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Pacific Conservation Biology Pacific Conservation Biology Society
A journal dedicated to conservation and wildlife management in the Pacific region.

Pacific Conservation Biology

Pacific Conservation Biology

Pacific Conservation Biology provides a forum for discussion about regional conservation problems; debate about priorities and mechanisms for conservation oriented biological research; and dissemination of the results of relevant research. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Mike Calver

Publishing Model: Hybrid. Open Access options available.

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Latest

These articles are the latest published in the journal. Pacific Conservation Biology is published under a continuous publication model. More information is available on our Continuous Publication page.

Published online 20 March 2025

PC24075Open data for biogeography research of the genus Metrosideros across the south-central Pacific region

Thomas R. Etherington 0000-0002-3187-075X, Murray I. Dawson, Anne Sutherland and James K. McCarthy 0000-0003-3060-1678
 

Mapping the distribution of species from the genus Metrosideros is crucial for surveillance and management plans associated with species conservation. Such mapping requires accurate and accessible Metrosideros occurrence data and geographic information system data on island locations and extents. Here, we reviewed, compiled, and provided this data via an open science framework to support pan-Pacific conservation efforts.

Published online 18 March 2025

PC24102Spatial variability of water chemistry in the Ayeyarwady River Basin, Myanmar

An V. Vu 0000-0002-0684-4664, John C. Conallin, Lauren J. Stoot, Gregory S. Doran, Lee J. Baumgartner, Katherine E. Doyle, Nathan Ning, Zau Lunn, Nyein Chan, Nyi Nyi Tun, Aye Myint Swe and Bronwyn M. Gillanders
 

Understanding the water chemistry of the Ayeyarwady River Basin in Myanmar is crucial for environmental and ecological studies such as fish migrations. This research reveals significant variations in trace elements along the river, highlighting the significant differences between freshwater and coastal environments. These findings shed light on future studies to track fish migrations in the basin.

Published online 11 March 2025

PC24055Recognising spatial distribution shifts in southern beech Nothofagus in the Island of New Guinea in response to climate change

Zahra Salsabila Rosmaitsa 0009-0007-6906-1097, Teguh Husodo and Angga Yudaputra
 

According to modelled predictions, climate change will affect the distribution and existence of the genus Nothofagus in future. The objective of this study is to understand the impact of climate change on suitable distribution areas of Nothofagus in the Island of New Guinea. Recognising how future climate may influence the distribution patterns would be useful for employing a sound conservation strategy for the protection of these species in future.

Published online 28 February 2025

PC24068Rapid identification of shark species on mislabelled seafood products in Mexican markets

Alexis Alejandro Jiménez-Pérez 0009-0007-8515-3119, Carolina Garciglia-Mercado, Sergio Francisco Flores-Ramírez, Rogelio Gónzalez-Armas, Felipe Galván-Magaña, Manuel Jesús Zetina-Rejón and César Salvador Cardona-Félix
 

Conservation of marine species is crucial for ensuring the health of marine ecosystems. Use of marine species, like sharks, must be properly regulated by management plans, including their trading. Shark trade should have accurate information concerning their correct identity using the most advanced and fast techiques, which will encourage to develop a sustainable trading.

Published online 24 February 2025

PC25004Aboriginal-constructed lizard traps on Western Australia’s south coast create reptile habitat and teach principles of granite outcrop conservation

Susie Cramp 0000-0001-7841-3567, Lynette Knapp, Harriet Paterson, Peter Speldewinde, Alison Lullfitz and Stephen D. Hopper 0000-0002-0364-2856
 

Lizard traps are culturally and ecologically important Aboriginal-constructed rock formations found on granite outcrops. Directed by Merningar Elder Lynette Knapp, this paper provides the first robust evidence of reptiles using lizard traps as habitat. They teach that granite conservation requires minimising disturbance, deep knowledge of the landscape, and multi-generational thinking.

This article belongs to the collection: The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia.

The iconic Southern Greater Glider (Petauroides volans) is threatened by increasing frequency and severity of wildfires under climate change. Since the Australian ‘Black Summer‘ fires of 2019–2020, it has recovered well under wet conditions in lightly burnt and moderately burnt sites but not in severely burnt sites. Reducing fire severity and protecting prime habitat are critical for its conservation.

Prey species carried to Crested Tern (Thalasseus bergii) breeding colonies on Penguin Island, Western Australia were photographed using digital telephoto cameras to monitor tern diet and fish availability for a declining population of Little Penguins (Eudyptula minor) sharing the same breeding island and foraging area.

Published online 10 February 2025

PC24051Can epigeic invertebrates escape fire?

Christopher Swinstead, Paul Nevill and Philip W. Bateman 0000-0002-3036-5479
 

Fire escape and survival is a key component of a species’ fire response and future recovery. The immediate fire escape potential of ground dwelling invertebrates is, however, poorly known, despite their importance to ecosystem services. We investigated this, and found that there is limited escape potential among this group except for a handful of taxonomic groups.

Published online 10 February 2025

PC24085Fungal consumption by marsupials in southern Tasmania

Kelsey Elliott, Michael M. Driessen, Karl Vernes and Todd F. Elliott 0000-0001-9304-7040
 

This study investigates fungal taxa consumed by five native marsupial species at two sites in southern Tasmania. Many of the fungi consumed and dispersed are mycorrhizal symbionts with the associated plant communities. This study highlights the conservation and ecological importance of these mammals in functional ecosystems in Tasmania and beyond.

Published online 06 February 2025

PC24041Short-term sustainable collection of eggs and nestlings of the endangered Carnaby’s cockatoo (Zanda latirostris)

Karen Meagher, Roberta Bencini and Peter R. Mawson 0000-0001-6729-2966
 

Assigning a currency value to wildlife has been advocated as a conservation action for some threatened species and taxonomic groups for several decades. This paper describes the results of a 3-year program targeting eggs and nestlings of the endangered Carnaby’s cockatoo (Zanda latirostris). Although fledgling production was not adversely affected, commercial value was reduced by 38% after 3 years, and by 61% after 22 years. This program shows that an endangered cockatoo species can be successfully collected from the wild.

Published online 06 February 2025

PC24103From rediscovery towards recovery: a recent history of Australia’s most critically endangered marsupial, Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii)

J. Anthony Friend, Elizabeth A. Sinclair 0000-0002-5789-8945 and Jacqueline M. Courtenay
 

Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) is the world’s rarest marsupial. It inhabits Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in Western Australia. Little was known about this species before it was presumed extinct at the beginning of the 20th century, so we share ecological and genetic knowledge learned over the past 30 years since its rediscovery.

This article belongs to the collection: The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is lost rapidly on a global scale. We investigated the Koiari Indigenous People’s TEK of the Vanate (Paradisaea raggiana), which is the national bird of Papua New Guinea (PNG), along the Kokoda Track in PNG. High linguistic variation in bird names was found with Koiari Indigenous People needing to conserve this bird.

Published online 23 January 2025

PC24078The aquatic plant communities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia: a region of arid zone wetland diversity

Michael N. Lyons 0009-0007-0898-1156, David A. Mickle and Michelle T. Casanova
 

The Pilbara region of Western Australia has a diverse array of wetlands. Wetlands and rivers in the region were surveyed for vascular and non-vascular aquatic plants. The region has a rich aquatic flora particularly for charophytes. Floristic composition was strongly related to wetland type and water permanence with permanent sites showing higher richness. Wetland plant communities are a significant element of the region’s biodiversity and need careful management in the context of extensive mining and pastoral land uses.

Published online 16 January 2025

PC24072Evaluating the utility of environmental DNA for detecting a large Critically Endangered lizard in tropical northern Australia

Emily P. Hoffmann 0000-0002-8195-6519, Chris J. Jolly, Kathryn L. Dawkins, Kelly M. Dixon, Luke D. Einoder, Graeme R. Gillespie, Brett P. Murphy and Brenton von Takach
 

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is an emerging tool for detecting species. Here, we trialled eDNA metabarcoding to detect the Critically Endangered and little-known Arnhem rock skink (Bellatorias obiri), but were unsuccessful. Whilst eDNA metabarcoding is an emerging and powerful tool in ecology and conservation, our pilot study highlights that challenges remain in its application to for detecting rare or cryptic terrestrial reptiles.

Just Accepted

These articles have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. They are still in production and have not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

PC24082, Accepted 02 March 2025

The Pacific foodfish list: A standardised list of over 1000 species of marine fishes consumed by Pacific people

Neil Andrew 0000-0002-2337-8722, Latu Aisea, Nuwan Arachchi 0000-0001-8245-6359, Nicolas Bailly, Ian Bertram, Pauline Bosserelle, Léa Carron, Kendall Clements 0000-0001-8512-5977, Michael Duenas, Viliami Fatongiatau, Sean Felise, Saul Gonzalez Murcia, Baptiste Jaugeon, Lucy Joy, Lotokufaki Kaitu, Uschi Kaly, Julie-Anne Kerandel, Zachary Koehn, Jeffrey Kinch, Shivam Jalam, Angela Kwapena, Owen Li, Steven Lindfield, Franck Magron, Bradley Moore, Robert Myers, Bruno Ned, Beia Nikiari, Domingo Ochavillo, Jan van der Ploeg 0000-0001-7099-4002, Koroa Raumea, Matthew Roscher, Marlowe Sabater, Abel Sami, George Shedrawi, Neville Smith, Dirk Steenbergen 0000-0003-4067-4432, Meshach Sukulu, Feleti Tulafono, Sapeti Tiitii, Tarisi Toroca, Paul Tua, Lavinia Vaipuna, Colette C. C. Wabnitz, Jean Wencelius, Melba White and Being Yeeting
 

Most Read

The Most Read ranking is based on the number of downloads in the last 60 days from papers published on the CSIRO PUBLISHING website within the last 12 months. Usage statistics are updated daily.

Collections

Collections are a curation of articles relevant to a topical research area

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve is one of the most important nature conservation areas along the south coast of Western Australia. This Collection of Pacific Conservation Biology papers about the natural history of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, provides past and current knowledge of this significant nature reserve.

Collection Editors
A. J. M. Hopkins, G. T. Smith and D. A. Saunders

Last Updated: 24 Feb 2025

This Collection offers an overview of the publishing process from start to finish, and is designed to provide information and support to researchers looking to publish academic articles. Topics include common mistakes authors make in presentation or in misunderstanding what happens in production, the importance of accurate referencing and proofing, navigating problems with authorship, making decisions about Open Access, and promoting work once it is accepted.

Collection Editor
Mike Calver (Editor-in-Chief, Pacific Conservation Biology)

Last Updated: 12 Dec 2024

This collection of Pacific Conservation Biology papers will enable a synthesis of the challenges which face marine mammal populations and research in the Pacific and the actions and agreements to address some of the challenges, facilitate the publication of important knowledge from research poor areas, and highlight the importance of crowd-sourced data across geographically complex regions.

Collection Editors
Rochelle Constantine (University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau)
Claire Garrigue (Institute for Research and Development)

Last Updated: 07 Oct 2024

This Collection focuses on contributions from researchers studying conservation problems and solutions along the eastern Pacific coast and Hawaii. The papers from the eastern Pacific coast include island and mainland examples, confirming that both are considered within the journal’s scope. They illustrate the range and quality of the work published by Pacific Conservation Biology, as well as the journal’s service to the scientific communities of the eastern Pacific coast.

Last Updated: 22 Mar 2024

The challenges for conservation in the Pacific are sharpest in managing coral reefs. The effects of anthropogenic climate change are already evident, as well as unregulated exploitation, land clearing or agricultural production on adjoining lands. In 2018, Pacific Conservation Biology celebrated 25 years of publication. It was also International Year of the Reef. In this Collection, we have collated key papers to aid the understanding of the value of, and threats to, coral reefs and their ecosystems, with hope that this research will contribute to a brighter future for our reefs.

Collection Editors
Mike Van Keulen and Mike Calver

Last Updated: 18 May 2018

Pacific Conservation Biology is dedicated to conservation in the Pacific region, which is defined broadly as the western Pacific (East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania), the north Pacific (including Russia), and the islands of the central Pacific across to countries on the North American and South American continents bordering on the eastern Pacific. In this Collection, Pacific Conservation Biology addresses the ‘big questions’ in conservation, providing a forum for conservation scientists, natural resource managers and science communicators to explore the answers in a Pacific context.

Last Updated: 27 Jun 2017

Committee on Publication Ethics

Expressions of Interest

Expressions of interest are invited for an Editor-in-Chief or joint Editors-in-Chief, commencing July 2025.

Ivor Beatty Award

Kit Prendergast has been awarded the Ivor Beatty Award for 2023.

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