Applying science to pressing conservation needs for penguins
2019
More than half of the world's 18 penguin species are declining. We, the Steering Committee
of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission Penguin
Specialist Group, voted on the penguin species in most critical need of conservation action.
Because of their small or rapidly declining populations, the top three species identified in this
process were the African penguin (Spheniscus demersus), Galapagos penguin (Spheniscus
mendiculus), and Yellow-eyed penguin (Megadyptes antipodes). To persist, these species
require immediate scientific collaboration and policy intervention. In addition to highlighting
the three priority species, we used a pairwise ranking approach to prioritize research and
conservation needs for all penguins. Among the 12 cross-taxa research areas we identified,
we ranked quantifying population trends, estimating demographic rates, forecasting
environmental patterns of change, and improving knowledge of fisheries interactions as the
highest priorities. The highest ranked conservation needs were to enhance marine spatial
planning, improve stakeholder engagement, and develop disaster management and speciesspecific
action plans. As part of our discussions, we identified four avenues for improving
translation of science into effective conservation for penguins. First, the scientific community
and funding bodies must recognize the importance of and support long-term research.
Second, research on and conservation of penguins must expand its focus to include the nonbreeding
season and the juvenile stage. Third, marine reserves must be designed at
ecologically appropriate spatial and temporal scales. Lastly, communication between
scientists and decision makers must be improved with the help of individual scientists,
interdisciplinary species-specific working groups, and international working groups.
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