Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juan Lorite, Carlos Salazar-Mendias, Roza Pawlak, Eva Maria Canadas
Summary: Overgrazing is a significant threat to biodiversity, especially in the Mediterranean region, and fencing is a common tool used for conservation. While fences can have advantages such as quick and intuitive effects, there can also be disadvantages for both habitat and species. The effectiveness of fencing in conservation varies among different species and populations, highlighting the importance of a case-by-case evaluation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jalil Noroozi, Masoud Minaei, Sina Khalvati, Akram Kaveh, Hanieh Nafisi, Behnaz Nazari, Golshan Zare, Ernst Vitek, Karl Huelber, Gerald M. Schneeweiss
Summary: This study aims to investigate the biodiversity hotspots and conservation status of subalpine-alpine habitats in Southwest Asia. Using distribution data of subalpine vascular plant species, the researchers identified hotspots and conservation gaps. The results show that a large proportion of these hotspots are unprotected, highlighting the need for new nature reserves in these areas.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Barbara Turner, Steffen Hameister, Andreas Hudler, Karl-Georg Bernhardt
Summary: Intense land use and river regulations have led to the destruction of wetland habitats, affecting plant species like Stratiotes aloides. Maintaining genetic diversity is crucial for species survival. Research found low genetic diversity within populations of Stratiotes aloides, but differences between populations were observed, with distinct genetic groups following major river systems.
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
Henrik Thurfjell, Linda Laikre, Robert Ekblom, Sean Hoban, Per Sjogren-Gulve
Summary: The study highlights the importance of genetic diversity for species adaptability and survival, emphasizing the need for monitoring to ensure maintenance. Data showed that some species may have an effective population size, while information on remaining populations or historical range was available for only 20% of species. Additionally, genetic diversity in some species is being monitored using DNA-based methods.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Tiantian Xue, Sudhindra R. Gadagkar, Thomas P. Albright, Xudong Yang, Jin Li, Changying Xia, Jianyong Wu, Shengxiang Yu
Summary: Through the analysis of a large number of sampling coordinates, researchers identified nine hotspot areas in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, with four being identified for the first time. These areas cover 89% of species richness but only 7% of the total land area. Conservation efforts should focus on establishing new protected areas in conservation gaps, upgrading existing nature reserves, and carrying out targeted conservation for endemic species in the QTP.
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)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sara Kurland, Atal Saha, Naomi Keehnen, Maria de la Paz Celorio-Mancera, David Diez-del-Molino, Nils Ryman, Linda Laikre
Summary: This study assesses the temporal trends in genetic diversity in Swedish wild brown trout populations using whole genome sequencing and newly adopted indicators. The results show declines in diversity in some lakes and high levels of inbreeding. The study also identifies genes related to skin pigmentation, reproduction, and immunity that may be undergoing adaptive selection.
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
Ning Zong, Gang Fu
Summary: Desertification can impact global socioeconomic development, ecological safety, and human health. In a field experiment in the Northern Tibet, it was found that species diversity and function diversity were affected by desertification, with soil fungal communities playing a key role in element cycling. Monitoring desertification conditions may be improved by combining species and function composition.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anastasia Andersson, Sten Karlsson, Nils Ryman, Linda Laikre
Summary: Genetic diversity is crucial for population adaptation and long-term survival, but often overlooked in biodiversity monitoring. A 40-year study in small mountain lakes in central Sweden monitored genetic diversity of brown trout populations, proposing six new indicators for genetic diversity monitoring, which are valuable tools for managers to initiate genetic biodiversity monitoring.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Damaris M. Matten, Ida M. Mienna, Vanessa C. Bieker, Brent D. Mishler, Victoria S. Moen, Malene Nygaard, Katariina E. M. Vuorinen, Mika Bendiksby, Michael D. Martin, James D. M. Speed
Summary: Protected areas are an important strategy for conserving biodiversity, but they often overlook phylogenetic diversity. This study assesses the phylogenetic diversity and species richness of vascular plants in Fennoscandian protected areas, comparing them to areas outside of protection. The results suggest that protected areas in Fennoscandia have more plant diversity when larger, and that phylogenetic diversity increases faster with area than species richness.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Maja Lazarevic, Sonja Siljak-Yakovlev, Agathe Sanino, Marjan Niketic, Francoise Lamy, Damien D. Hinsinger, Gordana Tomovic, Branka Stevanovic, Vladimir Stevanovic, Thierry Robert
Summary: The genus Ramonda is composed of three rare and ancient species that have survived in refuge habitats in the Balkan and Iberian Peninsulas. These species are resurrection plants, which are uncommon among flowering plants in Europe. Through the use of genetic markers and genome size estimation, it has been discovered that there is ongoing interspecific and interploidy hybridization between the two Ramonda species in sympatric areas. Genetic flow between species is strictly limited to these areas of coexistence. In other regions, the Ramonda species exhibit low genetic diversity within populations and high differentiation between populations. Within sympatric areas, there is a remarkable variation in cytotypes, exceeding most reported cases of mixed ploidy in complex plant species.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Eftychia Martinidou, Luisa Palmieri, Maddalena Sordo, Domenico Masuero, Maria Ourda, Luca Delucchi, Pietro Fusani, Veronika Tremml, Ioanna Poulopoulou, Matthias Gauly, Mark J. Horgan, Bianka Siewert, Hermann Stuppner, Stefan Martens
Summary: Cicerbita alpina, a perennial alpine plant from the Italian Alps, exhibits strong antiparasitic activity and could serve as a sustainable alternative for nematode control. By analyzing chemical and genetic diversity in germplasm collections from different regions of the Alps, this study provides a basis for further breeding and cultivation of C. alpina.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
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)
Review
Ecology
Shawan Chowdhury, Michael D. Jennions, Myron P. Zalucki, Martine Maron, James E. M. Watson, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Anthropogenic pressures are causing a decline in insect populations worldwide. Protected areas, which are important for safeguarding vertebrates, have not focused much on insect conservation. There is a lack of knowledge on the effectiveness of protected areas for insect conservation, especially regarding threats and management strategies. The authors propose a research agenda to prioritize insects in expanding the global protected area network.
TRENDS IN ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barbara Schroeter, Claudia Sattler, Jean Paul Metzger, Jonathan R. Rhodes, Marie-Josee Fortin, Camila Hohlenwerger, L. Roman Carrasco, Oerjan Bodin
Summary: Inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration in environmental studies face the challenge of effectively communicating across disciplines to address pressing environmental challenges. This research brief evaluates the use of a boundary work approach in a synthesis group on socio-ecological systems, and discusses how it can integrate the knowledge of natural and social scientists. The results show that strategic selection of members, inclusion of boundary spanners, and prior identification of boundary concepts and objects can enhance collaboration and problem-solving in multidisciplinary teams.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biology
Shawan Chowdhury, Upama Aich, Md Rokonuzzaman, Shofiul Alam, Priyanka Das, Asma Siddika, Sultan Ahmed, Mahzabin Muzahid Labi, Moreno Di Marco, Richard A. Fuller, Corey T. Callaghan
Summary: Citizen science programs are popular among naturalists, but they have biases in terms of taxonomy and geography. However, with the rise of social media and smartphones, wildlife photographs posted on social media can be used to enhance biodiversity understanding. This study compares biodiversity records from Facebook with those from GBIF and shows the potential of using social media biodiversity data.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Xiaotong Ren, Shen Zhang, Ke Huang, He-Bo Peng, Changlin Li, Ding Zhao, Dehong Pang, Yong Wu, Peng Liu, Peng Chen, Rong Hou, Richard A. Fuller, Fangyuan Hua, Pinjia Que
Summary: This study provides the first assessment of the breeding season habitat use of the Wood Snipe. The results indicate that Wood Snipes prefer alpine meadow habitats with lower elevation and moderate soil moisture. The actual distribution range of the Wood Snipe during the breeding season may be smaller than expected. Further research is needed to better understand the ecology of this rare species.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Da-Li Lin, Chih-Yi Tsai, Scott Pursner, Jung Chao, Allen Lyu, Tatsuya Amano, Martine Maron, Ruey-Shing Lin, Kun-Hai Lin, Kung-Kuo Chiang, Yung-Lun Lin, Li-Chung Lu, An-Yu Chang, Wan-Jyun Chen, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Although some countries along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway have begun reporting population trends and identifying threats to migratory waterbirds, there is still limited systematic waterbird monitoring, hindering our understanding of the overall status of waterbird populations in the flyway. To address this, data from a citizen science project in Taiwan were used to examine recent population trends of 31 migratory waterbird species. The results showed varying trends among regions and identified the impacts of local land use and habitat loss in the Yellow Sea on the decline of migratory waterbirds in Taiwanese wetlands.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Chantelle M. Derez, Richard A. Fuller
Summary: Although thousands of reptiles are relocated annually in Australia, there has been a lack of research on how the reptile relocation industry operates. An online questionnaire was distributed to gather information from operators who had relocated reptiles, and the results showed that there is a need for changes within the industry, including increased training and professionalism. The study also highlighted concerns about the impacts of the industry on wildlife.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Eduardo Gallo-Cajiao, Nives Dolsak, Aseem Prakash, Taej Mundkur, Paul G. Harris, Ronald B. Mitchell, Nick Davidson, Birgita Hansen, Bradley K. Woodworth, Richard A. Fuller, Melissa Price, Nicky Petkov, Volker Mauerhofer, Tiffany H. Morrison, James E. M. Watson, Sayam U. Chowdhury, Christoph Zoeckler, Oscar Widerberg, Ding Li Yong, Daniel Klich, Vitaliy Smagol, John Piccolo, Duan Biggs
Summary: Maintaining peace and conserving biodiversity rely on international cooperation, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has put recent progress at a crossroads. This invasion threatens the governance system for biodiversity conservation within and beyond Russia due to isolation from the international system, halt of cooperation, and changes in policy priorities. We recommend enhancing the resilience and adaptability of the existing international governance system for biodiversity conservation, while aligning security agendas with conservation goals.
FRONTIERS IN CONSERVATION SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jaramar Villarreal-Rosas, Jonathan R. Rhodes, Laura J. Sonter, Hugh P. Possingham, Adrian L. Vogl
Summary: Nature-based solutions can prevent climate change and enhance local communities' ability to adapt to its impacts, but the benefits are not equally distributed. Hence, it is crucial to understand the impacts of implementing nature-based solutions on people.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Deqiang Ma, Jonathan Rhodes, Martine Maron
Summary: Offsetting the impacts of development-induced marine habitat loss on fishery resources is crucial for ensuring seafood security. However, the potential benefits of marine habitat restoration for fishery resources have not been quantified. In this study, we use a case study of mangrove habitat offsets in Australia to determine the minimum restoration area needed to fully offset fishery losses caused by development projects.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Shawan Chowdhury, Richard A. Fuller, Sultan Ahmed, Shofiul Alam, Corey T. Callaghan, Priyanka Das, Ricardo A. Correia, Moreno Di Marco, Enrico Di Minin, Ivan Jaric, Mahzabin Muzahid Labi, Richard J. Ladle, Md. Rokonuzzaman, Uri Roll, Valerio Sbragaglia, Asma Siddika, Aletta Bonn
Summary: This study examines the importance of social media records in conservation decision-making, using Bangladesh as a case study. The results show that adding Facebook data to GBIF data improves the accuracy of conservation planning assessments and expands the scope of priority conservation areas.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas J. Lloyd, Ubirajara Oliveira, Britaldo S. Soares-Filho, Richard A. Fuller, Nathalie Butt, John S. Ascher, Joao Paulo Peixoto Pena Barbosa, Joao Aguiar Nogueira Batista, Antonio D. Brescovit, Claudio J. B. de Carvalho, Paulo De Marco, Viviane Gianluppi Ferro, Felipe Sa Fortes Leite, Peter Lowenberg-Neto, Adriano Pereira Paglia, Daniella Teixeira de Rezende, Adalberto J. Santos, Daniel Paiva Silva, Marcelo Ferreira de Vasconcelos, Laura J. Sonter
Summary: Mining activities are putting increasing pressure on areas with high biodiversity value, such as the Brazilian Amazon. The limited availability of biodiversity data in tropical regions makes it difficult to accurately estimate the risks before granting mining licenses. The study found that while mining does not significantly impact vertebrate biodiversity, it does have negative effects on the diversity of arthropods and angiosperms, underscoring the need for comprehensive assessments of mining impacts across different taxonomic groups.
DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jonathan R. Rhodes, Yan Liu, Agung Wahyudi, Martine Maron, Md Sayed Iftekhar, Shantala Brisbane
Summary: Biodiversity offsets are a popular policy tool for mitigating the impact of development on biodiversity. However, their success depends on complex interactions among socio-economic, ecological, and policy processes. Habitat surrogates are commonly used in offset policies to determine requirements, but this approach may lead to poor outcomes for species. Agency-led offsets delivered by a public agency are proposed as a potential solution because they can strategically choose offset sites that maximize outcomes for species. The success of this approach depends on patterns of development and offset site availability.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nisansala Abeysinghe, Christopher J. O'Bryan, Angela M. Guerrero, Jonathan R. Rhodes, Eve McDonald-Madden
Summary: Invasive species pose significant threats to biodiversity and the economy, requiring collaboration among multiple actors for effective management. The structure of collaborative projects and stakeholder support greatly influence the performance and outcomes of invasive species management. Decision-makers should prioritize both designing favorable project structures and fostering collaborations with stakeholders to enhance the benefits of collaboration in invasive species management.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Camilo Ordonez, Caragh G. Threlfall, Dave Kendal, Jess Baumann, Cherese Sonkkila, Dieter F. Hochuli, Rodney van der Ree, Richard A. Fuller, Melanie Davern, Kelly Herzog, Alex English, Stephen J. Livesley
Summary: This study experimentally quantifies the benefits of urban trees on humans and wildlife by taking advantage of scheduled tree removals. The results demonstrate that the removal of trees in urban parks led to a decrease in bird and possum abundance, an increase in invertebrate predation, and a decrease in people's perception of the importance of trees.
Article
Ecology
Camilo Ordonez Barona, Cherese Sonkkila, Jessica M. Baumann, Caragh G. Threlfall, Dieter F. Hochuli, Richard A. Fuller, Melanie Davern, Stephen J. Livesley
Summary: Urban nature management should consider the needs of diverse cultural communities and understand different cultural identities' perceptions of urban nature. This study found that non-Australian-born individuals valued treed sites and trees more, while those who spoke a language other than English rated them lower. Additionally, non-English speakers and some language minority respondents associated psychological themes with treed sites more than other respondents. These differences can be attributed to other factors such as nature relatedness, knowledge of trees, exposure to trees, demographics, and site type.
ECOLOGY AND SOCIETY
(2023)