S42 - Developing research capacity on biodiversity and conservation: a caribbean challenge Wednesday 22 June 2016 Sully 3 16:00-16:15

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1 S42 - Developing research capacity on biodiversity and conservation: Wednesday 22 June 2016 Sully 3 16:00-16:15 Prof. Frank Cézilly Université de Bourgogne Franche- Comté, UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences, 6 blvd. Gabriel Dijon, France ; frank.cezilly@u- bourgogne.fr Developing research capacity in biological conservation and wildlife management: a Caribbean perspective. Background - Although the Caribbean region is the fifth hotspot of biodiversity in the world, scientific research on Caribbean biodiversity and wildlife conservation is insufficiently developed. Our aim here is to proceed to a review of the literature in order to assess which topics have been covered so far, in which areas important gaps in knowledge still remain, and what is the contribution of local research institutions relative to that of external research institutions. Method - We surveyed the existing literature to quantify the scientific production on biodiversity and wildlife conservation in the Caribbean, in terms of articles published in international refereed journals. This was mainly achieved through using combinations of key words to extract the relevant information from the Web of Science. Parallel to this, we assessed the existing human resources for developing research on biodiversity and conservation in key Caribbean institutions. Results - Our results show that, compared to that of other geographical regions, the Caribbean biodiversity has received less attention, in terms of scientific research, at least from what can be concluded based on our literature survey. This deficit can be partly explained by the lack of local scientific expertise, although several other factors contribute to the situation. Discussion - We make some recommendations for strengthening transnational cooperation in research on biodiversity and increasing academic production on Caribbean biodiversity. Frank Cézilly 1,2 & Juliette Bailly 2 1 Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences, Dijon, France 2 Caribaea Initiative, La Tour du Valat, Arles, France

2 S42 - Developing research capacity on biodiversity and conservation: Wednesday 22 June 2016 Sully 3 16:15-16:30 Dr. Nathalie Mather- L Huillier Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P O Box 334, BASSETERRE, St Kitts nlhuillier@rossvet.edu.kn Developing training in veterinary sciences and conservation medicine in the Caribbean: the case of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in St. Kitts Background Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) in St. Kitts and Nevis offers training programs in wildlife health and conservation medicine in the Caribbean. RUSVM provides a learning environment that prepares our students to become leaders in these fields, supported by a research- informed educational experience. Research is focused on advancing human and animal health through a transdisciplinary, One Health approach. Method The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at RUSVM is a 10- semester (3 years and four months), research- active program accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the St. Christopher & Nevis Accreditation Board. DVM students with an interest in conservation medicine can take elective courses such as Introduction to Sea Turtle Medicine, and Introductory/Advanced Aquatic Veterinary Medicine, as well as being involved in conservation programs through assistantships, student- led research electives and volunteer opportunities. Postgraduate degree programs include a Master of Science (by coursework) in One Health, as well as MSc and PhD by research. The MSc in One Health has a strong emphasis on leadership, research and communication, as well as modules in conservation medicine, disease surveillance and diagnostics, zoonotic diseases, epidemiology and biostatistics. Results Research capacity on biodiversity and conservation at RUSVM lies within the Center for Conservation Medicine and Ecosystem Health. The Center is focused on two overarching research themes: (i) the health of indicator species in marine ecosystems in the Caribbean, and (ii) the population ecology, disease epidemiology and management of non- native fauna in the Caribbean. In marine ecosystems, the Center has a focus on sea turtles, invasive lionfish, marine mammals, corals, and queen conch populations. In terrestrial ecosystems, the focus is on feral cats and donkeys, free- roaming dogs, African green monkeys and small Indian mongooses. Discussion Through engagement with diverse partners in the region and beyond, RUSVM is well placed to contribute to the development of research capacity in wildlife health and conservation medicine in the Caribbean, including training of future veterinarians. Darryn Knobel, Nathalie Mather- L Huillier, Jeremy DeRicco, Lee Willingham Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P O Box 334, BASSETERRE, St Kitts

3 S42- Developing research capacity on biodiversity and conservation: a caribbean challenge Wednesday 22 June 2016 Sully 3 16:30-16:45 Mr Henri Vallès Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences. The University of the West Indies at Cave Hill Cave Hill Rd, Wanstead, Barbados henri.valles@cavehill.uwi.edu The University of the West Indies: building research capacity for biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean The University of the West Indies (UWI), established since 1948, is the largest university in the English speaking Caribbean and the only regional one, with campuses in Trinidad and Tobago (St Augustine), Jamaica (Mona), and Barbados (Cave Hill). It is host to approximately 50,000 registered students from 18 countries in the Caribbean region and outside. Through its three campuses, the UWI offers a range of undergraduate and post- graduate degrees in the biological sciences and related fields. This communication (1) provides an overview of the different UWI undergraduate and post- graduate programmes that are relevant to biodiversity and conservation in the Caribbean; (2) underlines recent research at UWI in those areas, and (3) highlights challenges that UWI faces in strengthening its research capacity.

4 S42- Developing research capacity on biodiversity and conservation: Wednesday 22 June 2016 Sully 3 16:45-17:00 Mr. José Manuel Vieira Fragoso California Academy of Sciences, California, USA fragoso@stanford.edu Integrating Tertiary Education on Biodiversity Conservation with Island Needs. Creating a successful graduate program in biodiversity conservation for islands can be challenging. Limited land area results in intricate land use patterns and cultural resistance to sustainably managing remaining natural environments. I describe how a Coupled Natural- Human Systems approach can generate greater opportunities in these socio- ecological environments for such programs and their graduates. It can also lead to more success in biodiversity and wildlife conservation. José Manuel Vieira Fragoso, California Academy of Sciences, California, USA

5 S42- Developing research capacity on biodiversity and conservation: Wednesday 22 June 2016 Sully 3 17:00-17:15 Dr Daniel Imbert Université des Antilles, UMR EcoFoG, CNRS, Cirad, INRA, Université de Guyane, Pointe- à- Pitre, France daniel.imbert@univ- ag.fr The ECOTROP Master s degree of the Université des Antilles: a tool for promoting biodiversity conservation in the Caribbean Background- French overseas territories account for the largest islands of the Lesser Antilles and host much of the biodiversity found in this sub- region. As a result, national policies for nature conservation have led to the establishment of several kinds of specially protected areas across those islands, enabling an increasing local concern for sustainable management programs and for scientific research on Caribbean biodiversity. Consecutively, the Université des Antilles has developed since 2001 a Master level program on the ecology and management of tropical biodiversity. Method- The ECOTROP Master s degree was launched in We analyse the influx of students who applied for this program over the last 6 years, and we highlight the success and failure rates as well as the origin of the students. The future of the graduates is assessed by means of an on- line survey run on a sample of 52 responses. Results- The Master welcomes each year an average of 42 students. 21% of them come from abroad, mostly from Western Europe through the Erasmus student exchange program. Caribbean students account only for 25% of the graduates. At the time of the inquiry, 79% of the graduates had found a job or a doctoral grant in accordance to their diploma. On average, a same proportion of students find a job within the next 18 months following their graduation. Half of the graduates find their first job in their own country/state and 67% of these jobs are located in tropical areas. Discussion- Despite an especially favourable context to maintain an advanced training program on tropical biodiversity and wildlife conservation at the Université des Antilles, much remains to be done to improve the number of local and foreign Caribbean graduates. Daniel Imbert, Université des Antilles, UMR EcoFoG, CNRS, Cirad, INRA, Université de Guyane, Pointe- à- Pitre, France

6 S42- Developing research capacity on biodiversity and conservation: Wednesday 22 June 2016 Sully 3 17:15-17:30 Dr. Jean- Raphael Gros Désormeaux Université des Antilles, UMR CNRS 8053 Centre de Recherche sur les Pouvoirs Locaux dans la Caraïbe, Schœlcher Cedex, Martinique jrgrosde@martinique.univ- ag.fr Developing cooperation capacity in biodiversity conservation: the French West Indies (FWI) territories perspectives. Background - In March 2016, the French National Assembly has unanimously adopted a law about external actions of local authorities and cooperation between the French overseas territories and their regional environment. This new possibility of alliances between states and local authorities offers an opportunity for liaising with political, economical, intellectual and scientific circles in the "Greater Caribbean", especially for the natural heritage conservation in this fifth hotspot of biodiversity in the world. In this context, the aim of this proposal is to present and to analyse the new opportunities arising from the French Agency of Biodiversity strategy and the Biodiversity French Law project. Method - The methodology used here is based on Textual Data Analysis (Gibbs, 2002). This qualitative approach combines a set of statistical methods for to discover the important information in texts. This is an interesting alternative for to minimize bias in the analyse of two important texts: "Projet de loi pour la reconquête de la biodiversité, de la nature et des paysages" and the report intituled "Quelles déclinaisons de l Agence française pour la biodiversité dans les outre- mer". Results - In the results, we will highlight categorical idea, the words and sentences most used, all repeated segments in the text, the similarities and the differences between the frequent worlds. Discussion - From the results, we will propose to discuss the need to build an innovative formation to support the development of Caribbean cooperation capacity in environmental diplomacy, especially with the recent eco- diplomacy Master s degree project between the non governmental organisation Caribaea initiative, the University of the West Indies, the Université des Antilles and the Université de Bourgogne. Gibbs, Graham. Qualitative data analysis: Explorations with NVivo (Understanding social research). Buckingham: Open University Press, Jean- Raphaël Gros- Désormeaux 1, Justin Daniel 1 & Karine Galy 1 1 Université des Antilles Martinique, UMR CNRS 8053 CRPLC, Schoelcher, France (FWI)

7 S42- Developing research capacity on biodiversity and conservation: a caribbean challenge Mr Forget Pierre- Michel Muséum National d Histoire Naturelle, UMR MECADEV CNRS- MNHN, 1 avenue du Petit Château, Brunoy, France pierre- michel.forget@mnhn.fr PRESENTATION : Poster The International multidisciplinary thematic network Caraïbes : a joint- venture between CNRS- INEE and Caribaea Initiative for research excellence in the Caribean Region. The prospectives Mer and Ecologie Tropicale of the Insitute Ecology and Environment (INEE) of the CNRS demonstrated that many researchers and professors in CNRS- INEE units were developing research in the Caribbean region, in both marine and terrestial ecosystems in various disciplines (ecology, evolution, environment, territory, human- environment interactions, etc.). The survey conducted in 2012 on the interest of INEE units in Tropical Ecology revealed that of 56 units developing research in the tropics, 25 did so in the Caribbean, mainly in French Overseas teritories such as Guadeloupe (15/25) and Martinique (16/25), but also in other foreign territories in the region. However, the dispersion of actors and themes between the different units and initiatives require greater scientific structure to bring together the skills and join forces for research excellence. Caribbean international multidisciplinary thematic network (Réseau Thématique Pluridisciplinaire International, RTPI) has thus been created by CNRS- INEE aiming at structuring scientific research around four key themes particularly developed in the Caribean region : 1) Biogeography and evolution; 2) Diversity and health ; 3) Human- ecosystem interaction; 4) Invasive species. A task force has been formed to promote and structure research in the Caribbean region with representatives of the involved laboratories and Caribbean colleagues, including ultra- marine departments and territories. This RTPI has four roles, ie to coordinate, facilitate, inform, and train students and researchers. Built initially around the CNRS units and university teams overseas and mainland involved in Caribbean region, it is now expanding to foreign partnerships with the collaboration and partnership of Caribaea Initiative. Pierre- Michel Forget 1, Frank Cézilly 2,3 1 Muséum National d Histoire Naturelle, UMR MECADEV CNRS- MNHN, 1 avenue du Petit Château, Brunoy, France 2 Université de Bourgogne Franche Comté, UMR CNRS 6282 Biogéosciences, Dijon, France 3 Caribaea Initiative, La Tour du Valat, Arles, France