Title
Multi-species, multi-agency monitoring for conservation: an example of best practice from the Eastern Plains of Cambodia
Author(s)
Crouthers, R.;Nuttall, M.;Gray, T.;O'Kelly, H.;Prum, S.;Nut, M.
Published
2015
Publisher
Cambodian Journal of Natural History
Abstract
The Eastern Plains Landscape (EPL) in Cambodia encompasses five connected protected areas and is one of the largest contiguous tracts of lowland forest in mainland Southeast Asia. WWF Cambodia and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) work within three of these protected areas, supporting the Forestry Administration and Ministry of Environment. The EPL contains a range of elevations, terrain and habitats, and these diverse resources support an exceptional array of wildlife species, including at least 18 Critically Endangered and Endangered mammals, birds and reptiles. Initial biodiversity surveys identified the species present, but increasing threats combined with a rapidly changing landscape continued to place increasing pressure on these threatened and elusive species, making it critical for the government to understand wildlife population trends to assist in implementing effective management strategies. WCS implemented line transect distance sampling in Seima Protection Forest in 2005, producing the first primate population estimates for the landscape. Continued collaboration and multi-agency networking resulted in line transect sampling being implemented in the two adjoining protected areas by WWF and government partners. This synergy has resulted in the longest-running and most reliable population monitoring programme for endangered primates and ungulates in Cambodia, revealing the world’s largest populations of yellow-cheeked crested gibbon Nomascus gabriellae, black-shanked douc Pygathrix nigripes, and banteng Bos javanicus; further highlighting the importance of this landscape for conservation. The continuation of joint multi-agency collaboration using robust protocols to monitor priority species is crucial in monitoring the effectiveness of current conservation strategies and applying adaptive approaches when necessary.

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PUB15460