Latest Articles from Nature Conservation Latest 4 Articles from Nature Conservation https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/ Thu, 28 Mar 2024 14:49:53 +0200 Pensoft FeedCreator https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/i/logo.jpg Latest Articles from Nature Conservation https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/ Reencounter with the past: occurrence of sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) in an old hunting area in the south-eastern Pacific Ocean https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/article/95690/ Nature Conservation 51: 1-12

DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.51.95690

Authors: Andrea Cisterna-Concha, Camila Calderón-Quirgas, Fernanda Silva-Andrades, Richard Muñoz, Heraldo V. Norambuena

Abstract: The sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) was intensively exploited throughout its range, with about 110.000 individuals hunted by pelagic fleets in Antarctic waters between 1960 and 1970. In addition, basic information on its distribution, migratory routes, and feeding grounds in the southeastern Pacific, has been poorly documented. In the case of Chile, recent information consists mainly of accidental records. This research presents the first sei whale photo-identification catalog for south-central Chile. From November 2019 to January 2020, 88 individuals were recorded from land-based and boat surveys at Caleta Chome. Of these, 12 individuals were photo-identified through scars or distinctive notches in the dorsal fins. The peak of sightings occurred during December 2019; two individuals were sighted on more than one occasion.

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Short Communication Thu, 26 Jan 2023 16:56:57 +0200
Implementing wildlife fences along highways at the appropriate spatial scale: A case study of reducing road mortality of Florida Key deer https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/article/72321/ Nature Conservation 47: 283-302

DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.47.72321

Authors: Marcel P. Huijser, James S. Begley

Abstract: Florida Key deer mortality data (1966–2017) showed that about 75% of all reported deer mortalities were related to collisions with vehicles. In 2001–2002, the eastern section of US Hwy 1 on Big Pine Key (Florida, USA) was mitigated with a wildlife fence, 2 underpasses, and 4 deer guards. After mitigation, the number of reported Key deer road mortalities reduced substantially in the mitigated section, but this was negated by an increase in collisions along the unmitigated section of US Hwy 1 on Big Pine Key, both in absolute numbers and expressed as a percentage of the total deer population size. The data also showed that the increase in Key deer collisions along the unmitigated highway section on the island could not be explained through an increase in Key deer population size, or by a potential increase in traffic volume. The overall Key deer road mortality along US Hwy 1 was not reduced but was moved from the mitigated section to the nearby unmitigated section. Thus, there was no net benefit of the fence in reducing collisions. After mitigation, a significant hotspot of Key deer-vehicle collisions appeared at the western fence-end, and additional hotspots occurred further west along the unmitigated highway. Exploratory spatial analyses led us to reject the unmitigated highway section on Big Pine Key as a suitable control for a Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) analysis into the effectiveness of the mitigation measures in reducing deer-vehicle collisions. Instead, we selected highway sections west and east of Big Pine Key as a control. The BACI analysis showed that the wildlife fence and associated mitigation measures were highly effective (95%) in reducing deer-vehicle collisions along the mitigated highway section. Nonetheless, in order to reduce the overall number of deer-vehicle collisions along US Hwy 1, the entire highway section on Big Pine Key would need to be mitigated. However, further mitigation is complicated because of the many buildings and access roads for businesses and residences. This case study illustrates that while fences and associated measures can be very effective in reducing collisions, wildlife fences that are too short may result in an increase in collisions in nearby unmitigated road sections, especially near fence-ends. Therefore it is important to carefully consider the appropriate spatial scale over which highway mitigation measures are implemented and evaluated.

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Research Article Fri, 25 Mar 2022 15:00:15 +0200
Rapid linear transport infrastructure development in the Carpathians: A major threat to the integrity of ecological connectivity for large carnivores https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/article/71807/ Nature Conservation 47: 35-63

DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.47.71807

Authors: Cristian-Remus Papp, Ivo Dostál, Václav Hlaváč, Gavril Marius Berchi, Dušan Romportl

Abstract: The development of sustainable transport is a key challenge in societies where there is an accelerated need for socio-economic development. This is the case for seven countries from central and south-eastern Europe that share the Carpathian Mountains. The challenge of developing sustainable transport requires transdisciplinary, or at least cross-sectoral cooperation, between the transport development and nature conservation sectors. Such cooperation is not in the culture of the Carpathian countries, which together host some of the most remarkable biodiversity values in Europe, including the largest populations of brown bear, grey wolf and Eurasian lynx. The overall length of motorways in these countries more than quintupled in the last 30 years and the rapid expansion of Linear Transport Infrastructure (LTI) continues at exacerbating rates. The rich biodiversity habitats are being fragmented and the concept of ecological connectivity is poorly understood and implemented by the national authorities. Ecological networks for large carnivores are not defined nor officially recognised in the Carpathian countries, with little exceptions. The legislation is not consistent across the strands of ecological connectivity and is not harmonised between the countries to effectively support transnational conservation efforts. Thus, the critical intersections between planned or even existing LTI and ecological corridors for large carnivores cannot be identified, in most cases leading to increasing habitat fragmentation and isolation of wildlife populations in the region. We summarised all this key context-related information for the Carpathians in relation to LTI development and ecological connectivity. To counteract this trend in the Carpathian ecoregion, we propose a set of recommendations to: improve and harmonise the legislation; develop and endorse methodologies for designating ecological corridors; address the cumulative impact on ecological connectivity; define other threats on landscape permeability; improve stakeholder engagement, cooperation and communication; develop comprehensive and transparent biodiversity and transport databases; monitor wildlife and transport for implementing most appropriate mitigation measures and strategies; build capacity to address the issue of sustainable transportation; and foster transnational cooperation and dialogue. Bringing these elements together will support the design of ecological networks in a way that considers the needs and location of both current and future habitats and contribute to efforts to address the climate crisis. These specific recommendations are relevant also for other areas of the world facing similar problems as the Carpathians.

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Review Article Fri, 25 Mar 2022 15:00:04 +0200
Ecological Solutions for Linear Infrastructure Networks: The key to green infrastructure development https://natureconservation.pensoft.net/article/81795/ Nature Conservation 47: 1-8

DOI: 10.3897/natureconservation.47.81795

Authors: Sara Santos, Clara Grilo, Fraser Shilling, Manisha Bhardwaj, Cristian Remus Papp

Abstract:

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Editorial Fri, 25 Mar 2022 15:00:01 +0200