Conservation Status Of Species Research Articles

Rafflesia in Mount Leuser National Park, Indonesia: An updated distribution, habitat characteristics, and conservation status

New localities and updated distribution of two endemic Rafflesia R.Br. (Rafflesiaceae) species from Mount Leuser National Park, Sumatra namely Rafflesia lawangensis Mat-Salleh, Mahyuni & Susatya and Rafflesia micropylora Meijer are reported. Rafflesia lawangensis is formerly known only from its type locality in Tualang Gepang, Bukit Lawang area (North Sumatra province), while R. micropylora is found in several localities including Sungai Jernih, Lokop, Ketambe, Lawe Mamas, and Kuala Kompas (Aceh province). Here, we report a new locality of R. lawangensis in Tangkahan (North Sumatra province) about 10 km from its type locality, and two new localities of R. micropylora in Batu Katak and in Cinta Raja (North Sumatra province). We also update the conservation status of both Rafflesia species and assess R. lawangensis as Critically Endangered and R. micropylora as Endangered. In this study, a complete distribution map of both species, habitat characteristics, and an identification key are also provided to be used for conservation managers.

Assessing the vulnerability trifecta: species, climate, and anthropogenic pressures on protected areas of the Central Indian Highlands

AbstractEfficient management of protected areas (PAs) is important to ensure conservation and long‐term sustenance of threatened species. It is therefore essential to understand the vulnerability of PAs in a multi‐pronged approach by considering the cumulative effects of species, climatic, and anthropogenic attributes. We assessed the overall vulnerability of PAs in the Central Indian Highlands (CIH), which is a landscape of high biodiversity value. Over 81% of PAs experienced medium to high vulnerability due to anthropogenic pressures, and 68.75% of PAs faced medium to high vulnerability due to climate change and conservation status of species within the PA. Our categorization of PAs revealed that 50% of PAs were vulnerable to all 3 attributes. Further, there was a strong correlation between species and anthropogenic vulnerability indices in the PAs of the CIH landscape. Our results may help local policy makers in prioritizing the optimal and cost‐effective conservation management of existing PAs, which can be extended for cost‐effectiveness and efficient resource allocation of PAs, through this multipronged approach, beyond the CIH landscape.

Changes in effective population size of Odonata in response to climate change revealed through genomics

The advent of third generation sequencing technologies has led to a boom of high-quality, chromosome level genome assemblies of Odonata, but to date, these have not been widely used to estimate the demographic history of the sequenced species through time. Yet, an understanding of how lineages have responded to past changes in the climate is useful in predicting their response to current and future changes in the climate. Here, we utilized the pairwise sequential markovian coalescent (PSMC) to estimate the demographic histories of Sympetrum striolatum, Ischnura elegans, and Hetaerina americana, three Odonata for which chromosome-length genome assemblies are available. Ischnura elegans showed a sharp decline in effective population size around the onset of the Pleistocene ice ages, while both S. striolatum and H. americana showed more recent declines. All three species have had relatively stable population sizes over the last one hundred thousand years. Although it is important to remain cautious when determining the conservation status of species, the coalescent models did not show any reason for major concern in any of the three species tested. The model for I. elegans confirmed prior research suggesting that population sizes of I. elegans will increase as temperatures rise.

Marine Citizen Science and the Conservation of Mediterranean Corals: The Relevance of Training, Expert Validation, and Robust Sampling Protocols

Marine Citizen Science (MCS) has emerged as a promising tool to enhance conservation efforts. Although the quality of volunteer data has been questioned, the design of specific protocols, effective training programs, and data validation by experts have enabled us to overcome these quality concerns, thus ensuring data reliability. Here, we validated the effectiveness of volunteer training in assessing the conservation status of Mediterranean coral species. We conducted a comparative analysis of data collected by volunteers with different levels of expertise, demonstrating improvements in data precision and accuracy with only one training session, thereby achieving values equivalent to those obtained by scientists. These outcomes align with the feedback received from volunteers through a qualitative survey. Finally, we analysed the data generated by volunteers and validated by experts using the developed protocol in the Coral Alert project from the Observadores del Mar MCS initiative. Our findings highlight the importance of proper training, expert validation, robust sampling protocols, and a well-structured platform to ensure the success of long-term MCS projects. Overall, our results stress the key role MCS plays in enhancing the conservation and management strategies designed to mitigate the ongoing environmental crisis.

Zieria nubicola (Rutaceae), a highly restricted and newly described species from New South Wales, Australia

Zieria nubicola H.K.Orel & Duretto sp. nov. (Rutaceae), a highly restricted species from Cambewarra Mountain on the south-central coast of New South Wales, is formally described and illustrated. Notes on the species distribution, habitat and conservation status are also provided.

A systematic global review of mammalian carnivore responses to production forests

Abstract Unmodified forests are increasingly rare worldwide, with forestry a major contributor to habitat modification. Extending conservation practices beyond protected areas is important to conserve forest ecosystems. We investigate the response of native mammalian carnivores (both Order Carnivora and Family Dasyuridae) to production forests globally, including harvested native forest and timber plantations. We examine how carnivores recorded in production forests use these forests versus other land uses, particularly native and/or unharvested forest; how habitat use relates to threatened status, body size, diet and harvesting method; carnivore responses to habitat features within production forests; and carnivore denning, breeding and predation behaviour in production forests. We review 294 studies recording 132 carnivore species in production forests. Carnivores generally show higher use of unharvested native forests and lower use of agricultural land than production forests. Threatened species and large carnivores respond more negatively to production forests than non‐threatened species and small carnivores respectively. Hypercarnivores respond more negatively than omnivores to plantations compared to native forest, with no difference in the use of harvested and unharvested native forest between these dietary groups. Notably, a high proportion of carnivore species use clearfelled more than unharvested native forest. In forest with partial harvesting or reduced‐impact logging, most species show no difference in use between harvested and unharvested forest. Carnivores generally respond positively to habitat features such as riparian areas and coarse woody debris. Several carnivores were recorded denning and breeding in production forests. Production forests often influence the prey availability, hunting success and diet of carnivores. We show that many carnivores use production forests, and how they respond to production forestry varies with species traits and conservation status. We recommend that production forests are managed as valuable carnivore habitat, and highlight strategies to enhance the use of these forests by carnivores.

Perceptions of pequi (Caryocar coriaceum Wittm) decline: Insights from extractivist communities in the Araripe-Apodi National Forest, Brazil

Extractivist communities continuously observe natural events and form perceptions about the conservation status of species. Given this backdrop, the aim of this study was to answer the following questions: How does the length of experience people have in extractivism influence their perception of the threat to the conservation of a plant of extractive importance? How are changes in the abundance of fruits from an extractively important plant perceived over time? To address these questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted in two communities situated around the Araripe National Forest (Flona Araripe) in Ceará, northeast Brazil. We selected the Caryocar coriaceum Wittm as our model species for the study, commonly known as “pequizeiro.” Its fruits, called “pequi,” are of significant economic and cultural importance to extractivist populations in the Brazilian Cerrado ecosystem. Participatory workshops were carried out to supplement the interview data and to understand the history of environmental changes as perceived by the local communities. Furthermore, these workshops served to compare the collectors' perceptions with recent research conducted in the region. Our findings showed that the duration of experience in collecting pequi does not influence the extractivists' perception of the conservation threat to the species, nor the perceived change in fruit abundance. Remarkably, 68.97% of the interviewees do not view pequi as an endangered species. However, 91.38% noted a significant decline in the fruit's abundance over time. While this might seem paradoxical, these results suggest that the extractivists' perception of the collected species may be more closely tied to the harvested resource than to the species. We believe this outcome reflects the foraging behavior of extractivists, as they rely on the fruits and not on other products derived from the species.

Modern Approaches to the Monitoring of Biоdiversity (MAMBO)

EU policies, such as the EU biodiversity strategy 2030 and the Birds and Habitats Directives, demand unbiased, integrated and regularly updated biodiversity and ecosystem service data. However, efforts to monitor wildlife and other species groups are spatially and temporally fragmented, taxonomically biased, and lack integration in Europe. To bridge this gap, the MAMBO project will develop, test and implement enabling tools for monitoring conservation status and ecological requirements of species and habitats for which knowledge gaps still exist. MAMBO brings together the technical expertise of computer science, remote sensing, social science expertise on human-technology interactions, environmental economy, and citizen science, with the biological expertise on species, ecology, and conservation biology. MAMBO is built around stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange (WP1) and the integration of new technology with existing research infrastructures (WP2). MAMBO will develop, test, and demonstrate new tools for monitoring species (WP3) and habitats (WP4) in a co-design process to create novel standards for species and habitat monitoring across the EU and beyond. MAMBO will work with stakeholders to identify user and policy needs for biodiversity monitoring and investigate the requirements for setting up a virtual lab to automate workflow deployment and efficient computing of the vast data streams (from on the ground sensors, and remote sensing) required to improve monitoring activities across Europe (WP4). Together with stakeholders, MAMBO will assess these new tools at demonstration sites distributed across Europe (WP5) to identify bottlenecks, analyze the cost-effectiveness of different tools, integrate data streams and upscale results (WP6). This will feed into the co-design of future, improved and more cost-effective monitoring schemes for species and habitats using novel technologies (WP7), and thus lead to a better management of protected sites and species.

Wild relatives of potato (Solanum L. sec. Petota) poorly sampled and unprotected in Colombia

AbstractWild potato relatives (Solanum L. sec. Petota) play a vital role in crop improvement, understanding crop evolution, and conserving potato diversity. However, these invaluable resources are often neglected and underutilized and are susceptible to threats such as climate change, urbanization, and agricultural expansion. Little is known about the diversity, conservation status, and distribution of wild potato species in Colombia. To address this gap, we assessed the conservation status of five wild potato relatives conserved in the ex situ Colombian Central Collection. Five species were analyzed for their spatial patterns of biodiversity, conservation status, and conservation gaps. Colombia was found to have six centers of species richness, four areas of endemism, and six biogeographical regions. Of the five native species, only one was classified as adequately conserved for ex situ conservation, while the other four were considered low priority. In contrast, for in situ conservation, three species showed high priority, one was classified as medium priority, and one as low priority. In light of these findings, we propose three conservation strategies: (1) conducting collection missions to increase accessions in the national germplasm bank, prioritizing high‐priority species; (2) identifying and protecting unprotected natural habitats and engaging stakeholders to enhance in situ conservation efforts; and (3) establishing regional community genebanks to ensure localized conservation efforts.

Ethno-medicinal plants used by Jadh Bhotiya Community of District Uttarakashi, Uttarakhand, India

In the present study, our aim was to document the traditional knowledge regarding ethno-medicinal plants used by the Jadh-Bhotiya community in the Uttarakashi district (Uttarakhand, India). A total of 54 taxa, belonging to 49 genera and 31 families, were recorded with medicinal properties. Lamiaceae, Liliaceae and Orchidaceae were the dominant families (in terms of number of species), while the top genera included Berberis, Habenaria, Malaxis and Polygonatum. Herbs constituted the dominant life form (82%), followed by shrubs and trees (9% each). Roots (20%) and the whole plant (13%) showed a higher proportion of use for medication. Powder (33%) and paste (20%) were the most frequently used drug preparation methods. Regional conservation assessment analysis revealed that 76% of the species were recorded under the 'Least Concern' (LC) category, followed by 'Vulnerable' (VU) with 13% of the species, and 11% of the species were recorded under the 'Near Threatened' (NT) category. Aconitum heterophyllum, Arnebia benthamii, Nardostachys jatamansi, Rheum australe, Saussurea obvallata and Taxus wallichiana were recorded under the ‘Near Threatened’ (NT) category. Angelica glauca, Carduus edelbergii, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Ephedra gerardiana, Lilium polyphyllum, Malaxis acuminata, and Malaxis muscifera were recorded under the ‘Vulnerable’ (VU) category, while the remaining species were recorded under the ‘Least Concern’ (LC) category. The knowledge about therapeutic information concerning plants in the study area and elsewhere is diminishing day by day. Regional-level conservation status of plant species can be helpful in the global conservation status assessment. It is recommended that conservation measures be applied for the betterment of those species falling under various conservation categories, especially the threatened ones. Additionally, more ethno-medicinal studies are recommended in such remote regions to further enhance our understanding of traditional medicinal practices and contribute to the conservation of indigenous plant knowledge.

Eragrostis shrirangiisp. nov. (Poaceae) from Uttar Pradesh, India

Eragrostris shrirangii(Poaceae), a new species from the Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India, is described and illustrated. A morphological comparison ofE. shrirangiiand the closely related speciesE. henryiandE. minoris provided. In addition, habitat details, a distribution map and the conservation status of the new species are given.

Astragalus roseocephalus, a new species of section Poliothrix from Pakistan

A new species, Astragalus roseocephalus sp. nov., is described and illustrated. It is known from Islamabad Capital Territory (Margalla hills), Rawalpindi district, Hazara and Kashmir. It belongs to Astragalus section Poliothrix Bunge. Morphologically, it is closely related to Astragalus leucocephalus Benth., but differs in height, presence of connate stipules, opposed to free lateral stipules in A. leucocephalus, stipule shape, leaf length, leaflet size, number, arrangement and shape, peduncle length, corolla colour, size and shape of standard, fruit shape and number of seeds. In addition, anatomy, pollen morphology, distribution and conservation status of the new species are discussed.

Identification Of Bycatch Sharks In The India Ocean Based On DNA Barcoding In Conservation Effort

The most potential shark fishing area in Indonesia is the Indian Ocean. One of the fishing ports that has bycatch shark is Benoa Harbor. The purpose of this research is to identify species to determine the conservation status of bycatch shark species from body tissue samples caught in the Indian Ocean in conservation efforts. The research was conducted from January to March 2021 at Pangkalan Pengawasan Sumber Daya Kelautan dan Perikanan (PSDKP) of Benoa Harbor. This study uses an exploratory method with survey techniques. The data used in this study are primary data in the form of shark fin samples in the study area and secondary data in the form of locations where sharks are caught by fishermen based on the PSDKP database. The results showed that sharks bycatch from body tissue samples caught in the Indian Ocean based on morphological identification and DNA barcoding techniques were Prionace glauca, Isurus paucus, Sphyrna zygaena, Isurus oxyrinchus, Alopias superciliosus and Carcharhinus longimanus. Bycatch sharks from body tissue samples caught in the Indian Ocean based on morphological identification and DNA barcoding techniques have close phylogenetic relationships with the Carcharhinidae, Sphyrnidae, Alopiidae and Lamnidae families. Bycatched shark from body tissue samples caught in the Indian Ocean based on morphological identification and DNA barcoding techniques has a conservation status, near threatened for Prionace glauca species, vulnerable for Sphyrna zygaena species and Alopias superciliosus species, endangered for Isurus paucus species and Isurus oxyrinchus species, critically endangered for Carcharhinus longimanus species.

Effects of a megafire vary with fire severity and forest type: The impact of Australia's ‘Black Summer’ fires on the superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae), an iconic forest species

Megafires, predicted to become more frequent with a changing climate, pose a global challenge for conservation. Initial assessments of the 2019/20 megafires of Australia's ‘Black Summer’ highlighted widespread, severe impacts for many species. Post-fire empirical investigations are critical to evaluate the distribution and conservation status of species. We investigated the impacts of megafire on the southern superb lyrebird (Menura novaehollandiae victoriae), a functionally important ecosystem engineer in forest ecosystems. We quantified the extent of lyrebird habitat burned at differing levels of severity, and how this varied among forest types. One-year post-fire, we carried out field surveys at 226 sites, stratified by forest type and fire severity, to assess the impact on lyrebirds. In total, 41.5 % (~2.1 million ha) of habitat was burned at differing levels of severity. Habitats of higher predicted quality were disproportionately affected. At one-year post-fire, lyrebirds were strongly affected by fire severity: their occurrence, as indicated by foraging activity, was greatly reduced in forests burned at high and low severity, but patchily burned forest differed little from unburned forest. Notably, foraging was almost completely absent from all sites that experienced high severity fire, except in rainforest. Rainforests (<1 % of distribution) have the greatest post-fire value for lyrebirds; they serve as local refuges for recolonization and are a priority for restoration efforts. Importantly, impacts of megafires are not uniform but vary greatly in relation to fire severity and forest type. Such knowledge is essential for long-term conservation of species of concern, including the identification and protection of refuges.

Coccoloba burkeae and C. najarroi, two new species of Coccoloba sect. Coccoloba (Polygonaceae) from Mexico

Background: Coccoloba is a Neotropical genus of trees, shrubs, and lianas with approximately 150 species. Reviwed Mexican specimens of Coccoloba do not correspond to any recognized species within the genus, so they are proposed as new species.&#x0D; Question: What are the morphological characteristics that differentiate the two new species from other Coccolobaspecies? What is its distribution and conservation status?&#x0D; Studied species: Species of Coccoloba sect. Coccoloba endemic to Mexico.&#x0D; Study site and dates: Chiapas and Veracruz, Mexico, 2022-2023.&#x0D; Methods: All available information for Coccoloba, including herbarium specimens and online databases, was reviewed. Subsequently, a comparative analysis was carried out including the two new species proposed and the recognized species in the genus. Geographic distribution maps were prepared and the conservation status of the new species was determined, following the IUCN guidelines.&#x0D; Results: Coccoloba burkeae and C. najarroi are described and illustrated as new species. Both are endemic to Mexico. C. burkeae is distributed in the humid forests of the Tuxtlas region in Veracruz and is morphologically similar to C. barbadensis, C. hondurensis and C. spicata; this species is considered in the Endangered (EN) category. C. najarroi is restricted to the humid forests of Chiapas and is similar to C. ascendens and C. ibarrae. This species is considered Critically Endangered (CR).&#x0D; Conclusions: The morphological characteristics of the fruit, the inflorescence and the leaves are important to diagnose the two new species of Coccoloba; both being endemic to Mexico.

Herpetological Collections in the Thailand Natural History Museum as a Valuable Resource for Conservation and Education

The history of collecting and cataloging Thailand’s diverse herpetofauna is long-standing, with many specimens housed at the Thailand Natural History Museum (THNHM). This work aimed to assess the diversity of herpetofauna within the THNHM collection, ascertain conservation status of species, and track the geographical coverage of these specimens within the country. The THNHM collection boasts an impressive inventory, numbering 173 amphibian species and 335 reptile species. This collection reflects the substantial biodiversity within these taxonomic groups, rivaling the total number of herpetofauna species ever recorded in Thailand. However, the evaluation of their conservation status, as determined by the IUCN Red List, CITES, and Thailand’s Wild Animal Preservation and Protection Act (WARPA), has unveiled disparities in the degree of concern for certain species, possibly attributable to differential uses of the assessment criteria. Notably, the museum houses a number of type specimens, including 27 holotypes, which remain understudied. Sampling efforts have grown considerably since the year 2000, encompassing nearly all regions of the country. This extensive and systematic collection of diverse herpetofauna at the THNHM serves as a valuable resource for both research and educational purposes, enriching our understanding of these species and their significance in the broader context of biodiversity conservation.

Current Water Management of Small Lotic Waterbodies in the Context of Nature Conservation in Germany

Small lotic waterbodies are abundant and species rich habitats, offering refuges and microhabitats to protected species of the European Union Habitats Directive. Highly impacted by water management actions, it is essential to reveal the current status and challenges of water management. The present study aims to identify relevant issues by conducting a survey concerning water management authorities. Authorities were selected according to their involvement in the management of small lotic waterbodies within the actual range of a threatened species, Coenagrion mercuriale (Odonata), which is highly dependent on water management actions and protected by the Habitats Directive. The survey involved three sets of questionnaires, (1) socio-demographic (personal) questions (2) specific questions about water management and (3) questions on the biological background. Out of 181 selected authorities, 75 participated in the survey. The results showed that though nature conservation interests are partially considered, they represented a minor factor in water management decision-making. In addition, knowledge exchange is insufficient between involved stakeholders from policy, management practice and science, which was especially reflected in the case of equipment use and accruing material. The reconciliation of both, water management and nature conservation interests, can contribute to enhance the conservation status of key protected species of small lotic waterbodies under the Habitats Directive.

Ichthyofauna of Merbau River, Leuser Ecosystem Area, Indonesia: species composition, diversity, biometric condition, potency, and conservation status

The Leuser Ecosystem Area (LEA) is one of the largest conservation areas in Southeast Asia. However, the explorations of ichthyofauna at LEA are still relatively scarce compared to other vertebrates fauna. We report the first ichthyofauna studies of the northern river of LEA in Aceh Province. This study aimed to determine the composition, diversity, biometric condition, potency, and conservation status of freshwater fish in Merbau River, LEA, Indonesia. Fish sampling was carried out at six research stations using selective gill nets, throwing net, hook, tray net, and scoop net. A total of 434 individual fish belonging to 21 species, nine families and six orders were collected from the sampling location. Cyprinidae was the predominant family obtained, namely 42.9%. Based on their conservation status, 85.7% of collected fish were categorized as Least Concern, 9.5% as Data Deficient, and 4.8% as Near Threatened. A total of 14 fish have the potential as consumption fish, two species have the potential as ornamental fish, and five others have the potential both as consumption and ornamental fish. All fish species collected had negative allometric growth patterns with growth coefficient values (b) ranging from 1.17–2.51. The diversity and evenness index of fish was categorized as moderate (H’ = 2.52) with stable conditions (E = 0.85).

Occupancy of the Ethiopian endemic Moorland Francolin in pristine and degraded Afroalpine biome using a camera trap approach.

Occupancy modeling is an essential tool for understanding species-habitat associations, thereby helping to plan the conservation of rare and threatened wildlife species. The conservation status and ecology of several avian species, particularly ground-dwelling birds, are poorly known in Ethiopia. We used camera trap-based occupancy modeling to investigate habitat covariate influence on occupancy (Ψ) and detection probability (ρ) estimates of Moorland Francolins Scleroptila psilolaema from spatially replicated surveys across both relatively pristine and disturbed landscapes in the Afroalpine biome of Ethiopia. Model-averaged estimate of across all sites was 0.76 (SD = 0.28) and was 0.77 (SD = 0.13) in the pristine landscape. The of the species in the disturbed landscape was 0.56 (SD = 0.19) and was 0.48 (SD = 0.06). As hypothesized, based on our model-averaged beta coefficient estimates (βmean ± SE), predators significantly negatively influenced the occupancy of Moorland Francolins in pristine habitat. We also found a significant positive association of occupancy with herb species richness. Contrary to our prediction, distance to road significantly negatively influence the occupancy of the species, suggesting that occupancy probability was highest in proximity to roadsides and trails in the pristine habitat. There was no significant influence of habitat covariates on the occupancy of the species in the disturbed habitat. The most important covariates that significantly influence the detectability of the species in pristine habitat included sampling occasion and precipitation. The greater occupancy and detectability of this endemic species in the pristine habitat could be linked with the particular conservation status and management of this biodiversity hotspot in the central highlands of Ethiopia. Our results suggest that strict legal enforcement is required to sustainably preserve Moorland Francolins and the ecological integrity of the entire Afroalpine biome. We recommend using camera traps in order to develop realistic and effective conservation and management strategies for rare, sensitive, cryptic, and ground-dwelling animals in the region.

Checklist, distribution, diversity, and rarity of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) in Slovakia.

Despite the essential role of mayflies (Ephemeroptera) in freshwater ecosystems and their long-term use in research and routine biomonitoring in the Carpathian and Pannonian ecoregions, their distribution data are fragmentary and outdated. All published and unpublished data on mayflies from Slovakia was gathered and a database of > 15,000 species records from 2206 localities built with the aims (i) to critically revise available data and assess the completeness of the species inventory, (ii) to identify hotspots of species diversity, and (iii) to provide a benchmark for assessment of species rarity and conservation status in the region. After the critical revision of the data covering more than 100 years, the occurrence of 109 mayfly species in Slovakia was confirmed. The species inventory appears to be nearly complete, as evidenced by the rarefaction curve and a nonparametric species richness estimator. The highest mayfly gamma diversity was recorded below 500 m a.s.l. and in streams of the fifth order, which can be considered hotspots of mayfly diversity in the region. Six species were last recorded before 1990 and thus can be considered extinct in Slovakia. Twenty-nine species could be classified as very rare, with their occurrence frequency decreasing with increasing altitude and most of them being restricted to large lowland rivers and stagnant water habitats in their floodplains. In conclusion, our study provides comprehensive data on key freshwater bioindicators and suggests increasing conservation priorities, especially in lowland river floodplains occupied by several very rare mayfly species.