Effective Conservation Management Research Articles

Year-round offshore distribution, behaviour, and overlap with commercial fisheries of a Critically Endangered small petrel

Without insights into the threats affecting species across their distributions and throughout their annual cycles, effective conservation management cannot be applied. The Whenua Hou diving petrel Pelecanoides whenuahouensis (WHDP) is a Critically Endangered small seabird whose offshore habits and threats are poorly understood. We tracked WHDPs year-round in 2015/16, 2017/18, and 2018/19 using global location-sensing immersion loggers to identify offshore distribution, movements, behaviour, and overlap with commercial fishing effort. During the breeding period, WHDPs ranged from southern Aotearoa (New Zealand) to Maukahuka (Auckland Islands). After breeding, WHDPs migrated southwest towards the Polar Front south of Australia, exhibited clockwise movements, and returned to their breeding grounds via the Subantarctic Front. During the non-breeding period, WHDPs exhibited extreme aquatic behaviour and spent >95% of their time on, or under, water. The core areas used consistently during breeding and non-breeding periods warrant listing as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas. Spatiotemporal overlap of commercial fishing effort with breeding distributions was considerable (35%), in contrast with non-breeding distributions (0%). Spatial restrictions of anthropogenic activity around the breeding colony during the breeding period could help protect WHDPs, but such measures should be subjected to a structured decision-making framework. Our results illustrate the importance of year-round studies to inform conservation of marine species.

The utility of environmental DNA from sediment and water samples for recovery of observed plant and animal species from four Mojave Desert springs

AbstractMojave Desert springs are fragile ecosystems, hosting endemic plants and animals, which are threatened by the increasing human demand for water and climate change. To develop management practices that will protect the groundwater‐dependent ecosystems at Mojave Desert springs, real‐time, low‐cost biodiversity monitoring, and assessments are required. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding uses DNA shed from organisms (e.g., skin cells, feces, and pollen) that are present in water, air, soil, or sediment samples to assess community composition. This approach can increase the detection sensitivity for rare and elusive species, compared with expensive and time‐consuming conventional methods, which also require taxonomic expertise. This study tests the effectiveness of eDNA techniques in capturing the observed Mojave Desert spring biodiversity in the winter and spring of 2019 at four distinct, naturally occurring springs. We also test the utility of sample types (water vs. sediment) for capturing biodiversity. We found that each of the four Mojave Desert springs supports a unique biological community. Sediment samples contained the greatest biodiversity, but all sample types captured species observed in the field by humans or camera traps. We also found no statistical difference in species richness captured in winter and spring except for the Cytochrome Oxidase I marker, for which winter had greater biodiversity. This study supports the use of eDNA metabarcoding as an effective tool to mirror observation by human observers of ecological communities in desert springs. The study demonstrates the importance of appropriately timing eDNA field sampling, primer selection, and using field‐based surveys of wildlife and plants in addition to eDNA detection. This study also identified gaps in reference sequence databases for Mojave biodiversity and encourages collaboration of eDNA researchers with managers for effective conservation management plans.

The multidimensionality of soil macroecology.

The recent past has seen a tremendous surge in soil macroecological studies and new insights into the global drivers of one-quarter of the biodiversity of the Earth. Building on these important developments, a recent paper in Global Ecology and Biogeography outlined promising methods and approaches to advance soil macroecology. Among other recommendations, White and colleagues introduced the concept of a spatial three-dimensionality in soil macroecology by considering the different spheres of influence and scales, as soil organism size ranges vary from bacteria to macro- and megafauna. Here, we extend this concept by discussing three additional dimensions (biological, physical, and societal) that are crucial to steer soil macroecology from pattern description towards better mechanistic understanding. In our view, these are the requirements to establish it as a predictive science that can inform policy about relevant nature and management conservation actions. We highlight the need to explore temporal dynamics of soil biodiversity and functions across multiple temporal scales, integrating different facets of biodiversity (i.e., variability in body size, life-history traits, species identities, and groups of taxa) and their relationships to multiple ecosystem functions, in addition to the feedback effects between humans and soil biodiversity. We also argue that future research needs to consider effective soil conservation policy and management in combination with higher awareness of the contributions of soil-based nature’s contributions to people. To verify causal relationships, soil macroecology should be paired with local and globally distributed experiments. The present paper expands the multidimensional perspective on soil macroecology to guide future research contents and funding. We recommend considering these multiple dimensions in projected global soil biodiversity monitoring initiatives.

Genetic evidence supports three previously described species of greater glider, Petauroides volans, P. minor, and P. armillatus

The identification and classification of species are essential for effective conservation management. This year, Australia experienced a bushfire season of unprecedented severity, resulting in widespread habitat loss and mortality. As a result, there has been an increased focus on understanding genetic diversity and structure across the range of individual species to protect resilience in the face of climate change. The greater glider (Petauroides volans) is a large, gliding eucalypt folivore. This nocturnal arboreal marsupial has a wide distribution across eastern Australia and is considered the sole extant member of the genus Petauroides. Differences in morphology have led to suggestions that the one accepted species is actually three. This would have substantial impacts on conservation management, particularly given a recent history of declining populations, coupled with extensive wildfires. Until now, genetic evidence to support multiple species has been lacking. For the first time, we used DArT sequencing on greater glider tissue samples from multiple regions and found evidence of three operational taxonomic units (OTUs) representing northern, central and southern groups. The three OTUs were also supported by our morphological data. These findings have important implications for greater glider management and highlight the role of genetics in helping to assess conservation status.

Climate change impacts on living marine resources in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

AbstractAimProject shifts in the habitat suitability of 505 fish and invertebrate species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific that are likely to occur by the mid‐21st century under “high greenhouse gas emissions” (RCP 8.5) and “strong mitigation” (RCP 2.6) scenarios.LocationThe Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean, a discrete biogeographic region from the Gulf of California to northern Peru.MethodsEnsemble simulations of climate change effects on fish and invertebrate species caught by four major fisheries in the region, based on four species distribution models and three Earth system models.ResultsSimulation results indicated that species' habitat suitability increased or remained the same in the northern and southern margins of the Eastern Tropical Pacific but decreased by up to 14% in some fisheries along Central America. The largest declines in the average species habitat suitability index were projected for small pelagic fisheries (up to −46%), while the highest local species turnover was projected for coastal small‐scale fisheries (up to 80%). Under RCP 8.5, species in the southern half and northern equatorial region of the Eastern Tropical Pacific were projected to shift south‐east at a rate of approximately 30–60 km decade‐1, respectively. Demersal species were projected to move into shallower, inshore waters with a shift in depth centroids estimated at a rate of around 1 to 13 m decade−1. Range shifts towards the equator reflect movements to cooler habitats that are characteristic of equatorial upwelling systems. Range shifts towards shallower, inshore waters reflect habitat compression associated with the expansion of oxygen minimum zones.Main conclusionsOur findings highlight the importance of local‐scale oceanographic and biological data to elucidate the multidimensional biogeographic shifts of key species, their potential impacts on fisheries in the region and the need to consider such shifts in the design of effective conservation and marine resource management measures.

CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ASHMARI WITH AYURVEDA: A CASE STUDY

Ashmari is one among the eight most difficult to cure diseases (Ashtamahagada) described in Ayurveda classical texts. The symptomatology of Ashmari resembles the clinical features of Urolithiasis mentioned in the contemporary medical science. Urolithiasis is third most common disease of the urinary tract. Conventional management of Urolithiasis does not have any effect on the pathogenesis of this disease and therefore, recurrence of disease occurs very commonly. Ayurveda has more radical approach and wide range of options in the management of urolithiasis. A 23-year old Indian male student presented with the complaints of pain in right side of abdomen, burning and difficulty in micturition since last 15 days. Per abdomen examination elicited tenderness on right lumbar region of abdomen and around right renal angle. No other abnormality detected during general and systemic examination. Ultrasonography (whole abdomen) revealed multiple right renal calculi (largest being 6.9 mm). On Ayurvedic parlance, the present case was diagnosed as Ashmari based on the signs and symptoms. Patient was prescribed the Ayurvedic medicines, Gokshuradi Gugguluand Varunadi Kashaya on OPD basis. Patient was advised to follow-up initially after 07 days and later after every fortnight. Improvement in clinical features was there within 07 days. Patient showed complete relief in his complaints on third follow-up visit. Repeat Ultrasonography scan did not revealed any renal calculus. Clinically also, Gokshuradi guggulu and Varunadi Kashaya has provided complete relief in pain, burning micturition and dysuria. It can be concluded that Gokshuradi guggulu and Varunadi Kashayamay lead to disintegration and expulsion of calculi and thus provide relief in signs and symptoms of Ashmari. This case illustrates the effective conservative management of Ashmari with Ayurvedic medicines with no adverse events and no episode of recurrence even after one year.

Drying microclimates threaten persistence of natural and translocated populations of threatened frogs

Defining species habitat requirements is essential for effective conservation management through revealing agents of population decline and identifying critical habitat for conservation actions, such as translocations. Here we studied the habitat-associations of two threatened terrestrial-breeding frog species from southwestern Australia, Geocrinia alba and Geocrinia vitellina, to investigate if fine-scale habitat variables explain why populations occur in discrete patches, why G. alba is declining, and why translocation attempts have had mixed outcomes. We compared habitat variables at sites where the species are present, to variables at immediately adjacent sites where frogs are absent, and at sites where G. alba is locally extinct. Dry season soil moisture was the most important predictor of frog abundance for both species, and explained why G. alba had become extinct from some areas. Sites where G. alba were present were also positively associated with moss cover, and negatively with bare ground and soil conductivity. Modelling frog abundance based exclusively on dry season soil moisture predicted recent translocation successes with high accuracy. Hence, considering dry season soil moisture when selecting future translocation sites should increase the probability of population establishment. We propose that a regional drying trend is the most likely cause for G. alba declines and that both species are at risk of further habitat and range contraction due to further projected regional declines in rainfall and groundwater levels. More broadly, our study highlights that conservation areas in drying climates may not provide adequate protection and may require interventions to preserve critical habitat.

Identifying spawning events in fish by observing a spike in environmental DNA concentration after spawning

AbstractAn understanding of the reproductive biology of aquatic organisms is crucial for the efficient conservation and management of species and/or populations. Nevertheless, conventional spawning surveys such as visual‐ and capture‐based monitoring generally require laborious, time‐consuming work and are subject to monitoring biases such as observer bias, as well as miscounts due to false spawning. In addition, direct capture often damages eggs or individuals. Thus, an efficient noninvasive approach for monitoring spawning events on aquatic species would be a valuable tool to understand their reproductive biology and conserving biodiversity. Here, we proposed an environmental DNA (eDNA)‐based approach for monitoring and understanding spawning events by observing spikes in eDNA concentration after spawning events. We found in hybridization experiment using two medaka species (Oryzias latipes and Oryzias sakaizumii, 1:1 individual per tank) that a spike in eDNA concentration occurred in male species after spawning. Besides, the magnitude of the spike in eDNA concentration was dependent on the number of spawning activities with egg and sperm release. In the field survey during the reproductive season, eDNA concentrations after spawning were 3–25 times higher than before the expected time for spawning. Additionally, there was no spike in eDNA concentration during the non‐reproductive season. Therefore, our results demonstrated that spike in eDNA concentration is mainly caused by the released sperm during spawning events, and it can be used as evidence of spawning in the field survey. The presented approach could be a practical tool for studying reproductive biology and provides an opportunity to design effective conservation and environmental management actions.

Mechanisms underlying host persistence following amphibian disease emergence determine appropriate management strategies

Emerging infectious diseases have caused many species declines, changes in communities and even extinctions. There are also many species that persist following devastating declines due to disease. The broad mechanisms that enable host persistence following declines include evolution of resistance or tolerance, changes in immunity and behaviour, compensatory recruitment, pathogen attenuation, environmental refugia, density-dependent transmission and changes in community composition. Here we examine the case of chytridiomycosis, the most important wildlife disease of the past century. We review the full breadth of mechanisms allowing host persistence, and synthesise research on host, pathogen, environmental and community factors driving persistence following chytridiomycosis-related declines and overview the current evidence and the information required to support each mechanism. We found that for most species the mechanisms facilitating persistence have not been identified. We illustrate how the mechanisms that drive long-term host population dynamics determine the most effective conservation management strategies. Therefore, understanding mechanisms of host persistence is important because many species continue to be threatened by disease, some of which will require intervention. The conceptual framework we describe is broadly applicable to other novel disease systems.

Identification of dispersal barriers for a colonising seagrass using seascape genetic analysis

Seagrasses are important habitats providing many ecological services. Most species have broad distributions with maximum dispersal distances of 100's of kms, however there is limited understanding of dispersal distances of colonising species like Halodule uninervis. It commonly grows in disturbed environments and could disperse to other meadows via clonal fragments. Effective conservation management requires greater understanding of genetic structure, dispersal barriers, and connectivity timescales to predict recovery following disturbance. Despite fragment viability of up to 28 days in a congenera, this theory remains untested in situ. Using 80 neutral single nucleotide polymorphisms, we investigated genetic diversity, gene flow patterns and structure among 15 populations of H. uninervis along 2000 km of Western Australian coastline. These data were combined with a multi-generational oceanographic dispersal model and a barrier dispersal analysis to identify dispersal barriers and determine which fragment dispersal duration (FDD) and timescale over which stepping-stone connectivity occurred, best matched the observed genetic structure. The 2-7 day FDD best matched the genetic structure with 4–12 clusters, with barriers to dispersal that persisted for up to 100 years. Modelling suggested greater fragmentation of metapopulations towards the southern edge of the species distribution, but genetic diversity did not decline. Several long-term boundaries were identified even with fragment viability of up to 28 days. This suggests H. uninervis dispersal is spatially limited by factors like oceanographic features and habitat continuity which may limit dispersal of this species. This study reiterates that potential dispersal does not equal realised dispersal, and management scales of 10's of kilometers are required to maintain existing meadows. Recruitment from distances further than this scale are unlikely to aid recovery after extreme disturbance events, particularly towards the range edge of H. uninervis distribution.

Designing monitoring protocols to measure population trends of threatened insects: A case study of the cryptic, flightless grasshopper Brachaspis robustus.

Statistically robust monitoring of threatened populations is essential for effective conservation management because the population trend data that monitoring generates is often used to make decisions about when and how to take action. Despite representing the highest proportion of threatened animals globally, the development of best practice methods for monitoring populations of threatened insects is relatively uncommon. Traditionally, population trend data for the Nationally Endangered New Zealand grasshopper Brachaspis robustus has been determined by counting all adults and nymphs seen on a single ~1.5 km transect searched once annually. This method lacks spatial and temporal replication, both of which are essential to overcome detection errors in highly cryptic species like B. robustus. It also provides no information about changes in the grasshopper’s distribution throughout its range. Here, we design and test new population density and site occupancy monitoring protocols by comparing a) comprehensive plot and transect searches at one site and b) transect searches at two sites representing two different habitats (gravel road and natural riverbed) occupied by the species across its remaining range. Using power analyses, we determined a) the number of transects, b) the number of repeated visits and c) the grasshopper demographic to count to accurately detect long term change in relative population density. To inform a monitoring protocol design to track trends in grasshopper distribution, we estimated the probability of detecting an individual with respect to a) search area, b) weather and c) the grasshopper demographic counted at each of the two sites. Density estimates from plots and transects did not differ significantly. Population density monitoring was found to be most informative when large adult females present in early summer were used to index population size. To detect a significant change in relative density with power > 0.8 at the gravel road habitat, at least seventeen spatial replicates (transects) and four temporal replicates (visits) were required. Density estimates at the natural braided river site performed poorly and likely require a much higher survey effort. Detection of grasshopper presence was highest (pg > 0.6) using a 100 m x 1 m transect at both sites in February under optimal (no cloud) conditions. At least three visits to a transect should be conducted per season for distribution monitoring. Monitoring protocols that inform the management of threatened species are crucial for better understanding and mitigation of the current global trends of insect decline. This study provides an exemplar of how appropriate monitoring protocols can be developed for threatened insect species.

Effects of fire frequency on savanna butterfly diversity and composition: A preliminary study

Fire plays a major role in many biomes, is widely used as a management tool and is likely to be affected by climate change. For effective conservation management, it is essential to understand how fire regimes affect different taxa, yet responses of invertebrates are particularly poorly documented. We tested how different fire frequencies influence savanna butterfly diversity and composition by using a long-term savanna fire experiment initiated in 1954 in the Kruger National Park (South Africa). We compared butterfly abundance, species richness and community composition across three fire frequencies: high (burnt annually), medium (burnt triennially) and low (burnt twice in 60 years). Plots with high fire frequency hosted higher abundance than medium- or low-frequency plots. Fire frequencies did not affect species richness, but they led to distinct communities of butterflies. Our findings suggest that, in view of the three fire frequencies tested, a spatial diversity of fire frequencies may increase butterfly diversity at the landscape level in wet savannas. Managers may need to promote a greater diversity of fire frequencies by increasing fire frequency in some areas to provide habitat for species requiring high fire frequency, and by decreasing fire frequency in a large proportion of the landscape to provide fire refuges. This study provides new insights for butterfly conservation in savannas and highlights several knowledge gaps, which further studies should address for insect responses to be given adequate consideration in fire management strategies.Conservation implications: A spatial diversity of fire frequencies may increase butterfly diversity. Managers may need to promote a greater diversity of fire frequencies by increasing fire frequency in some areas to provide habitat for species requiring high fire frequency, and by decreasing fire frequency in other areas to provide fire refuges.

A service evaluation to determine where and who delivers pessary care in the UK.

Pessaries offer effective conservative management for symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse and are frequently used in the UK. Previous publications have highlighted a lack of evidence-based pessary guidelines. There is also a dearth of evidence regarding who UK pessary practitioners are and the training received. A Freedom of Information request was sent to 167 healthcare organisations in the UK. Requested information included the number of pessaries inserted or changed, the grade and profession of pessary practitioners and training requirements at the organisation. Responses were received from 128 organisations. One hundred and ten had provided information for practitioners managing pessaries. At 66% (72) of organisations, pessary care was provided by both doctors and nurses of varying grades. At 23% of organisations either solely doctors or solely nurses provided pessary care. At the remaining 9% there was a multidisciplinary approach to pessary care. At 3 hospitals, unregistered healthcare professionals provided pessary care. At the majority of organisations, respondents undertook supervised practise to gain skills in pessary management. Additional methods of training cited were learning through observation or achieving set competencies. Twenty-six percent received didactic training. At 21% of organisations there were no training requirements. At most organisations, there was a multidisciplinary approach to pessary care. It is questionable whether unregistered healthcare professionals should be delegated responsibility for pessary care. A standardised approach to pessary practitioner training is advocated to ensure that women receive safe, evidence-based pessary care. The UK Clinical Guidance Group for the Use of Pessaries in Vaginal Prolapse is currently developing national evidence-based guidelines to support pessary practitioners in their practice, including training requirements.

Stakeholder engagement in the governance of marine migratory species: barriers and building blocks

Meaningful stakeholder engagement is important to collaborative decision-making and to effective polycentric governance, particularly when managing cross-scale environmental issues like those involving marine migratory species. In this paper, we explore the barriers to, and opportunities for, stakeholder involvement in the governance of threats to marine migratory species in eastern Australia, using semi-structured qualitative interviews and a focus group, as an example of the generic problem of managing migratory species within a large range state with multiple jurisdictions. Respondents identified several barriers to, and opportunities for, improved stakeholder involvement in the governance of marine migratory species, corresponding to 4 main themes: decision-making processes, information sharing, institutional structures, and participation processes. Respondents indicated that the governance system protecting marine turtles, dugongs, humpback whales, and non-threatened migratory shorebirds in eastern Australia would benefit from the introduction of new information pathways, reformed institutional structures (including environmental legislation), and improved participatory pathways for non-government stakeholders. Such changes could help harmonise the process of managing these species, leading to more effective conservation management throughout their range.

EDNA metabarcoding bioassessment of endangered fairy shrimp (Branchinecta spp.)

Habitat degradation and land-use change severely threaten the survival of fairy shrimp and the vernal pools in which they live. Limiting effective fairy shrimp conservation management efforts is the ability to readily identify species without the capture and sacrifice of individuals for microscopy. Here we demonstrate that eDNA metabarcoding is an effective non-invasive tool for monitoring fairy shrimp. Results from ten Southern California vernal pools comparing eDNA and traditional dip-net methods showed that eDNA metabarcoding with 16S rDNA provides exceptional species-level resolution. Importantly, while the two methods were concordant during early hydroperiods where adults were present, eDNA detected fairy shrimp for up to 2 months after dip-nets failed to detect any adults, expanding the time period for vernal pool monitoring. Together, these results provide resource managers a simple, cost-effective, and non-invasive method for biomonitoring endangered fairy shrimp species.

Evaluating the potential of full‐waveform lidar for mapping pan‐tropical tree species richness

AbstractAimMapping tree species richness across the tropics is of great interest for effective conservation and biodiversity management. In this study, we evaluated the potential of full‐waveform lidar data for mapping tree species richness across the tropics by relating measurements of vertical canopy structure, as a proxy for the occupation of vertical niche space, to tree species richness.LocationTropics.Time periodPresent.Major taxa studiedTrees.MethodsFirst, we evaluated the characteristics of vertical canopy structure across 15 study sites using (simulated) large‐footprint full‐waveform lidar data (22 m diameter) and related these findings to in‐situ tree species information. Then, we developed structure–richness models at the local (within 25–50 ha plots), regional (biogeographical regions) and pan‐tropical scale at three spatial resolutions (1.0, 0.25 and 0.0625 ha) using Poisson regression.ResultsThe results showed a weak structure–richness relationship at the local scale. At the regional scale (within a biogeographical region) a stronger relationship between canopy structure and tree species richness across different tropical forest types was found, for example across Central Africa and in South America [R2 ranging from .44–.56, root mean squared difference as a percentage of the mean (RMSD%) ranging between 23–61%]. Modelling the relationship pan‐tropically, across four continents, 39% of the variation in tree species richness could be explained with canopy structure alone (R2 = .39 and RMSD% = 43%, 0.25‐ha resolution).Main conclusionsOur results may serve as a basis for the future development of a set of structure–richness models to map high resolution tree species richness using vertical canopy structure information from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI). The value of this effort would be enhanced by access to a larger set of field reference data for all tropical regions. Future research could also support the use of GEDI data in frameworks using environmental and spectral information for modelling tree species richness across the tropics.

Living with Leopard Panthera pardus fusca (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae): livestock depredation and community perception in Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, southern Western Ghats

Livestock depredation by large carnivores and retaliatory killings have become worldwide conservation issues. Leopard depredation of livestock across their range undermines public support for their conservation, resulting in contentious coexistence between the leopard and humans. Lack of knowledge on the patterns of livestock depredation often hinders the formulation of effective conservation management policies. We conducted a questionnaire survey on 656 respondents to assess the extent of livestock depredation and their attitudes towards leopards. Leopard kills included goats (49%) as the main prey, followed by the domestic dog (28%), hen (12%), sheep (5%), cow (4%), and cat (2%). Our results show that depredation varied significantly across seasons (KW = 30.33, df = 2, P < 0.05); 47% of domestic animals were killed during monsoon, followed by 33% in winter, and 20% in summer. Leopards killed 49.96% of goats as they grazed, 50% of sheep when tethered at the house, 67% of cows while in the corral, and 59% of dogs while they roamed freely around the house. Though local people experienced significant levels of livestock losses, about 68% expressed positive attitudes towards leopard conservation. Positive attitudes were revealed by their awareness about conservation and by moral consciousness towards killing of animals, which is forbidden in their religion. In the present study site, fodder cultivation and stall feeding would reduce the grazing-related attack. Similarly, simple changes in the husbandry practices such as closed fence type instead of stockade, effectively reduce enclosure-related depredation.

Variable clonality and genetic structure among disjunct populations of Banksia mimica

Various factors influence patterns of genetic diversity within and between populations that are important considerations for plant conservation. Both clonality and population genetic differentiation are key factors informing conservation actions, especially for rare species. Banksia mimica is a rare species that occurs in three disjunct locations in the biodiversity hotspot of the southwest Australian Floristic Region of Western Australia. Extant populations are suspected to have varying levels of clonality and high levels of genetic differentiation due to geographic disjunction. A genetic analysis was undertaken in order to confirm clonal reproduction and obtain initial estimates of genotypic diversity, and to assess genetic diversity within, and genetic structure among, populations. Genotypic richness ranged from 0.210 to 1.00 supporting observations in the field of variable degrees of clonal growth. The most clonal populations showed genetic signals of greater levels of observed heterozygosity than expected heterozygosity and negative FIS values that were not present in other populations of B. mimica or populations of the nonclonal sister taxon B. vestita. There was strong genetic structure with high genetic divergence among geographically disjunct population groups (global FST = 0.392, DST = 0.475), as is often found within the Australian flora. Genetic differentiation among disjunct populations located on the Whicher Scarp and more northern populations approached, or was greater than, that between Whicher populations and populations of the sister taxa B. vestita. This result is consistent with several other species that show genetic differentiation in disjunct populations located on the Whicher Scarp geomorphological formation. Results suggest a reassessment of the taxonomy and identification of evolutionary significant units for populations of B. mimica would support effective conservation management of this species.

The effectiveness of conservative interventions for the management of syndromic hypermobility: a systematic literature review

Introduction‘Syndromic hypermobility’ encompasses heritable connective tissue disorders such as hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders which are characterised by excessive joint range of motion and pain. Conservative interventions such as exercise are the cornerstone of management, yet their effectiveness is unclear.AimTo systematically appraise the effectiveness of conservative management for people with syndromic hypermobility.MethodA systematic online database search was conducted (AMED, BND, CINAHL Plus, MEDLINE, PEDro, PsychINFO and SportDiscus). Potential articles were assessed for eligibility by two researchers against the following criteria: adults and children with a hEDS/HSD diagnosis (or equivalent diagnosis using specific criteria); non-pharmacological or non-surgical interventions; outcomes related to pain, physical function, psychological well-being or quality of life. Controlled trials and cohort studies were included. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklists were used to assess methodological quality.ResultsEleven studies were included, comprising eight controlled trials and three cohort studies. All studies investigated interventions that had exercise as the primary component. Three small controlled studies demonstrated superior effects of conservative management relative to a control group. However, those studies only focused on a single area of the body, only recruited women, and had no long-term follow-up. All studies reported improvements in a wide range of outcomes over time.ConclusionControlled trial evidence for the superiority of conservative management over comparators is weak. There is some evidence that people improve over time. Robust randomised controlled trial research of the long-term effectiveness of ‘whole-body’ (rather than individual joints or body areas) conservative management is required.Key Points• Conservative management is the cornerstone of management of syndromic hypermobility.• The review found that evidence for the effectiveness of conservative management relative to no treatment or other conservative comparators was weak.• However, there was consistent evidence for effectiveness from pre- to post-treatment.• Further robust randomised controlled trial evidence is required.

Spectral Analysis of Worldview-2 Imagery in Detecting Invasive Plant Species (mistletoe) in Scots Pine Forest

Mistletoe (Viscum album), a hemiparasite of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), is one of the major problems in the conservation of Scots pine forest in the Alps. The study area covered with coniferous plantation, a part of Bois Noir in the South Western French Alps is highly affected by mistletoe. Consequences of mistletoe infection include branch swelling and bending of the tree structure. The coniferous plantation in the study area, located in Bois Noir in the south-western French Alps, is experiencing an alarmingly high rate of tree mortality due to mistletoe infection. This study aims to assess the spectral distinctness of Scots pine in the presence and absence of mistletoe. For the management and minimization of biological invasion, detection and mapping plays a key role in forest conservation. Advancement of very high resolution (VHR) satellite imagery and aerial imagery with application of remote sensing and GIS technologies has shown a promising result in detecting, mapping and monitoring forest health. In this research, very high resolution satellite imagery WorldView-2 (panchromatic 0.5m and multispectral 2m) was used. Scots pine with mistletoe presence has low spectral reflectance in all bands, but NIR1, NIR2 and Red edge of WorldView-2 have higher ability to discriminate the mistletoe. Similarly, the vegetation index NDVI 2 (band combination of Red and NIR2) has the potential to discriminate the mistletoe. Detection of such biological invasions provides good information for effective conservation and better management of forests.