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An Ohio University program that introduces botany students to field work sent a team to study Hawaiian species of violets and algae, endangered by invasive, imported plants. The situation of the native species relates to larger scientific and ecological issues because algae is the basis of the aquatic food chain, and violets adapt in unique ways to new environments. (TD)

Students prefer to classify creatures along the criteria of habitat and locomotion (method of movement). Discusses the educational consequences for biology instruction, particularly with regard to biological taxonomy, biodiversity, and evolution. (Contains 33 references.) (Author/YDS)

Describes the development and implementation of a web-based project, Walking With Wildlife, intended to encourage and enable first-hand encounters with the biodiversity of the natural world. (Contains 16 references.) (DDR)

Interest in ecological restoration is increasing. A pioneer in the field discusses the value of restoration projects; deciding what state of the landscape to restore; how to educate people about the importance of reintroducing species, especially large predators; why people are so willing to volunteer and sacrifice for restoration projects; and the spiritual side of ecological restoration. (TD)

Discusses alien species on the west coast, efforts to combat invasions, methods of transport, and educational projects developed to aid prevention efforts. Includes a list of marine invaders in the Pacific Northwest, plus threats from California and the Great Lakes. (PVD)

Urban green spaces provide habitats for animals. However, animals differ in habitat requirements depending on their traits. Consequently, it remains unclear how animal guilds differ in their response to characteristics of urban green spaces like shrubs, trees or grass. Using birds inhabiting city squares in Munich as a model system, we ask: Do trait-based bird guilds respond differently to characteristics of small green spaces? What is the difference between an urban-adapted bird community and an exploiter like the Feral Pigeon (Columba livia f. domestica) ? Do the responses of guilds and the Feral Pigeon differ between spring and winter? We show that all guilds profited from green structures, and most guilds benefited from trees and grass cover on city squares. Additional green characteristics influenced some guilds. Cavity-breeding birds needed old trees, and ground-nesting birds decreased with the presence of domestic animals but increased with the shrub volume on a square. Also, insectivorous birds increased with an increasing number of old trees on a square. In contrast to these guilds, the Feral Pigeon did not react to any green characteristic but increased with the abundance of people. Only a few guilds showed differing responses for single variables between seasons. A community analysis revealed that squares differed in the abundance of guilds and the Feral Pigeon. We, therefore, confirm the positive effects of creating urban vegetation for many bird guilds but suggest to plan urban green spaces diversely considering the particular needs of different guilds to promote urban biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thetford Forest, in Norfolk, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for rare plants, invertebrates and ground-nesting birds. The Open Habitats project was developed to improve SSSI conditions, to meet the target set in the UK Government’s 25 Year Environment Plan: 75% of SSSIs to be in ‘favourable condition’ by 2042. The project aims to achieve this by creating open habitat in a form that best suits the widest range of species. The open habitat network will comprise widened forest rides connecting with existing heathland and priority habitat sites, and to the landscape around it managed by the Breckland Farmers Wildlife Network. An archaeological heritage survey was commissioned during the development stage in order to identify the preferred zones for ride widening. While the aim is to avoid archaeological sites, the survey results have greatly enhanced the heritage dataset that Forestry England holds. This helps inform future woodland management, and also provides opportunities for research and public engagement, improving our understanding of heritage across the breadth of users of Thetford Forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaphoglossum stigmatolepis, a fern species endemic to the semi-evergreen or evergreen forests of the Western Ghats of India, has recently garnered attention due to its precarious status within its native habitat. Thriving within the unique microclimates of these regions, this fern has been assessed for the first time. The results of this assessment are concerning, as the species has been classified as Endangered under the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria 3.1. The limited population of E. stigmatolepis underscores its vulnerability, highlighting the pressing need for dedicated conservation efforts. This assessment represents a pivotal step in acknowledging and addressing the threats faced by E. stigmatolepis, emphasizing the urgency of implementing measures to ensure its survival and safeguarding the biodiversity of the Western Ghats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice fields are important wildlife habitats; however, intensive agricultural practices have reduced the population of farmland birds. As a high-level consumer, the great egret (Ardea alba) serves as an indicator of the overall biodiversity of rice fields. However, little is known about the effects of farming methods on the feeding habitat selection of the great egret. Therefore, we examined the influence of eco-friendly and conventional farming methods on prey characteristics and great egret feeding behavior in rice field ecosystems. We employed focal observations and trap-based sampling to quantify prey characteristics and great egret feeding behaviors in eco-friendly and conventional rice fields. Great egrets showed more hunting attempts per minute and a higher intake rate in conventional fields, but feeding efficiency did not differ. Moreover, they consumed larger loaches in eco-friendly fields than in conventional fields. Great egrets exhibited slower feeding behaviors in eco-friendly fields due to the increased handling time of larger prey, such as loaches. Eco-friendly fields supported a higher abundance of larger-sized loaches than conventional fields, indicating their potential for supporting a higher abundance of great egrets. Our findings highlight the importance of sustainable farming practices for the conservation of the great egret. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of the Pinglu Canal has significantly promoted economic development in southwestern Guangxi but it has also posed serious threats to wildlife habitat connectivity in the region. During the construction process, changes in land use types have led to habitat fragmentation, triggering a series of negative ecological effects, such as the "ecological island effect" and "edge effect". This study uses the MaxEnt model to identify habitats for 11 wildlife species within the study area, categorized into terrestrial mammals, amphibians and reptiles, forest birds, and water birds, thereby constructing a multi-species habitat connectivity network (MHCN). Through complex network analysis, we assess habitat connectivity before and after the canal's construction, as well as after implementing habitat optimization strategies. The results indicate that, following the completion of the Pinglu Canal, the wildlife habitat area decreased by 516.47 square kilometers, accounting for 5.79% of the total area, and the number of wildlife migration corridors decreased from 279 to 223, with a total decline of 56. Moreover, the average degree and clustering coefficient of habitat connectivity networks for various species showed a downward trend, while the average path length increased, indicating intensified habitat fragmentation and a growing threat to biodiversity in the region. In response, an ecological restoration strategy is proposed, which involves creating new habitats at key ecological "pinch points" and "barrier points," increasing habitat area by 28.13% and the number of migration corridors by 33.41%, significantly enhancing the network's robustness and connectivity. This research provides important references for biodiversity conservation and ecological restoration in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structurally intact native forests free from major human pressures are vitally important habitats for the persistence of forest biodiversity. However, the extent of such high-integrity forest habitats remaining for biodiversity is unknown. Here, we quantify the amount of high-integrity tropical rainforests, as a fraction of total forest cover, within the geographic ranges of 16,396 species of terrestrial vertebrates worldwide. We found up to 90% of the humid tropical ranges of forest-dependent vertebrates was encompassed by forest cover. Concerningly, however, merely 25% of these remaining rainforests are of high integrity. Forest-dependent species that are threatened and declining and species with small geographic ranges have disproportionately low proportions of high-integrity forest habitat left. Our work brings much needed attention to the poor quality of much of the forest estate remaining for biodiversity across the humid tropics. The targeted preservation of the world's remaining high-integrity tropical rainforests that are currently unprotected is a critical conservation priority that may help alleviate the biodiversity crisis in these hyperdiverse and irreplaceable ecosystems. Enhanced efforts worldwide to preserve tropical rainforest integrity are essential to meet the targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity's 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework which aims to achieve near zero loss of high biodiversity importance areas (including ecosystems of high integrity) by 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the adoption of the Post-2020 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) there is a clear science-policy need to protect habitat connectivity and track its change over time to safeguard biodiversity and inform conservation planning. In response to this need we describe an analytical, multi-indicator and multispecies approach for the rapid assessment of habitat connectivity at fine spatial grain and at the extent of an entire ecoregion. Out of 68 connectivity indicators we found through a literature review, we identified a key-set of six indicators that align with the Essential Biodiversity Variables framework and are suitable to guide rapid action for connectivity and conservation targets in the KM-GBF. Using these selected indicators, we mapped and evaluated connectivity change from 2011 to 2021 across the ecoregion of the St-Lawrence Lowlands in Quebec (~ 30,000 km2) for seven ecoprofile species representing regional forest habitat needs. For most of these species, trends over the last decade indicate a decline in effective connected area and metapopulation carrying capacity, via a division of large contiguous habitat into smaller fragments, whereas on average, habitat area slightly increased. These results highlight that temporal changes in habitat area and connectivity are not necessarily correlated and the urgent need to conserve and restore connectivity to meet targets under the KM-GBF. We provide an R-tool to support our general approach, which enables a comprehensive evaluation of connectivity for regional spatial planning for biodiversity in regions with moderate to high human disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Zoologica Lilloana is the property of Fundacion Miguel Lillo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Context: Landscape fragmentation, which has demonstrated links to habitat loss, increased isolation, a loss of connectivity, and decreased biodiversity, is difficult to quantify. Traditional pattern-based approaches to measuring fragmentation use landscape metrics to quantify aspects of the composition or configuration of landscapes. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relative improvements of an alternative activity-based approach using the cost of traversing a landscape as a proxy for fragmentation and compare it with the traditional approach. Methods: One thousand binary landscapes varying in composition and configuration were simulated, and least-cost path analysis provided the data to calculate the activity-based metrics, which were compared with computed traditional pattern-based metrics. Results: Activity-based fragmentation assessments were sensitive to levels of landscape fragmentation, but offered improvements over exiting pattern-based methods in that some metrics varied monotonically across the spectrum of landscape configurations and thus makes their interpretation more holistically meaningful. Conclusions: This study provides a modular conceptual framework for assessing fragmentation using activity-based metrics that offer functional improvements over existing pattern-based approaches. While we present a focused theoretical implementation, the process to be measured and the scale of observation can be altered to suit specific user requirements, ecosystems, or species of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife crossing structures and road calming measures are frequently implemented to improve habitat connectivity and mitigate the risks of wildlife–vehicle collisions on roads. Although Southeast Asia is a known biodiversity hotspot, majority of studies assessing effectiveness of such structures were conducted outside the region. Existing studies also tended to be non‐comparative and focused on crossing structures in silo. We addressed this gap by simultaneously surveying and comparing the usage frequency of mammals across three crossing types—culverts, roads and rope bridges—along a road surrounded by forests in Singapore. This allowed us to evaluate the preferences of mammals, assess usage patterns and investigate factors influencing the use of different crossing types. Using camera traps and closed‐circuit televisions, we documented 1133 independent crossing events across a 9‐month study period from March to November 2021. Fourteen mammal species were detected across all crossing types, with wild boar (Sus scrofa) being the most prevalent species (68.2%). Locally critically endangered species such as the Malayan porcupine (Hystrix brachyura), Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), and Raffles' banded langur (Presbytis femoralis femoralis) were also recorded to use culverts, roads, and rope bridges for crossings, respectively. Although many species used multiple crossing types, most species had a preferred crossing method. Between culverts and roads, factors that influenced crossing preferences included group size for wild boars and time of day and presence of fences for other mammals. Even though such culverts were intended for drainage, they were still widely used by mammals. Overall, all three crossing methods were crucial in facilitating the movement of animals between habitats. Thus, a variety of infrastructure and measures to accommodate the diversity of wildlife moving across forest patches in a fragmented landscape is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Documenting floristic diversity, its natural history traits and habitat affiliation offers crucial insights for developing conservation strategies and management plans for regional biodiversity. In this study, we employed random sampling technique to investigate the floristic composition, natural history trait diversity and habitat distribution among 12 major forest types spread across an elevational gradient of 350–3450 m a.s.l. in the western Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir. We recorded 451 species belonging to 90 families in the study region, with herbaceous growth form, perennial life span and therophyte categories dominant. We observed a steady increase in species richness from 800 to 2000 m a.s.l., with highest at 1750 m a.s.l. in the Himalayan dry temperate forest type and then a decreasing trend with elevation. In terms of species turnover, the lowest dissimilarity of 36.8% was found between the Himalayan dry temperate and Fir forests. Whereas, considering species replacement (βsne), the highest similarity of 17.3% was found between the lower western Himalayan and Himalayan dry temperate forests. This shows that beta‐diversity patterns between different forest types are mostly driven by species replacement. Multivariate analysis revealed three major groups in the entire forest species pool. Habitat‐wise, 34% species were recorded in the natural habitats, while the remaining 66% were found in human‐modified habitats (roadsides, piospheres). Our findings will improve scientific understanding of the forest vegetation of this Himalayan region and help in guiding forest policy and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitons are a group of mollusks (polyplacophores) that differ from the mollusks that are most often found on marine rocky shores (bivalves and gastropods). On the Atlantic coast of North America, chitons have been reported in subtidal habitats from Newfoundland (Canada) to New England (USA). Here, we report the finding of Boreochiton ruber at the mid-to-high intertidal zone in a wave-exposed habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada). After surveying various coastal locations across Nova Scotia for 20 years (2004 to 2024), this was the only intertidal chiton we ever found in such habitats, making this an extremely rare occurrence. Rare species may contribute in unique ways to community functioning, making their reports valuable for biodiversity and ecosystem research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Important Plant Areas (IPAs) are a successful method of identifying priority areas for plant conservation. Assessment of IPAs, however, often relies on criteria related to species, while incorporation of habitats has been less consistent. Using Uganda as a case study, we test the application of the threatened habitat criterion—criterion C. We identified nationally threatened habitats using Red List of Ecosystems criteria and assess, for the first time, how differing application of thresholds under IPA criterion C can influence IPA network outcomes. Eleven threatened habitats were identified, with declines switching from predominantly forest to savanna types after the mid‐20th century. Significantly, we found current IPA guidance on use of criterion C needlessly limits the number of sites that qualify as IPAs. The "five best sites" IPA threshold is reserved for countries where quantitative data is unavailable; however, the application of the relevant percentage‐based thresholds to quantitative data largely generated fewer than five IPAs, comparably limiting conservation opportunities identified. We recommend, therefore, that the "five best" threshold is available for application on both qualitative and quantitative data. This will bolster the value of IPAs in conserving and restoring threatened and ecologically important habitats under the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As urbanization accelerates worldwide, municipalities are attempting to construct new green spaces within their borders. The perceived ecological value of these places is frequently tied to their ability to attract urban wildlife, such as birds, which can easily be observed and enjoyed. As one strategy, stormwater is now frequently managed with green infrastructure: planted areas that retain and treat stormwater rather than merely directing it to surface waters. While these practices have the potential to provide habitat for urban wildlife, the ecological effects of these systems are largely unknown. To assess whether one green infrastructure project increases habitat value, we used passive acoustic monitoring to survey urban bird communities in and near a large green infrastructure project in Columbus, Ohio (USA). Bird communities near bioretention cells (rain gardens) were compared to those at nearby lawns and remnant or restored natural areas. We found that recently installed bioretention cells tended to support more omnivores, lower-canopy foraging species, and species from a higher diversity of feeding guilds than did nearby lawn control sites. We were unable to detect effects of nearby bioretention installations on bird species richness at other sites. The observed differences in species richness were fairly small, and we urge caution when anticipating the habitat value of bioretention cells, at least for bird species. However, the results that we observed suggest that bioretention cells could have a more positive impact on bird communities in different contexts or using different design strategies. The bioretention cells surveyed in this study were small and only planted in grasses and forbs, potentially limiting their ability to offer complex habitat. They were also relatively young, and future work is needed to determine their long-term effect on avian communities and biodiversity of other taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangrove habitats such as those at Salt River, Jamaica are considered to be nurseries for juvenile fishes as they provide shelter from waves. These habitats are highly productive, leading to increased food availability, and the complex mangrove terrain allows juvenile fishes to evade larger predators. The role of small and juvenile piscivores has been widely overlooked, and one hypothesis suggests that their presence in an ecosystem exerts considerable predation pressure on the new recruits. The diets of five piscivores that inhabit Salt River and the adjacent shores (Caranx hippos, Gobiomorus dormitor, Sphyraena barracuda, Tylosurus crocodilus, and Lutjanus apodus) were examined. The working hypothesis for this study was that the piscivores that inhabit Salt River do not prey on the more abundant secondary consumers in this ecosystem, but rather compete with them for similar resources. The stomach analyses revealed that three of the five piscivores fed on fishes in varying amounts. Tylosurus crocodilus had a high feeding index of anchovies, amphipods, and fish remains. Lutjanus apodus had a high feeding index of fish remains, decapods, amphipods, anchovies, and crustacean remains. For Sphyraena barracuda, the highest feeding index was fish remains. Caranx hippos fed on oligochaetes and polychaetes, and Gobiomorus dormitor fed predominantly on amphipods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Finland, Woodland Key Habitats (WKH's) are protected by the Finnish Forest Act. The Act defines the habitats included, and the Finnish Forest Centre has created interpretation recommendations for forestry professionals. New amendment of the Act was introduced in 2014 including new requirements related to the WKH's: they must be small-sized or have minor forestry importance. Followingly, a new interpretation recommendation was written in 2018 aiming to clarify the previously subjective legislation, but it initiated new requirements for the habitats. In this study, we examined spatial data of WKH stream habitats during the years 2018–2021. We found that 5643 hectares of riparian WKH sites were removed from the Finnish Forest Centre's data during 2018–2021. Our results show that the reason for removal varied and that in many cases, it was impossible to conclude. The results also showed that many current sites do not fulfil the requirements of the law or its interpretation. The contrast between current sites not fulfilling and removed sites fulfilling the requirements shows how problematic the law and its interpretation are in practice, challenging the protection of forest biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodiversity crisis is exacerbated by a growing human population modifying nearly three‐quarters of the Earth's land surface area for anthropogenic uses. Habitat loss and modification represent the largest threat to biodiversity and finding ways to offset species decline has been a significant undertaking for conservation. Landscape planning and conservation strategies can enhance habitat suitability for biodiversity in human‐modified landscapes. Artificial habitat structures such as artificial reefs, nest boxes, chainsaw hollows, artificial burrows, and artificial hibernacula have all been successfully implemented to improve species survival in human‐modified and fragmented landscapes. As the global shift towards renewable energy sources continues to rise, the development of photovoltaic systems is growing exponentially. Large‐scale renewable projects, such as photovoltaic solar farms have large space requirements and thus have the potential to displace local wildlife. We discuss the feasibility of 'conservoltaic systems' – photovoltaic systems that incorporate elements tailored specifically to enhance wildlife habitat suitability and species conservation. Artificial habitat structures can potentially lessen the impacts of industrial development (e.g., photovoltaic solar farms) through strategic landscape planning and an understanding of local biodiversity requirements to facilitate recolonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Objective] To explore the dynamic changes in the environmental quality of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and provide reference for ensuring the ecological security of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, protecting I biodiversity and building a strong ecological barrier. [Methods] Based on five periods of land use data in 1985, 1995, 2005, 2015 and 2022. with the help of the InVEST model, we quantitatively assessed the habitat quality status of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in 1985-2022 and analyzed its spatiotemporal pattern. Finally, we used bivariate spatial autocorrelation explore the spatial response of habitat quality to climate change and human activities. [Results] (1) In 1985-2022, the habitat index of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau has increased by 0.052 9, and the proportion of higher and higher habitat areas has increased by 5.51% in total, the overall habitat quality level has improved but is still at a low level. (2) In 1985-2022. the habitat quality of most areas on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau has increased by 48.14%, but the overall spatial distribution of habitat levels has not changed much. and each level area has increased in nested levels from outside to inside. (3) In 1985-2022, the main types of environmental quality grade transfer in the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau have remained unchanged, but the intensity of grade transformation has continued to increase. (4) In 1985-2022. the habitat quality of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau has a significant spatial correlation with climate change and human activities. the average annual temperature has a significant spatial negative correlation with the habitat quality, the annual precipitation and human activity intensity have a significant spatial correlation with the habitat quality, there is a significant positive spatial correlation. [Conclusion] The research results reveal the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau's habitat quality, and clarify that climate change and human activities have a profound impact on habitat quality. In the future, bottom- line constraints and human activity guidance should be strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Ege Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences (EgeJFAS) / Su Ürünleri Dergisi is the property of Ege Journal of Fisheries & Aquatic Sciences (EgeJFAS) / Su Urunleri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In these times of decreasing connection with nature, we are experiencing the loss of both biodiversity and cultural traditions. A sense of place, often developed over a period of time, grounds us and is the foundation of our caring about nature and the environment. To regain this sense of place, particularly in urban areas, empowerment and creation of civic engagement skills are necessary. Schoobio, a middle and high school curriculum, guides students through a transdisciplinary progression of activities that develop the competencies needed for making transformative sustainability change. The curriculum is designed to provide youth with the skills to live sustainably and value biodiversity and multiculturalism. The activities culminate in the students' design and presentation of a plan for more ecologically and bioculturally diverse school grounds. Biodiversity and culture are not usually taught together, even though the loss of biodiverse areas can also result in the loss of cultural knowledge and traditions critical to the management of those areas. Schoobio's foundation rests on bringing together these two facets of our being with the goals of supporting students in their actions as change agents to increase wildlife habitat and the cultural relevance of their school grounds, and to prepare them to live sustainably. This article describes the benefits of teaching biodiversity and culture together. It was developed using pragmatic constructivism as a foundation, and uses quantitative sampling to show how a transdisciplinary curriculum such as Schoobio that is place-based and informed throughout its creation by a community of practice can fulfill these benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation science and planning, by measuring proxies of biodiversity and ecosystem services provision, aim to identify priority areas for nature conservation and ecosystem services. In Ireland, fine-scale data on ecosystems functioning and biodiversity are limited, making it challenging to map conservation value (CV) and natural capital value (NCV) accurately. We elicited expert knowledge to rank habitat classes mapped in the recently published National Land Cover Map (NLCM) (EPA and Tailte Éireann, 2023). A scoring system from 0 to 10 was used to score habitats based on their estimated provision of biodiversity (CV) and ecosystem services (NCV). As a case study, we applied this scoring system to a catchment in the south-east of Ireland (>2,000 km2) with land cover information available from the draft NLCM. The expert elicitation showed little overall difference between the scores assigned by the team and the experts invited to validate the CV and NCV scores. However, some scores were revised based on experts’ contributions. Results of the mapping exercise indicated a high correlation between monads with high CV and high NCV scores. Future work should focus on differentiating the weighting assigned to each ecosystem service associated with each land cover class. This could result in changes in the overall NCV scores assigned to each habitat (and monads). Nevertheless, the approach developed here has the potential to identify areas in the landscape that should be targeted for conservation. For reproducibility, we provide the R code for analysis at polygon scale.

The volcanoes of Kamchatka are a World Heritage Site. They are of aesthetic, conservation, and scientific value; therefore, they must be protected from negative anthropogenic influences. However, according to the recent assessment by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, this site inspires significant concern. A similar viewpoint was also expressed in the local press. A part of the site, Avachinsky Pass, inspires a particular concern. This is a place between the volcanoes Koryaksky and Avachinsky. An excessive number of visitors was considered the main threat because it resulted in the trampling of soil and the extirpation of threatened animals. We performed a survey of the Avachinsky Pass aiming to estimate its state. Based on aerial pictures and observation we composed a scheme of habitats over the area around Avachinsky Pass revealing the disturbed plots of land. Moreover, we registered vertebrates considering them as biological indicators. It became clear that tourism has a significant impact on the state of the Avachinsky Pass, but the affected area is relatively small. Despite a large number of visitors, the survey revealed high biodiversity. We registered 19 species of birds and 9 species of mammals. Among them, black-capped marmots are especially informative as they have a settled way of life; they do occur on the Pass. The absence of grazing and logging contributes to the conservation of elfin forests and other plant communities on the slopes making the object resistant to anthropogenic impacts. Off-road vehicles pose the biggest threat to bare-ground revegetation.

Cryptofauna are an overlooked faunal group due to their hidden nature and the use of conventional survey methods, despite playing a significant role in the ecosystem complex as keystone taxa. In this study, a structural framework, viz. cryptofauna monitoring structure (CMS) was developed to assess cryptofauna living in the lagoon reef environment and their preference to various substrates. The efficiency of CMS modules was tested by deploying them in coral lagoons in Agatti and Kavaratti of the Lakshadweep Archipelago, India. A total of 24 CMS units, sets of four, were deployed in these islands at live coral, dead coral and sandy habitat sites. Retrieval of CMS units revealed a total of 424 individuals of motile and sessile organisms representing 12 different taxonomic groups collected. Among the habitats, the sandy area had a high taxa number while the dead coral area had a high taxa abundance. Polychaetes and gastropods were the dominant faunal groups regardless of habitat and island. The present study suggests that CMS can be an efficient tool to assess cryptofauna diversity, which could make monitoring cryptobionts more affordable and environment-friendly. In addition, this study lays the foundation for research into cryptic reef benthos in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest Assisted Migration (FAM) emerges as a promising strategy of adaptation to climate change (CC) in the forestry sector. This method integrates various sources of knowledge to identify optimal locations for future tree species establishment through human intervention. As climate change presents numerous challenges to Quebec’s forests, including shifts in suitable habitats for tree species, the FAM recommends a proactive approach to adapt to these changes. Recognizing the importance of addressing risks and following international resolutions, such as the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (COP21) and Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), social perception becomes a critical consideration in the decision-making process regarding FAM. To investigate this issue, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 18 key stakeholders in Quebec, including officials from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, employees of private forestry technical companies, forestry researchers, private forest owners, non-governmental organizations (NGO) members, and other forest stakeholders. We analyzed the data collected in this phase through thematic discrimination, focusing on (i) acceptability (ii) risk perception (iii) feasibility, and (iv) purpose. Then, we compared the discourses with data from other publications addressing the social aspects of FAM. To develop this reflection, we found it important to use a conceptual framework that encompasses the articulation among some concepts of intervention through FAM vs. non-intervention, public trust in government authorities, risk perception and scientific knowledge. The interviews revealed a general inclination among stakeholders to support FAM, dependent upon cautious implementation with pilot projects and studies serving as references for future large-scale applications. Concerns raised by stakeholders included seed production, adequate experimental monitoring, and careful species selection. While some stakeholders were more knowledgeable about current FAM research, others emphasized the importance of economic viability, public participation in decision-making, and transparency in forestry processes. We identified communication and public involvement as fundamental aspects for advancing the perspective of FAM implementation in Quebec; it is crucial to recognize the presence of humans in FAM target areas and their potential contributions to implementation. Moving forward, forest authorities responsible for FAM should prioritize stakeholder engagement at all levels to ensure a socially inclusive strategy of adaptation that respects a wide range of considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Based on previous analyses of Syntrichia norvegica and S. ruralis, the idea of panmictic populations in Scandinavia can be rejected, despite the high dispersal capacities of wind-dispersed spores. We tested, using comprehensive European datasets, whether intraspecific phylogeographical structure reflects glacial and post-glacial history. We expected different entities to indicate immigration from known Late Glacial Maximum refugial areas, and habitat differentiation. Methods: Using plastid markers (atpB–rbcL and rpl16), we investigated 45 and 190 Scandinavian and 17 and 15 non-Scandinavian specimens of Syntrichia norvegica and S. ruralis, respectively. Key results: We revealed four intraspecific entities in Syntrichia norvegica. Two were from the Scandinavian mountains and the Alps, and one from the Scandinavian mountains only. The fourth was widespread across the Scandinavian mountains, the northern lowlands, and the Baltic Sea islands Öland and Gotland. For S. ruralis, we recovered five entities, of which three were from both Scandinavia and the Alps. One of these occurred in strongly calcareous habitats in southern Scandinavia and the Alps and dominated on Öland and Gotland. One entity was widely distributed only in Scandinavia. One was restricted to the border between boreo-nemoral and southern-boreal Scandinavia. Conclusions: The plastid haplotype distribution patterns suggest glacial survival of Syntrichia norvegica and S. ruralis in refugia south, east and possibly within ice-covered areas of Scandinavia. We hypothesise that one S. ruralis entity evolved adaptations to strongly calcareous habitats. The dominance or prevalence of specific haplotypes of both species on Öland and Gotland contributes to the unique biodiversity of these islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We assess the ecosystem services across the entire Baltic Sea using ecosystem model simulations and historical socio-economic data. Our approach covers 150 years, aggregated for the years around 1880, 1960, and 2010. The ecosystem services assessed include commercially usable wild fish biomass and wild plant biomass, water quality regulation (nitrogen and phosphorus retention), carbon storage, biodiversity and habitats, as well as active recreation and landscape aesthetics. In 2010, the commercially usable fish biomass in the entire Baltic Sea was 9.24 million tons. The total retention of nitrogen in the Baltic Sea was 884,135 t/a, phosphorus retention was 32,058 t/a, and carbon storage was 3,668,100 t/a. Between 1880 and 2010, the Baltic Sea-wide average biodiversity index decreased from 73 to 60, the active recreational quality index decreased from 76 to 69, and the observational recreation index declined from 91 to 78. In 2010, the most monetarily significant single ecosystem service in the Baltic Sea was nitrogen retention with EUR 26,822 million/a, followed by cultural ecosystem services. Other relevant services were fish catches (EUR 277 million/a), phosphorus retention (EUR 3854 million/a), and carbon storage (202 million/a). The latter recently showed a steep increase due to rising prices for CO2 certificates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant communities are complex systems shaped by a combination of deterministic and stochastic ecological processes. Bryophytes are an essential component of plant diversity in natural ecosystems, yet our understanding of their community ecology needs to catch up to that of other organisms. The unique geological history, alpine climatic conditions, and high habitat heterogeneity of Tibet provide suitable areas for bryophytes to survive in the alpine regions. Therefore, field surveys were conducted across 184 plots in forest, thicket, and herbaceous vegetation of Tibet to investigate the role of deterministic processes such as biological interactions and abiotic effects, along with stochastic processes, in shaping the distribution of bryophyte assemblages. We employed various analytical methods, including mixed effects models, partial least squares path modeling, null model analysis, and neutral community models. The study showed that bryophyte richness was highest in forests. Bryophyte assemblages showed greater segregation in forest and thicket environments compared to herbaceous vegetation. As the influence of stochastic processes increased, that of deterministic processes decreased from forests through thickets to herbaceous vegetation. Deterministic processes were the main driving forces for the bryophyte assemblage pattern. Soil properties and climatic factors, particularly pH played a key role in determining bryophyte patterns in Tibet. This study has deepened our comprehension of how deterministic and stochastic ecological processes interplay and shape bryophyte distribution patterns in Tibet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A survey of Lepidoptera was conducted in habitats including forest trails, nullah, forest gap, and small water bodies, in and around the Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (USTR) and agroforest habitats at Nagri block in Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh State between January 2020 and August 2022. The study recorded 95 species belonging to 69 genera. Erionota torus and Rathinda amor although common in the Indian mainland, were not documented by previous researchers. This indicates the necessity for a more thorough survey of Lepidoptera in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field surveys on large centipedes of Nui Chua National Park, south-central part of Vietnam, were conducted in September 2023 and February 2024. As a result, a total of 12 species/subspecies belonging to five genera and two families of the order Scolopendromorpha were recorded. Of two families, Scolopendridae has nine species in four genera, while Cryptopidae has only two species in one genus. In addition, the distribution pattern of the large centipedes is discussed based on the season (rainy versus dry), altitudes, and different habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]