Biological Conservation最新文献_第6页

Coping with ocean dynamics: Foraging strategy and implications for conservation of a small petrel

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110913

Sofia Bolumar Roda , Andreu Rotger , Andrea Santangeli , Giacomo Tavecchia , Alfonso Sola , Santi Catchot , Daniel Tarry , Gotzon Basterretxea , Simon Ruiz , Ignacio A. Catalán , Ana Sanz-Aguilar

Seabirds' distribution is generally influenced by the ecological dynamics of marine environments. Understanding how oceanographic features shape seabird foraging behaviour remains a challenge. We combined GPS tracking locations (n = 2883) of 39 European Storm-petrels (Hydrobates pelagicus) breeding in four West Mediterranean colonies during incubation over multiple years (2019–2021) with near-real-time remotely sensed oceanographic drivers. We model habitat selection using GPS tracking data from one colony, Benidorm Island, and use data from other three colonies for validation. We show that suitable foraging areas are strongly characterized by low sea surface temperature, high chlorophyll concentration and eddy kinetic energy. Based on this model, we predict habitat suitability maps for 2018–2022. Cross-validation using data from the other three colonies highlights that the identified suitable areas are universally applicable across other Storm-petrel colonies in the Western Mediterranean. We identified the Alboran Sea, the North African coast, the Gulf of Lion and the Ebro River Delta as the most suitable regions. These areas are characterized by high mesoscale variability, suggesting the importance of dynamic oceanographic features in determining foraging habitat. Identified main foraging areas are largely outside of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), thus vulnerable to anthropogenic threats such as overfishing and energy infrastructure development. The critical foraging areas identified for this species underscore the need to expand the MPA network and/or adopt sustainable resource extraction in unprotected marine areas.

{"title":"Coping with ocean dynamics: Foraging strategy and implications for conservation of a small petrel","authors":"Sofia Bolumar Roda , Andreu Rotger , Andrea Santangeli , Giacomo Tavecchia , Alfonso Sola , Santi Catchot , Daniel Tarry , Gotzon Basterretxea , Simon Ruiz , Ignacio A. Catalán , Ana Sanz-Aguilar","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110913","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110913","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Seabirds' distribution is generally influenced by the ecological dynamics of marine environments. Understanding how oceanographic features shape seabird foraging behaviour remains a challenge. We combined GPS tracking locations (<em>n</em> = 2883) of 39 European Storm-petrels (<em>Hydrobates pelagicus</em>) breeding in four West Mediterranean colonies during incubation over multiple years (2019–2021) with near-real-time remotely sensed oceanographic drivers. We model habitat selection using GPS tracking data from one colony, Benidorm Island, and use data from other three colonies for validation. We show that suitable foraging areas are strongly characterized by low sea surface temperature, high chlorophyll concentration and eddy kinetic energy. Based on this model, we predict habitat suitability maps for 2018–2022. Cross-validation using data from the other three colonies highlights that the identified suitable areas are universally applicable across other Storm-petrel colonies in the Western Mediterranean. We identified the Alboran Sea, the North African coast, the Gulf of Lion and the Ebro River Delta as the most suitable regions. These areas are characterized by high mesoscale variability, suggesting the importance of dynamic oceanographic features in determining foraging habitat. Identified main foraging areas are largely outside of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), thus vulnerable to anthropogenic threats such as overfishing and energy infrastructure development. The critical foraging areas identified for this species underscore the need to expand the MPA network and/or adopt sustainable resource extraction in unprotected marine areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110913"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143145812","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}

引用次数: 0

Modeling spatiotemporal variations in the density of unmarked populations using camera trap data: An application to free-roaming cats

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110914

Yoshihiro Nakashima, Gota Yajima

Camera traps have revolutionized wildlife monitoring, providing reliable information on animal occupancy and abundance. In recent years, several models have been developed to estimate the absolute density of unmarked populations (i.e., those lacking individually recognizable markings), which was previously challenging. By refining these models, they may become efficient monitoring tools applicable to a wide range of species. In this study, we extended one such model, the Random Encounter and Staying Time (REST) model, within a state-space framework to explicitly account for spatiotemporal variations in animal density. We applied this model to free-roaming cats using data obtained from 209 camera traps deployed across a study area (836 km²) over a two-year period (June 2018–May 2020). The estimated cat density was generally <0.3 cats per km², with higher densities observed near human settlements and occasional excursions into deeper forested areas (>500 m). Densities also exhibited seasonal variation, with higher values in winter and spring compared to summer. Our model estimates the “average” density of animal individuals available to camera traps over the temporal duration of interest. Although this metric differs from conventional population density measures and requires careful interpretation, it remains a valuable indicator of the ecological impact or functioning of animals, including free-roaming cats.

{"title":"Modeling spatiotemporal variations in the density of unmarked populations using camera trap data: An application to free-roaming cats","authors":"Yoshihiro Nakashima, Gota Yajima","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110914","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110914","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Camera traps have revolutionized wildlife monitoring, providing reliable information on animal occupancy and abundance. In recent years, several models have been developed to estimate the absolute density of unmarked populations (i.e., those lacking individually recognizable markings), which was previously challenging. By refining these models, they may become efficient monitoring tools applicable to a wide range of species. In this study, we extended one such model, the Random Encounter and Staying Time (REST) model, within a state-space framework to explicitly account for spatiotemporal variations in animal density. We applied this model to free-roaming cats using data obtained from 209 camera traps deployed across a study area (836 km<sup>2</sup>) over a two-year period (June 2018–May 2020). The estimated cat density was generally <0.3 cats per km<sup>2</sup>, with higher densities observed near human settlements and occasional excursions into deeper forested areas (>500 m). Densities also exhibited seasonal variation, with higher values in winter and spring compared to summer. Our model estimates the “average” density of animal individuals available to camera traps over the temporal duration of interest. Although this metric differs from conventional population density measures and requires careful interpretation, it remains a valuable indicator of the ecological impact or functioning of animals, including free-roaming cats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110914"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143146135","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}

引用次数: 0

Promoting equity in priority area identification for productive lands: A protection-management-restoration hierarchy

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110908

Zhibo Du , Binyue Kang , Wei Yan , Longqin Li , Jingya Zhang , Zilin Shi , Weiqing Meng , Hongyuan Li

Priority area identification studies focus on conservation and restoration programs and planning at regional, national, and global scales. However, there are still limitations to the fair interpretation of spatial assessment of trade-offs for various types of land, especially productive land, in sustainable development. Priority area identification should be based on an exact framework to maximize ecological and productive benefits at minimal costs. Therefore, we propose an integrated priority area identification framework based on a “protection-management-restoration” hierarchy and demonstrate our approach at the terrestrial scale in China. We explored the proportion of each land type and the cost-effectiveness under different target levels and hierarchy scenarios, finding that the share of the management hierarchy is larger than the others, and the gap becomes progressively more apparent as the target level increases. Among the various priority areas identified, forests and grasslands have a higher share compared to other land types. We also found that the priority areas identified by the scenarios giving the same weight to each tier protect 30.08 % of the threatened terrestrial vertebrates and 43.48 % of the total manageable carbon at the 30 % target level, and their costs are in the middle of all the scenarios. At the same time, we also emphasize that conservation, management, and restoration are never mutually exclusive and different actions can be highly complementary and carried out simultaneously during planning practices. Our framework provides valuable insights for implementing territorial spatial planning at the national level and offers new perspectives on weighing the ecological and productive benefits of ecosystems.

{"title":"Promoting equity in priority area identification for productive lands: A protection-management-restoration hierarchy","authors":"Zhibo Du , Binyue Kang , Wei Yan , Longqin Li , Jingya Zhang , Zilin Shi , Weiqing Meng , Hongyuan Li","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110908","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110908","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Priority area identification studies focus on conservation and restoration programs and planning at regional, national, and global scales. However, there are still limitations to the fair interpretation of spatial assessment of trade-offs for various types of land, especially productive land, in sustainable development. Priority area identification should be based on an exact framework to maximize ecological and productive benefits at minimal costs. Therefore, we propose an integrated priority area identification framework based on a “protection-management-restoration” hierarchy and demonstrate our approach at the terrestrial scale in China. We explored the proportion of each land type and the cost-effectiveness under different target levels and hierarchy scenarios, finding that the share of the management hierarchy is larger than the others, and the gap becomes progressively more apparent as the target level increases. Among the various priority areas identified, forests and grasslands have a higher share compared to other land types. We also found that the priority areas identified by the scenarios giving the same weight to each tier protect 30.08 % of the threatened terrestrial vertebrates and 43.48 % of the total manageable carbon at the 30 % target level, and their costs are in the middle of all the scenarios. At the same time, we also emphasize that conservation, management, and restoration are never mutually exclusive and different actions can be highly complementary and carried out simultaneously during planning practices. Our framework provides valuable insights for implementing territorial spatial planning at the national level and offers new perspectives on weighing the ecological and productive benefits of ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110908"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143146343","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}

引用次数: 0

Applying plant-pollinator network to identify priority species for conservation in a biodiversity hotspot

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110979

Beatriz Lopes Monteiro , Camila Silveira Souza , Pietro K. Maruyama , Maria Gabriela Gutierrez Camargo , Leonor Patricia Cerdeira Morellato

Biotic pollination is a key ecosystem function, as 85 % of all Angiosperms depend on interactions with animals for reproduction. Anthropogenic impacts have caused a decrease in biodiversity, affecting species interactions and their conservation. Initiatives to evaluate species' conservation value usually do not consider the species interactions organized in a nonrandom pattern. Here we used network approaches to evaluate the role of endemic and/or threatened species in plant-pollinator interactions from a highly diverse and endangered tropical mountain grassland ecosystem, the campo rupestre. We asked how the mutualistic interactions are organized, which are the main species structuring the network, and whether endemic and/or threatened species are among the main species structuring the mutualistic interactions. The plant-pollinator network had 481 species performing 1264 interactions. Twenty species are under threat and 42 are endemic. Through the categorization of species according to modularity roles and core-periphery status in the network, we created a conservation priority list with nine plant and pollinator species. Endemic plants, the native bumblebee Bombus pauloensis, and small and short-tongued bees, as well as hummingbirds, were identified as crucial for network cohesiveness. The introduced honeybee Apis mellifera emerged as an important species through network analysis, and its role in the community dynamic deserves further investigation. Our study illustrates the usefulness of network approaches in combination with ancillary data, such as species threat status and endemism, to guide conservation efforts in highly biodiverse and threatened tropical ecosystems.

{"title":"Applying plant-pollinator network to identify priority species for conservation in a biodiversity hotspot","authors":"Beatriz Lopes Monteiro , Camila Silveira Souza , Pietro K. Maruyama , Maria Gabriela Gutierrez Camargo , Leonor Patricia Cerdeira Morellato","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110979","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110979","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biotic pollination is a key ecosystem function, as 85 % of all Angiosperms depend on interactions with animals for reproduction. Anthropogenic impacts have caused a decrease in biodiversity, affecting species interactions and their conservation. Initiatives to evaluate species' conservation value usually do not consider the species interactions organized in a nonrandom pattern. Here we used network approaches to evaluate the role of endemic and/or threatened species in plant-pollinator interactions from a highly diverse and endangered tropical mountain grassland ecosystem, the <em>campo rupestre</em>. We asked how the mutualistic interactions are organized, which are the main species structuring the network, and whether endemic and/or threatened species are among the main species structuring the mutualistic interactions. The plant-pollinator network had 481 species performing 1264 interactions. Twenty species are under threat and 42 are endemic. Through the categorization of species according to modularity roles and core-periphery status in the network, we created a conservation priority list with nine plant and pollinator species. Endemic plants, the native bumblebee <em>Bombus pauloensis</em>, and small and short-tongued bees, as well as hummingbirds, were identified as crucial for network cohesiveness. The introduced honeybee <em>Apis mellifera</em> emerged as an important species through network analysis, and its role in the community dynamic deserves further investigation. Our study illustrates the usefulness of network approaches in combination with ancillary data, such as species threat status and endemism, to guide conservation efforts in highly biodiverse and threatened tropical ecosystems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110979"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143147162","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}

引用次数: 0

Stakeholder workshops on western Baltic cod fisheries–conflict and consensus in the face of a highly dynamic ecosystem

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110983

W.-C. Lewin , M.E. Pierce , R. Arlinghaus , M.S. Weltersbach , H.V. Strehlow

A shift in ecological systems often produces or exacerbates conflicts among different stakeholders within the corresponding socio-ecological system. One approach to resolution is to involve the various parties in participatory processes (e.g., in a workshop setting) and work towards co-design of management recommendations. Using the western Baltic cod (Gadus morhua) fishery as case study, this research documents a series of stakeholder workshops which happened to take place during the rapid deterioration of the stock. This overlap shed light on challenges for established fisheries management and conservation systems when confronted with rapid, unforeseen changes of the corresponding ecosystems and stakeholder involvement in such situations. The aspiration of the workshops including participatory cognitive mapping was to understand stakeholder perceptions and work towards mutually agreed management recommendations - a goal that became more elusive as the stock collapsed and the fishery was closed during the process. Such situations may become more common in the context of ever-increasing anthropogenic pressures on aquatic ecosystems, including climate change, habitat degradation, and overfishing. The workshops engaged four different stakeholder groups: commercial fishers, recreational fishers, environmental non-governmental organizations, and fisheries authorities. Conflicts were identified with regard to human-wildlife interactions, the role of scientific contributions and competition between commercial and recreational fisheries. Consensus was reached regarding the impact of external factors, particularly eutrophication, and the need for fisheries management and specific management measures. This study documents the workshop results and experiences, reports lessons learnt and translates these into possible steps forward.

{"title":"Stakeholder workshops on western Baltic cod fisheries–conflict and consensus in the face of a highly dynamic ecosystem","authors":"W.-C. Lewin , M.E. Pierce , R. Arlinghaus , M.S. Weltersbach , H.V. Strehlow","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110983","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110983","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A shift in ecological systems often produces or exacerbates conflicts among different stakeholders within the corresponding socio-ecological system. One approach to resolution is to involve the various parties in participatory processes (e.g., in a workshop setting) and work towards co-design of management recommendations. Using the western Baltic cod (<em>Gadus morhua</em>) fishery as case study, this research documents a series of stakeholder workshops which happened to take place during the rapid deterioration of the stock. This overlap shed light on challenges for established fisheries management and conservation systems when confronted with rapid, unforeseen changes of the corresponding ecosystems and stakeholder involvement in such situations. The aspiration of the workshops including participatory cognitive mapping was to understand stakeholder perceptions and work towards mutually agreed management recommendations - a goal that became more elusive as the stock collapsed and the fishery was closed during the process. Such situations may become more common in the context of ever-increasing anthropogenic pressures on aquatic ecosystems, including climate change, habitat degradation, and overfishing. The workshops engaged four different stakeholder groups: commercial fishers, recreational fishers, environmental non-governmental organizations, and fisheries authorities. Conflicts were identified with regard to human-wildlife interactions, the role of scientific contributions and competition between commercial and recreational fisheries. Consensus was reached regarding the impact of external factors, particularly eutrophication, and the need for fisheries management and specific management measures. This study documents the workshop results and experiences, reports lessons learnt and translates these into possible steps forward.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110983"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143147163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Habitat preference contributes to explaining the varied sensitivity of bats to anthropogenic noise

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110974

Aoqiang Li , Xiaotong Tian , Nina Ma , Jinhong Luo

Anthropogenic noise is a global pollutant that negatively affects a wide range of wildlife, both on land and in water. It has long been recognized that there are marked variations in animals' sensitivity to noise disturbance across individuals and species and behavioral contexts for the same individuals. For biodiversity conservation and management, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms for the subject- and context-dependent responses of wildlife to human disturbances. Here we used meta-analysis and statistical models to understand the biological and ecological traits that may explain the differential responses of bats to anthropogenic noise. Bats, the second-largest order of mammals, play indispensable ecological roles but face various human threats. The literature survey revealed that only 33 studies had investigated the effects of anthropogenic noise on 60 bat species, representing approximately 4 % of the total bat species and being largely (92 %) restrained to the families Vespertilionidae and Molossidae. The statistical analyses revealed that transportation and urban noise were the more disturbing to bats. Bat species that forage in narrow and edge spaces were more sensitive to anthropogenic noise than those that forage in open spaces. Bat species using longer echolocation calls were more sensitive to noise disturbance. Furthermore, compared to orienting and vocalizing bats, foraging bats were more sensitive to noise disturbance. These data indicated that anthropogenic noise, particularly traffic noise, needs to be carefully managed for forests and other types of vegetation used by foraging bats.

{"title":"Habitat preference contributes to explaining the varied sensitivity of bats to anthropogenic noise","authors":"Aoqiang Li , Xiaotong Tian , Nina Ma , Jinhong Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110974","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.110974","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Anthropogenic noise is a global pollutant that negatively affects a wide range of wildlife, both on land and in water. It has long been recognized that there are marked variations in animals' sensitivity to noise disturbance across individuals and species and behavioral contexts for the same individuals. For biodiversity conservation and management, it is important to understand the underlying mechanisms for the subject- and context-dependent responses of wildlife to human disturbances. Here we used meta-analysis and statistical models to understand the biological and ecological traits that may explain the differential responses of bats to anthropogenic noise. Bats, the second-largest order of mammals, play indispensable ecological roles but face various human threats. The literature survey revealed that only 33 studies had investigated the effects of anthropogenic noise on 60 bat species, representing approximately 4 % of the total bat species and being largely (92 %) restrained to the families Vespertilionidae and Molossidae. The statistical analyses revealed that transportation and urban noise were the more disturbing to bats. Bat species that forage in narrow and edge spaces were more sensitive to anthropogenic noise than those that forage in open spaces. Bat species using longer echolocation calls were more sensitive to noise disturbance. Furthermore, compared to orienting and vocalizing bats, foraging bats were more sensitive to noise disturbance. These data indicated that anthropogenic noise, particularly traffic noise, needs to be carefully managed for forests and other types of vegetation used by foraging bats.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110974"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143147164","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}

引用次数: 0

Can strategic protected area expansion solve the insufficient representation of biodiversity in protected area networks? A case study from South Africa

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110903

Lize von Staden , Stephen D. Holness , Amanda T. Lombard

Strategic protected area expansion has been proposed as a solution to the inequitable representation of biodiversity in existing protected area networks, but its effectiveness remains untested. South Africa implemented a National Protected Area Expansion Strategy (NPAES) in 2008, which provided the opportunity to examine the role that strategic decision-making played in guiding protected area expansion towards biodiversity priority areas over the following 12 years. The study evaluated three outcomes as evidence for strategic expansion: alignment of annual protected area expansion with NPAES goals, probability of expansion in priority versus non-priority areas, and shifts in expansion drivers from land availability to biodiversity priorities. While post-NPAES expansion generally aligned with its goals, no evidence could be found that this result was due to strategic decision-making. Results reinforce concerns that in under-resourced conservation strategies, ambitious targets can undermine the achievement of strategic objectives. Strategies containing a mix of conservation interventions complementary to the constraints on strategic protected area expansion will support better outcomes for biodiversity.

{"title":"Can strategic protected area expansion solve the insufficient representation of biodiversity in protected area networks? A case study from South Africa","authors":"Lize von Staden , Stephen D. Holness , Amanda T. Lombard","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110903","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110903","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Strategic protected area expansion has been proposed as a solution to the inequitable representation of biodiversity in existing protected area networks, but its effectiveness remains untested. South Africa implemented a National Protected Area Expansion Strategy (NPAES) in 2008, which provided the opportunity to examine the role that strategic decision-making played in guiding protected area expansion towards biodiversity priority areas over the following 12 years. The study evaluated three outcomes as evidence for strategic expansion: alignment of annual protected area expansion with NPAES goals, probability of expansion in priority versus non-priority areas, and shifts in expansion drivers from land availability to biodiversity priorities. While post-NPAES expansion generally aligned with its goals, no evidence could be found that this result was due to strategic decision-making. Results reinforce concerns that in under-resourced conservation strategies, ambitious targets can undermine the achievement of strategic objectives. Strategies containing a mix of conservation interventions complementary to the constraints on strategic protected area expansion will support better outcomes for biodiversity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110903"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143145814","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}

引用次数: 0

Local ecological predictions as input to adaptive management of natural plant communities

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110951

Christian Damgaard

Using ecological monitoring data and the hypothesized causal relationships in a structural equation model, it is possible to generate short-term ecological predictions of vegetation cover as a function of the local levels of environmental drivers (nitrogen deposition, soil pH, soil texture, precipitation and grazing). Some of these environmental drivers may be manipulated in an adaptive management plan, and local ecological predictions will provide important input for setting-up adaptive management plans. It is critical to quantify the different sources of uncertainty of the predictions. In a case study of four management scenarios at a specific calcareous grassland site, the effect of reduced grazing and nitrogen deposition on the cover of sensitive species after five years was predicted. The management scenarios were predicted to have large and different effects on the predicted relative cover of sensitive species after five years. It was predicted that the current management practice would lead to a significant decrease in the relative cover of sensitive species after five years, whereas reduced grazing and reduced nitrogen deposition was predicted to lead to increasing cover of the sensitive species. Importantly, the local climate and soil characteristics were accounted for in the predictions.

{"title":"Local ecological predictions as input to adaptive management of natural plant communities","authors":"Christian Damgaard","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110951","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110951","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Using ecological monitoring data and the hypothesized causal relationships in a structural equation model, it is possible to generate short-term ecological predictions of vegetation cover as a function of the local levels of environmental drivers (nitrogen deposition, soil pH, soil texture, precipitation and grazing). Some of these environmental drivers may be manipulated in an adaptive management plan, and local ecological predictions will provide important input for setting-up adaptive management plans. It is critical to quantify the different sources of uncertainty of the predictions. In a case study of four management scenarios at a specific calcareous grassland site, the effect of reduced grazing and nitrogen deposition on the cover of sensitive species after five years was predicted. The management scenarios were predicted to have large and different effects on the predicted relative cover of sensitive species after five years. It was predicted that the current management practice would lead to a significant decrease in the relative cover of sensitive species after five years, whereas reduced grazing and reduced nitrogen deposition was predicted to lead to increasing cover of the sensitive species. Importantly, the local climate and soil characteristics were accounted for in the predictions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110951"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143145850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Can gamification save the planet? Revolutionizing citizen science for biodiversity conservation

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111001

Sajan KC, Anisha Sapkota

The rapid decline in biodiversity and the increasing detachment from nature among young people present urgent challenges that demand immediate attention. To tackle these issues, we propose an innovative strategy that utilizes the motivational potential of gamification and incentives, drawing inspiration, particularly, from the Pokémon franchise. Our approach engages citizen scientists in documenting local biodiversity, building digital collections, and earning rewards, potentially promoting active participation, accelerating scientific discovery, and supporting conservation efforts by providing valuable data to inform management decisions. Rooted in gamification theory, this strategy proposes to facilitate data collection and community engagement while enhancing educational outcomes, emphasizing the crucial role of citizen scientists in conservation efforts. By leveraging gamification, we aim to engage the next generation in biodiversity conservation, improve conservation results, and cultivate a deeper connection with nature. This perspective examines the scope, potential impact, and theoretical underpinnings of our concept, offering a thorough overview of its benefits and applications for conservation goals and participant involvement.

{"title":"Can gamification save the planet? Revolutionizing citizen science for biodiversity conservation","authors":"Sajan KC, Anisha Sapkota","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2025.111001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The rapid decline in biodiversity and the increasing detachment from nature among young people present urgent challenges that demand immediate attention. To tackle these issues, we propose an innovative strategy that utilizes the motivational potential of gamification and incentives, drawing inspiration, particularly, from the Pokémon franchise. Our approach engages citizen scientists in documenting local biodiversity, building digital collections, and earning rewards, potentially promoting active participation, accelerating scientific discovery, and supporting conservation efforts by providing valuable data to inform management decisions. Rooted in gamification theory, this strategy proposes to facilitate data collection and community engagement while enhancing educational outcomes, emphasizing the crucial role of citizen scientists in conservation efforts. By leveraging gamification, we aim to engage the next generation in biodiversity conservation, improve conservation results, and cultivate a deeper connection with nature. This perspective examines the scope, potential impact, and theoretical underpinnings of our concept, offering a thorough overview of its benefits and applications for conservation goals and participant involvement.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 111001"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143146134","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}

引用次数: 0

Putting earthworm conservation on the map: Shortfalls and solutions for developing earthworm conservation

IF 4.9 1区环境科学与生态学 Q1 BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION

Biological Conservation

Pub Date : 2025-02-01 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110911

Sylvain Gérard , Thibaud Decaëns , Kevin R. Butt , Maria J.I. Briones , Yvan Capowiez , Daniel Cluzeau , Kevin Hoeffner , Renée-Claire Le Bayon , Daniel F. Marchán , Claire Marsden , Bart Muys , Céline Pelosi , Guénola Pérès , Helen R.P. Phillips , Luca Santini , Wilfried Thuiller , Mickaël Hedde

Earthworms are keystone organisms that influence both soil function and community assembly of other soil organisms. However, soils are increasingly threatened by global change, so there is an urgent need to consider earthworms in conservation strategies. Earthworm monitoring has been promoted in numerous European and country research programs, and the global interest in earthworm conservation is rising, resulting in a rapid increase in the availability of earthworm data. However, most research focuses on a limited number of local-scale indicators, mainly based on abundance, biomass, and species richness of assemblages along with Bouché's ecological categories. We argue that these metrics are insufficient to effectively address earthworm conservation issues. We suggest four ecological characteristics which may be more informative for the development of conservation plans. Measurement of how much a species is (i) rare or common, (ii) native/nonnative, endemic and invasive, (iii) a specialist or generalist, and (iv) a winner or loser in the Anthropocene are all promising tools to support earthworm diversity conservation. These metrics could also be applied to functional traits, but better definition of these traits is fundamental. Finally, we emphasize the need to broaden spatial scales in earthworm studies by analyzing alpha, beta and gamma components of diversity, as local diversity alone can be misleading.

{"title":"Putting earthworm conservation on the map: Shortfalls and solutions for developing earthworm conservation","authors":"Sylvain Gérard , Thibaud Decaëns , Kevin R. Butt , Maria J.I. Briones , Yvan Capowiez , Daniel Cluzeau , Kevin Hoeffner , Renée-Claire Le Bayon , Daniel F. Marchán , Claire Marsden , Bart Muys , Céline Pelosi , Guénola Pérès , Helen R.P. Phillips , Luca Santini , Wilfried Thuiller , Mickaël Hedde","doi":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110911","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biocon.2024.110911","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Earthworms are keystone organisms that influence both soil function and community assembly of other soil organisms. However, soils are increasingly threatened by global change, so there is an urgent need to consider earthworms in conservation strategies. Earthworm monitoring has been promoted in numerous European and country research programs, and the global interest in earthworm conservation is rising, resulting in a rapid increase in the availability of earthworm data. However, most research focuses on a limited number of local-scale indicators, mainly based on abundance, biomass, and species richness of assemblages along with Bouché's ecological categories. We argue that these metrics are insufficient to effectively address earthworm conservation issues. We suggest four ecological characteristics which may be more informative for the development of conservation plans. Measurement of how much a species is (i) rare or common, (ii) native/nonnative, endemic and invasive, (iii) a specialist or generalist, and (iv) a winner or loser in the Anthropocene are all promising tools to support earthworm diversity conservation. These metrics could also be applied to functional traits, but better definition of these traits is fundamental. Finally, we emphasize the need to broaden spatial scales in earthworm studies by analyzing alpha, beta and gamma components of diversity, as local diversity alone can be misleading.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":55375,"journal":{"name":"Biological Conservation","volume":"302 ","pages":"Article 110911"},"PeriodicalIF":4.9,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143146608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0