Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Abeje Kassie Teme, Afework Bekele Simegn, Bezawork Afework Bogale
Summary: The present study investigated the species composition, diversity, distribution, and richness of endemic frog species in the Keffa area of southwest Ethiopia. The study found that agricultural land and riverine forest had a higher number of endemic frog species, highlighting the importance of their conservation. The Keffa area is a significant habitat for endemic frog species in Ethiopia, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mirjana Sipek, Lado Kutnar, Aleksander Marinsek, Nina Sajna
Summary: Fragmentation poses a major threat to biodiversity, as forest specialists lose suitable habitats while alien species find opportunities in open forest areas. Fragmentation negatively affects overall plant richness and diversity of native and ancient forest indicator plants, but has a positive effect on alien plants. Large and diverse forest ecosystems are susceptible to biological invasions.
Article
Plant Sciences
Thais M. Teixeira, Alison G. Nazareno
Summary: Intraspecific genetic variation is crucial for wild populations, and evaluating genetic diversity patterns is essential for guiding conservation policies, especially for threatened species. A study on the critically endangered plant Mimosa catharinensis using SNP markers revealed moderate genetic diversity levels, high outcrossing rates, and an apparent lack of inbreeding, despite a recent bottleneck in population history. This population genomic research addresses key issues in evolution and conservation biology, providing valuable insights for safeguarding genetic diversity in this unique species.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jinze Ren, Shuying Li, Mengdi He, Yalin Zhang
Summary: The study analyzed the changes in butterfly diversity and community structure in 12 counties in the middle Qinling Mountains, based on butterfly taxa and factors such as natural climate, altitude gradient, and season. The results showed differences in species richness between the southern and northern slopes of the mountains, as well as the highest diversity at mid-altitudes. Seasonal and abundance variations were also observed. The study highlighted the impact of human disturbance and climate/environmental changes on butterfly diversity in the region.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bin Wen, Peiru Yang
Summary: Seed germination and seedling recruitment are critical for plant population persistence, but can be affected by temperature and water availability. Camptotheca acuminata seeds are sensitive to high temperature and water stress, germinating only under specific temperature and water potential conditions. Natural regeneration is only suitable in cool, moist, and stable soil conditions.
Article
Ecology
Congrong Wang, Tianyang Zhou, Yuanzhi Qin, Gang Zhou, Yanan Fei, Yaozhan Xu, Zhiyao Tang, Mingxi Jiang, Xiujuan Qiao
Summary: This study describes the spatial distribution of woody plant species in the Wuling Mountains and adjacent regions in China, and finds that the Wuling Mountains play an important role as an ecological corridor for woody species, connecting Northern and Southern China.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Saverio Sciandrello, Salvatore Cambria, Gianpietro Giusso del Galdo, Pietro Minissale, Marta Puglisi, Gianmarco Tavilla, Valeria Tomaselli
Summary: In order to conserve endangered plant species, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of their habitats. Urtica rupestris Guss. (Urticaceae) is a rare endemic plant species found on shady cliffs in southern-eastern Sicily. Due to human activities, the natural habitats have been fragmented, leading to the decline and disappearance of several plant species. This study analyzes vegetation plots to characterize the floristic composition of the U. rupestris community, and proposes new risk status and habitat designation for its long-term conservation. The establishment of a new association, Urtico rupestris-Adiantetum capilli-veneris, is also described.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mingyang Chang, Xinyi Luo, Yaru Zhang, Yulan Pang, Menghan Li, Jiajia Liu, Liangjun Da, Kun Song
Summary: This study investigated the composition of spontaneous plants and land use on the islands of the Chongming District in Shanghai, and found a positive relationship between land-use diversity and species richness. The relationship was more pronounced at smaller spatial scales. In addition to impervious surface coverage, both vegetated and non-vegetated land-use diversity contributed significantly to the prediction of species richness at finer spatial scales.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Andleeb Zehra, Mukesh Meena, Dhanaji M. Jadhav, Prashant Swapnil, Harish
Summary: This review paper examines and provides an overview of the various conservation strategies and regulatory framework to protect endangered plants, particularly the Safed Musli. However, due to a lack of effective conservation, these plants are on the verge of extinction.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mustaqeem Ahmad, Padma Sharma, Sonia Rathee, Harminder P. Singh, Daizy R. Batish, Gowher R. Lone, Shalinder Kaur, Vikrant Jaryan, Ravinder Kumar Kohli
Summary: High-elevation mountain communities are facing threats from habitat fragmentation and climate change, leading to habitat shift and biodiversity loss. Non-native species thrive at lower elevations and their niche width decreases with elevation, potentially displacing endemic or native habitat specialist species and increasing their extinction risk. Conservation strategies need to be implemented to control non-native species and protect native species at high extinction risk in these vulnerable ecosystems.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Bashir B. Tiamiyu, Boniface K. Ngarega, Xu Zhang, Huajie Zhang, Tianhui Kuang, Gui-Yun Huang, Tao Deng, Hengchang Wang
Summary: Understanding how species like Garuga forrestii have adapted to past climates provides insights into present distribution and future responses to climate change. Factors such as temperature seasonality, elevation, and precipitation of the wettest month significantly influence the species distribution, with potential threats under high-emissions scenarios in the future.
Article
Plant Sciences
Moises Guardiola, Llorenc Saez
Summary: This study calculated taxonomic and phylogenetic metrics for the endemic flora of the Balearic Islands and identified spatial patterns and environmental factors that explain the endemism. Hotspots of species and phylogenetic endemism were identified, and gaps in the protected areas were highlighted. This study demonstrates the importance of considering both taxonomic and phylogenetic information in conservation planning.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhanhui Xu, Hai Ren, Xiao Wei, Kangting Ouyang, Dongxing Li, Yili Guo, Shujun Wen, Jifeng Long, Jun Wang, Dafeng Hui
Summary: Camellia longzhouensis is an endemic plant species with limited distribution in South China, mainly growing under the canopy of secondary forests in karst mountains. Soil fertility and understory light availability are the main factors influencing its survival. Cleistanthus petelotii has a significant positive interspecific interaction with C. longzhouensis in the community.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Noelline Tsafack, Gabor Pozsgai, Mario Boieiro, Alejandra Ros-Prieto, Rui Nunes, Maria Teresa Ferreira, Paulo A. V. Borges
Summary: This study examines the impact of forest edges on arthropod assemblages, finding that edges have an effect on species composition and that endemic species are more likely to be constrained by edges. It highlights the need to avoid fragmentation and increase the size of natural parks to protect and manage these endemic species.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shiv Paul, S. S. Samant
Summary: Pittosporum eriocarpum is an endemic and endangered tree in the Indian Himalayan Region, with limited distribution. Previous studies on the species focused mainly on taxonomy and ethnobotany/resource use patterns. This study aimed to assess populations, analyze soil properties, develop Ecological Niche Model, and standardize seed germination protocol for conservation purposes. The study surveyed and sampled sixteen populations of P. eriocarpum in Himachal Pradesh. Results showed variations in density among populations, with the highest density in rocky habitats and west-facing aspects. Major associated trees included Pinus roxburghii, Pistacia chinensis ssp. integerrima, Grewia optiva, Albizia lebbeck, Quer-cus oblongata, and Bauhinia variegata. Soil analysis revealed significant negative correlation between P. eriocarpum density and pH. The study also used species occurrence data and bio-climatic variables to predict suitable habitats for reintroducing P. eriocarpum, finding that 9.37% of Himachal Pradesh is appropriate. Furthermore, the study found that GA3 and KNO3 were effective in increasing germination and reducing mean germination time for P. eriocarpum seeds. Despite high seed viability, the species faces challenges in regeneration and spreading due to overexploitation, intensive grazing, and competition from associated species. Regular monitoring and complete habitat protection are recommended for in-situ conservation.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2023)