Conservation & Community - Frontier

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1) conserve the world's most endangered wildlife and threatened habitats and to build sustainable livelihoods for ... ef
Summer 2018 ISSUE 21

Conservation & Community • About Us: An overview of Frontier’s work in conservation & research • Project Updates: The latest news from Frontier Group Projects • Environment News: The Last Northern White Rhino & Golden Seas of Sargassum • Featured Partner: Permaculture in St. Vincent & the Grenadines • Conservation Careers: Interview with Frontier HQ’s UK Operations Manager

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FOREWORD

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his year has got off to an exciting start for Frontier and our volunteers, from first-time mapping of over 12,000m2 of ecologically important mangrove forests in Madagascar to new camera-trap sightings of elusive large feline species in Costa Rica. We have much to be proud of so far this year, so first we would like to say THANK YOU to our volunteers. None of our work would be possible without our volunteers’ hard work and commitment to environmental sustainability and community development. This issue covers our latest research and community initiatives since the start of 2018. Our ecological research continues to add to the pool of available scientific knowledge in remote and understudied locations that are critical for preserving the earth’s biodiversity. We also remain committed to working with local communities to empower them to be stewards of their own environmental resources.

50 - 52 Rivington Street London EC2A 3QP www.frontier.ac.uk [email protected] 0207 613 2422

FRONTIER’S GROUP PROJECT COUNTRIES Fiji Also known as the Soft Coral Capital, this impressive archipelago of 332 islands and over 500 islets has long been an object of interest in the world of eco-tourism and marine conservation. Fiji is currently home to over 100 unique flora species and 30 reptiles endemic to these islands, as well as the renowned Beqa Lagoon.



Tanzania Tanzania offers a wealth of marine biodiversity along its Indian Ocean coastline and around the islands of Mafia, Pemba and Zanzibar. As with many developing nations, Tanzania’s natural resources have suffered from overexploitation, but the establishment of reserves like Mafia Island have contributed to the recovery of Tanzania’s vulnerable habitat.



Costa Rica Despite covering only 0.01% of the earth’s surface, Costa Rica supports more than 4% of the world’s total biodiversity. Its highly stable climate, with an annual average temperature of 27 °C, creates optimum living conditions for a wide range of flora and fauna and Costa Rica’s location is a critical continental species corridor between North and South America.



Tenerife Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, features the Macizo de Anaga, which has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 2015. The Canary Islands’ unique oceanographic features promote a wide biodiversity of marine life, which includes 730 native fish species, 4 species of marine turtle and 28 cetacean species. Many typically migratory species, such as short-finned pilot whales, reside in the archipelago year round.



Belize •

Belize’s is home to the largest segment of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, which was declared a UNESCO world heritage site 20 years ago. Belize is also one of the only habitats that support the Antillean Manatee population year round.

Madagascar Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, with an exceptional concentration of endemic forest species. With over 5,000 km of coastline, Madagascar hosts vast blocks of fringing reef systems, and brackish and freshwater habitats, as well as shallow marine and pelagic environments.



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ABOUT FRONTIER Frontier is a global non-profit conservation and sustainable development NGO, established in 1989. Frontier began with one volunteerbased project in Tanzania created by Eibleis Fanning, Frontier’s Founder and Managing Director. Over the past 29 years Frontier has expanded to 8 marine and terrestrial projects in 6 countries and developed partner projects in 50 additional countries with organisations that share Frontier’s values of environmental conservation and local community empowerment. Our mission is to: 1) conserve the world’s most endangered wildlife and threatened habitats and to build sustainable livelihoods for marginalised and under resourced communities in the world’s poorest countries. 2) create solutions that are apolitical, forward-thinking, community-driven, and innovative and which take into consideration the longterm needs of low income communities.

CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH Costa Rica Forest •

Tanzania Forest •

Madagascar Forest •

Frontier has been researching the effects of deforestation, poaching and climate change on the Osa Peninsula’s diverse ecosystems since 2009 and working with local organisations to inform conservation management actions in the region.

Frontier’s forest programme assesses the health of Mafia Island’s mangrove forests and investigates the sustainability of harvesting activities. Frontier is also working on a RAMSAR wetland site to assess the impact of agriculture development on avian populations.

Frontier is studying several species of lemur, reptile, bird and insect on Nosy Be to catalogue the island’s biodiversity and evaluate the effects of deforestation on endemic species. Our aim is to inform the creation of additional protected wildlife corridors.

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Belize Marine •

Madagascar Marine •

Tenerife Cetaceans •

Based on Caye Caulker, Frontier works in partnership with the Fisheries Department to assess the sustainability and effectiveness of the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve. Frontier is monitoring commercially and ecologically important marine mammals, fish, invertebrates, corals, seagrass and mangroves.

Frontier has been working to conserve Madagascar’s marine ecosystems for the last 15 years. We are monitoring coral, mangrove and seagrass habitats, fish and invertebrate populations with the aim of informing decisions relating to the marine management of the Nosy Be region.

Frontier’s project in Tenerife, a thoroughfare for whales and dolphins, aims to monitor diversity and behaviour of cetacean species and the impacts of increased tourism in the region.

Tanzania Marine •

Fiji Marine •

Frontier has been working in Tanzania for 29 years and collected the data that led to the set up of the Mafia Island Marine Park in 1995. Frontier works in partnership with the government to monitor the success of the marine park, essential for informing management actions in Tanzania.

Frontier has been invited to work on Beqa Island by the Mataqali people (the island’s guardians). Frontier is analysing the health of the surrounding coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats with the aim of increasing protection and promoting sustainable use.

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FIJI MARINE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME

Abbie Dosell, Senior Research Officer & Claire Saleh, Research Officer The Fiji Marine Research Programme runs on Beqa Island, just south of the main island of Viti Levu. Marine monitoring is conducted in Beqa Lagoon, which is a protected area of water between the mainland and Beqa. The local communities rely on Beqa Lagoon for their livelihoods in the fishing and tourism industries.

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fishery. In collaboration with the local Wildlife Conservation Society, our research will examine the recovery rate of sea cucumber populations and investigate any shifts in the exploitation of other invertebrate species.

Coral Monitoring Our coral reef monitoring project has expanded to incorporate ReefCheck survey methodology to facilitate long-term data collection and collaboration with other conservation organisations. With the experience of our Senior Research Officer, Abbie Dosell as a ReefCheck eco-dive instructor, volunteers Shark Surveys We continue to conduct dedicated shark surveys on Beqa, the birthplace of the Fijian shark-god Dakuwaqa. Led by Research Officer Claire Saleh, shark conservation volunteers conduct visual surveys of reef sharks to locate nursery and breeding grounds. Our research team recently discovered a new blacktip shark nursery, and we are expanding our research to observe movement patterns of juveniles.

are trained to collect data that will inform global conservation initiatives. These methods allow our research team rapidly to assess the effects of the recent cyclone season and severe bleaching events on the fragile reef ecosystems in the region. Beche-de-Mere In response to Fiji’s recent moratorium on ‘Beche-de-Mere’ (sea cucumber) exports, we are conducting focused surveys on commercially important invertebrates to evaluate the knockon effects of this management plan. Previously, the export of sea cucumbers was the second largest source of income in Fiji. Consistent over-exploitation, however, has led to such low population densities that it is at risk of being unable to recover. While the moratorium is certainly a step in the right direction, there has been little development in the alternative livelihood options of communities dependent on the Beche-de-Mere

Mangrove Restoration Finally, after receiving a PADI grant for a year long restoration project, our Assistant Research Officer Nina Storm is leading volunteers on transect surveys on land and in water to build knowledge of Beqa’s mangroves and the inhabitants that depend on these ecosystems. We work closely with local villages to identify areas of mangrove deterioration and restore forests using propagules and seedlings from our nursery. Healthy mangroves are vital for Beqa’s coral reefs because they reduce sedimentation and nutrient runoff and provide refuge and nurseries for juvenile fish and megafauna. Mangrove restoration also contributes to the local economy by increasing storm protection for villages and supporting fish populations for local fisherman. This phase we were also happy to welcome our new Project Manager, Doryan Givel. Doryan was the previous project manager for Frontier Belize Marine, where he made significant contributions to the development of the project. As a bonus, Doryan arrived on camp with plenty of chocolate and sweets from back home, which was greatly appreciated by staff and volunteers and we all look forward to watching our project flourish with him over the next year!

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COSTA RICA RAINFOREST CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Emma Korein, Principal Investigator

Our project in Costa Rica is based in Carate, on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, and adjacent to the incredibly biodiverse Corcovado National Park. Our project aims to study habitat connectivity and wildlife corridors and investigate the impacts of deforestation on the region. Project GIRO Costa Rica is one of the world’s leading countries in environmental sustainability and conservation, and we have been working closely with various NGOs and conservation organisations that align with our ideals to protect wildlife and promote conservation and environmental sustainability in the local community. While Costa Rica serves as a model for other developing countries on environmental sustainability, one important opportunity for progress is in recycling. Local organisation ASCONA (the Association of Community and Environmental Service) recently launched project GIRO, which aims to change the attitudes and recycling habits of the community of Puerto Jimenez. Two recycling centres were created in Puerto Jimenez and La Palma, and Frontier volunteers work alongside ASCONA to collect and separate recycling, distribute leaflets and lead environmental education classes. This phase we have observed a massive increase in recyclable materials dropped at the collection centres. Together, we plan to promote recycling in businesses across Puerto Jimenez as well and develop a community that is committed to recycling and the sustainable use of natural resources. Big Cats & Camera Traps Our wildlife camera trap project has been running since January 2017, but recently the project has gained momentum. In the past two months, we captured footage of 4 out of the 5 big cat species found here: the puma, the margay, the ocelot and the jaguarundi.

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The most impressive out of these was the margay, which is an elusive arboreal species rarely seen on the ground. We have also observed the development of a young ocelot cub alongside its mother. Frontier recently joined the OSA-wide camera trap network, which is the largest in Central America. This programme aims to determine the population density of jaguars in the region in accordance with a collaboration of scientists, NGOs and land and eco-lodge owners. This initiative presents a unique opportunity to engage with the local community and promote conservation. Bats & Echolocation Bats are the most diverse group of mammals in Costa Rica, with over 106 known species. We are thrilled that our volunteers have the opportunity participate in our new bat surveys, which began in February. Using the ‘Echo-Meter Touch 2’, we are investigating how bats use park trails to navigate through the forests. This device receives echolocation calls and creates spectrograms from this data, which can be used to distinguish between species and, since bats utilise unique calls for different activities, it can also be used to analyse behaviour at the time the call was recorded. Our research will help us understand how different features, such as water, trail linearity and forest disturbance, affect travel patterns. Scarlet Macaws The Osa Peninsula hosts the largest population of scarlet macaws in Central America. We are conducting surveys on the scarlet macaw’s foraging patterns using transects on the beach, river and road. This data will be used to identify release sites for local captive-bred release programmes. Since the launch of this project last November, we set an ambitious goal to complete 100 miles of surveys by April which was exceeded in February and our team has recorded 127 group feeding observations. For context, a comparable study took four years to record 161 observations. Our surveys have also confirmed local anecdotal evidence of scarlet macaws foraging in Conocarpus erectus, an exciting finding that has not previously been confirmed by scientific research.

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MADAGASCAR FOREST CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Ryan Clark, Principal Investigator

Madagascar is one of the hottest of biodiversity ‘hotspots’ and is a global conservation priority. The vast majority of flora and fauna on Madagascar are found nowhere else on earth. This biological uniqueness frames Frontier’s work on Nosy Be, Madagascar’s largest offshore island. Population Monitoring Habitats within our research area run along a scale of human disturbance, from near-pristine tropical rainforest adjacent to Lokobe national park to human-altered landscapes that have been logged or cleared for agriculture. The main focus of our terrestrial programme is to investigate the impact of disturbance brought by local human populations on the biological communities in our vicinity. With this in mind, over the last phase, nine new terrestrial forest survey routes were created. These new routes are designed to function as a vehicle to monitor the population size and composition of lemuriforms, herpetiles, and insects over long periods of time—longterm biodiversity monitoring. It is hoped that these simple distance sampling-based methods will shed light on any changes in the structure of animal populations in our study area. These data will then be paired with the monitoring of human-use of these routes, with the result that the richness and evenness of populations and communities can be directly compared with their disturbance level.

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new project to investigate black lemur behaviour has shown that habits of these lemurs that denote vigilance—alertness to humans and other threats—are more abundant on routes with less human use. Lemurs on well-used routes may have become habituated to local populations. This and other ecological insights into the effects of disturbance on local biota are likely to emerge using this new research infrastructure. Terrestrial Invertebrates Also begun during the last phase was an initial foray into understanding the terrestrial invertebrate communities in our study area. Following an IUCN report into the biodiversity of Madagascar’s freshwater ecosystems earlier this year, we began several exploratory surveys along tropical streams adjacent to Lokobe national park with the intention of encountering dragonflies. Additionally, the team has started a project to catalogue the butterfly species in our local area. These surveys are in their initial stages and aim to build a photographic log of the species encountered. In the coming phases, this data will be used to build a complete inventory of dragonfly and butterfly species in our study area. As both these taxa are considered to be ecological sentinels (predictors of ecosystem health), understanding their ecology across our study area is a major priority in 2018.

Human disturbance While the research is still in its very early stages we have seen clear signs that certain routes that receive more human ‘traffic’ are ecologically divergent in some ways. For instance, our

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MADAGASCAR MARINE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Joshua Ferriday, Research Officer

Madagascar hosts the highest coral diversity in the West Indian Ocean region, with 323 unique species. The country also has the highest surface area of mangroves in the Eastern African region, but both resources are under serious threat from human development and overexploitation.

Coral Collaboration Our aquatic research focuses on the Nosy Vorona Passage within Tsimpaika bay which is surrounded by the small fishing villages of Ambalahonko and Antafondro. The area is characterised by fringing patch reefs which have been showing signs of degradation. During this phase, Frontier Madagascar contributed data to CORDIO, East Africa’s Western Indian Ocean PostBleaching Assessment, which is a collection of reef survey data from multiple regional organisations which aims to assess the impact of the 2015 and 2016 ENSO events. The results of the collaborative effort will be published shortly, but early analysis indicates a marked decrease in live hard coral cover in the region related to these events. Nudibranch Photography We have also begun a photographic catalogue of nudibranch species present in the Nosy Vorona passage. Sea slugs (nudibranchs) are a diverse group of marine molluscs, and data

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on their ecology, distribution and behaviour is limited. In addition, they are highly sensitive to changes in their environment and reproduce slowly, which makes them less resilient to stressors like pollution and climate change.

Mangrove Mapping There is a lack of scientific data on the size and condition of the mangroves in Madagascar,with the result that Frontier has begun a project to map the mangrove habitat in our study area. Volunteers walked through and around the mangroves recording GPS points of the boundaries, ultimately mapping 12,000 m2 of the mangrove habitat around Ambalahonko. Our aim is to document how the abundance and immediate diversity of mangrove species are changing over time in response to anthropogenic pressure. Beach Cleans Finally, Frontier organises 3 beach cleans per week in Ambalahonko and records the type of litter and the zone (mangrove, sand or treeline) in which it was found. During a three-month period, a total of 3,833 pieces of marine debris were collected of which 57% was plastic bottles, bags or other types of plastic. In addition to the immediate benefit gained from the removal of the litter from the beach, cataloguing the types of litter we collect helps identify major point sources, so that we can work with the community over the longer term to reduce the amount of litter on Madagascar’s beaches.

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COSTA RICA COMMUNITY PROJECT Laura Exley, Project Manager

The teaching and community project in Puerto Jimenez gives volunteers an opportunity to build relationships in the community, develop teaching and leadership skills and experience Costa Rican culture. Volunteers lead English education

programmes for children and support them with other aspects of their lives and education as needed. There is always a range of extra-curricular activities taking place such as football, dodgeball, crafts and other creative play ideas inspired by volunteers. Our team has a deep and personal relationship with the children and their parents, and as a result, volunteers are frequently invited to participate in the organisation of community activities and events.

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Volunteers show the children how to dispose of recycling properly and educate them on methods to reduce consumption and reuse items that would otherwise be thrown away. Volunteers also get hands-on experience by working at the local recycling centre. Many of our volunteers have told us that this is a real eye-opener to the volume of waste we produce, and they go on to become ambassadors for recycling efforts back home. Volunteers also lead advanced adult lessons three times a week at the community centre for locals who want to improve their English or build skills for their career. We also provide women’sonly workshops every Thursday afternoon. The students are always eager to engage with the volunteers to compare the ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle with life abroad and teach us about their vibrant country. Rounding out the experience, Frontier’s teaching and community volunteers also work with the local macaw conservation centre, just 20 minutes outside of Puerto Jimenez. Here, volunteers help with cleaning the aviaries, feeding the macaws and by generally lending a hand wherever it is needed.

Recently, Frontier has partnered with ASCONA, a local community development organization, and EducaOsa, a network of organisations promoting environmental education throughout the Osa Peninsula. Our current focus is on recycling and sustainable lifestyles. Frontier has implemented a recycling programme at the local school in Puerto Jimenez, providing recycling bins and teaching children about the recycling process.

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TANZANIA MARINE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Joanna Read , Research Officer

Frontier Tanzania is located on the southern coast of Mafia Island in the village of Utende. Our coral, fish, invertebrate and seagrass research takes place in Chole Bay. Large seagrass beds are interspersed with complex coral reef structures within a bay fringed by mangroves. Chole Bay contains the most fish landing sites in the country, which makes it both ecologically and commercially important, and our research contributes to the Mafia Island Marine Park’s management of Chole Bay’s natural resources. Seagrass The marine management plan of the Mafia Island Marine Park (MIMP) has made a positive impact on coral protection in response to previous overexploitation and damaging activities

such as dynamite fishing. Seagrass meadows, however, are commonly overlooked by marine management plans yet they provide important nursery habitats for juvenile reef fish as well as many other critical ecosystem services. Net gear fishing is particularly damaging to marine life on the ocean floor and has been outlawed in the protected areas of MIMP. Small-scale fisherman who rely on net fishing for subsistence are

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restricted to the zone nearer the shoreline, where tourist fishing is permitted as well. This zone contains a large proportion of Chole’s seagrass meadows. Frontier is investigating correlations between seagrass cover and marine life diversity to assess the impact of net fishing in Chole Bay’s unrestricted fishing zone. Whale Shark Surveys Mafia Island is one of the few places in the world where a population of whale sharks, known to be a solitary and migratory species, reside all year round. Whale-shark tourism is a big industry on Mafia, especially since these serene marine animals are one of the largest that are safe for humans to swim alongside. It is therefore important to monitor the effects tourists are having on the resident population. There is a ‘Code of Conduct’ in place to govern the behaviour of boats and tourists observing the whale sharks, but compliance is voluntary. Frontier volunteers accompany a local whale shark safari company to monitor interactions between the whale sharks and tourists as well as educate the public on whale shark biology and ethical whale shark-watching. In our observations this phase of 36 individual whale sharks 30 total breaches of the Code of Conduct were found, almost all of which involving proximity. Beach Clean and Community Every month, Frontier hosts a community beach clean and we are focusing on the critical problem of marine plastics. Nurdles are plastic resin pellets which are used in the raw manufacturing process and then discarded. Nurdles are often lost during transport and are now commonly found on most beaches around the globe. Nurdles contain toxic pollutants, and as a result of their small size, are often ingested by marine life. Volunteers also teach English to a group of local men to help them develop sustainable livelihoods working in ethical eco-tourism.

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SPECIES IN FOCUS

THE LAST NORTHERN WHITE RHINO Sebastian Seeley, Thetford Grammar School & Jane Boland, Research & Operations Officer The last male northern white rhino, known as Sudan, died in captivity in March 2018. Before his death, Sudan became an ambassador for his species and attracted worldwide attention to the threats facing all wild rhinos. Sudan’s legacy highlights the tragedy facing our natural world from unsustainable consumption and human conflict, as well as hope for what we can accomplish if we work together to conserve the biodiversity we have left. Northern White Rhino Extinction The northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni; a subspecies of white rhino) once populated central Africa from Chad to the Democratic Republic of Congo with numbers in the thousands. Sudan was captured in his namesake country at two years of age in 1975 and taken to Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic, where he lived for the next 34 years. Meanwhile, persistent illegal poaching for rhino horn and political conflict in the northern white rhino’s habitat had reduced the wild African population to just 15 animals by 1984. In 1995 The International Rhino Foundation invested millions of dollars in an attempt to save this subspecies, but as political conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo became more severe the rhino’s habitat increasingly fell into conflict zones, limiting access for foreign conservation initiatives. While Sudan’s capture spared him from human conflict, 34 years spent in a concrete and often snowy enclosure contributed to lifelong health issues. Despite this, Sudan successfully sired 3 calves in captivity. Sudan and his offspring were eventually transferred to Ol Pejeta conservancy in Kenya in 2009 when the wild population was declared extinct and were kept under permanent armed guard to protect them from poachers. Sudan’s only male progeny, Suni, died in 2014 as a result of health complications having never sired any calves. Sudan was no longer

physically able to procreate at this time and the only remaining females, his offspring Najin and Fatu, were also deemed unfit by their carers successfully to carry a pregnancy to term. Natural breeding thus became impossible and the northern white rhino became functionally extinct. The only remaining options for continuation of the subspecies are in vitro fertilisation and stem cell cloning. Rhino Cloning There is a heated debate in the scientific community on the cost, practicality and ethics of using cloning technology to restore extinct species. The cost to attempt to clone a viable heard of northern white rhino is estimated at $9,000,000 and the nascent technology has has never been attempted with rhinoceroces. Critics argue that these funds could be used to protect existing rhinos with a greater chance of long-term repopulation. There is a significant health risk involved with the egg extraction process from Najin and Fatu to consider, as well as a risk to the health of any

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Photo courtesy of Xinhua/RSS

surrogate mothers involved. Proponents argue that the funding for cloning is coming from sources that would not otherwise contribute to rhinoceros conservation and that the attempt will advance cloning technology generally. Ethically, proponents argue that since the northern white rhino’s extinction has been directly caused by humans, it is our responsibility to try any measures available to save this species. Conservation Priorities The extinction of a single species is a tragedy, but the appropriate response must be considered with global conservation priorities in mind. The earth has experienced five mass extinction events in its 4.5-billion-year span and scientific studies increasingly assert that we are now living through a sixth mass extinction caused by human activity. A 2017 study published by the National Academy of Sciences warns that conservation focus on individual species extinction (which is relatively rare) creates a false impression that the earth is only slowly losing biodiversity. In reality, almost half of all land mammals have lost 80% of their global population distribution in the last century. The rate of population loss for terrestrial vertebrates is high even for species that are classified as having a “low concern” of extinction by the IUCN. The map below illustrates the drastic reduction in the global range of 5 rhinoceros species. As these populations become more restricted and isolated they become less resilient to environmental threats and easier to locate for poaching.

The Future for African Rhinos eople and organisations from around the world are collaborating in successful efforts to repopulate rhinos. In May, for the first time in 50 years, black rhinos were reintroduced to central Africa to begin repopulating. Zakouma National Park invested heavily in community development and security measures that have virtually eliminated poaching from the park in the last 7 years. As a result of this effort, the government of Chad granted the park an extension that almost doubled Zakouma’s reserve area and the organisation Rhinos Without Borders raised $4.5 million to relocate 15 rhinos from a sanctuary in South Africa. The park National Park cites the commitment from the local community as the reason for its success. Zakouma offers free educational safari stays for locals and is now one of the largest employers in the region, reducing the necessity for locals to rely on poaching as a means to support their families. Overexploitation and habitat destruction by humans are the direct causes of the extinction of the northern white rhino and continue to threaten remaining rhino populations. Preventative measures, such as protection of existing populations should take priority for ensuring the long-term survivability of the rhinoceros. Investment in well-managed national reserve systems that incorporate community development and employment have already been proven to work and we suggest that global conservation initiatives should focus on supporting this success.

Map of rhinoceros distribution showing reduction in range as of 2012

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TENERIFE WHALE & DOLPHIN CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Tinessa Patel, Research Officer

Frontier works in close partnership with respected whale-watching operators in Tenerife to promote sustainable tourism and conservation initiatives in addition to collecting scientific data on cetacean populations. With millions of people from around the

globe visiting Tenerife each year for whale-watching expeditions and potentially 100 tourists on each boat excursion, volunteers on the Frontier Tenerife project are in a unique position to act as an ambassador for Frontier and for marine conservation as a whole.

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watching vessels in proximity. Milling activity (frequent surfacing) was sometimes observed, which could be an indicator that the pod was disturbed by engine noise. Previous studies have found that even small engine noise can reduce the short-finned pilot whale’s communication range by up to 58%. Our observations of more frequent pilot-whale avoidance of the larger vessels may support this finding but more data is necessary to draw this conclusion. Bottle-nosed dolphins varied their behavioural response according to a variety of factors, but none were statistically significant in our analysis. This phase we also yielded sightings of many species that have not been commonly seen in the past 6 months; such as the common dolphin, striped dolphin, Atlantic spotted dolphin, sei whale, Bryde’s whales, humpback whales and sperm whales. Volunteers also sighted other marine megafauna; including loggerhead turtles, green turtles, starfish, sea cucumbers and Portuguese men of war. This diversity is a testament to the ecological importance of Tenerife, which continues to inspire our team to pursue new marine conservation initiatives.

The Frontier project in Tenerife studies the behaviours of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala Macrohynchus) to investigate the impact of anthropogenic disturbances on the resident population. Previous research has shown that Tenerife cetaceans are becoming habituated to increasing marine traffic from high speed ferries, jet-skis, whale-watching and recreational vessels. Analysis of the data collected from our 3 partner vessels over the past 3 months does support the hypothesis that Tenerife cetaceans are habituated to local boat traffic. Short-finned pilot whales generally rest during daylight hours and our observations showed little direct response to whale-

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BELIZE MARINE CONSERVATION PROGRAMME Dagny-Elise Anastassiou, Principal Investigator The Frontier Belize Marine project was established in April 2014 on the island of Caye Caulker and our team conducts research in the Caye Caulker Marine Reserve (CCMR) in collaboration with the Belize Fisheries Department. The Belize Barrier Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world and is under threat from anthropogenic activities such as climate change, over fishing, tourism and coastal development. Frontier Belize Marine conducts long term monitoring of key habitats and species within the five ecologically connected habitats of the CCMR; mangrove forest, littoral forests, lagoon marshlands, seagrass beds and coral reefs. Invasive Lionfish The lionfish is a non-native species in the Caribbean and as such has no natural predators. It breeds rapidly and a single adult lionfish can consume 30 juvenile fish in one minute. The result is that the lionfish can have a devastating effect on coral reefs. The first lionfish sighting in Belize was in 2008, but a quick response by the Belize Fisheries Department with the “Lionfish: Wanted Dead or Alive” campaign has had some success in controlling the local population. The lionfish season is all year round and Caye Caulker hosts a hunting tournament annually. The fight is far from over, however, and Frontier conducts regular surveys to continue to monitor the situation. Recent observations have shown an increase in lionfish in the Protected Zone of the reserve and in the next phase of our project population control dives will be introduced. Volunteers will act as ‘spotters’ and Frontier staff will collect the lionfish using Hawaiian slings. We are also working on awareness campaigns to promote lionfish as an alternative fishery product, which has the additional benefit of reducing fishing pressure on overburdened native stocks.

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Caribbean Spiny Lobster The Caribbean spiny lobster is the most important commercial marine species in Belize. Caribbean spiny lobsters in Caye Caulker begin their larval stage in seagrass meadows, then migrate to mangroves as juveniles and finally to reef areas in adulthood. This highlights the importance of Frontier’s habitat monitoring efforts in Caye Caulker. Whilst there are some management protections for the Caribbean spiny lobster in Belize, there is no total allowable catch quota. Unsustainable fishing of this species could lead to population collapse and a decline of 28% in catch per unit effort has already been observed by local fisherman. Frontier is conducting long-term monitoring and assessment of the population and sex ratios to provide data on the effectiveness of the current spatial management plan on the local lobster population. Seagrass & Manatees Belize is one of the few remaining strongholds for Antillean manatee populations. Manatees are generally known to be a migratory species, but the population in Caye Caulker resides there year-round as a result of the consistently warm water temperatures. The destruction and pollution of critical mangrove and seagrass ecosystems from increased tourism development and untreated sewage effluent is a serious threat to the resident

manatee population. Frontier is monitoring these threats and our volunteers have helped create the first ever photographic database of the Caye Caulker manatee population. Distribution and behavioural survey transect routes have been chosen based on local knowledge of manatee locations and sighting reports from tour operators and fishermen. As a result, three critical locations have been identified as key areas where manatees regularly rest, mate and feed. Frontier is analysing the health of these ecosystems to inform local conservation initiatives.

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Photo courtesy of NOAA Ocean Explorer Gallery

THE GOLDEN SEAS

Dagny-Elise Anastassiou, Principal Investigator If you have been to any of the Caribbean islands in recent years during the dry season it is likely that you will have experienced floating golden islands of Sargassum, also described as “floating rainforests”. Sargassum is a diverse genus of brown macro-algae, with 35 species worldwide. The seaweed grows in thick patches with air bladders that enable it to float on the ocean surface. Most of the new growth of Sargassum occurs in the Gulf of Mexico, and blooms are carried by the currents surrounding the Sargasso Sea. Many species of bird, fish and marine mammal rely on these patches, which are ultimately a self-contained ecosystem. Even small patches of Sargassum are often teeming

with life, such as tiny shrimp or nudibranchs, and the floating mats are often used by juvenile turtles for refuge and feeding. Patches of Sargassum in the Sargasso Sea are eventually broken up by the currents and wash up on the shores of the Americas and Africa, where they decay. This natural process offers ecological benefits such as the provision of a new habitat for invertebrates, soil fertilisation and protection from shoreline erosion. Since 2011, however, the Sargassum blooms washing up on Caribbean coastlines have become increasingly dense and are becoming an ecological and commercial threat to the region. For example, the dense seaweed creates a physical barrier for nesting turtles which has been shown to reduce the nesting rate by 25%. This barrier can also prevent sea turtle hatchlings from successfully reaching the sea. As the dense organic mass decays, it produces hydrogen sulfide gas and depletes oxygen and nutrients in the shoreline waters which results in the mass killing of marine life. Aside from the foul smell of the gas, there is a concern that

overexposure to the hydrogen sulfide from these blooms could cause health problems. Whilst the risk of toxicity is probably slight, the unsightly blooms have already had a significant impact

on tourism in the Caribbean. Our research team in Belize has observed at first-hand the effects of the anaerobic environment which excessive Sargassum blooms create along the shore. This year, a massive bloom washed ashore in Caye Caulker and just a few days later the shoreline was inundated with dead juvenile fish and eels. There are multiple large-scale clean-up efforts in Belize annually to attempt to alleviate the problem, and our research team is now engaged in assessing the impact on marine habitats. The direct causes of mass strandings of Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean are not completely known. There are reports that suggest that deforestation and industrialised farming in the Amazon Rainforest is washing excess nutrients into the outflow of the Amazon River, creating a second smaller sea of Sargassum. The evidence is not conclusive, but these factors along with rising Atlantic sea surface temperatures and a slowing of the Gulf Stream current may be working in tandem to create the increasingly excessive blooms which our research team in Belize has observed over the last 5 years. Continued monitoring of the effects of deforestation, agroindustry and urban development on marine life, such as is effected in accordance with the research conducted by our team in Belize, will contribute to this investigation, inform local management and suggest suitable responses to this ecological problem.

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MEET THE TEAM: INTERVIEW WITH JOSHUA FAIRCLOUGH UK Operations Manager Frontier Headquarters, London Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your interests? I have always worked in the charity sector, mainly out in the field. I love sport, especially football, running and cycling. What have you previously studied? I studied philosophy at the University of Kent. What is your role here at Frontier? I am the UK Operations Manager. My role is to help volunteers prepare for deployment on our overseas projects and also be a resource for them for any questions or issues that may arise on project. How did you first find out about Frontier, and what drew you to work here? I discovered Frontier by searching online for careers with nonprofit organisations. Frontier’s global reach and work in unique locations was the first thing that attracted me. Secondly, unlike similar organisations in the volunteer travel sector, Frontier operates as a lean non-profit organisation. This structure means that the level of responsibility and leadership offered in every role at Frontier is second to none. Finally, Frontier attracts likeminded people who are passionate about their work and making a difference through environmental conservation and sustainable community development. What have you gained from working for Frontier? Managing hundreds of different projects all around the globe has provided me with both operational and people management skills. I have also gained experience with project development by sourcing and developing new partnerships with international organisations that share Frontier’s mission and values. Finally, Frontier conducts a wide range of marine and conservation research which is a never-ending source of knowledge into the world of conservation. Have you travelled anywhere with Frontier, if so where and what did you do? Frontier offers many opportunities for members of the staff at all levels to travel A running joke in the office is that we should all have our bags packed. and passport ready to go at a moment’s notice. I personally have been to Canada for trade fairs and to meet with other organisations in the industry. I have also travelled

to Israel to meet with our local partners and I got to see first-hand how our projects there operate. Which overseas project appeals to you the most? Our marine research and conservation project in Belize is definitely one of our outstanding programmes. Belize itself offers a wealth of biodiversity and natural beauty and the project makes such a positive contribution to conservation. For example, we are working to conserve the resident manatee population in Caye Caulker and the opportunity to observe these majestic creatures in the wild here is incredible. What is your favourite thing about working here in the London HQ? The best thing about working at Frontier is that I am surrounded by passionate and bright people who come from all over the world and bring a rich and diverse range of experiences to learn from. We are a small and close-knit team. Frontier additionally gives me the opportunity to make a real difference with my career, which is deeply motivating. What are your future career aspirations? I want to continue to develop new projects for Frontier, but I am definitely looking forward to going back into the field and spending time doing hands on work and getting to work with the volunteers. What advice would you give to people interested in a career in environmental conservation? Spend extra time researching and sending emails to people and organisations you want to work with; you never know what opportunities are out there. A CV stands out if you go the extra mile. Really make sure to tailor your covering letter to the prospective employer and link their work to similar things that you have undertaken. Working in conservation is extremely competitive, particularly for paid positions in the field. Try and build up as much experience as you can through volunteering and getting involved with environmental causes. Setting up your own blog is also useful for highlighting your interests and demonstrating your ability to write for various audiences. .

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ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION & COMMUNITY GROUP EXPEDITIONS WITH FRONTIER Frontier’s volunteer research assistants are the lifeblood of the organisation and are vital to the successful running of our biodiversity surveys and community outreach work across the globe. Frontier is also able to host groups of students between the ages of 16-25 years from schools and universities to join the volunteer and staff teams on our projects. Frontier is able to tailor project itineraries and provides comprehensive predeparture support and fund-raising advice to all groups joining our projects. The length of our group projects starts from one week. For more information please email us at [email protected]

“Thank you for everything that Frontier did, the trip was above and beyond expectations! It was one of the most memorable trips the school has ever done and that’s saying something with the amount of trips the school runs! Time flies when you’re having fun. Never has the proverbial adage been so true. Eleven days have raced past. We’ve seen many places, met many people and learnt about a different culture. Through that, we’ve learnt about ourselves. We’ll return with our eyes and hearts opened to the people of the Dominican Republic. Highlights? It’s impossible to pick out a moment in time. What you can do is try to articulate the spirit that has been woven throughout everything we’ve done. Dominican’s have welcomed us with flamboyance and affection. Our pupils have embraced the Dominican’s (often literally) and have made their teachers hugely proud. We leave the Caribbean tired, happy, having made new friends and with a treasure trove of memories that will last a lifetime” — Heather Essadiq, Group Leader & Teacher at Heathfield Community School

*GROUP LEADERS GO FREE!* Frontier is offering you the chance to go on a free trip! All you have to do is get at least five friends/colleagues/students together, choose your project destination and you go free! For more information please email us at [email protected] or give us call on +44 (0) 20 7613 2422 to speak to one of our dedicated Ethical Travel Consultants.

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FEATURED PARTNER PROJECT: ST VINCENT & THE GRENADINES Emma Blunt, Project Development Intern

Situated in the heart of the Caribbean Sea, the breath-taking island chain of St Vincent and the Grenadines is the home of one of Frontier’s newest partner projects. Despite its picturesque beaches, crystal clear waters and lush green jungles, this Caribbean archipelago faces the threat of climate change, particularly in the form of tropical storms and hurricanes as a result of its geography. Rising temperatures and sea levels leading to landslides and contamination of freshwater sources threaten local communities and, without action, these communities will be left without electricity, drinking water and homes. This is where the environmental internship with Richmond Vale Academy comes into action. Volunteers will learn about the innovative climate change mitigation strategies utilised in this charming island nation.

practice with home garden design projects. Making home gardens with local families builds the capacity of communities to live more sustainably, cost effectively and healthily. The project uses crop diversification and organic principles of production as a means of adapting to climate change. This helps struggling families mitigate the high food import costs on the island and also addresses concerns about the chemicals used in commercial agriculture. Permaculture may not seem like the most exciting way to spend your time, but testimonies from previous volunteers confirm that it awakens enthusiasm and passion for things which might normally be overlooked in everyday life. The volunteers’ hard work is helping the island reap the rewards of sustainable living and changing attitudes away from considering nature as a commodity

The project is part of the St. Vincent Climate Compliance Conference which was set up in 2012. It aims to alleviate the effects of climate change through practical sustainable living

practices such as growing healthy food, planting trees to prevent landslides and teaching in schools and communities about biodiversity and the effects of global warming. In just the first 5 years of the compliance conference, volunteers have already helped clean up 20 tons of rubbish from local rivers and beaches, planted over 30,000 trees and taught over 6,000 people from communities all over the island. Having the opportunity to learn from passionate teachers and work alongside Vincentians as active partners means volunteers can utilise native knowledge to develop effectual environmental projects.

to be exploited. But it isn’t all work and no play! You can hike the island’s nature trails through waterfalls or climb the active La Soufriere volcano. You can also complete your PADI qualification at the Academy’s dive centre, or visit the equestrian clinic and learn about natural horsemanship. You will become part of the family at the Academy and be part of an active community working to make the country more adapted to climate change. You will gain a life changing experience while learning and assisting vulnerable communities and leave the island with a new mindset, a wealth of knowledge and lifelong friends.

The most recent exciting development focuses on the Permaculture Design Course within Richmond Vale Academy and the implementation of home garden projects as a result. Permaculture is the conscious design and harmonious integration of the landscape with people, providing their food, energy, shelter and other material and non-material needs in a sustainable way. During the course you learn about agriculture, natural building, water harvesting, alternative energy, waste management and community development schemes. Theory is then put into

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WORK SHADOWING Frontier runs regular work shadowing days based at our London HQ. Work shadowing days offer the chance for 16-18 year old students to come to our London HQ and shadow a member of our team. The departments available for students to shadow in are:

tour of the office. I found this extremely useful and answered many of the questions myself and others had.



After the tour I was introduced to the Online Journalism and Media team and my work shadowing properly began. The team had obviously put in a lot of effort preparing for my day. The day was well structured and the team had planned tasks for me that helped me learn about how the organisation works as well as being interesting. I particularly enjoyed writing a blog article and it was great to be given the freedom to write on a topic of my choice. The possibility of publishing this article on Frontier’s online blog was a fantastic way to show evidence of my day’s work. Overall, I had a great day work shadowing at Frontier. It has been a highly interesting and valuable experience and I would certainly recommend it to others.”



Frontier runs work shadowing placement days twice throughout the academic year. If you would like to get involved with our next work shadowing days please get in touch!

• Events and Outreach • Online Journalism and Media • Research and development • NGO Administration • Overseas Operations

This provides a great opportunity for students with an interest in environmental conservation, international development, journalism or volunteer travel to get a taste for what a career working for an NGO in this industry would be like. Read on to hear what Olivia, shadowing the Online Journalism and Media department, thought of her day at Frontier. “I found out about the opportunity to work shadow at the Frontier London HQ through my school and hoped to gain an insight into the world of journalism. I thought it sounded great as it combined my love of writing, environment and conservation. The day started with an introduction session. This gave a brief overview of the organisation and a If you would like the opportunity to join the Frontier staff team please check out our website for further details on Frontier and all our available positions

www.frontier.ac.uk/recruit 18

FRONTIER: A COMMITTED CAREER STARTER Frontier is dedicated to giving exceptional young researchers the chance to gain invaluable field research and project management experience in the field. We are very proud that many of our ex-staff and volunteers now hold high-level positions around the globe in many of the world’s other leading conservation organisations, including CI, FFI, WWF and UNEP WCMC. Do you have a relevant degree and experience of working overseas? If you would like the opportunity to join the Frontier staff team please check out our website for further details on Frontier and all our available positions:

www.frontier.ac.uk/recruit ROLES IN LONDON HQ

OVERSEAS POSITIONS

Internships available in the London HQ throughout the year in various departments:

Field roles are available throughout the year! Assistant Research Officer roles in:

Overseas Operations

Tanzania (Terrestrial & Marine) Madagascar (Terrestrial & Marine) Costa Rica (Terrestrial) Fiji (Marine) Belize (Marine) Tenerife (Cetaceans)

UK Operations Marketing and Events Research and Development Online Journalism

We also offer positions focusing on teaching and community work.

In over 28 years of operation we have completed countless successful projects in Asia, the Americas, Africa, the Pacific and in Europe. Our projects have led to sustainable progress in the protection of endangered species and threatened ecosystems and the empowerment of vulnerable communities. We are in an excellent position to offer a great inroad into conservation or sustainable development to those seeking a career in these fields. 19

VOLUNTEER ABROAD WITH FRONTIER

If this sounds like an exciting adventure, find out more on our website:

www.frontier.ac.uk FRONTIER EVENTS AND CAREER FAIRS Volunteering abroad is a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a new culture and work directly with local people to create positive solutions and outcomes. Gaining confidence and leadership skills that will benefit you hugely after you have returned home from the project, volunteering is a great thing for you to be able to put on your CV. We hold talks and workshops at schools, colleges and universities. If you are interested in Frontier coming to your academic institution, contact us at:

[email protected]