One Conservation: the integrated view of biodiversity conservation

Abstract

The current global situation requires urgent decision-making to reverse processes of mass extinction of thousands of species. As a way of showing the importance of joint actions in this process, we aim to present the concept of One Conservation as a new proposal for the integration of sustainability, in situ and ex situ conservation for the restoration of ecosystems. According to the United Nations, we are beginning the decade of ecosystem restoration and in association with the International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines, we can join efforts in the conservation of the planet. The survival of many species of wild animals depends on the management of populations currently maintained in ex situ conditions (under human care). To facilitate the exchange of genetic material between in situ and ex situ populations, reproductive biotechniques have become a great tool, making it possible to restore species in their natural environments. For effective conservation to occur, there must be an integrated view of the problem as a whole, and action for solutions must take place jointly by different spheres of society. Even more, conservation must be carried out by the public sector, the private sector, the third sector, and not less importantly, the agricultural sector. Therefore, One Conservation is defined as an interconnection between ex situ and in situ conservation plans, anthropic actions in the environment, and research in different areas that encompass conservation.

Surgical sterilization of free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris): “Passos Nunes” uterine horn ligature

“…Capybaras must have their gonads preserved in order to maintain cohesive groups and to facilitate post-surgical follow-up ( Passos-Nunes et al, 2020 ; Silva et al, 2018 ). Population control by in situ sterilization of capybaras reduces the methods of removal of this species by euthanasia in endemic areas of BSF, bringing a synergy between different lines of research in accordance with the modern concept of One Health ( Pizzutto et al, 2021 ). Additionally, reproductive management and the reduction of euthanasia for population control prevent social unrest and ecological imbalance.…”

Integrated approaches to howler monkey (Alouatta spp.) medicine in professional care and conservation

“…However, data collection of insitu populations poses a number of challenges, making data collection from ex-situ populations an excellent alternative, as many diseases affect both populations (5,6). Disease surveillance work can help detect new outbreaks and monitor the direction in which such outbreaks move, as well as host expansion, and also is a key aspect of managing ex-situ populations of Alouatta within a One Conservation framework (5,7). Disease surveillance can occur through serology and molecular biology for specific diseases, coprology, necropsies, overall health evaluation with extensive clinical data collection, and in conjunction with ongoing behaviors studies which can be combined with data available for human populations (4)(5)(6)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

“…The One Health concept is usually associated with infectious disease or toxicology as they are the aspects that can most easily affect multiple species ( 5 ). However, when considering conservation, reproduction is a key aspect, as many reproductive diseases affect multiple species ( 18 ), which could be studied both in the wild and in professional care, making it a fundamental part of One Conservation ( 7 ). Reproductive parameters such as longevity, age at maturity, gestation length, presence or absence of a lactational anestrus, inter-birth interval, and reproductive rate at the population level are important factors that determine how fast a population can reverse a declining trend or recover from die-off events such as after an infectious disease outbreak.…”

“…Consequently, necropsies performed following a standardized protocol for sample collection and cryobanking as well as histopathology on individual cases in professional care can offer an insight into diseases affecting howler monkeys. Furthermore, elucidating disease and mortality etiologies in populations in professional care can provide useful information that can positively impact individual animals in rehabilitation centers prior to release back into their natural habitat ( 16 ), engaging the One Conservation perspective ( 7 ).…”

“…A modern all-inclusive wildlife medicine approach involving veterinarians, biologists, animal behavior experts, mathematicians, ecologists, experts in human health, and social and economic sciences collaborating for conservation ( 5 , 13 , 38 ) is urgent for the conservation of Neotropical non-human primates. This is how the concept of One Conservation is defined: integrating research in wild and in managed populations within the framework of a host of human and environmental factors ( 7 ).…”