Submarine power cables (SPCs) associated with offshore renewable energy developments emit electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that can influence aquatic biota. Although research on this topic has increased, a comprehensive, systematic synthesis of observed effects across taxa and life stages, and biological contexts has been lacking. Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO ID: 1138188), we systematically reviewed peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 1990 and 2024. Of 1637 records screened, 67 eligible field and laboratory studies were included. Significant behavioural and physiological responses to EMF exposure were reported in 66% of studies, with early life stages (embryos, larvae, juveniles) and magnetosensitive taxa, particularly fishes and crustaceans being most frequently affected. Effects occurred even at environmentally relevant intensities (<250μT). Laboratory experiments more frequently detected effects than field studies, which were generally fewer, shorter in duration, and methodologically heterogeneous. Sensitivity heatmaps identified developmental stages and freshwater species as particularly sensitive, with notable taxonomic disparities. EMFs from SPCs can elicit ecologically relevant responses in aquatic biota, particularly during sensitive developmental windows and in magnetically responsive taxa. Emerging evidence further indicates that sex specific responses represent an important and previously under recognised dimension of EMF sensitivity. However, major uncertainties persist regarding chronic, population and ecosystem level impacts. Future research should prioritise standardisation of exposure characterisation and reporting, routine inclusion of sex and life stage as biological variables and coordinated laboratory to field validation. Integrating EMF considerations into marine spatial planning, environmental regulation, and biodiversity conservation frameworks will be essential to support proportionate ecological risk assessment and management of offshore renewable energy infrastructure.

Dynamics of leaf litter decomposition and nutrient release in mangroves under different control conditions: Highlighting the litter quality, decomposer and mixing effect.

Plant genome biology is entering a new era defined by fully phased, chromosome-scale, telomere-to-telomere assemblies, enabled by the convergence of long-read sequencing technologies, improved assembly algorithms, and powerful scaffolding strategies. Gapless, haplotype-resolved genomes are now feasible even for polyploid species, shifting the bottleneck from assembly to annotation and interpretation. Genome annotation remains one of the greatest opportunities and challenges in plant biology. While ab initio methods still form the backbone of structural prediction, evidence-based frameworks that integrate RNA sequencing, chromatin accessibility, methylation, and 3D genome data are rapidly advancing the field. At the same time, artificial intelligence-driven protein-coding gene predictors are redefining ab initio gene finding, and large-scale orthology networks continue to improve functional inference. The next frontier is extending annotation beyond protein-coding genes into regulatory and structural dimensions, a goal increasingly enabled by single-cell and multi-omic technologies. Looking forward, the integration of AI, multi-omics, and large language models promises to standardize and automate workflows from DNA isolation to functional annotation. These innovations will accelerate fundamental plant biology discovery, enable next-generation biodiversity conservation, and transform strategies for crop improvement and biotechnology.

Regional biodiversity conservation projects enhance stoat populations in agricultural landscapes

Diversity, phylogeny, and biogeography of the subgenus Japonigekko (Gekkonidae: Gekko).

Understanding how plant communities reorganize under climate change is essential for effective biodiversity conservation and restoration. We developed a spatially explicit, multi-scenario framework to evaluate future dynamics of southern (warm-temperate and subtropical-affiliated) vascular plant assemblages in South Korea. Species distribution models generated projections under three climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5) across four time periods (1980-2010, 2010-2040, 2040-2070, and 2070-2100). These projections were integrated with spatial environmental clustering, kernel density estimation, and ordination-based trajectory analysis to characterize spatial persistence, compositional change, and directionality. Results revealed strong spatial heterogeneity in community responses. Environmental clusters were classified into stable, transitional, and transformational types based on the magnitude and direction of compositional change and climatic alignment. Multivariate analysis (PERMANOVA) showed that spatial cluster identity explained substantially more variation in community composition than temporal period (R² = 0.364 vs. 0.083). Stable clusters exhibited limited change and strong climatic alignment, whereas transformational clusters showed large shifts and frequent directional misalignment. Transitional clusters displayed intermediate dynamics. By jointly capturing spatial persistence, compositional trajectories, and directional coherence, this framework supports forecasting vegetation responses and climate-resilient conservation planning, with relevance to global biodiversity initiatives such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Horizon scans identify potential changes, enabling proactive rather than reactive conservation strategies. Here, in a follow up to the 2020 horizon scan, 14 biodiversity professionals from different sectors identify ten emerging issues potentially relevant to biodiversity conservation in South Africa over the next 5-10years. The issues identified highlight three critical needs: adaptive governance systems, cross-sectoral collaboration capacity, and vigilance around new technologies that may simultaneously offer solutions and create new environmental pressures. We plotted these issues along axes of social agreement and scientific certainty, to ascertain whether issues might be "simple" (amenable to solutions from science alone), "complicated" (socially agreed upon but technically complicated), "complex" (scientifically challenging and condisderable levels of social disagreement) or "chaotic" (high social disagreement and highly scientifically challenging). Only one issue was likely to be addressed with improved science alone, but the remainder were all "complex", requiring social, economic and political engagement.

In healthy ecosystems, large raptors such as the White-tailed Eagle perform the essential roles of predators, bioindicators, and umbrella species. Despite their importance, many species of raptors are globally endangered, and similarly, in the Republic of Moldova, 13 species of diurnal birds of prey went extinct in the last 7 decades. The White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) is the only example of a raptor that has regionally made a demographic and distributional comeback after decades of absence. Following this comeback, a national monitoring scheme during 2014–2025, including a nest counting survey in 2022–2024, has been implemented to understand what the current national situation of the species is and its ecological preferences and threats, together with the fundamental ecological context that allowed the breeding population to adapt to an ever-changing landscape. Field research conducted over 12 years confirmed the breeding of eight pairs, with data indicating a minimum of 19–23 nesting pairs. Pairs generally avoid human-dominated landscapes, preferring higher coverage of wetlands and forests, but current data suggests frequent occupancy of suboptimal territories and increasing tolerance towards human activity and infrastructure. Although currently small, the breeding population experiences high breeding success with no negative outcomes recorded. However, droughts and forestry activities in the proximity of the nests potentially reduced and delayed breeding success. Current forestry and fish farming practices increase the vulnerability of the few known breeding pairs to habitat degradation, poaching, and deforestation. To improve the conservation status of this endangered raptor in the Republic of Moldova, as close as possible to Least Concern status, it is crucial to implement multi-purpose buffer zones around active nests during the breeding season and to further survey the breeding population and assess any demographic trends.

Wildlife crime poses a severe threat to biodiversity conservation, ecological integrity, and sustainable development, particularly in biodiverse developing countries. In Uganda, protected areas such as Queen Elizabeth National Park (QENP) continue to experience persistent wildlife crimes, including poaching, illegal fishing, habitat encroachment, and wildlife trafficking, despite the presence of robust legal and institutional frameworks. Prosecution of wildlife offenders is widely recognised as a central deterrence mechanism and a key pillar of environmental justice and conservation governance. Yet the persistence of these crimes raises critical concerns about the effectiveness of existing prosecution processes. This study assessed the effectiveness of wildlife crime prosecution in QENP, with particular attention to legal, institutional, and operational determinants of enforcement outcomes. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining structured questionnaires administered to wildlife officers, community members, and law enforcement personnel with key informant interviews involving prosecutors, magistrates, park wardens, and conservation officials. These data were complemented by a systematic review of wildlife legislation, prosecution records, and policy documents. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were examined thematically. The findings indicate that prosecution effectiveness is undermined by weak investigations, poor evidence management, limited technical and financial capacity, corruption, and judicial delays, resulting in low conviction rates and weak deterrence. Nonetheless, opportunities exist through strengthened legal frameworks, inter-agency coordination, community-based intelligence, judicial reforms, and support from conservation partners. The study underscores the need to enhance investigative capacity, professionalise prosecutorial practices, and institutionalise coordinated enforcement mechanisms to improve wildlife crime prosecution and conservation outcomes in QENP

Purpose The aim of this study was to examine the effects of repeated exposure to immersive 360° video on awareness of biodiversity loss, emotions and biodiversity conservation behavioral intention, while taking message fatigue into account as a moderating factor. Design/methodology/approach A laboratory experiment was conducted with 143 university students, randomly assigned to either a single exposure group or a repeated exposure group to an immersive 360° video about biodiversity loss. Findings The results indicate that repeated exposure (vs. single exposure) to immersive 360° video positively influences awareness of biodiversity loss and emotions, both of which positively influence biodiversity conservation behavioral intention. However, the results indicate that message fatigue negatively moderates the effect of repeated exposure (vs. single exposure) to immersive 360° video on awareness of biodiversity loss and emotions. Originality/value This study stands out for its innovative approach, which goes beyond existing research by examining not only the effect of a single exposure to immersive virtual reality but also that of repeated exposure in the field of biodiversity conservation, an area that is still emerging in the study of pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, the introduction of message fatigue as a moderating factor is also an important contribution. It allows us to understand the limits of the effectiveness of repetition in awareness-raising strategies, revealing how message fatigue can mitigate the benefits of repeated exposure.

Climate change poses escalating threats to coastal ecosystems through sea-level rise, intensified storms, and rising ocean acidification, placing global sustainability at risk. Mangrove ecosystems play a critical role in coastal protection, biodiversity conservation, and climate mitigation stabilizing shorelines, filtering pollutants, and acting as major carbon sinks. Sustainable mangrove management offers livelihood opportunities for local communities, such as fishing, shellfish gathering, and beekeeping. Despite their importance, mangroves have experienced significant decline, particularly in countries with extensive coastlines. This paper examines how legal frameworks and policy initiatives address mangrove protection in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, with a focus on the role of law in mitigating coastal ecosystem degradation. Using a comparative legal analysis, the paper reviews mangrove-related legislation, regulatory approaches, and national initiatives in these three jurisdictions. The analysis finds that the United States employs more developed legal mechanisms for mangrove protection, including marine protected areas and scientific monitoring, while Saudi Arabia and Egypt rely more heavily on large-scale restoration initiatives and broader environmental laws rather than mangrove-specific legal frameworks. The paper concludes that strengthening targeted legal measures for mangrove protection, informed by comparative legal experience, can enhance coastal ecosystem resilience and support long-term environmental sustainability in regions vulnerable to climate change.

Abstract Aims Tree species can shape soil fauna communities by modifying both soil environment and litter properties, but their independent influences remain poorly understood due to natural covariation. Methods To disentangle the drivers of soil and litter properties, we conducted a litter reciprocal transplant experiment in a subtropical common garden established in 2012, selecting three tree species with distinct litter properties: Castanopsis (Castanopsis carlesii, evergreen broadleaf), fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata, evergreen coniferous), and sweetgum (Liquidambar formosana, deciduous broadleaf). Over a completely broadleaf litter decomposition period from March to October 2024, soil fauna communities were monitored across all plantation-litter combinations. Important Findings We found that Entomobryidae dominated soil fauna community, and saprophages were the most abundant functional group (46.76%) regardless of plantation types and litter types. Tree-mediated soil environment rather than litter was the primary driver of total fauna abundance (57.10% variation explained), taxon number (78.60%), diversity (68.90%), and evenness (72.40%). Compared with other plantation types, the Castanopsis forest stand supported a higher soil fauna abundance. Litter properties exhibited another considerable explanatory power for soil fauna abundance (42.90%). Higher soil fauna abundance was detected in sweetgum than fir litter, with marked differences at early/middle decomposition stages (29–63 days). Predators/saprophages were more sensitive to changes in habitat conditions than herbivores/omnivores. Key regulators of tree species on soil fauna during litter decomposition included soil moisture and nitrogen content in soil environment as well as mass remaining and carbon content in litter properties. These findings advance understanding of tree species effects on soil fauna, supporting subtropical forest biodiversity conservation and sustainable management.

ABSTRACT Great lake basins are important hotspots for biodiversity research, and constructing an ecological security pattern for multi‐species synergistic conservation is crucial for biodiversity enhancement. However, in ecological source identification, model parameter optimization that addresses species‐specific sensitivity to stressors remains limited. Taking the Dongting Lake (DTL) Basin as a case study, this research focused on birds and amphibians. Ecological sources for both species were identified by combining a parameter‐optimized InVEST model with Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA). Multi socio‐ecological factors were integrated to construct species‐specific ecological resistance surfaces. Based on circuit theory, ecological corridors, pinch points, and barrier points were identified for birds, amphibians, and their synergistic networks. The results are as follows: (1) A total of 48 dual‐species ecological sources were identified, accounting for 68.09% of the area of bird sources and 35.50% of the area of amphibian sources. (2) There were 114 cross‐taxa ecological corridors, mainly distributed in the southeastern region with dense dual‐species ecological sources. (3) Within the synergistic ecological network of birds and amphibians, 30 pinch points and 65 barrier points were identified along the cross‐taxa ecological corridors. For the goal of bird–amphibian synergistic conservation, the midstream regions of the Yuanjiang River and Zijiang River and the western downstream of the Xiangjiang River were identified as ecological restoration areas, whereas the upstream Zijiang River and the eastern downstream regions of the Yuanjiang River and Xiangjiang River were designated as ecological protection core areas. This research provides spatial guidance for biodiversity conservation in the DTL Basin and offers a generalizable approach for multi‐species synergistic conservation in the great lake basins.

There exists a growing suite of technologies that support significant and exciting progress in biodiversity conservation and research. Citizen scientist participation is common in this research and often focuses on data collection and labeling. Yet, ongoing challenges exist concerning trust in participatory monitoring projects engaging Indigenous Peoples or local communities. These challenges are rooted in the proliferation of Western-centric approaches to engagement and uneven power dynamics between researchers and participants. Using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) as a model, we explored how researchers can build trust in participatory research with conservation technologies. Working closely with 12 members of a forest fringe community in Ghana, we conducted semistructured interviews investigating community members' perceptions of and concerns with ecoacoustic technologies and a series of participatory workshops exploring ecoacoustic data practices. Through our interviews, we found that 4 key themes-questioning, agency, proof, and knowledge-shaped community members' sense of trust when engaging with conservation and technology systems or practices. Our engagements highlighted a need for a dynamic consent process, which entails a set of engagements and activities tailored to community members' needs, to ensure they could make informed decisions on their involvement in research projects. To facilitate more ethical and just community engagements that result in higher quality data and more successful conservation outcomes, we recommend that researchers working with conservation technologies and marginalized communities respond to suspicion, address agency, center community knowledge, and demonstrate data practices.

Abstract There are increasing calls for greater availability of plant genetic resources (PGR) for use in plant breeding to help counter the adverse impacts of a changing climate and threats from pests and diseases, particularly in a context of reduced agricultural inputs, and the needs of the increasing human population. Managing and promoting ex situ and in situ conservation of PGR requires an effective data and informatics foundation. However, in situ data management is particularly undeveloped, especially when compared to ex situ documentation. The work presented here is a consolidated descriptor list to support in situ conservation of PGR. The consolidated PGR descriptor list is based on numerous partial lists collated from historic PGR activities, biodiversity conservation and protected area networking activities. New descriptors for in situ conservation activities were developed where gaps were identified. The draft consolidated PGR descriptor list was reviewed and revised through a process of consultation with experts in PGR documentation and in situ conservation. In total, 171 descriptors were identified, of which seven are defined as mandatory, 47 are defined as core descriptors and 29 are newly developed descriptors for in situ conservation of PGR. The descriptors cover all aspects of in situ conservation, from gathering passport data (for which there are already well-established descriptors), to monitoring and managing crop wild relative and landrace populations. Recommendations are made for the most effective use and future development of descriptors and how they could be used to further develop and support in situ PGR conservation implementation.

Introduction Wildlife-based tourism (WBT) is a vital strategy for integrating biodiversity conservation with rural development in Tanzania's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs). Although wildlife-related policies emphasize equitable benefit-sharing between conservation stakeholders and rural communities, there is limited empirical evidence on how these benefits are perceived by residents living within WMAs. Guided by social exchange theory (SET), this study posits that long-term community support for conservation depends on perceived fairness and relevance of WBT benefits. Understanding local perceptions of WBT benefits may be essential for shaping policy, such as determining which household-level benefits are acceptable and to whom, thereby ensuring long-term support for and the success of conservation efforts. Methods This study examined community perceptions of WBT benefits across three WMAs in northern Tanzania: Burunge, Enduimet, and Randilen. We administered 548 questionnaires and 20 key informant interviews. We assessed perceptions of different WBT benefits across four domains: employment, scholarships, capacity building and social services, including livelihood support. Using ordinal logistic regression, we examined how various socio-demographic variables predict perceived benefits and conducted a thematic analysis to contextualize the qualitative findings. Results While most respondents acknowledged some socioeconomic benefits from WBT, particularly in capacity building (70.0–87.3%) and access to social services and livelihood support (65.4–77.5%), these benefits were widely viewed as limited in both scope and impact. Employment emerged as the least perceived benefit (32.1–36.5%). Respondents' level of formal education, age, length of residence, and the WMA where they live explained perceived benefits from WBT. Conclusion Community perceptions are context-specific and tied to lived local experience. This emphasizes the need for designing context-specific benefit-sharing strategies that are inclusive, equitable and responsive to the diverse socio-economic needs of households within WMAs. Future WBT interventions should prioritize ensuring that rural communities receive the actual benefits and bridge the perceptual gap among residents with lower levels of formal education and those who are relatively new to the area, as these groups consistently reported lower recognition of WBT-related benefits. By tailoring engagement strategies and acknowledging socio-spatial diversity, WBT can better align benefits with community needs, enhance local support, and ensure the long-term success of conservation efforts.

Southeast Asia (SEA) harbors one of the world's richest reservoirs of marine biodiversity, offering immense potential for natural product discovery. This review presents a comprehensive survey of sponge-derived marine natural products (MNPs), with notable activity, reported from SEA over the past two decades, highlighting their chemical diversity, biological activities and regional research trends. Analysis of the past two decades of MNPs data reveals that sponges (Phylum Porifera) remain the dominant source of new MNPs, representing nearly half of all discoveries in the region. Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand are leading contributors, with Indonesia exhibiting the highest productivity but limited local research leadership. The South China Sea and Indonesian archipelagos emerge as biodiversity and bioprospecting hotspots, yet large areas remain underexplored. Bioactive metabolites isolated from SEA sponges demonstrate potent anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral and enzyme-inhibitory properties, underscoring their value for pharmaceutical innovation. Despite this promise, uneven research capacity, infrastructure gaps and environmental degradation constrain sustainable exploitation. By consolidating recent advances in lead compound development and identifying key taxonomic as well as geographic priorities, this review strengthens the scientific foundation for marine drug discovery in SEA and supports integration of bioprospecting with regional Blue Economy and biodiversity conservation agendas and programs.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the impact of AI adoption on employee green innovation in the hospitality industry in an emerging economy. In this study, in‐depth interviews were conducted by interviewing 15 managers in Vietnam while quantitative methods were used by collecting data from 453 employees in hotels to assess the impact of AI use on employee green innovation. The research findings show that AI not only has a direct and powerful impact on employee green innovation but also an indirect impact through proactive learning and the fear of being replaced, not through task adjustments or transformational leadership. The research also indicates that successful green innovation in practice requires coordinated intervention at both levels (leadership and employees) and promotes an agritourism model that connects hotels with stakeholders to achieve biodiversity conservation and green development goals.

ABSTRACT This study examines the interplay between environmental performance, climate governance, and biodiversity disclosure in European firms. Using data from STOXX600 companies across 17 countries, we test hypotheses grounded in legitimacy, signaling, and stakeholder theories. The results show that firms with stronger environmental performance are more likely to disclose biodiversity‐related information, signaling a genuine commitment to stakeholders rather than symbolic communications. Climate governance is also positively associated with disclosure, highlighting its role in promoting transparency. Importantly, climate governance amplifies the link between environmental performance and biodiversity disclosure, helping ensure that reporting reflects actual practices and limiting the risk of greenwashing. These findings highlight the need for robust governance structures to support accurate and credible biodiversity‐related disclosures. By jointly examining governance quality, environmental performance outcomes, and biodiversity transparency across a large European cross‐country sample, this study provides novel empirical evidence on how biodiversity disclosure can be used as a tool to promote awareness of biodiversity's importance, thereby constraining opportunities to overstate biodiversity conservation initiatives and overall sustainability performance through extensive biodiversity disclosure. The study contributes to ongoing debates in the sustainability disclosure literature and offers practical implications for policymakers, regulators, and scholars seeking to enhance the reliability and decision‐usefulness of corporate environmental communication as a basis for informed policy formulation and decision‐making.

Forest and landscape restoration (FLR) represents a critical nexus of climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Despite substantial federal investments and commitments, empirical subnational research quantifying the relationships between governance structures, funding mechanisms, and restoration outcomes remains scarce, and integrated implementation frameworks bridging institutional, technical, and socio-economic dimensions are largely absent from the literature. This study presents a mixed-methods analysis of FLR implementation gaps across Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Three Mid-Atlantic Appalachian states selected for their contrasting ecological conditions, governance structures, and restoration trajectories that collectively represent the heterogeneity of subnational restoration challenges. We examined 147 restoration projects (2019–2024), conducted 25 stakeholder interviews, and analyzed federal funding allocations ($428 million) through spatial and temporal frameworks. Our findings reveal five critical implementation barriers: (1) policy incoherence across federal–state–local jurisdictions creating 34% project delays; (2) chronic underfunding with 63% of projects receiving less than 60% of planned budgets; (3) technical capacity deficits affecting 71% of rural communities; (4) inadequate stakeholder engagement mechanisms reducing project sustainability by 45%; and (5) insufficient monitoring frameworks limiting adaptive management. We introduce an Integrated Restoration Implementation Framework (IRIF) that uniquely integrates policy coordination, sustainable financing, technical capacity building, and community engagement within a unified adaptive management cycle, operationalized through empirically derived thresholds, to guide evidence-based interventions. Quantitative analyses demonstrate that multi-stakeholder governance models increase restoration success rates by 2.3-fold (p &lt; 0.001), while integrated funding mechanisms improve long-term sustainability by 67%. Theoretically, this study advances socio-ecological systems scholarship by providing empirical evidence that multi-scalar governance configurations and integrated stakeholder engagement mechanisms are principal determinants of restoration success, advancing the evidence base for adaptive governance approaches in complex federal systems. Our findings provide actionable intelligence for policymakers and practitioners, while underscoring that sustainable FLR in complex federal systems depends on coherent multi-level governance architectures coordinating institutional mandates, financial resources, technical capacity, and community agency across jurisdictional scales.