Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-27DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127174
Dina Nethisa Rasquinha , Nibedita Mukherjee , Deepak R. Mishra
The reciprocal relationships between human communities and mangrove forests, how people relate with, perceive, and maintain these seascapes, has received little attention in the ecosystem services literature, which has largely focused on the benefits mangroves provide rather than the relational values embedded in human-nature connections. This study distinguishes the value-preference paradigm in a protected mangrove forest region, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, on the east coast of India. We ask how exclusion impacts local values, motivations, and priorities toward mangrove forest conservation. Using Q-methodology, a mixed-method approach, we identify the narratives that dominate the human-mangrove reciprocal sphere among different participant groups and gender. Our findings reveal three distinct narratives: livelihood security (30 %) that calls for both current and perceived focus on quality-of-life attributes in the region closely related to the livelihoods of the local people, conservation value through management (16 %) which drives the management regime of this region, and sense of place (13 %) that reinforces the importance of recognizing social and cultural norms. Differences in perspectives were also evident between participant groups (Researchers, NGO Workers, Government Officials, vs Villagers) and influenced by gender, accentuating the need for both value-centered and gender-sensitive approaches for mangrove conservation.
{"title":"Inclusion of social values, priorities, and motivations for mangrove conservation in Bhitarkanika, India","authors":"Dina Nethisa Rasquinha , Nibedita Mukherjee , Deepak R. Mishra","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127174","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127174","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The reciprocal relationships between human communities and mangrove forests, how people relate with, perceive, and maintain these seascapes, has received little attention in the ecosystem services literature, which has largely focused on the benefits mangroves provide rather than the relational values embedded in human-nature connections. This study distinguishes the value-preference paradigm in a protected mangrove forest region, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, on the east coast of India. We ask how exclusion impacts local values, motivations, and priorities toward mangrove forest conservation. Using Q-methodology, a mixed-method approach, we identify the narratives that dominate the human-mangrove reciprocal sphere among different participant groups and gender. Our findings reveal three distinct narratives: <em>livelihood security</em> (30 %) that calls for both current and perceived focus on quality-of-life attributes in the region closely related to the livelihoods of the local people, <em>conservation value through management</em> (16 %) which drives the management regime of this region, and <em>sense of place</em> (13 %) that reinforces the importance of recognizing social and cultural norms. Differences in perspectives were also evident between participant groups (Researchers, NGO Workers, Government Officials, vs Villagers) and influenced by gender, accentuating the need for both value-centered and gender-sensitive approaches for mangrove conservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127174"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685469","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-13DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127157
D.N. Castelblanco-Martínez , E.A. Ramos , A. Alvarez-Aleman , L. von Fersen , R.S. Amaral , F.L.N. Attademo , J.C.G. Borges , L.J. Cabrias-Contreras , D. Caicedo-Herrera , T. Calleson , V.L. Carvalho , A. Dávila-Peñaloza , A.C.B. Freire , J.L. García-Herrera , D. Gonzalez-Socoloske , L. Keith-Diagne , S.S. Landeo-Yauri , F. Luna , A. Llinás-Pizarro , M. Marmontel , A.A. Mignucci-Giannoni
Four extant sirenian species are currently recognized: the dugong (Dugong dugon), the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), the Amazonian manatee (T. inunguis), and the American manatee (T. manatus), the latter with two subspecies: the Florida manatee (T. m. latirostris) and the Greater Caribbean manatee (T. m. manatus). All the species are considered Endangered or Vulnerable globally mainly due to anthropogenic threats. For the first time, we assessed the status of the extant sirenian species living ex-situ at a global scale to estimate population structure, described facility and management types, and pinpointed challenges and opportunities for achieving effective species management. At the time of this analysis, 490 sirenians (42.2 % females, 45.7 % males and 12.0 % of unknown sex) were held at 71 facilities in 24 countries, most of them being American manatees (53.3 %), followed by Amazonian (37.9 %), and African manatees (7.7 %). This population also includes three dugongs and two wild-born hybrids T. manatus X T. inunguis. A significant number of manatees (61.2 %) are undergoing management for rehabilitation objectives, including a future release. However, an important proportion (38.7 %) have no release programs in place. Additionally, we estimated a population of 126 – 131 Greater Caribbean and Amazonian manatees currently isolated from wild populations in low-management or minimal-management settings. This study provides the most comprehensive inventory of sirenians currently living ex-situ. By defining their individual management plan, establishing minimum welfare standards, and implementing structured management practices, these individuals can play a critical role in raising awareness, advancing research, and supporting the conservation of wild populations of sirenians.
目前已知的海牛有四种：儒艮（dugong dugon）、非洲海牛（Trichechus senegalensis）、亚马逊海牛（T. inunguis）和美洲海牛（T. manatus），后者有两个亚种：佛罗里达海牛（T. m. latirostris）和大加勒比海牛（T. m. manatus）。所有的物种都被认为是濒危或脆弱的全球主要由于人为的威胁。本文首次在全球范围内评估了现存的海蝇物种的迁移状况，以估计种群结构，描述了设施和管理类型，并确定了实现有效物种管理的挑战和机遇。在此分析时，490只海牛（42.2%为雌性，45.7%为雄性，12.0%为未知性别）被关押在24个国家的71个设施中，其中大多数是美洲海牛（53.3%），其次是亚马逊海牛（37.9%）和非洲海牛（7.7%）。这个种群还包括三只儒艮和两只野生杂交品种。大量海牛（61.2%）正在接受康复管理，包括未来放生。然而，重要比例（38.7%）没有适当的释放程序。此外，我们估计目前有126 - 131只大加勒比和亚马逊海牛在低管理或最低管理环境中与野生种群隔离。这项研究提供了目前生活在异地的最全面的西雷尼人清单。通过制定个体管理计划，建立最低福利标准，实施结构化管理实践，这些个体可以在提高认识，推进研究和支持野生sirenian种群保护方面发挥关键作用。
{"title":"Mermaids in pools: Ex-situ conservation as a cornerstone for sirenian management worldwide","authors":"D.N. Castelblanco-Martínez , E.A. Ramos , A. Alvarez-Aleman , L. von Fersen , R.S. Amaral , F.L.N. Attademo , J.C.G. Borges , L.J. Cabrias-Contreras , D. Caicedo-Herrera , T. Calleson , V.L. Carvalho , A. Dávila-Peñaloza , A.C.B. Freire , J.L. García-Herrera , D. Gonzalez-Socoloske , L. Keith-Diagne , S.S. Landeo-Yauri , F. Luna , A. Llinás-Pizarro , M. Marmontel , A.A. Mignucci-Giannoni","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127157","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127157","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Four extant sirenian species are currently recognized: the dugong (<em>Dugong dugon</em>), the African manatee (<em>Trichechus senegalensis</em>), the Amazonian manatee (<em>T. inunguis</em>), and the American manatee (<em>T. manatus</em>), the latter with two subspecies: the Florida manatee (<em>T. m. latirostris</em>) and the Greater Caribbean manatee (<em>T. m. manatus</em>). All the species are considered Endangered or Vulnerable globally mainly due to anthropogenic threats. For the first time, we assessed the status of the extant sirenian species living <em>ex-situ</em> at a global scale to estimate population structure, described facility and management types, and pinpointed challenges and opportunities for achieving effective species management. At the time of this analysis, 490 sirenians (42.2 % females, 45.7 % males and 12.0 % of unknown sex) were held at 71 facilities in 24 countries, most of them being American manatees (53.3 %), followed by Amazonian (37.9 %), and African manatees (7.7 %). This population also includes three dugongs and two wild-born hybrids <em>T. manatus</em> X <em>T. inunguis</em>. A significant number of manatees (61.2 %) are undergoing management for rehabilitation objectives, including a future release. However, an important proportion (38.7 %) have no release programs in place. Additionally, we estimated a population of 126 – 131 Greater Caribbean and Amazonian manatees currently isolated from wild populations in low-management or minimal-management settings. This study provides the most comprehensive inventory of sirenians currently living <em>ex-situ</em>. By defining their individual management plan, establishing minimum welfare standards, and implementing structured management practices, these individuals can play a critical role in raising awareness, advancing research, and supporting the conservation of wild populations of sirenians.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127157"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685311","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-25DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127198
Shakib Hadifar, Jamil Amanollahi, Loghman Emamgholi, Navid Zamani
Identifying ecotourism potential alone is insufficient for achieving sustainability unless ecological conditions are combined with an assessment of the social norms that influence environmental behavior. This study integrates GIS and remotely sensed data with a social-norm analysis to evaluate threats to sustainable ecotourism in the Badr and Parishan protected areas in Qorveh, Iran. Landsat OLI/TM imagery (30 m spatial resolution) and an AHP-based multi-criteria model were used to map ecotourism suitability based on eight indicators including land use, elevation, vegetation density, aspect, slope, soil taxonomy, distance from roads, and proximity to water sources. In parallel, 384 questionnaires were analyzed to examine three primary norms—legal, participatory, and normative beliefs—along with the intermediary variables of environmental concern (EC), awareness of negative consequences (ANCB), and acceptance of environmental responsibility (AER). Path analysis showed that legal norms (β = 0.329), normative beliefs (β = 0.371), and participatory norms (β = 0.220) exert the strongest direct effects on sustainable ecotourism, whereas EC (β = 0.124), ANCB (β = 0.074), and AER (β = 0.129) demonstrate weaker effects. Integrating spatial and behavioral components revealed that areas with high ecological suitability are simultaneously suitable for rainfed farming, making them vulnerable to land-use conversion if legal protection weakens. The findings highlight the need for targeted policy interventions, including strengthened legal enforcement in ecologically sensitive zones and community-based programs to enhance environmental responsibility.
{"title":"Investigating the threats of sustainable ecotourism by integrating the norms with GIS and remotely sensed data","authors":"Shakib Hadifar, Jamil Amanollahi, Loghman Emamgholi, Navid Zamani","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127198","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127198","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Identifying ecotourism potential alone is insufficient for achieving sustainability unless ecological conditions are combined with an assessment of the social norms that influence environmental behavior. This study integrates GIS and remotely sensed data with a social-norm analysis to evaluate threats to sustainable ecotourism in the Badr and Parishan protected areas in Qorveh, Iran. Landsat OLI/TM imagery (30 m spatial resolution) and an AHP-based multi-criteria model were used to map ecotourism suitability based on eight indicators including land use, elevation, vegetation density, aspect, slope, soil taxonomy, distance from roads, and proximity to water sources. In parallel, 384 questionnaires were analyzed to examine three primary norms—legal, participatory, and normative beliefs—along with the intermediary variables of environmental concern (EC), awareness of negative consequences (ANCB), and acceptance of environmental responsibility (AER). Path analysis showed that legal norms (β = 0.329), normative beliefs (β = 0.371), and participatory norms (β = 0.220) exert the strongest direct effects on sustainable ecotourism, whereas EC (β = 0.124), ANCB (β = 0.074), and AER (β = 0.129) demonstrate weaker effects. Integrating spatial and behavioral components revealed that areas with high ecological suitability are simultaneously suitable for rainfed farming, making them vulnerable to land-use conversion if legal protection weakens. The findings highlight the need for targeted policy interventions, including strengthened legal enforcement in ecologically sensitive zones and community-based programs to enhance environmental responsibility.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127198"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145884215","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-22DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127166
Yisheng Ren , Han Han , Lin Lu , Hao Cheng , Cheng Yang
Reducing livelihood vulnerability enables rural households to mitigate external risks, enhance their adaptive capacity, and promote sustainable livelihood development. Watershed eco-compensation is an important public governmental policy for protecting water resources. By doing so, it fosters sustainable economic and social development in river basins. However, the effects of watershed eco-compensation policies on the livelihood vulnerability of rural households have not been determined. In response to this shortcoming, we conducted a survey of 203 rural households residing within the Xin’an River Basin to investigate the effects of watershed eco-compensation policies on the livelihood vulnerability of rural households. The results indicated that the watershed eco-compensation policies significantly lowered the livelihood vulnerability of rural households. Moreover, rural households with higher vulnerability were more affected by the watershed eco-compensation policies than those with lower vulnerability. An analysis of how watershed eco-compensation policies influence the livelihood vulnerability of rural households revealed that income diversification and the transformation of individual development concepts played significant roles as mediating factors. These findings indicate that policies must continue to incorporate eco-compensation schemes to preserve aquatic ecosystems, and parallel efforts should be made to boost rural adaptive capacity through enhanced risk awareness and skill development.
{"title":"Does rural households’ participation in watershed eco-compensation policies help reduce their livelihood vulnerability? Findings from the Xin’an river basin","authors":"Yisheng Ren , Han Han , Lin Lu , Hao Cheng , Cheng Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127166","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127166","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Reducing livelihood vulnerability enables rural households to mitigate external risks, enhance their adaptive capacity, and promote sustainable livelihood development. Watershed eco-compensation is an important public governmental policy for protecting water resources. By doing so, it fosters sustainable economic and social development in river basins. However, the effects of watershed eco-compensation policies on the livelihood vulnerability of rural households have not been determined. In response to this shortcoming, we conducted a survey of 203 rural households residing within the Xin’an River Basin to investigate the effects of watershed eco-compensation policies on the livelihood vulnerability of rural households. The results indicated that the watershed eco-compensation policies significantly lowered the livelihood vulnerability of rural households. Moreover, rural households with higher vulnerability were more affected by the watershed eco-compensation policies than those with lower vulnerability. An analysis of how watershed eco-compensation policies influence the livelihood vulnerability of rural households revealed that income diversification and the transformation of individual development concepts played significant roles as mediating factors. These findings indicate that policies must continue to incorporate eco-compensation schemes to preserve aquatic ecosystems, and parallel efforts should be made to boost rural adaptive capacity through enhanced risk awareness and skill development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127166"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685468","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127188
Yanet Velázquez-Urrieta , Verónica Mendoza-Portillo , Francisco Javier García-De León
Genetic diversity (GD) is a fundamental component of biodiversity that remains largely overlooked in conservation planning, especially for parasitic taxa. Trematodes are among the most diverse and ecologically important parasitic groups, although their GD across regions remains poorly characterized. Here we analyze the nucleotide diversity (π) and haplotype diversity (Hd) of mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (28S) genes using sequences available in public datasets to: (i) represent the spatial patterns genetic diversity at the family level of trematodes across Mexican biogeographic provinces and Protected Natural Areas (PNAs); (ii) identify regions with the highest GD (hotspots); and (iii) to explore how environmental factors influence genetic diversity patterns. We identified some GD patterns, as well as GD hotspots in center and southeastern Mexico, particularly in the states of Michoacán, Estado de México, Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, and Oaxaca. Correlation and model selection analysis revealed multiples environmental variables that can influence the GD of trematodes, as temperature seasonality (BIO4), max temperature of warmest month (BIO5), annual temperature range (BIO7), precipitation of the wettest quarter (BIO16), precipitation of warmest quarter (BIO18) and vegetation type. Furthermore, we found that 37 of 67 PNAs in the southeast overlapped with cells mapped with high-GD, suggesting that existing PNAs may preserve GD. However, public databases are still limited, highlight the need to promote more targeted studies that include parasitic taxa in conservation initiatives. This work contributes to the integration of genetic indicators into biodiversity monitoring, in line with the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
遗传多样性（GD）是生物多样性的一个基本组成部分，但在保护规划中，尤其是寄生分类群，在很大程度上仍被忽视。吸虫是最多样化和生态上重要的寄生群体之一，尽管它们在各地区的GD特征仍然很差。本文利用公共数据集的序列分析了线粒体（COI）和核（28S）基因的核苷酸多样性（π）和单倍型多样性（Hd），以：(i)代表墨西哥生物地理省和自然保护区（PNAs）吸虫在家族水平上的遗传多样性的空间格局；（ii）确定gdp最高的地区（热点）；（三）探讨环境因素对遗传多样性模式的影响。我们确定了一些GD模式，以及墨西哥中部和东南部的GD热点，特别是在Michoacán、Estado de m录影带、韦拉克鲁斯、塔巴斯科、恰帕斯和瓦哈卡州。相关分析和模型选择分析显示，影响吸虫GD的环境变量包括温度季节性（BIO4）、最暖月最高温度（BIO5）、年温差（BIO7）、最湿季降水（BIO16）、最暖季降水（BIO18）和植被类型等。此外，我们发现东南部的67个PNAs中有37个与高GD定位的细胞重叠，这表明现有的PNAs可能保留GD。然而，公共数据库仍然有限，这突出了在保护计划中促进更有针对性的研究，包括寄生分类群的需要。这项工作有助于将遗传指标纳入生物多样性监测，符合《昆明-蒙特利尔全球生物多样性框架》的目标。
{"title":"Genetic diversity hotspots of trematodes (Platyhelminthes) in Mexico and their overlap with protected natural areas","authors":"Yanet Velázquez-Urrieta , Verónica Mendoza-Portillo , Francisco Javier García-De León","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127188","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127188","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Genetic diversity (GD) is a fundamental component of biodiversity that remains largely overlooked in conservation planning, especially for parasitic taxa. Trematodes are among the most diverse and ecologically important parasitic groups, although their GD across regions remains poorly characterized. Here we analyze the nucleotide diversity (π) and haplotype diversity (Hd) of mitochondrial (COI) and nuclear (28S) genes using sequences available in public datasets to: (i) represent the spatial patterns genetic diversity at the family level of trematodes across Mexican biogeographic provinces and Protected Natural Areas (PNAs); (ii) identify regions with the highest GD (hotspots); and (iii) to explore how environmental factors influence genetic diversity patterns. We identified some GD patterns, as well as GD hotspots in center and southeastern Mexico, particularly in the states of Michoacán, Estado de México, Veracruz, Tabasco, Chiapas, and Oaxaca. Correlation and model selection analysis revealed multiples environmental variables that can influence the GD of trematodes, as temperature seasonality (BIO4), max temperature of warmest month (BIO5), annual temperature range (BIO7), precipitation of the wettest quarter (BIO16), precipitation of warmest quarter (BIO18) and vegetation type. Furthermore, we found that 37 of 67 PNAs in the southeast overlapped with cells mapped with high-GD, suggesting that existing PNAs may preserve GD. However, public databases are still limited, highlight the need to promote more targeted studies that include parasitic taxa in conservation initiatives. This work contributes to the integration of genetic indicators into biodiversity monitoring, in line with the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145737554","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-15DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127197
Tariq Ahmad , Arshad Ali , Faraz Akrim , Bo Li , Faizan Ahmad , Khuzin Dinislam
The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is an endangered, nocturnal mammal threatened by habitat loss and illegal trade. This study explores the spatio-temporal effects of land use and land cover (LULC) changes on their occurrence in six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from 2003 to 2023. It examines the impact of habitat type, elevation, soil pH, Landsat indices (NDVI, NDMI, NDWI), and climate variables (precipitation, mean temperature). Using multitemporal Landsat imagery and binomial generalized linear models (GLMs) at the site level (2 km line-transects, 50 m strip width; 0.10k m2 per site), we analyzed changes in LULC and their influence on pangolin 2023 presence and regional extirpation (present in 2003 but absent in 2023), which was supported by field surveys and local reports. The investigation highlights significant shifts in habitat suitability amid rapid urbanization and landscape transformations. Field surveys and local reports confirm the presence of pangolins in all varieties of habitats. We modeled site-level presence/absence and a binary extirpation outcome (present in 2003, absent in 2023), screened predictors for collinearity (|r| ≥ 0.7), tested residual spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I; not significant), and evaluated discrimination with spatial cross-validation. The final 2023 presence model retained elevation, soil pH, NDWI, and temperature; the extirpation model retained ΔNDMI, ΔNDWI, Δprecipitation, Δtemperature, elevation, and soil pH. Spatial cross-validated AUCs were low (≈0.49–0.50), and odds-ratio 95 % CIs overlapped 1, indicating that vegetation indices and coarse climate alone did not strongly explain present occupancy or local loss at the analyzed scale. Land-use and land-cover analysis exposed a rapid urban expansion, with built-up areas increasing by 1,130.47 km2 and barren lands declining by 1,274.14 km2. Forested habitats that supported pangolins in 2003 showed reduced suitability by 2023, with the species disappearing from 35 of 102 sites. These regional extirpations showed the impact of habitat changes and urbanization on pangolin persistence. The findings underscore the need for wildlife corridors, habitat restoration, and sustainable land-use planning to mitigate further biodiversity loss.
{"title":"Spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and Indian pangolin habitat in western Pakistan: insights from landsat imagery and generalized linear models","authors":"Tariq Ahmad , Arshad Ali , Faraz Akrim , Bo Li , Faizan Ahmad , Khuzin Dinislam","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127197","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127197","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is an endangered, nocturnal mammal threatened by habitat loss and illegal trade. This study explores the spatio-temporal effects of land use and land cover (LULC) changes on their occurrence in six districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, from 2003 to 2023. It examines the impact of habitat type, elevation, soil pH, Landsat indices (NDVI, NDMI, NDWI), and climate variables (precipitation, mean temperature). Using multitemporal Landsat imagery and binomial generalized linear models (GLMs) at the site level (2 km line-transects, 50 m strip width; 0.10<em>k</em> m2 per site), we analyzed changes in LULC and their influence on pangolin 2023 presence and regional extirpation (present in 2003 but absent in 2023), which was supported by field surveys and local reports. The investigation highlights significant shifts in habitat suitability amid rapid urbanization and landscape transformations. Field surveys and local reports confirm the presence of pangolins in all varieties of habitats. We modeled site-level presence/absence and a binary extirpation outcome (present in 2003, absent in 2023), screened predictors for collinearity (|r| ≥ 0.7), tested residual spatial autocorrelation (Moran’s I; not significant), and evaluated discrimination with spatial cross-validation. The final 2023 presence model retained elevation, soil pH, NDWI, and temperature; the extirpation model retained ΔNDMI, ΔNDWI, Δprecipitation, Δtemperature, elevation, and soil pH. Spatial cross-validated AUCs were low (≈0.49–0.50), and odds-ratio 95 % CIs overlapped 1, indicating that vegetation indices and coarse climate alone did not strongly explain present occupancy or local loss at the analyzed scale. Land-use and land-cover analysis exposed a rapid urban expansion, with built-up areas increasing by 1,130.47 km<sup>2</sup> and barren lands declining by 1,274.14 km<sup>2</sup>. Forested habitats that supported pangolins in 2003 showed reduced suitability by 2023, with the species disappearing from 35 of 102 sites. These regional extirpations showed the impact of habitat changes and urbanization on pangolin persistence. The findings underscore the need for wildlife corridors, habitat restoration, and sustainable land-use planning to mitigate further biodiversity loss.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127197"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790656","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127190
William Bol Yaak Giet , Yacun Yang , Zhiwei Li , Chenyang Cao , Qianqian Wang , Shikang Liu , Nan Wang , Hao Zheng , Yingjun Xu , Weiwei Yao
Braided rivers are vital ecosystems with intricate channel systems that support diverse aquatic life; yet their hydrogeomorphic complexity and the impacts of damming on Gymnocypris eckloni (G. eckloni) remain poorly understood. This study focuses on the Guide Reach of the upper Yellow River, examining how these factors (hydrogeomorphic complexity of braided channels and damming) affect G. eckloni habitat. We developed an ecohydraulic model integrated with TELEMAC 2D to assess hydrodynamic conditions across different discharge scenarios and to evaluate dam impacts over five key years: 1976 (before dams), 1987, 1997, 2007 (during dam construction), and 2017 (after dams). The results show significant changes in flow velocities due to dam construction. For instance, average low discharge velocities rose from 0.1- 0.15 m/s in 1976 to around 0.2 m/s from 1987 to 2017, altering river channels and negatively impacting G. eckloni, especially during spawning. Spawning success was closely linked to substrate quality (r(HSI-substrate) ≈0.82; p < 0.01) but less so to water depth (r(HSI-depth) ≈ 0.2; p < 0.01), highlighting their sensitivity to substrate changes. Moderate discharge appears beneficial for habitat quality, suggesting that effective management of river systems is essential for maintaining ecological integrity and preserving biodiversity in these vulnerable freshwater habitats.
{"title":"The impacts of hydrogeomorphic dynamics of a braided river and damming on gymnocypris eckloni habitat","authors":"William Bol Yaak Giet , Yacun Yang , Zhiwei Li , Chenyang Cao , Qianqian Wang , Shikang Liu , Nan Wang , Hao Zheng , Yingjun Xu , Weiwei Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127190","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127190","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Braided rivers are vital ecosystems with intricate channel systems that support diverse aquatic life; yet their hydrogeomorphic complexity and the impacts of damming on <em>Gymnocypris eckloni</em> (<em>G. eckloni</em>) remain poorly understood. This study focuses on the Guide Reach of the upper Yellow River, examining how these factors (hydrogeomorphic complexity of braided channels and damming) affect <em>G. eckloni</em> habitat. We developed an ecohydraulic model integrated with TELEMAC 2D to assess hydrodynamic conditions across different discharge scenarios and to evaluate dam impacts over five key years: 1976 (before dams), 1987, 1997, 2007 (during dam construction), and 2017 (after dams). The results show significant changes in flow velocities due to dam construction. For instance, average low discharge velocities rose from 0.1- 0.15 m/s in 1976 to around 0.2 m/s from 1987 to 2017, altering river channels and negatively impacting <em>G. eckloni</em>, especially during spawning. Spawning success was closely linked to substrate quality (r(HSI-substrate) ≈0.82; p < 0.01) but less so to water depth (r(HSI-depth) ≈ 0.2; p < 0.01), highlighting their sensitivity to substrate changes. Moderate discharge appears beneficial for habitat quality, suggesting that effective management of river systems is essential for maintaining ecological integrity and preserving biodiversity in these vulnerable freshwater habitats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127190"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790658","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127172
Ida Hartvig , Ida Junker Madsen , Maria Sophie Bünner , André Bourbonnais , Henrik Ærenlund Pedersen , Lene Rostgaard Nielsen , M.Thomas P. Gilbert
Growing evidence of the microbiome’s importance for plant ecology highlights the need for conservation strategies that consider both plants and their microbial partners, the holobiont. Population genomics are valuable tools for designing conservation strategies but rarely accounts for host- or site-specific microbial interactions. Orchids, with their dependence on specific mycorrhizal fungi, exemplify the need to include the microbiome in conservation planning. We here combine population genomics with exploration of root mycobiomes for three closely related orchid taxa (Platanthera chlorantha, P. bifolia var. bifolia and P. bifolia var. latissima) across 22 populations in Denmark to identify ecologically and evolutionary significant units. Our data revealed that Platanthera chlorantha and P. bifolia s.l. hosted different mycobiomes, suggesting a strong host effect on the fungal symbionts. Population genomic analyses identified three different clusters, one matching P. bifolia var. bifolia and two clusters dividing P. chlorantha into two geographically separate units. The genomic profile of P. bifolia var. latissima was similar to that of P. bifolia var. bifolia but indicated some introgression from P. chlorantha. By combining the mycobiome and population genomic data we reveal that the three detected clusters were associated with different mycobiomes, resulting in a significant correlation between host genomics and mycobiome. Root mycobiomes were correlated with variation in soil nutrients, suggesting a role of the orchids’ fungal partners in adaptation to local edaphic conditions. We propose to identify evolutionary significant units in Platanthera in Denmark based on the novel combination of host genomic and mycobiome profiles, in a conservation hologenomics approach.
越来越多的证据表明微生物组对植物生态的重要性，这凸显了保护策略的必要性，既要考虑植物，也要考虑它们的微生物伙伴——全息生物。种群基因组学是设计保护策略的宝贵工具，但很少考虑宿主或特定地点的微生物相互作用。兰花依赖于特定的菌根真菌，因此需要将微生物组纳入保护规划。在此，我们将群体基因组学与对丹麦22个种群中三个密切相关的兰花分类群（Platanthera chlorantha， P. bifolia var. bifolia和P. bifolia var. latissima）的根真菌群落的探索相结合，以确定生态和进化上的重要单位。我们的数据显示，Platanthera chlorantha和P. bifolia s.l.有不同的真菌群落，表明宿主对真菌共生体有很强的影响。种群基因组分析确定了三个不同的集群，一个匹配双歧双歧豆，两个集群将绿antha划分为两个地理上独立的单位。双歧豆的基因组图谱与双歧豆相似，但有来自绿花豆的基因渗入。通过结合真菌组和群体基因组数据，我们发现三个检测到的集群与不同的真菌组相关，从而导致宿主基因组学和真菌组之间存在显着相关性。根真菌群落与土壤养分变化相关，表明兰科植物的真菌伴侣在适应当地土壤条件方面发挥了作用。我们建议在保护全基因组学方法中，基于宿主基因组和真菌组谱的新组合，确定丹麦Platanthera的进化重要单位。
{"title":"Plant conservation hologenomics: integrating population genomics with mycobiome assessments for protected orchid species","authors":"Ida Hartvig , Ida Junker Madsen , Maria Sophie Bünner , André Bourbonnais , Henrik Ærenlund Pedersen , Lene Rostgaard Nielsen , M.Thomas P. Gilbert","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Growing evidence of the microbiome’s importance for plant ecology highlights the need for conservation strategies that consider both plants and their microbial partners, the holobiont. Population genomics are valuable tools for designing conservation strategies but rarely accounts for host- or site-specific microbial interactions. Orchids, with their dependence on specific mycorrhizal fungi, exemplify the need to include the microbiome in conservation planning. We here combine population genomics with exploration of root mycobiomes for three closely related orchid taxa (<em>Platanthera chlorantha</em>, <em>P. bifolia</em> var. <em>bifolia</em> and <em>P. bifolia</em> var. <em>latissima</em>) across 22 populations in Denmark to identify ecologically and evolutionary significant units. Our data revealed that <em>Platanthera chlorantha</em> and <em>P. bifolia</em> s.l. hosted different mycobiomes, suggesting a strong host effect on the fungal symbionts. Population genomic analyses identified three different clusters, one matching <em>P. bifolia</em> var. <em>bifolia</em> and two clusters dividing <em>P. chlorantha</em> into two geographically separate units. The genomic profile of <em>P. bifolia</em> var. <em>latissima</em> was similar to that of <em>P. bifolia</em> var. <em>bifolia</em> but indicated some introgression from <em>P. chlorantha</em>. By combining the mycobiome and population genomic data we reveal that the three detected clusters were associated with different mycobiomes, resulting in a significant correlation between host genomics and mycobiome. Root mycobiomes were correlated with variation in soil nutrients, suggesting a role of the orchids’ fungal partners in adaptation to local edaphic conditions. We propose to identify evolutionary significant units in <em>Platanthera</em> in Denmark based on the novel combination of host genomic and mycobiome profiles, in a conservation hologenomics approach.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127172"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145685310","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-11-25DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127173
Beibei Chen , Weiyi Liu , Zhenqi Liao , Yuan Li , Zhongbiao Ding , Yingxuan Luo , Boon Chin Tan , Chee How Teo
As an IUCN Red List endangered species, Phoebe zhennan epitomizes the convergence of ecological vulnerability and cultural significance. Renowned for its “Golden-thread nanmu” timber, P. zhennan dominates China’s precious wood industry but faces critical threats from habitat fragmentation and climate-driven drought. While previous studies have primarily examined local-scale habitat characteristics, few studies have integrated paleo-historical dynamics with future projections by synthesizing changes in habitat area, geographic centroid, and niche evolution. This study used optimized MaxEnt and Biomod2 to simulate the potential distribution of P. zhennan across past, current and future climate scenarios. ENMeval-guided parameter tuning, combined with MESS/MoD analysis based on the 153 validated occurrence records of P. zhennan and the 13 selected bioclimatic and topographic variables, improved the detection of environmental shifts beyond the current reference conditions, while niche differentiation assessments provided deeper insights into local adaptation mechanisms. Results show suitable habitats concentrated in subtropical regions, with stability during the Last Glacial Maximum and Mid-Holocene. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, warming and precipitation shifts are projected to drive northward habitat expansion, though increased precipitation variability may impose physiological constraints. Eastern and western populations exhibit distinct temperature-precipitation adaptations, highlighting the species’s vulnerability to climate variability. This study integrates multi-model optimization and niche quantification to provide data-driven frameworks for sustainable management, emphasizing assisted migration, germplasm conservation, and climate-adaptive forestry.
{"title":"Bioclimatic drivers and niche Thresholds: Decoupling the habitat suitability dynamics of Phoebe zhennan","authors":"Beibei Chen , Weiyi Liu , Zhenqi Liao , Yuan Li , Zhongbiao Ding , Yingxuan Luo , Boon Chin Tan , Chee How Teo","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127173","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127173","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>As an IUCN Red List endangered species,<!--> <em>Phoebe zhennan</em> <!-->epitomizes the convergence of ecological vulnerability and cultural significance. Renowned for its “Golden-thread nanmu” timber, <em>P. zhennan</em> dominates China’s precious wood industry but faces critical threats from habitat fragmentation and climate-driven drought. While previous studies have primarily examined local-scale habitat characteristics, few studies have integrated paleo-historical dynamics with future projections by synthesizing changes in habitat area, geographic centroid, and niche evolution. This study used optimized MaxEnt and Biomod2 to<!--> <!-->simulate<!--> <!-->the potential<!--> <!-->distribution of <em>P. zhennan</em> across past, current and future climate scenarios. ENMeval-guided parameter tuning, combined with MESS/MoD analysis based on the 153 validated occurrence records of <em>P. zhennan</em> and the 13 selected bioclimatic and topographic variables, improved the detection of environmental shifts beyond the current reference conditions, while niche differentiation assessments provided deeper insights into local adaptation mechanisms. Results show suitable habitats concentrated in subtropical regions, with stability during the Last Glacial Maximum and Mid-Holocene. Under the SSP5-8.5 scenario, warming and precipitation shifts are projected to drive northward habitat expansion, though increased precipitation variability may impose physiological constraints. Eastern and western populations exhibit distinct temperature-precipitation adaptations, highlighting the species’s vulnerability to climate variability. This study integrates multi-model optimization and niche quantification to provide data-driven frameworks for sustainable management, emphasizing assisted migration, germplasm conservation, and climate-adaptive forestry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127173"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145610300","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}
Pub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127193
Muna Devi Gurung , Santanu Gupta , Hema Gupta Joshi
Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS) situated in South Sikkim, India, is a treasure house of medicine, the literal meaning of its name, and famous for bird diversity attracts bird lovers across the region. MWS is famous for its 13 km long Ravangla – Bhaleydhunga trekking corridor within the park which attracts large number of national and international trekkers. In this paper, the impact of trekking on wood cutting, and local dependency on the forest resources are quantified and the impact of biotic interferences in lower and upper forests of the trekking route are compared. The percentage of cut trees in the study area was 19 % in lower forest, and only 2 % in upper forest (t-test significance, p < 0.05). Nearly 26 % of the woody trees were found lopped in the lower forest whereas only 3 % of trees were lopped in upper forest (p < 0.05). The percentage of cut shrub was much higher in lower forest (44 %) than in upper forest (14 %) of study area. Species like Myrsine capitellata Wall. (45 %), Brassaiopsis mitis C. B. Clarke (29 %), and Viburnum erubescens Wall (26 %) were found frequently cut by the trekking groups and local people. In comparison to the lower hill forest, the upper hill forest was found relatively undisturbed with around 7 % cut trees for Meliosma wallichii Planch. ex Hook.f. and surprisingly 13 % cut trees of Rhododendron grande Wight, the species that was completely absent in the lower hills forest. The most often cut and lopped species in the trekking route have both maximum fuel and ethnomedicinal values.
Maenam野生动物保护区（MWS）位于印度锡金南部，是医学宝库，其名称的字面意思是鸟类多样性，吸引了整个地区的鸟类爱好者。MWS以其公园内长达13公里的Ravangla - Bhaleydhunga徒步走廊而闻名，吸引了大量的国内和国际徒步旅行者。本文量化了徒步旅行对木材采伐的影响，以及当地对森林资源的依赖，并比较了徒步旅行路线上下森林中生物干扰的影响。研究区下层林采伐率为19%，上层林采伐率仅为2% （t检验显著性，p < 0.05）。近26%的木本树木在下层林被砍伐，而上层林只有3%的树木被砍伐（p < 0.05）。研究区林下灌木采伐率（44%）远高于林下灌木采伐率（14%）。种像小头麦丝莲壁。其中，Brassaiopsis mitis C. B. Clarke（29%）和Viburnum erubescens Wall（26%）经常被徒步探险者和当地人砍伐。与低山林相比，高山林被发现相对未受干扰，约有7%的树木被砍伐。Hook.f交货。令人惊讶的是，13%的人砍伐了大白杜鹃（Rhododendron grande Wight），这种物种在低山林中完全不存在。在徒步旅行路线上最常被砍伐的物种具有最大的燃料和民族药用价值。
{"title":"Quantification of biotic pressure in Ravangla-Bhaleydhunga trekking route located within Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary, Sikkim, India","authors":"Muna Devi Gurung , Santanu Gupta , Hema Gupta Joshi","doi":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127193","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jnc.2025.127193","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Maenam Wildlife Sanctuary (MWS) situated in South Sikkim, India, is a treasure house of medicine, the literal meaning of its name, and famous for bird diversity attracts bird lovers across the region. MWS is famous for its 13 km long Ravangla – Bhaleydhunga trekking corridor within the park which attracts large number of national and international trekkers. In this paper, the impact of trekking on wood cutting, and local dependency on the forest resources are quantified and the impact of biotic interferences in lower and upper forests of the trekking route are compared. The percentage of cut trees in the study area was 19 % in lower forest, and only 2 % in upper forest (<em>t</em>-test significance, p < 0.05). Nearly 26 % of the woody trees were found lopped in the lower forest whereas only 3 % of trees were lopped in upper forest (p < 0.05). The percentage of cut shrub was much higher in lower forest (44 %) than in upper forest (14 %) of study area. Species like <em>Myrsine capitellata</em> Wall. (45 %), <em>Brassaiopsis mitis</em> C. B. Clarke (29 %), and <em>Viburnum erubescens</em> Wall (26 %) were found frequently cut by the trekking groups and local people. In comparison to the lower hill forest, the upper hill forest was found relatively undisturbed with around 7 % cut trees for <em>Meliosma wallichii</em> Planch. ex Hook.f. and surprisingly 13 % cut trees of <em>Rhododendron grande</em> Wight, the species that was completely absent in the lower hills forest. The most often cut and lopped species in the trekking route have both maximum fuel and ethnomedicinal values.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":54898,"journal":{"name":"Journal for Nature Conservation","volume":"90 ","pages":"Article 127193"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145790801","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}
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