Article
Ecology
Rosane Gomes da Silva, Alexandre Rosa dos Santos, Joao Batista Esteves Peluzio, Nilton Cesar Fiedler, Ronie Silva Juvanhol, Kaise Barbosa de Souza, Elvis Ricardo Figueira Branco
Summary: The vegetation indices in Capara?o National Park show a decreasing trend, while those in the buffer zone show an increasing trend. The correlation analysis indicates a high dependence of vegetation on rainfall, with vegetation in the protected area less reliant on precipitation. These findings provide valuable insights for vegetation studies in the Brazilian Atlantic forest and can be applied to larger areas around the world to understand vegetation trends and the influence of climatic variables.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Holly L. Munro, Cristian R. Montes, Kamal J. K. Gandhi, Miguel A. Poisson
Summary: Insect pests have significant impacts on forested landscapes and their ability to provide ecosystem services. Species distribution modeling techniques, including both traditional approaches and contemporary machine learning algorithms, can assist in predicting population levels of these pests. This research compared different modeling techniques and assessed the influence of background points on model performance. The results showed that contemporary machine learning algorithms outperformed traditional techniques when using true presence-absence data, and the accuracy of the models tended to increase with the number of background points. Gradient boosting and extreme gradient boosting had the highest prediction accuracies when combined with background points, suggesting their potential as alternative analyses for presence-only data. Improving the precision of these models will contribute to more informed forest pest management, which is increasingly important due to changes in population dynamics, the introduction of invasive species, and global climate change.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Payal Shah, Kathy Baylis, Jonah Busch, Jens Engelmann
Summary: Over 15% of global terrestrial area is protected, with a goal to increase coverage to 30% by 2030. Evaluation of national PA networks established between 2000 and 2012 shows they reduced deforestation by 72%, with strictly protected PAs performing better. Lower agricultural activity, higher economic growth, and better governance are factors most strongly associated with greater country-level PA effectiveness.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Roozbeh Valavi, Gurutzeta Guillera-Arroita, Jose J. Lahoz-Monfort, Jane Elith
Summary: This study reanalyzed a dataset of 225 species from six different regions to explore patterns in predictive performance across different methods. It found that the way models are fitted matters, with some emerging methods outperforming traditional regression algorithms.
ECOLOGICAL MONOGRAPHS
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Ashish Jha, J. Praveen, P. O. Nameer
Summary: Species distribution models, particularly those based on presence-only data like MaxEnt, are widely used tools for conservation planning. However, occupancy models, which take into account species detectability, are considered better suited for species with multiple detection records. In this study, MaxEnt performed well with less occurrences while occupancy models struggled with species with fewer than 40 records. Evaluation metrics indicated that both models performed better for generalist species than for specialists, and there was more concordance between MaxEnt and occupancy models for widespread species. Improving variable selection and correcting for overprediction can enhance the performance and consistency of both models.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Iliana Castro, Amanda B. Stan, Lahcen Taiqui, Erik Schiefer, Abdelilah Ghallab, Mchich Derak, Peter Z. Fule
Summary: Fire is a concern for the sustainability of dry forests. This study assessed forest changes in the Talassemtane National Park in North Africa using satellite data. The results showed an annual forest loss of approximately 0.3% and wildfires were linked to about 49% of the forest loss.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Ana Filipa Silva, Barbara Horta E. Costa, Jose Lino Costa, Esmeralda Pereira, Joao Pedro Marques, Joao J. Castro, Pedro G. Lino, Ana Candeias-Mendes, Pedro Pousao-Ferreira, Ines Sousa, Luis Bentes, Jorge M. S. Goncalves, Pedro Raposo de Almeida, Bernardo Ruivo Quintella
Summary: This study used acoustic biotelemetry to evaluate the feasibility of restocking hatchery-reared adult dusky groupers in no-take areas of a Portuguese Marine Protected Area. The results showed that none of the tagged groupers settled in the no-take areas, instead leaving mainly at dusk and night. Some individual groupers exhibited extended movements along the Portuguese coast, which is unusual for this species.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiana Chernenkova, Ivan Kotlov, Nadezhda Belyaeva, Elena Suslova, Natalia Lebedeva
Summary: Protected areas are important for preserving biodiversity, especially in large metropolitan areas. However, the efficiency of the network is hindered by the lack of up-to-date cartographic materials. This study aims to identify forest biodiversity and fragmentation in the Moscow region. The results suggest a general lack of environmental protection measures and recommend increasing the area of protected areas, particularly for less fragmented forest patches.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Wei Yang, Yuanxu Ma, Linhai Jing, Siyuan Wang, Zhongchang Sun, Yunwei Tang, Hui Li
Summary: Climate change and human activities have had significant impacts on biodiversity, making the identification of potential suitable habitats urgent. This study used the maximum entropy model to identify current and potential future habitats of Asian elephants in South and Southeast Asia, providing useful references for optimizing protected area planning.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Luizmar de Assis Barros, Michelle Venter, Juan Pablo Ramirez-Delgado, Marcondes G. Coelho Jr, Oscar Venter
Summary: This study investigates the forest loss inside Protected Areas (PAs) in Brazil and whether deforestation leakage occurred following the establishment of new PAs. The results show that when PAs successfully reduce deforestation within their boundaries, there is also a reduction in deforestation in their surroundings. However, PAs that cannot effectively reduce deforestation within their boundaries lead to increased deforestation in their surrounding areas. The study emphasizes the need for greater investment in existing PAs, with a focus on Indigenous Territories.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katherine N. Lawson, Karina M. Lang, Daniella Rabaiotti, Joshua Drew
Summary: Predicting the efficacy of management actions in future is crucial for conservation, as species' distributions may exceed current protections due to climate change impacts. Using species distribution models, the study assesses the changes in suitable habitat for coastal ecosystems in Fiji under different climate scenarios in 2070 or 2100, and highlights the importance of considering future species distributions in protected area designations.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Arjan S. Gosal, Janine A. McMahon, Katharine M. Bowgen, Catherine H. Hoppe, Guy Ziv
Summary: Protected areas worldwide attract billions of visitors each year, with nature having a positive impact on health and well-being. Understanding visitors' environmental awareness and spatial patterns can assist in effective management, but strategies for site-specific identification and mapping of visitors based on environmental awareness are currently lacking.
Article
Environmental Studies
Veronica Iniguez-Gallardo, Fabian Reyes-Bueno, Olga Penaranda
Summary: Local communities' perceptions and values towards protected areas are crucial for effective management. Factors such as collaboration level, distance, untitled land percentage, and resource dependence play significant roles. Matching local expectations with conservation goals is essential when establishing a protected area.
Article
Ecology
Milena Fiuza Diniz, Francisco Dallmeier, Tremaine Gregory, Victor Martinez, Silvia Saldivar-Bellassai, Maria Alejandra Benitez-Stanley, Ana Maria Sanchez-Cuervo
Summary: The study aimed to find priority areas that maximize connectivity between protected areas for multiple species while balancing socio-economic conflicts in the Atlantic Forest of Paraguay. It was found that incorporating socio-economic factors in the analysis resulted in a shift in priority areas and a reduction in connectivity by up to 15%. Forest restoration is necessary for improving connectivity, and the optimistic conflict scenario was considered the most cost-effective solution.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Carolina Grillo, Thayna Jeremias Mello
Summary: The study found that marine macro-debris distribution on the shores of Fernando de Noronha is uneven, influenced by oceanographic characteristics and tourism infrastructure. The windward coast accumulates more plastic debris due to ocean currents, while the leeward coast has more disposable plastics and cigarette butts from high beach user activity.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Felipe Rossetti de Paula, Cecilia Gontijo Leal, Rafael Pereira Leitao, Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz, Paulo Santos Pompeu, Jansen Alfredo Sampaio Zuanon, Robert M. Hughes
Summary: Riparian deforestation negatively impacts stream habitats and fish assemblages, but secondary riparian forests can help recover some aspects of fish communities. However, streams bordered by these secondary forests may have reduced fish diversity due to the delayed return of sensitive species. Avoiding riparian deforestation is crucial for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem functioning in tropical agricultural landscapes.
Article
Ecology
Joice Iamara-Nogueira, Natalia Targhetta, Gina Allain, Adriano Gambarini, Alessandra R. Pinto, Ana Maria Rui, Andrea C. Araujo, Ariadna Lopes, Brenda Pereira-Silva, Bruna Bertagni de Camargo, Caio Graco Machado, Caio Missagia, Carolina Scultori, Danilo Boscolo, Erich Fischer, Evellyn Silva Araujo-Oliveira, Henrique Gava, Hipolito Ferreira Paulino-Neto, Isabel Cristina Machado, Isabela Galarda Varassin, Ivan Sazima, Jeferson Vizentin-Bugoni, Jessica Luiza Sousa Silva, Julia de Oliveira Ferreira, Juliana Narita, Juliana Silveira dos Santos, Kayna Agostini, Leandro Freitas, Luciano Elsinor Lopes, Ludimila Juliele Carvalho-Leite, Marcelo Tabarelli, Marcia Alexandra Rocca, Marcia Luzia Malanotte, Maria Alice S. Alves, Maria Bernadete F. Canela, Maria Rosa Darrigo, Marina Muniz Moreira, Marina Wolowski, Marlies Sazima, Mauro Galetti, Milton Cesar Ribeiro, Milton Groppo, Miriam Kaehler, Milson dos Anjos Batista, Oswaldo Cruz Neto, Patricia Alves Ferreira, Pedro J. Bergamo, Pietro K. Maruyama, Raquel O. Bueno, Roberta L. B. Leal, Rogerio Rodrigues Faria, Simone Bazarian, Tiago Malucelli, Silvana Buzato
Summary: The interaction between flowering plants and nectar-feeding vertebrates in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest is diverse and important. This dataset provides detailed information on the interactions between 515 species of flowering plants and 129 species of potential pollinators. It also includes information on the characteristics of both plants and vertebrates that are relevant to their interactions.
Article
Forestry
Di Zeng, Mauro Galetti, Juan Liu, Tinghao Jin, Yuhao Zhao, Ping Ding
Summary: This study found a significant size-related seed choice by rodents at the seed germination stage and showed that seeds would experience conflicting selective pressures across life stages in the early recruitment. Size-dependent seed use by rodents is a key biotic factor to limit the oak early recruitment.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Cassiano Bueno Martins, Darren Norris, Fernanda Michalski
Summary: Seasonal changes in runoff and inundation influence the diversity of Amazonian bird species. Using camera traps, we surveyed the avifauna in river-created habitats in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. We found no difference in species composition between islands and margin banks, but the area had a significant impact on the number of species detected. There were differences in activity patterns between habitats for some bird species.
STUDIES ON NEOTROPICAL FAUNA AND ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Daniella Schweizer, Gunnar Petter, Ricardo Gomes Cesar, Silvio Ferraz, Vanessa de Souza Moreno, Pedro H. S. Brancalion, Harald Bugmann
Summary: This study used a process-based model, LandClim, to investigate natural forest regrowth in agricultural landscapes in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest region. The findings highlight the importance of long-term commitment in restoration projects, as the effects of land use intensity and landscape configuration on forest biomass and tree diversity take decades to be fully expressed.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Simon Quinero, Mark I. Abrahams, Christopher Beirne, John Blake, Elildo Carvalho Jr, Hugo C. M. Costa, Milton Jose de Paula, Whaldener Endo, Torbjorn Haugaasen, Marcela Guimaraes moreira Lima, Fernanda Michalski, Diego Mosquera, Darren Norris, Tadeu Oliveira, Evi Paemelaere, Carlos A. Peres, Juarez Pezzuti, Sheila Romero, Fernanda Santos, Claudio Sillero-Zubiri, Andrew Whitworth, Samantha Zwicker, Leonardo Maffei, Catherine Sahley, Cinthya Tuesta, Fernando Valdez, David W. Macdonald, Cedric Kai Wei Tan
Summary: The Amazon is a highly diverse biome that is currently threatened by economic and industrial development as well as climate change. Large mammals, including the white-lipped peccary, tapir, giant armadillo, and jaguar, play important roles in the ecosystem but are negatively affected by human-induced habitat changes, such as deforestation and vegetation cover loss. Understanding the site-use patterns of these mammals in relation to anthropogenic factors is crucial for conservation and land use planning in the Amazon.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Renata Siqueira Melo, Eduardo Roberto Alexandrino, Felipe Rossetti de Paula, Danilo Boscolo, Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz
Summary: Promoting the diversity of biological communities in agricultural areas is crucial for biodiversity conservation, especially for bird populations which show rapid responses to landscape changes. This study reveals that the composition and configuration of planted Eucalyptus spp. forests have significant effects on the functional diversity of bird assemblages. Factors such as tree age, land cover, and clone types influence functional divergence, functional evenness, and species richness of bird populations. These findings highlight the importance of good management practices in maintaining bird diversity and suggest that associating Eucalyptus trees with other cover types in the landscape can increase bird functional diversity.
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Rodrigo Hakamada, Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz, Eduardo More Mattos, Belkis Sulbaran-Rangel
Summary: Our study provides a comprehensive overview of forestry programs in Brazil, comparing them with programs in other countries and considering geographical factors. We found that although the number of forestry programs and graduates in Brazil has increased over the past 25 years, there is still a low fill rate for university vacancies. Additionally, many professors in these programs have no prior professional experience outside academia.
Article
Forestry
Rodrigo Hakamada, Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz, Belkis Sulbaran-Rangel, Luiza Lucena, Hasbleidy Palacios Hinestroza
Summary: The employment rate and organizational interest in high-skilled professionals are important drivers for universities to improve the qualifications of college students. By investigating the sectors of employment pursued by forestry engineering graduates and surveying companies affiliated with the Forest Science and Research Institute (IPEF), it was found that there is a significant potential for employment in the forestry sector, with noticeable growth in the past five years. This growth is attributed to market demand and changes in action plans.
Article
Forestry
Rodrigo Hakamada, Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz, Belkis Sulbaran-Rangel
Summary: This study investigated the current scenario and trends regarding human resources in the forest sector. The findings suggest a shortage of qualified professionals in the job market and a lack of behavioral skills training. New college graduates were found to lack important soft skills and knowledge in certain areas. However, there was a convergence between job requirements and the skills considered important by new graduates.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Darren Norris, Fernanda Michalski
Summary: Using extensive multi-year field data, this study compared the diurnal activity patterns of giant otters and neotropical otters in sympatry. It was found that the activity of giant otters was strongly affected by human disturbances, while neotropical otters were less affected. Both species were observed during the daytime but rarely on the same day, with spatial and temporal separation when they co-occurred. There were no significant changes in activity patterns among seasons.
Correction
Environmental Sciences
A. Barcenas-Garcia, F. Michalski, J. P. Gibbs, D. Norris
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Carla Cristina Cassiano, Rildo Moreira e Moreira, Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz
Summary: Fast-growing forest plantations can support wood supply but may reduce water availability. The management regime of these plantations can either increase or reduce the trade-off between wood production and water supply.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Helena G. Bergallo, Clarissa Rosa, Ana C. Ochoa, Angelo Gilberto Manzatto, Aretha F. Guimaraes, Aureo Banhos, Carolina V. Castilho, Claudia F. Barros, Darren Norris, Debora P. Drucker, Domingos J. Rodrigues, Fabricio B. Baccaro, Igor H. Lourenco, Jansen Zuanon, Lis F. Stegmann, Marcelo R. Anjos, Marcos Silveira, Patricia S. G. Araujo, Paulo E. D. Bobrowiec, Rodrigo Fadini, Selvino Neckel-Oliveira, Thaise Emilio, Sergio Santorelli, William E. Magnusson
Summary: Long-term ecological research (LTER) faces challenges in terms of funding, research design changes, data collection, local engagement, and integration with decision-making. The standardized field infrastructure system, RAPELD, can complement LTER studies by allowing comparisons across landscapes and ecosystems, reducing sampling costs, and enhancing decision-making and training.
ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
Bruna Santos Lopes, Karlmer A. B. Correa, Matheus Eijii Kinchoku Ogasawara, Raiza Salomao Precinoto, Carla Cristina Cassiano, Bruna Moreira Sell, Renata Siqueira Melo, Paula Caroline dos Reis Oliveira, Silvio Frosini de Barros Ferraz
Summary: This study compared the hydrological response among different ecoregions in the Atlantic Forest. The results showed that the parameter m in native vegetation was generally higher than in pasture, and there were significant differences among ecoregions. These findings are important for understanding and planning land use changes for water production.
FRONTIERS IN WATER
(2022)