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The decline in biodiversity poses a serious threat to natural ecosystems and has become one of the most pressing global environmental issues. Establishing conservation priorities for protected areas (PAs) is one of the most direct and effective biodiversity conservation measures. However, conservation gaps arise as a result of existing problems in spatial layout of PAs, including overlapping protection scopes, artificial fragmentation of natural ecological regions, as well as "over‐protection" and "over‐exploitation." To optimize the spatial layout of PAs and improve the efficiency of biodiversity conservation, we employed the Habitat Quality module of the Integrated Assessment of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to assess the PAs in the Songnen Plain, China. The combined model (MaxEnt‐InVEST) revealed that the conservation priorities for PAs in the Songnen Plain occupied a total area of 14,764.14 km2 (10.24% of the total area of the Songnen Plain). The conservation priorities outside PAs occupied a total area of 7858.45 km2 (5.45% of the total area of the Songnen Plain) and were primarily distributed in the northeastern, central, and southwestern regions of the Songnen Plain. This indicated that existing PAs did not offer adequate protection for local biodiversity. The consistency of our combined modeling framework was 72.11%, which enabled a more accurate assessment of biodiversity hotspots and respects the land uses of the Songnen Plain. In addition, the modeling framework successfully created maps of conservation gaps of biodiversity hotspots based on actual species distribution data and considers current land uses. Our study was aimed at optimizing the spatial conservation efficiency of the Songnen Plain by assessing the conservation gaps in the Songnen Plain. It could provide a reference for the future development of a PA system centering on national parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The small mammalian fauna plays pivotal roles in ecosystem dynamics and as crucial biodiversity indicators. However, recent research has raised concerns about the decline of mammalian species due to climate change. Consequently, significant attention is directed toward studying various big flagship mammalian species for conservation. However, small mammals such as the hog badgers (Mustelidae: Arctonyx) remain understudied regarding the impacts of climate change in Asia. The present study offers a comprehensive analysis of climate change effects on two mainland hog badger species, utilizing ensemble species distribution modeling. Findings reveal concerning outcomes, as only 52% of the IUCN extent is deemed suitable for the Great Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris) and a mere 17% is ideal for the Northern Hog Badger (Arctonyx albogularis). Notably, projections suggest a potential reduction of over 26% in suitable areas for both species under future climate scenarios, with the most severe decline anticipated in the high‐emission scenario of SSP585. These declines translate into evident habitat fragmentation, particularly impacting A. collaris, whose patches shrink substantially, contrasting with the relatively stable patches of A. albogularis. However, despite their differences, niche overlap analysis reveals an intriguing increase in overlap between the two species, indicating potential ecological shifts. The study underscores the importance of integrating climate change and habitat fragmentation considerations into conservation strategies, urging a reassessment of the IUCN status of A. albogularis. The insights gained from this research are crucial for improving protection measures by ensuring adequate legal safeguards and maintaining ecological corridors between viable habitat patches, which are essential for the conservation of hog badgers across mainland Asia. Furthermore, emphasizing the urgency of proactive efforts, particularly in countries with suitable habitats can help safeguard these small mammalian species and their ecosystems from the detrimental impacts of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation priority zones (CPZs) are the most valuable critical areas for maintaining functions of ecosystem. Identifying CPZs and their driving factors of ecosystem services (ESs) is an essential foundation for preventing environmental degradation. The main aims of this study were to determine the CPZs according to the multi-year averaged ESs and investigating the driving factors of ESs in CPZs. We first assess the spatiotemporal variation of typical ESs using biophysical models and linear regression. Then, CPZs are identified by utilizing the ordered weighted averaging combined with conservation efficiency index. Finally, geo-detector is employed to reveal the dual-factor interaction on ESs in CPZs. Results show that net primary productivity and habitat quality have significant temporal variations. Given protecting multiple ESs, scenario 2 is the optimal scenario for CPZ with average protection efficiency of 1.78. Slope and precipitation interactively affect soil conservation. The dual drivers of habitat quality and water yield are both related to land cover, whereas net primary productivity has no dual drivers. Our study provides critical theoretical and practical support for the optimization and management of protected areas to improve ecosystem conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The decline in biodiversity poses a serious threat to natural ecosystems and has become one of the most pressing global environmental issues. Establishing conservation priorities for protected areas (PAs) is one of the most direct and effective biodiversity conservation measures. However, conservation gaps arise as a result of existing problems in spatial layout of PAs, including overlapping protection scopes, artificial fragmentation of natural ecological regions, as well as “over‐protection” and “over‐exploitation.” To optimize the spatial layout of PAs and improve the efficiency of biodiversity conservation, we employed the Habitat Quality module of the Integrated Assessment of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to assess the PAs in the Songnen Plain, China. The combined model (MaxEnt‐InVEST) revealed that the conservation priorities for PAs in the Songnen Plain occupied a total area of 14,764.14 km2 (10.24% of the total area of the Songnen Plain). The conservation priorities outside PAs occupied a total area of 7858.45 km2 (5.45% of the total area of the Songnen Plain) and were primarily distributed in the northeastern, central, and southwestern regions of the Songnen Plain. This indicated that existing PAs did not offer adequate protection for local biodiversity. The consistency of our combined modeling framework was 72.11%, which enabled a more accurate assessment of biodiversity hotspots and respects the land uses of the Songnen Plain. In addition, the modeling framework successfully created maps of conservation gaps of biodiversity hotspots based on actual species distribution data and considers current land uses. Our study was aimed at optimizing the spatial conservation efficiency of the Songnen Plain by assessing the conservation gaps in the Songnen Plain. It could provide a reference for the future development of a PA system centering on national parks.

Colombia has experienced alarming rates of deforestation, posing a threat to forest biodiversity both inside and outside protected areas. Furthermore, a decline in ecological connectivity can potentially disrupt vital ecological processes such as pollination, gene flow, breeding, seed dispersal, among others. To address this issue at a national scale, it is crucial to identify and conserve a comprehensive network of ecological corridors.In this study, we identified high priority potential ecological corridors linking protected areas in Colombia. We categorized a representative set of 16 threatened mammal species into four ecological profiles. Then, we used Least Cost Path (LCP) analysis to model potential corridors between protected areas as those that minimized resistance for forest species dispersal. To prioritize conservation efforts, we applied the decrease in the Probability of Connectivity index (dPC) to identify corridors with the highest priority.Our findings emphasize the importance of preserving large forest patches within protected areas for species inhabiting lowland and sub-Andean forests. However, for species residing in Andean and high Andean forests, restoration measures (e.g., increasing forest cover) between protected areas are needed to enhance landscape permeability and facilitate their dispersal, thereby contributing to their conservation.Our results have practical implications for decision-makers involved in conservation efforts. These findings can aid in identifying conservation priorities for existing protected areas and their surrounding forest habitats in Colombia. Additionally, we provided expert-based resistance values for different forest mammals that can be further used in other large scale connectivity analyses, including other countries where these species inhabit.

Abstract The small mammalian fauna plays pivotal roles in ecosystem dynamics and as crucial biodiversity indicators. However, recent research has raised concerns about the decline of mammalian species due to climate change. Consequently, significant attention is directed toward studying various big flagship mammalian species for conservation. However, small mammals such as the hog badgers (Mustelidae: Arctonyx) remain understudied regarding the impacts of climate change in Asia. The present study offers a comprehensive analysis of climate change effects on two mainland hog badger species, utilizing ensemble species distribution modeling. Findings reveal concerning outcomes, as only 52% of the IUCN extent is deemed suitable for the Great Hog Badger (Arctonyx collaris) and a mere 17% is ideal for the Northern Hog Badger (Arctonyx albogularis). Notably, projections suggest a potential reduction of over 26% in suitable areas for both species under future climate scenarios, with the most severe decline anticipated in the high‐emission scenario of SSP585. These declines translate into evident habitat fragmentation, particularly impacting A. collaris, whose patches shrink substantially, contrasting with the relatively stable patches of A. albogularis. However, despite their differences, niche overlap analysis reveals an intriguing increase in overlap between the two species, indicating potential ecological shifts. The study underscores the importance of integrating climate change and habitat fragmentation considerations into conservation strategies, urging a reassessment of the IUCN status of A. albogularis. The insights gained from this research are crucial for improving protection measures by ensuring adequate legal safeguards and maintaining ecological corridors between viable habitat patches, which are essential for the conservation of hog badgers across mainland Asia. Furthermore, emphasizing the urgency of proactive efforts, particularly in countries with suitable habitats can help safeguard these small mammalian species and their ecosystems from the detrimental impacts of climate change.

Maintaining landscape connectivity is a conservation priority for biodiversity as it may mitigate the adverse effects of forest degradation, fragmentation, and climate change by facilitating species dispersal. Despite their importance for biodiversity conservation, Mexican tropical dry forests (TDFs) face high fragmentation rates due to anthropogenic activities. In this study, we analyzed the connectivity dynamics of TDFs in the Balsas Basin Biogeographic Province (BBBP) between 2013 and 2018, focusing on old-growth and secondary TDF covers, including Protected Areas and Important Bird Areas. We evaluated the effects of connectivity loss and gain on the distribution areas of 30 endemic bird species with ecological associations with TDFs in the BBBP. We found expansion in TDFs accounting for a total increase of 227,905 ha due to secondary forest increase (12%). In contrast, old-growth forests experienced a reduction of 66,576 ha in the study area (8%). We also found a decrease in areas with high and very-high connectivity, coupled with an increase in low connectivity, except for TDFs inside Protected Areas, which increased by 3,000 ha, leading to higher connectivity. There was an increase in total forest cover in 27 species' potential distribution, highlighting the possible role of secondary forests in promoting connectivity between old-growth forest patches. Our results reveal the complex dynamics between forest types, connectivity, and bird-species distributions. Despite an overall increase in forested areas, most TDFs continue to have low connectivity, likely impacting biodiversity, particularly for species that rely on highly conserved ecosystems. This study underscores the importance of integrated conservation strategies considering connectivity, forest recovery, and the dynamics of species-ecosystem interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Illegal bushmeat trade is a significant driver of the decline in wildlife populations within the tropics. Despite the intense trade of bushmeat in Cameroon, there is dearth or no official statistics on the kind of animals sold in the markets in most parts of Cameroon. To abridge this knowledge gap, an inventory of wild animals sold in local markets was carried out. The animal taxa sold within the markets were identified, and their abundance, class diversity and conservation status according to the IUCN Red List of threatened species and Cameroon wildlife classification were assessed. Semi‐structured questionnaires were randomly administered to 200 traders randomly selected in 16 markets. Multivariate analyses were used to compare the proportions of sold taxa among the markets and the proportions of taxa based on their conservation status. Results were summarized as shown below: (1) 476 individuals of animals were recorded, covering 47 taxa, 41 genera, 33 families, 18 orders and 3 classes from bushmeat vendors. (2) Mammals dominated the trade in all markets (by a mean of 74.3% per market), followed by reptiles (16.1%) and birds (9.5%) in terms of both abundance and diversity. (3) Cane rats (Thryonomyidae) and primates (Cercopithecidae) represented the highest proportions of animal specimens recorded. (4) The diversity of mammals sold was highest in Foumbot, followed by Bangangte, Bafousam and Bangoua as the main local markets, and lowest mammalian diversity was found in Batcham and Baham village markets. (5) The most often traded animal species belonged to the least concern category, followed by vulnerable, near threatened, endangered, and critically endangered. In general, we observed that less protected species by the IUCN Red List and Cameroon wildlife classification were often found in village markets and species with higher conservation value were often sold in city markets. Similarly, the main markets hosted the highest diversity of sold animals, especially mammals. The size of the human settlement together with its location nearby protected area and/or placement of the market by the main road are the main drivers determining numbers and diversity of sold animals, and further attention to government conservation activities should be focused on these markets.

This review comprehensively evaluates the impacts of anthropogenic threats on beaked whales (Ziphiidae)—a taxonomic group characterized by cryptic biology, deep dives and remote offshore habitat, which have challenged direct scientific observation. By synthesizing information published in peer-reviewed studies and grey literature, we identified available evidence of impacts across 14 threats for each Ziphiidae species. Threats were assessed based on their pathways of effects on individuals, revealing many gaps in scientific understanding of the risks faced by beaked whales. By applying a comprehensive taxon-level analysis, we found evidence that all beaked whale species are affected by multiple stressors, with climate change, entanglement and plastic pollution being the most common threats documented across beaked whale species. Threats assessed as having a serious impact on individuals included whaling, military sonar, entanglement, depredation, vessel strikes, plastics and oil spills. This review emphasizes the urgent need for targeted research to address a range of uncertainties, including cumulative and population-level impacts. Understanding the evidence and pathways of the effects of stressors on individuals can support future assessments, guide practical mitigation strategies and advance current understanding of anthropogenic impacts on rare and elusive marine species.

Establishment of a national park protection system in China, including the latest target proposed to protect at least 30% of the land area, calls for a comprehensive exploration of conservation priorities incorporating multiple diversity facets. We herein evaluate the spatial distribution of Chinese flowering plants from the perspectives of richness, uniqueness, vulnerability, and evolutionary history, by integrating three mega-phylogenies and comprehensive distribution data. We detect significantly high consistency among hotspots of different diversity measures for Chinese flowering plants, suggesting that multiple facets of evolutionary diversity are concentrically distributed in China. Affording legal protection to these areas is expected to maximize positive conservation outcomes. We propose two integrative diversity indices by incorporating three richness-based and three phylogeny-based measures, respectively. Both methods identify areas with high species richness, but the integrative phylogeny-based index also locates key areas with ancient and unique evolutionary histories (e.g., Ailao-Wuliang Mts, Dabie Mts, Hainan rainforest, Karst area of Yunnan-Guizhou-Guangxi, Nanling Mts, and southeast coastal regions). Of all the diversity indices explored, phylogenetic endemism maximizes the incidental protection of other indices in most cases, emphasizing its significance for conservation planning. Finally, 42 priority areas are identified by combining the 5%-criterion hotspots of two integrative indices and the minimum area to protect all threatened species analyzed. These priorities cover only 13.3% of China's land area, but host 97.1% of species richness (23,394/24,095), 96.5% of endemic species (11,841/12,274), 100% of threatened species (2,613/2,613), and 99.3% of phylogenetic diversity for flowering plants involved in this study. These frameworks provide a solid scientific basis for national park planning in China.

The terrestrial and marine biotypes of Madagascar are critical priorities for conservation, with almost unparalleled levels of endemism, species diversity and human threat for a land area of its size. Field inventories and molecular-based research conducted from the mid 1980s to present have greatly expanded knowledge of the country's biota, for some groups with nearly exponential growth in measures of species diversity. I provide updated measures of estimated species diversity between a book with 289 contributors, published in 2003 (The Natural History of Madagascar), and a full-scale update with 539 contributors, published in 2022 (The New Natural History of Madagascar). I compare biodiversity information presented in the new book with data from the earlier book, providing insight into scientific advancements, and revised estimates of species richness and endemism of a range of taxonomic groups.

The Beibu Gulf (Gulf of Tonkin, Vinh Bac Bo in Vietnamese), located midway along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), is a critical stopover and wintering region for migratory waterbirds. This transboundary coastal region, spanning between China and Vietnam, harbors diverse wetland habitats that provide refuge to waterbird species, including highly threatened species such as the spoon-billed sandpiper (CR) and the black-faced spoonbill (EN). However, the scarcity of comprehensive assessments regarding waterbird abundances, distribution, key wetland habitats, and regional threats hinders our understanding of its conservation significance at the flyway level. Further research is needed to address these knowledge gaps and facilitate effective conservation efforts in the Beibu Gulf. By synthesizing accessible citizen science datasets and published records from wetland sites in south China and northeast Vietnam, we concluded that at least 97 waterbird species used the Gulf's wetlands during their annual cycle. Among surveys conducted from 2014 to 2022, 5 and 11 waterbird species were considered as first and second class protected species under the National Key Protected Wild Animal List in China; 2 species were listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, 4 as Endangered and 2 as Vulnerable, underlying the critical importance of the Beibu Gulf for the survival of these species. Our study identified 25 sites in the Beibu Gulf that met the criteria for designation as internationally important wetlands. Alarmingly, less than a quarter (n = 5, or 20%) of these sites benefit from national or international protection. Localized threats, including aquatic resource harvesting, hunting, and aquaculture/fisheries, were widespread in the region. This study provides a crucial scientific baseline for continued waterbird monitoring, site prioritization, and the development of effective habitat management plans to conserve vital coastal wetland habitats in the Beibu Gulf in China and Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The terrestrial and marine biotypes of Madagascar are critical priorities for conservation, with almost unparalleled levels of endemism, species diversity and human threat for a land area of its size. Field inventories and molecular-based research conducted from the mid 1980s to present have greatly expanded knowledge of the country's biota, for some groups with nearly exponential growth in measures of species diversity. I provide updated measures of estimated species diversity between a book with 289 contributors, published in 2003 (The Natural History of Madagascar), and a full-scale update with 539 contributors, published in 2022 (The New Natural History of Madagascar). I compare biodiversity information presented in the new book with data from the earlier book, providing insight into scientific advancements, and revised estimates of species richness and endemism of a range of taxonomic groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Understanding biodiversity patterns is crucial for prioritizing future conservation efforts and reducing the current rates of biodiversity loss. However, a large proportion of species remain undescribed (i.e. unknown biodiversity), hindering our ability to conduct this task. This phenomenon, known as the 'Linnean shortfall', is especially relevant in highly diverse, yet endangered, taxonomic groups, such as insects. Here we explore the distributions of recently described freshwater insect species in Europe to (1) infer the potential location of unknown biodiversity hotspots and (2) determine the variables that can anticipate the distribution of unknown biodiversity. Location: The European continent, including western Russia, Cyprus and Turkey. Methods: Georeferenced information of all sites where new aquatic insect species were described across Europe from 2000 to 2020 was compiled. In order to understand the observed spatial patterns in richness of recently described species, spatial units were defined (level 6 of HydroBASINS) and associated with a combination of a set of socioeconomic, environmental and sampling effort descriptors. A zero‐inflated Poisson regression approach was used to model the richness of newly described species within each spatial unit. Results: Nine hundred and sixty‐six recently described species were found: 398 Diptera, 362 Trichoptera, 105 Coleoptera, 66 Plecoptera, 28 Ephemeroptera, 3 Neuroptera, 2 Lepidoptera and 2 Odonata. The Mediterranean Basin was the region with the highest number of recently described species (74%). The richness of recently described species per spatial unit across Europe was highest at mid‐elevation areas (between 400 and 1000 m), latitudes between 40 and 50° and in areas with yearly average precipitation levels of 500–1000 mm, a medium intensity of sampling effort and low population density. The percentage of protected areas in each study unit was not significantly related to the richness of recently described species. In fact, 70% of the species were found outside protected areas. Main conclusions: The results highlight the urgent need to concentrate conservation efforts in freshwater ecosystems located at mid‐altitude areas and out of protected areas across the Mediterranean Basin. The highest number of newly described species in those areas indicates that further monitoring efforts are required to ensure the aquatic biodiversity is adequately known and managed within a context of growing human impacts in freshwater ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Area-based strategies for conservation include defining species richness and rarity hotspots. However, excluding vulnerable species (e.g., with restricted distribution and categorized as threatened), in establishing such hotspots may limit their representativeness, so the convenience of asserting them has been widely debated. To inform conservation assessments for the New World leaf-nosed bats (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), we identified hotspots based simultaneously on species richness and rarity of 214 species. We projected species range maps on a 0.5° × 0.5° longitude-latitude grid, from which we built a presence-absence matrix with 6951 sites. Using range-diversity plots, we described richness-rarity hotspots (sites with high species richness and presence of rare species) and poorness-rarity hotspots (with low species richness and presence of rare species). We assess the representativeness of the hotspots within established protected areas using the World Database on Protected Areas. The richness-rarity hotspot was located in the Andean zone from Peru to Panama within which 46 species of phyllostomid bats are distributed and 37% of its surface is protected. While the poorness-rarity hotspot was located in the northern region of Mexico and the Caribbean with 50 phyllostomid bats species and 19% of its surface protected. We hope that our analysis represents a relevant tool for the conservation of phyllostomid bats, which provide several ecosystem services and are currently facing different threats derived from anthropogenic activities.

The lack of high‐resolution distribution maps for freshwater species across large extents fundamentally challenges biodiversity conservation worldwide. We devised a simple framework to delineate the distributions of freshwater fishes in a high‐resolution drainage map based on stacked species distribution models and expert information. We applied this framework to the entire Chinese freshwater fish fauna (>1600 species) to examine high‐resolution biodiversity patterns and reveal potential conflicts between freshwater biodiversity and anthropogenic disturbances. The correlations between spatial patterns of biodiversity facets (species richness, endemicity, and phylogenetic diversity) were all significant (r = 0.43–0.98, p < 0.001). Areas with high values of different biodiversity facets overlapped with anthropogenic disturbances. Existing protected areas (PAs), covering 22% of China's territory, protected 25–29% of fish habitats, 16–23% of species, and 30–31% of priority conservation areas. Moreover, 6–21% of the species were completely unprotected. These results suggest the need for extending the network of PAs to ensure the conservation of China's freshwater fishes and the goods and services they provide. Specifically, middle to low reaches of large rivers and their associated lakes from northeast to southwest China hosted the most diverse species assemblages and thus should be the target of future expansions of the network of PAs. More generally, our framework, which can be used to draw high‐resolution freshwater biodiversity maps combining species occurrence data and expert knowledge on species distribution, provides an efficient way to design PAs regardless of the ecosystem, taxonomic group, or region considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This is the fourth comprehensive assessment of the population status of all wild bird species in Europe. It identifies Species of European Conservation Concern (SPECs) so that action can be taken to improve their status. Species are categorised according to their global extinction risk, the size and trend of their European population and range, and Europe's global responsibility for them. Of the 546 species assessed, 207 (38%) are SPECs: 74 (14%) of global concern (SPEC 1); 32 (6%) of European concern and concentrated in Europe (SPEC 2); and 101 (18%) of European concern but not concentrated in Europe (SPEC 3). The proportion of SPECs has remained similar (38–43%) across all four assessments since 1994, but the number of SPEC 1 species of global concern has trebled. The 44 species assessed as Non-SPECs in the third assessment (2017) but as SPECs here include multiple waders, raptors and passerines that breed in arctic, boreal or alpine regions, highlighting the growing importance of northern Europe and mountain ecosystems for bird conservation. Conversely, the 62 species assessed as SPECs in 2017 but as Non-SPECs here include various large waterbirds and raptors that are recovering due to conservation action. Since 1994, the number of specially protected species (listed on Annex I of the EU Birds Directive) qualifying as SPECs has fallen by 33%, while the number of huntable (Annex II) species qualifying as SPECs has risen by 56%. The broad patterns identified previously remain evident: 100 species have been classified as SPECs in all four assessments, including numerous farmland and steppe birds, ducks, waders, raptors, seabirds and long-distance migrants. Many of their populations are heavily depleted or continue to decline and/or contract in range. Europe still holds 3.4–5.4 billion breeding birds, but more action to halt and reverse losses is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 70% of the world's largest megacities (>10 million people) are within 60 km of the coast, contributing to 50% of the world's GDP. Sea level rise will intensify coastal flood threats, making cities without sufficient habitat protection even more vulnerable. However, there is currently a lack of thorough evaluation at the global scale about conservation priorities based on the current habitat cover and the high sea level rise in order to adapt coastal flood risks. Here we assessed the disparity among habitat coverage, exposed population and extreme sea level rise to identify priority areas for future coastal conservation. These priority areas are characterized by a large population residing in low-elevation coastal zones (LECZs), high extreme sea levels (ESLs), and insufficient habitat coverages. In many highly populated countries like China and India, the flooding risk has been underestimated due to insufficient adaptation based on natural processes from coastal habitats. These highly populated countries are especially concerning because they have comparatively less vegetation protection capability and are subjected to high ESLs. Globally, Asian and European nations, such as China, Japan, Bangladesh, Viet Nam, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Germany, have the highest potential for mitigating coastal risks through natural habitat conservation and restoration. We found that the main contributors to variations in the extreme sea level rise risks are not due to exposure headcounts (6%), but due to inadequate habitat cover (42%), which can be improved through targeted conservation and restoration. Our research identified the global priorities for managing climate resilience that most urgently require ecosystem conservation and restoration in order to prepare for the risks of coastal flooding. [Display omitted] • Spatial disparity between habitat protection and human exposure is quantified. • Habitats cover 2% of coastlines, limiting their capacity to reduce hazards. • 33% of the global coastal population faces extreme sea level rise risk. • 21% of population expose to elevated flood risks due to habitat loss. • Conservation potential for coastal habitats is high in Asia and Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trees are the most important landscape architects of our planet, not only in forests but also in countless other ecosystems, including human-fabricated habitats. Due to their significance in the majority of terrestrial ecosystems, trees play an important role in maintaining biodiversity and providing food and habitat for countless microorganisms, fungi, climbers, invertebrates, and vertebrates. Trees are also indispensable for the development of human societies and are important for our survival today and in the future. Trees therefore have an inestimable scientific, economic, social, cultural, and aesthetic value. In addition, they were and are playing an essential role in myths, rituals, and cultures of nearly all indigenous and modern societies. Despite these facts, the protection of trees is insufficient, both globally due to climate change and deforestation, but also locally, for example in the big cities through deterioration of soils or improper care. In industrialized countries, only recently has the need for targeted protection efforts for tree species or even for individual trees been recognized. Our review starts with the differentiation and definitions of forests and trees. Furthermore, we present the main categories and subcategories of trees, each of them possessing different functions in their ecosystems and for human societies and thus needing specific legal protection measures. The second part of our review presents the most important tools for improving the protection of trees. On the one hand, there exist a series of international initiatives, conventions, and agreements, and on the other hand, there are numerous legal tools, such as red lists, lists of protected species, and legislation for the protection of monument and habitat trees. The main challenge of the 21st century is to find a solution to make the development and growth of modern human societies compatible with the protection of natural resources such as forests. The large number of tree species, as well as the large proportion of threatened tree species, makes this problem even larger. Finally, the most recent and controversial approach of attributing trees the rights as legal persons is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate and land cover changes are the two most important stressors causing the decline of amphibians’ populations worldwide. Within the Mediterranean area, one of the global biodiversity hotspots, the endemic Italian yellow-bellied toad (Bombina pachypus) suffered the same fate, as the decreases and local extinctions proved over time. Since the need to preserve this Apennine endemic species is evident, we take advantage of a novel approach combining climate-based ecological niche models and post-modelling GIS techniques (i.e., the weighted overlay framework) to produce finer species distribution models for B. pachypus. In doing so, we coupled climate variables with topographic-, hydrologic-, and habitat-related predictors, sharpening the potential species’ distribution at its whole range scale. Our findings show a latitudinal subdivision in predicted suitability: Central Apennines populations are expected to suffer more than the Northern ones, with considerable potential future losses of genetic diversity. On the contrary, Southern Apennines’ suitability is predicted to remain stable over time, preserving the vast diversity. When assessing the coverage that protected areas offer to the locations of suitable habitats for B. pachypus, the protected sites of the Central Apennines result in slightly less suitable conservation areas than those in the Northern and Southern Apennines. The overall protected areas coverage is currently low (∼20%) and predicted in the future to narrow towards medium suitability values, except in Southern Apennines, where an increase is inferred. In light of our spatially-explicit results, we suggest that a national-scale conservation strategy should consider different management options according to the sub-territories that our analyses highlighted. Our coupled “weighted modelling – spatialised genetic inference” approach permits us to support different conservation policies at all spatial scales, capitalising on relatively few input data. Also, in-depth spatial analyses should be performed to support effective protection strategies and management for the conservation stakeholders.

Given the scale of the current biodiversity loss, setting conservation priorities is essential to direct scarce resources to where they will be most effective. Many prioritization schemes have been described by using a wide range of criteria that vary across taxonomic groups, spatial scales, and ecological, socio-economic, and governance contexts. Currently, there is no single prioritization process applicable to all situations, nor is there a list of agreed metrics. The IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group and the Small Mammal Specialist Group recently performed species prioritization exercises based on a similar approach. The variables used included biological, socio-political, and feasibility criteria. The two exercises contained both common and some unique variables, arranged in a matrix for the target species (29 threatened antelopes and 19 critically endangered Mexican small mammals, respectively). The ASG framework provided a global summary of the antelope priorities, which can be updated and adapted to the national level. The SMSG matrix was applied in a regional workshop to select species for which the likelihood of implementing conservation actions was high and led to conservation action plans being developed for six species. The framework we jointly developed in theory can be applied to other taxa, certainly all mammals and perhaps most vertebrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a study of more than 3000 participants from nine countries, we explored peoples’ preferences for the conservation of two groups of species that frequently interact with humans: large carnivores (n = 29 species in the order Carnivora with average adult body mass > 15 kg), and wild canids and wild felids (n = 73 species). We presented participants with pairs of photographs and recorded which they would prioritise for conservation. We also attempted to identify the species attributes which were associated with preference. Among the large carnivores, respondents prefered felids over hyaenids and canids. For large carnivores, images of species in social groups attracted lower preference scores. Felids were strongly preferred to canids. Both for large carnivores overall, and for felids and canids, people preferred species with a more threatened IUCN status, larger body size and striking torso colouration. The effect of peoples’ familiarity with a species on their preference depended on their affinity with it (how much they reported ‘liking’ it). Where respondents reported liking a species in the felid/canid study, preference score tended to increase with familiarity. For species which were not liked, preference declined with familiarity. We propose that this reflects negative experiences or cultural histories. There were nuanced differences in conservation preferences between countries, which may also arise from socio-cultural factors. These findings reinforce the importance of understanding the local context when identifying species as potential flagships for wildlife conservation but also suggest that some preferences seem to broadly generalise across different groups of stakeholders.

Primates are one of the most threatened mammalian taxa and are also one of the most commonly exhibited in zoological gardens. The information from the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS) was used to provide an overview of the species of Primates belonging to the subfamily Cercopithecinae currently held in zoos. A total of 56 species (71.79 %) are kept in ZIMS institutions. Of these, 27 (48.31 %) are threatened. Zoos do not show any preference in keeping threatened species or non-threatened ones. In the case of threatened species, only five of them are represented by more than 200 individuals while the non-threatened ones are nine. In the past 12 months, 17 non-threatened species and 16 threatened ones managed to breed. At a regional level, Asia, Europe, and North America have the highest number of species however the highest number of individuals is found in European zoos which also have a higher rate of threatened individuals to non-threatened ones. The population trends of the last 20 years indicate that Europe has the highest number of increased threatened populations (10) followed by Asia (eight) and North America (four). The latter features the highest number of increased non-threatened populations (11). Europe has the highest number of decreased threatened and non-threatened populations (16 and 17) whilst North America lost the highest number of species in the last 20 years. The analysis indicates that European zoos are at the forefront of the ex situ conservation of threatened Cercopithecinae. Although trends in zoo design and philosophy make unlikely a future increase of space for threatened cercopithecids, a better integration of conservation priorities in zoos' master planning process may arrest the decline of space available to threatened taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It is the first time to quantify ecosystem services of National Park of Hainan Tropical Rainforest for seven different regions in 2000, 2010 and 2019. • The establishment of the national park effectively improved ecosystem services. • National park had the main ecosystem services of water conservation, carbon storage and oxygen release, while showed considerable spatial heterogeneity. • Conservation priorities were assigned to natural forests in high-altitude areas, mostly in central parts of the national park. Hainan island in south China harbours vast areas of virgin forests, with rich biodiversity and is included in the globally important Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot. In 2018, a national park covering an area of 4269 km2 of the island was proposed to conserve its rainforest ecosystem integrity and authenticity. In this study, using an integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs (InVEST) model, a revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE), a net primary productivity transformation formula, and the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model, we quantified five ecosystem services, i.e. water conservation, soil retention, carbon storage, oxygen release and biodiversity maintenance. The data of five ecosystem services was recorded in the year 2000, 2010 and 2019, for seven regions of the national park including Mt. Jianfeng (JFL), Mt. Bawang (BWL), Mt. Diaoluo (DLS), Mt. Limu (LMS), Mt. Yingge (YGL), Mt. Wuzhi (WZS), and Maorui Forest Farm (MR). Then, we determined the importance of each of the ecosystem services for each region. Finally, we determined conservation priority sites of every regions respectively for each ecosystem service by comparing conservation efficiencies with the help of ordered weighted averaging. We found that total and mean amounts of five ecosystem services in the national park had declined in 2010 but increased in 2019, indicating the establishment of the national park effectively improved ecosystem services. Over 65 % areas of the national park exhibited dominant ecosystem services of water conservation, carbon storage and oxygen release. Soil retention was relatively uniform in seven regions, whereas the water conservation was concentrated in the eastern part of the national park, i.e. YGL, LMS, WZS and DLS. Carbon storage and oxygen release were highest at the central part of the national park including WZS, DLS, YGL, BWL, and MR, while biodiversity maintenance was the top ecosystem service for WZS, DLS, BWL and MR. Conservation priorities were assigned to natural forests in high-altitude areas in WZS, DLS, YGL, BWL, and MR, mostly in central parts of the national park. These results revealed the spatiotemporal pattern of ecosystem services and conservation priorities. It is helpful to facilitate precise management of this newly established national park. The innovative approach identifies key ecosystem services and their trade-offs to pinpoint conservation areas, offering valuable insights for the management of other national parks and protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tree diversity in Asia's tropical and subtropical forests is central to nature‐based solutions. Species vulnerability to multiple threats, which affect provision of ecosystem services, is poorly understood. We conducted a region‐wide, spatially explicit assessment of the vulnerability of 63 socioeconomically important tree species to overexploitation, fire, overgrazing, habitat conversion, and climate change. Trees were selected for assessment from national priority lists, and selections were validated by an expert network representing 20 countries. We used Maxent suitability modeling to predict species distribution ranges, freely accessible spatial data sets to map threat exposures, and functional traits to estimate threat sensitivities. Species‐specific vulnerability maps were created as the product of exposure maps and sensitivity estimates. Based on vulnerability to current threats and climate change, we identified priority areas for conservation and restoration. Overall, 74% of the most important areas for conservation of these trees fell outside protected areas, and all species were severely threatened across an average of 47% of their native ranges. The most imminent threats were overexploitation and habitat conversion; populations were severely threatened by these factors in an average of 24% and 16% of their ranges, respectively. Our model predicted limited overall climate change impacts, although some study species were likely to lose over 15% of their habitat by 2050 due to climate change. We pinpointed specific natural areas in Borneo rain forests as hotspots for in situ conservation of forest genetic resources, more than 82% of which fell outside designated protected areas. We also identified degraded areas in Western Ghats, Indochina dry forests, and Sumatran rain forests as hotspots for restoration, where planting or assisted natural regeneration will help conserve these species, and croplands in southern India and Thailand as potentially important agroforestry options. Our results highlight the need for regionally coordinated action for effective conservation and restoration. Article impact statement: There are specific forest areas and degraded lands in Indonesia and Malaysia that are hotspots for tree species conservation and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: As urbanization continues, ecosystem stability faces serious challenges. Ecological security patterns have become a main tool with which the contradictions between economic development and ecological security can be alleviated and even solved. Objective: In this study, ecological patches were identified based on ecosystem services, and ecological corridors were derived using a minimum cumulative resistance model. We analyzed the importance and connectivity of ecological corridors using a gravity model and the probability of connectivity index and identified key restoration and protection areas. Results: The results show that (1) 72 ecological patches were identified in Jingmen, and important patches were distributed in the western mountainous areas of Jingmen. (2) The corridor connectivity in Jingmen needs to be improved. The 71 ecological corridors with the lowest cumulative resistance were identified; these corridors were mainly concentrated in mountainous areas, forest parks, and wetland parks. Conclusion: We suggested 100–200 m as the ecological corridor width in Jingmen, as this width could balance the economic development, ecological conservation, and food security priorities. We identified 15 priority protection areas and 11 priority restoration areas that urgently require reasonable ecological restoration in Jingmen. This construction of an ecological security pattern in Jingmen provides a scientific reference for urban ecological planning and urban spatial layout planning and achieves a win–win situation in which both smart urban growth and ecological protection can be realized.

Chondrichthyan fishes are ecologically and economically important, yet many are overfished or at elevated risk of extinction. Researchers report a desire to perform policy‐relevant science that can generate data in support of effective conservation and management plans, but also report a lack of clarity about how to most effectively to do that. To address this gap, we created a list of research and policy priorities for chondrichthyan species of conservation concern in US waters using a modified expert solicitation horizon scan approach. Thirty‐five policy‐relevant research priorities and twenty‐seven policy priorities are presented here, a list which can help to guide scientists and conservationists to maximize the effectiveness of their research and policy advocacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IUCN Red List plays a key role in setting global conservation priorities and is populated via rigorous, time‐intensive assessments. Here, we test rapid preliminary assessments of plant extinction risk using one Red List metric: Extent of Occurrence (EOO). We developed REBA (Rapid EOO‐Based Assessment) to harvest and clean data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, calculate each species' EOO and assign EOO‐based Red List categories. We validated REBA classifications against 1671 North American plant species already on the Red List and found ~87% overlap between REBA's classifications and the IUCN's. However, REBA's false‐negative rate for species outside the Least Concern category was substantial (~68%). To elucidate factors that might drive such a high rate of under‐classification, we used hierarchical Bayesian models to show that certain plant types (e.g., Geophytes) and threats (e.g., Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases) increased the probability of under‐classification. While REBA requires further refinement, it has yielded valuable insight into how preliminary assessment methodologies may become more effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Chondrichthyan fishes are ecologically and economically important, yet many are overfished or at elevated risk of extinction. Researchers report a desire to perform policy‐relevant science that can generate data in support of effective conservation and management plans, but also report a lack of clarity about how to most effectively to do that. To address this gap, we created a list of research and policy priorities for chondrichthyan species of conservation concern in US waters using a modified expert solicitation horizon scan approach. Thirty‐five policy‐relevant research priorities and twenty‐seven policy priorities are presented here, a list which can help to guide scientists and conservationists to maximize the effectiveness of their research and policy advocacy.

Abstract The IUCN Red List plays a key role in setting global conservation priorities and is populated via rigorous, time‐intensive assessments. Here, we test rapid preliminary assessments of plant extinction risk using one Red List metric: Extent of Occurrence (EOO). We developed REBA (Rapid EOO‐Based Assessment) to harvest and clean data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, calculate each species' EOO and assign EOO‐based Red List categories. We validated REBA classifications against 1671 North American plant species already on the Red List and found ~87% overlap between REBA’s classifications and the IUCN’s. However, REBA’s false‐negative rate for species outside the Least Concern category was substantial (~68%). To elucidate factors that might drive such a high rate of under‐classification, we used hierarchical Bayesian models to show that certain plant types (e.g., Geophytes) and threats (e.g., Invasive and Other Problematic Species, Genes, and Diseases) increased the probability of under‐classification. While REBA requires further refinement, it has yielded valuable insight into how preliminary assessment methodologies may become more effective.

Quantitative methods of prioritization are necessary to optimize the selection of protected areas for biodiversity conservation. Reserve selection is traditionally based on single species, considers representative habitats or, occasionally, spatial configuration but mostly the needs of the society. However, protecting particular species as independent entities is not enough to ensure effective conservation of ecological communities, since their functioning depends on the interactions between species. We propose a strategy to identify priority areas for protection based on species interaction networks. Similar local networks are grouped according to two different sets of network features: interacting species pairs and overall network structure. These groups or clusters of networks are used to delimitate ecological subregions, which are then compared to current nature reserves. Subregions with a lower proportion of protected area are given higher priority. Results from species pairs and network structure are finally combined to obtain the network protection priority index. We present a case study applying this strategy to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, using plant-pollinator networks. We found that subregions based on network structure show a more grainy pattern, and approach spatial patterns related to forest formation types, while subregions based on species pairs show more distinct patches and a higher level of detail in the division, especially for interior forests. Highest priority is given to portions of the seasonal semi-deciduous and deciduous forest, especially NE São Paulo, NW Paraná, N Rio Grande do Sul and E Minas Gerais and, secondarily, W São Paulo and the São Francisco region. The approach we suggest here goes beyond the level of species, seeking to perpetuate the ecological interactions and networks that make up biological communities. It is our hope and conviction that this strategy contributes to the development of more effective conservation planning.

Summary: Birds are suffering from steep population declines on a global scale and they are one of the few taxonomic groups for which these declines are well documented by long-term monitoring data. This study provides a synthesis of the status of the breeding birds of Greece. To this aim, we retrieved population size estimates from six sources spanning 22 years (1992–2014) and calculated species' trends in Greece. Using the IUCN Red List assessments for each species we assessed whether ecological traits including habitat and diet preferences were associated with species' trends and conservation status in Europe and determined major threats affecting birds in Greece. Moreover, we assessed the importance of Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in terms of declining trigger species. Results showed that almost one fifth of the breeding birds in Greece have declining populations. Raptors were found to be the most threatened group of birds whereas the highest declines by dietary group were observed in scavengers, with 60% of species showing a decreasing trend. The most common threats were those that cause habitat alteration and degradation as well as more direct effects such as poisoning. Our results suggest that restoration of habitat and ecosystem functions along with the management of protected areas and improvement of legislation should be the main conservation actions undertaken and pinpointed the IBAs where they should be prioritized for implementation. Finally, further research, especially on specific drivers of population change, along with further examination of current and past population trends, will increase the power and accuracy of future regional Red List assessments especially concerning the breeding species for which the country bears the greatest responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective An experiment was conducted to evaluate genetic diversity of 26 Chinese indigenous goats by 30 microsatellite markers, and then to define conservation priorities to set up the protection programs according to the weight given to within- and between-breed genetic diversity. Methods Twenty-six representative populations of Chinese indigenous goats, 1,351 total, were sampled from different geographic regions of China. Within-breed genetic diversity and marker polymorphism were estimated calculating the mean number of alleles, observed heterozygosities, expected heterozygosities, fixation index, effective number of alleles and allelic richness. Conservation priorities were analyzed by statistical methods. Results A relatively high level of genetic diversity was found in twenty-four population; the exceptions were in the Daiyun and Fuqing goat populations. Within-breed kinship coefficient matrices identified seven highly inbred breeds which should be of concern. Of these, six breeds receive a negative contribution to heterozygosity when the method was based on proportional contribution to heterozygosity. Based on Weitzman or Piyasatian and Kinghorn methods, the breeds distant from others i.e. Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat, Chengdu Brown goat and Leizhou goat obtain a high ranking. Evidence from Caballero and Toro and Fabuel et al method prioritized Jining Gray goat, Liaoning Cashmere goat, and Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat, which agree with results from Kinship-based methods. Conclusion Conservation priorities were determined according to multiple methods. Our results suggest Inner Mongolia Cashmere goat (most methods), Jining Gray goat and Liaoning Cashmere goat (high contribution to heterozygosity and total diversity) should be prioritized based on most methods. Furthermore, Daiyun goat and Shannan White goat also should be prioritized based on consideration of effective population size. However, if one breed can continually survive under changing conditions, the straightforward approach would be to increase its utilization and attraction for production via mining breed germplasm characteristics.

Given the scale of the current biodiversity loss, setting conservation priorities is essential to direct scarce resources to where they will be most effective. Many prioritization schemes have been described by using a wide range of criteria that vary across taxonomic groups, spatial scales, and ecological, socio-economic, and governance contexts. Currently, there is no single prioritization process applicable to all situations, nor is there a list of agreed metrics. The IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group and the Small Mammal Specialist Group recently performed species prioritization exercises based on a similar approach. The variables used included biological, socio-political, and feasibility criteria. The two exercises contained both common and some unique variables, arranged in a matrix for the target species (29 threatened antelopes and 19 critically endangered Mexican small mammals, respectively). The ASG framework provided a global summary of the antelope priorities, which can be updated and adapted to the national level. The SMSG matrix was applied in a regional workshop to select species for which the likelihood of implementing conservation actions was high and led to conservation action plans being developed for six species. The framework we jointly developed in theory can be applied to other taxa, certainly all mammals and perhaps most vertebrates.

Abstract Mitigating harmful interactions with wildlife requires an understanding of the interactions between predators, domesticated animals and humans. Large‐scale transformations of crocodilian habitats across the Latin America and Caribbean region, alongside significant use of crocodilians as a resource, and retaliatory killing of crocodilians following (or to prevent) attacks on humans and their animals, are generating significant conservation challenges. This matters because this is the world's most biodiverse region for crocodilians. Because there is little information on specific situations across this vast and complex region, in 2018 we initiated a biannual questionnaire survey to establish a reporting network. In this article, we summarize the findings of surveys conducted in 2018 and 2020. We triangulate this feedback with croc attack data, and consultation with regional experts, to produce this very preliminary overview. We identify trends in negative human–crocodilian interactions at country level, the most reported causes of these, and identify the key species and regions of concern. We surveyed attitudes to management policies and responses to negative interactions including direct action and outreach activities. We acknowledge (and clarify) knowledge gaps, and motivate for improved regional cooperation with regard to policies and management (notably monitoring and evaluation) and data collection and sharing.

Mitigating harmful interactions with wildlife requires an understanding of the interactions between predators, domesticated animals and humans. Large‐scale transformations of crocodilian habitats across the Latin America and Caribbean region, alongside significant use of crocodilians as a resource, and retaliatory killing of crocodilians following (or to prevent) attacks on humans and their animals, are generating significant conservation challenges. This matters because this is the world's most biodiverse region for crocodilians. Because there is little information on specific situations across this vast and complex region, in 2018 we initiated a biannual questionnaire survey to establish a reporting network. In this article, we summarize the findings of surveys conducted in 2018 and 2020. We triangulate this feedback with croc attack data, and consultation with regional experts, to produce this very preliminary overview. We identify trends in negative human–crocodilian interactions at country level, the most reported causes of these, and identify the key species and regions of concern. We surveyed attitudes to management policies and responses to negative interactions including direct action and outreach activities. We acknowledge (and clarify) knowledge gaps, and motivate for improved regional cooperation with regard to policies and management (notably monitoring and evaluation) and data collection and sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystems are severely damaged with rising global temperatures, the rapid increase in population and the continuous exploitation and utilization of natural resources. The selection of conservation priorities is of great significance to regional ecological security and sustainable development. Here we identified conservation priorities by balancing ecosystem services trade-offs and analyzed the spatiotemporal changes in ecosystem services. Water yield, soil conservation, carbon storage, habitat quality, and ecological recreation were quantified using the InVEST model. By comparing conservation efficiencies under each scenario, we found the conservation efficiencies of the conservation priorities for water yield, soil conservation, habitat quality, carbon storage, and ecological recreation to be 1.05, 1.76, 1.30, 1.37 and 1.41, respectively. The conservation efficiencies of ecosystem services were consistently greater than 1 during the years 2000–2015. The implementation of the Grain-for-Green Programme and increased rainfall have improved ecosystem services and our results are of great significance to regional ecological and environmental protection and the improvement of ecosystem services.

This review comprehensively evaluates the impacts of anthropogenic threats on beaked whales (Ziphiidae)-a taxonomic group characterized by cryptic biology, deep dives and remote offshore habitat, which have challenged direct scientific observation. By synthesizing information published in peer-reviewed studies and grey literature, we identified available evidence of impacts across 14 threats for each Ziphiidae species. Threats were assessed based on their pathways of effects on individuals, revealing many gaps in scientific understanding of the risks faced by beaked whales. By applying a comprehensive taxon-level analysis, we found evidence that all beaked whale species are affected by multiple stressors, with climate change, entanglement and plastic pollution being the most common threats documented across beaked whale species. Threats assessed as having a serious impact on individuals included whaling, military sonar, entanglement, depredation, vessel strikes, plastics and oil spills. This review emphasizes the urgent need for targeted research to address a range of uncertainties, including cumulative and population-level impacts. Understanding the evidence and pathways of the effects of stressors on individuals can support future assessments, guide practical mitigation strategies and advance current understanding of anthropogenic impacts on rare and elusive marine species., Competing Interests: We declare we have no competing interests., (© 2024 The Authors.)

The ongoing biodiversity crisis enforces the need of practical conservation plans based on robust estimates of the threats to local from regional biodiversity. Unfortunately, this protocol has been difficult to apply especially to species rich, but poorly explored nations such as Myanmar. Therefore, efforts to obtain the local assessments are urgently needed before having local vegetation reduced to small remnants. The current study aimed at the first evaluation of pteridophyte conservation status using the global occurrence data and assessment of the conservation gaps and priority regions.Diversity and priority indices such as species richness, compositions and conservation status for IUCN criterion B of 603 species were observed to define the regions and hotspots of Myanmar. Forty-five species of which were assigned to DD category having less than three occurrences. Indices were demonstrated in regional level of states and regions in Myanmar and local levels of 0.5-degree gridded cells.Species richness was highest in Kachin (389 species), followed by Shan (181 spp.), and Chin (127 spp.). The highest turnover was recorded of Ayeyarwady (0.91), Rakhine (0.91), and Magway (0.90). Seventeen percent of evaluated species was assigned into threatened categories. The value of pixels varied from 1 to 153 for species richness, 0.89 to 0.96 for species turnover rate and 1 to 31 for number of threatened species. The overlap between existing protected area and hotspots was 100% and 67% for above 95th and 90th percentile respectively.Attempts to raise the awareness of pteridophytes’ threat level and conservation priority regions have emerged for Myanmar. The conservation gaps and priority regions highlighted from this study are robust having an insight into the different diversity and conservation indices. However, ground data checking and extensive evaluation is recommended for Data Deficient species as most of these species are likely to be evaluated as threatened species. First evaluation of conservation status for pteridophyte contributes substantially to the conservation planning in Myanmar.

Abstract With c. 28,000 species, orchids are one of the largest families of flowering plants, and they are also one of the most threatened, in part due to their complex life history strategies. Threats include habitat destruction and climate change, but many orchids are also threatened by unsustainable (often illegal and/or undocumented) harvest for horticulture, food or medicine. The level of these threats now outstrips our abilities to combat them at a species-by-species basis for all species in such a large group as Orchidaceae; if we are to be successful in conserving orchids for the future, we will need to develop approaches that allow us to address the threats on a broader scale to complement focused approaches for the species that are identified as being at the highest risk.

Endemic and rare species as bioindicators of habitat vulnerability were used to develop protection and management plans for biotope prioritization (mainly islands habitats, lava tubes or groundwaters). Due to their narrow distribution, the endemic species (species confined to a restricted geographic area) are more susceptible to ecological disequilibrium and habitat loss than the widespread ones. Consequently, endemics become endangered in the context of ecological disturbance caused by anthropogenic pressure, making them suitable candidates to assess environmental preservation needs. Taking into consideration that most of the stygobitic and troglobitic species are endemic and confined to specific karst areas, based on their association and frequency we propose an endemicity index (EI) adapted to the fragmented nature of the cave habitat. We used a double ranking methodology: (1) ranking the endemic species according to their frequencies in caves, and (2) ranking the caves according to their EI computed for a geographic area. Further, by mapping the caves based on their related EI, we identified the hotspots of vulnerable karst areas. The EI has been developed using as case study of 380 caves from Romania, known up to now to be inhabited by a total of 278 endemic stygobitic and troglobitic species and subspecies. In our study area, 35 out of 380 caves with endemic species, narrowly distributed to karst areas of the Carpathian massifs and Dobrogea, had a considerable high EI. The EI proves to be highly sensitive to unique taxa (endemics recorded in only one cave) and also to other endemic taxa - recorded in more than one cave. However, all the endemites are confined to a specific geographic area (in this case of study - the Carpathians and Dobrogea karst area). EI provides a reliable criterion to rank caves using the contribution of endemic species in order to assess cave and karst vulnerability and prioritize them for environment protection management.

Aims: Primary forests are critical for forest biodiversity and provide key ecosystem services. In Europe, these forests are particularly scarce and it is unclear whether they are sufficiently protected. Here we aim to: (a) understand whether extant primary forests are representative of the range of naturally occurring forest types, (b) identify forest types which host enough primary forest under strict protection to meet conservation targets and (c) highlight areas where restoration is needed and feasible. Location: Europe. Methods: We combined a unique geodatabase of primary forests with maps of forest cover, potential natural vegetation, biogeographic regions and protected areas to quantify the proportion of extant primary forest across Europe's forest types and to identify gaps in protection. Using spatial predictions of primary forest locations to account for underreporting of primary forests, we then highlighted areas where restoration could complement protection. Results: We found a substantial bias in primary forest distribution across forest types. Of the 54 forest types we assessed, six had no primary forest at all, and in two‐thirds of forest types, less than 1% of forest was primary. Even if generally protected, only ten forest types had more than half of their primary forests strictly protected. Protecting all documented primary forests requires expanding the protected area networks by 1,132 km2 (19,194 km2 when including also predicted primary forests). Encouragingly, large areas of non‐primary forest existed inside protected areas for most types, thus presenting restoration opportunities. Main conclusion: Europe's primary forests are in a perilous state, as also acknowledged by EU's "Biodiversity Strategy for 2030." Yet, there are considerable opportunities for ensuring better protection and restoring primary forest structure, composition and functioning, at least partially. We advocate integrated policy reforms that explicitly account for the irreplaceable nature of primary forests and ramp up protection and restoration efforts alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast to <7% natural forest covers and >1,000 people living km-2, Bangladesh, one of the smallest countries in Asia, shelters 28 carnivorous mammals. The species are of six families, nearly half of the entire carnivore diversity of the Indian Subcontinent. Carnivores of Bangladesh are little understood and they are disappearing fast despite receiving stern protection. Yet, there has been no assessment on the status of existing knowledge. A review was aimed to assess the existing knowledge and evaluate the research trends in country's mammalian carnivores. Peer-reviewed works published from 1971 to 2019 were skimmed and categorized systematically according to five traits: publication type, research topic, time of publication, region, and species of study. In a total of 95 works examined, substantial numbers were on tiger (n=45) and the Sundarbans (n=47). In imbalance to action plans procured for tiger conservation, 14 carnivores have never been exclusively studied in Bangladesh. Of the research topics, preference was evident for wildlife management and conflict analyses as there were 31 scientific papers out of 63 in these categories. Inventory compilation for books (18 of 24) comprised the next preferred subject. The assessment could identify gaps in related knowledge in different regions of the country. Eastern region has experienced a meagre amount of work, although its mixed evergreen forests have larger combined area than the Sundarbans, and is known for its higher richness of diversity. Exclusive works outside legally defined protected areas were also low. We found no works in northwestern and southern Bangladesh. In the last two decades, the temporal trajectory of research effort has been more, and the topics have started to diversify. In order to improve conservation practices, we stress that gaps in knowledge pertaining to region or subject may be bridged with contemporary study techniques. This is crucial to highlight the status of carnivore species that are otherwise 'elusive', 'apparently absent', or 'least-known'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a landscape becomes increasingly fragmented through habitat loss, the individual patches become smaller and more isolated and thus less likely to sustain a local population. Metapopulation theory is appropriate for analyzing fragmented landscapes because it combines empirical landscape features with species‐specific information to produce direct information on population extinction risks. This approach contrasts with descriptions of habitat fragments, which provide only indirect information on risk. Combining a spatially explicit metapopulation model with empirical data on endemic species' ranges and maps of habitat cover, we calculated the metapopulation capacity—a measure of a landscape's ability to sustain a metapopulation. Mangroves provide an ideal model landscape because they are of conservation concern and their patch boundaries are easily delineated. For 2000–20015, we calculated global metapopulation capacity for 99 metapopulations of 32 different bird species endemic to mangroves. Northern Australia and Southeast Asia had the highest richness of mangrove endemic birds. The Caribbean, Pacific coast of Central America, Madagascar, Borneo, and isolated patches in Southeast Asia in Myanmar and Malaysia had the highest metapopulation losses. Regions with the highest loss of habitat area were not necessarily those with the highest loss of metapopulation capacity. Often, it was not a matter of how much, but how the habitat was lost. Our method can be used by managers to evaluate and prioritize a landscape for metapopulation persistence. Article impact statement: Application of metapopulation theory shows where area of habitat loss is highest; metapopulation capacity is not necessarily also the highest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]