Modelling distributional trends to inform conservation strategies for an endangered species

Abstract

Aim Species loss has increased significantly over the last 1000 years and is ultimately attributed to the direct and indirect consequences of increased human population growth across the planet. A growing number of species are becoming endangered and require human intervention to prevent their local extirpation or complete extinction. Management strategies aimed at mitigating a species loss can benefit greatly from empirical approaches that indicate the rate of decline of a species providing objective information on the need for immediate conservation actions, e.g. captive breeding; however, this is rarely employed. The current study used a novel method to examine the distributional trends of a model endangered species, the freshwater pearl mussel, Margaritifera margaritifera (L.).Location United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.Methods Using species presence data within 10-km grid squares since records began three-parameter logistic regression curves were fitted to extrapolate an estimated date of regional extinction.Results This study has shown that freshwater pearl mussel distribution has contracted since known historical records and outlier populations were lost first. Within the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, distribution loss has been greatest in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England, respectively, with the Republic of Ireland containing the highest relative proportion of M. margaritifera distribution, in 1998. Main conclusionsThis study provides empirical evidence that this species could become extinct throughout countries within the United Kingdom within 170 years under the current trends and emphasizes that regionally specific management strategies need to be implemented to prevent extirpation of this species.

Sustainable catchment restoration for reintroduction of captive bred freshwater pearl mussels Margaritifera margaritifera

“…A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 4 Surveys of the freshwater pearl mussel in Northern Ireland indicated that the population in the Ballinderry River is still facing extinction (Beasley et al, 1998;Wilson and Roberts, 2011) as a result of multiple extensive anthropogenic impacts including land use (Reid et al, 2013) and water abstraction (NIEA, 2013a(NIEA, , 2013b. In the Ballinderry River Special Area of Conservation (SAC) M. margaritifera is in Unfavourable/Declining conservation status (Killeen, 2007;Preston, 2011).…”

“…In England and Wales freshwater pearl mussel populations are estimated to have declined by 80% ( Young and Williams, 1983;Cosgrove et al, 2000). The freshwater pearl mussel, once common in Northern Ireland (Beasley et al, 1998), is now found in only six rivers west of Lough Neagh (Reid et al, 2013) and recent research, modelling distributional trends, suggests it may become extinct in the region by 2098 (Wilson and Roberts, 2011). Threats to freshwater pearl mussels include declining water quality (Bauer, 1988;Preston et al, 2007;Österling and Högberg, 2014), pearl fishing (Beasley and Roberts, 1996), habitat degradation (Vaughn and Taylor, 1999;Österling et al, 2008;Österling et al, 2010) and lack of salmonid hosts (Young et al, 2001a;Arvidsson et al, 2012), or the suitability of host strains (Taeubert et al, 2010;Österling and MejdellLarsen, 2013).…”

Identifying priority areas for reducing species vulnerability to climate change

“…, 2007; Williams et al. , 2008; Wilson & Roberts, 2011). Identifying areas likely to become important for vulnerable species is necessary to assist their adaptation to climate change and conserve biological diversity.…”

“…Whilst a number of species and ecosystems have demonstrated some capacity to adapt to climate change (Parmesan & Yohe, 2003;Neilson et al, 2005), many are suffering negative consequences (Kozlov, 2008; Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 2009). Reducing the vulnerability of native species and ecosystems to climate change is an increasingly important conservation objective (Schneider et al, 2007;Williams et al, 2008;Wilson & Roberts, 2011). Identifying areas likely to become important for vulnerable species is necessary to assist their adaptation to climate change and conserve biological diversity.…”

The amphibianPelophylax bergeri(Günther, 1986) testis poly(ADP-ribose)polymerases: relationship to endocrine disruptors during spermatogenesis

“…Conservation biology studies, which include population analysis, demographic surveys and reproductive biology, allow assessment of the conservation status of the species exposed to the potential effects of endocrine disruptors. The possibility of long-term survival of populations is facilitated by the identification of strategies for their management and protection to avoid severe genetic damage which threatens the survival of the organisms, and their reproductive capacity (Wilson & Roberts 2011). Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are of high relevance for wildlife and human health, since they control many essential physiological processes such as gametogenesis and gamete quality (Frye et al 2012).…”