Diversity Of Animal Species Research Articles

Land-use change has host-specific influences on avian gut microbiomes.

Human modification of the environment, particularly through land-use change, often reduces animal species diversity. However, the effect of land-use change on the gut microbiome of wildlife in human-dominated landscapes is not well understood despite its potential consequences for host health. We sought to quantify the effect of land-use change on wild bird gut microbiomes in a countryside landscape in Costa Rica, comprising a range of habitat types, ranging from primary and secondary forests to diversified and monoculture farms. We collected 280 fresh fecal samples from individuals belonging to six common species of saltator, thrushes, and warblers at 24 sites across this land-use gradient. Through 16S rRNA community profiling, we found that bacterial species composition responded to host species identity more strongly than to habitat type. In addition, we found evidence that habitat type affected microbial composition only for two of the six bird species. Our findings indicate that some host species and their microbiota may be more vulnerable to human disturbances than others.

Population Size and Habitat Utilization of Menelik’s Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus Meneliki Neumann, 1902) in Abasheba-Demero Controlled Hunting Area, Southeastern Ethiopia

Background : Despite Ethiopia is among few African countries with high wild animal species diversity, its mammalian resource is highly degrading. Hence, assessing the demography and ecology of the wild animals is indispensable to provide information on the current status of animal, which helps for better wildlife conservation and management purpose. Thus, an investigation on the population size and habitat utilization of endemic Menelik’s bushbuck ( Tragelaphus scriptus Meneliki Neumann, 1902 ) in Abasheba-Demero controlled hunting area was done for one year during both dry and wet seasons of the year, 2019. Objective : The objective of investigation was to gather baseline data on population size, structure and habitat utilization of Menelik’s bushbuck in Abasheba- Demero CHA. Methodology : To reach the objective, quantitative data was collected using18 representative random sampling of line-transects covering sample area of 18km 2 . For field survey, the total area of the controlled hunting area was systematically clustered into four sample units based on the major habitats of the study area (Montane forest habitat, woodland, riverine and seasonal grass-wetland) habitat. Data Analysis : SPSS computer software version 20, descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Result : The projected population of Menelik’s bushbuck was 519.36±individuals. From the total population, Male bushbuck covered38.27%females were 50.62%and young’s were 11.1%. The sex ratio of male to female was found to be 1:1.32. Age structure was dominated by adults, which constituted 55.5% of the total population. Although, the bushbucks were evenly distributed in all the four habitat types in both seasons, its frequency was higher in the riverine forest habitat (3.33 individuals per km 2 ). The most commonly observed group types throughout the study period were single (solitary) bushbuck. Conclusion : Based on the current study result the population of Menelik’s bushbuck was not in immediate danger. However, negative attitude of local people towards the CHA and anthropogenic pressures are major underlying problem that needs appropriate correction measure. Keywords : Abasheba-Demero, Controlled hunting area, Menelik’s bushbuck DOI : 10.7176/ALST/76-03 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

Bird Species Richness in Relation to Land-Use Patch Structure and Vegetation Structure in a Forest-Agriculture Mosaic

Habitat degradation and fragmentation are serious threats to global biodiversity. Attributes of vegetation structure and patch structure have been considered critical factors in sustaining species diversity, but their relative importance remains unclear. This study aimed at identifying key vegetation and patch structure variables for bird species richness and examining their relative importance. We surveyed and mapped all individual birds in a 50-ha forest-farm landscape mosaic over three breeding seasons and recorded the vegetation in 286 patches of six land-use types. Native forests and conifer plantations (covering 59% of the area) contained 89% of the individuals and all of the bird species recorded. The effects of vegetation structure variables, tree family richness, and foliage coverage were more significant than those of patch-structure variables. Although conifer plantations were low in tree family richness of the canopy layer, they had a high tree family richness in the sub-canopy layer, and had similar bird density and species richness values as native forests. Creating and maintaining patches with a complex vegetation structure are critical for supporting animal abundance and species diversity. Forest patches dominated by only a few tree species in the canopy layer can be greatly improved by increasing the floristic composition of the sub-canopy layer. Large patches with a complex vegetation structure are important for sustaining biodiversity and should be kept as intact as possible.

LAW ENFORCEMENT ON ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND RESOURCE CONSERVATION

Conservation of natural resources is a natural resource management whose utilization is done wisely to ensure the continuity of its availability by maintaining and improving the quality of diversity and value. Conservation of natural resources and ecosystems aims to achieve the realization of the sustainability of natural resources and the equilibrium of the ecosystem so that it can better support the efforts to improve the community welfare and the quality of human life. The problem are the implementation of conservation of natural resources and its ecosystem in the region based on Act No. 5 of 1990 and law enforcement against perpetrators of the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems. The research method used is legal research using a statutory and conceptual approach. The conservation of natural resources and ecosystems is based on preserving the ability and utilization of natural resources and their ecosystem in a harmonious and balanced environment. The conservation of natural resources and ecosystems is conducted through the protection of life-supporting systems, preserving the diversity of plant and animal species along with its ecosystem and the sustainable utilization of natural resources and ecosystem.

MANAGING CORPORATE SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

In business environment, corporate social and environmental responsibility is becoming increasingly an important issue. In today's world there are many components to consider when managing corporate social and environmental responsibility. The most dangerous are: air, water and soil toxifcation, climate change, exhaustion of resources (oil, water, forests), destruction of biological diversity and extermination of animal and plant species, environmental noise pollution, unmanaged waste; which overcome the potential of nature to purify and renew itself. There is no recipe for actualizing corporate social and environmental responsibility. However, the companies should be aware of this fact and accordingly, we may observe that the long term survival in the 21st century depends on wise leaders of companies and learning organizations who would manage CSR and environmental responsibility as an imperative. It is important to take into account philosophical aspect of such kind of managing, where the main questions are: what is the responsibility of the companies that generate long-term competitive advantage and what is type of implication of such success on the environment, society and the consumers. By adopting social and environmental responsible practices, company achieves better performance, reputation and overall commitment. It generally has a positive effect on company‘s support for the environment, adoption of corporate environmental responsibility and green practices. Governmental support strongly creates the effect of green management and encourages policies that are supported by financial aid and technical resources. The meaning of a corporate social and environmental responsibility concept of companies is a conscious ethical investment based on innovations and moral upgrading of managing. Such approach can be seen as an investment for sustainable value creation. The main aim is long term gain. The great social capital and environmental safety can be obtained through such kind of managing approach. It is important to underline that high and middle management can upgrade their ethical approach by managing corporate social and environmental responsibility with high integrity and deep respect for the environment, in order to avoid irreparable form of exploitation. That is the new way of doing business by implementing the understanding for specific needs of different environments, which involves elaborating the new responsible business models. It can be concluded that responsible development of sustainable innovations has to be done in order to respect positive socio-economic, ethical, political and environmental features and differences. Traditional, PR-seeking corporate and environmental responsibility is no longer enough in 21st century, because the paradigm of human survival is inseparable from our global ecosystem. Proactive corporate social and environmental responsibility jointly brings harmony to the whole society.

Late Glacial environment and human settlement of the Central Western Carpathians: A case study of the Nowa Biała 1 open-air site (Podhale Region, southern Poland)

Nowa Biała 1 is a unique site of the Federmesser culture in the area of Carpathian Mountains, and also one of the few Final Palaeolithic sites known from this territory. From taxonomic point of view the artefacts represent the Federmesser culture as an element of Arch-backed points technocomplex (APT) – well known from the European Plain and practically quite unknown from the mountains till now. Hunters’ camp, with the dwelling structure and workshop, was situated on a terrace of the Białka River close to its gorge, and in the proximity of a rocky hill (the Obłazowa Rock) – which itself was a great observation spot. The cultural layer found in the site was connected with an initial soil, the presence of which was observed within the aeolian loess-like deposits. Thie age of pedogenic processes (based on OSL dating) was undoubtedly younger than 14.7 ka and older than 11 ka. Radiocarbon dating suggests the Late Allerød age of the site. The present paper contains the results of fieldwork as well as geological and palaeobotanical analyses, provided data on the natural environment at the time when prehistoric hunters settled and also in the preceding period.According to study results, in the Late Glacial, during the time of this settlement in the vicinity of the Białka River gorge the patches of coniferous forests grew, in the valley habitats – alder and willow, and mires formed in the wetlands, rocky hills were covered with open plant communities with steppe and tundra elements. Variability of surrounding environs resulted in diversity of animal species and allowed Final Palaeolithic people to explore differentiated geoecosystems. Access to water and possibility of fishing was provided by the proximity of the river.

Gut virome of mammals and birds reveals high genetic diversity of the family Microviridae.

Nineteen families of phages infecting bacteria or archaea are currently recognized by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV). Of these, only two have single-stranded DNA genomes, namely Inoviridae and Microviridae. The distribution, genetic characteristics, and ecological roles of Microviridae remain largely under explored. Here, using viral metagenomics, we investigate the intestinal virome from human and twenty-four species of animals, as well as freshwater samples, containing abundant sequence reads showing similarity to the Microviridae. Eight hundred and sixty complete or near complete Microviridae-related genomes were generated, showing high levels of co-infections and sequence divergence. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis showed that the Microviridae subfamily Gokushovirinae was highly prevalent and that some strains may qualify as new subfamilies. This study significantly augments our knowledge of the genetic diversity, genome evolution, and distribution in animal species of members of the family Microviridae.

Gestão de resíduos na produção e atenção à saúde animal

Os resíduos têm se tornado um problema mundial quanto ao prejuízo e poluição do meio ambiente, pois além do impacto e comprometimento dos recursos naturais, eles trazem grandes e graves consequências à saúde humana e dos animais. A legislação relativa ao descarte em vigor no Brasil é genérica e aplica-se também aos resíduos gerados em serviços veterinários, porém, devido à diversidade de espécies animais e atividades distintas, ela não é suficientemente clara. O presente trabalho discorre sobre os principais resíduos gerados na produção animal em geral e, em especial, sobre os resíduos de atendimento à saúde animal, organizando as informações para o cumprimento das atuais normas, com práticas adequadas de gestão, manejo e destinação ambientalmente adequada dos resíduos gerados na área animal. Como resultados foram produzidos o Plano de Gerenciamento de Resíduos de Serviços de Saúde Animal (PGRSSA) e um adesivo com os principais resíduos gerados nas atividades da área animal. Concluiu-se também que, pela complexidade do tema, há a urgente necessidade de legislação específica para a área animal, dado o distanciamento entre a teoria e o que é realizado na prática.

Vegetation patterns along agricultural land abandonment in the Balkans

AbstractQuestionWhat are the woody vegetation encroachment patterns after agricultural land abandonment? Focusing on two parameters, woody plant species richness and vertical vegetation heterogeneity (number of different vegetation strata and their relative cover) we investigated: (a) the effect of forest encroachment following land abandonment; (b) the comparative importance of forest encroachment vis‐a‐vis topographic and climatic parameters, and finally; (c) the ecological importance of eight land‐cover types encountered in abandoned agricultural landscapes.LocationThe Balkan Peninsula (Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece).MethodsWe set up a standard methodology for 1 × 1 km site selection (70 sites) and data collection within 497 plots, along a well‐defined forest encroachment gradient that reflects land abandonment in terms of woody vegetation cover.ResultsThe pattern that emerged was neither clear nor common for the Balkan region, regarding the effect of forest encroachment on the woody plant species richness in young forests, formed from 20 to 50 years after land abandonment. However, at national level, species diversity was significantly affected by elevation (Bulgaria and Croatia) and temperature (Croatia), with lower and cooler areas being richer. Elevation was of great importance in determining vertical vegetation heterogeneity. Woodlots, broad‐leaved forests, hedges and shrublands held the highest woody species richness in comparison to the more open land‐cover types, and vertical vegetation heterogeneity was higher in open forests and woodlots.ConclusionsWe expect the expansion of broad‐leaved forests following land abandonment to enhance woody species richness. However, other land‐cover types that were found to be important for woody plants should be maintained. As woody plants play a key role in supporting overall biodiversity, by providing suitable habitat for many species, we consider the preservation of a mosaic of patches of different land‐cover types essential for the conservation of both plant and animal species diversity. Young forests should be preserved at intermediate stages of succession, through intermediate disturbance activities, including medium intensity grazing and the enhancement of wild ungulates.

Cryptic species diversity in the Hypsolebiasmagnificus complex, a clade of endangered seasonal killifishes from the São Francisco River basin, Brazilian Caatinga (Cyprinodontiformes, Aplocheilidae).

A great diversity of animal species adapted to life in the semi-arid Caatinga of northeastern Brazil, including seasonal killifishes, has been reported in the last three decades. More recently, field and molecular data have shown a high occurrence of cryptic species. The killifish group herein analysed, the Hypsolebiasmagnificus species complex, is endemic to the middle and southern portion of the Caatinga, occupying about 120 km along the floodplains of the middle São Francisco River and some adjacent tributaries. Species of this complex are rare and presently considered threatened with extinction, being uniquely found in pools protected by trees and bushes. Single-locus delimitation methods were used to test species limits of populations displaying different colour patterns along the whole distribution of the complex. All analyses consistently supported the three nominal species and two new, herein described: H.gardneri Costa, sp. n., from the floodplains of the middle São Francisco River and H.hamadryades Costa, sp. n., from the Gorotuba River floodplains. The phylogenetic analysis highly supports H.hamadryades as sister to a clade comprising H.gardneri and H.harmonicus. Our field observations suggest that H.hamadryades is a miniature species. This study indicates that the H.magnificus complex comprises cryptic species apparently endemic to small areas and extremely vulnerable to environmental changes, deserving high concern.

Effect of agricultural landscape diversity on mammalian wild animal species diversity: Case of Atabey plain

Effect of agricultural landscape diversity on mammalian wild animal species diversity: Case of Atabey plain

Additional Progress in the Development and Application of a Direct, Rapid Immunohistochemical Test for Rabies Diagnosis.

Laboratory-based surveillance is fundamental to effective rabies prevention and control. The direct fluorescent antibody (AB) test (FAT) is the gold standard for rabies diagnosis. Recently, additional tests besides the FAT have been developed, such as the direct rapid immunohistochemical test (DRIT). In this study, our objective was to further refine technical aspects of the DRIT using a combination of two monoclonal ABs (MABs), 502 and 802, conduct additional testing among rabies reference laboratories using a diversity of animal species and rabies virus (RV) variants and compare the potential utility of the DRIT for end users via proficiency testing (PT) against the FAT. Considering the ideal molar ratios of biotin to AB in formulation of the DRIT conjugate, 3.9 was found to be superior to 7.4, for detection of RV antigens in the brain of a naturally infected raccoon. Optimization of the DRIT conjugate may also be dependent upon the apparent choice of specific viral antigens for testing, as a gray fox RV variant reacted less strongly than a raccoon RV variant in determining the working dilution of the MAB cocktail. Using the same MABs and protocol, the DRIT was compared to the FAT using more than 800 samples of mammalian brains, representative of more than 25 taxa, including in excess of 250 animal rabies cases from Europe and North America. Sensitivity was determined at 98% (96–100%, 95% CI) and specificity was calculated at 95% (92–96%, 95% CI). In a comparison among end users, PT of laboratory personnel resulted in values of 77–100% sensitivity and 86-100% specificity. Based upon these and previously reported results, the DRIT appears to be a suitable alternative to the FAT for use in lyssavirus diagnosis.

Friend or foe? The role of leaf-inhabiting fungal pathogens and endophytes in tree-insect interactions

Abstract Trees are large organisms that structure forest ecosystems by providing an environment for an enormous diversity of animal, microbial and plant species. As these species use trees as their common hosts, many are likely to interact with each other directly or indirectly. From studies on herbaceous plant species we know that microbes can affect the interaction of plants with herbivorous insects, for example via changes in plant metabolite profiles. The consequences of fungal colonization for tree-insect interactions are, however, barely known, despite the importance of these ecological communities. In this review we explore the interaction of leaf-inhabiting pathogenic and endophytic fungi with trees and the consequences for tree-living insect herbivores. We discuss molecular, physiological, chemical, biochemical and ecological aspects of tree-fungus interactions and summarize the current knowledge on the direct and indirect effects of tree-inhabiting fungi on insect herbivores. Our mechanistic understanding of the tripartite interaction of trees with leaf-inhabiting fungi and insect herbivores is still in its infancy. We are currently facing substantial drawbacks in experimental methodology that prevent us from revealing the effect of one single fungal species on a particular insect herbivore species and vice versa. Future studies applying a versatile toolbox of modern molecular, chemical analytical and ecological techniques in combined laboratory and field experiments will unequivocally lead to a better understanding of fungus-tree-insect interactions.

IDENTIFIKASI AKSES MASYARAKAT TERHADAP PEMANFAATAN SUMBERDAYA ALAM (Studi kasus di Desa Karang Tengah Kecamatan Babakan madang Kabupaten Bogor)

Conservation areas have an important role for the preservation of the surrounding ecosystem. Nature Park is one of the areas Conservation Areas which have an important function for life support system, preserve the diversity of plant and animal species and sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystems. The existence of the community around the region have an important role for the preservation of the region. This study aims to identify the access made public in obtaining, control and manage access to the use of natural resources around the area. The method used is a case study, in which data collection is done through in-depth interviews and participant observation. Data were analyzed using the access theory results show that the public has access to the processing area where the land around Region Natural Park of Mount Pancar has a level of encroachment or work area without permission is still quite high. Public access and utilization of acquiring land is before the area designated as TWA and ruled for generations, land control is not done specifically and communities manage the land and the potential that exists with the mastery of the blocks that have a high potential of natural resources. Seen most percentage of land cultivated by the community that is in the block of Mount Pancar as much as 24.41% and at least at the block Paniisan only 5:08%.

The Association Between Novel Polymorphisms of Gremlin Genes and Egg-Laying Performance Traits in Chinese Village Dagu Hens

Abstract Gremlin (GREM1, GREM2) genes are the known bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) inhibitors, but their genetic diversity in animal species remains unknown. The current study was conducted to investigate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in chicken GREM1 and GREM2 genes, and their association with egg production traits using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing. The results discovered novel SNPs and, among these variations, C/T transition at position 436 in exon 1 of the GREM1 gene leads to synonymous substitution of amino acids, and T/C transition at position 690 in the coding region of the GREM2 gene leads to a non-synonymous substitution of amino acids (valine acid 114-to-alanine acid). Association analysis established that at the age of 43, 57 and 66 wks, hen-house egg production (HHEP) was more highly significantly associated (P<0.05) with the AA genotype in the GREM1 gene. In the GREM2 gene, the TC genotype was remarkably linked with higher HHEP at the age of 30, 57 and 66 wks. Our results provide evidence that the GREM1 and GREM2 genes have potential effects on HHEP in chickens. SNPs determined in this work may be utilised as favourable potential DNA markers for improving of egg-laying performance traits.

An open repository for single-cell reconstructions of the brain forest

NeuroMorpho.Org was launched in 2006 to provide unhindered access to any and all digital tracings of neuronal morphology that researchers were willing to share freely upon request. Today this database is the largest public inventory of cellular reconstructions in neuroscience with a content of over 80,000 neurons and glia from a representative diversity of animal species, anatomical regions, and experimental methods. Datasets continuously contributed by hundreds of laboratories worldwide are centrally curated, converted into a common non-proprietary format, morphometrically quantified, and annotated with comprehensive metadata. Users download digital reconstructions for a variety of scientific applications including visualization, classification, analysis, and simulations. With more than 1,000 peer-reviewed publications describing data stored in or utilizing data retrieved from NeuroMorpho.Org, this ever-growing repository can already be considered a mature resource for neuroscience.

Opportunities for biodiversity conservation as cities adapt to climate change

Cities are investing billions of dollars in climate change adaptation to combat the effects of sea‐level rise, temperature extremes, increasingly intense storm events, flooding and water scarcity. Natural ecosystems have enormous potential to contribute to city resilience, and so, actions that rely on this approach could sustain considerable co‐benefits for biodiversity. In this paper we identify the prevalence of key themes of human adaptation response that could have biodiversity conservation outcomes in cities. We then quantify the area of impact for actions that identify specific targets for greening or green infrastructure that could involve natural ecosystems, providing an indicator of potential co‐benefits to biodiversity. We then extrapolate to explore the total area of land that could benefit from catchment management approaches, the area of waterways that could benefit from nature‐based improvement of these spaces, and finally the number of threatened species that could benefit across these cities. From 80 city climate adaptation plans analysed, we found that urban greening plays a key role in most adaptation strategies, and represents an enormous opportunity for biodiversity conservation, given the diversity of animal and plant species in urban environments. We show that the ranges of at least 270 threatened species overlap with the area covered by just 58 city adaptation plans, including watershed catchments totalling over 28 million km2. However, an analysis of 80 city adaptation plans (of a total 151 found globally) shows that this opportunity is being missed. Just 18% of the plans assessed contained specific intentions to promote biodiversity. We highlight this missed opportunity, as climate adaptation actions undertaken by cities represent an enormous incipient opportunity for nature conservation. Finally, we encourage planners and city governments to incorporate biological conservation into climate adaption plans, for the mutual benefit of urban societies and their biodiversity.

Invasion of <i>Cestrum aurantiacum</i> Lindl. in Kenya

Many forest ecosystems in Kenya are at risk from the invasion of exotic plant species that pose numerous threats like decreasing biodiversity, deteriorating ecosystem processes and degrading their services. They also affect human, other animal health and various angles of the general economy. Cestrum aurantiacum Lindl. is a species with invasive reputation having been reported with very high biological success rating and has been noted in parts of Kenya in proportions that raise concerns. It has negative effects on other plants and animal species function and diversity. These impacts have been recorded in Kenya and elsewhere in this review, I synthesized data from studies that have examined the taxonomy of Cestrum aurantiacum, how this species become part of the ecosystem in Kenya and its ecological and economic impacts. I sourced relevant articles from the internet using keywords relating to the taxonomy, impacts and reports of invasive species and narrowed to records from different parts of Kenya. In this review, I looked across twenty-seven studies, on Cestrum aurantiacum in Kenya and went ahead to review one hundred and thirteen other articles for expanded discussion. Species data in published articles from different parts of Kenya were used as georefences to model overall species distribution which was noted to lie between Mt Kenya, Mt Elgon-Nandi hills and Cherangani hills. It was clearly established that there are major adverse effects associated with species. First, it can change native ecosystem processes such as nutrient cycle or hydrology and contribute significant role on the decrease of native species. A primary risk of Cestrum aurantiacum is that when this species alters the biodiversity, ecosystems are transformed into new configurations with unpredictable consequences to humans and other wildlife in totality. Despite the few positive applications of cestrum species, these can’t compensate for the enormous detrimental consequences associated with the species. Cestrum aurantiacum was introduced in Kenya as an ornamental plant in 1921 by the government and was distributed in several regions of high potential Kenya due to high level of hybridization within the genera, several variables of the species occur. By examining the level of information regarding the taxonomy and impacts of Cestrum aurantiacum on animal and plant species, this study provides pivotal information at the country level with a view to informing monitoring and conservation efforts, such as alien plant removal and control programmes, and ensuring that endemic terrestrial animal and plant diversity are maintained.

What does the recovery debt really measure?

Recently, Moreno-Mateos et al. (2017) coined the concept ‘recovery debt’, clearly a close relative of the ecosystem service debt (Isbell et al. 2015), and gave it significance as “the interim reduction of biodiversity and biogeochemical functions occurring during ecosystem recovery”. Using rather impressive dataset consisting 3,035 sampling plots worldwide as an example, they analysed the recovery debt for plant and animal species diversity and abundance as well as for carbon and nitrogen cycling. Based on their analysis Moreno-Mateos et al.  conclude that “… recovering and restored ecosystems have less abundance, diversity and cycling of carbon and nitrogen than ‘undisturbed’ ecosystems …”. Here, we scrutinize the proposed new concept and point out problems in conclusions resulting from the operationalization of the concept.

Lidar-derived variables as a proxy for fungal species richness and composition in temperate Northern Europe

Biodiversity is declining on a global scale and the limited resources available for conservation efforts and research need to be used efficiently. Fungi are a megadiverse taxonomic group where lack of knowledge impedes sufficient conservation focus. Inventories of fungi require a high level of expertise and are difficult and expensive due to seasonal variation and fluctuation in sporocarp formation. Lidar offers objective, fine-resolution and potentially cheap and broad scale data for representing vegetation structure and has proven useful for prediction of the diversity of plant and animal species. In this study, we used lidar-derived variables as explanatory variables in models of fungal species richness and controlling gradients of species composition, represented by three ordination axes derived from multidimensional scaling. The fungal data comprised a data set of 1527 species recorded in three inventories of 121 sites covering all major terrestrial habitat types across Denmark. We compared the performance of lidar-derived explanatory variables with two field inventory-based sets of variables: 1) lists of vascular plants and 2) recordings of soil, microclimate and vegetation structure. Lidar-derived variables performed best in predicting fungal richness and the first ordination axis, interpreted as a gradient from low and open herb-dominated communities over closed swards and scrubs to closed-canopy forests (cross validated r2 of 0.50 and 0.81, respectively). The number of red-listed species and the second ordination axis were poorly predicted by lidar, and the third ordination axis was equally well detected by the three explanatory sets of variables (cross validated r2 of 0.38). From a fungal conservation perspective, it is promising that lidar-based variables hold information suitable for detecting major gradients in fungal richness and composition.