Modelling the population viability of a threatened amphibian with a fast life‐history

Pickett, Evan J.; Stockwell, Michelle P.; Clulow, John; Mahony, Michael

doi:10.1002/aqc.2564

Cited by 13 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Other studies (e.g. Pickett, Stockwell, Clulow, & Mahony, ) have already revealed that egg–juvenile survival is fundamental for the conservation of amphibian populations. As further confirmation, in Podere la Querciola within the SCI Stagni della Piana Fiorentina e Pratese, the deliberate introduction of mosquitofish by local people caused the abandonment of two important breeding sites by T. carnifex , H. intermedia , and P .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In ecologically compromised water bodies with low availability of other prey and few hiding places (e.g. with regular clearing of aquatic vegetation), the presence of just a few, small amphibian larval groups and the introduction (or the absence of management) of mosquitofish populations could dramatically increase the risk of amphibian reproductive failure.Other studies (e.g Pickett, Stockwell, Clulow, & Mahony, 2016). have already revealed that egg-juvenile survival is fundamental for the con-servation of amphibian populations.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Gambusia holbrooki, the ‘tadpolefish’: The impact of its predatory behaviour on four protected species of European amphibians

Vannini¹,

Bruni

Ricciardi

et al. 2018

Aquatic Conservation

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Biological invasions are widely regarded as the second major cause of the current global biodiversity crisis. Freshwater environments in particular include many habitats and species of conservation concern. Among those, amphibians are threatened worldwide by habitat loss and by the introduction of alien taxa, including pathogens and fish. The North American mosquitofish Gambusia spp. have been introduced throughout the world for the biological control of mosquitoes, and have established alien populations in over 110 countries. Their impact on native freshwater vertebrates, especially in Europe, is still poorly known. Here, the predatory impact of mosquitofish on the larval stages of four European amphibian species (Hyla intermedia, Triturus carnifex, Pelophylax kl. hispanicus, and Bufotes balearicus), locally abundant in Central Italy, has been investigated under laboratory conditions to assess whether any difference occurs in species vulnerability and interactions with the predator, as their breeding sites are often invaded by mosquitofish. Larval mortality and fish attacks, as well as observations on fish predatory behaviour, were recorded at four time intervals (10 min, 1 h, 6 h, and 24 h) and at three different prey abundances (with five, 10, and 20 larvae). A significant difference in predation rate for species, exposure time, and larval abundance occurred, with H. intermedia being the most vulnerable species and B. balearicus being the least vulnerable species. An increase in exposure time increased the rate of predation, whereas small groups of larvae (i.e. <10 individuals) appeared to be far more vulnerable to fish attack compared with the larger groups. Mosquitofish show considerable potential to prey upon the larvae of European amphibians, representing a serious threat for their conservation. Appropriate management and legislative strategies are thus necessary to prevent the further introduction and spread of this alien fish in natural environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Gambusia holbrooki, the ‘tadpolefish’: The impact of its predatory behaviour on four protected species of European amphibians

Vannini¹,

Bruni

Ricciardi

et al. 2018

Aquatic Conservation

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show abstract

“…model type and model structure) and the data used to inform the model (quality and quantity); these need to be transparently reported for a PVA's outcomes to contribute effectively to conservation plans (Morrison et al 2016). A global bias in conservation science research effort towards accessible and charismatic taxonomic groups with slow life-histories, predominantly birds and mammals, has been widely discussed (Clark & May 2002;Darwall et al 2011;Pickett et al 2016). It is often assumed that findings from better studied taxa will act as surrogates for phylogenetically related lesser studied groups (Grenyer et al 2006;Rodrigues & Brooks 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Population viability analyses in New Zealand: a review

Simpkins¹,

Lee²,

Powers³

et al. 2018

NZ J Ecol

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Biodiversity assets often require conservation management, which, in turn, necessitates decisions about which ecosystem, community or species should be prioritised to receive resources. Population viability analysis (PVA) uses a suite of quantitative methods to estimate the likelihood of population decline and extinction for a given species, and can be used to assess a population's status, providing useful information to decision-makers. In New Zealand, a range of taxa have been analysed using the PVA approach, but the scope of its implementation has not previously been reviewed. We compiled a database of 78 published PVAs for New Zealand indigenous fauna and flora, along with details of the species considered, the data used to parametrise the model, and the technical details of their implementation. We assessed the taxa and threat status of the species for which PVA were conducted relative to the distribution of taxa across threat classes in the New Zealand Threat Classification System database. There were clear biases in the species selected for analysis, notably an over-representation of birds and threatened species in general, and an under-representation of invertebrates and plants. Model parameterisation and implementation were often not reported in a transparent or standardised way, which hinders model communication and reconstruction. To maximise the benefit of PVAs, we suggest that more attention should be given to the ecosystem-level importance of species, and to species whose threat status is changing rapidly or are not yet threatened. More clearly describing the parameterisation, underlying assumptions and implementation of PVAs will help to better contextualise their results and support reproducible ecological science and decision-making.

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“…However, PVA requires detailed species knowledge, which can be challenging for rare and data‐poor species. One approach to dealing with uncertainty is sensitivity analysis, which can explicitly address sources of uncertainty and their influence on potential outcomes (Naujokaitis‐Lewis, Curtis, Arcese, & Rosenfeld, ; Pe'er et al, ; Pickett, Stockwell, Clulow, & Mahony, ), highlight vulnerabilities, and direct future research needs (Curtis & Naujokaitis‐Lewis, ; Curtis & Vincent, ). It can also be used to identify important trade‐offs within a system (Johst et al , ) that can inform management options, including biodiversity offsets.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring uncertainty in population viability analysis and its implications for the conservation of a freshwater fish

McCusker

Curtis

Lovejoy

et al. 2017

Aquatic Conservation

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1.A spatially explicit metapopulation viability model was created within RAMAS-GIS to address questions related to the conservation and management of a freshwater species at risk (Notropis anogenus). Population viability analysis was conducted to evaluate extinction risk and sensitivity analyses were undertaken to identify the most important spatial and non-spatial parameters influencing extinction and decline.2. As biodiversity offsets are increasingly used to compensate for habitat loss, the population model was also used to explore the effectiveness of four potential offsetting mechanisms. In particular, this study addressed whether the impact of habitat loss on a species at risk could be compensated by: (i) increasing habitat elsewhere; (ii) increasing vital rates; (iii) increasing abundance; and (iv) increasing connectivity.3. Results suggest that extinction risk is low for this metapopulation and that the risk of extinction was most sensitive to vital rates. 4. Compensating habitat loss with habitat gain, the most straightforward approach explored, was by far the most effective type of compensation. Increasing vital rates was the second most promising approach. Although increasing abundance and increasing connectivity could not be categorically ruled out, their effectiveness was much more limited.5. Overall, this study provided insight into the influence of spatial and non-spatial parameters on abundance, patch occupancy, and extinction risk of an aquatic species. This approach can be applied to a wide variety of species to evaluate the effect of ecosystem perturbations and inform management options.

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Modelling the population viability of a threatened amphibian with a fast life‐history

Cited by 13 publications

References 48 publications

Gambusia holbrooki, the ‘tadpolefish’: The impact of its predatory behaviour on four protected species of European amphibians

Gambusia holbrooki, the ‘tadpolefish’: The impact of its predatory behaviour on four protected species of European amphibians

Population viability analyses in New Zealand: a review

Exploring uncertainty in population viability analysis and its implications for the conservation of a freshwater fish

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