Biosphere Reserve Research Articles

Tree Diversity and Its Ecological Importance Value in Silvopastoral Systems: A Study along Elevational Gradients in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve, Ecuadorian Amazon

This study analyzes tree diversity and its ecological importance value in silvopastoral systems in the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (SBR), Ecuador, along an altitudinal gradient of 400–2000 masl. Twenty-six plots distributed into low (400–700 masl), medium (701–1600 masl) and high (1601–2000 masl) zones were used. The Shannon index and the importance value index (IVI), based on abundance, dominance and relative frequency, were estimated. The results highlight that in pastures with dispersed trees, the richness of trees decreases with increasing altitude in the elevational gradient; they also show a higher tree density at lower altitudes in contrast to the Andean–Amazonian primary forests. The lower and middle zones showed higher diversity, linked to regeneration and the presence of nearby forests. Species of high commercial value, such as Cedrela odorata and Jacaranda copaia, were common, reflecting knowledge of the local timber market. In the lower and middle zones, the 10 most important species accounted for more than 70% of the trees, with up to 96% in the upper zone. A total of 51 taxa (including 42 species and nine taxa at the rank of genus) were identified, which were mostly native; 64.7% are classified by the IUCN as least-concern (LC) species, 31.4% as not evaluated (NE) species and 3.9% as vulnerable (VU) species, specifically highlighting Cedrela odorata and Cedrela montana. The study concludes with policy recommendations related to the importance of trees in silvopastoral systems for the conservation of species and the livelihoods of local communities, highlighting the need for responsible management of Amazonian pasturelands.

Saving the Last West African Giraffe Population: A Review of Its Conservation Status and Management.

The West African giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta) was historically spread across much of the Sudano-Sahelian zone but is now restricted to Niger. Several factors resulted in their dramatic decline during the late 20th century. In 1996, only 49 individuals remained, concentrated in the 'Giraffe Zone'. Conservation activities implemented by the Government of Niger, supported by local communities and NGOs, facilitated their population numbers to increase. This review summarizes past and present conservation activities and evaluates their impact to advise and prioritize future conservation actions for the West African giraffe. The long-term conservation of the West African giraffe is highly dependent on the local communities who live alongside them, as well as supplementary support from local and international partners. Recent conservation initiatives range from community-based monitoring to the fitting of GPS satellite tags to better understand their habitat use, spatial movements to expansion areas, and environmental education to the establishment of the first satellite population of West African giraffe in Gadabedji Biosphere Reserve, the latter serving as a flagship for the future restoration of large mammal populations in West Africa. The integration of modern technologies and methods will hopefully provide better-quality data, improved spatial analyses, and greater understanding of giraffe ecology to inform the long-term management of West African giraffe.

A comparison of adult population fluctuation of Anastrepha pest species between agricultural environments and protected natural areas in northeastern Mexico

AbstractFruit fly pestiferous species within the genus Anastrepha Schiner (Diptera: Tephritidae) affect fruit growing in northeastern Mexico, particularly citrus and mango production. Little is known about the population fluctuation of these pests in protected natural areas adjacent to agricultural environments. This study aimed to compare and analyse the temporal profiles of adult populations of Anastrepha pest species inhabiting agricultural zones and a protected natural area. Six years of adult capture data of Anastrepha ludens (Loew), A. obliqua (Macquart), A. striata Schiner and A. serpentina (Wiedemann) were compared and analysed between commercial orchards and fruit tree areas located in the buffer zone of the biosphere reserve “El Cielo”. The analyses were carried out for each of two triennial periods (2008–2010 and 2019–2021). Temporal patterns of the pest populations were characterized, and generalized linear mixed models were used for data analysis. All locations registered the four species, although Anastrepha ludens and A. obliqua represented the highest number of adult captures. Populations of pest species of Anastrepha showed similar fluctuation patterns throughout the year regardless of the location. However, significant differences in the population size were noted between the “El Cielo” reserve and commercial areas. The “El Cielo” reserve and its surroundings captured the highest population levels of the four species. Persistent populations of A. striata and A. serpentina were related to the area under ecological protection. The “El Cielo” reserve is a shelter for the pest species of Anastrepha, which are mainly linked to backyard hosts. We discuss the importance of these findings in the context of an Area‐Wide Integrated Pest Management approach and of studying fruit flies' quarantine pests in Mexico's neotropical limits. Practical implications in designing specific phytosanitary measures to suppress or control pest populations are addressed.

Assessing erosion and sediment removal in the Isla Salamanca coastal barrier: implications for the Barranquilla-Ciénaga highway and coastal marine biodiversity – Colombia

The Isla Salamanca coastal barrier on the Colombian Caribbean coast faces significant erosion, driven by climate change-induced, sea level rise and human activities such as highway construction. The Barranquilla-Ciénaga highway, particularly at kilometers 19 and 29, is at risk, with severe consequences for the region’s socio-economic and environmental well-being. Human interventions like the highway construction and seawall installations have disrupted the natural coastal dynamics, leading to increased erosion rates. The study, conducted between 2004 and 2021, reveals that the Isla Salamanca coastal barrier is experiencing substantial transgression, with erosion rates peaking at -16.1 m·yr− 1. The highway protection measures, with seawall construction, have proven inadequate, exacerbating erosion downstream. The mangrove loss due to hydrological changes and increased salinity is further threatening the fragile ecosystem. The research emphasizes the importance of considering biodiversity loss in the context of rapid erosion rates. The region, declared a Ramsar Site and Biosphere Reserve, hosts vital ecosystems like mangroves and dunes, whose destruction negatively impacts marine biodiversity. The study suggests the relocation of the highway, acknowledging the challenges of preserving wetlands and mangroves in the process. Balancing the need for infrastructure with ecological preservation is essential, and the study proposes comprehensive solutions, including shoreline management, ecosystem-based protection, and community involvement. The goal is to mitigate erosion’s adverse effects on biodiversity, habitat integrity, and the overall health of this ecologically sensitive region.

Just graze it! Biodiversity, nectar and forage resources in cultural landscapes grazed by different livestock species

ABSTRACT The Nordhordland UNESCO Biosphere Reserve encompasses a heterogeneous landscape which provides numerous ecosystem services. Semi-natural grasslands provide forage for traditionally managed livestock and are important sources of nectar and pollen for pollinators. However, these services are not evenly distributed due to different biotic and abiotic constraints of the fjord landscape, which stretches from flat coastal areas to steep hills and mountains inland. We studied how geographic location and grazing livestock type affect the plant species richness, plant functional group composition, nectar and forage resources of these grasslands. We recorded plant species percentage cover in 30 fields in the Nordhordland Biosphere Reserve grazed by sheep, goats or cattle, and from these data we calculated indicator values for forage and nectar resource using species index values from existing trait databases. Sites grazed by cattle had significantly different plant functional group compositions than sites grazed by sheep or goats, independent of geographical location. Forage resource indicator values were lower at coastal sites grazed by sheep. We found a weak but significant positive correlation between nectar resource indicator value and plant species richness, as well as between nectar and forage resource indicator values. Type of livestock and geographical location are not the only factors influencing provisioning services in semi-natural grasslands. Nonetheless, traditional grazing maintains ecosystem service delivery even in low-productive coastal areas. Forage resource, nectar provision and plant species richness appear to be bundled, providing clear guidance for managing ecosystem services in Nordhordland UNESCO Biosphere Reserve’s valuable cultural landscapes.

The official presentation to science of a new species of Hechtia (Bromeliaceae: Hechtioideae) from the Pacific Lowlands in Mexico

Background: Hechtia is characterized by its terrestrial, succulent rosettes, dioecy, and unisexual, dimorphic flowers, mainly fragrant. The paucity and fragmentary herbarium material limit the species recognition but living material reveals diagnostic characters to delimitate them.
 Hypothesis: Hechtia species are circumscribed by a combination of vegetative and floral characters of both sexes. If the new taxon does not share morphological characters with other species, it will be described as new.
 Taxon: Hechtia.
 Study site and dates: Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, Jalisco, 1985-2023.
 Methods: Field collected, cultivated as well as herbarium material of the new taxon were analyzed and compared to other species from the Pacific Lowlands and adjacent areas, particularly flowers of both sexes, fruits, and seeds. Conservation status using IUCN criteria is reported for the new species.
 Results: Specimens of Hechtia chamelensis have been misidentified as H. laevis and H. reticulata (both described from fruiting, fragmentary specimens) but the fruit and seed features of both taxa do not match those of the new species. H. chamelensis is known from the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve and it is characterized by strict sympodial growth pattern, green leaves with red hues, shiny and glabrous above, white lepidote below, panicles usually simple to (rarely staminate ones) 2-divided, staminate flowers pinkish to pale white, pistillate with pale green to white petals.
 Conclusions: Vegetative and reproductive features as well as geographical distribution allow the recognition of H. chamelensis as a new species native from Jalisco, Mexico.

Environmental factors differentially influence species distributions across tree size classes in a dry evergreen forest in Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, northeastern Thailand

ABSTRACT Plant communities in tropical forests are influenced by multiple environmental variables. For trees, soil and topographic characteristics are key factors that impact the establishment of many species. In this study, the impacts of soil properties and topography on forest structure, species composition, α- and β-diversity, and tree species distribution across size classes were investigated in a dry evergreen forest (DEF) in the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, northeastern Thailand. Within a 16 ha permanent plot, all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 1 cm were recorded. Tree species distributions mostly respected gradients of plot elevation and soil nutrient, including available P; these variables were strongly associated for most size classes. Structural attributes (basal area and tree density) of trees with a DBH of 5–10 cm were highly sensitive to these variables. For trees with a DBH of 2–5 cm, α-diversity was negatively associated with available P while β-diversity was associated with topography and available P. These findings demonstrate the strong influence of topographic and edaphic variables in shaping the DEF. Sensitivity to these variables, particularly elevation and increases in available P, increased with increasing tree size among size classes, as small trees were less sensitive than were larger trees. Our study provides an example of how different environments affect many of the features of tropical forest structure, such as tree size class and species composition.

A preliminary appraisal of the mobility of tribal communities in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, India

A preliminary appraisal of the mobility of tribal communities in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, India

Fish biodiversity of Courtown Cays, seaflower biosphere reserve (Colombian Caribbean): new records and an annotated checklist

Fish biodiversity of Courtown Cays, seaflower biosphere reserve (Colombian Caribbean): new records and an annotated checklist

Lack of P limitation on litter decomposition: a case study from long-term addition of phosphorus and nitrogen in three subtropical forests in southern China

ABSTRACT Contrary to the widely accepted belief that elevated soil respiration after phosphorus (P) fertilization indicates P limitations for soil microorganisms in (sub)tropical forests, our previous studies have proposed that the elevated respiration results from the abiotically elevated availability of carbon (C), originating from competitive desorption from sorption sites on the surface of soil particles following P fertilization. In this study, we tested the impact of P fertilization (150 kg NaH2PO4-P ha−1 yr−1) on the decomposition of tea bags (Lipton Rooibos and Green teas) in three types of subtropical forests (primary, secondary, and planted forests) at the Dinghushan Biosphere Reserve, where previous findings reported increased soil respiration following P fertilization. If the traditional view holds true, early-stage litter decomposition should be stimulated by P fertilization, similar to the observed stimulation in soil respiration. Conversely, if this is not the case, it strongly reinforces our new hypothesis. Tea bags were employed to serve a twofold purpose: to assess the effects of P fertilization on litter decomposition within the soil, rather than on the soil surface, and to concentrate on the decomposition of early-stage litter. Our results demonstrated that P fertilization did not accelerate the decomposition of tea bags, indicating the exclusive enhancement of soil respiration without simultaneous stimulation of litter decomposition. This contradicts expectations if P were limiting microbial activity, reinforcing our hypothesis. In conclusion, our study reaffirmed the hypothesis that microbial activity in tropical forest soils is not primarily limited by P availability.

Marine fish parasites in the Cat Ba Archipelago, Vietnam: the results of 2010-2023 field surveys.

Between 2010 and 2023, a longitudinal study was undertaken to uncoverthe diversity of the parasite fauna of marine fishes in the Cat Ba Archipelago, a world biosphere reserve, in Vietnam. A total of 1,042 specimens representing 80 different fish species were collected and examined. Of these, 68 fish species, represented by 994 specimens (95.39%), were infected with parasites. A total of 162 parasitic species were discovered, including 54 trematodes, 37 monogeneans, 27 crustaceans, 15 myxozoans, 10 acanthocephalans, 10 nematodes, 7 cestodes, and 2 hirudineans. Over the course of the survey, twenty new species were described, including 7 acanthocephalans and 13 trematodes. Additionally, twenty species were recorded for the first time from the Cat Ba Archipelago and twenty-two species had new host records reported. The prevalence and mean intensity of parasite infection were found to be unaffected by season. These data on the parasitic fauna of Cat Ba Archipelago not only expand our knowledge of the diversity of Vietnam, but also provide strong baseline data for measuring future change resulting from environmental perturbations.

Comprehensive Framework for Analysing the Intensity of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Continental Ecuadorian Biosphere Reserves

The conventional methods of land use and land cover (LULC) analysis are frequently based on crosstabulation matrices. However, this analysis becomes complex when including sites with multiple management zones and categories at different time points. This is challenging regarding data processing and the presentation of numerous results. We transformed the graphical representation of conventional Intensity Analysis to assess and compare the intensity and magnitude of LULC changes in six Continental Ecuadorian Biosphere Reserves at three levels: interval, category, and transition, and at three time intervals. A dimension reduction strategy was used to convert multiple bar charts into three composite heat maps. The results confirm the global conservation effectiveness in the core zones among the biosphere reserves with less than 10% change, but worrisome dynamics were detected in buffers and transitions with a change of up to 10% for all periods. Deforestation and agriculture were detected as the most relevant land processes. This work highlights the dimension reduction by summarizing 17, 51, and 312 bar charts from conventional Intensity Analysis in three composite heat maps, one for each level of analysis. Systematic suspicious transitions occurred in the water body category because of its dynamics and misclassification in LULC maps.

Examining Transformation in Lepcha Culture and Language within Dzongu, Upper Sikkim: A Reflective Analysis

The Lepcha tribe, the oldest and first reported in Sikkim, India, predominantly resides in Dzongu valley, officially designated as a reserve for the Lepcha community. Nestled alongside the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in the north district, Dzongu is renowned for preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Lepchas. Given the ongoing impact of globalization on cultural and economic dynamics, there is a pressing need to document the cultural diversity of the Lepcha community. Recent observations regarding the diminishing influence of the Lepcha language within the community highlight the necessity for a closer examination of the Lepcha speech community. This paper delves into the socio-political dimensions of Lepcha life and their implications for language and culture in Dzongu valley. By analyzing indicators of language maintenance and shift, this study aims to elucidate the direction in which the Lepcha speech community is heading, amidst changing socio-political landscapes.

Морфологическая изменчивость ассимиляционного аппарата Pinus sylvestris L. в пределах Тебердинского национального парка

Pine forests are widespread in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic, in particular, in the Teberdinsky National Biosphere Reserve, mainly in its northern part. The variability 0 of pine morphological parameters is associated with the ecological and geographical features of the species’ habitat, which is especially important for the Caucasus Mountains. The purpose of this research has been to study the morphological variability of pine in the mountainous conditions of the Karachay-Cherkess Republic based on the morphometric parameters of needles and shoots. The collection of needles and shoots has been carried out using the standard methods. According to the data obtained, the longest pine needles are found in the gorge of the Gonachkhir River (1671 m above sea level), and the shortest – in the gorge of the Daut River (1900 m above sea level). A decrease in the length of the needles with altitude has been recorded. No change in the width has been observed. The needle packing index, on the contrary, increases with altitude. The length of the shoot in the samples of Pinus sylvestris ranges from 22.00 mm (Arkhyz and Daut-2 samples) to 28.94 mm (Teberda and Daut-1 samples) and correlates with the altitude of the habitats. The weight of the freshly collected pine needles in the study area has varied from 4.43 g (Teberda) to 6.06 g (Daut-1); when dried, the weight of 100 pairs of needles has decreased in all the samples by 2 times and has ranged from 2.23 g (Teberda) to 2.00 g (Gonachkhir). No correlation of the weight with the terrain altitude has been found. The lifespan of pine needles growing at different altitudes in the Karachay-Cherkess Republic is on average 2–3 years; 4–year-old needles have been found in small quantities in Teberda (1 %) and Dzhamagat (4 %).The results of this research are the first data on the morphological variability of the needles and shoots of Pinus sylvestris L., growing at different altitudes for the Western Caucasus, in particular for the Karachay-Cherkess Republic. The obtained data on the variability of the pine assimilation apparatus in the Western Caucasus complements and confirms the conclusions of other scientists about the increase in the size and weight of needles, as well as a decrease in their life expectancy when moving from north to south. They will be useful in assessing the phenotypic variability of coniferous forests.

Anticancer activity of secondary metabolite isolated from the rhizospheric fungus Fusarium oxysporum isolate-ABRF1, 2-propenoic acid, pentadecyl ester

Abstract. Sahu MK, Suthakaran S, Ghosh SC, Singh D, Das A, Jha H. 2023. Anticancer activity of secondary metabolite isolated from the rhizospheric fungus Fusarium oxysporum isolate-ABRF1, 2-propenoic acid, pentadecyl ester. Asian J Nat Prod Biochem 21: 88-100. The rhizospheric fungus Fusarium oxysporum ABRF1 from the Achanakmar Biosphere Reserve, Chhattisgarh, India, was evaluated for its anticancer potency using various cellular and molecular assays. A differential cytotoxic profile of the different fractions of the ABRF1 isolate was observed against various cancer cell lines. DNA fragmentation analysis revealed the aqueous and toluene fractions were effective and correlated well with apoptotic gene expression in several breast cancer cells. The fractions showed markedly increased expression of pro-apoptotic protein markers – BAX and cleaved caspase 3 in the breast cancer cells. Structural and functional characterization of potential secondary metabolite from the fungal isolate ABRF1 was carried out using Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectroscopy and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance that characterized as 2-propenoic acid, pentadecyl ester. The underlying mechanisms responsible for the anticancer property were confirmed by molecular docking analysis of 2-propenoic acid, pentadecyl ester, and positive controls such as Doxorubicin and Noscapine. The results showed an efficient binding with molecular targets such as protein kinases (EphA2) and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition markers (Vimentin) in breast cancer cells. The active metabolite 2-propenoic acid, pentadecyl ester, has a potential anticancer property that needs to be taken further for in vivo studies and drug development in the future.

Understanding Community Capacity for Bottom-up Management of Mount Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

The aim of the study was to understand the potential of Shiramine villagers for bottom-up administration of Mount Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (MHBR). We investigated the various aspects of community capability using data from numerous sources, including interviews, surveys, and published reports. 23 people participated in a survey. Results has showed that the issues such as depopulation (35%), accessibility problems (especially for the elderly), difficulties with tourism, and the effects of school and municipal mergers were the biggest concern for the locals. However, the biggest values of Shiramine was rated as interpersonal interactions (56%), followed by the environment and traditional culture. Most of the residents expressed the high level of happiness by living inside the community (87%), which was related to the strong community bonds and natural surroundings.
 The survey showed the presence of a variety of jobs, such as farmers, students, freelancers, housewives, and people working in administrative and governmental positions. These results showed a wide range of community involvement and the possibility of utilizing this diversity to boost the bottom-up management strategy. For the effective and sustainable management of BR, developing inclusivity and active participation, by using variety of talents and knowledge will play crucial role.
 Keywords: Community development, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Bottom-Up approach, Regional management, Sustainability

New findings of some rare species in the vascular flora of Biosphere Reserve “Lower Prut” (Republic of Moldova)

The article provides data on the results of monitoring rare and endangered vascular plants in the Biosphere Reserve “Lower Prut”, in the southwestern part of the Republic of Moldova. The new information on the presence of five rare species (Schoenoplectiella supina (L.) Lye, Cyperus odoratus subsp. transcaucasicus (Kük.) Kükkonen, Valerianella pumila (L.) DC., Valerianella turgida (Steven) Betcke and Veronica scutellata L.), bioecological, distributional, sozological and some populational features are presented. Schoenoplectiella supina is listed and collected for the southwestern region for the first time.

Archetypal representations of dilemmas concerning invasive alien species management—A case of invasive Lantana camara in the protected areas of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India

AbstractThis multi‐site case study on the invasive alien plant Lantana camara in protected areas of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India, addresses the reasons for inadequate institutional responses from stakeholders in managing the species despite the seriousness. The study uses thematic analysis and qualitative systems approach. The themes are converted into a qualitative‐system‐dynamics model and are then abstracted into system archetypes. The study identified three major themes: the dilemma involving stakeholders, the dilemma of alternative and commercial use of Lantana, and the Lantana management conundrum. The study translated these dilemmas into four generalisable archetypes: ‘drifting goals’, ‘modified‐shifting‐the‐burden’, ‘fixes‐that‐fail’ and ‘substitution rebound’. The latest is a novel contribution to the systems literature. Practically, the study helps understand the recurring undesired behavioural patterns in invasive species management and suggests policy and governance changes to tackle them. The study also points towards building stakeholder relationship protocols, focussing on fundamental solutions and having clear Lantana management targets.

Evaluación de las prácticas de conservación de suelo en la Subcuenca Presa Jalpan, Querétaro, México

This paper's main objective is to evaluate water erosion, and its effect on soil management and conservation practices in the subbasin Jalpan Dam, located at The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in the State of Queretaro in northern Mexico. This paper was elaborated in four stages: 1) Analysis of soil conservation practices at the study area, with information collected through semi-structured interviews and field verification; 2) Measurement of the effect in soil’s conservation practices on soil’s erodibility, by taking soil samples and in situ measurements on paired plots; 3) Estimation of water erosion and identification of priority areas for its management, by applying the USLE model of Wischmeier and Smith (1978) and the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems); 4) Estimation of sediment contribution to the Jalpan dam, using the methodology of Aveldaño et al. (1994). As a result, 40 polygons with soil’s conservation practices were located within the Jalpan Dam sub-basin, distributed mainly in the high functional zone. 22 of the 40 polygons were visited, in which 6 types of practices were spotted: reforestations with pine-cedar, maguey lines, agricultural terraces, stone barriers, stone dams and brushwood check dams. The results show deterioration on the structures, more than 30% of them require maintenance and 20% are clogged. Vegetative practices have had little success, reflected in low plant densities and low survival. As a result of the conservation practices evaluations in soil’s erodibility, it was found that in 8 of the 9 sites evaluated, the practices decreased the susceptibility of the soil to erode. It is important to establish systematic supervising mechanisms to ensure proper evaluation of every soil conservation practice condition and function.

Agroecology, tourism, and community adaptability under UNESCO biosphere reserve: A case study of smallholders in northern Thailand

AbstractThis study investigates the intersection of agroecology and sustainable tourism, shedding light on the adaptive resilience within rural communities. Focused on the delicate balance between tourism‐driven economic gains, social‐ecological enhancements, and environmental conservation, the research centers on a case study involving four communities within the Mueang Khong subdistrict of Chiang Dao, Northern Thailand. Methodologically, the fieldwork conducted in 2022 combined ecological and landscape surveys with qualitative methods, including interviews, observations, and document analysis, to capture insights into local communities' perspectives, behaviors, and experiences. By adopting an agroecological approach to tourism, these communities have demonstrated their dynamism of adaptability and resilience in response to challenges posed by existing tourism activities and emerging circumstances. A significant catalyst contributing to this adaptability is the UNESCO recognition of Doi Chiang Dao as a new biosphere reserve, fostering new collaborations among diverse stakeholders and raising awareness regarding positive ecological conservation, food diversity and security, and improved livelihoods. This study argues that the ability to adapt, aiming to cultivate thriving communities and achieve balanced economic growth, responsible tourism, social inclusivity, and resource management, stands as a fundamental pillar for sustainable development in rural areas of Northern Thailand.