About the Project
The Philippines is deemed the “hottest” biodiversity hotspot (Shi et al., 2005), due to high species richness across multiple ecosystems and rapid habitat conversion. The Negros bleeding-heart dove (Gallicolumba keayi) is a Critically Endangered columbid (Birdlife International, 2017), whose striking appearance and stringent habitat requirements (low elevation primary tropical forest), make it a flagship species, whose conservation may benefit numerous threatened endemic species. The Bristol Zoological Society (BZS), in collaboration with conservation NGO PhilinCon, have conducted acoustic and camera-trap surveys of the Northwest Panay Peninsula, and confirmed that G. keayi is present in multiple locations. PhilinCon, founded by Professor Eberhard Curio, have been active in biodiversity conservation in the Philippines since 1996. Island-wide surveys on Panay and Negros are now needed to identify forest remnants where this species persists and determine its specific habitat requirements and main threats, in order to create a species conservation action plan.
Project Aims and Methods:
1. Conduct surveys of G. keayi at 10 plots within 10 survey sites using a) acoustic monitoring, b) point-counts incorporating call playbacks, c) camera-traps, and d) interviews of communities and conservationists.
2. Determine the habitat requirements of G. keayi using a) habitat data (quadrats to determine canopy cover, tree taxa and stem diameter distribution) from survey plots, and b) mixed-effects models, accounting for spatial autocorrelation.
3. Conduct GIS analyses using forest cover and elevation to identify 10 most suitable sites for G. keayi conservation on Panay and Negros. The Global Forest Change dataset (Hansen et al., 2013) will be used to identify areas with >90% forest cover. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission dataset will be used to extract areas below 700m elevation.
4. Ecological niche modelling using field and remote-sensed data to predict regions with highest probability of G. keayi occurrence.
5. Determine key threats and their locations using a) quantitative interviews of communities to assess forest use, and b) acoustic monitoring for gunshots/chainsaws. Threat analysis will guide forest ranger patrols.
6. Develop a G. keayi conservation action plan.
The multiple project aims allow for a high degree of flexibility to involve the student in project direction and design.
Funding Notes
This is a competition funded project through the NERC GW4+ DTP. There is a competitive selection process. This studentship will cover fees, stipend and research costs for UK students and UK residents. For more information on eligibility please see: https://nercgw4plus.ac.uk/research-themes/prospective-students/
A first or high 2:1 honours degree in Zoology, Conservation Science or related subject (MRes preferable). An understanding of acoustic research, some practical conservation experience and an interest in fieldwork. High motivation, adaptability, independence and critical thinking. The capacity to develop excellent analytic rigour, project planning, time management and leadership.
References
BirdLife International. 2017. Gallicolumba keayi (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22690988A117331949. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22690988A117331949.en. Downloaded on 10 September 2018.
Hansen, M.C., Potapov, P.V., Moore, R., Hancher, M., Turubanova, S.A.A., Tyukavina, A., Thau, D., Stehman, S.V., Goetz, S.J., Loveland, T.R. and Kommareddy, A., 2013. High-resolution global maps of 21st-century forest cover change. Science, 342(6160), pp.850-853.
Shi, H., Singh, A., Kant, S., Zhu, Z. and Waller, E., 2005. Integrating habitat status, human population pressure, and protection status into biodiversity conservation priority setting. Conservation Biology, 19(4), pp.1273-1285.
Continue with Facebook
