Institution
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds
Nonprofit•Sandy, United Kingdom•
About: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is a nonprofit organization based out in Sandy, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biodiversity. The organization has 670 authors who have published 1425 publications receiving 88006 citations. The organization is also known as: RSPB & Plumage League.
Topics: Population, Biodiversity, Threatened species, Foraging, Habitat
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
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University of Cambridge1, Rothamsted Research2, University of Sheffield3, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds4, University of Nottingham5, University of Aberdeen6, University of Oxford7, University of Edinburgh8, National Autonomous University of Mexico9, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation10, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad11, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro12, Federal University of Bahia13, University of Bristol14, World Conservation Monitoring Centre15
TL;DR: This study argues that high-yield farming impacts should be measured per unit of production and shows that viewed this way, some land-efficient systems have less impact than lower-yielding alternatives, and suggests that trade-offs among key cost metrics are not as ubiquitous as sometimes perceived.
Abstract: How we manage farming and food systems to meet rising demand is pivotal to the future of biodiversity Extensive field data suggest that impacts on wild populations would be greatly reduced through boosting yields on existing farmland so as to spare remaining natural habitats High-yield farming raises other concerns because expressed per unit area it can generate high levels of externalities such as greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient losses However, such metrics underestimate the overall impacts of lower-yield systems Here we develop a framework that instead compares externality and land costs per unit production We apply this framework to diverse data sets that describe the externalities of four major farm sectors and reveal that, rather than involving trade-offs, the externality and land costs of alternative production systems can covary positively: per unit production, land-efficient systems often produce lower externalities For greenhouse gas emissions, these associations become more strongly positive once forgone sequestration is included Our conclusions are limited: remarkably few studies report externalities alongside yields; many important externalities and farming systems are inadequately measured; and realizing the environmental benefits of high-yield systems typically requires additional measures to limit farmland expansion Nevertheless, our results suggest that trade-offs among key cost metrics are not as ubiquitous as sometimes perceived
168 citations
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International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources1, University of the Philippines Los Baños2, University of Tasmania3, Duke University4, Stony Brook University5, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds6, BirdLife International7, University of Cambridge8, South African National Parks9, Stellenbosch University10, Zoological Society of London11, Microsoft12, ETH Zurich13, Sapienza University of Rome14
TL;DR: It is recommended that IUCN Red List assessments document AOH wherever practical, because it can guide conservation, for example, through targeting areas for field surveys, assessing proportions of species' habitat within protected areas, and monitoring habitat loss and fragmentation.
Abstract: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species includes assessment of extinction risk for 98 512 species, plus documentation of their range, habitat, elevation, and other factors. These range, habitat and elevation data can be matched with terrestrial land cover and elevation datasets to map the species' area of habitat (AOH; also known as extent of suitable habitat; ESH). This differs from the two spatial metrics used for assessing extinction risk in the IUCN Red List criteria: extent of occurrence (EOO) and area of occupancy (AOO). AOH can guide conservation, for example, through targeting areas for field surveys, assessing proportions of species' habitat within protected areas, and monitoring habitat loss and fragmentation. We recommend that IUCN Red List assessments document AOH wherever practical.
164 citations
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TL;DR: The PREDICTS project as discussed by the authors provides a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use.
Abstract: The PREDICTS project—Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)—has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
162 citations
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01 Oct 2010
TL;DR: This paper estimated the size of 30 defined populations of geese wintering in the Western Palearctic (including five released or reintroduced populations of three species) from almost full count coverage or robust sampling and ten were well estimated based on more than 50% of their total being counted.
Abstract: We estimated the size of 30 defined populations of geese wintering in the Western Palearctic (including five released or reintroduced populations of three species). Fourteen populations were accurately estimated from almost full count coverage or robust sampling and ten were well estimated based on more than 50% of their total being counted. An estimated 5.03 million geese wintered in January 2009, up on 3.10 million in January 1993. Only two populations numbered less than 10,000 birds (Scandinavian Lesser White-fronted Goose and Svalbard/Greenland Light-bellied Brent Goose, the former being critically small within restricted range). Eighteen populations numbered 10,000–100,000, eight 100,000–1,000,000 and the largest 1.2 million individuals. Of 21 populations with known longer term trends, 16 are showing significant exponential increases, 4 are stable and one declining. Amongst these same populations, five are declining since the 1990s. Long term declines in productivity were found in 7 out of 15 populations. Amongst most of the 11 populations for which data exist, there were no significant long-term trends in annual adult survival. Improved monitoring, including demographic, is required to retain populations in favorable conservation status.
160 citations
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TL;DR: This article conducted a structured review of interviews in the context of conservation decision-making and found that researchers are failing to provide a rationale as to why interviews are the most suitable method; not piloting the interviews (thus questions may be poorly designed), not outlining ethical considerations; not providing clear guides to analysis, nor critically reviewing their use of interviews.
Abstract: 1: Interviews are a widely used methodology in conservation research. They are flexible, allowing in- depth analysis from a relatively small sample size, and place the focus of research on the views of participants. While interviews are a popular method, several critiques have been raised in response to their use, including the lack of transparency in sampling strategy, choice of questions, and mode of analysis. 2: In this paper, we analyse the use of interviews in research aimed at making decisions for conservation. Through a structured review of 228 papers, we explore where, why, and how interviews were used in the context of conservation decision-making. 3: The review suggests that interviews are a widely used method for a broad range of purposes. These include gaining ecological and/or socio-economic information on specific conservation issues, understanding knowledge, values, beliefs or decision-making processes of stakeholders, and strengthening research design and output. The review, however, identifies a number of concerns. Researchers are not reporting fully on their interview methodology. Specifically, results indicate that researchers are: failing to provide a rationale as to why interviews are the most suitable method; not piloting the interviews (thus questions may be poorly designed), not outlining ethical considerations; not providing clear guides to analysis, nor critically reviewing their use of interviews. 4: Based on the results of the review, we provide a detailed checklist aimed at conservation researchers who wish to use interviews in their research (whether experienced in using the methodology or not), and journal editors and reviewers to ensure the robustness of interview methodology use.
160 citations
Authors
Showing all 672 results
Name | H-index | Papers | Citations |
---|---|---|---|
Andrew Balmford | 91 | 290 | 33359 |
Rhys E. Green | 78 | 285 | 30428 |
Richard D. Gregory | 61 | 165 | 18428 |
Richard Evans | 48 | 306 | 10513 |
Rafael Mateo | 46 | 238 | 7091 |
Deborah J. Pain | 46 | 99 | 6717 |
Jeremy D. Wilson | 45 | 123 | 12587 |
Les G. Underhill | 45 | 233 | 8217 |
Richard B. Bradbury | 42 | 113 | 8062 |
Paul F. Donald | 41 | 117 | 11153 |
James W. Pearce-Higgins | 40 | 144 | 5623 |
Jörn P. W. Scharlemann | 40 | 84 | 16393 |
Juliet A. Vickery | 39 | 116 | 8494 |
Mark A. Taggart | 38 | 111 | 3703 |
Patrick W Thompson | 38 | 144 | 6379 |