• Context Fire is increasing in intensity and frequency, leading to novel fire regimes in many regions. For oceanic islands of volcanic origin, endemic plants have evolved in the context of lava-ignited fires. • Aims Responses to fire were investigated in 4 endemic (Nototrichium humile, Hibiscus brackenridgei subsp. mokuleianus, Gossypium tomentosum, Erythrina sandwicensis) and 1 invasive (Leucaena leucocephala) plant species in Hawai‘i. Because conservation efforts commonly rely on juvenile stages, which are predicted to be particularly vulnerable to fire, we tested fire resprouting in saplings. • Methods Sapling resprouting was tested using experimental methods. Saplings were burned using a fire torch, and resprouting was monitored for 30 days. Proportion of plants resprouting and the timing of resprouting were the metrics of fire tolerance. • Key results Resprouting rates were high in 4 of the species (65-95%). The endemic E. sandwicensis was the only species that failed to resprout. The timing of resprouting varied among species, with the invasive species resprouting faster than the endemics. • Conclusions Saplings demonstrated surprisingly high tolerance to the fire treatments, indicating potential for these early stages to withstand fire. The invasive species resprouted faster than the endemics, which could contribute to competitive displacement in burned sites. At least one native Hawaiian plant species potentially lacks fire tolerance completely at the sapling stage. • Implications Sapling fire tolerance informs restoration actions that rely on out-plantings into fire-prone sites. Scaling up these results requires additional species testing and fire treatments to mimic contemporary fires.

Cetaceans living in the open ocean face many challenges associated with the unpredictability of pelagic environments. The inaccessibility and vastness of these ocean environments has also contributed to critical knowledge gaps in population abundance estimates, genetic structure, and foraging ecology of many pelagic cetacean species. This review focuses on one such group of large delphinids, the “blackfish”. Within this group, we highlight five species with similar morphologies and overlapping global distributions: false killer whales (<italic> Pseudorca crassidens </italic>), pilot whales (<italic> Globicephala </italic> spp.), melon-headed whales (<italic> Peponocephala electra </italic>) and pygmy killer whales (<italic> Feresa attenuata </italic>), focusing on populations within the Pacific Ocean basin. These species are highly mobile, socially complex, long-lived and slow to reproduce, and often occur in small or disjunct island-associated populations. They are also frequently misidentified and considerably understudied, complicating efforts to assess their conservation status and manage populations effectively. Using a combination of keyword-based searches and synthesis of peer-reviewed and grey literature, we compiled information across seven key thematic areas: taxonomy and subspecies, population abundance estimates and trends, global distribution, social organisation and association patterns, genetic population structure, foraging ecology and habitat use, and conservation concerns, management efforts and future directions. Synthesising available information across species enables meaningful comparisons and consideration of shared conservation challenges. Here, we show that most existing knowledge of blackfish species in the Pacific comes from a few well-studied populations, while all other regions and species remain largely data deficient. This highlights the need for continued future research and implementation of cross-jurisdictional management strategies in this region.

Adverse fire regimes threaten biodiversity, potentially leading to population declines and increased extinction risk. Understanding how varying fire regimes affect threatened species is essential for effective ecosystem management, including in Western Australia where diverse ecosystems are exposed to wildfires, Indigenous burning, and prescribed fire. We compiled and synthesised data on the threat of adverse fire regimes to threatened animal taxa in Western Australia. Using a threat classification scheme, we ranked adverse fire regimes as having either no, low, medium, high, or unknown impact on each taxon. Of 212 taxa reviewed, 153 (72%) are considered fire-threatened: 29 high impact, 67 medium, 43 low, and 14 unknown. This includes 100% of threatened amphibians (3 taxa), 91% of threatened mammals (29), 71% of threatened invertebrates (85), 67% of threatened fish (6), 63% of threatened reptiles (10) and 61% of threatened birds (20). Only some bird (6), mammal (5), and invertebrate (18) taxa received a ranking of ‘high’. Across all fire-threatened taxa, we synthesised 330 fire response cases from 169 studies. Most taxa (75%) are considered fire-threatened due to small ranges and limited dispersal (primarily invertebrates and island taxa), with much smaller numbers reliant on long-unburnt vegetation (>10–40 years; 7%) or habitat features that take decades to form (e.g., tree hollows; 7%). Many taxa should be considered putatively fire-threatened until further information on their fire responses and the nature of fire regimes within their ranges is collected. We identify key research priorities to inform fire management and threatened species conservation.

No abstract is required

Context Worldwide, many waterbird species are in decline and are now internationally and nationally threatened. Understanding the causes and rates of mortality for species of concern is critical for effective conservation management. Aim We aim to improve understanding of mortality causes and rates, and highlight gaps in knowledge for ibis and spoonbill species in three genera of the Threskiornithidae family (Threskiornis, Plegadis and Platalea). These genera are widely distributed, frequently prioritised for conservation actions worldwide, and are the only ibis and spoonbill genera in the Oceania region. This is the first global review of mortality for these taxa. Methods We extracted and synthesised mortality data from the international literature for 13 Threskiornithidae species, including mortality causes and rates. Key results Fourteen mortality causes were documented. In decreasing frequency, these were: predation, unknown cause, exposure to weather, water level change, other specified death, human disturbance, human hunting, abandonment, toxins, pathogens and parasites, starvation, competition, collision or entanglement with human structures, and long-distance movement. Few studies provided both mortality causes and rates. Most focused on eggs and chicks, and there was a distinct gap in knowledge for post-fledgling, immature and adult life stages. Conclusions Substantial discrepancies in knowledge among species exist, with a lack of data for endangered species of particular concern. Implications Such knowledge gaps limit the ability of conservation managers to understand and predict the effects of management on populations. New data are required to accurately predict species trajectories and inform management decisions tailored to support species persistence.

Context The Liverpool Plains of inland NSW carry a priority population of koalas in a State in which the species is listed as Endangered under both New South Wales and Commonwealth legislation. Aims Our primary questions were: had the koala population declined between 2013 and 2016? If so, what were the likely causes of the decline? Do our findings reflect koala population trends in the region? Methods Our study, conducted in a remnant patch of vegetation at Marys Mount Blue Metal Quarry, used direct counts rather than relying on indirect evidence. A 2013 count was part of an environmental assessment and we repeated the count in 2016. Key results The count in 2013 observed 18 koalas in a single night. In 2016, no koalas were sighted within the study area, however, three were observed on adjacent properties. Conclusions The most likely explanation for the decline is a combination of threats acting simultaneously. As our study was not designed to distinguish among these, we cannot determine their relative contributions. However, threats including habitat loss due to mining, over-browsing, disease and extreme weather likely had concurrent impacts on koalas. The potential impact of extreme heat and lack of rain is consistent with similar declines observed in the region. Implications Our study considered several possible causes for the decline. Future research is needed to determine the specific impacts of each threat on koala populations in this region.

Context. Trees in the Family Lauraceae have high commercial value, due to their aromatic properties and oil. Despite this, many species within the family are understudied. Lauraceae are globally distributed, with Indonesia having high species richness, especially in Sumatra. However, specific Lauraceae hotspots have yet to be identified. Habitat destruction resulting in tree loss has become a serious threat to the survival of Lauraceae. Furthermore, climate change is expected to negatively impact suitable habitat that currently sustains these populations, yet the underlying ecological processes are poorly understood. Aims. The present study aimed to identify current Lauraceae hotspots, and to model the impact of climate change on Lauraceae distribution in Sumatra using a MaxEnt algorithm-based approach. Methods. A Getis ord Gi* analysis was used to identify which areas in West Sumatra were current hotspots of Lauraceae. A modelling approach was used to predict the future distribution of this family under both best and worst scenarios (SSP 1.2-6 and SSP 5.8-5). Key results. Current Lauracaea distribution hotspots were identified in West Sumatra, and the family’s range was expected to contract under both predicted climate change scenarios. Conclusions. While distribution loss under the best-case scenario was less than under the worst-case scenario, the predicted contraction in the family’s distribution is a concern for its future persistence in the wild. Implications. This study indicate where conservation strategies might be best applied to protect Lauraceae from extinction in Sumatra. Keywords: Climate impact, Sumatra, Species Distribution, Conservation, Modelling

Context Nest hollow resources provided by native eucalypts in south-west Western Australia are a diminishing resource. Aims We investigated the change in nest hollow availability in two common species of eucalypts used by Carnaby’s cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) across multiple land tenure types over a 25-year period in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia. Methods Changes due to natural and anthropogenic causes in the persistence, canopy health and nest viability in wandoo (Eucalyptus wandoo) and salmon gum (E. salmonophloia) nest trees across four land tenure types were monitored after a 22-year interval. A proof-of-concept trial to repair unviable nest hollows was conducted on a limited sample of salmon gum trees. Key results The loss of nest trees was consistent across land tenures and tree species. Mean annual rate of loss of trees was 29–242% higher than species-specific rates previously reported in the literature. Tree canopy health was unchanged in 33–45% of trees, while 43–53% of dead standing nest trees were lost over 22 years. Conclusions The increased rate of loss recorded, along with the decline in canopy health of living trees indicates that a major collapse in eucalypt woodland nest availability can be expected in the northern wheatbelt over the next 50–70 years. Implications Maintenance of eucalypt woodland nest hollow resources will depend on provision of artificial nest hollows, repairs to existing viable and currently unviable nest hollows and the urgent need to establish new woodlands through targeted planting programs.

During a bushfire recovery project involving the deployment and monitoring of nest boxes on Kangaroo Island, we discovered that the poorly known Endangered Kangaroo Island dunnart was partially arboreal and used, and possibly built, nests of finely shredded wood in pygmy-possum nest boxes.

Wildlife tourism offers potential for conserving wildlife, yet research is geographically concentrated in specific regions and undertaken in English. Adding insights from under-reporting countries can inform global conservation efforts. The aim of this review is to critically examine wildlife tourism literature to discuss the current status and future directions of Japanese wildlife tourism research. We systematically searched for peer-reviewed academic articles written in Japanese and English using the following databases: CiNii for Japanese articles and Web of Sciences, EBSCOHost and SCOPUS for English articles. Twenty-eight relevant articles were identified but the term ‘wildlife tourism’ was rarely used in Japanese literature, indicating that this is a relatively novel concept in Japan. The articles were categorised into six of the seven research themes identified from existing textbooks on wildlife tourism: (1) ecological impacts and sustainability (eight studies); (2) wildlife tourists (seven studies); (3) community engagement in wildlife tourism (one study); (4) wildlife tourism management and policy (five studies); (5) learning and interpretation (one study); and (6) economic impacts (six studies). Wildlife tourism research is at an early stage in Japan and will require more multidisciplinary approaches in future by including biodiversity and animal ethics issues, wildlife interpretation quality, understanding tourist expectations and awareness of Japan’s nature tourism offerings. This review broadens wildlife tourism scholarship to include under-explored non-Western context. It highlighted the importance of integrating both ecological and cultural considerations for wildlife tourism research.