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- Grassland arthropod assemblages differ between a variety of neighbouring
biotopes and small features in a timber production landscape
Abstract: Landscapes have features that promote natural heterogeneity. Large and small landscape elements create diverse ecological niches and provide refuge for species during periods of ecological stress. Environmenta...
PubDate: 2025-06-14
- Validating application of the Species Threat Abatement and Restoration
(STAR) metric in meeting national biodiversity conservation targets
Abstract: The Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR) metric was developed to quantify the contributions that abating threats (STAR-T) and restoring habitats (STAR-R) offer towards reducing global species extinc...
PubDate: 2025-06-13
- Unravelling direct and indirect effects of river-floodplain connectivity
on biodiversity: insights from the Elbe River floodplains
Abstract: River-floodplain connectivity is a critical ecological process influencing biodiversity and ecosystem functions. However, the impact of changes in this connectivity, particularly its loss, on biodiversity in f...
PubDate: 2025-06-11
- Assessing ungulate response to conservation-oriented village relocations
and their associated management practices in a tiger reserve in central
India
Abstract: Conservation-oriented village relocations are used as tools for wildlife conservation in developing nations like India, despite the potential sociocultural and economic costs associated with displacement. In t...
PubDate: 2025-06-10
- The alien flora on the island of Menorca, a biosphere reserve
Abstract: Biological invasions are a major threat worldwide, and their impacts are especially harmful on islands. The establishment and expansion of alien plant species is strongly dependent on the characteristics of th...
PubDate: 2025-06-09
- Changes in management shape the spatial ecology of wild ponies in relation
to habitat conservation
Abstract: Large herbivores are key regulators of open habitats across the world. Free roaming ponies have a prominent ecological role in many Atlantic landscapes, where different habitats with conservation interest are linked to ponies’ occurrence. The traditional management of wild ponies, which implies minimum human intervention, is declining in Galicia, NW Spain. Changes in the management regimes include the confinement of ponies in fenced areas, the use of improved pastures (IPs) and rotation between fields. Indirect effects of these changes are expected on the ecological condition of important habitats for conservation such as dry and wet heathlands and bogs. We studied social structure, spatial ecology and habitat use in 29 mares fitted with global positioning system (GPS) collars and field observations in two areas of Galicia dominated by wet heaths and blanket bogs (Xistral), and dry heaths (Sabucedo). We used spatial location and field observations to identify each band, and calculated band size, sex ratio, home range (HR) and core area size and overlap, as well as habitat use. We accounted for differences by adjusting Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) for these variables as functions of management type: free roaming vs. rotation, use of IPs, fencing, and available ranging area. Larger bands were found in smaller commons, with fencing and rotation management. Home ranges, but not core area, varied as a function of the available ranging area. Band overlap was higher in fenced areas with rotation management. Increasing management may concentrate grazing pressure by reducing HRs and increasing spatial overlap between bands, which may have a long-term effect on habitat quality and conservation.
PubDate: 2025-06-04
- Low cross-taxon congruence and weak stand-age effects on biodiversity in
Swedish oak forests
Abstract: Assessing cross-taxon congruence is vital for effective forest conservation, because different taxonomic groups may respond inconsistently to key habitat variables such as stand age. We examined six taxonomic groups—insects, arachnids, springtails, epiphytic lichens, bryophytes, and vascular plants—across 25 Swedish oak stands ranging from 19 to 165 years old to determine whether species richness correlated among groups (cross-taxon congruence) and how it related to stand age. In total, we identified 22,276 unique taxa (with on average 4,128 per stand) using COI metabarcoding for arthropods and field surveys for lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants. Associations of species richness in each taxonomic group with richness in the others were weak, indicating low cross-taxon congruence. Only lichens showed a significant, positive relationship of species richness with stand age, while springtails exhibited a unimodal pattern, and the other four groups were unaffected by stand age. Although species composition in four groups changed with stand age, the explanatory power was generally low. Overall, the heterogeneous responses of different groups indicated by our findings caution against the use of single taxonomic groups or environmental variables as indicators and keys to successful protection of biodiversity. Instead, forest management strategies should adopt multi-taxon assessments and recognize the value of both younger and older stands to safeguard biodiversity in oak-dominated landscapes.
PubDate: 2025-06-02
- The review of shark conservation legislation in China: deficiencies and
potential avenues for improvement
Abstract: Shark, as ancient apex predators, is facing severe challenges due to widespread overfishing and by-catch. Presently the decline of shark populations has been attributed to the shark fishing and shark fin trade in China. However, this country has taken a range of legislative tools to promote shark conservation, which include fulfilling the obligations outlined in international instruments, complying with the mandates of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMOs), and enacting and revising national laws, regulations and policies. Utilizing these legislative tools, China has effectively mitigated shark by-catch in pelagic fisheries and lower shark fin trade. Nevertheless, the legislative tools have exhibited several deficiencies, including the inability to ratify crucial international agreements, a limited capacity to meet the requirements of RFMOs, inadequate national legislations, and ineffective law enforcement mechanisms. In the future, China should explore potential avenues to improve shark conservation efforts, including ratifying relevant international agreements, strengthening the compliance capabilities of RFMOs, enhancing national legislations, and reinforcing law enforcement mechanisms.
PubDate: 2025-05-20
- Status and biology of hawksbill turtles at Poilão Island, Guinea-Bissau:
a key stronghold for the species in West Africa
Abstract: This study provides the first detailed assessment of the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) nesting population from Poilão island, in the Bijagós archipelago of Guinea-Bissau, the only documented regular nesting site for this species in West Africa. Over 17 years, from 2007 to 2024, 29 females were tagged, with one to six individuals nesting annually, some for more than 10 years. Nesting occurs from July to November, coinciding with the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) nesting season. Female hawksbills at Poilão are among the largest within the East Atlantic Regional Management Unit (EARMU), with average carapace length of 89.3 ± 4.3 cm. Satellite tracking revealed females remained year-round within the Bijagós archipelago, with small home ranges both during the inter-nesting (∼ 26.13 km2) and foraging periods (∼ 38.41 km²). Genetic sequencing identified two haplotypes - EiBr5 and EiBr7 - linking this population to others from within the EARMU and across the Atlantic, highlighting this rookery’s broader regional significance. Poilão is the single known rookery of origin of the orphan haplotype EiBR5 (also known as EiA49). Despite its importance, the minute size of this population and the lack of evidence for recent recruitment pose challenges to its potential for recovery and effective conservation. This study underscores the need for archipelago-wide sustained conservation measures to ensure the future of the hawksbills from Poilão, and West Africa.
PubDate: 2025-05-09
- Biodiversity monitoring for biocredits: a case study comparing acoustic,
eDNA, and traditional methods
Abstract: New environmental policy reforms and a growing demand for nature repair products such as biodiversity credits (biocredits) have increased the need for low-cost, scalable and reliable biodiversity monitoring techniques. We compare the financial costs, time commitments, and data outputs of various biodiversity survey methods using a case study in a temperate agricultural landscape in southeast Australia. We conducted in-person aural and visual surveys, camera trapping, eDNA sampling, and automated species detection from passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). All techniques exhibited relative strengths and weaknesses. PAM was limited to vocalising taxa with developed detection models (i.e., birds and amphibians), yet they recorded ~ 70 times more detections than other techniques, detecting over ten more species per site on average than any other method. It also had the lowest cost per species over five or more repeat campaigns. In-person surveys produced intermediate detection levels across most taxa, but they were the most time-consuming method. eDNA sampling was the quickest method and was the only one to account for invertebrate species, yet the costs grew rapidly with multiple campaigns. We provide a decision-support tool to help conservation managers select the most suitable techniques for biodiversity monitoring. Our data shows that modern methods such as eDNA and PAM can provide cost- and time-effective solutions to monitor most taxa. To support a growing market and promote high-quality biocredit schemes, future efforts must prioritize reducing monitoring costs and improving the detection efficiency of technological solutions across a broader range of taxa.
PubDate: 2025-05-09
- Three decades of coastal vegetation dynamics in the Castelporziano
Presidential Estate: analysing biodiversity shifts in an exceptionally
intact coastal dune system
Abstract: Mediterranean coastal dunes are among the most threatened ecosystems in Europe. Analysing temporal trends in a site with exceptionally well-preserved zonation and minimal anthropogenic disturbance offers a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of vegetation dynamics under low-impact conditions in these vulnerable ecosystems. This study examines the temporal dynamics of coastal dune ecosystems within the Castelporziano Presidential Estate, which hosts intact Mediterranean dune systems with complete vegetation zonation. Revisiting 80 historical plots initially surveyed 30 years ago, we analysed changes in plant species occurrence and abundance over time using ordination and similarity percentage analysis. Additionally, we assessed shifts in typical, ruderal, and alien species, ecological indicator values, and an index based on rhizomatous geophyte grasses to evaluate the system’s erosion control capacity. Our results revealed no significant decline in species richness in foredunes and dune grasslands, contrasting with trends observed in other coastal dunes in Central Italy. Instead, we recorded an increase in typical species abundance in foredunes, likely resulting from limited human disturbance over the past 30 years. These changes are probably related to ongoing successional dynamics. Coastal shrublands underwent more pronounced changes, transitioning toward woodlands and experiencing an increase in typical species. These transformations suggest positive successional shifts. Our findings indicate that the coastal dune ecosystem is well-preserved, largely due to restricted human disturbance and effective management. This study underscores the value of resurveying methodologies for monitoring vegetation dynamics, offering critical insights to support conservation efforts for these unique Mediterranean habitats.
PubDate: 2025-05-07
- Regional conservation genomics: insights and opportunities from northern
Australia
Abstract: Biodiversity conservation in northern Australia is characterised by high endemism, data deficiency, and high Indigenous land tenure and population. The Northern Australia Conservation Genomics Forum brought together experts to explore current genetic research with particular emphasis on integration of genomics within conservation practices. We discuss the regional biodiversity of northern Australia, highlighting the unique biogeographic patterns, known and unknown species diversity, and ongoing threats such as habitat degradation, altered fire regimes, invasive species, and climate change. This article synthesises key themes from the forum, including the current application of genomics in conservation, gaps and areas of need and opportunity to advance species conservation in this sparsely populated, yet iconic region of Australia. We highlight the need to expand collaborative research partnerships across land tenures with Indigenous organisations, pastoralists, government and non-government organisations, which is crucial for the effective study and conservation of the region’s biodiversity. The paper identifies the challenges and opportunities in applying genomic data to conservation strategies and applied management, including species translocations and habitat management, while acknowledging the limitations and gaps in current research and collections. The insights from this forum emphasise the advantages in using genomics to inform conservation decisions, and the need for continued research and collaboration to protect northern Australia’s unique biodiversity.
PubDate: 2025-04-27
- Correction: Identifying remnant biodiversity hotspots in Southern Asia
reveals disequilibrium in mammalian communities
- Flow cytometry in conservation: detecting hybridization risks in
threatened plant species
Abstract: The application of flow cytometry (FCM) in plant sciences has significantly advanced the study of karyological and cytogenetic aspects across diverse plant groups. This method also holds substantial potential for detecting critical evolutionary processes such as hybridization and introgression, which can threaten the genomic integrity of affected species and, in extreme cases, lead to extinction in rare and small populations. However, the use of FCM for hybrid detection and its implications for conservation efforts have largely been overlooked. This study aims to demonstrate the practical application of this method, summarize its advantages and limitations, and propose solutions for conservation biologists. We examined several pairs of related plant species, at least one of which was endangered and showed morphological indications of hybridization, mostly supported by previous investigations. In all studied pairs, we identified cytotypes with genome sizes intermediate between those of the potential parental taxa. Hybridization was evidenced in all heteroploid model systems except for Aconitum, where polyploids may arise from the fusion of reduced and unreduced gametes of the same taxon. Similar results confirming hybridization were found in pairs of homoploid taxa, where however, transitional cytotypes exhibited variability, creating a continuum within the spectrum of parental genome sizes. By discussing these results in conjunction with the methodological shortcomings and offering best practice recommendations, we demonstrate that FCM can effectively provide initial insights into the presence of potential hybrids in endangered plant taxa, thus establishing it as a valuable tool for nature conservation efforts.
PubDate: 2025-04-24
- The effects of agroforestry and conventional banana plantations on
multiple dimensions of butterfly diversity in the Atlantic Forest
Abstract: Environmental changes, particularly in agriculture, contribute significantly to biodiversity loss, with habitat fragmentation hindering dispersal and reducing biological diversity. Specific land uses can confi...
PubDate: 2025-04-21
- Rapid assessment of cold-water coral habitats in public management maps: a
rapid assessment of a fjord with no records of corals
Abstract: Marine ecosystems serve as the ultimate repositories for contaminants, with water pollution stemming from human activities such as urbanization, industrialization, and agriculture. In Norway’s coastal regions,...
PubDate: 2025-04-14
- Towards an optimised strategy for reintroducing sea sturgeons (Acipenser
sturio and A. oxyrinchus) to Europe
Abstract: The aim of this paper is to identify an optimised strategy for the reintroduction of two anadromous sturgeon species to Europe: the critically endangered European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) and the vulnerable At...
PubDate: 2025-04-10
- The applicability of regional red list assessments for soil invertebrates:
first assessment of five native earthworm species in Canada
Abstract: Earthworms (Annelida: Clitellata: Crassiclitellata) are prominent members of the soil community, important to many ecosystem functions. Despite this, and like many other soil invertebrates, they are rarely con...
PubDate: 2025-04-07
- Role of rare species in benthic diatom communities: patterns, processes
and networks
Abstract: Biodiversity loss in freshwater is five times higher compared to terrestrial ecosystems and especially threatens rare species. However, even basic knowledge about rarity is missing in aquatic algal ecology, wh...
PubDate: 2025-04-03
- Biodiversity data sharing platforms are vital for the management and
prevention of biological invasions
Abstract: Ethical and effective data sharing is essential for best-practice, evidence-based invasive species management. While the tools and willingness to use data sharing platforms are increasing within the environmen...
PubDate: 2025-03-28
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