Global Biodiversity Conservation Research Articles

Global Biodiversity: Extinct Arctic Mammoth Tusks as Substitute Resource to Save Live Elephants

Objective: The aim of this article is to justify an approach to natural resource substitution using fossilised mammoth bones from the Arctic to conserve live elephants. Theoretical Framework - The theoretical idea and basis of the article is the replacement of ivory with the tusks of extinct mammoths against the background of melting permafrost in the Arctic. This approach is considered within the framework of a kind of 'mammoth pipeline' - the journey of extinct fossil mammoth tusks and their transformation into eternal values in the form of exclusive products, as well as their ultimate contribution to the conservation of living elephant populations. The theoretical basis of the study is the concept of sustainable development, the theory of natural resource substitution, biodiversity conservation, the concept of benefit sharing paradigm in Arctic mining. Method - The study is based on an interdisciplinary approach using methods from economics and management, ethnology and palaeontology, social research and monitoring. The evaluation of the effectiveness of the ivory to mammoth tusk substitution scheme is considered in terms of the benefits to global biodiversity conservation, including the maintenance of wild elephant populations and the development of traditional fisheries by indigenous peoples of the North. Results and Discussion - This article assesses the world resource of mammoth bone remains, concentrated in the Russian Arctic, and shows the possibilities of their use as a substitute natural resource for elephant conservation and socio-economic development of areas inhabited by indigenous peoples of the North. The influence of ongoing climate change on the increase in the extraction of fossil mammoth tusks is shown. The stages and links of the 'mammoth pipeline' under consideration, including the extraction of mammoth bones, the export and trade of tusks, and the substitution of mammoth tusks for ivory, are substantiated. The factors influencing the formation of the world demand for mammoth tusks are identified and the directions of their use for elephant conservation and socio-economic development of the local population in the Arctic territories in the areas of their extraction are shown. Research Implications - The results of the study can be used to conserve global biodiversity, develop a green economy, substitute mammoth tusks for ivory and conserve elephant populations. The authors estimate that supplying the world market with an average of 10 kilograms of mammoth ivory can save one elephant; exporting even half of the mammoth tusks extracted in Yakutia can save 60,000 elephants. At the same time, issues of social and economic support for the traditional trades and livelihoods of the indigenous peoples of the North are being addressed. Originality/ Value - The originality of the research and its value lie in the new scientific formulation of the solution to the scientific problem of global biodiversity conservation through the substitution of natural resources, the use of own empirical data obtained in the Arctic territories, as well as the possibility of practical application of the results obtained in the field of green economy.

Highlights of veterinary entomology, 2023: beyond the barnyard: exploring the wild side of veterinary entomology.

Due to economic and food security concerns, veterinary entomology has traditionally focused on livestock pests and ectoparasites. However, recognizing the significant environmental changes of the Anthropocene era, there is a need to broaden the scope to include pests and ectoparasites of wildlife. This review highlights key studies from 2023 that go beyond the barnyard and represent this expanded focus. Key areas explored include the development and application of unique methodologies, the impact of arthropods on behavior, and the effects of anthropogenic and environmental influences on pests, ectoparasites, and hosts. By adopting a broader perspective, veterinary entomologists can develop new collaborations and better understand the complex interactions between pests, ectoparasites, and a diverse array of nonhuman vertebrates. This comprehensive understanding is essential for advancing global health and biodiversity conservation.

Leveraging genomes to support conservation and bioeconomy policies in a megadiverse country.

The biodiversity crisis is a global phenomenon, and measures to monitor, stop, and revert the impacts on species' extinction risk are urgently needed. Megadiverse countries, especially in the Global South, are responsible for managing and protecting Earth's biodiversity. Various initiatives have started to sequence reference-level genomes or perform large-scale species detection and monitoring through environmental DNA. Here, we outline the Genomics of the Brazilian Biodiversity (GBB) consortium that is contributing to public policies on the conservation and management of Brazilian species. We describe our unique public-private governance and lessons in setting up a genomic consortium in a megadiverse country of continental scale. We explore the challenges while sharing knowledge for similar initiatives in the Global South. Ultimately, we aim to encourage Brazilian institutions and other megadiverse countries to invest and participate in large-scale genomic initiatives, demonstrating their commitment to preserving and monitoring their exceptional natural heritage while contributing to global biodiversity conservation.

Analyzing the tourism in Chitwan National Park from Visitors’ Perspective

Protected areas are the cornerstone of global biodiversity conservation initiatives, and people’s support is pivotal for their success. However, in many protected areas, particularly those with restricted human interaction, the park-people relations deviated towards negativity, and the major cause is the inability of the park to connect conservation with the people’s livelihood. Better-planned tourism can serve as a vehicle to link conservation with livelihood, particularly in protected areas like Chitwan National Park (CNP), where the flow of tourists is already higher. However, there is a need to understand consumer satisfaction and link those to ensure a sustainable tourism business in the park. The aspect has been explored to a limited extent in the park; thus, we have attempted to partially address that void. To address the issue, we have collected the perceptions of the people through a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire with 142 tourists encountered in and around the Sauraha area of CNP. The data was collected in January 2020, was managed using Microsoft Excel, and was analyzed using R software. Natural attractions around the national park were found to be the important drivers that drive tourists to CNP, and they admired the accommodation (79% positive response), food (65% positive response), hospitality (75% positive response), and behavior of the local people (74% positive response). The majority of the tourists have a positive response towards other tourism amenities. Tourists were highly satisfied with the elephant safari and Jeep safari activities. However, many have suggested improving the transportation facility and solid waste management in the park. The findings of the studies can be used by the relevant stakeholders to improve the services and amenities offered to tourists, which will ensure the sustainability of tourism businesses in and around the park.

Synergistic effects of climate and urbanisation on the diet of a globally near threatened subtropical falcon.

Understanding how human activities affect wildlife is fundamental for global biodiversity conservation. Ongoing land use change and human-induced climate change, compel species to adapt their behaviour in response to shifts in their natural environments. Such responses include changes to a species' diet or trophic ecology, with implications for the wider ecosystem. This is particularly the case for predatory species or those that occupy high positions within trophic webs, such as raptors. Between 2002 and 2019, we observed 1578 feeding events of the globally near threatened and understudied, Red-necked Falcon (Falco chicquera) in Bangladesh. We explored the effects of mean monthly temperature, precipitation, temperature differences, and urban land cover on (a) mean prey weights and (b) dietary composition of 15 falcon pairs. Falcons hunted smaller prey items during months with increased temperatures and precipitation, and in more urban areas. However, during months with increased temperature differences, falcons tended to prey on larger prey items. Being specialist aerial hunters, these dietary patterns were largely driven by the probabilities of bats and birds in the diet. Falcons were more likely to prey on bats during warmer and wetter months. Furthermore, urban pairs tended to prey on bats, whereas more rural pairs tended to prey on birds. Mean monthly temperature difference, i.e., a proxy for climate change, was better at explaining the probability of bats in the falcon diet than mean monthly temperature alone. Anthropogenic dietary shifts can have deleterious effects on species with declining populations or those of conservation concern. The effects of urbanisation and human-induced climate change are expected to continue into the foreseeable future. Therefore, our findings represent a cornerstone in our understanding of how falcons respond to an increasingly human-dominated world.

Legal Policy Strategies for Preserving Tropical Forests in IKN in the Context of Climate Change

This study examines legal policy strategies to preserve tropical forest sustainability in the National Capital City (IKN) in the context of climate change. Indonesian tropical forests, particularly in East Kalimantan as the location of IKN, play a crucial role in global climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. However, challenges such as deforestation, forest degradation, and the impacts of climate change necessitate effective policy responses. The research utilizes a literature review method to analyze existing regulations and policies, as well as evaluate implementation and challenges faced. Findings highlight the need for strengthened law enforcement, increased transparency, and the integration of climate change issues into forest policies. Recommendations include cross-sector collaboration and enhanced community participation in forest management in IKN.

Biological invasions negatively impact global protected areas

Protected areas underpin global biodiversity conservation and sustainability agendas. Biological invasions increasingly threaten the ecological functioning and long-term conservation value of protected areas, while a lack of information on impact impedes management decisions. We collated data from effects of biological invasions in protected areas to provide the first quantitative analysis of their global impacts. Based on 300 reported effects from 44 invasive species, we show that there are overall negative impacts from invasive species on both biotic and abiotic characteristics of protected areas globally. Impacts were pervasive across population, community, and ecosystem scales, and for the vast majority of invasive taxa with sufficient data. Negative impacts have been incurred around the world, with National Parks and World Heritage Sites in the Neartic and Neotropical regions the most studied. Notwithstanding context-dependencies and uneven research efforts, the recurrent negative impacts of invasive species indicate that current efforts are insufficient to curb current stressors and meet conservation and sustainability targets on land and in water. To address the risk of biological invasions in protected areas, it is imperative to prioritise fundamental research on ecological interactions, establish robust monitoring and prevention programs, and raise awareness through global initiatives.

Balancing bioenergy expansion and restoration: Global shifts in biodiversity intactness

Abstract To combat climate change, bioenergy is expected to play a more substantial role in the global energy mix, necessitating the expansion of energy crop plantations during the 21st century. Low‐quality or abandoned agricultural land is commonly proposed for growing energy crops. However, restoring such agricultural land back to natural vegetation is also key for global biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration. Thus, understanding the ecological implications of land‐use changes involving both energy crop plantations and restoration is required. Here, we use biodiversity data to calculate the Biodiversity Intactness Index (BII) in different land uses, including energy crop plantations. We combine our BII models with maps of land use, crop yields and priority areas for restoration to estimate the effects on BII of changes in land use, from the current day, due to bioenergy expansion. We then compare the effects on BII of replacing either any land with energy crops, or only existing agricultural land that is a priority for restoration. Finally, we contrast the effects on BII of planting energy crops versus restoring natural vegetation in priority areas for restoration. Planting energy crops in places with relatively high amounts of natural vegetation and high BII would substantially reduce BII. Planting energy crops only on existing agricultural land that is a priority for restoration would result in less negative effects on BII than planting such crops in high BII areas, and small increases in BII in places with less remaining natural vegetation. However, restoring natural vegetation in priority areas, rather than expanding energy crops, would result in better outcomes for BII. Contrasting the spatial effects on BII of planting energy crops compared with restoring natural vegetation highlights places where energy crops could be the least detrimental to BII, such as Central Europe and the east coasts of the USA and China. Synthesis and applications. While restoration is the best strategy for biodiversity, planting energy crops on agricultural land rather than replacing natural vegetation could minimise losses in biodiversity intactness. However, achieving targets for bioenergy, climate change and restoration will require strategic land‐use planning to minimise ecological compromises.

Geographical pattern of the deviation between taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity and its implications for the conservation of Chinese orchids

Orchidaceae stands as one of the “flagship” groups in global biodiversity conservation, attracting significant attention from researchers in China. Previous studies have focused on taxonomic diversity, neglecting the integration of phylogeny and functional aspects. Here, we have leveraged a large dataset of distributions, evolutionary relationships, and functional traits of orchids in China to analyze geographic patterns of species richness (SR), weighted endemism (WE), phylogenetic diversity (PD), phylogenetic endemism (PE), functional diversity (FD), and functional endemism (FE). Furthermore, we analyzed the deviations between PD (or FD) and SR (PDdev, and FDdev), as well as between PE (or FE) and WE (PEdev, and FEdev), taking into account climatic and environmental variables. We also delineated the priority protection and survey areas of orchid plants in China. Our results revealed that the geographic patterns of SR, WE, PD, PE, FD, and FE for orchids generally exhibited similar trends. However, there were notable inconsistencies in the geographical patterns of PDdev, FDdev, PEdev, and FEdev, which might be related to the different environmental responses of these four diversity deviation metrics. We have pinpointed six priority conservation areas for orchids in China, i.e., southeasterrn Xizang, western Yunnan, central Yunan, the Karst area at the border of Guizhou and Guangxi, the border of Guangdong and Guangxi, and Taiwan Island. In addition, we have also identified certain priority survey areas for orchids, encompassing southeastern Xizang and other crucial locales. These findings will guide future conservation and research efforts aimed at safeguarding the rich biodiversity of orchids in China.

Policy diffusion in global biodiversity conservation: Learning, competition, coercion, and emulation amid US–China great‐power politics

AbstractCoordinated policies and effective global environmental governance are needed to address the global biodiversity crisis. Human dimensions like geopolitics influence conservation decision‐making and outcomes. The importance of considering these complex social factors is heightened in an era of renewed great‐power politics, as the intensifying US–China rivalry has direct implications for environmental governance and biodiversity outcomes. Can the US–China rivalry and its confrontational dynamics be channeled into conservation policymaking to improve biodiversity outcomes? Drawing from international relations and policy studies, policy diffusion theory can provide conservationists with useful insights into the interdependency of policy decisions. Here, we examine the four mechanisms—competition, coercion, learning, and emulation—of the classic model of policy diffusion theory in the context of environmental policymaking. We explore a case study for each mechanism to illustrate how it can benefit biodiversity conservation, and point to examples of relevant policies and actions that could improve outcomes. To operationalize this concept for conservation, we present a decision tree that conservationists can use to determine the most relevant policy diffusion mechanism in different policy contexts. Upon determining the appropriate mechanism, conservationists can take further steps to intentionally trigger the mechanism and catalyze conservation policy diffusion across jurisdictions.

Mapping drivers of land conversion among smallholders: A global systems perspective

CONTEXTAgriculture-driven land conversion poses a significant threat to global biodiversity conservation. Balancing agricultural expansion with conservation is a critical challenge for governments and development partners. Sustainability-oriented agriculture programs such as conservation agriculture and land intensification aim to reduce land conversion and deforestation; however, evidence of their effectiveness remains complex and elusive, especially regarding the role of smallholders. OBJECTIVEThis study addresses this knowledge gap by systematically mapping the drivers of smallholder land conversion and their interconnections across three focal biodiverse contexts including sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia as well as from a global scale. METHODSUsing literature that focuses on the nexus of smallholder farmers and agricultural intensification, this study systematically identified the potential of distinct factors and dynamic processes to serve as system leverage points toward improved outcomes for biodiversity, food security, and smallholder livelihoods, using a combination of structural factor analysis, centrality analysis, and feedback loop analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe results highlight the importance of strengthening land tenure systems, providing technical support to farmers, improving market access, and prioritizing smallholder livelihoods in mitigating land conversion. SIGNIFICANCEContextual differences emphasize the need for context-specific interventions and further research to explore factors driving land conversion more deeply within specific contextual boundaries. Future studies should map proposed policy interventions onto local systems driving land conversion and incorporate the diverse perspectives of local stakeholders to guide effective and sustainable agriculture interventions.

The Ne/N ratio in applied conservation.

Recent developments within the IUCN and the Convention on Biological Diversity have affirmed the increasingly key role that effective population size (N e) and the effective size: census size ratio (N e/N) play in applied conservation and management of global biodiversity. This paper reviews and synthesizes information regarding the definition of N e and demographic and genetic methods for estimating effective size, census size, and their ratio. Emphasis is on single-generation estimates of contemporary N e/N, which are the most informative for practical applications. It is crucial to clearly define which individuals are included in the census size (N). Defining N as the number of adults alive at a given time facilitates comparisons across species. For a wide range of applications and experimental designs, inbreeding N e is simpler to calculate and interpret than variance N e. Effects of skewed sex ratio are generally modest, so most reductions to N e/N arise from overdispersed (greater-than-Poisson) variance in offspring number (). Even when fecundity changes with age, overdispersed within-age variance generally contributes most to overall , and both random and deterministic (mediated by selection) factors can be important. Most species are age-structured, so it is important to distinguish between effective size per generation (N e) and the effective number of breeders in one season or year (N b). Both N e and N b are important for applied conservation and management. For iteroparous species, a key metric is variance in lifetime reproductive success (), which can be affected by a variety of additional factors, including variation in longevity, skip or intermittent breeding, and persistent individual differences in reproductive success. Additional factors that can be important for some species are also discussed, including mating systems, population structure, sex reversal, reproductive compensation, captive propagation, and delayed maturity.

Opening the black box: explainable deep-learning classification of wood microscopic image of endangered tree species

BackgroundTraditional method of wood species identification involves the use of hand lens by wood anatomists, which is a time-consuming method that usually identifies only at the genetic level. Computer vision method can achieve "species" level identification but cannot provide an explanation on what features are used for the identification. Thus, in this study, we used computer vision methods coupled with deep learning to reveal interspecific differences between closely related tree species.ResultA total of 850 images were collected from the cross and tangential sections of 15 wood species. These images were used to construct a deep-learning model to discriminate wood species, and a classification accuracy of 99.3% was obtained. The key features between species in machine identification were targeted by feature visualization methods, mainly the axial parenchyma arrangements and vessel in cross section and the wood ray in tangential section. Moreover, the degree of importance of the vessels of different tree species in the cross-section images was determined by the manual feature labeling method. The results showed that vessels play an important role in the identification of Dalbergia, Pterocarpus, Swartzia, Carapa, and Cedrela, but exhibited limited resolutions on discriminating Swietenia species.ConclusionThe research results provide a computer-assisted tool for identifying endangered tree species in laboratory scenarios, which can be used to combat illegal logging and related trade and contribute to the implementation of CITES convention and the conservation of global biodiversity.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List does not account for intraspecific diversity

Abstract The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List identifies threatened and endangered species and is a key instrument in global biodiversity conservation efforts. Our understanding of the structure and value of genetic biodiversity below the species level is rapidly increasing. Nonetheless, the IUCN assessment criteria overlook genetic variation within species. Here, we address this blind spot and discuss the principles of species conservation status classification relative to intraspecific biodiversity. We focus on coastal species, which thrive in heterogeneous environments known to drive genetic differentiation. The focal example species, Atlantic cod and sugar kelp, have contrasting life histories, are ecologically and economically important constituents of the coastal ecosystem, and are currently not classified as threatened in Norway and Canada. We expose important variation in population structure, the presence of ecotypes and genetic-environment covariation, as well as loss of ecotypes that threatens the conservation of these species. Because the genetic makeup of species directly influences their resilience, omitting this information from conservation status assessments can result in loss of adaptive capacity to future stressors, such as climate change. Consequently, recognizing and preserving intraspecific variation emerges as vital for species’ abilities to adapt to and survive in future ocean conditions.

Comparative assessment of eDNA metabarcoding and longline deployments for elasmobranch surveying across a large tropical marine park network

Abstract Medium‐ to large‐scale marine protected areas (MPAs) are playing an increasingly important role in global marine biodiversity conservation. A key question is “how do we collect relevant data on biodiversity and population trends to inform their design and measure success?” This question is particularly relevant for marine taxa that are difficult to survey, such as sharks and rays, and where populations may occur over vast areas. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding has proven to be an effective sampling method and may provide a solution to these challenges; however, it remains unclear how its sampling effectiveness compares with traditionally used methods for elasmobranch surveying. Here, we directly compared the efficacy of eDNA metabarcoding and demersal longline deployments to survey elasmobranchs across 31 sites over a 55,000 km2 area of the Kimberley and Roebuck Australian Marine Parks in Australia's North‐west Marine Parks Network. In total, we documented 49 unique elasmobranch taxa, 36 of which were detected by eDNA and 32 (from a total of 815 captured sharks) by longline. A combined approach yielded over 34% more elasmobranch taxa than either method alone. Site community compositions varied between the two survey methods; notably eDNA was able to detect species from outside of the immediate sampling area, although this was still consistent with a detection radius of a few kilometres, highlighting a particular use in rugose reef habitats where it is difficult to deploy longlines. In investigating the quantitative use of eDNA data, we report that eDNA metabarcoding read abundance (count) data was poorly correlated with longline aggregate catch (count and biomass) data across raw, relative and rank abundance measures. However, we found that in multivariate analyses, both binary (presence–absence) and abundance (after square‐root transformation) datasets produced highly similar ordination patterns, largely segregating method (eDNA vs. longline), followed by latitude and depth. Lastly, we identified required levels of eDNA replication and longline deployments to maximize captured elasmobranch diversity. This study sets an integrated, georeferenced baseline and long‐term monitoring approach for the management and conservation of elasmobranch diversity within this unique marine park network.

Proximity to natural forests failed to rescue a declining agroforestry tree species

The conservation of species in human-modified landscapes such as agroforestry systems is central to global conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Understanding the dynamics of key species in agroforestry systems is important for predicting the sustainability of these systems. However, the population dynamics of agroforestry tree species are often unknown, and planning for the management of these systems is generally grounded on the untested assumption that the tree component will persist over time. Here, we developed an integral projection model for Vitellaria paradoxa (Sapotaceae), one of the most important tree species in traditional agroforestry systems in West Africa. We collected three years of demographic data from six populations around the Pendjari Biosphere Reserve in Benin to parameterize this model and test the effect of populations’ proximity to natural habitats on the short- and long-term dynamics of V. paradoxa. However, models suggest that V. paradoxa populations are projected to decline at a yearly rate of 10.6% and within the next two decades, this tree will be locally extinct. We found a significant positive effect of proximity to natural forest on the long-term population dynamics, but this failed to save populations from decline. Elasticity analyses show that the best strategy to slow down such a decline includes preserving the largest mature trees. However, traditional management systems that protect shea butter trees in agroforestry systems are now replaced by increasing tree cutting to produce firewood, charcoal and carve out mortars and pestles. The decline of this key agroforestry tree poses a broader threat to long-term sustainability of agroforestry systems.

Maintaining the native gut microbiota of bharal (Pseudois nayaur) is crucial in ex situ conservation.

As wildlife protection continue to strengthen, research on the gut microbiota of wildlife is increasing. Carrying out conservation and research on endangered species in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau plays an important role in global biodiversity conservation. This study utilized 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples to investigate the composition, function, and changes of the gut microbiota of bharal in different environments, seasons, and genders. The results showed that Firmicutes and Bacteroidota were the dominant phyla and UCG-005, Bacteroides, UCG-010 were the dominant genera of bharal. In the wild, the abundance of Firmicutes increased which was conducive to the decomposition and utilization of cellulose, hemicellulose, and carbohydrate. Due to the variety of food types and nutrition in different seasons, the composition and function of gut microbiota were obviously different between genders. Compared with zoo, higher alpha diversity, a more complex gut microbiota network structure, and stronger metabolic function were conducive bharal to adapting to the wild environment. In the zoo, captive bharals were fed foods rich in high fat and protein, which increased the abundance of Bacteroidota and reduced the alpha diversity of gut microbiota. A fixed diet unified the gut microbiota between genders of bharal. It is very important to pay attention to the impact of captive environments and maintain the native gut microbiota of wildlife.

Identifying Strategies for Effective Biodiversity Preservation and Species Status of Chilean Amphibians.

Resources are limited in global biodiversity conservation efforts, which emphasizes the significance of setting conservation priorities. Using standardized criteria, we evaluated 58 amphibian species in Chile to determine their conservation priority (CP). Species with insufficient historical data had their values marked as missing. With a median value of p = 1.67, the results demonstrated CP values ranging from p = 0.48 to p = 3.0, classifying species into priority and non-priority groups. Four levels were established for the priority categories: no priority, low priority, medium priority, and high priority. Additionally, the Telmatobiidae and Alsodidae families were identified as two more priority families. Notably, the species with the highest priority were found to be T. halli, T. fronteriensis, T. philippii, T. chusmisensis, A. pehuenche, and Alsodes tumultuosus, where T. philippii and T. fronteriensis have equal priority for conservation at the national level according to the conservation priority analysis. Eight priority families-the Alsodidae, Batrachylidae, Bufonidae, Ceratophryidae, Leptodactylidae, Rhinodermatidae, and Telmatobiidae-were determined, and 14 species-or 24% of the species examined-need further study. Based on the conservation priority analysis, the species T. fronteriensis and T. philippii share the highest priority for conservation at the national level (p = 2.50). With 70% of the amphibians under study being threatened mainly by habitat loss, pollution, and emerging diseases, the creation of conservation categories made the threat assessment process easier. Due to a lack of information on geographic distribution and abundance, quantitatively classifying amphibians in Chile remains difficult. The analysis of conservation priorities and potential extinction threats informs appropriate management strategies.

Configuring the field of global marine biodiversity conservation

IntroductionThe article describes and analyzes the emergence of the field of global marine biodiversity conservation over the past fifteen years. We draw on collaborative research at international meetings, which we position as ‘field’ sites, places where diverse actors come together to negotiate the meaning and terms of global environmental governance and where that work is accessible and visible to researchers.MethodsBased on Collaborative Event Ethnography (CEE), a method developed to facilitate study of large meetings, we mobilize research from seven meetings since 2008 to describe the field of global marine biodiversity conservation, but more importantly to specifying how that field has been configured.ResultsWe identify practices of orchestration, narrative, performance, alliance, social objects, devices, and technologies, formal outcomes, and formal procedures, and their use at three phases of field configuration: building, framing, and bounding.DiscussionThe results: 1) enhance our understanding of the role of international conferences in global environmental governance generally, and for marine biodiversity conservation specifically; 2) demonstrate the relevance of field and field configuration theory; 3) contribute to theory on institutional fields by specifying practices of field configuration.

Effects of Land Cover on the Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of the Bird Communities on an Urban Subtropical Mountain

Mountain ecosystems are crucial for global biodiversity conservation. However, their landscape features are constantly changing owing to urban expansion. Understanding the relationships between biotic communities and landscape features is essential for biodiversity conservation. This study aimed to examine the effect of land cover type on avian communities in Lishui, a mountainous urban area in eastern China. Avian surveys were conducted using 168 line transects in total across different land cover types once per season from December 2019 to January 2021. We assessed the diversity of bird communities by calculating various metrics at both taxonomic and functional levels. Among the land cover types measured, woodland, built-up land, cultivated land, and water bodies significantly influenced bird community diversity and composition. Species richness, species abundance, and functional richness were negatively correlated with the proportion of woodland but were positively correlated with the proportion of non-natural land cover, such as built-up and cultivated land. In contrast, functional evenness was positively correlated with the proportion of woodland and grassland but negatively correlated with the proportion of non-natural land cover. Land cover type also exhibited significant correlations with avian functional characteristics such as diet, foraging strata, and body mass, thereby influencing the overall community structure. Our results indicated that mountainous landscape patterns substantially affect avian communities. Different land cover types possess varying resource endowments that affect the distribution of avian species. Therefore, urban landscape planning in mountainous areas should carefully consider the various functions provided to organisms by different types of land cover to promote biodiversity.