A5005478194- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Avian ecology and behavior
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Rangeland and Wildlife Management
- Plant and animal studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Bird parasitology and diseases
- Animal Vocal Communication and Behavior
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Economic and Environmental Valuation
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Census and Population Estimation
- Marine animal studies overview
- Environmental Philosophy and Ethics
- Environmental DNA in Biodiversity Studies
- Marine and fisheries research
- Environmental Conservation and Management
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Indigenous Studies and Ecology
- Insect and Pesticide Research
Massey University
2016-2025
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
2023
International Union for Conservation of Nature (Bangladesh)
2004-2018
Zoological Society of London
2012
Workers Compensation Board of Alberta
2012
Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey
2012
International Union for Conservation of Nature (United Kingdom)
2007
Institute of Natural Resources
1999-2006
GTx (United States)
2004
University of Wyoming
1997
Significance Global conservation actions to prevent or slow extinctions and protect biodiversity are costly. However, few have been evaluated for their efficacy globally, hampering the prioritization of actions. Islands key areas because they home more than 15% terrestrial species one-third critically endangered species; nearly two-thirds recent were island species. This research quantifies benefits native fauna removing invasive mammals from islands. Our results highlight importance this...
Summary Applied ecologists continually advocate further research, under the assumption that obtaining more information will lead to better decisions. Value of (VoI) analysis can be used quantify how additional may improve management outcomes: despite its potential, this method is still underused in environmental decision‐making. We provide a primer on calculate VoI and assess whether reducing uncertainty change decision. Our aim facilitate application by managers who are not familiar with...
The characteristic seed size of a plant species may reflect evolution toward an optimal compromise between and number seeds produced. extent to which large conveys advantage seedling probably varies according circumstances, this explain at least some the great variation in among species. Here we test whether large—seeded are better able than small—seeded withstand defoliation state. We compared growth survival seedlings 40 Australian angiosperms after removing 95% their photosynthetic tissue...
Abstract It would be much easier to assess the effectiveness of different reintroduction methods, and so improve success reintroductions, if there was greater standardization in documentation methods outcomes. We suggest a series standards for documenting monitoring outcomes associated with projects birds. Key suggestions are: planned release before it occurs, specifying information required on each release, postrelease occurring at standard intervals 1 5 years (and 10 long‐lived species),...
Summary Adaptive management involves the development of predictive models, strategic manipulation actions to gain information, and subsequent updating models management. The paradigm has several characteristics that make it an effective approach for determining requirements re‐introduced populations. was applied re‐introduction hihi Notiomystis cincta , a New Zealand forest bird had been reduced single island population. Following three previous failed re‐introductions, we initiated 8‐year...
Reintroduction can be necessary for recovering populations of threatened species. However, the success reintroduction efforts has been poorer than many biologists and managers would hope. To increase benefits gained from reintroduction, management decision making should couched within formal decision-analytic frameworks. Decision analysis is a structured process informing that recognizes all decisions have set components—objectives, alternative actions, predictive models, optimization...
1. Landscape connectivity, the ability of species to move between different elements a landscape, has been evaluated mainly by expert opinion, proxy data or homing experiments, all which have major limitations. Cost distance modelling can overcome these limitations, but resistance values landscape are difficult estimate. 2. Here, we present novel method combining step selection functions with cost assess functional connectivity. Instead relying on movement metrics, uses case-control design...
ABSTRACT Translocation outcomes in connected habitats are often uncertain, as individuals dispersing outside managed areas exposed to threats. Post‐release monitoring can reduce uncertainty by revealing how dispersal and habitat selection influences establishment population growth which inform future translocations. We undertook post‐release identify patterns following a translocation of toutouwai (North Island robin, Petroica longipes ) large, contiguous forest habitat. aimed estimate...
Aim We studied dynamics of four populations New Zealand forest birds for 5–9 years after reintroduction to islands. primarily aimed predict whether these were viable, and what, if any, management was needed maintain them. However, the small scale islands also provided an opportunity study density‐dependent population growth over a short time frame. Location robin (toutouwai, Petroica australis ) stitchbird (hihi, Notiomystis cincta reintroduced Tiritiri Matangi, 220‐ha offshore island near...
Populations established with a small number of founders are thought to have high risk extinction due allee effects, demographic stochasticity, inbreeding and reduced genetic variation. We tested whether the initial birds released was related persistence in reintroductions saddlebacks (Philesturnus carunculatus) robins (Petroica australis) New Zealand offshore islands. Data were analysed for 31 populations that had been observed at least 3 years since reintroductions. The numbers ranged from...
Abstract It is well recognized that reintroductions have previously suffered from insufficient monitoring, and as a result reintroduction protocols guidelines now stringent monitoring requirements. important, however, done strategically. To be cost efficient, must designed to address key questions relevant success allocated where will the greatest value. While traditional aim of was recover endangered species, there much greater emphasis on part ecological restoration programmes. This often...
Abstract: Caughley (1994) argued that researchers working on threatened populations tended to follow the “small population paradigm” or “declining paradigm,” and greater integration of these paradigms was needed. Here I suggest two related exist at broader spatial scale, namely metapopulation paradigm habitat paradigm, also need be integrated if we are provide sound management advice. This is not trivial, outline five problems addressed: (1) variables may measure quality, so site‐specific...
When dispersal options are limited and encounters with relatives likely, individuals need to recognize avoid mating kin the fitness costs of close inbreeding. New Zealand robins saddlebacks genetically monogamous possess life-history traits that predict they should show zero tolerance However, 11 population-years pedigree data, there was evidence inbreeding avoidance in only 1 year. We also found no indication incestuous pairings were avoided or choosing dissimilar mates based on...
Abstract Climate change is causing spatio‐temporal shifts in environmental conditions, and species that are not able to track suitable environments may face increased risks of extinction. Assisted colonization, a form translocation, has been proposed as tool help survive the impacts climate change. Unfortunately, translocations generally have low success rate, well‐documented fact considered most recent literature on assisted colonization. One main impediments translocation inadequate...