Conservancy Research Articles

Protecting wilderness or rewilding? An ecoregion-based approach to identifying priority areas for the protection and restoration of natural processes for biodiversity conservation

Amidst the global decline in biodiversity, there are growing calls for more ambitious conservation targets and practices, including a renewed focus on protecting and restoring natural processes. However, little is known about suitable areas for process-oriented conservation and its different strategies. In this paper, we identify priority areas for process-oriented conservation following an ecoregion-based approach. Using the Alpine Space programme area as a pilot study area, a Wilderness Quality Index is calculated and mapped based on spatial indicators reflecting variations in naturalness, human impact, remoteness, and ruggedness. To identify priority areas for process-oriented conservation, the 10% of areas with the highest wilderness quality are identified for each ecoregion (‘ecoregional approach’) and compared with the identification of the 10% wildest areas of the entire study area (‘conventional approach’). The results show significant differences in priority areas between the two approaches, with those identified by the ecoregional approach being of lower wilderness quality, more dispersed across the study region and different elevation classes, and smaller in size. The ecoregional approach results in a greater coverage of ecosystem- and species-level diversity, yet it highlights a greater need for complementing the protection of wilderness in less modified regions with rewilding initiatives and the expansion of the protected area network in ecoregions with significant human activity. Based on these findings, we discuss the potential and challenges that an ecoregion-based identification of priority areas brings for biodiversity conservation, protection and restoration practice, and local communities. The ecoregion-based approach and the findings of this study can inform initiatives under the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, in particular the target to ‘strictly protect’ 10% of the EU’s land and sea.

Energy-based corridor identification for mammals between protected areas in Iran.

Body mass plays a crucial role in determining the mass-specific energy expenditure during terrestrial locomotion across diverse animal taxa, affecting locomotion patterns. The energy landscape concept offers a framework to explore the relationship between landscape characteristics and energy expenditure, enhancing our understanding of animal movement. Although the energy landscape approach solely considers the topographic obstacles faced by animals, its suitability compared to previous methods for constructing resistance maps and delineating corridors has not been comprehensively examined. In this study, we utilized the enerscape R package to generate resistance maps in kilocalories (kcal) by incorporating digital elevation models (DEMs) and body size data (kg). We assigned body sizes ranging from 0.5 to 100 kg to encompass a wide range of small and large mammals in Iran, adjusting maximum dispersal distances accordingly from 50 to 200 km. By analyzing these scenarios, we produced four resistance maps for each body size. Next, we identified potential corridors between terrestrial protected areas in Iran using the Linkage Mapper toolkit and examined barriers and pinch-points along these paths. Our study revealed significant findings regarding the shared corridors between small and large mammals in Iran's landscape. Despite their differing body sizes and energy requirements, many corridors were found to be utilized by both small and large mammal species. For example, we identified 206 corridors for mammals weighing 500 g, which were also recognized as the least-cost paths for 100 kg mammals. Thus, embracing a comprehensive method in resistance map creation, one that incorporates species-specific traits and human infrastructure becomes imperative for accurately identifying least-cost paths and consequently pinpointing pinch points and barriers.

Protected forest: economic benefit and sustainability analysis of conservation, production, and tourism area (Puntang, West Java)

Protected forest: economic benefit and sustainability analysis of conservation, production, and tourism area (Puntang, West Java)

Landscape context affects patch habitat contributions to biodiversity in agroecosystems

AbstractEffective conservation schemes are needed to advance the dual objectives of biodiversity conservation and agronomic production in agricultural landscapes. Understanding how plant and arthropod taxa respond to both local habitat patch characteristics and landscape complexity is crucial for planning effective agri‐environment schemes. This study investigated the relative effects of local variables (plant and insect diversity ≤100 m from patch habitat center) and landscape variables (landscape composition and configuration metrics ≤5 km from patch habitat center) on the diversity of plants and arthropods within noncrop habitat patches (1) at different spatial extents ranging from 0.1 to 5 km, while (2) quantifying differential effects of local and landscape variables on particular components of diversity (i.e., species richness and abundance), and accounting for (3) particular components of landscape extent (0.1‐, 0.5‐, 1‐, 2‐, and 5‐km radii) and complexity (i.e., landscape composition and configuration). Landscape variables were significantly correlated with local plant and arthropod species richness and abundance at all spatial extents. Biodiversity responses to landscape variables were largely scale‐dependent, as pairwise comparisons were significantly different between all spatial extents except between 1‐ and 2‐km extents, and correlations were lowest at the 5‐km extent. Partial R2 values for predicting local biodiversity were highest when both local and landscape variables were included as predictors of species richness and abundance, increasing from 0.163 to 0.469 when landscape variables were included, underscoring the importance of considering both local and landscape effects on local diversity. Landscape configuration variables accounted for more variation in plant and arthropod species richness than composition variables. However, models performed best when composition and configuration were considered together rather than alone, suggesting that both components of landscape complexity should be considered for identifying and managing conservation areas in crop fields. Existing conservation schemes that incentivize farmers to create or conserve seminatural patch habitat within crop fields may be more effective when combined with landscape‐scale designs that enhance landscape complexity across the Northern Great Plains. Local conservation efforts should be coordinated with landscape‐level efforts to ultimately enhance biodiversity and desired ecosystem service outcomes across agricultural landscapes.

Biodiversity centers of fauna in the urbanized landscape of Eastern Podillia: taxonomic richness and conservation prospects

Statement of the problem and goal. Vinnytsia region now demonstrates one of the lowest indicators of provision of natural protected areas and objects (2.27% of the region’s area). The regional figure for Vinnytsia is even lower, which is 1.65% of the city’s area. The need of the day is to study the localities of rare species of biota, rare biotopes, and migration routes of animals in an urbanized environment as potential objects for the development of protected areas. Materials and methods. Determination of the optimal methodology for identifying the taxonomic structure and ecological groups of the studied fauna based on the analysis of literary, cartographic, and stock materials. To assess the geocomponent representativeness of the fauna of the urban environment, expedition research methods were used. Systematization of terrestrial and terrestrial-aquatic taxonomic groups of fauna was carried out using empirical methods. Identification of characteristic traces and remains is used to record animals through visual observation. Audio Moth v.1.2.0 recording devices and an Echo Meter Touch 2 active bat detector were used to record owls (Strigiformes, Aves) and bats (Chiroptera, Mammalia). With the help of control catches, as well as through analysis of the catches of amateur fishermen, the species composition of fish was established. Results and discussion. Under conditions of significant technogenic transformation of the biotopes of the tract and nearby aquatic landscapes, a relatively rich zoocenosis has formed. This zoocenosis unites synanthropic and local species of birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians and fish. This is facilitated by the combination of a wide range of facies that provide the trophic and topical needs of animals. The territory of the tract, thanks to the rich species composition of animals and stable interspecies connections, can effectively serve as a center for the conservation of biodiversity and an educational, ecological and aesthetic mission in an urban landscape. Scientific novelty. A specific faunal complex of the park, the mouth of the town of Tyazhilivka and the adjacent part of the Sabarovskoe reservoir has been identified. It includes 104 species of animals of the genus Chordata: class Mammals (Mammalia) - 14 species, class Birds (Aves) - 66 species, class Reptiles (Reptilia) - 4 species, class Amphibians (Amphibia) - 4 species, class Orthoptera (Actinopterygii) – 16 species. Research materials are the basis for the creation of a nature conservation area and the expansion and optimization of the existing natural reserve network of the urban environment.

Feed Management of Beef Cattle Smallholder Farmer in the Conservation Area of Madura Beef Cattle

Abstract Indonesia has consistently failed to achieve its meat self-sufficiency target in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2014. Precisely during this period, the volume and value of feeder cattle and meat imports increased. One of the causes of failure to achieve the self-sufficiency target is still not achieving economic efficiency. The central and local governments have made efforts to implement the national cattle development roadmap. However, smallholder farmers, who account for 95% of the total farmers in Indonesia, are still subsistence. On the other hand, the beef cattle business cost is very high compared to the average daily gain achieved. The study’s objectives are: 1) to characterize the type of Madura beef cattle in terms of feed patterns, 2) to analyze the portion of feed budget, 3) to analyze the factors influencing the variation of food intake. The analytical method uses: 1) descriptive analysis, 2) explorative analysis and 3. regression analysis. The research results show five types of Madura Beef cattle: Sonok, Taccek, Breeder, Fattening, and cow. Body size and supplementation have a significant effect on the food intake.

Temporal Wildlife Crime Trend and Sociodemographic Attributes of Offenders in Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Abstract Wildlife crime has emerged as one of the most crucial threats to biodiversity conservation and is particularly severe in south and southeast Asia. Addressing the ever-increasing challenges of wildlife crime in Nepal requires strategies informed by rigorous analysis of spatiotemporal patterns of wildlife crime. However, little do we know about the nature and trends of wildlife crimes in Nepal. Retrieving the information on the registered wild-life crime cases of Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) from the Annapurna Conservation Area Liaison Office (ACALO) and Kaski District Court, this study assessed the temporal trend and spatial pattern of wildlife crime in the ACA from 1994 to 2019. Additionally, this study assessed the sociodemographic characteristics of the people convicted in wildlife crime cases. A total of 48 cases of crimes were registered over the last 25 years among which the majority of the cases were of poaching and wildlife trophies transportation (89.6%) mainly from Kaski district (60%). For those cases, a total of 132 people were convicted (65% from local villages and 35% from outside the ACA). About 68% of the convicted perpetrators were from Janajati ethnicity with poor economic conditions. These inferences emphasize the necessity of understanding the severity and pattern of the crime to prevent it by synthesizing and implementing conservation programs such as educating targeted groups and providing alternative sources of income.

Zoonotic Ancylostoma ceylanicum Infection in Coyotes from Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica, 2021.

Ancylostoma ceylanicum is the second most common hookworm infecting humans in the Asia-Pacific region. Recent reports suggest presence of the parasite in the Americas. We report A. ceylanicum infections in coyotes from the Guanacaste Conservation Area, Costa Rica. Our findings call for active surveillance in humans and animals.

Carbon stocks estimation in the KGPAA Mangkunagoro I Forest Park at collection zone area

Abstract Mangkunagoro I Forest Park is a nature conservation area for plant collection purposes and preserving biodiversity. Moreover, Forest park as a forest also can absorb and store carbon as biomass. It makes forest park play a role in the mitigation of climate change. This research aimed to determine the amount of carbon stock in the Mangkunagoro I Forest Park collection zone. There are 35 plots in total with 20 x 20 m in size taken using systematic sampling. A non-destructive method with allometric equations was used to estimate total biomass and carbon stocks. In the Mangkunagoro I forest park collection zone, 11 species of trees and 3 species of bamboo were found with a total density of 79 trees/ha. Estimated biomass, carbon stocks, and carbon sequestration in the site were 304.24 ton/ha, 142 ton/ha, and 299.68 ton/ha, respectively.

Catalogue of Bracychthoniidae (Sarcoptiformes, Oribatida) specimens deposited in the State Museum of Natural History NASU, Lviv, Ukraine

Brachychthoniids are tiny mites, typically measuring less than 250 µm in length (Krant et al. 2009). Brachychthoniids can be distinguished from other oribatids by the fact that their notogaster is divided into 3 plates by 2 transverse furrows (Weigmann, 2006). The anteriormost plate has 6 pairs of setae (c and d rows) (Krant et al., 2009). Without extra cupules immediately lateral to mid-dorsal setae (Krant et al., 2009). The genital plates and the combined anal/peranal plates are of similar size (Krant et al., 2009). There is 1 pair of aggenital setae, 2 pairs of setae on the anal plates, and the peranal plates are present with 1 pair of setae (Krant et al., 2009). In terms of geography and ecology, brachychthoniids may be the most extensively spread family among oribatid mites (Krant et al., 2009). Besides being varied and plentiful in damp forest soil and litter, they are frequently found in disclimax communities and newly established habitats (Norton and Palmer, 1991). The world fauna of Brachythoniidae is represented by 163 species belonging to 12 genera (Subias, 2004). In Ukraine, 40 species of mites of this family, belonging to 9 genera. Thus, the species diversity in Ukraine is 25% of the world's fauna. The collection of oribatid mites of the State Museum of Natural History of the NAS of Ukraine contains 9 species of brachychthoniids, as follows: Liochthonius alpestris (Forsslund, 1958), L. hystricinus (Forsslund, 1942), L. muscorum Forsslund, 1964, L. brevis (Michael, 1888), L. sellnicki (Thor, 1930), Sellnickochthonius suecicus (Forsslund, 1942), S. zеlawaiensis (Sellnick, 1928), Eobrachychthonius oudemansi van der Hammen 1952 and Synchthonius crenulatus (Jacot, 1938). They have been collected in the western regions of Ukraine and are represented by 96 individuals, which make up 16 records. In particular, the collection contains samples collected from Zakarpatska, Lvivska and Ivano-Frankivska provinces. Some materials were collected in nature conservation areas: Nature Reserve Roztochchia, National Natural Park Synevyr and Carpathian Biosphere Reserve. This article was written with the support of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, call 2022.01 «Science for the Recovery of Ukraine in the War and Post-War Periods» the project 2022.01/0013 «Digitization of natural history collections damaged as a result of hostilities and related factors: development of protocols and implementation on the basis of the State Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine». The contents of this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine and are the sole responsibility of the State Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine.

Peran Polisi Kehutanan Dalam Menanggulani Kegiatan Illegal Logging Di Taman Nasional Alas Purwo

Alas Purwo National Park has a variety of potential unique biodiversity and ecosystems, making it important in creating a sustainable relationship with the environment. Threats to the sustainability of conservation areas, one of which comes from illegal logging activities that have been categorized as extraordinary crimes. This article aims to answer problems related to illegal logging, the role of the Forestry Police and its obstacles in tackling illegal logging activities in Alas Purwo National Park. This research uses a qualitative approach in the form of a case study. Data collection methods by observation, in-depth interviews, documentation. Data analysis using interactive models, including the stages of data collection, data reduction, data presentation and conclusions.Various efforts have been made by the Forestry Police to tackle illegal logging activities, but there are still obstacles on the ground. Therefore, this article is expected to be a contribution of thought for policy makers, both at the regional and central levels.

Catalogue of Nebria picicornis (Fabricius, 1792) (Coleoptera, Carabidae) specimens deposited in the State Museum of Natural History NASU, Lviv, Ukraine

The species Nebria picicornis (Fabricius, 1792) belongs to the genus, distributed in the Palaearctic, Middle East and North Africa, and represented by more than 500 described species (Catalogue of Life, 2023). In Ukraine, the genus is represented by 9 species. Nebria picicornis (Fabricius, 1792) has been recorded from thefollowing localities in Ukraine: outskirts of Sambir town, Spas village (Nowicki, 1858), the Eastern Beskydy up to Chornohora range (Nowicki, 1864), Ivano-Frankivsk city at the Bystrytsia river, in the river silt deposits (Łomnicki, 1886), beech forest zone of the Carpathians (Nowicki, 1873), Galicia, Bukovyna, Podilska gubernias , Zelemianka river, Bolekhiv town , NR «Gorgany» , foothill and lowland areas of the Carpathians: Ciscarpathian Upland, Beskydy massif, Gorgany massif, Pokutsko-Bukovynski Carpathians, Krasna range, as well as the Klavdievo village near Kyiv city, 10.V.1976 р., 2 spec., V.G. Dolin (IZU) , the Carpathians (including the Ciscarpathian Upland with foothills above 300 m a.s.l.), Right-Bank Polissia (mixed forest zone), Broadleaf Forest Zone (including the Ciscarpathian Upland, but with foothills of the Carpathians up to 300 m a.s.l. and Male Polissia) . Nebria picicornis (Fabricius, 1792) is distributed in the mountains and foothills of Central Europe and the northern part of southern Europe (Burakowski et al., 1973). In Ukraine it is found in the belts of oak and beech forests and lives along the banks of rivers and streams . There are 34 specimens of Nebria picicornis (Fabricius, 1792) in the collection of the State Museum of Natural History NASU, Lviv. The beetles were collected by Łomnicki M., Polianskyi S., Stöckl A., Susulovskyi A.S., Rizun V.B. Most of them were collected in the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, a number of individuals – in recent decades. Three specimens (Inventory numbers: E2.19.01.08.02//17, Digital record number: SMNH010749, Data Centre “Biodiversity of Ukraine”: ID 58124; Inventory numbers: E2.19.01.08.02//18, Digital record number: SMNH010750, Data Centre “Biodiversity of Ukraine”: ID 58125; Inventory numbers: E2.19.01.08.02//19, Digital record number: SMNH010751, Data Centre “Biodiversity of Ukraine”: ID 58126) most probably were mentioned in the work by M. Łomniсki (Łomnicki M. Muzeum imienia Dzieduszyckich we Lwowe. Dział I. Zoologiczny oddział zwierząt bezkręgowych. IV. Chrząszcze, czyli Tęgoskrzydłe (Coleoptera). – Lwów, 1886. – 308 s.). In general, the collection contains specimens, collected from Ukraine: Lvivska, Ivano-Frankivska, Chernivetska, Zakarpatska provinces, and from Poland. Some part of the presented material was collected in nature conservation areas of Ukraine: the Nature Reserve «Gorgany», National Nature Parks «Boikivshchyna», «Carpathian» and «Hutsulshchyna». This article was written with the support of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine, call 2022.01 «Science for the Recovery of Ukraine in the War and Post-War Periods» the project 2022.01/0013 «Digitization of natural history collections damaged as a result of hostilities and related factors: development of protocols and implementation on the basis of the State Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine». The contents of this article do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Research Foundation of Ukraine and are the sole responsibility of the State Museum of Natural History, NAS of Ukraine.

Application of 4A Concept in Bogor Botanical Garden Tourism Development Strategy

Indonesia is very rich in natural tourism potential (ecotourism), one of which is natural tourism in conservation areas. Bogor Botanical Garden is an ex-situ conservation area that has long been used by the wider community as a tourist attraction and in many countries, Bogor Botanical Garden is one of the most popular tourist destinations because it presents a panoramic view of natural landscape architecture. The research entitled "Application of the 4A Concept in the Development of Bogor Botanical Garden Tourism" focuses on the 4A concept, namely Attraction, Accessibility, Amenities, and Ancillary services. This type of research is qualitative, using qualitative descriptive analysis methods. Data collection is carried out by means of field observation, interviews, and literature studies. SWOT analysis was also used in this study, to identify the strengths and opportunities of Bogor Botanical Garden, and determine strategies to reduce weaknesses and challenges. The results showed changes in the management system of Bogor Botanical Garden. By analyzing the 4A concept, this study seeks to provide recommendations for the right development strategy for KRB, so that it can develop better and the vision of Bogor Botanical Garden can be achieved.

INBio: its innovative work in the knowledge and sustainable use of biodiversity in Costa Rica

The National Institute of Biodiversity of Costa Rica (INBio), the first institution of its kind worldwide, was created in 1989 as a civil society organization, with the mission of promoting greater awareness of the value of biodiversity, to achieve its conservation and promote human development. It operated within the framework of a national biodiversity conservation strategy consisting of three types of actions: “save, know and use”, forming a public-private alliance with the National System of Conservation Areas, whose work represented the first step of “saving”. INBio focused on the generation of scientific knowledge of Costa Rican biodiversity (knowing) and the search and promotion of its intelligent use (using). This article describes the genesis of the institution and its main contributions to the knowledge and use of Costa Rican biodiversity between 1989-2015. These include the results of the protected areas biodiversity inventory process and the development of the largest systematic collection of biological specimens in the country's history, fully systematized; the development of an information management system that integrated all the information from the inventory and the specimens in its collection in digital format, allowing global access to this information or its correlation with that of other sources. The results of promoting and facilitating the use of information through five programs: Natural Sciences and Conservation Biology, for scientific purposes; Bioliteracy and Education, conceptually designed for the teaching and development of awareness about the value of biodiversity; Bioprospecting, the systematic search for economic uses of biodiversity for medicinal, agricultural and industrial purposes; Conservation for Development, the use of the information for wild areas conservation purposes, surrounding communities or nature tourism, among others; Technical Assistance and Training, program in charge of assisting public and private entities, inside and outside the country, in the development of initiatives in which Biodiversity was the central element. The main results of its work and the national and international awards that INBio received for its innovative approaches and contributions are described, as well as the financial and political reasons why INBio discontinued its activities in the period 2015-2016 are summarized. Viewing the work of INBio as a first stage, the importance and need to continue with a state program on the knowledge and use of Costa Rican biodiversity is raised, in addition to its protection, with the goal of creating awareness of its value before the serious threats to life on Earth.

Population status of the range-restricted Red Lark Calendulauda burra in a conservation area stronghold

Many desert birds are vulnerable to anthropogenic global warming and landscape transformation, particularly in the case of range-restricted species. We quantified suitable habitat and the current population of Red Larks Calendulauda burra (family Alaudidae), a range-restricted southern African species, in a conservation area thought to be one of the species’ strongholds — the Black Mountain Mine Conservation Area (BMMCA) in the Northern Cape, South Africa. We modelled habitat suitability and estimated home range sizes using telemetry data and kernel density estimates. Home range sizes did not differ between males (42.4 ± 28.3 ha; n = 5) and females (41.9 ± 31.3 ha; n = 5). Transect data and home range density models indicated densities of 0.086–0.127 individuals·ha-1 for adults in suitable habitat. An estimated 33.2% (30.2 km2) of the BMMCA is suitable habitat for Red Larks, suggesting a population of 232–382 individuals. This population estimate is equivalent to <50% of the population estimated for the BMMCA in 1989. Our findings here, combined with a recent analysis showing that much of the species’ range will become thermally unsuitable for its persistence by the end of the 21st century, suggest that urgent conservation action is needed to ensure the Red Lark’s future in coming decades.

Mengekstrak Parameter Fungsi Skala Kanopi di Kawasan Konservasi Lembah Danum, Sabah Menggunakan Data Pesawat Udara LiDAR

Forest restoration is an effort to restore the growth and balance degraded forest ecosystems, through various approaches such as reforestation, land restoration, endangered species conservation, and forest fire prevention. Conventional field data collection challenges, such as limited spatial coverage, tall tree measurement difficulties, and human observation errors, hinder canopy-scale functional traits monitoring and extraction across forest treatments. The study addresses the importance of forest restoration and the challenges associated with conventional field measurements in extracting canopy scale functional traits by utilizing Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology for more accurate information involving the old growth, natural regeneration, and active restored forests in Danum Valley Conservation Area and INFAPRO Sabah. The study utilized diverse processing algorithms, allometric equations, and correlative modeling methods. At the grid level, various LiDAR functional traits were calculated, leaf area index, gap fraction, and canopy density, alongside assessment of multiple correlative modeling strategies. Linear regression and analysis of variance analyzed relationships between LiDAR-derived and field-derived canopy scale functional traits between different forest treatments. The results showed high R-squared values ranging from 0.73 to 0.91, Anova F-statistics and probability values (p) showed that there is a strong relationship between the field data and predicted LiDAR values for three-canopy scale functional traits in different forest treatment types. These results indicate that LiDAR technology is effective in predicting canopy scale functional traits and has the potential to provide accurate and detailed information on forest restoration areas for future conservation and management efforts.

Local adaptation of Pinus leiophylla under climate and land use change models in the Avocado Belt of Michoacán.

Climate change and land use change are two main drivers of global biodiversity decline, decreasing the genetic diversity that populations harbour and altering patterns of local adaptation. Landscape genomics allows measuring the effect of these anthropogenic disturbances on the adaptation of populations. However, both factors have rarely been considered simultaneously. Based on a set of 3660 SNPs from which 130 were identified as outliers by a genome-environment association analysis (LFMM), we modelled the spatial turnover of allele frequencies in 19 localities of Pinus leiophylla across the Avocado Belt in Michoacán state, Mexico. Then, we evaluated the effect of climate change and land use change scenarios, in addition to evaluating assisted gene flow strategies and connectivity metrics across the landscape to identify priority conservation areas for the species. We found that localities in the centre-east of the Avocado Belt would be more vulnerable to climate change, while localities in the western area are more threatened by land conversion to avocado orchards. Assisted gene flow actions could aid in mitigating both threats. Connectivity patterns among forest patches will also be modified by future habitat loss, with central and eastern parts of the Avocado Belt maintaining the highest connectivity. These results suggest that areas with the highest priority for conservation are in the eastern part of the Avocado Belt, including the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. This work is useful as a framework that incorporates distinct layers of information to provide a more robust representation of the response of tree populations to anthropogenic disturbances.

Identification of suitable habitats and priority conservation areas under climate change scenarios for the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis).

Amphibians and reptiles, especially the critically endangered Chinese alligators, are vulnerable to climate change. Historically, the decline in suitable habitats and fragmentation has restricted the distribution of Chinese alligators to a small area in southeast Anhui Province in China. However, the effects of climate change on range-restricted Chinese alligator habitats are largely unknown. We aimed to predict current and future (2050s and 2070s) Chinese alligator distribution and identify priority conservation areas under climate change. We employed species distribution models, barycenter migration analyses, and the Marxian model to assess current and future Chinese alligator distribution and identify priority conservation areas under climate change. The results showed that the lowest temperature and rainfall seasonality in the coldest month were the two most important factors affecting the distribution of Chinese alligators. Future predictions indicate a reduction (3.39%-98.41%) in suitable habitats and a westward shift in their distribution. Further, the study emphasizes that suitable habitats for Chinese alligators are threatened by climate change. Despite the impact of the Anhui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve, protection gaps persist, with 78.27% of the area lacking priority protected area. Our study provides crucial data for Chinese alligator adaptation to climate change and underscores the need for improved conservation strategies. Future research should refine conservation efforts, consider individual plasticity, and address identified limitations to enhance the resilience of Chinese alligator populations in the face of ongoing climate change.

PEMBANGUNAN BUMI PERKEMAHAN TANPA DOKUMEN AMDAL DI KABUPATEN GARUT (STUDI PUTUSAN NOMOR 2251 K/PidSus- LH/2020)

The construction of a campground in Garut Regency has caused legal problems, because it does not have an AMDAL document and environmental permits. The problems of this article are: whether the construction of the campground carried out by the head of DISPORA to fulfill environmental permits is in accordance with the Law on Environmental Protection and Management (UUPPLH) and what legal consequences arise from development in natural resource conservation areas without AMDAL documents. This research is a normative legal research and is descriptive in nature. The results of the research and discussion show that the AMDAL document is a legal instrument that must be made by every person in charge in a business/activity that has an important impact and violations result in the revocation of environmental permits. The conclusion of this research, namely: The construction of the campground carried out by the Head of DISPORA is not in accordance with Article 36 paragraph (1) of the UUPPLH. The Head of DISPORA Garut Regency has never made an AMDAL Document to the Environmental Agency and did not apply for an Environmental Permit to BPMPT so that the Head of DISPORA was sentenced under Article 109 jo. Article 116 paragraphs (1) and (2) of UUPPLH for non-compliance in making AMDAL documents.

Ungulates conservation in the face of human development: Mining and roads' influences on habitat and connectivity in Iran's central plateau

Anthropogenic activities such as mining and road construction pose significant threats to ungulate species in the central Iranian plateau. We conducted a comprehensive study focusing on three key ungulates: wild goat (Capra aegagrus), urial (Ovis vignei), and jebeer gazelle (Gazella bennetti). These species rely heavily on migration corridors for functional connectivity, making them vulnerable to the habitat fragmentation caused by human development. Our research integrates ensemble habitat suitability modelling and connectivity analysis to assess the impacts of mining and road construction on the core habitats of these ungulates and their habitat connectivity. Ensemble models predicted large suitable habitats for all three species; however, a considerable portion of these habitats was compromised by the development of mining roads, highlighting the urgency of conservation actions. We found that wild goat habitats were patchy and fragmented, whereas urial and jebeer habitats were more expansive and better connected. Analysis of core habitats identified critical areas for the species survival. For instance, an important core area for wild goats was located in the central part of the landscape, whereas the core habitat for urials was situated in the eastern part. Multiple core areas were identified for jebeer gazelles, highlighting the diverse habitat preferences of the species. We found extensive overlap between the core habitats of the three species and conservation areas (approximately 80%). Connectivity simulations revealed strong conservation network coverage (between 81 and 91%), emphasizing the importance of conservation areas. Our findings underscore the immediate need for conservation interventions to mitigate the impacts of road development on ungulate habitats and migration corridors in central Iran. This research contributes vital information for informed decision-making in conservation planning and sustainable development in the region.