Conservation Of Natural Habitats Research Articles

Study of the natural habitats of the great grasscutter (Tryonomys swinderianus TEMINK, 1827) with a view to its conservation in situ at Sangarédi, Boké prefecture

The Sangarédi area, located in the prefecture of Boké, has vegetation essentially composed of tree and shrub savannah, the natural biotope of the great grasscutter. Today, this vegetation is under serious threat from human activity, with mining companies exploiting large areas, thereby destroying the environment. This state of affairs has contributed to a reduction in the habitat of this animal, which is highly prized by the local population. The aim of the study was to contribute to the identification, location and characterisation of the habitats of the great grasscutter in Lower Guinea, with a view to its conservation in situ. A questionnaire was drawn up and applied to a sample of 260 individuals in 3 selected localities in the Sangarédi sub-prefecture. The results of this study revealed forest galleries and fallow land in which the great grasscutter is found. 54 sites were identified. The existence of the cane rat was confirmed in five (5) habitat types. In situ conservation of natural habitats is one of the safest alternatives for preserving the grasscutter.

Cumulative collision risk and population-level consequences of industrial wind-power plant development for two vulture species: A quantitative warning

Prioritizing renewable energy generation over the conservation of natural habitats and species on a large spatial scale, leads to the paradox of impacting biodiversity to mitigate climate change. In this study, we aim at quantifying the long-term demographic impact of the excess mortality caused by collisions with wind turbines on the populations of two vulture species of conservation concern. Using long-term monitoring data and Integrated Population Models (IPMs), we quantified demographic parameters and projected population trends under various wind power development scenarios. Our findings indicate that even under our most optimistic scenarios, annual collision mortality could reach up to 30 % of the current Cinereous vulture population and 7 % of the Griffon vulture population. Without further wind power expansion, both vulture populations are predicted to remain stable or increase over the next 20 years. However, the addition of 85 wind turbines is likely to drive the Cinereous vulture to local extinction within 18 years and significantly slow the growth of the Griffon vulture population. Scenarios involving larger numbers of turbines could result in the extinction of both species within two to five years for Cinereous vultures and up to 20 years for Griffon vultures, depending on space use intensity. Our results underscore the vulnerability of long-lived species to excess mortality and highlight the need for comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) that incorporate population dynamics analyses. Effective conservation strategies must include rigorous pre- and post-construction monitoring, the availability of monitoring data, and cumulative impact assessments that consider the entire foraging range of these species. Additionally, strategic planning to avoid critical vulture habitats and implementing mitigation measures in buffer zones are essential. This study emphasizes the necessity of integrating biodiversity considerations into renewable energy planning to balance the goals of energy production and wildlife conservation.

Impact of Climate Change on Animal Health and Mitigation Strategies: A Review

Climate change, a global phenomenon of present time, has emerged as the greatest challenge of the world in the twenty-first century. The impact of climate change is multifaceted and affects various aspects of the ecosystems as human, animals and environment. Climate change is one among the major threat for the sustainability of livestock systems. The direct effects of climate change on animal health are mainly due to changes in environmental conditions such as air temperature, relative humility, precipitation, drought, and flood and reflect mainly in the form of heat stress and reproductive problems. Indirect effects lead to infectious, vector borne and parasitic diseases occurrence. The mitigation strategies should focus upon climate resilient breeding and shelter management practices along with sustainable disease surveillance, conservation of natural habitats and society awareness and education.

Mustelid mugshots: photographing facial masks of European polecats (Mustela putorius) for individual recognition and density estimation using camera traps

Small carnivores play an important role in ecosystems, but their often hidden lifestyle makes them generally hard to observe. Camera-trapping methodology shows great promise as a standardized monitoring tool for small carnivores. The European polecat (Mustela putorius) is a species of conservation concern, listed on the Annex V of the EU Council’s Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora. Because of this, EU member states have to report the status of their polecat populations regularly. However, standardized methods to estimate the population size of polecat populations are currently lacking. We present a tube-based camera-trapping system, the Polecam, designed to obtain photographs of the facial masks of individual polecats. We tested the system in four study areas in southern Sweden during Spring and Autumn 2021. We obtained 52 observations of polecats, out of which we were able to identify 38 (73%) to individual. From these observations, we estimated area and season specific estimates of density for five season-area combinations using a multi-session spatial capture-recapture model. Density estimates ranged from 0.84 to 2.7 individuals/1000 ha, similar to the estimates from similar landscapes in other countries in Europe. We also obtained observations of six other species of small carnivores, suggesting that the Polecam could be used for multi-species monitoring, as well as density estimation of European polecats.

Impacts of spatio-temporal change of landscape patterns on habitat quality across Zayanderud Dam watershed in central Iran

The biodiversity of an ecosystem is greatly influenced by the spatio-temporal pattern of the landscape. Understanding how landscape type affects habitat quality (HQ) is important for maintaining environmental and ecological sustainability, preserving biodiversity, and guaranteeing ecological health. This research examined the relationship between the HQ and landscape pattern. The study presented an interpretation of the biodiversity variation associated with the landscape pattern in the Zayanderud Dam watershed area by integrating the Land Change Modeler and the InVEST model. Landsat images and maximum likelihood classification were used to analyze the spatio-temporal characteristics of the landscape pattern in 1991 and 2021. The future landscape pattern in 2051 was simulated using a Land Change Modeler. Subsequently, the InVEST model and the landscape maps were used to identify the spatial distribution of HQ and its changes over three periods. The mean values of the HQ in the study area were 0.601, 0.489, and 0.391, respectively, demonstrating a decreasing trend. The effect of landscape pattern change on HQ was also assessed based on landscape metrics, including PD, NP, SHDI, and CONTAG. HQ had a significant positive correlation with the CONTAG parameter (R = 0.78). Additionally, it had a significant inverse correlation with NP (R = − 0.83), PD (R = − 0.61), and SHDI (R = − 0.42). The results showed that the habitats in the northern region had lower quality compared to those in the southern parts of the Zayanderud Dam watershed. The density, diversity, and connectivity of landscape patches significantly influence the HQ in the study area. This research has the potential to enhance understanding of the impacts of land change patterns on biodiversity and establish a scientific basis for the conservation of natural habitats. Additionally, it can facilitate efficient decision-making and planning related to biodiversity conservation and landscape management.

IMPLEMENTATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION EFFORTS IN INDONESIA

Objective study For the analysis of the implementation of environmental law and environmental conservation efforts in Indonesia, the methods used are method study qualitative and type study studies. References . Types of studies References used for digging deep understanding about a topic or phenomenon with analyzing literature And where are the relevant sources? in study This is related to the implementation of environmental laws and environmental conservation efforts in Indonesia. As for the data, it was obtained through the study and analysis of various references, like journals, scientific articles, and documents related to the topic being researched. Then, the researcher read an interesting thread and concluded from the results, findings, and study. Results study This leads to a conclusion. In the context of implementing environmental law and environmental conservation efforts in Indonesia, this research identifies a number of key aspects. Implementation of environmental law is faced with a number of challenges, including conflicts of interest, unequal access to the law, and differences in capacity at the regional government level. However, environmental conservation efforts in Indonesia also show positive initiatives, such as natural habitat conservation, reforestation programs, and renewable energy development. Technological and social innovations are key to increasing the effectiveness of conservation efforts.

Puszcza Białowieska – konflikt rządu polskiego z Komisją Europejską

The article describes the natural background, the origin, the course and the outcome of the dispute between Poland and the European Commission which was going on in the years 2016–2018 regarding the forest management performed in the Białowieża Forest. The dispute took place on two interrelated levels: natural and legal. The main axis of the dispute between the Polish government and the European Commission was the difference of views as to what actions would prove effective in the fight against the latest gradation of the bark beetle, which occurred with exceptional intensity in the Białowieża Forest in 2015, and what actions would be most beneficial in the context of preserving rare species of birds and insects that make up the fauna of the Białowieża Forest. The article presents extensively the arguments raised by both parties to the conflict in the proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, which were initiated by a complaint filed by the European Commission. As a commentary on these arguments, the views expressed in the scientific literature as to the proper reaction in response to a recurrent infestation of the bark beetle, usefulness and efficacy of the active forest management operations questioned by the European Commission, as well as an impact of these operations on the conservation of natural habitats, insects and birds are presented. The legal dimension of the dispute boiled down to the question of what actions in the situation were allowed, required or prohibited under Polish and EU law.

Genetic Diversity in Natural Populations of the Near-Threatened Species Lignobrycon myersi (Characiformes, Triportheidae): Implications for Species Conservation.

The river basins of Brazil contain a highly diverse ichthyofauna of remarkable endemism, including several threatened species. Accordingly, Lignobrycon myersi is a fish species distributed only in a few rivers from the state of Bahia, northeastern Brazil. Since this species is classified as Near Threatened and is poorly studied, efforts to understand the genetic structure of populations and putative cryptic forms should help define efficient strategies of management and conservation. Herein, the molecular identification and the population genetic diversity of specimens of L. myersi across their range (Almada, Contas, and Cachoeira river basins) were assessed using mitochondrial markers (16S rDNA and D-Loop, respectively). The inferences based on phylogenetics, genetic distance, and species delimitation methods invariably identified all samples as L. myersi. In addition, sequencing of D-loop fragments revealed significant haplotype diversity and a considerable level of population genetic structure. Despite their geographic isolation, these data suggested that populations from Almada and Contas rivers represent a single evolutionary lineage that could be managed as a whole. In contrast, the population from Cachoeira River was highly differentiated from the others and should be managed separately as a unique and endemic unit, particularly focused on the conservation of native habitats.

How urbanisation shapes availability of provisioning ecosystem services in peri-urban Ghana

ABSTRACTProvisioning ecosystem services are under threat in peripheral areas in African cities due to urbanisation pressures. Previous studies have focused on land conversion and food crop production. How urbanisation pressures intertwine with the provisioning ecosystem services availability to peri-urban households is an empirical question, which this paper answered using Wa in Ghana as a case. The mixed method research approach was employed involving 400 randomly selected households with the aid of a questionnaire, while interviews were also conducted with relevant stakeholders. Descriptive statistics and a five-point Likert scale were used to analyse the household data, while interview responses were thematised. We observed that urbanisation adversely affected ecosystems, reducing the availability of wild fruits, fuelwood, and game to farmer households. From the households’ perspective, most of these services will disappear in the future as urbanisation intensifies. We recommend the restoration of degraded lands for the conservation of natural habitats.

Aquatic, riverside-aquatic and shrubswamp vegetation of Bile lake at «Biloozersky» NNP

The territory of the «Biloozerskyi» National Park represents the landscape complexes of the Middle Dnipro region, the integral elements of which contain ancient watercourses, swampy and waterlogged, wedged between the raised segments of the pine terrace and often connected to the modern floodplain. In the central part of such a decline (89–92 m above sea level), which is located within the park, there is a floodplain Bile Lake with a swampy island, which divides it into a smaller eastern water area of the lake and a larger western one. The periphery of the lake is surrounded by areas of swampy shores. The total area of flooded and swampy areas is about 16 hectares, of which the area of the water pond is 9 hectares. Considerable areas are represented by thickets of air-water vegetation and swamp-bog swamps with a thick cover of Sphagnum sp. The water supply of this lake is complex and is provided by both the underground waters of the pine terrace and the waters of the surface runoff. And in the presence of a swampy decline with channels connecting them into one wetland system, they provide the possibility of slow water exchange between the Kaniv Reservoir and the lake. The examined territory has a fairly rich and diverse plant complex. A number of habitats protected by Directive 92/43/EU «On the conservation of natural habitats and species of natural fauna and flora» are presented and large populations of two species of marsh orchids (Liparis loeselii (L.) Rich., Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz) and water fern (Salvinia natans (L.) All.) are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine (2009). In addition, three species protected in the Kyiv region grow here in the conditions of natural biotopes (Drosera rotundifolia L., Dryopteris cristata (L.) A. Gray, Nymphaea alba L.).

GREEN DRILLING STRATEGIES: THE RISE OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

In recent years, the oil sector has witnessed a paradigm shift towards environmental stewardship, with green drilling strategies emerging at the forefront. This paper seeks to delineate the rise of technical expertise and the adoption of environmentally friendly drilling strategies in the oil sector. The study is grounded on a comprehensive literature survey that explores the theoretical foundations of green drilling and environmental stewardship, coupled with an analysis of practical implementations and case studies. The methodology adopted in this research encompasses a meticulous literature search strategy, involving the selection of pertinent databases, formulation of keywords, and determination of search criteria. This approach facilitated the identification of inclusive and exclusive criteria for green drilling literature, paving the way for a robust data extraction and synthesis process. The study aims to evaluate the environmental impact of green drilling strategies, identify and analyze the existing challenges and opportunities, and delineate the scope of future trends and developments in this domain. Findings from the study reveal that green drilling strategies, underpinned by advanced technical expertise, have significantly mitigated the environmental footprint of oil extraction activities. These strategies have fostered a new era of environmental stewardship, characterized by reduced greenhouse gas emissions, minimized waste generation, and the conservation of natural habitats. Moreover, the study unveils a promising future outlook, where continuous innovations in green drilling technologies are anticipated to further enhance environmental sustainability. In conclusion, the paper offers strategic recommendations for the oil sector to foster the adoption of green drilling strategies. It advocates for collaborative efforts among stakeholders, investment in research and development, and the formulation of policies that promote environmental conservation. The study posits that integrating green drilling strategies is vital for environmental preservation and instrumental in sustaining the oil sector’s viability in the long run.

The prospects for legislating a national biodiversity assessment mechanism

In order to legislate and establish the biodiversity assessment mechanism, the provisions of Article 6 para. (3) and (4) of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, published in the Official Journal of the European Union L 206 of 22 July 1992. Amendments to the legal framework aimed at introducing the legal mechanism for biodiversity assessment were made by Law No 225/2022 in force from 04.11.2023 and Law No 226/2022 in force from 21.10.2023. The key aspects of the amendments related to the biodiversity assessment mechanism are: 1) the definition of „biodiversity assessment”; 2) the scope of the biodiversity assessment mechanism; 3) the link between the biodiversity assessment mechanism and the environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment mechanisms. The study aims to analyse these amendments and to outline the prospects for the establishment of a national biodiversity assessment mechanism.

REVIEW OF VLADIMIR BOCHARNIKOV's BOOK "WILDLIFE RESERVES OF RUSSIA"

At the end of 2021, the Moscow publishing house "Dialogue of Cultures" published a beautifully illustrated, informative, and simply wonderful book, an original, even unique album, an encyclopedic monograph, an illustrated catalog: "Wildlife Reserves of Russia". For the first time for the territories of Russia, the monograph provides calculations of the areas and preservation of the wild nature of our country based on GIS technologies and using computer mapping techniques. The book includes 2 parts: Reserves of Russia (total 118 - from A to Z) and Subjects of the Russian Federation (88 territories, also from A to Z). The author is Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Vladimir Nikolayevich Bocharnikov, a leading researcher at the Pacific Institute of Geography of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a hunter, organizer of a number of scientific expeditions, Russian ecologist, geographer, international expert on biodiversity, writer. Initiator and leader of a series of international and interdisciplinary projects in the field of study and conservation of biological diversity, conservation of natural habitats of animals and birds. Scientific expert on biogeocenology, forestry, hunting and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. Chairman of the working group for the preparation of a new edition of the Red Book of rare and endangered species of animals and plants of the Primorsky Territory. Author of about 30 monographs and about 550 scientific papers. This is a magnificent modern capacious publication (large format - 60x90/8) about all the protected areas of Russia. For the first time in Russia, a printed paper edition appeared, which lists and provides brief information about all the reserves and the main subjects of the Russian Federation (118 reserves located (from Azas to Yalta mountain forest) in 88 regions of the country (from Adygea to the Yaroslavl region)) with highlighted shading large integral areas. The peculiarity of this encyclopedia about the listed reserves is not only in their arrangement in alphabetical order - from “A to Z”, but also in a brief summary of all the latest information available about each of them, as well as the first ever presentation of information about the reserves of our country with using GIS technologies used to calculate the cartographic area of pristine nature, indicating the location on the map-schemes of the location of these territories.

REVIEW OF VLADIMIR BOCHARNIKOV's BOOK "WILDLIFE RESERVES OF RUSSIA"

At the end of 2021, the Moscow publishing house "Dialogue of Cultures" published a beautifully illustrated, informative, and simply wonderful book, an original, even unique album, an encyclopedic monograph, an illustrated catalog: "Wildlife Reserves of Russia". For the first time for the territories of Russia, the monograph provides calculations of the areas and preservation of the wild nature of our country based on GIS technologies and using computer mapping techniques. The book includes 2 parts: Reserves of Russia (total 118 - from A to Z) and Subjects of the Russian Federation (88 territories, also from A to Z). The author is Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Vladimir Nikolayevich Bocharnikov, a leading researcher at the Pacific Institute of Geography of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a hunter, organizer of a number of scientific expeditions, Russian ecologist, geographer, international expert on biodiversity, writer. Initiator and leader of a series of international and interdisciplinary projects in the field of study and conservation of biological diversity, conservation of natural habitats of animals and birds. Scientific expert on biogeocenology, forestry, hunting and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. Chairman of the working group for the preparation of a new edition of the Red Book of rare and endangered species of animals and plants of the Primorsky Territory. Author of about 30 monographs and about 550 scientific papers. This is a magnificent modern capacious publication (large format - 60x90/8) about all the protected areas of Russia. For the first time in Russia, a printed paper edition appeared, which lists and provides brief information about all the reserves and the main subjects of the Russian Federation (118 reserves located (from Azas to Yalta mountain forest) in 88 regions of the country (from Adygea to the Yaroslavl region)) with highlighted shading large integral areas. The peculiarity of this encyclopedia about the listed reserves is not only in their arrangement in alphabetical order - from “A to Z”, but also in a brief summary of all the latest information available about each of them, as well as the first ever presentation of information about the reserves of our country with using GIS technologies used to calculate the cartographic area of pristine nature, indicating the location on the map-schemes of the location of these territories.

First floristic investigation in archaeological sites of Iran: features and plant richness of the Pasargadae World Heritage Site

ABSTRACT Archaeological areas often become hotspots for biodiversity and refugia for plant species. The management activity of a site permits the conservation of natural habitats. This first contribution to the floristic assessment of an Iranian archaeological site, aims to preserve its natural values. The Pasargadae World Heritage Site (6th century BC) located at the border between the Zagros mountains and the Irano-Turanian region, showed a richness of 244 species, belonging to 38 families and 163 genera. The most represented families are Asteraceae (56), Poaceae (34), and Fabaceae (22). Herbaceous species represented 90% of the flora [therophytes (42%), hemicryptophytes (39%), and geophytes (9%)]. Asiatic, Irano-Turanian, and Mediterranean species are the most recurrent species with a high component of endemic ones. Astragalus ghashghaicus, Taraxacum plicatulum, Acantholimon serotinum, and Linaria farsensis were among the more interesting floristic elements. The comparison with past data, even if limited in quantity, indicated a good floristic conservation status. This research also showed the need to deepen our knowledge of the taxonomic features of this Iranian flora, sometimes still resulting in an ambiguous or unresolved status. The collected floristic data will help in elaborating management protocols, to enhance the cultural and natural value of the site.

Honey bee foraging and pesticide exposure in a desert urban agroecosystem

The negative impacts of industrial farming on honey bee health have been widely recognized regarding pesticide use and natural foraging habitat loss. An assessment of suitability of urban farms regarding honey bee health is necessary for sustainable development of agriculture and apiculture in urban settings. Urban farms that adopt organic farming practices with restrictions on synthetic pesticide use and conservation of natural habitat can potentially create an environment to mitigate these environmental stressors on honey bees. In this experiment, bee-collected pollen was taken from honey bee colonies that were located on five organically managed urban farms located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to evaluate pesticide exposure and forage use. We also explored the influence of hive equipment on honey bee health in a high desert climate. We found that honey bees on organic urban farms were not stressed by pesticides with limited pesticide types detected (2 out of 187), low residue levels (< 20 µg/kg) and low toxicity (either no, or low toxicity with LD50 at 1,450,300 µg/kg). Honey bees had access to diverse forage resources based on pollen barcoding data. When comparing hive equipment between 10-frame, 8-frame Langstroth and top bar hives, it was determined that 8-frame hives could significantly enhance honey bee health including colony survival and weight growth, comb construction and brood production. Our results suggest that organic urban farms are appropriate locations for securing honey bee health and food safety in a desert climate; while, the selection of hive equipment should be considered when mitigating environmental stress to colonies.

The influence of chronic anthropogenic disturbance and precipitation on endemic birds in a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest

The current study investigated the effects of increase chronic anthropogenic disturbance (people pressure; grazing pressure and wood extraction), decreased precipitation, and the interaction of these factors on endemic bird species in the largest Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest found in South America, the Caatinga. The study was conducted in Catimbau National Park, Pernambuco, Brazil. We sampled endemic birds in 20 plots distributed across gradients of chronic anthropogenic disturbance and precipitation, through standardized censuses. We found isolated negative effects of people pressure and wood extraction on the richness and abundance of endemic birds. On the other hand, the number of species and individuals of birds were positively affected by the interactive effects of high precipitation levels and intense grazing. Species were affected and responded differently to the isolated and interactive effects of chronic anthropogenic disturbance predictors and precipitation. Our results demonstrated that different sources of chronic anthropogenic disturbances and decreases in precipitation regimes have pervasive effects on birds endemic to the Caatinga. In addition, they demonstrate the importance of well managed protected areas for the preservation and conservation of natural habitats and maintenance of biodiversity.

ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ПРАВОВОГО РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ТА ОХОРОНИ ДИКИХ ТВАРИН ЗА ЗАКОНОДАВСТВОМ УКРАЇНИ ТА ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКОГО СОЮЗУ

The article considers the legal basis for the protection and use of wild animals under the legislation of the European Union and Ukraine. The environmental policy pursued by the European Union and Ukraine in the field of wildlife protection is analyzed, in particular, the Association Agreement ratified by Ukraine with the European Union and the Member States. The main aspects and features of the joint efforts for the protection of wildlife are studied, their shortcomings are identified, as well as the approaches to eliminate them are suggested. The author pays special attention to the analysis of the Directives of the Council of the European Union in the field of wildlife protection. Particularly, the Directive of the Council of the European Union «On the protection of wild birds» provides for the creation of the necessary conditions for the protection, management and control of wild bird populations, as well as regulates the use of certain species in the European Union. The Directive lists 175 species of birds which are the responsibility of the Member States of the European Union and contains an exhaustive list of permitted species of birds. The above-mentioned Directive provides a basic legal protection for wild birds from being caught and slaughtered, as well as for the protection of their habitat, in particular concerning the protection of endangered birds and their migratory species. Some Directives of the Council of the European Union are analyzed, the purpose of which is to promote the conservation of biological diversity by protecting the natural habitats of wildlife. In particular, the Directive of the Council of the European Union «On the conservation of natural habitats of wild fauna and flora» provides for the conservation of about 450 species of animals whose extraction is prohibited and establishes lists of wildlife habitats and their species, as well as methods of conservation. The obligation to implement special protection measures to ensure the protection of wildlife habitats rests with the Member States of the European Union. Some other Directives of the Council of the European Union are analyzed, the priority purposes of which are the protection of wild fauna. The national legal framework and law enforcement activities carried out on the territory of Ukraine in the context of the use and protection of wild animals need to be improved and refined in terms of measures provided by the state to protect wildlife.

Cryptic diversity of Oxythyrea flower chafers and its implication for conservation of non‐forest biotopes in the Balkans

Abstract Flower chafers (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Cetoniinae) are usually associated with saproxylophagous life strategies, and several of these taxa are considered as flagship species of insect conservation in Europe. Here, we discuss the significance of soil‐dwelling flower chafers for the conservation of natural habitats by reporting the rediscovery of two relict, habitat specialist flower chafers of the genus Oxythyrea in Europe. We compare the observed population structure of both species with their widespread congeners and discuss the detected deep genetic divergences among populations of both species, O. dulcis and O. albopicta. Surprisingly, deep genetic structure has been observed among the psammophilous O. dulcis, which is quite counterintuitive as psammophilous habitats are rather ephemeral and these species tend to be very vagile. Populations of soil‐dwelling, habitat specialist flower beetles may represent relicts of the past paleogeographic events, and their conservation value has to be thoroughly assessed.

Evaluation of growth responses of six gymnosperm species under long-term excessive irrigation and traits determining species resistance to waterlogging

In the era of extreme weather events, plant resistance to excessive water should be considered for plantations in frequently flooded areas to ensure their maximum survival and conservation of natural habitats. Therefore, we quantified the resistance to excessive irrigation (REI) in seedlings of six conifer species on the basis of their morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits. Two different irrigation regimes, natural precipitation as a control treatment and additional irrigation by sprinklers (30.89 ± 2.80% above natural precipitation) as excessive irrigation, were applied for three consecutive years. The changes in the morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits under long-term excessive irrigation were species-specific. There were three distinct responses in biomass accumulation: drought-susceptible Chamaecyparis obtusa and Abies holophylla significantly increased their aboveground and underground biomass and showed a strong REI; Pinus thunbergii and P. densiflora, both resistant to drought, significantly decreased their aboveground and underground biomass and showed a weak REI. Larix kaempferi and Pinus koraiensis showed a medium REI with only aboveground biomass increment in the former and no biomass change in the latter. Plant biomass responses corresponded well with the changes in morphological, physiological, and biochemical traits. Biomass augmentation resulted from an increase in leaf size, leaf mass per area (LMA), maximum photosynthesis rate, and leaf water potential. Flavonoids, LMA, and stomatal conductance are the most important traits to assess species REI. This study elucidates plant responses to excess water and traits that drive their tolerance. The findings will help in the selection of species for flood-tolerant afforestation programs and establishment of sustainable forests in regions with increased frequency and severity of excessive rainfall.