Matthias Hammer

Matthias Hammer
Biosphere Expeditions

Doctor of Philosophy

About

167
Publications
15,193
Reads
How we measure 'reads'
A 'read' is counted each time someone views a publication summary (such as the title, abstract, and list of authors), clicks on a figure, or views or downloads the full-text. Learn more
254
Citations
Introduction
An Oxbridge-educated biologist, my main research interest is in wildlife conservation through citizen science and stakeholder empowerment. I founded Biosphere Expeditions, an international, citizen science-based conservation NGO that specialises in wildlife conservation world-wide, in 1999 and have been working there ever since. More information at www.biosphere-expeditions.org. We are always interested in reliable partners and field scientists to collaborate with to protect our planet's wild animals and places.
Skills and Expertise
Wildlife Conservation
Wildlife Ecology
Conservation Biology
Animal Ecology
Wildlife Biology
Biodiversity
Conservation
Endangered Species
Biodiversity Monitoring
Conservation Ecology

Publications

Publications (167)
Figure 2.3.3a. Amantur Tolgartbekov uulu (left foreground, kneeling)...
Figure 2.3.3b. Ibex captured by the community group in 2017.
Figure 2.3.3c. Snow leopard caught on camera trap by the community...
Figure 2.3.3d. Community expedition members in September 2020. From...
+9 Figure 2.3.3e. Example of community camera-trapping result for...
Expedition report: Mountain ghosts: protecting snow leopards and other animals of the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan (June - August 2019 & 2020-2021)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jul 2022
Abstract This study was part of a continuing annual citizen science expedition to the Tien Shan Mountains (Kyrgyz Ala Too and Jumgal Too ranges), run by Biosphere Expeditions and NABU for the sixth consecutive year from 24 June to 26 August 2019, with the aim of surveying for snow leopard Panthera uncia and its prey species. Using a cell methodolo...
Figure 2.2a. The territory of Slovakia with Malá Fatra (above) and...
Figure 2.3a. Grid system covering Veľká Fatra National Park.
Figure 2.4b. Sampled cells (2.5 x 2.5 km in size) and results of...
Figure 2.4c. Sampled cells (2.5 x 2.5 km in size) and results of...
+6 Figure 2.4d. Sampled cells (2.5 x 2.5 km in size) and results of...
Expedition report: True white wilderness: Tracking lynx, wolf and bear in the Carpathian mountains of Slovakia (February 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jan 2021
Abstract This report covers the sixth year of field research in northern Slovakia’s Veľká Fatra National Park with the support of citizen scientists and the aim of collecting biological information to improve management practices for bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), lynx (Lynx lynx) and wildcat (Felis silvestris) in the park. Fieldwork...
Figure 1.2a. Indonesia, Sumatra, the expedition study site and assembly...
Figure 2.1a. Rimbang Baling landscape © M. Clavin.
Figure 2.3b. Species activity patterns based on camera trap results.
Figure 2.3c. Results of interview answers from 14 respondents in five...
3b. Elementary schools visited during the expedition (also see photos...
Expedition report: Forest flagship: Researching & conserving critically endangered Sumatran tigers in Rimbang Baling Wildlife Reserve, Sumatra, Indonesia (July-September 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Dec 2020
Abstract Biosphere Expeditions and WWF Indonesia ran their third joint expedition with citizen scientists in and around Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Reserve (BRBBWR), Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, from 30 July to 1 September 2017. The expedition study was a follow-up of the two previous studies in 2015 and 2016, with the tiger and its...
4a. Species encountered during the expedition. Starred* species denotes...
5.2e. Other target species recorded by feed spot, circular and random...
5.3a. Feed point counts by the expedition.
Expedition report: Ways of the desert: conserving Arabian oryx, Gordon’s wildcat and other species of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, United Arab Emirates (January 2020)
Research
Full-text available
  • Dec 2020
Abstract The successful collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), initiated in 2012, continues with citizen scientists collecting data for the ninth successive expedition from 18 to 25 January 2020. The 2020 expedition’s quadrant surveys recorded the following species from 256 random observatio...
Figure 1.3b Map of the Malawi-Zambia Transfrontier Conservation Area...
Figure 2.2.1a. Camera trap placement in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve 2019.
Figure 2.2.1b. Setting a camera trap.
Figure 2.2.1c. Citizen scientists identifying camera trap photos.
+16 Figure 2.2.2a. Location of 2019 transect surveys in Vwaza Marsh...
Expedition report: From elephants to cats to butterflies: Monitoring biodiversity of Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, Malawi (September - October 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Nov 2020
ABSTRACT The Lilongwe Wildlife Trust (LWT) and Conservation Research Africa are the first to conduct long-term research projects in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve (VMWR). These projects focus on large mammals, elephants, primates, bats and insects, and aim to identify and monitor biodiversity and long-term trends in VMWR. Habitats are under increasi...
Figure 2.2a. The DDCR and its survey zones (North = green, Central =...
Figure 2.2b. A quadrant survey
Figure 2.2c. Baiting a Tomahawk trap.
Figure 2.2d. Small mammal trap in situ at a grid marker in a sandy area.
+10 Figure 2.2e. Recording a fox den site.
Expedition report: Ways of the desert: conserving Arabian oryx, Gordon’s wildcat and other species of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, United Arab Emirates (January-February 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Nov 2020
Abstract The successful collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), initiated in 2012, continues with citizen scientists collecting data for two weeks from 19 January to 2 February 2019. Data gathered alerted the DDCR management to several conservation issues and also allowed for informed, fact-bas...
Figure 2.3g. Mean coral cover at Ari atoll sites in 2018 compared to...
Figure 2.3h. Grouper fishing vessel at Farish's Faru, Vaavu atoll....
Figure 2.3i&j. Photos of the coral reef at Thelivagaa from July 2018....
Figure 2.3k. Coral recruits observed at the exposed Ranikan outer...
+12 Figure 2.3l. Mean fish populations at South Male' and Vaavu atoll sites.
Expedition report: Little and large: surveying and safeguarding coral reefs & whale sharks in the Maldives (September 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Oct 2020
Abstract In September 2019 Biosphere Expeditions ran its ninth annual Reef Check survey expedition to the Maldives. Local and international citizen scientists, supervised by a professional reef biologist, performed surveys for one week. We undertook surveys using the Reef Check methodology at exposed, semi-exposed and sheltered sites in South Male...
Figure 2.2a. Citizen scientists following the elephants through the...
2a. Behavioural ethogram used in the field.
3a. Plant species consumed by the elephants during the 2019 expedition.
Elephant encounters: Expedition report: Studying Asian elephants in the hills of northern Thailand to increase their welfare and conservation (November 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Oct 2020
Abstract This study was a collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary (KSES). Direct observation methods were used by citizen scientists to collect three separate data sets on five free-roaming semi-wild Asian elephants simultaneously: activity budgeting (via instantaneous sampling), foraging habits (via all-o...
Figure 1. Map of northern Thailand and study area.
Figure 2. Time elephants spent browsing and grazing during the year and...
Figure 3. Foraging times on different functional groups of plants by...
Foraging Ecology of Semi-Free-Roaming Asian Elephants in Northern Thailand
Article
Full-text available
  • Oct 2020
We observed the foraging behaviour of five semi-free-roaming elephants in Thailand from December 2016 to October 2019 using all occurrence focal sampling. The elephants consumed 165 species of plants representing 56 families. Dendrocalamus sp. (bamboo), accounted for 40.3% of the elephants’ foraging time. The elephants spent significantly more time...
Figure 2.1b. Distribution of wolves in Germany in 2018/2019 on the EEA...
Figure 2.2c. The 156 scat samples collected by the expedition by their...
Figure 2.3b. Scat samples (n = 156) by area collected by the 2019...
Figure IIIe. Scat collection kit with finding.
+7 Figure IIIf. Breakfast in the Herrenhaus expedition base, with...
Expedition report: Love / hate relationships: Monitoring the return of the wolf to the German state of Lower Saxony (June/July 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jul 2020
ABSTRACT This report details wolf Canis lupus lupus active monitoring fieldwork by Biosphere Expeditions in collaboration with the State Wolf Bureau of the German state of Lower Saxony and local wolf commissioners. Field work was conducted from 6 to 19 July 2019 in two one-week long groups, each comprising twelve citizen scientists. The aim of the...
Figure 2.1b. Distribution of wolves in Germany in 2018/2019 on the EEA...
Figure 2.2c. The 156 scat samples collected by the expedition by their...
Figure 2.3b. Scat samples (n = 156) by area collected by the 2019...
Figure IIIe. Scat collection kit with finding.
+7 Figure IIIf. Breakfast in the Herrenhaus expedition base, with...
Expedition report: Love / hate relationships: Monitoring the return of the wolf to the German state of Lower Saxony (June/July 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jul 2020
ABSTRACT This report details wolf Canis lupus lupus active monitoring fieldwork by Biosphere Expeditions in collaboration with the State Wolf Bureau of the German state of Lower Saxony and local wolf commissioners. Field work was conducted from 6 to 19 July 2019 in two one-week long groups, each comprising twelve citizen scientists. The aim of the...
Figure 2a. The male leopard Strider continued to be a constant presence...
Figure 2b. Strider near the campsite in December 2017 (top), and an...
Figure 2d. Sugarbird Valley female, left flank (top) and right flank...
Figure 2f. Caracal: the numbers of photos records varies from year to...
+22 Figure 2h. Klipspringer: here featuring what appears to be a leucistic...
Expedition report: Carnivores of the Cape Floral Kingdom: Surveying Cape leopards, caracals and other species in the fynbos mountains of South Africa (October 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jul 2020
Abstract The fynbos biome of South Africa is a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its very high plant species richness, endemic birds and the presence of the Cape mountain leopard, a small race of African leopard Panthera pardus ssp pardus. Biodiversity monitoring across a range of faunal and floral taxa was conducted in mountain fynbos habitat. St...
Figure 2.2a. Installing a camera trap.
Figure 2.3.3a. A distribution map of the sightings of mammals of...
Figure 2.3.3b. Distribution of cheetah sightings (in pink) in relation...
Figure 2.3.3c.. Kileleoni female, left flank from a Biosphere...
+19 Figure 2.3.3d.Kileleoni female, right flank, photo courtesy of...
Expedition report: The frontline of conservation: Defending the Kenyan Maasai Mara from biodiversity loss (February 2020)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jul 2020
ABSTRACT Enonkishu Conservancy is on the northernmost boundary of the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem (MSE). The conservancy is secured year to year by renting the land from Maasai title-deed owners who, as conservancy members, abide by land-use regulations (restricting permanent structures, arable farming, fences, utilisation of natural resources and re...
Expedition report: Gentle giants: Protecting leatherback sea turtles through direct conservation action on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (May 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jun 2020
Abstract Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) has run this sea turtle conservation project on Pacuare beach, Caribbean coastline, Costa Rica, for eight years from 2012 to 2019, with Biosphere Expeditions citizen scientists assisting since 2016. Between 21 February and 31 October 2019, nesting activities of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea)...
Presentation: Little and large: surveying and safeguarding coral reefs & whale sharks in the Maldives (September 2019)
Presentation
Full-text available
  • Apr 2020
Presentation: Little and large: surveying and safeguarding coral reefs & whale sharks in the Maldives (September 2019). Wrap-up presentation with voiceover. Download full file from https://app.box.com/s/2se4hguifg3uqgpn2j2q5y08xi5jsdpz
Figure 2.2a (part 2). Species sightings 2004-2019 adjusted for effort.
Figure 2.3a. Observers on the bow.
Figure 2.3b. POPA sheet duty.
Figure 2.3c. Hydrophone deployment and listening.
+7 Figure 2.3d. Collecting water for temperature measurement (for POPA).
Expedition report: Photo-identification and surveys of cetaceans in the central group of the Azores islands (March - April 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Mar 2020
Abstract In 2019 Biosphere Expeditions concluded its 15th year of cetacean photo-identification and distribution studies in the Azores. The expedition was based in Horta on the island of Faial and work was conducted around the three islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge. The expedition ran from 29 March to 18 April and concentrated on six main proj...
Figure 2.2.2b. An outdoor equipment training session.
Figure 2.2.2c. The whole expedition group recording a bear den in the...
Figure 2.2.2e. Navigating by vehicle to the road points nearest to the...
Figure 2.2.2f. Continuing on foot cross-country to a bear den site,...
+1 Figure 2.2.3g. Bear scats look very different, depending on the bear's...
Expedition report: Beautiful brown bears: Studying bears in the quintessentially Scandinavian woodlands of Dalarna county, Sweden (June/July 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Mar 2020
Abstract This is a report about the first year of collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and Björn & Vildmark with the overall purpose of researching the behaviour of free ranging brown bears (Ursus arctos) in central Sweden for the Scandinavian Brown Bear Research Project (SBBRP). This collaboration investigates, amongst other topics, how cl...
Distribution modeling of the long-tailed marmot (Marmota caudata) for objectives of directing field surveys and ground validation of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) habitat quality
Article
Full-text available
  • Dec 2019
Marmots form a part of the diet of some endangered species such as the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), therefore the knowledge on their distribution and habitat preferences are crucial to the interest of conservation and management of carnivores at high altitudes. Considering this, within a Snow Leopard Project run by Biosphere Expeditions and NABU...
Figure 1.4a. Expedition base: A two-bed cottage.
Figure 1.4b. Expedition base: Safari tent singles.
Figure 1.4c. Expedition base: Main area for eating.
Figure 2.1a. Location of Enonkishu Conservancy, on the northern...
+13 Figure 2.2a. Citizen scientists counting ungulates on a vehicle...
Expedition report: The frontline of conservation: Defending the Kenyan Maasai Mara from biodiversity loss (February - March 2019)
Research
Full-text available
  • Dec 2019
Enonkishu Conservancy is on the northernmost boundary of the Mara-Serengeti Ecosystem (MSE). The conservancy is secured year to year by renting the land from Maasai title-deed owners, who as conservancy members, abide by land-use regulations (restricting permanent structures, arable farming, fences, utilisation of natural resources and regulating t...
Figure 2.2d. Gen Thong is the youngest elephant of the herd at six...
Figure 2.2e. Boon Rott is a 13 year old male elephant, who had also...
Figure 2.2f. Dodo is a 13 year old elephant who spent ten years living...
Figure 2.2g. Pictures of the expedition participants trekking through...
+1 3a. All consumed plant species recorded during the 2018 expedition.
Expedition report: Elephant encounters: Studying Asian elephants (in the hills of northern Thailand) to increase their welfare and conservation (November 2018)
Research
Full-text available
  • Oct 2019
Abstract This study was a collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary. It used direct observations of five free-roaming captive Asian elephants. Their activity budgeting, foraging habits and social-association behaviour were observed using instantaneous, all-occurrence focal and scan-sampling methods respectiv...
Figure 2.2b. Camera trapping sites of the expedition.
Figure 2.2c. Driving transect.
Figure 2.2d. Walking transect.
Figure 2.2e. Hippo transect.
+15 Figure 2.2f. Location of driving and walking transects (the hippo...
Expedition report: From elephants to cats to butterflies: Monitoring biodiversity of Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve, Malawi (September - October 2018)
Research
Full-text available
  • Sep 2019
ABSTRACT The Lilongwe Wildlife Trust and Conservation Research Africa are the first to conduct long-term research projects in Vwaza Marsh Wildlife Reserve (VMWR). These projects focus on large mammals, elephants, primates, bats and insects, and aim to identify and monitor biodiversity and long-term trends in VMWR. Habitats are under increasing pre...
Figure 2.3d. Coral reef at 5 m at Rasdhoo showing the dominant genera...
Figure 2.3g. Sheltered lagoon reef at 7m at Theluveligaa. Note the...
Figure 2.3n. Impacts observed. Measured as a semi-quantitative scale...
Figure 2.3o. Whale shark observed and recorded on 26 July 2018. There...
+3 Figure 2.4d. Location of the protected spawning areas that have bans on...
Expedition report: Little and large: surveying and safeguarding coral reefs & whale sharks in the Maldives (July 2018)
Technical Report
Full-text available
  • Aug 2019
In 2018 Biosphere Expeditions ran its eighth annual Reef Check survey expedition to the Maldives since 2011. One week of surveys was carried out in July 2018 by local and international citizen scientists and a professional reef biologist in Ari atoll, the Maldives. Surveys using the Reef Check methodology were undertaken at three ‘inner’ and three...
Figure 2.3d. Coral reef at 5 m at Rasdhoo showing the dominant genera...
Figure 2.3g. Sheltered lagoon reef at 7m at Theluveligaa. Note the...
Figure 2.3n. Impacts observed. Measured as a semi-quantitative scale...
Figure 2.3o. Whale shark observed and recorded on 26 July 2018. There...
+3 Figure 2.4d. Location of the protected spawning areas that have bans on...
Expedition report: Little and large: surveying and safeguarding coral reefs & whale sharks in the Maldives (July 2018)
Research
Full-text available
  • Aug 2019
Abstract In 2018 Biosphere Expeditions ran its eighth annual Reef Check survey expedition to the Maldives since 2011. One week of surveys was carried out in July 2018 by local and international citizen scientists and a professional reef biologist in Ari atoll, the Maldives. Surveys using the Reef Check methodology were undertaken at three ‘inner’...
Fig. 1. An elevation map of the Kyrgyz Ala-Too study area where a...
Fig. 2. Snow leopard pugmarks (11 th August 2016, altitude 3562 m)....
Fig. 3. Snow leopard kill of a Siberian ibex (25 th August 2016,...
Fig. 4. Camera trap record of Siberian ibex next to the site where the...
+1 Fig. 5. Nighttime camera trap record of a snow leopard, altitude 3720...
Using species distribution modelling to guide survey efforts of the snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in the Central Kyrgyz Ala-Too region
Article
Full-text available
  • Jul 2019
Listed as Vulnerable (IUCN 2017), the snow leopard is declining across much of its present range. One of major reasons for the snow leopard population decline in the last two decades is a reduction in large prey species that are the cornerstone of the conservation of the snow leopard; in the Central Kyrgyz Ala-Too region such species is primarily S...
Figure 1.4a. Base camp with yurts and tents. There is also an...
Figure 3.2a. Map of the West and East Karakol river valleys studied...
Figure 3.4a. Alpine vs. non-alpine butterflies 2015-2018.
3.1a. Snow leopard records made by the 2018 expedition.
+1 4a. Butterflies recorded above 3,600 meters during the 2015 -2018...
Expedition report: Mountain ghosts: protecting snow leopards and other animals of the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan (July - August 2018)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jun 2019
Abstract This study was part of a continuing annual citizen science expedition to the Tien Shan Mountains (Kyrgyz Ala Too and Jumgal Too ranges), run by Biosphere Expeditions and NABU for the fifth consecutive year from 9 July to 11 August 2018, with the aim of surveying for snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its prey species. Using a cell methodol...
Figure 1.2b. Typical heath landscape.
Figure 1.2c. Typical woodland landscape.
Figure 2.2.1a. Distribution of wolves in Germany in 2017/2018 on the...
Figure 2.3c. The 218 scat samples collected by the expedition by their...
+2 Figure IVp. A day's wolf scat finds.
Love / hate relationships: Monitoring the return of thewolf to the German state of Lower Saxony. Expedition report 2018.
Research
Full-text available
  • May 2019
This report details wolf (Canis lupus lupus) active monitoring fieldwork by Biosphere Expeditions in collaboration with the State Wolf Bureau of the German state of Lower Saxony and local wolf commissioners. Field work was conducted from 23 June to 6 July 2018 in two one-week long groups comprising twelve citizen scientists. The aim of the expediti...
Figure 1.2b. Typical heath landscape.
Figure 1.2c. Typical woodland landscape.
Figure 2.2.1a. Distribution of wolves in Germany in 2017/2018 on the...
Figure 2.3c. The 218 scat samples collected by the expedition by their...
+2 Figure IVp. A day's wolf scat finds.
Expedition report: Love / hate relationships: Monitoring the return of the wolf to the German state of Lower Saxony (June/July 2018)
Research
Full-text available
  • May 2019
ABSTRACT This report details wolf (Canis lupus lupus) active monitoring fieldwork by Biosphere Expeditions in collaboration with the State Wolf Bureau of the German state of Lower Saxony and local wolf commissioners. Field work was conducted from 23 June to 6 July 2018 in two one-week long groups comprising twelve citizen scientists. The aim of th...
Figure 2.2b. Training session for expedition citizen scientists.
Expedition report: Gentle giants: Protecting leatherback sea turtles through direct conservation action on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (May 2018)
Research
Full-text available
  • Apr 2019
From 24 February until 31 October 2018 nesting activities of leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) were recorded on Pacuare beach, Costa Rica. A total of 191 sea turtle nests were protected (leatherback = 156, green = 29, hawksbill = 6). 173 nests were relocated to...
Figure 2.3a. Yearly effort (in sea time hours).
Figure 2.3k. Loggerhead turtle.
Figure 2.3l. Sightings during group 1 (8 -17 March 2018).
Figure 2.3m. Sightings during group 2 (19 -28 March 2018).
+8 Figure 2.3n. Sightings during group 3 (30 March -8 April 2018).
Expedition report: Photo-identification and surveys of cetaceans in the central group of the Azores islands (March - April 2018)
Research
Full-text available
  • Mar 2019
Abstract In 2018 Biosphere Expeditions concluded its fourteenth successful year of cetacean photo-identification and distribution studies in the Azores. The expedition was based in Horta on the island of Faial and work was conducted around the three islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge. The expedition ran from 8 March to 19 April and concentrated...
Figure 2.2a. The DDCR and its survey zones (North = green, Central =...
Figure 2.3a. Comparative chart of ungulate numbers recorded by the...
Figure 2.3b. Arabian oryx distribution 2017 vs. 2018. Predicted...
Figure 2.3c. Arabian gazelle distribution 2017 vs. 2018. Predicted...
+3 Figure 2.3d. Sand gazelle distribution 2017 vs. 2018. Predicted...
Expedition report: Ways of the desert: conserving Arabian oryx, Gordon’s wildcat and other species of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, United Arab Emirates (January 2018)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jan 2019
Abstract The successful collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), initiated in 2012, continues with citizen scientists collecting data for a week from 20 to 27 January 2018. Data gathered alerted the DDCR management to several conservation issues and also allowed for informed, fact-based manageme...
Figure 2.1i. Pharaoh eagle owl (photo courtesy of G. Simkins).
3c. Results of camera trapping 2017.
Expedition report: Ways of the desert: conserving Arabian oryx, Gordon’s wildcat and other species of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, United Arab Emirates (January 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Dec 2018
Abstract The successful collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), initiated in 2012, continues with citizen scientists collecting data for a week from 21 to 28 January 2017. Data gathered alerted the DDCR management to several conservation issues and also allowed for informed, fact-based manageme...
Monitoring wolves (Canis lupus lupus) - citizen science provides important results
Poster
Full-text available
  • Sep 2018
Results 2017 (dietary analysis pending): Over four weeks 49 citizen scientists took part (42 from Germany or its immediate neighbour states (86%), four of them (8%) from Lower Saxony, three from North America (6%), two from Australia (4%), as well as one person each from India (2%) and Singapore (2%). Twenty-five 10x10 km grid cells of the EEA grid...
Monitoring wolves (Canis lupus lupus) - citizen science provides important results
Poster
Full-text available
  • Sep 2018
After an absence of more than 150 years, the Eurasian wolf (Canis lupus lupus) started to colonise Germany and reached the federal state of Lower Saxony in 2006. This ‘Central European Lowland Population’ of Canis lupus lupus is: - classified by IUCN as Endangered since 2012(Kaczensky et al. 2013) - protected by European law through theFauna Flora...
3a. Most commonly consumed plant species.
Expedition report: Elephant encounters: Studying Asian elephants (in the hills of northern Thailand) to increase their welfare and conservation (October 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Aug 2018
Abstract This study was a collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and Kindred Spirit Elephant Sanctuary. It used direct observations of four free-roaming captive Asian elephants. Their activity budgeting, foraging habits and social-association behaviour was observed using instantaneous, all-occurrence focal and scan-sampling methods respective...
Figure 2.1b. Coral bleaching coincided with a warm water 'pulse' that...
Figure 2.3b. The overall pattern of coral reef decline and recovery of...
Figure 2.4d. The Mamigili MPA in South Ari atoll, Maldives. At a size...
3c: Other noteworthy observations.
Expedition report: Little and large: surveying and safeguarding coral reefs & whale sharks in the Maldives (July 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jul 2018
Abstract Two weeks of coral reef surveys were carried out in July 2017 by Biosphere Expeditions in Ari, South Male’, Felidhu and Mulaku atolls, Maldives. The surveys were undertaken by Maldivian placement recipients, fee-paying volunteer citizen scientists from around the world and staff from Biosphere Expeditions. Surveys using the Reef Check m...
Figure 1.2b. Typical heath landscape.
Figure 1.2c. Typical woodland landscape.
Figure 2.2.1a. Distribution of wolves in Germany in 2016/2017 on the...
Figure 2.1g. Forest and field edge habitat. Photo courtesy of Daniel...
+11 Figure 2.1h. Open woodland habitat.
Love / hate relationships: Monitoringthe return of the wolf to the German state of Lower Saxony. Expedition report.
Research
Full-text available
  • Jun 2018
Biosphere Expeditions in collaboration with the State Wolf Bureau (Wolfsbüro) in Lower Saxony, Germany, conducted an active wolf (Canis lupus lupus) monitoring project from 17 June to 21 July 2017. Four weekly groups of up to twelve citizen scientists per group as well as staff, local wolf commissioners and, on occasion, trained wolf scat detection...
Figure 1.2b. Typical heath landscape.
Figure 1.2c. Typical woodland landscape.
Figure 2.2.1a. Distribution of wolves in Germany in 2016/2017 on the...
Figure 2.1g. Forest and field edge habitat. Photo courtesy of Daniel...
+11 Figure 2.1h. Open woodland habitat.
Expedition report: Love / hate relationships: Monitoring the return of the wolf to the German state of Lower Saxony (June/July 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jun 2018
Abstract Biosphere Expeditions in collaboration with the State Wolf Bureau (Wolfsbüro) in Lower Saxony, Germany, conducted an active wolf (Canis lupus lupus) monitoring project from 17 June to 21 July 2017. Four weekly groups of up to twelve citizen scientists per group as well as staff, local wolf commissioners and, on occasion, trained wolf scat...
Figure 2.4a. Heat map for planning survey routes and camera trap...
Figure 3.1a. Map of the West and East Karakol River Valleys studied...
3a. Butterflies of the West Karakol River Valley, Kyrgyzstan, June...
Expedition report: Mountain ghosts: protecting snow leopards and other animals of the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan (June - August 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jun 2018
Abstract This study was part of a continuing annual expedition to the Tien Shan Mountains (Kyrgyz Ala Too and Jumgal Too ranges), run by Biosphere Expeditions and NABU from June to August 2017, with the aim of surveying for snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and its prey species. Using a cell methodology developed for citizen scientist volunteer expedi...
Figure 2.3.1h. Percentage of emergence success for Dermochelys coriacea...
Expedition report: Gentle giants: Protecting leatherback sea turtles through direct conservation action on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (May 2017)
Research
Full-text available
  • Apr 2018
Abstract From 27 February until 31 October 2017, nesting activities of leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) were recorded on Pacuare beach, on the Caribbean coast of Limon province, Costa Rica. 279 leatherback nests, 72 green turt...
Through all the gloom, signs of resilience in Maldives reefs
Conference Paper
Full-text available
  • Dec 2017
Figure 2a. Strider posing (and smiling) for the camera on the East...
Figure 2b. A new leopard, presumed to be a female and tentatively named...
Figure 2c. A male caracal, maybe off to find some sunlight in order to...
Figure 2d. The leopard scratch tree with an African wildcat.
+14 Figure 2e. The leopard scratch tree with Strider, looking well-fed in...
Expedition report: Carnivores of the Cape Floral Kingdom: Surveying Cape leopards, caracals and other species in the fynbos mountains of South Africa (October 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Sep 2017
Abstract The fynbos biome of South Africa is a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its very high plant species richness, endemic birds and the presence of the Cape mountain leopard (Panthera pardus). Biodiversity monitoring across a range of faunal taxa was conducted in mountain fynbos habitat, together with a survey of tortoises into the arid karoo...
Figure 2.3a. Discarded fishing line, starting to be encrusted within...
Figure 2.3b. White syndrome -photographed at Faqadar Bay (left) and...
Figure 2.3c. Healthy reef Faqadar Bay (left) and Southwest Khayl Island...
Figure 2.3d. Substrate at 4 m (above), and 7 m (below) at Pipi Beach....
+3 Figure 2.3h. Substrate at 3 m (above), and 8 m (below) at Southwest...
Expedition report: Underwater pioneers: studying & protecting the unique coral reefs of the Musandam peninsula, Oman (October 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Aug 2017
Abstract Coral reefs are important biodiversity hotspots that not only function as a crucial habitat for a multitude of organisms, but also provide human populations with an array of goods and services, such as food and coastal protection. Despite this, coral reefs are under threat worldwide from direct or indirect anthropogenic impacts, such as p...
Figure 2.3.13. The "snow leopard" is actually a fox (photo EK000009...
Figure 2.3.3a. Map showing the distribution of Siberian ibex. Recording...
Figure 2.3.3b. Map showing the distribution of Siberian ibex (recording...
1.3b. Vertebrate species Identified in Kyrgyzstan by taxa (Daviesson &...
+1 2.1a. Numbers, density and area occupied by the snow leopard in various...
Expedition report: Mountain ghosts: protecting snow leopards and other animals of the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan (July - August 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jun 2017
Abstract This study was part of an expedition to the Tien Shan Mountains (Kyrgyz Ala-Too and Jumgal Too ranges), run by Biosphere Expeditions and NABU from 11 July to 27 August 2016 with the aim of surveying for snow leopard (Uncia uncia) and its prey species. Using a cell methodology developed by Biosphere Expeditions for citizen scientist volunt...
Figure 2.2a. Central Maldives atolls with the location of training...
Figure 2.2h. Location of Dhigurah Island (red star on right image) and...
2d. Observations on reef colonisation at inner and outer reefs, July 2016.
2e. Chronic and short-term impacts to reefs that enable a shift from a...
Expedition report: Little and large: surveying and safeguarding coral reefs & whale sharks in the Maldives (July 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Apr 2017
Abstract In July 2016 Biosphere Expeditions volunteers carried out a week of Reef Check surveys in Ari atoll, Maldives. The surveys were undertaken by four Maldivian placement recipients, fee-paying volunteer citizen scientists from around the world, and staff from Biosphere Expeditions and the Marine Conservation Society. A half-day effort-based...
Figure 2.2a. POPA sheet duty.
Figure 2.2b. Camera duty.
Figure 2.4e. Movements of female sperm whales in the North Atlantic...
Figure 3.2b. Species of seabirds observed in 2016.
+1 Figure 3.2c. Species of cetaceans observed in 2016.
Expedition report: Photo-identification and surveys of cetaceans in the central group of the Azores islands (April - May 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Apr 2017
Abstract In 2016 Biosphere Expeditions concluded its thirteenth successful year of cetacean photo-identification and distribution studies in the Azores. The expedition was based in Horta on the island of Faial and work was conducted around the three islands of Faial, Pico and São Jorge. The expedition ran from 4 April to 5 May and concentrated on...
Expedition report: Gentle giants: Protecting leatherback sea turtles through direct conservation action on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica (May 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Apr 2017
Monitoring of sea turtle nesting activities took place from 24 February-15 November 2016 in Pacuare Beach (Caribbean coast of Costa Rica). Monitoring was conducted by Latin American Sea Turtles (LAST) and assisted by Biosphere Expeditions citizen science volunteers from 2-19 May 2016. 414 nesting activities of leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriac...
Figure 2.3f(iii). Invertebrate abundance for Teluk Dalam.
Figure 2.3g(iii). Invertebrate abundance for Batu Malang.
Figure 2.3i(iii). Invertebrate abundance for Fan Canyon.
Figure 2.3j(iii). Invertebrate abundance for Labas North.
+2 Figure 2.3l(iii). Invertebrate abundance for Sepoi.
Expedition report: Paradise in peril: studying & protecting reefs, sharks, dolphins and turtles of the Pulau Tioman Marine Park, Malaysia (August 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Apr 2017
Abstract In August 2016 citizen science volunteers from Biosphere Expeditions along with a marine scientist from Reef Check Malaysia conducted reef health assessments at various sites around Tioman Island (Malaysia), using the Reef Check methodology. The surveys were part of a continuous study first started in 2012 and replicated in 2013. Results...
Figure 2.1a. The expedition base and transect locations indicated by...
Figure 2.1b. The expedition base (small red dot) and locations of...
Figure 2.4a. Colpa change over time. Top: A section of the active...
3b. Locations (including south and west in decimal degrees) and trap...
Expedition report: Icons of the Amazon: Jaguars,pumas, parrots and peccaries in Peru (September 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Feb 2017
Abstract Peru is currently experiencing record economic growth, accompanied by a high rate of deforestation, both of which threaten its biodiversity. This expedition conducted a survey of large, non-flying mammal species in one of the previously best-conserved remaining regions of the Amazon basin. The study site on the Las Piedras River, in the d...
Figure 2.1a. View of the study site showing evidence of illegal logging...
Figure 2.1b. Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Reserve and...
Figure 2.2a. Study cells of the expedition with seven village and nine...
Figure 2.2b. Practical training session in the field.
3b. Schools visited during the expedition (also see photos in Appendix...
Expedition report: Forest flagship: Researching & conserving critically endangered Sumatran tigers in Rimbang Baling Wildlife Reserve, Sumatra, Indonesia (July/August 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Feb 2017
Abstract Biosphere Expeditions and WWF Indonesia ran their second joint expedition with volunteers in and around Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Reserve (BRBBWR), Riau Province, Sumatra, Indonesia, from 17 July to 12 August 2016. The expedition study was a follow-up of the previous study in 2015, with the tiger and its habitat as the focal po...
Figure 2.4b. Sampled cells (2.5 x 2.5 km in size) and results of...
Figure 2.4c. Sampled cells (2.5 x 2.5 km in size) and results of...
Figure 2.4d. Sampled cells (2.5 x 2.5 km in size) and results of...
Figure 2.4g. Sampled cells (2.5 x 2.5 km in size) and results of...
+4 Figure 2.4h. Sampled cells (2.5 x 2.5 km in size) and results of...
Expedition report: True white wilderness: winter wolf and lynx tracking in the Carpathian mountains of Slovakia (February 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jan 2017
Abstract This report covers the fifth year of field research in northern Slovakia’s Veľká Fatra National Park with the support of citizen scientists and the aim of collecting biological information to improve management practices for bears (Ursus arctos), wolves (Canis lupus), lynx (Lynx lynx) and wildcat (Felis silvestris) in the park. Fieldwork...
Figure 2.1h. Lappet-faced vulture (photo courtesy of G. Simkins).
Figure 2.1i. Pharaoh eagle owl (photo courtesy of G. Simkins).
Figure 2.2b. Fox den points surveyed by the expedition, as well as...
3e. Results of camera trapping 2014 -2016.
Expedition report: Ways of the desert: conserving Arabian oryx, Gordon’s wildcat and other species of the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, United Arab Emirates (January 2016)
Research
Full-text available
  • Dec 2016
Abstract The successful collaboration between Biosphere Expeditions and the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), initiated in 2012, continues. Citizen scientists collected data on nine target species, namely the Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx), Gordon’s wildcat (Felis silvestris gordoni), mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella), sand gazelle (Gazella...
Figure 1. Location of 2016 surveys. Note the sheltered locations of the...
Figure 2. Mean live hard coral cover (±SE) before the bleaching event...
Fig-1(a).Nest Record-L. olivacea 2013-16  
Fig-1(b)Nest Record-C. mydas 2013-16  
Fig-1(c)Hatchling Released 2013-16 (L.o)  
Bleaching patterns and capacity building for Maldives Conservationists during Reef Check expeditions
Conference Paper
Full-text available
  • Nov 2016
One of the particularly concerning attributes of coral reefs is the potential for ‘phase shifts’ from coral to non-coral dominated assemblages (e.g. Jamaica 25 years ago). The reefs of the Maldives were variously regarded as ‘pristine’ or a ‘wonderland’ by initial visitors with SCUBA such as Cousteau in the 1950s, but profound ecological changes ha...
Figure 2.3b. Wall net, typically used close to reefs and in areas where...
Figure 2.3c. Healthy reef (at Khayl Island).
Figure 2.3f. Substrate cover at 4 m at Fishnet Mecca.
Figure 2.3g. Fish populations at 3 m at Fishnet Mecca. An average of 24...
+7 Figure 2.3k. Fish populations at 3 m at Middle Finger. A single grouper...
Expedition report: Underwater pioneers: studying & protecting the unique coral reefs of the Musandam peninsula, Oman (October 2015)
Research
Full-text available
  • Oct 2016
Abstract Coral reefs are important biodiversity hotspots that not only function as a crucial habitat for a multitude of organisms, but also provide human populations with an array of goods and services, such as food and coastal protection. Despite this, coral reefs are under threat worldwide from direct or indirect anthropogenic impacts, such as p...
Figure 2.1.3a. The Kyrgyz Ala-Too Range to the south of Bishkek, the...
Figure 2.2.2a. Kyrgyz Ala-Too and road from the villages of Suusamyr to...
Figure 2.3.1b. Location of cells (shaded blue) in which snow leopard...
Figure 2.3.4e. Areas of predicted probability of Siberian ibex...
+4 Figure 2.3.7a. Petroglyph sites in the study area: distribution...
Expedition report: Mountain ghosts: protecting snow leopards and other animals of the Tien Shan mountains of Kyrgyzstan (June - August 2015)
Research
Full-text available
  • Jul 2016
Abstract This study was part of an expedition to the Tien Shan Mountains (Kyrgyz Ala-Too range), run by Biosphere Expeditions and NABU from 8 June to 8 August 2015 with the aim of surveying for snow leopard (Uncia uncia) and its prey species. Using a cell methodology adopted by Biosphere Expeditions for volunteer expeditions, 56 cells of 2x2 km we...
FIG. 1 The   ×  km cells surveyed, by various methods (Table ),...
Staff meeting
Base camp
Training of volunteers
Multiple methods increase detection of large and medium-sized mammals: working with volunteers in south-eastern Oman
Article
Full-text available
  • May 2016
We compared the effectiveness of various methods for surveying medium and large wild mammals in southern Oman. Working with volunteers recruited by Biosphere Expeditions, wildlife professionals and local rangers, we used direct observation, camera traps, sign surveys (tracks and/or dung) and molecular scatology to study 66 sampling units of 2 × 2 k...
Figure 2.1.3a. Fishing inside the Lankanfinolhu MPA (southern end of...
Figure 2.2.1a. Location of sites surveyed in 2015 in Ari atoll. Due to...
Figure 2.3f. Wind frequency chart (wind rose) of Hulhule' for July,...
Expedition report: Little and large: surveying and safeguarding coral reefs & whale sharks in the Maldives (September 2015)
Research
Full-text available
  • May 2016
Abstract One week of Reef Check surveys was carried out in September 2015 with Biosphere Expeditions volunteers in Ari Atoll, Maldives. Surveys concentrated on revisiting permanent monitoring sites that have been surveyed in Ari Atoll, central Maldives. The surveys were carried out whilst an El Niño event was taking place elsewhere in the world, b...
Figure 3.3a. Charts of relative abundance from camera trap photos...
Figure 3.4b. An uncollared male includes Blue Hill Nature Reserve as...
Figure 3.4c. Caracal are more frequently recorded on camera than...
Figure 4.2a. Location of bat surveys (1-4) around BHNR.
+7 Figure 4.2b. Location of the two survey points nearest the properties...
Expedition report: Carnivores of the Cape Floral Kingdom: Surveying Cape leopards, caracals and other species in the fynbos mountains of South Africa (October 2015)
Research
Full-text available
  • May 2016
The fynbos biome of South Africa is a biodiversity hotspot renowned for its very high plant species richness, endemic birds and the presence of the Cape mountain leopard (Panthera pardus). Biodiversity monitoring across a range of faunal taxa was conducted in mountain fynbos habitat in the context of determining prey availability for leopard, carac...
Figure 2.1a. Map of Tiger Conservation Landscapes (TCL) in Sumatra....
Figure 2.2a. Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Reserve and...