Allele dataset of western grasswren for use in VORTEX (PVA analysis)

Conservation translocations have become an increasingly popular method to restore or secure vulnerable populations. However, translocations greatly vary in success. The use of population viability analysis (PVA) may increase the likelihood of meeting translocation goals. However, the quality of PVAs to inform translocations is dependent on the availability of ecological data and clear translocation objectives to guide them. Here, we used PVAs to inform the planned conservation translocation of the Western Grasswren (Amytornis textilis textilis) from mainland Shark Bay onto Dirk Hartog Island, Western Australia. A range of translocation scenarios was modelled and scored against success criteria as determined by translocation objectives. Simulations of 20-year outcomes found that a minimum founder population of 112 individuals meets all success criteria. PVA supported sourcing individuals from two subpopulations to maximise genetic diversity. No impact to source populations was detected for the proposed harvest quantities despite conservative estimates of initial source population sizes. Here we demonstrate that creating clear, measurable objectives alongside a PVA lessens ambiguity about which translocation scenarios could be viable. In doing so, we have identified the minimum translocation sizes needed to maintain genetic diversity and population growth, thus increasing the likelihood of translocation success without impacting the source population.

移地保护措施已成为恢复或稳固脆弱物种种群的日益流行的手段。然而，各类移地保护项目的成功率差异悬殊。种群生存力分析（population viability analysis, PVA）的应用或可提升达成移地保护目标的可能性。但用于指导移地保护工作的PVA质量，取决于生态数据的可获得性以及清晰明确的移地保护目标的指引。
本研究利用PVA对西草鹩（Amytornis textilis textilis）的计划性保护移地工作进行指导：该物种原分布于澳大利亚大陆的鲨鱼湾，本次拟将其种群迁至西澳大利亚州的德克·哈托格岛。我们针对一系列移地保护场景开展建模，并依据移地保护目标设定的成功标准进行评分。
对20年周期的模拟结果显示，当奠基种群的最小规模为112只个体时，可满足全部成功标准。PVA结果支持从两个亚种群中选取个体，以最大化遗传多样性。尽管对源种群初始规模采用了保守估算，但拟开展的捕获数量未对源种群造成可检测的负面影响。
本研究证明，结合清晰可量化的目标与PVA的应用，可减少关于哪些移地保护场景具备可行性的歧义。通过该路径，我们明确了维持遗传多样性与种群增长所需的最小移地种群规模，从而在不损害源种群的前提下提升移地保护项目的成功概率。