Biodiversity and Conservation最新文献

{"title":"Benthic diatoms and phytoplankton diversity in urban streams and ponds: charting a course for conservation.","authors":"A T Castro-Castellon, M J Hill, E Conroy, A Daw, H Gurung, J S Hernández-Avilés, S J Hobbs, V H Salinas-Camarillo, I Thornhill","doi":"10.1007/s10531-026-03305-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10531-026-03305-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Benthic diatom and phytoplankton communities are key indicators of freshwater ecosystem health and change but remain understudied. A better understanding of their distribution and abundance drivers is crucial for effective biodiversity assessment and conservation. This study adopts a novel, multi-ecosystem approach to examine the seasonal (2019-2020) diversity of benthic diatom assemblages in urban streams and phytoplankton assemblages in ponds across Bristol (UK) and the local environmental factors shaping these communities. Among ponds, winter recorded significantly fewer phytoplankton taxa than summer and autumn. Among streams, patterns of benthic diatom beta diversity indicated higher turnover in autumn than in winter, and among pond habitats, turnover dominated in the summer and autumn seasons, but nestedness explained more of the composition variation in winter. No significant differences in Local Contributions to Beta Diversity (LCBD) were recorded between seasons for either streams or ponds. However, among streams, LCBD was consistently high at sites with elevated phosphorus, indicating how nutrient enrichment can shape unique assemblages. In streams, nitrate emerged as the principal driver of diatom diversity and composition during the autumn season, whilst, pH, ammonium, zinc, and potassium distinguished diatom communities during the winter. In ponds, pH influenced phytoplankton assemblages in summer, possibly through nutrient and inorganic carbon availability changes. However, no strong environmental-species relationships were identified in autumn or winter, suggesting biotic interactions may be more influential during these seasons. We highlight the need for more comprehensive, long-term monitoring for the inclusion of diatoms and phytoplankton in urban freshwater management and conservation strategies.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10531-026-03305-z.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"35 6","pages":"149"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13090212/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147721755","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mycorrhizal fungal associations of the fringed orchids (<i>Platanthera</i>) in the US, inter- and intra-species variation.","authors":"Melissa K McCormick, Ida Hartvig, Simone A Evans, Julianne McGuinness, Stephanie Lyon, Zöe Knapp, Jason Ligon, Lauren Eserman, Emily Coffey, Dennis F Whigham","doi":"10.1007/s10531-025-03233-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10531-025-03233-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding which orchid mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) are needed to support orchid growth is critical for their conservation. We used DNA sequencing and network analysis of OMF collections from the North American Orchid Conservation Center, along with published sequences, to compare the OMF associated with 28 species and 4 natural hybrids in the genus <i>Platanthera</i>. We found that relatedness of orchid species was generally a poor predictor of OMF associates. However, species in sections <i>Fimbriata</i> and <i>Blephariglottis</i> that co-occurred and formed natural hybrids associated with multiple fungi that were completely shared among co-occurring species. Differences in mycorrhizal associates within species mapped onto orchid genetic differences that distinguished geographic regions (mountains vs. coast vs. inland, not strictly geographic distance). Orchids that were specialized or moderately specialized in their OMF associations required relatively few samples to describe the bulk of their associated OMF, while generalized orchids required considerably more samples to describe their associated OMF. These results provide insight into species differences in mycorrhizal associations and can be used to guide management actions, as well as providing a foundation for future research.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10531-025-03233-4.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"35 2","pages":"48"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12827425/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146050335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Assessing direct effects of insect change on insectivore populations in the United Kingdom.","authors":"L C Evans, M D Burgess, S G Potts, W E Kunin, R Fox, K E Powell, K Boughey, C A Harrower, Y Bourhis, B Martay, T H Oliver","doi":"10.1007/s10531-026-03329-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-026-03329-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Declines in insect abundance are a cause for concern, with potential downstream impacts on ecosystem function. Insects are key food resources for insectivorous vertebrates, with evidence that reductions in prey availability may influence population dynamics. Yet quantifying direct effects at large spatial scales is difficult, both due to data limitations and because correlations may reflect shared responses to environmental change rather than trophic links. We assess the role of insect abundance in the dynamics of 10 insectivores (five birds, five bats) in the United Kingdom by pairing insect and vertebrate abundance data at three spatial resolutions (100, 50, 10 km) from multiple citizen science programmes. To address the challenges of inference and combining heterogeneous data, we adopt a multiple-specification approach spanning: (1) association, (2) prediction, and (3) causal inference. We found evidence of overall declines for all bird species evaluated and for most indices of insect abundance, though none of the bat species tested showed consistent declines. Despite indices of both insect and bird abundance declining, declines did not always co-occur spatially. We also detected only moderate evidence of links between insect change and insectivore population change, notably blue tit and great tit with moth abundance, and grey partridge with Diptera abundance. Across taxa, spatial scales, and analytical approaches, we did not find consistent evidence that changes in insect abundance are a dominant driver of insectivore declines. Both insects and insectivores may instead be responding to multiple, and sometimes non-overlapping, pressures associated with environmental change. We emphasise that absence of strong evidence does not imply absence of effect, and highlight the difficulties of drawing direct conclusions from heterogeneous observational monitoring data.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10531-026-03329-5.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"35 5","pages":"134"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13053585/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147637888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Logging intensity alters tree species composition and wood density, but not tree diversity, in lowland forests in Vietnam.","authors":"Suzanne M Stas, Ervan Rutishauser, Tue Van Ha, Tinh Cong Le, Hieu Dang Tran, Trai Trong Le, Benedict D Spracklen, Douglas Sheil, Marijke van Kuijk, Oliver L Phillips, Dominick V Spracklen","doi":"10.1007/s10531-026-03283-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-026-03283-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tropical forests host considerable biodiversity but face degradation from timber extraction (\"logging\"). We examined how logging intensity affected tree diversity, species composition, community wood density and availability of timber species in a lowland forest in north-central Vietnam. We measured and identified trees in 18 quarter-hectare plots that vary in historical logging intensity. Tree diversity showed no significant relationships with logging intensity. However, species composition differed, with each logging intensity class having distinct abundant tree species. Community wood density decreased significantly with logging intensity, being 9% lower in heavily than in lightly logged forests. Timber species were scarce overall, and individuals of harvestable size were most common in lightly logged forests. These results show that while tree diversity can persist after logging, heavy logging shifts community composition towards lighter-wood species and depletes valuable timber trees, reducing both carbon storage and timber potential. Reducing logging intensities is therefore critical for maintaining and increasing community wood density, carbon stocks and sustainable timber supplies in these forests in north-central Vietnam.</p><p><strong>Supplementary information: </strong>The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10531-026-03283-2.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"35 4","pages":"110"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12987793/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147466265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An assessment of the implementation of the EU policy for conservation varieties from 2009 to 2023 and its relationship to Geographical Indications","authors":"Hristos Vakoufaris","doi":"10.1007/s10531-024-02930-w","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02930-w","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Although the EU policy for conservation varieties has a history of more than a decade, there is little relevant academic literature. Geographical Indications (GIs) have an important role to play in preserving plant varieties. This paper assesses the implementation of the EU policy for conservation varieties from 2009 to 2023 and examines the relationship between conservation varieties and GIs. Data from the Common Catalogue of Varieties and the e-ambrosia database are used. According to the findings of the study, although the number of conservation varieties keeps increasing, it remains marginal when compared to the total number of varieties found in the Common Catalogue of Varieties. Different types of maintainers exist while the registration fee and the interpretation of the notion of region of origin differ among EU Member States. As far as GIs are concerned, few use conservation varieties as enforceable rules. However, as both GIs and conservation varieties increase in numbers their relationship will strengthen.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142265516","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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 iconic Jubaea chilensis teeters on the edge of local extinction: a plea for enhanced conservation policies","authors":"Juan F. Ovalle, Aníbal Pauchard, Rosa Scherson, James Aronson","doi":"10.1007/s10531-024-02929-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02929-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p>One of the few remaining extra-tropical palm species in the world, the <i>Jubaea chilensis</i>, is facing imminent collapse. This letter aims to urgently call upon the Chilean state to take immediate action on six key initiatives focused on enhancing the conservation of this endemic species and its natural habitats.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"127 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191598","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"High site fidelity and reduced survival of a mycophagous mammal after prescribed fire","authors":"Mark Le Pla, Bronwyn A. Hradsky, Julian Di Stefano, Tamika C. Farley-Lehmer, Emma K. Birnbaum, Jack H. Pascoe","doi":"10.1007/s10531-024-02927-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02927-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Fire offers both opportunities and risks for wildlife. Its impact will depend on the fire’s scale, how it alters key resources and how animals move. Understanding how wildlife respond to fire is crucial as climate change is predicted to increase wildfire risk and will likely result in more frequent prescribed fire to reduce wildfire risk. Invasive predators and inappropriate fire regimes in south-eastern Australia threaten the long-nosed potoroo (<i>Potorous tridactylus</i>), a vulnerable marsupial often residing in areas frequently exposed to fire. The cumulative impacts of fire and predation may increase the threat to <i>P. tridactylus</i> after fire, as predators can be more effective in the immediate post-fire environment and <i>P. tridactylus</i> is often dependent on thick ground cover. We present a before-after control-impact experiment describing the influence of prescribed fire on <i>P. tridactylus</i>. We fitted GPS collars to 52 individuals at nine independent sites to test if exposure to prescribed burning reduced their survival or altered their movement behavior. Prescribed fire reduced <i>P. tridactylus</i> survival, yet range size and diffusion (movement) rate remained largely unaffected. With limited fire exposure, <i>P. tridactylus</i> tended to continue using burnt areas whereas activity became restricted to unburnt areas when larger proportions of their home range burnt. Site fidelity was very high - individuals rarely moved their home ranges after fire, regardless of fire exposure. Our results suggest recently burnt areas may be particularly dangerous for <i>P. tridactylus</i>: areas that can be attractive yet confer lower fitness outcomes. <i>P. tridactylus</i> may benefit from smaller fire scars, retention of structurally complex vegetation, and integrating invasive predator control with prescribed burning.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"105 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"An assessment of liverwort richness, endemicity and conservation in a megadiverse country - Colombia","authors":"Yeison Jaroc Lombo-Sanchez, Karen Yuliana Suarez-Contento, Mércia Patrícia Pereira Silva, Kátia Cavalcanti Pôrto","doi":"10.1007/s10531-024-02926-6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02926-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Knowing the centers of richness and endemism is crucial for prioritizing biodiversity conservation efforts, particularly in taxa susceptible to environmental changes and in regions of significant biological importance. We used species occurrence data from species lists, online information sources, and herbarium records to identify the centers of endemism of liverworts in Colombia. Sampling biases were assessed using the ‘sampbias’ package. Geospatial analyses were applied to identify species richness and endemism centers, with the latter identified using the NDM/VNDM algorithm. Species conservation status was evaluated based on IUCN Red List criterion B using the ‘ConR’ package. Despite low sampling efforts across all regions, the collection bias model revealed disparities in sampling, with fewer expected records in the Orinoco, Caribbean, and Amazon regions, highlighting the need for new inventories in these priority areas. The Andean (567 total species, 16 endemic species and subspecies) and Pacific (301 total species, 7 endemic species) regions stood out with higher richness. Two centers of endemism were identified: the Pacific and the Andean regions, emerging as priorities for conservation investments. Only 4% of the total area of the centers of endemism in Colombia was found within protected areas (PAs), and 40% of species were classified as threatened. Despite the challenges, 22.7% of the endemic species are found within PAs, underscoring the urgent need for efficient PA management, especially those located along the central Andes Mountain range.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Wilderness areas maintain mammal assemblage in subtropical mountain forests","authors":"Sofía Bardavid, Gabriel Andrade-Ponce, Natalia Politi, Luis Rivera","doi":"10.1007/s10531-024-02932-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02932-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Most forests are impacted by humans and are at the center of numerous species extinctions. Wilderness areas (i.e., areas with little or no human influence) are essential to limit biodiversity loss and are expected to have the most intact natural communities. The southern Yungas are neotropical mountain forests affected by unsustainable human activities that may pose a risk for many species. We used camera trap data, multispecies occupancy models, and regional human footprint index to assess the occupancy of medium- and large-sized mammal assemblage in wilderness areas and the effect of human influence variables in the southern Yungas forests of Salta and Jujuy provinces, Argentina. The occupancy probability of the mammal assemblage, red-brocket deer (<i>Mazama rufa</i>), tapeti (<i>Sylvilagus paraguensis</i>), crab-eating fox (<i>Cerdocyon thous</i>), white-lipped peccary (<i>Tayassu pecari</i>), lowland tapir (<i>Tapirus terrestris</i>), and tayra (<i>Eira barbara</i>) was higher in wilderness areas than in areas with human influence. When one human influence variable of the human footprint index was analyzed at a time, greater distance from hamlets (i.e., small, isolated human houses) resulted in higher occupancy probability of the mammal assemblage, jaguar (<i>Panthera onca</i>), crab-eating fox, and lowland tapir. Distance to transformed areas had no significant effect on occupancy probability of the mammal assemblage, a positive effect on lowland tapir, and a negative effect on grey-brocket deer (<i>Subulo gouazoubira</i>). Distance to roads did not affect the occupancy probability of the mammal assemblage or species. Wilderness areas in the southern Yungas contribute substantially to the conservation of medium- and large-sized mammal assemblage and should be prioritized in conservation strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"44 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142265518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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":"Conservation priorities for Indian biodiversity: spatiotemporal patterns, policy efficacy, and future outlook","authors":"C. Vishwapriya, N. G. Devaiah","doi":"10.1007/s10531-024-02924-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02924-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p>As one of the world’s mega-biodiverse regions, the Indian subcontinent harbors exceptional biological riches spanning diverse taxa and ecosystems. However, rapid economic growth and associated anthropogenic pressures pose ever-increasing threats to native biota through habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, climate change, and pollution. This paper analyzes India’s changing biodiversity landscape, evaluates the efficacy of conservation policies, and charts strategic priorities for the future. Spatiotemporal trends for 3563 species across terrestrial, fresh water and marine realms were assessed using IUCN Red List data. We find that birds and mammals show modest improvements recently owing to legal protections and habitat recovery initiatives. However, other less-charismatic taxa exhibit alarming population declines nationwide. Our policy analysis highlights critical gaps in implementation frameworks involving multi-sector coordination, capacity building, benefit sharing, and participatory decision-making. To arrest biodiversity erosion and achieve stated policy targets by 2030, we propose an integrated, evidence-driven strategy prioritizing invasives control, agro-ecological transitions, pollution abatement, ecological connectivity via green-gray infrastructure, and community-based adaptation. Mindful of inherent socio-ecological complexities, our recommendations provide a framework for targeted conservation investments attuned to India’s development aspirations.</p>","PeriodicalId":8843,"journal":{"name":"Biodiversity and Conservation","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2024-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142191601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"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}