Biogeographic Zones Research Articles

European Permanent Grasslands: A Systematic Review of Economic Drivers of Change, Including a Detailed Analysis of the Czech Republic, Spain, Sweden, and UK

Permanent grasslands (PG) feature in the European rural landscape and represent a major agricultural production resource. They support multiple non-provisioning ecosystem services (ES), including climate regulation, flood control, biodiversity, and pollination. PG are at risk of loss or degradation due to agricultural land use and land management changes. The objective of this systematic review is to identify the main economic influences shaping management and maintenance of PG, and the risks and opportunities for delivery of a range of ES. A total of 51 papers were included. Relevant policy interventions and economic drivers are identified in relation to how they shape the management of EU grasslands over time and across farming systems, countries, or biogeographic zones. A high reliance on public payments from the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), with uneven impact on mitigating PG losses and associated ES provisions, was identified, which needs to be considered in relation to ongoing CAP reform. There is a gap in the literature regarding economic tipping points for change. Future research needs to identify and map ES provisions by PG along with trade-offs and synergies, and link this to policy. There are substantive challenges to maintaining Europe’s PG area and management, which must be addressed through EU-wide instruments.

Citizen attitudes towards the environment and association with perceived threats to the countryside: Evidence from countries in five European biogeographic zones.

Citizens play a crucial role in attaining the United Nations 2030 sustainable development goals (SDGs). There is growing awareness of the importance of understanding citizen perspectives on environmental issues, in relation to developing and maintaining sustainable lifestyles, and in addressing perceived threats to protection and restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity. This analysis sought to understand people's attitudes towards environmental conservation, how they relate to perceived threats to the countryside, and to determine how attitudes and perceived threats vary demographically and between countries. A survey was administered to citizens (quota sampled on age, gender, education, and split between rural and urban residency) across five countries representative of differing biogeographical regions (N = 3,190): Czech Republic (n = 649) (Continental); Spain (Mediterranean) (n = 623); Sweden (Boreal) (n = 645); Switzerland (Alpine) (n = 641); United Kingdom (UK) (Atlantic) (n = 632). Attitudes were measured using the Environmental Attitudes Inventory (EAI-24) on 2 factors (utilization; preservation) and perceived threat to the countryside on 1-factor (15 items). Multigroup regression analysis indicated that preservationist attitudes were associated with greater perceived threat to the countryside in all five countries. Higher perceived threat was associated with activities linked to environmental degradation, socio-economic uncertainty and risks in agri-food supply chains in all countries. The "bad behaviour of visitors" was the greatest perceived threat in the Czech Republic, Switzerland and the UK, while "lack of young farmers taking over farming" was the greatest perceived threat in Spain and Sweden. To promote pro-environmental attitudes and obtain greater public support for policies and interventions targeting environmental conservation, communication about environmental threats is needed, together with threat mitigation measures. Raising peoples' awareness of threats to the countryside through targeted communications could promote pro-environment attitudes and potentially result in pro-environmental behaviours.

Environmental DNA analysis of airborne poaceae (grass) pollen reveals taxonomic diversity across seasons and climate zones

BackgroundGrasses populate most biogeographical zones, and their diversity influences allergic sensitisation to pollen. Previously, the contribution of different Poaceae subfamilies to airborne pollen has mostly been inferred from historical herbarium records. We recently applied environmental (e)DNA metabarcoding at one subtropical site revealing that successive airborne grass pollen peaks were derived from repeated flowering of Chloridoid and Panicoid grasses over a season. This study aimed to compare spatiotemporal patterns in grass pollen exposure across seasons and climate zones. MethodsAirborne pollen concentrations across two austral pollen seasons spanning 2017–2019 at subtropical (Mutdapilly and Rocklea, Queensland) and temperate (Macquarie Park and Richmond, New South Wales) sites, were determined with a routine volumetric impaction sampler and counting by light microscopy. Poaceae rbcL metabarcode sequences amplified from daily pollen samples collected once per week were assigned to subfamily and genus using a ribosomal classifier and compared with Atlas of Living Australia sighting records. ResultseDNA analysis revealed distinct dominance patterns of grass pollen at various sites: Panicoid grasses prevailed in both subtropical Mutdapilly and temperate Macquarie Park, whilst Chloridoid grasses dominated the subtropical Rocklea site. Overall, subtropical sites showed significantly higher proportion of pollen from Chloridoid grasses than temperate sites, whereas the temperate sites showed a significantly higher proportion of pollen from Pooideae grasses than subtropical sites. Timing of airborne Pooid (spring), Panicoid and Chloridoid (late spring to autumn), and Arundinoid (autumn) pollen were significantly related to number of days from mid-winter. Proportions of eDNA for subfamilies correlated with distributions grass sighting records between climate zones. ConclusionseDNA analysis enabled finer taxonomic discernment of Poaceae pollen records across seasons and climate zones with implications for understanding adaptation of grasslands to climate change, and the complexity of pollen exposure for patients with allergic respiratory diseases.

Niche partitioning among odontocetes in a marine biogeographic transition zone of the western South Atlantic Ocean

Niche partitioning among odontocetes in a marine biogeographic transition zone of the western South Atlantic Ocean

Decapod Crustacean Records from A Collection of Marine Soft-Bottom Macrofauna of the Italian Waters Supporting the Update of Checklists and Registers of the Mediterranean Basin

Decapod crustaceans are important components of the fauna of soft-bottom habitats. In this work, the records of decapod crustaceans are provided through the analysis of a large soft-bottom benthic macroinvertebrates dataset of the Central Mediterranean Sea. Decapod crustacean assemblages were collected in the last twenty years by a Van Veen grab in 42 study sites located along the Italian coasts at depths ranging from 1 up to 120 m. The spatial distribution of the crustaceans examined, which include 120 species belonging to 40 families, was investigated according to the biogeographical zones identified in the Italian seas. The spatial distribution of 36 species was updated, comparing the ISPRA decapod crustacean dataset with the most recent Italian checklists. For the species updated, the number of specimens, the year and season of sampling, and environmental data, such as the bathymetric range and habitat details, are provided for each site investigated. Data are discussed and compared with the existing literature, also referring to what is reported in the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), with the aim of contributing to the knowledge of the biodiversity of the marine species and supporting the updating of checklists and registers in the Mediterranean Basin.

Seventy-two models of large mammal connectivity across Panama: insights into a critical biogeographic linkage zone

AimThe goal of this study was to evaluate consistency among multiple connectivity models for jaguar and puma across Panama to evaluate the plausible current patterns of habitat connectivity for these and potentially other species in this critical biogeographic linkage zone.ApproachWe compared 72 different models of landscape connectivity for both large felids using both empirically based and expert opinion derived resistance layers. We conducted resistant kernel modeling with different dispersal abilities to reflect uncertainty in the movement potential of the two species. We applied three transformations to the resulting connectivity surfaces to account for uncertainty about the shape of the dispersal kernel function. We then evaluated the similarities and differences among these connectivity models, identifying several factors that drive their differences. We quantified the factors that drive differences in connectivity predictions using surface correlation, Mantel testing, and agglomerative hierarchical clustering.ResultsWe found that the main differences among predicted connectivity surfaces were related to species and resistance modeling approach, with relatively little consistent difference related to dispersal ability and nonlinear kernel transformation. Based on the ensemble connectivity prediction across the 72 models, we identified two major core areas, corresponding to the eastern and western portions of the central mountain range, significant attenuation of connectivity in lowland and developed areas of Panama, a major breakage in connectivity in the Canal Zone spanning the width of the country, and weak but potentially critical movement routes connecting the two core areas across the Canal Zone.ImplicationsThis paper contributes to both a theoretical and practical understanding of the functional connectivity of large felids, confirming the strong effect of differences in source points and resistance surfaces on connectivity predictions and identifying and mapping key core areas, barriers, and potential corridors for carnivore movement across the critical Pan-American linkage of the Isthmus of Panama.

Subalpine ”pinification”: Early signs of a pending and distinct biogeographic shift in the Swedish Scandes: Review and updates

This study focuses, by in situ records and long-term observations, on recent (post-Litte Ice Age), arboreal change in a mountain birch dominated (Betula pubescens ssp. czerepanovii) valley in the Swedish Scandes. During the early Holocene thermal optimum and up to the onset of the mid-Holocene Neoglaciation, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) dominated the tree cover of this valley and formed the treeline ecotone adjacent to the early alpine tundra. Subsequently, and consistent with progressive cooling until the late 19th century, prevailing pine stands demised and opened for landscape-level expansion of birch and spruce (Picea abies). A short and distinct break in that process took place by the Medieval Climate warming phase, about 1000-800 years before present. Subsequently, during pre-industrial time, temperatures reached their lowest levels of the entire post-glacial period. This was the so-called Little Ice Age, which ended the long-term Holocene cooling. That cold-climate epoque was broken by the late-19th and early 20th century. Thereafter and up to the present-day, temperatures in the study region (summer and winter) have increased by slightly less than 2 °C. As a consequence, treelines of all species have advanced by a maximum of more than 200 altitudinal meters. Pine displays the most persistent expansion, particularly over the past few decades. “Falangist” occurrences appear in the pure birch forest, tens of kilometers and hundreds of meters, respectively, beyond and above the outposts by the early 20th century. Occasionally, scattered young pine trees now grow close to the birch forest limit and somewhat above. In particular, at sites where pine stands demised during the Little Ice Age, c. AD. 1300-1850, prolific regeneration and insignificant winter mortality are recorded over the past 15 years. In comparison, birch and spruce provide no analogous signs of recent expansion. It may be hypothesized that unabated climate warming and corresponding arboreal progression will profoundly transform the plant cover of this valley, and others alike, into the same pine-dominated state that prevailed during the early Holocene. In other words, a new biogeographic zonation pattern may be on the rise, with pine back as the dominant subalpine species. This option is focused by continued monitoring.

Spatial and temporal patterns in the threats to at-risk freshwater fish species in Canada

This study identifies the current spatial and temporal patterns of threats to at-risk freshwater fishes within Canada. Data for 65 at-risk freshwater fishes were collated from the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada Assessment and Status reports with threat calculators. Using these data, the overall threat impact level and the threat impact of the 11 categories in the threat calculator were compared for all species and separately by conservation status, which indicates their risk of extinction. These threats were also compared temporally to a study completed in 2006 and spatially between National Freshwater Biogeographic Zones. The threats of invasive species and pollution had the highest impacts, accounting for 18.9% and 16.8% of the weighted impact on at-risk freshwater fishes, respectively. Since 2006, all threats have been increasing, except for natural disasters. The Great Lakes–Upper St. Lawrence River Biogeographic Zone had significantly more at-risk freshwater fishes and overall weighted threat impact than other zones, with pollution, invasive species, and natural system modification contributing the most to the imperilment in this region.

The potential of ecoregional range maps for boosting taxonomic coverage in ecology and conservation

Expert range maps (ExpRMs) are frequently used to inform species distributions, but often incomplete or missing for many species, particularly among plants and invertebrates. Many species without ExpRMs also have too few occurrence records for reliable application of species distribution models (SDMs). Here we evaluate the performance of commonly used range surrogates and recommend tools that can help fill this significant knowledge gap across a wide range of understudied taxa. Specifically, we explore an alternative range surrogate (ecoregional range maps; EcoRMs), assess its performance versus traditional approaches for 624 North American butterfly species, and outline its use alone and as part of SDMs. As an alternative range estimate, we use terrestrial ecoregions that represent a regionalization of biogeographical zones and we suggest geographical filters and simplifications that improve their performance. We show that consistently across different spatial scales and both in comparison with ExpRMs and SDMs, EcoRMs have an exceptionally high sensitivity and generally a high mean performance. Particularly for species with fewer than 100 occurrence records, EcoRMs outperform other range surrogates. The congruence of species richness patterns was also similar for all approaches. The use of EcoRMs as substitute for data‐poor species without ExpRMs will strongly boost taxonomic coverage of range maps. Additionally, integrating EcoRMs as domains/masks/offsets into SDMs promises significant improvements to model accuracy. For butterflies alone, EcoRMs would thereby provide new range information for 17% and improve basic range information for 43% of all approximately nineteen thousand species. Other technical advantages of generating EcoRMs may also help to overcome issues of the availability, updateability, reproducibility, and circularity of ExpRMs, SDMs and minimum convex hulls (MCVs). In summary, ecoregion‐based range maps offer a versatile tool for ecology and conservation of terrestrial taxa and the application of the EcoRM approach may prove similarly useful for freshwater and marine ecoregions.

Development of a scientific and methodological approach to assessing losses from warfare in natural ecosystems on the territory of Ukraine

The assessment of the impact of hostilities on the environment remains an important issue for predicting changes resulting from military-technogenic activities and assessing the losses incurred by ecosystems in Ukraine. This article proposes an integrated approach for predicting the possible level of hostilities’ impact by utilizing aggregated environmental information on ecosystem composition, indicators of military-technogenic load, organization of trophic networks in relevant biogeographic zones, and biodiversity composition. The concept of environmental safety of hostilities is introduced as a projection into the military technosphere of the ecosystem sustainability concept, where the target function is the conservation of the natural biota of operational zones and areas of hostilities. The article presents a block diagram of the procedure for assessing the state of ecosystems in war zones and proposes a classification of levels of military-technogenic disturbance of natural ecosystems based on the state of edifier sinusia.

Diversity and distribution of true flies (Diptera) of Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha, India: Functional roles based on ecological guilds

Proper understanding of ecological dynamics of faunal components, whether it is a large mammal or a tiny insect of any ecosystem including forests, plays an important role in the eco-management of any eco-zone. Dipteran insects constituting a major faunal group among the entomo-diversity of any forest ecosystem portray significant functional roles in determining the stability in the ecosystem functioning of the respective ecosystem. The present paper has attempted to document the diversity of dipteran insects inhabiting a tropical deciduous forest of the extended part of Deccan Biogeographic Zone in the eastern part of India, the Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary alongside indicating its habitat preference and distribution patterns. A total of 34 species under 19 families of the order Diptera were recorded from different habitats of the studied forest areas, of which three species are considered new reports from the state of Odisha, India. Out of the three selected eco-zones, the deep forest area having a higher density of sal trees (Shorea robusta) revealed less species richness but high relative abundance, whereas the barren grazing land demonstrated higher species richness with low relative abundance. The eco-zone with wetlands and associated vegetation have shown moderate species richness and diversity of dipteran insects. Three contrasting seasons (pre-monsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon) of this region have also demonstrated different patterns of diversity and density of this group of insects which have been segregatedinto several feeding guilds in tune with the seasonal availability of food resources.

A new species of the genus Hoplochaetella Michaelsen 1900 (Clitellata: Octochaetidae) from the Deccan Peninsula Biogeographic Zone, India.

A new species Hoplochaetella darwini sp. nov. is described from the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic zone of South Indian State, Tamil Nadu. The new species is distinguished from all known Hoplochaetella species by having only one pair of spermathecal pores in segment 7, and a combination of male and prostatic pores in segment 17. The canonical analysis of principal coordinates also supported the proposed new species, showing significant differences with other members of the genus based on the taxonomical characters such as the number and position of spermathecae and prostate glands. Furthermore, an identification key and updated checklist of known species in the genus are also presented along with updated locality details.

Latitudinal distribution of skeleton shrimps (Amphipoda, Caprellidae) in artificial habitats throughout the eastern South Pacific coast of Peru

ABSTRACT Biodiversity tends to decrease poleward and increase towards the equator. However, these patterns remain unknown for many invertebrate taxa throughout Peru's eastern South Pacific coast, particularly for caprellid crustaceans which are conspicuous in artificial habitats. Three biogeographical units have been proposed for the Peruvian coast: Panamic and Humboldt provinces with a transition zone in between, but a few invertebrates support this classification. We evaluated if the diversity of caprellids decreases towards high latitudes and if the assemblages of caprellids depicted the biogeographic zonation proposed for the Peruvian coast. From 15th to 31st October 2021, caprellids were collected from biofouling communities colonizing boat hulls, buoys, and ropes throughout the Peruvian coast (3.74°–17.99° S). The caprellid assemblage consisted on six species: Caprella penantis [sensu lato], C. penantis f. gibbosa, C. equilibra, C. scaura, Paracaprella pusilla, and Deutella venenosa. Overall, caprellids' abundance, species richness, and diversity decreased southwards. Specific caprellid assemblages showed affinities for each of the three biogeographical units. The dissimilarity of the caprellid assemblages increased at approximately every one degree of latitude. Although artificial substrates can alter biodiversity patterns, caprellids showed the canonical pattern of high diversity towards the equator and resembled the biogeographic zonation proposed for the Peruvian coast.

Global taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity of bees in apple orchards

An essential prerequisite to safeguard pollinator species is characterisation of the multifaceted diversity of crop pollinators and identification of the drivers of pollinator community changes across biogeographical gradients. The extent to which intensive agriculture is associated with the homogenisation of biological communities at large spatial scales remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated diversity drivers for 644 bee species/morphospecies in 177 commercial apple orchards across 33 countries and four global biogeographical biomes. Our findings reveal significant taxonomic dissimilarity among biogeographical zones. Interestingly, despite this dissimilarity, species from different zones share similar higher-level phylogenetic groups and similar ecological and behavioural traits (i.e. functional traits), likely due to habitat filtering caused by perennial monoculture systems managed intensively for crop production. Honey bee species dominated orchard communities, while other managed/manageable and wild species were collected in lower numbers. Moreover, the presence of herbaceous, uncultivated open areas and organic management practices were associated with increased wild bee diversity. Overall, our study sheds light on the importance of large-scale analyses contributing to the emerging fields of functional and phylogenetic diversity, which can be related to ecosystem function to promote biodiversity as a key asset in agroecosystems in the face of global change pressures.

Seroprevalence and risk factors of tick-borne encephalitis in Mongolia between 2016 and 2022

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a zoonotic agent that causes severe encephalitis in humans and is transmitted through the bites of infected ticks. Ixodes ticks are the primary vector for TBEV in Mongolia, and approximately 3.4% carry the TBEV. The ticks are capable of not only transmitting these viruses but also serve as excellent reservoir hosts. The Dermacenter tick species may have similar properties. TBEV is a significant cause of virus-related diseases of the central nervous system in many European countries as well as in China, Russia, and Mongolia. Our objectives were to investigate TBEV seroprevalence and infection risk factors in different biogeographical zones and provinces, especially in the highly endemic areas of Mongolia. Serum samples were collected from individuals who experienced tick bites (n = 993) in Mongolia between 2016 and 2022. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of the samples was performed to evaluate for TBEV-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)M and IgG. We analyzed the risk factors and seroprevalence of TBEV infection among these individuals using a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. Statistical analyses were performed using a multistage cluster sampling survey design, and all data were analyzed using the R software. TBEV IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 8.1% (80/993) and 20.2% (201/993) of all serum samples, respectively. The seroprevalence was significantly higher in men (68%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63–3.13, odds ratio [OR]: 2.25) than in women (p < 0.001). Additionally, the seroprevalence was significantly higher among unemployed (35.0%, 95% CI: 0.31–0.84, OR: 0.51) than employed individuals (p < 0.001). The seroprevalence was the highest among the 25–29 and 35–39-year age groups (11%, 95% CI: 1.29–5.51, OR: 2.65 and 11%, 95% CI: 0.94–3.87, OR: 1.9, respectively), and the lowest in the 65–69-year age group (4%, 95% CI: 0.46–6.15, OR: 1.83) (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the seroprevalence was the highest in Selenge province and the capital city Ulaanbaatar (40%, 95% CI: 1.73–21.7, OR: 5.07 and 28%, 95% CI: 0.51–6.89, OR: 1.57, respectively) and the lowest in Bayan-Ulgii and Dornod provinces (0.5%, 95% CI: 0.06–12.4, OR: 1.33 and 0.5%, 95% CI: 0.03–6.24, OR: 0.72, respectively). TBEV infection incidence remained low in most regions of Mongolia but increased in endemic areas. Furthermore, in the univariate subgroup analysis, age, occupation status, and residential area were significantly associated with TBEV seroprevalence.

Prediction of fishing intensity and trends across South China Sea biogeographic zones

The volume of industrial fishing in the South China Sea ranks among the top global sustainable fisheries concerns of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). To better understand the scale of management challenges, biogeographic zones of the SCS were characterized, and within each a multivariate GAM (General Additive Model) was fitted to predict and map the complete fishing activities from 2017 to 2020. Model variables, some incomplete or with gaps, included: VIIRS DNB night-time light imagery; Global Fisheries Watch (GFW) data; satellite Ocean Colour; Sea Surface Temperature; and bathymetry data. Four biogeographic zones with differing fishing patterns and trends were identified. We used cross-validation and the GAM model's own tuning method for model prediction accuracy determination, which performed well in four biogeographic zones (R2 respectively: 0.62, 0.68, 0.74 and 0.71). High-intensity fishing grounds are mainly distributed in offshore continental shelf areas. From 2017 to 2019, high-intensity fishing grounds were located near the Beibu Gulf of Vietnam, south Vietnam, part of the Gulf of Thailand and the central Java Sea, where fishing effort greater than 50 h exceeded average annual SCS fishing intensity for several years. By season, intensity and extent of fishing in Spring were largest. In 2020, due to the impact of COVID-19, except for Spring, fishing volume generally decreased. Our experimental results provide new insights and an adaptable biogeographic modelling methodology to map the scale and intensity of regional fishing activities more accurately and completely. This more comprehensive database, that takes account of intrinsic biogeographic fishery context, will help improve and strengthen the regulation of fishing activities around the world.

Rapid tropicalization evidence of subtidal seaweed assemblages along a coastal transitional zone

Anthropogenic climate change, particularly seawater warming, is expected to drive quick shifts in marine species distribution transforming coastal communities. These shifts in distribution will be particularly noticeable in biogeographical transition zones. The continental Portuguese coast stretches from north to south along 900 km. Despite this short spatial scale, the strong physical gradient intensified by the Iberian upwelling creates a transition zone where seaweed species from boreal and Lusitanian-Mediterranean origin coexist. On the northern coast, kelp marine forests thrive in the cold, nutrient-rich oceanic waters. In the south, communities resemble Mediterranean-type seaweed assemblages and are dominated by turfs. Recent evidence suggests that in these coastal areas, marine intertidal species are shifting their distribution edges as a result of rising seawater temperatures. Taking advantage of previous abundance data collected in 2012 from subtidal seaweed communities, a new sampling program was carried out in the same regions in 2018 to assess recent changes. The results confirmed the latitudinal gradient in macroalgal assemblages. More importantly we found significant structural and functional changes in a short period of six years, with regional increases of abundance of warm-affinity species, small seaweeds like turfs. Species richness, diversity, and biomass increase, all accompanied by an increase of community temperature index (CTI). Our findings suggest that subtidal seaweed communities in this transitional area have undergone major changes within a few years. Evidence of “fast tropicalization” of the subtidal communities of the Portuguese coast are strong indication of the effects of anthropic climate change over coastal assemblages.

Effect of geographical origin on yield and secondary metabolite content of extracts of Moroccan Juniperus thurifera

The thuriferous juniper (Juniperus thurifera) is an important species in the Mediterranean region due to its ecological and economic values. It plays a significant role in preventing soil erosion and desertification, as well as being used in traditional medicine and as a source of essential oils for various industries. In addition, its extracts are considered as a source of bioactive compounds with various pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. However in Morocco, it is considered as one of the undervalued and least preserved species. Its stands continue to be vigorously degraded. The present work aims to study the effect of the origin on the yield, the phenolic compounds, flavonoids and tannins contents and the antioxidant activity of the leaves extracts of this species. In order to accomplish this study, we carried out the extraction by soxhlet from the leaves of J. thurifera, coming from three geographical origins, using two solvents (hexane and ethanol). Then the dosage of different compounds (polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins) and the evaluation of the antioxidant activity were carried out. The results show a significant variability between the samples coming from three different biogeographical zones, namely: the Eastern, Central and Western High Atlas in terms of yield and levels of polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins. This allowed to demonstrate the effect of geographical origin and the interaction between environmental conditions and genotype on the production of secondary metabolites. In fact, we found that the Midelt population has a good yield in ethanolic extracts (9.41% ± 0.59) and hexane 6.57% ± 0.29. Furthermore, the El Haouz population is the richest in polyphenols in ethanolic extracts (191.30 ± 4.27 mg GAE /g Extract), as well as it has an important reducing potential (IC50 = 0.98 ± 0.05 mg/ml). These results can be exploited as bioindicators in all programs of valorization and conservation of Moroccan Juniperus thurifera

Future climate change projections in the agroecological, bioclimatic, biogeographical and altitudinal vegetation zones of Morocco

AbstractMorocco is located in a region vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which can have profound effects on its social, economic and environmental systems. This makes studies aimed at forecasting these impacts in future using climate models particularly important. However, the generally coarse spatial resolution of models, combined with a large number of models, imposes a limitation on the models, allowing the selection of the most appropriate ones for climate change impact assessments in a specific region. In this study, 38 GCMs and GCM‐RCMs from CMIP5 ensemble and CORDEX project were downscaled and bias‐corrected for use in projecting climate change over Morocco under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. A three‐step sequential process was adopted, involving in that order the selection of models based on: (i) projection of climate means; (ii) projection of climate extremes; and (iii) ability of the models to simulate the baseline climate. Climate projections show precipitation decreases of up to 10% by the beginning of the century, with decreases of more than 20% under RCP8.5 projected by 2100, with the central and northern mountainous regions of the country being the most affected. Seasonal projections showed autumn months likely to experience the greatest decline in precipitation, up to 36.56% by the end of the century. Temperature projections revealed an upward trend in mean, maximum and minimum temperatures, with increases of up to 3°C predicted by mid‐century over most of the country, particularly in the winter months. Our results point to a concerning future, with impacts related to decreased precipitation and increased temperatures expected to be many and varied across the country. Nevertheless, they can help provide a knowledge base for efforts to mitigate and adapt to expected changes.

Why biogeographical transition zones matter

AbstractBiogeographical transition zones are areas of overlap, replacement or partial segregation between different biotas, which are sets of taxa sharing similar geographical distributions as a result of a common evolutionary history and ecological affinities. Transition zones occur in a few particular areas of the world where historically contingent processes have allowed different biotic elements to coexist and interact. Evolutionary or historical biogeographers have traditionally characterized transition zones by the overlap of different biotic elements. More recently, authors applying track analyses have detected transition zones by the presence of nodes or by conflicting results in cladistic biogeographic analyses. Ecological biogeographers have taken a different approach, usually applying quantitative methods, for example, species turnover indices to analyse the strength and breadth of biogeographic transition zones. Some authors consider transition zones to represent outstanding areas for analysing the principles shaping biotic assembly, whereas others have dismissed them, sometimes as artificial. Biogeographical transition zones are particularly interesting for a truly integrative biogeography, being natural laboratories where the interaction of historical and ecological processes can be analysed fruitfully, and are especially appropriate for an integrative approach, epistemologically grounded in integrative pluralism. A coherent conceptual framework to analyse transition zones, however, is still lacking.