Global Biodiversity Hotspot Research Articles

Phylogeographic patterns match the floristic subdivisions: The diversification history of a widespread herb in subtropical China.

Subtropical China is dominated by evergreen broad-leaved forests (EBLFs) and is acknowledged as a critical region for its high floristic richness and endemism. Understanding of evolutionary mechanisms of such global biodiversity hotspots comes almost exclusively from long-lived tree species. Herbaceous plants represent critical biodiversity components in forests, however, the diversification history of understory herbs in subtropical EBLFs remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the phylogeographic patterns and demographic history of Oreocharis auricula, a widespread perennial herb endemic to the EBLFs of subtropical China. Both cpDNA sequences and single-copy nuclear genes were used to investigate the genetic variation among 657 individuals from 68 populations. Evidences from molecular dating, demographic history construction, and species distribution modeling were also combined to infer the phylogeography and evolutionary history of O. auricula. Strong phylogeographic signals have been congruently observed using nuclear and plastid DNA markers, with the diversification patterns generally consistent with the recognized floristic subdivisions of subtropical China. Notably, we revealed an important phylogeographic barrier along the Nanling mountain range, which is also around a climatic transition at 24-26°N latitude in subtropical China, separating the south monsoon subtropical EBLFs from the mid-subtropical EBLFs. Demographic expansion and significant niche divergence were detected among the extant lineages, which may have diverged during the early Pleistocene. The inherent characteristics of understory herbs with limited dispersal and short generation time intensify the genetic divergence response of O. auricula to abiotic forces, contributing to the profound phylogeographic imprints of mountains and climate in such herbaceous flora. To further substantiate the generality of the identified patterns, it is paramount to extend phylogeographic investigations to other understory herbaceous taxa in subtropical China. These results have expanded our understanding of the diversification processes of subtropical forests in China.

Meeting Linnean, Wallacean, and Darwinian shortfalls in global biodiversity hotspots: A model study from the Indian Himalayan Region

AbstractDespite recent efforts to make large‐scale biodiversity datasets available, several data shortfalls still exist that preclude our progress in achieving global conservation and sustainability goals. In this study, we present a comprehensive native tree dataset (1689 species) from the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)—home to two global biodiversity hotspots—assembled from an extensive data synthesis. Based on this database, we investigate the geographic patterns and drivers of α‐ and β‐taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of the native trees among 13 different provinces of IHR. Our results revealed a considerable variation in the α‐ and β‐taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity among the provinces of IHR, with the highest values in eastern provinces. We found phylogenetic clustering mostly in the western provinces, and phylogenetic dispersion in the eastern provinces. We found a positive correlation between the taxonomic and phylogenetic dissimilarity across the IHR. Also, the different sets of explanatory variables explained the variation of tree species richness, standardized effect size of phylogenetic diversity, net relatedness index, and nearest taxon index, with maximum contribution by temperature seasonality (Bio4). Furthermore, temperature‐related climatic distance individually explained most of the variation in the taxonomic and phylogenetic dissimilarity between the provinces of IHR. Overall, our findings unveil the patterns of taxonomic, biogeographic, and phylogenetic dimensions of tree flora in the IHR, which in turn can help in formulating scientific data‐based regional policy and conservation strategies. Looking forward, we presented a model study for bridging the Linnean, Wallacean, and Darwinian shortfalls in the globally data‐deficient biodiversity‐rich regions.

Plant diversity darkspots for global collection priorities.

More than 15% of all vascular plant species may remain scientifically undescribed, and many of the > 350 000 described species have no or few geographic records documenting their distribution. Identifying and understanding taxonomic and geographic knowledge shortfalls is key to prioritising future collection and conservation efforts. Using extensive data for 343 523 vascular plant species and time-to-event analyses, we conducted multiple tests related to plant taxonomic and geographic data shortfalls, and identified 33 global diversity darkspots (those 'botanical countries' predicted to contain most undescribed and not yet recorded species). We defined priority regions for future collection according to several socio-economic and environmental scenarios. Most plant diversity darkspots are found within global biodiversity hotspots, with the exception of New Guinea. We identify Colombia, Myanmar, New Guinea, Peru, Philippines and Turkey as global collection priorities under all environmental and socio-economic conditions considered. Our study provides a flexible framework to help accelerate the documentation of global plant diversity for the implementation of conservation actions. As digitisation of the world's herbaria progresses, collection and conservation priorities may soon be identifiable at finer scales.

Invasive alien plants in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (China): Current state and future predictions

Invasive alien plants have received increasing attention due to their worldwide environmental impacts, ecological concerns, and significant economic consequences. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau is an important global biodiversity hotspot hosting rich biodiversity and serving as a crucial component of the southwest ecological security barrier, with global conservation value. However, in recent years, invasive plants have been detrimental to the conservation of biodiversity and native ecosystems on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Here, 197 invasive plant species were recognized from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, encompassing 133 genera across 47 families. We used the maximum entropy model (MaxEnt) method to predict the potential distribution of invasive alien plants on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Furthermore, potential geographic distribution regions suitable for 43 invasive alien plant species were found to be primarily concentrated in central and eastern Qinghai, southern and eastern Tibet, southwest Xinjiang, and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau part of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Gansu in China. Notably, the current potential distribution area for all 43 invasive alien plant species accounts for 29.92 % of the total area, with an increase of 32.72–59.39 % projected by 2050. Moreover, risk screening results confirm the high risk of invasion of most alien plants on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. This study provides a foundation for assessing the risks associated with introducing and managing invasive alien plants in the region. It also offers scientific support for conserving the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau’s unique biodiversity, ecological originality, and sustainable development during economic growth.

Range-wide salamander densities reveal a key component of terrestrial vertebrate biomass in eastern North American forests.

Characterizing the population density of species is a central interest in ecology. Eastern North America is the global hotspot for biodiversity of plethodontid salamanders, an inconspicuous component of terrestrial vertebrate communities, and among the most widespread is the eastern red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus. Previous work suggests population densities are high with significant geographic variation, but comparisons among locations are challenged by lack of standardization of methods and failure to accommodate imperfect detection. We present results from a large-scale research network that accounts for detection uncertainty using systematic survey protocols and robust statistical models. We analysed mark-recapture data from 18 study areas across much of the species range. Estimated salamander densities ranged from 1950 to 34 300 salamanders ha-1, with a median of 9965 salamanders ha-1. We compared these results to previous estimates for P. cinereus and other abundant terrestrial vertebrates. We demonstrate that overall the biomass of P. cinereus, a secondary consumer, is of similar or greater magnitude to widespread primary consumers such as white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and Peromyscus mice, and two to three orders of magnitude greater than common secondary consumer species. Our results add empirical evidence that P. cinereus, and amphibians in general, are an outsized component of terrestrial vertebrate communities in temperate ecosystems.

Seedling survival of the endangered Chilean tree Gomortega keule (Molina) Baill., queule

ABSTRACT Recruitment from seeds is a fundamental process for regeneration. Germination and seedling growth are especially important for trees’ conservation. Gomortega keule (queule) is an endemic and endangered Chilean evergreen tree growing in a small area within a global hotspot of biodiversity. Germination and seedling production in this species are not well understood, but presumed very limited. Populations are highly fragmented and threatened by land use change, especially forestry plantations, and fire damages. This study monitored G. keule seedlings in four sites over three years, recording the emergence and survival of seedlings in 24 plots located in four sites within patches of native vegetation surrounded by plantations of exotic forest trees. Seedling emergence occurred during springtime (October – December), lasting 40–70 days. After emergence, there was a sharp decline in seedling survival; 21.3% survived the first three months. Seedlings died more often in late spring. We confirmed that seedling emergence for G. keule is occurring. However, there is an absence of older seedlings and saplings. More studies are needed on the causes of death. Seedling survival in this endangered tree is essential for its long-term conservation and forest restoration.

Molecular identification and phylogenetic relationship of fishes belonging to the Family Danionidae from Brahmaputra Basin, Assam, Northeast India.

The Northeast India, being part of two global biodiversity hotspot namely the Indo-Burma and Eastern Himalayan Hotspots supports a wide variety of rich aquatic biodiversity including fishes. The family Danionidae is a widely diverse group inhabiting the upper colder stretches of river although few are abundant in the lower stretches. The persisting similarity in the morphological appearance and body colouration within the members of this family seeks an integrated method to identify the species correctly. In the present study, the mt-DNA barcode was generated for correct identification and confirmation of the species. A total of nine mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences were generated for each species under the study. The pairwise distance values ranged from 0.09 to 9.11% within species and 9.06-32.71% between species. A neighbour-joining tree was constructed based on the Kimura 2 parameter model. Two major groups were observed where Danioninae formed a sister group to the Chedrinae and Rasborinae. The present study is a preliminary work to document and identify the species under the family Danionidae from Brahmaputra basin, Assam, using molecular tools and establish the phylogenetic relationship.

Species richness, composition, distribution and conservation status of herpetofauna in a global hotspot: The Mountains of Southwest China

Herpetofauna have attracted considerable global attention due to their high risk of extinction. The Mountains of Southwest China are among the 36 global biodiversity hotspots due to their high biodiversity and irreplaceability, and the Shaluli Mountains are the core area of this region. However, the diversity and conservation status of herpetofauna in the Shaluli Mountains remain unclear. In this study, we updated the species richness and composition information of herpetofauna in the Shaluli Mountains based on extensive field expeditions, published literature, and museum specimens. In addition, we identified the local hotspots and key environmental factors limiting species distribution using environmental niche models (ENMs). Furthermore, we evaluated the conservation status of the key species via the Red List Index and gap analysis. Our results revealed a total of 68 herpetofauna species, representing 30 amphibians (21 genera in nine families) and 38 reptiles (19 genera in six families). The amphibian richness showed a hump-shaped pattern along the elevational gradient, while the reptile richness showed a monotonically decreasing pattern. The dry-hot river valley was identified as a local hotspot, and the key environmental factors limiting the richness of herpetofauna species differed. Moreover, the regional Red List indices for amphibians and reptiles were 0.87 and 0.8, respectively, showing that the overall threat level of this region was low. However, there are large conservation gaps in the protection of key species. Our study indicated that new protected areas should be established and the existing protected areas should be upgraded to protect herpetofauna with a large conservation gap.

Spontaneous vegetation recovery in recently abandoned avocado (Persea americana Mill.) orchards in semi‐arid Central Chile

AbstractAvocado (Persea americana Mill.) is an important commodity with substantial global growth in semi‐arid regions under irrigation, such as Central Chile. This region of Chile has faced severe drought that has resulted in the abandonment of avocado orchards, previously established in a global biodiversity hotspot. This study investigates the early effects of abandonment of avocado farms on vegetation recovery and soil after severe droughts. We measured and characterized early plant successional processes by identifying the flora, vegetation coverage, similarity, and soil characterization through 42 transects distributed in four recently abandoned sites, a productive farm, and a natural site. Multivariate analysis was used to identify significant relationships between soil and habitat properties and vegetation abundance and coverage variations for the dominant species. The Jaccard similarity coefficient was used to compare sites. The establishment of native or endemic species was extremely limited and variable between sites. In total, we recorded 55 vascular plants (49.1% were native). The results indicated that Schinus molle L. has become a dominant colonizer, particularly in highly disturbed planting rows in abandoned farms. Factors such as the sources of S. molle propagules, soil salinity, and organic matter accumulation were identified as key predictors of its coverage and presence in abandoned farms. The study concludes that the abandonment of avocado farms, coupled with severe drought, has created favorable conditions for the recruitment of this species, adversely impacting other native species. This research underscores the importance of considering the remaining features of soil and habitat in new successional processes in highly disturbed areas.

Changes in wild meat hunting and use by rural communities during the COVID‐19 socio‐economic shock

AbstractThere is limited quantitative evidence of the effects of socio‐economic shocks on biological resource use. Focusing on wild meat hunting, a substantial livelihood and food source in tropical regions, we evaluated the impacts of the shock from Nigeria's coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) lockdown on species exploitation around a global biodiversity hotspot. Using a 3‐year quantitative dataset collected during and after the lockdown (covering 1008 hunter‐months) and matching by time of year, we found that successful hunting trip rates were more frequent during the lockdown, with a corresponding increase in the monthly number, mass, and value of animals caught. Moreover, hunters consumed a larger proportion of wild meat and sold less during lockdown, compared to non‐lockdown periods. These results suggest that local communities relied on wild meat to supplement reduced food and income during the lockdown, buffering the COVID‐19's socio‐economic shock. Our findings also indicate that wild species may be especially vulnerable to increased hunting pressure during socio‐economic shocks.

Climate Change Impact on Three Important Species of Wild Fruit Forest Ecosystems: Assessing Habitat Loss and Climatic Niche Shift

As global biodiversity hotspots, wild fruit forests play key ecological functions, providing essential ecosystem services such as carbon storage, soil retention, and water conservation, and support food chains and biodiversity conservation through key species. Climate change, with rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, threatens wild fruit forests by reducing the habitats and numbers of key species, potentially turning these ecosystems from carbon sinks to sources and diminishing overall biodiversity and ecosystem services. However, research on how these changes affect important species’ habitats and carbon dynamics remains insufficient. To address this, we analysed habitat suitability for three important species (Prunus armeniaca L., Malus sieversii, and Prunus ledebouriana (Schltdl.) Y.Y.Yao with the aim of informing conservation strategies. We used biomod2 to integrate environmental and species data using six methods, encompassing 12 models. We predicted overlapping geographical distributions of three species, analysing their ecological niches and environmental interactions using global datasets to understand their adaptations. This analysis revealed ecological niche shifts and reductions in resource utilisation in both current and future scenarios. Their distribution centres will move poleward under the influence of bioclimatic factors and human activities. In conclusion, protecting P. armeniaca, M. sieversii, and P. ledebouriana is essential for the conservation and overall health of wild fruit forest ecosystems. This study provides new insights into climate change, habitat loss, informing conservation and resilience strategies.

Highly Diverse Symbiodiniaceae Types Hosted by Corals in a Global Hotspot of Marine Biodiversity

Symbiotic dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodiniaceae play vital roles in promoting resilience and increasing stress tolerance in their coral hosts. While much of the world’s coral succumb to the stresses associated with increasingly severe and frequent thermal bleaching events, live coral cover in Papua New Guinea (PNG) remains some of the highest reported globally despite the historically warm waters surrounding the country. Yet, in spite of the high coral cover in PNG and the acknowledged roles Symbiodiniaceae play within their hosts, these communities have not been characterized in this global biodiversity hotspot. Using high-throughput sequencing of the ITS2 rDNA gene, we profiled the endosymbionts of four coral species, Diploastrea heliopora, Pachyseris speciosa, Pocillopora acuta, and Porites lutea, across six sites in PNG. Our findings reveal patterns of Cladocopium and Durusdinium dominance similar to other reefs in the Coral Triangle, albeit with much greater intra- and intergenomic variation. Host- and site-specific variations in Symbiodiniaceae type profiles were observed across collection sites, appearing to be driven by environmental conditions. Notably, the extensive intra- and intergenomic variation, coupled with many previously unreported sequences, highlight PNG as a potential hotspot of symbiont diversity. This work represents the first characterization of the coral-symbiont community structure in the PNG marine biodiversity hotspot, serving as a baseline for future studies.

Common ant species dominate morphospace: unraveling the morphological diversity in the Brazilian Amazon Basin

Rare plant and vertebrate species have been documented to contribute disproportionately to the total morphological structure of species assemblages. These species often possess morphologically extreme traits and occupy the boundaries of morphological space. As rare species are at greater risk of extinction than more widely distributed species, human‐induced disturbances can strongly affect ecosystem functions related to assemblage morphology. Here, we assess to what extent the distributions of ant morphological traits are supported by morphologically extreme species and how they are distributed among habitats in a global biodiversity hotspot, the Brazilian Amazon. We used a morphological database comprising 15 continuous morphological traits and 977 expert‐validated ant species distributed across the Brazilian Amazon. We produced species range estimates using species distribution models or alpha hulls (when few records were available). Next, we conducted a principal components analysis to combine traits into a space with reduced dimensionality (morphospace). Then, we identified morphologically extreme species in this space and quantified their contributions to morphological diversity across different habitat types in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. We identified 114 morphologically extreme ant species across the Amazon ant morphospace. These species also accounted for a large percentage of morphospace filling, exceeding 99% representation in the most disturbed habitats in the Amazon. Our results suggest that a few morphologically extreme species capture most of the variation in ant morphology and, therefore, the spectrum of ecosystem functions performed by ants in the Brazilian Amazon Basin. Further, unlike in many other groups, these extreme morphologies were represented by the set of most common species. These results suggest greater functional redundancy and resilience in Brazilian Amazon ants, but more broadly, they contribute to our understanding of ecological processes that sustain ecosystem functions.

An ecological coherence assessment of the Wider Caribbean Region marine protected area network

Marine protected areas (MPA) are area-based management tools that serve as the cornerstone for marine conservation and sustainable use. There has been a recent shift from establishing MPAs on an individual basis to establishing networks of connected MPAs to better reflect the transient dynamics of marine species and to ensure they are acting synergistically to deliver their intended outcomes in a coherent manner. This study employs innovative geospatial analysis to assess the ecological coherence of the MPA network comprising 846 sites within the Wider Caribbean Region, a global hotspot of marine biodiversity. Evaluating four main criteria widely used in policy—representativity, replicability, connectivity, and adequacy—through 14 tests, our findings indicate that the current MPA network is unlikely to have achieved ecological coherence across all criteria. To improve ecological coherence, regional management could focus on expanding coverage of ecologically important areas, encompassing a broader range of biogeographic zones, and protecting the full spectrum of marine habitats in the region. Efforts should also be directed towards establishing larger MPAs and increasing the number of MPAs with no-take zones, while ensuring the protection of indigenous and local communities' rights to sustainable marine resource use.

Human disturbance increases spatiotemporal associations among mountain forest terrestrial mammal species

Spatial and temporal associations between sympatric species underpin biotic interactions, structure ecological assemblages, and sustain ecosystem functioning and stability. However, the resilience of interspecific spatiotemporal associations to human activity remains poorly understood, particularly in mountain forests where anthropogenic impacts are often pervasive. Here, we applied context-dependent Joint Species Distribution Models to a systematic camera-trap survey dataset from a global biodiversity hotspot in eastern Himalayas to understand how prominent human activities in mountain forests influence species associations within terrestrial mammal communities. We obtained 10,388 independent detections of 17 focal species (12 carnivores and five ungulates) from 322 stations over 43,163 camera days of effort. We identified a higher incidence of positive associations in habitats with higher levels of human modification (87%) and human presence (83%) compared to those located in habitats with lower human modification (64%) and human presence (65%) levels. We also detected a significant reduction of pairwise encounter time at increasing levels of human disturbance, corresponding to more frequent encounters between pairs of species. Our findings indicate that human activities can push mammals together into more frequent encounters and associations, which likely influences the coexistence and persistence of wildlife, with potential far-ranging ecological consequences.

Spatial bias in sampling small rodents in the Atlantic Forest: A landscape and accessibility perspective

Understanding the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation on species spatial distribution is challenging, mainly because knowledge of species occurrences is biased. Survey efforts are unevenly distributed causing spatial sampling biases that are normally neglected. Assessing sampling bias is particularly urgent for threatened ecoregions, such as the Atlantic Forest, a global biodiversity hotspot. Here, we assess spatial sampling biases of small rodents in the Atlantic Forest, using an integrative approach with accessibility and landscape metrics. We built a robust dataset of 11,495 primary records of the Atlantic Forest’s small rodent species, based on information from digitally accessible repositories. We expect that well-sampled sites are spatially aggregated and nearer roads, urban centers, on landscapes with larger forest fragments, and with higher percentage of forest cover. We also expect gaps of small rodents sampling in rare landscape conditions. Our results indicated that only less than 1% of the Atlantic Forest (at 1 km2 cell-size resolution) are well sampled. Following our expectations, the well-sampled sites were spatially aggregated biased toward roads, urban centers, larger forest fragments, and landscapes with higher percentage of forest cover. We also found a survey gap on common landscape conditions. Our findings suggest that the spatial distribution of small rodents at landscape level (1 km2) remains unknown across most of the Atlantic Forest spatial extension. Our findings also point to new priority sites for small mammals sampling on common landscape conditions, in smaller fragments and on remote areas improving spatial distribution knowledge and contributing to conservation policies at landscape level.

Human disturbance increases spatiotemporal associations among mountain forest terrestrial mammal species.

Spatial and temporal associations between sympatric species underpin biotic interactions, structure ecological assemblages, and sustain ecosystem functioning and stability. However, the resilience of interspecific spatiotemporal associations to human activity remains poorly understood, particularly in mountain forests where anthropogenic impacts are often pervasive. Here, we applied context-dependent Joint Species Distribution Models to a systematic camera-trap survey dataset from a global biodiversity hotspot in eastern Himalayas to understand how prominent human activities in mountain forests influence species associations within terrestrial mammal communities. We obtained 10,388 independent detections of 17 focal species (12 carnivores and five ungulates) from 322 stations over 43,163 camera days of effort. We identified a higher incidence of positive associations in habitats with higher levels of human modification (87%) and human presence (83%) compared to those located in habitats with lower human modification (64%) and human presence (65%) levels. We also detected a significant reduction of pairwise encounter time at increasing levels of human disturbance, corresponding to more frequent encounters between pairs of species. Our findings indicate that human activities can push mammals together into more frequent encounters and associations, which likely influences the coexistence and persistence of wildlife, with potential far-ranging ecological consequences.

Fisher’s perceptions on shark fisheries in Sao Tome Island (Gulf of Guinea, West Africa)

Sao Tome and Principe (STP) is a small island developing state in the Gulf of Guinea (West Africa) and is considered a global hotspot of marine biodiversity. Still, detailed information on sharks’ diversity, abundance, and respective fisheries is mainly absent. Here, we interviewed fishers from different local communities of the island of Sao Tome to characterize: i) local knowledge on shark fisheries, ii) those reliant upon these resources, and iii) their perceptions about shark populations and their importance on Sao Tome Island. A total of 111 semi-structured interviews were conducted between May 6 and June 15, 2019, in 11 fishing communities. Ninety-seven percent of fishers mentioned that sharks are present in their fishing grounds, and 98 % reported that they catch sharks. The species most identified by fishers (77 %) was the scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), followed by the bluntnose sixgill shark (Hexanchus griseus; 33 %), white shark (Carcharodon carcharias; 31 %), longfin mako shark (Isurus paucus; 29 %), pigeye shark (Carcharhinus amboinensis; 27 %), and other six species (under 20 % each). Sixty-two percent of interviewees perceived sharks as a threat to their safety and livelihoods. When asked if sharks should be protected, 59 % of fishers agreed, while 40 % did not consider it necessary. Common reasons in support of protection were that sharks were disappearing (23 %), important for ocean health (9 %), and overfished (5 %). Most fishers (89 %) noticed shark abundance changes, decreasing over the past 15 years. Regarding the underlying causes, the most common response was the increase in the fishing pressure from international fishing fleets (72 %). We argue that raising awareness and building capacity close to local communities on sharks' essential role and importance will be fundamental to supporting future conservation measures, as misinformation and prejudice against sharks are widespread.

What is the state of the art on traditional medicine interventions for zoonotic diseases in the Indian subcontinent? A scoping review of the peer-reviewed evidence base

BackgroundTraditional medicine (TM) interventions are plausible therapeutic alternatives to conventional medical interventions against emerging and endemic zoonotic diseases, particularly in low-and middle-income countries that may lack resources and infrastructure. Despite the growing popularity in the usage of TM interventions, their clinical safety and effectiveness are still contested within conventional healthcare in many countries.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review of the peer-reviewed literature that synthesises and maps the evidence on TM interventions for the treatment and prevention of zoonoses on the Indian subcontinent. The region, a global hotspot of biodiversity and emerging infections, is characterised by high prevalence of TM use. Based on the scientific literature (mostly case study research, n=l06 studies), our review (1) maps the scope of the literature, (2) synthesises the evidence on the application of TM interventions for zoonoses, and (3) critically reflects on the state of TM and identifies areas for future research focus.ResultsThe evidence synthesis confirmed widespread usage of TM interventions for zoonoses on the subcontinent, with the majority of research reported from India (n=99 studies, 93.4%), followed by Pakistan (n=3 studies, 2.8%), Bangladesh (n=2 studies, 1.9%), and Sri Lanka (n=1, 0.9%). Most of the reviewed studies reported on ethno-medicinal uses of plant species, primarily for treating dengue (n=20 studies), tuberculosis (n=18 studies), Escherichia coli infection (n=16 studies), lymphatic filariasis and cholera (n=9 apiece). However, the evidence on the safety and effectiveness of these reported TM interventions is limited, indicating that these data are rarely collected and/or shared within the peer-reviewed literature.ConclusionThis review thus highlights that, whilst TMs are already being used and could offer more widely accessible interventions against emerging and endemic zoonoses and ectoparasites, there is an urgent need for rigorous clinical testing and validation of the safety and effectiveness of these interventions.

Mixed effects of climate and species richness on aboveground carbon stock in subtropical Atlantic forests

Tropical forests are global biodiversity hotspots and are crucial in the global carbon (C) cycle. Understanding the drivers of aboveground carbon stock (AGC) in a heterogeneous and biodiverse system can shed light on the processes underlying the relationship between biodiversity and carbon accumulation. Here, we investigate how biodiversity, environment, and landscape structure affect AGC. We examined such associations in 349 plots comprising over 95,346 km2 the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil, encompassing three forest types: Dense Ombrophylous Forest (DF), Mixed Ombrophylous Forest (MF), and Seasonal Deciduous Forest (SF). Each plot was described by environmental variables, landscape metrics, and biodiversity (species richness and functional diversity). We used diversity, environmental, and landscape variables to build generalized linear mixed models and understand which can affect the forest AGC. We found that species richness is associated positively with AGC in all forest types, combined and separately. Seasonal temperature and isothermality affect AGC in all forest types; additionally, stocks are positively influenced by annual precipitation in SF and isothermality in MF. Among landscape metrics, total fragment edge negatively affects carbon stocks in MF. Our results show the importance of species diversity for carbon stocks in subtropical forests. The climate effect was also relevant, showing the importance of these factors, especially in a world where climate change tends to affect forest stock capacity negatively.