Adrian J. Armstrong

Application of the IUCN Red Listing system to setting species targets for conservation planning purposes

Biodiversity targets, or estimates of the quantities of biodiversity features that should be conserved in a region, are fundamental to systematic conservation planning. We propose that targets for species should be based on the quantitative thresholds developed for the Vulnerable category of the IUCN Red List system, thereby avoiding future listings of species in an IUCN Red List threat category or an increase in the extinction risk, or ultimate extinction, of species already listed as threatened. Examples of this approach are presented for case studies from South Africa, including threatened taxa listed under the IUCN Red List criteria of A to D, a species listed as Near Threatened, a species of conservation concern due to its rarity, and one species in need of recovery. The method gives rise to multiple representation targets, an improvement on the often used single representation targets that are inadequate for long term maintenance of biodiversity or the arbitrary multiple representation and percentage targets that are sometimes adopted. Through the implementation of the resulting conservation plan, these targets will ensure that the conservation status of threatened species do not worsen over time by qualifying for higher categories of threat and may actually improve their conservation status by eliminating the threat of habitat loss and stabilizing population declines. The positive attributes ascribed to the IUCN Red List system, and therefore to the species targets arising from this approach, are important when justifying decisions that limit land uses known to be detrimental to biodiversity.

Conservation status of herpetofauna endemic to Kwazulu-Natal : original article

Abstract The KwaZulu‐Natal Nature Conservation Service is undertaking a long‐term project to determine the value of untransformed land for biodiversity conservation, to map these areas in accordance with their relative values, and to identify and prioritise irreplaceable areas. Existing distribution data for amphibian and reptile species and subspecies that are considered endemic to KwaZulu‐Natal were collated, refined, entered into a database, checked and verified before being used for modelling purposes. The potential distributions of the species were modelled at a scale of four hectares using distribution data of spatial resolution of ≤ 250 m. Six of the 14 endemic amphibian and reptilian species and subspecies meet the two conservation goals of: (1) at least 10 % of their present distributions under formal conservation management, and; (2) three such protected areas with viable populations. A benefit of modelling the potential distributions of endemics is that searching for populations of these amphibians and reptiles can be directed to areas where they are expected to occur. The data collected can then be used to improve the distribution models for these endemics, some of which are poorly known. The species distributions and their associated conservation targets form a vital component of the long‐term, iterative, systematic conservation planning project currently underway in the province.

Translocation of black-headed dwarf chameleons Bradypodion melanocephalum in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa : original article

Abstract The coastal population of the black‐headed dwarf chameleon Bradypodion melanocephalum is threatened by rapid urban expansion in and around Durban which lies in the centre of the chameleon populations distribution. Translocations of threatened species from urban development sites is a mitigation method that is used in various parts of the world. The translocation of B. melanocephalum largely by volunteers from a proposed light industrial business park to two neighbouring areas with partially restored habitats was eventually successful in one recipient area and unsuccessful in the other. The results suggest that translocations of B. melanocephalum from development construction sites to recipient areas will only be successful if adequate time and resources are available for: a) finding and securing suitable areas for habitat restoration; b) sufficient restoration of the indigenous vegetation in the recipient areas before the capture and translocation of B. melanocephalum from the proposed development sites; c) searching for, and capture of, all B. melanocephalum on the development sites, and; d) long‐term management of the restored habitat in a manner that does not result in significantly elevated mortality or dispersal of B. melanocephalum. Monitoring of B. melanocephalum numbers in the recipient sites, by at least two people per transect, is important to gauge the success or otherwise of the translocation. Monitoring can give insights into the controllable factors that have an impact on the numbers of chameleons, and provide suggestions as how to improve the management of the habitat.

Subterranean herpetofauna show a decline after 34 years in Ndumu Game Reserve, South Africa

Subterranean herpetofauna comprise an estimated 20% of the worlds amphibians and reptiles but are one of the least studied groups of terrestrial vertebrates. Monitoring population trends and threats to these species is dependent in part on quantitative historical data, which are generally lacking. One exception is a 1970 study conducted in Ndumu Game Reserve, South Africa. We revisited this area in 2004 and carried out comparative quantitative sampling in deciduous broad-leaf woodland and sand forest habitats. Our results show a 79% reduction in density of subterranean herpetofauna, as well as a reduction in diversity. Mann-Whitney tests show that the amphisbaenian Zygaspis vandami has undergone a significant reduction in density in both habitats sampled. We relate reductions in subterranean herpetofaunal densities to an increased density of the Reserves ungulate grazers, suggesting a link between reduction in leaf-litter and soil macrofauna prey of the fossorial reptiles. This study highlights the need for quantitative surveys of subterranean herpetofauna to support future conservation efforts.

Distribution and conservation of the coastal population of the black-headed dwarf chameleon Bradypodion melanocephalum in KwaZulu-Natal : original article

Abstract The coastal population of the black-headed dwarf chameleon Bradypodion melanocephalum in KwaZulu-Natal appears to be centred on the eThekwini Municipal Area, which is experiencing rapid urban development. This population occurs in few statutory protected areas, all of which are small. In order to conserve successfully the coastal population in KwaZulu-Natal, knowledge of its geographic range and location of potentially suitable habitat is required. Bradypodion melanocephalum was until recently known mainly from Durban, with isolated records from areas to the north and south. A cartographic model was used to estimate the distribution of the coastal population in KwaZulu-Natal. The model predictions were ground-truthed, and the model was found to have a positive predictive power of 0.57 and a negative predictive power of 0.84. The relatively low positive predictive power of the model appeared related to habitat management that is not appropriate for the conservation of B. melanocephalum. The geographic range was then estimated using a Maxent model to predict climate suitability while at the same time taking cognizance of a dispersal barrier, the output of which was further refined in a geographic information system to exclude areas of unsuitable landcover. The variables included in the final model were mean daily minimum temperature of the coldest month and mean daily maximum relative humidity of the coldest month. Both these variables relate to dew formation in the dry winter period, and dew appears to be a critical water source for B. melanocephalum during winter. The Maxent model estimates greater probabilities of occurrence towards the coast, where rapid urbanisation is occurring. This urbanisation is one of the threats to the survival of the coastal population of Bradypodion melanocephalum. The utility of translocation of B. melanocephalum to areas that will not be developed within a development site in comparison to translocation ofT-site as mitigation to ensure the conservation of the coastal population in rapidly urbanizing areas needs to be investigated further.

Studying Earthworms (Annelida: Oligochaeta) in South Africa

ABSTRACT Earthworms are an important component of southern African invertebrate diversity, due both to their influential roles in soil ecosystems, and the relatively large number of species. As of 2010, there were 282 indigenous earthworm species (most endemic) known to South Africa belonging to three families: Microchaetidae, Tritogeniidae and Acanthodrilidae. In addition, 44 introduced species from six families had been recorded. However, earthworms are rarely included in environmental monitoring or conservation programmes—partly because sampling and species identification are difficult and many sampling methods are destructive and/or toxic. In this paper we review the earthworm sampling techniques most commonly used by screening data from a digitised literature collection on South African earthworms and on-line global searches. By examining a case study sampling of three vegetation types, this paper highlights taxonomic challenges and the effort required to properly curate specimens. The study provides recommendations for future sampling and highlights some key priorities for future work on the group. From the literature review in early 2012, it is clear that collection techniques are often insufficiently recorded in published work. A total of 10 938 publications from the period 1950 to 2012 were found from the literature search and digitised collection and from these only 32 papers recorded the sampling methodology (mainly hand sorting) for South African research, pointing to the need to adopt standard sampling and reporting protocols. We also tested two of the most popular methodologies in the field. Sampling was conducted in January and February 2012 at four sites, with 24 plots at each site (12 digging and 12 using mustard extraction). A total of 2 094 earthworms collected could be assigned a species name, with introduced species predominating at both disturbed and natural sites. It took a team of three to five people digging and hand collecting all earthworm specimens encountered in a plot of 50 cm × 50 cm × 20 cm deep around 45 to 60 minutes. However, much more time was spent curating and identifying samples. While we recommend following the ISO (ISO11268-3, ISO23611-1) protocol for collecting introduced taxa, to get a complete inventory of South African earthworms a range of sampling techniques will be required; in particular, a large 1 m × 1 m × 20 cm plot is required for many large bodied native taxa, and the collection of giant earthworms will require different approaches. The identification of specimens requires skills that are scarce in the country and so there is an urgent need for training and funding for fundamental work on earthworm taxonomy. An atlasing project could serve as a focal point for future research. In providing some general recommendations based on the long and fruitful history of research on earthworms in South Africa, we are optimistic that a better understanding of the group will help us to both improve our usage of natural resources and provide insights into this vitally important edaphic group.

English names of the millipedes (Diplopoda) of KwaZulu-Natal

ABSTRACT Certain groups of invertebrates are becoming mainstreamed in conservation activities in KwaZulu-Natal, particularly groups that have many species endemic to the province and that are confined to small distribution ranges. As a result of this there is a need to assign common (English) names where these are unavailable. A list of scientific names and standardised common names is presented for species of millipede occurring in KwaZulu-Natal.

Ibonikawhite , new replacement name for Whitea Descamps, 1977 (Orthoptera: Thericleidae), not Whitea Hutton, 1904 (Coleoptera: Pselaphinae), and standardised English names for the included species

Marius Descamps (1977) established the genus Whitea for four new species of forbhoppers (Orthoptera: Thericleidae) from the present-day Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa. The type species (by original designation) is W. fissicauda Descamps, 1977. Descampss genus name is, however, preoccupied by Whitea Hutton, 1904, the name of a monotypic shortwing mould beetle genus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae) from New Zealand. Whitea Hutton is itself a replacement name and was involved in another nomenclatural muddle, resolved by Brown (1964). The type species of the pselaphine genus (by monotypy) is Euplectus laevifrons Broun, 1893: 1425.