Risks of expanding state protected areas globally
The Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) aims to formally protect 30% of Earth by 2030 in part by privatizing and putting monetary value on ecosystem services (e.g., via biodiversity offset markets). However, in Thailand and elsewhere, such financial approaches to biodiversity conservation have had many negative social-ecological impacts, including displacement of Indigenous and local communities and expansion of unsustainable economic activities (e.g., logging, mining, damming). In Thailand, the GBF could displace hundreds of villages and supplant 40% of registered community forests, which already provide various livelihood, cultural, and conservation benefits. Therefore, effective and equitable conservation requires empowering Indigenous and local communities in environmental stewardship and transcending the modern trend of conservation by privatization and financialization.
Posted July 2024 |
Karen Swag man collecting honey in the Huay Hin Lad Nai community forest, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand. Credit: Saphaphak C.
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Clothing type and colour that was used to observe the FIDs of White-rumped Shama Copsychus malabaricus (n = 123) in a protected area in northeastern Thailand. Credit: Teo J.J.H. 2024.
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Clothing colour's effect on flight initiation
Avitourism offers conservation and economic benefits but may harm bird populations. To mitigate potential impacts, researchers use flight initiation distance (FID) to quantify animals' threat tolerance. This study (n=123) assessed how avitourists' clothing colours (orange, camouflage, black) affected FIDs of White-rumped Shama (Copsychus malabaricus) in northeastern Thailand. Orange and black elicited statistically similar FIDs, while camouflage elicited significantly shorter FIDs than orange and black. This aligns with the colour concealment hypothesis, which suggests camouflage clothing reduces detectability, which results in shorter FIDs. Such insights can inform avitourism management to balance its benefits and mitigate its potential harm to birds.
Posted February 2024 |
Otter status and management in southern Thailand
Our results revealed the importance of protecting natural habitats and the urgency of management interventions. In total, 1,350 km2 were identified as very high conservation management hotspots and 750 km2 were identified as very high conservation importance. Smooth-coated Otter has higher occupancy probabilities on the Andaman where larger proportion of less disturbed wetlands remain. In contrast, Small-clawed Otter has higher occupancy on the Gulf. The main priority for conservation in human-modified landscape 1) should reducing/mitigating conflicts between human and otters, and 2) should minimize the impacts from land-use change as the conservation importance decrease sharply from 2,875 to 925 km2.
Posted January 2024 |
Management priority areas for otters in southern Thailand: current situation (left), increased rate of land-use change (middle), and decreased rate of land-use change (right). Management priority areas are characterized by high otter occupancy and human disturbance.
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Variation in avian responses to rice intensification in the central plains of Thailand guides conservation opportunities. Graphical abstract from Angkaew et al. 2023.
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How do landbirds respond to rice intensification?
Open-country birds are experiencing the most drastic declines compared to other groups worldwide, yet not many studies have been conducted in Southeast Asia. Our study uncovers often-overlooked effects in the Central Plains of Thailand, where rice is cultivated intensively with triple annual crops. Through 1410 survey points, we've identified 26 landbird species of conservation concern, with 11 species primarily located in single-cropped fields. Among our eight focal species, three of them face challenges with increased intensification. Natural habitat features (e.g., field margins, reedbeds) positively influenced the densities of all species, even those unaffected by intensification.
Don't miss the supplementary data! It provides detailed highlights of our findings, concerns pertaining to each focal species, and their predicted density maps. Posted October 2023 |
Ecology of seasonally flooded grassland-dependent avian species in BangladeshBird diversity in floodplain grasslands is notably influenced by vegetation type, with tall grasses playing a vital role for grassland specialists. Interestingly, grazing intensity exhibited mixed effects in these areas, negatively impacting obligate tall grass breeders but benefiting the broader grassland specialist community. Moreover, agricultural expansion has emerged as a significant threat. In the Indo-Gangetic floodplains, habitat loss poses a pressing challenge to grassland bird communities, particularly in Bangladesh, where human pressures are particularly intense. This study delves into the ecology and conservation of these avian populations in floodplain grasslands, addressing both community and species-level dynamics. Furthermore, the examination of the threatened Bristled Grassbird and Striated Grassbirds has revealed crucial habitat preferences, highlighting the necessity for effective grass harvesting and cattle grazing management to conserve the Bristled Grassbird.
Posted September 2023 |
A globally vulnerable Bristled Grassbird (Schoenicola striatus), from Rajshahi, Bangladesh, recorded during the 2018 survey. Credit: I. Jahan 2018
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An Endangered Red panda (Ailurus fulgens) caught on camera trap at Imawbum National Park, Northern Myanmar, during the 2018-2019 surveys.
Credit: FFI 2020
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Imawbum National Park, Northern Myanmar, a key site for red panda conservationWith a red panda density estimated at 58 animals/100 km2, Imawbum National Park was highlighted as an important area for the species, and its habitat, conservation. However, management cannot only be limited to the protected area and it 1373 km2 of suitable habitat, but need to be extended to the 633 km2 found in its surrounding in order to protected the species on the long term. While the probability of occupancy was positively influenced by elevation, ranging between 2700 and 3350 m, detection probability was positively influenced by snow cover.
Posted August 2023 |
Where will the dhole survive in 2030?
Dhole populations are declining in Southeast Asia, but no previous study has evaluated their populations at a regional scale. Our recent study predicted <20% of all remaining forest cover to be suitable for dhole in Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand. We identified 17 suitable patches as potential strongholds, where the population could persist in a long term. Among these patches, Western Forest Complex (Thailand) was identified as the region’s only primary stronghold, while Taman Negara (Malaysia) and northeastern landscape (Cambodia) were identified as secondary strongholds. Additionally, many remaining suitable habitats were under threats i.e., deforestation and prey depletion, and would require urgent conservation management.
Posted July 2023 |
The suitable habitat was designated by those areas above the threshold MaxSSS = 0.5 from the dhole species distribution model. The patch number ranking from their priority (Table 3); (1) Western Forest complex (TH), and Kweekoh Wildlife Sanctuary landscape (MM), (2) Taman Negara (MS), (3) North eastern landscape (KH), (4) Phukieo-Namnao Forest Complex (TH), (5) Cardamom rainforest landscape (KH), (6) Htamanthi Wildlife Sanctuary (MM), and Taungthonlon Mountains (MM), (7) Bago Yoma (MM), (8) Momeik-Mabein township (MM), (9) Prey Lang Wildlife Sanctuary (KH), (10) Kawan Reserve Forest-Loiyang range (MM), (11) Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuary (KH), (12) Eastern plains landscape (KH), (13) Lenya and Nga Wun Reserve Forests (MM), and Chumporn Forest Complex (TH), (14) Dong Phayayen Forest Complex (TH), (15) Alaungdaw Kathapa National Park (MM), (16) Thaungdut township (MM), (17) Kui Buri National Park (TH), and Tagyet Reserve Forest (MM), (18) Kaeng Krachan National Park (TH), (19) Khao Yai National Park (TH), (20) Wiang Lo Wildlife Sanctuary and northern forest (TH), (21) Eastern Forest Complex (TH). The other important areas (22) Hukaung Valley Wildlife Sanctuary and northern forest (MM), (23) Salween Peace Park (MM), (24) Rakhine Yoma Elephant Range (MM), (25) Tanintharyi Nature Reserve (MM), (26) Temengor Forest Reserve (MS), (27) Sungkai Wildlife Reserve (MS), (28) Southern Cardamom National Park (KH), (29) Nam Ha-Nam Kan Protected Area (LA), (30) Nam Et-Phou Louey National Park (LA).
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Galliformes biodiversity levels (low in blue, medium in yellow and high in red) for the current status [a] and for three future predicted modeling scenarios with low effect (SSP126) [b], medium effect (SSP370) [c] and high effect (SSP585) [d]
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Predicted climate change effect on Southeast Asian habitatsClimate changes have exacerbated the degradation of natural habitats adding to decades of anthropogenic factors. Investigated the impact of climate change on natural habitats by using 55 Phasianidaes species showed that predicted climatic changes, over Southeast Asia, are likely to reduce their suitable natural habitats. Most of the species appeared to face large habitat patches reduction and will retreate to higher altitudes. Moreover, many species are facing imminent danger of losing their habitat. As a consequnece, areas with high Galliformes’ diversity is predicted to decline, especially in the Indo-Burma region, following massive loss of suitable habitats. Moreover, due to climatic changes, the current protected area system in the region will not allow the species conservation.
Posted October 2022 |
Collateral damage from agricultural netting to open-country bird populations in Thailand
We provide one of the first assessments of mortalities from netting on wild birds in Asia. Our study was conducted in the central plains of Thailand, an area dominated by ricefields, among which aquaculture ponds are increasingly interspersed. We found >80% of nets were used for product protection, especially in aquaculture ponds. Of 735 individuals identifiable to at least 45 bird species observed tangling in nets and parallel cords, approximately 20% of individuals in ricefields and 95% at aquaculture ponds were non-target bycatch. Considering the potential impacts of netting on biodiversity, nets appear to be an ineffective solution for bird pest control in both ricefields and aquaculture ponds.
Posted September 2022 |
Examples of major net types found within the study area: Vertical nets of black nylon (a), and transparent nylon (b); hooks attached to cords (c), and parallel cords set above aquaculture ponds (d); ponds with a net exclosure (e); and a globally near-threatened Asian Golden weaver entangled in a vertical net in a ricefield (f). Credit A-C: W. Limparungpatthanakij 2020 and D-F: R. Angkaew 2020.
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Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea). Credit: Pyae Phyo Aung,
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Foraging microhabitat selection of Spoon-billed Sandpiper in
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Identification of areas highly vulnerable to land conversion: A case study from Southern Thailand
From 1996 to 2016, natural forests in southern Thailand have been destroyed drastically with clear association with agricultural expansion. Approximately 22% of terrestrial forest, 26% of mangrove forest and 55% of peat swamp forest were lost within 30 years. Among natural forest remaining, 11%, 14% and 33% of terrestrial, mangrove and peat swamp forests were identified as highly vulnerable of which the majority were at the boundaries between natural and human-dominated areas. Technique proposed in this study offer rapid identification of high priority area for more detailed analysis and potential conservation interventions.
Posted January 2022 |
Areas most vulnerable to land-cover change for terrestrial (left), mangrove (middle) and peat swamp forests (right) in southern Thailand
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A Giant Nuthatch (Sitta magna) an Endangered species was taken at Doi Kham Fah within Pha Dang National Park which potentially contains the largest suitable habitat of mature pine (P. kesiya) plantation (62 km2) and largest subpopulation (~85 individuals) of Giant Nuthatch in Thailand. Credit: A. J. Pierce 2020
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Population and habitat availability of the globally Endangered Giant Nuthatch (Sitta magna)Our recent study estimated that Giant Nuthatch’s population size in Thailand was 578 (95% CI = 391 to 854) individuals in ~156 km2 of suitable habitat where mostly enclosed within protected areas. Mature pine (Pinus kesiya) forest and mature pine (P. kesiya) plantation with a larger basal area and a more open canopy were considered its primary habitats. In Myanmar, Giant Nuthatch has been confirmed at only one locality, with ~56 individuals in a ~18 km2 forest patch and currently outside the protected area system and is likely threatened by tea plantation expansion. Compared to Myanmar and China, Thailand probably contains habitats with the strongest level of protection, however our findings also revealed that Giant Nuthatch has disappeared from most of the southern and eastern parts of its Thai range.
Posted December 2021 |
Hydropower reservoir reduces Great Argus density in proximity to its shoreHabitat degradation due to hydroelectric dam development within protected areas has a marked negative effect on resident wildlife species. Based on line transect surveys, the density of Great Argus increased with increased distances from the reservoir shoreline perhaps due to the higher level of direct or indirect human disturbance close to the hydropower reservoir. The species has likely declined 35% between 2001 to 2014 perhaps related to this higher level of human disturbance at the forest-reservoir edge. However, the relatively higher density of Great Argus compared to other Galliformes suggested the species may perhaps tolerate a certain degree of disturbance but still shows its vulnerability to edge effects, including those induced by the reservoir shore, which resulted in a local decline.
Posted December 2021 |
Great Argus male displaying to a female during the breeding season at a lekking site in Khlong Saeng Wildlife Sanctuary. Credit T. Ong-in 2020
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Our results show that species management should start with extensive systematic surveys over the range to estimate the remaining population in the 27 strongholds. Moreover, conservation actions should include transboundary conservation between China and Myanmar, Myanmar and India, Myanmar and Bangladesh. Credit N. Lwin 2021
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Conservation status of Hoolock gibbons
Approximately 165,000 km2 of suitable habitats remain in large forest patches (min 250 m2) for all three hoolock species (western hoolock 74,000 km2, eastern hoolock 75,000 km2, and Gaoligong hoolock 16,000 km2) in western southeast Asia, grouped in 27 strongholds. Since 2000, 5% of this habitat was lost for the whole genus (4% for eastern hoolock, and 6% for the other two species). Moreover, 19% of the large forest patches is currently facing a high threat level, 26% show a medium threat and 55% a low level. Unfortunately, little of their habitat is currently legally protected with 28% habitat falling in protected areas for eastern hoolock, 16% for western hoolock and only 6% for Gaoligong hoolock.
Posted August 2021 |
Critically Endangered Gurney’s pitta’s habitat keeps decliningSince last estimated in 2017, Gurney’s pitta suitable habitat in the Tanintharyi Region of southern Myanmar has kept declining with an additional 53 km2 (8 %) lost, leaving just over 600 km2 of habitat. To make matter worst, when habitat patches <1 km2 are removed only 476 km2 remain with only five independent patches >20 km2. The remaining suitable habitat, included in 3 strongholds, is facing ongoing degradation as none is legally protected. Despite the establishment of Lenya National Park was suggested in 2004, the whole project was dropped in 2019 due to problems in conducting reliable land and boundary surveys, as well as uncertain political situation.
Read more on Mongabay.com Posted July 2021 |
Forest encroachment by uncontrolled clearance for small and large-scale agricultural expansion as well as the increasing industrial (i.e. mining) and infrastructure (i.e. road) development has been highlighted as the main problem for maintaining sufficient suitable habitat for the long-term survival of Gurney’s pitta. Draw credit: A. Savini 2021
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Green peafowl (Pavo muticus) used extensively agricultural landscape in the stronghold with a density estimated at 14.29 calling birds/km2. The species also heavily used natural teak forest with a density estimated between 9.02 to 17.84 calling males/km2. Credit: G. Saridnirun 2019
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A large viable Green Peafowl population in northwest Thailand
An extensive survey in the northwestern Thailand stronghold (4 protected areas) showed a large green peafowl population ranging from 13.55 to 19.87 calling birds/km2. While most of the birds were found within protected forest, with our results highlighting the important of large and continuous forest patch, a large portion was detected in the surrounding non-intensive agricultural landscape. GLM showed the species to be positively associated to dry-dipterocarp forest and negatively by human settlement. Long-term conservation requires therefore not only the management of protected areas but should also extend to farmland where cooperation with local communities will be needed.
Read more on Mongabay.com Posted July 2021 |
Fishing cat status and threats in an anthropogenic landscape
The first estimated density for fishing cat in mainland Southeast Asia is of 18 cats/100 km2 with 73% of them living outside the protected area. As for the rest of the region, this generated human-fishing cat conflict leading to illegal retaliatory killings. Moreover, the recent tax policy by the Thai government is expected tot lead to extensive land conversion. Landowners would have to pay higher tax rates for land not in use relative to more productive forms of economic development. However, 30% of existing suitable habitat for fishing cats may lose. Alternatively, the tax reductions policies that incentivize landowners to preserve their land would be welcome benefit to conserve the fishing cat.
Posted July 2021 |
The Vulnerable Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) was captured by a camera trap in the marsh area, and they are strongly associated with wetland habitat. All captured fishing cat individuals were identified by a pelage pattern and used a spatially-explicit capture-recapture analytical framework to estimate the abundance of fishing cats in and around Khao Sam Roi Yot area. Credit: K. Phosri 2019
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(a) Mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) habitat strongholds classified by average relative threat of local extirpation. (b) Mainland clouded leopard habitat strongholds (grouped by stronghold complex) classified by recent camera-trap survey status (2010–2020). From Petersen et al., 2020, Global Ecology and Conservation 24: e01354 (CC BY 4.0).
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Clouded leopard: Little-studied and highly threatened
Tropical Asia is caught in a biodiversity crisis and identifying conservation priorities for the region’s little-studied species has proven difficult. A recent CEG study sought to demonstrate one potential approach for identifying priorities for such data-limited species using the little-studied mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) as an example. Since data on range-wide clouded leopard population status and trends were unavailable, the study synthesized available data concerning the species’ remaining habitat, current known distribution, and primary threats to identify and classify remaining habitat strongholds and facilitate prioritization efforts. The study highlights important knowledge gaps, tangible conservation needs, and proposes actions for strongholds based on their specific threats, protection level, and survey status, paving the way for the detailed local investigations needed to implement meaningful interventions on the ground.
Posted July 2021 |
Loss and vulnerability of lowland forests in mainland Southeast Asia
Lowland (<200 m asl) tropical forests contain extraordinary levels of biodiversity, but these habitats are also under considerable development pressure. Over a 20-year period (1998-20018), > 120,000 sq.km. of forest (50% of forest present in 1998) was lost over mainland Southeast Asia. Cambodia suffered the greatest loss (>47,500 sq.km). In 2018, 18% of the lowlands were forested, and 20% of these forests had some formal protection. Approximately 50% of the lowland forest inside protected areas (c. 11,000 km2) was also lost during the study period. Most lowland forest remaining is highly vulnerable. Our results add to existing evidence that the presence of protected areas alone will not prevent further deforestation.
Posted June 2021 |
Lowland forest remaining and lowland forest loss in mainland Southeast Asia. The 14 landscape patches (Fig. a) include: 1) Northern Myanmar, 2) Rakhine Mountains, 3) Bago Roma Region, 4) Southern Myanmar, 5) Northern Thailand, 6) Transition Zone, 7) Peninsular Malaysia, 8) Mekong Basin, 9) Northern Cambodia, 10) Tonle Sap-lake, 11) Southern Cambodia, 12) Northern Vietnam, 13) Central Vietnam, and 14) Southern Vietnam. Fig. b shows lowland forest remaining and lowland forest loss of each country. From Namkhan et al., 2021, Conservation Biology 35: 206-215.
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Banteng (Bos javanicus) is globally endangered that widely distributed in dry forest, but now largely small isolated populations, which no current population estimation for Thailand. Group-living like banteng can using this model for abundance estimation. Credit: N. Sukumal
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Abundance estimation from multiple data types for group-living animals: An example using dhole (Cuon alpinus)
By-catch photos from camera trap surveys are extremely valuable for endangered species. However, the abundance of group-living unmarked animals is particularly difficult to estimate compared to species with unique marks. Based on our simulations presented here, the model has a low level of bias and can be extended to a broader range of species with similar ecology. This model also provides the first quantitative estimate of globally endangered dhole abundance over a broad landscape from two forest complexes in Thailand. The advantage, the data were obtained from different survey types (count and detection/nondetection data).
Posted June 2021 |
Invasive Java Sparrow is not expanding his Bangkok range
Despite have been recorded in northern Bangkok since 1924, java Sparrow, an invasive species in the area, has not expanded its range since, beyond where they have maintained a limited distribution over about 10 km2. Investigating if their distribution is limited by the limited available of foraging patches and a slow reproductive rate which may suppress their range expansion showed no apparent link with resources availability but suggested that slow reproductive rate might have limited the species expansion by maintaining the population size over its limited range.
Posted November 2019 |
Java Sparrows were normally observed in small groups or as individuals but larger flocks were sometimes observed when these larger flock foraging in paddy fields. Credit: V. Sophonrat 2018
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Tiger (Panthera tigris) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, are responsible for over 50 casualties between 2007 and 2014. Credit: B.B. Khadka 2018
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Living with large cats, the cost of Human-Wildlife ConflictSpatio-temporal patterns of Human-Tiger and Leopard Conflict, focusing on economic losses and compensation in Chitwan National Park, Nepal was investigated between 2007-2016. The main problem with tigers is their attack on human (54 casualties with 32 killings, 75.9% in the park buffer zone) followed by livestock (351 livestock depredated mostly on goats). The total annual loss declared was of 15,130 US$/year with paid compensation of 13,992 US$/year with 65% spent for human killed and 25% for injured. On the contrary, leopards did not killed human (only 7 injured in 10 years) but depredated disproportionally on goats (87.3%), 20% more than expected resulting in a claimed annual of 2,462 US$/year for which 1,972 US$/year were paid.
Posted October 2019 |
Dramatic decline of Gurney’s pitta’s suitable habitat
In less than 20 years, over 80% of Gurney’s pitta’s habitat in the Tanintharyi Region of southern Myanmar, lowland leveled close canopy pristine forest (>150m elevation, >10° slope), has been converted by large scale palm oil plantation and small agricultural expansion declining from 3,225 to 656km2. This remaining habitat is heavily fragmented with only three major strongholds constantly under threat, where the mid to long term survival of the species can be predicted. More concerning is that none of the strongholds are currently legally protected and their formal gazettement has been deleted due to long-running land ownership disputes between the government, local and indigenous organizations.
Posted September 2019 |
Most of the leveled lowland forest in South Tanintharyi has been heavily converted in large scale palm oil plantations leaving pristine forest only on steeper slope and at higher elevation. Credit: T. Savini 2016
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Leopard cats, like many wild felids, are beautifully patterned with spots and stripes for camouflage. However, it is because of these very coats and the human desire to possess them, that many wild cats are in decline. Fortunately for researchers, these patterns are unique to the individual, just like a human’s fingerprint, and can be used to obtained precise estimates of population density. With such valuable information, conservationists and managers can then make informed decisions to better conserve these species in the wild. Credit: W.J. Petersen 2017
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Forest fragments and the conservation of small carnivoresSmall, isolated, and disturbed forest fragments, though frequently overlooked, potentially offer valuable habitats for small carnivore conservation in Southeast Asia. Yet the influence of resource availability and competition on small carnivore habitat use and abundance within these modified environments is poorly understood. Recent camera-trapping efforts from one such fragment in Northeastern Thailand revealed that not only can fragments support a diverse cast of small carnivores, but also serve as potential long-term conservation areas for such species; with density estimates of one species, the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), found to be the highest published to date. However, the relative success of a species within the fragment was found to be dependent on both the availability of its preferred resource as well as the species’ unique ability to negotiate with sympatric small carnivores through a concept known as niche partitioning.
Posted May 2019 |
A new stronghold for large carnivores in mainland Southeast Asia
With its large landscape Dong Phayayen forest could be another potential stronghold for tigers in mainland Southeast Asia and with its relatively high prey abundance long-term conservation can be expected, unlike the neighboring Khao Yai National Park where the loss of tiger was also caused by the declined prey abundance, especially large ungulate such as guar and sambar. However, this result was likely reversed for dhole, which showed higher occupancy in Khao Yai, mostly due to the lack of competition from tigers. It is encouraging that tigers and dholes continue to persist despite the relatively high level of illegal human activity in and around this complex.
Posted April 2019 |
A pack of dhole in Dong Phayayen forest searching for bait at a camera-trap station. Baited camera traps have been used to increase species detection. Credit: D. Ngoprasert 2014
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Bengal slow loris detected at Sakaerat Biosphere reserve using a spot light with red filter. This method is highly suggested for this species as it does not damage their sensitive eye structure. Credit: K. Somsiri 2017
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The short lived haven of old plantation forest for slow lorises
The important structural features and food availability found in old plantation forest make it particularly important habitat for Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis). Distance sampling conducted in small patches of protected forest in north-eastern and eastern Thailand, show higher density estimates in old plantation forests compared to natural evergreen forests, both at Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve (27 vs 17 loris/km2) and Khao Aung Rue Nai Wildlife Sanctuary (4.26 vs 4.00 loris/km2). Botanical surveys revealed that plantation forests were associated with higher food availability and fewer nocturnal arboreal species. However, habitat quality of plantation is strongly dependent on its maturity. In the long-term, reduced longevity of exotic tree species may limit the conservation importance of plantation forest, merely acting as a short-term alternative to natural habitat.
Posted March 2019 |
Waterholes are fundamental for large vertebrate conservation
In the deciduous dipterocarp forest of Eastern Plains Landscape of Cambodia waterholes appeared highly important in supporting globally threatened species, especially large grazers, which are critical for maintaining in the long-term these dry forest ecosystems. Particularly important are the waterholes further from villages, more frequently used, than those nearer. Camera-traps were used to study the utilization of waterholes by 6 globally threatened species Banteng Bos javanicus and Eld’s deer Rucervus eldii, Giant ibis Thaumatibis gigantea, Green peafowl Pavo muticus, Lesser adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus and Woolly-necked stork Ciconia episcopus during the dry season. Pool size, depth, area of the waterholes and number of vicinity waterholes and anthropogenic factors (i.e, distance to village, distance to road, number of illegal activities vicinity to camera-trapped waterholes) were measured.
Posted March 2019 |
A camera-trap photograph of a pair of Giant ibis (the second Giant ibis can be spotted at the edge of pool on the top left) foraging at a waterhole in Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary. Giant ibis are normally found foraging in pairs. Credit: C. Pin 2016
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This 5-lane highway (Route 304) runs through 3 protected areas in Thailand, including our study area Sakaerat Environmental Research Station. Credit: R. Angkeaw 2015
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Road induced edges affects forest birds and their nest predators
Changes in forest vegetation structure and high traffic volume/noise adjacent to a 5- lane highway (Route 304), a road which runs between three protected areas in northeastern Thailand, had negative effects on most bird guilds. Furthermore, the top three nest predators, Northern Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca leonina), Green Cat Snake (Boiga cyanea) and Crested Goshawk (Accipiter trivirgratus) also appeared to avoid edge areas. Common Green Magpie (Cissa chinensis), the fourth-most important predator, was more abundant near the edge. The relatively lower predation pressure near the forest-road edge was associated with higher nest survival rates for natural open-cup nests and natural nests in both natural and artificial cavities, as well as higher post-fledgling survival of White-rumped Shama (Kittacincla malabarica).
Posted February 2019 |
Habitat and rainfall impacts on the foraging ecology of Germain’s Swiftlet
Germain’s swiftlet (Aerodramus inexpectatus germani) nests are farmed in Southeast Asia and generate >US $1.6 billion per year, but their ecology is poorly known. We examined swiftlet foraging habitat selection, described daily and seasonal variation in habitat use, and impacts of rainfall on timing of breeding. Highest foraging intensity occurred over water bodies, forest, and open paddy land; all of which contained relatively higher insect prey numbers. Onset of breeding was explained by rainfall and food availability and there was synchrony between nestling feeding periods and peaks in insect biomass. To minimize negative impacts of nest harvest, timing of harvesting should consider local rainfall patterns. Furthermore, swiftlet farmers should pay greater attention to habitat management around swiftlet colonies to maintain insect prey.
Posted January 2019 |
A typical swiftlet condo found in Pak Phanang, Nahkon Si Thammarat, southern Thailand. Credit: G. Gale 2009
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View of Chiew Larn reservoir, showing flooded lowland habitat and loss of the upper canopy forest layer. Credit: G. Irving 2016.
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Collapse of the bird community surrounding Chiew Larn hydroelectric reservoir
In 1987 the Ratchaprapha hydroelectric dam inundated southern Thailand’s largest tract of lowland forest, creating the 165 km2 Chiew Larn reservoir and transforming 100 forested hilltops into islands. To learn how the avian community has coped, habitat surveys and point counts were completed on 23 islands and 24 nearby mainland peninsulas. The forest structure on islands and mainland did not substantially differ. Although the mainland and islands had similar species richness, the islands held 27% less Shannon’s diversity. Compared to a species pool compiled in less disturbed forest upstream, the mainland was depauperate and experienced collapse among ground-foraging babblers, middle-storey sallying insectivores, mixed-species foraging flocks, and Sundaic species. In addition to the flooded lowlands, 61 km2 of degraded mainland edge habitat surrounded the reservoir.
Posted December 2018 |
Towards reduced bias in protected area designation
Designation of protected areas is usually biased towards specific habitats and species. A 2016-study of the Indo-Burma Hotspot identified bias in terms of representation among vertebrate taxa, and suggested the need to protect 21% of the entire Indo-Burma hotspot, from the 16% currently under protection. Moreover, a recent study in Thailand reveals a bias of the occurrence data among taxa (Birds VS others taxa) and regions (Southern and Western VS other regions) which is quite critical as it is baseline information for protected areas designation. To reduce this data bias, unpublished data can be another source that should be incorporated especially for less studies species group. Meanwhile, more basic surveys in the gap areas should be promoted to increase overall spatial coverage.
Posted October 2018 |
Coverage of species records inside and outside protected areas for each region of Thailand. N refers to the northern region, NE northeastern, W western, C central, E eastern and S to the southern region. Numbers in parentheses indicate percentage of area having species records obtained in the recent study within each region. The figure demonstrates the bias of the coverage toward southern and western regions, while species occurrence data from northeastern Thailand are the least available.
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Example habitat at Saola observation points in primary forest in the Phou Sithon Endangered Species Conservation Area in the northern Annamites of Lao PDR. Credit C. Phommachanh 2014
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Habitat ecology of the critically endangered Saola
In this first ever quantitative study of the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), we assessed the characteristics of its macrohabitat and microhabitat using location data obtained from local people. The observations support previous work that Saola is likely a mid-elevation species (~600-1100 m). It was more likely detected in areas with higher abundances of streams; however, streams were also associated with human travel routes. Saola were more frequently encountered in primary forest but occasionally observed in secondary growth. Most encounters were on animal trails. This information may assist in searching for other possible sites, however additional camera-trap surveys are now urgently needed as the size of the remaining population is probably tiny.
Posted October 2018 |
Is Edwards’s pheasant already extinct in the wild?
A recent estimate based on the few available location records showed that Edwards’s pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) could be beyond the extinction threshold. As for other species believed to have the highest probability of extinction, this species was among the most poorly known making it extremely difficult to decide how to spend scarce resources. All available information were gathered and used to assess, objectively, if the species persisted in the wild and determine what future conservation actions (i.e. survey) should be and where they should be targeted. The proposed approach will assist conservation planning / management when focusing on poorly known threatened species where a very small data set is available.
Posted August 2017 |
Captive Edwards’s pheasant in Hanoi zoo. Captive breeding and reintroduction in selected areas have been suggested as the future conservation action. However, the micro-habitat required by the species, ever-wet lowland forest, might not be available any longer due to heavy habitat fragmentation in its range. Credit N. Sukumal 2013
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All identified groups of white-handed gibbons, pileated gibbons and mixed-species, and hybrid groups at a major area of their contact zone in the Khlong Sai Area (Khao Yai National Park). The paired circles indicate the bonded female and male species in each group. Ranges of Hylobates lar (purple) and H.pileatus (green) are depicted using inverse distance weighting interpolation.
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Gibbon hybrid movement could go beyond the contact zone
No evidence was found of niche differentiation between lar and pileated gibbons at their contact zone despite being strongly territorial to each other. Contact zones between related species are rare ecological systems fundamental to comprehend species coexistence, which unfortunately have mostly been lost by deforestation. The study showed that the contact zone seems to be unstable and maintained by dispersal inward from parental species. The low numbers of hybrids suggests they are less fit and have trouble expanding into parental areas. However, while territoriality should constraint hybrid movement, it would not necessarily present a barrier to introgression into contiguous populations of the opposite species.
Posted May 2017 |
Alarming decline of Great Argus in an important stronghold
A recent survey of Hala Bala Wildlife Sanctuary in southern Thailand showed a major decline in a key Great Argus (Argusianus argus) population. The 2014 study was undertaken during the same season and precise locations previously surveyed in 2001-2002. Results indicate greater than 35% decline in mean abundance, with a general shift of male abundance away from forest edges. The cause is believed to be related to relentless human encroachment and continued habitat loss to palm oil production. This is rather distressing as the area sits towards the northern extent of the species range and no data exists for other Thai populations in light of similar deforestation trends. Results suggests an upgrade is required in the species conservation status.
Posted April 2017 |
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Camera trap photos showed leopard moving frequently near the campground during the day, when free from human disturbance.
Credit: D. Ngoprasert, 2003.
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Tourism affects leopard behaviour in protected areas
Ranging behaviour of threatened leopard (Panthera pardus) inhabiting Thailand’s Kaeng Krachan National Park changed dramatically when the park was forced to close due to flooding. The park receives over 100,000 visitors annually. Although the overall species density was unchanged prior to and after closure, in the absence of tourist activity, leopards tended to move more frequently (detection rate increased by 70%) and they became more active during daylight hours. This is likely to improve heath, reproductive success, and survival. Administrators of protected areas could consider seasonal closure of parks to alleviate human pressure on leopards and other carnivores. Data on human disturbance and abundance of large carnivores and prey are recommended as key indicators for long-term management.
Posted November 2016 |
Camera traps monitor illegal activityCamera trap data and occupancy analysis has found high levels of illegal human activity in three protected areas of the Sundarbans National Park of Bangladesh - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Law enforcement in the park is hampered by limited human and financial resources. In this situation, camera traps are a valuable tool for monitoring areas where trespassers congregate. Placed at canal junctions where boats move through the forest, camera-traps have been operating 24/7, thus maximising detection of intrusion by hunters, fishermen, crabbers, and nypa palm collectors. Photos are able to help identify individual perpetrators and their boats - crucial information for enforcement, patrol planning, and overall development of economic activities in the area. Read more on Mongabay.com, Responsible Business, the ATBC website, and download the press release.
Posted August 2016 |
Fishing was the most common illegal human activity detected in the area monitored, carried out with either paddle boats or mechanised trollers as pictured. Credit: A.N.M. Hossain, 2012.
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Impact of food provisioning on macaque behaviourA semi-provisioned non-territorial macaque troop shows the appearance of territoriality traits, both in ranging pattern and social behaviour, demonstrating that human modification of food availability through provisioning can significantly generate territorial movement patterns in a non-territorial species. Using a novel methodology for primates, characteristic hull polygons were combined with spatial-statistics and analysed over different temporal scales, allowing for analysis of ranging behaviour and space-use patterns of two non-territorial northern pigtail macaque troops, one semi-provisioned, as well as one highly territorial gibbon group. In the semi-provisioned troop home range, core area and daily path lengths were significantly smaller, resulting in a high defendability index and a high site fidelity similar to that observed in gibbons. Moreover, higher aggression was observed during inter-troop encounters.
Posted August 2016 |
Towards reduced bias in protected area designationDesignation of protected areas is usually biased towards specific habitats and species. A recent study of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot, published in Biological Conservation, identifies bias in terms of representation of mammals in protected areas (75%) with threatened amphibians poorly covered (27%). The study demonstrates the need to protect 21% of the entire Indo-Burma hotspot, versus the 16% currently under protection, in order to achieve conservation targets. A window of opportunity still exist to connect fragmented protected areas that would prevent the permanent loss of threatened landscape-level species.
Posted August 2016 |
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This live-caught Stripe-backed Weasel (Mustela strigidorsa), from a village near Kuiburi National Park, extends the known southern range by over 400km. Credit: Kuiburi NP staff, R. Steinmetz, and N. Seuaturien, 2009.
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Status of small carnivores in ThailandThe status and distribution of small carnivores in Thailand are poorly documented, even though parts of the country fall within a global core area for their conservation. KMUTT students have initiated and led a multi-agency collaborative effort to assess the conservation status of Thailand's small carnivores, including non-Panthera cats. Comprising camera trap (and other) data from protected areas across the country, records covered over 80,000 trap-nights, collected from 1996-2013. Non-detection of some species that were confirmed as present may indicate that presence may be underestimated using camera traps. Some interesting findings include an extended range of Stripe-backed Weasel by over 400km south. Recommendations include upgraded protection status for several species, undertaking a comprehensive survey of semi-natural wetlands, and the urgent protection of forested coastal wetlands.
Posted July 2016 |
A practical guide to research methodsLarkin Powell from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Assoc. Prof. George Gale have recently published a book entitled “Estimation of Parameters for Animal Populations: a primer for the rest of us.” With a foreword by John Carroll, the book offers a simple introduction to the logic behind analyses and sampling design for mark-recapture and other survey methods. It uses straightforward language and visual learning cues to explain to beginners and more experienced practitioners the complicated formulas and statistics that can be effectively used to support conservation efforts. The book is complementary to, and makes reference to, the more advanced resources used in conservation research. An important objective of the book is to make wildlife analytics accessible and affordable to students and wildlife managers in developing countries - it is available for purchase and for download free of charge.
Posted July 2016 |
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