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Recent collecting efforts in the upper Malagarazi basin (2013–2022) allowed for an integrative study based on qualitative (colour), quantitative (meristic and metric), and barcoding gene [mtDNA, cytochrome c oxidase (COI)] data of specimens similar to Enteromius sp. ‘ascutelatus’, being a previously identified, potentially, new species. Based on these data, the present study confirms its identification as a new species for science, which is here formally described as Enteromius nzigidaherai sp. nov. This new species belongs to the group of Enteromius species for which the last unbranched ray of the dorsal fin is flexible and devoid of serrations along its posterior edge. This species has a horizontal series of black spots at the midlateral level of the sides. Three congeneric species, known from the Congo basin sensu lato, with two of them also found in the upper Malagarazi basin, are most similar to it. However, E. nzigidaherai sp. nov. is distinguished from the two sympatric upper Malagarazi species, that is, E. quadrilineatus and E. lineomaculatus, at least by two meristics and two morphometrics. It is also distinguished from E. urostigma, known from the upper Congo basin, by two meristics and one, apparently related, morphometric. In addition, a barcoding (mtDNA, COI) study revealed that the specimens of E. nzigidaherai sp. nov. form a well‐supported, separate lineage, with a K2P genetic distance of more than 10% with specimens identified as E. quadrilineatus and E. lineomaculatus, both originating from the upper Malagarazi basin and for which tissue samples were available. Finally, the new species was found to be endemic to the upper reaches of two left bank affluents of the upper Malagarazi basin: the Muyovozi and the Kinwa. However, both affluents are threatened by human activities, which seem to have resulted in its local disappearance as recent intensive collecting efforts in the latter affluent have remained unsuccessful. The species should thus be considered Critically Endangered (CR) according to IUCN criteria B1ab(ii,iv)c(i,iii). Therefore, it is hoped that the present description draws renewed attention to the importance of aquatic protection in the region by highlighting the need for the effective establishment of the Malagarazi Nature Reserve and concern for its optimal delimitation to efficiently protect the entire ichthyofauna of the upper Malagarazi, without excluding the fish species confined to its affluent rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We utilized a two-phase analysis using deep convolutional neural networks (DCNN) to create an automated technology that enabled us to detect and count saigas (Saiga tatarica) in satellite images with a resolution of 0.3–0.5 m/pixel (Eros-B 2012; 2013 and Beijing KA 2022 satellites). In the first phase, the satellite image is automatically divided into sections and checked for the presence or absence of clusters of objects (the "classification" phase). Then, during the second phase, only the fragments of the satellite image where at least one saiga was previously found are analyzed (the "detection" phase). The method was calibrated by training a neural network on the results of the preliminary processing of archival satellite images from 2012 and 2013, carried out manually by zoological experts. When we tested the DCNN work with a "confidence threshold" of 0.3, we identified 1284 saigas on the entire model satellite image, while a zoological expert manually identified 1412 saigas. For practical use and to assess the effectiveness of this method, we counted saigas on a 2022 image covering two adjacent specially protected natural areas (PAs) located in the Republic of Kalmykia and the Astrakhan region (Russian Federation). The results are presented with different "thresholds of confidence." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of biotic predator–prey interactions is essential for understanding the role of species in the food web; however, information on these interactions is scarce for most species. Our aim in this study was to gather information on the potential predators of two species of herpetofauna abundant in the rainforest they inhabit, the frog Craugastor loki and the snake Ninia sebae. For this, realistic models of the two species were placed, and monitored using camera traps, in 13 sites located in a forest fragment belonging to a private protected natural area in southern Veracruz in three seasons (dry, rainy and windy) in 2019. In addition, the temporality and seasonality of the events and some behaviours of the potential predators are described. The recorded events were classified into four categories: presence, interest, contact and aggression. For C. loki, 159 events of appearances of potential predators were identified (32 with interaction: 18 events of interest, 2 contact and 12 aggressions). The aggressions were carried out by the mammals Didelphis marsupialis and Peromyscus sp. In the case of N. sebae, 201 appearances of potential predators were identified (75 with interaction: 36 events of interest, 7 contact and 32 aggressions). The aggressions were carried out by 10 species (seven birds and three mammals). Bird predation events towards models of both species occurred during daytime while the attacks by mammals occurred at night. Agonistic behaviours included pecking, biting and urine marking, previously unknown. Events of each category were recorded every season. Our results indicate that C. loki and N. sebae may have more predators than were previously known, and suggest that these species can be an important food resource for different species of birds and mammals in the environments where they live. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas play a crucial role in current global policies to mitigate the erosion of biodiversity and systematic reserve site selection models are increasingly involved in their design. These models address the optimisation problem that seeks to cover spaces hosting biodiversity features with nature reserves at a minimum cost for human activities. To increase the likelihood of a successful implementation, reserves need to be spatially consistent. Widely used decision support tools such as Marxan and PrioritizR commonly enforce compactness indirectly by penalising the reserve perimeter in the objective function. Few other optimisation models explicitly consider spatial properties such as limited fragmentation, connectivity of selected sites, and buffer zones around them, etc. So far, no reserve site selection model can guarantee the production of a connected, compact, and gap-free reserve all at once. The impossibility of designing reserve solutions with desirable spatial properties using existing models makes it difficult to implement such solutions in the real world. Therefore, we propose a mixed-integer linear program to build a reserve that is connected, compact, and gap-free. To enforce these spatial attributes within a reserve site selection model, we used a multicommodity flow approach. We tested the computational feasibility of our model on generated instances and the real instance of Fernando de Noronha. The results indicate that a single model can be used to enforce compactness, connectivity, and the absence of gaps. Using this optimisation model, conservation practitioners can design reserve solutions with desirable spatial properties, thereby increasing the likelihood of a successful implementation. • We provide a mixed-integer linear program that allows the explicit designing of compact, connected and gap-free reserves. • These spatial characteristics are essential for the successful implementation of protected areas in the real world. • We propose several variations in the formulation to give greater control over the geometric characteristics of the reserves. • Compact, connected, and gap-free reserves do not result in a significant increase in socio-economic costs. • Our model can solve instances of 500 planning units within a realistic timeframe, although larger instances may be addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, nano Mn 3 O 4 particles are in situ formed on the surface and between the interlayer of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene, which has been pretreated by the intercalation of K+ ion. Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene can not only provide abundant actives sites and high conductivity but also hinder the structure damage of Mn 3 O 4 during the charging and discharging process, so that batteries equipped with K-Ti 3 C 2 @Mn 3 O 4 cathode exhibit outstanding electrochemical performance. [Display omitted] Manganese-based cathodes are competitive candidates for state-of-the-art aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) because of their easy preparation method, sufficient nature reserve, and environmental friendliness. However, their poor cycle stability and low rate performance have prevented them from practical applications. In this study, Mn 3 O 4 nanoparticles were formed in situ on the surface and between the interlayers of Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene, which was pretreated by the intercalation of K+ ions. Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene not only provides abundant active sites and high conductivity but also hinders the structural damage of Mn 3 O 4 during charging and discharging. Benefiting from the well-designed K-Ti 3 C 2 @Mn 3 O 4 structure, the battery equipped with the K-Ti 3 C 2 @Mn 3 O 4 cathode achieved a maximum specific capacity of 312 mAh/g at a current density of 0.3 A/g and carried a specific capacity of approximately 120 mAh/g at a current density of 1 A/g, which remained stable for approximately 500 cycles. The performance surpasses that of most reported Mn 3 O 4 -based cathodes. This study pioneers a new approach for building better cathode materials for AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) was originally developed to address configural research questions with a small to medium number of cases (i.e., N < 50), allowing researchers to preserve the iterative nature of the data collection and interpretation that stems from a deep knowledge of cases. Recently, researchers have increasingly applied QCA within large-N applications involving anywhere from 50 to several thousand cases. Although the increasing popularity of using QCA in large-N research is promising, critical questions persist regarding QCA application. We conducted a scoping review of large-N QCA studies published in peer-reviewed journals over a 15-year period. Although the review showed some adherence to good practices for conducting QCA, it also revealed substantial gaps in large-N studies reporting analytic decision making, analysis, and results. We offer several recommendations for improving the reporting of large-N QCA studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research endeavors to evaluate the precise ramifications of climate change on Iran's protected regions, utilizing species distribution modeling to anticipate the effects of climate change on 394 bird species, 157 plant species, 72 reptiles, and 20 mammals across two climate change scenarios: SSP245 and SSP585 in 2070. Subsequently, we employed binary species distribution maps to determine the extent of overlap between 125 protected areas, 27 wildlife refuges, and 15 national parks and species distribution, quantifying the proportion of these areas encompassed by their distribution. We found that under the SSP585 scenario, 174 bird species could experience a 319% expansion in suitable habitats, while 220 species could decline by 57.1%. Among plants, 16 species are projected to grow by 40.3%, whereas 141 species may decrease by 68.8%. Reptiles could experience an increase of 279.1% in 24 species, with a 66.6% decrease in 48 species, while mammals may witness a significant increase of 147.3% in 5 species, but a 71.8% decrease in 15 species. Also, under the SSP585 scenario, in national parks, bird coverage declines from 32.2% (current) to 19.9%, plants from 24.2 to 13.2%, reptiles from 18.4 to 6.8%, and mammals from 17.7 to 10%. In wildlife refuges, birds decrease from 9.7 to 5.7%, plants from 10.9 to 4.6%, reptiles from 12.9 to 2.5%, and mammals from 7.4 to 4.3%. In protected areas, birds drop from 29.3 to 20.4%, plants from 27.7 to 12.5%, reptiles from 18.7 to 9.7%, and mammals from 24 to 12.1%. The low overlap of species with national parks, wildlife refuges, and protected areas underscores the importance of re-evaluating and potentially expanding protected areas to ensure they encompass a broader range of habitats, particularly those that are underrepresented, to enhance the conservation of Iran's biodiversity amidst the challenges posed by climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information on the positional behaviors of primates is essential for understanding the mechanisms of environmental adaptation. From October 2021 to September 2022, we collected data on positional behaviors of Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) at Guangxi Nonggang National Nature Reserve, China, using instantaneous scan sampling method. Our results showed that quadrupedal walking (34.99% ± 6.05%) was adopted as their most frequent locomotor mode, followed by leaping (31.54% ± 10.50%), climbing (25.55% ± 11.33%), quadrupedal running (6.55% ± 2.65%) and bridging (1.37% ± 1.19%). The ground (36.83% ± 21.18%) was the most frequently used stratum during moving. Most arboreal locomotion occurred on small (44.06% ± 11.36%) and medium (34.90% ± 11.09%) sized substrates. Sitting (81.19% ± 10.47%) was used as their most common postures, followed by holding (6.38% ± 9.97%), quadrupedal standing (3.70% ± 3.03%), bipedal standing (3.54% ± 1.84%), sprawling (3.17% ± 6.45%), suspending (1.88% ± 1.19%) and lying (0.14% ± 0.21%). Positional behaviors seasonally vary with habitat structure, and distribution of food resources. The macaques used climbing more frequently in the fruit-lean season (dry season) than in the fruit-rich season (rainy season), which could be related to reducing energy expenditure in the dry season. In addition, they adopted holding and lying together to conserve energy and stabilize intergroup relationships. In conclusion, Assamese macaques adapt to limestone forests with positional behavior flexibility in response to seasonality. Our findings highlight the necessity to understand the effects of ecological factors on the behavioral ecology and adaptations of Assamese macaques in their unique limestone forest habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wood Harvesting and Storage (WHS) is a form of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS) that utilizes a combined natural and engineered process to harvest woody biomass and put it into long term storage, most frequently in the form of subterranean burial. This paper aims to quantify the availability of woody biomass for the purposes of WHS in the continental United States using a carbon cycle modeling approach. Using a regional version of the VEGAS terrestrial carbon cycle model at 10 km resolution, this paper calculates the annual woody net primary production in the continental United States. It then applies a series of constraints to exclude woody biomass that is unavailable for WHS. These constraints include fine woody biomass, current land use, current wood utilization, land conservation, and topographical limitations. These results were then split into state by state and regional totals. Results: In total, the model projects the continental United States could produce 1,274 MtCO2e (CO2 equivalent) worth of coarse woody biomass annually in a scenario with no anthropogenic land use or constraints. In a scenario with anthropogenic land use and constraints on wood availability, the model projects that 415 MtCO2e of coarse woody biomass is available for WHS annually. This is enough to offset 8.5% of the United States' 2020 greenhouse gas emissions. Of this potential, 20 MtCO2e is from the Pacific region, 77 MtCO2e is from the Western Interior, 91 MtCO2e is from the Northeast region, and 228 MtCO2e is from the Southeast region. Conclusion: There is enough coarse woody biomass available in the continental United States to make WHS a viable form of carbon removal and storage in the country. There is coarse woody biomass available across the continental United States. All four primary regions analyzed have enough coarse woody biomass available to justify investment in WHS projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multiple factors, including human disturbance and environmental change, have caused a significant global mangrove resource loss. Therefore, the Chinese government has restructured mangrove habitats and restored the ecosystem functionality through establishing naturally protected mangrove areas. Despite efforts spanning several years, over 90% of mangrove forests in China have been now integrated into the natural protected area system, with the health status and influencing factors of mangrove ecosystem remaining a pertinent subject for further exploration. Given the intricacies of mangrove ecosystems with complex nonlinear relationships among evaluation factors, it is imperative to adopt scientific methodologies to assess their health status. Methods: To illustrate this, we conducted a mangrove ecosystem health assessment of natural protected areas of Guangdong Province, China. By employing a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and establishing an index system for mangrove ecosystem health assessment. Results: The results revealed the following findings. (1) Various factors exert differing degrees of influence on mangrove ecosystem health. Notably, the mangrove habitat pattern (weight 47.95%), bird diversity (weight 20.97%), mangrove community (weight 14.31%), water environment (weight 11.76%), and soil sedimentary environment (weight 5.01%) were identified. (2) Overall, the mangrove ecosystem within protected areas of Guangdong exhibited unhealthy signs. There were 4 healthy protected areas (20.00%), 4 areas classified as sub-healthy (20.00%), and 12 were deemed unhealthy (60.00%). (3) Key factors contributing to the compromised health of mangrove ecosystems included the homogenization of mangrove plants, decreased habitat diversity, and exogenous pollution. Discussion: By planting local mangrove species, scientifically managing the ratio of mangrove cover area to mudflat area, and controlling pollution sources and treating pollutants, the structure of the mangrove ecosystem can be optimized, and the quality of mangrove forest can be improved. These findings can enhance mangrove ecosystem management practices, assist mangrove natural reserve managers in performing targeted mangrove ecological protection and restoration, promote effective management, and contribute to the realization of "harmonious symbiosis" between humanity and nature within mangrove ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to losses of open space, local voter referenda have become a popular and effective means to raise funding for land conservation in the US. This paper provides empirical evidence on the effects of disasters on the success of voter referenda for open-space conservation. Our results show that voters become less supportive of subsequent ballot measures if their communities recently experienced a major disaster. The preferred specification reveals that a recent major disaster is associated with an 8.4% reduction in the odds of a 'yes' vote. We find further evidence that the effect is especially strong for referenda using tax increases to fund preservation. This disaster effect, however, is temporary rather than permanent. For disaster events occurring more than 12 months prior to a referendum, we find that the effect is no longer statistically significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cliff ecosystems provide refuge to 35%–66% of the world's endemic plants. However, they face growing threats from sport climbing. Evidence suggests that unclimbed cliffs harbour approximately twice the plant richness compared with climbed cliffs, with increasing impact as climbing intensity increases. Unfortunately, it remains unknown whether the climbing impact on cliff vegetation originates from the development (opening) of climbing routes or from temporal changes resulting from subsequent climbing. We recorded cliff vascular plants and lichens at the protected natural area of El Potrero Chico (Mexico) before and after the development of new climbing routes. Subsequently, we re‐recorded the routes at sequential timepoints after 10, 20, and 30 ascents. Additionally, we examined whether the abundance of cliff vegetation influences the extent of climbing impact and whether the surroundings of the routes were also affected. We found that the opening of climbing routes exerted the strongest negative effects on cliff plants, reducing species richness by 38%, while subsequent ascents generated a minimal impact. Worryingly, route opening affected not only species richness in the route itself but also the surroundings of the routes. After 30 ascents, cliff plant abundance decreased by 60.6% within the bolted routes, whereas it decreased by 42.3% in the surroundings. However, this impact depended on the original cliff vegetation abundance. Lichen cover showed a gradual decrease, indicating that cliff‐dwelling lichens are affected not only by the opening of the route but also by subsequent ascents. Synthesis and applications: Given the almost non‐existent regulation of outdoor climbing activities in most countries, we urge the implementation of a conservation management protocol that defines clear strategies to regulate climbing activities and preserve pristine cliffs. On yet unclimbed cliffs with narrow endemic, rare, or threatened species, we propose banning the establishment of new climbing areas. On climbed cliffs lacking protected species, dynamic management actions should be implemented, such as setting a maximum number of routes that can be established and defining limits of acceptable change as climbing intensity increases. The proposed conservation management should help to halt the loss of unique cliff biodiversity and safeguard pristine cliff ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are considered pollutants of emerging concern. In rivers, MPs (=5 mm) are transported by currents and deposited in lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and oceans. In Mexico, MPs in freshwater ecosystems have been scarcely studied. This work aimed to determine the presence of MPs in rivers of the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve (SGBR). Samples of surface water and sediment collected from the Escanela, Jalpan, Ayutla, and Santa María rivers were processed. MPs in water were extracted by direct filtration using nitrocellulose filters with a 1.2 µm pore size; MPs in sediments were extracted by density suspension using a ZnCl2 solution (p ≈ 1.5 g/cm3). The surface of MPs was examined using SEM-EDX, and spectra of trace elements deposited on the MPs were obtained; additionally, MP polymers were characterized with FTIR. Fibers were the most abundant MP forms in both matrices. Up to 110.87 items L-1 were detected in water and 175 items kg-1 (dry weight) in sediments. Surface wear of MPs was observed, and trace elements were detected, including Al, Fe, Cr, Si, and Zn, among others. The polymers identified in MP samples were polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene, polyamide, and polystyrene. The test results revealed the presence of MPs with trace metals on their surface in the freshwater ecosystems of the SGBR, which may be related to mining operations in the study area, changes in land use, wastewater discharges, atmospheric transport, and dry and wet deposition. These findings demonstrated the ubiquity of these pollutants and their presence even in areas intended for conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land use is both a major cause of the biodiversity crises and a potential solution to it. Decisions about land use are made in complex social–ecological systems, yet conservation research, policy, and practice often neglect the diverse and dynamic nature of land use. A deeper integration of land system science and conservation science provides major opportunities in this context, through a transfer of concepts, data, and methodologies. Specifically, a closer exchange between land‐use data developers and users will enable common terminology and better data use, allowing to move beyond coarse land‐cover representations of land use. Similarly, archetyping and regionalization approaches can help to embrace, rather than oversimplify, the diversity of land‐use actors and practices. Finally, systematically linking land‐use actors to portfolios of pressures on biodiversity, beyond their direct impact on habitat, can better represent and map co‐occurring and interacting threats. Together, this will enable conservation policymakers and planners to recognize the often‐complex and wicked nature of conservation challenges related to land, allowing for more context‐specific conservation policymaking and planning, and more targeted conservation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractPrescribed fires are used to manage natural areas and mitigate potentially intense and catastrophic wildfires. Education and other outreach activities can increase the acceptance and adoption of prescribed fire use among private landowners. Land grant university-based Extension services are often a trusted source of information in communities on a variety of topics, but no published research has previously assessed Extension’s capacity for prescribed fire education and training. This study uses semi-structured interviews to explore the knowledge and experiences of 23 southeastern U.S. Extension professionals with prescribed fire outreach. Thematic analysis of the interviews guided by Ostrom’s social-ecological systems framework revealed that these Extension professionals face a variety of challenges stemming from their institutions, audiences, and own backgrounds that complicate prescribed fire outreach. These challenges can be overcome, allowing Extension professionals to conduct fire science outreach and play an active role in facilitating networks to build capacity through cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cases of anomalous coloration are regularly reported in Neotropical mammals, including the rodent family Dasyproctidae (agoutis and acouchis) where leucistic and albino individuals have been observed. Here, we document the first case of leucism in the Brown Agouti (Dasyprocta variegata) in Bolivia. During a camera trap survey of the Barba Azul Nature Reserve, we obtained footage of a Brown Agouti with a completely white body. Additional pictures of this individual revealed that it has black eyes, indicating leucism instead of albinism. Previous observations (since 2017) of a white agouti in the area suggest that these anomalously colored individuals can survive in the wild. Rare observations of top predators suggest a relatively low predation pressure in the area. We had only one record of a South-American Puma (Puma concolor) during our camera trap survey. Hence, leucistic individuals of a common prey species might also be indicative of the dwindling population densities of top predators in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) have great socioeconomic importance for humans harbouring a broad spectrum of diversity and being important elements of different habitats. Beta vulgaris subsp. maritima ((L.) Arcangeli), also known as sea beet, is an important CWR of cultivated beets (GP-1). The high adaptability of this taxon to different environmental conditions, as well as its tolerance/resistance to different biotic and abiotic stresses, makes it a vital source for sugar beet improvement. Aim of this work was to analyse the in situ and ex situ status of sea beet population conservation in Italy, so as to guide protection activities and new collecting missions. Methods: Geographical distribution data of populations were that occur in the wild and conserved in genebanks were assembled from different databases and submitted to data quality control. Distribution, habitat characterization, land cover and use of the involved sites were then evaluated to provide insight into the current condition of areas hosting this CWR diversity. The presence of populations within vs. outside Italian protected areas was also evaluated. A density analysis of the records was performed and the adequateness of sea beet ex situ conservation, in terms of number of conserved accessions, was finally estimated. Results: A collection of 138 B. vulgaris subsp. maritima high quality georeferenced records were obtained, mainly distributed into Mediterranean Biogeographic Region. About 22% of the considered populations occurs in protected sites of the Natura 2000 Network, while about 15% in areas recorded in the Official list of protected natural areas (EUAP). Occurrences within protected areas are founded primarily in natural environments, whereas those outside are mainly located in urban and cultivated areas. The comparison of distribution and density analysis results revealed the presence of several gaps between sites hosting in situ populations and sites where ex situ conserved accessions were originally collected. Discussion: Here presented data indicates that the protection status for sea beet in Italy can be considered only partially adequate; more proactive protection measures should be foreseen to increase the role of protected areas in safeguarding in situ conservation. "Out of reserve management" for populations outside protected areas should also be developed, as well as new collecting missions carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the present study, DNA sequence and morphological data were used to delineate species boundaries in the velvet worm, Peripatopsis sedgwicki species complex. The combined mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit one (COI) and the nuclear 18S rRNA loci were phylogenetically analyzed using Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood platforms that both demonstrated the presence of four, statistically well-supported clades (A–D). In addition, five species delimitation methods (ASAP, bPTP, bGMYC, STACEY and iBPP) were used on the combined DNA sequence data to identify possible novel lineages. All five species delimitation methods supported the distinction of the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve specimens in the Eastern Cape province, however, in the main P. sedgwicki s.l. species complex, the species delimitation methods revealed a variable number of novel operational taxonomic units. Gross morphological characters were of limited utility, with only the leg pair number in the Fort Fordyce Nature Reserve specimens and the white head-collar of the Van Stadens Wildflower Nature Reserve specimens being diagnostic. The RADseq results from the earlier study of P. sedgwicki s.l. provided highly congruent results with the four clades observed in the present study. The distribution of P. sedgwicki s.s. (clade B) is restricted to the western portions of its distribution in the Afrotemperate forested regions of the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Three novel species, P. collarium sp. nov., (clade C) P. margaritarius sp. nov., (clade A) and P. orientalis sp. nov., (clade D) are described, of which the first two species are narrow range endemics. The present study, along with several recent systematic studies of velvet worms affirms the importance of fine-scale sampling to detect and document the alpha taxonomic diversity of Onychophora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful conservation of expanding large carnivore populations and management of human–wildlife conflict to promote coexistence requires sufficient spatiotemporal knowledge to inform appropriate action. In Canada, cougars (Puma concolor) are expanding their range eastwards and little research is available for use in decision making by land managers and conservation planners. To inform proactive management regarding expanding populations of cougars in Canada, we utilized open‐source cougar presence and land‐cover data in a maximum entropy habitat suitability model to determine potentially suitable habitat for cougars across the country. We then used a gap analysis to determine the effectiveness of existing formal protected areas to protect potential cougar habitat. Suitable habitat exists for range‐expanding cougars dispersing eastwards through the central and eastern provinces to the Atlantic coast. While the habitat is highly fragmented, the highest suitability occurs in areas of medium road density, indicating that the potential for new human–cougar conflict will likely involve residents of exurban and rural areas. Protected areas offered 16% coverage of suitable habitat, although most protected areas that overlap predicted cougar habitat are not large enough to effectively conserve the large home range requirements of cougars. Synthesis and Applications: High fragmentation of suitable habitat and the potential for human–wildlife conflict requires proactive management to ensure appropriately sized and connected areas are maintained for the establishment of expanding cougar populations. Many of the management actions intended to aid in the conservation of cougars and their habitat can also serve to mitigate potential human–cougar conflict arising as a consequence of an expanding population, such as highway wildlife crossing structures and formal habitat protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the criteria affecting the location of humanitarian logistics distribution centers in the Sakarya province of Turkey, an area prone to natural disasters. The study identifies potential distribution center locations and uses the Best-Worst Method (BWM) to determine criteria such as population, distance to major highways and airports, public transportation availability, natural disaster risk, and suitable infrastructure. BWM is used to assign weights to each criterion and rank them based on their importance. The Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) method is then used to evaluate potential distribution center locations based on the established criteria. Disaster management experts and academicians provide their opinions through an online and face-to-face survey. Based on the results, Adapazarı is identified as the most suitable district for a humanitarian logistics distribution center. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple criteria when selecting distribution center locations and provides a framework for using multi-criteria decision-making methods in logistics planning. Disaster managers and policymakers can use the results to make informed decisions about the location of humanitarian logistics distribution centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed nearly 31 years (1991–2022) of tree population dynamics in 108 permanent plots each 0.04 ha of the Lilyvlei Nature Reserve, a section of the Knysna Forest in South Africa which has not historically been disturbed by harvesting. The Knysna Forest is the only large piece of forest in South Africa and is marginal for tall forest, having low mean annual rainfall of only about 1000 mm and occurs on nutrient poor soils. In contrast to many studies of other forests globally, we found almost no change in overall biomass. Even at the scale of our small plots and on 10–30 year time scales, there has been little change. The forest has very low recruitment and mortality rates and thus low growth rates. Climatic changes too were minimal over this 30‐year period. The proportion of stems that died per size class was concentrated in the larger size‐classes per species, even for shorter species. This suggests that senescence rather than external disturbances determines the low mortality and thus the low dynamism and the high biomass (approx. 600 Mg ha−1AGB or 41 m2 ha−1 basal area) of the forest. Mortality of some species exceeded conspecific recruitment, a trend accompanied by non‐significant declines in biomass. However, these trends are not significant. In conclusion, neither composition nor biomass has changed significantly in these forests over a period of 30 years. This suggests that not all Southern Hemisphere forests are in a state of decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil organic matter is assumed to accumulate with conservation management. Onfarm surveys using paired-farm and chronosequence approaches could validate assumptions, as well as provide a diversity of soils and management conditions to assess organic matter fractions. The objective of this study was to assess how land use and pasture management affected the gradient of organic matter fractions from active to resistant. Particulate and non-particulate (also called mineral-associated) organic C and N fractions were isolated and soil-test biological activity was measured from 304 profiles at 0- to 10-, 10- to 30-, and 30- to 60-cm depths on 31 private farms in Virginia. Root-zone enrichment contents of these soil properties were calculated following subtraction of a baseline from total stocks of each soil profile. Land use was a key factor affecting root-zone enrichment (0- to 30-cm depth) of particulate organic C (Mg C ha−1) (p ≤ 0.05): conventional-till cropland (6.3) = no-till cropland (9.2) < grassland (14.2) < woodland (16.7). Root-zone enrichments of soil C and N fractions increased with pasture age to a plateau achieved by 25 years and were optimized at cattle stocking rate of 1.0 ± 0.2 Mg live weight ha−1. Feeding hay increased root-zone enrichment of soil-test biological activity (49 kg CO2-C 3 day−1 [Mg hay]−1). Although non-particulate organic C and N dominated, accumulation with time and steady-state concentration of particulate fractions were vital steps toward greater soil organic matter under conservation management. Root-zone enrichment calculations from on-farm sampling were helpful in distinguishing true effects of management from pedogenesis on soil organic matter formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Atlantic Forest is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot because of the high species richness and the remaining natural areas comprising less than 30% relative to its primary vegetation. Even though many anuran species from this biome are ecologically restricted to pristine ecosystems, there are some examples of new species discovered from anthropized areas. Adenomera represents a widespread and abundant frog genus in Atlantic Forest ecosystems, with species occurring in areas with varying degrees of human disturbance. In this paper, we name and describe a new species of Adenomera endemic to the Atlantic Forest typically found in human-altered ecosystems, such as urban and rural sites. The new species was recovered as belonging to the Adenomera marmorata clade, and sister to A. ajurauna. These two species have allopatric distributions in southeastern and southern Brazil, with a single known sympatric occurrence. They display different calls and occupy distinct habitats. The newly described species of Adenomera is an additional case of new species discovered from urban sites in the Atlantic Forest hotspot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species conservation can be improved by knowledge of genetic diversity and demographic history. The Sichuan hill-partridge (Arborophila rufipectus , SP) is an endangered species endemic to the mountains in southwestern China. However, little is known about this species' genomic variation and demographic history. Here, we present a comprehensive whole-genome analysis of six SP individuals from the Laojunshan National Nature Reserve in Sichuan Province, China. We observe a relatively high genetic diversity and low level of recent inbreeding in the studied SP individuals. This suggests that the current population carries genetic variability that may benefit the long-term survival of this species, and that the present population may be larger than currently recognized. Analyses of demographic history showed that fluctuations in the effective population size of SP are inconsistent with changes of the historical climate. Strikingly, evidence from demographic modeling suggests SPs population decreased dramatically 15,100 years ago after the Last Glacial Maximum, possibly due to refugial isolation and later human interference. These results provide the first detailed and comprehensive genomic insights into genetic diversity, genomic inbreeding levels, and demographic history of the Sichuan hill-partridge, which are crucial for the conservation and management of this endangered species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the potential for wildlife habitat and public recreation on private lands in Ohio. Private land accounts for 80% of wildlife habitat in the United States and is relied upon by 85% of hunters. The study surveyed landowners in the Scioto watershed to assess their preferences for conservation and recreation on their land. The results showed that there were differences in the species seen on CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program) land compared to other watershed land, and that CREP landowners were less likely to allow public recreation on their land. The article suggests that long-term maintenance and additional interventions may be necessary to ensure continued access to private lands for conservation and recreation. [Extracted from the article]

The results of the studies devoted to the consequences of the Kakhovka dam destruction on June 6, 2023 in the course of the Russia-Ukraine war are presented. After the accident, the Kakhovske reservoir, which was the largest by volume on the Dnipro River, practically disappeared. It has turned into the network of river branches and lakes that do not compare with the former reservoir. Currently, the conditions on the territory of the former reservoir have approached those observed in natural conditions. To some extent, they depend on the water discharge of the Dnipro River, more exactly, on the water discharge of the Dnipro HPP located upstream. In the conditions of large water runoff, the large part of the former Kakhovske reservoir is covered with water. An unusual natural phenomenon of the area of the former reservoir is very rapid overgrowth, primarily by willow. A year after the accident, its height in places which is rich in organic sediments exceeded 4 meters. At the same time, the size of the trees on the bottom covered by sands is much smaller. Today, a large area of the former reservoir looks like a dense forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Floodplains are essential ecosystems that provide a variety of economic, hydrologic, and ecologic services. Within floodplains, surface water‐groundwater exchange plays an important role in facilitating biogeochemical processes and can have a strong influence on stream hydrology through infiltration or discharge of water. These functions can be difficult to assess due to the heterogeneity of floodplains and monitoring constraints, so numerical models are useful tools to estimate fluxes, especially at large spatial extents. In this study, we use the SWAT+ (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) ecohydrological model to quantify magnitudes and spatiotemporal patterns of floodplain surface water‐groundwater exchange in a mountainous watershed using an updated version of the gwflow module that directly calculates floodplain‐aquifer exchange rates during periods of floodplain inundation. The gwflow module is a spatially distributed groundwater modelling subroutine within the SWAT+ code that uses a gridded network and physically based equations to predict groundwater storage, groundwater head, and groundwater fluxes. We used SWAT+ to model the 7516 km2 Colorado River headwaters watershed and streamflow data from USGS gages for calibration and testing. Models that included floodplain‐groundwater interactions outperformed those without such interactions and provided valuable information about floodplain exchange rates and volumes. Our analyses on the location of floodplain fluxes in the watershed also show that wider areas of floodplains, "beads" (e.g., like beads on a necklace), exchanged a higher net and per area volume of water, as well as higher rates of exchange, compared to narrower areas, "strings." Study results show that floodplain channel‐groundwater exchange is a valuable process to include in hydrologic models, and model outputs could inform land conservation practises by indicating priority locations, such as beads, where substantial hydrologic exchange occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With urban expansion, traditional drainage systems in densely populated cities face significant challenges, leading to frequent flooding and pollution issues. Deep tunnel drainage systems emerge as an innovative approach, offering underground storage for excess precipitation and alleviating urban inundation. This research investigates the deployment of a deep tunnel system in Guangzhou's densely populated urban core. By integrating with existing networks, this system aims to curtail over-flow contamination and boost sewage-handling capacity. Successful implementation hinges on the thorough evaluation and synchronization with broader urban development objectives. In Guangzhou, where traditional methods fall short, deep tunnels present a viable option. This study explores techniques for identifying drainage deficiencies, devising enhancements, and refining citywide strategies. Economic analysis indicates that deep tunnels are more cost-effective than conventional drainage upgrades, offering long-term benefits for land conservation and drainage efficiency. Following implementation, these systems markedly enhance sewage management, diminish overflow incidents, and improve pollution mitigation. Although initial investments are substantial, the enduring advantages in land preservation and drainage efficiency are significant. Thus, deep tunnel systems emerge as a practical flood control solution for high-density urban areas like Guangzhou, fostering sustainable metropolitan growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The newly proposed high‐speed rail in Czech Republic creates a set of new challenges for engineers in design overall. In this case, the most significant challenge was to design a viaduct over several obstacles due to the crossing of Special Area of Conservation (SAC), part of Natura 2000. This aims to limit impacts in short‐term, during construction and more importantly in the long term. Construction of the viaduct will mitigate an impact to the natural surrounding area, whilst allowing immigration of its natural habitats. Nevertheless, the viaduct design and operational speeds will reach 320 km/h with possible raising to 350 km/h limit, with minimal impact within the area. Initial length of the viaduct was over 1 300 m and the main requirement given by an infrastructure manager was to design a viaduct without railway expansion joints. Due to such a long distance, the viaduct had to be separated into several dilatation segments in order to avoid the use of rail expansion joint. The most susceptible parts of SAC were in proximity of the river Šatava and surrounding wetlands. This area created an obstacle, which had to be crossed by a long span avoiding the implementation of bridge piers. Poor geological conditions close to the watercourse had to be taken into consideration for design of pier foundation, therefore the span had to be shortened to a compromised length. The final design of the viaduct consists of 16 segments, of which 14 are continuous segments and 4 are single spans. Overall, there are 29 spans over the length of the viaduct. Construction method of incremental launching had been chosen to reduce the short‐term impact in the SAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species distribution modelling is a technique used in ecology and conservation biology to predict the potential distribution of a species based on environmental variables. It involves analysing the relationship between known occurrences of a species and environmental factors to create a model that can then predict where the species might be found. Amblypodia anita is a species of butterfly belonging to the family Lycaenidae, found primarily in Southeast Asia. Information about the specific conservation status of Amblypodia anita varies based on regional assessments. However, like many butterfly species, threats such as habitat destruction, climate change, and habitat fragmentation pose risks to its populations. The study trained a model on the current distribution of Amblypodia anita in West Bengal, India, using MaxEnt modelling. Fourteen environmental variables were selected to build the model. Results suggest that cultivated and managed vegetation (36.5%) serves as the most important variable. Running the developed model, the team was then able to predict that 6619 km2 of suitable habitat for Amblypodia anita butterflies exists in West Bengal, India. This analytical approach to area-based conservation may be used in conservation management and focuses on protecting specific geographical areas to preserve biodiversity, ecosystems, and natural resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increase in deforestation associated with the need to reconcile conservation and food production, agricultural mosaics are of great importance in maintaining biodiversity. This study aimed to compare the shade-tolerant plants diversity partition pattern and the conservation value (CV) presented by land-use types found in three vertical strata (upper, middle, and lower) of six agricultural mosaics in the eastern Amazon. Additionally, we hypothesized that agricultural mosaics with lower forest cover, with lower heterogeneity of land-uses, and drier areas have lower shade-tolerant plants diversity, and CV of land-use types. Plant surveys were carried out in family farming mosaics with fixed plots; a matrix of species abundance per plot was set up for each mosaic and stratum. Additive partition and absolute contribution analyze were applied to each matrix; and CV of the land-uses for gamma richness was calculated. Factors were tested using generalized linear models and simple linear regression. Our results indicate that there is a diversity pattern that is repeated in the strata and agricultural mosaics. Beta diversity, especially among land-use types, is the one that most contributes to the diversity. Habitat heterogeneity is very important for the conservation of shade-tolerant species, but it is not the number of different land-use types but what these land-uses are. Land-uses with low CV do not add diversity to the mosaic. Consequently, the quality of the environmental matrix is very important. This information will be useful in providing baseline data on the management of agricultural mosaics in the eastern Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants, and they can absorb and transfer chemicals, which may cause significant effects on biota and risks to human health. State parks are natural areas highly influenced by seasonal tourist activities. This study investigated the distribution and characterization of MPs, including abundance, size, shape, and color, in seven Virginia State Parks within the James River Watershed (Douthat, Natural Bridge, Holliday Lake, James River, Powhatan, Pocahontas, and Chippokes Plantation State Parks). The MP concentration among the seven locations in the watershed had a significant difference (p < 0.05) and ranged from 0–26.5 particles/L with a mean of 8.33 ± 1.39 particles/L. The mountain region water bodies (Douthat and Natural Bridge) had the lowest MP concentration (< 4 particles/L), while the mainstream water bodies had a significantly higher MP concentration than other water bodies (10–20 particles/L) (p < 0.01). The size, shape, and color of MPs were also significantly different among all locations (p < 0.05). Faded and aged fragments with sizes below 1 mm were the most abundant, suggesting that terrestrial MPs were the most influencing source at most of the State Parks, and weathering effects have played a significant role in the fragmentation of plastics. In addition, a significantly positive relationship between MP concentration and the fraction of overnight guests was found (p < 0.0001). Our study indicated that State Parks and protected areas are polluted by MPs, which may pose potential harm to the surrounding environment, including both wildlife and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite changing paradigms in nature conservation, protected areas, such as national parks, remain key tools for nature conservation. Today, protected areas are perceived as socio-ecological systems, therefore using an ecosystem services approach may help in their designation. Here, we focus on the planned Turnicki National Park located in the far eastern part of the Polish Carpathian Mountains and conflict between proponents of the park establishment and local stakeholders. We used an ecosystem services-driven questionnaire survey among local communities to analyze interactions between the perception of ecosystem services and opinions about national parks, and the role of social and economic status in shaping these opinions. We found links between opinions towards national parks and other factors: age, life span in a municipality, level of education, and an average net income. Respondents who perceived benefits from nature were more positive towards national parks in general and the Turnicki National Park specifically; however, those who prioritized provisioning services were more skeptical. Also, we distinguished four Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis models which describe factors shaping opinions on national parks, respectively. The study has shown that the ecosystem services lens perspective can help in exploring the factors crucial while establishing the protected areas in specific social and economic context. The main implication for the study is careful consideration of the role of national park to protect the local environment in harmony with social needs and economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basis of Russia's natural reserve fund consists of federal state reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries, the representativeness of which in relation to the diversity of natural complexes, including soils, is the main mechanism for protecting natural diversity. Using the method of geoinformation analysis, the areal and typological representation of the natural diversity of steppe soils in the system of specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) of the country was assessed based on vector maps: Pochvennaya karta Rossii (Soil Map of Russia) on a scale of 1 : 2 500 000 (a combined version of the Pochvennaya karta RSFSR (Soil Map of the RSFSR) and the Pochvennaya karta Kryma (Soil Map of Crimea) and the Karty pochvenno-ekologicheskogo raionirovaniya v Rossiiskoi Federatsii (Map of Soil-Ecological Zoning of the Russian Federation) on a scale of 1 : 8 000 000. The area occupied by steppe soils in Russia is 1 564 000 km2 (9.4% of the total soil area of the country), of which 7.4% are soils of steppes (including forest–steppes and true steppes) and 2.0% are soils of dry steppes and semideserts. In protected areas, steppe soils occupy 11 500 km2 and are found in 23 nature reserves, 14 national parks, and 13 wildlife sanctuaries. The current areal representativeness of protected steppe areas is very low: less than 0.5% for the group "Soils of the steppes" and about 2% for the group "Soils of dry steppes and semideserts. "Of the 55 steppe soils, units of the legend of the "Soil Map of Russia," 58% are represented in federal protected areas, while reserves, which account for a fifth of the total area of steppe protected areas, provide 81% of the typological representativeness. Currently, many natural steppe soils in Russia, including the most fertile ones, are not represented in protected areas. The most significant compact array of such soils in terms of area is located in Ciscaucasia. The largest area here is occupied by southern and ordinary mycelial–carbonate chernozems (World reference base for soil resources (2014) – Calcic Сhernozems (Pachic)), their area is about 98 000 km2 (7.9% of the soil area of the Russian steppes). There is a real threat of losing the last virgin examples of highly fertile soils typical of Ciscaucasia: southern and ordinary chernozems, dark chestnut, chestnut, light chestnut soils (WRB – Calcic Сhernozems (Pachic), Haplic Kastanozems, Calcic/Gypsic Kastanozems, Luvic Calcisols). Preservation of these soils in the virgin state, at least as samples for comparison with anthropogenically modified analogues, requires an inventory of all areas of their distribution and assignment of a protective status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Nature reserves have played a crucial role in biodiversity conservation for decades. Rapid urban sprawl has increased the amount of solid waste created by littering and illegal dumping in metropolitan nature reserves. This paper examines how two nature reserves, Wolfgat Nature Reserve and Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserves, can combine community conservation with waste management. To determine aspects such as the socioeconomic impact of the nature reserves on the surrounding communities, questionnaires with a specific focus on the topic were distributed to the surrounding communities and subsequently administered. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews with key informants from the nature reserve staff and observational methods, and SPSS was used to analyze the data. Consistent with previous research, this study revealed that ignoring local populations frequently results in people disobeying the appropriate regulations in these protected areas and that education does not guarantee conservation support. Despite this, the survey revealed an absence of community participation; conservators were more reactive than proactive. In this study, the level of education, which in some studies is always associated with knowledge, was contradicted; those with post-secondary education knew little about these areas, and the vast majority of participants were unaware of the protected areas just a few kilometers away from their communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detecting and reacting to non-technical losses (NTL) is a fundamental activity that energy providers need to face in their daily routines. This is known to be challenging since the phenomenon of NTL is multi-factored, dynamic and extremely contextual, which makes artificial intelligence (AI) and, in particular, machine learning, natural areas to bring effective and tailored solutions. If the human factor is disregarded in the process of detecting NTL, there is a high risk of performance degradation since typical problems like dataset shift and biases cannot be easily identified by an algorithm. This paper presents a case study on incorporating explainable AI (XAI) in a mature NTL detection system that has been in production in the last years both in electricity and gas. The experience shows that incorporating this capability brings interesting improvements to the initial system and especially serves as a common ground where domain experts, data scientists, and business analysts can meet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The decline in bee diversity, largely driven by habitat loss, climate change and invasive species, is well‐documented. Within this context, the genus Megachile Latreille, 1802 (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), a diverse group of solitary leafcutter bees, lacks comprehensive species‐level conservation and taxonomic assessments, potentially concealing population declines and extinctions. Megachile pruina is one of Bermuda's three bee species and possibly the last native bee on the island. Formerly distributed widely across the island, it is now restricted to a small 11.5 ha area within the Castle Harbour Islands Nature Reserve. Classified as ‘Vulnerable’ under the Bermuda Protected Species Act, its taxonomic and conservation status remains uncertain, particularly its evolutionary relationships with populations in the United States. Here, we analyse nuclear genomes and mitochondrial genomes to reveal that Bermuda's M. pruina population is genetically distinct from mainland US populations and show no close association with any sampled US population, suggesting that Bermuda's represent a unique evolutionary lineage. Our genetic diversity assessment shows lower genetic diversity in Bermuda's population compared with the United States, highlighting a higher level of vulnerability than originally thought. We recommend maintaining its current protection status and advocate for the pressing need of expanding ecological and biological studies to facilitate appropriate conservation and monitoring measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mountain forests are sensitive ecosystems. This is why in recent years the dynamics of these forest ecotones have been researched from several different approaches. One of these has been the paleoecological perspective, which is particularly interesting in the mountainous areas of the Mediterranean region, where interactions between climate, vegetation and anthropic activities have been documented for millennia. This is the case of the Sierra de las Nieves Natural Park (southwestern Baetic Cordillera), a mountainous area that constitutes an important refuge for flora in southern Iberian Peninsula. At present, endemic trees such as Abies pinsapo and Quercus faginea subs. alpestris are found. However, its strategic geographical location may also have served in the past as a refuge for other tree taxa. In order to reconstruct the vegetation history in this protected natural area, this research aims to use pedoanthracological analysis in an unexplored area of this mountainous system. The results obtained have allowed to identify a new paleopopulation of Abies , a finding that provides new keys on the paleobiogeography of this species. This is the oldest evidence of this genus and at the highest altitude of those found to date in the southwestern Baetic Cordillera, which would confirm that this fir tree was present in high elevations of the Sierra de las Nieves during the Pleistocene-Holocene transition. Likewise, the first anthracological evidence of Pinus nigra/sylvestris type in the southwestern end of the Baetic Cordillera has been obtained. Forest fires could have been one of the main factors which would be determined the shaping and evolution of the vegetation landscape, as suggested by the fire events identified from the soil analysis. This information can be useful for the conservation and adaptive management of the most threatened forests and their habitats in the face of global change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trails are essential transportation infrastructure supporting access to protected natural areas and providing recreation to hikers, runners, cyclists, equestrians, motorists, and many more worldwide. The slope of trails and their surrounding terrain influences physical trail sustainability and difficulty of travel. This research examines methods for using high-resolution digital elevation models to measure terrain steepness near trails and along trails or potential trail routes by comparing geographic information system (GIS) derived measurements to field measurements from the Appalachian Trail. The analysis validates the use of digitally derived trail terrain metrics and provides guidance to improve their utility in future trail planning and assessment efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the course of land‐use change, especially since the mid‐20th century, the area of semi‐natural (unimproved) grasslands has dramatically decreased. One way to counteract this process is to designate nature reserves. However, the effectiveness of nature reserves is controversial. The aim of our study was to evaluate the environmental drivers of species richness and biomass of Orthoptera (hereinafter termed ‘grasshoppers’) in grasslands inside nature reserves and within the intensively used agriculture landscape (hereinafter termed ‘wider countryside’). For this purpose, we sampled the grasshoppers at the landscape scale in 45 randomly selected plots. Each plot had a size of 5 ha. The abundance of grasshoppers, as a basis for the biomass calculation, was recorded at the habitat scale in 20 meadow patches (500 m2 each). In addition, various environmental parameters such as habitat diversity, mowing intensity and vegetation structure were determined at the landscape and habitat scale. Our results illustrate the importance of nature reserves for the conservation of grasshoppers. Control plots in the wider countryside harboured fewer species than plots within nature reserves. The differences were even clearer among threatened species. On average, plots in nature reserves had almost twice as many threatened species than control plots in the wider countryside. The comparison revealed similar patterns at the habitat scale: both the number of species and biomass were higher in nature reserves. At the landscape scale, number of species were best explained by the amount of wet grassland and habitat diversity. We identified mowing intensity and to a lower extend the degree of drainage as the key drivers of species richness and biomass at the habitat scale. Synthesis and applications: To preserve biodiversity in nature reserves, we recommend (i) leaving uncut refuges during mowing and (ii) blocking drainage to stabilise the water level. Both measures contribute to a high species number and abundance of grasshoppers and many other insects. An effective conservation measure to promote species richness in the wider countryside would be to increase habitat diversity. This can be done by creating or restoring fallow islands, field margins, fringes and hedgerows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Applying science to conservation requires deliberate planning and action infrequently taught in academic settings. To illustrate impactful analysis and science communication, we describe scientific activities targeting the needs of land trusts, NGOs, landowners, and government agencies working to conserve the Florida Wildlife Corridor (“Corridor”). This 7.2 million hectare area is prioritized for habitat connectivity conservation in the US state of Florida. Our activities are built on decades of science guiding Florida land conservation. We quantified threats (e.g., average of over 14,000 ha of development/year from 2001 to 2019) and socio‐ecological benefits of Corridor conservation, prioritized yet‐to‐be‐conserved Corridor areas, produced and shared a new statewide connectivity model, and convened groups to identify campaign science needs. The new connectivity model—the Florida Circuit Model—supported the geography of the Corridor, as designated, and facilitates local (10 km radius, or less) conservation planning. Our efforts have contributed to allocation of over $2 billion for land conservation and the permanent protection of over 82,000 ha within the Corridor by state agencies from June 2021 to March 2024. Targeting science to outreach and policy, planning, and management decisions can motivate public, media, researcher, and government support for land conservation, improve conservation interventions, and attract research funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Invasive species can cause ecological and economic damage in various areas, including nature reserves. The invasion risks of aquatic invasive vertebrates in nature reserves, however, remain unclear since this group often hides under the water and is frequently neglected in ecological surveys based on traditional methods. Methods: Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides a promising alternative way to conduct biodiversity surveys in aquatic ecosystems. Here, we collected aquatic eDNA samples from eight nature reserves in Guangdong Province, China to mainly investigate the diversity of aquatic invasive vertebrates and inform their invasion risks in these nature reserves. Results and discussion: We detected a total of 104 aquatic vertebrate species belonging to three classes (Actinopteri, Amphibia and Reptilia), 12 orders, 32 families, and 71 genera, among which nine were invasive species (8.65% of all aquatic vertebrates detected), i.e., Coptodon zillii, Sarotherodon galilaeus, Oreochromis niloticus, Oreochromis tanganicae, Gambusia affinis, Clarias gariepinus, Chelydra serpentina, Trachemys scripta elegans, and Rana catesbeiana. Surprisingly, 55.56% of these aquatic invasive vertebrates (i.e., five species) were found in at least 75.00% samples, and both C. zillii and S. galilaeus were detected in all samples (100%), suggesting that most invasive species were widely distributed in these nature reserves. In addition, all aquatic invasive vertebrate species ranked very high (top 66 of aquatic vertebrates detected) regarding their relative abundance of sequences, and three of the top 10 species with the highest number of sequences were invasive species (i.e., C. zillii, S. galilaeus, and O. niloticus), suggesting high population size of these invasive vertebrates. Moreover, we also detected 16 endangered/threatened species (15.38% of all vertebrates detected), which demonstrated notable overlaps of geographic distribution with invasive species. The reality of high abundance, wide geographical distribution and overlaps with the endangered/threatened species indicated considerable risks of aquatic invasive vertebrates in nature reserves in Guangdong Province, which calls for urgent needs for effective management. Our study would provide fundamental insights for the formulation of effective management measures to reduce losses caused by invasive species and promote the protection of endangered/threatened species in nature reserves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected areas are typically considered a cornerstone of conservation programs and play a fundamental role in protecting natural areas and biodiversity. Human‐driven land‐use and land‐cover (LULC) changes lead to habitat loss and biodiversity loss inside protected areas, impairing their effectiveness. However, the global dynamics of habitat quality and habitat degradation in protected areas remain unclear. We used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade‐offs (InVEST) model based on global annual remotely sensed data to examine the spatial and temporal trends in habitat quality and degradation in global terrestrial protected areas. Habitat quality represented the ability of habitats to provide suitable conditions for the persistence of individuals and populations, and habitat degradation represented the impacts on habitats from human‐driven LULC changes in the surrounding landscape. Based on a linear mixed‐effects modeling method, we also explored the relationship between habitat degradation trends and protected area characteristics, biophysical factors, and socioeconomic factors. Habitat quality declined by 0.005 (0.6%) and habitat degradation increased by 0.002 (11%) from 1992 to 2020 globally, and similar trends occurred even in remote or restrictively managed protected areas. Habitat degradation was attributed primarily to nonirrigated cropland (62%) and urbanization (27%) in 2020. Increases in elevation, gross domestic production per capita, and human population density and decreases in agricultural suitability were associated with accelerated habitat degradation. Our results suggest that human‐induced LULC changes have expanded from already‐exploited areas into relatively undisturbed areas, and that in wealthy countries in particular, degradation is related to rapid urbanization and increasing demand for agricultural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amidst the plethora of statues and monuments constructed as part of the post-apartheid monumental project in Pretoria, photographs of anti-colonial and anti-apartheid heroes and heroines are often used to remember and celebrate the contributions they made to the attainment of the new dispensation. Photographs (presented through statues and monuments) are crucial instruments used in conveying messages about these heroes and heroines, and at the same time denouncing issues of injustice and segregation that were the hallmarks of the colonial and apartheid regimes in Pretoria and South Africa. However, while a vast amount of literature has been published on anti-colonial and anti-apartheid monumentalisation in South Africa, not much attention has been given to iconography of the statues as an aspect that could inform research and understanding of how post-apartheid monumentalisation is not a break with the past, but, rather, a continuation of the pre-1994 practices. Drawing from eight photographs taken from the ‘Long March to Freedom’ statues park at the former Groenkloof Nature Reserve in Pretoria, this visual essay highlights the role played by some of these heroes and heroines at their time. The photographs were taken during two months of research conducted at the park from July to August 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aedes albopictus is catalogued as one of the 100 most dangerous species worldwide. Native to Asia, the species has drastically increased its distribution range, reaching all continents except Antarctica. The presence of Ae. albopictus in Spain was first reported in 2004 in Cataluña (NE Spain), and it is spreading in the country. Methods: We conducted an extensive mosquito monitoring study in the natural protected area of the Doñana National Park (SW Spain) in 2023. After identifying the presence of Ae. albopictus, a mosquito control strategy was developed and implemented to eradicate the species in the area. Results: Overall, 12,652 mosquito females of 14 different species were captured at nine sites within the park. For the first time, the presence of Ae. albopictus was recorded in the area, despite intensive trapping performed at some localities since 2003. The presence of this invasive species in the park is most likely linked to human activities, potentially facilitated by daily car trips of personnel. Although larvae of Culex, Anopheles, and Culiseta mosquitoes were identified in these containers, the presence of Ae. albopictus larvae was not recorded in those locations. In spite of that, the biological larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) was applied to artificial containers potentially used by Ae. albopictus as breeding sites. Conclusions: This work evidences the high capacity of Ae. albopictus to reach highly conserved natural areas far from urban foci. We discuss the implications of the presence of Ae. albopictus in this endangered ecosystem and the potential control measures necessary to prevent its reintroduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Real-estate prices have soared since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic amid historically low mortgage rates and limited supply. The external shock observed in the real-estate market through relief measures may trigger changes in optimal conservation portfolios. The objective of this research is to identify the impacts of the real-estate market shock triggered by the pandemic through low-interest rates and limited real-estate supply on risk-diversification strategies for land conservation investment and to understand the implications of these impacts. We use a case study involving biodiversity conservation in the central and southern Appalachian region of the US by comparing modern portfolio theory (MPT) outputs using future conservation cost predictions with and without the shock. We find that the financial burden to fund the same level of risk-diversifying conservation benefits increases due to the shock and increases at an increasing rate as the return on investment (ROI) objective rises. This finding is alarming since higher conservation costs triggered by the shock decrease the cost-effectiveness of risk diversification, and this effect exacerbates with the goal of achieving higher ROI. Spatial diversification strategies with and without the shock offer risk-diversification information to help conservation organizations determine effective investment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analysed the wild bee community sampled from 1921 to 2018 at a nature preserve in southern Michigan, USA, to study long-term community shifts in a protected area. During an intensive survey in 1972 and 1973, Francis C. Evans detected 135 bee species. In the most recent intensive surveys conducted in 2017 and 2018, we recorded 90 species. Only 58 species were recorded in both sampling periods, indicating a significant shift in the bee community. We found that the bee community diversity, species richness and evenness were all lower in recent samples. Additionally, 64% of the more common species exhibited a more than 30% decline in relative abundance. Neural network analysis of species traits revealed that extirpation from the reserve was most likely for oligolectic ground-nesting bees and kleptoparasitic bees, whereas polylectic cavity-nesting bees were more likely to persist. Having longer phenological ranges also increased the chance of persistence in polylectic species. Further analysis suggests a climate response as bees in the contemporary sampling period had a more southerly overall distribution compared to the historic community. Results exhibit the utility of both long-term data and machine learning in disentangling complex indicators of bee population trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The illegal hunting (poaching) of wildlife has persisted for decades and adversely effected wildlife populations in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia. It has not been clearly understood why illegal hunting has continued notwithstanding efforts to control it. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand why illegal hunting has persisted despite increased mitigation efforts. The study revealed that illegal hunting has continued because its main root causes are the critical need for survival and sustaining the livelihoods of local hunters, which were not adequately addressed. Furthermore, law enforcement, which was the main intervention measure, failed to adequately deter local hunters from poaching wildlife because it could not address the main root causes of illegal hunting. The study concluded that the illegal harvesting of resources in protected areas may persist when the local people's key motivations for illegal harvesting relate to their critical need to survive and maintain their livelihoods and the main mitigation efforts do not address these critical needs. These study findings are valuable in providing an understanding of how the critical need for survival and maintaining livelihoods and other factors influence the persistence of illegal hunting and in guiding the development of a strategy for the effective control of poaching in the Luangwa Valley. Decades of illegal hunting (poaching) have adversely affected wildlife populations and thereby limited sustainable wildlife conservation in the Luangwa Valley, Zambia. Despite intervention efforts to address the problem, the illegal hunting of wildlife has persisted. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the persistence of illegal hunting by investigating the drivers of poaching and intervention measures using a mixed methods approach. Stratified random sampling was used to collect data from 346 respondents through structured questionnaires. Purposive sampling was used to collect data through nine focus group discussions and three in-depth interviews with experts. The study revealed that persistent illegal hunting was mainly driven by people's critical need for survival and sustaining their livelihoods and not by inadequate law enforcement as presumed by resource managers. Although law enforcement was the most prevalent intervention measure, it did not deter local illegal hunters because their main motivations for poaching were not effectively addressed. The key implication of these findings is that where the illegal harvesting of natural resources in protected areas by local resource users is driven by people's critical need for survival and a livelihood, which is ineffectively addressed, illegal harvesting may persist even with increased law enforcement. This study provides empirical evidence, novel conceptual knowledge and an understanding of how prevalent drivers of poaching and other factors may have influenced persistent illegal hunting in the Luangwa Valley. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this paper, a new Murina species is described from Yunnan, China, based on morphological and molecular evidence. Genetically, the new species is most closely related to M. chrysochaetes. Morphologically, the new species can be distinguished from M. chrysochaetes and all other congeners by a combination of morphological characteristics. The discovery of the new species brings the total number of recognized species of the genus Murina to 42, of which 22 occur in China. During an examination of various specimens previously collected from different locations and times, we discovered seven Murina specimens that had been collected in May 2023 from the Guanyinshan Provincial Nature Reserve, Yuanyang, Yunnan, China. Based on the assessment of morphological characteristics and molecular data analysis, these specimens were determined to represent a previously unidentified species, designated Murina yuanyang sp. nov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]