Nature Conservation Research Articles

The optimization of water tourism management in Sumber Maron, Malang and Umbul Ponggok, Klaten

Abstract Water tourism is an eminent sector potential to build Indonesians’ welfare. Water tourist destination that can attract tourists today is Umbul Ponggok, located in Klaten, Central Java and Sumber Maron in Malang, East Java. Both tourist destinations have water-based tourism concept by utilizing surrounding natural environment and empowering local people in their management. Therefore, this research aims to compare the optimization of water tourism management based on natural environment and the community empowerment. This research used a qualitative research method with phenomenological approach to see holistic information on water tourism management developed in both tourist objects. The result shows that in its management, Umbul Ponggok keeps attempting to maintain natural conservation and pays much attention to natural conservation and surrounding environment. It is similar to that in Sumber Maron prioritizing natural environment aspect and likewise surrounding community empowerment. Sumber Maron always attempts to review all tourism activities. However, the management existing in Sumber Maron is still far below standard existing in Umbul Ponggok. Therefore, the future tourism management should pass through some stages including trial, update, and public and village government participation to support the advancement of water tourism.

Collaborative Educational Study on Traditional Medicine and Biodiversity Conservation within UNESCO Biosphere Reserve

We investigated the potential synergies between Ayurveda and Kampo within the context of biodiversity conservation in Mt. Hakusan Biosphere Reserve, to elucidate the linkages between traditional medicinal practices and conservation efforts. Methodology: 20 Indian students with backgrounds in Ayurveda and Nature Conservation from The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU) participated in an educational program at Mt. Hakusan Biosphere Reserve in Japan, facilitated by Kanazawa University. The program included lectures, fieldwork, and interactive sessions comparing Ayurveda with Kampo to explore connections with biodiversity conservation. Data were collected through pre- and post-program surveys to assess participants' awareness levels and perceptions, alongside qualitative methods such as participant observations. Results: Findings indicate a significant increase in awareness about UNESCO Biosphere Reserves among participants following the educational intervention. Students perceived the program positively and expressed interest in further research within Biosphere Reserves. However, some respondents reported only marginal increases in awareness, suggesting potential areas for program improvement. Conclusions: The study underscores the potential for cross-cultural collaboration in advancing traditional medicine and biodiversity conservation. Positive participant responses highlight the efficacy of educational programs in fostering awareness and interest in sustainable healthcare practices, with implications for future research and educational initiatives. Keywords: Ayurveda, Kampo, Traditional Medicine, Biodiversity Conservation, Biosphere Reserve, Cross-cultural collaboration

Assessing the influence of ruminating ungulates on forest regeneration and young stands in Slovakia: results from the National Forest Inventory

Abstract Our analyses utilized data from the latest National Forest Inventory conducted in Slovak forests in 2015–2016. Specifically, we included data on approximately 21,737 trees grown on forest land and 3,342 trees on non-forest land, all with a height of up to 1.3 meters. Browsing emerged as the second most frequent limiting factor for regeneration on forest land, following light deficiency, whereas on non-forest land, it ranked third after ground vegetation and light deficiency. Our results revealed the highest browsing rates on goat willow (47.8%), silver fir (39.3%), and rowan (35.1%). Conversely, certain commercial tree species exhibited relatively low browsing rates, notably Norway spruce (13.9%), European beech (8.1%), and oaks (6.2%). Among abiotic factors, exposition and slope were found to be significant, the south aspect was associated with the highest browsing rates, while browsing rates decreased with increasing slope steepness. Planted trees were more frequently browsed than those of natural origin. At the same time, higher trees (height between 0.5 m and 1.3 m) were browsed more frequently than small trees (under 0.5 m). Furthermore, significant differences in browsing frequency were observed among specific territories (hunting sub-regions), with the heaviest browsing occurring in the southwestern and northeastern parts of Slovakia, as well as in the Rimavská Sobota district. Given that reducing browsing pressure primarily relies on hunting activities, which are outside the forestry sector, close collaboration between foresters and hunters is essential. Additionally, hunting strategies in the near future must consider also the needs of other sectors such as forestry, agriculture, and nature conservation.

Sustaining Soil Health in High Tunnels: A Paradigm Shift toward Soil-centered Management

This review was conducted to synthesize current knowledge, learn producer and Extension specialist perspectives, and identify gaps in understanding of the role of soil health in sustaining production in high tunnel (HT) systems. This synthesis includes findings from scholarly resources related to soil health in HTs, including research and Extension-based literature, perspectives from experienced HT producers and technical assistance providers, and the direct observations of a broad network of university research and Extension personnel working with HTs. Findings are intended to identify knowledge gaps and additional research and Extension resource needs of greatest priority to the HT producer community and technical assistance providers that support them at the time of publication. A review of 68 research articles and 58 Extension resources was conducted. Focus group interviews were conducted with small groups of experienced HT farmers in four regions of the eastern half of the United States, with in-depth farm case studies conducted in individual farmers in three of these regions. Growers across regions identified soil fertility management, soilborne diseases, soil compaction, and lack of consistency of soil analyses specific to HTs as the greatest soil-related challenges to HT production. Research and resources for technical assistance providers on mitigation strategies to remediate yield-limiting HT soil conditions, such as excessive soil salinity and high pathogen populations, were also lacking. As such, process-based research on techniques such as leaching, soil steaming, solarization, and anaerobic soil disinfestation in tunnels that consider short- and long-term costs, benefits, and effects on soil and plant productivity should be prioritized in the future when considering the impact of HT production on soil health. Interviews also indicated a need for networking opportunities for technical assistance providers across agencies (e.g., Natural Resources Conservation Service, Extension, nongovernmental organizations). Despite a high and increasing rate of adoption, there is currently a lack of information about maintaining HT systems. Given that HTs play a critical and growing economic role for specialty crop growers throughout the eastern United States, comprehensive intervention across the research–Extension spectrum to sustain productivity in HT systems is recommended.

Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly for the Chinese Serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) Provides Insights Into Its Taxonomic Status and Evolution.

Chinese serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii) is mainly distributed in the south of Yellow River in China, which has been listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, the reference genome of serow has not been reported and its taxonomic status is still unclear. Here, we first constructed a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of C. milneedwardsii using PacBio long HiFi reads combined with Hi-C technology. The assembled genome was ~2.83 Gb in size, with a contig N50 of 100.96 Mb and scaffold N50 of 112.75 Mb, which were anchored onto 24 chromosomes. Furthermore, we found that the Chinese serow was more closely related to muskox, which diverged from ~4.85 million years ago (Mya). Compared to the karyotype of goat (2n = 60), we found the Chinese serow (2n = 48) experienced six chromosome fusions, which resulted in the formation of six central centromere chromosomes. We also identified two positively selected genes (MYH6 and DCSTAMP) specific to Chinese serow, which were involved in 'viral myocarditis' and 'Cardiac muscle contraction'. Interestingly, compared to other Caprinae animals, the MYH6 protein of Chinese serow occurred two mutations (E1520S and G1521S), which might be related to hypoxia tolerance. The high-quality reference genome of C. milneedwardsii provides a valuable information for protection of serows and insights into its evolution.

Anthropogenic activities along the Lake Nyasa catchments alter the habitat and genetic diversity of a Lake Salmon, Opsaridium microlepis

The Lake Salmon, Opsaridium microlepis is an economically important fish along the Lake Nyasa. However, the species is under threat of extinction due to anthropogenic activities such as agriculture, mining, urbanization, and deforestation. Consequently, the fish species is currently regarded as a threatened species, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has red-listed the species due to an apparent decline in abundance. The current study assesses the potential impact of human activities on the genetic diversity of O. microlepis using partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences and microsatellite loci. The results indicate that genetic diversity is lower in the areas affected by human activities compared to relatively pristine areas. The results from this study may suggest that human activities taking place in the catchments are likely to contribute to the alteration of the genetic diversity of O. microlepis species. Thus, immediate measure is required to control anthropogenic activities in the areas to protect the species and other aquatic organisms from possible threats of extinction.

Long-term stability in protected-areas? A vision from American/New World amphibians

Protected areas (PA) have proven to be one of the best ways to conserve biodiversity against environmental changes. Amphibians are considered the most threatened group, with habitat loss due to deforestation identified as their major threat. Here, we assessed for each PA of the American continent: 1) amphibian’s occurrence (Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) vs. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) data); 2) temperature velocity and estimated the climate residence time, and using the latest models of the land future use; 3) we estimated the changes of natural vs. modified cover in three future scenarios. Amphibian occurrence showed differences between databases, while GBIF data shows that 52 % of the amphibian species occurring in the continent are in PA, based on IUCN data, 85 % are protected. Results from climate change show a low pace of climate velocity during the last century that is maintained in the green scenario (SSP126). However, change in temperature increases in rate in the rest of the scenarios, with scenario SSP58 showing the highest velocity of temperature change. Future estimates of residence times in PA show that lower levels as emission scenarios tend to be higher. These results are worrisome since climate lag, specifically temperature increase over the PA will probably affect amphibian communities as shown in previous studies. Changes in climate patterns have a direct—mostly negative—impact on amphibians’ ability to disperse and reproduce. The results of land use change were unexpected, since the categories showed minimal changes. However, the data on urbanization changes do not seem to be reflecting the trends of other databases, which may be causing artifacts in the comparisons in the future models of land use. Further research will be necessary to evaluate the extent of similarities and differences in future projections of land use including urbanization and human population between different databases.

Seal of approval: Public preferences for the conservation of endangered Saimaa ringed seal

In species conservation, various options for conservation measures typically exist, yet their implementation may lead to conflicts among different population groups. Heterogenous preferences toward conservation measures often stem from the utilization of natural resources, whether for livelihood or recreational purposes. This study, focusing on the Saimaa ringed seal, a symbol of nature conservation in Finland, examines both population size and conservation measures. We distinguish the stated preferences between recreational visitors to Lake Saimaa, fishers at the lake, and individuals residing in other parts of Finland without direct use of the lake. To measure preferences, we utilize a choice experiment that incorporates both population size and the most promising conservation measures as attributes. The findings reveal significant variations in willingness-to-pay estimates between visitors and non-visitors, as well as between fishers and non-fishers. Interestingly, all population groups expressed a preference for a moderate increase in the seal population and a fair extension of conservation measures, rather than opting for a robust extension of measures. This insight emphasizes the importance of considering diverse stakeholder perspectives when designing and implementing species conservation strategies.

Giving nature half of Cyprus: The quest for conservation allies

Increasing conservation targets to protect biodiversity and safeguard sustainability is seen as one-way for humankind. The Half earth concept proposed by E.O. Wilson led to a debate over whether and how this can be achieved given increasing societal needs and pressure for land. The new European Biodiversity Strategy (EBS) for 2030 calls among other things forbinding targetstorestore degraded ecosystems setting an ambitious target of 30 % of the EU’s land areas under legal protection with 10 % of EU land under strictly Protected Areas. A concept which is gaining ground globally as a potential ally in this effort is ’other effective area-based conservation measures’ (OECMs). The aim of the paper is to demonstrate how biodiversity conservation can be achieved on a Mediterranean island, beyond existing Protected Areas, by ’giving nature half’ on the terrestrial realm. We assess the role of conservation ’allies’ in Cyprus, by identifying potential OECM areas on the island, according to the IUCN criteria. We mapped their spatial relationship with the Natura 2000 network and propose OECM areas, which present greater conservation potential in the long term. Potential OECMs areas, which may act complementary to the N2K, extend to c. 50 % of the island. What we propose herein can serve as a model for rethinking and redesigning nature conservation in Mediterranean islands

Effect of lateral extent of pulp tissue removal on the outcome of partial pulpotomy for managing cariously exposed mature permanent molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis: A randomized clinical trial.

The aim of this study is to compare the outcomes of restricted partial pulpotomy (R-PP) versus extended partial pulpotomy (E-PP) for managing cariously exposed mature permanent molars with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP). This double-arm, parallel designed randomized clinical trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (registration number: NCT05406557). Following random allocation, 43 participants of each group received the designated intervention. In the R-PP group, 2-3 mm of superficial pulp tissue was removed only from the exposure site, while chamber was completely de-roofed and 2-3 mm of superficial pulp tissue from entire chamber was removed in the E-PP group. Haemostasis was achieved using 3% sodium hypochlorite-soaked cotton pellets. Upon haemostasis, ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate (ProRoot MTA) was placed over the pulpal wound, overlaid with a resin-modified glass ionomer liner, and restored with composite resin in the same visit. Outcome measures included clinical and radiographic success evaluation at 6 and 12 months, and pain assessment using the visual analogue scale pre-operatively and daily for 7 post-operative days. Nonparametric tests were used for variables including patient's age, pain intensities, mean analgesic consumption, and haemostasis time. Categorical variables including gender, caries type, analgesic intake, hard tissue barrier formation, clinical and radiographic success, and pulp sensibility responses were assessed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Tooth survival was analysed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. A total of 81 cases were analysed at 12 months follow-up. Comparable success was observed in both groups (97.6% in E-PP & 97.5% in R-PP; p > .05). The R-PP group reported significantly lower pain scores on the 1st and 2nd post-operative days than E-PP (p < .05) and required significantly less analgesic intake (p < .05). Hard tissue barrier formation was significantly lower in the R-PP group (p < .05). No significant differences were observed between groups regarding haemostasis time, pulp sensibility responses, and tooth survival (p > .05). Both the PP approaches exhibited comparable success for managing cariously exposed mature permanent molars with SIP. Given the conservative nature of R-PP, it may be used as preferred PP approach for managing such cases. Being the first study of this kind, further work is necessary to draw definitive conclusions.

Representasi Gender dan Ekologi di Media: Perspektif Ekofeminis

Critical views see the media not only as a tool of the dominant group but also as a producer of ideology. The media helps spread its ideas and control other groups, it is also a subject that constructs reality, complete with its views, biases, and partisanship. Suara Aisyiyah magazine is one of the mass media published since 1926 and is the oldest women's magazine in Indonesia. So it is very interesting to read how Suara Aisyiyah provides discourse on ecofeminism. An approach that seeks to understand and address the root causes of social injustice, ecological imbalance, and exploitation of nature by linking the close relationship between the oppression of women and the oppression of nature. This study uses a qualitative descriptive analysis research method by describing each data which is then analyzed in detail and synthesized effectively. The results state that Ecofeminism in the Suara Aisyiyah magazine that is built is a relationship related to the role of women in nature conservation in the form of protection, utilization, and preservation of natural resources, maintaining family food security, and access to utilizing natural resources for the daily economy.

The Conservation Challenge: Environmental and Legal Aspects of One-Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) Protection in India

The natural environment, with its lush landscapes and diverse ecosystems, serves as a vital refuge for a wide array of majestic animals and vibrant plant life, playing a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of our planet's ecological systems. One particularly remarkable species, the Greater One-Horned Rhino, faces the serious and pressing threat of being classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to rampant poaching and the relentless loss of its natural habitat. In the Indian subcontinent, home to a significant population of these incredible creatures, the rhino's existence is under severe jeopardy, leading to distressing conflicts between human communities and the rhinos as the animals venture beyond protected areas in search of sustenance. Despite the presence of both national and international regulations, the peril to their existence persists, casting a shadow over their future. It is imperative that we take swift and effective measures to safeguard this magnificent species. This paper is dedicated to thoroughly examining the status of the Greater One-Horned Rhinos and to proposing practical and viable solutions aimed at ensuring their protection and survival for generations to come.

Not Everyone Likes Manatees: Fishers' Perceptions Unveil Opportunities and Challenges for Manatee Conservation in the Swamp Complex of Ayapel, Colombia

ABSTRACTGreater Caribbean manatees Trichechus manatus manatus face complex conservation challenges throughout their distribution range, many of which are associated with human factors; and in consequence, the subspecies is considered Endangered (EN) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Human‐related threats as hunting for meat consumption, collisions with boats, entanglement in fishing nets, pollution and loss of habitat put the Greater Caribbean manatee at risk in Colombia. Studies aiming to describe traditional knowledge and local perceptions provide information that can be useful to design local manatee conservation programmes. We analyse the fishers' perceptions regarding manatees in Ayapel, Córdoba. One hundred semi‐structured interviews were conducted, focusing on personal data, fishing practices, perceptions and knowledge about the manatees. According to the interviews, bycatch is the greatest threat to manatees (56%), followed by pollution (16%), whereas boat collisions (12%), hunting (11%) and drought (5%) are lower ranking threats. Our results demonstrated that participants have a good understanding of manatee biology and ecology. However, a human–manatee conflict was evidenced, as 39% of fishers consider that manatees negatively impact fishing by competition for the fishing resources and/or by damaging fishing gear. We recommend strengthening awareness about the importance of manatee to guarantee an optimal management of this subspecies and its habitat. Fishers should be directly involved in the formulation of management and conservation plans for the subspecies, as their knowledge becomes critical to understanding and mitigating the risks to manatee populations. This work has a clear application to understand the human factor in manatee recovery not only in our study area but also in other locations where manatees share habitat with people, particularly in marginalized human communities.

Slope Stability Analysis Throughout Road Around Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) using Fellenius Method

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) is a nature conservation area in Indonesia. The slope stability of the interprovincial roads in BBSNP needs to be assessed for slope stability. This study assesses slope stability using the Fellenius method for the factor of safety calculation. The data utilized consists of geological and structure regional conditions, soil descriptions, soil physical and mechanical properties, water content, liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, specific gravity, soil strength, slope dimensions, and slope weight. The sampling process is conducted un-disturb, followed by laboratory testing. The laboratory tests conducted include soil elasticity and plasticity, soil cohesion, and internal friction angle. The critical slopes at LT-L01 and LT-L23 are compromised due to the low cohesion values, making both slopes susceptible to landslides. The stable slope at LT-R04, LT-L15, LT-L19, and LT-R30 exhibit variability properties across the slopes. The lithology for slope LT-R04 consists of inorganic clay with high plasticity, slopes LT-L15 and LT-R30 have same lithology of silty clay with medium plasticity, while slope LT-L19 has lithology of silty clay with low plasticity. The safety factor values indicate stability due to moderate - high cohesion, contributing to slope stability. Material compaction is required to enhance cohesion values on the slopes. Additionally, need to mitigate water saturation conditions in the slope materials.

Cityscapes of Hunting and Fishing: Yoruba Place-Making and Cultural Heritage for a Sustainable Urban Vision

Literature on African urbanism has generally lacked insight into the significant roles of hunters and fishers as city founders. This has resulted in a knowledge gap regarding the cultural foundation of the cities that could enhance policy frameworks for sustainable urban governance. This article examines corollaries related to the complementarities of hunting and urbanism with case studies from the ethno-linguistic Yoruba region in southwestern Nigeria. Through qualitative methodologies involving ethnography and the (oral) history of landscapes of hunting from the pre-colonial and (British) colonial periods, as well as tracing the current cultural significance of hunting in selected Yoruba cities, the article reveals data that identify hunters and fishers as city founders. It shows that hunting, as a lived heritage, continues to be interlaced with cultural urban practices and Yoruba cosmology and that within this cultural imagery and belief, hunters remain key actors in nature conservation, contributing to socio-cultural capital, economic sustainability, and urban security structures. The article concludes with recommendations for strategies to reconnect with these value systems in rapidly westernizing urban Africa. These reconnections include the re-sacralization of desacralized landscapes of hunting, revival of cultural ideologies, decolonization from occidental conceptions, and re-definition of urbanism and place-making in light of African perspectives despite globalization. In doing so, the article contributes to a deeper understanding of the interconnections between the environmental and societal components of sustainability theory, agenda, and practice in urban contexts; underscores the societal value of lived heritage, cultural heritage, and cultural capital within the growing literature on urban social sustainability; and sheds more light on southern geographies within the social sustainability discourse, a field of study that still disproportionately reflects the global northwest.

Developing a European aquatic macrophyte transfer function for reconstructing past lake-water chemistry

Quantitative paleoecological reconstructions using biological proxies, such as diatoms, Cladocera, and chironomids, have revolutionized paleolimnology and have greatly contributed to the understanding of the past local and regional environmental changes, as well as to nature conservation. While macrophytes are good ecological indicators, they have rarely been used to reconstruct past lake-water chemistry. The present study investigates which environmental variable best explains aquatic plant community composition in Finnish, Polish, and Swedish lakes for its further use in quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstructions. The method involved the creation of a modern macrophyte-environment calibration dataset, calculation of modern calibration functions using simple averaging regression, and final reconstruction of past environmental conditions in Lake Linówek (NE Poland) from a fossil assemblage using weighted averaging calibration. The data demonstrate that conductivity and alkalinity best explained macrophyte community composition in our dataset. Species “optima” for alkalinity were influenced by the presence/absence of carbon concentrating mechanisms (CCMs), enabling the utilization of HCO3− as a carbon source. Quantitative paleoenvironmental reconstruction indicates that past water conductivity and alkalinity fluctuated depending on internal lake processes and the supply of basic ions to the lake from the catchment related to climate and soil development in the watershed during the late Glacial (∼14,500–11,700 calibrated years before the present; cal BP) and the Holocene (11,700 cal BP–recent). We conclude that macrophytes can be successfully used for past lake-water chemistry reconstruction. Furthermore, calculated modern calibration functions for conductivity and alkalinity can be used in nature conservation for determining habitat requirements of numerous endangered macrophyte species as a basis for successful (re)introductions.

Synergy of Environmental Education Programs at The Bodogol Nature Conservation Education Center, Complementing The Independent Curriculum at Junior High Schools

Synergy of Environmental Education Programs at The Bodogol Nature Conservation Education Center, Complementing The Independent Curriculum at Junior High Schools

Pest Control and Safety Management Monitoring in Outdoor Plantation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Captured Images

The National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, exhibits and studies Korea’s diverse ecosystems to communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation to the general public. The site faces the challenge of preserving the natural environment while ensuring visitor convenience. This requires systematic data collection to quickly detect and respond to threats from pests and natural disasters. In this study, high-resolution orthoimages were acquired to monitor ecological changes using unmanned aerial vehicles. Images were captured through flights monthly from March to July 2024. Digital elevation models and orthoimages were generated to identify dead trees and assess areas of damage caused by heavy rainfall. The study covered an area of 998,655 m2, and the image resolution was 3.6 cm/pixel. The orthophotos were useful in identifying plant pest damage. They also helped evaluate damage caused by rain, showing that the total area of damage was 29,384 m2, mainly due to soil erosion. Furthermore, it is expected that the accumulation of such unmanned remote sensing image data can also be applied to the safety management of various natural conservation areas and public facilities.

Plant Translocations in France: Identifying Gaps between Knowledge, Practice and Perception by Conservation Actors.

In the current context of global changes, threatened flora is declining and homogenising at the expense of rare and protected species. Among conservation biology and ecological restoration techniques, plant translocation is one of the recommendations increasingly used. However, translocation remains risky and is recommended as a last resort to conserve protected flora in land use planning. Furthermore, it raises ethical questions partly linked to genetic processes. In this context, we studied how plant translocations are perceived by conservation actors in France, including their genetic aspects. The analysis of translocation perception complements that of feedback on concrete translocation operations and allows us to provide a qualitative assessment of current practices. We have adopted an interdisciplinary approach to survey different types of actors in nature conservation, involved or not in at least one stage of translocation operations (preparation, implementation and monitoring). Three main types of translocation perception divide our sample quite strongly (50% favourable/ 45% unfavourable/ 5% undecided). Surprisingly, their professional activity or the level of involvement in such an operation have no influence on their opinion on translocation, nor on the proposals of alternative measures. Only 15% of the actors involved in translocations used genetic data at least once. To conclude, it would be necessary to promote the sharing of feedback from past experiences. This would allow an up-to-date list of species unacceptable for translocation. Comparing the results of different protocols and implementation conditions for the same species or group should improve overall translocation success rates.

Influence of coronavirus disease 2019 on attitudes toward forest biodiversity and nature conservation

The goal of this study is to better understand public perceptions of biodiversity loss, with a focus on the connections between deforestation and the eventual extinction of plants, animals, and birds. In Malaysia, a questionnaire study covering five variables &amp;ndash; deforestation, the extinction of mammals, birds, and plants &amp;ndash; as well as the moderating effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on public attitudes toward biodiversity loss &amp;ndash; was conducted. Using online survey methods, 505 valid responses in total were acquired, and SMART-PLS was used for data analysis. Deforestation (the independent variable) is significantly and positively correlated with the extinction of birds, mammals, and plants, respectively. The study also demonstrates how COVID-19 moderates animal extinction and its impact on public perceptions of biodiversity protection. However, statistical study shows that popular perceptions of biodiversity protection are not significantly impacted by the loss of birds or plants. This study adds to the body of knowledge on the importance of public attitudes in reducing environmental degradation by providing a thorough analysis of popular attitudes toward biodiversity protection. The research has important ramifications for governments and organizations working to promote environmentally friendly behaviors, improve ecosystem sustainability, and encourage environmentally friendly organizations.