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Conservation Evidence Journal

Publishing evidence to improve practice

Introduction

The Conservation Evidence Journal shares the global experience of those on the front line of conservation practice about the effectiveness of conservation actions. All papers include monitoring of the effects of the intervention and are written by, or in partnership with, those who did the conservation work. We encourage articles from anywhere around the world on all aspects of species and habitat management such as habitat creation, habitat restoration, translocations, reintroductions, invasive species control, changing attitudes and education. 

The Conservation Evidence Journal publishes peer-reviewed papers throughout the year collected in an annual Volume. We publish Special Issues and collate Collections on specific topics, such as management of particular groups of species or habitats. To search for papers on a specific topic within the journal select Advanced search, enter your keyword(s) and within the Source box type: "conservation evidence". This will take you to a list of actions that contain Conservation Evidence Journal papers. In order to see the list of individual Conservation Evidence Journal papers on the topic, please click on 'You can also search Individual Studies' at the top of this page.

Creative Commons License Copyright is retained by the author(s). All papers published in the Conservation Evidence Journal are open access and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

The Conservation Evidence Journal is a separate publication within the Conservation Evidence project. Conservation Evidence is a free, authoritative information resource designed to support decisions about how to maintain and restore global biodiversity. You can search for summarised evidence from the scientific literature about the effects of actions for species groups and habitats using our online database

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Volume 4

Nest boxes for roseate terns Sterna dougallii on Coquet Island RSPB reserve, Northumberland, England

Morrison P. & Gurney M. (2007), 4, 1-3

Preview

Since the mid 1970s the number of nesting roseate terns Sterna dougallii had declined on Coquet island. In 2000, tern nest boxes were installed on an artificial terrace on the island to provide shelter for tern eggs and chicks from their main nest predators, larger Larus gulls. Since 2003, all roseate terns breeding on Coquet Island have used nest boxes as nest sites and the number of breeding pairs has risen steadily.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2243

Introduction of rudd Scardinius erythropthalmus as food for bitterns Botaurus stellaris at Titchwell Marsh RSPB reserve, Norfolk, England

Gurney M. (2007), 4, 4-5

Preview

Rudd Scardinius erythropthalmus introduced to a wetland nature reserve as a potential food source for bitterns Botaurus stellaris, successfully became established within 3 years of release.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2244

The use of copper strips to exclude African giant land-snails Achatina spp. from echo parakeet Psittacula eques nest cavities, Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius

Tatayah R.V.V., Malham J. & Haverson P. (2007), 4, 6-8

Preview

A practical method of excluding non-native African giant land-snails Achatina spp. from trees containing bird nesting cavities was developed on Mauritius following previous snail incursions in two successive breeding seasons that proved fatal to echo parakeet Psittacula eques chicks. The use of a copper strip attached below nest cavities in susceptible trees has to date proved a successful technique.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2245

Designing a plant cage to mitigate damage to seedlings by burrowing wedge-tailed shearwaters Puffinus pacificus, Round Island, Mauritius

Tatayah R.V.V., Kett G., Zuel N. & Khadun A. (2007), 4, 9-12

Preview

During attempted habitat restoration on Round Island, in response to plants being lost during revegetation attempts due to burrowing activities of nesting wedge-tailed shearwater Puffinus pacificus, plant cages were developed to enhance plant survival. With modification, the cages also had additional benefits including reduction of damage due to salt spray and wind. Wedge-tailed shearwater continue to exploit areas undergoing vegetation restoration.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2246

Successful transport and quarantine of materials using sealable plastic barrels, Round Island, Mauritius

Tatayah R.V.V., Birch D., Haverson P. & Zuel N. (2007), 4, 13-15

Preview

A practical, cost-effective method of packing securely items destined for Round Island was required. Since 2001, re-sealable plastic barrels have been used for the transport of almost all materials onto the island. No unwanted 'stowaway' species have since been recorded when using this method of packing. The barrels are very versatile and are increasingly used in the transport of materials to other Mauritian offshore islets.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2247

Design and provision of nest boxes for echo parakeets Psittacula eques in Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius

Tatayah R.V.V., Malham J., Haverson P. & Van de Wetering J. (2007), 4, 16-19

Preview

Nest boxes have been provided for echo parakeets Psittacula eques in order to overcome a shortage of natural tree cavities and to facilitate intensive conservation management of this critically endangered species. Despite initial refusal to use nest boxes, a high percentage of successful nesting attempts now occur in them. In the 2006/07 breeding season, 73% of nests in which eggs were laid were in nest boxes (n = 56); 71% of attempts in nest boxes that season were successful (i.e. chicks fledged).

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2248

Trial of a new bait station design to improve the efficiency of rat Rattus control in forest at Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius

Tatayah R.V.V., Haverson P., Wills D. D. & Robin S. (2007), 4, 20-24

Preview

A field trial showed that a newly designed, post- or tree-mounted 'hockey stick' rat bait dispenser incorporating 20 g fixed bait blocks, was both more practical and more efficient in terms of rodenticide bait use, compared to a traditionally used 'ground pipe' dispenser containing loose, 5 g bait blocks. Bait in the hockey stick dispenser was less affected by mould and slower to breakdown, therefore making it more effective for longer and reducing the bait replacement rate required compared to the old design. It was also considered that there was also less incidental bait take by both introduced A field trial showed that a newly designed, post- or tree-mounted 'hockey stick' rat bait dispenser incorporating 20 g fixed bait blocks, was both more practical and more efficient in terms of rodenticide bait use, compared to a traditionally used 'ground pipe' dispenser containing loose, 5 g bait blocks. Bait in the hockey stick dispenser was less affected by mould and slower to breakdown, therefore making it more effective for longer and reducing the bait replacement rate required compared to the old design. It was also considered that there was also less incidental bait take by both introduced giant land snails Achatina spp., and of greater concern, endemic snails.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2249

Improvement in ex-situ egg hatchability of Fijian ground frog Platymantis vitianus by laboratory incubation of egg masses, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

Narayan E., Christi K. & Morley C. (2007), 4, 25-27

Preview

Breeding of the endangered Fijian ground frog Platymantis vitianus coincided with the Fijian wet season (December/January) during captive management in a purpose-built outdoor enclosure at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji. Two fertile egg masses (around 40 eggs in each) were laid. A low hatchability of 10.8% (n = 40) was recorded for the first egg mass found, which was left in the outdoor enclosure to develop. The second egg mass was taken into the laboratory for incubation where hatching success was very much higher at 87.5% (n = 42). The hatchability difference was attributed to appropriate incubation techniques in the laboratory which reduced infection and hence mortality, of the eggs.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2250

Creation of a 'water pathway' for otters Lutra lutra, under an electric fence at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Gulickx M.M.C., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007), 4, 28-29

Preview

A 'water pathway' was devised for allowing otters Lutra lutra to pass into an area enclosed by an electric fence to prevent fox access. After its construction, several otter spraints (some close to the water pathway) were subsequently found within the fenced area. There was no evidence that foxes Vulpes vulpes, entered by this route.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2251

Provision of nest cages to reduce little ringed plover Charadrius dubius nest predation at Welney, Norfolk, England

Gulickx M.M.C. & Kemp J.B. (2007), 4, 30-32

Preview

At a site in eastern England, wire mesh cages were placed over little ringed plover Charadrius dubius nests to protect their eggs from predation. The adult birds continued incubating their eggs and no nest desertions were attributed to cage placement. Protection with cages resulted in an increase in productivity, measured as fledged young per pair (1.6 young fledged per pair in protected nests, 0.6 per pair in unprotected nests). Provision of nest cages, in conjunction with extending suitable breeding habitat, has resulted in a gradual increase in numbers of breeding little ringed plover pairs over a 10-year period.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2252

Controlling invasive willow Salix spp. on wet grassland by grazing with Hebridean sheep, Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Gulickx M.M.C., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007), 4, 33-34

Preview

On recently created wet grassland at a site in eastern England, willow Salix spp. was invading. It was cut then 30 adult female Hebridean sheep and a Texel ram were introduced to control any regrowth. The sheep have kept the site clear of both newly sprouting willow shoots and willow seedlings.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2253

Creation of a drystone wall to create egg-laying habitat for grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae at Ryton Wood Meadows Butterfly Conservation Reserve, Warwickshire, England

Slater M. (2007), 4, 35-40

Preview

In an attempt to enhance breeding habitat for the grizzled skipper Pygus malvae at a site in central England, a low drystone wall was laid to create egg-laying habitat in a herb-rich grassland. During subsequent egg searches, it became apparent that the butterflies preferred to lay eggs on the leaves of creeping cinquefoil Potentilla reptans which were growing over stones in the wall. The relatively high egg density found one year after the wall construction suggests that this habitat is now more suitable than a nearby, traditionally used, coppiced ditch habitat.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2254

Creating a bat hibernaculum at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Gulickx M.M.C., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007), 4, 41-42

Preview

To provide a winter hibernation site for bats, an artificial cave was constructed at a nature reserve in eastern England. Subsequent to its completion, in the winter of 2005/06, two brown long-eared bats Plecotus auritus hibernated in the cave and in the subsequent winter one hibernated within it. It is considered likely that bat numbers will build up in future years.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2255

Introduction of water buffalo Bubalus bubalis to recently created wetlands at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Gulickx M.M.C., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007), 4, 43-44

Preview

At a newly created wetland nature reserve in eastern England, a pair of water buffalo Bubalus bubalis was introduced with the aim of maintaining early successional habitats and creating a heterogeneous vegetation structure. The water buffalo grazed the required parts of the fen and reedbed, and created submerged tracks. These tracks may be used by fish to disperse into the reedbed and provide foraging areas for bitterns Botaurus stellaris.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2256

 

Recovery of sections of river bank using willow Salix barriers along the River Cam at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Gulickx M.M.C., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007), 4, 45-48

Preview

Barriers made from willow Salix spp. bundles were installed along sections of the River Cam to protect the river banks from erosion. Subsequently, a more gently sloping river bank was created which was colonised by a range of riparian plants. These vegetated margins developed into an attractive wildlife habitat and are effectively protecting these river bank sections from further erosion.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2257

Provision of nest cages to reduce predation of little ringed plovers Charadrius dubius at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Gulickx M.M.C., Kemp J.B., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007), 4, 49-50

Preview

Over two breeding seasons, wire mesh cages were placed over the nests of two pairs of little ringed plovers Charadrius dubius to protect their eggs from predation. The birds continued incubating their eggs, and consequently no eggs protected by the cage were predated.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2258

 

Creation of artificial sand martin Riparia riparia burrows at Kingfishers Bridge, Cambridgeshire, England

Gulickx M.M.C., Beecroft R.C. & Green A.C. (2007), 4, 51-53

Preview

In 1995, holes were drilled into the face of two low limestone cliffs created to provide breeding habitat for sand martins Riparia riparia. In 1996, the first breeding season that the holes were available, sand martins did not nest in the burrows, probably as they were not wide enough to allow the birds to turn around within them. The limestone was too hard for them to dig a widened nest chamber themselves. Creation of a slightly enlarged nest chamber using a water jet rectified this problem. Since 1997 about 30 sand martins have bred annually.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2259

The role of nest-site provisioning in increasing lesser kestrel Falco naumanni numbers in Castro Verde Special Protection Area, southern Portugal

Catry I., Alcazar R. & Henriques I. (2007), 4, 54-57

Preview

After the provisioning of artificial nest-sites (nest boxes, clay pots, 'breeding walls', 'breeding towers' and nest-cavities) for lesser kestrel Falco naumanni in the Castro Verde Special Protection Area in southern Portugal, artificial nests of all types were rapidly colonized and the occupation rate exhibited a positive trend over time. The spectacular growth of the Portuguese lesser kestrel population can be explained by the increase in numbers in Castro Verde, suggesting that providing nest sites is an effective measure in the conservation of this threatened species in Portugal in localities where suitable foraging habitat is present.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2260

 

Captive management of newly hatched Fijian ground frog Platymantis vitianus froglets: lessons learnt from an unanticipated invertebrate predator invasion, Suva, Fiji

Narayan E., Christi K. & Morley C. (2007), 4, 58-60

Preview

Five newly hatched froglets of the endangered Fijian ground frog Platymantis vitianus were transferred into a glass laboratory aquarium upon hatching, following egg-laying by adult frogs during the wet season in a purpose-built outdoor enclosure at the University of the South Pacific, Fiji. During captive management of the froglets, their body weight and food supply in the aquarium were closely monitored. All five froglets were successfully raised to 37 days old, at which time the aquarium was invaded by brown house ants Pheidole megacephala. This event was probably caused by excess ripe fruit, placed within the glass aquarium to attract small flies as food for the froglets, attracting the ants. The ants predated all five froglets. Future ex-situ designs for rearing P.vitianus froglets may consider incorporating measures such as aquatic protective barriers to prevent ants and other unwanted terrestrial invertebrates from entering captive-rearing aquaria and other enclosures.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2261

 

Provision of egg-laying sites for captive breeding of the endangered Fijian ground frog Platymantis vitianus, University of the South Pacific, Suva, Fiji

Narayan E., Christi K. & Morley C. (2007), 4, 61-65

Preview

To try and stimulate breeding of the endangered Fijian ground frog Platymantis vitianus (n=10) in captivity, a purpose-built outdoor enclosure was built and an environment that mimicked their natural habitat created within it. We incorporated natural structures as potential P.vitianus egg laying sites, including rotting logs and hollow giant bamboo Piper aduncum stems. A range of other types of natural substrates e.g. coconut husks, rocks and decaying leaf litter, were also added thus the frogs could choose between various potential egg-laying sites and refugia. All material was sterilized in an autoclave prior to being installed in the enclosure. Pots containing native plants were also added. Nocturnal frog activity was recorded in the enclosure using digital video surveillance cameras; several male and female frogs were observed in or near potential egg-laying sites throughout much of the assumed wet-season breeding period, and on the 21 December 2006 and 7 January 2007, single clutches of P.vitianus eggs were located. The December clutch was situated underneath a moist rotting log and the January clutch inside a bamboo stem lined with soil. The frogs probably created nest scrapes amongst the leaf litter and soil within these egg-laying sites while mating. It is not known if these egg-laying sites provided ideal egg-laying conditions, but they were used successfully by two pairs of frogs.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2262

 

The use of copper rings to reduce losses of red helleborine Cephalanthera rubra to slug and snail herbivory in the Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire, England

Newman R.D. & Showler A.J. (2007), 4, 66-68

Preview

In an attempt to protect the nationally rare red helleborine Cephalanthera rubra from herbivory by slugs and snails during the growing season, copper rings were placed over emerging shoots in the spring and summer. Subsequent monitoring revealed that there was no evidence of any slug damage to plants protected by such rings.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2263

 

Comparing hand pollination success with natural pollination of wild asparagus Asparagus prostratus at colonies on The Gower, Pembrokeshire, west Wales, and in Cornwall, south-west England

King H., Rich T.C.G. & Cordrey L. (2007), 4, 69-72

Preview

In order to establish if wild asparagus Asparagus prostratus fruit-set is limited by pollination, experiments were undertaken to compare natural insect pollination with hand pollination at four colonies (one in west Wales and three in Cornwall, south-west England). Hand pollination was successful in increasing fruit-set relative to natural pollination in three of the four populations. Overall, hand pollination resulted in a 4.5-fold higher fruit-set (54 fruits) compared to fruit-set of naturally pollinated plants (12 fruits).

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2264

Hand pollination of a single female wild asparagus Asparagus prostratus plant near Ferrybridge in Dorset, using pollen taken from plants in Cornwall, southwest England

King H. & Edwards B. (2007), 4, 73-76

Preview

Hand pollination of an isolated female wild asparagus Asparagus prostratus plant using pollen taken from males in two distant colonies proved successful with 44 berries (73% overall pollination success rate) producing 92 seeds. The subsequent germination of the planted seeds the following spring was high (90%). A re-introduction project using these propagated plants is likely to be carried out in suitable habitat close to the female plant in 2008.

Using clay drain seals to assess the use of dry culverts installed to allow mammals to pass under the A1 trunk road, Northumberland, England

Baker A., Knowles M. & Latham D. (2007), 4, 77-80

Preview

Monitoring the use of dry culverts installed as underpasses enables their effectiveness to be evaluated. We used clay-based drain seals to record mammal tracks in three different culverts under a section of a major road in Northumberland, UK. Prints including badger Meles meles, American mink Mustela vison and hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus were recorded on the clay drain seals demonstrating animal movement in both directions through the culverts. The prints were well preserved and easily recognisable.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2266

 

Post-burn bracken Pteridium aquilinum control to manage habitat for the heath fritillary butterfly Mellicta athalia on Exmoor, Somerset, England

Brook S., McCracken M. & Bulman C.R. (2007), 4, 81-87

Preview

During experimental trials, it was discovered that 'bracken bashing' (mechanical damage) to control Pteridium aquilinum on an annual basis is not a suitable form of habitat management for the nationally vulnerable heath fritillary Mellicta athalia. It was in fact found to be detrimental to promotion of growth of desired vegetation, with lower cow-wheat Melampyrum pratense (the larval food plant of heath fritillary) and bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus cover than that considered necessary for the habitat to be in suitable condition for the butterfly. Consequently, bracken bashing was halted after 2005, but monitoring of these plots continued. Mechanical damage is a viable option for heath fritillary habitat management in the future but on a less frequent basis. Spraying plots with Asulox in 2002 (commonly used in bracken control) appeared beneficial. Bracken spraying produced favourable ground cover of bilberry and cow-wheat by opening up the previously dense bracken canopy, with bracken itself persisting at lower densities which afforded favourable micro-climate conditions for growth of these plants and shelter for butterflies. Past evidence suggests that livestock grazing is an effective and also a more sustainable management option in the longer term for control of both bracken and invasive woody species, and it is envisaged that other characteristic heathland flora and fauna will also benefit. Livestock have been introduced onto Halse Combe; grazing will be combined with rotational burning and post-burn bracken control (including spraying and mechanical damage) to maintain suitable habitat for heath fritillary in the future.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2267

 

Hand pollination to increase seed-set of red helleborine Cephalanthera rubra in the Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire, England

Newman R.D., Showler A.J., Harvey M.C. & Showler D.A. (2007), 4, 88-93

Preview

In 2007 and in previous years, as part of ongoing attempts to improve red helleborine Cephalanthera rubra seed-set, hand pollination of florets has been undertaken at a small colony of this species in Buckinghamshire, southern England. Natural pollination rarely occurs (one mature pod recorded in 10 years) at this site. In 2007, hand pollination resulted in the production of four seed pods, of which one withered and died. Upon ripening, the three remaining pods were removed for attempted micropropagation of the seeds. Ongoing conservation management has probably benefited the solitary bee Chelostoma campanularum which now appears fairly plentiful at the site, but despite the presence of this red helleborine flower visitor, natural pollination remains virtually unrecorded at this locality; field observations suggest that C.campanularum is in fact probably not large enough to act as an effective red helleborine pollinator as it can slip in and out of the flowers without removing the pollinia, unlike it larger relative C.fuliginosum, absent from the UK but which is a known pollinator of red helleborine in continental Europe.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2268

Aquarium fisheries as a non-timber forest product: experiences from conservation through community development in North Rupununi District, Guyana

Bicknell J. & Chin C. (2007), 4, 94-98

Preview

Deforestation is one of the major global conservation issues. Solutions are being sought to tackle this ongoing forest loss, including establishment of initiatives to provide new sources of income for local communities that promote the sustainable use of forests in the interest of biodiversity conservation. One such project 'Iwokrama', demonstrates how tropical forests and associated habitats can be sustainably used. In the central Guyana wetlands of the Rupununi, illegal fishing of arapaima Arapaima gigas, had led to a huge reduction in its numbers. Iwokrama responded by initiating the Arapaima Management Plan in 2002. This highlighted the need for another source of local income from fisheries, and a business that undertakes sustainable-harvest of fish for the aquarium trade was developed. Harvesting of a few selected fish species is carried-out by members of the local community who are paid a daily wage. Fishing methods target individual species to avoid incidental by-catch. Four species are primarily caught as they are numerous in the Rupununi and are of high trade value. To ensure ecological and economical sustainability, catch per unit effort is monitored; where this begins to drop for any given species, harvesting is suspended and the population is allowed to recover before harvesting resumes. The project has developed into a self-sustaining business, managed by the community themselves. During 2005, the project reached financial sustainability with current profits of over US$3,000 feeding back into local community initiatives.

https://conservationevidencejournal.com/reference/pdf/2269

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What Works in Conservation

What Works in Conservation provides expert assessments of the effectiveness of actions, based on summarised evidence, in synopses. Subjects covered so far include amphibians, birds, mammals, forests, peatland and control of freshwater invasive species. More are in progress.

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