Great Conservation Value Research Articles

A Comparative Evaluation of eDNA Metabarcoding Primers in Fish Community Monitoring in the East Lake

East Lake in Wuhan, China, harbors a high number of freshwater fish species of great conservation value, concurrently serving as vital resources for local livelihoods. However, the ecosystem is threatened by an array of anthropogenic activities, thus requiring consistent monitoring of the local fish community to enable more efficacious conservation management. In place of conventional surveying methods, we undertook the first analysis of the fish distribution within East Lake via metabarcoding of environmental DNA (eDNA). The accuracy and efficacy of eDNA metabarcoding rely heavily upon selecting an appropriate primer set for PCR amplification. Given the varying environmental conditions and taxonomic diversity across distinct study systems, it remains a challenge to propose an optimal genetic marker for universal use. Thus, it becomes necessary to select PCR primers suitable for the composition of fish in the East Lake. Here, we evaluated the performance of two primer sets, Mifish-U and Metafish, designed to amplify 12S rRNA barcoding genes in fishes. Our results detected a total of 116 taxonomic units and 51 fish species, with beta diversity analysis indicating significant differences in community structure diversity between the six sampling locations encompassing East Lake. While it was difficult to accurately compare the species-level discriminatory power and amplification bias of the two primers, Mifish outperformed Metafish in terms of taxonomic specificity for fish taxa and reproducibility. These findings will assist with primer selection for eDNA-based fish monitoring and biodiversity conservation in the East Lake and other freshwater ecosystems.

A Conservation and Material Study of the Fire-fighting Nozzle Culture Heritage

Fire-fighting culture heritage refer to tangible items and materials that contain stories related to fire-fighting. Among the fire-fighting items, the nozzles, which play a large part in extinguishing fires, are of great conservation value because few of them are left as culture heritage. In this study, conservation treatment was performed while observing the surface and corrosion state of two nozzle culture heritage used for fire-fighting. The processes were recorded by reflectance transformation imaging technique. In addition, the material characteristics were examined through observation of surface microstructure and component analysis of a total of 3 samples, including 2 of these relics and 1 of recently produced nozzle. As a result, it was confirmed that most of the rust on the nozzle surface was atacamite, and that nantokite remained partially. The base metal of the nozzle was presumed to be red brass among the types of brass, considering that it contains Cu as the main element, 2 to 15% of Zn, 5% or less of Sn, and 8% or less of Pb as additional alloying elements. In addition, the crystal segregation did not disappear and the solid solution was generated as a heterogeneous dendrite, indicating that the brass casting used as a fire nozzle was rapidly cooled.

Assessment of population, habitat, and threats to Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham. (Cycadaceae), a vulnerable cycad in Bhutan

Cycas pectinata Buch.-Ham. is an ancient gymnosperm that is now confined to pockets of habitats in the Indian subcontinent but was once widely distributed. Its decline is attributable to habitat loss, and has reached the point where C. pectinata is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ in the IUCN Red List. C. pectinata is the only species of Cycas found in Bhutan, and in this biodiversity-rich area it is present as a relic of great scientific and conservation value because of its rarity and long evolutionary history. Although it is well known in India, it has not been studied in detail in Bhutan. This study assessed populations and threats to C. pectinata in two places in Bhutan. Field visits were made to document the distribution, habitats, and associated threats to the populations. Plants were observed growing in steep rugged terrain in the open Chir Pine forest. Populations are significantly threatened due to human activities such as habitat destruction and over collection as ornamental plant. Possible expansion of populations is naturally threatened by low seed production and by predators.

Habitat’s diversity of RLP «Stil’ske horbogirya»

The habitats of «Stilske Gorbohirya» RLP and adjacent territories were studied, their sozological value was assessed. 34 types of habitat have been identified in the study area, which by origin can be divided into 2 groups: anthropogenic (15) and natural (19). Anthropogenic habitats are represented by permanent mesotrophic lakes, ponds and pools (C1.2), highly artificial broadleaved deciduous forestry plantations (G1.C) and coniferous plantations (G3.F), scattered residential agrocultural and public buildings (J2.1), rural industrial and commercial sites still in active use (J2.3), trampled areas (Н5.6), active opencast mineral extraction sites, including quarries (J3.2), recently abandoned above-ground spaces of extractive industrial sites (J3.3), disused underground mines and tunnels (Н1.7) as well as agricultural land: mixed crops of market gardens and horticulture (І1.2), anthropogenic herb stands (Е5.1), unttendent fruit and nut tree orchards (G1.D) permanent mesotrophic pastures and aftermath-grazed meadows (Е2.1). The vegetation of anthropogenic settlements is represented by the classes: Molinio-Arrhenatheretea TX. 1937 – on fallow lands, Galio-Urticetea Passarge ex Kopecký 1969 – in old gardens and on paths; Artemisietea vulgaris Lohmeyer et al. in Tx. ex Von. Rochow 1951 – on the territory of quarries. Natural habitats are represented by springs and spring brooks (С2.1), permanent non-tidal, smooth-flowing watercourses (C2.3), temporary running waters (C2.5), water-fringing reedbeds and tall helophytes other than canes (C3.2), sparsely vegetated shores with soft or mobile sediments (C3.6), beds of large sedges normally without free-standing water (D5.2), inland sand and rock with open vegetation (E1.1), moist or wet eutrophic and mesotrophic grassland (E3.4), thermophile woodland fringes (Е5.2), Pteridium aquilinum fields (Е 5.3), temperate thickets and scrub (F3.1), riverine scrub (F9.1), riverine willow woodland (G1.1), mixed riparian floodplain and gallery woodland (G1.2), beech woodland (G1.6), scots pine woodland south of the taiga (G3.4), open cave entrances (Н1.1), calcareous and ultra-basic screes of warm exposures (H2.6) basic and ultra-basic inland cliffs (H3.2). 17 species of vascular plants were identified in the Red Book of Ukraine and 5 regionally rare species, also among mosses - 13 regionally rare species and two new ones for the Opillia region. The habitats of wet mesotrophic (floodplain) meadows, thermophilic edges, and beech forests have the greatest conservation value, where the largest number of rare plant species of European importance, the Red Book of Ukraine, and regional nature conservation lists are concentrated.

Contrasting Responses of Alien and Ancient Forest Indicator Plant Species to Fragmentation Process in the Temperate Lowland Forests.

Fragmentation is one of the major threats to biodiversity. In a fragmented landscape, forest specialists are losing suitable forest habitats with specific site and microclimate conditions, which results in their local extinction. Conversely, the invasion of alien species is facilitated by open forest areas and increased boundaries between forest fragments and adjacent land. We studied the effect of fragmentation in terms of fragment size impact on overall plant species richness and on selected ecologically important groups' richness, composition, and diversity. We surveyed vegetation in the interior of 47 fragments of various sizes and one unfragmented reference forest. Our results reveal that the effect of fragmentation is complex and differs for studied plant groups. Decreasing fragment size negatively affects the overall plant richness and richness of native and ancient forest indicator plants as well as their diversity, while the effect is positive for alien plants. The highest proportion of ancient forest indicator plant species and the lowest proportion of alien plants in the unfragmented forest underline the great conservation value of forest fragments. At the same time, our results reveal that large and diverse forest ecosystems are susceptible to biological invasions as well.

Diet and grit characteristics in young Eurasian Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) inhabiting Iberian hedgerows

For the first time, the diet of young Iberian Bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula iberiae) is studied, specifically in a hedgerow habitat in northwestern Spain, through stomach (younger nestlings up to 8 d of age, which died without researcher intervention) and faecal sac (older nestlings) analysis, and secondarily direct observation (nestlings and dependent juveniles). Also, for the first time, grit use by bullfinch nestlings is described in some detail. Bullfinches fed their young with a mixture of seeds and invertebrates, with greater quantitative importance of the former. The identity of the seeds varied considerably between spring and summer, and animal fraction gradually decreased from May to July for older nestlings, in both cases presumably because of the seasonal changes in food availability. Caterpillars and spiders were the most important arthropod prey in the diet. Apparently, the young were not fed non-arthropod invertebrates. The relative importance of invertebrates, which are very rich in proteins, was greater for younger nestlings than for older ones. Difficult to digest hard-bodied prey, such as beetles, were not present in the stomachs of the youngest nestlings. The frequency of occurrence and amount of grit in stomachs increased with nestling age, along with the need to grind food. There were no remarkable differences in number of units, size, or number of colour types of gastroliths between months. The high floristic diversity in the study area, which has great overall conservation value, provides a wide range of resources for bullfinches, including plenty of food for their young.

Climate Change and Dispersal Ability Jointly Affects the Future Distribution of Crocodile Lizards.

Simple SummaryClimate change is one of the most significant global challenges we face this century, and all species will likely be affected by it. Climate change may cause organisms to advance their phenology, delay reproduction, shift their ranges northwards, or even reduce their range. Reptiles, as typical ectotherms, are more sensitive to climate change, mainly in the form of range shifts. The crocodile lizard (Shinisaurus crocodilurus Ahl, 1930) belongs to a monophyletic family and genus and is a relict species from the late Quaternary glacial period. Given its unique evolutionary history, it arguably has greater conservation value. The overall population size of this species is decreasing due to habitat destruction and over-exploitation (e.g., traditional medicine, food, and pet trade). This study evaluated the effect of climate change and dispersal capacity on the potential distribution range of crocodile lizards. Temperature and precipitation interact to affect the distribution of crocodile lizards. Historical climate has seen a large expansion in the range of the crocodile lizard. However, in a future global warming scenario, the potential range of crocodile lizards will continue to shrink. The same results were obtained for different migration scenarios. However, to better predict future changes to the distribution range of the crocodile lizard we need more fieldwork and ground truthing. All we can do currently is try to protect the lizard and its habitat to ensure their continued survival.Crocodile lizards (Shinisaurus crocodilurus) are an endangered, ‘living fossil’ reptile from a monophyletic family and therefore, a high priority for conservation. We constructed climatic models to evaluate the potential impact of climate change on the distribution of crocodile lizards for the period 2000 to 2100 and determined the key environmental factors that affect the dispersal of this endangered species. For the construction of climatic models, we used 985 presence-only data points and 6 predictor variables which showed excellent performance (AUC = 0.974). The three top-ranked factors predicting crocodile lizard distribution were precipitation of the wettest month (bio13, 37.1%), precipitation of the coldest quarter (bio19, 17.9%), and temperature seasonality (bio4, 14.3%). Crocodile lizards were, just as they are now, widely distributed in the north of Guangdong Province in China and Quảng Ninh Province in Vietnam at the last glacial maximum (LGM). Since the LGM, there has been an increase in suitable habitats, particularly in east-central Guangxi Province, China. Under future global warming scenarios, the potential habitat for crocodile lizards is expected to decrease significantly in the next 100 years. Under the most optimistic scenario, only 7.35% to 6.54% of suitable habitat will remain, and under the worst climatic scenario, only 8.34% to 0.86% of suitable habitat will remain. Models for no dispersal and limited dispersal showed that all crocodile lizards would lose habitat as temperatures increase. Our work contributes to an increased understanding of the current and future spatial distribution of the species, supporting practical management and conservation plans.

Species-specific responses to land-use change in island insectivorous bats

Due to their ability to disperse over water, over half of the extant bat species occur on islands and ca. 25% of these are island endemics. They are often the sole native island mammals and play key roles in the maintenance of insular ecosystems. Yet, due to increasing anthropogenic pressures, ca. 60% of island-restricted bats are now threatened. The sub-tropical island of Madeira is home to the Macaronesian endemic Pipistrellus maderensis, to Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus - an endemic subspecies to Madeira - and Plecotus austriacus. These species each represent the three main foraging guilds of insectivorous bats namely, edge space foragers, open space foragers and narrow space foragers. Despite the great conservation value and potential to provide pest suppression services, little is known about the habitat associations of Macaronesian bats. We used low-cost autonomous sensors to conduct an island-wide bioacoustic survey to investigate how Madeiran bats are affected by human-induced land-use change and orography. Overall we obtained >63,000 bat passes across 216 sites and at each site, we quantified land-use cover and altitude within a radius of 250, 500 and 1000 m. Pipistrellus maderensis was the most widespread and commonly recorded species, whereas Plecotus austriacus had the most restricted distribution and lowest number of detected bat passes. We found species-specific and scale-dependent responses to land-use cover, with the activity of Pipistrellus maderensis being positively associated with landscape-scale shrubland, cropland and Laurisilva (primary forest) cover, whereas the activity of Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus and Plecotus austriacus were negatively influenced by Laurisilva and cropland cover, respectively. Furthermore, we found that altitude had a negative effect on the activity of Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus and Plecotus austriacus. This study provides the first insights into the effects of land-use type on Madeiran bats and showcases the great potential of low-cost bioacoustic detectors for island-wide bat surveys.

Holocene dynamics of a relict moss complex in the Korotovskoe mire (State Complex «Zavidovo», Russia)

The Korotovskoe mire in the National Park «State complex “Zavidovo”» is the only mire massif in the Moscow Region (Russia) where the postglacial relict complex of vascular plants (e.g. Betula humilis, Pedicularis sceptrum-carolinum, Saxifraga hirculus, Trichophorum alpinum) and mosses (e.g. Cinclidium stygium, Drepanocladus trifarius, Hamatocaulis vernicosus, Meesia triquetra, Paludella squarrosa, Scorpidium scorpioides, S. cossonii, Tomentypnum nitens) is maximally saved. This complex is typical for spring fens. We studied the main stages of the mire development during the last 10 000 years using the analysis of macroremains and radiocarbon analysis. It was shown that despite the instability of the water regime on the mire, minerotrophic mosses were found in the most peat layers. This fact confirms the stability of mineral water inflow during the early and middle Holocene. Meesia triquetra and Drepanocladus trifarius live on the mire since the Boreal period. During the Atlantic and Subboreal period (when the mire surface dried out) there was a very slow peat deposition and the mire was covered by trees, together with a decrease in minerotrophic mosses in the vegetation cover. Scorpidium cossonii, Hamatocaulis vernicosus and Drepanocladus sendtnerii emerge during peat deposits in the Subboreal period after the water regime restoration and the returning of swamp conditions. In the last 2000 years, the surface of the mire was covered by Sphagnum mosses. During the meso-oligotrophic stage of the mire development, mosses demanding a rich mineralisation remained in other parts of the mire, where conditions of rich mineral nutrition lasted longer. Limiting factors of this moss complex during the early and middle Holocene were light and level of mire waters, whereas, in the late Holocene, it was oligotrophisation of the upper peat layers because of a rapid deposition of organic matter. The complex of relict minerotrophic mosses currently existing on mires in the centre of European Russia can be considered as relicts of the glacial time, and, at the same time, as relicts of spring fens, which were more widespread in the early and middle Holocene and gradually having lost their importance as a result of autogenic succession. The obtained data indicate the great nature conservation value of the Korotovskoe mire massif.

Animal diversity in beech forests – An analysis of 30 years of intense faunistic research in Hessian strict forest reserves

Under natural conditions beech forest would be the most widespread habitat in Central Europe. Therefore the knowledge of this vegetation type, including the animal communities dwelling there, as well as the mechanisms forming these communities are of high interest for biodiversity research and conservation in Central Europe. However, historically, Central European beech forests were thought to harbor only relatively few species. Here, faunistic data of five beech forest reserves, which were generated as part of the Hessian strict forest reserves program, are analyzed to investigate diversity patterns of Hessian beech forests of low mountain ranges. We focus on species-level data from six organism groups: Aculeata, Araneae, Coleoptera, Heteroptera, Lumbricidae, and Macrolepidoptera. We show that with 2552 forest-dwelling species from these organism groups an unexpectedly high number of species was found in Hessian beech forests, and that a higher species richness can be expected in these groups. Observed species diversity ranges from 1245 to 1556 forest dwelling species in the five individual forest reserves. Overall, 36 % of the forest dwelling species of the considered species groups known from Germany were found with all applied methods in the forest reserves. Different forest reserves share 40–50 % of the species, representing 50–70 % of the species of the individual reserves, indicating high levels of regional and habitat-structure based differentiation. Only 21 % of the species are found in all five reserves. The low percentage of species found in all five reserves is, in addition to differing local conditions, probably a result of the communities being composed of few highly abundant and many rare species, leading to a high percentage of species only found by chance in our surveys. We also observe differences in community heterogeneity among the five reserves. Patterns differ between organism groups, clearly indicating that a focus on single taxa or a single indicator group falls short of revealing meaningful patterns. In spider communities, beta diversity is linked to the spatial distance between traps. In other organism groups community heterogeneity within reserves rather depends on structural heterogeneity. Species richness was associated with percentage of reserve area not covered with the most dominant habitat type, the deadwood amount, and with survey year. Being the potential natural vegetation of Germany and considering the unexpectedly high diversity of their associated fauna, beech forests bear a great conservation value. However, their widespread occurrence and dominance is likely to push them out of focus of conservation efforts. Yet protecting diverse and richly structured beech forests can contribute greatly to preserving the native arthropod fauna and should play a central role in biodiversity conservation efforts in Central Europe.

High Nature Value Farming Systems and Protected Areas: Conservation Opportunities or Land Abandonment? A Study Case in the Madrid Region (Spain)

European rural landscapes contain high nature value farmlands that, in addition to being the main economic activity in many rural areas, host habitats and species of great conservation value. The maintenance of these farming systems largely depends on traditional ecological knowledge and the rural lifestyles of the local populations. However, they have not been sufficiently appreciated and protected, and as a result, they are currently threatened. In this study, which was performed in the Madrid region (central Spain), we analyse the social-ecological changes of the rural landscape after the establishment of a protected natural area network. The obtained results highlight a significant loss of these high nature value farming systems and a marked increase in the rewilding processes characterised by scrub–forest transition and the development of forest systems. These processes are linked to the disruption of the transmission of traditional ecological knowledge, which may imply negative consequences for both the high biocultural diversity that these systems host and the cultural identity and the socioeconomics of the rural populations that live there. A useful methodological tool is provided for social–ecological land planning and the design of effective management strategies for the conservation of rural cultural landscapes.

Население мелких наземных позвоночных животных памятника природы «Чеускинский бор» (Ханты-Мансийский автономный округ - Югра)

There are 25 specially protected natural areas of various status have been organized on the territory of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug Ugra. Despite their great nature conservation value, the degree of study of flora and fauna, as well as the ecology of plants and animals in the territory of most of them, remains relatively low. Until now, special studies of small terrestrial vertebrates inhabiting the Cheuskinsky Bor have been carried out. In 2020, our research of small terrestrial vertebrates were carried out. The purpose of the study is to identify the species composition and some features of ecology (abundance, biotopic distribution) of small mammals, amphibians and reptiles. The research was carried out in July-September 2020. Metal cones were used to catch most of the vertebrate species. A total of 7400 cone-days have been worked out. 10 species of small mammals and 3 of amphibians are registered. The species composition of small mammals at the Cheuskinsky Bor site is relatively poor, 10 species were captured by cones, 3 were marked visually. The group of dominants included the common shrew and the red-backed vole. They accounted for 22% and 77%, respectively, of all recorded animals. Reptiles in the 2020 season were not registered in the counts, however, according to the literature, the habitat of the common European adder and viviparous lizard is known. Among amphibians, the moor frog and Siberian salamander are rare, the European toad is common. In the future, when conducting annual studies, the list of small mammals can be supplemented by 714 species of insectivores, bats and rodents, the list of amphibians 1 species.

Standardised inventories of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) on touristic trails of the native forests of the Azores (Portugal).

BackgroundThe sharp increase in tourist visitation of the Azores Archipelago from 2015 onwards raised concerns about the impacts of recreational tourism on native habitats. In response, a project was financed by the Azorean Government to investigate the drivers of biodiversity erosion associated with recreational tourism. Here, we present the data on spider biodiversity found on trails located within the native Azorean forests as they are home to several endemic species of great conservation value. We applied an optimised and standardised sampling protocol (COBRA) in twenty-three plots located in five trails on Terceira and São Miguel Islands and assessed diversity and abundance of spider species at different distances from the trail head and the trail itself.New informationOf the 45 species (12435 specimens) collected, 13 were endemic to the Azores (9690 specimens), 10 native non-endemic (2047 specimens) and 22 introduced (698 specimens). This database will be the baseline of a long-term monitoring project for the assessment of touristic impacts on native forest trails. This methodology can also be used on other habitats and biogeograhical regions.

Grassland management and land use history shape species composition and diversity in Transylvanian semi‐natural grasslands

AbstractAimsSemi‐natural grasslands are among the most biodiverse habitats in Europe, and they are of great conservation and agricultural value. However, changes in land use like grazing intensification and the cessation of traditional management have dramatic effects on the extent and biodiversity of these ecosystems. In this study we investigated how current management practices and land use history shape species composition and diversity patterns in semi‐natural grasslands of the Eastern hills of the Cluj region.LocationEastern hills of Cluj (“Dealurile Clujului de Est” ‐ ROSCI0295) Natura 2000 conservation site and close surroundings, Transylvania, Romania.MethodsWe surveyed plots in extensively and intensively grazed grasslands, grasslands mown by hand or heavy machinery, and abandoned grasslands. To quantify grassland continuity, we analysed a series of historical cadastral and more current maps ranging from the 18th to the 21st century.ResultsSpecies composition was significantly influenced by current management, grassland continuity and environmental factors. Mown and extensively grazed grasslands had more grassland and forest edge specialists than abandoned and intensively grazed grasslands. In addition, there was a positive relationship between the number of grassland specialists, forest edge species and grassland continuity, while the number of ruderal species related negatively to grassland continuity. The highest diversity values were recorded in traditionally mown grasslands. However, diversity‐related variables were poorly reflected by grassland continuity.ConclusionsThis study provides evidence that short‐term abandonment may not be as detrimental for grasslands as often suggested, and intensive grazing results in the greatest loss in species diversity. Grassland continuity tightly influences the persistence of grassland specialist species. Thus, we recommend land use history to be included in the selection and identification of high‐nature‐value grasslands by prioritizing conservation efforts for older grasslands.

Spatiotemporal models highlight influence of oceanographic conditions on common dolphin bycatch risk in the Bay of Biscay

The population of short-beaked common dolphins Delphinus delphis of the Bay of Biscay (northeast Atlantic) has been subjected to potentially dangerous levels of bycatch since the 1990s. As the phenomenon intensifies, it represents a potent threat to the population. Here, we investigated the relationship between bycatch mortality and oceanographic processes. We assumed that oceanographic processes spatiotemporally structure the availability and aggregation of prey, creating areas prone to attract both common dolphins and fish targeted by fisheries. We used 2 datasets from 2012 to 2019: oceanographic data resulting from a circulation model and mortality data inferred from strandings. The latter allows location of mortality areas and quantification of the intensity of mortality events at sea. We fitted a series of spatiotemporal hierarchical Bayesian models using integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA). Results provided first insights on how bycatch of common dolphins in the Bay of Biscay might be related to key seasonal and dynamic oceanographic features. We showed that from a statistical predictive point of view, the monthly trend of 2019 bycatch mortality could be predicted with few oceanographic covariates. This study highlights how gaining knowledge about environmental influences on interactions between short-beaked common dolphins and fisheries could have great conservation and management value. Identified relationships with oceanographic covariates were complex, as expected given the dynamic aspects of oceanographic processes, dolphins and fisheries distributions. Further research focusing on smaller time scales is needed to elucidate proximal drivers of common dolphin bycatch in the Bay of Biscay.

Incorporating Established Conservation Networks into Freshwater Conservation Planning Results in More Workable Prioritizations

Resources for addressing stream fish conservation issues are often limited and the stressors impacting fish continue to increase, so decision makers often rely on tools to prioritize locations for conservation actions. Because conservation networks already exist in many areas, incorporating these into the planning process can increase the ability of decision makers to carry out management actions. In this study we aim to identify priority areas within established networks to provide an approach which allows managers to focus efforts on the most valuable areas they control, while identifying areas outside of the network, which support species with minimal representation within the network, for acquisition or conservation partnerships. The goal of this approach is to prioritize sites to achieve high levels of species representation while also developing workable solutions. We applied a methodology incorporating established networks into a systematic conservation planning process for fish in temperate wadeable streams located in Missouri, USA. We compared how well species were represented in our approach with two commonly used alternatives: A blank slate approach which used the same systematic conservation planning technique but did not incorporate established networks, and a habitat integrity approach based solely on anthropogenic threat data. Relative to the blank slate approach, our approach required 210% more segments for representation of all species, and contained an average of 0.5 additional occurrences for the least well-represented species. Although the blank slate solution was more efficient in achieving species representation, 77% of segments in this solution were not already protected. This would likely pose a challenge for implementing conservation actions. Relative to habitat integrity-based priorities, our approach required only 38% of the number of stream segments to achieve representation of all species and contained an average of 5 additional occurrences of the least represented species, representing a substantial gain in representation. Incorporating established networks may allow managers to focus resources on areas with the greatest conservation value within established networks and to identify the most valuable areas complementary to the established networks, resulting in priorities which may be more actionable and effective than those developed by alternative approaches.

Keep and promote biodiversity at polluted sites under phytomanagement.

The phytomanagement concept combines a sustainable reduction of pollutant linkages at risk-assessed contaminated sites with the generation of both valuable biomass for the (bio)economy and ecosystem services. One of the potential benefits of phytomanagement is the possibility to increase biodiversity in polluted sites. However, the unique biodiversity present in some polluted sites can be severely impacted by the implementation of phytomanagement practices, even resulting in the local extinction of endemic ecotypes or species of great conservation value. Here, we highlight the importance of promoting measures to minimise the potential adverse impact of phytomanagement on biodiversity at polluted sites, as well as recommend practices to increase biodiversity at phytomanaged sites without compromising its effectiveness in terms of reduction of pollutant linkages and the generation of valuable biomass and ecosystem services.

Baseline for monitoring and habitat use of medium to large non-volant mammals in Gran Sabana, Venezuela

The Gran Sabana is a region of great biogeographical and conservation value that has been recently threatened due to increasing overexploitation of natural resources and illegal mining. Systematic survey methods are required in order to study species responses to landscape transformation. The main objectives of this study were: 1) to test the relationship between habitat types and mammal species presence in the Gran Sabana and Canaima National Park (NP), and 2) establish baseline methodology that can set guidelines for future, considering sampling limitations, conservation opportunities and increasing threats to biodiversity in this region. We implemented a stratified sampling design using camera traps for monitoring medium and large mammals in two previously under-sampled regions in the Gran Sabana, south-east Venezuela. We analysed time-series of remotely sensed vegetation indices to classify habitat types and summarized relative abundance of mammals, naïve occupancy, and habitat fidelity for each type. With a sampling effort of 5,523 camera*days, 29 species of mammals were recorded, including endangered Priodontes maximus, and vulnerable: Speothos venaticus, Tapirus terrestris, and Panthera onca. Cuniculus paca and Dasyprocta leporina were the most frequently registered, while Hydrochoeris hydrochaeris, Leopardus wiedii, and Leopardus tigrinus had few records. Most of the species were associated with forest (13), fewer with transitional shrub (7) and savanna (5) habitats, but only some of these were statistically significant. Cerdocyon thous show significant association with savanna (P < 0.01), whereas Leopardus pardalis (P < 0.05) and Cuniculus paca (P < 0.05) with shrub-intermediate habitat. As many as seven species: Dasypus kappleri, Dasyprocta leporine, Mazama americana, M. gouazoubira, Nasua nasua, Priodontes maximus, and Tapirus terrestris have statistically significant association to forest habitat (P < 0.05). We present the first record Myoprocta pratti for Canaima NP. We found higher species richness of large- and medium-sized mammals comparable to lowland Guianas and Amazon sites. Four species remained undetected, probably due to low abundance or detectability, but Sylvilagus brasiliensis seems to be truly absent from the Gran Sabana. Uncontrolled development of Orinoco Mining Arc on the border of Canaima NP and the Gran Sabana raised new ecological and social concerns.

Corridor width determines strength of edge influence on arthropods in conservation corridors

In fragmented landscapes, edge influence (EI) can be an important driver of ecological change. Multiple edges can interact so that distance to the nearest edge is not an accurate predictor of EI, an issue referred to as ‘interactive EI’. This is especially important in conservation corridors, since their linear nature puts multiple edges in close proximity. We assess how corridor width, an important design variable in conservation corridors, influences EI on arthropod diversity. Arthropods were sampled along the edges of grassland corridors of different widths, and from nearby protected areas (PAs) as reference. The influence of corridor width on edge-related change in arthropod diversity was assessed. This was done at the scale of single corridors, and in comparison to nearby PAs. Corridor width influences EI strength. This was apparent at the local scale, and for those species associated with the corridor interior. At the landscape scale, distance to the nearest edge was more important for the similarity of corridors to PAs than corridor width. This was driven by edge specialists rather than grassland interior species. Interactive EI influences local edge responses, especially for species which avoid edges. Future assessments should incorporate processes operating across larger scales into edge responses. We show that there is much greater conservation value in larger corridors for grassland specialists than smaller corridors, and for a given area of set-aside conservation land, we support the establishment of a few wide corridors over many narrow corridors in production landscapes.

High quality remnant patches in a complex agricultural landscape sustain high spider diversity

Remnant vegetation in agricultural landscapes can play a significant role in supporting farmland biodiversity, especially agriculturally important arthropods such as spiders. Little is known about spider composition in native vegetation remnant patches, or which environmental parameters influence within-patch diversity. Furthermore, data on spider diversity is limited in the Greater Cape Floristic Region (GCFR), a global botanical hotspot of great conservation value. Here we sampled spiders in 12 remnant natural fynbos (sclerophyllous) patches in a fragmented agricultural landscape. Multiple environmental variables were measured at each site (within patch variables and landscape variables), to determine their influence on spider genus richness and assemblage structure. We also did this for ground- and plant-dwelling genera, as well as for their assemblages separately. Overall, natural vegetation remnants supported high spider diversity, even rare and range restricted species. Both patch- and landscape-scale variables influenced spider diversity and assemblage structure. Remnant patch size influenced the assemblage structure of all guilds, and positively influenced overall spider diversity. Similarly, the amount of remnant vegetation in the landscape influenced the assemblage structure of most guilds, as well as positively influencing overall spider diversity, across multiple spatial scales. Additional important variables were rockiness, alien invasive tree species richness and topographic complexity. We show that spider diversity is maintained by remnants of good quality natural vegetation, but also influenced by the complexity of the landscape. Preservation of remnant vegetation patches, regardless of size, throughout the privately-owned farm conservancy landscape maintains spider diversity, and so private land conservation should be promoted.