Abbott, Rachael, Victoria University of Wellington; Ben Bell
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Abbott, Rachael, Victoria University of Wellington; Ben Bell, Victoria University of Wellington; Nicky Nelson, Victoria Acevedo, Aldemar, Ecology and Biogeography Research Group, University of Wellington Universidad de Pamplona; Rosmery Franco, Ecology and Biogeography Research Group, Universidad de Pamplona; Improving conservation management of New Zealand's Karen Silva, Ecology and Biogeography Research Group, rarest kiwi (Apteryx rowi): An integrated approach Universidad de Pamplona identifies optimal release group size. To increase the effectiveness of restocking for conservation, it Diversity and Conservation Status of Andean Amphibians is necessary to identify any elements of the release protocol from the Tama National Natural Park - Colombia which affect post release survival, and modify the procedure Anthropogenic disturbances in habitats have led to changes in accordingly. Rowi are critically endangered flightless ratites composition, diversity and abundance patterns of amphibian which form monogamous, highly territorial pairs. Restocking species, as well as adverse effects on the conservation of these of the sole remaining rowi population has been underway for in the Neotropics. To evaluate these processes and determine over 16 years. To reflect the adult social organisation, releases the amphibian diversity, from August 2010 to April 2011 traditionally took place in pairs or small groups. However, samplings were made in the Tama park (Colombia) in four preliminary data analysis led us to hypothesize that Andean mountain areas, between 2000 to 3200 m.a.s.l. In individuals in larger groups may have higher survival rate than order to determine the impact of threats; we applied the those in small release groups. We tested this by technique of formal concept analysis (AFC) to evaluate the experimentally manipulating release group size over 3 years, different degrees of threat (habitat fragmentation, animal followed by intensive post release monitoring. Modelling husbandry, human presence and infection with reveals that of all variables tested, group size was the only Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis). We recorded 538 factor with significant influence on post release survival individuals of 17 species of amphibians. 95 samples were (n=67, p=0.036). Kaplan Meier analysis showed cumulative analyzed for the diagnosis of chytrid fungus through the survival at 90 days post release of small groups (ф 0.545, conventional PCR technique, 45 were positive in 12 n=22) was significantly lower than that of large groups (ф amphibians species, being one of the most alarming registers 0.911, n=45). This finding has led to a change in release of infection in the Colombian country. In the AFC results, six protocol, and also has important theoretical implications for of 17 species recorded faced the five threats. This study led to the interpretation of behavioral ecology, life history and the discovery of a new species (Bolitoglossa tamanese), plus demography, and their application to reintroduction biology five new records were reported, three new for Colombia: P. and restocking as a conservation tool. gryllus, P. melanoproctus and P. mondolfii and two species to the department of Norte de Santander: Dendropsophus pelidna and P. frater. Finally, we suggest further explorations Abrams, Jesse, Leibniz Center Tropical Marine Ecol to the areas of the Massif El Tamá, and evaluate other aspects of threats to which could be subjected amphibian species of high mountain areas. The Carbon Cycle: Where does SCB's habitat trading fit in? We need carbon but the need for carbon is also associated with one of the biggest problems of today: global warming. Ackerly, David, University of California, Berkeley Carbon is exchanged between different reservoirs in what is known as the carbon cycle. The carbon cycle has both fast Topoclimates and climate change impacts on vegetation and slow components, which help regulate the Earth’s in Mediterranean ecosystems of South Africa and temperature on both short and long time scales. Certain California components could act as either positive or negative feedbacks Species distribution models have played a central role in on the system. There are certain phases of the global carbon projections of climate change impacts on biodiversity. I cycle that offer opportunities for reduction of future present two studies examining the influences of topography greenhouse gas impacts, such as preserving and restoring on climatic heterogeneity and plant distributions at fine habitats that sequester carbon dioxide. A combination of spatial scales, to evaluate the potential for species to persist in potential sequestration strategies could help mitigate the heterogeneous landscapes with limited dispersal. In the San problem of rising carbon dioxide levels and the secondary Francisco Bay Area, summer and winter temperatures are problems, such as ocean acidification, associated with it. inversely correlated in relation to distance from the coast. Amongst these strategies are improved land management and Vegetation types that are most responsive to summer restoration of degraded lands and cultivated organic soils. temperature are projected to shift downhill and as a result Here I will identify where SCB’s habitat trading fits into the they expand their potential range in lower elevation areas. climate change mitigation picture. Vegetation that is more sensitive to winter temperatures shifts uphill, leading to range restrictions as high elevations cover less area. On Table Mt (Cape Town, South Africa) extinction as well as providing recent account on status of the topographic heterogeneity generates up to 3°C variation in biodiversity rich Oban forest. Guided-reconnaissance walks minimum and maximum temperatures at a local scale, due to were used in a stratified random manner where all cold air pooling and solar insolation, respectively. For one chimpanzee signs encountered were identified and noted. All high elevation fynbos species, this fine-scale variation provides signs of anthropogenic activities encountered were also a buffer of an additional 1°C rise in regional temperature recorded. Interaction with local communities around the area before it goes extinct. The two studies together highlight the was also carried out aimed at assessing local perspective of the importance of enhanced spatial resolution in both climate and chimpanzees and the Oban Forest. This study confirmed the biodiversity modeling, and the potential importance of presence of chimpanzees at very low densities in the Oban landscape heterogeneity for biodiversity conservation in the forest as no chimpanzee was sighted except nest and calls face of climate change. heard. Hunting, logging and farming were also identified as the greatest of 13 threat identified to the chimpanzees and the forest. It demonstrates the need for urgent steps to eliminate anthropogenic activities which affect the chimpanzees as well Adams, Vanessa, Charles Darwin University as other species of conservation importance in the habitat. It provides data in line with a recent regional IUCN action plan Planning for conservation and development: can a to conserve the Nigeria-Cameroon Chimpanzee. regional strategic plan link to on ground local actions? We present a regional planning exercise currently being undertaken in the Daly river catchment, Northern Territory, Australia and the potential opportunities and barriers to Aguirre, Alonso, George Mason University implementation. Although the Daly catchment currently has relatively little clearing, there is interest in future development Conservation Medicine: bridging the gaps to face projects including intensifying agricultural and pastoral uses. transdisciplinary challenges and integrative research in Therefore, a concurrent development and conservation ecological health planning process is being undertaken to allow for objectives Conservation Medicine has emphasized the need to bridge to be formulated and trade-offs to be considered explicitly. disciplines, thereby linking human health, animal health, and Both development and conservation of natural resources in ecosystem health under the paradigm that “health connects all the catchment will affect human wellbeing and the long-term species in the planet” with the urgent need to address the provisioning of ecosystem services; therefore the engagement rapid deterioration of the world. The recent convergence of process with residents has focused on quantifying the global problems including climate change, biodiversity loss, importance of key factors to their wellbeing. The habitat fragmentation, globalization, and infectious disease engagement process uniquely links these factors to spatial emergence demanded integrative approaches breaching features in the catchment and we compare the factors disciplinary boundaries. This integration requires identified as being most important to wellbeing and the plan commitment not only from government agencies, universities priorities (objectives) set by the catchment management and other organizations but eventually will attempt to authority. We discuss how alignment the plan priorities to generate new international structures. Conservation Medicine factors important to resident wellbeing might contribute to needs to orient itself toward research that accounts for these the overall acceptance of the plan. Lastly, we discuss the global changes and contextualize it in terms of human potential for the regional plan to be implemented both at a development. The