Ibrahim Abdullah Mannan, M. Sujauddin, Md. Shawkat Islam Sohel
{"title":"Evaluating the Financial Effectiveness of Funded Projects on Tiger Conservation in Bangladesh","authors":"Ibrahim Abdullah Mannan, M. Sujauddin, Md. Shawkat Islam Sohel","doi":"10.1177/19400829231188648","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231188648","url":null,"abstract":"The conservation of Bengal tigers is a global concern due to their exponential decline in population around the world. In 2010, all Tiger Range Countries (TRCs) committed to double their tiger population by 2022. As a member of the TRCs, Bangladesh has launched and conducted many tiger conservation projects with a heavy financial investment. However, the tiger population has not increased in the country. Therefore, there is an urgent need to investigate why those funded projects’ outcomes were unsatisfactory compared to neighboring countries such as India and Nepal. This review was conducted purely based on previous archival tiger conservation related documents. Six specific tiger conservation projects implemented in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal were selected to investigate the effectiveness of tiger conservation in Bangladesh. Allocated fund distributions were segmented into five groups: capacity building, planning policy and reports, infrastructural development, tiger–human conflict (THC) reduction, and in-field actions to increase the tiger population. The analysis showed that India and Nepal spent most of their budget on in-field activities and least on planning. A moderate amount was spent on THC reduction, capacity building, and infrastructural development. In contrast, Bangladesh spent the majority of its fund on planning. India and Nepal also developed a sustainable funding mechanism to reduce their dependency on donor agencies, which was absent in the case of Bangladesh. It is recommended that future tiger conservation initiatives in Bangladesh should address more in-field action, such as patrolling to stop poaching and the illegal extraction of resources, sustainable long-term alternative income generation activities, and health issues such as identifying diseases, inbreeding effects, and captive breeding. Bangladesh needs to develop a sustainable long-term funding mechanism for in-field actions for tiger protection.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44574012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Bears in the Russian Far East illegally exploited for meat, medicine and trophies","authors":"L. Gomez, P. Toropov, C. Shepherd","doi":"10.1177/19400829231191061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231191061","url":null,"abstract":"Russia is a key source of bear parts in illegal trade but bear trade dynamics within the country is unknown. This study aims to address this gap by examining the legal and illegal international trade of bears in the Russian Far East. Illegal trade of bears from the Russian Far East was analysed using seizure data from the Russian customs authorities from 2015 to 2019, while legal trade was analysed using CITES trade data. There were 116 seizures of bears involving the Russian Far East. Bear paws, claws and gall bladders were the main commodities seized revealing a demand for meat, trophies and medicine. During the same timeframe, Russia legally exported bear trophies, parts and derivatives to 55 countries and territories. Trophies were largely destined to the US and European countries whereas bear gall bladders, paws and derivates to Hong Kong. This study shows that bears in Russia are threatened by poaching and illegal trade. They are killed for their gall bladders which are exported to Asian markets. They are also killed and exported as trophies predominantly to the US and European countries. As a game resource, Russia permits the hunting of Asiatic black bears and brown bears within established harvest quotas. Despite this, bears are being illegally killed and trafficked beyond Russia’s borders in violation of national laws and CITES trade regulations. Illegally sourced bear parts from Russia have been found in numerous countries across the globe. Further research is needed to quantify the overall illegal trade from Russia to understand the impact illegal offtake and trade has on wild bear populations in Russia. Further, the hunting of bears in Russia warrants greater regulation and monitoring to prevent the poaching of their parts for trade.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46898136","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. I. Gallardo-Alvarez, J. Lesher-Gordillo, S. Machkour‐M'Rabet, C. E. Zenteno-Ruíz, L. D. Olivera-Gómez, E. B. Recino-Reyes, Heidi Beatriz Montejo-Méndez, Guadalupe Gómez-Carrasco, Aminta Hernández-Marín, Alejandra Valdés-Marín
{"title":"Genetic Relationship Between Founders of a Threatened Freshwater Turtle in a Mexican Wildlife Management Unit. A Conservation Strategy","authors":"M. I. Gallardo-Alvarez, J. Lesher-Gordillo, S. Machkour‐M'Rabet, C. E. Zenteno-Ruíz, L. D. Olivera-Gómez, E. B. Recino-Reyes, Heidi Beatriz Montejo-Méndez, Guadalupe Gómez-Carrasco, Aminta Hernández-Marín, Alejandra Valdés-Marín","doi":"10.1177/19400829231197966","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231197966","url":null,"abstract":"Management Units for Wildlife Conservation (UMAs according to its Spanish acronym), are used for the ex-situ reproduction of freshwater turtles. These areas, often administered by local communities, are dedicated to conservation and sustainable management. The critically endangered freshwater turtle Dermatemys mawii has been successfully reproduced in several UMAs; however, no genetic management plan has been developed to maintain offspring genetic variability. Therefore, this study aims to determine the kinship relationship and homozygosity through the loci index of founder individuals in three UMAs devoted to the reproduction of D. mawii for the establishment of breeding groups. We collected skin samples of D. mawii in 2017 from 117 founder individuals from three UMAs located in the state of Tabasco, southeast Mexico. Ten specific D. mawii microsatellite markers were used for genotyping the founder individuals. We estimated the pedigree relationship between founders and proposed the formation of three breeding groups to optimize the use of related and non-related individuals to meet UMA-specific objectives and evaluated the genetic diversity retention of the breeding groups. The breeding groups were integrated as follows: 1) conservation breeding group consisting of 16 unrelated females and 7 unrelated males that presented a lower level of homozygosity (< 0.4); 2) research breeding group consisting of 45 females and 16 males that were unrelated or presented a half-sibling relationship and with a medium level of homozygosity (<0.6); and 3) a sustainable breeding group comprising 29 females and 4 males that were not necessarily unrelated and with a high level of homozygosity (> 0.6). Genetic diversity retention (Ho, He) was highest for the conservation breeder group and research breeder group. UMAs can create 3 breeding groups with different objectives: 1) species conservation, 2) research, and 3) sustainable use of species. All breeding groups can retain genetic diversity. Our proposal can enrich conservation actions and sustainable use for D. mawii at both national and international levels, specifically within the Mesoamerican corridor.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44606370","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Emigdio Marín-Enríquez, Pierre Charruau, Luis Adán Félix-Salazar
{"title":"Discovery of a suburban wetland refuge for a depleted American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) population in northwestern Mexico, using a commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle","authors":"Emigdio Marín-Enríquez, Pierre Charruau, Luis Adán Félix-Salazar","doi":"10.1177/19400829231209848","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231209848","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Research Aims The Urías Coastal Lagoon (UCL) is a heavily modified and polluted lagoon near Mazatlán, in northwestern Mexico. Once abundant in the UCL, the American crocodile ( Crocodylus acutus) is now rarely seen in the area. A healthy population of apex predators is essential to maintain the trophic balance of ecosystems. Our research aim was to lay the groundwork for studies of American crocodile population ecology in the UCL. Methods Traditional boat surveys (day and night) of crocodiles were undertaken in the UCL in May-July 2022. Two exploratory aerial (∼ 30 m altitude) surveys of a small wetland located close to a habitational complex in the vicinity of the UCL were performed in June and December 2022, using a commercial Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). We used images obtained with the UAV to estimate the size of the crocodiles detected in the wetland. Results This study confirms the presence of American crocodiles in the UCL and presents the first information on individuals of this species for this area. Aerial surveys revealed the presence of 17 individuals in the wetland; the mean size of nine of those individuals was 183.3 ± 60 cm (range: 130-310 cm). Two yearlings (∼37 cm length), possibly born in June 2022, were captured in the same wetland in September 2022. We also surveyed 50.7 km of UCL coastline by boat, but no crocodiles were sighted. Conclusion The crocodiles seem to avoid the human-impacted UCL and likely use the less impacted surrounding wetlands as a refuge area, which they also use to reproduce. The presence of both yearlings and adults is a good sign for the survival of this vulnerable population. Implications for Conservation We believe that the surveyed wetland should be closely monitored for conservation purposes because it might be one of the last crocodile breeding refuges in the heavily modified and polluted coastal environment of the UCL. We summarize our results with a series of recommendations for local and federal authorities. These recommendations would likely help the conservation of the American crocodile population in the UCL.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":"22 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136373065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Reconstructing Historical Distribution of Large Mammals and their Habitat to Inform Rewilding and Restoration in Central Tanzania","authors":"Paulo C. Athumani, L. Munishi, I. Ngondya","doi":"10.1177/19400829231166832","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231166832","url":null,"abstract":"In the anthropogenic landscapes where historically wildlife existed, there can be a potential for rewilding to reverse extinction. However, there is limited literature providing approaches to achieve successful rewilding. The current study aimed at providing empirical based methodological procedures for successful rewilding of the University of Dodoma (UDOM) and nearby degraded landscape by assessing past and current vegetation and large mammal species’ occurrence. The past occurrence of mega-herbivores and their habitat was assessed using systematic literature survey, past vegetation maps and key informant interviews. EBSCOhost database and Google Scholar search engine were used for literature searching. A survey was conducted at UDOM area which is one of the remaining habitat patches in central Tanzania to examine present plant diversity. The baseline vegetation map of 1960 indicated that the study area was mainly Savanna woodland. Literature suggested that anthropogenic activities resulted into Land-Use Land-Cover Changes (LULCC) leading into wild animals’ extirpation leaving remnant populations in the surrounding protected areas. While the key informant interviews verified local loss of mega-herbivores, field data collected at UDOM campus in 2022 indicated the vegetation transformation to bushland dominated by Dichrostachys cinerea. The area’s past vegetation composition was 33% grasses, 29% herbs, 21% shrubs and 17% trees while the current was 18% grasses, 42% herbs, 30% shrubs and 10% trees. The study revealed that central Tanzania hosted spectacular large mammal populations that interacted with the savanna which has recently been transformed to bushland. However, observed evidence on past existence of large mammals and recent elephants’ sightings at UDOM area indicate great potential for rewilding. Reconstructing historical information of ecosystems is crucial for successful rewilding. Such information can guide conservation efforts aiming at reversing extinction and reestablishing connectivity of large herbivore population across ecosystems.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48192075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Franquesa-Soler, Fernando Ocampo-Saure, Francisco Mora, Gabriel P. Andrade-Ponce, E. Andresen
{"title":"Socioecological Assessment of Mammal Assemblages in Small Oil-Palm Plantations in a Highly Deforested Region in Mexico","authors":"M. Franquesa-Soler, Fernando Ocampo-Saure, Francisco Mora, Gabriel P. Andrade-Ponce, E. Andresen","doi":"10.1177/19400829231169977","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231169977","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Research Aims: A great challenge in tropical-forest regions, is to build socioecosystems that ensure both biodiversity conservation and people’s wellbeing. Oil-palm plantations are profitable, but they can have negative impacts on biodiversity. Most information on the impacts of this crop comes from large plantations. However, in some regions, small plantations predominate and lessons derived from the large-estate context may not be applicable. Here, we carried out a socioecological assessment of mammals in small oil-palm plantations in a highly deforested region in Mexico, with the aim of guiding conservation efforts. Methods: We sampled mammals > 0.5 kg in 11 small plantations (<60 ha) with camera traps for 1 year. We assessed the effects of two landscape variables (forest cover, distance to forest) and two plantation variables (area, age). We also interviewed farmers to learn about the presence of mammals in their plantations, and their perceived benefits and/or costs associated to those mammals. Results: We photo-captured 20 species and farmers reported 4 more during interviews. Mammal diversity was negatively related to the plantation’s distance from forest; assemblage composition was associated to all variables except plantation area. The benefits that farmers associated with mammals were mostly utilitarian (e.g., bush meat). Costs perceived as serious were related to the loss of domestic animals and other crops. Conclusion: In a highly deforested region in Mexico, oil-palm plantations can be temporal habitat for some mammal species. By combining ecological and social dimensions we can improve our understanding of the factors that facilitate or hinder the conservation of mammals in agricultural landscapes. Implications for Conservation: We identified two key actions necessary for the long-term conservation of mammals in the study region: (i) protecting secondary forest fragments; (ii) regulating hunting. Involving farmers in the co-design of participatory conservation plans is necessary to ensure long-term success. Resumen Antecedentes y objetivos de la investigación: Un gran desafío en las regiones de bosques tropicales es crear socioecosistemas que aseguren tanto la conservación de la biodiversidad como el bienestar de las personas. Las plantaciones de palma aceitera son rentables, pero pueden tener impactos negativos en la biodiversidad. La mayor parte de la información sobre los impactos de este cultivo proviene de las grandes plantaciones. Sin embargo, los aprendizajes derivados del contexto de las grandes plantaciones podrían no ser aplicables a las regiones donde predominan las plantaciones pequeñas. En este trabajo realizamos una evaluación socioecológica de mamíferos en pequeñas plantaciones de palma aceitera en una región altamente deforestada de México, con el objetivo de orientar los esfuerzos de conservación. Métodos: Muestreamos mamíferos > 0.5 kg en 11 pequeñas plantaciones de palma aceitera (< 60 ha) con cámar","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47765208","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
E. Molua, D. Sonwa, Y. Bele, B. Foahom, Jean Pierre Mate Mweru, Salomon Mampeta Wa Bassa, M. Gapia, Félix Ngana, A. E. Joe, E. M. Masumbuko
{"title":"Climate-Smart Conservation Agriculture, Farm Values and Tenure Security: Implications for Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in the Congo Basin","authors":"E. Molua, D. Sonwa, Y. Bele, B. Foahom, Jean Pierre Mate Mweru, Salomon Mampeta Wa Bassa, M. Gapia, Félix Ngana, A. E. Joe, E. M. Masumbuko","doi":"10.1177/19400829231169980","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231169980","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Research Aims: Agriculture through deforestation is an important threat to biodiversity conservation in the Congo Basin’s tropical forest. The policy challenge is not only to promote adaptation to perceived climate change but also to promote forest conservation. The aim of this study is to provide empirical evidence on the impact of farm-level investments in climate-smart agricultural practices related to conservation agriculture in some Congo Basin countries. The hypothesis is that property rights to land and trees play a fundamental role in governing the patterns of investment, forestland management for conservation, as well as in the profitability of agriculture. Methods: A Simulated Maximum Likelihood Estimation using a Mixed Logit model is used to test farmers’ choice of agricultural system and a farmland value model for each agricultural system which includes determinants of tenure or property rights, climate, soils, and socioeconomic variables such as education and gender. The data was collected from more than 600 farms covering 12 regions and 45 divisions in 3 countries, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Results: Farmers choose one of three agricultural systems to maximize farm profit mindful of the current tenure regime and environmental conditions. Conservation agriculture techniques within climate-smart practices show benefits for smallholder farmers through improvements in soil health, soil moisture retention and enhanced crop yields. The rights to access, withdraw, manage, as well as exclude others from land and trees affect both the farmers' choice of system and the profit earned from the chosen system. Conclusion: Farm-level investments improve farm incomes and enhance conservation effort for farmers perceiving climate change. Implications for Conservation: Climate change adaptation through planting of trees improves soil stability, restores ecosystems and creates a safe haven for biodiversity. Secure land tenure promotes better forestland management and reduces land degradation in vulnerable communities.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45210273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Juan Sebastián Restrepo-Cardona, Fabricio Narváez, S. Kohn, F. H. Vargas, Santiago Zuluaga
{"title":"Human Persecution is An Important Threat to the Conservation of the Endangered Black-and-Chestnut Eagle in Northern Andes","authors":"Juan Sebastián Restrepo-Cardona, Fabricio Narváez, S. Kohn, F. H. Vargas, Santiago Zuluaga","doi":"10.1177/19400829231152353","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231152353","url":null,"abstract":"The Black-and-chestnut Eagle ( Spizaetus isidori) has a total population of fewer than 1000 adult individuals, and is categorized as Endangered at the global level. The northern Andes (Ecuador and Colombia) represent one of the last population strongholds of the species. In this study, we analyzed human persecution of the Black-and-chestnut Eagle as retaliation or as a preventive measure against poultry predation, as well as other threats that have affected the species in this geographical region between 2000 and 2022. In order to understand the human persecution and other threats faced by the Black-and-chestnut Eagle in the northern Andes, we compiled records of immature and adult individuals of the species that had been shot, captured, or had presented evidence of any other affectations during the last 23 years. We found a total of 96 Black-and-chestnut Eagles affected by different threats. Human persecution of the species to prevent poultry predation was the motive in 81% (46 of 57) of the cases of shot eagles, 67% (10 of 15) of those captured illegally, 30% (3 of 10) of those in which the cause of affectation was undetermined and for one individual that had been stabbed. Immature eagles were more affected than adult eagles by human persecution. Black-and-chestnut Eagles were also affected by electrocution, illegal trafficking and collision with vehicle. Human persecution as retaliation or as a preventive measure against poultry predation is an important threat to the conservation of the Black-and-chestnut Eagle in northern Andes. Strict application of laws at human persecution sites, identification and monitoring of areas with high risk of human-eagle conflict, development of environmental educational programs, strengthening of the technical capacities of rural communities, maintaining or even increasing forest cover, and reducing the exposure of poultry by using enclosures are key for Black-and-chestnut Eagle conservation in the northern Andes.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42403287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Corrigendum to Local Knowledge and Use of Pangolins by Culturally Diverse Communities in the Forest-Savannah Transition Area of Cameroon","authors":"","doi":"10.1177/19400829221145251","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829221145251","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42277988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alejandra Galindo-Cruz, F. J. Sahagún-Sánchez, Octavio R. Rojas-Soto
{"title":"Implications on the Use of the Phylogenetic Species Concept in the Risk Categories Assignment: The Case of the Birds of Mexico","authors":"Alejandra Galindo-Cruz, F. J. Sahagún-Sánchez, Octavio R. Rojas-Soto","doi":"10.1177/19400829221080975","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829221080975","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Aims Conservation efforts require a rational basis for taxa prioritization; it is essential to recognize the evolutionary independence of units, typically recognized as species. Because different criteria on species limits lead to different conservation assessment priorities, conceptual problems limit the possibility to accurately assess the conservation status that species are undergoing to protect them effectively. Methods We analyze the implications of using the phylogenetic species concept (PSC) in the risk categories determination, based on the analysis of the Mexican endemic avifauna. We modeled the potential distribution areas with the MaxEnt algorithm for those species that have had or could be susceptible to taxonomic updates based on the PSC. Results Of the 93 studied species, 68 were highly restricted, and 23 have high scores according to the evaluation of the Partners In Flight conservation status, so they can be considered species with high vulnerability or risk of extinction. Additionally, based on the recognition of several allopatric populations as independent phylogenetic species, 45% are susceptible to reconsideration of their risk categories due to a decrease in the extent of areas where they are potentially distributed. Implications for Conservation The use of a taxonomic perspective focused on the phylogenetic relationship of the different populations would directly impact the definition of risk categories, particularly for those endemic or restricted distribution evolutionary units for which there is usually very little information available and which, undoubtedly, are the ones that most need to be studied and, particularly, protected.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"49562853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}