Cost-Effectiveness of Translocation Options for a Threatened Waterbird

Abstract

: Reintroduction of captive‐reared animals has become increasingly popular in recent decades as a conservation technique, but little is known of how demographic factors affect the success of reintroductions. We believe whether the increase in population persistence associated with reintroduction is sufficient to warrant the cost of rearing and relocating individuals should be considered as well. We examined the trade‐off between population persistence and financial cost of a reintroduction program for Crested Coots (Fulica cristata). This species was nearly extirpated from southern Europe due to unsustainable levels of hunting and reduction in amount and quality of habitat. We used a stochastic, stage‐based, single‐sex, metapopulation model with site‐specific parameters to examine the demographic effects of releasing juveniles or adults in each population for a range of durations. We parameterized the model with data from an unsuccessful reintroduction program in which juvenile captive‐bred Crested Coots were released between 2000 and 2009. Using economic data from the captive‐breeding program, we also determined whether the strategy that maximized abundance coincided with the least expensive strategy. Releasing adults resulted in slightly larger final abundance than the release of nonreproductive juveniles. Both strategies were equally poor in achieving a viable metapopulation, but releasing adults was 2–4 times more expensive than releasing juveniles. To obtain a metapopulation that would be viable for 30 years, fecundity in the wild would need to increase to the values observed in captivity and juvenile survival would need to increase to almost unity. We suggest that the most likely way to increase these vital rates is by increasing habitat quality at release sites.

Bridging the research implementation gap – Identifying cost-effective protection measures for Montagu’s harrier nests in Spanish farmlands

“…This is a rather common and expected result (see e.g. Di Minin et al 2013;Martìnez-Abraìn et al 2011). Specifically, our PVA results seem to be highly sensible to even small changes (e.g.…”

“…In addition, costs for conservation actions have seldom been explicitly considered (but see e.g. Martìnez-Abraìn et al 2011). In reality, practitioners and decision-makers are often faced with a continuum of resource allocation options and budget constraints.…”

Bounds on the dynamics of sink populations with noisy immigration

“…Conservation strategists might consider time-varying reintroductions, or focus on specific lifestages of the endangered organism, to exploit transient dynamics and best achieve their goals. Trade-offs between the magnitude, structure and timing of reintroductions might help to design management programmes, or adjust them adaptively, to help deal with financial or logistical constraints (Martínez-Abraín et al, 2011).…”

Success of captive-rearing for a threatened shorebird

“…Poor reproductive performance of captive animals after release can also be caused by low habitat quality at the release site (Tweed et al 2006, Martínez-Abraín et al 2011, White et al 2012, and management of predators can play a significant role in improving habitat quality (Hegg et al 2012). During our study, the Monterey Bay area had active habitat and predator management programs and a population monitoring program that allowed managers to identify limiting factors and develop management actions.…”

“…juveniles fledged per year per male). Female snowy plovers typically do not rear chicks (Warriner et al 1986, Page et al 2009) and so would be less affected by behavioral deficits from the captive environment that may affect chick rearing, explaining why fledging success of nesting attempts involving captive females was unaffected.Poor reproductive performance of captive animals after release can also be caused by low habitat quality at the release site (Tweed et al 2006, Martínez-Abraín et al 2011, White et al 2012, and management of predators can play a significant role in improving habitat quality (Hegg et al 2012). During our study, the Monterey Bay area had active habitat and predator management programs and a population monitoring program that allowed managers to identify limiting factors and develop management actions.…”