Microhabitat use studies of translocated species are crucial to assess their adaptation to the new environment. A total of 42 St Lucia whiptail lizards (Cnemidophorus vanzoi), an endemic to two islets (Maria Major, 10.2 ha and Maria Minor, 1.8 ha) off St Lucia in the Lesser Antilles, were translocated from Maria Major to Praslin Island (1.1 ha) in 1995. Three years after the release, we studied the abundance, density and distribution of the translocated lizard population in the prevailing five habitat types on the island. Habitats varied from more exposed open grasslands to tall, continuously canopied woodlands. Although lizards were distributed throughout the island, some habitats were used more than predicted with respect to availability. Habitat utilization showed a seasonal shift in distribution. Line transect sampling estimated a population of 145 ± 23 lizards on Praslin Island. There were significant seasonal differences in estimated lizard abundance indicating a change in activity during the dry season. Lizard density was significantly correlated with general habitat characteristics, rather than with any specific microhabitat variable measured. Factors affecting distribution (thermo-regulation, food resources and competitive exclusion) are discussed and it is suggested that habitat use during the dry season may be best explained by thermal constraint. These results will help managers choose future translocation sites.

The current study investigates whether a simple measure of taxonomic diversity (Taxonomic Distinctiveness (TD)) can be used as a proxy for different measures of phylogenetic diversity (Phylogenetic Distinctiveness (PD)) in determining species of regional conservation priority, and uses extant South African Chiroptera and Carnivora as a case study. Published phylogenies for the two mammalian Orders allowed the quantification of a node-based measure that was considered to represent phylogenetic diversity (PDNODE), as well as a branch length-based measure that was considered to represent the amount of evolutionary change over time (PDBRANCH). Both the PDNODE and PDBRANCH, together with TD were included in our regional conservation priority assessment. Although no statistically significant differences were detected between the PDNODE, PDBRANCH and the TD for both the Chiroptera and Carnivora, these measures were also shown to be correlated with each other. More importantly, inclusion of either the PDNODE, PDBRANCH, or TD in our analysis did not significantly alter the species that were identified as being of regional conservation priority. Both regional priority scores for the South African Chiroptera and Carnivora and their respective rankings were broadly consistent across the three potential indicators of conservation status utilised. These results suggest that the inclusion of either the PDNODE and/or PDBRANCH in conservation prioritisation exercises may not add value to that currently provided by the TD. Consequently, this implies that in the absence of relevant PD data, the utilisation of the TD in regional conservation priority settings may provide the appropriate information on evolutionary diversity.

A field-validated metapopulation model of patch occupancy was used to examine the persistence of greater gliders (Petauroides volans) in patches of remnant native eucalypt forest in south-eastern Australia. The model was based on a system of eucalypt patches embedded within a plantation forest of exotic radiata pine (Pinus radiata) at Buccleuch State Forest, New South Wales. The probability of local extinction in occupied patches was a function of patch size. The probability of colonization of empty patches was a function of the size and proximity of occupied patches. The results of the simulations suggested that suitable habitat should occupy approximately 10% (or more) of the total landscape to ensure the persistence of greater gliders. Rates of patch occupancy were maximized when suitable habitat was clustered into larger patches. Patches <3 ha in area were predicted to be of limited value as habitat for greater gliders. The predictions of the model are consistent with the observed persistence of greater gliders in the eucalypt patch system. The system of unlogged eucalypt patches within the pine plantation is a useful model of a network of small to medium-sized conservation reserves. Principles of reserve design can have value even in somewhat degraded and highly modified landscapes. The results demonstrate that reserved patches of native forest embedded within intensively logged forest can have significant conservation value, with important implications for the design and establishment of new softwood plantations.

Droughts induced by the 1997–1998 El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) event sparked large-scale forest fires affecting millions of hectares on Borneo. We studied the effects of ENSO-induced disturbances on a riverine bird, the critically endangered white-shouldered ibis, Pseudibis davisoni, along the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Island-wide fire hotspots were more likely to occur near rivers and part of our study area was indeed affected by fire. Based on 25 boat surveys (2590 km) that yielded 91 records, we recorded significant changes in abundance and spatial distribution of this bird in our study area. Encounter rates were higher during the pre-ENSO (1992–1996) periods than the post-ENSO (1997–2000) ones and differed between seasons. No ibises were seen post-ENSO along river sections that were affected by the fires, whereas pre-ENSO encounter rates were 2.4 birds/102 km. Encounter rates along those sections that were not affected by the forest fires more than doubled from 2.0 birds/102 km pre-ENSO to 5.6 birds/102 km post-ENSO. This was most probably due to enhancement of displaced birds. In view of the permanent character of the change in spatial distribution, active protection of the remaining stretches of riverine forest is of the utmost importance for the survival of white-shouldered ibis.

Changes in abundance and the risk of extinction of the rock partridge Alectoris graeca saxatilis in the Dolomitic Alps were investigated using a density-dependent model that incorporated dispersal and environmental stochasticity. The study was based on spring and summer counts collected from sample areas in geographically distinct mountain groups. Extinction probability was investigated by simulating a discrete population and a metapopulation consisting of local populations connected by dispersal. Persistence was not guaranteed when the species was examined as a discrete population. When we used a metapopulation approach, the persistence was assured but local extinctions with subsequent recolonizations of a number of empty areas were observed. The analysis was repeated using hunting statistics, when there were no restrictions on hunting policies, and a similar high extinction pattern was found. Our simulations suggested that long-term persistence of rock partridge could be guaranteed only when immigration was included into the demographic model. However, if the increased population's fragmentation recorded since the 1950s persists the extinction of some of the subpopulations appears inevitable.

We used a demographic model to calculate a series of annual Ne/Nestimates ((Ne/N)S) for a population of the endangered San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and to identify the demographic parameters explaining significant portions of the variation in (Ne/N)S estimates. Demographic data were collected between 1981 and 1995 from adult kit foxes located on the Naval Petroleum Reserves in California. Demographic parameters were estimated by determining the sex of captured adult foxes and monitoring the survival and reproduction of adult foxes fitted with radiocollars. Individual demographic parameters explaining significant portions (P < 0.10) of the variation in (Ne/N)S estimates was determined using forward stepwise multiple regression. Estimates of (Ne/N)S were highly variable, ranging from 0.22 to 1.15, (x = 0.67, SEM = 0.07, n = 14), with a harmonic mean of 0.55. Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that mean annual female survival (P = 0.002) and mean annual female reproductive success (P = 0.004) explained significant portions of the variation in estimates of (Ne/N)S, while mean annual sex ratio (P = 0.159), mean annual litter size (P = 0.406) and mean annual male survival (P = 0.922) did not. Long-term kit fox conservation strategies will probably have to account for wide variation in (Ne/N)S ratios and focus on maintaining or expanding the size and connectivity of populations.

Why Animal Conservation?

Conservation biology is a discipline that has come of age. Over the past ten–fifteen years we have seen it develop, from a topic that many academics saw as peripheral and quirky into mainstream biological science. Conservation biology is now routinely taught on degree level courses, the number of papers published in the specialist academic literature has risen exponentially, and the citation rates of those journals continue to increase.