Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sean Hoban, Catriona D. Campbell, Jessica M. da Silva, Robert Ekblom, W. Chris Funk, Brittany A. Garner, Jose A. Godoy, Francine Kershaw, Anna J. MacDonald, Joachim Mergeay, Melissa Minter, David O'Brien, Ivan Paz Vinas, Sarah K. Pearson, Silvia Perez-Espona, Kevin M. Potter, Isa-Rita M. Russo, Gernot Segelbacher, Cristiano Vernesi, Margaret E. Hunter
Summary: International agreements like the CBD are crucial for global conservation efforts, but often overlook genetic diversity, which is essential for adaptation to environmental changes. While most Parties to the CBD recognize the importance of genetic diversity, their actions mainly focus on variation within crops and livestock rather than monitoring and in situ conservation. Recommendations for future frameworks include improving awareness, assessment, and monitoring of genetic diversity for more consistent and comprehensive reporting.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel Goncalves-Souza, Bruno Vilela, Ben Phalan, Ricardo Dobrovolski
Summary: Research shows that protected areas and indigenous lands in Brazil have had a positive impact in avoiding ecosystem destruction, with this effect extending to buffer zones around protected areas. The most effective protected areas are older, larger, located in the Amazon region, and indigenous lands. Despite recent setbacks, the benefits of strengthened protected areas for biodiversity and climate are highlighted.
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
Francis O. Arimoro, Unique N. Keke
Summary: Indicator species have been used in modern aquatic research to monitor environmental changes and assess the effectiveness of management procedures. This study evaluated the development of surrogate indicator groups for the conservation and management of biodiversity in Northern Nigeria streams by surveying 15 streams in Niger state. The study found distinct indicator species for reference and impacted sites, with reference sites indicating good water quality and impacted sites showing signs of anthropogenic pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Connor M. French, Laura D. Bertola, Ana C. Carnaval, Evan P. Economo, Jamie M. Kass, David J. Lohman, Katharine A. Marske, Rudolf Meier, Isaac Overcast, Andrew J. Rominger, Phillip P. A. Staniczenko, Michael J. Hickerson
Summary: Understanding global patterns of genetic diversity is crucial for studying and preserving biodiversity. This study creates a global map of predicted insect mitochondrial genetic diversity and identifies the environmental factors associated with genetic diversity. The findings contribute to our understanding of global biodiversity patterns in the most diverse animal group and have important implications for conservation efforts.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sean Hoban, Jessica M. da Silva, Alicia Mastretta-Yanes, Catherine E. Grueber, Myriam Heuertz, Margaret E. Hunter, Joachim Mergeay, Ivan Paz-Vinas, Keiichi Fukaya, Fumiko Ishihama, Rebecca Jordan, Viktoria Koppa, Maria Camilla Latorre-Cardenas, Anna J. MacDonald, Victor Rincon-Parra, Per Sjogren-Gulve, Naoki Tani, Henrik Thurfjell, Linda Laikre
Summary: Recent scientific evidence emphasizes the importance of maintaining and monitoring genetic diversity for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Three genetic diversity indicators, including non-DNA based assessments, have been proposed for reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity and other conservation initiatives. These indicators allow for an approximation of genetic diversity using existing demographic and geographic information, informing policy decisions. Ongoing efforts in calculating and applying these indicators, as well as addressing implementation challenges, are described, highlighting the potential of using existing biodiversity observation data to report on genetic diversity.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
J. Andrew DeWoody, Avril M. Harder, Samarth Mathur, Janna R. Willoughby
Summary: The importance of genetic diversity in conservation biology cannot be overstated, as it is closely tied to evolutionary fitness and crucial for conservation efforts. In the Anthropocene, responsible management should prioritize the conservation of ecosystems, communities, populations, individuals, and their underlying genetic diversity.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eric D. Crandall, Rachel H. Toczydlowski, Libby Liggins, Ann E. Holmes, Maryam Ghoojaei, Michelle R. Gaither, Briana E. Wham, Andrea L. Pritt, Cory Noble, Tanner J. Anderson, Randi L. Barton, Justin T. Berg, Sofia G. Beskid, Alonso Delgado, Emily Farrell, Nan Himmelsbach, Samantha R. Queeno, Thienthanh Trinh, Courtney Weyand, Andrew Bentley, John Deck, Cynthia Riginos, Gideon S. Bradburd, Robert J. Toonen
Summary: Genetic diversity within species is important for species resilience and conservation policies, but most studies lack the necessary spatial and temporal metadata for reusability and acknowledging sovereignty. We conducted a datathon and found that metadata decayed over time, with successful restoration through papers and online repositories being more effective than contacting authors directly. The rapid decay of metadata availability should prompt updates to data-sharing policies and researcher practices.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ningxin Gu, Guoling Chen, Jia Yang, Chenqing Zheng, Xiaohui Gao, Leyang Yuan, Siyu Wang, Zhongyong Fan, Yiwei Lu, Gang Song, Shuihua Chen, Yang Liu
Summary: The Chinese Crested Tern is one of the most endangered seabird species in the world, with lower genetic diversity and signals of post-bottleneck population expansion observed. The study also found introgression between Chinese Crested Tern and Great Crested Tern.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rachel H. Toczydlowski, Libby Liggins, Michelle R. Gaither, Tanner J. Anderson, Randi L. Barton, Justin T. Berg, Sofia G. Beskid, Beth Davis, Alonso Delgado, Emily Farrell, Maryam Ghoojaei, Nan Himmelsbach, Ann E. Holmes, Samantha R. Queeno, Thienthanh Trinh, Courtney A. Weyand, Gideon S. Bradburd, Cynthia Riginos, Robert J. Toonen, Eric D. Crandall
Summary: Genomic data are being generated and archived rapidly, but a lack of spatiotemporal metadata poses challenges for genetic diversity monitoring. Only a small fraction of genomic datasets contain geographic coordinates and collection years, highlighting the need for streamlined data processes and updated policies to address the growing metadata gap.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Kevin Tkach, Maggie J. Watson
Summary: Genetic tools are used in applied conservation management for various purposes, including taxonomic identification, population management, captive breeding, and control of invasive species. However, the application of these tools in conservation management is biased towards certain species and geographic locations, and there is a lack of published applications in both primary and grey literature. This study highlights the need to bring conservation genetics tools to the forefront of conservation policy and management, and to improve accessibility and dissemination of results to other end users and interested parties.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Marta Cavallini, Gianluca Lombardo, Giorgio Binelli, Claudio Cantini
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic diversity of the sweet chestnut and found high levels of genetic diversity within varieties of the same area. Significant genetic differentiation was also observed between cultivation areas, and the existence of ancestral gene pools was confirmed through population structure inference. These findings have important implications for the conservation of this species and future breeding programs.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elizabeth R. Lawrence, Eric J. Pedersen, Dylan J. Fraser
Summary: This study examined the distribution of population-specific genetic diversity (GD(P)) in vertebrates across the Americas, and found non-linear trends in H-E with spatial hotspots and cold spots instead of a strict pattern with latitude. The relationships between H-E and environmental variables differed among vertebrate groups, with only freshwater fishes consistently showing significant relationships. The study highlights the differences between species and genetic diversity and emphasizes the need for spatial and taxonomic-specific considerations in conservation planning.
Review
Ecology
Isaac Overcast, Guillaume Achaz, Robin Aguilee, Carmelo Andujar, Paula Arribas, Thomas J. Creedy, Evan P. Economo, Rampal S. Etienne, Rosemary Gillespie, Claire Jacquet, Flora Jay, Susan Kennedy, Henrik Krehenwinkel, Amaury Lambert, Emmanouil Meramveliotakis, Victor Noguerales, Benoit Perez-Lamarque, George Roderick, Haldre Rogers, Megan Ruffley, Isabel Sanmartin, Alfried P. Vogler, Anna Papadopoulou, Brent C. Emerson, Helene Morlon
Summary: MacArthur and Wilson's theory of island biogeography has been important for predicting patterns of species diversity, abundance, and trait data. However, there is a need to incorporate the genetic component into these models and unify processes across different organizational scales. This review highlights the potential for developing a genetic theory of island biogeography and outlines two approaches for integrating genetic diversity patterns into community-scale models.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hayley S. Clements, Matthew F. Child, Lehman Lindeque, Kyra Lunderstedt, Alta De Vos
Summary: This study assessed the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on South African wildlife ranches, agricultural farms, and protected areas. It found that diversified and mixed business models showed greater adaptive capacity. Protected areas experienced the greatest revenue loss, while agricultural farms were less affected. The impacts on wildlife ranches varied, with those engaged in diverse activities being more resilient. The study suggests that wildlife-based enterprises could offer valuable lessons for integrated global policies in conservation.
NATURE SUSTAINABILITY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yongcui Lan, Jinliang Wang, Qianwei Liu, Fang Liu, Lanfang Liu, Jie Li, Mengjia Luo
Summary: This study focuses on the five major plateau lake basins in central Yunnan, China, and constructs an ecological security pattern using the source-resistance surface-corridor-pinch point framework. The study simulates land use/cover change in the region and identifies early warning regions where future urban expansion poses a threat to current ecological source areas and corridors.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pingping Huang, Feng Zhao, Bailing Zhou, Kuidong Xu
Summary: This study investigates the distribution of benthic microeukaryotes in the China Seas and finds that they can stride over the ecological barrier of 32 degrees N. The study also highlights the significant influence of depth, temperature, and latitude on communities in the China Seas.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Federico Morelli, Yanina Benedetti, Jesse Stanford, Leszek Jerzak, Piotr Tryjanowski, Paolo Perna, Riccardo Santolini
Summary: Species distribution models (SDMs) are numerical tools used for predicting species' spatial distribution. This study found that ecological characteristics, such as habitat specialization, play a role in improving the accuracy of SDMs.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaoxuan Wu, Hang Liu, Wei Liu
Summary: Global climate change, urbanization, and economic development have increased the need for sustainable human development, urban ecological governance, and low-carbon energy transformation. This study analyzes the green ecological transition in Chengdu based on panel data from 2010 to 2020, exploring its spatiotemporal evolution and key factors. The results show an overall upward trend in Chengdu's green ecological development and positive spatial autocorrelation in certain districts.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Castaldi Simona, Formicola Nicola, Mastrocicco Micol, Morales Rodriguez Carmen, Morelli Raffaella, Prodorutti Daniele, Vannini Andrea, Zanzotti Roberto
Summary: Sustainable agricultural practices are increasingly important for global and national environmental policies and economy. This study compared the sustainability of grape production under integrated and organic management using multiple indicators. The results showed that organic management was more beneficial for most environmental aspects of the agroecosystem compared to integrated management, without affecting grape yield.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Gaia Vaglio Laurin, Alexander Cotrina-Sanchez, Luca Belelli-Marchesini, Enrico Tomelleri, Giovanna Battipaglia, Claudia Cocozza, Francesco Niccoli, Jerzy Piotr Kabala, Damiano Gianelle, Loris Vescovo, Luca Da Ros, Riccardo Valentini
Summary: Phenology monitoring is important for understanding forest functioning and climate impacts. This research compares the phenological behavior of European beech forests using Tree-Talker (TT+) and Sentinel 2 satellite data. The study finds differences in the information derived by the two sensor types, particularly in terms of season length, phenology changepoints, and leaf period variability. TT+ with its higher temporal resolution demonstrates precision in capturing the phenological changepoints, especially when satellite image availability is limited.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Huanhuan Pan, Ziqiang Du, Zhitao Wu, Hong Zhang, Keming Ma
Summary: The land use and cover changes resulting from coal mining activities and ecological restoration have had a significant impact on ecosystem services in mining areas. This study investigates the relationship between ecosystem services and land use intensity in coal mining areas, emphasizing the importance of understanding this interdependence for balanced human-land system development. The research examines the evolving relationship across different reclamation stages in Shanxi, China, using a coupling coordination degree model. The findings suggest the need for timely and judicious reclamation of coalfields, considering the land's bearing capacity.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jingjuan He, Yijun Shi, Lihua Xu, Zhangwei Lu, Mao Feng
Summary: This study examines the spatial interplay between changes in the blue-green spatial distribution and modifications in land surface temperature grades in Shanghai. The findings reveal that the transformation of the blue-green spatial pattern differs between different sectors of the city, and the impact on the thermal environment varies spatially.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yi Xu, Di Zhang, Junqiang Lin, Qidong Peng, Xiaohui Lei, Tiantian Jin, Jia Wang, Ruifang Yuan
Summary: This study analyzed the response relationship between phytoplankton growth and water environmental parameters in the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project in China using long-term monitoring data and machine learning models. The results revealed the differences between monitoring sites and identified the key parameters that affect phytoplankton growth.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2024)