Michael Calver

Since last century conservation biologists, in common with researchers and practitioners in other disciplines with a strong applied focus, have complained of poor recognition by the broader academic community of authors whose important research is published in outlets with a low Journal Impact Factor (JIF) or no JIF. Ironically, low-JIF journals are often primary sources for much applied work of narrow regional or taxonomic interest essential for successful intervention on the ground. Publications in such outlets are often rated poorly in academic review, promotion, and tenure (RPT), so how can researchers be encouraged to make these important contributions and be recognised when they do? Here, we answer by documenting evidence confirming the publication priorities of high-JIF and low-JIF conservation journals, the value of some publications in low-ranked journals for conservation policy and practice, and the harms caused by focusing on JIF in RPT. Having established the validity of concerns regarding overusing JIF in evaluating conservation research and researchers, we overview strategies available to individual researchers facing JIF-focused evaluations of their work, alternative methods for RPT for consideration by relevant committees, and opportunities for collective action to achieve reform.

Australia's natural history museums, in common with similar institutions globally, face budget scrutiny. Research, which is less visible to the public than exhibitions, is vulnerable. To provide context to discussions of the value of museum research, we used citation analysis to explore how research publications of Australian Natural History Museum (ANHM) staff were used nationally and internationally, based on 9,923 relevant documents from 1981–2020. We identified the 50 most highly cited documents (Top 50), noting for each: number of citations, Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI), number of authors, length in pages, subject area classifications and keywords, Open Access (OA) availability, collaboration within and outside Australia as revealed by authors’ affiliations and, to indicate national relevance, whether either ‘Australia’ or ‘Australian’ appeared in the title. For documents not included in the Top 50 we determined length, number of authors, OA availability, whether there were international authors, and whether the words ‘Australia’ or ‘Australian’ appeared in the title. We also calculated mean FWCI for all documents in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020 and benchmarked these against the international mean of 1 for FWCI. The Top 50 list documents had a high mean citation of 654 (range 329 – 2,055) with a mean FWCI of 13.4 (range 1.35 – 79.6), exceeding the world average of 1. Compared to other ANHM documents they had similar length, but more authors/document and greater international collaboration. Top 50 documents were also more likely to be available OA and less likely to include ‘Australia’ or ‘Australian’ in the title. ANHM documents outside the Top 50 had a mean FWCI between 1.0 and 1.3 in each of the five years examined, equalling or exceeding the world average of 1. We complemented citation analysis with descriptions of nine case studies of use of ANHM research other than citation, illustrating how the research assisted environmental policy and management by national and international government agencies, liaisons with Australian natural history societies with both academic and lay members, and education. Overall, ANHM research documents serve regional Australian interests, while often having international relevance.

Camera trap model and setup choice can significantly affect data collection. This study investigated standard-angle Reconyx and wide-angle Swift camera traps in different setups and how the choice of equipment influenced detection and individual identification of the chuditch (Dasyurus geoffroii). Camera models were placed side-by-side in four setups: (i) single and (ii) paired camera traps 30 cm above ground; and single cameras (iii) 1 m and (iv) 2 m above ground, with a lure (tuna oil) in the centre of all setups. Swifts had a higher Detection probability than Reconyx, although the number of detections with identified individuals did not significantly differ between camera models. The 30 cm paired camera setups had the highest Detection and Identification probabilities for both camera models, with both probabilities decreasing as cameras were positioned higher. Camera model and setup choice are important in obtaining detection and identification data, and should be considered when planning studies and interpreting results.

Although the domestic cat Felis catus is implicated in multiple faunal extinctions and threatens many extant species, there is widespread, well‐funded advocacy for desexing unowned cats near human habitation and returning them to site to be fed by volunteers, arguing that this prevents euthanasia, is unlikely to be hazardous to wildlife or a public health risk, and controls non‐native rodents. To the contrary, we present unequivocal evidence that this approach harms cat welfare, does threaten wildlife and public health, and exacerbates rather than controls rodent problems. We argue instead that unowned cats near human habitation can be controlled effectively by intensive adoption and responsible euthanasia when necessary, supported by licensing and containment of adopted/owned cats.

As a case study of the responses of natural history museums to changing scientific and funding environments, we analysed research publications of Australia's Natural History Museums (ANHMs) 1981-2020. Using Scopus, 9,923 relevant documents 1981-2020 were identified, mainly research papers but with a growing proportion of reviews. The number of documents published increased over tenfold from 39 (1981) to 553 (2020), likely driven by collaborations (rising from 28.5% of documents 1981-1985 to 87.2% of documents 2016-2020), contributions from retired staff, and volunteer support. The mean length of documents (pages) ranged from a low of 15.3 in 2001-2005 to a high of 17.4 in 1991-1995, but this statistically significant result was trivial in practical terms. The sources (i.e., journals, book titles, conference proceedings) in which ANHM authors published changed over time, with growing proportions of publications in journals covering molecular ecology/phylogenetics and biological conservation. We identified the major areas of study canvassed within the corpus of publications by developing structural topic models based on patterns of word use in document titles, abstracts and keyword lists. The topics discovered included study subjects traditional for natural history museums (new taxa, phylogeny, systematics, animal morphology, palaeontology, minerals), new directions (molecular genetics, ecology, biological conservation) and marine biology (probably reflecting Australia's large coastline). Most citations came from Australia, USA and UK, although in 2016-2020 only 27.9% of citing documents included an Australian author. Growth in numbers of documents and collaborations, as well as use of documents internationally over a period of great change in scientific and funding environments, indicate an enduring legacy of ANHM research, grounded on the intrinsic value of the collections.

Cats are popular companion animals globally. While the general academic definition of responsible cat ownership is agreed upon, committing to responsible cat ownership is multifaceted, often reflecting regional priorities and values. Utilising a virtual private network (VPN), an English-language online search for 'responsible cat ownership' was applied from major cities in 10 different nations, accounting for five different geographic regions and nine different geographic sub-regions. Data were extracted from the first 20 webpages of each search and included author affiliation, country of webpage origin, and all recommendations towards responsible cat ownership. Searches identified 58 different webpages, 142 duplicate results, and 16 different recommendations. Both before (60.5%) and after (58.6%) duplicate exclusion, irrespective of region, most webpages originated from Australia, so recommendations may lack local nuance in other countries. Similarly, local government webpages were the most common author affiliation both before (35.5%) and after (37.9%) duplicate exclusion-moreover, most Australian webpages were authored by local government (55.9%). More than half of all webpages recommended registration and microchipping (65.5%), desexing (65.5%), and containment (60.3%), probably due to the predominance of local government and Australian webpages online-reflecting Australia's strong legislative stance. Both Australia and New Zealand showed majority recommendations for containment but not for environmental and behavioural enrichment in households. This may be partially explained by the significantly higher agreement in Australia and New Zealand that cats threaten valued wildlife in cities, towns, and rural areas. Unlike the Oceanian nations, other countries clearly recommended improved understanding and provision for cat needs, but with little evidence of support for containment. Thus, divergent welfare considerations inform major webpages associated with attitudes towards cat ownership internationally. Encouraging containment, a responsible cat ownership practice with benefits for cats and wildlife, may be more likely to succeed outside Oceania if cat welfare is emphasised instead of wildlife protection. Within Oceania, more attention could be given to enhancing the well-being of contained cats.

Australia needs a new shared vision that the current trajectory of loss of natural heritage on its offshore islands is not acceptable and needs to change. This Special Issue brings together seven papers from leaders and practitioners with experience in offshore islands across the Australian and New Zealand context. The fundamentals for each paper are to suggest potential solutions or scenarios to move forward with island policy, and management.

The introduction of European red foxes in Australia in the late mid-nineteenth century has resulted in the spread of this invasive species across the continent. The morphological and functional divergence of this relatively recently introduced population has not been explored to date, yet it may provide unique insights into adaptability of this widespread carnivore to very different environments. Here we used three-dimensional geometric morphometric approaches and dissections to explore differences in mandible form and function between two populations: one from France and the other from Western Australia. Bite force was predicted for Australian foxes using partial least squares (PLS) regression models based on the observed covariation between estimated bite force (from muscle dissections) and mandible form in French foxes. Muscle contributions were estimated based on Euclidean distances between landmarks that provide insights into muscle lever arms. Despite the greater sample size, Australian foxes show reduced variability in mandible shape compared with French foxes. The mandibles of adult French foxes tend to be slightly smaller and they also strongly differ in shape from the Australian foxes in functionally important areas of the mandible such as muscle insertion areas. This is accompanied by significant differences in the predicted bite force, even relative to size, and muscle contribution: the bite of Australian foxes is weaker and they show greater use of their temporalis muscle compared to French foxes. The reduced variability suggests a founder effect or stabilizing selection on a specific morphology, which was supported by statistical tests. The corresponding anatomical traits suggest different functional demands likely due to differences in diet or competition. Future studies investigating the drivers of variation in mandible shape in native and invasive populations, including data from the original source of the Australian introductions, are needed to better understand the observed differences.

The choice of words we use often conveys specific meanings and tone to a topic. Hence, the words that we use in conservation science often have important ramifications in scientific, legal, and social contexts. The management of free-ranging cats is an important example, because of the animal welfare, predation, and public health implications. In this context, one set of words that has recently arisen outside of conservation but has particular relevance for it and many other fields is ‘community cat.’ As we note, through an evaluation of the literature, ‘community cat’ is almost always used as a synonym for unowned, free-ranging cats. Such rebranding is significant for conservation, policy, and management because it implies community ownership of animals without, in many cases, explicit agreement from the community. As such, there is a need to understand the history of the term, what it really means, and its implications for the advancement of conservation biology, natural resource management, veterinary medicine, and animal welfare.