Anett Richter

Moths in fragments: insights into the biology and ecology of the Australian endangered golden sun moth Synemon plana (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) in natural temperate and exotic grassland remnants

The conservation and management of endangered species requires an adequate understanding of their biology and ecology. Although there has been an increasing appreciation in Australia of the need for greater efforts to conserve insects, there is only limited information available that can be used to underpin conservation efforts. The endangered golden sun moth, Synemon plana (Lepidoptera: Castniidae) is a flagship species endemic to natural temperate grassland in south-eastern Australia. Most populations of this species are at considerable risk from habitat loss, weed invasion and inadequate management. Despite the considerable knowledge that exists about the species biology and ecology, efforts to improve the species conservation status are hampered because there are still critical gaps in our understanding of the species’ natural history. In particular, the ecology of the larvae is not known. Our study examined the abundance, population structure and reproductive biology of the moths in a broad sample of both natural temperate and exotic grassland remnants in and near Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in south-eastern Australia. The results fill critical gaps in the knowledge needed to achieve effective conservation management. From our findings, it is clear that the species inhabits grasslands dominated by a mixture of native wallaby grasses (Rytidosperma spp. (formerly Austrodanthonia)) and spear grasses (Austrostipa spp.). In contrast to earlier suggestions that S. plana is entirely confined to natural temperate grassland, mature and immature life stages of the species were also present in grasslands comprised entirely of the exotic Chilean needlegrass (Nassella neesiana). Most of the S. plana populations surveyed in the ACT were characterised by low relative abundance with only very few large populations being recorded. The conservation of exotic grasslands as substitute habitat for S. plana is discussed and suggestions regarding future monitoring and research of the species are provided.

Social licence through citizen science: A tool for marine conservation

Citizen science can increase social licence for conservation. With decreasing trust in government, active and meaningful public engagement in science and data collection is needed to foster informed and publically-accepted natural resource management. Citizen science presents a valuable avenue to achieve such engagement, in addition to other benefits. Citizen science is a partnership between scientists and the public to address scientific questions of common interest or often, concern, and to collect, analyse, publish and communicate data for science. This study explores whether citizen science can also play a role in generating social licence, using European marine citizen science as a case study. To date, social licence in the marine space has largely focused on industry and extractive uses of the marine environment. However, much could be gained in exploring social licence for non-extractive uses including marine conservation and the best means to engage the public to support these efforts. Here, we use in-depth semi-quantitative interviews and online surveys to demonstrate how citizen science may play a role in enhancing social licence and the mechanisms through which this can occur. Our research suggests that citizen science can engage and inform the public about science and the marine environment and can enhance the flow and exchange of information between society, science and marine management. Citizen science may have considerable potential to generate and develop social licence for marine conservation in Europe and elsewhere.