Nicolette S. Roach, Adrian A. Castellanos, Thomas E. Lacher
{"title":"Assessing the Vulnerability of Endemic Colombian Amphibian Species to Climate Change in an Isolated Montane Ecosystem","authors":"Nicolette S. Roach, Adrian A. Castellanos, Thomas E. Lacher","doi":"10.1177/19400829231225236","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231225236","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Research AimsClimate change, habitat loss, and fragmentation are the major threats to biodiversity. Montane amphibians are particularly sensitive to these threats. We address the vulnerability of the amphibian community in Colombia using a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (CCVA) and prioritize amphibian species at risk of extinction and in need of conservation actions.MethodsWe completed two independent spatial analyses to assess species vulnerability in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM), Colombia. First, we calculated the Area of Habitat and the percent of the Area of Habitat under protected area coverage for 19 species. We then examined the breadth of climatic space occupied by 16 species and how this space is predicted to shift under climate scenarios (RCP scenarios 4.5 and 8.5) for 12 General Circulation Models for 2050. We combined these two analyses with trait data related to adaptive capacity, obtained from previous research, to create a combined (correlative-trait) CCVA.ResultsOur analysis reveals a large reduction in available climatic space under both RCP scenarios by 2050. Our CCVA identified eight high priority species, including three Atelopus species and five within the Serranobatrachus/Tachiramantis complex, with extreme reductions in available climate space under RCP 8.5. The SNSM endemic and range restricted species are at elevated risk of extinction under climate change scenarios, with many moving into a high-risk category of extinction under the RCP 8.5. Given its isolation, the endemic species of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (SNSM) are threatened by changing climates.Implications for ConservationThe information provided in this manuscript used a vulnerability assessment to develop regional strategies for climate change adaptation and conservation. When possible, climate vulnerability must be incorporated into future adaptation and priority planning for the conservation of endemic, threatened montane amphibians, preferably via local management plans.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":"113 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-03-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140128315","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Simplicious J. Gessa, William Tayeebwa, Charles Tumwesigye, Jessica M. Rothman
{"title":"The Role of Public Relations in Wildlife Conservation: Examples From Uganda","authors":"Simplicious J. Gessa, William Tayeebwa, Charles Tumwesigye, Jessica M. Rothman","doi":"10.1177/19400829241233471","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829241233471","url":null,"abstract":"Within developing countries, awareness efforts that promote wildlife conservation are not only important to engage communities neighboring wildlife habitats, but they are also critical nationally because urban dwellers are not usually exposed to wildlife. Here, we suggest that media and public relations professionals can promote domestic tourism activities, and engage communities in ways that will encourage the public to protect wildlife. We outline examples of successful ongoing initiatives we have used that stem from the principles of strategic communication to promote wildlife conservation in Uganda. First, tours with journalists, celebrities, and politicians have been launched to support awareness of wildlife and their economic value to the country. These initiatives highlight protected areas to the mainstream media and encourage domestic tourism. Second, parades around the country, intramural sports teams, as well as public lectures, community and school events are held to mobilize additional conservation awareness. Lastly, we discuss the role of strategic communication through media frames by the national newspapers in promoting the importance of wildlife conservation. These initiatives have likely led to the demonstrated increase in domestic tourism to national parks over the past decade and increase in support for wildlife by the Ugandan public.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-02-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139946642","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
David Marx Antunes de Melo, A. Perez-Marin, Alexandre Eduardo de Araújo, Manoel Rivelino Gomes de Oliveira, Rodrigo Santana Macedo, Silvania Maria Souza Gomes do Nascimento
{"title":"Soil Quality Indicators in Peasant Agroecosystems in Paraíba State, Brazil","authors":"David Marx Antunes de Melo, A. Perez-Marin, Alexandre Eduardo de Araújo, Manoel Rivelino Gomes de Oliveira, Rodrigo Santana Macedo, Silvania Maria Souza Gomes do Nascimento","doi":"10.1177/19400829231215492","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231215492","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Research Aims: Soil quality (SQ) is the basis for the Sustainability of Peasant Farming Systems (PFS). We hypothesized that different land uses modify soil quality through changes that can be analyzed by determining the Soil Quality Index (SQI). Methods: Soil samples were collected from the 0-20 cm layer in five subsystems of peasant agroecosystems located in the municipalities of Solânea (A), Casserengue (B), and Serraria (C). SQI was calculated using non-linear scoring, while a principal component analysis was performed using all data (bulk and particle density, total porosity, particle size, pH, macronutrients, and soil organic carbon) to determine a Minimum Data Set (MDS). Results: The MDS composed of P available, Ca+2, Al+3, sand, silt, H+Al, base saturation (BS%), and the aluminum saturation (AS%) indicate that these parameters can serve as indicators for soil quality assessment in peasant agroecosystems. Sand and silt are related to pedogenic processes and parent material, while the remaining indicators reflect management practices. Land conversion from forest to cropland decreased nutrient availability and soil organic matter in agroecosystems A (Arenosol) and B (Luvisol) and increased the cation exchange capacity in agroecosystem C (Lixisol). Conclusions: All agroecosystems showed low SQI values, highlighting the need to expand conservation practices in the studied agricultural subsystems, especially regarding the increase of soil organic matter. Our results contribute to improving the use and management of soils and the vulnerability assessment in peasant farming, an essential requirement for the sustainability of agroecosystems. Implications for Conservation: Our results also demonstrated that agroforestry practices can significantly increase soil quality and soil carbon sequestration, a viable alternative for maintaining organic matter in areas susceptible to degradation.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":"75 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139395703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evelyn González-Rodríguez, Antonio Acini Vásquez-Aguilar, Juan Francisco Ornelas
{"title":"Genetic and Ecological Divergence of Cinnamon Hummingbird <i>Amazilia rutila</i> (Aves: Trochilidae) Continental Populations Separated by Geographical and Environmental Barriers","authors":"Evelyn González-Rodríguez, Antonio Acini Vásquez-Aguilar, Juan Francisco Ornelas","doi":"10.1177/19400829231205019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231205019","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Research Aims: Historical geological events and climatic changes have played important roles in shaping population differentiation and distribution within species. Amazilia rutila (Trochilidae) is a widespread hummingbird species in the tropical dry forest along the Pacific slope and the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. Methods: We used mitochondrial DNA sequence, ecological niche modelling and niche divergence tests to determine the effects of major geographic barriers and environmental variability on genetic and niche divergence of A. rutila continental populations. Results: Our results revealed three genetic groups without haplotype sharing corresponding to the distribution of individuals/populations from the Pacific slope W of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (PAC), in Oaxaca and Chiapas E of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CHIS_OAX) and those from the Yucatán Peninsula and Guatemala (YUC). Values of neutrality tests suggest past demographic expansion without effective population size changes over time, and the time since the demographic expansion ranged between 39.4 and 84.45 ka BP. Each genetic group differed in their position in environmental space, with low-to-very limited overlap in the fundamental climatic niche dimensions of all groups analyzed, particularly between YUC and PAC. Analysis of climate differentiation and ecological niche comparisons showed that the environmental space occupied by these mtDNA groups is similar but not identical. Conclusion: We conclude that the genetic differentiation of A. rutila is consistent with a model of population isolation by geographical barriers and environmental differences. Inferences about the consequences of past demographic expansion and isolation underlying intraspecific evolutionary relationships await further study. Implications for Conservation: Our findings highlight the importance of preserving evolutionary significant units of this widespread hummingbird species. Conservation actions must consider intrinsic requirements of evolutionarily distinct populations and the environmental drivers that shape their distributions, maximizing preservation of intraspecific genetic variability and monitoring changes in genetic diversity.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":"40 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136003609","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liliana Patricia Saboyá Acosta, J. N. Urbina-Cardona
{"title":"Current State of Knowledge of Páramo Amphibians in Colombia: Spatio Temporal Trends and Information Gaps to Be Strengthened for Effective Conservation","authors":"Liliana Patricia Saboyá Acosta, J. N. Urbina-Cardona","doi":"10.1177/19400829231169984","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231169984","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Research Aims: Globally, Colombia is the country with the largest extent of Páramos (delimited in 36 complexes) and with the greatest number of amphibian species in this ecosystem. This work consolidated scientific literature on the amphibians of the Colombian Páramos to characterize temporal, taxonomic, thematic, and geographic patterns, which allow us to identify information gaps that must be fulfilled to achieve effective species conservation. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature survey with seven different search strategies and generated a database. We read each document's Abstract, Methods, Study Area, Results, and supplementary material, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) protocol. Results: We found 405 documents published between 1863 and 2021. The composition and richness of 142 amphibian species (95 endemics to Colombia), presented significant differences in Páramo complexes and between sectors. Since 2000, the diversity of research topics has increased with a high proportion of studies on Natural History, Systematics and Taxonomy, and Conservation, distributed between 19 and 22 of the departments with Páramos in their jurisdiction. However, much of this knowledge concentrates in less than 20% of total species in just 6% of Páramos complexes. Conclusion: We found critical shortfalls in taxonomy, spatial information, and conservation actions on Páramos amphibians. We need to increase studies that include field data in more geographic areas and research topics, such as Population and Community ecology, Natural history (from a quantitative approach), Infectious disease, and Ecophysiology. Implications for Conservation: The scientific information gaps represent a challenge in generating effective strategies to conserve Páramo amphibians, considering the high degree of endemism and threats to these species. More than 80% of the Páramo amphibian species only have the information of their descriptions and little is known about their ecological requirements, population size, or data related to specific threats.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48396071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Towards recovery of an endangered Pacific island endemic: Experimental evidence for shortening juvenility of Serianthes plants using a shade and trellis system to generate vigorous growth and precocious flowering","authors":"T. Marler","doi":"10.1177/19400829231190823","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231190823","url":null,"abstract":"Conservationists aiming to establish seed orchards or restoration plantings benefit from methods that reduce tree juvenility. Previous studies suggest that seedling and sapling mortality is the major limitation to natural population recovery of the critically endangered Serianthes nelsonii. To enable effective restoration actions new methods are required to reduce sapling mortality. Ex situ experiments were used to determine if trellised, shaded growth conditions would reduce juvenility of Serianthes saplings. Serianthes kanehirae was used as a surrogate for S. nelsonii. Stem growth was trained horizontally to a wire trellis in shaded tunnels of differing lengths (0, 3, 6, 9 or 12 m). Time to reach the end of each tunnel, and subsequent vertical stem growth in full sun were recorded until flower production commenced. The shortest S. kanehirae juvenile phase occurred under 12 m tunnels, with first flower production within a year (351 ± 10 days, mean ± SE). The juvenile phase increased in duration as tunnel length shortened. The control plants did not produce flowers during the study. Horizontal trellised support of shaded stems was effective in reducing juvenile phase duration of Serianthes saplings. Serianthes seed orchards may use shaded trellises to produce seeds on young plants to rapidly boost species recovery efforts. The production of seeds in managed conservation gardens may improve recovery efforts by reducing the need to remove seeds from in situ communities. Therefore, this simple protocol may prove beneficial for both in situ and ex situ conservation of all federally listed woody plant species in the region.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47402255","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bárbara Cruz-Salazar, Maricela García-Bautista, Lorena Ruiz-Montoya, José Luis Martínez-y Pérez
{"title":"Fine-Scale Spatial Genetic Structure of Remnant Populations of <i>Abies religiosa</i>, in a Temperate Forest in Central Mexico","authors":"Bárbara Cruz-Salazar, Maricela García-Bautista, Lorena Ruiz-Montoya, José Luis Martínez-y Pérez","doi":"10.1177/19400829231202590","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231202590","url":null,"abstract":"Genetic structure of a population can be molded by the resistance of the landscape or the distance between populations that function as barriers to gene flow. We analyzed the population genetic structure of Abies religiosa on a fine spatial scale and examined isolation models by resistance and distance. We collected vegetative tissue from populations located at the altitudinal extremes of the distribution range of the species on three slopes of La Malinche National Park (LMNP) (South, North, and East) in central Mexico. Genomic DNA was obtained using the CTAB 2X method, and eight microsatellite chloroplast loci were amplified. The genetic structure was identified based on an Analysis of Molecular Variance, a Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components with cross-validation and a spatial Principal Component Analysis using the Gabriel-type connectivity network. The isolation hypotheses were evaluated by constructing partial Mantel tests using Reciprocal Causal Modeling and Maximum Likelihood Population Effects models. A genetic structure of isolation by resistance to elevation was identified, and two genetic groups were recognized: one including populations of the South slope and the other comprising populations of the North and East slopes. We detected in Abies religiosa populations of the LMNP an isolation by resistance to elevation that determines the genetic structure, and the greatest genetic exchange between groups of populations located at higher altitudes. It is suggested to promote the connectivity between slopes through assisted migration and immediately halt land-use changes, as part of the actions to preserve genetic diversity in the LMPN. This study contributes to the knowledge of the spatial genetic structure of species at risk in the Mexican temperate forest for their conservation.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":"43 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135443329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
O. N. Rodríguez-Peña, Marco Tulio Oropeza Sánchez, A. M. González-Di Pierro
{"title":"“Variable Effects of Tourist Presence on the Activity Budget of Alouatta pigra”","authors":"O. N. Rodríguez-Peña, Marco Tulio Oropeza Sánchez, A. M. González-Di Pierro","doi":"10.1177/19400829231188622","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231188622","url":null,"abstract":"Wildlife tourism has been considered a useful tool for conservation in some contexts and found to cause diverse effects on biodiversity. We investigated the effect of the number of tourists on wild black howler monkeys’ ( Alouatta pigra) behavior at the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve (MABR), in the Lacandona forest in Mexico. We used 5-min focal animal sampling, during dry and rainy seasons. We recorded five common behaviors in three wild groups naturally exposed to different degrees of human disturbance (Station, River and Board) without tourists, 5 and 10 tourists. Five and 10 tourists increased locomoting and reduced socializing, however, differently affected activities’ allocation time in the monkeys’ groups: in Board, 10 tourists reduced monkeys feeding; ii) in River, 10 tourists reduced socializing; and iii) in Station, 5 tourists increased feeding and reduced socializing, and 10 tourists reduced socializing. Watching tourism activities affect behavior differently in groups of Alouatta pigra in the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve in in the Mexican state of Chiapas, emphasizing the importance of regulating tourism programs for the conservation of endangered species. Although longer-term studies controlling for additional variables are needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of tourism on wild howler populations, the results from this study remain valuable as a baseline for understanding such effects and for proposing initial strategies to reduce tourism-induced disturbance.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42908299","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Effects of Prescribed Dry Season Burning on Woody Species Composition, Mole National Park, Ghana","authors":"E. Amoako, H. Issifu, R. Husseini","doi":"10.1177/19400829231164936","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231164936","url":null,"abstract":"Fire use in protected savannas of Africa is a common practice. Fires in these savannas create many environmental benefits, such as reducing grass, brush and trees that can fuel large and severe wildfires and improving wildlife habitat. However, wrong timing of fire can threaten plants, animals and habitats. This study investigated the effects of time of burning on woody plant composition, diversity and density in the Mole National Park, Ghana. A total of twelve 300 m2 plots were systematically sampled in a 200 m × 200 m treatment plot established by Park Management each for early burn, late burn and no-burn plots. Twenty-seven different woody species belonging to fourteen families were recorded in all the treatments. Most of the species identified belonged to the families Fabaceae and Combretaceae. Vitellaria paradoxa (Shea), Terminalia avicennioides, Combretum adenogonium and Combretum molle were the most common and abundant in all treatments. A TWINSPAN on sites and species revealed four species groups based on affinity to burning time. A follow-up DCA showed a strong association between burning time and species composition, with the first two axes explaining 65% of variation. The late burn and no-burn treatments recorded the lowest diversity amongst the three treatments. Stem density was highest in no-burn treatment which had lowest species richness and diversity compared to early and late burn treatments. Early burn treatment had the highest diversity and the lowest density of woody species. The study revealed that the different times of prescribed burning influenced vegetation differently. Prescribed early dry season burning could contribute to the management of indigenous woody species in protected fire-prone savannas, because it can promote the diversity of species, as found in the Mole National Park in the Guinea savanna of Ghana.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48225835","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessment of challenges and opportunities for wildlife conservation in Wenchi highlands, central Ethiopia","authors":"Kabeta Legese, Afework Bekele","doi":"10.1177/19400829231212070","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1177/19400829231212070","url":null,"abstract":"Background and Research Aims Biodiversity loss is a recent global crisis largely due to intense anthropogenic pressures. A study was conducted in Wenchi highlands in the late 2020 and early 2021 to explore the major challenges and opportunities for biodiversity conservation. Methods Data were collected using semi–structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and direct observations from four relatively accessible highland villages. The questionnaires were administered to 395 randomly selected household farmers based on their accessibility, presence of natural forest remnants and proximity to an iconic Lake Wenchi. Results The types of natural resource utilizations (χ 2 =87.94, df=4, P < 0.05) and the attitudes of the local community varied among the respondents (χ 2 =110.92, df=2, P < 0.05). The majority of the respondents used the natural resources as sources of firewood (70.19%) and for cattle grazing (63.51%). Most of the community members (56.47%) had a positive attitude towards biodiversity conservation. Only 12.14% had no idea about biodiversity conservation. The study also identified land-use changes, exotic plantations, soil erosion, illegal land grabbing, and burning of ericaceous belts as the major conservation challenges in the area. The severity level of conservation threats also varied significantly (χ 2 =243.519, df=6, P < 0.05). Overgrazing, firewood collection and land-use changes were the most serious biodiversity challenges. A unique topographic beauty, rich floras and faunas, recent global and regional recognitions, positive outlooks of the local people, and ecotourism development projects in the area were the main possible conservation opportunities. Conclusion Anthropogenic activities severely threatened Wenchi montane forests and wildlife therein. Potential conservation opportunities in the area, however, opens up the door for future conservation actions. Implications for conservation Wenchi highlands face severe conservation threats and need urgent conservation priorities and actions.","PeriodicalId":49118,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Conservation Science","volume":"4 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134980339","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}