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Factors affecting success of conservation translocations of terrestrial vertebrates: A global systematic review
Citation
Morris, SD and Brook, BW and Moseby, KE and Johnson, CN, Factors affecting success of conservation translocations of terrestrial vertebrates: A global systematic review, Global Ecology and Conservation, 28 Article e01630. ISSN 2351-9894 (2021) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. Under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01630
Abstract
Translocation—moving individuals for release in different locations—is among the most important conservation interventions for increasing or re-establishing populations of threatened species. However, translocations often fail. To improve their effectiveness, we need to understand the features that distinguish successful from failed translocations. We assembled and analysed a global database of translocations of terrestrial vertebrates (n = 514) to assess the effects of various design features and extrinsic factors on success. We analysed outcomes using standardised metrics: a categorical success/failure classification; and population growth rate. Probability of categorical success and population growth rate increased with the total number of individuals released but with diminishing returns above about 20–50 individuals. Positive comes—categorical success and high population growth—were less likely for translocations in Oceania, possibly because invasive species are a major threat in this region and are difficult to control at translocation sites. Rates of categorical success and population growth were higher in Europe and North America than elsewhere, suggesting the key role of context in positive translocation outcomes. Categorical success has increased throughout the 20th century, but that increase may have plateaued at about 75% since about 1990. Our results suggest there is potential for further increase in the success of conservation translocations. This could be best achieved by greater investment in individual projects, as indicated by total number of animals released, which has not increased over time.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | Biodiversity, global change, reintroductions, species conservation, translocations, conservation management, vertebrates |
Research Division: | Environmental Sciences |
Research Group: | Environmental management |
Research Field: | Conservation and biodiversity |
Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
Objective Field: | Terrestrial biodiversity |
UTAS Author: | Morris, SD (Mr Shane Morris) |
UTAS Author: | Brook, BW (Professor Barry Brook) |
UTAS Author: | Johnson, CN (Professor Christopher Johnson) |
ID Code: | 149052 |
Year Published: | 2021 |
Funding Support: | Australian Research Council (FL160100101) |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 14 |
Deposited By: | Plant Science |
Deposited On: | 2022-03-03 |
Last Modified: | 2022-04-07 |
Downloads: | 7 View Download Statistics |
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