Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Etienne Lalechere, Laurent Berges
Summary: Using an innovative modeling framework that combines species distribution and connectivity models with climate and land use changes, this study predicted the effects of climate changes on the amount of reachable habitat for forest birds and analyzed the roles of direct and indirect effects.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Guillaume Decocq, Annie Guiller, Thomas Kichey, Katrien Van de Pitte, Emilie Gallet-Moron, Olivier Honnay, Deborah Closset-Kopp
Summary: The study found that when landscape permeability is above a certain threshold, SD and GD are influenced by the same processes, resulting in a positive SD-GD correlation in fragmented forests. This permeability threshold is species-specific, depending on species' dispersal traits and niche width. The SD-GD correlation also depends on current and past landscape permeability, with a lack of correlation being the rule in weakly permeable landscape matrices, especially when fragments are small.
Article
Environmental Studies
Oana-Catalina Popescu, Antonio-Valentin Tache, Alexandru-Ionut Petrisor
Summary: Recent studies have shown that habitat fragmentation caused by road infrastructure development, urbanization, and land-use changes has negative environmental effects and leads to biodiversity loss. This study focuses on developing a methodology to identify ecological corridors for brown bears in the Romanian Carpathian Mountains, emphasizing the cautious implementation of ecological corridors in planning practice and the importance of field data in research.
Article
Environmental Sciences
David Salvatierra, Angela Rodriguez-Ruiz, Andrea Cordero, Julio Lopez-Doval, Francisco Baldo, Julian Blasco, Cristiano V. M. Araujo
Summary: The study suggests that contamination can significantly alter the habitat selection behavior of estuarine shrimp, particularly in the presence of predators and food availability, leading to shifts in preferences even in contaminated environments. This altered behavior may result in increased exposure to contamination due to the presence of predation risk.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Jiaqin Zeng, Kai Su, Chuang Li, Jie Lu, Xuebing Jiang, Yongfa You
Summary: In recent years, rapid global changes have led to the loss of habitats and fragmentation of landscapes, resulting in a significant decline in global biodiversity. This study focuses on the southeastern region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, and develops a comprehensive Multi-Species Ecological Network (MEN) consisting of ten species. Through complex network analysis, the study reveals spatial variations in the MEN and emphasizes the need for effective ecological preservation plans.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Peng Ren, Xingfeng Si, Ping Ding
Summary: In fragmented habitats, stable species and interactions deviate from the core position of mutualistic networks, leading to a decrease in network nestedness. Therefore, protecting plants that occupy the core position in the network is crucial for maintaining network persistence in fragmented habitats.
Article
Biology
Chen Zhu, Wande Li, Ahimsa Campos-Arceiz, Bo Dalsgaard, Peng Ren, Duorun Wang, Xue Zhang, Minghao Sun, Qi Si, Yi Kang, Ping Ding, Xingfeng Si
Summary: Building ecological networks is vital but labor-intensive. Indirect ecological information has been used to construct interaction networks. This study extends the use of regional ecological knowledge (REK) to build local networks and assesses their reliability across islands. Results show that REK-based networks have biases in network properties but still capture similar trends in network structure as locally observed networks. Therefore, REK-based networks should be used cautiously for reflecting actual interaction patterns but have potential for comparative studies across environmental gradients.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Liyu Pan, Wenquan Gan, Jinliu Chen, Kunlun Ren
Summary: Due to the rapid urbanization in China, the urban ecological system has become fragmented and poses a threat to stability. Constructing ecological networks is seen as a crucial strategy to restore ecosystems. This research developed a GIS-based model to guide urban ecological network construction and identify priority areas for protection. The model was tested in Wujiang District, Suzhou, and identified key ecological patches, corridors, nodes, and barriers. Based on these findings, the study proposed recommendations for restoration and protection strategies in accordance with existing territorial and spatial planning.
Article
Ecology
Francesco Lami, Ignasi Bartomeus, Davide Nardi, Tatiane Beduschi, Francesco Boscutti, Paolo Pantini, Giacomo Santoiemma, Christoph Scherber, Teja Tscharntke, Lorenzo Marini
Summary: Measuring habitat specialisation is crucial for predicting species extinctions and understanding ecosystem functioning. Our study revealed intraspecific variation in habitat specialisation among arthropod species, with some groups showing reduced ability to adapt to landscape changes, while others were better equipped to persist in highly impacted landscapes by being able to utilize a broad set of resources.
Article
Plant Sciences
Junchu Peng, Xiangguang Ma, Hang Sun
Summary: This study focuses on two genera of plant species in the Sino-Himalayan region and explores how environmental changes have accelerated lineage diversification through ancient allopatry and ecological divergence. The research findings reveal the patterns of speciation and divergence processes, as well as the influence of geographical and climatic factors on genetic distance and population structure.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhi Wang, Zhaoping Yang, Hui Shi, Lei Han
Summary: The study found that in the World Natural Heritage Site of Bogda, Xinjiang, overall landscape connectivity is low for species with short and medium-distance dispersal abilities, but high for species with long-distance dispersal abilities. Certain patches were identified as more important in maintaining overall connectivity, with some providing habitat area and fluxes for species, while others acting as stepping stones for dispersal.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Peng Ren, Raphael K. Didham, Mark V. Murphy, Di Zeng, Xingfeng Si, Ping Ding
Summary: Edge effects can intensify the negative impact of habitat loss on biodiversity. However, in forested ecosystems, pollinators tend to prefer the open and sunny conditions created by edge disturbances. This study shows that forest edges can have a positive buffering effect on plant-pollinator interaction networks even with declining forest area. The edge networks have higher pollinator abundance and richness, specialized species, and higher robustness to extinction compared to interior networks.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Peng Cheng, Yiyu Qin, Siyang Zhu, Xuesong Kong
Summary: This paper accurately and quantitatively evaluates the ecological disturbance caused by rural settlements encroaching on ecological land (RSEEL) in China's rapid urbanization areas. The results show that RSEEL mainly consists of small independent patches and the jump expansion type has the highest ecological disturbance.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shengnan Yang, Xiaoyi Wang, Junhua Hu
Summary: Amphibians are at risk of habitat loss and fragmentation due to climate change, impacting their ability to adapt. The study predicts significant habitat and connectivity losses for mountain frogs in central and southern China, with increased fragmentation and optimistic projections along the Sichuan Basin. Conservation strategies should focus on preserving climate-change refugia and habitat connectivity to ensure species persistence.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Rikke Reisner Hansen, Christian Frolund Danigaard, Christian Kjaer, Mads Blikdorff Rasksen, Philip Francis Thomsen, Morten Tune Strandberg
Summary: Operational methods for reliably quantifying habitat association of arthropod species are highly warranted in species conservation. A new method integrating Relative Annulus Area (RAA) as a way of operationalizing habitat assessments was proposed and tested. Six important heathland structures significantly associated with the distribution of ground beetle species assemblages were identified. Distance based measures of important ecological resources for arthropods may be used as an addition to current national monitoring programs.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Corrado Battisti, Andrea Di Giulio, Giuliano Fanelli, Fulvio Cerfolli
Summary: The study found that the plant assemblages around ant hills are significantly affected by ant presence, leading to lower plant species diversity and different dominant species composition compared to control grassland. Ant hill plant assemblages were found to be less diverse, with slower species turnover than control grassland plots.
ETHOLOGY ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pietro Giovacchini, Corrado Battisti, Letizia Marsili
Summary: This study applied two commonly used approaches in biological conservation (Threat Analysis and Threat Reduction Assessments) to evaluate the effectiveness of a project focused on water bird species. The findings identified the main threats and demonstrated a decrease in threat magnitude after project implementation. The study highlights the need for continuous efforts to improve the effectiveness of conservation actions.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luca Gallitelli, Corrado Battisti, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: Coastal vegetation serves as a barrier against macroplastics, acting as a reservoir for human litter and organic wrack. Our study examined the abundance of macroplastics in different zones along the coast and found that halopsammophilous plants in the foredunes played a crucial role in intercepting litter before it reached the backdunes. These findings have important implications for beach clean-ups, suggesting that efforts should be focused on the foredunes and backdunes, while also cautioning against potential damage to the vegetation during clean-up operations.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Corrado Battisti, Luca Gallitelli, Sharon Vanadia, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: Fishing lines, hooks and nets are a type of macro-litter that can entrap plover birds nesting on sandy beaches. A study analyzed the accumulation of general beach litter and fishing lines, hooks and nets on four central Italy beaches during the winter period. Despite regular clean-ups, the density of litter did not decrease due to continuous accumulation from winter storms. Entrapping litter accounted for a low percentage (<2.5%) of the general litter and was directly correlated to its density. The study suggests that an increase in general macro-litter can indicate a higher risk for entanglement-sensitive bird species, and recommends implementing frequent clean-up activities.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Corrado Battisti
Summary: Landscape-based Ecological Networks are a conservation tool to address habitat fragmentation, but their application in Africa requires critical thinking. Planners using this approach must consider: core-buffer-corridors designs are species-specific; connective areas may be biased due to a framing effect; too much focus on conservation areas neglects anthropogenic threats in human-transformed sites; ecological and social processes are dynamic, requiring a flexible approach; involving experts from other disciplines is necessary; historical overlapping threats determine spatial patterns of habitat fragmentation; planning solutions cannot be exclusively top-down and local populations play a vital role.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Gianluca Rassati, Corrado Battisti
Summary: A before-after comparison was conducted to detect the impact of industrialization on bird communities in Carnia, North-eastern Italy. The results showed a significant decrease in species number, pair densities, and Shannon diversity index, as well as an increase in dominance concentration index. Although only Lanius collurio showed a significant reduction at the species level, the change in slope of the stress curves indicated a disruption in general pattern of frequencies. The stress curves proved to be a useful tool for detecting the effects of land use change due to industrialization on bird communities.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Silvia De Michelis, Claudio De Liberato, Cristina Amoruso, Corrado Battisti, Monica Carosi
Summary: In this report, we analyzed nutria fecal samples in a small coastal wetland in Central Italy to study eukaryote endoparasites. We found five taxa, with a dominant occurrence of nematodes of the genus Strongyloides. Additionally, we reported the presence of a bronchopulmonary strongyle nematode and protozoans of the genus Cryptosporidium, which were previously unrecorded in nutria in Italy.
Article
Environmental Studies
Luca Gallitelli, Corrado Battisti, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: This study used social media platforms to search for plastic occurrence in bird nests, finding that plastic debris is most commonly found in synanthropic species inhabiting riverine habitats in Europe, North America, and Asia. However, the data may be biased, and more data is needed for a comprehensive understanding of plastic distribution.
Article
Environmental Studies
Corrado Battisti, Marisa Perchinelli, Sharon Vanadia, Pietro Giovacchini, Letizia Marsili
Summary: Human activities pose anthropogenic threats to ecosystems. Environmental managers develop projects to mitigate these threats and assess their effectiveness. The authors used threat analysis and threat reduction assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation actions on two threatened beach-nesting landbird species. After implementing specific measures, the project demonstrated a medium-high level of effectiveness in reducing the total threat magnitude.
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
C. Battisti, S. Gippoliti
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Corrado Battisti, Giuliano Fanelli, Luca Gallitelli, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: The study measured the ability of a prostrate plant (Salsola kali) formation to retain anthropogenic marine litter on a beach in Sardinia. The results showed that the plant traps litter items significantly longer and in a larger size range than control plots. This trapping effect can interfere with dune deposition and affect food chains by reducing organic material availability for soil fauna.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vincenzo Ferri, Paolo Crescia, Corrado Battisti
Summary: We investigated the impact of discarded bottles on small mammals in a road network in North-Western Sardinia, Italy. Out of 162 bottles, 49 (>30%) contained animal specimens and 26 (16%) trapped 151 small mammals, with insectivorous shrews being the most commonly recorded. Larger bottles showed a higher number of trapped mammals, but the difference compared to smaller bottles was not significant. Abandoned bottles pose a threat to small mammals on this Mediterranean island, attracting endemic shrews and reducing the number and biomass of insectivorous mammals.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luca Gallitelli, Martina D'Agostino, Corrado Battisti, Andres Cozar, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: This study analyzes the capture of litter by dune vegetation at a multi-species level and reveals that different plant species have varying efficiency in trapping litter in different areas of the dune. The study also highlights the importance of the 'Plant-edge litter effect' in the distribution of litter. The findings suggest that the species Anthemis maritima and Salsola kali could be used for litter monitoring and collection.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Corrado Battisti, Giuliano Fanelli
Summary: This study assessed the impact of two common invasive parakeets on ornamental and commercial plants in urban and rural areas of Italy and compiled checklists of edible plants for these birds. The results showed that the impact was higher on ornamental species in urban parks, while the commercial plants in rural areas were mainly affected by the monk parakeet. Due to limitations in data sources, further field studies and citizen science actions are needed for the management and control of these invasive birds.
RENDICONTI LINCEI-SCIENZE FISICHE E NATURALI
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Corrado Battisti, Luca Gallitelli, Massimiliano Scalici, Francesco M. Angelici
Summary: This study analyzed the temporal trends of nine key terms in the habitat fragmentation field and found that the most commonly used terms have been increasing over the years, with landscape connectivity showing the highest increase in frequency. On the other hand, the term ecological network planning appeared less frequently in the research.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alfonso Balmori
Summary: This article discusses the potential negative effects of radio tagging on wild animals. While it is a valuable technique for gathering information, it is important to be aware of and study the possible issues it may cause to ensure the well-being of the animals.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
D. F. Castillo, N. C. Caruso
Summary: Understanding the distribution and ecological niche of hog-nosed skunks is crucial for their conservation. This study used species occurrence records and environmental variables to estimate suitable areas and key factors influencing their distribution. The results showed that temperature and tree presence are important variables. Additionally, areas of high habitat suitability for hog-nosed skunks are underrepresented in protected areas.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2024)
