Umbrella Species For Conservation Research Articles

Conservation implications of a genomic‐based taxonomy for threatened allopatric Agriades butterflies

Abstract A good knowledge of the evolutionary history of organisms and an accurate taxonomic framework are keys for efficient biodiversity conservation measures. This is particularly relevant for European butterflies, which are often used as bioindicator organisms and umbrella species for conservation. The Holarctic butterfly genus Agriades includes seven European arctic‐alpine species of which several have a debated taxonomic status. They are localized and allopatric, and at least two of them are of high conservation concern, namely A. aquilo (in Europe, restricted to northern Scandinavia) and A. zullichi (endemic to southern Spain). Despite high conservation value and taxonomic uncertainty, molecular studies on these taxa are limited to DNA barcodes. We investigated the evolutionary history and species delimitation of West Palearctic Agriades using double‐digest RAD sequencing (ddRADseq). Various analyses using genomic data suggested the presence of one species in the glandon species group and one or two in the pyrenaicus species group. The differentiation within the former group (i.e., glandon, aquilo, zullichi) appears to be relatively recent, although the main allopatric populations represent evolutionary significant units (ESUs). Notable geographic structure was found within the pyrenaicus species group, with four allopatric ESUs detected. Wolbachia screening highlighted the presence of several allele combinations, some associated with particular Agriades populations. Genomic data revealed the evolutionary trajectory of European Agriades and a tendency for taxonomic oversplitting within this genus. These findings aid conservation by providing genetic background for region or population prioritization (including ESUs), and for the management of potential population reinforcement or reintroductions.

Assessing Global Efforts in the Selection of Vertebrates as Umbrella Species for Conservation.

The umbrella-species strategy has been proposed as an attainable tool to achieve multi-species and community conservation with limited investment. There have been many umbrella-related studies since the concept's inception; thus, a summary of global study efforts and recommended umbrella species is important for understanding advances in the field and facilitating conservation applications. Here, we collated 213 recommended umbrella species of terrestrial vertebrates from 242 scientific articles published during 1984-2021 and analyzed their geographic patterns, biological features, and conservation statuses to identify global trends in the selection of umbrella species. We found a considerable geographic bias: most studies and, consequently, recommended umbrella species are from the Northern Hemisphere. There is also a strong taxonomic bias, with grouses (order Galliformes) and large carnivores being the most popular umbrella species and amphibians and reptiles being largely overlooked. In addition, wide-ranging and non-threatened species were frequently recommended as umbrella species. Given the observed biases and trends, we caution that appropriate species need to be chosen for each location, and it is important to confirm that popular, wide-ranging species are effective umbrella species. Moreover, amphibians and reptiles should be investigated for their potential as umbrella species. The umbrella-species strategy has many strengths and, if applied appropriately, may be one of the best options in today's conservation research and funding landscape.

Species as conservation umbrellas: A case study with lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) in the southern Great Plains of North America

Conservation efforts often focus on a single species, but this approach is inefficient for agencies dealing with many declining species at risk of extinction. Leveraging already-funded management for additional species can help stretch limited resources to conserve more biodiversity. However, evaluation of the efficacy of such an umbrella approach is typically lacking, does not explicitly consider outcomes of management treatments, or only evaluates one or a few species. We developed a method to evaluate the ability of management for the lesser prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) to offer an umbrella of protection for non-target species at risk of decline. To accomplish this, we predicted the conservation outcomes of lesser prairie-chicken management for overlapping at-risk species and created an index of conservation benefit to evaluate the effectiveness of the lesser prairie-chicken as an umbrella species for conservation. We conducted a literature review for 77 at-risk species that overlap in range with the lesser prairie-chicken to determine the effects (benefit, cost, or neutral) of the primary conservation actions taken to manage lesser prairie-chicken habitat. We determined that 84 % of the species were expected to receive a net conservation benefit from management for lesser prairie-chicken, 8 % would incur a net cost, and 8 % would have a net balance of costs and benefits. These results suggest that the lesser prairie-chicken functions as an umbrella of protection for other grassland species, providing a net conservation benefit. Our index-based approach serves as a model for evaluating the efficacy of proposed surrogate species on a community of organisms.

Prioritizing areas for conservation outside the existing protected area network in Bhutan: the use of multi-species, multi-scale habitat suitability models

ContextUnderstanding the environmental and anthropogenic factors influencing habitat selection of multiple species is a foundation for quantifying human impacts on biodiversity and developing effective conservation measures.ObjectivesTo determine the effect of multiple scales of environmental/topographic and anthropogenic variables and landscape patterns on habitat suitability of terrestrial mammals in Bhutan, assess the effectiveness of the current protected area network, identify areas of high species richness outside of the existing protected area, and evaluate the potential effectiveness of indicator and umbrella species for conservation planning.MethodsWe modelled multi-scale habitat selection of sixteen species of terrestrial mammals across Bhutan using data from a nation-wide camera trap survey. We used the predicted species distribution maps to assess the multi-species conservation effectiveness of the existing protected area network. We performed simulations to identify high priority areas for multiple species based on their habitat suitability, proximity to existing protected areas and overall connectivity within the predicted distribution of species. We used correlation analysis among predicted occurrence maps and multivariate cluster analysis to identify potential indicator species. We evaluated the potential utility of each species as umbrella species by assessing how well optimal protected areas for that species would protect suitable habitat for all 16 species simultaneously.ResultsProtected areas and forest cover were strongly associated with habitat use of most modelled species. Additionally, topographical features, like terrain roughness and slope position, contributed to habitat selection of multiple species, but often in different ways. Environmental and topographical variables were mostly selected at medium to broad scales. Anthropogenic variables (agriculture and built-up areas) were negatively associated with habitat suitability of most species at both fine and broad scales. Conservation effectiveness assessment of existing protected areas found protected areas in south-central Bhutan have high effectiveness in terms of both mean and total richness protected. Similarly, biological corridors in the south-central region offered high mean richness protection. Our simulation of optimal areas for additional protection found areas abutting protected areas in southern Bhutan offered high relative species richness protection. Our umbrella species analysis found muntjac, wild pig, serow, sambar and Asian golden cat are the most effective umbrella species for broader biodiversity protection. Our indicator species analysis found tiger, gaur, dhole, clouded leopard, Asian black bear and common leopard as effective indicator species.ConclusionsThis study highlights the need to protect optimally located species-rich areas outside the current protected areas. This kind of multi-species habitat assessment provides important information to optimize future conservation and development plans at national and regional scales.

Terrestrial mammal community richness and temporal overlap between tigers and other carnivores in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra

Rapid and widespread biodiversity losses around the world make it important to survey and monitor endangered species, especially in biodiversity hotspots. Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) is one of the largest conserved areas on the island of Sumatra, and is important for the conservation of many threatened species. Sumatran tigers (Panthera tigris sumatrae) are critically endangered and serve as an umbrella species for conservation, but may also affect the activity and distribution of other carnivores. We deployed camera traps for 8 years in an area of Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) with little human activity to document the local terrestrial mammal community and investigate tiger spatial and temporal overlap with other carnivore species. We detected 39 mammal species including Sumatran tiger and several other threatened mammals. Annual species richness averaged 21.5 (range 19–24) mammals, and remained stable over time. The mammal order significantly affected annual detection of species and the number of cameras where a species was detected, while species conservation status did not. Tigers exhibited a diurnal activity pattern, and had the highest temporal overlap with marbled cats (Pardofelis marmorata), dholes (Cuon alpinus), and Malayan sun bears (Helarctos malayanus), but little overlap with other carnivores. These findings suggest that some smaller carnivores might be adjusting temporal activity to avoid tigers or mesocarnivores. The stable trends in richness of terrestrial mammal species show that BBSNP remains an important hotspot for the conservation of biodiversity.

Effects of post‐release movements on survival of translocated sage‐grouse

ABSTRACTTranslocation is a vital tool in conservation and recovery programs, and knowledge of factors that determine demographic rates of translocated organisms is important for assessing the efficacy of translocations. Greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) have been the subject of recent translocation efforts because of their declining range and their usefulness as an umbrella species for conservation. Using a long‐term data set on sage‐grouse in central Washington, USA, we compared movement and demographic rates of translocated and resident birds. Because newly translocated birds experience physiological stress during translocation and are released in unfamiliar habitat, we hypothesized their demographic rates would differ from residents. We analyzed 18 years of radio‐tracking data acquired from resident, newly translocated (<1 yr post‐translocation; T1), and previously translocated (>1 yr post‐translocation; T2) sage‐grouse between 1989 and 2017 to estimate movement rates, survival, and productivity. Newly translocated sage‐grouse exhibited farther daily movements (0.58 km/day) and smaller 95% home ranges (89 km2) than residents and previously translocated birds. Daily movements and sex influenced survival, but survival did not differ according to residency status. Furthermore, birds that survived to a second year after translocation exhibited shorter daily movements compared to their first year ( = −0.727 ± 0.157 [SE]), which corresponded with increased survival the second year (T1 = 0.526, T2 = 0.610). This decrease in movements and increase in survival the second year was not apparent in the control group of resident birds, indicating a possible behavioral link to survival of newly translocated sage‐grouse. Most productivity metrics were similar for translocated and resident birds, except for nest propensity (i.e., nest initiation rate), which was lower for newly translocated birds (35%) compared to residents and previously translocated birds. Our results reveal that translocated sage‐grouse exhibit temporary differences in some demographic parameters in their first year, which later align with those of resident birds in subsequent years. Similarities in adult and nest survival according to residency status further suggest that translocation may prove to be a viable tool for restoring and conserving this species. Continued declines in sage‐grouse populations in Washington, however, indicate that habitat conversion and fragmentation may be reducing demographic rates of residents and translocated birds, which warrants further study. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

The effect of land-use on the diversity and mass-abundance relationships of understory avian insectivores in Sri Lanka and southern India.

Understory avian insectivores are especially sensitive to deforestation, although regional differences in how these species respond to human disturbance may be linked to varying land-use histories. South Asia experienced widespread conversion of forest to agriculture in the nineteenth century, providing a comparison to tropical areas deforested more recently. In Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India, we compared understory insectivores to other guilds, and to insectivores with different vertical strata preferences, both inside mixed-species flocks and for the whole bird community. Overall species richness did not change across the land-use gradient, although there was substantial turnover in species composition between land-use types. We found that the proportion of species represented by insectivores was ~1.14 times higher in forest compared to agriculture, and the proportion of insectivores represented by understory species was ~1.32 times higher in forests. Mass-abundance relationships were very different when analyzed on mixed-species flocks compared to the total community, perhaps indicating reduced competition in these mutualisms. We show that South Asia fits the worldwide pattern of understory insectivores declining with increased land-use intensity, and conclude that these species can be used globally as indicator and/or umbrella species for conservation across different disturbance time scales.

Capture success of Fijian bats (Pteropodidae) and their evaluation as umbrella species for conservation

Easily captured species provide powerful opportunities to motivate research and conservation action. Conversely, rare and cryptic species with low capture probability can be difficult to study. We examined the capture success of Fiji’s Pteropodidae (Pteropus tonganus, P. samoensis, Notopteris macdonaldi, and Mirimiri acrodonta) and incorporated capture success and associated observations into an assessment of their suitability as umbrella species for conservation. We caught 252 bats from 2493 mist-net-hours in lowland rainforest near Waisali on Vanua Levu, and 38 bats from 1915 mist-net-hours in cloud forest on Taveuni. Of these captures, 67% were N. macdonaldi, 16% P. tonganus, 18% P. samoensis, and <1% M. acrodonta. All species were difficult to net in cloud forest, where we recorded a female sex bias. Capture success was affected by site, season, and net height; peak capture times varied among species and between sites. N. macdonaldi was recaptured most frequently (8.8%), revealing habitual nightly movements. It has strong potential as an umbrella species for rainforest and cave-dwelling organisms of Fiji, and was readily netted. P. tonganus is an unsuitable umbrella species, P. samoensis has potential as an umbrella species, and M. acrodonta has many attributes of a flagship species. Capture efficiency of N. macdonaldi provides opportunities for monitoring and conservation management activities in Fiji. However, variability in capture success among species means that different approaches should be explored for conserving bats effectively with limited resources.

Conservation Prospects for the Lion-Tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) in the Forests of Sirsi-Honnavara, Western Ghats, India

The lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) is one of the most threatened of the primates of the Western Ghats. Confirmation of its large metapopulation in a relatively unprotected area (a reserve forest) of Karnataka has marked an important step for the future of this population. The number of lion -tailed macaques estimated was 638 in 31 groups with an average group size of 20.6, excluding lone males. A review of the literature confirms that this is one of the larger known populations in the wild. This reserve forest faces a number of threats because of anthropogenic activities such as habitat fragmentation, encroachment and developmental projects. In an attempt to save and restore the northernmost habitat of the lion-tailed macaque, we proposed that the forests where they live be declared a wildlife sanctuary or conservation reserve, using them as an umbrella species for conservation. In response to this, the forest department of the Government of Karnataka notified the proposed area, with only minor modifications to the boundary, as the ‘Aghanashini Lion-tailed Macaque Conservation Reserve’. We suggest some immediate management interventions to minimize further pressure on this highly threatened habitat.

Rapid Assessment of Montane Anuran Communities in the Albertine Rift:Hyperolius castaneusAhl, 1931 as an Umbrella Species for Conservation

The species richness of seven montane anuran communities of the Albertine Rift was assessed with visual and acoustic transects. A total of 28 anuran species were detected. The highland anuran communities at (2000–2800 m) were dominated by up to nine Albertine Rift endemic species considered threatened by IUCN Red List criteria, whereas the community at lower elevation included mainly wide-ranging, least-concern species. Cluster analyses of the presence/absence data on the overall array of species indicated that Ahl's reed frog (Hyperolius castaneus) is a suitable umbrella species for the highland Albertine Rift endemics. Hyperolius castaneus was always among the first species collected at each site, either by visual detection or by acoustic detection based on the characteristic advertisement and aggression calls which were emitted during the day and at night. The ease of its detection in the field makes this species an ideal candidate for rapid assessments of priority sites for conservation measures.

Rapid assessment of montane anuran communities in the Albertine Rift: Hyperolius castaneus Ahl, 1931 as an umbrella species for conservation

The species richness of seven montane anuran communities of the Albertine Rift was assessed with visual and acoustic transects. A total of 28 anuran species were detected. The highland anuran communities at (2000–2800 m) were dominated by up to nine Albertine Rift endemic species considered threatened by IUCN Red List criteria, whereas the community at lower elevation included mainly wide-ranging, least-concern species. Cluster analyses of the presence/absence data on the overall array of species indicated that Ahl’s reed frog (Hyperolius castaneus) is a suitable umbrella species for the highland Albertine Rift endemics. Hyperolius castaneus was always among the first species collected at each site, either by visual detection or by acoustic detection based on the characteristic advertisement and aggression calls which were emitted during the day and at night. The ease of its detection in the field makes this species an ideal candidate for rapid assessments of priority sites for conservation measures.

Home range area in the tortoise Testudo hermanni in relation to habitat complexity: implications for conservation of biodiversity

The tortoise Testudo hermanni is endangered by habitat fragmentation and loss in western Europe, where its high public profile and specific conservation projects make this a flagship species. Studies of movement in the peak reproductive season (June) showed that home ranges were substantially larger in France than in Greece. This difference was due to the intensity of use of the home range, not to the distance moved which was remarkably similar in the two areas. There was no sexual difference in home range area. The home range was therefore not large in France because of movement to nesting sites, but rather for utilization of the greater habitat complexity there. The need for reserves to include different vegetation types makes conservation of T. hermanni in France more difficult. Conversely, the need for large reserves increases its value as an umbrella species for conservation of biodiversity.

A New Method for Selection of Umbrella Species for Conservation Planning

A New Method for Selection of Umbrella Species for Conservation Planning