Oliviu G. Pop , Minodora Manu , Daniela Mogîdea , Claudia Bita-Nicolae
{"title":"Vegetation communities characteristics of meadows and their relationship with soil factors in the Southern Transylvanian Basin","authors":"Oliviu G. Pop , Minodora Manu , Daniela Mogîdea , Claudia Bita-Nicolae","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127054","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127054","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Southern Transylvania supports ecologically rich semi-natural meadows, maintained by traditional agricultural practices that support a diverse flora and fauna, emphasizing the importance of sustainable land management. This study focused on the relationship between meadow communities and soil properties at the Cobor Biodiversity Farm in Brașov County, which covers approximately 400 ha with a diverse mosaic of meadow communities. To represent this diversity, 25 key sectors were selected, with two plots chosen within each, totaling 50 plots. Sampling occurred from late May to early June and again in late August The samples were analyzed for pH, total humus, nitrogen, extractable phosphorus (PAL), and extractable potassium (KAL). In total, 250 vascular plant species from 42 families were identified, with <em>Asteraceae</em>, <em>Fabaceae</em>, <em>Poaceae, Lamiaceae</em>, and <em>Rosaceae</em> being the most prominent. Shannon Index increased significantly in August, while other metrics showed slight, non-significant changes. Phosphorus had a significant positive effect and potassium a significant negative effect on evenness, while nitrogen and pH showed non-significant negative correlations. No soil variables significantly influenced species abundance or richness, though some showed weak, non-significant trends.Four meadow communities were caracterised: <em>Festuca pratensis, F. rupicola, F. rubra</em> and <em>Agrostis capillaris</em> and <em>Molinia caerulea</em> each occupying distinct ecological niches. Adapted low-intensity management − through controlled grazing, limited mowing, no fertilization and water regulation − is indispensable for maintaining species diversity and controlling dominant species in the studied meadows.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127054"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Using non-invasive and minimally-invasive methods to inform conservation of terrestrial mammals: A review of novel techniques and new applications","authors":"Anne E. Goodenough, Samantha J. Perks","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127049","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127049","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Robust and reliable data underpin mammalian conservation, including priority setting, informing interventions, and measuring success. However, because many terrestrial mammals are nocturnal, crepuscular, or cryptic, obtaining data can be challenging and expensive. Problems are often magnified when focal species are rare or occur at low density and methods that involve direct intervention or create disturbance can have ethical implications. Use of non-invasive or minimally-invasive methods to survey mammals is not new. However, such approaches are continually developing and although there have been reviews for particular mammalian guild/location combinations, or for specific techniques, to date there has been no overarching review within the specific context of mammal conservation. In this review, we evaluate innovative techniques with broad applicability across mammalian taxa, habitats and contexts that have recently advanced substantially: technological approaches (camera trapping, bioacoustics, thermography, unmanned aerial vehicles); indirect methods (footprints, hair), novel approaches (detection dogs; eDNA metabarcoding), and participatory methods (technological citizen science, iEcology). We consider recent advancements, residual challenges, and take a horizon-scanning approach to highlight future development, empirical testing, and optimisation needs. Key findings include: advances in scalability of novel techniques are often due to development of open-source devices and programming interfaces; use of AI for species identification and quantification is already revolutionizing workflows; and rapid ongoing development of statistical models and analysis tools is broadening data processing potential and elevating utility of data collected using non/minimally-invasive methods beyond presence-only applications. We encourage practitioners embrace emerging tools in the conservation toolbox and to continue developing novel techniques.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127049"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144864274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}
Fábia Cavalcante Pinho , Lucas Erickson Nascimento da Costa , Carolina da Silva Carvalho , André Luiz de Rezende Cardoso , Denison Henrique Lima de Miranda , Markus Gastauer , Mauricio Takashi Coutinho Watanabe
{"title":"Surrounded by Amazonian forest on an iron Island: Mapping the distribution and variation in population abundance of two threatened narrow-range endemic species","authors":"Fábia Cavalcante Pinho , Lucas Erickson Nascimento da Costa , Carolina da Silva Carvalho , André Luiz de Rezende Cardoso , Denison Henrique Lima de Miranda , Markus Gastauer , Mauricio Takashi Coutinho Watanabe","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127046","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127046","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Information on abundance and distribution patterns is crucial for effective species conservation planning. Here we provide information on the distribution range and abundance of <em>Parapiqueria cavalcantei</em> and <em>Carajasia cangae</em>, which are endemic to the Amazonian ironstone outcrops of Serra dos Carajás, Brazil. Extensive surveys for both species were conducted based on previous records and by active searching, covering all the known distribution of the target species along the Serra dos Carajás. Abundance were acquired from 492 plots of 1 m<sup>2</sup>, and information on vegetation type was obtained from land cover maps. We reported new records of <em>P. cavalcantei</em> and <em>C. cangae</em>, which has increased the area of occupancy of the species. With the new records, we estimated an area of occupancy of 40 km<sup>2</sup> to <em>P. cavalcantei</em> and 60 km<sup>2</sup> to <em>C. cangae</em>. Both species presented some vegetation specificity: <em>P. cavalcantei</em> was more frequently recorded at low woodlands, while <em>C. cangae</em> was more abundant in areas of rocky grasslands. Hotspots of abundance for both species were evidenced along the range of distribution. Altogether, this information will support the development of mitigation plans focused on the conservation of these narrow-range endemic species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127046"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144810155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}
Ren-Cheng Liu , Wan-Rou Lin , Alija Bajro Mujic , Pi-Han Wang
{"title":"Unique ectomycorrhizal fungal association is a major conservation dilemma for the threatened ectomycorrhizal tree species","authors":"Ren-Cheng Liu , Wan-Rou Lin , Alija Bajro Mujic , Pi-Han Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127048","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127048","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi play a critical role in supporting tree growth, health and survival. However, ECM symbioses in threatened trees have rarely been explored as a missing link in tree conservation. In this study, we identified the key ECM fungal partners of the vulnerable Taiwan spruce (<em>Picea morrisonicola</em>) and examined their distribution in nearby dominant tree species, Taiwan hemlock (<em>Tsuga chinensis</em> var. <em>formosana</em>) and Taiwan fir (<em>Abies kawakamii</em>), using Illumina MiSeq sequencing. A total of 33 root samples and 29 bulk soil samples were analyzed from ten forests across three major mountain ranges in Taiwan. Results showed that ECM fungal communities in roots and bulk soil of Taiwan spruce were distinct from those of Taiwan hemlock and Taiwan fir, and their dominant ECM fungal partners were rarely found in the other two Pinaceae forests. In particular, the /amphinema-tylospora lineage, which is known to form specific symbioses with spruce species, was highly abundant in Taiwan spruce roots (20.8 % relative abundance) and soils (17.4 %) but entirely absent from Taiwan hemlock and Taiwan fir forests. This suggests that the absence of compatible ECM fungi may restrict the natural migration and range expansion of Taiwan spruce, posing a challenge to its survival under climate change. For the effective conservation of threatened ECM-dependent trees, it is essential to understand their key fungal partners and their distribution, to identify potential <em>in</em>-<em>situ</em> conservation sites or translocation sites. Long-term monitoring may help to track changes in adaptation and resilience of both trees and ECM fungi under climate change.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127048"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144827320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}
Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis , Claudia Canedoli , Emilio Padoa-Schioppa
{"title":"’Half Europe’: where and how can biodiversity conservation be achieved in the Anthropocene?","authors":"Ioannis N. Vogiatzakis , Claudia Canedoli , Emilio Padoa-Schioppa","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127051","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127051","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127051"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144988377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}
Ebrahem M. Eid , Sulaiman A. Alrumman , Mohamed T. Ahmed , Muhammad Arshad
{"title":"Modelling soil organic carbon distribution in two Farasan mangrove species","authors":"Ebrahem M. Eid , Sulaiman A. Alrumman , Mohamed T. Ahmed , Muhammad Arshad","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127043","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127043","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study examined the distribution of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage in two mangrove species, <em>Avicennia marina</em> and <em>Rhizophora mucronata</em>, across fourteen distinct sites along the coastline of Saudi Arabia’s Farasan Islands. Three statistical models—allometric, exponential, and sigmoid—were employed to analyze soil carbon data obtained from twenty-one soil cores, resulting in a dataset of 210 soil samples per species. To better understand the role of mangroves in carbon storage, we aimed to develop models capable of predicting the distribution of cumulative SOC stocks and volumetric SOC densities throughout soil profiles, accounting for both species and depth variations. The sigmoid model proved most effective in forecasting volumetric SOC density, achieving average <em>R<sup>2</sup></em> values of 0.58153 for <em>A. marina</em> and 0.82103 for <em>R. mucronata</em>. For <em>A. marina</em>, all three models accurately estimated cumulative SOC stocks, with the allometric model showing the highest performance (<em>R<sup>2</sup></em> = 0.99999). In the case of <em>R. mucronata</em>, both the allometric and exponential models were applicable, with the exponential model demonstrating superior accuracy (<em>R<sup>2</sup></em> = 0.99996). Consistent with the established role of plant cycling in carbon sequestration, both mangrove species exhibited higher SOC content in the topsoil, with topsoil carbon fractions (TCFs) exceeding 0.10. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of SOC distribution in mangrove ecosystems and support more informed projections of future carbon stocks for conservation and restoration planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127043"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144771169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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":"Impacts of multi-scenario land use change on carbon storage and its economic value in the Qilian Mountains Region, China","authors":"Xin Lei , Yong Zhou , Pan Huo","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127042","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127042","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Qilian Mountains region, a critical ecological barrier in Northwest China, plays a vital role in terrestrial carbon storage, yet the economic value of this service is often overlooked. This study integrates the Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) and Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) models to analyze spatiotemporal changes in land use and carbon storage from 2000 to 2020 and to project these dynamics to 2050 under Business-As-Usual (BAU), Rapid Economic Development (RED), and Ecological Protection (EPS) scenarios. Furthermore, discount rates with present and future value formulas were used to reveal the evolving economic value of carbon storage from 2000 to 2050. From 2000 to 2020, total carbon storage increased by 2.0 % to 22.59 × 10⁶ t, and its economic value grew by 67.0 % to 38.87 × 10<sup>8</sup> yuan, primarily due to the expansion of grassland and water bodies. Future projections reveal highly divergent outcomes. The EPS scenario demonstrates the highest potential, increasing carbon storage by a further 6.1 % and its economic value by 56.4 % by 2050 through large-scale ecological restoration. The BAU scenario projects modest gains in both carbon storage (+0.36 %) and economic value (+47.9 %). In stark contrast, the RED scenario results in a net carbon loss of 1.03 % and yields the lowest economic value growth (+45.9 %) due to the encroachment of construction land on forests. Our findings highlight the importance of accounting for the time value of carbon when estimating its economic worth. This study highlights the importance of accounting for the time value of carbon when assessing its economic worth, and reveals that an ecological protection strategy in the Qilian Mountains generates superior carbon sequestration and economic returns, which holds significant implications for shaping regional sustainable development policies and land use planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127042"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144771168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}
Wojciech Wysoczański , Ewa Węgrzyn , Magdalena Ciepielewska , Marlena Lembicz , Paweł Olejniczak
{"title":"The mycobiome of two threatened species in the Tatra Mountains: comparison of plants conserved ex situ and reintroduced ones","authors":"Wojciech Wysoczański , Ewa Węgrzyn , Magdalena Ciepielewska , Marlena Lembicz , Paweł Olejniczak","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127041","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127041","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The low success of plant species reintroductions may be attributed to the environmental stress that the plants face, as the translocated seedlings are usually faced with different conditions in the target localities than those under which they were cultivated. This stress could be alleviated by the microbiome, including the endophytic fungi present in plant tissues. We checked for the occurrence of endophytic fungi in two species, <em>Pulsatilla slavica</em> and <em>Senecio umbrossus</em>, that underwent restoration programs in Tatra National Park, southern Poland<em>.</em> The fungal isolates were analyzed using the molecular markers ITS1 and ITS2. No fungal endophytes were found in the seeds of either species, deposited in a seedbank. Among freshly collected seeds, the occasional presence of two fungal species was confirmed: <em>Phlebia radiata</em> in <em>P. slavica</em> from horticulture and <em>Fusarium oxysporum</em> in <em>P. slavica</em> from the wild. The number of mycobiota species was greater in <em>in situ</em> populations than in garden populations, with the highest number of fungal taxa recorded <em>in situ</em> in <em>S. umbrossus</em>. The lists of fungal species for both plant species grown <em>ex situ</em> and <em>in situ</em> were distinctive, suggesting that the detected mycobiome is plant-specific and has not been transferred vertically. The identified fungal taxa were mostly satellite endophytes that inhabited plants during their growth. They were mainly plant parasites, with the exception of <em>Aureobasidium pullulans.</em> We recommend that mycobiome monitoring be performed during the course of plant restoration actions to increase their effectiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127041"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144771174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}
Débora Damianus Antunes Dal Fabbro , Fernando Rodrigues da Silva
{"title":"Limited role of urban parks in frog diversity conservation","authors":"Débora Damianus Antunes Dal Fabbro , Fernando Rodrigues da Silva","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127039","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127039","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Global human population had reached 7.6 billion people, of which 55.3% lives in urban areas. Major cities worldwide have established urban parks initially for aesthetic and recreational values but recent research have highlighted its value for biodiversity conservation. However, little research in the Neotropical region has been done to evaluate their effectiveness for this purpose. Here, we addressed the following question: What role do urban parks play in the conservation of frog diversity? We examined the spatial distribution of species richness and reproductive modes of frogs in breeding habitats within urban parks and nearby protected areas. Our findings indicate that urban parks support a limited number of frog species and reproductive modes, which are often generalists and of little concern for conservation. Considering that urban parks are often not designed to minimize the impacts of human activities on biodiversity, we argue that urban planning must move beyond recreational and aesthetic goals to intentionally incorporate biodiversity conservation, ensuring cities support both human well-being and wildlife.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127039"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144723138","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}
Nils Kaczmarek , Imane Mahjoubi , Mohamed Naimi , Lisa Bossenbroek , Adil Moumane , Mohammed Znari , Luis Miguel Silva-Novoa Sánchez , Oliver Frör , Elisabeth Berger
{"title":"Nature conservation in the Draa Basin (Morocco): History, present situation, and future challenges","authors":"Nils Kaczmarek , Imane Mahjoubi , Mohamed Naimi , Lisa Bossenbroek , Adil Moumane , Mohammed Znari , Luis Miguel Silva-Novoa Sánchez , Oliver Frör , Elisabeth Berger","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127038","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127038","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Land degradation, the depletion of natural resources and climate change threaten arid social-ecological systems. To recommend needed actions and review the changes that affect the natural environment of the Draa Basin, an arid river basin in southern Morocco, we provide an overview of past, current and possible future developments. From an ancient human society living in balance with nature, over the first degradation processes caused by grazing and a greater demand for resources, to the major changes caused by river dams, and the intensification of agriculture and human population growth, the basin has undergone numerous anthropogenic changes. Together with illegal wildlife trade and overhunting, this has led to declining population sizes and the extinction of species such as the Barbary lion. Increasing efforts of governments, accompanied by multilateral environmental agreements, set nature conservation processes in motion in the 20th century. This started the creation of initiatives and protected areas, such as Iriqui National Park. The future pressures of climate change and water scarcity require increased efforts and effective conservation to preserve the natural and socio-cultural heritage of the Draa Basin for a resilient and sustainable future. Based on this extensive literature review, we therefore provide recommendations that can pave the way to a sustainable future for this and other arid and non-arid regions worldwide. The following points are identified as key leverage points: conservation and restoration of habitats, sustainable resource use, prevention of desertification and land degradation, and the involvement of all demographic groups and stakeholders in conservation planning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"88 ","pages":"Article 127038"},"PeriodicalIF":2.2,"publicationDate":"2025-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"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}