Coping With Constraints: Achieving Effective Conservation With Limited Resources

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 6

Опубликована: Март 16, 2018

PERSPECTIVE article Front. Ecol. Evol., 16 March 2018Sec. Conservation and Restoration Ecology Volume 6 - 2018 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2018.00024

Язык: Английский

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Animal coloration research: why it matters

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 372(1724), С. 20160333 - 20160333

Опубликована: Май 22, 2017

While basic research on animal coloration is the theme of this special edition, here we highlight its applied significance for industry, innovation and society. Both nanophotonic structures producing stunning optical effects colour perception mechanisms in animals are extremely diverse, having been honed over millions years evolution many different purposes. Consequently, there a wealth opportunity biomimetic bioinspired applications research, spanning production, function. Fundamental production contributing to breakthroughs design new materials (cosmetics, textiles, paints, coatings, security labels) technologies (cameras, sensors, devices, robots, biomedical implants). In addition, discoveries about function influencing sport, fashion, military conservation. Understanding applying knowledge now multidisciplinary exercise. Our goal provide catalyst ideas collaborations between biologists studying researchers other disciplines. This article part themed issue ‘Animal coloration: perception, application’.

Язык: Английский

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Reframing conservation physiology to be more inclusive, integrative, relevant and forward-looking: reflections and a horizon scan

Conservation Physiology, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 8(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2020

Applying physiological tools, knowledge and concepts to understand conservation problems (i.e. physiology) has become commonplace confers an ability mechanistic processes, develop predictive models identify cause-and-effect relationships. Conservation physiology is making contributions solutions; the number of 'success stories' growing, but there remain unexplored opportunities for which shows immense promise potential contribute major advances in protecting restoring biodiversity. Here, we consider how evolved with a focus on reframing discipline be more inclusive integrative. Using 'horizon scan', further explore ways can relevant pressing issues today (e.g. addressing Sustainable Development Goals; delivering science support UN Decade Ecosystem Restoration), as well forward-looking inform emerging policies tomorrow. Our horizon scan provides evidence that, continues mature, it wealth promote integration, inclusivity forward-thinking goals that achieving gains. To advance environmental management ecosystem restoration, need ensure underlying (such generated by accompanying messaging straightforward accessible end users.

Язык: Английский

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The Atrazine Saga and its Importance to the Future of Toxicology, Science, and Environmental and Human Health

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 40(6), С. 1544 - 1558

Опубликована: Май 17, 2021

Abstract The herbicide atrazine is one of the most commonly used, well studied, and controversial pesticides on planet. Much controversy involves effects wildlife, particularly amphibians, ethically questionable decision making members industry, government, legal system, institutions higher education, in cases an effort to “bend science,” defined as manipulating research advance economic, political, or ideological ends. In this Critical Perspective I provide a timeline salient events history saga, which includes multimillion‐dollar smear campaign, lawsuits, investigative reporting, accusation impropriety against US Environmental Protection Agency, multibillion‐dollar transaction. argue that must be more than just true story cover‐ups, bias, vengeance. It used example how manufacturing uncertainty bending science can exploited delay undesired regulatory decisions greed conflicts interest—situations where personal organizational considerations have compromised biased professional judgment objectivity—can affect environmental public health erode trust discipline toxicology, general, honorable functioning societies. Most importantly, offer several recommendations should help 1) prevent from repeating itself, 2) enhance credibility integrity science, 3) enrich human health. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1544–1558. © 2021 SETAC

Язык: Английский

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Physiological biomarkers and fisheries management

Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 31(4), С. 797 - 819

Опубликована: Сен. 29, 2021

Abstract The benefits of physiological biomarkers, knowledge and concepts are well-established in fish wildlife management as they confer the ability to understand mechanistic processes, identify cause-and-effect relationships, develop predictive models. Although this approach is gaining momentum context species conservation, use biomarkers exploited marine stock recovery plans remains relatively rare. Here, we present five essential issues consider implement fisheries management: (i) choice relevant that have a well-known basis, (ii) identification species-specific reflecting meaningful timespan for management, (iii) selection compatible with data collection during routine scientific surveys, (iv) early-warning signals complementary indicators population-level changes life history traits (v) how may help refine long-term population dynamic projections under climate change scenarios. Overall, if based on mechanisms linked individuals’ fitness, focus should better behind declines, characteristics, thus more efficiently manage conserve populations. As transferable among species, locations, times, integration science has potential broadly enhance assessments stocks.

Язык: Английский

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Applied ecoimmunology: using immunological tools to improve conservation efforts in a changing world

Conservation Physiology, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 9(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2021

Abstract Ecoimmunology is a rapidly developing field that explores how the environment shapes immune function, which in turn influences host–parasite relationships and disease outcomes. Host defence key fitness determinant because it underlies capacity of animals to resist or tolerate potential infections. Importantly, function can be suppressed, depressed, reconfigured stimulated by exposure changing environmental drivers like temperature, pollutants food availability. Thus, hosts may experience trade-offs resulting from altered investment under stressors. As such, approaches ecoimmunology provide powerful tools assist conservation wildlife. Here, we case studies explore diverse ways inform advance efforts, understanding Galapagos finches will fare with introduced parasites, using methods human oncology design vaccines against transmissible cancer Tasmanian devils. In addition, discuss future present 10 questions help guide this emerging better decisions biodiversity protection. From linking changes outcomes different conditions, individual variation contributes dynamics wild populations, there immense for imperilled face new re-emerging pathogens, addition improving detection management zoonoses.

Язык: Английский

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Non‐invasive physiological markers demonstrate link between habitat quality, adult sex ratio and poor population growth rate in a vulnerable species, the Cape mountain zebra

Functional Ecology, Год журнала: 2017, Номер 32(2), С. 300 - 312

Опубликована: Окт. 5, 2017

Abstract Effective conservation and species management require an understanding of the causes poor population growth. Conservation physiology uses biomarkers to identify factors that contribute low individual fitness declines. Building on this, macrophysiology can use same markers assess how varies with different ecological or demographic over large temporal spatial scales. Here, we a macrophysiological approach correlates growth rates in Cape mountain zebra metapopulation. We two non‐invasive biomarkers: faecal glucocorticoids as measure chronic stress, androgens indicator male physiological status. found glucocorticoid concentrations were highest spring prior summer rainfall, elevated individuals from populations associated low‐quality habitat (lower grass abundance). In addition, androgen higher high proportion non‐breeding stallions (where male:female adult sex ratios exceed 2:1) suggesting ratio imbalances may intensify competition. Finally, rate was negatively female fecundity androgens, indicating relationship between hormone profiles fitness. Together, our results provide cross‐population evidence for be linked biomarkers. More broadly, advocate indicators viability, way evaluate impact variable factors. used efficacy interventions this subspecies, could inform models species’ responses future environmental change. A plain language summary is available article.

Язык: Английский

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Heterogeneities in the infection process drive ranavirus transmission

Ecology, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 98(2), С. 576 - 582

Опубликована: Ноя. 16, 2016

Transmission is central to our understanding and efforts control the spread of infectious diseases. Because transmission generally requires close contact, host movements behaviors can shape dynamics: random complete mixing leads classic density-dependent model, but if hosts primarily interact locally (e.g., aggregate) or within groups, may saturate. Manipulating behavior thus change both rate functional form transmission. We used ranavirus-wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) tadpole system test whether rates reflect contacts, be influenced by distribution food in mesocosms (widely dispersed, promoting movement vs. a pile, aggregations). Contact increased with density, as expected, rapidly saturated. Observed were not explained observed contact instead treatments followed models allowing for heterogeneities process. argue that contacts limiting, results are better susceptibility. Moreover, manipulating manage disease prove difficult implement.

Язык: Английский

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A perspective on physiological studies supporting the provision of scientific advice for the management of Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka)

Conservation Physiology, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 4(1), С. cow026 - cow026

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2016

The inability of physiologists to effect change in fisheries management has been the source frustration for many decades. Close collaboration between managers and researchers afforded our interdisciplinary team an unusual opportunity evaluate emerging impact that physiology can have providing relevant credible scientific advice assist decisions. We categorize quality given into five levels based on type activity resulting (notions, observations, descriptions, predictions prescriptions). argue that, ideally, both concomitant but separate responsibilities increasing level provided. responsibility involves clear communication objectives researchers, including exact descriptions knowledge needs researchable problems. role researcher is provide current state information integration with management. examples discussed herein relate physiological research high discharge water temperature, pathogens, sex interactions in-river migration success adult Fraser River sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) increased understanding emerges. submit a function political motivation linked funding, legal clarity objectives, collaborative structures government academia, personal relationships, access experts peer acceptance. major challenges advancing include uncertainty results, lack institutional caution adopting new research. hope conservation learn from experiences increase potential this growing field positive influence resource

Язык: Английский

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Interpopulation variation in thermal physiology among seasonal runs of Chinook salmon

Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 80(1), С. 1 - 13

Опубликована: Сен. 6, 2022

Conservation of species facing environmental change requires an understanding interpopulation physiological variation. However, data are often scarce and therefore pooled across populations species, erasing potentially important variability between populations. Interpopulation variation in thermal physiology has been observed within the Salmonidae family, although it not associated with seasonally distinct migratory phenotypes (i.e., seasonal runs). To resolve whether is life-history strategy, we acclimated four Sacramento River juvenile Chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) (Coleman fall-run, Feather spring-run, winter-run) exhibiting different (fall-, spring-, winter-run), at 11, 16, 20 °C assessed growth rate, critical maxima, temperature-dependent metabolic traits. We identified population differences parameters measured found compelling evidence that critically endangered endemic winter-run exhibits its early-migration strategy. Acclimation to warm temperatures limited capacity salmon, highlighting risk future warming this population.

Язык: Английский

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