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INTRO:

In their abstract Hawke et al. describe their efforts of better understanding population abundance changes of Australian platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) by examing historical data in literature dating back 257 years. As current assessments of the conservation status of a species are based on historical baseline abundances, it is important to determine these historical abundances accurately. Their efforts reveal that the Australian platypus may have suffered larger population abundance declines than previously thought, and that their conservation status may require changing.

MERITS:

It's a well written abstract in which the importance of the research is clearly showcased.

CRITIQUE:

None

DISCUSSION:

It is important to correctly assess a species' conservation status. Since this research showcases the need for a change in the conservation status of the Australian platypus I deem it important research and I would be especially interested in the methodology of their historical literature review. Such historical literature review could prove important for many other species on a global level, in order to conduct accurate conservation status assessments.

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INTRO:

The change has been monitored for two and half centuries which actually is a long- term monitoring. More interesting part is that the species is evolutionarily most distinct mammal and is an elusive one. Documentation of range decline is a crucial finding for the conservation status of the target species. 

MERITS:

Documenting the historical change along with the reasons behind, would provide us with essential information for the current and future strategies. When we know the historical range, and the changes that have lead to the current situation, we may better understand the current status. Whethter it is reintrodution or the recovery of a species, long term monitoring will guide us to take approprite measures to guide us through. 

CRITIQUE:

Has the information been divided into smaller periods such as 30 years or 50 years. what about the techniques used during different time periods. There has been huge advancement in monitoring techniues in the recent past. Have you applied these techniues for the recent data (last 30 years). 

DISCUSSION:

The long term monitoring is important to not only get the infomation about the target species but the system. Management interventions can sometimes take time to achieve the required results and have to be modified if they don't go the way they were meant to be. Sometimes new and unexpected problems crop up to manage and thus an afresh plan has to be implemented. Some systems are more dynamic, so the long term monitoring is necessary to have desired results and to implement similar measures in an identical system. 

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INTRO:

The Platypus is endemic to Australia, where it is dependent on rivers, streams, and bodies of freshwater. With estimated area of occupancy (AOO) left as only 12400 km² this endangered mammal badly needs various conservation measures to stop the declining population trend. In this direction current study has very significant role in highlighting the population trends of this species across long period of time. This will act as a base for developing various conservation strategies for the iconic Australian platypus.

MERITS:

The manuscript reflects a comendable effort to highlight the very important issue of declining population trend of the  Australian platypus.

CRITIQUE:

The manuscript is well written but the results section needs to be improved. It needs to be clearly mentioned that what where the findings of this study.  Following questions if addressed in the results section will make the manuscript better and more informative. How did population of the species change with time? Are there some figures to compare the populations? How significantly population has changed? Was there some change in the distribution range also?

DISCUSSION:

This research is very important and a little modification in methods and results section will make the manuscript more informative and helpful for the conservation of this important mammal.