of mountains, both in Ávila (see angiosperms and their disappearance. picture), where it propagates He therefore ran research projects on endangered plants during the period by sending out long runners. 2001-2008 as part of a large team of researchers working on the Atlas de la The latest findings indicate Flora Amenazada de España (Atlas of that the sister genus (Acanth- Threatened Plants in Spain). orrhinum) which also consists of a single species, is distrib- uted throughout the Atlas The fact that Pseudomisopates rivas-martinezii is a genus of one species and few populations explains why it was not discovered until 1987 in the much visited Sierra de mountains in Morocco. It Gredos, where it is endemic. / Photo: Pablo Vargas. therefore fails to meet the phylogenetic criteria and should not be considered a rios) in 2000. The only popula- its taxonomic tribes remains Naufraga balearica living fossil. However, the tion that has been followed for uncertain. While we have This perennial plant belonging question remains whether the a number of years is that of been able to include this spe- to the Umbelliferae family can separation between the two Leon since the Madrid popu- cies in a phylogeny of the only be found in three popula- genera is old enough for the lation only appears in some family to which it belongs tions in north-eastern Majorca. absolute phylogenetic crite- benign years (for example, (Boraginaceae), lack of neigh- In 1981 a population was dis- rion to be applicable. That is, 2000 and 2005). It has been bouring genera that have covered in Corsica, but has the question is whether these classified as belonging to the been studied makes it impos- not subsequently returned. Its are two ancient lineages extensive Boraginaceas fam- sible to know what position it position on the evolutionary resulting from a separation ily, although its specific sys- occupies on the evolutionary tree has been studied in three before the Mediterranean cli- tematic position within one of tree. previous phylogenies. How- mate became established.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 23 02.3 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
How can we beat the invisible enemy of the amphibians?
According to the author, the greatest threat to amphibians in today’s interconnected world is a microscopic fungus that man is spreading across the globe. This fungus, known scientifically by the name of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, it has been dubbed the “killer fungus” as it is lethal for many amphibians that have never previously been in contact with it.
Jaime Bosch
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC
mphibians have been Amphibians have in the desert for years or com- hatch out directly from the on the Earth for more been on the Earth pletely frozen under the ice. egg on the ground. Some par- Athan 300 million years, Some frogs spend their entire ents carry their tadpoles, eggs and they have withstood all for more than 300 lives 30 metres above the or young about with them (see kinds of environmental ground in tropical forest can- picture), or even inside them, changes and managed to million years. They opies without coming down to and in some species the conquer almost every corner have withstood all the forest floor, and other adults carry their tadpoles up of the planet. In many ecosys- worm-shaped amphibians from the ground to a water- tems, they make up most of kinds of never leave their underground filled cavity in the plants that the biomass are critical to the environmental galleries. There are those that grow on the trees and then survival of other prominent live at altitudes of over 5,000 visit them regularly to deposit organisms that feed on them changes and have metres and others that never unfertilised eggs for them to and, in turn, they are essential managed to conquer leave the water. Some do not eat. Many species of amphib- to controlling the invertebrates have lungs and can breathe ians secrete poisons from they feed on. With over 6,000 almost every corner only through their skin. Others their skin to deter predators living species, certain types of do not need to lay their eggs from eating them; some sala- amphibians can survive buried of the planet in water, as the young frogs manders can roll up into a ball
24 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.3
Jaime Bosch
Is a CSIC staff scientist and vice president of the A s o c i a c i ó n Herpetológica Española (Spanish Herpetological Association). He is an expert in amphibian behaviour and acoustic communication, and over the last ten years his work has focused on the study of emerging disease of amphibians. He is the author of more than 100 scientific publications, has conducted several international research projects on amphibian conservation, and is an advisor on the management of amphibian populations in several protected natural areas, has designed several population-monitoring programmes and manages the Centro de Cría en Cautividad de Anfibios Amenazados de la Sierra de Guadarrama.
Male midwife toad carrying its eggs. / Photo: Jaime Bosch. and roll away from danger; many species are dying out agine how global warming, anyone yet knowing how to other amphibians can force without ever having been acid rain or pollution might avoid it. their sharp ribs out through properly described by sci- finish off many of them. How- their skin and pretend to be ence. ever, what is harder to imag- Probably the biggest threat to dead; some puff themselves ine is that countless amphibi- amphibians in our intercon- up to look bigger than they A killer fungus ans around the world have nected world is a microscopic are, or try to look unappetising But the really bad news for been mysteriously disappear- fungus that man is spreading to ward off predators. Yet all amphibians is the nature of ing before our eyes without us across the globe. This fungus, these wonderful adaptations the problem. It is easy to being able to find out what is known scientifically by the by amphibians have been imagine how most amphib- causing the disaster. This has name of Batrachochytrium powerless to avoid their ians might disappear when even affected protected dendrobatidis, and referred to becoming the tragic protagon- their habitats are destroyed or areas, hypothetical sanctuar- colloquially as the “killer fun- ists of the so-called sixth transformed by man, or when ies that should be safe havens gus”, is lethal for many extinction. More than a third of they are simply eaten by hun- from human action, without amphibians that have never amphibian species are now gry humans in the Third anyone knowing what is hap- previously been in contact seriously threatened and World. It is even easy to im- pening and, worse, without with it. In a manner compara-
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 25 02.3 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ble to how the smallpox However, what is the researchers went back to Since then, research has brought by European settlers the jungle to look for new come a long way. We now wiped out as many as 95% of harder to imagine specimen with which to con- know how the fungus infects the indigenous inhabitants of is that many tinue their research, they a m p h i b i a n s w h e n i t s the New World, the inter- found that the frog had dis- zoospores come into contact national trade in amphibians, amphibians appeared. And with it had with the creatures’ kerat- which began in the 30s for gone a possible remedy for inised skin. We are also able medical uses, food, biological around the world the millions of people around to grow the fungus using pest control or simply as pets, are mysteriously the world who suffer from this amphibians’ skin cells, and has been the route by which condition. see how it develops dis- this new and dangerous threat disappearing while charge tubes that literally has spread. we are unable to However, we do not need to pierce the skin to release new go so far afield to see the ter- zoospores. We also know Unfortunately, it is now too determine what is rible effects of this deadly fun- how animals die from heart late to prevent the large-scale causing the gus. In the Sierra de Guadar- failure, caused by chemical dispersion of the killer fungus, rama, Madrid, in the late 90s imbalance caused by the which has already reached all disaster we looked on in amazement growth of fungus, after a har- five continents and affected as thousands of midwife rowing agony (see picture). numerous native amphibians. Rica. Hundreds of these toads died for no apparent It is estimated that over 400 creatures could be seen each reason in Peñalara Natural We have learned that the fun- species of amphibians world- season until, suddenly, they Park, one of the best pre- gus needs relatively cool tem- wide are infected and more became rarer and eventually served areas. Ironically, at the peratures to grow and that it than 200 may have become disappeared in the space of time work had begun to dis- dies in the absence of water. extinct over the last 30 years just a few years. Nothing else mantle an old ski run in what We now even know how to as a result of the fungus. Inter- had changed in Monteverde. was one of the largest conser- cure infected animals in the estingly, while some species The forest was still intact and vation efforts made in a moun- laboratory with powerful fungi- tolerate the presence of the even other amphibians still tain area in Europe. And yet, cides. And we have found that fungus and live with it, over live there, but this unique nothing could be done to pre- some amphibian species have 90% of individuals of other species had disappeared for- vent the tadpoles of the mid- symbiotic bacteria on their species die quickly without ever. Another significant wife toads, which had spent skin that prevent fungal the population being able example occurred in Aus- anything up to five years in the growth, and that if we add recover. tralia, when scientists in the icy waters of Peñalara, dying these bacteria to infected 80s discovered a curious frog inevitably at the end of their amphibians we can save them In fact, we are just beginning in a remote jungle area. In the metamorphosis without even from certain death. However, to understand some mysteri- laboratory, they found that reaching dry land as their we do not know the really ous disappearances of the frog could keep its young ancestors had done 300 mil- important thing: how to elim- amphibians that occurred in in its stomach to avoid their lion years ago. At that time, inate the fungus from the envi- well preserved areas some being attacked by predators. nobody knew about the killer ronment or how to prevent time ago which nobody could They immediately realised fungus, but Australian and infected populations from explain at the time. For ex- that an animal capable of American scientists were becoming extinct. Thus, for ample, the golden toad was a inhibiting gastric juices in this beginning to suspect that the years the only alternative for striking creature that became way could be the source of frogs in their countries were the more susceptible species the symbol of the Monteverde an ideal treatment for stom- being wiped out by a new and populations has been to Biological Reserve in Costa ach ulcers. However, when organism. lock away a number of speci-
26 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.3
Midwife toads killed by the fungus in a mountain lake in the Pyrenees. / Photo: Jaime Bosch. mens in isolated compounds, The research fungus has reached and, in and altering the balance out of reach of the fungus. Spain is at the forefront of some cases, even how it got between species. Currently, some of the last few research on this serious prob- there. We also know that hundred specimens of the lem. The case of Peñalara some strains are more virulent We also know that in moun- species kept in captivity in Natural Park was the first in than others and that, unfortu- tain areas, climate change is zoos and research centres, in Europe, and since then we nately, in addition to mass exacerbating the problem, by the hope that maybe some- have not stopped investigat- mortalities, the fungus is raising temperatures and day it will be possible to return ing. We now know which spe- causing other devastating bringing them into the optimal them to liberty in their natural cies are most vulnerable, effects, reducing many indi- range for the growth of the environment. what parts of the country the viduals’ chances of survival fungus.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 27 02.3 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
But as well as studying its Interestingly, while tion in the pond water, or per- does not become extinct causes we are also trying to haps because an infected before we can find a definitive remedy the problem. We have some species adult had brought the fungus solution. tried to give a helping hand to tolerate the back to the pool. This was the more sensitive species by the first attempt made any- With the help of the Fun- creating or preparing sites for presence of the where in the world to clean dación General CSIC, the breeding, and we have estab- fungus and are an infected population by Museo Nacional de Ciencias lished captive colonies of the treating both the aquatic Naturales (National Museum most vulnerable populations able to live with it, environment and all the indi- of the Natural Sciences) aims (see picture). We have even over 90% of viduals at the larval stage. to test new methods of dis- tried to clean some popula- And although we did not ease mitigation under natural tions to rid them of the fun- individuals of manage to eliminate the fun- conditions. Together with Drs gus. For example, in Majorca, gus, we did bring the level of Jonathan Bielby and Trenton with the help of the Balearic other species die infection among the larvae Garner, of the Zoological Government’s Environment quickly and their down significantly. Society of London (ZSL), and Department, we captured Dr Matthew Fisher of Imperial more than 2,000 larvae of an population is Similarly, last summer, we College London, the project infected population of Bal- unable to recover took part in the first attempt will model the disease earic midwife toad and outside the laboratory, any- dynamics in the populations treated them in the laboratory. where in the world to use we aim to treat. We will also This was not easy because symbiotic bacteria capable of try to help the creatures this species lives in the deep eliminating the fungus. At an develop a degree of acquired gorges of the Sierra de Tra- altitude of over 4,000 metres, immunity so as to enhance montana, where it was rele- in the Sierra Nevada (Califor- their resistance to the dis- gated by the water snakes nia), we applied the bacteria, ease and combine experi- and Perez’s frogs that reached which had been grown in a ments on the virulence of dif- the island aboard ships in laboratory in San Francisco, ferent strains of the fungus Roman times. In our hands to the last few specimens of a with the transcription of its we held 2,000 of the just species of frog doomed by genome to try to reduce its 40,000 larvae of this species the fungus. pathogenicity. existing in the world and we had to handle them carefully. The result was similar to the Hopefully we are still in time We carried them for four experiment in Majorca and for the last Peñalara midwife hours on in packs on our after several months the toads, which today survive in backs, keeping them oxygen- treated frogs became infected captivity at the Sierra de ated with air pumps. We them with the aid of a heli- again, although their level of Guadarrama threatened washed them in fungicide copter. infection was also reduced. amphibians breeding centre baths and kept them at 14ºC The mathematical models we (Centro de Cría de Anfibios to avoid them metamorphos- Unfortunately, after several are developing predict that, Amenazados), like hundreds ing, until the torrential pool in months in the water the lar- fortunately, if we can reduce of amphibian species around which they lived was com- vae were re-infected. This the infection to below a cer- the world, finally return to pletely cleaned. Finally, when was perhaps because the tain threshold we can avoid their environment, which they the first autumn rains filled the fungus had survived in the mass mortalities and, at least ought never have had to pond again, we released dry mud and sparse vegeta- ensure that the population leave.
28 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.4
“A step forward”. Economically viable farming and conservation of threatened bird species
This project was created with the goal of making conceptual progress on the design and implementation of new approaches to the conservation of endangered species, aimed at improving their conservation in highly humanised landscapes such as steppe regions.
Lluís Brotons, Gerard Bota and David Giralt (1) Beatriz Arroyo and François Mougeot (2) Carlos Cantero (3) and Lourdes Viladomiu (4)
(1) Centro Tecnológico Forestal de Cataluña, CTFC (2) Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, CSIC (3) Universidad de Lleida, UDL and (4) the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, UAB
or many people, steppe Natural and man- scapes and the vast array of tutions being retained that habitats remain inhospi- made arid and specific organisms that inhabit have disappeared from many Ftable, arid, uninteresting them. other places, as a result of and lifeless areas. steppe lands have more intensive farming tech- Arid and steppe regions, niques, greater population Those of us who have remained relatively whether natural or the product density, or changes in trad- devoted ourselves to studying unchanged until of human action (pseudo- itional practices. and disseminating their nat- steppes), have until recently ural value are accustomed to recently remained relatively undis- Interest in the study of the the expression of surprise, if turbed or have been sub- ecology and conservation of not scepticism, that appears jected only to low intensity steppe habitats and their on many people’s faces when farming. In these areas, the associated birdlife has risen in we explain the incalculable harshness of conditions led to parallel with a growing aware- value of the steppe land- land uses, customs and insti- ness of the increasing threat
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 29 02.4 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
to these environments and More intensive or reversing the decline of systems affected. However, their gradual disappearance. steppe bird populations in a the environmental measures Currently, the most threatened farming has been highly humanised setting such intended for implementation in bird assemblages in Europe one of the most as farmland requires a major agricultural areas have to be inhabit farmland, with the con- effort on the part of all actors put into practice by farmers, servation status of more than important factors (government, farmers, scien- who are the landowners and 80% of species a cause for tists, civil society, etc.) to en- beneficiaries of the funds. concern. In this context, its in the loss of able management and conser- bio-geographic and taxo- biodiversity in vation in the immediate future. This makes assessment of the nomic singularity means Spain environmental, economic and has a huge conservation farmland and Conservation efforts in these agronomic consequences of responsibility, as many of the steppe areas often fail when they take possible environmental meas- Spanish farmland birds are the traditional approach ures essential to maintain their steppe birds, and our country environments based on creating protected impact over time and imple- is home to most if not all areas with strict limitations on ment them successfully. Europe’s populations of them. human activities and resource These species include the usage. In the case of steppe It is against this backdrop that great bustard (otis tarda), little birds whose habitat is exten- the “Un paso adelante” project bustard (tetrax tetrax), the pin- sively farmed land, long-term has been set up, with the tailed sandgrouse (pterocles conservation will only be feas- explicit goal of making con- alchata), the black-bellied ible if we are able to integrate ceptual progress towards the sandgrouse (pterocles orien- species’ ecological require- design and implementation of talis) and a large community of ments into agricultural prac- new approaches to the con- various types of larks, and tices and that these practices servation of endangered spe- other birds. are economically viable so cies, with a view to improving that farmers agree to them the conservation of highly and adopt them. humanised landscapes such Halting the decline of steppe as steppe regions. The project bird populations The European Union’s Com- will be implemented in two Much of the Spanish steppe is mon Agricultural Policy (CAP), pilot areas, one in the Ebro val- the result of man’s action over and its associated measures, ley and the other on the the centuries, produced by have been identified as the ‘meseta’ or plateau of Castile extensive livestock farming main driving force behind the La Mancha, both of which are (ranching) and dry-land farm- processes of intensification home to a rich community of ing, and it is precisely recent and neglect suffered by many steppe birds and similar land- changes in these practices European agricultural systems scapes, dominated by the cul- which are leading to a decline of high conservation value. tivation of rain-fed winter in bird populations. Various Paradoxically, and especially cereal. The work is based on aspects of more intensive since the last round of reform formulating various different farming have been, and in 2003, the CAP is also agricultural and landscape remain, one of the most expected to have a decisive scenarios, drawing upon local important factors in the loss of role in improving and enrich- farming know-how, which will biodiversity in the farmed ing the environment and be evaluated in terms of their steppe environment. Halting enhancing the quality of the agro-economic viability and
30 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.4
One of the project’s main innovations in the field of conservation is that it takes farming practices into account explicitly in an integrated way. /Photo: Carlos Cantero.
suitability to provide a home for influencing the landscapes representative biotic informa- evaluate the spatial variability threatened steppe bird popu- into conservation strategies. tion and the availability of and quality of habitat for the lations. The second is methodological spatially continuous environ- modelled species and identify and aims to develop models mental variables for a partic- the environmental variables The “Un paso adelante” that integrate key ecological ular area of interest. The inte- that determine them. These project processes so as to determine gration of biotic information techniques have enjoyed The aim of this project is to changes in the distribution of and environmental variables considerable success in address two challenges cur- species, resulting from the using specific statistical tech- recent years, helping us to rently being faced by conser- impact of the different agro- niques and GIS tools (Geo- understand the distribution vation biology. The first is con- nomic scenarios formulated. graphic Information Systems) and current status of various ceptual and refers to the enables the generation of different biotic groups (birds, integration (explicit and from Predictive modelling of spe- high-resolution mapping, in mammals, arthropods, the outset) of human activities cies is based on the use of turn making it possible to plants, etc.), but only recently
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 31 02.4 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
have they been evaluated in The project will be tions. Scenario building considered on the species terms of their potential to requires detailed knowledge under study, together with generate scenarios describ- implemented in of a particular region’s poten- information about their viability ing changing environmental two pilot areas, one tial and its future prospects in and costs in both economic conditions in a given area. both social and economic and farming terms. The results in the Ebro valley terms. of these scenarios will be inte- One of the main innovations of and the other on grated into a decision-support the project in the field of con- The definition and analysis of tool so as to allow detailed servation is the explicit con- the plateau of these farming scenarios for prior evaluation of the impact sideration of farming practices Castile La Mancha each of the study areas will be of subsequent agronomic in an integrated way. This inte- based on information already decisions. It will culminate in a gration includes those prac- in the public domain together variety of communication tices based purely on agricul- with that provided by local activities aimed at promoting tural principles as well as farmers and various other the use of these tools by local those based on conservation. stakeholders. actors in each of the areas in This approach will enable which the study is due to be farmers to propose farming This multidisciplinary approach run. practices that reconcile their has required the participation activities with the preservation of research groups working in The project also is expected of the species in the best way various areas, ranging from to have important scientific possible and on an affordable conservation biology of birds impacts on various fronts. basis. in agricultural environments, Firstly, the explicit integration to agricultural and rural eco- of different approaches adds Thus, the multidisciplinary nomics. considerable value, such that nature of this work not only the products generated from adds value, but is also forms Obviously, the “Un paso ade- both the ecological and from the core of the conceptual lante” project does not pur- an agronomic point of view is approach. Measures aimed at port to solve all the problems likely to arouse interest in the preserving endangered spe- of species conservation in the scientific community. The cies in highly humanised set- areas described. The ideas, conservation of endangered tings that fail to take social approaches and efforts put species of steppe birds has and economic factors into forward in the proposals not always been addressed account have a high likelihood described here should be from a broad approach that of failing to achieve the con- interpreted as a first attempt takes into account the con- servation goals for which they to develop new approaches straints imposed by the real- were designed. In this con- that integrate disciplines and ity of farming in the areas in ceptual framework a genu- yield a return in the form of which they live. The value of inely multidisciplinary team is more effective conservation this approach is further required, bringing together measures. Thus, the expected enhanced by its focus on a ecologists, agronomists, outcomes of the project will Mediterranean area, with a economists and modellers to revolve around a quantitative range of constraints and construct and assess the var- evaluation in space and time opportunities for agriculture ious different farming scenar- of the impacts of each of the that are very different from ios and assess their implica- different farming scenarios those in central and northern
32 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.4
Research Group
The project’s multidisciplinary approach requires the participation of research groups from various different areas. Lluís Brotons, Gerard Bota and David Giralt are experts in conservation biology of farmland birds working in the Biodiversity Area of the Centre Tecnològic Forestal de Catalunya (Catalonia Forest Technology Centre, CTFC). Beatriz Arroyo and François Mougeot belong to the Wildlife and Hunting Fauna Ecology and Conservation Group at the Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (CSIC Institute for Hunting Resources Research). Agronomy is represented by Carlos Cantero, a member of the Sustainable Agriculture for Arid and Semi-arid Farming Systems Group in the Department of Plant Production and Forestry Science at the University of Lleida (UDL). Finally, Lourdes Interest in the study of the ecology and conservation of steppe habitats and their associated birdlife has risen in parallel with our Viladomiu is an expert on rural awareness of the increased threat to these environments and their gradual disappearance. / Photo: Gerard Bota. economics in the Research Team on Rural Development, at the Department of Applied Economics at the Barcelona Autonomous University, UAB. Europe, where most previous “Un paso adelante” stands first round of Proyectos Cero The project coordinator, Lluís Brotons studies of this type have out as being particularly on Threatened Species, will (CTFC) has run lines of research on taken place. innovative. Given the need provide the tools and solu- landscape ecology, focusing on to generate predictions of tions needed to successfully determining the impacts of land use Finally, the spatial modelling the impact of environmental meet the challenges of con- change on biodiversity in the methods proposed in this change on biodiversity, this servation of Spanish steppe Mediterranean region. In this project project, and more specif- project will allow these regions and that the meth- his work in the field of spatial ically the planned develop- emerging techniques to be odologies developed may be modelling of biodiversity is ments in the field of the adapted to the study of helpful in other areas and complemented by the experience of dynamic modelling of spe- threatened steppe birds. We habitats where there is a other members of the group in analysing ecological, agronomic and cies distribution and devel- hope therefore that complet- need to reconcile biodiver- economic development of rain-fed opment of landscape sce- ing the “Un paso adelante” sity conservation and sus- farming systems prevalent in large narios, are identified as project, funded by the Fun- tainable economic develop- regions the Iberian Peninsula. areas of research in which dación General CSIC in the ment.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 33 02.5 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Patella ferruginea limpet: an endangered marine invertebrate
The Patella ferruginea is possibly the most threatened species in the Mediterranean, making it emblematic of efforts to conserve the marine environment.
José Templado (1) Javier Guallart (2)
(1) Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC (2) Universidad Católica de Valencia
he species of the Patel- It is easily with ten species in the North- fish in the rocky intertidal lidae family are com- distinguished from east Atlantic and Mediterra- strip. The variety of species T monly known as lim- nean, and Ansata (= Patina) decreases towards the sub- pets. This family includes five other with a single species in the tropics, and only a few spe- genera: Helcion, with four European Atlantic (A. pellu- cies have successfully species on the South African Mediterranean cidus). However, differentiat- adapted to tropical seas. coast; Cymbula, with eight limpets by its large ing the species from one The greatest variety of lim- species also living on the another is complicated and pets is found concentrated coast of South Africa, some of and sturdy shell the family’s taxonomy is along the coasts of South which extend to the north on with pronounced undergoing continual revi- Africa, while in the Americas both sides of the African con- sions. there is only one species of tinent and one of them reach- broad ribs this family, the Scutellastra ing the Alboran Sea (C. nigra); Limpets are associated with mexicana, which is also the Scutellastra, with about 20 temperate or relatively cold largest in size. This gastro- species in the Pacific and seas, which is where they pod lives distributed along Indian Oceans, mainly in the are most diverse and where the American Pacific coast southern hemisphere; Patella, they are the dominant shell- from Mexico to Peru.
34 | LYCHNOS | Nº3 | Cuadernos de la Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.5
Limpets have a highly uniform shell which is typically a some- what depressed conical or sub-conical shape, with no spiral winding and an oval or nearly circular outline. The shell is usually thick with prominent radial ribs. Patelli- dae anatomy reveals some very archaic structures show- ing them to be among the most primitive gastropods still in existence today.
The Patellidae are one of the most successful families of all gastropods at conquering rocky surfaces in the intertidal zone, a marine habitats sub- ject to some of the harshest and most changeable condi- tions. Many of their morpho- logical and biological peculi- arities can be interpreted in terms of their adaptation to this environment. They adhere strongly to the rock and are able to withstand dry conditions. They feed by Adult specimen of Patella ferruginea (approx. 70 mm in diameter). / Photo: Javier Guallart. grazing on various types of algae, mainly small-sized varieties. Very few species development consists of a Azores, Patella piperata in It is precisely this latter spe- have broken away from these short trocophore swimming Madeira, Patella candei in the cies which is the focus of this coastal rocky substrates and phase. Canary Islands and Patella article. those that have live on large lugubris on the Cape Verde infra-littoral algae. In some places limpets are islands. Patella ferruginea harvested for human con- The Patella ferruginea limpet Most species are protandrous sumption, which has severely Some limpets on the mainland is one of the most emblematic hermaphrodites (such that the reduced some populations. are included on various lists of species for marine environ- males are the smaller individu- This is a particular cause for threatened species, such as ment conservation in the als), although some species concern in species with small Scutellastra mexicana on the Mediterranean given that it is have separate sexes. Fertilisa- ranges, such as those Pacific coast of Central Amer- perhaps the species most at tion is external and synchro- endemic to certain islands, ica or Patella ferruginea in the risk of extinction. The shells of nous in both sexes. Larval such as Patella gomesi in the southwestern Mediterranean. Patella ferruginea are one of
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 35 02.5 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Javier Guallart of disappearing. This has led external colour of the shell in Has a PhD in Biological Sciences from the University of Valencia, where he to limpets being included on the case of clean specimens taught aquaculture. In the last few years he has worked on various projects various lists of endangered is rusty to cream coloured, related to two lines of research: studies on species of commercial interest, and species (Annex IV of the Hab- and marble white on the research on endangered marine species, particularly invertebrates. Much of his recent work has been carried out for the Chafarinas Islands National Park itats Directive, and Annex II of inside, with a darker central Authority, where he has been investigating aspects of the biology and the Berne and Barcelona zone (muscle scar) and dark population dynamics of Patella ferruginea for over 10 years. Much of the Conventions). It is also brown inner edge. The foot knowledge acquired has substantially changed some received ideas about the included in the Spanish Cata- of the adult is yellowish biology of this iconic species and helped lay the foundations for the logue of Endangered Species orange at the base and dark development of the National Strategy for the Conservation of the Patella ferruginea. He is a regular collaborator of José Templado and Annie in the “endangered” category grey on the sides. The Machordom’s team at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (National (BOE, 22 June 1999, no. 148: cephalic region is also dark Museum of Natural Sciences). 23921-23922). As a result, it in colour, with the blackish is the first invertebrate and, tentacles standing out. The indeed, the first marine spe- shell of juveniles measuring cies, for which a national con- less than 20 mm is highly José Templado servation strategy has been characteristic in that it is very Is a CSIC assistant professor at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales developed in Spain (published flat and has a small number (National Museum of Natural Sciences) in Madrid. His research has focused in 2009). of thick ribs that extend over on various aspects of the study of marine biodiversity including: taxonomic, systematic, evolutionary, biogeographic and genetic aspects and issues the edge, giving it a star- relating to reproductive biology and invasive species. He has participated in It is a conspicuous gastro- shaped outline. The back- oceanographic surveys in various parts of the world. His work has helped pod on account of its size, ground colour is an off- clarify the evolution of the mitochondrial genome of gastropod molluscs and the pronounced ribs visible white, with thick dark described 25 new species to science. He is an adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Rural and Maritime Affairs on issues relating to marine reserves on its shell, and because it concentric bands rising over and endangered marine species and has published several books on these lives above sea level. This the ribs. subjects. He has participated as an expert in the preparation of the Annexes has made the species easy to the Barcelona Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean, in the and tempting prey for man. Patella ferruginea is currently drafting of the Spanish Strategy for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Specimens can exceed 10 limited to the northern coast Biological Diversity and the development of the National Strategy for Conservation of the Patella ferruginea limpet. cm in diameter, but usually of Africa between the Straits they are no bigger than 80 to of Gibraltar (Ceuta) and Cape 90 mm. The larger speci- Bon and the island of Zembra mens can weigh over 180 g, (Tunisia), some parts of the most characteristic ele- below, it has been relegated or 65 g of flesh without the southern Spain, the Isla de ments of shell mounds from to the western sector of the shell. It is easily distinguished Alboran, the west coast of the Paleolithic to the Neolithic North African coast, isolated from other Mediterranean Corsica and Northern Sar- period throughout the western points in southern Spain, Cor- limpets by its large and dinia and the island of Pantel- Mediterranean basin, indicat- sica and Sardinia, and a few sturdy shell with pronounced leria, in the Strait of Sicily. The ing that it has been consumed small islands in the central broad ribs (between 30 and species appears to be extinct by man since prehistoric Mediterranean. The decline of 50), making the edge very today on the coast of the times. Perhaps due to human the species, which may have sinuous. The ribs are often French and Italian mainland, pressure, the species has been further accelerated by nodular and somewhat irreg- although there have been been disappearing from large the progressive deterioration ular, and the shell is often some relatively recent sitings areas, especially from the of the coastline, continues at eroded and colonised by on the Tuscan coast. The northern Mediterranean an alarming rate and many of epibiont organisms such as populations of Corsica and shores. Today, as detailed their stocks are on the verge barnacles and algae. The Sardinia also seem to be in
36 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO 02.5
decline. On the coast of the Adults are sedentary and Spanish mainland its range move only to feed, travelling extended from near the Strait short distances, which they GLOSSARY of Gibraltar to Cabo de Gata tend to do when they are (Almería) until very recently, washed by the waves, prefer- although populations have ably at high tide, and at night. progressively fragmented, When individuals finish feed- Rhodophyta: Red algae. declined and disappeared. At ing they return to the same present, it is estimated that resting place (i.e. they exhibit Cyanobacteria: Also known as “blue-green only about a thousand speci- homing behaviour). Each indi- algae,” cyanobacteria are a very primitive group of mens remain, distributed vidual therefore leaves a mark bacteria that are capable of photosynthesis. along the coast of Andalusia, or print on the rock as a halo but the population might not of calcareous algae grows in Diatoms: Group of unicellular algae common in be dense enough to repro- the space between the sole of aquatic environments and characterised by their duce. the foot and the edge of the having a silica-impregnated rigid or semi-rigid shell. membrane. It is on the North African coast where there are still thriving The robustness of its shell populations of Patella ferru- and the adhesive force of its Proterandrous hermaphroditic species: Spe- ginea. In Melilla and Ceuta foot protects the mollusc cies in which individuals are initially male and at there are large contingents, from many predators, espe- some point in their lives change sex to become and the Chafarinas Islands cially during adulthood. Its female. have the healthiest popula- main predators are Eriphia tions. Another enclave of the verrucosa and Pachygrapsus Intertidal rocky zone: This is the coastal strip species is on the Habibas marmoratus crabs, and the which lies between the minimum and maximum islands in Algeria. gastropod Stramonita hae- levels reached by the tides. mastoma, which is able to This limpet lives in the upper pierce the shell even of adults Epibiont organisms: Organisms living on the sur- mediolittoral level, where measuring up to about 60 face of other organisms. algae cover is very light and mm. Patella ferruginea is an imperceptible microbial considered a long-lived and Grazers: Animals that feed by scraping off small biofilm of diatoms, cyanobac- slow growing species. It does algae that grow on the substrate. teria and other algae prop- not reach sexual maturity agules predominates, on until the end of the second which it seems to feed. It is year of life and there is good Trocophore: Type of swimming larva characteris- almost always above sea evidence that it can live for tic of some groups of marine invertebrates such as level in the lower area occu- more than ten years. Some molluscs. pied by the Chthamalus stel- authors have suggested that latus barnacle and above the it can even reach 35 years, Vermetidae: Group of tubular shell gastropod mol- belt of red algae and the sea although there is as yet insuf- luscs (not spiral shelled) that live cemented on to snail Dendropoma petraeum. ficient evidence to verify this. the underlying rock. It shows a slight preference for areas exposed to the There has been some contro- waves. versy about the species’
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 37 AnuncioLYCH_ProyCEnve_AF_ENG.pdf 1 14/02/11 18:47
Call for Proposals 02.5 FGCSIC PROYECTOS CERO ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FGCSIC Proyectos Cero on Ageing We have set up specific a funding line to promote innovative high-risk research.
C
M
Y
CM Adult specimen (approx. 80 mm diameter) covered with barnacles and carrying a Picture of individuals of 3 limpet species coexisting: Left, Patella caerulea, in the juvenile (approx. 18 mm in diameter) on its shell. It is not uncommon for juveniles to middle Patella ferruginea and right, Patella rustica. The specimen of Patella ferruginea MY be attached to the shells of adults, which does not necessarily mean that was where is a small adult, measuring about 40 mm in diameter. / Photo: Javier Guallart. they started life. / Photo: Javier Guallart. CY
CMY
mode of reproduction. There population dynamics, as well such as the larvae’s ability to depth the reproduction of K is a marked gender segrega- as many other as yet unknown disperse, their location in the the species, both in the wild tion by size: between 25 and aspects of its reproductive water column or factors that and in captivity. The goal is 40 mm specimens are all biology. induce them to initiate meta- to use aquaculture tech- males, but at larger sizes the morphosis. niques to obtain juveniles proportion of females gradu- The annual reproductive cycle and thereby enable popula- ally increases, coming to pre- is concentrated in just a short In its first round ofProyectos tions to be restored if they dominate among groups of space of time (August to Cero on Endangered Spe- are affected by a natural dis- larger specimens. November), while the rest of cies, the Fundación General aster. the year they are totally sexu- CSIC recently awarded fund- These data strongly sug- ally inactive. Spawning takes ing for a project focusing on The field work will take place gested the species to be pro- place in late November, which this species entitled “Plan de mostly in the Chafarinas trandrous hermaphrodite. appears to be timed to coin- acción para las propuestas Islands (a protected enclave However, very recent studies cide with the first storms, de viabilidad de la lapa en where the best stocks of the Applications can be More information at have shown that individuals once specimens are mature. peligro de extinción, Patella species are to be found) and submitted from www.fgcsic.es | www.fgcsic.es/envejecimiento can change sex in both direc- After a short swimming larval ferruginea” (Plan of Action will take into account the 15 January 2011 tions, and not just from male stage the juveniles settle in the for proposals for the viability genetic structure of popula- Sponsored by to female. It is therefore ne- same habitat as the adults. of the endangered limpet, tions, both globally and locally Thematic areas eligible for funding: cessary to investigate the fac- However, many aspects of lar- Patella ferruginea). This in the archipelago, when con- Psychosocial research into ageing tors that determine this val life in the natural environ- project is due to last three sidering any future reintroduc- Research into technologies focused change of sex and its role in ment are as yet unknown, years and aims to study in tion of specimens. on the elderly
38 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC AnuncioLYCH_ProyCEnve_AF_ENG.pdf 1 14/02/11 18:47
Call for Proposals ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| PROYECTOS CERO DE LA FGCSIC 02.1 FGCSIC Proyectos Cero on Ageing We have set up specific a funding line to promote innovative high-risk research. publicidad
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY K FGCSIC
Applications can be More information at submitted from www.fgcsic.es | www.fgcsic.es/envejecimiento 15 January 2011
Sponsored by Thematic areas eligible for funding: Psychosocial research into ageing Research into technologies focused on the elderly
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 39 03
Supporting conservation efforts
03.1 SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The role of a germplasm and tissue bank in the conservation of endangered species
The various biological materials that are preserved in a germplasm and tissue bank can ensure the genetic diversity of a species almost indefinitely. Stored gametes, embryos and somatic tissues represent a means of overcoming barriers of space and time, allowing the transfer of genetic material between populations and its use many years after the death of the donor animal.
Eduardo Roldán and Montserrat Gomendio
Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC
he shrinking and frag- sure of the exponential growth The conservation of servation of biodiversity is the mentation of animal of the human population and preservation of the natural Tp o p u l a t i o n s i s a n intensive use of resources that endangered species environment (in situ conserva- increasingly common phe- this entails. However, in other implies maintaining tion). However, since it is nomenon. As a result, the species the most important not always possible to pre- number of species that are threat is over-exploitation. gene banks with serve natural habitats, this threatened with extinction is strategy needs to be backed growing all the time. In gen- What can we do to reverse genetic resources up with other conservation eral, the main cause of decline species loss? from natural approaches focusing actions in population size is habitat There is broad consensus that more directly on the animal loss resulting from the pres- the best strategy for the con- populations species concerned or obtain-
42 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS 03.1
efforts aimed at endangered species involve maintaining a bank of genetic resources from wild populations, but do not rely on captive breeding. Setting up a repository of bio- logical samples in a gene bank so as to conserve as much biodiversity as possible is nevertheless a crucial initiative that should be used whenever possible and it needs to start early, before the decline of biological diversity of the spe- cies concerned is too far advanced.
Both types of efforts, in-situ and ex-situ conservation, should not be seen as mutu- ally exclusive alternatives. On the contrary, they should be considered complementary and interacting approaches, as they enrich each other and bolster conservation efforts, making them more likely to succeed. A number of ex- amples currently exist, such as the Iberian lynx conservation programme, demonstrating the advantages of advancing on these two fronts simultan- eously.
Creating a repository of biological samples in a gene bank is crucial. / Photo: Eduardo Roldán. Consequences of shrinking animal populations Natural populations may ing, storing and using biologic- tion of measures such as cap- that the two types of initiative, decrease in size because indi- al materials taken from them. tive breeding programmes namely, captive breeding and viduals fail to reproduce, This second case (known as and/or banks of genetic genetic resource banks, do because mortality increases, or ex-situ conservation) involves resources to conserve bio- not necessarily have to go for a combination of these two the design and implementa- materials. It should be noted together. Some conservation reasons. The smaller number
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 43 03.1 SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of individuals increases the One of the primary It is also of particular interest other species of lynx and probability that related animals to determine the effect of South American cats. In col- will mate with one another, objectives of the inbreeding on sperm DNA, laboration with other institu- hence leads to increased conservation and how this might affect tions, we are also running inbreeding and reduced embryo viability. Our research conservation initiatives on genetic variability. This is efforts using gene has shown for the first time emblematic species such as already known to have nega- banks is to try to that DNA damage to the North African gazelles and the tive effects on female repro- sperm increases in parallel giant panda. Currently the duction and the survival of off- preserve as much with inbreeding, and that it Bank operates as a research spring and juveniles, but there genetic diversity as can reach surprisingly high facility of the CSIC’s Museo is as yet less information about levels. It has also been found Nacional de Ciencias Natu- the effects on male reproduc- possible that the level of male DNA rales (National Museum of tion. Our research group has damage is related to sperm Natural Science) and is a part conducted a number of studies quality and offspring’s survival of the centre’s structure. on these issues, and found chances. that males with high levels of Types of biological material inbreeding suffered a reduc- Why preserve biological that are worth preserving tion in the quality of their material from endangered The primary focus is on pre- sperm, in terms of both motil- species? serving “germplasm”, i.e. ity and morphology. Given Given that the reduction in the semen (sperm), eggs or that some of the sperm size of animal populations embryos, using the appropri- parameters affected by causes a decrease in genetic ate cryopreservation proto- inbreeding are crucial for male variability, one of the primary cols. This germplasm can fertility, it is likely that related objectives of conservation subsequently be used for a males will suffer reduced fertil- efforts involving a gene bank variety of assisted reproduc- ity. This is particularly obvious is to try to preserve as much tion techniques. It is also in extreme cases such as that genetic diversity as possible. It worth preserving tissues and of the Florida panther, in was for this purpose that the somatic cells as they can which males showed a very Banco de Germoplasma y potentially be used in nuclear high proportion of abnormal Tejidos de Especies Ame- transfer techniques (cloning) sperm (about 90%). It also nazadas gene bank was set or to produce pluripotent seems to be true of the Iber- up, made possible by an stem cells. ian lynx, in which we also agreement between the CSIC found a high proportion of and the Ministry of the Envir- Assisted reproduction tech- abnormal sperm in the semen. onment. niques suitable for use with threatened species To date, most studies have Since its inception, one of the Assisted reproduction can examined basic sperm char- Bank’s objectives has been to offer a solution to the prob- acteristics. A study of the support conservation initia- lems caused by inbreeding. impact on sperm function tives focusing on the Iberian Reproductive technologies (e.g., mechanisms that pre- lynx and the European mink. can be a useful complement pare sperm to play its part in Over time, other animals of to conservation efforts fertilisation) has yet to be special interest have been because they facilitate genetic undertaken. included, such as various management and exchange
44 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS 03.1
arrange the conditions for the possible to collect and rescue capture, collection and germ cells and somatic tis- processing of samples (in sues from these animals that many cases in the field). It is would otherwise not be able also necessary to conduct to reproduce. preliminary research (usually using model species) so as to The various biological mater- explore appropriate condi- ial that are preserved in the tions for processing, evaluat- germplasm and tissue bank ing and storing biological ensure genetic diversity of the material and, last but not species almost indefinitely. least, sources of funding need Gametes, embryos and to be secured to initiate the somatic tissues preserved in work and, above all, to ensure this way may be used without it has continuity. limitations of time and space, as they can allow genetic When organising endangered material to be transferred species breeding pro - between populations and be grammes, opportunities arise used many years after the to collect and store gametes death of the donor animal. under more controlled condi- tions and from individuals that enjoy better health and Collection and cryopreser- nutrition. A captive breeding vation of semen. Artificial programme can be inte- insemination grated within a broader strat- The storage of spermatozoa egy of ex-situ conservation by cryopreservation is an and, where possible, should essential tool in the conserva- serve to support in-situ con- tion of gametes and in genetic servation measures. Thus, management that is suitable the experience on reproduc- for both captive populations tive health issues deriving and for those in the wild. As from the Iberian lynx ex-situ part of a project to develop conservation programme has assisted reproduction tech- been used to collect, handle niques for three species of and store cells from the male North African gazelles (Cuvi- Dama gazelle spermatozoa. / Photo: Eduardo Roldán. germ line of individuals in the er’s gazelle, dama gazelle and wild. dorcas gazelle) we have examined factors affecting the between populations. How- put together teams of people In some species, including the success of semen cryopreser- ever, it is not easy to imple- who have the necessary Iberian lynx, some animals vation. As a result of this ment assisted reproduction backgrounds and experience, also unfortunately killed while series of studies, we obtained technologies in wild animals. It all of whom are working on crossing roads. The existence the world’s first gazelle to be takes a considerable effort to different programmes, and to of a germbank means that it is born using artificial insemina-
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 45 03.1 SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
tion with cryopreserved fits to be gained from the use Preserving able repository for the con- semen. of cloning in the conservation servation of the species. of endangered species. “germplasm”, i.e. In turn, in our work on freezing semen (sperm), semen from the Iberian lynx, Contrary to some of the argu- Production of gametes we have frozen sperm from ments made in the past, eggs or embryos, from embryonic stem cells this species, using protocols cloning could be of immense and somatic cells previously evaluated with the use in conservation efforts following the Embryonic stem cells are domestic cat and the bobcat. helping to preserve and even appropriate pluripotent cells produced These preliminary steps have increase the genetic variation from early embryos before allowed us to initiate system- in populations. Cloning could cryopreservation the point at which germ tis- atic conservation of semen be used to avoid the loss of protocols, is of sue layers form. These cells from both males in the captive unique and valuable geno- exhibit indefinite proliferative breeding programme and types and enable animals to considerable value capacity. Several research those living in the wild in reproduce without taking for conservation groups have shown that Doñana. Furthermore, using them out of their natural sur- mouse embryonic stem cells these techniques it has been roundings. can differentiate into primor- possible to recover and cryo- dial germ cells (PGCs), and preserve sperm from epi- For these reasons, we have subsequently, into early- didymis of dead animals killed begun to collect and store stage gametes (oocytes and on the road or which have tissues and somatic cells sperm). The immature mouse died from disease. from endangered species. In sperm cells produced in cul- particular, we have devoted a ture from embryonic stem lot of effort to cooperation cells are able to produce live Cloning by nuclear trans- with in-situ and ex-situ Iber- offspring. fer ian lynx conservation pro- This technique has attracted grammes to perfect tech- These possibilities depend on a lot of attention recently. niques for tissue culture and the availability of embryonic There has been much debate cell and tissue cryopreserva- stem cells. However, it is not about the potential applica- tion, both derived from easy to obtain embryonic tion of cloning in the conser- autopsies of animals dying as stem cells from embryos of vation of endangered spe- a result of accident or dis- wild species produced in vitro cies, as its possible use as a ease, such as biopsies of the due to the limited availability of means of ‘rescuing’ or ‘resur- animals examined during fol- material and technical difficul- recting’ extinct species like low-up of populations in ties. It is therefore worth con- the Tasmanian tiger, the nature or during health sidering using the nuclear mammoth or the Pyrenean checks and reproductive transfer of somatic cells with Ibex, has been suggested. examinations. As a result of heterologous oocytes in order However, apart from the this work, our endangered to obtain stem cells of these technical difficulties of this, species gene and tissue bank species. In this context, the conservation value is currently stores tissue and nuclear transfer could be highly questionable. These viable cells from over 250 much more efficient than isolated cases aside, there individuals of Iberian lynx, when used for reproductive are nevertheless clear bene- making it an extremely valu- purposes.
46 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS 03.1
Besides embryonic stem cells of possible applications to Eduardo Roldán it has been possible to endangered species, it may Has an honours degree in Veterinary Science, and PhD in Biological Sciences and develop induced pluripotent allow “synthetic” gametes to is a Research Professor at the CSIC’s Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales cells (iPS) from somatic cells be produced. It is conceivable (National Museum of Natural Sciences) in Madrid, where he co-directs the Ecology of mice and humans. This that in the future sperm gener- and Reproduction Biology Group (GEBIR). He has made postdoctoral study visits method, which does not ated in this way –with a virtu- at the University of Hawaii (United States) and the AFRC Institute of Animal involve the use of cells from ally unlimited supply– may be Physiology (Cambridge, UK) with support from the Rockefeller Foundation and the embryos, uses a minimum used in assisted reproduction Lalor Foundation. He was a Senior Research Scientist at the Babraham Institute combination of genes to of endangered species. (Cambridge) and Full Professor and Director of Animal Reproduction and transform a somatic cell, for Developmental Biology Programme at the University of London. He is also a example, a fibroblast, into a In short, the biodiversity of our member of the Real Academia de Ciencias Veterinarias del Instituto de España (Royal Academy of Veterinary Sciences of the Institute of Spain). stem cell with characteristics planet is facing a crisis and we similar to those of embryonic need to devise strategies to He specialises in the reproductive biology of mammals, with a particular focus stem cells. stop this decline and, as far on gametes, fertilisation and embryonic development and the application of as possible, reverse it. We reproductive biotechnologies to domestic animals and wildlife, including These results, which have humans are largely respon- endangered species. In 2005, jointly with fellow CSIC researcher Montserrat revolutionised the field of sible for this situation and, Gomendio, his work led to the birth of a baby Mohor gazelle, a critically endangered species, using frozen semen for assisted reproduction techniques. regenerative medicine, also therefore, have an obligation have important implications in to act. Scientists working in a the use of these cells for the variety of fields can all make a Montserrat Gomendio conservation of endangered significant contribution. species because the fact that Has a PhD in zoology from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom). After it has been possible to obtain The development and imple- completing her doctorate she became a Research Fellow at Trinity Hall and associate professor in the Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge. She haploid gametes from embry- mentation of assisted repro- joined the CSIC’s Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (National Museum of onic stem cells suggests that ductive technologies for Natural Sciences) in 1991, where jointly with Eduardo Roldán, she set up the it might also be possible to threatened species based on Ecology and Reproduction Biology Group (GEBIR). She is a corresponding generate gametes from these biological material preserved member of the Academia de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales (Academy induced pluripotent cells. in gene and tissue banks can of Exact, Physical and Natural Sciences). offer management options to Her lines of work include reproductive ecology, evolution of reproductive The use of embryonic stem promote gene flow. This task, strategies, the evolution of parental care, the role of sexual selection in cells or induced pluripotent which must involve many speciation, reproduction of endangered species, the deleterious effects of cells has outstanding implica- players, requires infrastructure inbreeding, and biodiversity conservation. tions because, again thinking and ongoing funding. She was the Director of the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales from 1997 to 2002 and Vice President for Organisation and Institutional Relations of the CSIC from 2003 to 2004. She is currently a CSIC Research Professor at the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales in Madrid.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 47 03.2 SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Captive breeding programmes: an essential tool for the conservation of endangered species
The aim of captive breeding is to to bolster an existing population or achieve a population size large enough to allow the species to be reintroduced into the wild in one or more of the areas which it historically inhabited.
Eulalia Moreno Mañas
Estación Experimental de Zonas Áridas, CSIC
o one can be in any from 1970 to 2007. According European zoos are significant role in the disap- doubt today about the to the International Union for pearance of many of these Nreality of the biodiver- Conservation of Nature involved in 71 species, which until recently sity crisis and environmental (IUCN), if we focus on the were abundant in the wild. destruction, apparent in the planet’s mammal species, endangered loss and decline of species 23% of them are threatened species breeding Given this state of loss of bio- worldwide. The Living Planet to some degree. The degrad- diversity tools are needed to Index (Figure 1) is one meas- ation of their habitats and programmes restore the populations of ure of this loss of biological fragmentation of their popula- some species. diversity. Its use as an indica- tions are often the main tor of global biodiversity causes of their decline, but In its Technical Guidelines on reveals that vertebrate popu- pressure from hunting and the Management of Ex-situ lations have declined by competition with domestic populations for Conservation almost 30% over the period animals have also played a (2002), the IUCN, says that “a
48 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS 03.2
Living Planet Index
INDEX (1970=1.0) Freshwater species Living Planet Index 1,1 Marine Species Terrestrial Species 1,0
0,9
0,8
Source: WWF and United Nations Environment 0,7 Programme – World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP – WCMC)
0,6 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002
Figure 1. The Living Planet Index is an indicator of the status of the planet’s biodiversity. It measures trends in populations of vertebrates occupying terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems.
goal of conservation is the habitat loss, climate change, approaches and techniques, efforts to prevent the total maintenance of existing cur- unsustainable use, and inva- including, for some taxa, extinction of some endan- rent genetic diversity and vi- sive organisms and patho- increasing the role and prac- gered species. Although it able populations of all taxa in genic organisms, can be diffi- tical use of ex situ techniques.” would be desirable not to the wild in order to maintain cult to control.” have to resort to these pro- biological interactions, eco- Captive breeding programmes grammes, they sometimes logical processes and func- And it concludes that “the are one of these ex situ con- represent the only alternative tion.” And it adds that: “The reality of the current situation servation techniques (i.e., and the last chance to avoid threats to biodiversity in situ is that it will not be possible to those performed outside of the extinction of these species [i.e., wherever it is found] con- ensure the survival of an the range of the species in in their natural habitat. And it tinue to expand, and taxa increasing number of threat- question) advocated by the is better to recognise this in have to survive in increasingly ened taxa without effectively IUCN, and may perhaps be time in order to implement a human-modified environ- using a diverse range of com- the most important tech- programme while sufficient ments. Threats, which include plementary conservation niques when it comes to individuals still remain in the
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 49 03.2 SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
wild in order to avoid one of the main pitfalls of captive breeding: i.e. that if the cap- tive population starts with too few founding individuals it will be too small to keep the genetic variability of the spe- cies at levels ensuring subse- quent viability.
The captive breeding of a species is a process which aims to achieve a population size large enough to allow, through reintroduction or rein- forcement, its re-establish- ment in one or more of the areas where the species was historically distributed. Although there are some spe- cialised centres for the breed- ing of endangered species, efforts mostly rely on the help of a multitude of zoos around the world. This means indi- viduals are dispersed in small groups across multiple breeding programmes, which makes more space available and so allows a larger total captive population to be kept.
But above all, it avoids the risk that the entire captive popula- tion is affected in the event of illness or an epidemic. The participation of zoological institutions in the conservation of endangered species through captive breeding pro- grammes has been crucial, In a captive breeding programme animals are not mated randomly. / Photo: CSIC particularly over the last 30-40 Press Office. years.
50 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS 03.2
Suffice it to say that, consider- identification is done by ing only species of mammals, assigning a so-called “stud- zoos are involved in 71 Euro- book number” at birth that TERMINOLOGY OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION pean endangered species acts as the identity card of the FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE (IUCN) breeding programmes of individual and allows it to be including those for grizzly identified up until its death. bears, orang-utans, the Ara- Reintroduction bian oryx and the cheetah. All However, although endan- The attempt to restore a species to an area where are backed by the European gered species breeding pro- it was previously found. Association of Zoos and grammes have shown them- Aquariums (EAZA), under selves to be a useful tool for Strengthening whose auspices they are the maintenance of certain The addition of individuals of a species to an exist- coordinated internationally, species, they should be con- ing, but small, population. and constitute the so-called sidered only as a means of EEPs (the Europäisches Erh- support for the maintenance Restored species altungszuchtprogramm in of wild populations but not as It is considered that a species has been restored German), the initials com- a substitute for them. They when its reintroduction has been successful and its monly used to refer to pro- represent one component in a future no longer depends on human intervention grammes of this type. much more general effort to but is able to survive on its own. preserve a species, which Animals in a captive breeding also involves habit conserva- programme are not mated tion, research to increase our randomly. Males and females scientific understanding of the The Finca Experimental La the recovery of endangered are crossed in such a way as species, and education, train- Hoya, where this facility is North African mammals on to preserve maximum genetic ing, etc. based, came into operation in the site. Thus the Parque de variability and to obtain a 1950. The CSIC acquired it in Rescate de Fauna Sahariana demographically stable popu- Finca Experimental La order to develop the experi- (Saharan Fauna Rescue Park) lation. For this reason pro- Hoya: a unique CSIC facil- mental component of the came into being, with the aim grammes use so-called stud- ity for the conservation of research then taking place at of preventing the extinction of books or pedigree record endangered species the Institute, which was mainly a series of ungulate species books as a management tool For almost 40 years the Span- related to plants of socioeco- from North Africa, namely the (Abáigar 2002, Barbosa and ish National Research Council nomic value. In the seventies, Gazella dama mhorr, Gazella Espeso 2005, Moreno and (CSIC) has run a facility at one the EEZA was transformed: it dorcas neglecta, Gazella Espeso 2008). These are a of its research institutes that was turned from a centre cuvieri and Ammotragus lervia complete register of all the has preserved and studied dedicated to research in agri- sahariensis. On 19 October captive animals of the species animals from the most abun- cultural sciences into one 1971, the Parque de Rescate included in the breeding pro- dant (and in some cases the devoted to the study of Natu- de Fauna Sahariana was offi- gramme wherever they are in only) populations of four North ral Resources. La Hoya cially established as a support the world. The books give African ungulate mammal underwent a decline in its and service unit for the EEZA details about their dates of species that are threatened or experimental work, a fact to carry out the captive breed- birth and death, individual endangered: the Estación which was exploited by José ing programmes of the four identification of parents and Experimental de Zonas Áridas Antonio Valverde, then a species brought there by Dr each individual’s location de Almería (Almeria Arid Zone Research Professor at the Valverde. Manuel Mendizábal, throughout its life. Individual Experimental Station, EEZA). CSIC, to set up a centre for then director of the EEZA,
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 51 03.2 SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Eulalia Moreno Mañas supported the initiative from the outset and Dr Valverde Has a PhD in Biology from the entrusted Antonio Cano with Complutense University, Madrid, and is a Research Professor at the Estación the task of starting the captive Experimental de Zonas Áridas (Almería), breeding programmes in Alm- CSIC. eria. She has published over 50 research papers and supervised seven doctoral The captive breeding pro- theses, and has been Principal grammes run at La Hoya Investigator for 19 projects/national and since 1971 represent a unique international contracts, and has initiative for the conservation organised several national and international scientific meetings, courses of ungulates. The work carried and conferences. A member of Scientific out by the CSIC’s EEZA has Board of the MaB UNESCO-Spain, and made a significant contribu- former member of the Comité de tion to preventing the total Reservas de la Biosfera de Andalucía (Committee on Andalusia’s Biosphere extinction of these species. Reserves) and of the Management Committee of the European Topic More than 30 zoos in the Centre on Nature Conservation of the w o r l d h a v e a n i m a l s European Environment Agency. Was on descended from those born in the Expert Panel of the Programa Nacional de Promoción General del Almeria and are member insti- Conocimiento-Biología de Organismos y tutions of the breeding pro- Sistemas (National Programme for gramme coordinated by the General Knowledge Promotion- EEZA (CSIC). In particular, Organisms and Systems Biology) and is a member of the Scientific Committee of three of its four captive breed- the European Association of Zoos and ing programmes are now offi- Aquariums (EAZA) and has been cially recognised at European coordinator of the European Cuvier’s level, namely those to breed Gazelle Captive Breeding Programme since 2007. Cuvier’s, dorcas and dama Eulalia Moreno with one of the Cuvier’s gazelle triplets born in captivity. / Photo: CSIC. gazelles, and it now comes under the aegis of the Euro- pean Association of Zoos and ensure the stability of their been ‘exported’ to zoos, Afri- biological material, mainly Aquaria (EAZA). populations. This objective can national parks and other reproductive cells of ungulate has undoubtedly been breeding centres. species kept at La Hoya, which The CSIC’s key objective achieved, as is more than have been used for assisted throughout the history of demonstrated by the increase As part of the infrastructure reproduction trials, resulting in these captive breeding pro- in population seen over the associated with captive breed- the birth for the first time in the g r a m m e s h a s b e e n t o almost 40 years since the ing programmes, and in collab- world of a gazelle produced by increase the number of indi- Park was set up: from an ini- oration with researchers at the artificial insemination with fro- viduals of each species, pre- tial stock of just 30 individuals Museo Nacional de Ciencias zen semen (Garde et al. 2006: serving maximum genetic of the four species there are Naturales (National Museum of Roldán et al. 2006). variability, and carrying out more than 800 today, includ- Natural Sciences), in 2003, a intensive demographic and ing both those currently at La Biological Resources Bank was As mentioned above, the ulti- genetic management to Hoya and those that have opened at La Hoya . This stores mate goal of breeding an
52 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS 03.2
endangered species in captiv- Captive breeding not continue after reintroduc- meet its primary commitment ity is to try to restore the spe- tion, and here again the worldwide in terms of conser- cies to one or more of the programmes for authorities in the country con- vation of this endangered ani- areas in which it was histori- endangered species cerned play an important role. mal, namely to conserve them cally distributed, through today and ensure their future. reintroduction or reinforce- should be The captive breeding pro- ment projects. But the suc- considered only as grammes at La Hoya have also Outreach cess of these projects has been an important part of sev- The CSIC’s mission includes been very uneven around the means of eral reintroduction projects, and communicating the know- world (Stanley Price & Sooare maintaining wild also with mixed success. The ledge it produces to society. A 2003) and its value as a con- model reintroduction to date visitors’ centre was recently servation tool is often ques- populations but not has been that of the dorcas created at La Hoya where the tioned. gazelle in Senegal. This project, public is offered an educa- as substitutes for led by Dr. Teresa Abáigar from tional and accessible view of Success depends on a variety them EEZA and launched in 2007, the part the CSIC is playing in factors, such as social and had the full support of the CSIC species conservation through political factors (the pro- authorities since its inception. It the captive breeding pro- gramme must be supported is now in its third phase of gramme that it coordinates. by both the government and development and making citizens), and scientific or progress towards the restor- The centre’s basic goals are: technical ones (programmes ation of this species in two wild- 1) to improve the public’s per- can be hampered by poor sci- life reserves in the country, ception of the importance of entific knowledge of various where only a few specimens maintenance and conserva- aspects of the species were left in the late 90s. tion of biological diversity and involved, habitat use, preda- deepen understanding of it; tors, potential impact of The captive breeding pro- 2) to provide information to human activities on their grammes coordinated at the increase awareness about populations in the reintroduc- EEZA also allow their animals threatened fauna through the tion area, diseases, etc). I to be used as study models in scientific and exhibition of would go so far as to say that research projects with a broad specimens of endangered if all these issues can be variety of goals: the evolution species, in order to raise pub- resolved, the chances of suc- of survival strategies, assisted lic awareness of the impor- cessful reintroduction are reproduction techniques, ani- tance of this valuable natural extremely good. That is, if a mal pathology and health, ani- heritage; 3) to inform the gen- reintroduction is based on sci- mal behaviour, to name just a eral public of the existence of entific knowledge of the spe- few. In general, multidiscipli- a unique centre which is cies and its environment, and nary projects are undertaken world-renowned in scientific is supported by the compe- in collaboration with other circles concerned with the tent authorities and citizens, it research groups in Spain and conservation of biodiversity; is a long way towards suc- from abroad whose results and 4) allow people of all ages ceeding. What is missing, of are improving the handling and educational levels to course, is that the pressures and management of stocks enjoy themselves while learn- that led to the species to be that are kept in Almeria. In ing to respect and conserve threatened in the first place do short, they allow the CSIC to nature.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 53 Elderly Volunteers
Life experience, values, knowledge, ideas, solidarity… Elderly people have a lot A lot to to offer. From the Elderly Persons Centres of ”la Caixa” Welfare Projects, we foment their active role in society, encouraging them to take part in the great contribute many activities developed by the Associations of Volunteers that we promote.
Because the experience of the elderly is a great value for society. volunteer at Picassent prison (Valencia) Palmira Calvo,
Further information at: www.laCaixa.es/ObraSocial · 902 22 30 40
Lychnos GGran Ingles210x240.indd 1 29/10/10 13:01:55 ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS 03.3
| INTERVIEW | Miguel Ángel Valladares Director of Communications at WWF España
“Only by changing our model of development for one that is sustainable can we confront the environmental crisis with optimism”
The fossil record shows evi- Miguel Ángel and 1,000 times higher than 30% of the planet’s biodiver- dence of five mass extinc- Valladares argues that the natural rate. The IUCN’s sity and with it, ecosystem tions wiping out much of life latest “Red List” put the total services essential to human on Earth over the past 550 preventing the number of threatened species survival such as providing million years. Are we cur- disappearance of in the world at more than sources of food, fresh water, rently witnessing the sixth 47,000. The latest WWF Liv- medicines, etc. The weight of mass extinction? species is possible if ing Planet Report, which scientific evidence is that we According to the International we focus all our efforts measures the state of global are indeed in a period of mass Union for Conservation of on actively conserving biodiversity by analysing extinction, on a similar scale Nature (IUCN), every year trends in nearly 8,000 popula- to that which caused the dis- between 10,000 and 50,000 biodiversity and tions of more than 2,500 ter- appearance of dinosaurs. species become extinct, increasing terrestrial restrial, marine and freshwater which means the current biocapacity species concluded that in the We are on the way to the extinction rate is between 100 last 50 years we have lost sixth extinction, but in this
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 55 03.3 SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
tinues at the current pace, and reducing the impact of WWF España by mid-century 30% of all farming. species will have disap- WWF España is the Spanish branch of WWF, one of the peared. Is it possible to miti- How many threatened spe- world’s largest independent organisations dedicated to gate these alarming predic- cies are there in Spain? And nature conservation. WWF was established in 1961 and tions? what animals are in danger it began operating in Spain in 1968. It is committed to a All the scientific forecasts sug- of disappearing? world in which we all work together to find the best solu- gest that this is what is hap- Spain is home to the greatest tions to save nature. pening. Although the biodiver- biodiversity in Europe: some WWF works for a living planet and its mission is to halt sity crisis is global, it is the 85,000 species of fauna and environmental degradation and to build a future in which decline of the species related flora, equivalent to about 80% to freshwater resources, of all the vascular plant spe- humans live in harmony with nature. This entails: caused by the disappearance cies that exist in Europe and and pollution of river systems, more than half of the conti- • Conserving global biological diversity. wetlands and lakes that is nent’s animal species live in • Ensuring that the use of renewable natural particularly worrying: in just 40 Spain. Furthermore, the level resources is sustainable. years half of these habitats of endemism is very high: of • Promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful have gone. That is why the 8,000 vascular plants, consumption. amphibians and freshwater 15,000 fungi, 50,000 inverte- fish have been among the brates and 637 species of Today, WWF operates in more than 100 countries, and is main victims. vertebrates, almost half are supported by nearly five million people around the world. unique to the country. Its initials and famous Panda logo have become the Only by changing the current emblems of the common cause of people concerned model of development and According to the National about the future of the planet and who want to help pre- finding a new sustainable scen- Catalogue of Endangered serve it in a sustainable way. The WWF network has 30 ario, where economic growth Species (Catálogo Nacional national offices, 20 programme offices and four WWF and progress do not endan- de Especies Amenazadas, partner organisations. ger the natural resources CNEA), there are 610 threat- base, can we confront the ened taxa, birds being the environmental crisis with opti- group that contains the most Source: WWF España. mism. at-risk species (47%), fol- lowed by the flora (22%), Avoiding the disappearance of mammals (10%) and reptiles species, beyond the back- (8%). In Spain at least 17 ani- case, for the first time in the species, pollution, climate ground extinction rate, is pos- mal species and 24 plant history of the planet, it is change and invasions by sible if we focus all our efforts species have died out over being caused and acceler- alien species. on curbing the impact of the last hundred years and ated by the impact of human causal factors, actively con- 26% of vertebrate species activities, particularly so in the According to the United serving biodiversity and are currently included in post-industrial era. The main Nations Environment Pro- increasing terrestrial bio- unfavourable conservation causes of this unprecedented gramme (UNEP), the list of capacity through measures categories. The number loss of biodiversity are the endangered species is such as preserving ecosys- of species reported to be destruction or modification of growing all the time. Some tems, restoring degraded endangered has doubled in habitats, overexploitation of forecasts say that if it con- areas, controlling pollution the last 25 years.
56 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS 03.3
Miguel Ángel Valladares The most emblematic spe- cies whose conservation sta- Has a degree in Biological Sciences tus is delicate include the from the Madrid Complutense Iberian lynx, imperial eagle, University (1987), specialising in black vulture, the brown Zoology, he joined WWF’s Conservation Department in 1987 and bear, the bearded vulture, in 1991 he was appointed Head of the capercaillie, the European Biodiversity Area, representative of the mink and the stiff-tailed Biodiversity Working Group of the duck. Environmental Advisory Council and a member of the fauna and natural What is WWF España doing areas committees of the Spanish to avoid the extinction of Committee of the International Union flora and fauna? What are for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). its main areas of action? Since 1998 he has been One of the longest estab- Communications Director at WWF Spain. Author of some 300 articles lished and most important and science communication areas in which WWF España publications on environmental issues, is active is the conservation he is an advisor on environmental of biodiversity, with the pri- issues for publishers and agencies. He mary goal of halting the proc- has also taught on masters courses esses that are causing spe- on environmental communication cies loss. To this end, the organised by universities such as the WWF has set up in situ con- Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona and the servation projects for species Carlos III University in Madrid. Miguel Ángel Valladares. Director of Communications at WWF España. / Photo: WWF such as the Iberian lynx, España. imperial eagle or vulture and their habitats; it manages major wildlife reserves, such of conservation activities in systems, rural areas, and for endangered species in as the Montejo de la Vega the Doñana National Park coastal seas. Ensuring that Spain? Bird of Prey Refuge in Sego- area, and continuously moni- the environment is taken into Depending on the category of via; it promotes the formula- tors the status of implemen- account in the major sector- threat, all levels of government tion and implementation of tation of the Natura 2000 net- specific policies (agriculture, have a legal obligation to policies, actions and meas- work, the most ambitious and fisheries, commerce, indus- implement plans for the recov- ures for the protection and important European legal try, infrastructure) is also ery, conservation or manage- conservation of species and instrument in this field. another line of WWF action. ment of the species included their environments; it pro- In reality, the whole of on the CNEA list. In the case motes the development of However, the work of the our Organisation’s activity, of endangered species, it is species recovery plans and WWF also revolves around nationally and internationally, mandatory for the competent regional plans to combat poi- an ecosystem strategy, i.e. impacts on the conservation authorities to develop and soning; and it is actively around the conservation status of threatened fauna implement a recovery plan to involved in public hearings and sustainable develop- and flora. ensure the viability of popula- and campaigns against the ment of the major natural tions and adopt conservation impact of infrastructure systems that host our bio- Is there a public and/or pri- measures to enable the spe- projects; it runs a wide variety diversity: forests, freshwater vate recovery programme cies to recover.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 57 03.3 SUPPORTING CONSERVATION EFFORTS ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
However, so far, Spain’s situ conservation of species tions, corrective action and this can only lead to prob- autonomous communities and their habitats should needs to be taken, acting lems of survival, debilitation of have yet to approve about always be the priority. How- directly on the cause (habitat the population, falling repro- 80% of the species conserva- ever, it would be worth hav- restoration, removal of barri- duction rates, and ultimately, tion plans. In this regard it is ing a tissue bank stocked ers, creation of ecological local extinctions. significant that for a species with genetic samples as a corridors, etc.). Captive as endangered as the Iberian precaution against major breeding of the species and Is the government currently lynx, only two of the five environmental disasters or its reintroduction into the taking any legislative action regions where the species is unforeseen events that may wild can provide population regarding animals and present have passed the cause species extinction. stability, but it is the last plants threatened with required recovery plan, and step, and at times almost a extinction? regions such as Madrid and In your view, breeding plans desperate measure to avoid The conservation of endan- Andalusia have not formally should be the last of the sci- the extinction of the species gered species is the respon- adopted a single species con- entific tools used to recover concerned. sibility of the Autonomous servation plan. endangered species. What Communities, whose gov- aspects should government What is your view on clon- ernments are obliged There are also many private bodies and other organisa- ing as a way to prevent the to comply with the Natural conservation efforts, includ- tions work on before imple- disappearance of species? Heritage and Biodiversity ing WWF projects, aiming to menting these captive Is it a viable option? Act (Law 42/2007), which help improve the conserva- breeding plans? Although technically it is an amended the preceding Nat- tion status of these species, The first step to be taken to option that exists, cloning ural Areas and Wild Flora but it is the authorities that ensure the conservation of the should never be considered and Fauna Act (Law 4/89). are responsible for managing species is to curb the impact an alternative. This new legal framework species and their habitats to of human activities and updates the CNEA list and avoid the current trend develop an effective policy for In extreme situations where creates the LESP (List of towards mass extinction. the protection of natural there is a lack of preventive in Wild Species under the Spe- areas, including the most rep- situ conservation measures, cial Protection Scheme). What are the pros and cons resentative ecosystems on the clones are of no use to help a of artificial reproduction planet, with special attention species recover or ensure The legal framework for techniques for the recovery to sensitive habitats. Scientific the genetic variability of indi- conservation in Spain is suf- of endangered species? evidence shows that the viduals necessary to stabilise ficiently broad and includes, Artificial breeding techniques establishment and proper the population. On the con- besides the above Act, and genetic manipulation are management of protected trary, the outlook would be regional legislation, regula- not very often used as tools areas is one of the most effec- unpredictable, as genetically tions and EU Directives for species conservation. tive tools for the conservation identical individuals could (Natura 2000, the Birds They are very expensive, of biodiversity. In addition, we weaken the population and Directive) and international technically complicated and need to anticipate threats by ultimately be unable to pre- conventions (CITES, Ram- the consequences are unpre- implementing preventive poli- vent its finally becoming sar). The problem is not the dictable. Only in the hypo- cies both inside and outside extinct. amount of legislation but the thetical case that these tech- protected areas to prevent the degree of compliance, niques are the only way to causes of species decline. Examples abound of the which is often limited and prevent the disappearance of impoverishment of genetic can vary greatly from one a particular species should In the event of a negative variability due to inbreeding Autonomous Community to this option be considered; in impact on species popula- (the cheetah is a case in point) another.
58 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC Lychnos 210x240 21/10/10 18:19 P�gina 1
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| LOREM IPSUM 03.3
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 59 04
Socio-economic aspects of conservation
60 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 61 04.1 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Studying and managing threatened species: the conservation biology perspective
According to the author, conservation biology, like any other discipline, produces dogmas that have little basis in scientific evidence. Indeed, it produces a lot more dogmas than chemistry, physics or geology, for example. The reason is that it is very much an applied science.
Daniel Oro
Institut Mediterrani d’Estudi Avançats IMEDEA, CSIC-UIB
onservation biology years ago to protest against Conservation Indeed, it produces a lot emerged just a few nuclear tests in Alaska. But if more dogmas than chemis- Cd e c a d e s a g o i n you ask people on the street, biology emerged in try, physics or geology, for response to an environmental they would associate this example. In my view, the rea- crisis that was apparent at the NGO with whales, as it was response to the son is that it is very much an time. Awareness of the crisis whales that Greenpeace soon environmental applied science and in con- gradually took hold in society, turned to defending (and this servation activities (such as primarily as a result of the was probably the reason for crisis protecting a threatened spe- emergence of conservationist the NGO’s success). cies), simple concepts that organisations set up to pro- seem to make logical sense tect threatened species, Conservation biology, like (but are often wide of the which they used as their rally- any other discipline, pro- mark), sometimes get given ing point. Thus, for example, duces dogmas that have little priority over lessons from Greenpeace was created 40 basis in scientific evidence. ecology, for example.
62 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 04.1
The Mediterranean monk seal is listed in Spain as a critically endangered species. / Photo: M. Cedenilla.
The destruction of nature is ion. The same thing may not Dogmas in species conser- conservation of endangered the subject of societal debate be true in the case of the vation species, from the perspective in which it is not just the opin- Plasmodium cycle of the The result is that some envir- of scientific rigour in conserva- ion of groups in closest con- chemistry of coltan, even onmental problems have tion biology. To do this, I shall tact with it (hunters, farmers, though these are issues that acquired a degree of familiar- offer a couple of examples ranchers, fishermen) that affect us very directly (the ity in our lives that leads to that I hope will be illustrative of counts, but also that of soci- first through the impact of currents of opinion that are what I have alluded to in this ety at large, which echoes the malaria on millions of human often too simplistic but never- introduction. Imagine that by brief, slanted and often inac- lives and the second for its theless often feed in to the chance, you are invited to par- curate messages coming from importance in the manufac- conservation approach. ticipate in a debate on what to the media. Climate change or ture of electronic compon- do about the conservation of the Iberian lynx are examples ents on which the mobile My intention here is to ques- monk seals in Spain. Monk on which readers have prob- phones we use every day tion some of the concepts or seals are a species that is ably formed already an opin- rely). dogmas that hover over the listed as critically endangered.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 63 04.1 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Daniel Oro
Is a CSIC Research Professor at the Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados (Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies), Esporles, Majorca, and heads the Population Ecology Group, which studies how populations of threatened species fluctuate in space and time. The work’s goal is to establish a conservation diagnosis and assess the prognosis for the recovery of populations when they face a threat of extinction. The group’s aim is to apply ecological and evolutionary theory to conservation biology with a strong quantitative dimension, based on mathematical models that offer an approach the complexity of the natural world. The group has published over 200 scientific papers and collected demographic data on various different threatened Iberian vertebrates over the last 20 years. Daniel Oro edits several scientific journals in the areas of marine and conservation biology, and is an advisor to various scientific bodies responsible for conservation of biodiversity at the national and international level. The Hermann’s tortoise is a protected species in the Balearic Islands and the object of conservation programmes, even though it is an alien species introduced by man. / Photo: Albert Bertolero.
This animal commonly lived likely be directed at restoring blessing to such a proposal. inbreeding (loss of genetic on Spain’s Mediterranean the population in protected First of all, it will not be pos- variability), inefficient social coasts until early last century, areas of coastline, where eco- sible to reintroduce several behaviours (such as finding when coastal development logical conditions have dozen seals in Cabrera, as it food or protecting the young), and direct persecution drove remained relatively unchanged would be impossible to take and what is know as demo- its populations to extinction. (for example, in the Cabrera so many animals from the graphic stochasticity, namely Logic seems to lead us National Park). I would also dwindling populations that still that random perturbations towards the following deduc- venture that this proposal survive in the eastern Mediter- (such as a cyclone) could tion: if there used to be seals would be welcomed by most ranean or on the coast of affect all individuals of this here then we should reintro- people, including no doubt Mauritania. Therefore, the population and drive it to duce them by bringing them the reader. However, we reintroduced population will extinction. For example, the back from somewhere else. ought to take all the various be very small, and small popu- world’s largest population of So I would guess that the ini- ecological aspects into lations suffer from specific monk seals, which lives in tial proposals would most account before giving our additional problems, such as Mauritania, suffered mass
64 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 04.1
mortality caused by a red tide, increase its chances of sur- The scientific would advise against the a natural event (entirely natu- vival. The Cabrera National reintroduction of seals in ral, I would emphasise) that Park is an ecological island, evidence tells us Cabrera (or anywhere else on decimated the population. not just because it is sur- that ecosystems the Spanish Mediterranean However, it did not make it rounded by water, but basically coast). And despite this, I extinct because of its relatively because outside of the park have what we call a would be only to pleased to large size, which meant that the conditions are often so carrying capacity, see these animals swimming some animals survived the poor as to be unable to sup- in the waters of this beautiful disaster. port life, even during transit, for a limit set by archipelago. If the minimum these animals. If the reintro- conditions for the quality of Another aspect to bear in duction were a success, and resources (such as habitat were restored (in the mind is that introducing a the reintroduced seals bred food), above which case of the seal, this means predator like the monk seal happily and the population the Mediterranean marine would cause some radical increased, where would the the population may ecosystem as a whole, not changes in the Cabrera eco- seals that no longer have be especially just ecosystems in protected system. These will not neces- space inside the park go? The areas), the seals should sarily be bad from an ecologi- scientific evidence tells us that vulnerable to recover without further inter- cal standpoint, but they have ecosystems have what we call episodes of mass ventions. This is a process to be considered. For exam- a carrying capacity. This is a that is slower and more com- ple, many large fish (which limit set by the resources (such mortality plicated (it involves acting on incidentally are also endan- as food), above which the all the factors affecting the gered species) that are now at population may become vul- ecosystem, such as pollution, the top of the food chain in nerable to mass mortalities, as over-fishing or mass tourism), Cabrera, and have increased the animals fall below optimal but is much more effective. in abundance since the physical condition. To avoid We need to bear in mind –and demise of the seals, would this, animals migrate, but when this is another lesson we are either be eaten by the seals or they live in an ecological island, learning from the scientific evi- displaced (e.g. outside the this process of scattering is so dence– that organisms do not park and so beyond any effec- hazardous that few individuals sit around waiting for us to tive protection). And on the make it to another population wipe them out and add them subject of boundaries, the that is not already saturated to the list of extinct species, seals will not settle within the (this is precisely what happens but wage their own individual perimeter of the park, and to the lynxes of Doñana which battles. Species defend them- outside it they may cause are killed on the main road to selves against human problems for fishermen. These Matalascañas as they try to impacts, and are much more are issues that have to be migrate). plastic than we would ever studied in advance to avoid have imagined, probably unnecessary friction. Again on I do not know if I will have because evolution has given the subject of space: the convinced the reader (or at them (or rather, has given all reintroduced population will least have cast a doubt in his of us) the raw materials ne- be virtually isolated from other or her mind as to whether the cessary to adapt to change, populations, that is to say, the dogma of reintroduction is a even though the changes we population is unlikely to good idea) but with ecological are producing are so fast and receive immigrants that would and genetic studies to hand, I so aggressive. As soon as we
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 65 04.1 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
give them a chance (and for- We need to bear in tunately we are gaining ground thanks to conserva- mind –and this is tion policies), many species another lesson we will recover, with the benefits that this brings. are learning from the scientific Ecological balance Now imagine that fate takes evidence– that you to another round table organisms do not were you have to discuss what to do with the coatis sit around waiting accidentally introduced on the island of Majorca. The for us to wipe them coati, which is native to the out and add their Americas, is a carnivore, omnivore and generalist, i.e. name to the list of it has everything it needs to extinct species, but become an invasive species. It preys on a variety of organ- wage their own isms (reptiles, birds, and individual battles small mammals, many of which are threatened) and is therefore a concern. I imag- ine, then, that after this brief description there will be a consensus that they must be caught (“dead or alive” as wanted posters in the Ameri- can Wild West would say) and the island rid of this invader. I have no doubt that the coatis have the potential The common genet, like almost all Majorca’s terrestrial fauna, was introduced by to alter the balance of Ma- man. / Photo: Istockphoto. jorca’s ecosystems. How- ever, on an island like this, we must ask quite what that frogs, pine martens, weasels, would have if the coati balance is. rabbits, goats, hares, rats and escaped from our efforts to tortoises. When these species capture it and invaded the The palaeontological evidence arrived in Majorca they altered island? tells us that almost all the ter- the existing balance, and have restrial fauna of Majorca has continued to modify it down to The ecological studies sug- been introduced by man, like the present. Is the balance we gest that the coatis are the coati. Examples include have now better than that we unlikely to make any of the
66 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 04.1
species they prey upon extinct The familiarity needed to eradicate a spe- The reader should be wary of (other terrestrial predators on cies: do we have the the much-vaunted concept of the island would have already some environmental resources to stem the tide of ecological balance, as the bal- done so otherwise). The problems have alien species, considering the ance is always dynamic, and coatis will be forced to com- money that is involved, only this is a contradiction that pete with all the other carnivo- acquired in our lives slightly behind that involved in needs to be taken into rous animals on the island has generated drug smuggling and the il- account in any debate about (genets, martens, weasels), legal arms trade? Paradoxi- conserving endangered spe- which themselves caused a currents of opinion cally, Mediterranean tortoises cies. huge number of extinctions are being introduced and among their prey when they that are often overly released in Majorca where Space limitations prevent me were introduced, but para- simplistic, but they are protected and the from inviting the reader to doxically are now protected growth of their populations is other round tables to discuss by law. And there will be nevertheless feed in being promoted. Tortoises new challenges (if at this changes in density as result of to the approach were also introduced from point he or she would still be this competition. If the coatis somewhere on the coast of willing to accept). But I will displace martens, there will be taken to France or Spain centuries not stop without first a hum- fewer martens, but the impact conservation ago, and it may well be that ble statement: the reader on their prey will be similar. If their grazing drove one or should doubt even my icon- the coatis are not able to carve more plants to extinction or oclastic vision of how to pro- out an ecological niche for at least modified the balance tect endangered species. themselves among the other prevailing before their arrival. The English scientist Francis competitors on the island, they Bacon, back in the sixteenth will disappear. The number of It is also possible that today century, said “if a man will prey (e.g. mice) is not unlim- they are eating native plants, begin with certainties, he will ited, and their number defines also protected by law and end in doubts.” My work the carrying capacity of the subject to conservation pro- as a scientist is full of uncer- community of predators, and grammes. It is impossible to tainty, and I doubt almost thus their densities (whether favour one species without everything (doubt, along they be martens, coatis or the affecting the whole system, with curiosity, is one of the sum of the two). and that means harm to engines of science). Biolo- others. Although the idea of gists resort to models which, I understand the alarm that Arcadia has been revered although based on sophisti- the appearance of coatis since the Renaissance, cated and exact tools (like causes, but why should we Romanticism and, in a more mathematics), are simplified protect the genet in Majorca, widespread way, in modern approaches to understand- when it is a carnivore that urban societies, the sup- ing nature’s complexity, mak- was introduced from Africa posed equilibrium that is ing our efforts merely by the Arabs and is therefore sought after is not written in approximations. However, a species almost as alien to any manual, since there is not this distance in no way the Iberian fauna as the one equilibrium but many undermines our passion for coati? And if we think about it equilibriums, each the prod- biology or for the preserva- from a practical point of view uct of a particular time and tion of our precious natural in terms of the resources place. heritage.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 67 04.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The socio-economic costs of biodiversity loss
Conventional financial accounting fails to capture the economic and social costs associated with the loss of biodiversity. This highlights the need to reform traditional indicators of economic progress.
Erik Gómez-Baggethun (1 and 2) Berta Martín-López (2)
(1) Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, UAB (2) Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, UAM
he disappearance of In the last great million years ago, about 75% extinction of marine species species is a phenome- of all species on the planet between 0.1 and 1 extinctions Tnon inherent in the evo- extinction, which disappeared at a stroke. How- per million species per year lutionary process. At least five occurred 65 million ever, during the periods of and it has been estimated that times over geological history tens of millions of years that extinctions of mammals also there have been episodes of years ago, about generally separate these epi- lie within a similar range. mass disappearance of spe- 75% of all species sodes, species extinction has cies known as the “mass occurred as a gradual phe- This pattern of extinctions has extinctions”, which have been on the planet nomenon which has tended changed abruptly over the last caused by phenomena such to be offset by higher rates of two centuries. Since the start as meteors or ice ages. For disappeared at a emergence of new species. of the industrial revolution example, in the last great stroke For example, the fossil record technological developments extinction, which occurred 65 put the average rates of have enabled humans’ ability
68 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 04.2
to modify the Earth’s surface We now know that rate of 100 extinctions per mil- From 18 to 29 October the to reach such a scale we have lion known species and it is 10th Conference of the Parties altered some of the major bio- the economy and estimated that, unless deci- to the CBD is due to be held physical processes that deter- society are highly sive action is taken to curb in Nagoya (Japan). This will mine the functioning of the species loss, it could increase aim to set new targets for Earth as a system, leading to dependent on tenfold over the course of the slowing biodiversity loss and the process that is sometimes ecosystems and the century. assess the effectiveness of referred to as global change. the policies and strategies The scientific community biodiversity that The International Union for adopted so far. argues that we now live in an they contain Conservation of Nature (IUCN) era in which the nature of the estimates that 12% of bird The socio-economic costs internal causes underlying species, 23% of mammals, of biodiversity loss global change is qualitatively 32% of amphibians and 25% For decades there has been different from anything in the of coniferous plants are cur- intense debate about the eth- past. rently endangered. The anom- ical and ecological implica- aly of this situation with tions of biodiversity loss, but, Our era, which some scien- respect to extinction rates until recently, not much has tists refer to as the Anthro- recorded in pre-industrial been said outside specialist pocene, is characterised by times has led some scientists circles about the economic the fact that for the first time to refer to the current phe- implications. When it comes humans have begun to com- nomenon of biodiversity loss to economics, we tend to pete with geological forces in as the sixth great extinction, think in terms of monetary terms of their ability to move the first ever man-made event flows or financial assets that matter and modify the basic of this kind. ostensibly have little or no processes of planetary oper- relation to biodiversity. How- ation. Global change is being In order to address the prob- ever, we now know that the accelerated by human action, lem of biodiversity loss, the economy and society are and the major drivers of this United Nations Conference highly dependent on ecosys- process, including changes in on Environment and Develop- tems and the biodiversity that land use, changes in biogeo- ment, held in Rio de Janeiro they contain. Ecosystems are chemical cycles, climate in 1992, promoted a Conven- not only the source of raw change, overexploitation of tion on Biological Diversity materials and energy the resources and the expansion (CBD), which came into force ‘economic metabolism’ of invasive species, are having a year after its ratification by requires to produce goods drastic impacts on ecosys- 193 countries. Additionally, in and services; they also pro- tems and biodiversity. 2002, these countries agreed vide the sinks needed to to reduce rates of biodiversity absorb and process the pol- The scientific community loss by 2010, which was lution and waste generated believes that extinction rates declared the International by society. Furthermore, bio- in the Anthropocene are 100 Year of Biodiversity by the diversity plays a fundamental to 1,000 times higher than UN. Eight years later, not only role in human welfare through those in pre-industrial times. has the rate of loss failed the generation of so-called Thus, the rate of species to slow, but it has actually ecosystem services (see glos- extinction now exceeds the accelerated. sary).
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 69 04.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ecosystem services are the Value (per hectare) Value of ecosystem services per hectare direct or indirect contributions Mangrove: $ 1,000 - $ 3,600 / Shrimp farm: $ 200 ecosystems make to human $ 4,000 welfare. These services Economic benefits include supplying tangible goods like food and firewood, Economic costs regulation services (benefits obtained indirectly from eco- logical processes such as pest control, soil formation Coastal protection (~$ 3,840) and water purification) and Subsidies (-$ 1,700) cultural services (intangible $ 2,000 benefits such as its value for ecotourism, for environmental education or simply its aes- thetic value). Pollution costs(-$ 230) Fish reserve ($ 70)
The benefits of certain serv- Profits from ices such as the supply of Forestry prod- shrimps ucts ($ 90) (~$ 200) raw materials, energy or food 0 are obvious and, therefore, Mangrove Shrimp farms their recognition tends not to be questioned. However, the perceived benefits brought Figure 1. Benefits of the mangrove ecosystem. by most cultural and environ- mental regulation services Mangroves provide valuable ecosystem services, such as protecting the coast against extreme weather events and providing a habitat for species of commercial and non-commercial fish. According to the Millennium Ecosystem Evaluation, in the last few that are not traded on mar- decades 35% of mangroves have been cut down to make way for tourism and/or industry. Source: Santhirathai, S. and E. Barbier, kets or considered by the 2001. “Valuing mangrove conservation in Southern Thailand.” Contemporary Economic Policy 19(2): 109-122. accounting system is more subtle, and therefore the importance of these services the output of one or just a conservation of mangroves weather events, the results tends to be overlooked in handful of services. However, compared to those resulting were reversed. The greater decision making. Conse- where all the ecosystem from conversion to shrimp benefits resulting from man- quently, the fact that regula- services affected by a project farms. If only services sup- grove conservation were tion services are invisible in are properly identified and plying the market were con- even more apparent when the socio-economic system assessed, the economic data sidered, the figures showed it the subsidies shrimp produc- means that current manage- in favour of transforming eco- was more beneficial econom- ers received were discounted ment policies tend to favour systems to industrial uses ically to clear the mangroves or the costs of the pollution supply services at the are sometimes turned on for other uses. However, and damage caused by expense of other services, their heads. For example, a once the analysis of benefits shrimp production were fac- encouraging the conversion well-known study in the man- included those derived from tored in (Figure 1). of multifunctional natural groves of southern Thailand environmental regulation ecosystems to industrial compared the costs and services, such as protecting One area in which this is uses focused on maximising benefits associated with the the coast against extreme reflected very clearly is that
70 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 04.2
of macroeconomic account- scarce. This was highlighted Erik Gómez-Baggethun ing systems. As mentioned by the Millennium Ecosystem Has a PhD in Ecology and the Environment and is a researcher at the Institute above, conventional eco- Assessment sponsored by of Environmental Science and Technology at the Autonomous University of nomic analysis limits its the United Nations, whose Barcelona and a Fellow of the Laboratory of Socio-ecosystems of the study to those services that report concludes that over Department of Ecology at the Autonomous University of Madrid. He has devoted the bulk of his research to developing tools and methods for the are exchanged in the market the past 50 years two-thirds analysis of ecosystem services and assessing the costs associated with their and therefore have a direct of ecosystem services evalu- deterioration, an area that has led to a number of scientific publications. He monetary value, which is ated worldwide have deterio- has worked as a scientific consultant for international bodies such as the reflected in their prices. rated. European Environment Agency and participated in several international projects on ecosystem services. He was on the team of ‘The Economics of Thus, the traditional indica- Ecosystems and Biodiversity’ (TEEB) project. tors of economic progress Fortunately, thanks to the such as GDP are limited to efforts made in recent dec- calculating benefits from ades to develop approaches Berta Martín-López goods and services that are such as ecological and envi- traded on markets (which is ronmental economics, we Has a PhD in Ecology and the Environment, and is a lecturer in the Department of Ecology at the Autonomous University of Madrid and a mainly limited to the supply now have the conceptual and researcher in the Socio-ecosystems Laboratory in the same department. of goods and services) and methodological tools to iden- Her work has focused on the economic valuation of ecosystem services in costs such as depreciation tify and quantify ecosystem different parts of Spain, and she has published papers on the topic in major of capital goods (for exam- services in both biophysical conservation journals. She is also a scientific advisor to the European Environment Agency on various projects for economic valuation of ple, wear and tear of machin- and monetary terms (Figure biodiversity and part of the team that formed the second phase of the ‘The ery and infrastructure). 2). Also, the first steps are Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity’(TEEB) project. Finally, as a being taken towards the result of these investigations, her current research focuses on analysing the However, the economic ben- future incorporation of eco- main conservation strategies in Spain. efits these ecosystem serv- system services and natural ices provide (unless they are capital in national accounting traded on markets) and the systems. costs associated with the Stern Review on the Eco- political action. It is against deterioration of the ecosys- nomics of Climate Change this backdrop that The Eco- tems on which these serv- The TEEB Initiative: The concluded that it would take nomics of Ecosystems and ices depend, i.e. the costs Economics of Ecosystems an investment of 1% of global Biodiversity (TEEB) project associated with the depreci- and Biodiversity GDP to mitigate the effects emerged, on the initiative of ation of natural capital (see As the International Year of climate change, but that the G-8 +5 summit in Pots- glossary), are left out of the of Biodiversity (2010) failure to make this invest- dam in 2007. Emulating the calculation. approached, in which the cur- ment could expose the world approach of the “Stern rent rate of biodiversity loss to a risk of a recession that Report,” the TEEB project This highlights the fact that was supposed to be cut, it could reach 20% of global aims to call for international conventional accounting sys- became evident that we were GDP. political action by estimating tems and indicators of pros- not on track to achieve the the economic value of bio- perity give an erroneous target. This fact stimulated a The political impact of the diversity and economic costs measure in an era in which discussion on the need to report raised expectations of not acting on its loss. ecosystems and the services make calls to political action about the persuasiveness of Although final results of the they generate are suffering using approaches with monetary figures as a tool TEEB will be presented at the acute deterioration and greater impact on decision with which to communicate Conference of the Parties in becoming increasingly making circles. In 2005, the the need to take decisive Nagoya, preliminary reports
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 71 04.2 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
cators are unable to reflect ECOLOGICAL STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONING them. (for example, primary net productivity)
➥ Dangers of the ‘economis- tic’ trend in conservation
VALUATION Four decades after the birth BIOPHYSICAL BIOPHYSICAL FUNCTION of modern conservationism, (for example, carbon sequestration) ecosystems and biodiversity continue to deteriorate. This ➥ has led many conservation- ists to the conclusion that the SERVICE traditional arguments that • Climate regulation appealed to the intrinsic value • food VALUATION ➥ of species as central to con-
SOCIO-CULTURAL SOCIO-CULTURAL servation have failed in their BENEFIT ultimate goal of reversing bio- diversity loss. Thus, for the • basic materials for life ➡ food sake of political persuasive- • health ➡ favourable climate
➥ ness, monetary figures are increasingly being adopted MONETARY VALUE as one of the key elements of the new discourse on conser- MONETARY MONETARY VALUATION • Price of harvests vation. • Willingness to pay to enjoy a favourable climate However, the controversy is Figure 2. Phases in valuing ecosystem services. growing as some elements of Valuing ecosystems requires biophysical (for example, characterisation of ecological functions), social (for example, people’s the ecosystem services and needs) and economic (monetary and non-monetary contributions to human welfare) information to be integrated. The traditional monetary valuation approach compartmentalisation into disciplines is a serious obstacle to integrating this information. Figure after Haines-Young and Postching (2010), published in Ecosystem Ecology: a new synthesis, Cambridge University Press. are being assimilated into the economic logic that they ini- tially sought to transform. Whereas some people are attempting to highlight the already suggest some illumi- consumption in 2050. This fig- erosion control, are barely many ways in which human nating figures. According to ure is also a conservative esti- represented. societies depend on ecosys- estimates, ecosystems and mate because it excludes, for tems and biodiversity, others biodiversity have an economic example, all marine biodiver- In short, the report notes have seen a justification for value that is between 10 and sity, deserts, the Arctic and the importance of biodiver- creating and/or expanding 100 times greater than the the Antarctic. sity and ecosystems for markets associated with the costs associated with conser- socio-economic systems structure and functioning of vation. It also excludes some impor- and the economic costs ecosystems. tant ecosystem services such associated with their loss Cumulative welfare losses as disease regulation or pollin- and underlines the fact that Also, despite efforts to put could amount to 7% of annual ation, and others, such as conventional economic indi- monetary valuations in con-
72 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 04.2
The traditional text as an additional tool in a multidimensional valuation KEY TERMS IN THE ECONOMICS indicators of system (Figure 2), money is OF ECOSYSTEMS economic progress gradually being imposed as a hegemonic language in eco- left costs associated system valuation and the Biodiversity arguments that appeal to the Variability of living organisms, including terrestrial, with the logic of profit are gaining marine and other aquatic ecosystems. Biodiversity depreciation of ground over ethical argu- includes diversity at gene, species and ecosystem ments appealing to the intrin- levels. natural capital out sic value of biodiversity. of the calculation Natural Capital The ‘economism’ that per- Economic conceptualisation of ecosystems as stocks meates new conservationist able to generate flows of ecosystem services on a sus- discourse has been justified tained basis over time. The concept has precedents in by the need to influence the way land is conceived of as a factor of production decision making in the short in classical economics. term. Could this strategy backfire in the long run? Ecosystem functions Although it is perhaps too From an anthropocentric perspective, these are all the early to say, there is no doubt ecosystem components and processes capable of gen- that the consequences are erating ecosystem services benefiting human welfare. uncertain. Ecosystem services Ethical systems change slowly Direct or indirect contributions of ecosystems to the and are relatively stable but welfare of society. The concept of “ecosystem goods the market is highly volatile. If and services” is equivalent to that of “ecosystem serv- the idea that conservation is ices”, but includes both tangible and intangible contri- justified because it is cost- butions. effective spreads, what will happen tomorrow if in a new economic environment con- servation ceases to be profit- the future. However, there is positive progress of the able even when all ecosystem one issue on which there is global economy conceal services have been properly ever greater consensus in the the ecological and social valued? Will conservationism science of sustainability, for costs that the analytical and then have to deconstruct the decades, our economic sys- accounting tools of classical discourse which has provided tem has grown at the expense economics have not been its rationale? of the biodiversity and eco- able to record or adjust for. systems upon which it is This underscores the obso- These uncertainties need to based. lescence of traditional wel- be taken into account to avoid fare indicators and, therefore, conservation strategies that The growth figures during the need for their radical might be counterproductive in that period attesting to the reform.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 73 Caring for our environment The BBVA Foundation supports scientific research of excellence and innovative projects in Ecology and Conservation Biology, while working to disseminate frontier knowledge in the Environment area.
Our focus is on promoting research to conserve species, habitats and ecosystems, as well as practical programs and initiatives to protect biodiversity. The BBVA Foundation seeks to recognize and advance the work of public and private agents directed at the conservation and responsible management of our natural surroundings and the protection of wildlife. www.fbbva.es ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 04.3
| INTERVIEW | Cristina Narbona Permanent Representative of Spain to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
“There is still insufficient awareness of the importance of biodiversity, and this has resulted in a dramatic loss of natural heritage”
According to Time maga- Cristina Narbona, depends on the availability of European Union, but also zine in October, Cristina Spain’s ambassador natural resources. one of the places where Narbona is one of the 35 species, habitats and eco- “environmental leaders to the OECD, To give a concrete example: systems are most threat- who are changing the proposes tax even if climate change were ened. What factors do you world.” This statement was not happening, which it is, all see as directly threatening made when she was Minis- mechanisms to our fossil fuels have an expiry our ecological heritage? ter for the Environment, change the price date and that fact alone war- In Spain, as elsewhere in the now she is Spain’s ambas- system to make it rants a radical change in the world, there is insufficient sador to the OECD in Paris. energy model so as to base it awareness of the importance Is it possible to bridge the more profitable to on an ever greater share of of biodiversity, and this has gap between Economics conserve nature than renewable resources. resulted in a dramatic loss of and Ecology? natural heritage as a conse- It is not just possible; it is destroy it Spain is one of the most quence of all types of pollu- essential. Economic activity biodiverse countries in the tion, the occupation of valua-
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 75 04.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ble natural areas, fragmentation NGOs have been at of territories, etc. the forefront of Organisation for Economic Drawing on your experi- environmental ence, what solutions would Cooperation and Development (OECD) you suggest? awareness, and Most importantly, to raise have translated awareness among citizens in all walks of life by giving general warnings stronger leadership from government. The authorities from the scientific Founded in 1961, the Organisation for Economic on all levels need to show community it into Cooperation and Development has 33 member the public how cleaner and countries committed to democracy and a market more efficient technologies specific demands economy. It aims to: can create jobs, how redu- cing pollution can improve • Support sustainable economic development. health, and so on. The envi- • Foster employment. ronmental challenges are • Raise living standards. immense, but we have suffi- • Maintain financial stability. cient scientific and techno- • Support economic development in other coun- logical knowledge to address tries. them. • Contribute to the growth of world trade.
As an economist, do you The OECD is a unique forum where governments think it is possible to can compare their experiences, seek answers to develop suitable tools for common problems, identify good practice and evaluating biodiversity (in work to coordinate economic and social policies monetary or other terms) both nationally and internationally. and to incorporate this value into decision making
and accounting? Source:OECD. The United Nations confer- ence on biodiversity is under- way as we speak, and at it a project on The Economics of by means of tax mech- dissemination about the Ecosystems and Biodiversity anisms, so it is more profita- importance and economic (TEEB) has been presented, ble to conserve nature than value of biodiversity and including a major study to destroy it. And we need to species loss? assigning economic value to create incentives to change This is fundamental. The pub- biodiversity and putting for- patterns of production and lic needs to be told much ward new measures both consumption. more about how biodiversity on how to present it and affects everyday life. A con- restore it. In short, we need In your opinion, what is the crete example would be our to change the price system, role of proper reporting and food supply: the depletion of
76 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS 04.3
fisheries, the effects of loss of Cristina Narbona genetic diversity in terms of Is an economist, university professor the increased vulnerability of and Spanish politician. She has a crops, etc. Ph.D. in economics from the University of Rome, and was a The TEEB has warned that professor at the University of Seville the disappearance of the bees for seven years. In 1982 she was providing continuous pollin- appointed Deputy Minister of ation services will cause enor- Economics in Andalusia’s first regional government. In the mous economic damage to successive governments under Felipe agriculture. Gonzalez she held management positions at Banco Hipotecario, was Director General of Housing, Ministry What responsibility do of Public Works in 1991 and NGOs have in this pro- Secretary of State for the Environment cess? and Housing in 1993. She was Non-governmental organisa- elected to Congress for Almería in tions (NGOs) have been at 1996 and in 1999 she became a the forefront of environmental councillor on Madrid City Council. Between 2004 and 2008 she served awareness, and have trans- as Environment Minister in the lated general warnings from government of José Luis Rodríguez the scientific community it Zapatero, and is currently Spain’s into specific demands. Unfor- permanent representative to the tunately, environmental OECD. She also sits on the UN Panel requirements continue to be on Global Sustainability and the High viewed by the bulk of public Level Working Group of the World opinion as ‘constraints on Meteorological Organisation. welfare.’
The economic crisis shows that market failures can have serious consequences on the welfare of the majority of citi- Of all the countries zens. of the European NGOs, and all citizens com- Union, Spain has mitted to a fairer and more Cristina Narbona, Spain’s ambassador to the OECD. / Photo: OECD. sustainable development one of the largest model, have an opportunity percentages of its to insist that a different mode How can we explain that the oped countries, such as of production and consump- economic, social and envi- Spain, have to be more territory included in tion from the one that has led ronmental aspects of the responsible? the Natura 2000 to this crisis is both neces- planet are all closely linked The interdependence of eco- sary and feasible. and that the more devel- nomic, social and environ- network
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 77 04.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
mental issues is increasingly GDP only takes into age and biodiversity conser- We should bear in mind evident. Take for example vation. China, for instance, which is the ‘accidents’ caused by account the experiencing rapid GDP the oil spill in the Gulf of monetary value of But what matters is that the growth, but at the price of Mexico or the breaching of legislation is complied with. In serious human rights issues dams holding back toxic goods traded on that sense, I consider the cre- and over a million deaths a sludge, consequences of the markets; we also ation in 2007 of the Special year attributable to water, soil pursuit of economic profits Prosecutor for the Environ- and air pollution. by companies regardless of need to consider ment to have been fundamen- the environmental and social tal as an effective mechanism You are an expert on the costs; or the social and eco- how they are made, for prosecuting environmental High Level Panel on Global nomic impacts of climate and what impact offences. Sustainability, announced change in regions of less- by UN Secretary General developed countries of Africa they have on health “Biodiversity”, “ecology”, Ban Ki Moon. Is it possible or the Caribbean, which and the “preservation of species” ... to tackle poverty, while have themselves hardly con- environment could we link these words respecting and preserving tributed to CO2 emissions. to others such as: such as the environment? If so, And a country like Spain, “new economic model”, how? with a high level of develop- “job creation” and “wealth”? In my replies to your earlier ment, has remarkable poten- Do we need to review the questions, I think I have tial both to reorient its own idea of economic progress explained the profound inter- economy and to support so as to respect the balance dependence between social technology transfer to poorer of nature? and environmental chal- countries. The OECD is running an inter- lenges, and the urgent need national project called “Meas- for a change of economic Is there currently a general uring progress beyond GDP” model. scheme in Spain that –in which Spain is also includes conservation involved– examining the obvi- Today, the planet’s environ- across the whole territory in ous need for better measures mental deterioration affects line with the latest European of welfare, given that GDP the poorest hardest of all, as it requirements (Natura 2000 only takes into account the negatively affects their health, Network, European Land- monetary value of goods safety and access to drinking scape Charter, etc.)? traded on markets. It does not water. Among the countries of the consider how those goods are European Union (EU), Spain made, what impact they have The UN Panel is preparing an has one of the largest per- on health and the environ- ambitious programme of centages of its territory ment, or how they are distrib- work in which I plan to included in the Natura 2000 uted. involve as many Spanish network and it has extensive bodies as we van so as to experience in conservation It is imperative that we over- feed in as many viewpoints of natural areas, as well as come the short-term and nar- as possible to this debate some of the most advanced row focus that has made GDP and so boost the level of laws in the EU on responsi- the main measure of a coun- social support for the neces- bility for environmental dam- try’s success. sary changes.
78 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC
05
Forum
80 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 81 05 FORUM ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The last chance JAVIER GREGORI Environmental journalist and head of the Environment Area at Cadena SER
ver 1,000 tigers have been not just talking about tiny marine organ- concerns, especially now we are going killed by poachers in just a isms and miniature insects whose name through a period of so-called “economic “Odecade. Only 3,200 now even the experts can barely remember. crisis”. remain in the wild.” “16,000 turtles are The “Red List”, which the IUCN (Intern- caught illegally in Madagascar every ational Union for Conservation of Nature) However, what is really at stake is not year.” With ever increasing frequency draws up each year, includes emblem- money. You cannot eat banknotes (no alarming headlines like these drop onto atic fauna of the Iberian Peninsula, such matter how green or how big the number the desks of editors at newspapers, radio as the lynx, and commercially valuable printed on them) and what is more, we stations and TV channels around the fish such as bluefin tuna, which is also have machines to produce them. But I world. And they are only a pale reflection, about to disappear as a result of illegal wonder, what factories would be capable a mirror –sometimes a distorting one– of fishing. of producing ‘machines’ as efficient at what is really happening: the fastest generating the oxygen we need to extinction of species recorded in the his- And unlike previous mass extinctions, breathe as trees are? tory of planet Earth. this terrible phenomenon is not the result of a natural disaster, but pollution Aware of the seriousness of the problem Scientists are already talking in no uncer- by humans.��������������������������� ��������������������������Moreover, the rate of spe- we face, governments around the world tain terms about what they say “is going cies loss is increasing. Each year, (under the umbrella of the United to be the sixth mass extinction of spe- humans are responsible for the disap- Nations) pledged to curb the rate of spe- cies” (the last was 65 million years ago pearance of another 300 species and, if cies loss by 2010 and, with this noble and almost everyone knows about it this deadly progression continues, by goal in mind, the UN decided to dedicate because it wiped out the dinosaurs, the 2050, between 20 and 50 percent of all this year to raising awareness worldwide largest animals ever to have walked the species will have disappeared. It is no of the need to protect the rich biodiver- Earth), but few people seem yet to realise coincidence that 200,000 square kilo- sity of our planet.��������������������� However,�������������������� as unfortu- how serious the problem is. metres of the world’s forest are also nately so often happens, this ‘historic’ being cut down each year. opportunity has been squandered and To put a number on it, the natural rate of now the same major players (the United species extinction has been multiplied Nevertheless, this problem does not even States, the European Union, Japan and by a factor of thousands. And we are make last place on the list of citizens’ China), recognising that they have failed
82 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| FORUM 05
to meet their goals, are setting new ones cages, no matter how spacious, a few at the Nagoya Biodiversity Summit. decades from now, or unfortunately, per- Problem solved! haps sooner.
Like other issues, the protection of ani- That is not the right way forward. In the mal and plant species cannot be left in words of Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, the the hands of fragmented nations with former president of Brazil (one of the corrupt governments. And I’m thinking of countries with greatest biodiversity of many countries in Africa, Asia or Latin our planet and host of the first Earth America, which fortunately still have rich Summit in 1992), we have a moral obli- natural areas (both terrestrial and marine) gation to hand down to our children the but which, however, are unable (or same natural heritage that we receive unwilling) to preserve them from the from our parents. Indeed, our duty is to voracious rich-world timber or mining improve it. multinationals. But I fear that just the opposite is hap- We therefore urgently need to create a pening. And there is not much time left World Environment Agency, with execu- to put right a problem that already tive power and the means to stop the affects everyone. Marine pollution has destruction of the Amazon rainforest, already reached the South Pole, until Javier Gregori. / Photo: Pedro Menéndez. the logging of tropical forests of Indone- recently the only continent that was sia, oil pollution of the great Barrier Reef unscathed, and at the other end of the of Australia or the melting of the Green- globe, polar bears are dying when they land ice-sheet caused by the gradual There is still time if we become trapped on small chunks of ice increase in global temperatures. that drift out to sea as a result of climate Because only by conserving their habi- learn our lesson and act warming. tats can we also save the millions of swiftly. We must stop species of animals and plants that live in The history of mass extinctions has them. polluting and destroying shown us that the planet does not need the planet, and extracting us (just ask the dinosaurs), but we as a And talking of solutions, I would also like species, although we sit at the top of the to say loud and clear that in the 21st cen- natural resources that we pyramid, need the other inhabitants of tury we do not want our biodiversity to be do not really need the Earth, which, however, we are busy relegated to zoos. Many governments, ‘eliminating’. including Spain’s, are spending consider- able sums of public money on captive There is still time if we learn our lesson breeding programmes for endangered and act swiftly. We must stop polluting species such as the Iberian lynx. In my and destroying the planet, and extracting opinion, this can only be a stopgap, not natural resources that we do not really a solution.������������������������������ We����������������������������� (and, of course, our chil- need. In short, we ought to learn from dren and grandchildren) deserve better those peoples who have always known than to be able to see just a few speci- how to live in balance with nature. And mens of the Iberian lynx, Bengal tiger, fortunately, many of these wise men and brown bear or chimpanzee locked in women are still here.
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 83 06
News
84 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 85 06 NEWS |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Obra Social “la Caixa”, the CSIC and Microsite on Ageing
the Fundación General CSIC turn the The Fundación General CSIC The aim is to provide a tool to has launched a website spe- facilitate the dialogue between spotlight on ageing cifically devoted to providing the Foundation and users information on the topic of interested in ageing and to Ageing, which is the focus of publicise the activities taking one of its strategic lines of place under this FGCSIC stra- action. tegic line.
The new website is organised into five sections: home, news, activities, proyectos For information visit: cero and resources. http://www.fgcsic.es/envejecimiento
Call for Proyectos Cero proposals on The FGCSIC seminar on Ageing was held in the CSIC’s main auditorium. Ageing
Fundación General CSIC, the Spain produced by the FGC- Spanish National Research SIC Analysis Unit and the Council (CSIC) and Obra special issue on ageing of Social “la Caixa” held a one Lychnos, the Foundation’s day seminar on Ageing to scientific journal, were also present the various activities presented. Maria Blasco being run by the Foundation (CNIO) started the research- to accompany its strategic ers’ section of the event, line on the topic.������������ �����������In particu- which finished with a round lar, these include the launch table discussing the biomed- of a call for Proyectos Cero ical, psychosocial and tech- proposals to provide funding nology-related aspects of for projects addressing age- ageing. During the seminar on Ageing This call aims to support stud- ing-related topics, backed by held on November 16, Jaume ies into psychosocial issues Obra Social “la Caixa” with a Herminia Peraita (UNED), José Lanaspa, Director of the Fun- affecting the elderly and donation of a million euros. Miguel Azkoitia (Tecnalia), Isa- dación “la Caixa”, and Rafael research into technologies, During the seminar the bel Varela-Nieto (CSIC) and Rodrigo, President of the such as telemedicine, pros- agreement enabling the ini- Antonio Martínez Maroto (IMS- Fundación General CSIC, thetics, new materials, auto- tiative was signed by the ERSO) took part in the discus- signed an agreement to mation and robotics, aiming to Fundación General CSIC and sion, which was moderated by launch the first call for FGC- improve their quality of life and Obra Social “la Caixa”. A the journalist Javier Gregori SIC Proyectos Cero projects the impacts of these technol- special report on ageing in (Cadena Ser). on Ageing. ogies.
86 | LYCHNOS | Nº 3 | Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| NEWS 06
Resolution of first call for FGCSIC Proyectos Cero Video on the on Endangered Species trustees the
The Fundación General CSIC’s dación General CSIC’s own and selection committees, the FGCSIC 2010 call for Proyectos Cero resources. Foundation has awarded fund- proposals on Endangered ing to a total of five projects. Species was launched on A total of 41 applications were The researchers involved give March 15 and the winning pro- initially received in the form of an account of their work in posals were announced on expressions of interest, of chapter two of this issue. The October 7. Five projects have which 32 came from various Proyectos Cero award cere- been selected, for which a centres belonging to the Span- mony took place on January budget of 1,085,000 euros has ish National Research Council 18 in the CSIC’s auditorium. been pledged. Funding will be (CSIC). Of the twelve that were provided by Banco Santander, shortlisted, eleven went on to the Spanish National Research compete in the second phase Council (Agencia Estatal CSIC), of the process. After the final For more information visit: Rafael Rodrigo. supplemented with the Fun- assessment by the evaluation http://www.fgcsic.es
The trustees of the Fundación General CSIC, Rafael Rodrigo, the President of the CSIC, Information English FGCSIC Report Emilio Botin, President of Banco Santander, Jaume video version on ageing Lanaspa, Director of Obra on Ageing Social “la Caixa”; Francisco of González, President of BBVA 02 The FGCSIC’s Analysis Unit and FBBVA, Raimundo Pérez- As part of its strategic line on Lychnos has produced a report giving Hernández, Director of the Ageing, the Fundación Gen- an overview of the topic of Fundación Ramón Areces, eral CSIC has produced a The Fundación General CSIC ageing from the viewpoint of and Federico Mayor Zara- video describing the situation has released its publication RTD focusing the needs and goza, Honorary President of of the over-65s in Spanish Lychnos 2 in English. This is a perspectives of the elderly. It the Fundación General CSIC, society. At present this age special issue on ageing, also aims to draw some con- appear in this video to express group accounts for 17% of which aims to inform public clusions about whether the their support for the creation Spain’s population, a figure and private institutions, uni- scientific approach to ageing of the Fundación General which is set to rise to over versities and foreign research addresses the needs of this CSIC, as a tool to serve R&D 30% by 2050. centres about the Founda- population group today. and means of combining the tion’s activities under this line efforts of public research insti- For more information visit: strategic. For more information visit: tutions and the private sector. Visit our YouTube channe Visit our microsite on ageing http://www.fgcsic.es/comunicacion/ Download the report on ageing galeria_multimedia For more information visit: http://www.fgcsic.es/envejecimiento http://www.fgcsic.es/comunicacion/ http://www.youtube.com/fgcsic See issue 2 of Lychnos http://www. galeria_multimedia fgcsic.es http://www.youtube.com/fgcsic
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC | Nº 3 | LYCHNOS | 87 anuncio_especiesingles.pdf 02/02/2011 14:11:32
ReintroductionReintroduction ofof endangeredendangered speciesspecies Iberian lynx
C
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
K Loggerhead sea turtle Gazelle
Sea horse Imperial Eagle Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC / Nº 3 / December 2010 / Published quarterly / Price: 9 euros |||||||||||||||||||||||
Notebooks of the Fundación General CSIC / December 2010
04 12 40 60 Threatened R&D on Threatened Species: Supporting Socio-economic aspects species FGCSIC Proyectos Cero conservation efforts of conservation 03