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The role of behavioral ecology in improving wildlife conservation and management has been the subject of much recent debate. We sought to answer 2 foundational questions about the current use of behavioral knowledge in conservation: To what extent is behavioral knowledge used in wildlife conservation and management, and how does the use of animal behavior differ among conservation fields in both frequency and types of use? We searched the literature for intersections between key fields of animal behavior and conservation and created a systematic heat map (i.e., graphical representation of data where values are represented as colors) to visualize relative efforts. Some behaviors, such as dispersal and foraging, were commonly considered (mean [SE] of 1147.38 [353.11] and 439.44 [108.85] papers per cell, respectively). In contrast, other behaviors, such as learning, social, and antipredatory behaviors were rarely considered (mean [SE] of 33.88 [7.62], 44.81 [10.65], and 22.69 [6.37] papers per cell, respectively). In many cases, awareness of the importance of behavior did not translate into applicable management tools. Our results challenge previous suggestions that there is little association between the fields of behavioral ecology and conservation and reveals tremendous variation in the use of different behaviors in conservation. We recommend that researchers focus on examining underutilized intersections of behavior and conservation themes for which preliminary work shows a potential for improving conservation and management, translating behavioral theory into applicable and testable predictions, and creating systematic reviews to summarize the behavioral evidence within the behavior-conservation intersections for which many studies exist. El papel de la ecología conductual en el mejoramiento de la conservación y el manejo de la fauna ha sido sujeto recientemente a muchas discusiones. Buscamos responder dos preguntas fundamentales acerca del uso actual del conocimiento conductual en la conservación: ¿Hasta qué punto se utiliza el conocimiento conductual en la conservación y manejo de la fauna y cómo difiere el uso del comportamiento animal, tanto en frecuencia como en tipos de uso, entre las áreas de conservación? En la literatura buscamos intersecciones entre áreas clave de la conservación y el comportamiento animal y creamos un mapa sistemático de calor (es decir, una representación gráfica de los datos en la que los valores se representan con colores) para visualizar los esfuerzos relativos. Algunos comportamientos, como la dispersión y el forrajeo, se consideraron como comunes (media [SE] de 114.38 [353.11] y 439.44 [108.85] artículos por celda, respectivamente). En contraste, otros comportamientos como el aprendizaje y las conductas sociales y anti-depredadores se consideraron como raras (media [SE] de 33.88 [7.62], 44.81 [10.65] y 22.69 [6.37] artículos por celda, respectivamente). En muchos casos, la detección de la importancia del comportamiento no se tradujo en una herramienta aplicable de manejo. Nuestros resultados presentan un reto a las sugerencias previas de que existe poca asociación entre las áreas de la ecología conductual y la conservación y revelan una variación tremenda en el uso de diferentes comportamientos dentro de la conservación. Recomendamos que los investigadores se enfoquen en examinar intersecciones sub-utilizadas de temas de comportamiento y conservación para los que el trabajo preliminar muestre un potencial para mejorar la conservación y el manejo; traduzcan la teoría conductual a predicciones aplicables y evaluables; y creen revisiones sistemáticas para resumir la evidencia conductual dentro las intersecciones de comportamiento-conservación para las que existen muchos estudios.

Giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) conservation is a possible success story in the making. If extinction of this iconic endangered species can be avoided, the species will become a showcase program for the Chinese government and its collaborators. We reviewed the major advancements in ecological science for the giant panda, examining how these advancements have contributed to panda conservation. Pandas’ morphological and behavioral adaptations to a diet of bamboo, which bear strong influence on movement ecology, have been well studied, providing knowledge to guide management actions ranging from reserve design to climate change mitigation. Foraging ecology has also provided essential information used in the creation of landscape models of panda habitat. Because habitat loss and fragmentation are major drivers of the panda population decline, efforts have been made to help identify core habitat areas, establish where habitat corridors are needed, and prioritize areas for protection and restoration. Thus, habitat models have provided guidance for the Chinese governments’ creation of 67 protected areas. Behavioral research has revealed a complex and efficient communication system and documented the need for protection of habitat that serves as a communication platform for bringing the sexes together for mating. Further research shows that den sites in old‐growth forests may be a limiting resource, indicating potential value in providing alternative den sites for rearing offspring. Advancements in molecular ecology have been revolutionary and have been applied to population census, determining population structure and genetic diversity, evaluating connectivity following habitat fragmentation, and understanding dispersal patterns. These advancements form a foundation for increasing the application of adaptive management approaches to move panda conservation forward more rapidly. Although the Chinese government has made great progress in setting aside protected areas, future emphasis will be improved management of pandas and their habitat.

The Mexican long‐nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis) is a nectar‐feeding bat distributed seasonally between Mexico and the United States, and it has been declared an endangered species in both countries. Here, we describe for the first time the movement patterns and locations of foraging areas used by lactating females from the only known maternity roost in central Mexico. GPS loggers were placed on 29 lactating females, adhered to the interscapular area with short‐term surgical glue. We obtained movement tracks of at least one night for 21 different individuals. Movement patterns were identified using the first passage time segmentation method and classified into commutative and foraging flights. Bats made up to three trips on the same night, visiting between one and three foraging areas. On average, the total distance traveled was 61.72 km per night (minimum 23.11 km, maximum 160.55 km), and 37 foraging areas were identified, located between 13 and 40 km north of the roost, mainly in desert shrublands, followed by agricultural areas and temperate forests. In these places, they spent most of their time outside the roost (2.16 h mean ± 1.14 h SD), feeding on the resources available in an average area of 0.38 km2. Bats traveled long distances each night, using areas with abundant wild and human‐cultivated floral resources, reflecting the importance of integrating movement ecology for the design of conservation and habitat management strategies that ensure the availability of necessary resources for this species. RESUMEN El Murciélago Magueyero Mayor (Leptonycteris nivalis), es un murciélago nectarívoro que se distribuye estacionalmente entre México y Estados Unidos, la especie está declarada en peligro en ambos países. En este trabajo, describimos por primera vez los patrones de movimiento y las ubicaciones de las áreas de forrajeo de hembras lactantes en el único refugio de maternidad conocido en el centro de México. Se colocaron dispositivos GPS en 29 hembras lactantes, adheridos al área interescapular con pegamento quirúrgico de corta de duración. Se obtuvieron rutas de movimiento de al menos una noche para 21 individuos diferentes. Los patrones de movimiento se idenfiticaron utilizando el método de segmentación pasaje de primer tiempo y se clasificaron como vuelos conmutativos y de forrajeo. Los murciélagos realizaron hasta tres viajes en la misma noche y visitaron entre una a tres áreas de forrajeo. En promedio, la distancia total recorrida fue de 61.72 km por noche (mínimo 23.11 km, máximo 160.55 km). Se identificaron 37 áreas de forrajeo localizadas entre 13 y 40 km hacia el norte del refugio, principalmente en matorrales xerófilos, seguido de áreas agrícolas y bosques templados. En estos lugares, los murciélagos pasaron la mayor parte de su tiempo fuera del refugio (2.16 h mean ± 1.14 h SD), aliméntadose de los recursos disponibles en un área promedio de 0.38 km2. Los murciélagos recorren grandes distancias cada noche, utilizando áreas con abundantes recursos florales silvestres y cultivados, reflejando la importancia de integrar la ecología del movimiento en el diseño de estrategias de conservación y manejo de hábitat que aseguren la disponibilidad de los rercusos necesarios para la especie. We tracked 21 lactating females of a migratory and endangered nectar‐feeding bat using GPS devices, and analyzed their foraging movements in one of the most important maternity roosts for the conservation of the species. Bats foraged within 50 km from the roost, made up to three foraging trips on the same night, and visited multiple foraging grounds with an average area of 0.38 km2.

The recent advent of carbon crediting has led to a rapid rise in biosequestration projects that seek to remove carbon from the atmosphere through afforestation and forest rehabilitation. Such projects also present an important potential opportunity to reverse biodiversity losses resulting from deforestation and forest degradation, but the biodiversity benefits of different forms of biosequestration have not been considered adequately. We captured birds in mist nets to examine the effects of rehabilitation of logged forest on birds in Sabah, Borneo, and to test the hypothesis that rehabilitation restores avian assemblages within regenerating forest to a condition closer to that seen in unlogged forest. Species richness and diversity were similar in unlogged and rehabilitated forest, but significantly lower in naturally regenerating forest. Rehabilitation resulted in a relatively rapid recovery of populations of insectivores within logged forest, especially those species that forage by sallying, but had a marked adverse effect on frugivores and possibly reduced the overall abundance of birds within regenerating forest. In view of these results, we advocate increased management for heterogeneity within rehabilitated forests, but we strongly urge an increased role for forest rehabilitation in the design and implementation of a biodiversity-friendly carbon-offsetting market.

While overall numbers of African elephant have declined dramatically in recent times, some populations are now confined to protected areas and are locally overabundant—an undesirable situation for both biodiversity conservation and elephants. In forested protected areas, options to manage elephants are limited because it is difficult to safely approach animals, yet it is vital that these populations are managed because browsing by elephants can dramatically alter forest ecosystems. Using data collected over 50 yr in Kibale National Park, Uganda, we examine the prediction that increasing elephant numbers and associated changes in their foraging behavior have caused a shift in tree community composition. Although the relative abundance of elephants increased significantly between 1996 and 2010, the population structure of their preferred tree food species did not change, nor did tree community composition change in favor of species able to re-sprout after elephant damage. Furthermore, over the last 50 yr Kibale elephants have not become more selective foragers, as would be expected if more nutritious tree species were declining. However, elephants are more abundant in disturbed areas dominated by shrubs and grasses and appear to have arrested forest succession in these areas. At their current abundance, elephants have not selectively altered the composition of intact old growth forest, but they do inhibit the regeneration of disturbed areas.

The Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis is a widely distributed species in neotropical America, it is tolerant to human interventions, but we know little about its foraging ecology on the Colombian Andes. Therefore, we studied the foraging strategy and, additionally, the value of foraging patches along two young live fences (< 2 year planted) in relation to the Bogota River in Cajica, in an Andean highland plateau in Colombia. The Bogota River is one of few areas dominated by arboreal vegetation in an urban- rural matrix at the study site. We used artificial food patches made of aluminum trays with seeds mixed with sand. We measured the proportion of food consumed in patches with different initial food density to determine whether sparrows obtain information from the patch. We also used artificial patches to determine whether distance to the river affected the sparrow’s foraging in two young live fences. Our results indicate that Z. capensis did not gather any information from the patch and did not differentiate patches with different amounts of food. Furthermore, the distance to the river affected the value of food patches, but only in one of the live fences, where there was higher food consumption close to the river. Apparently, the food initial-density did not affect the patch exploitation level by sparrows, but the patch value in young live fences could be influenced by distance to the river.

Great Salt Lake (GSL) is the largest hypersaline lake in North America and is the fall staging area for a high proportion of North America's Wilson's Phalaropes (Phalaropus tricolor) and Red-necked Phalaropes (Phalaropus lobatus). Unfortunately, diversion of freshwater for agriculture and development has decreased the size of GSL by 48%. To assess the potential impact of a smaller GSL on phalaropes, we collected data from 2013 to 2015 from sites where large, dense flocks of phalaropes congregated and sites where there were no phalaropes. At each site, we measured the densities of invertebrates that were preyed upon by phalaropes, including larval and adult brine flies (Ephydridae), adult brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana), chironomid larvae (Chironomidae), and corixid adults (Corixidae). Abiotic characteristics measured included water depth, water salinity, water temperature, wind speed, and benthic substrate. We analyzed high-salinity sites separately from low-salinity sites because they contained different invertebrates. High-salinity sites were in Carrington and Gilbert bays and were relatively deep (mostly <2 m). At the high-salinity sites, phalaropes exhibited a preference for sites with an abundance of adult brine flies and for microbialite substrates. The low-salinity sites were in Ogden and Farmington bays and were shallow (<1 m). At low-salinity sites, large phalarope flocks were more likely to occur at sites that were shallower, less saline, and had a high biomass of benthic macroinvertebrates. Our results indicate that physical features and prey availability are both important in determining phalarope habitat use at GSL. Phalaropes prefer to use shallower parts of GSL and brackish waters. These areas will be especially impacted by decreased freshwater inflow into GSL.

The Tricolored Blackbird (Agelaius tricolor) is a range-restricted, colonial-nesting species in decline. Colonies include tens of thousands of individuals that forage in the surrounding landscape, at times commuting miles between nesting and foraging grounds. We explored the role of landscape composition on colony occupancy and mapped core and potential spring foraging habitat in California, USA. We used observations of spring Tricolored Blackbird nesting colonies from 2008, 2011, and 2014 and characterized changes in the surrounding landscape during an extended drought. Then, we constructed occurrence and abundance models in order to map core foraging habitat across 4 ecoregions in California. Finally, we used simulated land cover changes to identify potential habitat under restoration scenarios. Across the 3 survey years, surface water declined over time at unoccupied colony locations but remained stable at occupied colony locations, confirming that permanent surface water was a critical feature of persistent Tricolored Blackbird colonies. Average percent cover of nearly all land cover types suitable for foraging, as well as frequency of dairies and median NDVI, were all higher in current or historical colony sites than elsewhere. The proportion of surrounding alfalfa, grasslands, and surface water were the elements of foraging habitat best able to predict Tricolored Blackbird early breeding season colony presence and colony size. Core foraging habitat covered over 6 million acres in the study region, but only 18% was occupied in 2014. This result suggests a need to study additional factors determining colony occurrence and persistence, such as landscape connectivity, distributions of nesting substrates, and risk from predators. The vast majority (93.1%) of Tricolored Blackbird core habitat occurred on private land; therefore, saving the species will require engagement and partnership with private landowners.

The extinction of large herbivores, often keystone species, can dramatically modify plant communities and impose key biotic thresholds that may prevent an ecosystem returning to its previous state and threaten native biodiversity. A potentially innovative, yet controversial, landscape-based long-term restoration approach is to replace missing plant-herbivore interactions with non-native herbivores. Aldabran giant (Aldabrachelys gigantea) and Madagascan radiated (Astrochelys radiata) tortoises, taxonomically and functionally similar to the extinct Mauritian giant tortoises (Cylindraspis spp.), were introduced to Round Island, Mauritius, in 2007 to control the non-native plants that were threatening persistence of native species. We monitored the response of the plant community to tortoise grazing for 11 months in enclosures before the tortoises were released and, compared the cost of using tortoises as weeders with the cost of using manual labor. At the end of this period, plant biomass; vegetation height and cover; and adult, seedling, flower, and seed abundance were 3-136 times greater in adjacent control plots than in the tortoise enclosures. After their release, the free-roaming tortoises grazed on most non-native plants and significantly reduced vegetation cover, height, and seed production, reflecting findings from the enclosure study. The tortoises generally did not eat native species, although they consumed those native species that increased in abundance following the eradication of mammalian herbivores. Our results suggest that introduced non-native tortoises are a more cost-effective approach to control non-native vegetation than manual weeding. Numerous long-term outcomes (e.g., change in species composition and soil seed bank) are possible following tortoise releases. Monitoring and adaptive management are needed to ensure that the replacement herbivores promote the recovery of native plants. La extinción de grandes herbívoros, casi siempre especies clave, puede modificar dramáticamente a las comunidades de plantas e imponer umbrales bióticos claves que pueden impedir que un ecosistema regrese a su estado previo y que amenacen a la biodiversidad nativa. Una aproximación potencialmente innovadora, a largo plazo basada en el paisaje, pero controversial, consiste en reemplazar las interacciones herbívoro-planta faltantes con herbívoros no-nativos. Aldabrachelys gigantea y Astrochelys radiata son tortugas terrestres similares funcional y taxonómicamente a la especie extinta Cylindraspis spp., que fueron introducidas a Round Island, Mauricio, en 2007 para controlar a las plantas no-nativas que estaban amenazando la persistencia de especies nativas. Monitoreamos la respuesta de la comunidad vegetal al forrajeo de las tortugas durante 11 meses en encierros antes de que las tortugas fueran liberadas y comparamos el costo de usar a las tortugas como eliminadores de hierbas con el costo de usar labor manual. Al final de este periodo la biomasa vegetal, la altura y cobertura de la vegetación, y la abundancia de adultos, plántulas, flores y semillas eran entre 3-316 veces más grandes en terrenos control adyacentes que en los encierros con tortugas. Después de su liberación, las tortugas forrajearon a casi todas las plantas no-nativas y redujeron significativamente la cobertura de la vegetación, altura y producción de semilla, igualando los resultados del estudio de los encierros. Las tortugas en general no comieron especies nativas aunque sí consumieron aquellas especies nativas cuya abundancia incrementó después de la erradicación de mamíferos herbívoros. Nuestros resultados sugieren que las tortugas no-nativas introducidas son una aproximación más económica que el deshierbe manual para controlar a la vegetación no-nativa. Numerosos resultados a largo plazo (e.g., cambios en la composición de especies y el banco de semillas en el suelo) son posibles una vez liberadas las tortugas. Se requiere de monitoreo y manejo adaptativo para asegurar que los herbívoros de reemplazo promuevan la recuperación de las plantas nativas.

A unique foraging behavior of the Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) was observed in south Florida on 4 June 2016. A Great White Heron was observed foraging in a marina using a stick as an artificial lure to attract prey. While wading in shallow water, the heron used its bill to drop sticks (10–15 cm in length) into the water, followed quickly by the heron striking the water near the stick. The Great White Heron was not observed capturing prey while using this technique; however, a plausible explanation for this behavior is prey attraction as the heron was actively foraging without a lure prior to the bait-fishing behavior. This first recorded use of artificial lures by a Great White Heron individual supports the welldocumented flexibility in prey use and foraging behavior by the species, Ardea herodias.