Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mohamed I. Bakarr
Summary: In order to protect nature, African parks need to contribute to human well-being, overcome threats, and secure reliable funding sources. The first Africa Protected Areas Congress (APAC) held in Rwanda reaffirmed the importance of protected and conserved areas (PCAs) in safeguarding wildlife and biodiversity on the continent. This paper discusses how African countries can address the needs of making PCAs people centered, advancing integrated approaches to tackle biodiversity loss, and promoting sustainable and innovative financing for PCAs.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
L. Tensen, B. Jansen van Vuuren, R. Groom, L. D. Bertola, H. de Iongh, G. Rasmussen, C. Du Plessis, H. Davies-Mostert, D. van der Merwe, E. Fabiano, F. Lages, F. Rocha, P. Monterroso, R. Godinho
Summary: The African wild dogs have experienced a significant decline over the past decades in Africa, but recent studies have shown indications of their natural recolonization in some areas. This study focuses on the population genetic diversity and gene flow of wild dogs in southern Africa, including recently rediscovered, reestablished, or reintroduced areas. The findings suggest weak differentiation between genetic clusters, with moderate levels of effective dispersal on a southern African scale. This indicates that if human impact can be minimized, natural dispersal could lead to the recovery of wild dog populations in southern Africa.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jose Tomas Ibarra, Julian Caviedes, Tomas A. Altamirano, Romina Urra, Antonia Barreau, Francisca Santana
Summary: The study revealed a positive relationship between species richness and functional diversity in beetle communities in homegardens, with a saturation point indicating functional redundancy in species-rich environments. Gardener origin, homegarden area, structural complexity, and pest control strategy were identified as the most influential social-ecological filters in selectively removing beetle species based on their functional traits.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Michal Motyka, Dominik Kusy, Matej Bocek, Renata Bilkova, Ladislav Bocak
Summary: The study utilized integrative phylogenomic and three mtDNA fragment analyses to sequence a beetle fauna, revealing many previously unknown species. Additionally, through constrained mtDNA analysis, a biodiversity hotspot and high species-level endemism were identified in New Guinea. Focused field research and subsequent laboratory work were recommended to accelerate the inventorying of hyperdiverse tropical groups.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Petri Nummi, Wenfei Liao, Juliette van der Schoor, John Loehr
Summary: Beavers act as ecosystem engineers, influencing the biodiversity and abundance of water beetles by creating suitable habitats and enhancing food sources in wetlands. The study found that beaver wetlands have higher species richness and abundance compared to non-beaver wetlands, with new beaver wetlands supporting the highest water beetle diversity. This suggests that using beavers or mimicking their flooding behavior can be beneficial for wetland restoration efforts.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Jessica Smith, Mikael Samuelson, Benedict Moore Libanda, Dilys Roe, Latif Alhassan
Summary: This study examines the opportunities and barriers to increasing private finance for conservation activities in southern Africa. The research suggests that establishing a risk-sharing mechanism specifically tailored to the region would have a significant impact on conservation enterprises and their beneficiaries.
Review
Agronomy
Phillip Muller, Daniel Neuhoff, Moritz Nabel, Katja Schiffers, Thomas F. Doring
Summary: Ground beetles play an important role in the agricultural ecosystem due to their predatory behavior towards pests, consumption of weed seeds, and as prey for other organisms. However, ground beetles in Europe have experienced a decline in population over the past few decades, primarily due to intensive agricultural practices. The effects of soil tillage, particularly the use of mouldboard ploughing, on ground beetles have been studied extensively, but the effects are highly variable. Overall, greater tillage intensity tends to have a negative impact on the abundance, species richness, and diversity of ground beetles. The variability in their response to tillage can be attributed to changes in food availability or habitat conditions induced by tillage. The dominant species of ground beetles are significantly affected by tillage, indicating its impact on total carabid abundance. Additionally, factors such as cover cropping, rotations, and weed control associated with tillage also contribute to the variability in carabid responses. Diversifying tillage operations within a farm or region may enhance the overall diversity of carabid communities.
AGRONOMY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sajad Ahmad Wani, Muzamil Ahmad Mugal, Firdous Ahmad Dar, C. Sudhakar Reddy, Irfan Rashid, Anzar Ahmad Khuroo
Summary: The study establishes a comprehensive tree database of 2199 species in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) from a quantitative synthesis of 234 studies. The research reveals significant variations in tree diversity, distribution, and drivers across the IHR, with 117 endemic and 88 threatened tree species identified for conservation priority.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew L. Gimmel, M. Andrew Johnston, Michael S. Caterino
Summary: This study provides the first enumeration of the beetle fauna of the California Channel Islands in over 120 years. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis of digitized specimen records, the authors report 825 unique species from 514 genera and 71 families, comprising the largest list of species published to date for any taxonomic group of animals on the Channel Islands. Despite this, the checklist is considered preliminary and evidence suggests that there are still hundreds of beetle species yet to be recorded from the islands.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vera Wersebeckmann, Sebastian Kolb, Martin H. Entling, Ilona Leyer
Summary: In the Upper Middle Rhine Valley in Germany, the management type of vineyards has a significant impact on spider populations, and specific management techniques and habitat characteristics also directly affect species diversity.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Alpo Kapuka, Tomas Hlasny
Summary: Southern Africa's exceptional biodiversity is increasingly threatened by climate change and other pressures, but there is limited research on the risks to regional ecosystems and the quality of adaptation strategies. Studies have shown that climate change impacts vary across species, populations, and ecosystems, while management and policy responses still have room for improvement.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Sifiso Xulu, Nkanyiso Mbatha, Kabir Peerbhay
Summary: Planted forests in South Africa have been impacted by economically damaging fires, with forest fires becoming more frequent and severe under the country's dry conditions. By utilizing satellite data and a random forests classifier, the study successfully assessed burn severity areas and monitored carbon monoxide emissions following a wildfire outbreak in 2018. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of Sentinel satellites and Google Earth Engine for mapping fires and monitoring environmental impacts.
ISPRS INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEO-INFORMATION
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Talita Rosa Otilia Simoes-Clivatti, Malva Isabel Medina Hernandez
Summary: The study analyzed the impact of habitat type, vegetation, mammals, and temperature on dung beetle metacommunities, observing dissimilarities between native forests and Pinus monocultures due to species substitution. It is recommended to complement metric analysis with composition analysis methods.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Tamara Rischen, Matilda Kaffenberger, Eva Plath, Jessica Wolff, Klaus Fischer
Summary: Arthropod biodiversity in agricultural landscapes is influenced by compositional and configurational heterogeneity. Boundaries as habitats enhance the taxonomic diversity of carabid beetles and spiders, suggesting their value. Increasing configurational heterogeneity seems important for preserving farmland biodiversity.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
George Dery, A. Ziblim Imoro, Selasi Dzitse
Summary: The faunal diversity of Ghana is under serious threat due to overexploitation of wildlife species. A study on trade in wildlife parts in the Northern region of Ghana revealed that middlemen were the main sources of wildlife supplies for traders. Endangered animal parts were found on display in the market, and wildlife species known for spreading zoonotic diseases were also present. The majority of respondents were aware of wildlife laws.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
