Assessing diverse evidence to improve conservation decision-making

Reintroduction projects are gaining popularity; however, their relatively elevated cost and chance of failure make them debatable, hence assessing their effectiveness is essential. Within the early stages of raptors, the post-fledging dependency period (PFDP) is the one in which individuals must face dangers without having completely developed their skills. Thereby, comparing PFDP patterns concerning reintroduced and wild individuals is of major interest as it would help to plan and improve future conservation actions. We analyzed the behavior of 38 juvenile Bonelli’s Eagles (Aquila fasciata) (15 reintroduced and 23 wild) tracked through GPS telemetry, tagged as nestlings in two insular environments. The study period encompassed 9-yr movement data from reintroduced chicks in Mallorca (Spain) and wild chicks from Sicily (Italy). Movement parameters (i.e., age of first flight, age of dispersal, length of the PFDP, revisits to the natal or release area, and residence time in them) were analyzed together with their behavior for reintroduced and wild individuals. Similar movement patterns were obtained for both origins, although wild individuals revisited the natal site more often and dispersed earlier. Behavior was also similar, though it varied throughout the PFDP, observing a more abrupt progress in wild individuals and an earlier development of travelling and hunting behaviors. Observed differences are probably related to food availability, which can improve body condition and thus delay onset of dispersal, together with parental presence, which can prompt an earlier ending of the PFDP by encouraging juvenile independence. In conclusion, our study provides valuable insights into the behavior of reintroduced Bonelli’s Eagles during their PFDP and how it compares to their wild counterparts. Our results suggest that reintroduced individuals can successfully adapt to their environment and behave similarly to wild individuals. These findings can aid in the planning and improvement of future reintroduction projects and conservation actions for this endangered species.

Simple SummaryButterflies provide numerous ecological and socio-economic services and are important indicator species. China is home to over 2000 species of butterflies and in recent years has elevated biodiversity conservation on the national agenda. This manuscript reviews China’s butterfly conservation efforts and its legal and policy frameworks. We note some of the current limitations in butterfly conservation (inappropriate listing of protected species; over-reliance on inventories, rather than holistic research) and offer numerous recommendations to improve conservation efforts. Our recommendations include those related to integration of scientific data into policy (designation of scientifically-based protected areas; development of appropriate criteria for classifying protected species; use of umbrella species for conservation purposes), adoption of butterfly-friendly land use policies in rural and urban areas, butterfly ranching and farming, use of citizen science to improve data collection, and enhanced public outreach and environmental education campaigns. Our recommendations will help further the goals of China’s National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011–2030).About 10% of the Earth’s butterfly species inhabit the highly diverse ecosystems of China. Important for the ecological, economic, and cultural services they provide, many butterfly species experience threats from land use shifts and climate change. China has recently adopted policies to protect the nation’s biodiversity resources. This essay examines the current management of butterflies in China and suggests various easily implementable actions that could improve these conservation efforts. Our recommendations are based on the observations of a transdisciplinary group of entomologists and environmental policy specialists. Our analysis draws on other successful examples around the world that China may wish to consider. China needs to modify its scientific methodologies behind butterfly conservation management: revising the criteria for listing protected species, focusing on umbrella species for broader protection, identifying high priority areas and refugia for conservation, among others. Rural and urban land uses that provide heterogeneous habitats, as well as butterfly host and nectar plants, must be promoted. Butterfly ranching and farming may also provide opportunities for sustainable community development. Many possibilities exist for incorporating observations of citizen scientists into butterfly data collection at broad spatial and temporal scales. Our recommendations further the ten Priority Areas of China’s National Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan (2011–2030).

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Participatory Geographic Information System (PGIS) process as implemented through the Joint Management of Protected Areas (JoMPA) project. This article analyzes the process of local land use planning using PGIS through demarcation of special use zones. This was demonstrated to be a crucial process in the implemen-tation of conservation projects. Implementation of PGIS involves several operational steps, broughttogether in this study using the method of action research. It is based on collaborative partici-pation by stakeholders in the local area, leading all stakeholders to effective co-management of resources. The means of PGIS is also discussed here as a set of key tools, comprising geo-information acquisition and analysis tools. They are used mainly as participatory and interactive tools for communication and decision-making in collaborative planning or public meetings. The results of this implementation indicated that villagers could clearly understand the boundaries of land use areas, and the community regulations to facilitate practical co-management of land use by all local stakeholders. In addition, this study evaluates intensities of participation in 3 dimensions: facilitation, mediation and empowerment. This integrated approach including participatory local land use planning with PGIS is useful to identify problems in protected areas and also to develop strategies and solutions in partnership with local communities and external stake-holders, that together lead to a co-management approach for protected areas.

The revitalization of the Cuban economy since the last decades of the 18th century marked an important milestone in the economic, social, and environmental evolution of the Havana Bay. Important facets of an integrated urban history, such as waste management, population growth, and their role in the environmental degradation of the bay have been the subject of little research. This chapter analyses the progressive environmental degradation of the Havana bay and the implementation of conservation projects during the first half of the 19th century. Reconstructing the environmental history of Havana enables us to reevaluate the political history. In this case, we observe how the socio-environmental transformations influenced the construction of the colonial state. The search for solutions to the environmental problems; developed important connections among political, economic, and scientific institutions. Accordingly, this article examines how these connections among colonial institutions contributed to create new forms of state administration.

IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations.It provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to take place together.Created in 1948, IUCN is now the world's largest and most diverse environmental network, harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,300 Member organisations and some 10,000 experts.It is a leading provider of conservation data, assessments and analysis.Its broad membership enables IUCN to fill the role of incubator and trusted repository of best practices, tools and international standards.IUCN provides a neutral space in which diverse stakeholders including governments, NGOs, scientists, businesses, local communities, indigenous peoples organisations and others can work together to forge and implement solutions to environmental challenges and achieve sustainable development.

BackgroundCITES is an international agreement between governments to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Regarding spiders, all species listed in CITES are tarantulas. They are included in Appendix II, meaning that they are species that are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but that they may become so unless trade is closely controlled.Many tarantulas are legally and illegally traded in the pet market and they are one of the most traded invertebrate groups. Originally, the CITES list published in 1995 included all the current species of the genus Brachypelma Simon, 1891 plus Aphonopelmapallidum (F. O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1897) and the so-called Aphonopelmaalbiceps (Pocock, 1903). After that, some taxonomic changes were done, as well as descriptions of new species in the genus Brachypelma. The objective of this paper is to assess the 21 taxonomically valid spider species listed on CITES according to the IUCN criteria, study the general patterns and trends and advise on possible future conservation actions critical for the survival of endangered species.New informationAmongst all 21 species assessed, 16 had sufficient data on their distribution, ecology and threats to properly understand their current status and suggest possible conservation measures. A decline in the area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) was inferred to almost all species, caused mostly by human activities (urbanisation, roads, agricultural and touristic activities), which often lead to the complete loss of subpopulations across their range. Hurricanes and frequent rising water, which are increasing in frequency due to climate change, can cause decline in habitat quality and consequent change in EOO and AOO of some species and should also be considered when planning conservation actions. Severe fragmentation was detected in 13 species and is therefore one of the most relevant threats to the most endangered Brachypelma species and should be made a priority aspect to deal with when proposing conservation actions for the group. Regarding the loss of individuals in wild populations, the main cause seems to be the overharvesting to meet the illegal trade.The most important conservation actions identified across species include preserving their natural habitat through protected areas, establishing management plans for both the species and their habitats and undertaking systematic monitoring to provide information about population recovery and species re-introduction programmes. In general, we propose to prioritise and support research on the population trends and distribution, as well as on the impact of land use and habitat degradation. Special attention regarding conservation actions and research plans has to be given to the central Pacific coastal area of Mexico, particularly around Guerrero State where five species of Brachypelma occur. Critically, for some of the most endangered species, such as B.baumgarteni and B.hamorii, there is no official protected area in their range of occurrence. It would therefore be highly recommended to establish at least one conservation unit which focuses on protecting each of these species in situ. In some cases, basic taxonomic research is needed before development of any appropriate conservation action can be proposed.

The engagement of stakeholders affects project outcome hence it is believed that when the stakeholders has a stake in the corporate social responsibility process that the project will meet its set objectives and be sustainable. The objective of the study was to establish the effect of stakeholders engagement on corporate social responsibility projects in Niger Delta. Stakeholders engagement focused on inclusion on project identification, planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluation. The guiding framework of the study was anchored on the theory of system, stakeholders theory and contingency theory. The study methodology involve literature review and multiple case study of corporate social responsibility projects carried out by oil and gas Companies in Niger Delta region. Data was collected and analyzed thematically. The finding of the study revealed that the stakeholders were involved in the determination of the project site. there was consultation in determining the the site of the Corporate social responsibility project, timelines were agreed upon by the stakeholders, funds were released based on progress made and there were regular site visit. Also, it was revealed that stakeholders engagement in project identification, project planning, project implementation, project monitoring and evaluation contributes to sustainability of corporate social responsibility projects in Niger Delta. From the findings it was concluded that increased engagement of stakeholder in every aspect of corporate social responsibility project process enhanced the project sustainability. Based on the finding it is recommended that the stakeholders particularly the beneficiary should be included in all aspect of the project.

BackgroundWeb-based computer-tailored approaches have the potential to be successful in supporting smoking cessation. However, the potential effects of such approaches for relapse prevention and the value of incorporating action planning strategies to effectively prevent smoking relapse have not been fully explored. The Stay Quit for You (SQ4U) study compared two Web-based computer-tailored smoking relapse prevention programs with different types of planning strategies versus a control group.ObjectivesTo assess the efficacy of two Web-based computer-tailored programs in preventing smoking relapse compared with a control group. The action planning (AP) program provided tailored feedback at baseline and invited respondents to do 6 preparatory and coping planning assignments (the first 3 assignments prior to quit date and the final 3 assignments after quit date). The action planning plus (AP+) program was an extended version of the AP program that also provided tailored feedback at 11 time points after the quit attempt. Respondents in the control group only filled out questionnaires. The study also assessed possible dose–response relationships between abstinence and adherence to the programs.MethodsThe study was a randomized controlled trial with three conditions: the control group, the AP program, and the AP+ program. Respondents were daily smokers (N = 2031), aged 18 to 65 years, who were motivated and willing to quit smoking within 1 month. The primary outcome was self-reported continued abstinence 12 months after baseline. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using three samples: (1) all respondents as randomly assigned, (2) a modified sample that excluded respondents who did not make a quit attempt in conformance with the program protocol, and (3) a minimum dose sample that also excluded respondents who did not adhere to at least one of the intervention elements. Observed case analyses and conservative analyses were conducted.ResultsIn the observed case analysis of the randomized sample, abstinence rates were 22% (45/202) in the control group versus 33% (63/190) in the AP program and 31% (53/174) in the AP+ program. The AP program (odds ratio 1.95, P = .005) and the AP+ program (odds ratio 1.61, P = .049) were significantly more effective than the control condition. Abstinence rates and effects differed per sample. Finally, the results suggest a dose–response relationship between abstinence and the number of program elements completed by the respondents.ConclusionDespite the differences in results caused by the variation in our analysis approaches, we can conclude that Web-based computer-tailored programs combined with planning strategy assignments and feedback after the quit attempt can be effective in preventing relapse 12 months after baseline. However, adherence to the intervention seems critical for effectiveness. Finally, our results also suggest that more research is needed to assess the optimum intervention dose.Trial RegistrationDutch Trial Register: NTR1892; http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/admin/rctview.asp?TC=1892 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/693S6uuPM)

How can you conserve species that haven't been found?

Conservation of plant species with extremely small populations (PSESP) is a focus of wild plant conservation in China at present. A relevant strategy for PSESP conservation requires improvement from previous programs for rare and endangered plants and national key protected plants. An integrated strategy for PSESP conservation of the Nyssa yunnanensis was initiated and applied over a 7-year period (2009–2015). Here, we reviewed the processes to implement the strategy: resource inventory, formulation of conservation action plan (CAP), in situ conservation, seedling propagation, near situ conservation, ex situ conservation and scientific research. Major concerns and technical requirements for each action are described and further analyzed within a broad scope to conserve PSESPs. A detailed resource inventory that highlights both the change in population status and the participation of local residents is recommended before the formulation of the CAP. Techniques for determination of the area of a mini-reserve is developed for in situ conservation of N. yunnanensis. Near situ conservation is a novel approach whereby establishing new viable population in contiguous areas with a similar climate, habitat and community, in which techniques for seedling preparation, soil preparation, and early management are introduced. A population-based species conservation strategy for N. yunnanensis may aid additional PSESP conservation, so as to contribute to overall wild plant conservation.

The existence of poor project planning and implementation culture is an anti-thesis to development. This is because the growth of any nation is essentially dependent on successful execution of critical development projectsand infrastructures. The purpose of thispaper is to explore the current issues around project planning and implementation in Nigeria’s public sector vis-à-vis international best practices. The methodology adopted was a documentary review of past and current literature which enhance critical and contextual analysis of project implementation and execution culture in the country. It was found that the three tiers of government have not really planned, implemented and executed projects with due diligence in accordance with global best practices. Thus there exists a widespread institutional mediocrity in project execution, deficiency of vision, and inadequate budgetary allocations leading to high cost of project financing and corruption in the long run. The paper recommends amongst other things the establishment of National Public Projects Implementation System (NPPIS),public projects governance institutional framework and project management offices (PMOs), in Ministries Departments and Agencies to support processes for better public projects delivery system.

More than 20 organisations use Conservation Action Planning (CAP), Healthy Country Planning and the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation in over 140 projects, covering almost 160 million ha across Australia. This review documents the history, evolution and application ofCAPin Australia and discusses its strengths, limitations and lessons learnt by users, including conservation planners, practitioners and policymakers.

To ensure persistence of a viable population of the Persian leopard in its wide range across Iran wherein also supports trans-boundary movements of the leopards to adjacent areas, the Iranian Department of Environment together with the Asian Leopard Specialist Society embarked on preparation of a species specific conservation and management action plan. Therefore, relative need assessments, stakeholder analysis, and required studies were conducted since 2012. To address the actual status of the Persian leopard in Iran an appropriate participatory planning model has been developed and subsequently, planning activities were conducted during several workshops and sessions by involvement of a wide range of participants from all over the country. A total of 45 internal and external main categories of stakeholders were recognized which also include various governmental and non-governmental organizations. Relatively, questionnaire surveys have been sent out to 60 universities and 220 NGOs with relative field of activities to identify the potential capabilities for implementation of the operations. These five annual action plans cover main topics of awareness raising, training and empowerment; habitat, media, veterinary and disease, rehabilitation centers, trans-boundary habitats and international co-operation, genetic conservation, compensation and insurance program, Persian leopard national network; research, evaluation and monitoring, protection units and wildlife wardens together with relative laws and regulations. This chapter briefly introduces this national document which was officially endorsed in early 2016 for implementation.

Large-Scale CCS Constructability and Operational Challenges Assessment: A Decision Tool for New Users

The purpose of the article is to substantiate the parameters of the marketing strategy of business planning of enterprises. The study reveals the relevance of the problem of developing a business plan and in particular a marketing plan for an entrepreneurial project. The process of business planning at the enterprise is considered as a set of interrelated management processes in the form of: determining the definition of the structural unit of the enterprise, assessing the external environment, assessing the internal structure of the enterprise, developing alternative solu­tions, justification and selection of optimal solutions, implementation of optimal solutions and implementation of results. The practical significance of the research results is that the directions of strategic goals of the entrepreneurial project of creating a new strategic unit of the enterprise are generalized. The budget of expenses for advertising at realization of the enterprise project of creation of new division on retail trade of the enterprise is developed. The distribution of the budget of marketing costs in the implementation of the business project to create a new store of the enterprise. Forecasting of sales of products and gross income during the implementation (in the first year) of the entrepreneurial project of the enterprise was carried out. The scientific novelty of the research results is that the economic essence, main components and stages of development of the business plan as a document are determined; the role of business planning in the entrepreneurial activity of the enterprise is revealed; identified opportunities to use the practice of business planning of business processes at the enterprise and the development of its strategic units; the most important structural components of realization of the enterprise project of the enterprise are developed.