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 17 June 2025

PC24101Invasive rodent eradications in French Pacific islands: a critical analysis of past efforts

Wilfried Weiss

, Fabrice Brescia, Julien Baudat-Franceschi, Tehani Withers, Baudouin Des Monstiers, Simon Ducatez, Jean-Yves Meyer, Thomas Ghestemme and Eric Vidal

French Pacific Island territories are home to unique biodiversity, threatened by invasive rodents. This study reviews 85 eradication projects across 77 islands since 1982. Adopting a strategic approach with clear island prioritisation and enhanced local capacities is essential to achieving sustainable eradications and protecting the French Pacific Islands unique biodiversity.

Published online 16 June 2025

PC24088Ecology, conservation, and future perspective of walking sharks (Hemiscyllium spp.) in Indonesia

Fahmi

, Y. Putra

, S. Oktaviyani

, Y. Jutan, A. S. Haris and F. Jamlaay

Walking sharks (Hemiscyllium spp.) are endemic species in the Indo-Pacific region. Threatened by fishing, habitat loss, and the aquarium trade, they received legal protection in Indonesia in 2023. However, further conservation actions such as expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), habitat restoration, and captive breeding are essential for their long-term survival and sustainable management.

Published online 16 June 2025

PC25013Satellite-tracked movements of juvenile great egrets (Ardea alba) and plumed egrets (Ardea plumifera) from the Macquarie Marshes in the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia

Heather M. McGinness

, Micha V. Jackson, Luke R. Lloyd-Jones, Xinyu Hou, Louis O’Neill, Shoshana Rapley and Freya Robinson

Understanding bird movements is critical for conserving their populations and habitats. We satellite-tracked the movements of 18 juvenile egrets (Ardea spp.), describing where, when, and how quickly they flew. This included tracking a non-stop flight from Australia to Papua New Guinea that took approximately 38 h. This information is useful for prioritisation of management resources for wetlands and waterbirds.

PC25013 Abstract | PC25013 Full Text | PC25013PDF (5.1 MB) | PC25013Supplementary Material (4 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 12 June 2025

PC24079Influence of landscape features on the distribution of the vulnerable frog species Mixophyes iteratus in the Tweed Valley, northern New South Wales, Australia

Gregory W. Lollback

, Michele A. Lockwood

and David S. Hannah

Little is known about how landscape scale features influence frog distribution; this is especially the case for the vulnerable frog species Mixophyes iteratus. This study surveyed M. iteratus occurrence and counts over the Tweed Valley of northern New South Wales, Australia to determine if there was a relationship with landscape features. Occurrence was biased towards the western part of the Tweed Valley and counts were higher in conservation reserves. Conservation efforts should focus on micro-habitat features in areas with low- to mid-count predictions.

PC24079 Abstract | PC24079 Full Text | PC24079PDF (4.7 MB) | PC24079Supplementary Material (361 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 05 June 2025

PC24081Restoration thinning has minor and temporary effects on understorey fuels in a regrowth eucalypt floodplain forest under conservation management

L. White

, S. K. Travers

, D. McAllister, K. Lawrie and E. Gorrod

Thinning is sometimes used to reduce fire risks during forest restoration but its efficacy in Australian eucalypt forests is uncertain. We undertook experimental thinning in a previously logged river red gum forest. We found that regrowth tree density did not substantially affect understorey fuels and thinning did not change fuel hazard ratings. Thus, thinning did not reduce or increase fire risk during the study.

PC24081 Abstract | PC24081 Full Text | PC24081PDF (947 KB) | PC24081Supplementary Material (5.6 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 05 June 2025

PC23060Demand for fish swim-bladders driving inshore dolphin populations in Papua New Guinea towards local extinction

Isabel Beasley

, Yolarnie Amepou, Joyce Mavera, Wilma Mavea, Jim Anamiato, Karen Baird, Anissa Lawrence and Cara Masere

Inshore dolphins in Papua New Guinea are facing local extinction because of by-catch in gillnets targeting fish swim-bladders (‘fish maw’). The lucrative nature of this fishery creates an significant hurdle to conservation programs. The mortality rate of inshore dolphins is unsustainable and is causing populations to decline. Demand for fish maw as a luxury food and medicine is threatening many marine species worldwide.

This article belongs to the collection: Marine Mammals in the Pacific.

Published online 30 May 2025

PC25020Predator management with a single bait? Use of Eradicat for the simultaneous management of feral cats, red foxes, and wild dogs

Tracey L. Kreplins

and David Algar

Eradicat has the potential to be used as an all-predator bait. Low target species density combined with a range of environmental and human activity factors limited our assessment of Eradicat baits potential as an all-predator bait. More work is required, however bait uptake by foxes was promising. Photographs by Tracey Kreplins.

PC25020 Abstract | PC25020 Full Text | PC25020PDF (2.2 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 29 May 2025

PC24077A social practice perspective on environmental volunteering and pest management in Aotearoa New Zealand

Dean Stronge

, Geoff Kaine

and Jade Hyslop

The number of community environmental groups in Aotearoa New Zealand has increased in recent years. Variations in how trapping activities are undertaken do not meet recognised best practice for pest management. Our findings suggest the shift in focus to ‘dead pests’ over resource protection will not achieve Aotearoa’s biodiversity goals.

PC24077 Abstract | PC24077 Full Text | PC24077PDF (550 KB) | PC24077Supplementary Material (271 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 27 May 2025

PC25001Response of a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) source population following a large-scale progressive translocation harvest

John Callaghan

, Stephen Phillips and Ross Goldingay

Translocation is rapidly becoming a critical tool for threatened species reintroduction and conservation. It is vital to ensure harvests do not jeopardise the source, and this study confirmed a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population was able to recover from a large-scale gradual translocation harvest. This knowledge provides important guidance for planning sustainable conservation translocation programs.

PC25001 Abstract | PC25001 Full Text | PC25001PDF (4.4 MB) Open Access Article

Published online 20 May 2025

PC25024Just add water: exceptional plant recruitment in arid zone mine rehabilitation

Rachel J. Standish

, Todd E. Erickson, Jonathan Fisher and Tim K. Morald

Rehabilitation is needed to address social and ecological impacts of high-intensity mining activity in the Pilbara region. Yet success is limited by the arid climate, lack of topsoil, and poor plant establishment from sown seeds. Our observations suggest potential for assisted and unassisted plant recruitment in the absence of fresh topsoil.

PC25024 Abstract | PC25024 Full Text | PC25024PDF (883 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 12 May 2025

PC24096Who’s been lost from the landscape? Identifying missing terrestrial fauna to inform urban rewilding

Mareshell Wauchope

, Patrick B. Finnerty

, Jennifer C. Pierson, Peter B. Banks, Alexandra J. R. Carthey and Thomas M. Newsome

Urban areas present unique wildlife rewilding opportunities. Applying a decision framework to occurrence data we identify rewilding candidate species with broadest geographic potential; then explore traits and factors influencing urban rewilding suitability. These insights provide key considerations for wildlife managers planning rewilding projects, promoting effective biodiversity conservation in urban landscapes.

PC24096 Abstract | PC24096 Full Text | PC24096PDF (8.8 MB) | PC24096Supplementary Material (1014 KB) Open Access Article

Published online 02 May 2025

PC23059Confirmed occurrence of the Australian snubfin dolphin (Orcaella heinsohni) in Papua New Guinea: conservation considerations for small isolated populations

Isabel Beasley

, Maria Jedensjö, Jim Anamiato and Michael R. McGowen

A small population of Orcaella spp. occur in southern Papua New Guinea, but their taxonomic status is unknown. Phylogenetic reconstruction showed that Australian snubfin dolphins occur in Papua New Guinea waters. This is currently the only known Australian snubfin dolphin population in Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands.

This article belongs to the collection: Marine Mammals in the Pacific.

Published online 29 April 2025

PC24087Predator and prey on the line: an electrocution incident involving two threatened species, the powerful owl (Ninox strenua) and grey-headed flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

Matthew Mo

, Jason Luke, Sandra Guy and Rose McLaggan

Photograph of a powerful owl clutching a grey-headed flying fox, both are dead on powerlines.

This field note documents a powerful owl clutching a grey-headed flying-fox both dead on power lines. Based on how the carcases were presented, either the flying-fox was electrocuted first and the owl was subsequently electrocuted trying to scavenge on the carcass or the owl had captured the flying-fox and was clutching it when it made contact with the powerlines. Photograph by Jason Luke.

Published online 24 April 2025

PC24099Frogs trapped in open polyvinyl chloride pipes vertically positioned in the ground

Matthew Mo

A series of 11 open polyvinyl chloride pipes vertically positioned in the ground were found to contain multiple trapped spotted grass frogs (Limnodynastes tasmaniensis), including two dead individuals. These finds highlight the capacity for these anthropogenic structures to act as ongoing mortality risks for wildlife if left unmitigated.

Published online 22 April 2025

PC25017The role of conservation translocations in the recovery of the endangered Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus): from Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and back

Sarah Comer

, Alan Danks

, Abby Berryman, Saul Cowen

, Allan H. Burbidge

and Graeme T. Smith

Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in Western Australia was created in 1967 to protect the habitat of the then recently rediscovered Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus) whose population numbered less than 100 individuals. Conservation translocations, supported by habitat management have been the major strategies leading to an increase in the size and area occupied by scrub-birds, enabling the species to withstand several major bushfires. In this paper, we review nearly 40 years of scrub-bird translocations and the research that has underpinned this important work.

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

PC25017 Abstract | PC25017 Full Text | PC25017PDF (15.8 MB) | PC25017Supplementary Material (440 KB) Open Access Article

More content

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.

PC25029, Accepted 15 June 2025

Deriving a population estimate for Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldiisiamensis) in Siem Pang Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia

Paul Meek

, Rachel Ladd

, Jonathan C Eames and Luke K-P Leung

PC25029Abstract

PC25008, Accepted 30 May 2025

Automated Methods for Processing Camera Video Data for Distance Sampling

Trevor Bak

, Richard Camp

, Matthew Burt and Scott Vogt

PC25008Abstract

Bad dog? The environmental effects of owned dogs

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (3)

Philip W. Bateman , Lauren N. Gilson
Barriers to volunteering and other challenges facing community-based conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand

Pacific Conservation Biology 30 (6)

Charlotte P. Sextus , Karen F. Hytten, Paul Perry
Can citizen science fill knowledge gaps for the world’s most speciose and poorly-known insular amphibian fauna?

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (1)

Paul M. Oliver , Anthony Davie-Rieck, Muhammad Imam Ramdani, Jono Dashper, Kukuh Indra Kusuma, Chien C. Lee, Eric Rittmeyer, Matthew J. Clancy, Amir Hamidy, Joseph C. Thompson, Antoine Fouquet, Flavien Ferreira, Stephen J. Richards
Aboriginal-constructed lizard traps on Western Australia’s south coast create reptile habitat and teach principles of granite outcrop conservation

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (2)

Susie Cramp , Lynette Knapp, Harriet Paterson, Peter Speldewinde, Alison Lullfitz, Stephen D. Hopper
Who’s been lost from the landscape? Identifying missing terrestrial fauna to inform urban rewilding

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (3)

Mareshell Wauchope , Patrick B. Finnerty , Jennifer C. Pierson, Peter B. Banks, Alexandra J. R. Carthey, Thomas M. Newsome
‘It’s dangerous to put a number on them’. Media coverage of koalas during the 2019–2020 ‘Black Summer’ bushfires in Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology 30 (6)

Eleanor Stalenberg, Daniel Lunney , Chris Moon
A challenging future for Carnaby’s Cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) under a changing climate

Pacific Conservation Biology 30 (6)

Denis A. Saunders , Peter R. Mawson , Rick Dawson, Geoffrey Pickup
Traditional Ecological Knowledge and practices associated with the Vanate (Raggiana Bird of Paradise, Paradisaea raggiana) along the Kokoda Track in Central Province, Papua New Guinea

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (1)

Challis Pulotu , Eric Katovai , Patrick Pikacha
Reintroduction to the edge of its range: quenda (Isoodon fusciventer) to Wadderin Sanctuary in the eastern wheatbelt of Western Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology 30 (4)

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

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (2)

J. Anthony Friend, Elizabeth A. Sinclair , Jacqueline M. Courtenay
The role of conservation translocations in the recovery of the endangered Djimaalap/noisy scrub-bird (Atrichornis clamosus): from Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve and back

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (3)

Sarah Comer , Alan Danks , Abby Berryman, Saul Cowen , Allan H. Burbidge , Graeme T. Smith
The Pacific foodfish list: a standardized list of over 1000 species of marine fish consumed by Pacific people

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (2)

N. L. Andrew , L. Aisea, N. D. H. Arachchi , N. Bailly, I. Bertram, P. Bosserelle, L. Carron, K. D. Clements , M. P. Duenas, V. Fatongiatau, S. Felise, S. González-Murcia, B. Jaugeon, L. Joy, L. P. Kaitu, U. Kaly, J.-A. Kerandel, J. Z. Koehn, J. Kinch, S. Jalam, A. Kwapena, O. Li, S. Lindfield, F. Magron, B. R. Moore, R. F. Myers, B. Ned, B. Nikiari, D. Ochavillo, J. van der Ploeg , K. Raumea, M. Roscher, M. Sabater, A. Sami, G. Shedrawi, N. Smith, D. J. Steenbergen , M. Sukulu, F. Tulafono, S. Tiitii, T. Toroca, P. Tua, L. Vaipuna, C. C. C. Wabnitz, J. Wencélius, M. White, B. Yeeting
Phytophthora cinnamomi: extent and impact in Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia (1983–2024)

Pacific Conservation Biology 30 (4)

Ray P. Hart, G. Freebury, S. Barrett
Booderitj/western bristlebird and Dading/western whipbird: ecology and management of two of the lesser-known threatened species at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (3)

Allan H. Burbidge , A. Danks , S. Comer , G. T. Smith
A review of 60 years of fire management for threatened fauna and flora at Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (2)

Megan Dilly, Sarah Barrett , Sarah Comer , Allan H. Burbidge, Alan Danks , Judith M. Harvey, Angas J. M. Hopkins, Graeme T. Smith
The aquatic plant communities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia: a region of arid zone wetland diversity

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (1)

Michael N. Lyons , David A. Mickle, Michelle T. Casanova
Overfished and under conserved: life-history, ecology and supply chain of the Endangered whitespotted whipray (Maculabatis gerrardi) and sharpnose whipray (Maculabatis macrura) from south-east Asia

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (2)

N. Clark-Shen , A. Chin , C. Gan, K. Xu-Ting Ting, C. Terence, J. Ng Zheng Kai, D. Wee , N. Hutchinson
Corymbia calophylla (Marri) (K. D. Hill & L. A. S. Johnson) (Myrtaceae) is a major resource for native bees in the southwest western Australian biodiversity hotspot

Pacific Conservation Biology 30 (6)

Kit S. Prendergast , Nicole Willers
Sharks and rays of the Samoan archipelago: a review of their biological diversity, social and cultural values, and conservation status

Pacific Conservation Biology 30 (4)

Tori Nunis , Michael I. Grant , Andrew Chin
Predator management with a single bait? Use of Eradicat for the simultaneous management of feral cats, red foxes, and wild dogs

Pacific Conservation Biology 31 (3)

Tracey L. Kreplins , David Algar

Collections

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

Marine Mammals in the Pacific

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: 05 Jun 2025

The Natural History of Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Western Australia

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: 22 Apr 2025

Publishing Science 101: advice on submitting and promoting your research paper

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

Conservation Highlights in the Americas

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

Coral Reefs in the Pacific: Values, Threats and Solutions

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 Biodiversity: Values, Threats and Solutions

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

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