Summary Despite efforts in data collection, missing values are commonplace life‐history trait databases. Because these typically not randomly, the common practice of removing only reduces sample size, but also introduces bias that can lead to incorrect conclusions. Imputing is a potential solution this problem. Here, we evaluate performance four approaches for estimating databases (K‐nearest neighbour ( kNN ), multivariate imputation by chained equations (mice), missForest and Phylopars),...

Climate change is likely to become an increasingly major obstacle slowing the rate of species extinctions. Several new assessment approaches have been proposed for identifying climate-vulnerable species, based on assumption that established systems such as IUCN Red List need revising or replacing because they were not developed explicitly consider climate change. However, no approach has tested determine its ability provide advanced warning time conservation action might go extinct due To...

Resource selection functions (RSFs) are tremendously valuable for ecologists and resource managers because they quantify spatial patterns in utilization by wildlife, thereby facilitating identification of critical habitat areas characterizing specific features that selected or avoided. RSFs discriminate between known-use units (e.g., telemetry locations) available (or randomly selected) based on an array environmental features, their standard form performed using logistic regression. As...

Pluto occultations are historically rare events, having been observed in 1988, 2002, 2006, and, as moves into the crowded Galactic plane, on several occasions 2007. Here we present six results from our observations of 2006 June 12 event sites Australia and New Zealand. First, show that Pluto's bulk atmospheric column abundance, is over twice value measured implying nitrogen frost surface 1.2-1.7 K warmer than 1988 despite a 9% drop incident solar flux. We measure half-light shadow radius...

Restoration of extirpated species via captive breeding has typically relied on population viability as the primary criterion for evaluating success. This is inadequate when reintroduction undertaken to restore ecological functions and interactions. Herein we report demographic outcomes a five-decade-long restoration program critically endangered "ecosystem engineer": endemic Española giant Galapagos tortoise (Chelonoidis hoodensis). Our analysis complementary datasets demography movement,...

Identifying which species are at greatest risk, what makes them vulnerable, and where they distributed central goals for conservation science. While knowledge of factors influence extinction risk is increasingly available some taxonomic groups, a deeper understanding correlates the geography remains lacking. Here, we develop predictive random forest model using both geospatial mammalian species' trait data to uncover statistical geographic distributions correlates. We also explore how this...

Abstract Colonially-breeding seabirds have long served as indicator species for the health of oceans on which they depend. Abundance and breeding data are repeatedly collected at fixed study sites in hopes that changes abundance productivity may be useful adaptive management marine resources, but their suitability this purpose is often unknown. To address this, we fit a Bayesian population dynamics model includes process observation error to all known Adélie penguin (1982–2015) Antarctic,...

High rates of land conversion and use change have vastly increased the proportion secondary forest in lowland tropics relative to mature forest. As forests recover following abandonment, nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) must be present sufficient quantities sustain high net primary production replenish nutrients lost during prior establishment. Biogeochemical theory results from individual studies suggest that N can recuperate recovery, especially P. Here, we synthesized 23 metrics P soil plants...

Understanding the regeneration niche is of critical importance for conservation rare plants, yet species-specific information often lacking key components plant life cycle such as seed dormancy and germination. We conducted a detailed study Ivesia webberi, U.S. federally threatened forb that endemic to Great Basin Desert. Using seeds collected from 11 populations across span years, we investigated storage behavior, embryo morphology, interannual interpopulation viability, while testing...

Abstract For decades conservation biologists have proposed general rules of thumb for minimum viable population size (MVP); typically, they range from hundreds to thousands individuals. These shifted resources away small and fragmented populations. We examined whether iteroparous, long‐lived species might constitute an exception MVP guidelines. On the basis results a 10‐year capture‐recapture study in eastern New York (U.S.A.), we developed comprehensive demographic model globally threatened...

Abstract Animals select habitats based on food, water, space, and cover. Each of those components are essential to the ability an individual survive reproduce in a particular habitat. Selection resources is linked reproductive fitness individuals likely vary how they relative their state: during pregnancy, while provisioning young when nutritional needs mother high, but offspring vulnerable predation, or if lose mortality. We investigated effects state selection by maternal female desert...

Forecasts of range dynamics now incorporate many the mechanisms and interactions that drive species distributions. However, connectivity continues to be simulated using overly simple distance-based dispersal models with little consideration how individual behaviour dispersing organisms interacts landscape structure (functional connectivity). Here, we link an individual-based model a niche-population test implications this omission. We apply novel approach turtle inhabiting wetlands which are...

There is much uncertainty regarding the sources of reactive mercury (RM) compounds and atmospheric chemistry driving their formation. This work focused on assessing potential measured in Reno, Nevada, United States, using 1 year data collected Reactive Mercury Active System. In addition, ancillary meteorology criteria air pollutant data, Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory (HYSPLIT) analyses, a generalized linear model were applied to better understand observations....

Abstract Human‐mediated animal movement can expose wildlife populations to novel environments. Phenotypic plasticity buffer against the challenges presented by environments, while adaptation local ecosystems may limit resilience in ecosystems. Outbreeding depression during mixing of disparate gene pools also reduce reproductive success after long‐distance movement. Here, we use a ‘common‐garden’ population gopher tortoises ( Gopherus polyphemus ), translocated from numerous sites across...

Burrowing, herbivorous mammals play important roles as ecosystem engineers and keystone species of grassland ecosystems around the world, but populations many have declined dramatically because myriad threats from human activities. Prairie dogs (Cynomys spp.) in shaping central grasslands North America, by about 98% across their range, with consequent losses associated habitat. This has prompted much interest restoring to protected areas. Managers lack a clear understanding long-term success...

Summary Species interactions have been largely ignored in extinction risk assessment. However, the black‐footed ferret M ustela nigripes exemplifies a class of endangered species for which strong cannot be ignored. This is an obligate predator prairie dogs C ynomys spp., and sylvatic plague Y ersinia pestis epizootics threaten to undermine recovery efforts by functionally eliminating prey base. Multispecies ‘metamodelling’ techniques offer new opportunities exploring population dynamics...

Prairie dogs ( Cynomys spp.) are important ecosystem engineers in North America's central grasslands, and a key prey base for numerous predators. have declined dramatically across their former range, prompting reintroduction efforts to restore populations functions, but the success of these reintroductions is rarely monitored rigorously. Here, we reintroduced 2,400 Gunnison's prairie C. gunnisoni ) over period 6 years Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, New Mexico, U.S.A., semi‐arid...

Large herbivores exhibit relatively slow-paced life histories, and allocate resources toward maintaining high rates of adult survival, while juvenile survival has greater variability. Maternal females make decisions throughout stages reproduction to meet their nutritional demands simultaneously ensuring recruitment young maximize fitness. We investigated tradeoffs associated with resource selection by mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) surrounding in Mojave National Preserve, CA, USA. To...

Selection of forage and habitats is driven by nutritional needs individuals. Some species may sacrifice quality for the mother in favor safety offspring (risk-averse strategy), immediately following parturition. We studied diet selection bighorn sheep before parturition to determine how demands associated with rearing influenced acquisition. used desert sheep, Ovis canadensis nelsoni , investigate that potential tradeoff. captured radio-collared female from 2016 2018. vaginal implant...