Tapirs have unique nutritional needs,as well as anatomical,physiological,behavioral and ecological adapta-tions that must be considered when managing their health,both in the wild and in captivity.Information about ho...Tapirs have unique nutritional needs,as well as anatomical,physiological,behavioral and ecological adapta-tions that must be considered when managing their health,both in the wild and in captivity.Information about how tapirs live in their natural habitats can provide crucial knowledge to prevent many of the health problems found in captivity such as infectious and parasitic diseases,reproductive issues and nutritional and behavior-al disorders.Likewise,proper management in captivity can significantly contribute to in situ conservation pro-grams.Conservation medicine is a science created to address the global health crisis that jeopardizes biodiver-sity causing imbalances among ecosystem,human,animal and vegetal health.In this context,common threats to tapir health and conservation,such as isolated and small populations surrounded by human activity,chemical pollution,domestic animals and their pathogenic agents,need to be better understood.This manuscript provides information about the health of tapirs both in captivity and in the wild and aims to encourage tapir conservation-ists worldwide to gather information about pathogen and disease dynamics and manifestation,as well as impli-cations for tapir conservation.展开更多
A population viability analysis(PVA)was conducted of the lowland tapir populations in the Atlantic Forest of the Pontal do Paranapanema region,Brazil,including Morro do Diabo State Park(MDSP)and surrounding forest fra...A population viability analysis(PVA)was conducted of the lowland tapir populations in the Atlantic Forest of the Pontal do Paranapanema region,Brazil,including Morro do Diabo State Park(MDSP)and surrounding forest fragments.Results from the model projected that the population of 126 tapirs in MDSP is likely to per-sist over the next 100 years;however,200 tapirs would be required to maintain a viable population.Sensitiv-ity analysis showed that sub-adult mortality and adult mortality have the strongest influence on the dynamics of lowland tapir populations.High road-kill has a major impact on the MDSP tapir population and can lead to population extinction.Metapopulation modeling showed that dispersal of tapirs from MDSP to the surrounding fragments can be detrimental to the overall metapopulation,as fragments act as sinks.Nevertheless,the model showed that under certain conditions the maintenance of the metapopulation dynamics might be determinant for the persistence of tapirs in the region,particularly in the smaller fragments.The establishment of corridors con-necting MDSP to the forest fragments models resulted in an increase in the stochastic growth rate,making ta-pirs more resilient to threats and catastrophes,but only if rates of mortality were not increased when using cor-ridors.The PVA showed that the conservation of tapirs in the Pontal region depends on:the effective protection of MDSP;maintenance and,whenever possible,enhancement of the functional connectivity of the landscape,reducing mortality during dispersal and threats in the unprotected forest fragments;and neutralization of all threats affecting tapirs in the smaller forest fragments.展开更多
In situ conservation is widely considered a primary conservation strategy. Plant translocation, specifically, represents an important tool for reducing the extinction risk of threatened species. However, thus far, few...In situ conservation is widely considered a primary conservation strategy. Plant translocation, specifically, represents an important tool for reducing the extinction risk of threatened species. However, thus far, few documented translocations have been carried out in the Mediterranean islands. The CareMediflora project, carried out on six Mediterranean islands, tackles both short-and long-term needs for the insular endangered plants through in situ and ex situ conservation actions. The project approach is based on using ex situ activities as a tool to improve in situ conservation of threatened plant species.Fifty island plants(representing 45 taxa) were selected for translocations using common criteria.During the translocations, several approaches were used, which differed in site selection method, origin of genetic material, type of propagative material, planting method, and more. Although only preliminary data are available, some general lessons can be learned from the experience of the CareMediflora project. Among the factors restricting the implementation of translocations, limited financial resources appear to be the most important. Specific preliminary management actions, sometimes to be reiterated after translocation, increase the overall cost, but often are necessary for translocation success. Translocation using juvenile/reproductive plants produces better results over the short term,although seeds may provide good results over the long run(to be assessed in the future). Regardless,plant translocation success can only be detected over long periods; therefore, proper evaluation of plant translocations requires a long-term monitoring protocol. Care-Mediflora project represents the first attempt to combine the existing approaches in a common plant conservation strategy specifically focusing on the Mediterranean islands.展开更多
Southeast Asia’s tropical forests suffer the highest rates of deforestation and disturbance of any on Earth,with poorly understood impacts on native fauna.Asian tapirs(Tapirus indicus)are among the least studied of t...Southeast Asia’s tropical forests suffer the highest rates of deforestation and disturbance of any on Earth,with poorly understood impacts on native fauna.Asian tapirs(Tapirus indicus)are among the least studied of the large mammals in these forests.Using records from 9 camera trap surveys in 7 of the largest(>1000 km2)pro-tected area complexes,we assessed the influence of environmental variation and human-induced disturbance on tapir occurrence.Tapirs were detected at 13%of locations sampled,significantly associated with evergreen for-est(P<0.001).A multiple logistic regression model predicted tapir presence 87%of the time.According to this model,tapir occurrence was positively influenced by annual rainfall and proximity to the forest edge.Howev-er,tapirs may not avoid edges but instead prefer wetter evergreen forest,a habitat type that tended to occur fur-ther from the forest edge at higher elevations in our particular study sites(P<0.001).By comparison,4 other wild ungulate species that share habitats with tapirs showed a range of differing responses.Tapirs are expect-ed to be less sensitive to disturbance because they are not targets for hunting and trade,and are almost entire-ly active at night,so avoid peak traffic periods in parks.Tapir populations in Thailand may be more stable than in other parts of their global range because rates of forest loss have decreased>40%over the past 20 years.We recommend surveys to fill gaps in the understanding of the status in lesser-known protected areas,research to better understand the fine-scale environmental influences on behavior and habitats of tapirs,and other forest un-gulates,and continued legal status for tapirs in the highest category of protection.展开更多
The conservation status of all the amphibians in China is analyzed,and the country is shown to be a global priority for conservation in comparison to many other countries of the world.Three Chinese regions are particu...The conservation status of all the amphibians in China is analyzed,and the country is shown to be a global priority for conservation in comparison to many other countries of the world.Three Chinese regions are particularly rich in amphibian diversity:Hengduan,Nanling,and Wuyi mountains.Sala-manders are more threatened than frogs and toads.Several smaller families show a high propensity to become seriously threatened:Bombinatoridae,Cryptobranchidae,Hynobiidae and Salamandridae.Like other parts of the world,stream-breeding,high-elevation forest amphibians have a much higher likeli-hood of being seriously threatened.Habitat loss,pollution,and over-harvesting are the most serious threats to Chinese amphibians.Over-harvesting is a less pervasive threat than habitat loss,but it is more likely to drive a species into rapid decline.Five conservation challenges are mentioned with recommendations for the highest priority research and conservation actions.展开更多
This study provides an updated picture of mammal invasions in Europe,based on detailed analysis of information on introductions occurring from the Neolithic to recent times.The assessment considered all information on...This study provides an updated picture of mammal invasions in Europe,based on detailed analysis of information on introductions occurring from the Neolithic to recent times.The assessment considered all information on species introductions,known extinctions and successful eradication campaigns,to reconstruct a trend of alien mammals’establishment in the region.Through a comparative analysis of the data on introduction,with the information on the impact of alien mammals on native and threatened species of Europe,the present study also provides an objective assessment of the overall impact of mammal introductions on European biodiversity,including information on impact mechanisms.The results of this assessment confirm the constant increase of mammal invasions in Europe,with no indication of a reduction of the rate of introduction.The study also confirms the severe impact of alien mammals,which directly threaten a significant number of native species,including many highly threatened species.The results could help to prioritize species for response,as required by international conventions and obligations.展开更多
文摘Tapirs have unique nutritional needs,as well as anatomical,physiological,behavioral and ecological adapta-tions that must be considered when managing their health,both in the wild and in captivity.Information about how tapirs live in their natural habitats can provide crucial knowledge to prevent many of the health problems found in captivity such as infectious and parasitic diseases,reproductive issues and nutritional and behavior-al disorders.Likewise,proper management in captivity can significantly contribute to in situ conservation pro-grams.Conservation medicine is a science created to address the global health crisis that jeopardizes biodiver-sity causing imbalances among ecosystem,human,animal and vegetal health.In this context,common threats to tapir health and conservation,such as isolated and small populations surrounded by human activity,chemical pollution,domestic animals and their pathogenic agents,need to be better understood.This manuscript provides information about the health of tapirs both in captivity and in the wild and aims to encourage tapir conservation-ists worldwide to gather information about pathogen and disease dynamics and manifestation,as well as impli-cations for tapir conservation.
文摘A population viability analysis(PVA)was conducted of the lowland tapir populations in the Atlantic Forest of the Pontal do Paranapanema region,Brazil,including Morro do Diabo State Park(MDSP)and surrounding forest fragments.Results from the model projected that the population of 126 tapirs in MDSP is likely to per-sist over the next 100 years;however,200 tapirs would be required to maintain a viable population.Sensitiv-ity analysis showed that sub-adult mortality and adult mortality have the strongest influence on the dynamics of lowland tapir populations.High road-kill has a major impact on the MDSP tapir population and can lead to population extinction.Metapopulation modeling showed that dispersal of tapirs from MDSP to the surrounding fragments can be detrimental to the overall metapopulation,as fragments act as sinks.Nevertheless,the model showed that under certain conditions the maintenance of the metapopulation dynamics might be determinant for the persistence of tapirs in the region,particularly in the smaller fragments.The establishment of corridors con-necting MDSP to the forest fragments models resulted in an increase in the stochastic growth rate,making ta-pirs more resilient to threats and catastrophes,but only if rates of mortality were not increased when using cor-ridors.The PVA showed that the conservation of tapirs in the Pontal region depends on:the effective protection of MDSP;maintenance and,whenever possible,enhancement of the functional connectivity of the landscape,reducing mortality during dispersal and threats in the unprotected forest fragments;and neutralization of all threats affecting tapirs in the smaller forest fragments.
基金financially supporting (80%) the CARE-MEDIFLORA project
文摘In situ conservation is widely considered a primary conservation strategy. Plant translocation, specifically, represents an important tool for reducing the extinction risk of threatened species. However, thus far, few documented translocations have been carried out in the Mediterranean islands. The CareMediflora project, carried out on six Mediterranean islands, tackles both short-and long-term needs for the insular endangered plants through in situ and ex situ conservation actions. The project approach is based on using ex situ activities as a tool to improve in situ conservation of threatened plant species.Fifty island plants(representing 45 taxa) were selected for translocations using common criteria.During the translocations, several approaches were used, which differed in site selection method, origin of genetic material, type of propagative material, planting method, and more. Although only preliminary data are available, some general lessons can be learned from the experience of the CareMediflora project. Among the factors restricting the implementation of translocations, limited financial resources appear to be the most important. Specific preliminary management actions, sometimes to be reiterated after translocation, increase the overall cost, but often are necessary for translocation success. Translocation using juvenile/reproductive plants produces better results over the short term,although seeds may provide good results over the long run(to be assessed in the future). Regardless,plant translocation success can only be detected over long periods; therefore, proper evaluation of plant translocations requires a long-term monitoring protocol. Care-Mediflora project represents the first attempt to combine the existing approaches in a common plant conservation strategy specifically focusing on the Mediterranean islands.
基金funded by the TRF/BIOTEC Special Program for Biodiversity Research and Training grant BRT-R353008 and BRT-R346001.
文摘Southeast Asia’s tropical forests suffer the highest rates of deforestation and disturbance of any on Earth,with poorly understood impacts on native fauna.Asian tapirs(Tapirus indicus)are among the least studied of the large mammals in these forests.Using records from 9 camera trap surveys in 7 of the largest(>1000 km2)pro-tected area complexes,we assessed the influence of environmental variation and human-induced disturbance on tapir occurrence.Tapirs were detected at 13%of locations sampled,significantly associated with evergreen for-est(P<0.001).A multiple logistic regression model predicted tapir presence 87%of the time.According to this model,tapir occurrence was positively influenced by annual rainfall and proximity to the forest edge.Howev-er,tapirs may not avoid edges but instead prefer wetter evergreen forest,a habitat type that tended to occur fur-ther from the forest edge at higher elevations in our particular study sites(P<0.001).By comparison,4 other wild ungulate species that share habitats with tapirs showed a range of differing responses.Tapirs are expect-ed to be less sensitive to disturbance because they are not targets for hunting and trade,and are almost entire-ly active at night,so avoid peak traffic periods in parks.Tapir populations in Thailand may be more stable than in other parts of their global range because rates of forest loss have decreased>40%over the past 20 years.We recommend surveys to fill gaps in the understanding of the status in lesser-known protected areas,research to better understand the fine-scale environmental influences on behavior and habitats of tapirs,and other forest un-gulates,and continued legal status for tapirs in the highest category of protection.
文摘The conservation status of all the amphibians in China is analyzed,and the country is shown to be a global priority for conservation in comparison to many other countries of the world.Three Chinese regions are particularly rich in amphibian diversity:Hengduan,Nanling,and Wuyi mountains.Sala-manders are more threatened than frogs and toads.Several smaller families show a high propensity to become seriously threatened:Bombinatoridae,Cryptobranchidae,Hynobiidae and Salamandridae.Like other parts of the world,stream-breeding,high-elevation forest amphibians have a much higher likeli-hood of being seriously threatened.Habitat loss,pollution,and over-harvesting are the most serious threats to Chinese amphibians.Over-harvesting is a less pervasive threat than habitat loss,but it is more likely to drive a species into rapid decline.Five conservation challenges are mentioned with recommendations for the highest priority research and conservation actions.
基金partly funded through the US voluntary contribution to IUCNa program co-funded by the European Commission within the 6th Research Framework Programme.
文摘This study provides an updated picture of mammal invasions in Europe,based on detailed analysis of information on introductions occurring from the Neolithic to recent times.The assessment considered all information on species introductions,known extinctions and successful eradication campaigns,to reconstruct a trend of alien mammals’establishment in the region.Through a comparative analysis of the data on introduction,with the information on the impact of alien mammals on native and threatened species of Europe,the present study also provides an objective assessment of the overall impact of mammal introductions on European biodiversity,including information on impact mechanisms.The results of this assessment confirm the constant increase of mammal invasions in Europe,with no indication of a reduction of the rate of introduction.The study also confirms the severe impact of alien mammals,which directly threaten a significant number of native species,including many highly threatened species.The results could help to prioritize species for response,as required by international conventions and obligations.
