Clare Morrison

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Herpetofauna and bat monitoring at three Fiji sites in the

— Herpetofauna and bats are two important indicator taxa in Fiji’s forests. Herpetofauna (especia... more — Herpetofauna and bats are two important indicator taxa in Fiji’s forests. Herpetofauna (especially frogs) are good indicators of riparian forest health and the presence of introduced predator species while bats are excellent indicators of the forest tree diversity and general forest disturbance. Despite these important roles, prior to 2006 the monitoring of these two taxonomic groups had remained largely qualitative in Fiji PABITRA sites. The reasons for this were primarily due to very low abundances, making quantitative surveys largely cost and time-ineffective (reptiles) and the low survey effort (bats), resulting in incomplete baseline information. In total two frog species, eight reptiles and three bats have been found in three Fiji PABITRA sites on Viti Levu (Savura Reserve, Sovi Basin and Wabu Reserve). Sufficient information has now been collected to determine the optimal methods to begin quantitatively monitoring populations of these taxonomic groups in future surveys.

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Frog Declines in Australia: Global Implications

Herpetological Journal, 2004

Current Address: Institute of Applied Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva, FijiAmphib... more Current Address: Institute of Applied Sciences, University of the South Pacific, Suva, FijiAmphibian declines have been reported from around the world. Here we examine life historyand distributional characteristics of Australian frogs listed as threatened under the IUCN GlobalAmphibian Assessment guidelines, and compare these results to available information onthreatened amphibians around the world. Forty of 213 Australian frog species (18.8%) arecurrently recognised as threatened. While eight species are listed as Vulnerable due to small orrestricted populations alone (VU D2), the remaining 32 species are associated with populationdeclines. Threatened species are concentrated in upland areas (41% of all upland species arethreatened, while only 8% of lowland species are threatened). Twenty-eight of the 40 threatenedspecies (70%) primarily occur in upland areas while only 42 of the 173 non-threatened species(24.3%) occur in upland areas. Restricted geographic range is characteristic ...

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Geographic correlates of extinction risk in amphibians

Conservation Status of Australian Frogs

ABSTRACT No Yes

Battling habitat loss: suitability of anthropogenic waterbodies for amphibians associated with naturally acidic, oligotrophic environments

Pacific Conservation Biology

Habitat destruction is a key threatening process for amphibians. Modified or anthropogenic waterb... more Habitat destruction is a key threatening process for amphibians. Modified or anthropogenic waterbodies can be used to compensate for habitat loss, with several amphibian species utilising created or modified waterbodies. We measured usage of anthropogenic/modified waterbodies by adult and tadpole frog species, including threatened species, in coastal wallum habitat in eastern Australia. Nine road trenches/ditches, 8 artificial 'lakes', 6 golf course waterbodies and 13 natural waterbodies were surveyed for frog adults and tadpoles during the summer/spring period 2011-2012. Additionally, we examined the relationship between frog assemblages and environmental factors (water chemistry, aquatic predators, vegetation types), focusing on Litoria olongburensis and Litoria fallax. Frog species richness differed between waterbody types, with two of three threatened frog species present in both natural and anthropogenic/modified waterbodies. The frog assemblage was influenced by pH, turbidity, salinity and percentage cover of certain vegetation types. Measured abundance of L. olongburensis adults and tadpoles were highest in natural waterbodies with high sedge density and low pH. The measured abundance of adult L. fallax was highest within artificial lakes. We conclude that differences in water chemistry and vegetation density can affect the amphibian assemblage within these environments. Therefore, effective conservation of all frog species would be enhanced by conserving a variety of waterbody types. However, natural waterbodies are more likely to be used by threatened species and the conservation of these waterbodies provides the best conservation outcomes. Where habitat offsets may be required, environmental managers should critically assess the quality of constructed habitat for specialist frog species including those associated with acidic, oligotrophic environments.

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Herpetofauna, community education and logging on Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands: implications for conservation

Pacific Conservation Biology, 2007

Biodiversity in the Solomon Islands Is extremely rich, and in the Pacific is second only to Papua... more Biodiversity in the Solomon Islands Is extremely rich, and in the Pacific is second only to Papua New Guinea. Despite this high diversity there are only rough estimates for the biodiversity of most taxa in the Solomon Islands. As part of a terrestrial biodiversity survey, we conducted nocturnal surveys for frogs in a range of habitats from 10?1 060 m on Choiseul Island. This work was carried out between June 2005 and January 2006. In addition to the nocturnal surveys, we also conducted opportunistic diurnal searches for reptiles as well as community environmental education and awareness workshops. Fifteen frog species (65% of all Solomon Island frogs) including all five endemic species, were found during our surveys of Choiseul Island. Most of the species were fairly widespread and abundant, however, four species (Discodeles bufoniformis, Palmatorrapia solomonis, Brachylodes trossulus and B. wolfi) were fairly restricted in their distribution. In addition, we found 20 reptile specie...

Avitourism and Australian Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas

PLOS ONE, 2015

Formal protected areas will not provide adequate protection to conserve all biodiversity, and are... more Formal protected areas will not provide adequate protection to conserve all biodiversity, and are not always designated using systematic or strategic criteria. Using a systematic process, the Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) network was designed to highlight areas of conservation significance for birds (i.e. IBA trigger species), and more recently general biodiversity. Land use activities that take place in IBAs are diverse, including consumptive and non-consumptive activities. Avitourism in Australia, generally a non-consumptive activity, is reliant on the IBA network and the birds IBAs aim to protect. However, companies tend not to mention IBAs in their marketing. Furthermore, avitourism, like other naturebased tourism has the potential to be both a threatening process as well as a conservation tool. We aimed to assess the current use of IBAs among Australian-based avitour companies' marketing, giving some indication of which IBAs are visited by avitourists on organised tours. We reviewed online avitour itineraries, recorded sites featuring in descriptions of avitours and which IBA trigger species are used to sell those tours. Of the 209 avitours reviewed, Queensland is the most featured state (n = 59 tours), and 73% feature at least one IBA. Daintree (n = 22) and Bruny Island (n = 17) IBAs are the most popular, nationally. Trigger species represent 34% (n = 254 out of 747) of species used in avitour descriptions. The most popular trigger species' are wetland species including; Brolga (n = 37), Blacknecked Stork (n = 30) and Magpie Goose (n = 27). Opportunities exist to increase collaboration between avitour companies and IBA stakeholders. Our results can provide guidance for managing sustainability of the avitourism industry at sites that feature heavily in avitour descriptions and enhance potential cooperation between avitour companies, IBA stakeholders and bird conservation organisations.

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Habitat Selection and Phenology of the Fiji Tree Frog, Platymantis vitiensis: Implications for Conservation

Journal of Herpetology, 2008

Macrohabitat and microhabitat preferences of the endemic Fiji Tree Frog Platymantis vitiensis wer... more Macrohabitat and microhabitat preferences of the endemic Fiji Tree Frog Platymantis vitiensis were investigated in Savura near Suva, Viti Levu, Fiji. Twelve sites in three habitat types (primary rain forest, disturbed secondary rain forest, and mahogany plantations) were surveyed from June 2004 to May 2005. The phenology of P. vitiensis was also studied along two permanent transects (adjacent to, and distant from, a stream bank) within the Savura area. Individuals were more abundant in primary rain forest than mahogany plantations and secondary rain forest. Individuals were common along stream banks, perched on riparian plants such as Pandanus, ferns, and Dolicholobium (and usually found 100-200 cm above the ground). Rainfall influenced activity, with fewer individuals observed during intense rainfall events. Adult frogs were more frequently encountered between July and October and gravid females between August and November. Hatchlings were more common during the dry season (May to October), whereas juvenile abundances peaked early in the wet season (November to April). Future surveying and monitoring of P. vitiensis populations should be conducted during March to July, when abundances are greater. The efficiency of rapid surveys can be maximized by subsampling along riparian vegetation, particularly where Pandanus are present.

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Net Effects of Ecotourism on Threatened Species Survival

PloS one, 2016

Many threatened species rely on ecotourism for conservation funding, but simultaneously suffer di... more Many threatened species rely on ecotourism for conservation funding, but simultaneously suffer direct ecological impacts from ecotourism. For a range of IUCN-Redlisted terrestrial and marine bird and mammal species worldwide, we use population viability analyses to calculate the net effects of ecotourism on expected time to extinction, in the presence of other anthropogenic threats such as poaching, primary industries and habitat loss. Species for which these calculations are currently possible, for one or more subpopulations, include: orangutan, hoolock gibbon, golden lion tamarin, cheetah, African wild dog, New Zealand sealion, great green macaw, Egyptian vulture, and African penguin. For some but not all of these species, tourism can extend expected survival time, i.e., benefits outweigh impacts. Precise outcomes depend strongly on population parameters and starting sizes, predation, and ecotourism scale and mechanisms. Tourism does not currently overcome other major conservation...

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Distribution and Ecology of the Critically Endangered Tree, Pterocymbium oceanicum in Fiji: New Records and Implications for Conservation

Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences

A review of access and benefit‐sharing measures and literature in key aquaculture‐producing countries

Reviews in Aquaculture

A Regional Review of Genetic Resource Access and Benefit Sharing – Key Issues and Research Gaps

Environmental Policy and Law

Countries are increasingly using access and benefit sharing (ABS) as a legal mechanism to support... more Countries are increasingly using access and benefit sharing (ABS) as a legal mechanism to support the conservation and sustainable use of the world’s biological diversity. ABS regulates collection and/or use of genetic resources/traditional knowledge and sharing benefits from their use with the provider. The purpose of this review is to assess the trends, biases and gaps of ABS literature using a regional comparative approach about the key topics of concern between each region. It analyses four key topic groupings: (1) implementation of international, regional and national ABS policy and law; (2) intellectual property and ABS; (3) traditional knowledge; and (4) research, development and commercialisation. Findings included gaps in: (1) analysing effectiveness of national level implementation; (2) addressing apparent conflicts between support for intellectual property promoting exclusivity for traditional knowledge and challenges to intellectual property exclusivity for patents; (3) ...

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A Review of the Role of Law and Policy in Human-Wildlife Conflict

Conservation and Society

Interactions between people and wildlife are often mediated by laws, policies, and other governan... more Interactions between people and wildlife are often mediated by laws, policies, and other governance instruments with profound implications for species conservation. Despite its importance for conservation practice, governance of these human-wildlife relationships is an under-researched area. Our research aim was to understand the link between law/policy and human-wildlife conflict (HWC) and the implications for species conservation using a systematic quantitative review of the literature on the human dimensions of HWC. We identified 133 relevant HWC studies, conducted in 45 countries, involving 114 species. Over 80% of the articles mentioned law, mainly national-level legislation, with little reference to customary or tribal law. However, only 40%, stated whether the laws had influenced the HWC—most reported negative associations with HWC or a mix of positive and negative associations. The perceived ineffectiveness of law was primarily attributed to lack of implementation, support, and enforcement and perceived erroneous laws. The few positive associations included stakeholder involvement, management flexibility, and adequate compensation. Our findings reveal a knowledge deficit on the detailed effects of law on HWC and conservation conflicts in general. Overall, law as an institution seems to exacerbate or prolong most conflicts instead of providing a pathway to coexistence and enhancing species conservation.

A systematic quantitative literature review of aquaculture genetic resource access and benefit sharing

Reviews in Aquaculture

The Convention on Biological Diversity provides a framework for countries to implement laws regul... more The Convention on Biological Diversity provides a framework for countries to implement laws regulating the access, use and exchange of genetic resources, including how users and providers share the benefits from their use. While the international community has been preoccupied with resolving the unintended effects of access and benefit sharing (ABS) on domestication in agriculture for the past 25 years, its far-reaching consequences for global aquaculture has only recently dawned on policymakers, aquaculture producers and researchers. Using a systematic quantitative literature review methodology, we analysed the trends, biases and gaps in the ABS literature. Only 5% of the ABS literature related to the use and exchange of aquaculture genetic resources. Most of this literature related to use in developing countries or global use, but its authors were predominantly from developed countries. The literature covered a narrow range of countries (7) and regions (3), a narrow range of taxonomic groups (9) and a narrow range of uses. Given that aquaculture is the fastest growing global food production sector with products primarily from developing countries using over 580 species, there are significant gaps in aquaculture-related ABS literature. We conclude that the sector needs urgent analyses on the consequences of ABS restrictions, obligations and opportunities for its early stages of domestication and product development. We recommend priority areas for attention to ensure that rapidly evolving national ABS laws take into account the special characteristics and needs of the aquaculture sector.

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Survey of Endemic, Native, and Invasive Vertebrates in the Sovi Basin, Fiji, 2003–2015

Pacific Science

Using a choice experiment and birder preferences to guide bird-conservation funding

Conservation Biology, 2016

Conservation of biodiversity, including birds, continues to challenge natural area managers. Stat... more Conservation of biodiversity, including birds, continues to challenge natural area managers. Stated preference methods (e.g. choice experiments - CE) are increasingly used to provide data for natural ecosystem valuations. Here we use a CE to calculate birders&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; willingness to pay for different levels of bio-ecological attributes (threatened species, endemic species and diversity) of birding sites, with hypothetical entry fees. The CE was delivered at popular birding and avitourism sites in Australia and the United Kingdom. Latent class modelling results revealed heterogeneous preferences among birders, with correspondingly variable willingness to pay. Four clear groups were apparent from the sample; &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;quantity driven birders&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;, &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;special bird seekers&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;, &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;confused respondents&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; and &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;price is no object birders&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;. Quantity driven birders are attracted to sites that deliver high levels of diversity and endemic species. Special bird seekers value threatened species and high levels of endemics most. Confused respondents&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; preferences were difficult to determine, but were most sensitive to the hypothetical entry fees, unlike the price is no object birders who were not at all sensitive to cost. Our findings demonstrate that birders are amenable to paying for their preferred birding experience. These payments could provide an alternative source of funding in some avitourism sites, on both public and private land. These alternative revenue streams should be explored and given full consideration in increasingly competitive conservation financing environments. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Frogs of the Solomon Islands

Conservation of the Fijian crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) through diet and habitat studies

Critically endangered Fijian crested iguana (Brachylophus vitiensis) shows habitat preference for globally threatened tropical dry forest.(Report)

Pacific Science, Apr 1, 2009

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Geographic correlates of extinction risk in amphibians

Clare Morrison

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