Planning for population persistence in the face of ecological traps

My tweetentation (presentation via tweets) for the Inaugural @ARC_CEED Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions Twitter Conference #CEEDTC2018. To view on Twitter click here. @kerenraiter

Abstract: We’re using emerging information on species distribution, dispersal & genetic variation combined with insights into varying effects of different land management – incl. ecological traps, to provide cross-tenure decision support for ensuring endangered lizard persistence.

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1/6: #CEEDTC2018 Integrating population viability & complex threatening processes such as ecological traps, into systematic conservation planning can improve the effectiveness of conservation plans, and encourage land manager engagement @HebrewU: Dror Hawlena Risk Management Lab.

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2/6 #CEEDTC2018 We explore the challenges of conservation planning in the face of complex realities for critically endangered Israeli fringe-fingered lizards: we modelled species distribution and show devastating historical habitat loss followed by threats of a new sort…

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3/ #CEEDTC2018 ‘Desert tree’ projects create ecological traps: habitats that lizards quickly colonize, but where the lizards are quickly predated due to trees providing perches for predatory birds. A relatively small area of ‘trap’ can drain lizards from the surrounding landscape

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4/6 #CEEDTC2018 We are developing simulations to model ecological trap effects on population dynamics and advise land managers how to avoid driving the lizards to extinction. Trap effects vary between species. Collaborators sought!

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5/6 #CEEDTC2018 Eco-trap simulations will be integrated into landscape population viability analyses informed by genetic analysis of dispersal, geneflow, and population structure, as well as emerging information on grazing, defense-force, agricultural and climate change impacts.

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6/6 #CEEDTC2018 Integrating these factors will extend the theory and practice of conservation planning; provide cross-tenure decision support for interested stakeholders to help avoid extinction and maximize endangered lizard (& sub-population) persistence. Collaborators invited.