Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jasmine R. Lee, Aleks Terauds, Josie Carwardine, Justine D. Shaw, Richard A. Fuller, Hugh P. Possingham, Steven L. Chown, Peter Convey, Neil Gilbert, Kevin A. Hughes, Ewan McIvor, Sharon A. Robinson, Yan Ropert-Coudert, Dana M. Bergstrom, Elisabeth M. Biersma, Claire Christian, Don A. Cowan, Yves Frenot, Stephanie Jenouvrier, Lisa Kelley, Michael J. Lee, Heather J. Lynch, Birgit Njastad, Antonio Quesada, Ricardo M. Roura, E. Ashley Shaw, Damon Stanwell-Smith, Megumu Tsujimoto, Diana H. Wall, Annick Wilmotte, Iadine Chades
Summary: Antarctic terrestrial biodiversity is under multiple threats, and current conservation efforts are deemed insufficient. A participatory study estimates that up to 65% of native terrestrial taxa and land-associated seabirds may decline by 2100. Implementing 10 key threat management strategies could benefit up to 84% of Antarctic taxa.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Louise Mair, Eduardo Amorim, Monira Bicalho, Thomas M. Brooks, Vincente Calfo, Renata de T. Capellao, Colin Clubbe, Marianne Evju, Eduardo P. Fernandez, Glaucia C. Ferreira, Frank Hawkins, Randall R. Jimenez, Lucas S. B. Jordao, Magni Olsen Kyrkjeeide, Nicholas B. W. Macfarlane, Bianca C. Mattos, Pablo H. A. de Melo, Lara M. Monteiro, Eimear Nic Lughadha, Nina Pougy, Domitilla C. Raimondo, Trine Hay Setsaas, Xiaoli Shen, Marinez Ferreira de Siqueira, Bernardo B. N. Strassburg, Philip J. K. McGowan
Summary: The successful implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework relies on effective translation of targets from global to national level and increased engagement across diverse sectors of society. The STAR metric, which uses data on species' extinction risk, distributions, and threats, can be applied to diverse taxonomic groups and national red lists to quantify the contribution of threat abatement and restoration activities to reducing species' extinction risk.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Development Studies
Cameron Allen, Graciela Metternicht, Thomas Wiedmann
Summary: This study evaluates recent scientific literature and national practice related to the use of science-based approaches to support national implementation of SDGs. It found that scientific methods have played a positive role, particularly in monitoring and evaluation of national SDG implementation. However, these methods have not been widely applied in Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs).
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yoga Wienda Pratama, Piera Patrizio, Niall Mac Dowell
Summary: Net-zero emissions targets are increasingly adopted globally, but there is a disconnect between policy mechanisms and technological requirements. The absence of CO2 removal incentives can increase costs and hinder complete decarbonization. The combination of a carbon tax and negative emissions credit is critical in achieving net-zero targets effectively.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carlos Nores, Jose Vicente Lopez-Bao
Summary: Historical information is important for setting conservation baselines and informing legal decisions. Using the example of wolves in Spain, we found that their historic range has not been reduced by more than 50% over the last two centuries.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hannes Gaisberger, Tobias Fremout, Chris J. Kettle, Barbara Vinceti, Della Kemalasari, Tania Kanchanarak, Evert Thomas, Josep M. Serra-Diaz, Jens-Christian Svenning, Ferry Slik, Wichan Eiadthong, Kandasamy Palanisamy, Gudasalamani Ravikanth, Vilma Bodos, Julia Sang, Rekha R. Warrier, Alison K. S. Wee, Christian Elloran, Lawrence Tolentino Ramos, Matieu Henry, Md Akhter Hossain, Ida Theilade, Simon Laegaard, K. M. A. Bandara, Dimantha Panduka Weerasinghe, Suchitra Changtragoon, Vivi Yuskianti, Peter Wilkie, Nguyen Hoang Nghia, Stephen Elliott, Greuk Pakkad, Pimonrat Tiansawat, Colin Maycock, Chaloun Bounithiphonh, Rozi Mohamed, M. Nazre, Baktiar Nur Siddiqui, Soon-Leong Lee, Chai-Ting Lee, Nurul Farhanah Zakaria, Ida Hartvig, Lutz Lehmann, Dzaeman B. Dzulkifli David, Jens-Peter Barnekow Lilleso, Chhang Phourin, Zheng Yongqi, Huang Ping, Hugo A. Volkaert, Lars Graudal, Arief Hamidi, So Thea, Sineath Sreng, David Boshier, Enrique Tolentino Jr, Wickneswari Ratnam, Mu Mu Aung, Michael Galante, Siti Fatimah Md Isa, Nguyen Quoc Dung, Tran Thi Hoa, Tran Chan Le, Md Danesh Miah, Abdul Lateef Mohd Zuhry, Deepani Alawathugoda, Amelia Azman, Gamini Pushpakumara, Nur Sumedi, Iskandar Z. Siregar, Hong Kyung Nak, Jean Linsky, Megan Barstow, Lian Pin Koh, Riina Jalonen
Summary: This study assessed the vulnerability of 63 socioeconomically important tree species in Asia's tropical and subtropical forests to various threats. The findings revealed that the majority of priority areas for conserving these trees are located outside protected areas, and all species are severely threatened across an average of 47% of their native ranges. The study also identified specific areas for conservation and restoration efforts, as well as potential options for agroforestry.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter Sjolte Ranke, Beatrice Modest Kessy, Franco Peniel Mbise, Martin Reinhardt Nielsen, Augustine Arukwe, Eivin Roskaft
Summary: In many low-income countries, the conservation of natural resources in protected areas is heavily dependent on tourism revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced tourist numbers in Africa, posing a threat to the conservation of these important protected areas. Through the analysis of gate pass records in Tanzanian national parks, we illustrate the immediate and severe impact of the pandemic and associated restrictions on tourist numbers and revenues, and explore whether international and local tourists were equally affected. We discuss strategies to mitigate future negative impacts, such as diversifying revenue sources and reducing dependence on international tourists, and emphasize the importance of external funding options and involving local communities in conservation efforts.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biology
Carly N. Cook, Kent H. Redford, Mark W. Schwartz
Summary: With the rapid growth of genomic data, our understanding of biodiversity has expanded, but also faces challenges. Genomic data can inform decision-making in managing genetic diversity, but policies protecting identified taxonomic entities can generate conflicting recommendations that complicate practitioners' work. When facing new and possibly conflicting interpretations of genomic data, three management concerns arise: defining conservation entities, managing diversity, and evaluating risks and benefits. Values play an underappreciated role in influencing management choices, creating complications through conflicting perceptions of the causes and consequences of conservation problems. We recommend reflection on values and roles for both conservation geneticists and practitioners to build a more robust species management system.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Poonam Mehta, Kapil Bisht, K. Chandra Sekar, Ashutosh Tewari
Summary: The paper presents comprehensive information on threatened plants in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR), including 85 species representing various plant types and families. The Eastern Himalayan states, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, harbor a greater richness of threatened plants compared to the Western Himalaya. This information can be used for targeted conservation planning and actions.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marton Szabolcs, Felicia Kapusi, Savrina Carrizo, Danijela Markovic, Joerg Freyhof, Nuria Cid, Ana Cristina Cardoso, Mathias Scholz, Hans D. Kasperidus, William R. T. Darwall, Szabolcs Lengyel
Summary: Through analyzing the distribution data of aquatic species in river and lake catchments in Europe, priority conservation areas were identified, with the need for urgent conservation interventions highlighted in Southern and Eastern Europe.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marton Szabolcs, Felicia Kapusi, Savrina Carrizo, Danijela Markovic, Jorg Freyhof, Nuria Cid, Ana Cristina Cardoso, Mathias Scholz, Hans D. Kasperidus, William R. T. Darwall, Szabolcs Lengyel
Summary: This study established conservation priorities for freshwater ecosystems in Europe based on distribution data of aquatic plants, molluscs, odonates, and fish. The results show that urgent conservation attention is needed in rivers and lakes in Southern and Eastern Europe. The study also found a trade-off between hydrological connectivity and the conservation of threatened species.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephen G. Kearney, James E. M. Watson, April E. Reside, Diana O. Fisher, Martine Maron, Tim S. Doherty, Sarah M. Legge, John C. Z. Woinarski, Stephen T. Garnett, Brendan A. Wintle, Euan G. Ritchie, Don A. Driscoll, David Lindenmayer, Vanessa M. Adams, Michelle S. Ward, Josie Carwardine
Summary: Earth's extinction crisis is worsening and threat classification schemes are crucial for assessing the drivers and threats causing species declines. However, there is a lack of a complementary framework for evaluating the conservation responses needed to reduce these threats. In this study, an expert-driven threat-abatement framework was developed and applied to 1532 threatened species in Australia, highlighting the importance of retaining and restoring habitat, controlling invasive species and diseases, and improving fire management for species recovery. Integrated management responses are necessary for the survival and recovery of most species.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Edward Tsyrlin, Melissa Carew, Ary A. Hoffmann, Simon Linke, Rhys A. Coleman
Summary: Family-level identification is commonly used for monitoring freshwater macroinvertebrates, but its effectiveness in reflecting regional biodiversity patterns in Australia is untested. This study compared family-level and species-level datasets for freshwater insects in Melbourne, Australia. The results showed a positive relationship between family and species richness, but the family-level dataset underestimated the sampling effort needed to accurately reflect species diversity and overlooked regionally rare species. It is recommended to include species-level identification in monitoring programs to understand regional biodiversity patterns and conservation priorities.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinlan Lin, Sixuan He, Xinming Liu, Zhongjian Huang, Meng Li, Bin Chen, Wenjia Hu
Summary: This study proposes a novel framework for mapping the distribution and disturbance of degraded coastal wetland vegetation using a species distribution model and geographical detector. The study focuses on the province of Guangxi in China, where suitable habitats for seagrass and seaweed vegetation types were identified. The study also analyzed anthropogenic disturbance factors and found shoreline development to have the strongest impact on both vegetation types. The results provide important information for wetland vegetation conservation and support site planning for seagrass and seaweed conservation and restoration.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eric L. Wagner, Esteban Frere, P. Dee Boersma
Summary: A policy change in Argentina, moving commercial tanker lanes farther offshore and requiring double hulls for oil tankers, effectively reduced the number of oiled Magellanic penguins to zero. This not only protected the penguins from chronic oil pollution but also likely increased their survival near significant breeding colonies.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Stefan J. G. Vriend, Vidar Grotan, Marlene Gamelon, Frank Adriaensen, Markus P. Ahola, Elena Alvarez, Liam D. Bailey, Emilio Barba, Jean-Charles Bouvier, Malcolm D. Burgess, Andrey Bushuev, Carlos Camacho, David Canal, Anne Charmantier, Ella F. Cole, Camillo Cusimano, Blandine F. Doligez, Szymon M. Drobniak, Anna Dubiec, Marcel Eens, Tapio Eeva, Kjell Einar Erikstad, Peter N. Ferns, Anne E. Goodenough, Ian R. Hartley, Shelley A. Hinsley, Elena Ivankina, Rimvydas Juskaitis, Bart Kempenaers, Anvar B. Kerimov, John Atle Kalas, Claire Lavigne, Agu Leivits, Mark C. Mainwaring, Jesus Martinez-Padilla, Erik Matthysen, Kees van Oers, Markku Orell, Rianne Pinxten, Tone Kristin Reiertsen, Seppo Rytkonen, Juan Carlos Senar, Ben C. Sheldon, Alberto Sorace, Janos Torok, Emma Vatka, Marcel E. Visser, Bernt-Erik Saether
Summary: Identifying the environmental drivers of variation in fitness-related traits is important in ecology and evolution. This study examined the influence of local climatic variables on spatial synchrony in fitness-related traits among bird populations in Europe. The researchers found that temperature strongly affected spatial synchrony in laying date for blue tits and great tits but not for pied flycatchers. Understanding how environmental conditions influence trait values improves our understanding of environmental impacts on populations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
F. J. Combe, R. Juskaitis, R. C. Trout, S. Bird, J. S. Ellis, J. Norrey, N. Al-Fulaij, I. White, W. E. Harris
Summary: The study found that factors such as population density, food availability, and weather have a significant impact on population change in a wide range of species. Understanding the interplay between these drivers is essential for effective conservation and management strategies. Using long-term data from five hazel dormouse populations in Europe, the researchers examined the relationship between population density, weather, and demographic rates. They found that higher population density, precipitation, and winter temperature had negative effects on population growth rates, indicating that warmer and wetter weather negatively impacts dormouse survival. The researchers also observed an interaction between weather measures and population density on age-specific survival, possibly due to weather impacts during hibernation.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Editorial Material
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter Bridgewater, Dirk S. Schmeller
Summary: The ninth plenary session of IPBES was held in Bonn, Germany in July 2022. Key issues discussed included the assessment of the Sustainable Use of Wild Species and Values of Biodiversity, as well as the Nature Future Framework and a scoping document for business and biodiversity. We present the insights from the plenary and suggest matters for the consideration of Platform members.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Thomas Madsen, Beata Ujvari, Dirk Bauwens, Bernd Gruber, Arthur Georges, Marcel Klaassen
Summary: According to conservation genetic theory, small and isolated populations should have reduced genetic diversity. However, our long-term study of an isolated island population of adders in Sweden challenges this notion. Despite a lack of gene flow and a small population size, the adders on the island maintain high levels of genetic diversity. The presence of polyandry and non-random fertilization in female adders seems to be responsible for this maintenance.
Article
Ecology
K. A. Bates, J. Friesen, A. Loyau, H. Butler, V. T. Vredenburg, J. Laufer, A. Chatzinotas, D. S. Schmeller
Summary: The study investigated how the skin microbiome of wild Dhofar toads in Oman is influenced by host environment, pathogen presence, and host biology. The results showed that skin microbiome diversity is mainly influenced by host life stage, water source, and habitat disturbance. The network analysis revealed high site specificity in bacterial co-occurrence patterns.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Oliver Machate, Dirk S. Schmeller, Tobias Schulze, Werner Brack
Summary: This article critically reviews the current knowledge on the exposure and risk of chemical pollution for mountain lakes. It suggests that mountain lakes, despite their remote locations, are likely to suffer from pollution-induced toxicity. The vulnerability of mountain lakes to toxic effects is expected to be particularly high due to harsh environmental conditions, the traits of organisms, the insular position of mountain lakes, and lower species richness with increasing altitudes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES EUROPE
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Rimvydas Juskaitis
Summary: This study analysed a total of 535 sources to evaluate the significance of dormice in the diets of predators in Europe and expand our knowledge about dormouse ecology. It was found that dormice were recorded in the diets of 54 predator species, with owls hunting in forests being the main dormouse predators. The abundance of dormice in the diets of predators depended on their availability, and the Mediterranean region had the highest proportion due to the abundance of edible dormice. Dormice were rarely recorded in the winter diets of predators, but were found in the diets of diurnal birds, suggesting their potential daytime activity.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Eduardas Budrys, Svetlana Orlovskyte, Migle Lazauskaite, Anna Budriene
Summary: The aim of this study was to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among Northern European Ancistrocerus and compare the suitability of evolutionarily neutral and non-neutral markers for reconstructing phylogeny. A new cryptic species, A. balticus sp. n., was discovered in the trap-nesting wasp communities of Central Europe, and its morphological, biological, and ecological differences from sibling A. trifasciatus were assessed. Neutral and non-neutral markers resulted in different tree topologies, with mitochondrial markers overshadowing nuclear ones due to their higher evolutionary rate. The study also evaluated the effect of directional selection on nuclear protein-coding genes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lisa I. I. Doucette, Richard P. P. Duncan, William S. S. Osborne, Murray Evans, Arthur Georges, Bernd Gruber, Stephen D. D. Sarre
Summary: Lizards operating near their upper thermal limits in summer may face reduced activity due to climate change. Rising temperatures could force them to seek shelter in thermal refuges for extended periods, resulting in increased metabolic costs. Recent increases in temperature have already exceeded the limits of temperate-zone grassland lizards, which could lead to population declines and extinction.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Zoology
P. Olszewski, T. Klejdysz, M. Miesikowski, E. Budrys
Summary: This study investigated the biology of the rare digger wasp Mimumesa littoralis in northern Poland, specifically on sandy soil and wasteland with hard substrate. It provided information on nesting behavior, prey composition, and the presence of a kleptoparasite. The study also observed adult individuals feeding on the flowers of Pimpinella sp.
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Zoology
Rimvydas Juskaitis
Summary: A melanistic forest dormouse was found in central Lithuania, a rare occurrence among European dormice. Similar color anomalies have been recorded in hazel dormice in Germany, Czech Republic, and the UK, albino and flavistic specimens in Germany, and aberrant-colored edible dormice in Slovenia and Czech Republic. Melanistic individuals are most commonly documented among the aberrant-colored European dormice.
JOURNAL OF VERTEBRATE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sara Reverte, Marija Milicic, Jelena Acanski, Andrijana Andric, Andrea Aracil, Matthieu Aubert, Mario Victor Balzan, Ignasi Bartomeus, Petr Bogusch, Jordi Bosch, Eduardas Budrys, Lisette Cantu-Salazar, Silvia Castro, Maurizio Cornalba, Imre Demeter, Jelle Devalez, Achik Dorchin, Eric Dufrene, Aleksandra Dordevic, Lisa Fisler, Una Fitzpatrick, Simone Flaminio, Rita Foeldesi, Hugo Gaspar, David Genoud, Benoit Geslin, Guillaume Ghisbain, Francis Gilbert, Andrej Gogala, Ana Grkovic, Helge Heimburg, Fernanda Herrera-Mesias, Maarten Jacobs, Marina Jankovic Milosavljevic, Kobe Janssen, Jens-Kjeld Jensen, Ana Jesovnik, Zsolt Jozan, Giorgos Karlis, Max Kasparek, Aniko Kovacs-Hostyanszki, Michael Kuhlmann, Romain Le Divelec, Nicolas Leclercq, Laura Likov, Jessica Litman, Toshko Ljubomirov, Henning Bang Madsen, Leon Marshall, Libor Mazanek, Dubravka Milic, Maud Mignot, Sonja Mudri-Stojnic, Andreas Mueller, Zorica Nedeljkovic, Petar Nikolic, Frode Odegaard, Sebastien Patiny, Juho Paukkunen, Gerard Pennards, Celeste Perez-Banon, Adrien Perrard, Theodora Petanidou, Lars B. Pettersson, Grigory Popov, Snezana Popov, Christophe Praz, Alex Prokhorov, Marino Quaranta, Vladimir G. Radchenko, Snezana Radenkovic, Pierre Rasmont, Claus Rasmussen, Menno Reemer, Antonio Ricarte, Stephan Risch, Stuart P. M. Roberts, Santos Rojo, Lise Ropars, Paolo Rosa, Carlos Ruiz, Ahlam Sentil, Viktor Shparyk, Jan Smit, Daniele Sommaggio, Villu Soon, Axel Ssymank, Gunilla Stahls, Menelaos Stavrinides, Jakub Straka, Peeter Tarlap, Michael Terzo, Bogdan Tomozii, Tamara Tot, Leendert-Jan van Der Ent, Jeroen van Steenis, Wouter van Steenis, Androulla I. Varnava, Nicolas J. Vereecken, Sanja Veselic, Adi Vesnic, Alexander Weigand, Bogdan Wisniowski, Thomas J. Wood, Dominique Zimmermann, Denis Michez, Ante Vujic
Summary: This article highlights the importance of pollinators in global ecosystems and their distribution at national and continental levels. By compiling data and knowledge from experts, an updated list of bee and hoverfly species is provided, along with an analysis of their distribution patterns.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Peta Hill, Chris R. Dickman, Russell Dinnage, Richard P. Duncan, Scott V. Edwards, Aaron Greenville, Stephen D. Sarre, Emily J. Stringer, Glenda M. Wardle, Bernd Gruber
Summary: In episodic environments, populations of some animal species exhibit irregular fluctuations. Although repeated population bottlenecks should lower genetic diversity, these fluctuating species maintain high levels of genetic diversity. Fragmentation and gene flow have contrasting effects on genetic diversity.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hugo Sentenac, Adeline Loyau, Luca Zoccarato, Vincent E. J. Jassey, Hans-Peter Grossart, Dirk S. Schmeller
Summary: Mountain lakes, which provide clean drinking water to humans, are strongly affected by global change. Benthic biofilms play a crucial role in maintaining water quality, but little is known about the effects of global change on mountain biofilm communities. By analyzing metabarcoding data and climatic and environmental data, this study reveals significant shifts in the composition and decline in biodiversity of prokaryotic and micro-eukaryotic biofilm communities in Pyrenean lakes from 2016 to 2020.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jason Dobry, Erik Wapstra, Emily J. Stringer, Bernd Gruber, Janine E. Deakin, Tariq Ezaz
Summary: Chromosomal rearrangements play a role in genetic isolation and are associated with reduced gene flow. This study found that chromosome rearrangements were present prior to population divergence and were associated with lower genetic diversity.
CHROMOSOME RESEARCH
(2023)