Wetlands are extremely important areas to protect due to their high biodiversity. But the current conservation flagship species might be missing the mark. 

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Wetlands are extremely important areas to conserve. Freshwater ecosystems contain more species per unit area than either marine or terrestrial ecosystems. They cover only about 4-6% of the world’s surface but a staggering 40% of all described species rely on them to live or breed. They also serve humans in multiple ways, providing things like flood protection, water, and food. 

It should be alarming, then, that 32% of freshwater fish species assessed worldwide are threatened with extinction, and that wetlands are disappearing around the globe, threatened by habitat loss, pollution and water flow modification. In fact, research shows the world may have lost as much as 87% of its wetlands over the past 300 years. Globally, the area of natural wetlands has decreased, whereas the area of artificial wetlands (such as reservoirs and rice fields) has increased. 

The loss of natural wetlands is largely due to dams and water extraction for agriculture and urban use. Water extraction shrinks wetlands and can even turn permanent natural wetlands into seasonal ones. Furthering this problem, the growing use of fertilizers and pesticides throughout the Anthropocene has led to higher eutrophication rates, making wetlands less hospitable for species thriving in these environments.   

Despite the value of these ecosystems, conservation research has historically focused on marine and terrestrial environments and much less on wetlands. On the bright side, in recent years, there has been a definite push to start treating these areas the way they deserve, with conservationists and governments around the world finally focusing on protecting these vital habitats. 

While this is good news, wetland conservation organizations and campaigns typically exhibit a questionable tendency – choosing waterfowl as their flagship species. This is exemplified by the fact that the first ever international treaty on wetland protection was called the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat.

A flagship species is chosen to serve as an icon for a conservation campaign. They have been proven to be an effective tool to gain public interest in wetland restoration campaigns. Birds are the most widely used wetland flagship group. 

Using wetland birds undoubtedly has its advantages – these organizations certainly did not pick their flagship species randomly. They are relatively easy to count and vary from small, harmless ducks to stern and imposing herons. They also have large home ranges, so focusing on their protection can translate to the protection of large areas. While the reasons are clear, there seems to be little discussion on the drawbacks of choosing such species.

Firstly, waterbirds are poor surrogates for other taxonomic groups and are poor indicators of aquatic biodiversity, so they should not be considered a particularly effective umbrella species.  Birds get their fish from different sources and so are not reliable indicators of the quality of each individual water body. Secondly, whilst rates of endemism are high for most animal groups in places like the Mediterranean Basin, with reptiles and amphibians exhibiting approximately 30-50% endemism rates, birds typically have much larger ranges and so they naturally have lower rates of endemism. Thirdly, birds are one of the least threatened classes in the Basin. In the past decade, all freshwater taxonomic groups have seen sharp population declines except for waterbirds (although, if we consider shifting baseline syndrome, their population levels are still low compared to how they were before the last century).

More on the topic: The Hidden Order: Exploring the Significance of Taxonomy in Understanding Life

Flagship species work best if they are charismatic, widely recognisable and symbolize the target habitat. Perhaps an effective umbrella species to focus on could be amphibians. They are good indicators of water quality and also the most threatened class of vertebrate on Earth, making them an obvious priority. There is also high amphibian endemism in the Mediterranean Basin.

On the other hand, many would take issue with this suggestion on the basis that amphibians are considered unappealing by much of the public. Alternatively, water voles could be a promising choice due to their cuteness and association with wetlands. It is important to note that these suggestions would not necessarily replace waterbirds, but could instead form part of a “flagship fleet,” allowing each of the species to appeal to different audiences. In this way, conservation organizations could present this as an evolution as opposed to a jarring reboot of their mission. 

Just like with any class of animal, there are many people who simply do not find birds to be charismatic. While the many waterbird flagship species certainly serve their purpose in the battle for attention, employing more diversity in flagship fleets and widening the appeal would likely benefit the cause. Clearly, wetland conservation efforts could benefit from expanding their taxonomic circle of animal ambassadors. After all, the ultimate goal is promoting and celebrating biodiversity.

The post Wetlands Need a New Flagship Species. Here’s Why appeared first on Earth.Org.

Japan encompasses such a variety of geography and climates that it can be useful to treat different prefectures as almost distinct countries. The Okinawa Prefecture is made up of a group of humid subtropical Pacific islands – once called the ‘Galapagos of the East’. Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs designates valuable and iconic animals as ‘natural monuments’, placing them under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties. Due to the small islands’ sizes, Okinawa is home to many endangered living monuments.

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5 Endangered Living Monuments Endemic to Okinawa

1. Iriomote Cat

First on the list of endangered living monuments endemic to Okinawa is the elusive Iriomote cat, found only on Iriomote Island. Technically a subspecies of leopard cat, it is known locally as yamamayaa (forest cat), as they live primarily in the island’s subtropical forest habitats. It is rare to find a carnivore species on such a small island due to an expected lack of prey, but the Iriomote cat’s uniquely varied diet allows it to survive against the odds. The cat has become an icon of the area, being immortalised in multiple statues guarding various bridges around the island.

It is classified by the IUCN Red List as “critically endangered”, as the already declining population comprises fewer than 250 mature individuals. The population’s major threats are predation by dogs, destruction of habitat, and traffic accidents. Due to their cultural importance and declining numbers, the Iriomote cat was designated a natural monument by the Okinawa government in 1972 and part of their habitat has been designated as a wildlife protection area.

2. Okinawa Rail

The Okinawa rail is endemic to Okinawa Island itself – particularly the northern forested Yanbaru region, explaining its Japanese name: Yanbaru kuina (Yanbaru rail). The medium-sized, almost-flightless bird nests and feeds on the ground but roosts in trees. It is recognisable by its bright red bill and the notably wide variety of loud calls it emits during the mornings and evenings on the island. 

Okinawa Rail. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

The species is classified as “endangered” by BirdLife International due to its small range and population, which is around 480 mature individuals. It is threatened by habitat fragmentation caused by road, dam, and golf course construction. Introduced predators such as cats, dogs and the small Asian mongoose also threaten the fragile population. Luckily, like the Iriomote cat, the Okinawa rail is legally protected in Japan as a natural monument and Yanbaru became a national park in 2016, where traffic calming has been introduced to some areas to reduce the number of birds killed on roads. One such measure is the creation of Okinawa rail awareness signs to remind drivers that they are in the species’ habitat. Additionally, the Japanese Ministry of the Environment created a 10-year action plan to stabilise the island’s rail population. 

3. Ryukyu Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle

Designated as a natural monument in 1973, the Ryukyu black-breasted leaf turtle is endemic to the Ryukyu Islands, living in North Okinawa, Kume Island, and Tokashiki Island. It can grow to around 5-6 inches and feeds on worms, insects, and fruit. They are often found with algae growing on their shells, indicative of their humid habitats. The head and neck are covered with beautiful orange and red lines, and as a result, the species is coveted by turtle collectors and is often sold as pets. They have become so popular that poaching for the pet trade is one of their main threats. 

Unfortunately, there has been little effort to conserve this species. Despite being classified as “endangered” by the IUCN Red List, there is no clear consensus on the number of extant individuals, and they are sorely in need of a population survey. Although this species has clearly not been given considerable conservation effort, the Turtle Conservancy maintains a group of individuals in California and has successfully produced offspring in captivity.

Ryukyu Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle. Image: Wikimedia Commons.

4. Ishikawa’s Frog

Ishikawa’s frog is a visually striking green frog with brown spots which is endemic to Okinawa Island’s Yanbaru region. Commonly labelled as “Japan’s most beautiful frog,” a rare blue morphotype of this natural monument is often sought out by photographers. Their spotted pattern helps them to camouflage amongst the mossy banks they inhabit.  

Due to predation by the island’s invasive mongoose species, the frogs’ population saw serious declines. Fortunately, the number of mongooses in the Yanbaru region has dramatically decreased due to an eradication program initiated by the Ministry of Environment in 2000. As a result, the species appears to be starting to recover in range and population size. Also, like many species in the Yanbaru region, Ishikawa’s frogs are at high risk of becoming roadkill. Some initiatives which have contributed to their recovery include the addition of “wildlife steps” to roadside drainage ditches to allow trapped wildlife to climb out, and placing cautionary road signs around their home range.

5. Yanbaru Long-Armed Scarab Beetle

Yet another species endemic to Okinawa Island’s Yanbaru region is the Yanbaru Long-armed Scarab Beetle. The males have evolved their characteristic long forelegs to help climb trees and compete against other males. The larvae live in hollow trees and feed on decaying plant matter for three years before maturing. Not only is it considered the rarest species of the Cheirotonus genus, but it is also thought to be one of the rarest beetles in the world – classified as “endangered” by the IUCN Red List.

Yanbaru Long-Armed Scarab Beetle.

Due to their beauty and rarity, poaching represents a major threat to the species. Poachers use fruit-filled traps to collect and sell these beetles, along with giant Okinawan stag beetles, in the illegal pet trade. Since being labelled a natural monument in 1985, there has been a concerted effort to protect these insects. Bug catching is common pass time in Japan, so Okinawans have published warnings to avoid disturbing this species in local newspapers and flyers. In addition, a group called ‘The Joint Council to Prevent Poaching of Yambaru Long-Armed Scarab Beetles’ was created in 2001, and the government conducts annual anti-poaching patrols with villagers around the Yanbaru region to discourage illegal activity. 

You might also like: 10 of the World’s Most Endangered Animals in 2023

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Although perhaps not famous for its biodiversity richness, Europe is home to a variety of charismatic and ecologically vital species. Despite some important progress in conservation measures in the past few decades, growing forces such as habitat loss, pollution, and invasive species have pushed many of these species towards extinction – part of the ongoing sixth mass extinction event. Popular and endearing animals make effective flagship species because communities are more likely to be compelled to push for their conservation.  This is just a small sample of the most charismatic species in Europe that need protection.

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5 Most Charismatic Species in Europe In Need of Protection

1. Iberian Lynx

Considered the world’s most endangered feline species, the Iberian lynx is a wild cat species that is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, a mountainous region associated with Spain and Portugal. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. In addition to the usual causes of population decline – overhunting, poaching and habitat fragmentation – the main prey of the lynxes were famously devastated in 1988 as the European rabbit population was ravaged by disease. 

Luckily, the conservation story of the Iberian Lynx is now seen as a success story. Since 2002, when only 94 individuals were surviving in two isolated populations, conservation measures such as improving habitat and re-introducing European rabbits have resulted in a hopeful population increase. By 2012, the population had increased to 326 individuals, and by 2020 it reached 1,111 individuals.

You might also like: The Iberian Lynx Bounces Back From The Brink Of Extinction

2. European Bison

The European Bison is one of two surviving species of bison, alongside the American bison. It holds the title of heaviest wild land animal in Europe, and their ancestors are thought to have been even bigger. As a result of their size, these wild bison were hunted to extinction in the early 20th century for their meat and hide. When the last wild European bison was shot in 1927, there were less than 60 left in captivity, originating from only 12 founder bison.

However, in the 1950s, there was a successful push for captive breeding programmes to bring wild bison back from extinction. Initially, these efforts were focused around Eastern Europe. The Białowieża Primeval Forest, on Poland’s border with Belarus, currently has the world’s largest free-living population, with around 1000 wild bison. These initiatives were largely a success. In the last 10 years, the number of free-roaming European bison has increased from just over 2500 to around 7000 individuals. Reintroduction programmes are now also ongoing in Western Europe, with recent news of the first wild English bison being born in thousands of years.

You might also like: The Return of the Bison: Restoring Ecosystems With Keystone Species

3. Eurasian Brown Bear

The Eurasian brown bear is one of the most common subspecies of brown bears. They are large, powerful, and charismatic creatures that have been important parts of European cultures for hundreds of years. This bear appears frequently in European folklore, particularly in fairytales collected by the Brothers Grimm. They used to be considered common in the alpine regions of Europe and hence make appearances in stories of various German dialects. The bear is depicted as a symbol of Russian power and is also Finland’s national animal.

Despite having a more limited range nowadays – residing mostly in Scandinavia and Russia, this subspecies used to live across most of Eurasia. Although brown bears are listed as “of least concern” by the IUCN, this classification refers to the global species. The Eurasian subspecies are endangered in much of Europe with the smaller southern populations particularly at risk. The IUCN itself mentions: “Least Concern does not always mean that species are not at risk. There are declining species that are evaluated as Least Concern.”

4. Eurasian Wolf

The Eurasian wolf is a subspecies of the grey wolf, which was widespread across Eurasia before the Middle Ages. It is the largest of the Old World grey wolves. Wolves are some of the most charismatic species in all of Europe, having reputations for being mysterious, beautiful, and fierce. Indo-European languages usually have multiple words for “wolf”, reflecting their cultural significance throughout history. 

In England, the extermination of wolves was enforced by legislation, with their successful extinction happening in the early 16th century. In Central Europe, wolves were drastically reduced in number at the start of the 19th century due to organised hunts. Their recovery began after the 1950s, when traditional rural economies, and thus the amount of human-wolf conflict declined. Currently, the Eurasian wolf has legal protection in most European countries, although the growing concerns about conflict may act as a barrier to future conservation efforts. 

5. Mediterranean Monk Seal

The Mediterranean monk seal is one of only a few pinniped species that can be found in subtropical waters – found in the Mediterranean Sea and the eastern Atlantic Ocean. Seals are popular species due to their curious nature and intellect. 

Unfortunately, the current population of Mediterranean monk seals is estimated at around only 600 to 700 individuals. Fishing bycatch, habitat destruction, and pollution are their critical threats. As a result, it is listed as “endangered” under the Endangered Species Act and “depleted” under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. This makes them one of Europe’s rarest and most endangered animals. Due to coordinated conservation efforts, monk seals are starting to be repopulate habitats that they had been absent from for decades, such as Egypt, Israel and Cyprus, but more work needs to be done to prevent these animals from permanently disappearing. 

You might also like: 10 of the World’s Most Endangered Animals in 2023

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The ‘Elephants & Bees’ project gives us a prime example of how a single person’s ingenuity and passion can result in brilliant wildlife conservation solutions.

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Why Are African Elephants Endangered?

As one of Africa’s ‘Big Five’, it comes as no surprise that elephants are an extremely important species. In addition to being massively charismatic animals, they serve vital roles in their ecosystems as seed dispersers and landscape architects. Hence, the fact that these icons of natural power are under grave threat is troubling. With increases in poaching and habitat loss, African elephant populations have been declining at alarming rates. African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana) have seen a decline of over 60% in the last 50 years, while African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) populations have declined over 86% in the last 31 years. Worryingly, both species of African elephant have recently been listed as Endangered and Critically Endangered on the  International Union for Conservation (IUCN) Red List, with only around 415,000 left in the wild.

The struggle to conserve elephant populations is only worsened by widespread human-wildlife conflict, particularly around farmland. Human-wildlife conflict is one of the greatest unresolved conservation challenges of our time. This conflict negatively affects species survival, damages tolerance towards coexistence and creates strained relationships with wildlife managers. Due to their keen sense of smell, elephants are adept at locating crops, creating a conflict with the farmers who rely on such crops to earn a living. Multiple mitigation efforts have been attempted, but each have their weaknesses. For instance, electric fencing surrounding national parks are expensive and prevent species dispersal, whereas smaller-scale deterrents can also lead to farmer fatigue and elephant habituation. It was in this context that Dr. Lucy King from the University of Oxford proposed a radical new solution.

You might also like: Endangered Animal Spotlight: The Asian Elephant

The Solution

Dr. King was born and raised in Africa. As a kid, she would often go camping in the wild, and the electrified elephant fences stuck out to her. She would go on to devote her research to finding a more holistic and beneficial method to mitigate conflict. Based on her conversations with Kenyan rural pastoralists, she learnt tales in which elephants showed particular aversion to trees with beehives. She put this theory to the test in a 2007 study, playing audio of disturbed bees through speakers near elephants, and found that there was truth to the claims. Following this study, she won the UNEP/CMS Thesis Award 2011 for her doctorate thesis “The interaction between the African elephant (Loxodonta africana africana) and the African honey bee (Apis mellifera scutellata) and its potential application as an elephant deterrent,” in which she outlined her ambitious idea – beehive fences. They proved to be a huge success. 

Beehive fences are relatively cheap fences consisting of wooden poles and plain wire (or even string), with active and “dummy” beehives interspersed around the perimeter. Elephants that try to break the fence are met by swarms of disturbed bees, which act as a biological deterrent. Bee stings targeted around the eyes, behind the ears, and even up the trunk can cause great irritation. The dummy hives serve to trick the elephants into thinking the threat is greater than it was, whilst helping to reduce the costs by making fences unnecessary. Just as elephant matriarchs can remember which paths to follow year after year, they can also remember where bees are located, meaning they would not return to farms protected by bees. 

Photo by Wikimedia Commons.

Are Beehive Fences Really Working?

In the years since their initial implementation, beehive fences have shown outstanding results. After a 43-month trial of the fences in Kenya, 80% of the 253 approaching elephants were kept out of the protected farms, and elephants that broke a fence were in smaller than average groups. Not only did the fences work at preventing human-wildlife conflict, but the farmers also saw additional financial benefit, as they were trained in beekeeping and benefited from the sale of 228 kilograms of “elephant-friendly honey”, resulting in $1,134 of profit. Honey sales provided farmers with an alternative income stream and promoted the mission to buyers. The fact that the bees not only protected, but also pollinated the crops further impassioned farmers into adopting the same strategy. 

Figure 1: Beehive fences as a multidimensional conflict-mitigation tool for farmers coexisting with elephants. Conservation Biology, 31(4), pp.743-752.

As news of the success of the trial spread, a further 12 farmers requested to join the project.  This widespread adoption only continued. Due in large part to the fact that beehive fences are cheap to construct (approximately $1,50 to $5,00/metre), implementation of these fences spread to various other African countries and is even being put to use in Asian counties such as India and Thailand. The idea has received massive acclaim, winning multiple awards such as the Future for Nature Award 2013 and St Andrews Prize for the Environment 2013. News of the fences has continued to spread via the official website and Dr King’s TED Talk. Following in her footsteps, many other conservationists continue the push for effective mitigation methods. The fight against human-wildlife conflict continues, with promising lower-cost deterrent methods being presented year after year. 

Dr. King’s story demonstrates that there are effective conservation solutions waiting to be discovered and that sometimes the key ingredients are passion and creativity. With proper planning, even the minuscule can protect the mighty.

You might also like: Breeding Programmes For Endangered Species: Do They Really Help?

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