Global Ecology and Conservation最新文献

{"title":"Transformative trends: Population growth, social dynamics and range expansion of Asiatic Lions in Gujarat, India","authors":"Mohan Ram,&nbsp;Ram Ratan Nala,&nbsp;Sanjay Kumar Srivastava,&nbsp;Jaipal Singh,&nbsp;Anirudh Partap Singh","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Asiatic lion represents one of the most successful conservation recoveries among large carnivores across the globe. Findings from the 16th lion population estimation assessed abundance using minimal total count, distribution, habitat use, and social organisation of lions. Using a robust multi-step methodology involving 3254 trained personnel, individual identification was achieved through body markings, and duplication handling was conducted via direct observations and artificial intelligence (SIMBA), resulting in an estimated total of 891 lions. Of these, 196 were adult males, 330 adult females, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs. The population increased by 32.20 % then 2020 (n = 674). Simultaneously, the range of lions expanded to approximately 35,000 km², a 16.67 % increase since 2020. The landscape now comprises a core and nine satellite populations, including newly recolonised habitats such as Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, which now holds 17 lions after nearly 146 years. Habitat use analysis revealed the highest lion presence in forests, followed by wastelands and agricultural lands, with minimal use of built-up areas. The social structure remains female-biased (adult males: females = 1:1.68), with a strong cub cohort and balanced sub-adult segment, indicating long-term demographic stability. This conservation success has been underpinned by government commitment, strong political will, community support, adaptive management in multi-use landscapes, robust protection, and systematic long-term monitoring of lions and their prey base. Collectively, these findings highlight the resilience of Asiatic lions and the importance of sustained conservation vigilance to ensure the long-term persistence of this iconic species.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article e04008"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694400","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":"Does repeated darting of lions affect their habitat selection and tourist-viewing opportunities?","authors":"Douglas Branch ,&nbsp;Teja Curk ,&nbsp;Ruben Portas ,&nbsp;Claudine Cloete ,&nbsp;Jörg Melzheimer ,&nbsp;Ortwin Aschenborn ,&nbsp;Miha Krofel","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Increasing numbers of animals are captured every year for the deployment of bio-loggers to collect data for scientific research. This usually requires immobilisation and handling by researchers, sometimes repeatedly on the same individuals, and has the potential to change the spatial behaviour of captured animals, such as avoiding humans and human infrastructure. This is especially relevant for species like lions (<em>Panthera leo</em>), which are among the most studied carnivores and at the same time globally one of the most sought-after species for wildlife-viewing tourism. Here, we used habitat-selection functions to examine habitat selection of lions after being chemically immobilised, some of them repeatedly, by darting from a car. Our study focused on the central part of the Etosha National Park, Namibia, a protected area with a large, but spatially and temporally regulated tourist presence. We found that captured lions did not avoid tourist camps, roads or waterholes, despite high numbers of tourists at these sites. Lions also did not change their habitat selection in relation to tourist infrastructure dependent on how many times they were darted (once vs twice) nor with time since darting. Our study indicated that in a protected area with strictly controlled tourist movements (restriction to tourist roads and daytime periods), tourism has a minimal impact on the movement of lions. Furthermore, repeated darting and chemical immobilisation did not seem to reduce lion-viewing possibilities for tourists during our study. These findings are crucial for shaping more effective policy, research and visitor management strategies. Implementing similar measures in other protected areas such as a zero-tolerance policy for off-road driving and restricting tourist activity to daytime hours (i.e. when carnivores are less active) can help minimize the effects of tourism on wildlife.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article e04007"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694532","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":"Multi-criteria Geographic Information System (GIS) approach to aquaculture site selection: Balancing sustainable aquaculture development and fish biodiversity conservation in White Volta Basin, Ghana","authors":"Abdou Orou-Seko ,&nbsp;Martin Nyaaba Adokiya","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Achieving the increasing global protein demand relies mainly on wild fisheries and aquaculture. However, unplanned expansion threatens freshwater fish biodiversity through environmental degradation. Despite this risk, research on aquaculture site suitability primarily focuses on cage systems, with little attention to inland pond aquaculture. Existing approaches often overlook contributions on wild fish biodiversity and key environmental factors. This study developed a spatially explicit framework to assess land suitability for sustainable earthen pond aquaculture in Ghana’s White Volta Basin (WVB), integrating biodiversity conservation objectives. We employed a multi-criteria Geographic Information System (GIS) approach and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), to evaluate soil properties, topography, infrastructure, land use, and ecological constraints (proximity to critical fish habitats) to identify priority zones. Ten thematic raster layers were processed in Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS), reclassified into “not suitable’, moderately suitable, most suitable”, and integrated via weighted overlay analysis. The results revealed that 5.6 % (173.08 km²) of the WVB basin was “most suitable” for aquaculture, while 60 % (1851.35 km²) was moderately suitable, highlighting the scarcity of high-suitability areas. Additionally, the results showed that land use/land cover, topography, and infrastructure attributes played a significant role in assessing land suitability for pond aquaculture compared to soil factors in the study setting. These findings underscore the need for strategic spatial planning and adaptive management to balance aquaculture development with freshwater habitat conservation, especially in data-limited regions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article e04003"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694450","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 current status of the East Asian population of the Dalmatian Pelican (Pelecanus crispus) along the East Asian-Australasian flyway","authors":"Shengwu Jiao ,&nbsp;Amarkhuu Gungaa ,&nbsp;Kexun Lou ,&nbsp;Ming Wu ,&nbsp;Guangchun Lei ,&nbsp;Yanyan Li ,&nbsp;Waner Liang ,&nbsp;Yifei Jia","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The East Asian population of the Dalmatian Pelican (<em>Pelecanus crispus)</em> is the least studied and most endangered of the species’ three biogeographic populations. We conducted the first synchronised wintering count of the population and satellite-tracked three immature individuals. Based on the wintering count, we estimated the size of the East Asian population at around 170–180 individuals, exceeding previous estimates. We discovered two migratory routes of the immature Dalmatian Pelicans, including a conventional route connecting China-Mongolia and an alternative route connecting China-Kazakhstan. These findings provide the first documented evidence of interactions linking the East Asian population with the South-west Asia &amp; South Asia population. We discovered 55 sites important to the East Asian population; 78.2 % had not been previously identified, and 83.6 % are outside the current protected area network. We present the most detailed description of the migration of the East Asian population of the Dalmatian Pelican to date and call for immediate conservation of the Ruian Coastal Wetland, the Oujiang River Mouth, the Jiaolai River, and Baole Haote Haizi and its surrounding areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article e04002"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694524","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":"Cetaceans exhibit region-specific habitat preferences across tropical waters","authors":"Auriane Virgili ,&nbsp;Lily Houles ,&nbsp;Ghislain Dorémus ,&nbsp;Charlotte Lambert ,&nbsp;Sophie Laran ,&nbsp;Jérôme Spitz ,&nbsp;Olivier Van Canneyt ,&nbsp;Renaud Bañuls ,&nbsp;Vincent Ridoux","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e04001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To implement effective and appropriate conservation measures, especially in less studied tropical areas, a better understanding of cetacean distribution and habitat preferences is needed. Our aim was to predict the distribution of cetaceans in five tropical marine subregions and to compare their habitat preferences in subregions located in three different oceans. Using data collected during the large-scale REMMOA aerial surveys, we created species distribution models based on sighting data and environmental variables integrated over the water column and transformed using principal component analysis for eight cetacean species groups. We summarised the distribution maps using hierarchical clustering on principal components to highlight distribution patterns common to species groups in the different subregions. Overall, no species group exhibited similar relationships with environmental conditions across all subregions, though certain species groups did show comparable relationships with specific variables in certain subregions. This suggests that cetaceans exhibit region-specific habitat preferences across tropical waters, with certain distribution drivers operating similarly for some populations in some subregions. In particular, most species groups favoured oceanographic structures such as continental slopes, while others, mainly continental shelves, were only preferred by a few species groups. Finally, we found that the distribution patterns of species groups were congruent within oceanographic subregions. These results will inform marine spatial planning for conservation and maritime development purposes, and can also be used to relocate maritime activities to areas where they will have a lesser impact, i.e. away from areas with high cetacean densities that support vital activities such as feeding and reproduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article e04001"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145652124","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":"Macrobenthic community characteristics in seagrass beds of Guangdong Province, South China: Linkages to seagrass vegetation and sedimentary conditions","authors":"Kaiyun Chen ,&nbsp;Qinghua Chen ,&nbsp;Chao Zhong ,&nbsp;Yaqin Liao ,&nbsp;Mengmeng Zhao ,&nbsp;Haozhi Sui ,&nbsp;Hong Du ,&nbsp;Weijie Liu ,&nbsp;Jing Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03999","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03999","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seagrass macrobenthic communities, as a critical component of seagrass ecosystems, interact with seagrasses and their habitats to form the seagrass ecosystem and provide essential ecological services. Owing to the intricate relationships between macrobenthic community structures, seagrass vegetation, and sedimentary conditions are not fully studied, we conducted a comprehensive survey from August 2021 to April 2023, investigating 14 seagrass ecosystems associated macrobenthic communities, and their sedimentary conditions in Guangdong Province, South China. The Abundance/Biomass Comparison curve indicated that the macrobenthic community structure in Guangdong is unstable and is greatly affected by external disturbances. Correlation analysis and principal component analysis revealed complex relationships between the macrobenthic community structure and seagrass vegetation and environmental factors. Overall, seagrass and macrobenthos had a significant correlation with the sediment type. However, non-metric Multidimensional Scaling ordination showed that some communities clustering did not completely follow the grain size distribution pattern, likely due to anthropogenic pressures Equation model, suggested that seagrasses and macrobenthos synergistically modify sediment physicochemical properties, fostering nutrient-rich habitats. These interactions promote biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and the maintenance of optimal seagrass habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"65 ","pages":"Article e03999"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694533","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":"Hunting shapes wildlife behavioural responses to non-lethal recreational activities in a protected area","authors":"Anne Peters ,&nbsp;Nicolas Ferry ,&nbsp;Carsten F. Dormann ,&nbsp;Marco Heurich","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03994","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03994","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Hunting and non-lethal recreational activities are often conducted in the same or neighbouring areas of natural environments, and both trigger responses in wildlife that resemble anti-predator behaviour. A limited amount of research has assessed the combined effects of non-lethal human activities and hunting on non-target species, although understanding these effects is crucial for wildlife conservation and protected area management. This study examined the effects of different recreation and hunting intensities on the probability of detecting red deer (<em>Cervus elaphus</em>), roe deer (<em>Capreolus capreolus</em>), wild boar (<em>Sus scrofa</em>), red fox (<em>Vulpes vulpes</em>) and Eurasian lynx (<em>Lynx lynx</em>). Data were collected from 61 pairs of camera traps placed in the Bavarian Forest National Park, Germany, with one camera from the pair placed on a trail and the other at a nearby location within the forest. Recurrent event analysis was used to estimate the temporal dynamics of the wildlife event rate within 24 h following a recreation event. Increased hunting intensity led to a significantly increasing avoidance of recreational activities by all species, independent of whether they were subjected to hunting or not (estimate −0.009 – 0.012, depending on species and camera placement). Proximity to recreational activities impacted the spatio-temporal interactions between wildlife and recreationists, with higher levels of recreation leading to a shorter time period during which animals returned to the respective location. Thus, for conservation management, restricting non-lethal recreational activities and improving their management while limiting hunting pressure are crucial to minimise human impacts and preserve ecological integrity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"64 ","pages":"Article e03994"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694070","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":"Insights into vertebrate diversity of Qatar from first systematic camera trapping","authors":"Shakeel Ahmad ,&nbsp;Muhammad Ali Nawaz ,&nbsp;Fatima Alkhayat ,&nbsp;Salma AlHajri ,&nbsp;Ramaswamy Narayanaswamy ,&nbsp;Anisa Hassan ,&nbsp;Shahena Akhter ,&nbsp;Amal Faysal Omar ,&nbsp;Nafisa Fadulelmula ,&nbsp;Raghad Al-Taweel ,&nbsp;Reema El Hassan","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03985","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03985","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biodiversity in arid regions is typically low, with limited functional redundancy, making ecosystems vulnerable to species loss. In the Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Qatar, terrestrial biodiversity data remain scarce, hampering conservation and restoration efforts. To address this gap, we conducted extensive camera trapping from 2022 to 2025 across four sites in Qatar to document terrestrial vertebrate occurrence, with an emphasis on mammals. A total of 85 camera traps were installed at various locations, remaining active in the field for over 9000 days and capturing more than 25,000 photos of wild animals, including eight mammals, 25 birds, and four reptile species. We recorded several species of global conservation concern, such as the sand cat (<em>Felis margarita</em>), Arabian sand gazelle (<em>Gazella marica</em>), Asian houbara (<em>Chlamydotis macqueenii</em>), European turtle dove (<em>Streptopelia turtur</em>), and Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard (<em>Uromastyx aegyptia</em>). Notably, the five-striped palm squirrel (<em>Funambulus pennantii</em>), an introduced species, was documented for the first time in Qatar. While camera trapping proved effective for cryptic and nocturnal species, it underrepresented small mammals and reptiles, and bird identification was limited by image quality. Despite these constraints, the study updates Qatar’s terrestrial vertebrate inventory and emphasizes the importance of expanding and integrating methods such as eDNA with camera trapping to establish a comprehensive biodiversity baseline. Domestic dogs and cats were photo-captured at different camera stations, which could be a serious threat to native wildlife. Therefore, immediate management interventions are required to control and, if necessary, remove these, particularly from protected areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"64 ","pages":"Article e03985"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623934","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":"Forensic scatology: insights into the secretive Mediterranean monk seal via a comprehensive molecular analysis of aged and recent fecal samples","authors":"Elena Valsecchi ,&nbsp;Alessia Rota ,&nbsp;Antonia Bruno ,&nbsp;Emanuele Coppola","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03966","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03966","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Mediterranean monk seal (<em>Monachus monachus</em>), the only pinniped endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, is among the most vulnerable mammals in the Anthropocene, facing severe pressures from habitat degradation, human disturbance, and climate-driven ecosystem changes. Its elusive nature and use of inaccessible habitats complicate monitoring efforts, with most sightings remaining opportunistic and providing limited biological insight. Addressing these challenges requires innovative, non-invasive methodologies to improve conservation outcomes. Here, we assess the potential of fecal DNA analysis as a tool for monitoring and understanding this species in a rapidly changing world. Eight fecal samples, collected under varied conditions and spanning more than a decade, were examined using a suite of nine genetic assays. Analyses revealed critical biological information, including diet composition (predominantly bony fish, with cephalopod and bivalve mollusks), sex determination, and haplotype identity. Results demonstrated that even older samples preserved in ethanol retained substantial host DNA, though prey DNA degradation was more pronounced. DNA degradation in feces can affect data quality, but at the same time can provide insights into scat age and associated ecological behaviors. By integrating molecular ecology with conservation practice, this study highlights fecal DNA as a ready-to-use, non-invasive, and ethically sound approach to generate essential knowledge on diet, genetic diversity, social structure and, and health parameters (e.g., parasite load) in <em>M. monachus</em>. Our findings underscore the importance of applying emerging technologies to mitigate knowledge gaps and inform conservation strategies, ultimately contributing to the preservation of mammalian biodiversity under accelerating anthropogenic pressures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"64 ","pages":"Article e03966"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145623937","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":"Status and social structure of the critically endangered dama gazelle (Nanger dama) in the Aïr & Ténéré National Nature Reserve, Niger","authors":"Abdoul Razack Moussa Zabeirou ,&nbsp;Thomas Rabeil ,&nbsp;Violeta Barrios ,&nbsp;Tim Wacher ,&nbsp;John Newby ,&nbsp;David Mallon ,&nbsp;Pavla Hejcmanová ,&nbsp;Karolína Brandlová","doi":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03976","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03976","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The dama gazelle (<em>Nanger dama</em> (Pallas, 1766)) is one of the largest of all gazelles, and also one of the world’s most endangered antelopes listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Today, only a few small and highly scattered populations persist, mainly in Niger and Chad. This study provides recent insights into the population status, structure, and phenotypic diversity of dama gazelles in the Aïr &amp; Ténéré National Nature Reserve (ATNNR), focusing on the Mount Takolokouzet, and based on 15 field missions conducted between 2017 and 2023. Distribution and relative abundance were assessed using direct observations, indirect signs, and camera traps. The Kilometric Index of Abundance (KIA) averaged 0.058 for direct observations and 0.16 for indirect observations, showing a positive trend over time, particularly for indirect evidence. Camera trap data revealed an overall capture rate (CTR) of 1.59 independent events per 100 trap-days, with increased detection during recent targeted efforts. Demographic analysis was based on 39 direct sightings (84 individuals) and 200 independent camera trap events (244 individuals). Solitary individuals were primarily adults, representing 83 % of camera trap records and less than half of direct sightings. Group sizes were from 2 to 7 (direct) and 2–4 (camera traps), with an overall mean of 2.95 individuals. Adults were dominant in both datasets, while juveniles and subadults comprised less than 20 % of individuals. Calving was observed in two distinct seasonal periods. Phenotypic diversity in the dama gazelle population at ATNNR was marked by traits associated with different coat patterns. The <em>N. d. dama</em> phenotype was the most common (73 %), with smaller proportions exhibiting distinct variations (18 % and 9 %). This suggests a phenotypically mixed population, but caution is needed as subspecies differentiation remains debated. The variation may represent a spectrum rather than distinct subspecies. Our results highlight the importance and fragility of a small, little-known population of dama gazelle on Mount Takolokouzet. The consistently low proportion of young individuals highlights concerns about recruitment. Our findings justify urgent conservation measures focused on securing refuges, reducing disturbance, sustaining monitoring, and protecting breeding females during calving peaks, while ecological drivers will be examined in future work.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54264,"journal":{"name":"Global Ecology and Conservation","volume":"64 ","pages":"Article e03976"},"PeriodicalIF":3.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145624070","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}