OUP CORRECTED AUTOPAGE PROOFS – FINAL, 26/10/20, SPi CHAPTER 1 The history, goals, and application of conservation physiology Christine L. Madliger, Oliver P. Love, Steven J. Cooke, and Craig E. Franklin 1.1 The history of combining animal physi ology and toxicology (see Bitman et al. 1969; physiology and conservation science Jefferies 1969)—that provided some of the key evi- dence leading to pesticide bans in the United States, Although conservation physiology is often cited as forming one of the earliest success stories in the one of the newest branches of conservation science field of conservation physiology. (for an overview of conservation science writ large, Despite this success, it would be decades before see Soulé 1985), its foundation is formed by nearly researchers began to formally frame the process of 200 years of comparative animal physiology integrating physiological tools into conservation research. As that primarily laboratory-based dis cip- science as a discipline in its own right. Much of the line expanded into natural settings, the field of eco- first published literature discussing the potential logical (or environmental) physiology began to take applications of physiology in conservation focused shape. By the mid-1900s, scientists were character- on endocrinology, in particular reproductive and izing how physiological adaptations allow organ- stress physiology. For example, building off know- isms to prosper in extreme environments like ledge gained in captive breeding scenarios moni- deserts, the depths of the oceans, high altitudes, toring reproductive hormone levels, Berger et al. and the poles (Feder et al. 1997). Ecological physi- (1999) discussed the application of ‘conservation ology became increasingly interdisciplinary, draw- endocrinology’ for wild populations. By monitor- ing on molecular biology, evolutionary and life ing faecal progesterone levels, the authors deter- history theory, behavioural ecology, and natural mined that a low frequency of juvenile moose history to characterize physiological diversity and (Alces alces) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem adaptations across all environmental types and of the United States was not the result of increased scales (Willmer et al. 2009). Given the capacity of predation by re col on iz ing wolves (Canis lupus) or this knowledge base, it is unsurprising that, as grizzly bears (Ursus arctus), but instead was due to en vir on mental movements gained traction in the low pregnancy rates. It was therefore clear that 1960s, some scientists turned to physiology to dis- physiology could help identify the underlying cern the underlying mechanistic basis of wide- cause of population instabil ity in a wild setting. spread conservation issues. One prominent example In relatively close succession, Millspaugh and is that of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) Washburn (2004), noting the increasing use of fae- causing reproductive failure in avian species, par- cal glucocorticoid levels as indicators of ‘stress’ in ticularly large raptors such as bald eagles (Haliaeetus wild animals, outlined numerous considerations leucocephalus) and peregrine falcons (Falco peregri- for sample collection, processing, and inter pret- nus). It was the discovery of altered eggshell depos- ation that were specific to using this tool in conser- ition dynamics—an interplay of reproductive vation biology research. This work stressed just Christine L. Madliger, Oliver P. Love, Steven J. Cooke, and Craig E. Franklin, The history, goals, and application of conservation physiology In: Conservation Physiology: Applications for Wildlife Conservation and Management. Edited by: Christine L. Madliger, Craig E. Franklin, Oliver P. Love, and Steven J. Cooke, Oxford University Press (2021). © Oxford University Press. DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780198843610.003.0001 OUP CORRECTED AUTOPAGE PROOFS – FINAL, 26/10/20, SPi 2 CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY: APPLICATIONS FOR WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT how important it is to have detailed knowledge of patterns to provide information on the mechanism(s) the role of any aspect of physiology in maintaining underpinning a conservation issue. homeostasis (i.e. the value of validating tools for The next major leap in the field came in 2013 with specific species and contexts) to employ a physio- the launch of the dedicated journal Conservation logic al metric as a conservation biomarker. Physiology by Oxford. For scientists sometimes fa cing Conservation physiology became much more solidi- difficulty fitting their research into the scope of existing fied in the mid-2000s as researchers came together to journals, this became an outlet where studies could be define its purpose and scope. In 2004, a symposium published without having to tailor to either a solely titled ‘Ecophysiology and Conservation: The physiological or conservation science-focused venue. Contribution of Endocrinology and Immunology’ at The inaugural paper of the journal refined the the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology’s definition of conservation physi ology to be, ‘an annual meeting specifically showcased physiological integrative scientific discipline applying physiological research with conservation implications (Stevenson et concepts, tools, and know ledge to characterizing bio- al. 2005). Many of the associated papers from this logical diversity and its ecological implications; under- symposium covered endocrine disruption in aquatic standing and predicting how organisms, populations, environments (Stevenson et al. 2005), reflecting the and ecosystems respond to environmental change and history of using physiological techniques to under- stressors; and solving conservation problems across stand the effects of environmental toxins and pollu- the broad range of taxa (i.e. including microbes, plants, tants. Soon after, Wikelski and Cooke (2006, p. 38) and animals)’ (Cooke et al. 2013, p. 2). This is an inher- formally defined and described in detail the scope and ently broad definition thatcon siders the diversity of goals of conservation physiology as an emerging, physio logic al traits available, which span im mun- cogent discipline. Their definition stated that conser- ology/epidemiology, endocrinology, bio ener get ics, vation physiology is, ‘the study of physiological car dio respira tory physiology, physio logic al genomics, responses of organisms to human alteration of the neuro- and sensory physiology, and toxicology (Cooke en vir on ment that might cause or contribute to popu- et al. 2013). The authors envisioned the dis cip line con- lation declines’. Importantly, they stressed that one of tributing to diverse conservation goals, including iden- the most valuable characteristics of conservation tifying strategies to rebuild popula tions, ecosystem physi ology is that it reaches beyond a description of restoration, conservation policy development, and Table 1.1 The scope of conservation physiology. Adapted from Cooke et al. (2013). Monitoring and identifying threats Predicting change Integrating with diverse Achieving conservation success dis cip lines Providing a mechanistic understanding of the Developing Integration of physiology with Exploiting knowledge of organismal effect of environmental change on organisms mechanistic models conservation behaviour, physiology to control invasive species Understanding the influences of for species conservation medicine, conservation and restore threatened habitats and anthropogenic disturbance and variation in distributions toxicology, conservation genetics, populations and other relevant sub-disciplines habitat quality on organism condition, health, Developing Understanding the optimal and survival mechanistic Understanding the relevance of environmental conditions for ex situ Understanding the physiological mechanisms relationships ecology and evolution of preservation of endangered species involved in changes in community, ecosystem, between population physiological diversity to (e.g. captive breeding) declines and conservation and landscape structure, as well as individual Integrating physiological knowledge physiological species, in response to environmental change Understanding the relevance of into ecosystem management and processes Evaluating stress responsiveness and acclimatization and adaptation of development of tools to solve environmental tolerances relative to Developing physiological processes to complex conservation problems predictive models in environmental variation to environmental change (including climate Evaluating and improving the conservation management and conservation change and ocean acidification) success of various management and practices that Applications of contemporary conservation interventions Applying physiological biomarkers as part of include physiological genomic and post-genomic long-term environmental monitoring parameters Understanding the policy technologies to conservation programmes implications of conservation physiology physiology research OUP CORRECTED AUTOPAGE PROOFS – FINAL, 26/10/20, SPi (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) Figure 1.1 Conservation physiology successes cover a diversity of taxa, ecosystems, landscape scales, and physiological systems. (A) Birds of prey, such as osprey, have rebounded following regulations on DDT. (B) Plague is being combated in the endangered black-footed ferret via a targeted vaccination programme. (C) Caribou and wolf populations are being effectively managed via physiological monitoring of scat. (D) Nutrition programmes support successful