Behavioural ecology and Conservation biology

What is the role of behavioural ecology in conservation biology?

• Species introduction

• Influence conservation outcomes

• Prevent spread of invasive species

• Behaviourb based management

• Mitigate human wildlife conflict

What does conservation biology include/cover?

• Loss of biodiversity

• Identifyrare or threatened species - importance ?

• Politics sociology

• Ecosystem services

• Ecology, dispersal, population dynamic, genetics, behaviour

What happens if male lions are predominantly hunted?

Male turnover is increased - increased infanticide

• Behaviour.

Gosselin et al 2016

What is a case study showing behaviour and population decline?

Be’er Sheva fringe-fingered lizard

• Forestation project, trees attracted more predators

• Mismatch between perceived and real habitat

• Ecological trap for desert lizards caused by anthropogenic changes in habitat structure that favour predation

What does the Kakapo show?

Flightless bird, lekking.

• Low reproduction, female incubation

• 60M left in 1982

How to increase reproductive success

• Food provisioning to females

  • extreme male biased sex ratio.

  • conditions dependent sex adjustment

  • (Females in good condition produce more males, sons costly)

• Food then given after laying egg

Genomicanalysie ID genes affecting fertility or disease management.

• Personalised medicine

What happened with pilanesberg elephants?

Young orphaned males introduced between 1992, 1997

• killed 40 rhinos

• Oldermales in to prevent hyperagression in the younger ones.

• Behavioural control in younger males

  • presence of bulls reduces aggression in non -musth elephant