Securing the future of a threatened cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri): a synthesis of ecological knowledge to inform conservation actions and research priorities

Résumé fourni par la source

Arid-zone wildlife face growing challenges from anthropogenic land-use and climate change. Arid and semi-arid ecosystems cover over two-thirds of the Australian continent and have a history of widespread habitat loss and degradation, yet species within these landscapes are often overlooked in conservation initiatives. Increasing threats and limited scientific data are significant challenges for species conservation in these environments. The Pink cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) is a threatened parrot endemic to Australia, facing a range of threats that remain largely unaddressed. As a long-lived, arid-zone species with low fecundity, the species is especially vulnerable to population decline. We synthesised present understanding of Pink cockatoo ecology, biology, and behaviour to highlight challenges for their conservation. We identify threats and knowledge gaps inhibiting effective conservation management and research priorities, addressing the urgent need to review current knowledge and status of the species. There is a spatial and temporal bias in research effort. Most knowledge on Pink cockatoos is sourced from few locations, and focused on breeding, life history, and habitat associations. Reliable estimates of population size or trends are lacking, with little understanding of spatial and movement ecology. No quantitative assessments of habitat use and habitat availability have been undertaken, and effective conservation targets and management for the species are hindered by the lack of species-specific peer-reviewed studies (n = 5), with only two studies published in the last thirty years. Habitat loss is the leading threat to the Pink cockatoo, while climate change, land-use intensification, inappropriate land management, and cumulative impacts of threats are emerging challenges for the species. We have applied the first stages of an adaptive management framework for the Pink cockatoo. This forms a foundation for research to inform conservation of this iconic species. The adaptive framework presented herein can guide evidence-based conservation action for other rare and understudied fauna.

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