Wilderlands’ Post

The Preliminary findings of the Scottish National Adder Survey commissioned by Nature Scot - work carried out by Scottish ARGs and based on the presentation by Angela Julian at the Glasgow Natural History Society - Scottish Herpetological Conference in June 2023. It is great that adders are being lifted up the agenda (we hope) in nature conservation circles. https://lnkd.in/ebCb8pgy

Elephants in the Sabi Sand & Greater Kruger – A Complex Relationship This photo captures a magnificent old and battle-worn elephant bull, and it brings to mind the deep connections and complexities surrounding elephants in the Greater Kruger landscape, particularly in the Sabi Sand. Elephants are a species I love and I take any opportunity to switch off and spend time with these old bulls. But they are also at the heart of a delicate balance. On one side, we have passionate elephant advocates, and on the other, those deeply concerned with their numbers and their impact on trees, vegetation and soils. Somewhere in between lies the truth or maybe the answer, or at least a version of it. Perhaps we just need to be asking the right questions. A recently published paper by Sam Ferreira from South African National Parks (SANParks) highlights some important findings in that Elephant numbers are increasing in South Africa, particularly in Kruger National Park. The latest aerial surveys estimate that around 31,324 elephants (with a 95% confidence interval of 28,457–34,191) reside in Kruger, reflecting an annual growth rate of 5.3% since 2013. See the paper here: https://lnkd.in/gid7Y-hg and here: https://lnkd.in/g5v4CrNv This great work underscores that understanding accurate population sizes is crucial to guide conservation efforts and assess the broader impact of these animals on their environment. Finding balance in conservation isn’t easy, but it’s essential for the future of both elephants and the landscapes they inhabit. Photo credit: Myself #elephants #conservation #sabisand #krugernationalpark #biodiversity #wildliferesearch #sustainableconservation

Our Arboricultural services has just reached a new milestone... ...we have completed a full year of surveys under the direction of Senior Arboriculturist (& Ecologist) Misho Baxendale MCIEEM, MArborA. 🎂 1️⃣ Most of our clients recognise and repeatedly ask for support with their ecology needs, but we are also informing them about complimentary support for Arboriculture too including: ¦ BS5837 Tree Survey, with Tree Survey Schedule (TSS) and Tree Constraints Plan (TCP) ¦ Arboricultural Feasibility Survey, with Opportunities and Constraints Plan ¦ Preliminary Arboricultural Impact Assessment (pAIA) ¦ Arboricultural Impact Assessment (AIA) Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/ds-Tq8w3 Tree-mendous work (sorry, but had to get at least one pun in the post). #Arboriculture #BS5837 #TreeSurvey #ArboriculturalImpactAssessment

New article available in Coral Reefs 🌊 . This article titled "Structural attributes and macrofaunal assemblages associated with rose gorgonian gardens (Leptogorgia sp. nov.) in Central Chile: opening the door for conservation actions" investigates one of the largest populations of gorgonians, with up to 90 individuals per m2, and all associated fauna. https://lnkd.in/dmeJQPNa

🌞 Navigating Nature’s Timeline: Supporting Desert Tortoise Conservation in the Mojave 🐢 In the world of environmental consulting, timing is everything. For wildlife like the desert tortoise, the seasons dictate when we can best support and protect their habitats. That’s why October is one of our busiest months! The desert tortoise is most active in the spring and fall, right before and after its winter rest, so our team is out in full force, monitoring and assisting these unique creatures while temperatures stay warm. Whether it’s surveys, tracking, or health assessments, we’re dedicated to keeping projects on schedule and aligned with regulatory requirements. 🌐 Curious about how this work fits into broader project needs? Stay tuned over the coming weeks as we explore desert tortoise tracking and showcase how cutting-edge mapping (GIS) technology streamlines project planning in the Mojave. Exciting updates are on the way! #EnvironmentalConsulting #WildlifeSupport #ProjectPlanning #DesertTortoise #Mojave

And your traditional methods encouraging Re-Wilding and the support of nature are captured here: https://lnkd.in/eYMc_UCZ

DCR’s Natural Heritage Program Karst Protection Coordinator Wil Orndorff coauthored the Virginia Museum of Natural History’s new special publication, The Groundwater Isopods of Virginia (Isopoda: Asellidae and Cirolanidae). Why? Because Virginia has the most diverse array of aquatic isopods living in groundwater-related habitats of any state in the United States. There are 44 species occurring in Virginia’s karst habitats (caves and springs) of the Appalachian Valley and Ridge Province and in shallow groundwater habitats of the Atlantic Coastal Plain Province. An overview of the groundwater isopod fauna of Virginia and the adjacent regions indicates that many species are highly vulnerable. ⚠️ Out of 53 species studied, conservation status rankings suggest that 26 are critically imperiled, 15 are imperiled, 6 are vulnerable and only 6 are secure. Learn more 📖 Download a free PDF or purchase a hardcopy at https://lnkd.in/eVXPniyH.

Read the latest peer-reviewed article on our website, Assessing Ecological and Socio-Political Factors in Site Selection for Ocelot Reintroduction in Texas. The authors describe an assessment to identify potential sites for reintroducing the endangered ocelot in Texas, where 97% of land is privately owned. Their assessment incorporates ecological factors like vegetation cover and threats as well as socio-political factors related to land ownership patterns and potential landowner support. Click the link below to see how a geospatial analysis evaluated sites based on habitat size, ocelot ecological requirements, possible threats, and socio-political factors like land ownership fragmentation. #eastfoundation #ckwri #nri #peerreviewed #privateland #southtexas #ocelot #habitat #ranchland #wildlife #management #conservation #stewardship Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute-Texas A&M University Kingsville Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute https://lnkd.in/gEit-6PX Martinez, L., J.V. Lombardi, G. Powers, A.D. Anderson, T.A. Campbell and R.R. Lopez. 2024. Assessing ecological and socio-political factors in site selection for ocelot reintroductions in Texas. Conservation Science and Practice e13113. https://lnkd.in/gnTRBqeR (East Foundation Manuscript 099)

Surveying Seagrass in Chichester Harbour… How a hovercraft has been on a mission to map the intertidal seagrass. This survey work will provide the first full extent and condition survey of this precious habitat within Chichester Harbour, an important baseline and the basis for protecting and actively restoring our seagrass meadows. https://lnkd.in/eAGsmwWE

Today is International Tiger Day (Panthera tigris), so I thought I'd create a map on ArcGIS Pro depicting Global Tiger Distribution, based on data from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Habitat fragmentation, among other anthropogenic stresses have reduced tiger habitat significantly over the years. On a positive note, there is a lot of work being done on species recovery at the local level, with conservation tech playing an important role. Check out this post https://lnkd.in/gaBYdsrd where Rhett Ayers Butler shares some positive news for this species, based on work being done in Thailand! Cartography check ins: - I used the 'Modern Antique' base map on ArcGIS to get this vintage/ watercolor look to the map. - The tiger print on the 'resident' layer was done by using a picture fill symbology for that layer!