Conservation Status Of Habitats Research Articles

Diversity and Ecological Assessment of Grasslands Habitat Types: A Case Study in the Calabria Region (Southern Italy)

Grasslands differ in many types depending on the diversity of climatic conditions and substrates. Due to the great wealth of species found in semi-natural grasslands, they conserve an essential part of the biodiversity of the European Union (EEC 43/92), defined as habitats of community interest. Using the region of Calabria (southern Italy) as a case study, this study aims to evaluate how species assemblages and a set of indicators applied to them can be used to analyse and characterize the diversity, ecological features and conservation status of grassland habitats. Vegetation analysis was carried out using the phytosociological method, and habitat ecological characteristics were defined by Ellenberg’s ecological indicator adapted to the Italian flora. Multivariate analysis of the surveys by means of cluster analysis and Principal Components Analysis (PCA) made it possible to define eight habitat groups according to EEC Directive 43/92: 6110 Rocky or basophilous calcareous grasslands of the Alysso-Sedion albi, 6170 Alpine and subalpine calcareous grasslands, 6220*a Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by a Lygeum spartum, 6220*b Pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea dominated by Hyparrhenia hirta, 6210* Semi-natural dry grasslands and scrub facies on calcareous substrates (Festuco-Bromometalia) (*important orchid sites), 6230* Species-rich Nardus grasslands, on siliceous substrates in mountain areas (and submountain areas, in Continental Europe), 6410 Molinia meadows on calcareous, peaty or clayey-siltladen soils (Molinion caeruleae), 6420 Mediterranean tall humid herb grasslands of the Molinio-Holoschoenion, 6430 Hydrophilous tall herb fringe communities of plains and of the montane to alpine levels. Temperature (T) and oisture (U) are the most statistically significant ecological factors in differentiating different habitat types. Analysis of diversity, assessed through Shannon and Evenness indices, showed that it is strongly correlated with habitat diversity as soil moisture increases. The study of ecological characteristics, correlated with biodiversity indices, helps to characterize grassland habitats, providing guidance for the implementation of active conservation policies for these habitats.

An assessment of the water footprint of the population and agricultural crops in the natura 2000 site ROSCI0434 siretul mijlociu, Romania

The designation of a Natura 2000 site ROSCI0434 Siretul Mijlociu for the protection of habitats and species, whose development is closely tied to the aquatic environment, signifies that the management of water resources, and implicitly, the water footprint, has contributed to maintaining a balanced and favorable status for biodiversity conservation. Given that the Natura 2000 site was declared based on older studies, and the Management Plan for the protected natural area was not yet developed, we are now conducting an assessment of the impact of the water footprint in the current climatic conditions. This includes considering other predominant types of agricultural crops and changes in food habits. This evaluation aims to understand the relationship between the water footprint and the conservation status of species and habitats in light of these new circumstances.The blue and grey water components of the water footprint are the ones that directly affect the natural protected area out of the three components of the water footprint: green, blue, and grey water. The ecological impact of water use in ROSCI0434 Siretul Mijlociu is extensive, affecting both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Pollutants can harm habitats and species, while agricultural water usage alters habitats and disrupts hydrological patterns, impacting breeding and foraging grounds. Additionally, changes in water quantity and quality diminish ecosystem services like water purification and habitat provision, affecting biodiversity and human well-being.

New taxa of Barleria sect. Prionitis (Acanthaceae) from the Horn of Africa biodiversity hotspot in Somalia

Two new taxa in Barleria L. sect. Prionitis Nees (Acanthaceae) are described from Somalia, namely Barleria biramosa Defty & I.Darbysh. from central Somalia and B. compacta Malombe & I.Darbysh. subsp. minima I.Darbysh. & Defty from the northeast coastal region. These taxa are further endemics of the Horn of Africa biodiversity hotspot and have highly restricted ranges. Barleria biramosa was previously included within B. punctata Milne-Redh., another range-restricted endemic of the Horn of Africa region form northeast Ethiopia and northern Somalia; an updated description of B. punctata is therefore provided. Notes on the habitat requirements and conservation status (extinction risk) of the species are provided. Barleria biramosa is considered to be globally Endangered whilst B. compacta subsp. minima is currently assessed as Least Concern; the published assessment of Vulnerable for B. punctata is confirmed. With these additions, 11 taxa in 10 species of Barleria sect. Prionitis are currently recognised in Somalia.

One small step for a robot, one giant leap for habitat monitoring: A structural survey of EU forest habitats with Robotically-mounted Mobile Laser Scanning (RMLS)

EU States are mandated by the 92/43/EEC Habitats Directive to generate recurring reports on the conservation status and functionality of habitats at the national level. This assessment is based on their floristic and, especially for forest habitats, structural characterization. Currently, habitat field monitoring efforts are carried out only by trained human operators. The H2020 Project “Natural Intelligence for Robotic Monitoring of Habitats – NI” aims to develop quadrupedal robots able to move autonomously in the unstructured environment of forest habitats. In this work, we tested the locomotion performance, efficiency and the accuracy of a robot performing structural habitat monitoring, comparing it with traditional field survey methods inside selected stands of Luzulo-Fagetum beech forests (9110 Annex I Habitat). We used a quadrupedal robot equipped with a Mobile Laser Scanning system (MLS), implementing for the first time a structural monitoring of EU forest habitats with a Robotically-mounted Mobile Laser Scanning (RMLS) platform. Two different scanning trajectories were used to automatically map individual tree locations and extract tree Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) from point clouds. Results were compared with field human measurements in terms of accuracy and efficiency of the survey. The robot was able to successfully execute both scanning trajectories, for which we obtained a tree detection rate of 100 %. Circular scanning trajectory performed better in terms of battery consumption, Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of the extracted DBH (2.43 cm or 10.73 %) and prediction power (R2adj = 0.72, p < 0.001). The RMLS platform improved survey efficiency with 19.31 m2/min or 1.77 trees/min in comparison with 3.45 m2/min or 0.32 trees/min of traditional survey. Finally, a processing script was developed to allow the repeatability of RMLS surveys in similar habitat monitoring missions. In the future, a human-robotic monitoring framework might represent an accurate support for those repetitive and time-consuming activities in habitat monitoring, offering a valuable benefit for biodiversity conservation.

Ophiorrhiza ravifolia (Rubiaceae), a new endemic species discovered in Naga‐Kabasalan Protected Landscape (NKPL), Zamboanga Peninsula, southwestern Philippines

Continued extensive field exploration in Zamboanga Peninsula (Philippines) revealed a new endemic Ophiorrhiza species, which is herein described from Naga‐Kabasalan Protected Landscape (NKPL) of Zamboanga Sibugay. The species is unique among Philippine Ophiorrhiza by having leaf lamina with gray to silver gray abaxial surface. The new species is morphologically similar to O. pubescens and O. erythropilosa by having hairy overall morphology, but it is easily distinguished by having a creeping to decumbent habit and inconspicuous, membranous bracts. A detailed description, color photographs, phenology, geographical distribution, habitat and IUCN conservation status are provided in this paper.

Catasetum queirozii (Orchidaceae: Catasetinae): uma nova espécie da Amazônia brasileira

ABSTRACT This study presents a new orchid species of the genus Catasetum belonging to the group of species with symmetrical and parallel antennae. It was found in terra-firme and floodplain forests in the Brazilian states of Amazonas and Pará. We provide a formal description of the new species, images, and notes on distribution, habitat, phenology, flower visitors and preliminary conservation status. We compare it with C. cristatum and C. barbatum, both sympatric and morphologically most similar to the new species. It was preliminarily classified in the Endangered (EN) category according to IUCN criteria based on the extent of occurrence, area of occupation, number of occurrence locations and the risks that the known populations are exposed to (deforestation and predatory collection).

&lt;i&gt;Catasetum tavaresii&lt;/i&gt; (Catasetinae), a new species from Central Brazilian Amazon

A new Catasetum species from Brazilian Amazon, more specifically from the “Floresta Nacional de Saracá-Taquera” (State of Pará), is proposed, described and illustrated. This new taxon belongs to the subgenus Catasetum, section Isoceras, subsection Isoceras, whose representatives have symmetrical and parallel antennae. It is compared with C. nhamundaense, C. garnettianum and C. barbatum, all with the same antennae characteristics and belonging to the "C. cristatum alliance". Among related species, C. tavaresii differs mainly in the lip structure. We also give data on geographical distribution, habitat, phenology, flower visitors, and preliminary conservation status.

Modern Approaches to the Monitoring of Biоdiversity (MAMBO)

EU policies, such as the EU biodiversity strategy 2030 and the Birds and Habitats Directives, demand unbiased, integrated and regularly updated biodiversity and ecosystem service data. However, efforts to monitor wildlife and other species groups are spatially and temporally fragmented, taxonomically biased, and lack integration in Europe. To bridge this gap, the MAMBO project will develop, test and implement enabling tools for monitoring conservation status and ecological requirements of species and habitats for which knowledge gaps still exist. MAMBO brings together the technical expertise of computer science, remote sensing, social science expertise on human-technology interactions, environmental economy, and citizen science, with the biological expertise on species, ecology, and conservation biology. MAMBO is built around stakeholder engagement and knowledge exchange (WP1) and the integration of new technology with existing research infrastructures (WP2). MAMBO will develop, test, and demonstrate new tools for monitoring species (WP3) and habitats (WP4) in a co-design process to create novel standards for species and habitat monitoring across the EU and beyond. MAMBO will work with stakeholders to identify user and policy needs for biodiversity monitoring and investigate the requirements for setting up a virtual lab to automate workflow deployment and efficient computing of the vast data streams (from on the ground sensors, and remote sensing) required to improve monitoring activities across Europe (WP4). Together with stakeholders, MAMBO will assess these new tools at demonstration sites distributed across Europe (WP5) to identify bottlenecks, analyze the cost-effectiveness of different tools, integrate data streams and upscale results (WP6). This will feed into the co-design of future, improved and more cost-effective monitoring schemes for species and habitats using novel technologies (WP7), and thus lead to a better management of protected sites and species.

Robotic monitoring of Alpine screes: a dataset from the EU Natura2000 habitat 8110 in the Italian Alps

The surveying of European Union (EU) Annex I habitat “8110 - Siliceous scree of the montane to snow levels (Androsacetalia alpinae and Galeopsietalia ladani)” is generally executed by humans. However, robots could increase human monitoring capabilities. To this end, we collected information on this habitat employing the quadrupedal robot ANYmal C. These data include videos of eight different typical or early warning species. Additionally, data on four relevés are provided. These consist, for instance, of the robot state, and videos and pictures collected to evaluate the habitat conservation status. The aim of this dataset is to help researchers in a variety of fields. For instance, information on plant species collected by the robot can be utilized to develop new procedures and new metrics to assess the habitat conservation status or to train neural networks for plant classification. On the other hand, engineers can use robot state information to validate their algorithms. This database is publicly available in the provided Zenodo repository.

How can Mediterranean temporary ponds benefit from disturbance? Challenges and lessons learned from vegetation management

Mediterranean temporary ponds (MTPs) are seasonal wetland habitats usually flooded during the rainy season but drying out during the warmer months. Due to their biodiversity, uniqueness, and numerous threats, they are listed as a priority for conservation under the Habitats Directive. Despite all the efforts made so far, they are still in poor conservation status in the Mediterranean biogeographic region, making it urgent to define efficient conservation and restoration actions. In this work, we used two case studies to evaluate the conservation status improvement of MTPs located on the southwest coast of Portugal, following the implementation of different management techniques. Sampling was based on floristic surveys to assess plant richness and species frequency, namely of characteristic MTPs species. In the first case, we tested three management techniques (direct grazing, vegetation cutting, and biomass cut/removal, followed by topsoil plowing—simulating wild boar trampling and wallowing) in plots installed in three MTPs between 2017 and 2018. Plots subject to wild boar simulation disturbance showed higher species richness, higher frequency of characteristic species, and lower dominance of Agrostis stolonifera. In the second case, we upscaled this technique as an ecological restoration action by using it in 10 MTPs between 2018 and 2021. We observed a positive effect on the habitat's structure and conservation status, although the possible influence of recurrent drought periods in the last decade is discussed. This study provides insights into a rare wetland habitat based on lessons learned from hands‐on conservation actions, while also identifying new challenges and knowledge gaps.

Assessing larval fish diversity and conservation needs in the Luzon strait using DNA barcoding

IntroductionAccurate species identification and biodiversity assessment of larval fish are essential for effective management and conservation of fisheries resources, as it allows for the estimation of parent stocks, assessment of future recruitment, and prediction of spawning and nursing grounds. However, traditional morphology-based identification methods have inherent limitations, highlighting the need for accurate and efficient techniques to address these challenges effectively. The Luzon Strait, a crucial channel connecting the South China Sea to Western Pacific Ocean, is renowned for its fish biodiversity. However, our knowledge of the biodiversity status of larval fish species in this region remains insufficient.MethodsHere we employed DNA barcoding to assess larval fish species diversity in the Luzon Strait and adjacent waters. We investigated the species composition, diversity, and geographical distribution of larval fish communities in the region. Moreover, we assessed habitat types, human uses, and IUCN conservation status of each larval fish species.ResultsA total of 385 larval fish individuals were collected from 15 stations, and 354 individuals were successfully barcoded and identified, representing 147 species from 93 genera, 44 families, and 22 orders. The interspecific Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) divergence exhibited a significant increase of approximately 55-fold higher than intraspecific divergence. The phylogenetic neighbor-joining tree confirmed the distinct lineages for each taxonomic level, demonstrating the feasibility of DNA barcoding. We observed notable variations in fish species diversity and community composition among sampling stations. Non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis revealed greater diversity and dissimilarity of larval fish community compositions in the western regions compared to the eastern regions. This pattern corresponded to the grouping based on the path of the Kuroshio current, suggesting its influence on the fish community structure. Additionally, economically valuable species were identified at these stations, highlighting their ecological significance as potential spawning or nursery grounds for larval fish. We also examined the habitat type, human use, and conservation status of each larval fish species, providing comprehensive insights into their ecological significance and conservation needs.DiscussionThe establishment of a local DNA sequences database through DNA barcoding will greatly enhance the accuracy of species identification in environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding applications. Altogether, this study offers valuable information for identifying important spawning and nursing grounds of fish populations, thereby supporting sustainable management and conservation of fisheries resources in this region.

A checklist of avifauna from different microhabitats in Muttukadu backwaters, Tamilnadu, India

Muttukadu backwaters cover an area of 215.36 acres and lies between 12.8006°N latitude and 80.2363°E longitude. It is situated in Chengalpet district of Tamilnadu, India. This backwater forms a network of microhabitats for different kind of birds. The exchange of seawater and freshwater in this region regulates salinity and nutrient levels, increasing the diversity of baseline producers and consumers in the ecosystem, which attracts and sustains waterbirds. Bird survey was conducted during July 2021–March 2023 using block count and total count method. Identification was done up to species level by using standard field guides. The objective of this study is to prepare a checklist of avian species in different microhabitats based on their habitat preference, feeding habits, migratory, and conservation status. During the present study, a total of 124 species belonging to 19 orders and 45 families were recorded. Among them, seven near-threatened species were recorded. The presence of significant number of migrants and threatened species indicates the importance, both ecologically and biologically of the study area for resident and migratory birds. The current checklist represents the first attempt to compile a comprehensive list of the birds found in the Muttukadu backwaters.

Echoes of the past: Agricultural legacies shape the successional dynamics of protected semi-natural dry grasslands

European semi-natural dry grasslands are among the most endangered terrestrial ecosystems, being recognised as habitats of community interest by the EU Habitats Directive. The occurrence and preservation of these habitats depend on a combination of anthropogenic and natural factors, although little is known regarding the role of past land-use changes. Here, we investigated the role of time since cultivation abandonment as a major driver of grassland successional dynamics in the Mediterranean agro-pastoral system of Alta Murgia, southern Italy. By integrating cartographic information on the past agricultural land-use with the main abiotic constraints (patch area, slope and aspect), we used generalised additive mixed models to test for the probability of occurrence of current grassland habitat types along time since cultivation abandonment (10 to 200 years). Our results disclosed the successional sequence of grassland plant communities since crop abandonment in the study area, highlighting that the distribution of semi-natural grassland communities largely depends on land use history besides current environmental patterns. Among the habitat types protected under the EU Habitats Directive, we highlighted that xero-thermic communities may represent an intermediate step of grassland succession after cultivation abandonment, while more mesic perennial communities indicate a late successional stage. These successional dynamics are further modulated by mesoclimatic conditions associated with slope and aspect, especially in case of long-standing pastures that were not historically affected by agricultural transformations. Our findings can contribute to a deeper understanding of dynamics relevant to spontaneous vegetation recovery in open environments, which is a prerequisite for setting up effective grassland conservation and restoration actions. Furthermore, our results underline the value of integrating historical maps and current information for the assessment of habitat conservation status.

EstuarIndex: an eco-geomorphological index to assess the conservation state of estuaries

The main objective of this work is to present a novel methodology to assess the environmental, ecological, and conservation status of mid-latitude estuaries by means of an index-based method, EstuarIndex. The EstuarIndex is an integration of four sub-indexes, assessing the status of the main subsystems present on estuaries: sandy environments, dunes, tidal flats, and the drainage network. Each sub-index includes variables combining three types of factors: morphosedimentary and oceanographic factors, ecological factors, and management and protection factors. The environmental status is finally evaluated in five possible classes: (1) Very low, (2) Low, (3) Medium, (4) High, and (5) Very High, according to EU requirements for classifying the conservation status of habitats. Three pilot zones along the Spanish coast have been chosen for testing the method: San Vicente de la Barquera estuary (N Spain), Guadiana estuary (SW Spain), and Ebro River delta mouth (E Spain). They present different oceanographic and geomorphological conditions. The results obtained have proven that EstuarIndex is a suitable methodology for the application to other estuaries. The systematic application of EstuarIndex on broad time scales would allow evaluating the system trends, what seems key for implementation of more realistic restoration strategies, and it has a great potential as a tool for environmental management in natural protected areas. Furthermore, it may help in the detection of the most relevant site-specific vulnerabilities for long-term sustainability in response to both natural and artificial drivers.

Review of Orchidaceae of the northern part of Kazakhstan.

We present a review of Orchidaceae Juss. of the northern part of Kazakhstan, within the steppe, forest-steppe and semi-desert habitats of the country (Pavlodar, northern Kazakhstan, Kostanay, Akmola, Aktobe, West Kazakhstan, partially Karaganda and East Kazakhstan regions). The investigation is based on herbarium materials, literature data and field observations. We examined material from the following herbarium collections: LE, MW, TK, MHA, SVER, KUZ, ALTB, AA, NUR, KG, KSPI, NS, NSK, MOSP, ORIS, PPIU, totalling 288 herbarium specimens. The paper presents data in the form of revision, focusing on orchids of the northern part of Kazakhstan. It is accompanied by maps indicating localities, notes on habitat preferences, phenology and conservation status. A total of 25 species of 16 genera were recorded, of which eight are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan (2014). According to our data, we propose to enlarge the number of protected orchids by adding the following nine species: Corallorhizatrifida, Epipactisatrorubens, Gymnadeniaconopsea, Hammarbyapaludosa, Herminiummonorchis, Liparisloeselii, Malaxismonophyllos, Neottiacamtschatea and Spiranthesaustralis. The most widespread species in the studied region are Dactylorhizaincarnata, D.umbrosa and Epipactispalustris. The rarest species (single locality only) are Epipactisatrorubens, E.helleborine, Epipogiumaphyllum, Hammarbyapaludosa and Herminiummonorchis.

Robotic monitoring of grasslands: a dataset from the EU Natura2000 habitat 6210* in the central Apennines (Italy)

Despite the remarkable growth of the global market for robotics, robotic monitoring of habitats is still an understudied topic. This is true, among others, for the species-rich EU Annex I habitat “6210 - Semi-natural grasslands and scrubland facies on calcareous substrates”. This habitat is typically surveyed by human operators. In this work, we present a dataset concerning relevés performed through the quadrupedal robot ANYmal C. The dataset contains information from three plots, which include the robot state, videos, and images acquired to assess the habitat conservation status. Additionally, a collection of videos and pictures about two typical and one early warning species of habitat 6210 is also presented. This database is publicly available in the provided Zenodo repository and will aid researchers in several fields. Robot state information can be used by engineers to validate their algorithms, while data gathered by the robot can be used to design new methodologies and new metrics to assess the habitat conservation status or train/test classifiers (e.g. neural networks) for plant classification.

Does climate change impact the potential habitat suitability and conservation status of the national bird of Peru (Rupicola peruvianus) ?

Does climate change impact the potential habitat suitability and conservation status of the national bird of Peru (Rupicola peruvianus) ?

Revealing the Stygobiotic and Crenobiotic Molluscan Diversity in the Caucasus: Part IV—Crenobiotic Belgrandiellinae Radoman, 1983 (Mollusca, Hydrobiidae) from Georgia

Since 2020, the south-western Caucasus has been recognized as a hotspot of stygobiotic Mollusca diversity after revealing a large number of new, range-restricted species within the spring snail family Hydrobiidae, subfamily Sadlerianinae sensu Szarowska. Meantime, based on extensive material collected in the south-western Caucasus during the last decades, we studied members of another spring snail subfamily Belgrandiellinae Radoman, 1983. Modern integrative taxonomic work revealed hitherto unknown diversity within this subfamily in the region and further proved the importance of the south-western Caucasus as a hotspot of stygobiotic life. In particular, the subterranean environment and springs of Georgia were known to be inhabited by the genus Tschernomorica Vinarski and Palatov, 2019 with four nominal species. Our research, based on a morpho-anatomical study and genetic investigation of COI/H3 mitochondrial/nuclear markers, revealed additionally seven species and three genera new to science—Colchiella lugella gen. et sp. nov., C. nazodelavo gen. et sp. nov., C. shiksa gen. et sp. nov., C. dadiani gen. et sp. nov., Sataplia cavernicola gen. et sp. nov., Aetis starobogatovi gen. et sp. nov., and Tschernomorica kopidophora sp. nov. —to inhabit the Georgian part of south-western Caucasus. The full taxonomic description of each new taxa, along with the review of habitat characteristics and conservation status, is provided. Molecular genetics suggests that the ancestors of Caucasian Belgrandiellinae have migrated from south-western Europe, probably more than once during the late Messinian and early Pliocene periods. Later, Plio-Pleistocene climate oscillations, particularly the repeated rise and fall of the Black Sea water level, resulted in the isolation and radiation of various lineages within the Caucasus and Crimea.

Eriocaulon insectum, a new species of Eriocaulaceae from Cape York, Queensland

A new species of pipewort (Eriocaulon; Eriocaulaceae) from Cape York, Queensland was recently discovered. Eriocaulon insectum Baleeiro &amp; R.W.Jobson is distinguished from all other species by its golden-brown inflorescence head having female flowers with large, winged sepals with two black spots, and four black, exerted stamens, with male sepals as a spathe, and seeds with 3–5 hyaline, T-shaped peg-like projections. Diagnostic characters are illustrated and tabulated with comparison to closely related species. A taxonomic key containing all known species from Cape York is provided, and habitat preference, distribution, and conservation status are discussed and compared to that of closely related species.

Two New Species of the African Genus Discoclaoxylon (Claoxylinae: Euphorbiaceae) from Central Africa

We describe here two new species of the African tropical genus Discoclaoxylon (Müll. Arg.) Pax &amp; K. Hoffm. (Euphorbiaceae), D. ikabangae O. Lachenaud and D. korupense Barberá &amp; Quintanar. The former species is endemic to Gabon and is preliminarily assessed as “Endangered,” while the latter is endemic to Cameroon and is preliminarily assessed as “Vulnerable.” Both species differ from the rest of the genus by their fruits, which are less strongly didymous and have the carpels connate for their whole length; D. ikabangae is further remarkable for its long stylar segments and D. korupense for its tall habit and leaves with subentire margins. A taxonomic treatment of these two new species, including their detailed descriptions, two illustrations, and information about their habitat, distributions, and preliminary IUCN conservation status are provided. In addition, we compare them with D. hexandrum (Müll. Arg.) Pax &amp; K. Hoffm., the only known species of Discoclaoxylon inhabiting Central Africa so far, along with a table in which we include useful characters to distinguish these three species, and an identification key containing all the species of the genus.