Low contribution of Caribbean-based researchers to academic publications on biodiversity conservation in the insular Caribbean

Effects of Deforestation on Foraging Behavior, Ectoparasites, and Adult Survival in the Vulnerable La Selle Thrush, Turdus swalesi, in Haiti

“…Unfortunately, very little research has been carried out on the basic biology and ecology of resident birds, in particular on the 33 bird species endemic to the island [112,113]. The present study, however, shows that knowledge gaps could be relatively easily and more effectively filled through funding tertiary education of local young researchers and regional cooperation, instead of promoting parachute science [114][115][116]. In particular, significant funding should be allocated to the training of Haitian students in conservation biology at the master and PhD levels, and to giving them access to modern tools of investigation, including remotesensing techniques and molecular analyses.…”

Identifying global research and conservation priorities for Columbidae: a quantitative approach using random forest models

“…The same geographical bias has been found in several studies focusing on diverse taxa (Ducatez and Lefebvre, 2014;Tydecks et al, 2018;Melles et al, 2019). It can be partly explained by logistic constraints, local poverty, political instability, geographic isolation and lack of local expertise in developing countries (Clark, 1985;de Lima et al, 2011;Amano and Sutherland, 2013;Wilson et al, 2016;Reboredo Segovia et al, 2020;Vallès et al, 2021).…”

“…Ideally, prioritization mechanisms should be based on sound and reliable scientific evidence (Williams et al, 2020). However, important gaps in knowledge still exist, particularly in several biodiversity-rich countries, such as Haiti or sub-saharan African countries, where ongoing conflicts, political instability and poor access to facilities and funding severely hamper the development of field research and monitoring programs (Hanson et al, 2009;Siddig, 2014;Conteh et al, 2017;dos Santos et al, 2020;Vallès et al, 2021). In addition to spatial bias, the conservation literature tends to give a disproportionate attention to emblematic, charismatic, and flagship species (Andelman and Fagan, 2000;Brambilla et al, 2013;Mammides, 2019;Habel et al, 2021).…”

“…For instance, although the Andean Flamingo, Phoenicoparrus andinus, is the least abundant flamingo in the world and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Species Survival Commission (Derlindati et al, 2014), it has received far less attention than the Least Concern Greater Flamingo, Phoenicopterus roseus (Johnson and Ceźilly, 2007;Geraci et al, 2012). In addition, the majority of avian conservation research is conducted in developed countries and/or by North American and western European researchers, confirming the mismatch between priorities and capacity for research and conservation (Brito and Oprea, 2009;Vallès et al, 2021).…”

Estimation of Adult Sex Ratio and Size-Related Sexual Dimorphism Based on Molecular Sex Determination in the Vulnerable La Selle Thrush, Turdus swalesi

“…In that respect, assessing variation in the adult sex ratio among local avian species in relation to their degree of forest dependency might provide a clue to the consequences of deforestation for local bird species, as deviation from a balanced sex ratio tends to be more severe in populations of threatened avian species than in non-threatened ones [85]. Although the ability to conduct ornithological research in Haiti remains currently limited due to political instability, lack of local scientific expertise, and limited access to equipment and funding [86], the present study and a few recent ones [87,88] raise some hope for the future. Institutional Review Board Statement: Access to the protected area, "Parc National La Visiste", capture and handling of the species, and collection of biological samples (blood and feathers) were carried out with the agreement of the Direction of Biodiversity, Haitian Ministry of the Environment.…”