Wildlife Diversity Research Articles

Emergence of an ancient and pathogenic mammarenavirus

ABSTRACT Emerging zoonoses of wildlife origin caused by previously unknown agents are one of the most important challenges for human health. The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau represents a unique ecological niche with diverse wildlife that harbours several human pathogens and numerous previously uncharacterized pathogens. In this study, we identified and characterized a novel arenavirus (namely, plateau pika virus, PPV) from plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau by virome analysis. Isolated PPV strains could replicate in several mammalian cells. We further investigated PPV pathogenesis using animal models. PPV administered via an intraventricular route caused trembling and sudden death in IFNαβR-/- mice, and pathological inflammatory lesions in brain tissue were observed. According to a retrospective serological survey in the geographical region where PPV was isolated, PPV-specific IgG antibodies were detected in 8 (2.4%) of 335 outpatients with available sera. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that this virus was clearly separated from previously reported New and Old World mammarenaviruses. Under the co-speciation framework, the estimated divergence time of PPV was 77–88 million years ago (MYA), earlier than that of OW and NW mammarenaviruses (26-34 MYA).

Forest and grassland habitats support pollinator diversity more than wildflowers and sunflower monoculture

Abstract Intensively managed agricultural landscapes often lack suitable habitats to support diverse wildlife, particularly harming pollinator communities. Besides mass flowering crops, remnant patches of natural and semi‐natural vegetation may play a key role in maintaining and conserving biodiversity. Yet, the effects of different natural habitats, including forests and grasslands, on different pollinator communities are poorly understood at the landscape scale. We examined the abundance, richness, and diversity of wild bees and hoverflies, two key pollinator groups, across a land‐use gradient spanning forest edges, grassland, wildflower strips, and sunflower monoculture. We also examined the distribution of hoverfly larvae trophic guilds and wild bee nesting traits across the above‐mentioned land‐use gradient. Finally, we evaluated the impact of landscape structure (forest, grassland, and water cover in the surrounding landscape) on pollinator community composition. Our results indicate that forest and grassland habitats supported a higher abundance and greater richness of pollinators than wildflower strips and sunflower monocultures. Furthermore, hoverflies were more sensitive to habitat and floristic homogenization than wild bees. Sunflower and wildflower habitats also hosted a lower diversity of larvae trophic guilds and wild bee nesting guilds as compared to forests and grasslands. Our study suggests that conserving and restoring forest and grassland habitats within agricultural mosaics may serve as the main ‘refuge’ for wild pollinators.

A Generic Risk Assessment Model for Animal Disease Entry through Wildlife: The Example of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever in The Netherlands

Animal diseases can enter countries or regions through the movements of infected wildlife. A generic risk model would allow to quantify the risk of entry via this introduction route for different diseases and wildlife species, despite the vast variety in both, and help policy-makers to make informed decisions. Here, we propose such a generic risk assessment model and illustrate its application by assessing the risk of entry of African swine fever (ASF) through wild boar and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) through wild birds for the Netherlands between 2014–2021. We used disease outbreak data and abstracted movement patterns to populate a stochastic risk model. We found that the entry risk of HPAI fluctuated between the years, with a peak in 2021. In that year, we estimated the number of infected birds to reach the Dutch border by wild bird migration at 273 (95% uncertainty interval: 254–290). The probability that ASF outbreaks that occurred between 2014 and 2021 reached the Dutch border through wild boar movement was very low throughout the whole period; only the upper confidence bound indicated a small entry risk. On a yearly scale, the predicted entry risk for HPAI correlated well with the number of observed outbreaks. In conclusion, we present a generic and flexible framework to assess the entry risk of disease through wildlife. The model allows rapid and transparent estimation of the entry risk for diverse diseases and wildlife species. The modular structure of the model allows for adding nuance and complexity when required or when more data becomes available.

Communal Coexistence in Ancient India

Communal harmony is considered essential in our nation. We are all gathered together to discuss how to establish societal harmony. Our adored motherland, India, is a vast land of culture, civilization, and history. It once served as the birthplace of powerful civilizations. Only a few other civilizations in the world can make the claim of being on par with this one given its long history of more than 5000 years. Geographically, it is a wonderful wonder. The vast Himalayan Mountains, the vast Gangetic Valley, lush green fields, sweltering deserts, densely vegetated woods, perennial rivers, silver sand beaches, the longest coastline areas, diverse wildlife, and flora, etc. are all present in this region. It is the seventh-biggest country in the world and the largest democracy. In terms of population, it is second only to China. Once upon a time, our motherland was referred to as the land of maharajas, snake charmers, temples, and woods. But the truth was very different from how it was described. This research paper seeks and explores to find out any evidential presence of communal harmony during ancient times in India.

Ecosystem Services Valuation of Constructed Wetland as a Nature-Based Solution to Wastewater Treatment

Constructed wetlands (CWs) are nature-based solutions that utilize natural vegetation, soils, and microbes to treat domestic wastewater and industrial effluents. They are engineered treatment systems that mimic the functions of natural wetlands to capture stormwater, reduce nutrient loads, and create diverse wildlife habitats. Providing these monetary and non-monetary benefits, its implementation has grown in several applications and geographical spread. Recent studies integrate the ecosystem services of CWs in project valuation, and the critical analysis of research hotspots has not been made yet. This study employs a systematic review to analyze the literature on ecosystem services provided by CWs and how they are incorporated into the valuation of CW projects. Among the ecosystem services that have been identified are provisioning (biomass and water supply), regulating (wastewater treatment and purification, climate regulation, flood prevention, and erosion control), cultural (recreation and aesthetic, biodiversity, education, and research), and supporting (habitat formation, nutrient cycling, and hydrological cycle). In terms of valuation methods and techniques, the results identified contingent valuation, shadow pricing, cost–benefit analysis, benefits transfer, habitat evaluation procedures, replacement cost, and travel cost. The analysis results provide researchers with a concrete basis for future studies and directions for further development. This also provides policymakers and CW project planners with valuable insights on various aspects of policy support for CW adoption and project valuation.

Diversity and Structure of Wildlife in the Nafadji Community Forest, Circle of Kita, Mali

Diversity and Structure of Wildlife in the Nafadji Community Forest, Circle of Kita, Mali

Urban wildlife and arborists: environmental governance and the protection of wildlife during tree care operations

AbstractWhen working with urban trees, arborists can negatively impact urban wildlife. There have been recent efforts to strengthen wildlife protection and conservation during arboricultural practices, both legislatively and voluntarily through arboriculture organizations. To examine arborists’ perceptions of these environmental policies and understand their experiences with urban wildlife, we conducted an international online survey of 805 arborists. Many respondents (n = 481, 59.8%) reported being involved in tree work that resulted in wildlife injury or death, despite most respondents reportedly modifying work plans or objectives after encountering wildlife (n = 598, 74.3%). Decisions to modify or cease work were most heavily influenced by the legal protection of species, wildlife having young, and the overall management objectives. Support for new wildlife best management practices (BMPs) was high (n = 718, 90.3%), as was awareness of wildlife and arboriculture-related legislation (n = 611, 77.2%). The findings demonstrate support amongst arborists for the implementation of wildlife policies to protect wildlife in urban forestry; however, implementation of such policies would require a non-prescriptive approach that is relevant to a diversity of wildlife concerns globally, causing concern amongst arborists about the applicability of such a document. Concerns also included the economic impacts of voluntary wildlife protection policies in arboriculture, where competitors may not adhere to industry standards or best practices. Given the support of arborists for increased wildlife protection policies, we recommend the development of international wildlife-focused BMPs for arboriculture, especially as an intermediary until legislation can be implemented or more rigorously enforced.

Conservation interventions are required to improve bird breeding performance in artificial wetlands

Along with ongoing loss of natural habitats, expanding artificial (human-made or human-managed) habitats provide alternative habitats for many wildlife species. Many studies have investigated wildlife diversity in artificial habitats, but whether the use of artificial habitats has fitness consequences remains unclear. We compiled global data on bird breeding performance, which is a fitness-related indicator, in a variety of artificial wetland types through a literature review. We first analysed the proportion of breeding failures caused by human activities. Then we conducted a meta-analysis to compare the breeding performance of birds in artificial and natural wetlands to investigate the effects of conservation interventions and nest location on the breeding performance of birds in artificial wetlands. Results showed that human-induced breeding failures are common in artificial wetlands, such as nest trampling and damage caused by production practices. On average, 50.6 % of studies recorded breeding failures caused by human activities, contributing to 37.0 % of total breeding failures in those studies. We found no significant difference on the breeding performance of birds in artificial and natural wetlands. However, conservation interventions improved the breeding performance of birds in artificial wetlands, especially for ground-nesting species, whose breeding failure rates in artificial wetlands without conservation interventions were on average 42.9 % (95 % CI: 18.1 % to 59.7 %) higher than in natural wetlands. Given the ongoing expansion of artificial habitats, our study highlights that while protecting the natural habitats of biodiversity hotspots, it is also essential to conduct conservation interventions in artificial habitats to fully exploit their functions in supporting biodiversity.

Effects of diversity on thermal niche variation in bird communities under climate change

Climate change alters ecological communities by affecting individual species and interactions between species. However, the impacts of climate change may be buffered by community diversity: diverse communities may be more resistant to climate-driven perturbations than simple communities. Here, we assess how diversity influences long-term thermal niche variation in communities under climate change. We use 50-year continental-scale data on bird communities during breeding and non-breeding seasons to quantify the communities’ thermal variability. Thermal variability is measured as the temporal change in the community’s average thermal niche and it indicates community’s response to climate change. Then, we study how the thermal variability varies as a function of taxonomic, functional, and evolutionary diversity using linear models. We find that communities with low thermal niche variation have higher functional diversity, with this pattern being measurable in the non-breeding but not in the breeding season. Given the expected increase in seasonal variation in the future climate, the differences in bird communities’ thermal variability between breeding and non-breeding seasons may grow wider. Importantly, our results suggest that functionally diverse wildlife communities can mitigate effects of climate change by hindering changes in thermal niche variability, which underscores the importance of addressing the climate and biodiversity crises together.

A Review on Smart and Intelligent Techniques for Digital Tourism

With its global impact on economies, sectors, and industries, digital innovation is revolutionizing the way people work, live, and conduct business. The launch of the Digital India programme in 2014 helped India join the League of Nations, a group of nations that are using technology to transform their governments and businesses. Since then, practically every area of our lives—from work, travel, and communication to commerce, education, and healthcare—has been impacted by Digital India. India will evolve into a digital country, and travel and tourism are not an exception. Today's technology has a significant impact on how the travel business is shaped. India's travel industry has grown recently as a result of increasing internet usage and the availability of smartphones. The tourism and hospitality sector have become one of India's key development engines among the service industries. India's tourism industry has been strengthened by the country's diverse flora and wildlife, historical heritage, and scenic locations [1]. The major developments in the travel industry revolve around five themes: artificial intelligence (AI), big data, mobile apps, social media, and virtual/augmented reality (VR/AR). Through open and flexible communication with clients, these innovations could improve the travel experience. This article tries to take a broad look at the economic impact of travel in India, trends, problems, and effects of digital travel, and the role of new technologies and automation in streamlining the business processes across the value chain, painting a picture of the digital travel revolution going to take place.

Embracing inherent and imposed sources of heterogeneity in rangeland bird management

AbstractRangeland simplification is a global threat to biodiversity. Historically, rangelands exhibited varied vegetation structure, which provided a diverse wildlife habitat. Vegetation heterogeneity resulted from interactions between topoedaphic (inherent heterogeneity) and disturbance factors (imposed heterogeneity). Until recently, these interactive sources of heterogeneity have been ignored in rangeland management and study. Under an emerging paradigm that embraces heterogeneity, contributions of disturbance and topoedaphic conditions to rangeland biodiversity remain largely unknown. Using the avian community, we assessed the effects of wetland area, ecological site, and topographic roughness (inherent heterogeneity) and four grazing strategies (imposed heterogeneity; patch‐burn grazing with one or two seasons of fire, season‐long grazing, and modified twice‐over rotational grazing with variably stocked paddocks) on vegetation structure, avian diversity, avian community composition, and avian densities. The interaction between inherent and imposed heterogeneity influenced avian community composition but not species‐specific densities. The effects of management on vegetation structural heterogeneity varied over years, though patch‐burn management generated heterogeneity and temporal stability in vegetation structure compared to season‐long grazing and modified twice‐over rotational grazing. Patch‐burn and season‐long grazing pastures had higher diversity than modified twice‐over rotational grazing. Community composition was sensitive to ecological site, topographic roughness, and wetland area, suggesting that both the fire‐grazing interaction and inherent heterogeneity maintain biodiversity. Out of our six grassland obligate focal bird species, two responded to inherent heterogeneity, while three were most sensitive to imposed heterogeneity. One species, western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), did not respond to either source of heterogeneity, potentially indicating responsiveness to factors outside our study, such as annual precipitation or heterogeneity at fine scales. Our results indicate that both inherent and imposed heterogeneity are important in shaping grassland bird abundance, diversity, and community composition and that conserving rangeland biodiversity in the future will require managing for greater imposed heterogeneity while embracing existing landscape variability.

Ex Situ Approaches for the Conservation of Genetic Resources in the Superorder Xenarthra.

Xenarthra-a superorder of placental mammals endemic to the Neotropics-is represented by armadillos, anteaters, and sloths. Considering their long history in the Americas, extant xenarthrans represent an important group for understanding the impact of past environmental changes on species diversification and serve key ecological functions as ecosystem engineers. Unfortunately, most wild xenarthran populations are at risk, due primarily to anthropogenic activities, necessitating urgent conservation efforts. Moreover, the paucity of information on some species has rendered population estimation and, consequently, conservation management challenging. In addition, relatively few groups are researching this superorder, perhaps because fieldwork with armadillos, anteaters, or sloths and their captive care are challenging tasks. Nevertheless, dedicated research and efforts to ensure the long-term conservation of these animals are deemed essential. In this context, cryobanks are a practical approach for breeding and maintaining genetic diversity in wildlife, and they are important tools for assisting and improving both ex situ and in situ conservation strategies. Therefore, cryopreservation of biological resources may be a promising strategy for conserving xenarthrans. Specifically, semen cryopreservation, which has already been applied in some species, may be the most effective strategy for this group. The present article provides an overview of ex situ conservation of xenarthrans, which will contribute to the development and implementation of additional strategies for protecting these unique mammals.

Detection and Characterization of a Novel Picornavirus in European Badger (Meles meles).

The recent development of unbiased metagenomic next-generation sequencing has provided a richer view of the wild animal virome making it necessary to expand the knowledge about virus diversity in wildlife, as well as to monitor their potential transmission to domestic animals or humans. In the present study, by screening collections of enteric specimens from wild animals, a novel picornavirus was identified in the intestinal content of a badger (Meles meles). By enrichment with a sequence-independent single-primer amplification (SISPA) approach and deep sequencing with Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform, the genome sequence of a novel picornavirus strain, Badger/3A-2019/ITA, was reconstructed. On comparison based on the polyprotein sequences, the virus was distantly related (58.7% and 59.7% sequence identity at the nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively) to the feline picornavirus strain FFUP1, identified in 2012 in Portugal and classified into genus Sakobovirus within the species Sakobuvirus A. Upon phylogenetic, pairwise homology, and distance analyses performed on the P1, 2Chel, 3Cpro, and 3Dpol proteins and the complete genomic sequence, the badger picornavirus may be considered a member of a new sakobuvirus species, which we propose as Sakobuvirus B.

Lessons from COVID-19 for wildlife ranching in a changing world

The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to assess the impacts of a global disturbance on conservation land uses and learn from responses to the crisis to enable more resilient conservation systems. To understand socio-economic responses of diverse wildlife working lands to COVID-19, we surveyed owners and managers of 78 private wildlife ranches (wildlife working lands), 23 agricultural farms (conventional working lands) and six public protected areas (conventional conservation lands) in South Africa. Most protected areas lost more than 75% of their revenues during 2020, while most agricultural farms lost less than 10%. The impact on wildlife ranches was more varied. Ranches with more diverse activities, particularly mixed wildlife–agriculture systems, lost less revenue, shifting their activities from those heavily impacted (international ecotourism, trophy hunting) to those less affected (for example, wildlife meat, livestock). This adaptive capacity suggests that wildlife-based enterprises could represent key ecosystem-based adaptations, providing lessons for integrated global policies that seek to incorporate private land models in the 2030 Biodiversity Framework. Conservation efforts were impacted in varied ways by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed how South African wildlife ranches, agricultural farms and protected areas weathered the pandemic, finding greater adaptive capacity among more diversified and mixed business models.

Systemic racism alters wildlife genetic diversity

In the United States, systemic racism has had lasting effects on the structure of cities, specifically due to government-mandated redlining policies that produced racially segregated neighborhoods that persist today. However, it is not known whether varying habitat structures and natural resource availability associated with racial segregation affect the demographics and evolution of urban wildlife populations. To address this question, we repurposed and reanalyzed publicly archived nuclear genetic data from 7,698 individuals spanning 39 terrestrial vertebrate species sampled in 268 urban locations throughout the United States. We found generally consistent patterns of reduced genetic diversity and decreased connectivity in neighborhoods with fewer White residents, likely because of environmental differences across these neighborhoods. The strength of relationships between the racial composition of neighborhoods, genetic diversity, and differentiation tended to be weak relative to other factors affecting genetic diversity, possibly in part due to the recency of environmental pressures on urban wildlife populations. However, the consistency of the direction of effects across disparate taxa suggest that systemic racism alters the demography of urban wildlife populations in ways that generally limit population sizes and negatively affect their chances of persistence. Our results thus support the idea that limited capacity to support large, well-connected wildlife populations reduces access to nature and builds on existing environmental inequities shouldered by predominantly non-White neighborhoods.

Impacts of selective bush control on herbaceous diversity in wildlife and cattle land use areas in a semi-arid Kalahari savanna

Climate change and inappropriate management practices in semi-arid savannas often result in shrub encroachment. Chemical shrub control is a common rehabilitation measure to counter shrub encroachment. A recent development, particularly in southern Africa, is the conversion from cattle to wildlife farming. Cattle and wildlife exhibit different behaviours, and different management practices are used. How these differences affect the results of rehabilitation measures is not well known. Here, we compared how selective chemical shrub control in these two land uses affected herbaceous diversity, and composition along waterhole transects (proxy for grazing pressure). Shrub control increased Simpson diversity when both land uses were analysed together, while land use type did not affect any diversity measure. However, when land uses were analysed individually, spatial differences in diversity became apparent. Species richness in game farms was affected by shrub control only at distances greater than 300m from waterholes, and in cattle farms total abundance increased at 1000m distances. Eleven species contributed to compositional differences between land uses. Our results show that bush control can improve ecosystem functioning and habitat heterogeneity in both land use types, which is particularly important given the current transition from livestock to game farming in southern Africa.

New PCR primers targeting the cytochrome b gene reveal diversity of Leucocytozoon lineages in an individual host.

Avian haemosporidian parasites have received considerable attention in ecology and evolution as a result of their wide distribution and ease of detection. However, conventional PCR-based detection methods may sometimes underestimate haemosporidian mixed infections, which are frequent in natural populations. This underestimation is due to differences in PCR sensitivity for detection of lineages within the mixed infections. Therefore, we designed new primers to amplify sequences that were not detected by the conventional primers and examined if our primers were useful for accurate detection of mixed infections. Blood samples were collected from 32 wild birds captured in Hokkaido, and 16 of these were positive for Leucocytozoon using the conventional primers, while 15 were positive using our primers. All positively amplified samples were sequenced, and we found that the conventional primers detected 16% (5/32) of multiple infections and none of them was a novel lineage, whereas our primers detected 44% (14/32) of multiple infections and ten of them were novel lineages. A phylogenetic analysis showed that the new primers can detect a wide range of Leucocytozoon lineages compared with that detected by the conventional primers. The results indicate that our primers are particularly suitable for revealing unique strains from multiple infections. Highly variable multiple infections in the same population of birds at the same location were found for the first time. We revealed a higher diversity of Leucocytozoon lineages in nature than expected, which would provide more information to better understand parasite diversity and host-vector interactions in wildlife.

Domestic networks contribute to the diversity and composition of live wildlife trafficked in urban markets in Peru

Amazonian countries have historically sourced the international wildlife trade. However, little is known about their domestic trade, which is often overlooked in estimates of trafficking. Peruvian law prohibits the unauthorized trade and possession of wildlife, but illegal sales are common in urban markets. To describe the dynamics, diversity, and composition of this illegal trade, we surveyed live wildlife for sale in urban markets in 16 Peruvian departments from 2007 to 2012. We identified the main hotspots of market trafficking, detected 193 species being sold alive, and estimate that 0.35–1.25 million animals were trafficked in this period. Iquitos, Lima, Pucallpa, and Tumbes were the most active and diverse trafficking nodes. Amazonian cities trafficked mostly local species, whereas in other cities the proportion of local species varied significantly (39–67%). Species dissimilarity across cities was high and correlated with their distance along trafficking routes. To assess if the market-based trade was representative of the national trade, we compared species richness in markets with that of country-wide confiscations. At least 430 species were confiscated in Peru between 2001 and 2019, but only 50% of species overlapped with markets in the same cities and period of our surveys. Our data suggest that urban markets are connected in a structured network that provides consumers with a diverse selection of species from across the country. Authorities should consider organizational aspects of trafficking networks to ensure success. Failure to eradicate wildlife trafficking in markets constitutes a serious threat to wildlife conservation and One Health in Peru and beyond.

Differential effects of wildfire on salt marsh and coastal forest plant community abundance and diversity in the urbanized Long Island Sound

Coastal marshes are dynamic ecosystems that provide essential ecosystem services and are impacted by a variety of natural and anthropogenic disturbances including flooding, fire, climate change, and urbanization. Coastal saltmarshes are sometimes managed through prescribed burning to enhance habitat value for wildlife and increase plant diversity, but this practice is uncommon in urbanized environments and the effects are unclear. In this study, we observed the effects of a 2017 wildfire on a Spartina saltmarsh and oak-hickory coastal forest over three years on Long Island Sound, New York. The objectives were to determine the impact of the fire on plant abundance, diversity, and invasive species. We studied the marshland and nearby coastal forest. It was concluded that the marsh habitat was more resilient than the forested habitat as its plant composition, abundance and diversity returned to that of the unburned marsh two years post fire. The wildfire caused large shifts in community composition, increasing abundance and diversity in the burned forest relative to the unburned forest, but it also facilitated an increase in non-native species. Because these systems provide countless ecosystem services, further research on the effect of wildfire and interactions with other disturbances is needed.

Diversity of Bird Species in Urban Green Spaces of Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines

The value of urban green spaces as important habitats for the maintenance of diverse wildlife species is not well explored in the Philippines. Data on bird diversity in urban areas like Davao City is very scant. Thus, the study documented bird species diversity in 15 urban green spaces of Davao City. These areas were previously not surveyed based on published literature. This study is also the first attempt to determine the correlation between green space size and Shannon diversity values. Green spaces were pre-selected, and bird censuses following a zigzag walk across each green space were conducted from October–December 2019. Coordinates of surveyed areas plotted on a digital map were used to estimate green space size. Diversity values were calculated using Shannon and Simpson indices. Pearson r correlation was employed to calculate the correlation between green space size and Shannon diversity values. Fifty-three (53) species (32 families) were accounted for, with 28 species added to the current list of birds from Davao City’s urban green spaces. Endemism was relatively low across all sites (17%). Only four species were common in all sites – namely, Passer montanus, Lanius cristatus, Cinnyris jugularis, and Pycnonotus goiavier. Shannon diversity values varied across sites (highest H' = 3.128, lowest H' = 1.688) and showed a positive correlation (r = 0.54) with green space size. Despite positive correlation, larger green spaces do not necessarily have the highest Shannon diversity values, suggesting that bird diversity in urban green spaces may be influenced by other factors. This warrants verification in the future to include studies on green space vegetation and complexity, noise level, and impact of anthropogenic activities.