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In the late Professor G. Mace's iconic work entitled “Whose conservation?” she laid out the four movements through which U.K. conservation has progressed in the last 70 years. These are key concepts in understanding the motivations and perspectives behind conservation practice and continue to provide a useful framework through which to examine the contributions of related disciplines to habitat management and ecological restoration. Paleoecology, whilst well established as a field of research, is still finding its place as an applied science that is fully integrated into conservation practice. To facilitate the closing of this research‐implementation gap, the paper presents a reflection of the current and potential contributions of paleoecology through the lens of Mace's four conservation philosophies. The key message that emerges is that the integration and application of paleoecology in conservation is essential to holistically address the ongoing biodiversity crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in phenology are a conspicuous fingerprint of climate change, leading to fears that phenological mismatches among interacting species will be a leading cause of population declines and extinction. We used quantile regression to analyze museum collection data and estimate changes in the phenological overlap of Baltimore checkerspot butterflies and 12 common nectar plant species over several decades in two geographic regions. We combined these museum data with field estimates of each species' flower density and nectar sugar production to estimate changes in resource availability caused by shifts in phenological overlap. Phenological overlap (measured as the proportion of plant flowering during the flight period of an average butterfly) decreased through time, primarily because the flowering period of nectar plants was longer, but the flight period of butterflies was shorter in recent years. Our study was also motivated by the hypothesis that phenological mismatches may be more severe in the southern region due to a midsummer dearth in floral resources, but this hypothesis was not supported by our data. Although phenological overlap was somewhat smaller in the southern region, changes in overlap through time were similar in both regions. When phenological overlap was weighted by nectar sugar production of different species, the overlap increased in the southern region but decreased in the northern region (the opposite of our prediction). Overall, nectar resources were much more abundant at study sites in our northern region than in our southern region, possibly due to differences in land management. Our study demonstrates the complexities of phenological mismatch of interacting species and highlights that phenological changes may have small impacts on population viability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Military training areas can host important biodiversity, due to the preservation of diverse, nutrient‐poor historical cultural landscapes and an insect‐friendly disturbance regime. In Europe, many training areas were abandoned after the end of the cold war in 1991 and the withdrawal of the Allied and Soviet forces. Many of these are now protected areas, and current management strategies vary from rewilding to active habitat management such as grazing or mowing. In a capture–release–recapture approach, marking 2418 individuals, we assessed the population size and movement patterns of the dry ecotype of the Marsh Fritillary Euphydryas aurinia Rottemburg 1775 on three former military training areas in Germany that varied in size and management (natural succession, mowing, and sheep‐/goat grazing). Euphydryas aurinia is a rare and declining butterfly species listed in Annex II of the European Union Habitats Directive. Jolly–Seber models revealed a large population of ca. 19,000 individuals on the largest study site and a smaller population at a second site, whereas recapture rates were too low to predict the population size reliably at a third site. Population densities were 190–194 butterflies ha−1 at the unmanaged, large site and 56–71 butterflies ha−1 at a smaller site grazed with sheep. Thirty‐nine percent of the recapture events occurred within the same 1‐ha‐study plot. The average minimum flight distance between the study plots was 313 m for males and 328 m for females. The maximum lifetime flight distance was 1237 m within 3 days. No dispersal was detected between study sites. Thirty years after cessation of the military use, the large former training site still held what likely is one of the largest populations of the species dry ecotype in Central Europe, including in areas where management ceased already in 1991. This suggests remarkable persistence of the species in areas without regular management, contrary to current opinion. However, regular flight distances seem not to be sufficient to connect the isolated habitat patches. It remains unknown how long the large population at the abandoned military area will persist without active habitat management. Careful, but active habitat management and restoration of habitat connectivity should thus be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While native grass and shrub restoration is often promoted for bird conservation, evaluations are necessary to understand the effects of habitat change on songbird vital rates and migratory stopover use. We evaluated the effects of native vegetation restoration on the species richness, productivity, and capture rate of breeding and fall migrating songbirds at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, in central Kentucky, USA. From 2009 to 2022, we conducted constant effort mist netting, resulting in 8418 captures of 110 bird species. In 2012–2013, we implemented management in the study area, which began as an old field, to restore native grasses, forbs, and shrubs. Effects on the vital rates of breeding species included higher Spizella pusilla (field sparrow) and Spinus tristis (American goldfinch) productivity post restoration. Restoration of native vegetation also led to significantly higher fall capture rates for pooled cohorts of both long-distance and medium-distance migrants. Our results demonstrate that the restoration and management of native vegetation can enhance stopover habitats for fall migrating songbirds including neotropical migrants and the field sparrow, a common bird in steep decline. We recommend prioritizing areas for native grass and shrub restoration that initially lack structural heterogeneity (a well-developed grass component with diverse forbs and interspersed shrubs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigated the potential for enhancing the efficacy of the biological control agent, Aphidius colemani, against the cotton aphid, Aphis gossypii, by planting Zinnia elegans flowers alongside cucumbers in greenhouses. Three treatments were examined: (1) the combined use of Z. elegans and A. colemani; (2) A. colemani alone; and (3) a control without either. Our results indicated that the Z. elegans and A. colemani combination maintained a lower A. gossypii population compared to other treatments. While A. colemani alone initially suppressed the A. gossypii population, it soon increased. This study concluded that integrating Z. elegans with the biological control agent could more effectively manage aphid populations in cucumber greenhouses. This study aimed to evaluate the enhancement of A. gossypii control by A. colemani when Z. elegans was planted as a companion crop in cucumber greenhouses. The density and spatial distribution of A. gossypii and parasitized mummies were investigated across three treatment plots: (1) the simultaneous application of A. colemani and cultivation of Z. elegans (parasitoid-zinnia plot); (2) the application of A. colemani alone (parasitoid plot); and (3) a control plot (no application of both). A. gossypii maintained low densities in the parasitoid–zinnia plots, while its densities in the parasitoid plots initially decreased but rapidly increased thereafter. The spatial distribution patterns of A. gossypii and parasitized mummies showed similar trends across treatments. However, the parasitism rate of A. gossypii exhibited random distribution in parasitoid and control plots, while showing uniform distribution in the parasitoid–zinnia treatment. These results supported the idea that cultivating Z. elegans alongside cucumber could enhance the effectiveness of A. colemani as a biocontrol agent against A. gossypii, highlighting the importance of such companion planting in pest management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species distribution information is essential for conservation. However, sampling the full range of a species' potential distribution is rarely feasible, necessitating the development of models to predict distributions, as well as relevant environmental and biotic drivers. We applied a novel approach to model the distribution of a species at risk in Canada, silver shiner (SS; Notropis photogenis) in tributaries of Lake Ontario using the fish community as a predictor of SS occurrence. Associative rule learning (ARL) identified simple species combinations that provided strong insight into SS distribution, which may be particularly useful for identifying new occupied locations, including making sampling decisions in real time. The species with the most positive or negative associations with SS identified by ARL were included in a random forests model, which predicted SS distribution with high accuracy in test data from the study tributary system and in a neighbouring system where SS is exceedingly rare. Predicting species distributions based on biotic associations presents opportunities for discovering new populations, identifying critical habitat, and evaluating the suitability of sites for re-introduction potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flower strips are a prominent agri‐environmental scheme with the central objective to promote biodiversity and maintain associated ecosystem services. The promotion of natural enemies by increasing resource availability through flower strips is a promising approach for integrated pest management.In a 3‐year field study, two annual and two perennial flower strip mixtures, as well as a grass mixture, were tested regarding their attractiveness for natural enemies at three different study sites in Germany. Natural enemies were sampled annually in nine sampling rounds at a 10‐day rhythm using sweep netting and pitfall traps. To assess available floral resources, we estimated the species‐specific flower cover and classified species into flower types.Flower strip mixtures differed in their attractiveness to natural enemies. Treatment effects on arthropod activity density were most pronounced in the second and third year. Overall, perennial were more attractive than annual flower strip mixtures for most natural enemies, however, the response to flower strip mixtures varied significantly among taxa. For example, perennial flower strips showed a two‐ to fourfold increase of plant‐dwelling spider and parasitoid wasp activity density as well as higher numbers of juvenile stages of predatory bugs and rove beetles compared to annual flower strips. In contrast, annual flower strip mixtures showed the highest attractiveness for ground beetles. Moreover, different natural enemy taxa were associated with varying flower strip characteristics such as flower type proportion, herbivore availability and plant species richness.Synthesis and applications. We found taxon‐specific responses of natural enemies to different flower strips, which provide guidance for the floral composition of flower strips in order to maximize their effectiveness for natural pest control. We suggest the use of perennial mixtures with high proportion of flower heads (Asteraceae) and disk flowers (esp. Apiaceae, Rubiaceae, Brassicaceae) in particular, but also flag blossoms (Fabaceae) as these flower types were positively associated with several natural enemy groups. However, since we found mixed responses to flower types, specific flower strip composition will ultimately depends on its objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes in phenology are a common response to climate change, but their impact on population dynamics is often ambiguous and at‐risk species are omitted from most analyses.We assessed the relationship between change in abundance and change in phenology for 114 butterfly populations of 31 at‐risk species from five families in 10 US states. We used data from Pollard‐walk and similar monitoring programmes for which count data were collected on multiple occasions per year. We also collected information from managers on site‐level management interventions.To estimate abundance, we first fit separate smoothing splines for each species at each site. Yearly abundance was estimated as the area under the activity curve for that year, and from this, we estimated abundance trends over the period for which we had population data. Phenological shifts were measured as the changes in median activity date, beginning of flight season, duration of flight season and phenological constancy (negative of the magnitude of trends in median activity date). We also evaluated the association of ecological traits (voltinism, diet breadth, position within geographic range, ecoregion, overwintering stage and seasonality) and management (proportion of years with interventions) with trends in abundance and in phenology.Across all populations, the estimated trend in abundance was −0.085, equivalent to an 8.1% decline/year. Positive trends in abundance were associated with smaller shifts in the median flight date (higher constancy). We also found strong associations between trends in abundance and management interventions, with increased management associated with increasing abundance trends. In general, ecological traits were not strongly associated with trends in phenology or trends in abundance.Synthesis and applications: Populations with less phenological constancy are more likely to be rapidly declining and populations with more frequent management interventions are increasing. These results suggest that one key outcome of management interventions may be to mitigate some of the impacts of climate change, which in turn may contribute to higher population growth. These results also imply that managers may need to alter the timing of appropriate management to synchronize with activities of at‐risk species as species shift their phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Pyrenean grey partridge (Perdix perdix hispaniensis) is an endangered and insufficiently studied galliform occurring in upland habitats dominated by shrublands in Spain, France, and Andorra. Aiming to develop tailored management to favour the species, we studied the effect of habitat management on a partridge population located in Zamora province within the Galician–Duero mountains as part of a long-term project promoted by the regional government (Junta Castilla y León). Management was based on carrying out conservation and recovery of optimal habitats through clearing shrublands (either plots or linear) distributed in a "core area" of 45 km2, conducting tracks with beaters and pointing dogs during autumn in three areas, and comparing the partridge abundance before (2000–2006) and after (2007–2023) management. Habitat management increased partridge abundance values in two areas (1.46 and 1.68 times higher) and had no effect on the remaining one. The pattern of grey partridge abundance during the study was irregular and not influenced by the weather, and the highest abundance values were reached 8–10 years after habitat measures were implemented for the first time. Habitat management allowed high autumn abundance to be reached (mean kilometre abundance values of 2.94 and 3.74 birds/km in two areas), while the mean number of birds per family group was not affected by management (nine birds/group). When aiming to recover Pyrenean grey partridge populations, habitat management should be based on the conservation and management of shrublands to provide mixed habitats in the medium and long term, ensuring regular partridge monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Turfgrass is a prevalent ground cover type within urban areas, and is found on large swathes of commercial, residential, and recreational land. Turfgrass supports low biodiversity compared with more diverse vegetation communities. One increasingly popular method for supporting arthropod communities in urban areas is to plant wildflowers in available spaces using a commercial seed mix, which can support beneficial insects such as butterflies, bees, and natural enemies. However, the long-term impacts of these wildflower habitats on arthropod communities in turfgrass systems is poorly known. To explore this, we used pan traps to sample insects from turfgrass systems adjacent to wildflower plots over three years and quantified how different insect groups changed in abundance. We found that different insect groups had variable changes in abundance over time, with sweat bees (Halicitdae) and skipper butterflies (Hesperiidae) being less abundant two years after wildlife implementation, and predatory flies showing boosted abundance for two years post-implementation. These results point to the complex dynamics of arthropod communities in turfgrass systems following wildflower implementation and the need to study how to best maintain these habitats to support long-term biodiversity. Urbanization is rapidly influencing the abundance and diversity of arthropods. Within urban systems, managed turfgrass is a prominent land cover which can support only a limited number of arthropod groups. To allow for more arthropod biodiversity and to support beneficial insects within turfgrass, increasing numbers of land managers are choosing to partially convert turf habitat to wildflower habitat using commercially available seed mixes. However, the population dynamics of arthropod groups in these systems are poorly known, with consequentially little information on best long-term practices for managing wildflower habitats in turfgrass systems. To address this gap, we sampled insects using pan traps in turfgrass systems pre- and post-implementation of wildflower habitats and examined the change in abundance of several insect families and functional guilds. Insect groups had variable responses to wildflower habitat implementation, with some groups such as sweat bees and skipper butterflies showing a decline two years post-implementation. Other groups, such as predatory flies, were relatively more abundant one and two years post-implementation. These variable responses point to the need for more research on the long-term effects of wildflower habitats on beneficial insects in turfgrass habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the relationships between food habits and habitat is crucial for the assessment of habitat quality for birds. The present study investigated the diet and reproductive success of Little Bitterns Ixobrychus minutus nesting on cyprinid fish ponds, an important breeding habitat of this species in central and eastern Europe. Being subject to different management practices, fish ponds provide food resources of uneven availability for this small heron. Prey items regurgitated by nestlings were examined, and breeding success was estimated on monoculture ponds stocked either with small fish (of a size suitable for feeding nestlings) or large fish (unavailable to Little Bitterns and adversely affecting their non-fish prey), on abandoned ponds dominated by small fish but with large fish also present, and on angling ponds dominated by large sport fish but harbouring significant numbers of small fish as well. A total of 1356 prey items from 78 broods were identified. Although Little Bitterns exhibited dietary flexibility in response to the contrasting availability of prey on their nesting ponds, the bulk of the nestlings' diet consisted of fish. The size of fish brought to the nest increased significantly with brood age, showing that parents adjusted the prey size to the gape constraints of their young. The chick production determined for 73 broods did not differ with respect to pond management, but the dietary composition indicated that to compensate for food shortages, birds nesting on ponds containing mainly large fish made foraging flights to food-richer ponds. The abundance of small-sized fish prey may be a factor limiting the breeding success of small- and medium-sized predatory waterbirds and should be taken into consideration in management strategies of habitats dominated by fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland birds are in steep decline, with population declines reported in 74% of North American grassland species in the past 50 years. Declines are particularly severe in the eastern United States where they are influenced by habitat loss and alteration due to urbanization, forest regrowth, and agricultural intensification. The United States National Park Service maintains civil war battlefields in the eastern United States as historical and cultural parks that may also provide habitat refuge for grassland birds within an increasingly urbanized matrix. To assess the conservation importance of battlefield parks and the role of park management in sustaining grassland birds, we surveyed for 2 declining grassland‐breeding species, eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna) and grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), at 242 points across 4 battlefield parks in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, USA, from 2014–2019 and in 2021. We modeled the effects of park management activities (prescribed fire, agricultural leases, and delayed harvest) and habitat and landscape characteristics on breeding‐season occupancy. There was support for the influence of local habitat features, landscape, and management. Breeding‐season occupancy of both species was consistently higher in hayfields and pasture than in row crops, and both species responded positively to hay and crop harvest delays intended for grassland bird conservation. Prescribed fire within the past 2 years had a positive effect on occupancy of grasshopper sparrows but did not influence eastern meadowlarks. Eastern meadowlarks responded to land cover at multiple spatial scales that are influenced by land use within and outside the parks. Management activities that maintain the parks' cultural goals, including partnerships between national parks and private agricultural operators, are likely to provide valuable habitat for these 2 obligate grassland birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate warming is driving species to shift their geographical distribution poleward to track suitable climatic conditions. Two strategies have been suggested to help species respond to climate warming: facilitating distribution change or improving persistence. We questioned whether habitat management in favour of duck hunting activities interacted with duck responses to climate warming. We studied nonbreeding waterbird community changes (110 species) over 28 years at 851 sites in South-West Europe, where habitat management is a common practice to attract and hunt ducks. We hypothesized that duck species targeted by habitat management do not need to track temperature changes as much as non-hunted species, because of the availability of suitable habitats provided by hunting land managers. We used the community temperature index (CTI) to assess the temporal responses of communities and species to climate warming. We compared the effect of hunting status with other functional traits on species responses, controlling for phylogenetic relatedness. The CTI trend has increased over the study period, indicating a community adjustment to climate warming. However, hunted ducks contributed to almost 40% of the negative contributions to this community adjustment, suggesting that hunted ducks do not shift their distribution as much as the other waterbirds do. Winter fidelity associated with the provision of attractive feeding grounds might explain why ducks did not seem to shift their distribution in response to climate warming. This study suggests the broad impact of human activities on wildlife, including on large-scale distribution processes, and questions the long-term consequences on duck populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is vital to identify habitats used by each life stage of a species to formulate effective conservation management and restoration guidelines. For the threatened green and golden bell frog, Litoria aurea, it is currently recommended that, to prevent waterbody shading, managed or constructed habitat for the species should not include trees. Shading has been reported to prevent adults from sun basking, reduce breeding activity, and lower water temperatures, which may impede tadpole growth and development and provide optimum conditions for the amphibian chytrid pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. However, the complete exclusion of trees, which are naturally present in L. aurea habitat, warrants evidence that supports this recommendation. In the present study, we used a multi‐year dataset on an L. aurea population on Kooragang Island, NSW, Australia to determine the occurrence of tree use by post‐metamorphic individuals. These data included information on nearly 12 500 individuals captured from 86 waterbodies across 8 consecutive breeding seasons. We found that tree use by juveniles, adult males, and adult females was widespread and common, occurring both during the day and night, with more than one out of every 20 individuals captured in trees. Our findings suggest that trees are a potentially important attribute of the terrestrial component of wetland habitats occupied by L. aurea. We hypothesize that trees may (i) create microhabitat for foraging and/or increased diversity of prey species, (ii) provide refuge from predators, and (iii) allow sun basking off the ground, thereby offering protection against the chytrid fungus while removing them from chytrid‐prevalent environments such as water and moist soils. We call for the careful reconsideration of tree exclusion within L. aurea habitat and further research into the benefits of allowing trees to grow near waterbodies to accommodate the ecological needs of this threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saproxylic insect species have deadwood‐specific requirements to survive, such as advanced decay stages. However, in some parts of the world, deadwood is currently considered an endangered resource. The Poqui's stag beetle Sclerostomulus nitidus (Coleoptera: Lucanidae)—a critically endangered saproxylic species—was rediscovered during the 2010s, but non‐academic collection currently threatens it with extinction in a projected 10‐year span.Our main aim was to identify key macro‐ and microhabitat tools to restore this species' population by associating the abundance of S. nitidus with deadwood micro‐ and macrohabitat variables such as vegetation type (pure Nothofagus stands vs. hygrophilous forest stands) and elevation.We measured decay stage (low, medium and high), volume and length of dead logs and the vegetation type and elevation of where they were available inside the restricted habitat of S. nitidus and assessed these variables as predictors of S. nitidus abundance using GLM analysis.We found that abundance (current and projected) is strongly associated (90%) with high stages of wood decay and lower elevations.Microhabitat restoration by (i) replacement of low‐quality highly decayed deadwood but keeping equal volumes and (ii) injection of highly suitable habitat as a novel fieldwork experiment could be the best short‐term to mid‐term alternative for saving S. nitidus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grassland birds are among the most imperiled groups of birds in North America. Conversion of native prairie to cropland and developed areas, rangeland deterioration, and fragmentation have contributed to precipitous losses in obligate grassland bird species. Since the mid-1800s, >80% of grassland ecosystems have been lost in North America. One species sensitive to the degradation of grassland types is the Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda), which can serve as an indicator species for prairie sustainability and has experienced a 4.5% decline in numbers in the eastern United States since 1966. We assessed scientific literature for the Upland Sandpiper from 1886 to 2022 to identify historical and potential future threats, describe breeding habitat limiting factors, and evaluate breeding habitat management strategies that can effectively conserve the Upland Sandpiper across the Great Plains region of North America. Using this data, we constructed a hierarchical model of Upland Sandpiper nest site preferences to better understand their habitat ecology and guide habitat management. Upland Sandpipers use short, mixed, and tallgrass prairie, jack pine (Pinus banksiana) barrens, cropland, peatlands, and alpine ridges for breeding. Historical land management practices in the Great Plains region of the United States have left once-suitable Upland Sandpiper habitat increasingly fragmented and often with unsuitable composition and/or structure for breeding. Prairie should be managed for a mosaic of vegetation heights by burning 20–30% of grassland area annually in March–April, or by grazing cattle year-round at 3.2–4.6 ha per animal unit. These conservation strategies should provide grassy vegetation 15–30 cm tall for nesting in May interspersed with patches of vegetation <10 cm tall for feeding and successful brood-rearing. Habitat management for the structural and compositional habitat requirements of Upland Sandpiper can benefit more than 90 grassland bird species. Las aves de pastizales son uno de los grupos de aves en mayor peligro de Norteamérica. El cambio de praderas nativas a áreas desarrolladas, degradación del ámbito hogareño y fragmentación han contribuido al declive precipitado de las especies de aves obligadas de pastizal. Desde mediados de los 1800s, se ha perdido >80% de los ecosistemas de pastizal en Norteamérica. Una especie sensible a la degradación de tipos de pastizales es el correlimo Bartramia longicauda, que sirve de especie indicadora de sustentabilidad de pradera y ha experimentado un declive de 4.5% en su número de individuos desde 1966. Hicimos una revisión de literatura acerca del correlimo Bartramia longicauda de 1886 a 2022 para identificar amenazas históricas y potenciales a futuro, describir factores que limiten el hábitat de reproducción y evaluar estrategias de manejo de hábitat reproductivo que pueden ser usadas para conservar efectivamente el correlimo Bartramia longicauda en la región de Grandes Praderas de Norteamérica. Usando estos datos, construimos un modelo jerárquico de preferencia de sitios de anidación del correlimo Bartramia longicauda para entender mejor su ecología de hábitat y asesorar el manejo de su hábitat. Los correlimos Bartramia longicauda usan para su reproducción pradera de pastos cortos, mixtos y altos, barrenos de pino de Banks (Pinus banksiana), campos de cultivo, turberas y crestas alpinas. Prácticas históricas de manejo de tierras en la región de Grandes Praderas de los Estados Unidos han convertido un hábitat que era favorable al correlimo Bartramia longicauda en un sitio cada vez más fragmentado y con una composición y/o una estructura muchas veces desfavorable para su reproducción. La pradera debería de ser manejada para ser un mosaico de alturas de vegetación, quemándo un 20–30% de área de pastizal anualmente en marzo-abril, o por introduciendo ganado rumiante todo el año en una proporción de 3.2–4.6 ha por unidad animal. Estas estrategias de conservación deberían proveer vegetación herbácea de 15–30 cm de altura para anidación en mayo entremezclada con parches de vegetación de <10 cm de altura para alimentación y crianza exitosa de las puestas. El manejo de hábitat para cumplir con requisitos de estructura y composición de hábitat requerido por el correlimo Bartramia longicauda podría beneficiar a más de 90 especies de aves de pastizal. Palabras clave: conservación de aves de pastizal, especies indicadoras, forrajeo, manejo de hábitat, Programa de Conservación de Reservas, sobrevivencia diaria de nidos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) are declining across their range. Population recovery requires a better understanding of the influence of management strategies and land cover on specific demographic components of full annual cycle population dynamics. We used known‐fate daily survival models to relate adult breeding season survival and nest survival to land cover composition, woody cover, and management actions on 5 study sites in southwest Missouri, USA. We collected 3,516 observations of daily nest survival from 364 bobwhite nests for 7,509 exposure days and 34,386 observations of adult survival from 955 bobwhites for 85,225 exposure days during breeding seasons in 2014–2018. The most supported model for nest and adult breeding season survival included environmental covariates for percent native grass and agricultural cover, distance to shrub, and distance to tree. Both nest and adult breeding season survival were positively related to distance to trees. Nest survival was negatively related to percent agricultural crop cover. Areal nest and adult breeding season survival were greater on native grassland sites compared to conservation areas that maintained small units of strip crop and wooded cover. Management to sustain or expand native grass cover and reduce tree cover should benefit bobwhite nest survival and adult breeding season survival in the landscapes we studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus are typically considered detrimental to wetland values, but waterfowl can be numerous on nutrient-rich wetlands. Waterfowl were counted three to six times per year on nine treatment lagoons and associated wetlands (2,025 ha) at the Western Treatment Plant (south-east Australia) from 2000, to help maintain ecological values of this Ramsar-listed wetland as well as treating sewage for a large city (Melbourne). Up to 185,000 waterfowl were counted, varying with season, continental rainfall and lagoon operation. Nutrient levels were reduced on Lake Borrie lagoon in 2005 (as part of an Environmental Improvement Program) and restored in 2015. Waterfowl declined on Lake Borrie lagoon from 2005 when it received treated effluent not raw sewage, and increased in 2015 when it received partially treated sewage. This pattern was highly significant for total waterfowl and most species and guilds at Lake Borrie but was not replicated on other lagoons. Modelling revealed positive relationships between waterfowl numbers and nutrient concentrations, including ammonia and nitrite, to moderate levels. This shows that with careful management nutrient enrichment can have positive benefits, allowing artificial wetlands such as wastewater treatment plants to support high densities of waterbirds and the food webs that sustain them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensive crop production often requires the use of significant amounts of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, leading to negative environmental impacts. Strategies to increase agricultural productivity to meet future demands for food should therefore involve the promotion of ecosystem services, rather than the use of synthetic inputs. Sowing nectarrich flowering plants is an important strategy in conservation biological control that can increase the fitness of the natural enemies of crop pests. In the present study, we conducted lab-based experiments to assess the benefits of passion fruit (Passiflora edulia) and lemon basil (Ocimum basilicum var. citriodorum) as nectar sources for six parasitoid wasp species that are key natural enemies of rice pests. We also examined the potential of these two plants to enhance biocontrol services by parasitoid wasps when planted on the bunds of subtropical rice fields. In the laboratory, both plants and especially passion fruit increased parasitoids' longevity and fecundity. Both plants also increased field abundance of parasitoid wasps and slightly increased pest control services, as shown by a lower herbivorous insects to parasitoid wasps ratio, although pest numbers remained high. This study contributes important new information for ecological intensification in rice cropping systems and should guide the selection of optimal nectar plants to promote biological control services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of the world's native fauna suffer unsustainable losses from invasive mammalian predators. Conservation managers control predators on the premise that if large numbers are removed, prey will respond. This is sometimes true, but not always. Empirical relationships between predator densities and responses of vulnerable prey in Oceania often show little or no response across a broad range of predator reductions, with positive responses only at low threshold predator densities. Even then, some prey populations fail to respond. More research is required to identify predator thresholds across a range of prey taxa. This uncertainty of outcomes, coupled with the considerable cost of mammalian pest control, risks little or no return from limited conservation funds. A unifying theory is required to help understand why conservation outcomes from predator control are so variable despite the best efforts of conservation managers, and to expedite the right kind of management for a given prey species. We argue that a modern synthesis of numerical and functional response theory, in the form of total response models, provides such a theory. Stochastic consumer‐resource models are recommended for dynamic systems, but they are difficult to parameterize. Total response models, on the other hand, present a simple conceptual framework that managers can use as a heuristic to understand predator–prey systems, help explain some of the variability in predator control outcomes and stimulate thinking about other management options that can be integrated with predator control to improve conservation outcomes. Five rules of thumb are suggested to assist conservation managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To support sustainable food production and the delivery of ecosystem services through ecological intensification, wildflower strips have become a popular strategy. Despite their success in temperate orchard systems, they remain understudied in Mediterranean ecosystems, which poses a significant barrier to uptake. In order to further promote their adoption, seed mixes must be optimised for commercial orchard systems and for the Mediterranean climate. Plant species should be selected for their consistent performance, whilst the availability of resources for ecosystem service providers determines the quality of the wildflower strip. In this study, the suitability of 12 native perennial forbs and two tussock‐forming grass species for wildflower strips in commercial Citrus orchards was assessed over a 3‐year period. Distinct resources for natural enemies according to the different plant growth stages were used an indicator of wildflower strip quality. The wildflower strips were managed under two different cutting strategies: (i) standard management, in which wildflower strips were cut once annually in February, and (ii) active management, in which wildflower strips were cut two additional times each year. The establishment and success of the sown species were compared. The influence of wildflower strips and their management on plant species richness, community structure, and the provision of resources was compared with a control treatment, in which alleyways were managed conventionally by cutting any naturally occurring vegetation to a height of ≤5 cm, four to five times annual. For the first time, the performance of native perennial plant species has been assessed in Mediterranean orchard systems and a seed mix developed for targeting pest regulation services. The wildflower strips were successful in increasing plant species richness and the available resources expected to support natural enemies. However, only wildflower strips managed with cutting once annually enhanced vegetation cover relative to the control, whilst extending the flowering period. This study therefore provides crucial tools for the further development of sustainable approaches to food production in Mediterranean orchard systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Translocated populations often show vigorous initial dynamics but eventually collapse. Modeling tools that incorporate basic ecological knowledge and allow for propagation of uncertainty can help identify potential risks. Here, we use Bayesian Integral Projection Models to estimate population growth rates (λs), associated elasticities, and extinction risks for the endangered Dicerandra christmanii. Our study compared natural populations in gaps (open areas) within the shrub matrix and roadsides, unoccupied gaps augmented with transplants, and introduced populations. These populations experienced different management, including prescribed fires, and had different initial conditions. Augmented gaps showed lower means but similar variation in λs as natural gaps. Yet, simulations indicate that augmentations can delay quasi‐extinction (40% of simulations) by 4 years at the population level. Introduced populations showed higher means and variation in λs as wild gaps. While vital rate estimates suggested initial translocation success, time to quasi‐extinction was projected to be 7 years shorter for introductions in gaps than for natural gap populations. These contradictory results are partially explained by the lack of established seed banks in introduced populations, which affected the response of early life stage transitions to a prescribed fire. This study highlights the need to account for site‐specific information in models of population dynamics, including initial conditions and management history, and especially cryptic life stages such as dormant seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species translocations are increasingly common in rare plant conservation. Wild populations can provide basic ecological knowledge to improve their chance of success. In the heavily fragmented Florida scrub, USA, many listed species require translocations to persist, including Dicerandra christmanii. In 1994, we began monitoring the only protected population of D. christmanii growing both in gaps (open areas) within the shrub matrix and on roadsides. In 2010, we augmented this population by adding plants and seeds to unoccupied gaps. In 2012, we introduced plants to a separate protected site to create a new population. We evaluated early translocation success using generalized linear mixed‐effect models of vital rate variation among habitat types. Survival probability increased with size, peaking at 0.6–0.8, and was lowest in augmentations and highest in introductions. Growth increased with plant size across all habitat types, except for the largest adults which experienced senescence. Naturally recruited plants in gaps showed the highest reproduction probability and fecundity at smaller sizes, but larger plants in translocations had the highest fecundity. Yearling recruitment was higher in translocated plants relative to naturally recruited plants in gaps during the initial years following outplanting. Experimental components of translocations also affected outplanting performance with positive effects of fire. These analyses suggest a high potential for translocations to become established and contribute to species recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Wild, ground-nesting bees are important pollinators of apple. They generally do not fly more than a couple of hundred meters from their nest, yet little is known of their preferred nest locations in apple orchards. This project set out to identify where ground-nesting bees are found in apple orchards, which species are present and what influences where they nest. Most of the bee nests were found in the bare ground underneath the apple trees. This area is normally maintained weed-free using a herbicide or mechanical weeding. In addition, fourteen species of ground-nesting bee were identified in the orchards. Hence, maintaining areas of bare ground in apple orchards during peak nesting times could improve nesting opportunities for ground-nesting bees and potentially improve pollination. Wild ground-nesting bees are key pollinators of apple (Malus domestica). We explored, (1) where they choose to nest, (2) what influences site selection and (3) species richness in orchards. Twenty-three orchards were studied over three years; twelve were treated with additional herbicide to increase bare ground with the remainder as untreated controls. Vegetation cover, soil type, soil compaction, nest number and location, and species were recorded. Fourteen species of ground-nesting solitary/eusocial bee were identified. Most nests were in areas free of vegetation and areas treated with additional herbicide were utilised by ground nesting bees within three years of application. Nests were also evenly distributed along the vegetation-free strips underneath the apple trees. This area was an important ground-nesting bee habitat with mean numbers of nests at peak nest activity of 873 per ha (range 44–5705), and 1153 per ha (range 0–4082) in 2018 and 2019, respectively. Increasing and maintaining areas of bare ground in apple orchards during peak nesting events could improve nesting opportunities for some species of ground-nesting bee and, combined with flowers strips, be part of a more sustainable pollinator management approach. The area under the tree row is an important contributor to the ground-nesting bee habitat and should be kept bare during peak nesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant reed (Arundo donax) is a prevalent invasive plant in desert riparian ecosystems that threatens wildlife habitat. From 2008 to 2018, under a United States–Mexico partnership, prescribed burns and herbicide applications were used to remove giant reed and promote native revegetation along the Rio Grande—Río Bravo floodplain in west Texas, USA, and Mexico. Our goal was to explore the effects of the removal efforts on butterfly and bird communities and their habitat along the United States portion of the Rio Grande—Río Bravo floodplain in Big Bend National Park, Texas. During spring and summer, 2016–2017, we surveyed butterflies, birds, and their habitat using ground‐collected and remotely sensed data. Using a variety of generalized linear and N‐mixture modeling routines and multivariate analyses, we found that the initial giant reed removal efforts removed key components of riparian habitat leading to reduced butterfly and bird communities. Within several years following management, giant reed levels remained low, while riparian habitat conditions and butterfly and bird communities largely rebounded, including many disturbance‐sensitive butterfly species and riparian‐associated bird species. Butterflies were most consistently associated with forb and grass cover, and birds with a remotely sensed index of greenness (the normalized difference vegetation index), several vegetation cover types, and habitat heterogeneity, habitat elements that were most common in locations that had the longest time to recover following management actions. Our results suggest that prescribed burns and herbicide applications, when used following protocols to minimize risk to wildlife, can limit the spread of giant reed in desert riparian systems and introduce habitat conditions that support diverse and abundant butterfly and bird communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reintroduction of fossorial mammals could be limited by the availability of satellite burrows that provide refuge from predators while foraging away from their permanent burrows, and by availability of short grasses. In order to generate information to assist in the reintroduction of vizcachas (Lagostomus maximus), we asked: 1) what type of satellite burrow do they accept based on burrow complexity, entrance size and distance from permanent burrows?, and 2) how did the provision of burrows and mowing affect their foraging range? We carried out the study in the Sierras of Cordoba, Argentina, with 13 vizcachas transferred to two adaptation pens equipped with permanent burrows. We mowed part of the vegetation around the pens and we dug 14 satellite burrows of two types: simple with only a tunnel, and complex with a tunnel and underground chamber. Burrows were situated between 1 and 16 m from the pens. For six months we evaluated satellite burrow occupancy. We also counted feces, estimated bare soil, and height of the vegetation in 15-m-long transects originating in the entrances of highly used burrows, which were distributed in two sectors. Occupancy was 2 and 67% for simple and complex satellite burrows, respectively, and was negatively related to burrow entrance size. There was no relationship between burrow occupancy and distance to adaptation pens. Transect sampling showed that 91% of the pellets were within 4 m of the pens or satellite burrows, and that they preferred cut to uncut grass. We conclude that building complex satellite burrows and mowing vegetation will increase secure foraging range for translocated vizcachas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we evaluated predation of the ocellated lizard on red-legged partridge nests in an olive grove in southern Spain over three consecutive years. The microhabitat characteristics of prey nests are analysed through comparison with successful nests. We found only 13 nests predated by lizards during the study period. This number was three times lower than that of nests that failed due to causes related to agricultural practices or human activity in the same period and study area. A few of the nests were predated by mammals more than they were preyed upon by lizards. The nests preyed on by lizards were associated with proximity to their refuge areas (e.g. stone piles, old buildings with holes, or rabbit burrows). The characteristics of the olive grove (e.g. drip irrigation and absence of vegetation under the olive trees) may favour the ocellated lizards’ search-and-hunt strategy, which allows a lizard to readily find a nest if it is inside the lizard’s territory and close to its refuge. We propose management strategies for reducing lizard-related nest losses. However, we argue that olive grove intensification is a major cause of partridge nest failure rather than predation by lizards and other predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat heterogeneity is a key driver of the diversity and distribution of species. African savannas are experiencing changes in their vegetation structure causing shifts towards increased woody plant cover, which results in vegetation structure homogenization. Given the impact that increasing woody plant cover has on patterns of animal use, resource managers across Africa are implementing habitat management practices that are intended to reduce woody plant cover. To understand the ecological implications of various habitat management practices on arthropod and bird communities, we leveraged large‐scale tree clearing and subsequent mowing in an African savanna to understand how changes in both the herbaceous layer and woody plant cover (i.e., structural heterogeneity) may shape arthropod and bird communities at the local scale. We focused on four replicated treatments: (1) annual summer mow, (2) annual winter mow, (3) >5 years since last mow (rest), and (4) an adjacent unmanipulated savanna to act as a control. We found that the mowing treatments significantly influenced vegetation structure both with respect to tree density and herbaceous layer. Both arthropod and bird community composition varied across treatments. Grass biomass was the best predictor of arthropod richness and abundance, with arthropods selecting for areas with high biomass. Insectivorous bird richness and abundance was driven by tree density (i.e., perching locations) and not arthropod abundance. Our results suggest that vegetation management practices contribute to habitat heterogeneity at the landscape scale and increase bird species richness through species turnover. However, we caution that if a single vegetation management practice dominates the landscape, it is plausible that it could lead to the simplification of the avian community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine rockland habitat of South Florida is among the most highly threatened terrestrial ecosystems in the neo-subtropics and is among the rarest worldwide. With only 1.2% of its original extent remaining outside Everglades National Park, fewer than 780 hectares of this ecosystem remains across all of South Florida. This fire-dependent ecosystem—habitat for many rare, endemic species—has experienced substantial deforestation and defaunation due to urbanization, land use change, habitat fragmentation, fire suppression, and exotic plant invasions. Owing to the small size of remaining fragments, and the fact that most are surrounded by urbanization, adequate burning regimes are suppressed. The Richmond Tract, a complex of twelve separate parcels under multiple private and public ownership partially surrounding Zoo Miami, is the largest tract of pine rockland outside the federal protection of Everglades National Park. In this article, we take inventory of the threatened biodiversity at the Richmond Tract and focus on the policy and management landscape. We take a close look at threats to the pine rockland's persistence here and review approaches that either help maintain the health of this ecosystem or those that may need to be reconsidered. We end by discussing coordination among multiple stakeholder groups, the potential use for incentive-based conservation practices, and suggesting ways to improve management in highly urbanized South Florida. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clonal species Agave fourcroydes and A. sisalana from ancient crops have become invasive in Mediterranean drylands, posing a severe threat to ecologically valuable native plant communities. However, we barely know the relative contribution of clonal mechanisms underlying their invasive behaviour. Therefore, environmental managers must face this problem without scientific evidence on the most effective methods to eradicate or control these invasions. In this study, we monitored populations of A. fourcroydes and A. sisalana and carried out field and experimental plantings (in situ and under controlled environmental conditions) to assess the efficacy of three clonal mechanisms: shoots from rhizomes, shoots from rosettes, and aerial bulbils from floral scapes). Both species showed very similar performance in their clonal expansion. Shoot production from rhizomes was the primary mechanism for densifying Agave populations, emerging to the soil 1.5 ± 2.1 shoots per individual. Moreover, we did not observe mortality of new shoots from rhizomes. These new clonal individuals seemed to ensure their survival by connecting to the mother plant (clonal integration). In addition, contractile roots, only recorded in shoots from rhizomes, could represent an advantage allowing them to react to harsh environmental conditions. Regarding shoots from rosettes, individuals produced 0.63 ± 1.01 shoots on average, with no mortality recorded, but without guaranteeing the replacement of mother plants. Finally, bulbil production and their rooting under controlled and favourable conditions were very high, although their establishment success under arid conditions proved irrelevant. These results suggest that management actions should focus on the removal of shoots from rhizomes. This approach could be an efficient, feasible, and cost-effective medium- to long-term habitat management strategy to control these Agave invasions, with widespread application worldwide in similar invasion processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional vineyards are generally intensive monocultures with high pesticide usage. Viticulture is one of the fastest‐growing sectors of English agriculture, although there is currently limited research on habitat management practices.In a vineyard in East Sussex, England, we tested five inter‐row ground cover treatments on their potential in supporting beneficial insects: two commercially available seed mixes (meadow mix and pollen and nectar mix), a wild bee seed mix (formulated based on pollinator foraging preferences), natural regeneration, and regularly mowed grass.Over two years, from May to August, we conducted monthly floral surveys and insect surveys using transect walks and pan traps.The abundance and richness of flowers in the natural regeneration treatment were twice that of the regularly mown inter‐row treatment. By year 2, the abundance of "total insects" sampled was significantly higher in the wild bee mix compared to mown. Likewise, there was a significant effect of treatment type on pollinator richness, with a higher mean richness found in wild bee mix. Solitary wasp family richness was highest in the natural regeneration treatment and lowest in the mown treatment.Given the rapid growth and lack of specific environmental recommendations for British viticulture, we demonstrate a simple and effective approach for supporting beneficial insects and ecosystem services. Promotion of perennial wildflowers through sowing or allowing natural regeneration in inter‐row ground cover in vineyards has the potential to boost biodiversity in vineyards on a large scale if widely adopted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite efforts on ecosystem restoration and management, biodiversity loss remains one of the major environmental concerns of our time. Beyond the focus on threatened species, animals that indicate regional biodiversity hotspots and population trends, such as brood parasites, should also be targeted by conservation actions. We studied how reed habitat quality and management influence brood parasitism rate and offspring survival in Common Cuckoos Cuculus canorus parasitizing nests of Great Reed Warblers Acrocephalus arundinaceus in six reed habitats in an intensive agricultural landscape. Data collected from 45 sites over 13 years showed that the brood parasitism rate was highest on large canals and was positively influenced by the availability of potential perches (Cuckoo vantage points) and the height where host nests were built. Cuckoo chick survival decreased with water depth and was not affected by other factors. Our results suggest that the habitat‐dependent detectability of host nests was central in brood parasitism rate and that water level was central in Cuckoo chick survival. Our study shows that a maintenance of intermediate water levels is the most optimal for maintaining Cuckoo populations in intensive agricultural landscapes. Because brood parasites are excellent bioindicators as their presence predicts regional hotspots of taxonomic and functional diversity as well as population trends in bird communities, knowledge on their habitat requirements is relevant in management targeting diverse bird communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildfires simplify ecosystems, modifying the ecological niches of the fauna living in the recently burned areas. Small mammals respond rapidly to changes in habitat structure and composition after fire, but the effects of fire can be ameliorated by some management strategies (e.g., salvage logging). Hence, it is necessary to explore whether alternative management strategies may be able to return the ecosystem to its initial state. We studied the small mammal community by live trapping on eight plots under different post-fire treatments in Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park (Barcelona province, NE Spain). At the community level, an increase in overall relative abundance and species density was observed in the burned areas. Apodemus sylvaticus, the most abundant mammal in study area, used woody debris piles as a shelter against predators. Mus spretus was more abundant in post-fire sites with large open areas interspersed with woody debris piles. Crocidura russula steadily increased its presence in later successional stages when ground cover became more complex. Our results suggest that combining different management strategies may be appropriate to improve the habitat suitability and biodiversity of small mammals and other key open-land species throughout the burned area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large heath Coenonympha tullia (Müller, 1764) (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Satyrinae) is widespread in large parts of Holarctic region. The species is not considered as being under serious threat on a scale of a whole Europe (Vulnerable, VU) or near threatened (NT) for EU27 (MAES et al. 2019). The species disappeared from a vast area in NE Europe (SOMMER et al. 2022). In the Czech Republic, it used to be locally distributed in all regions of the country. After the 1960s, the species underwent a rapid decline and now it can only be found in two parts of South Bohemia. In 2021, we, therefore, investigated 33 of its formerly known as well as potential localities in Šumava National Park. We confirmed the species from 10 sites, yet only four sites host populations larger than 20 individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identification of important habitat features can help facilitate recovery for threatened and endangered species, but this information is not always readily available prior to implementing management actions. The Eastern Black Rail (Laterallus jamaicen-sis jamaicensis) was recently listed as federally threatened and management efforts are shifting toward inland locales in lieu of the coastal areas where the species was historically found to avoid the effects of ongoing sea level rise. Little is known about inland Eastern Black Rail populations, so we examined habitat parameters that were important to predicting occupancy of the South Florida Everglades population. We found that saturated soils, topographic heterogeneity, and herbaceous cover had a positive effect on occupancy and the number of trees was negatively associated with occupancy. We also found that extinction rates were higher for locations that dried between years. While hydrology and herbaceous cover are known to influence Black Rail occupancy for coastal Eastern Black Rails and inland California Black Rails (L. jamaicensis coturniculus), the effect of topographic heterogeneity is novel and represents a potential feature that land managers can manipulate to increase inland habitat suitability for the Eastern Black Rail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of increasing global demand for food, large areas of natural habitat are being converted to agroecosystems to accommodate crop cultivation. This agricultural expansion is most prominent in the tropics, where many rural communities are dependent solely on farming income for their livelihoods. Such agricultural land conversion can have severe implications for local fauna. In this study, we compared vertebrate species diversity between natural forest habitat and three types of vanilla plantations maintained under varying management regimes in north-east Madagascar. We used diurnal and nocturnal transects to survey vertebrate diversity. Natural forest habitat contained the greatest vertebrate species diversity, and had proportionally more threatened and endemic species than all vanilla plantation types. However, we observed a greater number of species and a higher inverse Simpson index in minimally managed vanilla plantations located within or near natural forest compared to intensively managed vanilla plantations. These findings are important and encouraging for animal conservation and sustainable crop cultivation in Madagascar, and suggest that newly created vanilla plantations, and already existing plantations, should endeavour to follow the more traditional, minimalistic management approach to improve sustainability and promote higher faunal diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An exact and low-impact means for ecohydrological survey in wetlands is verified. • Onsite tests for water interaction and exchanges prove the process effectiveness. • Water balance model indicates the groundwater losses and management implications. • The powerful tools suggest to replace conventional methods in habitat ecohydrology. Comprehending the hydrological conditions in wetlands is a critical aspect of successfully enhancing wetland conservation. The interaction between wetland surface water and groundwater is a complex process, requiring detailed onsite hydrological and soil surveys, laboratory experiments, and modeling to clarify this relationship. However, conventional investigation methods often cause significant disruptions and thus may affect the natural environment and compromise data reliability. In this study, a high-accuracy and low-environmental-disturbance (LED) approach was proposed involving modified falling head permeability and modified seepage meter tests to elucidate the groundwater characteristics in an ecological reserve. A water balance (WB) calculation method was employed to examine the performance of the proposed LED approach. The results revealed that the LED performed better than conventional methods in hydraulic conductivity and seepage velocity exploration, thereby improving the accuracy of quantifying groundwater flow. Moreover, the experimental findings and ecohydrological observations were used to assess the groundwater flow regime, and the data were consistent with the field survey results. The contradiction between conducting research and protecting ecological reserves can pose difficulties in the sustainable and effective management of wetlands. The LED approach can be applied broadly, especially in areas where significant disturbance should be avoided. The water budget model can thus be developed to help deduce the interaction between groundwater and surface water. We suggest that these innovative methods are effective tools and can assist both scientists and authorities in formulating corresponding habitat management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of agricultural industrialisation, traditionally managed habitats have dramatically declined throughout Europe. As a result, farmland specialists across several taxa have become increasingly threatened. Concurrently, altered farming practices have also contributed to the emergence of novel agricultural habitats, such as Christmas tree plantations, but knowledge of their impact on biodiversity is still scarce. In the following study, we analysed the drivers behind the territory selection of four declining farmland birds—Common linnet (Linaria cannabina), Tree pipit (Anthus trivialis), Woodlark (Lullula arborea) and Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)—in a landscape dominated by Christmas tree plantations. Our study suggests that Christmas tree plantations provide well‐suited breeding conditions for the species and thus may represent important refuges in human‐modified landscapes. We found that all four species favoured young Christmas tree plantations (<6 years) for territory establishment. In particular, the territories of Tree pipit and Woodlark were characterised by a high proportion of young plantations, which provide open habitat structures rich in bare ground. However, older plantations (>6 years) were also of high importance for some of the model organisms, especially for Common linnet and Yellowhammer. The territory establishment of Yellowhammer was additionally favoured by brushwood plantations, clear‐cut/fringe vegetation and low‐growing shrubland. We attribute the high value of Christmas tree plantations mainly to the coexistence of open habitat structures rich in bare ground and less intensively managed stands, which both represent important foraging sites for the model organisms. At least in intensively used agricultural areas, Christmas tree plantations may represent important refuges for declining farmland birds. Therefore, further measures aiming to promote habitat quality while reducing the use of herbicides in the plantations should be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pollinator community responses to changing conditions are a concern for ecosystem managers, but it remains poorly understood how shifts in forest structure impact pollinators across small scales. To address this, bee assemblages were sampled in arid woodland habitat in the southwestern United States (Colorado) to evaluate effects of canopy cover and seasonality on bee diversity and composition.>2500 specimens were captured representing 5 families and 30 genera. Bee composition shifted seasonally; early‐season assemblages were predominated by Halictidae (Lasioglossum and Halictus); late‐season assemblages were predominated by Apidae.More bees were captured in canopy gaps early‐season, but differences due to canopy openness declined by late‐season. Bee diversity was higher in open‐canopy sites and bee assemblage composition varied across canopy openness.Low cover was positively associated with large‐bodied bees and negatively associated with solitary, polylectic ground‐nesting bees. Parasitic bee taxa were more abundant when the canopy was composed of pinyon pine; ponderosa pine‐dominant canopies were associated with large‐bodied bees with variable nesting habits.We conclude that canopy cover and seasonality both predict abundance and diversity of bee assemblages in arid woodlands, and bee functional traits are responsive to canopy cover and dominant overstory species across small spatial scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China harbors diverse waterbird species; more than one third of global waterbird species have been recorded there (Wang, Kuang, et al., 2018). In China, over two thirds of waterbird species, including many threatened species, were recorded at aquafarms, and species with a high degree of aquafarm use were less likely to exhibit population decline over the past 2 decades when rapid loss of natural habitats occurred. Use of aquafarms by waterbirds The degree of aquafarm use was not related to the habitat diversity of waterbirds, which is inconsistent with previous findings that habitat generalists are more adaptable to new habitats than habitat specialists (Clavel et al., 2010; Ducatez et al., 2018). Keywords: aquafarm; artificial habitat; habitat management; population trend; threatened species; acuacultura; especies amenazadas; gestión del hábitat; hábitat artificial; tendencia poblacional; ; ; ; ; EN aquafarm artificial habitat habitat management population trend threatened species acuacultura especies amenazadas gestión del hábitat hábitat artificial tendencia poblacional 1 11 11 10/04/22 20221001 NES 221001 INTRODUCTION In the face of large-scale loss of natural habitat (Newbold et al., 2015; Diaz et al., 2019), expanding artificial landscapes, such as farmlands, commercial saltpans, and plantations, sometimes provide alternative habitat for wildlife (Ma et al., 2010; Katayama et al., 2019). [Extracted from the article]

Centuries of landscape changes associated with agriculture have dramatically reduced the amount and increased the temporal variability of the floral resources that support key pollinating insects such as bumble bees. Adapting to these novel resource conditions is important to ensure the persistence of bumble bee species. While several species appear to be in decline in modern agricultural landscapes, others have thrived, suggesting adaptation to exploit highly variable floral resources. Bombus impatiens, the common eastern bumble bee, is a prime example of such a species.We designed an experiment to compare how free‐foraging colonies of B. impatiens performed adjacent to areas with either temporally continuous or variable (pulsed) patches of purple tansy (Phacelia tanacetifolia) plantings.We found that colonies in Phacelia landscapes grew faster, had gained more mass, and produced more gynes than did colonies in reference landscapes with no Phacelia.Comparing colony responses between pulsed and continuous flowering resources showed that total mass gain at the end of the experiment was greater with continuous flowering resources. In contrast, colony growth rate and total gyne production were comparable for colonies adjacent to Phacelia plantings that were continuous versus pulsed.While low in statistical replication, given the scale of the experimental manipulation, our experiment shows that although B. impatiens colonies can exploit periods of resource discontinuity and gain mass, these continuously available floral resources appear important for colony growth and benefit gyne production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological engineering for pest suppression aimed at promoting ecosystem services of biological control, involves a range of environmentally-benign approaches to conserve and promote arthropod natural enemies and suppress pest populations, and thus reduce the need for insecticide use. Major components in rice pest management involve providing vegetation that favors parasitoid overwintering during the fallow seasons, growing nectar-producing flowering plants on the rice bunds to enhance the biocontrol function, and planting trap plants around rice fields to minimize the initial populations of pests. Complementary tactics involve using sex pheromone traps and mass-releasing Trichogramma spp. parasitoids to reduce the densities of Lepidoptera pests, and synergistically culturing ducks or fish to reduce other planthoppers. After a decade of laboratory and field research accompanied by on-farm demonstrations, ecological engineering for rice pest management has shown growth in both the underlying body of theory and practical adoption, especially in China. Ecological engineering approaches have been listed as a China National Recommendation by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the People's Republic of China (MARA) since 2014. We feel this is worth documenting, especially because only a portion of that work has been reported in English-language journals so would otherwise remain "invisible" to the international scientific community. This study is the first time to systematically review the research that has allowed this rapid development and uptake in China, highlighting priorities for future research that will enhance the prospects for ecological engineering in this and other agricultural systems internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Southern Iberian spined-loach Cobitis paludica is an Iberian endemism threatened by human activities, including habitat destruction. For this reason, the development of conservation and the recovery plans for the species calls for a precise knowledge of its habitat requirements. Here, microhabitat use and selection patterns were investigated to determine the limiting factors for the species in different seasons, corresponding to a gradient in flow conditions. The microhabitat of the loach was analysed in the River Jarama (Tagus River basin, central Spain) in the period of maximum activity between March and September 2013. No significant differences in microhabitat use were found between males and females, and only very weak ontogenetic changes were detected. The microhabitat used by the loach varied significantly throughout the study period, generally adapting to the flow-mediated dynamics of available habitat. The most stable pattern throughout the year was the use of very low water velocities. Additionally, the loach made selective use of certain microhabitat features, with slight adjustments to the seasonally changing habitat conditions. The loach significantly selected positions with abundant silt substrate and aquatic vegetation, and avoided coarser substrates. The availability of fine substrates and abundant vegetation is therefore a critical habitat requirement for the loach, which needs instream structures that provide foraging substrate, refuge and safe positions for spawning. Selection of refuge elements (deep habitats, aquatic vegetation) was especially apparent under low-flow conditions. Human activities leading to the loss of these critical microhabitats may threaten the survival of already scarce loach populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-crop plant diversity plays a fundamental role in the conservation of predatory mite (PM) and can be proposed as a banker plant system (BPS). BPSs provide plants that host natural enemies in greenhouses or field crops and may improve the efficiency of biological control. The aim of this study was to investigate if a diverse plant composition could be a suitable BPS for PMs in strawberry crops. A plant inventory characterized 22 species of non-crop plants harboring PMs. The most abundant PMs, in decreasing order, were Neoseiulus californicus, Neoseiulus anonymus, Euseius citrifolius, and Euseius concordis. PMs were randomly distributed among plants. We also found specific associations of Phytoseiidae species and phytophagous or generalist mites on plants. Due to this, four species were deemed suitable as banker plants: Capsicum sp., Leonurus sibiricus, Solanum americanum, and Urochloa mutica. Moreover, these plants combined a high PMs density and a low occurrence or absence of pest-mites. This study suggests shifting the traditional view that BPSs are composed of a limited number of species to use plant assemblages. This contributes to both conservation and augmentative biological control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perennial flower margins next to apple orchards can reduce the spread of aphid pests on apple trees and reduce the percentage of trees with fruit damage. To explore the mechanism behind this, we compared the vegetation community in three orchard habitats (flower margins, headlands, and alleyways) to determine whether the presence of a flower margin changed the diversity, abundance, and community of natural enemies of rosy apple aphid (Dysaphis plantaginea) in orchard ground vegetation and apple trees. Despite no evident spill-over of plant species into orchards, there was an increased Shannon diversity of natural enemies in the ground vegetation of flower margin orchards compared with controls. This suggests spill-over of natural enemies from the flower margins can reach up to 50 m from the orchard edge. However, we did not find evidence of broad differences between natural enemy taxa abundance, diversity, or community structure on the apple trees themselves. The mechanism behind improved pest control by flower margins is unclear but could be linked to the mobility of certain natural enemy groups or mutualistic relationships with ants. A better understanding of this mechanism would help to optimise the use of flower margins for sustainable pest suppression. • Flower margins increased diversity of natural enemies of Dysaphis plantaginea under apple trees. • Flower margins supported a unique community of natural enemies of D. plantaginea. • Flower margin plant species did not spill over into orchards. • Flower margin benefits reached up to 50 meters into orchards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monocultural agricultural systems can favour arthropod pests through direct effects, such as promoting pest dispersion, and indirect effects, such as limiting natural pest control. Therefore, promoting the presence of non-crop habitats in agricultural landscapes has the potential to reduce pest damage. However, likely in part due to the trophic complexity surrounding arthropod pests, these effects vary strongly among different pests and crops, and they are rarely consistent on a year-to-year basis. Here, we formulated Generalized Additive Mixed Models with data of 11 years from 25 olive orchards from southern Spain to evaluate the effects of landscape composition at different spatial scales on fruit infestation by the moth Prays oleae, a key Mediterranean olive pest. Then, we evaluated whether these effects were modulated by natural enemies or heterospecific herbivores. Fruit infestation by P. oleae was affected by landscape composition at small spatial scales (100 m radius), but not at medium or large scales (500 m and 1000 m radii). Fruit infestation was negatively affected by the proportion of semi-natural habitats, while it was positively affected by the proportion of olive groves in the landscape. We did not find evidence that these effects were modulated by natural enemies. However, fruit infestation by P. oleae was negatively affected by the presence of Euphyllura olivina , which is considered a secondary olive pest. Overall, this study shows that the negative response of P. oleae to habitat heterogeneity is consistent across years, but these effects were found only at smaller spatial scales. Therefore, we recommend implementing patches of semi-natural vegetation within olive groves as it can help reduce crop damage caused by P. oleae. Specifically, our models showed that maintaining 25 % of non-crop vegetation within 100 m radius buffer zones would reduce by half the proportion of fruits infested by P. oleae. Interestingly, this study also suggests that the secondary pest E. olivina can prevent fruit infestation by P. oleae , which in turn could increase crop yield. • Olive fruit infestation by P. oleae was negatively affected by semi-natural habitats. • The proportion of olive monoculture positively affected fruit infestation. • Fruit infestation decreased as the density of an heterospecific herbivore increased. • We advise to increase semi-natural habitats near olive groves to reduce pest damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary approaches to agriculture must be reimaged to include ecological techniques that maximise ecosystem services, so that food can be produced sustainably whilst simultaneously meeting yield demands. Pest regulation services, harnessed through the conservation of natural enemies in the agri-environment are an economically important service degraded by conventional citrus production practices. For the first time, a sown wildflower strip composed of native forbs and tussock-forming grasses has been investigated for its influence on natural enemies and their pest regulation services in citrus orchards. A novel management strategy was applied, using the predicted generation times of Aonidiella aurantii Maskell (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) , a key pest in citrus, to determine whether cutting the wildflower strips could force spill-over of natural enemies onto the adjacent crop, enhancing pest regulation services. Three treatments applied to orange orchard alleyways were compared: i) a control treatment, the standard orchard practice of regular cutting to 5 cm throughout the year, ii) a sown wildflower treatment managed with cutting once a year in February to a height of 10 cm (standard management wildflower treatment, SMWT), and iii) the same sown wildflower treatment but managed with two additional cuts in May and June (active management wildflower treatment, AMWT). Orange tree canopies were sampled for natural enemies, and pest regulation services were quantified using sentinel prey cards baited with Ephestia kuehniella eggs. Natural enemy richness was greatest in canopies with SMWT, supporting a greater relative abundance of primary parasitoids and lower relative abundances of antagonists (ants) compared to the control. This was associated with enhanced pest regulation services (depletion of sentinel prey from baited cards), especially during the early summer months, which coincides with a critical period to control A. aurantii and other key citrus pests. In contrast, AMWT did not enhance natural enemy richness, and pest regulation services were diminished. This study suggests that leaving wildflower strips uncut throughout the season, as in SMWT, may help to mitigate pest incidence through enhanced pest regulation services. Further studies are now required to determine how this would influence populations of target pests. • A sown wildflower strip composed of native forbs and tussock-forming grasses is investigated for its influence on natural enemies and associated pest regulation services in citrus orchards. • Different management practices were compared, including a novel strategy to determine whether cutting the wildflower strips (active management) could force spill-over of natural enemies onto the adjacent crop. • Wildflower strips supported greater relative abundance of primary parasitoids and lower relative abundances of antagonists compared to the control. • There was no evidence of forced spill-over by cutting the wildflower strips. Natural enemy richness and pest regulation services were similar in the crop adjacent to active management wildflower strips as in the control. • Natural enemy richness was greatest in the citrus crop adjacent to wildflower strips that were left uncut throughout the season and this translated to enhanced pest regulation services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Artificial reefs improve the yield of artisanal fishing grounds by creating habitats with enhanced productivity, similar to those of natural reefs. For an adequate definition of an artificial reef, all its pathways of interaction with the ecosystem must be quantitatively assessed. In this way, the final design will lead to an increase in the production of services. Therefore, this study presents the MEEM tool as well as the AREIT index. Through the former, it is possible to obtain different reef solutions, while the index allows the user to select the best alternative by taking into account the specific situation of the ecosystem to be enhanced. The AREIT index facilitates the decision-making process by means of a three-dimensional graphical representation, based on the three aspects of greatest relevance for the ecosystem: energy, nutrient circulation and the presence of cavities for the shelter of species, in particular those of fishing interest. The definition process ends with the application of a procedure for calculating the stability of the final design under the action of waves and currents. Overfishing and pollution have led to marine habitat degradation, and as a result, marine fisheries are now in decline. Consequently, there is a real need to enhance marine ecosystems while halting the decline of fish stocks and boosting artisanal fishing. Under these circumstances, artificial reefs (ARs) have emerged as a promising option. Nevertheless, their performance is traditionally assessed years after installation, through experimental and field observations. It is now necessary to adopt an alternative approach, adapting the design of artificial reefs to the specific characteristics of the ecosystem to be enhanced. In this way, it will be possible to determine the potential positive impacts of ARs before their installation. This paper presents a general and integrated conceptual framework to assist in the design of AR units by adopting an ecosystem ecology (EE) perspective. It consists of three main parts. In the first one, starting from an initial geometry, EE principles are used to include modifications with the aim of improving autotrophic resource pathways (additional substrata and increased nutrient circulation) and leading to a habitat enhancement (more shelter for individuals). The second part of the framework is a new dimensionless index that allows the user to select the best AR unit design from different alternatives. The potential impacts on the ecosystem in terms of energy, nutrient cycling and shelter are considered for such a purpose. Finally, a general hydrodynamic methodology to study the stability of the selected AR unit design, considering the effect of high waves under severe storms, is proposed. The framework is applied through a case study for Galician estuaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]