Pub Date : 2025-12-12DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111668
Shawan Chowdhury , Rochita Debnath , Niloy Hawladar , Scarlett R. Howard , Kathryn A. Hodgins , Bob B.M. Wong , Ivan Jarić
Invasive alien species pose significant threats to biodiversity, yet their distributions remain poorly documented across much of the tropics. Using Bangladesh, a megapopulated tropical country, we combine species distribution data from Facebook and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to evaluate how data integration improves invasive alien species distribution. Our compiled dataset contains 11,455 occurrence records for 65 species. Although Facebook contributed only 6 % of the total records, it provided more data than GBIF for two-thirds of the species and served as the unique source of distribution data for 23 species. Incorporating Facebook data increased estimated range sizes for 44 species and expanded the spatial extent of species distributions by 14 %. Facebook records also exhibited distinct environmental patterns, often in urban and human-impacted areas. We demonstrate that social media can help fill critical biodiversity data gaps in under-sampled regions and should be integrated into invasive species monitoring and conservation planning frameworks.
{"title":"Social media data reveal novel habitats for invasive species","authors":"Shawan Chowdhury , Rochita Debnath , Niloy Hawladar , Scarlett R. Howard , Kathryn A. Hodgins , Bob B.M. Wong , Ivan Jarić","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Invasive alien species pose significant threats to biodiversity, yet their distributions remain poorly documented across much of the tropics. Using Bangladesh, a megapopulated tropical country, we combine species distribution data from Facebook and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) to evaluate how data integration improves invasive alien species distribution. Our compiled dataset contains 11,455 occurrence records for 65 species. Although Facebook contributed only 6 % of the total records, it provided more data than GBIF for two-thirds of the species and served as the unique source of distribution data for 23 species. Incorporating Facebook data increased estimated range sizes for 44 species and expanded the spatial extent of species distributions by 14 %. Facebook records also exhibited distinct environmental patterns, often in urban and human-impacted areas. We demonstrate that social media can help fill critical biodiversity data gaps in under-sampled regions and should be integrated into invasive species monitoring and conservation planning frameworks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111668"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748962","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111661
Alice Baudouin , Nicolas Hette-Tronquart , Céline Brun , Nicolas Gay , Vivien Chartendrault , Christian Kerbiriou
Rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure is essential for climate change mitigation but may lead to trade-offs with biodiversity conservation. Although solar energy is among the fastest-growing renewable technologies worldwide, its ecological impacts remain poorly understood. Recent studies indicate that ground-mounted solar farms can reduce bat activity and alter community composition, with effects varying among species and site contexts (Barré & Baudouin et al., 2024; Szabadi et al., 2023; Tinsley et al., 2023). However, these findings are limited geographically and rarely cover Mediterranean ecosystems. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigates the effects of ground-mounted solar farms on bat activity in the French Mediterranean region—a hotspot for photovoltaic installations, by conducting standardized acoustic surveys at 15 solar farms. Bat activity was measured both inside solar farm cores/edges and in surrounding habitats, and the effects of farm size, panel technology, vegetation management, and farm age were analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Results revealed that bat activity was significantly lower within solar farms for multiple species and guilds, with further reductions toward the core zones; fixed panel systems were associated with more bat activity than single-axis trackers, and vegetation management had species-specific outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of strategic planning, environmental impact assessments using Before-After-Control-Impact designs, and the prioritization of brownfields for solar development to minimize negative effects on bat populations. Integrating ecological mitigation strategies in solar farm design and management is crucial to achieving sustainable energy transition aligned with biodiversity conservation.
{"title":"Balancing renewable energy and biodiversity: Assessing solar farm effects on bat activity","authors":"Alice Baudouin , Nicolas Hette-Tronquart , Céline Brun , Nicolas Gay , Vivien Chartendrault , Christian Kerbiriou","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111661","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111661","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Rapid expansion of renewable energy infrastructure is essential for climate change mitigation but may lead to trade-offs with biodiversity conservation. Although solar energy is among the fastest-growing renewable technologies worldwide, its ecological impacts remain poorly understood. Recent studies indicate that ground-mounted solar farms can reduce bat activity and alter community composition, with effects varying among species and site contexts (Barré & Baudouin et al., 2024; Szabadi et al., 2023; Tinsley et al., 2023). However, these findings are limited geographically and rarely cover Mediterranean ecosystems. To address this knowledge gap, this study investigates the effects of ground-mounted solar farms on bat activity in the French Mediterranean region—a hotspot for photovoltaic installations, by conducting standardized acoustic surveys at 15 solar farms. Bat activity was measured both inside solar farm cores/edges and in surrounding habitats, and the effects of farm size, panel technology, vegetation management, and farm age were analyzed using Generalized Linear Mixed Models. Results revealed that bat activity was significantly lower within solar farms for multiple species and guilds, with further reductions toward the core zones; fixed panel systems were associated with more bat activity than single-axis trackers, and vegetation management had species-specific outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of strategic planning, environmental impact assessments using Before-After-Control-Impact designs, and the prioritization of brownfields for solar development to minimize negative effects on bat populations. Integrating ecological mitigation strategies in solar farm design and management is crucial to achieving sustainable energy transition aligned with biodiversity conservation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111661"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748966","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111662
Veli-Matti Pakanen , Mikko Oranen , Nelli Rönkä , Kari Koivula
Habitat management alone is often unable to reverse wader population declines because it doesn't address high predation rates of eggs and chicks. Focusing restoration on habitat features that reduce predation may be the key for successful management. Breeding patch size may be crucial for the reproductive success of waders, but very few studies have considered all important demographic variables when estimating patch size thresholds. We used long-term life-history data from an endangered Southern Dunlin (Calidris alpina schinzii) population breeding on Baltic coastal meadows to find optimal patch sizes for management. We tested for patch size effects on nest survival, nest predation, juvenile survival (from hatching to age one) and adult survival. We then used matrix models to examine patch size thresholds on predicted population growth rates and give guidelines on management decisions regarding patch size. Nest survival increased strongly with patch size among early nests from 24 % (10 ha) to 62 % (200 ha), but the effect became smaller as the breeding season progressed. Nest predation rates were the main determinant of the nest survival pattern. Juvenile survival was highest among chicks originating from medium sized meadows (120-150 ha) whereas adult survival showed no response to the natal patch size. Predicted population growth rates summarizing these responses showed clear patch size thresholds: population growth rates were < 1 among patches smaller than 90 ha. Hence, we recommend that managed grassland habitat patches for breeding birds should be an absolute minimum of 90 ha but preferably 120–150 ha in size to maintain population viability.
{"title":"Demographic patch size thresholds from a wader population guide optimal management areas for grasslands","authors":"Veli-Matti Pakanen , Mikko Oranen , Nelli Rönkä , Kari Koivula","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111662","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Habitat management alone is often unable to reverse wader population declines because it doesn't address high predation rates of eggs and chicks. Focusing restoration on habitat features that reduce predation may be the key for successful management. Breeding patch size may be crucial for the reproductive success of waders, but very few studies have considered all important demographic variables when estimating patch size thresholds. We used long-term life-history data from an endangered Southern Dunlin (<em>Calidris alpina schinzii</em>) population breeding on Baltic coastal meadows to find optimal patch sizes for management. We tested for patch size effects on nest survival, nest predation, juvenile survival (from hatching to age one) and adult survival. We then used matrix models to examine patch size thresholds on predicted population growth rates and give guidelines on management decisions regarding patch size. Nest survival increased strongly with patch size among early nests from 24 % (10 ha) to 62 % (200 ha), but the effect became smaller as the breeding season progressed. Nest predation rates were the main determinant of the nest survival pattern. Juvenile survival was highest among chicks originating from medium sized meadows (120-150 ha) whereas adult survival showed no response to the natal patch size. Predicted population growth rates summarizing these responses showed clear patch size thresholds: population growth rates were < 1 among patches smaller than 90 ha. Hence, we recommend that managed grassland habitat patches for breeding birds should be an absolute minimum of 90 ha but preferably 120–150 ha in size to maintain population viability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111662"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748964","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111648
Jonathan Tetlie , Catherine Dana , Jared Thomas , Sam W. Heads , Alexandra Harmon-Threatt
Human-mediated land-use change and habitat degradation due to row-crop agriculture negatively impact bumble bee communities, but declines are not uniform across species. This study investigates how local floral variables and surrounding land use affect bumble bee abundance and species richness in Illinois, focusing on both common and rare species. We hypothesized that local factors, such as flower abundance and the Floristic Quality Index (FQI), would positively correlate with bumble bee richness and abundance, while higher agricultural intensity would negatively influence these metrics. Over three years, we sampled bumble bee communities at eleven sites, assessing local floral quality and surrounding land use. Our findings indicated that the FQI was a significant positive predictor of overall bumble bee abundance, common bumble bee abundance, and bumble bee community richness. Additionally, FQI was a marginally significant predictor of the abundance of rare species, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high-quality floral habitats. At the landscape level, we found that common bumble bee species had a significant positive association with various degrees of human development, whereas rare bumble bee species showed a strong positive association with increased areas of surrounding natural habitats. These findings suggest that conservation strategies for bumble bees should focus on increasing native floral diversity. Additionally, to support rare species, improving the quality of natural areas at the landscape level is crucial. By integrating local and landscape-level factors into conservation plans, more nuanced approaches to conservation can be developed that address the specific needs of bumble bee species of greatest conservation need.
{"title":"Exploring the impact of local floral quality and land use on bumble bee communities: Insights into common and at-risk species","authors":"Jonathan Tetlie , Catherine Dana , Jared Thomas , Sam W. Heads , Alexandra Harmon-Threatt","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111648","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111648","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Human-mediated land-use change and habitat degradation due to row-crop agriculture negatively impact bumble bee communities, but declines are not uniform across species. This study investigates how local floral variables and surrounding land use affect bumble bee abundance and species richness in Illinois, focusing on both common and rare species. We hypothesized that local factors, such as flower abundance and the Floristic Quality Index (FQI), would positively correlate with bumble bee richness and abundance, while higher agricultural intensity would negatively influence these metrics. Over three years, we sampled bumble bee communities at eleven sites, assessing local floral quality and surrounding land use. Our findings indicated that the FQI was a significant positive predictor of overall bumble bee abundance, common bumble bee abundance, and bumble bee community richness. Additionally, FQI was a marginally significant predictor of the abundance of rare species, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high-quality floral habitats. At the landscape level, we found that common bumble bee species had a significant positive association with various degrees of human development, whereas rare bumble bee species showed a strong positive association with increased areas of surrounding natural habitats. These findings suggest that conservation strategies for bumble bees should focus on increasing native floral diversity. Additionally, to support rare species, improving the quality of natural areas at the landscape level is crucial. By integrating local and landscape-level factors into conservation plans, more nuanced approaches to conservation can be developed that address the specific needs of bumble bee species of greatest conservation need.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111648"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-11DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111666
Neil Angelo Abreo , Antonín Kouba , Emerson Y. Sy , Darren C.J. Yeo , Benjamin M. Vallejo Jr , Krizler C. Tanalgo , Lief Erikson Gamalo , Aaron Froilan Raganas , Brian Sabanal , Dale Anthony L. To , Lorenzo Vilizzi , Ismael Soto , Phillip J. Haubrock
Non-native species threaten the Philippines' biodiversity, economy, and human well-being. Evidence, however, suggests that management efforts in the country to control non-native species are largely unsuccessful due to substantial knowledge gaps, which include scarce data on ecological impacts, economic costs, pathways of introduction, and a lack of coordinated efforts to address non-native species. To fill these gaps, we identify key research challenges and opportunities in addressing non-native species introductions and risks in the Philippines. To tackle these challenges linked to biological invasions in the Philippines, we highlight key areas that include: (1) the prevention of future introductions, where possible; (2) objective assessments of ecological and economic impacts; (3) a central coordination for any aspect associated with biological invasions; (4) the establishment of long-term monitoring and comprehensive data collection, (5) raising public awareness and education and (6) reframing biological invasions. We discuss how these gaps affect management efforts in the Philippines and how they can be addressed to promote effective management strategies for non-native species, providing insights for other countries or territories facing similar threats under similar circumstances.
{"title":"Biological invasions in the Philippines: Challenges and priorities in a megadiverse country","authors":"Neil Angelo Abreo , Antonín Kouba , Emerson Y. Sy , Darren C.J. Yeo , Benjamin M. Vallejo Jr , Krizler C. Tanalgo , Lief Erikson Gamalo , Aaron Froilan Raganas , Brian Sabanal , Dale Anthony L. To , Lorenzo Vilizzi , Ismael Soto , Phillip J. Haubrock","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111666","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111666","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Non-native species threaten the Philippines' biodiversity, economy, and human well-being. Evidence, however, suggests that management efforts in the country to control non-native species are largely unsuccessful due to substantial knowledge gaps, which include scarce data on ecological impacts, economic costs, pathways of introduction, and a lack of coordinated efforts to address non-native species. To fill these gaps, we identify key research challenges and opportunities in addressing non-native species introductions and risks in the Philippines. To tackle these challenges linked to biological invasions in the Philippines, we highlight key areas that include: (1) the prevention of future introductions, where possible; (2) objective assessments of ecological and economic impacts; (3) a central coordination for any aspect associated with biological invasions; (4) the establishment of long-term monitoring and comprehensive data collection, (5) raising public awareness and education and (6) reframing biological invasions. We discuss how these gaps affect management efforts in the Philippines and how they can be addressed to promote effective management strategies for non-native species, providing insights for other countries or territories facing similar threats under similar circumstances.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111666"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145749039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111659
Ye Zhang , Xia Huang , Hanlan Liu , Pengfei Fan , Lu Zhang
Conservation effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) is determined by conservation interventions within PAs, as well as anthropogenic impacts from local communities surrounding PAs. Accounting for spatial heterogeneity of anthropogenic impacts at the sub-PA scale, populations of threatened species in different sectors of a PA may respond differently, even though conservation interventions are usually implemented congruously throughout the PA. As a case study, we assessed the population change of the Critically Endangered western black crested gibbon (Nomascus concolor) over the past decade in Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve in China. We also conducted interviews with 605 residents in 99 villages surrounding the reserve to obtain their gibbon knowledge and attitude toward wildlife, as well as their production activities in and outside the reserve. We then assessed the impact of environmental variables and anthropogenic factors on the gibbon population change. We found an overall increase in gibbon population through the reserve, although it varied across different sectors. Gibbon population change was positively affected by elevation and local residents' gibbon knowledge and attitude toward wildlife. Furthermore, demographic factors such as age, gender, and education level, as well as conservation outreach, contribute to gibbon conservation indirectly through enhancing residents' gibbon knowledge and attitude toward wildlife. Our study underlines the importance of incorporating local communities in threatened species conservation, suggesting that conservation outreach and community-based conservation are essential to the improvement of PA conservation effectiveness.
{"title":"Local communities affect conservation effectiveness of protected area on a critically endangered primate","authors":"Ye Zhang , Xia Huang , Hanlan Liu , Pengfei Fan , Lu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111659","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Conservation effectiveness of protected areas (PAs) is determined by conservation interventions within PAs, as well as anthropogenic impacts from local communities surrounding PAs. Accounting for spatial heterogeneity of anthropogenic impacts at the sub-PA scale, populations of threatened species in different sectors of a PA may respond differently, even though conservation interventions are usually implemented congruously throughout the PA. As a case study, we assessed the population change of the Critically Endangered western black crested gibbon (<em>Nomascus concolor</em>) over the past decade in Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve in China. We also conducted interviews with 605 residents in 99 villages surrounding the reserve to obtain their gibbon knowledge and attitude toward wildlife, as well as their production activities in and outside the reserve. We then assessed the impact of environmental variables and anthropogenic factors on the gibbon population change. We found an overall increase in gibbon population through the reserve, although it varied across different sectors. Gibbon population change was positively affected by elevation and local residents' gibbon knowledge and attitude toward wildlife. Furthermore, demographic factors such as age, gender, and education level, as well as conservation outreach, contribute to gibbon conservation indirectly through enhancing residents' gibbon knowledge and attitude toward wildlife. Our study underlines the importance of incorporating local communities in threatened species conservation, suggesting that conservation outreach and community-based conservation are essential to the improvement of PA conservation effectiveness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111659"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748965","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111650
Vincent Grognuz , Katja Gisler , Eva Knop
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a rapidly expanding form of pollution that alters natural light regimes and threatens biodiversity. While many studies have documented its effects on animal behaviour, the consequences for plants, and the ecological services they provide, remain underexplored. We investigated how ALAN modifies the timing and availability of floral resources in wild plant communities of central European agricultural landscapes. From 2022 to 2023, we conducted a large-scale field experiment in Swiss wildflower strips, exposing sites to LED streetlights to simulate ALAN (n = 14) while paired controls remained dark (n = 14). Using phenological monitoring and time-lapse photography, we quantified both daily and seasonal changes across multiple species. At the daily scale, ALAN altered flower opening and closing patterns, delaying petal closure in a night-flowering species and advancing morning opening in a day-flowering species. At the seasonal scale, ALAN advanced seedling emergence in half of the species studied (n = 6) and shifted flowering schedules in 75 % (n = 16). In some cases, flowering onset, progression, and peak bloom occurred more than 10 days earlier, while other species showed delayed flower disappearance. These shifts change when floral resources are available in the landscape, potentially exposing reproductive stages to suboptimal abiotic conditions and disrupting synchrony with pollinators and herbivores. Such desynchronization may reduce reproductive success, alter interaction networks, and cascade to affect community composition. Our findings demonstrate that ALAN alters the temporal dynamics of plant resources at both daily and seasonal scales, potentially disrupting ecosystem stability.
{"title":"Artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts timing of floral resource availability","authors":"Vincent Grognuz , Katja Gisler , Eva Knop","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111650","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111650","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a rapidly expanding form of pollution that alters natural light regimes and threatens biodiversity. While many studies have documented its effects on animal behaviour, the consequences for plants, and the ecological services they provide, remain underexplored. We investigated how ALAN modifies the timing and availability of floral resources in wild plant communities of central European agricultural landscapes. From 2022 to 2023, we conducted a large-scale field experiment in Swiss wildflower strips, exposing sites to LED streetlights to simulate ALAN (<em>n</em> = 14) while paired controls remained dark (n = 14). Using phenological monitoring and time-lapse photography, we quantified both daily and seasonal changes across multiple species. At the daily scale, ALAN altered flower opening and closing patterns, delaying petal closure in a night-flowering species and advancing morning opening in a day-flowering species. At the seasonal scale, ALAN advanced seedling emergence in half of the species studied (<em>n</em> = 6) and shifted flowering schedules in 75 % (<em>n</em> = 16). In some cases, flowering onset, progression, and peak bloom occurred more than 10 days earlier, while other species showed delayed flower disappearance. These shifts change when floral resources are available in the landscape, potentially exposing reproductive stages to suboptimal abiotic conditions and disrupting synchrony with pollinators and herbivores. Such desynchronization may reduce reproductive success, alter interaction networks, and cascade to affect community composition. Our findings demonstrate that ALAN alters the temporal dynamics of plant resources at both daily and seasonal scales, potentially disrupting ecosystem stability.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111650"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-08DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111646
Jan Christian Habel , Robert Trusch , Oliver Karbiener , Thomas Schmitt , Werner Ulrich
Ongoing environmental change has caused significant modifications in the diversity, abundance and community composition of insects across Central Europe. Nocturnal insects, such as macro-moths, are species rich and represent a large part of insect biomass, but are underrepresented in scientific studies. In this study, we analysed long-term changes of macro-moth diversity and community composition across south-western Germany, using records from two time periods: 1970–2000 and 2001–2020 obtained at identical study sites, almost all nature reserves. Total species richness remained constant, while local species composition changed significantly. Endangered and specialized open landscape species, and those adapted to bogs and coniferous forests became less common. Thermophilic species adapted to dry mixed forests became more abundant. The macro-moth communities became considerably more uniform and are increasingly dominated by common habitat generalist species. The decline in specialized open-landscape species seems to be due to losses of formerly extensively used grassland and agricultural intensification. Species with Mediterranean core areas increased in abundance. Likely, climate and land-use change will strengthen the observed trends and continue to reshape macro-moth communities, with the potential for continued compositional homogenisation.
{"title":"Losses of specialist and expansion of thermophilic generalist macro-moths in nature reserves of Central Europe","authors":"Jan Christian Habel , Robert Trusch , Oliver Karbiener , Thomas Schmitt , Werner Ulrich","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111646","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111646","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ongoing environmental change has caused significant modifications in the diversity, abundance and community composition of insects across Central Europe. Nocturnal insects, such as macro-moths, are species rich and represent a large part of insect biomass, but are underrepresented in scientific studies. In this study, we analysed long-term changes of macro-moth diversity and community composition across south-western Germany, using records from two time periods: 1970–2000 and 2001–2020 obtained at identical study sites, almost all nature reserves. Total species richness remained constant, while local species composition changed significantly. Endangered and specialized open landscape species, and those adapted to bogs and coniferous forests became less common. Thermophilic species adapted to dry mixed forests became more abundant. The macro-moth communities became considerably more uniform and are increasingly dominated by common habitat generalist species. The decline in specialized open-landscape species seems to be due to losses of formerly extensively used grassland and agricultural intensification. Species with Mediterranean core areas increased in abundance. Likely, climate and land-use change will strengthen the observed trends and continue to reshape macro-moth communities, with the potential for continued compositional homogenisation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111646"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145748968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-06DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111643
Sara M. Gómez-Otero , Iñigo Donázar-Aramendía , Olga Ceballos , Eneko Arrondo , Alejandro Urmeneta , Ainara Cortés-Avizanda , José A. Donázar
Scavenging represents one of the least comprehensively understood ecological processes, despite growing research attention. Available knowledge is constrained by methodological limitations that frequently neglect the nutritional heterogeneity provided by carcasses of different species and tissue types. Carrion selection may thus depend not only on environmental factors but also on species-specific life-history traits. Here, we examine how carrion use by the globally endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) varies throughout the breeding season, across a gradient of prey types ranging from livestock to small wild vertebrates. We analyzed bulk stable isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) in growing feathers of nestlings at the nest and assessed the influence of individual variables such as sex, age, and hatching order. Our results show that the consumption of small wild vertebrates is highest during early nestling development, likely driven by demand for micronutrients such as calcium during rapid skeletal growth. As nestlings mature, their diet shifts toward livestock carrion, particularly pig remains, likely supporting energy accumulation for fledging and post-reproductive migration. The trophic niche is broader early in development and narrows with age. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized temporal shift in diet that challenges conservation strategies relying solely on livestock carcass provisioning. Moreover, they may be relevant to other avian scavengers with similar ecological requirements. Overall, our study underscores the ecological importance of carrion diversity in shaping scavenger feeding strategies and has significant implications for conservation planning and ecosystem functioning.
{"title":"Vultures thrive on more than livestock: small wild vertebrate carcasses are key for nestling growth","authors":"Sara M. Gómez-Otero , Iñigo Donázar-Aramendía , Olga Ceballos , Eneko Arrondo , Alejandro Urmeneta , Ainara Cortés-Avizanda , José A. Donázar","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111643","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111643","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Scavenging represents one of the least comprehensively understood ecological processes, despite growing research attention. Available knowledge is constrained by methodological limitations that frequently neglect the nutritional heterogeneity provided by carcasses of different species and tissue types. Carrion selection may thus depend not only on environmental factors but also on species-specific life-history traits. Here, we examine how carrion use by the globally endangered Egyptian vulture (<em>Neophron percnopterus</em>) varies throughout the breeding season, across a gradient of prey types ranging from livestock to small wild vertebrates. We analyzed bulk stable isotope values (δ<sup>13</sup>C and δ<sup>15</sup>N) in growing feathers of nestlings at the nest and assessed the influence of individual variables such as sex, age, and hatching order. Our results show that the consumption of small wild vertebrates is highest during early nestling development, likely driven by demand for micronutrients such as calcium during rapid skeletal growth. As nestlings mature, their diet shifts toward livestock carrion, particularly pig remains, likely supporting energy accumulation for fledging and post-reproductive migration. The trophic niche is broader early in development and narrows with age. These findings highlight a previously unrecognized temporal shift in diet that challenges conservation strategies relying solely on livestock carcass provisioning. Moreover, they may be relevant to other avian scavengers with similar ecological requirements. Overall, our study underscores the ecological importance of carrion diversity in shaping scavenger feeding strategies and has significant implications for conservation planning and ecosystem functioning.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111643"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145694454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 : 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111645
Philip Erm , Matthew H. Holden , Gianluca Cerullo , Rhys E. Green , Andrew Balmford
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Towards a unifying theory of conservation in production systems” [Biol. Conserv. 313 (2026) 111623]","authors":"Philip Erm , Matthew H. Holden , Gianluca Cerullo , Rhys E. Green , Andrew Balmford","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111645","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111645","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"314 ","pages":"Article 111645"},"PeriodicalIF":4.4,"publicationDate":"2025-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145939020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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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