Metrics of progress in the understanding and management of threats to Australian birds

• DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13220
• Publication Date: 2018-11-22T09:02:51Z
• Authors: S. T. Garnett; S. H. M. Butchart; G. B. Baker; E. Bayraktarov; K. L. Buchanan; A. A. Burbidge; A. L. M. Chauvenet; L. Christidis; G. Ehmke; M. Grace; D. G. Hoccom; S. M. Legge; I. Leiper; D. B. Lindenmayer; R. H. Loyn; M. Maron; P. McDonald; P. Menkhorst; H. P. Possingham; J. Radford; A. E. Reside; D. M. Watson; J. E. M. Watson; B. Wintle; J. C. Z. Woinarski; H. M. Geyle
• Keywords: 580; Islands; 0106 biological sciences; Avian; 570; Conservation of Natural Resources; Terrestrial ecology; Environmental management; threat reduction; threatened species; avian; Endangered Species; Australia; Biodiversity; 01 natural sciences; 333; conservation performance; Environmental sciences; Birds; recovery planning; Cats; Animals; Conservation and biodiversity

Abstract Although evidence‐based approaches have become commonplace for determining the success of conservation measures management threatened taxa, there are no standard metrics assessing progress in research or management. We developed 5 to meet this need taxa and quantify further action effective alleviation threats. These (research need, achievement, percent threat reduction) can be aggregated examine trends an individual taxon threats across multiple taxa. tested utility these by applying them Australian birds, which appears first time that has been assessed all a faunal group at continental scale. Some conducted on nearly three‐quarters known is clear understanding how alleviate half with highest impact. attempted Management outcomes ranged from successful trials complete mitigation threat, including one‐third high‐impact Progress both tended greater were monitored occurred oceanic islands. Predation cats had potential score. However, some reducing impact cat predation, so climate change (particularly drought), now poses greatest birds. Our results demonstrate proposed encapsulate major provide basis international comparisons science.