An Interesting Mix of Conservation-related Analyses

Links to an interesting mix of conservation-related analyses.

Last updated: January 7, 2011
PLoS ONE: Mapping Migratory Bird Prevalence Using Remote Sensing Data Fusion: Mapping Migratory Bird Prevalence Using Remote Sensing Data Fusion. Open Access.

Identifying mismatches between habitat selection and habitat quality in a ground-nesting farmland bird - Gilroy - 2011 - Animal Conservation - Wiley Online Library: Identifying mismatches between habitat selection and habitat quality in a ground-nesting farmland bird. Open Access


ScienceDirect - Trends in Ecology & Evolution : Time for a change: dynamic urban ecology: Time for a change: dynamic urban ecology

Nest-site selection in the Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) in central New Hampshire - Canadian Journal of Zoology: Nest-site selection in the Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) in central New Hampshire

Avian responses to experimental harvest in southern boreal mixedwood shoreline forests: implications for riparian buffer management - Canadian Journal of Forest Research: Avian responses to experimental harvest in southern boreal mixedwood shoreline forests: implications for riparian buffer management

PLoS ONE: Avian Conservation Practices Strengthen Ecosystem Services in California Vineyards: Avian Conservation Practices Strengthen Ecosystem Services in California Vineyards

PLoS ONE: Noise Pollution Filters Bird Communities Based on Vocal Frequency: Noise Pollution Filters Bird Communities Based on Vocal Frequency

ScienceDirect - Forest Ecology and Management : Do mature forest birds prefer early-successional habitat during the post-fledging period?: Do mature forest birds prefer early-successional habitat during the post-fledging period?

Spatial ecology and core-area protection of Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) - Canadian Journal of Zoology: Spatial ecology and core-area protection of Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)

ScienceDirect - Trends in Ecology & Evolution : Minimum viable population size: not magic, but necessary: Minimum viable population size: not magic, but necessary

PLoS ONE: Identifying and Prioritizing Greater Sage-Grouse Nesting and Brood-Rearing Habitat for Conservation in Human-Modified Landscapes: Identifying and Prioritizing Greater Sage-Grouse Nesting and Brood-Rearing Habitat for Conservation in Human-Modified Landscapes

ScienceDirect - Trends in Ecology & Evolution : A general target for MVPs: unsupported and unnecessary: A general target for MVPs: unsupported and unnecessary

PLoS ONE: Maladaptive Habitat Selection of a Migratory Passerine Bird in a Human-Modified Landscape: Maladaptive Habitat Selection of a Migratory Passerine Bird in a Human-Modified Landscape

ScienceDirect - Biological Conservation : Seeds in farmland food-webs: Resource importance, distribution and the impacts of farm management: Seeds in farmland food-webs: Resource importance, distribution and the impacts of farm management

SpringerLink - Environmental Management, Online First™: Integrating Ecological Knowledge, Public Perception and Urgency of Action into Invasive Species Management

Influence of forest management on pre- and post-fledging productivity of a Neotropical migratory songbird in a highly fragmented landscape - Canadian Journal of Forest Research: Influence of forest management on pre- and post-fledging productivity of a Neotropical migratory songbird in a highly fragmented landscape

Productivity Is a Poor Predictor of Plant Species Richness: Productivity Is a Poor Predictor of Plant Species Richness

Biodiversity and Productivity: Biodiversity and Productivity

BioOne Online Journals - Marking Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds with Radio Frequency Identification Tags: Marking Ruby-Throated Hummingbirds with Radio Frequency Identification Tags

ScienceDirect - Forest Ecology and Management : Effects of even-aged timber harvest on stream salamanders: Support for the evacuation hypothesis: Effects of even-aged timber harvest on stream salamanders: Support for the evacuation hypothesis

ScienceDirect - Biological Conservation : Using multi-scale modelling to predict habitat suitability for species of conservation concern: The grey long-eared bat as a case study: Using multi-scale modelling to predict habitat suitability for species of conservation concern: The grey long-eared bat as a case study

ScienceDirect - Trends in Ecology & Evolution : Minimum viable populations: is there a ‘magic number’ for conservation practitioners?: Minimum viable populations: is there a ‘magic number’ for conservation practitioners?

Genetic mating system and population history of the endangered Western Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens auricollis) in British Columbia, Canada - Canadian Journal of Zoology: Genetic mating system and population history of the endangered Western Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens auricollis) in British Columbia, Canada

PLoS ONE: Collision Mortality Has No Discernible Effect on Population Trends of North American Birds: Collision Mortality Has No Discernible Effect on Population Trends of North American Birds

ESA Online Journals - Woodpeckers, decay, and the future of cavity-nesting vertebrate communities worldwide: Woodpeckers, decay, and the future of cavity-nesting vertebrate communities worldwide

Stable isotopes reveal strategic allocation of resources during juvenile development in a cryptic and threatened seabird, the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) - Canadian Journal of Zoology: Stable isotopes reveal strategic allocation of resources during juvenile development in a cryptic and threatened seabird, the Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus)

ScienceDirect - Biological Conservation : Predation determines the outcome of 10 reintroduction attempts in arid South Australia: Predation determines the outcome of 10 reintroduction attempts in arid South Australia

Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) foraging over native and vineyard habitats in British Columbia, Canada - Canadian Journal of Zoology: Pallid bat (Antrozous pallidus) foraging over native and vineyard habitats in British Columbia, Canada

Economic and geographic drivers of wildlife consumption in rural Africa: Economic and geographic drivers of wildlife consumption in rural Africa

ESA Online Journals - Comparison of statistical and theoretical habitat models for conservation planning: the benefit of ensemble prediction: Comparison of statistical and theoretical habitat models for conservation planning: the benefit of ensemble prediction

ESA Online Journals - Where the wild things are: predicting hotspots of seabird aggregations in the California Current System: Where the wild things are: predicting hotspots of seabird aggregations in the California Current System

BioOne Online Journals - Habitat Suitability and Nest Survival of White-Headed Woodpeckers in Unburned Forests of Oregon: "Habitat Suitability and Nest Survival of White-Headed Woodpeckers in Unburned Forests of Oregon"

BioOne Online Journals - Sufficiency of Horseshoe Crab Eggs for Red Knots During Spring Migration Stopover in Delaware Bay USA: "Sufficiency of Horseshoe Crab Eggs for Red Knots During Spring Migration Stopover in Delaware Bay USA"

PLoS ONE: Aggregating, Tagging and Integrating Biodiversity Research: "Aggregating, Tagging and Integrating Biodiversity Research" Open Access.

Trophic theory of island biogeography - Gravel - 2011 - Ecology Letters - Wiley Online Library: "Trophic theory of island biogeography"

BioOne Online Journals - Modeling Nest Survival of Cavity-Nesting Birds in Relation to Postfire Salvage Logging: "Modeling Nest Survival of Cavity-Nesting Birds in Relation to Postfire Salvage Logging"

PLoS ONE: Egg Production in a Coastal Seabird, the Glaucous-Winged Gull (Larus glaucescens), Declines during the Last Century: "Egg Production in a Coastal Seabird, the Glaucous-Winged Gull (Larus glaucescens), Declines during the Last Century" Open Access.

ScienceDirect - Forest Ecology and Management : Combined long-term effects of variable tree regeneration and timber management on forest songbirds and timber production: "Combined long-term effects of variable tree regeneration and timber management on forest songbirds and timber production"

Analyzing Variability and the Rate of Decline of Migratory Shorebirds in Moreton Bay, Australia - WILSON - 2011 - Conservation Biology - Wiley Online Library: "Analyzing Variability and the Rate of Decline of Migratory Shorebirds in Moreton Bay, Australia"

Population Bottlenecks and Increased Hatching Failure in Endangered Birds - HEBER - 2010 - Conservation Biology - Wiley Online Library: "Population Bottlenecks and Increased Hatching Failure in Endangered Birds"

Population Viability Analysis with Species Occurrence Data from Museum Collections - SKARPAAS - 2011 - Conservation Biology - Wiley Online Library: "Population Viability Analysis with Species Occurrence Data from Museum Collections"

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Habitat Loss and Fragmentation

Last updated: January 20, 2012

Most recent:
Edge effects and their influence on habitat suitability calculations: a continuous approach applied to birds of the Atlantic forest - Zurita - 2012 - Journal of Applied Ecology - Wiley Online Library: Edge effects and their influence on habitat suitability calculations: a continuous approach applied to birds of the Atlantic forest

Differential effects of anthropogenic edges and gaps on the reproduction of a forest-dwelling plant: The role of plant reproductive effort and nectar robbing by bumblebees - MAGRACH - 2011 - Austral Ecology - Wiley Online Library: Differential effects of anthropogenic edges and gaps on the reproduction of a forest-dwelling plant: The role of plant reproductive effort and nectar robbing by bumblebees


Interactions between climate and habitat loss effects on biodiversity: a systematic review and meta-analysis - Mantyka-Pringle - Global Change Biology - Wiley Online Library: Interactions between climate and habitat loss effects on biodiversity: a systematic review and meta-analysis

On the limitations of graph-theoretic connectivity in spatial ecology and conservation - Moilanen - 2011 - Journal of Applied Ecology - Wiley Online Library: On the limitations of graph-theoretic connectivity in spatial ecology and conservation

JSTOR: Oikos, Vol. 71, No. 3 (Dec., 1994), pp. 355-366: Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Birds and Mammals in Landscapes with Different Proportions of Suitable Habitat: A Review
1649 citations on Google Scholar.

JSTOR: Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, Vol. 34 (2003), pp. 487-515: Effects of Habitat Fragmentation on Biodiversity
1259 citations on Google Scholar.

Habitat fragmentation and large-scale conservation: what do we know for sure? - Harrison - 2006 - Ecography - Wiley Online Library: Habitat fragmentation and large-scale conservation: what do we know for sure? Open Access.
429 citations on Google Scholar.

Cambridge Journals Online - Abstract - Confounding factors in the detection of species responses to habitat fragmentation: Confounding factors in the detection of species responses to habitat fragmentation. Open Access. Cited by 347, Google Scholar.

ESA Online Journals - The relative influence of habitat loss and fragmentation: Do tropical mammals meet the temperate paradigm?: The relative influence of habitat loss and fragmentation: Do tropical mammals meet the temperate paradigm?

Combining Measures of Dispersal to Identify Conservation Strategies in Fragmented Landscapes - LEIDNER - 2011 - Conservation Biology - Wiley Online Library: Combining Measures of Dispersal to Identify Conservation Strategies in Fragmented Landscapes

The disentangled bank: How loss of habitat fragments and disassembles ecological networks: "The disentangled bank: How loss of habitat fragments and disassembles ecological networks"

PLoS ONE: Breaking Functional Connectivity into Components: A Novel Approach Using an Individual-Based Model, and First Outcomes: "Breaking Functional Connectivity into Components: A Novel Approach Using an Individual-Based Model, and First Outcomes"

Road plan for Serengeti paved with ecological ruin: biologist

BioOne Online Journals - Identifying Habitat Linkages to Maintain Connectivity for Corridor Dwellers in a Fragmented Landscape: "Identifying Habitat Linkages to Maintain Connectivity for Corridor Dwellers in a Fragmented Landscape"

A Multiscale Network Analysis of Protected-Area Connectivity for Mammals in the United States - MINOR - 2010 - Conservation Biology - Wiley Online Library: "A Multiscale Network Analysis of Protected-Area Connectivity for Mammals in the United States"

ESA Online Journals - Assessing effects of land use on landscape connectivity: loss and fragmentation of western US forests: "Assessing effects of land use on landscape connectivity: loss and fragmentation of western US forests"

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Evaluating the Effectiveness of Conservation Actions

Here is a growing list of articles relevent to evaluating the effectiveness of conservation actions.

Last updated: December 17, 2011

Most recently added:
PLoS ONE: Recurrent Die-Offs of Adult Coho Salmon Returning to Spawn in Puget Sound Lowland Urban Streams: Recurrent Die-Offs of Adult Coho Salmon Returning to Spawn in Puget Sound Lowland Urban Streams


Assessing the Effectiveness of Marine Reserves on Unsustainably Harvested Long-Lived Sessile Invertebrates - LINARES - 2011 - Conservation Biology - Wiley Online Library: Assessing the Effectiveness of Marine Reserves on Unsustainably Harvested Long-Lived Sessile Invertebrates

Improving biodiversity monitoring - LINDENMAYER - 2011 - Austral Ecology - Wiley Online Library: Improving biodiversity monitoring

Incorporating Effectiveness of Community-Based Management in a National Marine Gap Analysis for Fiji - MILLS - 2011 - Conservation Biology - Wiley Online Library: Incorporating Effectiveness of Community-Based Management in a National Marine Gap Analysis for Fiji

SpringerLink - Journal of Coastal Conservation, Volume 15, Number 1: Evaluating the effects of foraging habitat restoration on shorebird reproduction: the importance of performance criteria and comparative design
Annie F. McIntyre

ScienceDirect - Trends in Ecology & Evolution : Adaptive monitoring in the real world: proof of concept: Adaptive monitoring in the real world: proof of concept

ESA Online Journals - River restoration success: a question of perception: River restoration success: a question of perception. (several 'effectiveness of restoration' articles in this issue)

Contributions of the US state park system to nature recreation: "Contributions of the US state park system to nature recreation" Open Access.

Carbon debt of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands converted to bioenergy production: "Carbon debt of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) grasslands converted to bioenergy production" Open Access.

ScienceDirect - Trends in Ecology & Evolution : Conservation successes at micro-, meso- and macroscales: "Conservation successes at micro-, meso- and macroscales"

ESA Online Journals - Effects of urbanization and urban stream restoration on the physical and biological structure of stream ecosystems.: "Effects of urbanization and urban stream restoration on the physical and biological structure of stream ecosystems."

Avian nest success, mammalian nest predator abundance, and invertebrate prey availability in a fragmented landscape - Canadian Journal of Zoology: "Avian nest success, mammalian nest predator abundance, and invertebrate prey availability in a fragmented landscape"

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More on Red Knot Migration: Foraging Conditions in Tierra del Fuego

A recent paper on red knot migration describes factors at the southern end of their migration route in Tierra del Fuego that may contribute to their decline in numbers, in addition to foraging conditions at the Delaware Bay migration stop-over area.


Escudero et al. (2011) studied foraging conditions at the southern end of red knot migration, a major over wintering site in Argentinean Tierra del Fuego (e.g. see here and here). In particular, they looked at " . . . food abundance, diet and intake rates during January–February in 1995, 2000 and 2008."

They found that in 2000, a year of extremely low migration survival for red knot which coincided with low egg deposition by horseshoe crabs at the Delaware Bay stop-over site(e.g., Baker et al. 2004), foraging at the Tierra del Fuego site was excellent relative to other known over-wintering sites. However, in 2008 foraging success at the southern site declined due to smaller prey and increased human disturbance.

The authors suggest that in 2000, red knot didn't face problems in the Tierra del Fuego overwintering area, which would be consistent with the previous evidence that problems at northern stop-overs negatively affected red knot survival.

However, the poor foraging condition in 2008 could have further contributed to the decline in red knot numbers, and they conclude this finding emphasizes the need for a broader, hemispheric approach, to red knot research and management.

Previous red knot posts:See these previous posts on this subject for more background information and links to scientific papers: Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knots Revisited, Ecosystem Connections: Humans, Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knot and Red Knot Migration and Horseshoe Crab Egg Abundance Continued


References:
ESCUDERO, G., NAVEDO, J. G., PIERSMA, T., DE GOEIJ, P. and EDELAAR, P. (2011), Foraging conditions ‘at the end of the world’ in the context of long-distance migration and population declines in red knots. Austral Ecology. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9993.2011.02283.x

Rapid population decline in red knots: fitness consequences of decreased refuelling rates and late arrival in Delaware Bay.: Rapid population decline in red knots: fitness consequences of decreased refuelling rates and late arrival in Delaware Bay.

Foraging conditions ‘at the end of the world’ in the context of long-distance migration and population declines in red knots - ESCUDERO - 2011 - Austral Ecology - Wiley Online Library: Foraging conditions ‘at the end of the world’ in the context of long-distance migration and population declines in red knots

Red Knot Superstar “B-95” Seen Again in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina! | WHSRN.org: Red Knot Superstar “B-95” Seen Again in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina!

Shorebird Researchers Document Red Knot's Record-breaking Non-stop Flight and Total Migration Distance: Shorebird Researchers Document Red Knot's Record-breaking Non-stop Flight and Total Migration Distance






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Marine Conservation Literature

Here is a growing collection of links to interesting looking papers relevant to marine conservation.

Last updated: January 7, 2012

Most recently added:
ESA Online Journals - Life-history correlates of extinction risk and recovery potential: Life-history correlates of extinction risk and recovery potential

Extinction risk and bottlenecks in the conservation of charismatic marine species - McClenachan - 2011 - Conservation Letters - Wiley Online Library: Extinction risk and bottlenecks in the conservation of charismatic marine species


PLoS ONE: Competing Conservation Objectives for Predators and Prey: Estimating Killer Whale Prey Requirements for Chinook Salmon: Competing Conservation Objectives for Predators and Prey: Estimating Killer Whale Prey Requirements for Chinook Salmon

Reexamining the science of marine protected areas: linking knowledge to action - Fox - Conservation Letters - Wiley Online Library: Reexamining the science of marine protected areas: linking knowledge to action

Fisheries conservation and management: finding consensus in the midst of competing paradigms - Branch - 2011 - Animal Conservation - Wiley Online Library: Fisheries conservation and management: finding consensus in the midst of competing paradigms

PLoS ONE: Global Conservation Priorities for Marine Turtles: Global Conservation Priorities for Marine Turtles. Open Access.

ScienceDirect - Biological Conservation : Cumulative estimates of sea turtle bycatch and mortality in USA fisheries between 1990 and 2007: Cumulative estimates of sea turtle bycatch and mortality in USA fisheries between 1990 and 2007

ScienceDirect - Biological Conservation : Small marine reserves can offer long term protection to an endangered fish: Small marine reserves can offer long term protection to an endangered fish

ScienceDirect - Trends in Ecology & Evolution : Recovery of marine animal populations and ecosystems: Recovery of marine animal populations and ecosystems

Seasonal patterns in bycatch composition and mortality associated with a freshwater hoop net fishery - Larocque - 2011 - Animal Conservation - Wiley Online Library: Seasonal patterns in bycatch composition and mortality associated with a freshwater hoop net fishery

PLoS ONE: Large Recovery of Fish Biomass in a No-Take Marine Reserve: "Large Recovery of Fish Biomass in a No-Take Marine Reserve" Open Access.

National Geographic article: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2011/08/12/an-ocean-miracle-in-the-gulf-of-california%e2%80%93can-we-have-more-of-this-please/

Role of egg predation by haddock in the decline of an Atlantic herring population: "Role of egg predation by haddock in the decline of an Atlantic herring population"

Inter Research » ESR » v11 » n3 » p245-269: "Global research priorities for sea turtles: informing management and conservation in the 21st century" Open Access.

Global distribution and conservation of marine mammals: "Global distribution and conservation of marine mammals"

Small-scale fisheries of Peru: a major sink for marine turtles in the Pacific - Alfaro-Shigueto - 2011 - Journal of Applied Ecology - Wiley Online Library: "Small-scale fisheries of Peru: a major sink for marine turtles in the Pacific" Open Access.

SpringerLink - Environmental Management, Online First™: "Global Marine Protection Targets: How S.M.A.R.T are They?"

Significant Arctic fish catches going unreported: UBC researchers warn: "Significant Arctic fish catches going unreported: UBC researchers warn"

PLoS ONE: Global Diversity Hotspots and Conservation Priorities for Sharks: "Global Diversity Hotspots and Conservation Priorities for Sharks"

Unexpected patterns of fisheries collapse in the world's oceans: "Unexpected patterns of fisheries collapse in the world's oceans"

Great white shark population lower than previously believed - CSMonitor.com: "Great white shark population lower than previously believed"

CITES meeting rejects protection for marine species - CSMonitor.com: "CITES meeting rejects protection for marine species"

ESA Online Journals - Fish farms, parasites, and predators: implications for salmon population dynamics: "Fish farms, parasites, and predators: implications for salmon population dynamics"



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Red Knot Migration and Horseshoe Crab Egg Abundance Continued

Here are some recent papers about western Atlantic red knot (Calidris canutus rufa) migration and horseshoe crab egg abundance in Delaware Bay, USA.



Karpanty et al. (2011) examined the relationship between the temporal and spatial distribution of horseshoe crab eggs and red knot migration timing in 2004 and 2005 (see here). They found that there was a sufficient abundance of horseshoe crab eggs to sustain the red knot migration, at least at the current red knot population size, but noted that this finding does not rule out the hypothesis the observed decline in the red knot population is related to the decline in the horseshoe crab population and hence horseshoe crab egg abundance. They suggest that if the red knot population does not increase as horseshoe crab egg abundance increases, then managers need to examine other factors and areas.

An important quantitative link in the hypothesis is showing that horseshoe crab egg abundance affects red knot survival on the northward migration to their breeding grounds in the Canadian arctic. McGowan et al. (2011) addressed this link by modelling the relationship between weight gain (mass gain) and the ensuing apparent survival of red knot in relation to horseshoe crab egg abundance (see here). They used a relatively long data set (for ecology) capture-recapture/resighting data with over 16,000 individual captures and 13,000 resightings collected in Delaware Bay (12 years from 1997-2008) and found a positive relationship between horseshoe crab spawning abundance and red knot weight gain, mass and apparent annual survival. This suggests that management to increase horseshoe crab abundance in the Delaware Bay (e.g., reduce harvest) can potentially increase the red knot population.

Smith et al. (2011) looked at how weather can affect red knot foraging opportunities on horseshoe crab eggs in Delaware Bay as a variation on the match/mismatch hypothesis  (see here). They found that onshore winds can disrupt foraging opportunities in certain locations and suggest that in addition to managing the harvest of horseshoe crabs to ensure adequate abundance of eggs available during migration, that it is also important to conserve beach areas that are resistant to such weather related impacts on foraging opportunities for migrating red knot on horseshoe crab eggs.

See these previous posts on this subject for more background information and links to scientific papers: Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knots Revisited and Ecosystem Connections: Humans, Horseshoe Crabs and Red Knot

References:

Karpanty, S.M., J. Cohen, J.D. Fraser and J. Berkson. 2011. Sufficiency of Horseshoe Crab Eggs for Red Knots During Spring Migration Stopover in Delaware Bay USA. Journal of Wildlife Management Jul 2011 : Vol. 75, Issue 5, pg(s) 984-994 doi: 10.1002/jwmg.129

McGowan, C.P., J.E. Hines, J.D. Nichols, J.E. Lyons, D.R. Smith, K.S. Kalasz, L.J. Niles, A.D. Dey, N.A. Clark, P.W. Atkinson, C.D.T. Minton, and W. Kendall. 2011. Demographic consequences of migratory stopover: linking red knot survival to horseshoe crab spawning abundance. Ecosphere 2:art69.[doi:10.1890/ES11-00106.1]   

Smith, D. R., N.L. Jackson, K.F. Nordstrom and R.G. Weber, R. G.  2011. Beach characteristics mitigate effects of onshore wind on horseshoe crab spawning: implications for matching with shorebird migration in Delaware Bay. Animal Conservation. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2011.00481.x
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Green Grazing: More Articles about Sea Turtle Conservation

Here are links to recent articles and blogs about sea turtle conservation. First, new research shows how loggerhead turtles use the earth's magnetic field to navigate the thousands of miles along their oceanic migration routes during the years they spend at sea after hatching. Not only may these results be useful in sea turtle conservation, they may also bring new insights into navigation technology for humans. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorizes loggerhead sea turles as endangered. (see BBC News - Sea turtles' migration mystery is 'solved'). In a second story, U.S. conservations are pushing for regulatory action under the Endangered Species Act for the leatherback turtle along the U.S. West Coast (see World Environment News - Conservationists Push Action On Protected Turtles - Planet Ark). Finally, here is an interesting blog post from a marine conservation scientist travelling to Ecuador to research the effectiveness of efforts to encourage fishers to use marine conservation technologies, including special fish hooks, to reduce the unintentional catch of sea turtles (bycatch) (see To Ecuador, With Sea Turtles in Mind - NYTimes.com). Read more!