Dendrobium crumenatum grows extensively in Indonesia, with certain specimens preserved in nature conservation areas such as the Bogor Botanical Gardens (BBG) and the Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP). Nevertheless, its abundance is frequently underutilized. This study investigated the metabolite profiles of D. crumenatum (leaf and stem) preserved in BBG and UKNP based on untargeted metabolomics of UHPLC-HRMS. The samples were classified using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Variable Importance in Projection (VIP), heatmap, K-means, and correlation network plots. The D. crumenatum samples were further evaluated for their antioxidant and antibacterial activities, and the mechanism was predicted through molecular docking targeting specific enzymatic processes in pathogenic bacteria. The results showed a correlation between the metabolite profile and the geographical location of each conservation site. Soil nitrogen content and rainfall significantly affected the abundance of metabolites in D. crumenatum leaves and stems. UKNP leaves exhibit greater antioxidant activity through the ABTS radical scavenging (IC50 99.23µg/mL) and FRAP (200.78mg TE/g) mechanisms. Meanwhile, BBG leaves have the highest antioxidant activity by inhibiting DPPH radicals (IC50 242.5µg/mL). It might be attributed to the electron transfer associated with a high concentration of phenolic compounds. BBG leaf and stem extracts provided the highest inhibition against P. aeruginosa with values of 70.15% and 86.44%, respectively. Further study by molecular docking on Penicillin-Binding Protein 2 (PBP2) expressed by P. aeruginosa showed that the abundant phenolic compounds from the metabolomic profile exhibited strong binding affinity.

Urban environments are increasingly considered as potential sites for pollinator conservation, yet quantitative evaluations of insect translocations into cities remain limited. We report the outcome of a small-scale translocation of the native cavity-nesting bee Exoneura robusta from forest habitat into an urban campus in Melbourne, Australia. Adult bees from natural nests were relocated into artificial balsa-wood nests and installed across shaded and open microhabitats within an urban greenspace. Nest-level success was defined as the presence of brood in the first summer following translocation and the presence of adults the following winter, indicating completion of a full annual cycle. We hypothesized that the native cavity-nesting bee Exoneura robusta can successfully establish in urban environments following translocation, and that nest success is associated with initial adult group size, canopy cover, or local floral richness. Of the eleven artificial nests established, six met this criterion for success. We used binomial generalized linear models to test whether initial adult group size, canopy cover, or local floral richness were associated with nest success. None of the measured variables showed strong support relative to a null model, suggesting that simple nest-level predictors did not explain variation in establishment outcomes within this small experimental dataset. Successful nests occurred across a range of urban microhabitats, including open sites adjacent to built infrastructure and locations beneath dense canopy. Our findings demonstrate that E. robusta can persist for at least one annual cycle following translocation into an urban environment. Although limited in scale, this study provides initial evidence that native cavity-nesting bees can establish within compact urban greenspaces and highlights the need for larger experiments incorporating finer-scale biotic and microclimatic measurements.

We introduce an index based on the composition of amphibian communities that can be used to assess and monitor over time the biotic integrity of wetlands and to evaluate the priority of these sites for conservation. The Rwanda Anuran-based Biotic-Integrity Index (RABI) integrates three sub-indices, which reflect the conservation priority of species based on their distribution in Rwanda, their conservation status, and their susceptibility to habitat alteration. The functionality of the RABI was tested on 51 wetland sites distributed over the five ecozones of Rwanda. The wetland sites showed a wide range of RABI values, with marked differences between the different ecozones. The RABI reliably identified sites with a high number of threatened, range-restricted, and habitat-sensitive species and sites with high species richness. Although wetlands in agriculturally exploited areas often had high anuran-species numbers, their assemblages contained mostly widespread generalist species, resulting in lower RABI values compared to sites with lower species numbers but with threatened, specialized species. Wetlands within the four Rwandan national parks had particularly high RABI values, confirming that these areas require special protection. We identified five sites with high conservation value outside the national parks that should be considered for future protection.

Paphiopedilum, owing to its high ornamental value and ecological sensitivity, has become one of the flagship groups for global biodiversity conservation. Our study focuses on Paphiopedilum subgen. Brachypetalum, employing the BIOMOD2 package to build ensemble models (EMmedian) that predict the responses and shifts of suitable habitats under LIG, MH, current, and future (2050s and 2090s under SSP scenarios) conditions, and overlaying these predictions with existing protected areas to assess their effectiveness for current and future conservation. The results showed that: (1) the ensemble models exhibited high predictive performance (AUC > 0.9 and TSS > 0.8), and mean temperature of the driest quarter (bio9) and precipitation of the driest month (bio14) are the key driving factors influencing the distribution of subgen. Brachypetalum. (2) At present, subgen. Brachypetalum occurs mainly in three core regions: the southern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau adjoining northern Indochina, the Guizhou-Guangxi border, and the Yunnan-Guizhou junction zone. In future climate scenarios, the suitable range of subgen. Brachypetalum is projected to shrink (the area of highly suitable habitat projected to decrease by 75.85%-99.92%) and migrate northward to northwestward, centering on southwestern Guizhou Province. (3) Although existing protected areas provide partial protection for subgen. Brachypetalum, they are inadequate to fulfill conservation needs under future climate conditions. To cope with global climate change, we recommend establishing or expanding reserves or conservation sites in stable and highly suitable areas within the border region of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Guangxi, centered on southwestern Guizhou, to ensure the long-term persistence of subgen. Brachypetalum under changing climatic conditions.

Cibulao Village has significant potential for ecotourism development, particularly through coffee cultivation. However, this potential requires strategic planning and effective promotion. This study analyzes the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of coffee ecotourism in Cibulao Village and develops a promotional media that supported by geographic information system using the ArcGIS StoryMaps platform. The methods included interviews, observation, and documentation involving managers, tourists, and the local community. The research results show good potential in developing coffee ecotourism, such as a tourism concept that promotes education on conservation coffee cultivation area and sites but still faces challenges in infrastructure and limited development possibilities due to land ownership and area status. The development of ArcGIS StoryMaps can be an alternative interactive promotional media based on geographic information system technology that is more effective and efficient because it shows the potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges that are depicted in real time tracking map and storytelling.

Abstract An inventory of terrestrial small mammals was conducted at five sites in southeastern Sierra Leone with the aim of documenting species diversity, abundance and distribution. Trapping was done using Sherman live traps, Victor traps, Tomahawk live traps and pitfall traps in five habitats across five sites. Based on morphological and DNA barcode-based identification, we recorded a total of 28 terrestrial small mammal species, including 20 rodents and eight shrews in 13,770 trap nights with an average trap success rate of 7 %. We document a possible country record for the rodent species Dephomys cf. eburneae , raising the total known rodent species for the country to 42 species. Furthermore, we document first country record for the shrew species Crocidura longipes , raising the total known shrew species for the country to 15. This study contributes to the knowledge and conservation of terrestrial small mammal diversity and occurrence in Sierra Leone and also provides baseline information for the five study sites. Finally, this study further demonstrates the potential importance of the study sites for conservation of terrestrial small mammals in Sierra Leone.

Chemical profiling of the folk medicinal plant Hippobroma longiflora as a tool for selecting ex-situ conservation site

The coral monitoring system is designed to monitor coral growth and survival rates, integrated with weather forecasts and real-time information on marine environmental conditions at the Bahoi Likupang coral conservation site in North Minahasa Regency. The goal is to provide tourists and attraction managers with information on favorable weather and marine conditions for coral planting. Predictive analysis was performed using the Decision Tree algorithm, which demonstrated an accuracy of 85%, a precision of 0.83, and a recall of 0.87. These results demonstrate the model's ability to predict rainfall and identify patterns of relationships between environmental parameters. Field trials demonstrated that the IoT system is capable of transmitting real-time data to a web-based dashboard to display sea temperature, humidity, and weather forecasts. The integration of the predictive model and the real-time monitoring system provides an early warning function for potential environmental changes that could threaten coral reef health.

Enset is a perennial plant and a multi-purpose crop used in Ethiopia. Phenotypic traits were important to predict the production and productivity of enset. This research was conducted in Gurage Zone at Yefereziye enset conservation site with the objective of effect of quantitative and qualitative phenotypic traits on Enset (<i>Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman</i>) yield and genotypes from 2020 to 2021. The evaluation was conducted using a single plot experiment method, with a total of 15 plants within a column. Data were collected randomly within five tagged Enset genotypes within a row. The result reveal that the quantitative data were highly significant (P≤0.001) among the enset genotypes. The higher pseudostem circumference, pseudostem height, and Plant height were recorded from Ashikit (121.4cm, 154.6cm and 494.2cm), Shebeshertiye (120.8cm, 139.4cm and 436.8cm), Zereta (118.4cm, 135.8cm and 438cm), Kanchiwe (130.4cm, 22.6cm and 418cm) and Zigbot (126cm, 120.8cm and 433.4cm), Yeshraqinqe (101 cm, 139.8 cm and 463.2cm); Ageremariam (103.8cm, 145.8cm and 480.4 cm) and Tikurbadedet (131cm, 110.6cm and 419cm) respectively. In qualitative trait assessment the dominant color trait was, for pseudostem brown 3 (0.4%), lower leaf part was light green (95.7%), upper part of midrib was green (95.7%), lower midrib was reddish (56.52%) and lower part of petiole was black (34.8%) colors within the enset genotyps. Therefore, from the current research the following enset land races were, Ashikit, Shebeshertiye, Zereta, Kanchiwe, Zigbot, Yeshraqinqe, Ageremariam and Tikurbadedet enset genotypes were well performance and recommended to the local farmer to enhance their livelihoods.

Two adjacent estuaries in South Africa differ markedly in their assessed biodiversity, conservation status and management style: one, a flagship site, is considered to support the richest estuarine biodiversity in the country, receives the management and protection of a National Park, and attracts much research attention; the other is regarded as having an impoverished macrobenthic fauna, bears no formal conservation status, and is much less studied. To test whether these supposed contrasts in biodiversity are simply a reflection of differential levels of scientific attention, the biodiversity, abundance and nature of the macrobenthos in a representative habitat, beds of the endangered seagrass Nanozostera capensis that dominate both estuaries, were compared in apparently equivalent upstream (estuarine and lagoonal) locations of the two systems using identical field research effort and methodology. There the neglected and supposed impoverished estuary (the Keurbooms/Bitou) was found to support as great, if not greater, macrobenthic biodiversity, in greater abundance, and with more numerous rare endemics than the flagship conservation site (the Knysna estuarine bay). Its previously considered species poverty appears entirely due to inadequate earlier investigation, particularly in respect of its invertebrate fauna. Of the two, Keurbooms/Bitou also has the merit of being less accessible and less anthropogenically impacted. This study highlights the consequences of basing conservation assessments on incomplete biodiversity data, and stresses that a uniform programme of investigative fieldwork is critical for the meaningful ranking of sites. It also emphasises the extent to which non-bait species of invertebrate are often ignored in estuarine management protocols to the detriment of local and overall conservation management aims. • Seagrass biodiversity status of two estuaries compared using uniform methodology. • The biodiversity of one ranked ‘exceptionally rich’, the other ‘unexpectedly poor'. • Comparable investigation shows the ‘poor’ site equally rich if not the richer. • Biodiversity comparisons are critically dependent on equivalent and accurate data. • Insufficient attention is given to benthic invertebrates in estuarine assessments.

An integrated assessment of β-diversity towards setting priorities for molluscan conservation in a large subtropical river.

The Semporna Priority Conservation Area (PCA) in Sabah, Malaysia, is a Coral Triangle biodiversity hotspot increasingly threatened by destructive fishing, coastal development, and climate change. To address these challenges, this study assessed the distribution of Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) corals across ten islands alongside community conservation attitudes. Underwater surveys recorded six EDGE species, with Heliofungia actiniformis being the most abundant (n = 123 colonies), especially at Sebangkat, Larapan, and Sibuan. Conversely, Nemenzophyllia turbida and Lithophyllon ranjithiwere entirely absent. Overall, EDGE corals were largely concentrated in the central PCA, an ecologically vital but heavily impacted zone. Concurrently, household surveys (n = 47) across four islands revealed significant variations in environmental awareness (p = 0.003), with Larapan scoring the lowest. While awareness of fish bombing was uniform across the sites, Bum Bum residents demonstrated a significantly higher willingness to combat the practice (p = 0.041). Synthesizing these results identifies Larapan as the most critical site for species-specific conservation, whereas Selakan and Bum Bum present strong opportunities for community-led engagement. These findings highlight the critical need to integrate ecological data with local social perceptions to prioritize conservation effectively. Establishing Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) in Semporna is recommended to safeguard threatened corals and empower local stewardship, directly contributing to Malaysia’s biodiversity goals, the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30×30 target, and the Coral Triangle Initiative.

The practice of rice–fish production dates back to the 15th–12th centuries BC in ancient China (Halwart and Gupta 2004). This symbiotic farming method offers numerous benefits for both rice cultivation and fish rearing. Fish thrive in a protected environment without the need for additional feed, while simultaneously contributing to the control of aquatic insect pests, soil aeration, and plant fertilisation. In Hungary, rice was cultivated on a scale of approximately 50,000–60,000 hectares prior to the 1960s, and carp production in rice fields was developed but declined with the onset of agricultural intensification. The subsequent use of insecticides temporarily halted this organic approach. However, in recent decades, increasing interest in organic rice production has led to a renewed focus on rice–fish systems and related research (Simon-Kiss 2001). In 2010 and 2012, experiments were conducted in Szarvas, Hungary, in which weatherfish ( Misgurnus fossilis ) and crucian carp ( Carassius carassius ) fingerlings were stocked in rice paddies for a two-month rearing period from July to September. The objectives of the study were to assess the growth and survival of these species and to evaluate the technology for future research and development. Following an unsuccessful preliminary trial with weatherfish in 2010, the experiment was repeated in 2012. Two paddy fields were stocked with fingerlings as follows: field "Monoculture": 250 crucian carp (total length [TL]: 13 ± 1.6 mm) field "Biculture": 250 crucian carp (TL: 13 ± 1.6 mm) and 400 weatherfish (TL: 15 ± 2.6 mm). field "Monoculture": 250 crucian carp (total length [TL]: 13 ± 1.6 mm) field "Biculture": 250 crucian carp (TL: 13 ± 1.6 mm) and 400 weatherfish (TL: 15 ± 2.6 mm). The fish adapted well to the agricultural environment and exhibited good growth under extensive rice-fish rearing conditions. Final body weights of weatherfish juveniles ranged from 4.1 to 18.9 g, while crucian carp reached 1.9–18.5 g. Survival rates varied between species, with weatherfish showing a survival rate of 10.5% and crucian carp survival ranging from 36.0% to 40.8%. No statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in final body weight or survival rates of crucian carp between the monoculture and biculture in rice fields. However, Fulton's condition factor was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the monoculture system, indicating a slight negative effect on crucian carp growth performance when reared in biculture with weatherfish (Table 1). These preliminary observations suggest that rice fields may serve as effective sites for the ex-situ conservation of weatherfish and crucian carp. During the 45-day experimental period, both species exhibited strong performance and high growth potential. Further research is required to optimise the technology and improve the survival and harvesting efficiency of weatherfish. Rice fields represent suitable habitats for the extensive rearing of juvenile fish, while the biological control provided by these species can also support organic rice production (Suppl. material 1).

This ecological assessment was carried out in the Duluti Catchment Forest Reserve (DLFR), located in Arumeru District, Tanzania, whereby the biological diversity of both flora and fauna was assessed. A stratified sampling approach was employed to capture variations across vegetation types and associated fauna, including birds, small mammals, reptiles, and insects. Vegetation sampling followed the Whittaker plot method, while bird diversity identification was done using line transects and point counts. Butterfly, small mammal, and reptile data were collected using visual transects, sweep nets, Sherman traps, and pitfall arrays. The vegetation types identified within the reserve included moist/riverine forest, dry forest, bushland with scattered trees, and a floating island. Each habitat exhibited distinct plant communities: The results revealed high biodiversity in most groups: trees (H' > 4.1), non-tree woody plants (H' = 3.06), small mammals (S = 7, H' = 1.6834), birds (S = 12, H' = 1.9158), and insects (S = 36, H' = 1.9346). Reptiles showed lower diversity (S = 4, H' = 0.8104), potentially due to habitat specificity or sampling limitations. The findings highlight DLFR as a significant conservation site, with protected vegetation playing a critical role in supporting rich faunal communities. The study recommends adopting participatory management approaches, controlling invasive species like Montanoa hibiscifolia, and conducting further assessments during the rainy season to capture seasonal species and improve species identification accuracy.

Myrcia (Myrciinae, Myrteae, Myrtaceae) is one of the most diverse genera of Neotropical angiosperms, with ca. 790 species. In the Brazilian state of São Paulo, 11 species of Myrcia sect. Myrcia have been identified, being characterized by a hypanthium not or only slightly extended longitudinally above the ovary apex, non-gomidesioid anthers, and a calyx divided into five sepals. During taxonomic studies in the montane dense ombrophilous forest of Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar-Núcleo Cunha (PESM-NC), in São Paulo state, a population that does not correspond to any previously known species of Myrcia sect. Myrcia was found. After detailed morphological analyses and comparisons with type specimens and original descriptions, we describe it as a new species. Myrcia barbata sp. nov. is morphologically similar to M. bracteata in the presence of golden hirsute indumentum on the branches and leaves measuring 3–10 cm in length, as well as bracteoles subtending the floral buds, but differs by having elliptic leaves (vs. lanceolate), inflorescences arranged in three-flowered dichasia (vs. panicles with 8–20 flowers), sessile leaves (vs. shortly petiolate, 1–3 mm), a densely pubescent hypanthium (vs. pubescent to sericeous), obtuse-triangular sepals (vs. lanceolate), and ovate bracteoles (vs. elliptic). Myrcia barbata also resembles M. eriopus, sharing hirsute young branches and leaves 3–10 cm long, in addition to bracteoles subtending the floral bud. Myrcia barbata differs from M. eriopus by its elliptic (vs. lanceolate) leaves, inflorescences reduced to three-flowered dichasia (vs. panicles with 10–25 flowers), discolorous (vs. concolorous) leaves, sessile leaves (vs. shortly petiolate, 1.8–3 mm), revolute (vs. flat) leaf blade margins, a densely pubescent (vs. hirsute) hypanthium, and conspicuous (vs. inconspicuous) bracteoles. We provide a list of Myrcia sect. Myrcia species recorded in São Paulo State (including Myrcia bracteata, which is not found in São Paulo), as well as a dichotomous identification key and comparative data table including morphological characters such as branch and leaf morphology (shape, size, color, indumentum), leaf blade margin, petiole length, inflorescence type, bracteole and sepal features, hypanthium indumentum, and fruit characteristics. Known only from the type locality, the new species occurs 1,100 m above sea level and flowers between September and January. Myrcia barbata exhibits an extremely restricted distribution inside a conservation site but the low number of known individuals led to the classification of its conservation status as Data Deficient.

Taxonomic knowledge is essential for assessing biodiversity. When combined with species’ spatial distribution, it serves as a tool for understanding ecological and evolutionary processes. In this study in the Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, we associate the taxonomic diversity of shrub–tree Leguminosae with species locations across an island continuum with different Atlantic Forest phytophysiognomies. A total of 428 specimens, representing 61 species, were recorded and mapped. Our survey identified areas requiring increased sampling effort and highlighted priority sites for conservation, based on diversity, taxonomic representation, and the presence of threatened species. The highest species richness and specimen abundance were concentrated below 500 m a.s.l., within Lowland and Submontane Dense Ombrophilous Forests. Notably, only four species were represented by more than 20 specimens, while nearly 50% of species had just two specimens in the island’s vegetation sampling.

The worsening climate crisis, depletion of natural resources, and global economic uncertainties have reshaped development paradigms and brought the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the forefront of higher education agendas. Architectural education, due to its direct influence on the built environment and social life, plays a strategic role in advancing sustainability-oriented thinking. This study was conducted at Abdullah Gül University (AGÜ), which integrates the SDGs into its mission, vision, and departmental curricula. All undergraduates are required to complete five sustainability-focused courses before their senior year, providing a structured foundation for subsequent design education. The research examines how this prior exposure to SDG-focused learning influences other departmental courses, with particular attention to a third-year design studio held in Fall 2022 in the Architecture Department. The studio, located in Divriği, a historic town in Sivas recognized as an urban conservation site, was not explicitly centered around the SDGs but structured around a social responsibility theme that implicitly aligns with them. Through thematic and content analysis of thirty-three students’ project briefs, the study explores which SDGs were addressed and how they were translated into design strategies. Findings indicate varying levels of engagement, suggesting that earlier coursework may implicitly inform students’ ability to express sustainability concerns in culturally sensitive contexts.

This study provides the first detailed documentation of large-scale illegal bryophyte harvesting within a European nature conservation site. Forested areas of Northeast Hungary are recurrently affected by such activities, with several cases already resulting in official criminal proceedings. Although commercial bryophyte harvesting is not explicitly prohibited within the European Union, it is indirectly constrained by the conservation framework of the Habitats Directive. Our objective was to assess the conservation biological consequences of removing a substantial volume (296 kg air-dry weight; 8.7 m3) of bryophytes. Sixteen bryophyte species, including one liverwort and fifteen mosses, were identified in the confiscated material. Harvesters primarily target Hypnum cupressiforme, a moss species favored for decorative wreath production, with demand increasing prior to All Souls’ Day in Hungary. Illegal collectors typically operate in small groups within forest stands proximal to settlements, concentrating their activity on the bark of Quercus trees and andesite rock surfaces. Terricolous bryophytes and associated soil substrates were entirely absent from the collected material. Comparative analysis revealed that the bryophyte flora of the affected forest stands is more diverse than that represented in the harvested samples. This indiscriminate illegal bryophyte harvest threatens protected forest habitats and necessitates improved monitoring and stricter enforcement.

Seagrass meadows are a complex habitat and currently under threat, mainly by anthropogenic impacts, like coastal development and eutrophication, but also by extreme weather events, like heat waves and rising marine temperatures due to climate change. The populations of Zostera noltii along the Lower Saxony North Sea coast have significantly declined in recent years, necessitating urgent and intensive investigations to identify the causes in order to take necessary actions. Many studies on seagrass meadows are conducted through direct field investigations. However, these studies have drawbacks, as they can only provide a fragmented picture of living conditions, environmental influences, and changes within a complex ecosystem over time. This is especially true in the intertidal Wadden Sea, where access is limited to a few hours per day. Here, automated measuring instruments that collect data consistently over a long period offer a promising alternative, with the potential to significantly enhance data collection and our understanding of seagrass ecosystems. Here, we present the possible application and advantages of a measurement system for investigating key ecological parameters in intertidal seagrass meadows, including a new expandable measurement station equipped with a multi-parameter probe, current meters, and light sensors. In combination, these devices measure the environmental conditions at low and high tide to show a comprehensive picture of the growing conditions of Z. noltii. We discuss data processing, challenges in application, potential for expansion, and advantages, while also presenting example data. Unlike existing measurement devices, our developed measurement station has the advantage of expandability, accommodating more sensitive water-measuring devices, as well as a large battery capacity. Live data collection via a 3G network is also integrated and can be enhanced by mounting additional antennas. The current meters we use provide long-term, high-resolution current data from the intertidal seagrass meadows, leading to an understanding of the possible mechanical stressors Z. noltii is exposed to. We also applied several filters to the light and temperature data collected by low-cost sensors to extrapolate the attenuation at the seagrass meadows. When used correctly, automated measurement systems have great potential to provide high-resolution data on environmental conditions in Z. noltii meadows, enabling early detection of emerging stressors and facilitating the identification and evaluation of suitable sites for conservation or restoration.

Abstract Turtle conservation tourism represents a niche form of sustainable tourism that integrates biodiversity protection with community engagement. Despite its ecological significance, turtle conservation tourism in Malang, East Java, remains underdeveloped due to fragmented marketing practices, passive community involvement, and weak collaboration among stakeholders. This study employs a qualitative descriptive approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with nine key informants, field observations, and analysis of documents and digital media at two main conservation sites: Bajulmati and Tamban beaches. The findings suggest that current promotional activities heavily rely on informal, volunteer-driven initiatives, characterized by minimal branding coherence and limited digital presence. Local communities, although actively involved in operational conservation tasks, have not been meaningfully integrated into tourism promotion or decision-making, thereby reducing their ownership and long-term stewardship incentives. Furthermore, institutional collaboration between conservation groups, government agencies, and tourism operators remains ad hoc and lacks a strategic framework. Nevertheless, the study identifies considerable potential for enhancing turtle conservation tourism through storytelling-based marketing, participatory tourism experiences, and digital engagement strategies tailored to younger, eco-conscious travelers. Embedding conservation narratives into branding, empowering local communities as cocreators of tourism products, and strengthening cross-sector partnerships are identified as critical pathways to achieve greater visibility, inclusivity, and sustainability. This research contributes to the discourse on responsible tourism by demonstrating how the alignment of ecological imperatives, community empowerment, and innovative marketing can transform turtle conservation tourism into a replicable model of sustainable destination development.