Search

Wild animals have been implicated as the source for disease outbreaks in humans (e.g., bubonic plague, Ebola, Hendra virus). Public health messaging intended to mitigate these zoonotic disease risks can inadvertently induce fear of wildlife, thereby resulting in wildlife culling and habitat destruction. We propose a science-based social marketing campaign – Love Them & Leave Them – to protect people and wildlife. This One Health campaign will be primarily implemented by public health communicators who work with government officials and/or local communities. The campaign's six key messages emphasize the inter-linkages between wildlife and human well-being for pandemic prevention and encourage the campaign target audiences to appreciate (love) wildlife while refraining from touching wildlife or occupying places that wildlife inhabit or feed (leave them ... alone). We provide guidance for tailoring the global campaign vision to local ecological and socio-cultural contexts. The campaign is responsive to a recent call by multilateral bodies for governments to prevent pandemics at the source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptocoryne is a popular ornamental aquatic plant for aquarists, although only six species are found in China. Destruction of the natural habitats of Cryptocoryne for human activities has led to a decline in its numbers. In this report, we sequenced and annotated the Cryptocoryne crispatula var. balansae chloroplast genome for the first time. Results showed that the length of the chloroplast genome was 182,935 bp and the GC content was 34%. The chloroplast genome encoded 137 genes, including 92 encoded protein genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis supported the the monophyletic nature of the genus and indicated that it was the first species to be differentiated in the chloroplast genome of Cryptocoryne and formed a separate branch. These findings offer valuable genomic resources for comparative studies in Cryptocoryne and Araceae, thereby aiding genetic diversity and phylogenetic analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E.O. Wilson coined the term biophilia, defining it as an innate affinity to the natural world. The concept of nature connectedness is used in environmental psychology as a measure of feelings and self-perceptions of connectedness to nature. Researchers have found a wide variety of positive effects associated with nature connectedness, including better mental health and wellbeing, increased altruistic and cooperative behavior, and heightened empathy. When these feelings of empathy are directed toward nature and applied to conservation actions, they can overcome the effects of compassion collapse, a phenomenon observed to lower study participants willingness to engage in altruistic behavior when there are many or diffuse victims of a disaster. Biophilia is an important concept in conservation, but it has not been widely applied to zoonoses prevention. The public health community has often relied on fear-based (biophobic) messages, which can drive the very interactions they were intended to avoid (e.g., media reports of bat zoonoses leading to culling activities and destruction of bat habitat) and exacerbate the ecological drivers of spillover. Communication strategies rooted in biophilia may be more effective at generating empathy for both ecological and human communities, leading to greater willingness to leave zoonotic pathogen hosts and their habitats alone, further reducing spillover events and the ecological conditions that make spillover more likely. Given the intertwined nature of human and ecological health, it is critical that the conservation and public health communities speak in a unified voice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims The majority of the Earth's land area is currently occupied by humans. Measuring how terrestrial plants reproduce in these pervasive environments is essential for understanding their long-term viability and their ability to adapt to changing environments. Methods We conducted hierarchical and phylogenetically independent meta-analyses to assess the overall effects of anthropogenic land-use changes on pollination, and male and female fitness in terrestrial plants. Key Results We found negative global effects of land-use change (i.e. mainly habitat loss and fragmentation) on pollination and on female and male fitness of terrestrial flowering plants. Negative effects were stronger in plants with self-incompatibility systems and in plants pollinated by invertebrates, regardless of life form and sexual expression. Pollination and female fitness of pollination-generalist and pollination-specialist plants were similarly negatively affected by land-use change, whereas male fitness of specialist plants showed no effects. Conclusions Our findings indicate that angiosperm populations remaining in fragmented habitats negatively affect pollination, and female and male fitness, which will probably decrease the recruitment, survival and long-term viability of plant populations remaining in fragmented landscapes. We underline the main current gaps of knowledge for future research agendas and call not only for a decrease in the current rates of land-use changes across the world but also to embark on active restoration efforts to increase the area and connectivity of remaining natural habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In the 21st century, more people than ever have a positive relationship with an individual bird or a family of birds, be this as a companion or a regular backyard visitor. People are willing to support birds in the wild, rehabilitate injured birds, and fight against the destruction of their habitat. However, our relationship with birds is double-edged. Each year billions of birds are killed. These are the cases of direct mortality caused via human actions and technology. Direct mortality plays a different and even more surprising role in the decline of avian species than does habitat loss or climate change. Direct mortality indiscriminately affects young and old, inexperienced and resourceful birds alike. This paper first confirms why we need birds in our ecosystems, and then it outlines all major causes of direct mortality. Finally, this paper evaluates how such unsustainable death rates can be reduced by altering the circumstances that cause high death rates in the first place. This may need adjustments to existing technologies or products, and even new legal frameworks. This paper presents a series of targeted strategies that have been or could be implemented nationally and internationally to avoid much of the human-caused direct mortality in birds. Human interaction with birds has never been more positive and supported by so many private citizens and professional groups. However, direct mortality of birds from anthropogenic causes has increased and has led to significant annual losses of birds. We know of the crucial impact of habitat loss on the survival of birds and its effects on biodiversity. Direct mortality via anthropogenic causes is an additive but biologically important cause of avian decline. This is the focus of this paper. This paper synthesises and interprets the data on direct anthropogenic causes of mortality in birds, and it also discusses emerging and relatively hidden problems, including new challenges that birds may not be able to manage. This paper points out that such deaths occur indiscriminately and have negative behavioural and reproductive consequences even for survivors. All of these factors are important to address, because any functional habitat depends on birds. This paper suggests that some of this death toll can be reduced substantially and immediately, even some of the seemingly intractable problems. This paper also proposes cross-disciplinary solutions, bearing in mind that "ecosystem services" provided by birds benefit us all, and that the continued existence of avian diversity is one cornerstone for human survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liparis loeselii is a rare and declining orchid species restricted to rich fens in the Northern Hemisphere. Habitat destruction, eutrophication, drainage and scrub encroachment have been suggested as reasons for the decline. However, which factors are most important is not well understood. Based on vegetation and environmental properties from extant, potential and historical L. loeselii sites, we 1) developed habitat suitability models from either Ellenberg Indicator Values, which were derived from known habitat preferences of co‐occurring plant species, or field‐measured environmental properties, and 2) identified the primary reasons for the observed decline of L. loeselii. We found nutrient status to be the most important predictor for L. loeselii occurrence, followed by hydrology proxies (Ellenberg reaction and Ellenberg moisture). Vegetation height and Ellenberg light were of minor importance. Effect partitioning based on sites, from which L. loeselii has gone locally extinct, pinpointed eutrophication and drainage to be the most likely primary drivers of the species' demise. Phosphorus limitation induced by discharge of calcium‐rich groundwater seems to be crucial for L. loeselii to sustain populations in landscapes dominated by intensive agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tor putitora is an endangered cyprinid fish constrained to cold water and is also considered an indicator of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. The present study aimed to examine the haplotypic diversity, genetic variation and population structure of T. putitora isolates using COI and Cyt b gene sequences submitted in GenBank. Bioinformatic analysis was carried out using 106 COI and 183 Cyt b gene sequences as well as 2 reference genome sequences. Analysis of COI and Cyt b gene reveals 18 and 85 haplotypes respectively. Mutation was observed at 44 different sites in COI and 173 in Cyt b gene sequences. Haplotype 4 and haplotype 37 were considered ancestral in COI and Cyt b respectively. Analysis of COI gene reveals moderate haplotype diversity (0.630) and low Nucleotide diversity (0.00662) whereas Cyt b has higher haplotype diversity (0.804) and low Nucleotide diversity (0.00582). Moreover, the neutrality test such as Tajima's D, and Fu's Fs showed negative values in both gene sequences, suggesting population expansion attributed to habitat destruction. So, comprehending the genetic variability within and among the T. putitora population is crucial for conserving and managing this species. Integration of genetic diversity into conservation planning can enhance the effectiveness of breeding programs and habitat restoration efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioengineering has excellent potential in plant-based in vitro cultures for efficiently synthesizing desired plant products. Due to the rapid destruction of natural habitats, in vitro methods might save endangered species. Winged-Stem Canscora is an endangered medicinal herb used in traditional medicine for brain disorders. This study investigates the induction of in-vitro metabolite production using chitosan. Among the various concentrations of auxins tested, 82% of callus was obtained from Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 3 mg L- 1 Kinetin (KIN) + 1 mg L- 1 1-Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The highest callus content was after the 3rd subculture at 200 mg L- 1 chitosan treatment. On the 70th day of culture, levels of total phenolics and flavonoids are increased in the elicited and normal callus. However, antioxidant activity was higher in elicited callus compared to normal callus and wild plants. Higher secondary metabolite concentrations of elicited callus have superior anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activity. Secondary metabolites from elicited callus have a lower inhibitory concentration than those from wild plant and normal callus. High-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) analysis showed that the elicited callus had higher amounts of mangiferin (0.178 μg mL- 1 ) and scopoletin (0.133 μg mL- 1 ). An efficient approach was employed to ensure that sufficient amounts of the widely used plant secondary metabolites from medicinal plants, such as mangiferin and scopoletin, were accessible to meet demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vernicia montana and V. fordii are economically important woody oil species in the Euphorbiaceae that have great industrial oil and ornamental greening properties, however, the wild resources of Vernicia trees have been reduced because of their habitat destruction. Considering the diverse economic and ecological importance of Vernicia species, it is important to collect more molecular data to determine the genetic differences between V. montana and V. fordii. Results: We sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete chloroplast (CP) genome of two tung trees based on the genome skimming approach. The whole CP genomes of V. montana and V. fordii were 163,518 bp and 161,495 bp in length, both including a pair of inverted repeats separated by a large single-copy and a small single-copy region. We detected a total number of 311 tandem repeats, 100 dispersed repeats, and 255 simple repeats from V. montana and V. fordii CP genomes. The mean value of nucleotide diversity between the two species was 0.0122, and the average Ka/Ks ratio across all coding genes was 0.3483. Comparative chloroplast genome analysis showed that the coding regions were more conserved than the non-coding regions. The phylogenetic relationships yielded by the complete genome sequences showed that V. montana was closely related to V. fordii and is considered as a sister group. Conclusions: We sequenced, assembled, annotated, and analyzed the CP genome of two tung trees, which will be useful in investigating the conservation genetics and potential breeding applications of this oil shrub. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Establishing a captive propagation method is a fundamental approach that may be critical for conserving endangered species whose populations are rapidly decreasing due to habitat destruction and climate change. We explored the behavioural and physiological characteristics of the endangered beach tiger beetle, Cicindela (Abroscelis) anchoralis, in South Korea and established captive propagation from adult to the 2nd instar larvae in the laboratory to implement reinforcement and reintroduction. Because of the burrowing behaviour of the larva, which inhabits beaches that are periodically flooded, a longer development period was required compared to other tiger beetle larvae. Under identical feeding conditions, adults had a lifespan averaging 100 days, with no difference between the sexes. In addition, the average number of eggs laid per adult female during their lifespan was 70 eggs under optimum feeding conditions. Moreover, the individual larvae‐rearing and overwintering methods showed average mortality rates of 8% and 16%, respectively, indicating that securing a large population for reintroduction is possible. Our results revealed that captive breeding methods for C. anchoralis can provide a healthy rearing method from eggs to larvae, reflecting the observed behavioural and physiological traits. We recommend that the captive propagation method of tiger beetles be adjusted to consider species' traits that vary depending on their habitat characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

E.O. Wilson coined the term biophilia, defining it as an innate affinity to the natural world. The concept of nature connectedness is used in environmental psychology as a measure of feelings and self-perceptions of connectedness to nature. Researchers have found a wide variety of positive effects associated with nature connectedness, including better mental health and wellbeing, increased altruistic and cooperative behavior, and heightened empathy. When these feelings of empathy are directed toward nature and applied to conservation actions, they can overcome the effects of compassion collapse, a phenomenon observed to lower study participants willingness to engage in altruistic behavior when there are many or diffuse victims of a disaster. Biophilia is an important concept in conservation, but it has not been widely applied to zoonoses prevention. The public health community has often relied on fear-based (biophobic) messages, which can drive the very interactions they were intended to avoid (e.g., media reports of bat zoonoses leading to culling activities and destruction of bat habitat) and exacerbate the ecological drivers of spillover. Communication strategies rooted in biophilia may be more effective at generating empathy for both ecological and human communities, leading to greater willingness to leave zoonotic pathogen hosts and their habitats alone, further reducing spillover events and the ecological conditions that make spillover more likely. Given the intertwined nature of human and ecological health, it is critical that the conservation and public health communities speak in a unified voice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field surveys were conducted at three different water heads—Sulemanki, Islam, and Panjnad—of the Sutlej River from June 2021 to November 2021. This study aimed to estimate the diversity and assess the current threats to the mammalian fauna of the Sutlej River. During the surveys, a total of 266 individuals belonging to four orders, seven families, and twelve different species were observed. The greatest number of individuals belonged to the Rodentia order and the Muridae family. While the lowest number of individuals belonged to the Lagomorpha order and the Leporidae family, both had the same number of individuals. The Panjnad waterhead had the greatest diversity and evenness. The richness of mammals was the same at all three localities. Several threats, such as pollution, habitat destruction, and human−wildlife conflict, which drastically affect mammalian diversity, were observed throughout the investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest in and significance of herbarium collections for the study of plant biodiversity and evolution has significantly expanded in recent decades due to the introduction of new technologies for large‐scale, automated digitization and the availability of new techniques for DNA sequencing. These innovative methods gave rise to new initiatives with the goal of compiling a sizable molecular and phenological data set. In light of the various national projects that are currently underway and driving the study of herbarium specimens for the purpose of understanding biodiversity loss and habitat shifts as a result of climate change and habitat destruction due to human activity. Here, we showcased a number of cutting‐edge research, mini‐reviews, and technical comments that demonstrate the ever‐growing range of applications for herbarium specimens. It examines the variety of applications for which herbarium specimens are employed, the primary users' profiles of herbarium collections, patterns and systematics of biodiversity, and the evolution of lineages and traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Habitat destruction causes "extinction debt" and is also thought to produce ecosystem function debt, but theory of their magnitude and nature is limited. Heterogeneous landscapes are fundamental to the maintenance of species richness and ecosystem function, while directed or undirected dispersal behaviour, such as dispersal of seeds by animals or by the wind, is also important, especially after habitat destruction. We therefore consider extinction and ecosystem function debt under different dispersal rates and behaviours in heterogeneous landscapes. Method s : We use a classic heterogeneous metacommunity model to capture the dynamics of competing species in local patches linked by dispersal and varying in environmental conditions. We remove one patch at a time and measure extinction debt and ecosystem function debt by the number/proportion of delayed extinctions and the amount of biomass change, respectively. Results: We reveal three species extinction regimes as dispersal increases: (1). species most adapted to the removed habitat are most at risk; (2). similarly adapted species are also at risk; (3). patch removal shifts competitive balance among the few species coexisting at high dispersal, where competition is strong. We find surprisingly that destruction of habitat can hasten the extinction of those species best adapted to harsh environments and that the proportion of diversity at risk from extinction actually increases with dispersal because competition is intense there. Finally, there can be a small ecosystem credit but extinction debt when dispersers reroute to potentially more favourable remaining habitats (directed dispersal), especially when harsh environments are removed. However, ecosystem debt occurs and can be large under undirected dispersal. Main Conclusions: The magnitude and nature of extinction and ecosystem function debts depend on species dispersal rates and behaviours, as well as the environmental conditions of the disturbed habitats. Conservation actions will be more successful if they consider these factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entosthodon hungaricus is a rare moss species of the salty grasslands in Serbia. It is threatened with extinction due to habitat destruction and loss, although it reproduces sexually. In this study, we tested different models predicting its distribution under several climate scenarios over the next 8 decades. All models tested indicated a reduction in range to varying extents. Due to the specific substrate type as well as the predicted loss owing to the climate change, shifting is not an option for the survival of this species; and, therefore, it deserves special attention for its conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Berichte aus dem Julius Kühn-Institut is the property of Julius Kuehn Institut 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.)

Ginkgo biloba L. was named by Carl Linnaeus in 1771; a "living fossil" with immense medicinal and conservation value, it is a nationally first-class protected wild plant. However, many Ginkgo populations are under threat from habitat destruction, human exploitation, and over-harvesting, which have limited their numbers and range. Using an optimized MaxEnt model in R, this study analyzed Ginkgo distribution points and 22 ecological factors in China to explore the key environmental factors affecting its geographical distribution. The study also predicted the spatial distribution patterns and centroid changes of potential suitable areas under three different carbon emission pathways: current conditions, 2021–2040 (2030s), 2041–2060 (2050s), and 2061–2080 (2070s). The findings are as follows: (1) The optimal combination of model parameters (RM = 3.2, FC = LPH) reduced model complexity and overfitting and achieved very high prediction accuracy with an optimized AUC value of 0.928. (2) The key environmental factors influencing Ginkgo growth include precipitation in the driest month (20–175 mm), minimum temperature in the coldest month (−4 to 3 °C), precipitation in the hottest quarter (450–2500 mm), and a temperature seasonal variation deviation greater than 580. (3) Under the three future climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585), the potential suitable habitat area for Ginkgo in China was increased, with the distribution range migrating to higher latitudes, Under the three different development models, the total suitable area followed this order: SSP126 > SSP245 > SSP585. Highly and moderately suitable areas are concentrated in the Yangtze River Basin. This study is highly significant for the ecological protection of Ginkgo, aiding in the rational planning of potential suitable areas, enhancing the monitoring of key conservation areas, and developing effective protection strategies in a timely manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine ecosystems play a vital role in development, human life, and health, thereby promoting sustainable development. However, due to rapid industrialization and urbanization, as well as intense exploitation of marine resources, among other phenomena, both Pakistani and Chinese marine ecosystems face severe challenges such as pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction. In particular, the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement, which aims to boost economic growth, exacerbates these environmental issues due to the increased trade volume. The purpose of this article is to discuss the challenges of legal standards regulating marine environmental protection within the context of the Pakistan-China Free Trade Agreement. By examining the current state of the mentioned agreement as well as regional judicial practice, the current study demonstrates the need to adopt a number of legal measures, such as including specific teeth provisions within the Free Trade Agreement, establishing a special joint environmental commission, increasing public participation, and boosting national environmental law, in order to reduce the adverse effect on marine ecosystems and properly mitigate such effects with a view to achieving sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangroves are the salt tolerant forest ecosystems found mainly in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions of the world. Coastal areas have the highest population density and are among the most heavily used around the world. Therefore, strong pressure is exerted on coastal environments by pollution, habitat destruction and fragmentation and overexploitation of natural resources. This study encompasses the development of methodology for the health assessment of mangroves and its ground truthing in Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve (KVCR), Kozhikode. A multi-disciplinary as well as integrated approach was developed for the Health Assessment of the mangroves. The health assessment study was carried out along three sites of Kadalundi mangroves and it showed that site 3 is more vulnerable to degradation compared to the other two sites. The study has brought out a methodology which can be applied to any mangrove forest of India for its health assessment and the same if followed uniformly, can be used for the conservation, management and policy making by the authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fragmentation and destruction of natural habitats threaten essential plant-pollinator interactions. Despite their importance for biodiversity they remain understudied in the context of ecosystem functioning in Morocco. This study examines the influence of forest and agricultural landscapes in Northwestern Morocco on plant-pollinator interactions by analysing the structure and dynamics of their networks. Data were collected between mid-March and mid-July 2023 at eleven sites in different landscapes. The results show significantly higher richness and abundance of pollinators (Hymenoptera, Diptera and Coleoptera) in the cork oak forest of Larache compared to the Gharb plain. High plant diversity in forest landscapes promotes plant-pollinator interactions, enhancing network stability and resilience and the vulnerability of forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Besides habitat destruction, unsustainable exploitation of wildlife can be a key threat to endangered reptiles. The Asian Water Dragon (Physignathus cocincinus), which is found in Vietnam and other Southeast-Asian countries, has been recently assessed as "Vulnerable" in the IUCN Red List due to severe human impacts. In particular, the species has been overexploited in Vietnam for local consumption and the international pet trade. We herein analyzed sexual dimorphism of P. cocincinus relating to alterations of sexual structure in exploited populations. A total of 90 adult Asian Water Dragons, including 50 females and 40 males, were examined with 15 morphometric and other external characters (e.g. coloration, crest size, tubercle form). There were significant inter-sexual differences in the dewlap with eye-catching colors, and development of nuchals, dorsal crest and tubercles on the neck and chin shields in males. Rensch's rule favoring the malebiased pattern in some morphometrics of P. cocincinus (e.g. body length, head traits and weight) was also confirmed. Based on interviews and observations at restaurants, larger and heavier males were intensively harvested by hunters because of their higher suitability for food consumption and higher profits. We hypothesized that this apparent sexual dimorphism of P. cocincinus might indirectly cause a decrease in the number of male adults and impacting the demographic structure in disturbed populations due to selective exploitation. Thus, it needs to be further assessed to what extent wild populations can sustain male-biased harvest. In terms of conservation actions, we propose enhanced patrols to better protect and captive-breeding programs to re-stabilize wild populations of P. cocincinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate information on species range contraction is the cornerstone of effective biodiversity conservation. The eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) is an apex predator in Florida and, similar to many species native to Florida, is threatened by widespread habitat destruction. Environmental deoxyribonucleic acid (eDNA) monitoring of this elusive snake would provide a non‐invasive approach to improve our knowledge of the species' range and distribution. We designed and tested an eDNA assay that can detect the presence of D. couperi from soil samples from their natural scrub habitat in Florida. We validated our assay in silico, in vitro, and in situ. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of temperature and humidity on the degradation rate of eDNA over time. We successfully amplified the cytochrome b gene for D. couperi at concentrations as low as 3 × 10−3 ng/μL and successfully detected the presence of D. couperi in 2 of 30 in situ field soil samples. The degradation experiment resulted in detectable DNA for 10 days. Interestingly, temperature and humidity had no effect on the degradation rate of eDNA in our experimental conditions. This study provides support for soil eDNA applications to detect the presence of a federally threatened species in their natural environment bolstering our ability to monitor the conservation and management of imperiled species. Environmental DNA provides an additional conservation tool to quickly and effectively monitor species range shifts driven by multiple anthropogenic stressors to promote the persistence of imperiled species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amphibian declines, driven by climate change (e.g., shifting temperatures, altered precipitation) and human activities like deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization, may lead to local extinctions. Quantifying the relative impact of climate change versus human influence remains challenging. This study uses species distribution models (SDMs) and nearly 1000 years of historical distribution data from ancient texts and local archives to reconstruct the past distribution range of the Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) and to assess the spatiotemporal shifts in its range over time. The results reveal that over the past millennium, the potential distribution range of the Chinese giant salamander consistently contracted, decreasing by 10% from the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to the Qing Dynasty (1644–1912) and a further 30% from the Qing Dynasty to the modern era. Losses are concentrated in eastern plains with abundant water bodies, resulting in available habitat reduction to 27% of the Qing Dynasty's area. Climate factors have been key in shaping the salamander's distribution, but our findings reveal that population density has consistently impacted its range throughout history, highlighting the lasting influence of human activity. Climate models project a about 10% decrease in suitable habitat by around 2090, with northward shifts in suitable habitat. Given the urgent threat of habitat loss and environmental degradation, immediate and effective actions are crucial to prevent the local extinction of the Chinese giant salamander, including habitat protection, environmental restoration, and strict regulations against hunting and habitat destruction. This study, analyzing the Chinese giant salamander's suitable habitat historically, identifies human activities as a pivotal force in early amphibian species decline in China, contributing valuable perspectives to future amphibian conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of medicinal plants and having a protected status is an urgent issue for the conservation of biodiversity in Kazakhstan. Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Ilijn is a medicinal plant, and its excessive harvesting and destruction of habitats, as well as its conservation status, are of concern. We conducted a study to assess the ecological characteristics of the habitat of the species in the Tarbagatai National Natural Park, calculate the amount of medicinal raw materials, calculate both aboveground and underground phytomass, and calculate biological and operational reserves. A map has been developed to show the distribution of the species and potential harvest sites. In addition, a correlation analysis was performed to understand how population size affects productivity. The results highlight the need for continuous monitoring and protection of endangered species. The conservation of Rhaponticum carthamoides in the Tarbagatai State National Nature Park is currently ensured by its protected status. However, the study emphasizes the importance of developing a sustainable use regime to effectively manage plant resources and ensure their preservation for future generations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Crop wild relatives are valuable sources of genetic material that needs to be conserved, using both in situ and ex situ methods. • South Africa contains 258 prioritized crop wild relatives that have been used in 121 documented cases of plant improvement to date. • As part of the southern African development Committee, South Africa has access to various resources, gene banks, toolkits and projects that can assist with the in situ and ex situ conservation of crop wild relatives. • Priority areas for in situ conservation should be included in the South African national protected area expansion strategy. • Crop wild relatives within gene banks should be characterised to allow for optimal use by plant breeders for crop improvement. Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) are good sources of unexplored genetic diversity that can assist plant breeders to increase the yield and resilience of their crops. These species are valuable plant genetic resources (PGR) that have been used in more than 4,157 documented cases of plant improvement to date. South Africa has 258 prioritized CWR, selected based on their distribution, threat status and potential as gene donors. In light of ongoing habitat destruction, global warming and mismanagement of resources, the conservation of these PGR is vital. Complementary conservation approaches allow for the continuous development of CWR, while harnessing and applying the available diversity in plant breeding programs. The South African National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) strives to utilize conservation resources to build and maintain an effective complementary, in situ to ex situ conservation pipeline. As part of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), South Africa has access to numerous resources that can assist to protect its rich floral diversity, including the SADC Plant Genetic Resource Centre (SPGRC), the SADC CWR Project and CAPFITOGEN3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing threats to global biodiversity notably impact cycads, one of the most endangered organisms. Despite the importance of nature reserves, they only sometimes provide sufficient protection from habitat destruction and illegal harvesting. Identifying and prioritizing suitable Mexican tepezmaite (Ceratozamia) habitats is imperative for restoration and protection. This study uses distribution models to map habitats for C. brevifrons, C. delucana, C. morettii, and C. tenuis to highlight optimal conservation zones. The study area lies in the Sierra de Chiconquiaco, Veracruz, Mexico. All species occurrences were collected, and four sets of environmental predictors were selected as input variables for the model. An ensemble species distribution model was constructed for each species. When contrasting the habitat areas within established nature reserves, gaps in conservation coverage were discerned. We assessed its conservation status following the IUCN and Mexican legislation criteria. A further 4 km2 of highly suitable habitat is desired for a nature reserves expansion strategy. C. brevifrons and C. tenuis are deemed vulnerable per IUCN criteria, while C. delucana and C. morettii are considered Endangered. However, Mexican laws categorize C. brevifrons, C. morettii, and C. tenuis as Endangered and C. delucana as threatened. Models suggest that the distribution of the species is constrained primarily by soil composition and topographical features. Based on the results of the models, it is essential to implement the restoration of the species' natural habitat. The tepezmaite cycads are a group of endangered species that may soon become extinct unless formal habitat protection is conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountains are unique terrestrial ecosystems characterized by distinct physiography, biological diversity, and socio-economic features. These ecosystems provide numerous essential goods and services to communities within and beyond the mountains. Despite their significance, comprehensive studies that thoroughly characterize the ecosystem services of mountains are lacking. Such research is crucial to advance scientific understanding of mountain characteristics and ecosystem services. This study investigates mountain regions' unique characteristics and ecosystem services using global datasets such as the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Global Mountain Biodiversity Assessment (GMBA), NASA EARTHDATA, and other relevant databases and literature review. The focus was to explore unique physiographic and socio-economic characteristics and ecosystem services provided by mountains. The results indicate that mountain ecosystems are pivotal in offering provisional, regulatory, and supporting ecosystem services on Earth. Despite their limited geographical area, these ecosystems supply substantial amounts of freshwater to communities living within and downstream of mountainous regions. Additionally, mountain ecosystems serve as global biodiversity hotspots, harboring a significant proportion of the world's species. However, mountain ecosystems face numerous natural and anthropogenic challenges, including climate change, habitat destruction, and resource overexploitation. Current efforts towards sustainable mountain development are inadequate. Enhanced scientific research and targeted policy measures are essential to address these challenges, protect mountain biodiversity, and ensure the continuous provision of vital ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Parashorea chinensis is a rare monodominant species in southwest China known for its production of high-quality timber, is facing decline due to its narrow distribution, human interference and habitat destruction. However, there are no reports on genetic diversity and geographical variation of phenotypic traits of P. chinensis. Methods: In this study, phenotypic characters and genetic diversity of 15 germplasms resources from five provenances in southwest China were investigated, and their relationships with geographical and environmental factors was discussed. Results: Our results revealed a rich phenotypic diversity among the germplasms, with variation coefficients ranging from 3.63% to 45.49%. Among the studied germplasms, NP03 from Napo and ML02 from Mengla region exhibited superior phenotypic traits. Notably, NP03 also demonstrated the highest genetic diversity. Genetic differentiation analyses including genetic differentiation coefficient (0.6264) and gene flow (0.3736) illustrated that genetic variation was most prevalent among populations. Furthermore, redundancy analysis showed that temperature related factors (maximum air temperature, annual mean temperature and minimum air temperature) significantly affected phenotypic variation. Similarly, altitude, longitude, latitude, annual mean precipitation and the minimum air temperature significantly impacted the level of genetic diversity. The molecular variation of the natural population of P. chinensis followed a certain geographical pattern. Discussion: Our finding indicated abundant phenotypic variation among P. chinensis germplasms. However, populations exhibited low levels of genetic diversity alongside high genetic differentiation, potentially contributing to the species' rarity. Based on our results, NP03 and ML02 germplasm could be used as the parents for breeding superior germplasm of P. chinensis. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into germplasm diversity and conservation, genetic improvement, and utilization of P. chinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

According to the modern perspective on evaluating animal welfare, it is important to consider both negative and positive experiences. This study investigated the impact of group composition and environmental enrichments on the behaviours of free-ranging pigs, focusing on anxiety-related behaviours, aggression, affiliation, post-conflict affiliation, excavation, and non-invasive exploration activities. Data were collected on three different groups (allfemale: N=10; all-male: N=13; mixed-sex: N=12) of free-ranging pigs raised in a natural woodland habitat at the ethical farm "Parva Domus" (Turin, Italy). To evaluate the impact of environmental enrichment, further data collection was carried out on the mixed-sex group under three different enrichment conditions (absence; dry leaves; straw) provided in a rotational scheme. Group composition did not affect levels of anxiety-related behaviours, aggression, and non-invasive exploration. However, it did impact other social aspects (affiliation: One-way ANOVA: p=0.003; post-conflict affiliation: Kruskal-Wallis: p=0.005). In particular, the mixed-sex and the all-male groups showed higher levels of affiliation than the all-female group and the mixed-sex group showed higher levels of post-conflict affiliation than the all-male group. Moreover, we found differences in excavation behaviour levels (Kruskal-Wallis: p=0.001), with higher levels of excavation behaviour in the mixed-sex group compared to the allfemale group. Regarding the impact of enrichments, we found differences in levels of anxiety-related behaviours (One-way ANOVA: p = 0.046), affiliation (One-way ANOVA: p = 0.006), excavation (One-way ANOVA: p<0.001), and non-invasive exploration activities (One-way ANOVA: p<0.001). In enrichment conditions with straw, we found a significant decrease in anxiety-related, affiliation, and excavation behaviours levels, and a significant increase in noninvasive exploration behaviours. A trend with lower levels of aggression was observed in straw enrichment condition compared to the absence of enrichment, although the difference was not significant. Moreover, there were no differences in post-conflict affiliation frequencies. Our findings suggest that forming mixed-sex groups and providing environmental enrichments such as the straw could be suitable solutions to effectively reduce invasive excavation behaviours without preventing pigs from expressing their natural behavioural repertoire, thus maintaining high standards of animal welfare. This study highlights behavioural aspects to be considered in extensive farming, confirming the importance of ethology as a tool for assessing pig welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bordoibam-Bilmukh is a small wetland located at the boundary of the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam, India that provides shelter and breeding ground to many resident and migratory birds. A survey was conducted between October 2022 and March 2024 on the avian diversity of Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary. A total of 47 bird species under 16 orders and 29 families were recorded during the survey. Order Passeriformes, recorded with the highest number of avian species (15). Among the families, the highest number of species (5) was recorded under Ardeidae. Out of all the species recorded, three species, viz., Brown Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, and White Wagtail were winter migratory; one species, the Lesser Kestrel, was summer migratory, and the remaining 43 were resident species. Besides, two species, viz., Lesser Adjutant and Greater Adjutant are listed as 'Near Threatened' species on the IUCN Red List. Comparing the avian diversity from 1997 to 2024, a decline in the number of avian species from 167 (as per the 1997 record) to 47 (as per the present study) has been observed in the sanctuary. Various anthropogenic activities such as habitat destruction and disturbance, hunting of birds, are the major causes of the decline of avian diversity. For future species diversity restoration in the sanctuary, these negative anthropogenic activities should be addressed immediately for conservation strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Diurnal roosts are vital to bats and growing evidence suggests that bats increasingly exploit synanthropic structures, such as buildings. The use of synanthropic roosts (SRs) has been explained as a consequence of the decreased availability of natural roosts imposed by habitat destruction, although growing evidence suggests that the use of SRs may be beneficial to bats in many ways, including enabling the expansion of distributional ranges. Based on data from Europe and North America, our study aimed to (1) analyse the proportion of use of synanthropic vs. natural roosts, (2) test the hypothesis that bats are forced to use SRs in response to the destruction of natural habitats, (3) analyse latitudinal variation of the proportion of use of SRs and (4) address the highly contrasting pattern in the proportion of use of SRs between the two continents in the light of historical aspects of coexistence between bats and humans. We compiled published data on day roosts obtained by means of radio‐telemetry, providing unbiased evidence of the proportion of synanthropic and natural roosts. We compared the obtained patterns between the two continents, analysed the relationship between the proportion of use of SRs, land cover and latitude and analysed historical reconstruction of anthropogenic land use. In Europe (n = 3385 roosts), SRs were used by twice more (26) bat species and were used 17× more frequently than in North America (n = 6795). We found no support for the hypothesis that bats use SRs in response to habitat destruction. The use of SRs increases with latitude in Europe, but not in North America, despite decreasing areas of human‐altered habitats. Historical processes related to the length of coexistence between bats and humans on both continents, rather than the current state of nature, may underlie the contrasting patterns observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cases of H5 highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAI) are on the rise. Although mammalian spillover events are rare, H5N1 viruses have an estimated mortality rate in humans of 60%. No human cases of H5 infection have been reported in Malaysian Borneo, but HPAI has circulated in poultry and migratory avian species transiting through the region. Recent deforestation in coastal habitats in Malaysian Borneo may increase the proximity between humans and migratory birds. We hypothesise that higher rates of human-animal contact, caused by this habitat destruction, will increase the likelihood of potential zoonotic spillover events. In 2015, an environmentally stratified cross-sectional survey was conducted collecting geolocated questionnaire data in 10,100 individuals. A serological survey of these individuals reveals evidence of H5 neutralisation that persisted following depletion of seasonal H1/H3 HA binding antibodies from the plasma. The presence of these antibodies suggests that some individuals living near migratory sites may have been exposed to H5 HA. There is a spatial and environmental overlap between individuals displaying high H5 HA binding and the distribution of migratory birds. We have developed a novel surveillance approach including both spatial and serological data to detect potential spillover events, highlighting the urgent need to study cross-species pathogen transmission in migratory zones. Spillover of avian influenza H5N1 from birds to mammals have been increasingly detected, but reports of cases in humans remain limited. Here, the authors find serological evidence of human exposure to influenza H5N1 in Malaysian Borneo, an important stopover site for migratory shorebirds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new African minnow species, Enteromius cerinus sp. nov. and Enteromius ruforum sp. nov., are described for science from the Angadiko River, a left‐bank sub‐affluent of first order of the Nepoko River, draining the north‐eastern part of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve (OWR). Both new species belong to the group of Enteromius for which the last unbranched dorsal‐fin ray is flexible and underrated. Within this morphological group, both are most similar to Enteromius kamolondoensis, especially in life colour pattern characteristics. However, Enteromius cerinus sp. nov. differs from E. kamolondoensis by its low number of circumpeduncular scales, 10–11 (vs. 12), low maximum body depth, 22.8%–25.7% standard length (Ls) (vs. 26.1%–30.0%), and long anterior and posterior barbel lengths, 32.6%–35.3% head length (LH) (vs. 23.6%–27.2%) and 41.6%–43.9% LH (vs. 30.3%–34.9%), respectively. Further, E. ruforum sp. nov. is also easily distinguished from E. kamolondoensis by its high maximum body depth, 30.6%–33.3% Ls (vs. 26.1%–30.0%), and small, isometric, eye diameter, 26.2%–28.0% LH (vs. 29.1%–31.9%). A barcoding study (mtDNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I [COI]) revealed that specimens of both new species form lineages well differentiated from those of other available species. As such, (i) E. cerinus sp. nov. diverges from E. kamolondoensis by a K2P genetic distance (GD) of 10.3% and (ii) E. ruforum sp. nov. by a K2P GD of 11.2%. To the present day, the fish fauna of the left‐bank sub‐affluents of the Nepoko River, in general, remains poorly known or undocumented. Unfortunately, at the same time, multiple anthropogenic impacts are affecting this fauna, such as (i) the destruction of habitats along the river banks for agriculture and fishing and (ii) the use of illegal fishing practices, such as fishing with plant‐based ichthyotoxins during ecopage, which is combined with dam building. As a result of the demographic growth, this ecopage results in overfishing and thus is threatening both new species in particular, but all other co‐occurring fish species as well. Both new species, E. cerinus sp. nov. and E. ruforum sp. nov., should thus be considered Vulnerable (VU) according to IUCN criterion D2. It is therefore hoped that their discovery highlights the urgent need for a better protection and further in situ exploration of the reserve's freshwater (fish) biodiversity, in general, and that of those small sub‐affluents, in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat destruction, land conversion, and forest fragmentation over the past several decades have resulted in major declines and local extirpation of wild animal and plant species. The gray snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi) is currently listed among the 25 most endangered primate species in the world, with an estimated remaining wild population of less than 400 individuals. Given the potential negative effects of small population size on genetic diversity, we investigated how factors, such as climate, inbreeding, kinship, population structure, and effective population size, have contributed to their genetic status. We extracted DNA from 307 fecal samples and analyzed microsatellite diversity, sex-identifying genes, and the mtDNA control region in 179 wild individuals. Our analyses suggest that gray snub-nosed monkeys experienced an initial population decline during the Last Glacial Maximum, some 20,000 years ago. During the past 70 years, this species experienced a second, steeper population decline, coinciding with human activities. Their current effective population size (± SD) of 675 ± 292 exceeds the remaining number of individuals in the population and has declined by 93.9%—96.7% over the past 20,000 years. Our findings highlight the need for immediate conservation and management strategies to protect this endemic and Critically Endangered primate species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas maintain the ecosystem and conserve wildlife, but they face threats from habitat destruction. This paper assesses the drivers of habitat destruction and their implications on wildlife conservation in Tanzania. Data were collected from 607 respondents using a questionnaire and Landsat 8 Operational Land images from 2013 to 2023 to detect land use changes in the Makao Wildlife Management area. A multiple regression model analysed the relationship between habitat destruction (dependent variables) and human population increase, crop cultivation, livestock grazing, inadequate economic incentives, and wildlife population (independent variables). Between 2013 and 2023, agricultural and settlement areas increased by 39% and 686%, while Makao WMA and water bodies decreased by 11% and 39%. Human population (p.0095), crop cultivation (p.0024), and livestock grazing (p.0033) significantly contributed to habitat destruction. Community engagement is essential to promote sustainable conservation and mitigation of impacts to ensure Wildlife Management Areas remain healthy and viable for wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction industry contributes the highest carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, in which concrete production is one of the key components. Extracting and transporting raw materials such as limestone and aggregates contribute to habitat destruction and pollution. This study deals with the relative assessment of a group of commonly used concretes at varied strength levels using emergy analysis and life-cycle assessment (LCA). Six types of concrete are considered for evaluation: normal, binary blended, ternary blended, quaternary blended, alkali-activated and recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). Emergy analysis considers different qualities and quantities of inputs, providing insights on resource-based impacts through emergy indicators. LCA, conducted using the SimaPro software, evaluates the environmental impacts of concrete production using midpoint and endpoint indicators. From emergy analysis, it is observed that concrete with alternative materials such as fly ash, silica fume, ground granulated blast-furnace slag and recycled aggregate exhibits better results in terms of emergy indicators. RAC shows the highest value of emergy sustainability index in all strength ranges. In LCA, higher impacts are seen for normal concrete, followed by those for RAC. To obtain a more inclusive result, an integrated emergy–LCA index is proposed. The results from this index aid in improved decision making regarding the sustainability of the system considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fritillaria roylei is an endangered bulbous perennial plant with high ethnopharmacological value. The high morphophysiological dormancy, habitat destruction, and irresponsive collection have resulted in the endangered status of F. roylei plants. The present study established an efficient in vitro regeneration and multiplication protocol for bulb multiplication. Gamborg's B5 medium supplemented with NAA (5.3 µM), BAP (4.4 µM) and kinetin (4.6 µM), spermidine (137 µM), and NLN vitamin mixture (1 mg/mL) was used efficiently for bulb multiplication. Each bulb produced 10–12 bulblets after 12–14 wk showing clonal fidelity under standardized in vitro conditions. The phytochemical analysis of the regenerated bulbs detected four important steroidal alkaloids, namely, solanidine, peimisine, petisidine, and fritilline A. Elicitation (jasmonic acid, methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, and gibberellic acid) of regenerated bulbs using response surface methodology demonstrated higher accumulation of solanidine (2.6 folds), and peimisine, petisidine and fritilline A (up to 1.4 folds each). The study will facilitate mass multiplication and conservation of endangered species of medicinal importance and enable understanding the biosynthesis of bioactives in the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkaline water is toxic to cultured aquatic animals that frequently live in pH-neutral freshwater. Overfishing and habitat destruction have contributed to the decline in the wild sturgeon population; consequently, the domestic hybrid sturgeon has become an increasingly important commercial species in China. Hybrid sturgeons are widely cultured in alkaline water, but little is known about the effects of alkalinity stress on hybrid sturgeon liver tissues. We exposed hybrid sturgeons to four alkaline concentrations (3.14 ± 0.02 mmol/L, 7.57 ± 0.08 mmol/L, 11.78 ± 0.24 mmol/L and 15.46 ± 0.48 mmol/L). Histopathology, biochemical index assessment, gene expression level detection and metabolomics analysis were used to investigate the negative effects on liver functions following exposure to NaHCO3. Livers exposed to alkaline stress exhibited severe tissue injury and clear apoptotic characteristics. With increased exposure concentrations, the hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase activities significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. NaHCO3 exposure up-regulated the transcriptional levels of apoptosis/ferroptosis-related genes in livers. Similarly, the expression trends of interleukin-1β and heat shock protein genes also increased in high-alkalinity environments. However, the expression levels of complement protein 3 significantly decreased (p < 0.05). Hepatic untargeted metabolomics revealed the alteration conditions of various metabolites associated with the antioxidant response, the ferroptosis process and amino acid metabolism (such as beta-alanine metabolism; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; and glycine, serine and threonine metabolism). These data provided evidence that NaHCO3 impaired immune functions and the integrity of hybrid sturgeon liver tissues by mediating oxidative-stress-mediated apoptosis and ferroptosis. Our results shed light on the breeding welfare of domestic hybrid sturgeons and promote the economic development of fisheries in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competition for nectar is expected to result in feeding niche differentiation. Here, we targeted the sexually size-dimorphic Volcano Sunbird (Cinnyris preussi) on Mount Cameroon. We investigated whether males and females feed on different plant species, whether females with shorter bills than males prefer shorter flowers, and whether larger dominant males visit more energetic flowers that produce higher amounts of nectar sugars. We also asked whether feeding niches were spatially separated along the elevation gradient and whether this separation varied between the two contrasting seasons. We collected data on the frequency of visits to individual plant species and analyzed the male-to-female ratios in the mist-netted dataset. In addition, we estimated production of nectar sugar in individual habitats and seasons. Despite the large dataset collected, encompassing 6476 bird–plant interactions, our findings did not provide evidence of differences in the spectra of the visited plant species. In addition, females did not visit flowers with shorter tubes, nor did males visit flowers that produced higher amounts of sugars. However, we observed a sex-specific dispersion of sunbirds during the wet season. During the dry breeding season, both males and females feed mainly in nectar-rich montane and submontane forests. In the wet season, the production of nectar sugar in these habitats decreased dramatically, and females largely disappeared. In contrast, female activity increased in the lowest and highest parts of the altitudinal range. Our findings on elevational movements are important in the current context, in which species face potential threats from habitat destruction and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Illegal collecting of wild Venus flytraps (Dionaea muscipula) for the horticultural trade represents a persistent threat to populations of the species across their endemic range in the coastal plain of North and South Carolina (United States). Although wild collecting of Venus flytraps is not a novel threat, there has been very little research on the impacts of collecting on the species' conservation to date or why an illegal trade persists alongside a legal one. We drew on qualitative expert stakeholder elicitation to contextualize the threat of illegal collecting to the long‐term conservation of Venus flytraps in relation to other anthropogenic threats. Expert elicitation included botanical and conservation researchers, cognizant state and federal agency staff, land managers, and conservation nonprofit actors. The workshop included mapping of supply chain structures and prioritization of social and environmental harms. Expert consensus determined illegal collecting is an ongoing problem for Venus flytrap conservation, but habitat destruction, degradation, and fire suppression are the most significant threats to flytrap conservation. Supply chain analysis showed that observable social and environmental harms of the trade are focused at the supply stage and that less is known about transit and demand stages. Key research gaps identified include a lack of understanding of plant laundering practices relevant to a range of desirable plant taxa; the role of commercial nurseries in illicit horticultural supply chains; motivations for engaging in Venus flytrap collecting; and the persistent demand for illegally harvested plants when cultivated, legally obtainable plants are readily available. Our findings and methodology are relevant to a range of ornamental plants affected by illegal trade for which robust social data on illegal collecting drivers are lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Deccan mahseer, Tor khudree (Sykes 1839), belonging to family Cyprinidae is an important food and a game fish distributed in peninsular India. Due to overfishing and habitat destruction, the species is declared endangered and placed on the IUCN red list. Therefore, a well-designed conservation program may be essential to get this species protected in its natural habitat. We used a total of 152 samples from four rivers of peninsular India to assess the genetic diversity and structure of the mahseer using concatenated sequences of two mitochondrial genes, ATPase 6/8 (790 bp) and Cyt b (1000 bp). High haplotypic diversity was seen with 44 haplotypes. Individual gene wise haplotypes included 10 and 21 haplotypes for ATPase6/8 and Cyt b, respectively. AMOVA revealed most of the genetic variations (71.02%) to be within the populations. Significant genetic differentiation was observed between all population pairs, with FST values ranging from 0.121 to 0.372, with minimum between Tunga and Tungabhadra population and maximum between Tunga and Periyar population. Haplotype network showed one ancestral haplotype (TKACH04). Significant negative Fu's F and unimodal mismatch distribution suggested recent demographic expansion. The results of the present study would serve as a useful resource for further research on population genetics and conservation programs of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Island species are highly vulnerable due to habitat destruction and their often small population sizes with reduced genetic diversity. The Hawaiian Islands constitute the most isolated archipelago on the planet, harboring many endemic species. Kokia is an endangered flowering plant genus endemic to these islands, encompassing 3 extant and 1 extinct species. Recent studies provided evidence of unexpected genetic diversity within Kokia. Here, we provide high-quality genome assemblies for all 3 extant Kokia species, including an improved genome for Kokia drynarioide s. All 3 Kokia genomes contain 12 chromosomes exhibiting high synteny within and between Kokia and the sister taxon Gossypioides kirkii. Gene content analysis revealed a net loss of genes in K. cookei compared to other species, whereas the gene complement in K. drynarioides remains stable and that of Kokia kauaiensis displays a net gain. A dated phylogeny estimates the divergence time from the last common ancestor for the 3 Kokia species at ∼1.2 million years ago (mya), with the sister taxa (K. cookei + K. drynarioides) diverging ∼0.8 mya. Kokia appears to have followed a stepping-stone pattern of colonization and diversification of the Hawaiian archipelago, likely starting on low or now submerged older islands. The genetic resources provided may benefit conservation efforts of this endangered endemic genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cinnamomum parthenoxylon is an important component of tropical Vietnam and has major ecological and economic significance, which has been threatened in recent decades due to the destruction of its habitat and overexploitation. Methods: In the present study, first, three chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) regions (matK, rbcL , and trnH-psbA) were initially examined to identify C. parthenoxylon species using Maximum Likelihood (ML). Then, genetic diversity analysis of C. parthenoxylon species in the Song Hinh protection forest, Phu Yen Province, Vietnam. Results: The nucleotide sequences of matK, rbcL , and trnH-psbA were determined to be 786bp, 513bp, and 464bp, respectively. The novel sequences have been deposited in Genbank with matK (PQ106670-PQ106689), rbcL (PQ106690-PQ106709), and trnH-psbA (PQ1066710-PQ106729). The analysis revealed that the mean base compositions of matK, rbcL , and trnH-psbA were nucleotide T (34.8%, 28.3%, and 30.4%), C (19.4%, 22.5%, and 15.1%), A (29.1%, 26.6%, and 39.8%), and G (16.7%, 22.7%, and 14.7%), respectively. In each of the three cpDNA regions, the GC content was discovered to be significantly lower than the AT content. According to ML phylogenetic analyses, all samples in the Song Hinh protection forest are closely related to C. parthenoxylon in GenBank, with robust supporting values. Moreover, only 0.25% (2 haplotypes) of the sequences showed polymorphism in the matK region, whereas 0.78% (4 haplotypes) in the rbcL region. The most variable trnH-psbA (3.44%) (16 haplotypes) intergenic region was the most useful genetic diversity analysis of C. parthenoxylon. The genetic variations in C. parthenoxylon were moderate, with an average number of nucleotide differences (Kt = 1.042–4.984), haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.521–0.916), and nucleotide diversity (Pi = 1.33–10.74 × 10–3). Conclusions: The results of this study have the potential to provide valuable information that is essential for the classification, and identification of the plant's origin, propagation, and conservation program of C. parthenoxylon in Vietnam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research addresses the pressing need to assess biodiversity in the face of increasing habitat destruction and species extinctions. Several researchers have modelled conventional measures to assess biodiversity. Every measure evaluates biodiversity by considering different properties. Among them Simpson and Shannon indices are widely used, they primarily focus on species richness and abundance, overlooking the importance of rare or unique species. This limitation makes it challenging to identify which species drive changes in biodiversity and hampers conservation efforts. Moreover, these measures are sensitive to sample size and biased towards dominant species, leading to inaccurate estimations. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel mathematical model that provides a comprehensive assessment of biodiversity. Our model accounts for species dominance, addresses sample size sensitivity, and highlights the significance of rare species within a community. By applying our measure to real-time scenarios and comparing it with traditional methods using the same dataset, proposed measure demonstrated its efficacy in capturing biodiversity dynamics over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Uncontrolled human activity and nature are causing the deterioration of Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh's only tropical island, necessitating sustainable land use strategies and ecological practices. Therefore, the present study measures the land use/cover transition from 1974 to 2021, predicts 2032 and 2042, and constructs the spatiotemporal features of the Landscape Ecological Risk Index based on land use changes. The study utilized Maximum Likelihood Classification (MLC) on Landsat images from 1974, 1988, 2001, 2013, and Sentinel 2B in 2021, achieving ≥ 80% accuracy. The MLP-MC approach was also used to predict 2032 and 2042 LULC change patterns. The eco-risk index was developed using landscape disturbance and vulnerability indices, Bayesian Kriging interpolation, and spatial autocorrelations to indicate spatial clustering. The research found that settlements increased from 2.06 to 28.62 ha between 1974 and 2021 and would cover 41.22 ha in 2042, causing considerable losses in agricultural areas, waterbodies, sand, coral reefs, and vegetation. The area under study showed a more uniform and homogenous environment as Shannon's diversity and evenness scores decreased. The ecological risk of Saint Martin Island increased from 4.31 to 31.05 ha between 1974 and 2042 due to natural and human factors like erosion, tidal bores, population growth, coral mining, habitat destruction, and intensive agricultural practices and tourism, primarily in Nazrul Para, Galachipa, and Western Dakhin Para. The findings will benefit St. Martin Island stakeholders and policymakers by providing insights into current and potential landscape changes and land eco-management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giam Malut Hopea ferrea Laness (Dipterocarpaceae) is a woody species that has become endangered due to its habitat destruction and overexploitation. In an effort to support and provide conservation and management of this species, we utilized eight microsatellite loci to investigate the genetic diversity and structure of 234 adult trees across eight populations, encompassing its geographic distribution in Vietnam. The genetic diversity of H. ferrea was found to be low in comparison to other dipterocarps, suggesting a reduction in the number of alleles due to anthropogenic activities. Heterozygosity deficits were identified across all studied populations. Interestingly, the coastal populations exhibited higher genetic diversity compared to the Highlands and southeast populations. Bottleneck effects were detected in the majority of populations, with the exception of the two Highlands populations of Chu Mon Ray and York Don. These effects indicated a reduction in the population sizes. The results of genetic differentiation mirrored the genetic structure and revealed three major clusters corresponding to the three distribution areas of the species. A low level of genetic differentiation among populations (FST=0.146) was detected, consistent with the AMOVA analysis. Geographic distance and anthropogenic activities emerged as the major factors limiting gene exchange among populations. Based on these findings, we propose conservation measures for this endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supporting bee populations is essential considering threats posed by human activities like pesticide usage and habitat destruction. However, the current methods for monitoring and analyzing beehives and their surrounding environments are invasive, complex, and time-consuming. These methods often rely heavily on laboratory analyses, making them difficult to implement independently in the field. This study explores the application of portable membrane inlet mass spectrometer (MIMS) for noninvasive hive analysis, demonstrating its ability to detect various compounds indicative of hive conditions and environmental stressors. In addition to the expected compounds found in beehives, such as α-bergamotene, hexadecanoic acid, heptadecane, hexadecanamide, α-bisabolol-, 9-octadecenamide, (Z) − , and benzaldehyde, unexpected compounds, pollutants, like indane (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon) and carbofuran (pesticide), were also detected. The MIMS detection method provides rapid, accurate, and real-time results, making it suitable for preventive measures against bee diseases and integral to environmental biomonitoring. This integration of technology represents a significant advancement in bee conservation efforts, offering hope for the future of both bees and ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic habitat destruction and climate change are reshaping the geographic distribution of plants worldwide. However, we are still unable to map species shifts at high spatial, temporal, and taxonomic resolution. Here, we develop a deep learning model trained using remote sensing images from California paired with half a million citizen science observations that can map the distribution of over 2,000 plant species. Our model--Deepbiosphere--not only outperforms many common species distribution modeling approaches (AUC 0.95 vs. 0.88) but can map species at up to a few meters resolution and finely delineate plant communities with high accuracy, including the pristine and clear-cut forests of Redwood National Park. These fine-scale predictions can further be used to map the intensity of habitat fragmentation and sharp ecosystem transitions across human-altered landscapes. In addition, from frequent collections of remote sensing data, Deepbiosphere can detect the rapid effects of severe wildfire on plant community composition across a 2-y time period. These findings demonstrate that integrating public earth observations and citizen science with deep learning can pave the way toward automated systems for monitoring biodiversity change in real-time worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]