Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use artificial insemination in captive breeding A review of artificial insemination argued that it could be a useful tool to conservationists, but that there were challenges to its use. Deep and repeated inseminations increased fertility. Two trials from the USA found that artificial insemination of raptors achieved approximately 50% fertility or 0%. A review of a houbara bustard Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii captive breeding programme in Saudi Arabia found that artificial insemination increased fertility, whilst another review found that the highest fertility levels were achieved with inseminations of at least 10 million spermatozoa every 4–5 days.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F601https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F601Sat, 13 Oct 2012 16:16:19 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use appropriate populations to source released populations A replicated study from Sweden and a small study from France found that birds sourced from populations distant from where they were released were less successful than birds from the area. In Sweden, released white storks Ciconia ciconia from North Africa produced fewer than half the chicks as those that naturally re-colonised, whilst both studies found that storks and little bustards Tetrax tetrax were less likely to migrate than birds originating in the release area.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F631https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F631Sun, 14 Oct 2012 23:16:17 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use antibacterial treatment to reduce chytridiomycosis infection Two studies (including one randomized, replicated, controlled study) in New Zealand and Australia found that treatment with chloramphenicol antibiotic ointment (Bishop et al. 2009) or solution, with other interventions in some cases, cured green tree frogs and one Archey’s frog of chytridiomycosis. One replicated, controlled study found that treatment with trimethoprim-sulfadiazine increased survival time but did not cure blue-and-yellow poison dart frogs of chytridiomycosis.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F763https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F763Fri, 16 Aug 2013 14:30:56 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use antifungal skin bacteria or peptides to reduce chytridiomycosis infection Three of four randomized, replicated, controlled studies in the USA found that adding antifungal bacteria to the skin of salamanders or frogs exposed to the chytrid fungus did not reduce chytridiomycosis infection rate or death. One found that adding antifungal bacteria to frogs prevented infection and death. One randomized, replicated, controlled study in the USA found that adding antifungal skin bacteria to soil significantly reduced chytridiomycosis infection rate of red-backed salamanders. One randomized, replicated, controlled study in Switzerland found that treatment with antimicrobial skin peptides before or after infection with chytridiomycosis did not significantly increase survival of common toads. Three randomized, replicated, controlled studies in the USA found that adding antifungal skin bacteria to chytrid infected amphibians reduced weight loss.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F764https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F764Fri, 16 Aug 2013 15:10:05 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use amphibians sustainably We found no evidence for the effects of using amphibians sustainably. 'No evidence' for an action means we have not yet found any studies that directly and quantitatively tested this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.    Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F793https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F793Thu, 22 Aug 2013 14:36:40 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use artificial fertilization in captive breeding Three replicated studies (including two randomized studies) in Australia and the USA found that the success of artificial fertilization depended on the type and number of doses of hormones used to stimulate egg production. One replicated study in Australia found that 55% of eggs were fertilized artificially, but soon died.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F834https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F834Wed, 28 Aug 2013 15:57:47 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use antifungal treatment to reduce chytridiomycosis infection Twelve of 16 studies (including four randomized, replicated, controlled studies) in Europe, Australia, Tasmania, Japan and the USA found that antifungal treatment cured or increased survival of amphibians with chytridiomycosis. Four studies found that treatments did not cure chytridiomycosis, but did reduce infection levels or had mixed results. Six of the eight studies (including two randomized, replicated, controlled studies) in Japan, Tasmania, the UK and USA testing treatment with itraconazole found that it was effective at curing amphibians of chytridiomycosis. One study found that it reduced infection levels and one found mixed effects. Six studies found that specific fungicides caused death or other negative side effects in amphibians.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F882https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F882Fri, 13 Sep 2013 13:44:14 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an alternative protein source: krill Two replicated studies in Norway found similar final weight gain between salmon that were fed diets containing fish meal only or a krill meal substitute. When the krill were de-shelled, growth rates were closer to salmon fed fish meal, compared to leaving the krill whole. Feed conversion ratios were found to be similar in both the fish meal and krill meal diets. The number of aerobic bacteria in the hindgut of salmon fed fish meal and krill meal were higher and composition of the bacterial flora was different.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F916https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F916Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:04:28 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an alternative protein source: bacteria Evidence for the effects of replacing fish meal with bacterial protein is mixed. Two replicated, controlled studies in Norway found similar growth rates in salmon fed either a 100% fish meal (control) diet or experimental diets containing up to 25% bacterial protein to replace fish meal. In the diet containing 50% bacterial protein, growth rates were lower compared to the control. Another replicated, controlled study in Norway reported higher growth rates in salmon that were fed diets containing 18% and 36% bacterial protein compared to the control or a diet containing 4.5% bacterial protein.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F918https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F918Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:10:39 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an alternative protein source: yeast One replicated, controlled experiment in Norway found no differences in weight between Atlantic salmon that were fed diets containing the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica compared to a control diet containing fishmeal.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F920https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F920Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:13:26 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an alternative protein source: animal One controlled, replicated study in Canada found no difference in oxygen consumption or swimming speed of Atlantic salmon that were fed diets containing anchovy oil or alternative lipid sources. One controlled, randomised, replicated study from Scotland showed that fish fed a fishmeal diet weighed more than fish fed diets with alternative proteins.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F922https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F922Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:16:53 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an alternative protein source: plant-based Six studies (four replicated, controlled) in Norway, Scotland and the USA found that inclusion of plant-based proteins within feed led to decreased growth rates in salmon. Three replicated and/or controlled studies from Norway, Canada and Scotland found similar growth rates in salmon fed either plant-based or fish meal diets. Four replicated, controlled studies (three randomised) from Norway and Scotland found reduced final body weights in salmon fed plant-based protein diets compared to fish meal-based diets. Two controlled studies (one replicated) from Norway found similar final body weights in salmon fed either plant-based or fish meal diets. Two replicated, controlled studies (one randomised) from Norway found lowered levels of feeding efficiency, whereas a replicated study in Norway found increased levels of feeding efficiency in salmon fed plant-based protein diets compared to fish meal diets. Two replicated studies (one controlled) in Canada and Scotland study found similar levels of feeding efficiency across both diet types. Digestibility of feed components by salmon was found to be lower in two replicated, controlled studies when the diets contained plant proteins compared to fish meal. Similar levels of digestibility across both diet types were identified by two randomised, replicated, controlled studies in Scotland and Norway. Two of the studies found that survival rates and appetite were not affected by plant- or fish meal-based protein diets. However morphology of the distal intestine was altered in two randomised, replicated, controlled studies where salmon were fed diets containing plant-based proteins. Condition of the salmon was increased in plant-based protein diets in one randomised, replicated, controlled study but reduced in two other replicated studies.  Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F924https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F924Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:26:05 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an alternative oil source: plant-based Three replicated studies (two controlled) in Norway found growth rates were similar in salmon that were fed diets containing fish oil and vegetable oil. One replicated study in Norway found growth rates were higher in fish fed diets containing vegetable oil.  One replicated, controlled study found salmon growth rates were both lower and higher in vegetable oil diets compared to fish oil diets, dependant on family genetics. Two replicated studies (one controlled) in Norway found similar average final body weights between groups of salmon fed both fish oil and vegetable oil diets. Three studies (two replicated, one controlled) in Norway and Scotland found that the fatty acid profile of salmon flesh reflected oil source within diets. A study in Norway found that oil source in diets did not affect salmon broodstock fecundity levels, egg weights, fertility rates, as well as the weights and development of resultant fry. One replicated Norwegian study found that salmon fed vegetable oil diets had high liver lipid and low plasma lipoprotein compared to the fish oil diet. One replicated, controlled study found high levels of n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acids compared to diets containing rapeseed oil. A replicated, controlled study in Scotland found salmon fed vegetable oil-based diets had lower concentrations of dioxin and polychlorinated biphenyls within flesh, compared with diets containing fish oil. A replicated study in Norway found that fresh, frozen and smoked salmon flesh from fish fed vegetable oil- and fish oil-based diets had similar levels of gaping, texture and liquid holding capacity. Pigment concentration was lower in vegetable oil diets. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F926https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F926Fri, 25 Oct 2013 13:39:14 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use artificial barriers to prevent pollution entering peatlands We found no studies that evaluated the effects, on peatland vegetation, of using artificial barriers to prevent pollution entering peatlands. ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1782https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F1782Tue, 28 Nov 2017 08:15:16 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an otter trawl instead of a dredge One study examined the effects of using an otter trawl instead of a dredge on subtidal benthic invertebrates. The study was in the Irish Sea (Isle of Man).   COMMUNITY RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Unwanted catch overall composition (1 study): One replicated, controlled, study in the Irish Sea found that an otter trawl caught a different species composition of unwanted invertebrate and fish species (combined) compared to two scallop dredges. POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled, study in the Irish Sea found no difference in total invertebrate abundance and biomass living in or on the sediment of the trawl tracks following fishing with either an otter trawl or two scallop dredges. Unwanted catch overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled, study in the Irish Sea found that an otter trawl caught fewer unwanted invertebrates and fish (combined) compared to two scallop dredges. OTHER (1 STUDY) Commercial catch abundance (1 study): One replicated, controlled, study in the Irish Sea found that an otter trawl caught similar number of commercially targeted queen scallops compared to two scallop dredges. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2123https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2123Tue, 22 Oct 2019 10:16:36 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an otter trawl instead of a beam trawl One study examined the effects of using an otter trawl instead of a beam trawl on subtidal benthic invertebrates. The study was in the North Sea (Germany and Netherlands).   COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Overall abundance (1 study): One replicated, paired, controlled study in the North Sea found that otter trawls caused similar mortality of invertebrates in the trawl tracks compared to beam trawls in sandy areas but lower mortality in silty areas. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2125https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2125Tue, 22 Oct 2019 10:19:09 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use antifouling coatings on the surfaces of vessels and anthropogenic structures We found no studies that evaluated the effects of using antifouling coatings on the surfaces of vessels and anthropogenic structures on subtidal benthic invertebrate populations.   ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this intervention during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore, we have no evidence to indicate whether or not the intervention has any desirable or harmful effects.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2168https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2168Tue, 22 Oct 2019 12:18:02 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use artificial insemination Three studies evaluated the effects on mammals of using artificial insemination. One study was in the USA, one was in Brazil and one was in China. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (3 STUDIES) Reproductive success (3 studies): A study in the USA found that following artificial insemination, fewer than half of female black‐footed ferrets gave birth. A study in Brazil found that following artificial insemination, a captive female Amazonian brown brocket deer gave birth. A replicated study in China found that following artificial insemination, a lower proportion of captive female giant pandas became pregnant than after natural mating. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2473https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2473Thu, 04 Jun 2020 09:26:03 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use artificial light on fishing gear Two studies examined the effects of using artificial light on fishing gear on marine fish populations. One study was in the Pacific Ocean (USA) and one in the Barents Sea (Norway).  COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (2 STUDIES) Reduction of unwanted catch (1 study): One replicated, paired, controlled study in the Pacific Ocean found that shrimp trawl nets with artificial lights caught fewer unwanted fish when they were fitted to the fishing line, but not to a size-sorting grid, compared to a conventional trawl. Improved size-selectivity of fishing gear (1 study): One replicated, controlled study in the Barents Sea found that size-selectivity of long rough dab, Atlantic cod, haddock and redfish was not improved by the presence of LED lights on a size-sorting grid. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2695https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2695Wed, 02 Dec 2020 17:04:07 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an electric (pulse) trawl Three studies examined the effects of using an electric (pulse) trawl on marine fish populations. The studies were in the North Sea (Belgium, Netherlands and multiple European countries).  COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) OTHER (3 STUDIES) Reduction of unwanted catch (3 studies): Two replicated, paired, controlled studies and one review in the North Sea found that using an electric/pulse trawl reduced the catches of non-target or undersized (discarded) commercial fish in some or all cases, compared to using a standard trawl. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2713https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2713Tue, 29 Dec 2020 16:45:07 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an alternative commercial fishing method Nine studies examined the effects of using an alternative commercial fishing method on marine fish populations. One study was in each of the Arafura Sea (Australia), the Greenland and Norwegian Seas (Norway), the Norwegian Sea (Norway), the Atlantic Ocean (Portugal), the Mediterranean Sea (Italy), the Gulf of Maine (USA), the Coral Sea (Australia), the Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy) and the Kattegat and Skagerrak (Sweden).  COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (9 STUDIES) Reduction of unwanted catch (9 studies): Seven of nine replicated studies (two controlled, one randomized, controlled, one paired, controlled) in the Arafura Sea, Greenland/Norwegian Sea, Norwegian Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Maine, Coral Sea, Tyrrhenian Sea and Kattegat and Skagerrak found that using an alternative method of fishing caught fewer discarded fish species and reduced the catches of unwanted (discarded or non-commercial species) fish overall, and of immature halibut, haddock, Atlantic cod, bluefin tuna and over half of the individual fish species. One study found that an alternative fishing method caught larger (and more likely to be mature) unwanted hammerhead sharks. The other study found that sizes of striped sea bream, annular sea bream and red mullet were similar in catches between gear types. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2730https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2730Wed, 27 Jan 2021 17:06:17 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an alternative method to commercially harvest plankton One study examined the effect of using an alternative method to commercially harvest plankton on marine fish populations. The study was in the Norwegian Sea (Norway).  COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Reduction of unwanted catch (1 study): One controlled study in the Norwegian Sea found that the amount of unwanted fish larvae and eggs in fine-mesh catches of zooplankton were reduced after deployment of a bubble-plume harvester, compared to without deployment. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2731https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2731Thu, 28 Jan 2021 11:41:59 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use an electric current to deter mammals from fishing gear One study evaluated the effects of using an electric current to deter mammals from fishing gear. The study was in the Fraser River (Canada). COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES) OTHER (1 STUDY) Human-wildlife conflict (1 study): One controlled study in the Fraser River found that using an electric current on a fishing net reduced Pacific harbour seal predation on salmon catches. Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2818https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F2818Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:10:45 +0000Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use artificial barriers to block pollutionWe found no studies that evaluated the effects, on marsh or swamp vegetation, of using artificial barriers to block out pollution.   ‘We found no studies’ means that we have not yet found any studies that have directly evaluated this action during our systematic journal and report searches. Therefore we have been unable to assess whether or not the action is effective or has any harmful impacts. Please get in touch if you know of such a study for this action.Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3149https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3149Mon, 05 Apr 2021 15:42:15 +0100Collected Evidence: Collected Evidence: Use artificial insemination One study evaluated the effects of using artificial insemination on reptile populations. This study was in New Zealand. COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES) POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY) Reproductive success (1 study): One replicated study in New Zealand found that none of 10 artificially inseminated McCann’s skinks gave birth within a year of insemination, though around five were gravid after nine months. BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)Collected Evidencehttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3759https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservationevidence.com%2Factions%2F3759Tue, 14 Dec 2021 15:47:24 +0000
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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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