Conservation unit allows assessing vulnerability and setting conservation priorities for a Mediterranean endemic plant within the context of extreme urbanization

Brazil is a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Therefore, it has commitments to safeguard part of its territory. Considering the achievement of Aichi Target 11, this article aims to show the results of quantitative research of protected areas in Brazil, a developing country, with emphasis on the state of Ceara. The paper highlights the quantity of Conservation Units, a type of Brazilian protected area. It describes two analyses. First, considering a secondary database, the study concentrated on the situation and progress of the Brazilian Conservation Units in achieving Target 11. Then, regarding to meet Target 11, it examined Conservation Units in the State of Ceara. Nowadays, Brazil has 2,309 Conservation Units, including Integral Protection Group and Sustainable Use Group. The results of this research indicate that Brazil has 18.60% of terrestrial protected area and 26.45% of marine protected area. Therefore, they are sufficient to meet Target 11. Data shows percentage above the target, even in 2018, two years before the deadline. The state of Ceara has 116 Conservation Units with 326.61 Km2 of protected area. It is 21.92% of all Ceara’s geographical extension which contributes for the empowerment of Brazilian commitments regarding the national plans and also the Convention on Biological Diversity, even though, it represents only 5% of total number of Brazilian Conservation Units.

Biodiversity and global health—hubris, humility and the unknown

The concept of the designatable unit (DU) affords a practical approach to identifying diversity below the species level for conservation prioritization. However, its suitability for defining conservation units in ecologically diverse, geographically widespread and taxonomically challenging species complexes has not been broadly evaluated. The lake whitefish species complex (Coregonus spp.) is geographically widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, and it contains a great deal of variability in ecology and evolutionary legacy within and among populations, as well as a great deal of taxonomic ambiguity. Here, we employ a set of hierarchical criteria to identify DUs within the Canadian distribution of the lake whitefish species complex. We identified 36 DUs based on (i) reproductive isolation, (ii) phylogeographic groupings, (iii) local adaptation and (iv) biogeographic regions. The identification of DUs is required for clear discussion regarding the conservation prioritization of lake whitefish populations. We suggest conservation priorities among lake whitefish DUs based on biological consequences of extinction, risk of extinction and distinctiveness. Our results exemplify the need for extensive genetic and biogeographic analyses for any species with broad geographic distributions and the need for detailed evaluation of evolutionary history and adaptive ecological divergence when defining intraspecific conservation units.

There is growing evidence for a discontinuity between genomic and ecological divergence in several groups of bacteria. This evidence is difficult to reconcile with the traditional concept that ecologically divergent species maintain a cohesive gene pool isolated from other gene pools by barriers to homologous recombination (HR). There have been several innovative models of bacterial divergence that permit such discontinuity; we refer to these, collectively, as "mosaic genome concepts" (MGCs). These concepts remain a point of contention. Here, we undertake an investigation among ecologically divergent lineages of genus Listeria, and report our assessment of both niche-specific selection pressure and HR in their core genome. We find evidence of a mosaic Listeria core genome. Some core genes appear to have been free to recombine across ecologically divergent lineages or across named species. In contrast, other core genes have histories consistent with the expected organism relationships and have evolved under niche-specific selective pressures. The products of some of those genes can even be linked to metabolic phenotypes with ecological significance. This finding indicates a potentially strong connection between ecological divergence and core-genome evolution, even among lineages that also experience frequent recombination. Based on these findings, we propose an expanded role for natural selection in core-genome evolution under the MGC.

Combining genetic structure and ecological niche modeling to establish units of conservation: A case study of an imperiled salamander

Identifying conservation units is crucial for the effective conservation of threatened species. Previous cases are almost exclusively based on large‐scale but coarse sampling for genetic structure analyses. Significant genetic structure can occur within a small range, and thus multiple conservation units may exist in narrowly distributed plants. However, small‐scale genetic structure is often overlooked in conservation planning especially for wind‐pollinated and wind‐dispersed trees, largely due to the absence of dense and elaborate sampling. In this study, we focused on a representative endangered relict plant, Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Using both nuclear microsatellites (nSSRs) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) fragments, we sampled across the narrow distribution range of this species and determined its conservation units by exploring its genetic structure and historical demography. cpDNA haplotypes were classified into two groups, but mixed in space, suggesting that the existent wild trees of M. glyptostroboides cannot be divided into different evolutionarily significant units. However, using nSSRs, we detected strong spatial genetic structure, with significant genetic differentiation and weak gene flow between the samples in the east of the species' distribution range and other samples. The divergence between the two nSSR groups was dated to the Last Glacial Maximum (c. 19.6 kya), suggesting that such spatial genetic structure has been maintained for a long term. Therefore, these two nSSR groups should be considered as different conservation units, that is, management units, to protect intergroup genetic variations, which is likely to be the outputs of local adaptation. Our findings highlight the necessity to reveal small‐scale genetic structure and population demography to improve the conservation strategies of evolutionary potential of endangered plants.

Policy Relevant Conservation Science

Developing spatial prioritisation strategies to maximise conservation impact

BackgroundColor polymorphisms are a conspicuous feature of many species and a way to address broad ecological and evolutionary questions. Three potential major evolutionary fates of color polymorphisms are conceivable over time: maintenance, loss, or speciation. However, the understanding of color polymorphisms and their evolutionary implications is frequently impaired by sex-linkage of coloration, unknown inheritance patterns, difficulties in phenotypic characterization, and a lack of evolutionary replicates. Hence, the role of color polymorphisms in promoting ecological and evolutionary diversification remains poorly understood. In this context, we assessed the ecological and evolutionary consequences of a color polymorphic study system that is not hampered by these restrictions: the repeated adaptive radiations of the gold/dark Midas cichlid fishes (the Amphilophus citrinellus species complex) from the great lakes and crater lakes of Nicaragua, Central America.ResultsWe conducted multi-trait morphological and ecological analyses from ten populations of this young adaptive radiation (<6,000 years old), which revealed sympatric ecological differentiation associated with the conspicuous binary (gold/dark) color polymorphism. Varying degrees of intraspecific ecological divergence were observed across the ten color morph pairs, but most pairs exhibited a consistently parallel ecological and evolutionary trajectory across populations. Specifically, gold Midas cichlids are frequently deeper-bodied, have more robust pharyngeal jaws, and feed at a lower trophic level compared to conspecific, sympatric dark individuals. A common garden experiment suggests there is a genetic correlation of color and eco-morphological traits.ConclusionsWe demonstrate unprecedented ecological and evolutionary consequences of color polymorphism in this adaptive radiation. Across the species complex, sympatric conspecific individuals differed in eco-morphology depending on color morph (gold/dark) and the axis of differentiation tended to be consistent across replicates. The consistent divergence across wild populations and the common garden experiment suggests that color is genetically correlated to ecology. Because Midas cichlids are known to mate color assortatively, the putative genetic correlation of this color polymorphism with an eco-morphological divergence suggests an innate potential to promote ecological and evolutionary divergence across this species complex. However, there are to date no examples of speciation based on color in this radiation, suggesting long-term maintenance of this color polymorphism.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12915-015-0192-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

<i>Integrative Conservation</i>: A new journal from the conservation frontline

In light of the countless pressures and significant interferences to which protected landscapes in cities are subjected, the main objective of the present research is to compare environmental measures aimed at the planning and management of conservation units in Brazil and Italy, particularly those related to the protection of natural resources, considering, as case studies, the Iguacu Environmental Protection Area, in the Brazilian context (Curitiba, Parana) and the Po Fluvial Park, in the Italian context (Turin region). Using a multi-method system, the investigation starts by defining the theoretical basis of the subject, which is divided into conceptual, institutional and legislative modules. Following a detailed description of the methodological structure, the study areas are characterized and the changes in their physical, biological and anthropic components, in the period between 2000 and 2012, are interpreted. Next, the environmental vulnerability of the study areas is assessed based on an analysis of physical susceptibility, biological fragility and anthropic pressure as well as an interpretation of the connectivity networks among forest fragments. With a view to improving the basis for planning and management of conservation units within the urban management process, the compatibility between the results obtained and the proposed zoning for the protected areas studied is analyzed. The main findings are that, at the regional level, environmental vulnerability in both conservation units is homogeneously distributed among the classes. In the surrounding areas, low levels of physical susceptibility and biological fragility are identified, associated to high levels of anthropic pressure, resulting in reduced vulnerability. The specific areas, in each protected area, have high physical susceptibility. However, reduced biological fragility and higher anthropic pressure are observed in Iguacu Environmental Protection Area, resulting in lower vulnerability than in Po Fluvial Park. It could be inferred, from the comparative analysis of the proposed zoning, the data on environmental vulnerability and the shape of the connectivity networks, that the conditions of Po Fluvial Park are more coherent. In the Brazilian case, inconsistencies in the Service Sector are observed, as a result of the high percentage of areas with high vulnerability and connectivity. Of note is the absence of any areas with these characteristics in the Transition and Sports Sectors. Interpretation of the changes in the landscape that took place between the years 2000 and 2012 indicates greater stability in the case of the Italian park. More significant changes are observed in the Transition and Services Sectors of Iguacu Environmental Protection Area, reflecting deficiencies in the management of these spaces. Therefore, the hypothesis that abiotic, biotic and human conditions are essential for the protection of the conservation units is confirmed. Furthermore, it is concluded that assessment of environmental vulnerability and connectivity networks are effective tools to support decision making, both inside protected areas as well as in the surrounding areas with a view to conserving biological diversity and protecting natural landscapes in the urban environment

Amphibian diversity, distribution and conservation in the Ethiopian highlands : morphological, molecular and biogeographic investigation on Leptopelis and Ptychadena (Anura)

Astragalus edulis (Fabaceae) is an endangered annual species from the western Mediterranean region that colonized the SE Iberian Peninsula, NE and SW Morocco, and the easternmost Macaronesian islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). Although in Spain some conservation measures have been adopted, it is still necessary to develop an appropriate management plan to preserve genetic diversity across the entire distribution area of the species. Our main objective was to use population genetics as well as ecological and phylogeographic data to select Relevant Genetic Units for Conservation (RGUCs) as the first step in designing conservation plans for A. edulis. We identified six RGUCs for in situ conservation, based on estimations of population genetic structure and probabilities of loss of rare alleles. Additionally, further population parameters, i.e. occupation area, population size, vulnerability, legal status of the population areas, and the historical haplotype distribution, were considered in order to establish which populations deserve conservation priority. Three populations from the Iberian Peninsula, two from Morocco, and one from the Canary Islands represent the total genetic diversity of the species and the rarest allelic variation. Ex situ conservation is recommended to complement the preservation of A. edulis, given that effective in situ population protection is not feasible in all cases. The consideration of complementary phylogeographic and ecological data is useful for management efforts to preserve the evolutionary potential of the species.

Astragalus edulis (Fabaceae) is an endangered annual species from western Mediterranean region that colonized SE Iberian Peninsula, NE and SW Morocco, and the easternmost Macaronesian islands (Lanzarote and Fuerteventura). Although in Spain some conservation measures have been adopted, it is still necessary to develop an appropriate management plan to preserve genetic diversity across the entire distribution area of the species. Our main objective was to use population genetics as well as ecological and phylogeographic data to select Relevant Genetic Units for Conservation (RGUCs) as the first step in designing conservation plans for A. edulis. We identified six RGUCs for in situ conservation, based on estimations of population genetic structure and probabilities of the loss of rare alleles. Additionally, further population parameters, i.e. occupation area, population size, vulnerability, legal status of the population areas, and the historical haplotype distribution, were considered in order to establish which populations deserve conservation priority. Three populations from the Iberian Peninsula, two from Morocco, and one from the Canary Islands represent the total genetic diversity of the species and the rarest allelic variation. Ex situ conservation is recommended to complement the preservation of A. edulis, given that effective in situ population protection is not feasible in all cases. The consideration of complementary phylogeographic and ecological data is useful for management efforts to preserve the evolutionary potential of the species.

O crescimento urbano tem alterado cada vez mais às características naturais dos ecossistemas em áreas povoadas, resultando na redução de áreas naturais e de biodiversidade. Para minimizar os impactos negativos da expansão urbana são criadas as áreas verdes e áreas protegidas. Neste contexto, este estudo objetivou analisar a importância do verde urbano existente na área urbana do município de João Pessoa, Paraíba, para a conservação da biodiversidade em um aglomerado populacional. O método consistiu na pesquisa exploratória e explicativa, com levantamento bibliográfico do acevo público e trabalho de campo em áreas verdes, parques, praças, remanescentes florestais, áreas de preservação e Unidades de Conservação. Foram identificadas 85 espécies arbóreas e palmeiras de 34 famílias diferentes, onde sete foram enquadradas em perigo de extinção. Também foram identificadas 36 espécies de aves, nove de répteis e oito mamíferos. Constatou-se uma interação entre grupos específicos da fauna com espécies da flora. O verde urbano de João Pessoa contribui para a conservação da flora nativa e espécies ameaçadas de extinção; existem grupos de aves, mamíferos e répteis utilizando o verde urbano para alimentação, abrigo ou alimentação, e; o município apresenta uma diversidade de espécies relevantes, mesmo assim, há a necessidade de criar áreas protegidas.