Article
Environmental Sciences
Bheem Dutt Joshi, Sujeet Kumar Singh, Vinaya Kumar Singh, Gul Jabin, Avijit Ghosh, Supriyo Dalui, Abhishek Singh, Prajnashree Priyambada, Stanzin Dolker, Tanoy Mukherjee, Amira Sharief, Vineet Kumar, Hemant Singh, Avantika Thapa, Chandra Maya Sharma, Ritam Dutta, Saurav Bhattacharjee, Inder Singh, Balram Singh Mehar, Kailash Chandra, Lalit Kumar Sharma, Mukesh Thakur
Summary: Monitoring mammalian genetic diversity in the Indian Himalayan Region can provide insights into forest connectivity and quality, aiding the development of species-oriented conservation and management programs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sarah M. Wenner, Melanie A. Murphy, Kathleen S. Delaney, Gregory B. Pauly, Jonathan Q. Richmond, Robert N. Fisher, Jeanne M. Robertson
Summary: This study examines the population genetic structure and functional connectivity of the Blainville's horned lizard in the urbanized landscape of Greater Los Angeles. The results show the importance of both natural and anthropogenic landscape variables in shaping contemporary population genetics, with topography, microclimate, and soil and vegetation types as important predictors of functional connectivity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Charlotte R. Findlay, Laia Rojano-Donate, Jakob Tougaard, Mark P. Johnson, Peter Teglberg Madsen
Summary: Global reductions in underwater radiated noise levels from cargo vessels are necessary to mitigate the accumulative impacts on marine wildlife. By utilizing a vessel exposure simulation model, we demonstrate that reducing vessel source levels through slowdowns and technological modifications can significantly decrease the area exposed to ship noise. Furthermore, despite the longer duration it takes for a slower vessel to pass an animal, slowdowns effectively mitigate all impacts to marine mammals. Hence, we suggest implementing speed reductions as an immediate solution to reduce cumulative noise impacts, which can be scalable from local areas to global ocean basins. Additionally, routing vessels away from critical habitats and employing technological modifications to minimize vessel noise can further supplement these efforts.
Article
Ecology
Maarten J. E. Broekman, Jelle P. Hilbers, Mark A. J. Huijbregts, Thomas Mueller, Abdullahi H. Ali, Henrik Andren, Jeanne Altmann, Malin Aronsson, Nina Attias, Hattie L. A. Bartlam-Brooks, Floris M. van Beest, Jerrold L. Belant, Dean E. Beyer, Laura Bidner, Niels Blaum, Randall B. Boone, Mark S. Boyce, Michael B. Brown, Francesca Cagnacci, Rok Cerne, Simon Chamaille-Jammes, Nandintsetseg Dejid, Jasja Dekker, Arnaud L. J. Desbiez, Samuel L. Diaz-Munoz, Julian Fennessy, Claudia Fichtel, Christina Fischer, Jason T. Fisher, Ilya Fischhoff, Adam T. Ford, John M. Fryxell, Benedikt Gehr, Jacob R. Goheen, Morgan Hauptfleisch, A. J. Mark Hewison, Robert Hering, Marco Heurich, Lynne A. Isbell, Rene Janssen, Florian Jeltsch, Petra Kaczensky, Peter M. Kappeler, Miha Krofel, Scott LaPoint, A. David M. Latham, John D. C. Linnell, A. Catherine Markham, Jenny Mattisson, Emilia Patricia Medici, Guilherme de Miranda Mourao, Bram Van Moorter, Ronaldo G. Morato, Nicolas Morellet, Atle Mysterud, Stephen Mwiu, John Odden, Kirk A. Olson, Aivars Ornicans, Nives Pagon, Manuela Panzacchi, Jens Persson, Tyler Petroelje, Christer Moe Rolandsen, David Roshier, Daniel Rubenstein, Sonia Said, Albert R. Salemgareyev, Hall Sawyer, Niels Martin Schmidt, Nuria Selva, Agnieszka Sergiel, Jared Stabach, Jenna Stacy-Dawes, Frances E. C. Stewart, Jonas Stiegler, Olav Strand, Siva Sundaresan, Nathan J. Svoboda, Wiebke Ullmann, Ulrich Voigt, Jake Wall, Martin Wikelski, Christopher C. Wilmers, Filip Zieba, Tomasz Zwijacz-Kozica, Aafke M. Schipper, Marlee A. Tucker
Summary: This study evaluated habitat suitability data from the IUCN with GPS tracking data for 49 mammal species, showing that the two sources were largely consistent and can be used in macroecological studies. GPS tracking data can also help identify species and habitats for re-evaluation of IUCN habitat suitability.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
C. H. Frere, G. D. O'Reilly, K. Strickland, A. Schultz, K. Hohwieler, J. Hanger, D. de Villiers, R. Cristescu, D. Powell, W. Sherwin
Summary: The genetic consequences of population subdivision in human-impacted landscapes are significant for long-term evolution. This study analyzes the effects of population subdivision on genetic diversity using koala population data and proposes a method to evaluate mitigation measures.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Daniel P. Crear, Tobey H. Curtis, Stephen J. Durkee, John K. Carlson
Summary: Spatial management for highly migratory species faces challenges due to their mobile habits and dynamic habitats. The use of spatial modeling approaches can integrate species data to predict distributions and generate performance metrics for sustainable fisheries management. Overall, the PRiSM model provides an objective framework to compare distributions between closed and open areas to support sustainable fisheries.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
David B. Green, Sophie Bestley, Stuart P. Corney, Rowan Trebilco, Patrick Lehodey, Mark A. Hindell
Summary: The study identified high-quality spawning habitats of Antarctic krill in small-scale management units (SSMUs) around the Antarctic Peninsula, with low coverage in other regions reliant on external sources for population. Fishing in key spawning areas may have downstream impacts on management of SSMUs and the krill fishery.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. E. Iezzi, M. S. Di Bitetti, J. Martinez Pardo, A. Paviolo, P. Cruz, C. De Angelo
Summary: To prioritize conservation efforts in the Atlantic Forest of Argentina, this study assessed the contribution of habitat remnants to landscape connectivity for sensitive mammal species. By combining graph-based analysis and occupancy models, researchers determined the importance of different patches and identified key areas for conservation. The study highlights the need for selective species-based planning to prioritize patch connectivity and protect biodiversity in fragmented forests.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jamie B. Kirkpatrick, Michael M. Driessen, Peter J. Jarman, Lauren Jakob
Summary: This study investigates the impact of urban development on native mammals, and finds that adjacent suburbia, fire regime, and vegetation have an influence on mammal activity in a reserve in Hobart, Tasmania. The results suggest that urban areas can play a significant role in nature conservation, despite or because of their effects on native ecosystems.
Article
Ecology
Asuncion Semper-Pascual, Douglas Sheil, Lydia Beaudrot, Pierre Dupont, Soumen Dey, Jorge Ahumada, Emmanuel Akampurira, Robert Bitariho, Santiago Espinosa, Patrick A. A. Jansen, Marcela Guimaraes Moreira Lima, Emanuel H. H. Martin, Badru Mugerwa, Francesco Rovero, Fernanda Santos, Eustrate Uzabaho, Richard Bischof
Summary: The occurrence dynamics of wildlife populations in protected areas are influenced by anthropogenic stressors, particularly affecting habitat specialists and generalist species differently. The study found that colonization probability of habitat specialists is influenced by local-scale forest cover when the landscape-scale fragmentation is low, while survival probability of generalist species is more affected by the forest edge when the landscape-scale human population density is low.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guillemette Labadie, Philip D. McLoughlin, Mark Hebblewhite, Daniel Fortin
Summary: This study demonstrates how the introduction of insect pests can impact predator-prey relationships among large mammals, potentially affecting the entire ecosystem. Human activities may also exacerbate these impacts.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Michela Pacifici, Andrea Cristiano, Maria Lumbierres, Mauro Lucherini, David Mallon, Erik Meijaard, Sergio Solari, Marcelo F. Tognelli, Jerrold L. Belant, Thomas M. Butynski, Drew Cronin, Jean-Pierre d'Huart, Daniele Da Re, Yvonne A. de Jong, Arjun Dheer, Li Fei, Sonia Gallina, John M. Goodrich, Abishek Harihar, Carlos A. Lopez Gonzalez, Sarah R. B. King, Rebecca L. Lewison, Fabiano R. de Melo, Constanza Napolitano, Dede Aulia Rahman, Phillip T. Robinson, Timothy Robinson, Carlo Rondinini, Gono Semiadi, Karen Strier, Mauricio Talebi, William Andrew Taylor, Christine Thiel-Bender, Nelson Ting, Ingrid Wiesel
Summary: This study investigates the impact of habitat degradation on terrestrial mammal species. By comparing historic and current distribution maps for 475 species, we found that 59% of them have less available habitat in their lost ranges, suggesting habitat loss contributed to range declines. Factors like land conversion to rangeland and high livestock density negatively affected habitat availability. Intrinsic traits such as reproductive timing, habitat breadth and medium body size also played a role. The study underscores the need for conservation efforts to mitigate human-induced habitat threats and identifies species that could potentially reclaim lost range if threats are addressed.
GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Berihun Gebremedhin, Desalegn Chala, Oystein Flagstad, Afework Bekele, Vegar Bakkestuen, Bram van Moorter, G. Francesco Ficetola, Niklaus E. Zimmermann, Christian Brochmann, Nils Chr Stenseth
Summary: The study found that the suitable habitat for the Walia ibex in Simen Mountains is estimated to be 501-672 km(2) under current climate conditions, and 6,251-7,732 km(2) in other Ethiopian mountains. By 2080, the suitable habitat in Simen is projected to increase while decreasing in other parts of Ethiopia. The ruggedness of the mountains and the species' ability to exploit steep slopes may contribute to the expansion of suitable habitat in Simen despite climate warming, but ultimately, the species may face challenges in finding new space to colonize.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Heather Welch, Matthew S. Savoca, Stephanie Brodie, Michael G. Jacox, Barbara A. Muhling, Thomas A. Clay, Megan A. Cimino, Scott R. Benson, Barbara A. Block, Melinda G. Conners, Daniel P. Costa, Fredrick D. Jordan, Andrew W. Leising, Chloe S. Mikles, Daniel M. Palacios, Scott A. Shaffer, Lesley H. Thorne, Jordan T. Watson, Rachel R. Holser, Lynn Dewitt, Steven J. Bograd, Elliott L. Hazen
Summary: Marine heatwaves have significant impacts on the environment, biology, and socio-economy, making them a major challenge for management in the 21st century. However, the variability of heatwaves and their effects on marine species remain poorly understood, hindering proactive management. This study models the effects of four recent heatwaves in the Northeastern Pacific on the distributions of 14 top predator species, highlighting the need for novel management solutions to respond to extreme climate events.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Simeon Zylinski, Matthew Swan, Holly Sitters
Summary: Altered fire regimes pose a threat to biodiversity, but there is limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Previous studies have focused on mammal responses to time since fire and habitat structure separately, without considering their interaction. Fires may also interact with other threats such as habitat loss and fragmentation, but these factors are rarely incorporated into fire studies. Understanding the mechanisms and interactions between fire, habitat structure, and other threats is critical for effective fire management in conservation.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Olga A. Filatova, Erich Hoyt, Alexander M. Burdin, Vladimir N. Burkanov, Ivan D. Fedutin, Ekaterina N. Ovsyanikova, Olga Shpak, Tatiana S. Shulezhko, Olga Titova
Summary: Cetacean species are highly mobile and travel long distances, making their conservation challenging. This study analyzes cetacean sightings in the Russian Far East to identify important areas for different species. The findings show that current marine protected areas (MPAs) are insufficient in protecting cetaceans and biodiversity, and suggest the need to expand existing MPAs and establish new ones.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David O'Brien, Linda Laikre, Sean Hoban, Michael W. Bruford, Robert Ekblom, Martin C. Fischer, Jeanette Hall, Christina Hvilsom, Peter M. Hollingsworth, Francine Kershaw, Cinnamon S. Mittan, Tarek A. Mukassabi, Rob Ogden, Gernot Segelbacher, Robyn E. Shaw, Cristiano Vernesi, Anna J. MacDonald
Summary: Genetic diversity, an important component of biodiversity, is often under-reported and narrowly focused on domesticated or commercial species. Various approaches have been developed to address this issue, but the multiplicity of methods can cause confusion. We propose a unified reporting mechanism to evaluate genetic diversity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara M. Maxwell, Francine Kershaw, Cameron C. Locke, Melinda G. Conners, Cyndi Dawson, Sandy Aylesworth, Rebecca Loomis, Andrew F. Johnson
Summary: The article discusses the current status of floating offshore wind turbine technology and its potential impacts on marine ecosystems, recommending mitigation measures such as monitoring and deterrent technologies for managers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ivan D. Fedutin, Olga A. Filatova, Ilya G. Meschersky, Erich Hoyt
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2022)
News Item
Biodiversity Conservation
Erich Hoyt
Article
Environmental Sciences
Margherita Zanardelli, Sabina Airoldi, Martine Berube, J. Fabrizio Borsani, Nathalie Di-Meglio, Alexandre Gannier, Philip S. Hammond, Maddalena Jahoda, Giancarlo Lauriano, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Simone Panigada
Summary: The study merged photo-identification data from different sources to estimate the population size, survival rate, and sex ratio of fin whales in the North-western Mediterranean. The results showed consistent estimates and discussed possible factors affecting whale survival, such as ship strikes.
AQUATIC CONSERVATION-MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Emily Chou, Melinda L. Rekdahl, Arthur H. Kopelman, Danielle M. Brown, Paul L. Sieswerda, Robert A. DiGiovanni, Howard C. Rosenbaum
Summary: This study synthesizes opportunistic sightings of baleen whales in the New York Bight from 1998 to 2017, providing important baseline data on the occurrence and behaviors of these whales prior to recent survey efforts. The study reveals that humpback and fin whales were the most commonly sighted species, followed by North Atlantic right whales and North Atlantic minke whales. The findings highlight the overlap between baleen whales and anthropogenic use areas, and the importance of considering these opportunistic data in informing effective management and mitigation efforts.
JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
(2022)
Review
Ecology
Erica S. Nielsen, Jeffrey O. Hanson, Silvia B. Carvalho, Maria Beger, Romina Henriques, Francine Kershaw, Sophie von der Heyden
Summary: Integrative and proactive conservation approaches are essential for the long-term survival of biodiversity. Molecular data, although rarely used, can provide valuable insights for conserving biodiversity at different levels. This article bridges the gap between molecular ecology and systematic conservation planning, providing a practical guide for incorporating molecular data into spatial conservation planning tools. The proposed framework enhances interdisciplinary collaboration, which is key to achieving ambitious global conservation goals in the coming decade.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ciaran A. Hyde, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Lynn Sorrentino, Charlotte Boyd, Brittany Finucci, Sarah L. Fowler, Peter M. Kyne, Guido Leurs, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Michael J. Tetley, Freya Womersley, Rima W. Jabado
Summary: Area-based conservation is crucial for safeguarding declining biodiversity. The Important Shark and Ray Area (ISRA) approach provides standardized criteria for identifying and managing discrete portions of habitat important for shark, ray, and chimaera species. This approach aims to address the global biodiversity crisis faced by these species and contribute to their recovery.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sean Hoban, Michael W. Bruford, Jessica M. da Silva, W. Chris Funk, Richard Frankham, Michael J. Gill, Catherine E. Grueber, Myriam Heuertz, Margaret E. Hunter, Francine Kershaw, Robert C. Lacy, Caroline Lees, Margarida Lopes-Fernandes, Anna J. MacDonald, Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, Philip J. K. McGowan, Mariah H. Meek, Joachim Mergeay, Katie L. Millette, Cinnamon S. Mittan-Moreau, Laetitia M. Navarro, David O'Brien, Rob Ogden, Gernot Segelbacher, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Cristiano Vernesi, Linda Laikre
Summary: The goals and targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) have evolved to include maintaining genetic diversity, restoring genetic connectivity, developing national conservation strategies, and reporting on these using feasible indicators.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gill T. Braulik, Barbara L. Taylor, Gianna Minton, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Tim Collins, Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, Enrique A. Crespo, Louisa S. Ponnampalam, Michael C. Double, Randall R. Reeves
Summary: To understand the loss of biodiversity on a global scale, standardized tools are required. Using data from the IUCN Red List, the study assessed the conservation status and extinction risk of cetaceans. The results showed that 26% of cetacean species were threatened with extinction, with 11% near threatened and 10% data deficient. The proportion of threatened cetaceans has increased over time, and small geographic range and coastal and freshwater habitats pose the greatest threat. An analysis of distribution revealed a global hotspot of threatened cetaceans in Southeast Asia.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
News Item
Biodiversity Conservation
Peter M. Kyne, Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara, Amanda Batlle Morera, Ryan Charles, Emiliano Garcia Rodriguez, Daniel Fernando, Adriana Gonzalez Pestana, Mark Priest, Rima W. Jabado
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Olga A. Filatova, Ivan D. Fedutin, Ekaterina A. Borisova, Ilya G. Meschersky, Erich Hoyt
Summary: This study examined the genetic and vocal variation in resident killer whales from Nemuro Strait in the western North Pacific. The results showed significant differences in mtDNA control region haplotypes and stereotyped calls between the Nemuro population and those from Kamchatka and the adjacent western North Pacific. This suggests that Nemuro Strait represents a separate maternal lineage and supports the existence of a southwestern glacial refugium for killer whales during the Last Glacial Maximum.
MARINE MAMMAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Francine Kershaw, Michael W. Bruford, W. Chris Funk, Catherine E. Grueber, Sean Hoban, Margaret E. Hunter, Linda Laikre, Anna J. MacDonald, Mariah H. Meek, Cinnamon Mittan, David O'Brien, Rob Ogden, Robyn E. Shaw, Cristiano Vernesi, Gernot Segelbacher
Summary: The article introduces the Coalition for Conservation Genetics (CCG) and its achievements, highlighting the barriers to conserving genetic diversity and emphasizing the importance of collaboration, partnerships, and coordination.
CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Elizabeth Alter, Carissa D. King, Emily Chou, Sam Chew Chin, Melinda Rekdahl, Howard C. Rosenbaum
Summary: Determining how cetaceans and other threatened marine animals use coastal habitats is critical to their effective conservation. Environmental DNA (eDNA) can be used to detect cetaceans over broad spatial and temporal scales. This study tested the use of eDNA metabarcoding to detect the presence and identity of cetaceans in the New York Bight and to identify fish species in the area. The results show that eDNA can complement visual and acoustic surveys of marine megafauna.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2022)