Habitat For Species Research Articles

Climate-driven shifts in freshwater biodiversity will impact mitigation costs for hydropower

Climate change is forecasted to drastically alter freshwater fish and mussel species distribution. Hydropower dam reservoirs, which modify downstream thermal regimes, may interact with climate change's impact on species distribution. This distribution shift may feedback, affecting hydropower operation costs through environmental compliance. We investigated how freshwater species distribution will shift due to climate change and hydropower reservoirs in the conterminous United States (CONUS), and how this will affect biodiversity mitigation costs for privately-owned hydropower plants. In general, using environmental niche modeling, we found that climate change increased the range of both freshwater fish and mussel species on average. For fish, this was mainly due to the expanded habitat for warm-water and cool-water fish species despite the diminish in habitat for cold-water species. Compared to climate change, thermal stratification of hydropower reservoirs had a small impact on the future range changes of these species in the tailwaters but showed an interaction with the effect of climate change on species range. Geographically, we projected an increase of species richness in the west and a decrease in the central and east of CONUS for fish, while projecting uniform increase for mussels. With this shift in species distribution, we estimated that the Northwest region will face the largest increase in mitigation cost, while the majority of plants in the Southeast will experience a decrease in cost.

Assessment of bird diversity and abundance in Mai-Nigus artificial reservoir and surrounding semi-forest in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia

BackgroundArtificial reservoirs are alternative habitats for bird diversity, and knowledge of the diversity and abundance of bird species contribute to the management of the ecosystem. This study was conducted to investigate the species diversity and abundance of birds in Mai-Nigus reservoir and its surrounding semi-forest from July 2022 to March 2023. Point count method with a total of fifteen count stations at an interval of 50 m radius was used to study the diversity and abundance of bird species in the semi-forest habitat while total count employed on the reservoir.ResultsA total of 123 bird species comprising endemic and globally threatened species were identified. Order Passeriformes had the highest number of species followed by Charadriiformes and Pelecaniformes. Family Scolopacidae was the most abundant followed by Ardeidae, Ploceidae and Anatidae. Bird species richness and abundance were not significantly varied across seasons and habitats (P > 0.05). The highest species diversity (H´=3.96) were recorded in the Semi-forest during the wet season, whereas the least was recorded from reservoir during the dry season (H´=2.66). The highest and lowest species evenness of birds was recorded in Semi-forest (E = 0.725) and reservoir (E = 0.448) during the dry season, respectively. Most birds that inhabited the area had frequent relative abundance followed by uncommon and common species.ConclusionMai-Nigus reservoir and surrounding habitat host high bird diversity and this requires critical conservation concerns for the long-term survival of birds.

Effect of open-area ratios on wave attenuation over a submerged reef breakwater: An experimental study

The reef-type submerged breakwater (RSB) has been implemented around the world to provide coastal protection and natural shelter and habitat for marine species at the same time. A series of laboratory experiments are conducted in a wave flume to study wave propagation and transmission over RSBs with the four open-area ratios of 0.047, 0.131, 0.257, and 0.560. The experimental results demonstrate that the RSB significantly alters the wave propagation characteristics. The RSBs with the open-area ratio of 0.047 and 0.131 reduce the wave height to ∼70%. The RSBs with the open-area ratio of 0.047 and 0.131 perform better in attenuating than those with the open-area ratio of 0.257, and 0.560. As the open-area ratio decreases, the transmission coefficient decreases, while the dissipation coefficient increases. An empirical formula is proposed to calculate the wave transmission coefficient as a function of the RSB open-area ratio and wave steepness under regular waves. A cubic empirical formula with one unknown is also proposed to relate the distance from RSB stoss face to wave breaking point and the open-area ratio. The present study is expected to optimize RSB design for coastal protection.

Urban biodiversity is affected by human-designed features of public squares

Cities are designed primarily for the benefit of humans but also provide habitat for other species. However, understanding how different components of urban vegetation and other features of urban spaces enable different species or species groups to live in the city remains limited. Here we show that, for the City of Munich, designed features of public urban squares strongly determine the occurrence of different species groups. While taxon richness and abundance increased with increasing ‘greenness’ of the square, different taxa responded to different square features, such as the proportion of lawn, the volume of shrubs and the density of trees, as well as the number of people or pets on these squares. Our results highlight that urban design for human needs affects other species that may cohabit these spaces. Consequently, planning strategies for biodiverse cities that aim to enhance human–nature interactions need to be multifaceted, considering the needs of humans and other taxa to create diverse living cities.

Emergent Properties and Robustness of Species–Habitat Networks for Global Terrestrial Vertebrates

Emergent Properties and Robustness of Species–Habitat Networks for Global Terrestrial Vertebrates

Present and future distribution of the European pond turtle versus seven exotic freshwater turtles, with a focus on Eastern Europe

Freshwater turtles are often used as terrarium pets, especially juveniles of exotic species. At the adult stage they are often released by their owners into the wild despite their high invasion potential. In Europe these thermophilic potentially invasive alien species occupy the habitats of the native European pond turtle Emys orbicularis (Linnaeus, 1758), with new records from the wild being made specifically in Eastern Europe (Latvia and Ukraine) during recent decades. Assessing the potential of alien freshwater turtles to establish in new territories is of great concern for preventing invasion risks while preserving native biodiversity in the present context of climate change. We explored this issue by identifying the present and future (by 2050) suitable habitats of the European pond turtle and several potentially invasive alien species of freshwater turtle already settled in Europe, using a geographic information system (GIS) modelling approach based on datasets from CliMond for climate, Near-global environmental information (NGEI) for freshwater ecosystems (EarthEnv) and Maxent modelling using open-access databases, data from the literature and original field data. Modelling was performed for seven species of alien freshwater turtles occurring from the extreme northern to southern borders of the European range of E. orbicularis: the pond slider Trachemys scripta (Thunberg and Schoepff, 1792), the river cooter Pseudemys concinna (Le Conte, 1830), the Florida red-bellied cooter Pseudemys nelsoni (Carr, 1938), the false map turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica (Gray, 1831), the Chinese softshell turtle Pelodiscus sinensis (Wiegmann, 1835), the Caspian turtle Mauremys caspica (Gmelin, 1774) and the Balkan terrapin Mauremys rivulata (Valenciennes, 1833). In Ukraine, the most Eastern limit of E. orbicularis distribution, were previously reported northern American originated T. scripta, M. rivulata, M. caspica, whereas in Latvia, Emys’ most northern limit, were additionally reported P. concinna, P. nelsoni, G. pseudogeographica and Asia originated P. sinensis. The resulting Species Distribution Models (SDM) were of excellent performance (AUC > 0.8). Of these alien species, the most potentially successful in terms of range expansion throughout Europe were T. scripta (34.3% of potential range expansion), G. pseudogeographica (24.1%), and M. caspica (8.9%) and M. rivulata (4.3%) mainly in Eastern Europe, especially in the south of Ukraine (Odesa, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia regions, and Crimean Peninsula). Correlation between the built SDMs for the native E. orbicularis and the invasive alien T. scripta was reliably high, confirming the highly likely competition between these two species in places they cooccur. Moreover, a Multiple Regression Analysis revealed that by 2050, in most of Europe (from the western countries to Ukraine), the territory overlap between E. orbicularis and potentially invasive alien species of freshwater turtles will increase by 1.2 times, confirming higher competition in the future. Importantly, by 2050, Eastern Europe and Ukraine are predicted to be the areas with most suitable habitats for the European pond turtle yet with most limited overlap with the invasive alien species. We conclude that Eastern Europe and Ukraine are the most relevant priority conservation areas for the European pond turtle where it is now necessary to take protective measures to ensure safe habitat for this native species on the long-term.

1117. Crepidiastrum grandicollum (Koidz.) Nakai: Compositae: Plants in peril 41

SummaryCrepidiastrum grandicollum (Koidz.) Nakai (Compositae: Lactuceae: Crepidinae) is described and illustrated. The current synonymy is provided, together with type citations for each of the names and statements of the type material. A selection of verified illustrations of the species in the literature is provided. Statements of the species' distribution, habitat and ecological preferences (with observations on the phytosociological classification), phenology, conservation status, and the etymology of both generic and specific epithets are given along with vernacular names, some of which are apparently literal translations of the Latin binomial. Cultivation, propagation, and availability notes are provided, although the species is Critically Endangered and currently only cultivated Koishikawa Botanical Garden, University of Tokyo, Japan, as part of the Ministry of the Environment's Rare Wild Fauna and Flora Species Protection and Breeding Project. Discussions include pollination syndromes in Crepidiastrum in the Bonin Islands, the intricacies of the involvement of the Honey Bee in their pollination (compared with conservation measures) and the displacement of native insect pollinators, mention of seed/achene dispersal and evolution within the genus, conservation proposals, including the use of exclosures to prevent destruction by feral goats (Capra hircus), and electric fences, adhesive traps and Teflon™ sheets to help control the lizard known as the Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis); typhoon damage and the potential for issues with ants ‐ Pheidole (Westwood) spp. (including the African Big‐headed Ant, P. megacephala) are also mentioned. Some consideration for the rôle of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) associations with the endemics in conservation programmes should not be overlooked. Attention is drawn to observations on some bizarre web sites with somewhat bogus information on the species, and why they should be disregarded.

Identifying temperature refuges in Utah using temperature, biota, and habitat data

AbstractUnderstanding where on landscapes to make investments, such as designating protected areas, is a critical component of biodiversity management. Locations for management actions should achieve current management objectives while also having the best chance of continued success in the future. Climate change has the potential to undermine biodiversity management, as it may lead to substantial changes in environmental conditions that are outside local managers' control. Following changes in environmental conditions, areas on the landscape may become unsuitable for the species or habitats that the initial actions were intended to benefit. The potential for local actions to be undermined by global‐scale threats makes it essential to account for and minimize exposure to temperature change. We present a series of analyses identifying priority areas for wildlife and habitat management. We conducted our analyses using a systematic landscape planning approach that identifies areas within species' ranges or current distributions of key habitats that are predicted to be less affected by future temperature change. We used the ranges of 142 animal and 149 plant species identified as species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) together with the distributions of 14 terrestrial and 19 aquatic key habitats in Utah, USA. We measured temperature change in 2 ways: as changes in mean annual temperature between 2020 and the year 2100 (temperature difference) and by quantifying how far a species range or habitat would have to shift to maintain its current temperature envelope (climate velocity). We identified the sub‐watersheds with hydrologic unit code 12 (HUC 12) that collectively encompassed the ranges of our SGCNs and key habitats while minimizing overall exposure to temperature change. These high priority HUC 12s represented areas that were not only hotspots for SGCNs and key habitats but also acted as temperature refugia, where management actions are likely to be robust to temperature change. We hope that our identification of high‐priority HUC 12s will help inform and guide future management actions to improve their long‐term outcomes.

Estuarine ichthyofauna of Kamchatka: formation conditions, species diversity and ecological characterisation

Species composition of the estuarine ichthyofauna is described for the first time on a regional scale for Kamchatka Territory based on the materials of author’s field studies carried out in 2010–2022, as well as on the analysis of all available information (literature, archival, survey, fishery, etc.). Specific features of the conditions of formation of estuarine ichthyofauna of the region are revealed. Fish species dominating in abundance in Kamchatka estuaries are indicated. The main ecological groups (guilds) of estuarine fishes are outlined. It was found that 1 species of cyclostomes and 60 species of fishes belonging to 44 genera and 23 families can be attributed to the estuarine ichthyofauna of Kamchatka. All these species are, to varying degrees, euryhaline and therefore may utilize individual Kamchatka estuaries as habitats at various stages of the life cycle. The basis of species diversity of the ichthyofauna of Kamchatka estuaries is formed by marine fishes (at least 34 species), the second in importance are anadromous species (1 species of cyclostomes and 14 species of fishes), the minimum contribution belongs to freshwater resident fishes (13 species), which are found only in estuaries of some rivers of the region. Fish that can be referred to the ecological group of “solely estuarine” (i. e., those whose full life cycle takes place in estuaries) are probably absent in Kamchatka. The maximum species diversity of fish communutues is observed either in big Kamchatka estuaries that are largely open to the sea or in river basins with a diverse freshwater ichthyofauna. Environmental conditions in such estuaries are more favorable for the migrations and habitat of marine fish species (mainly coastal ichthyocene). At the same time, all anadromous or some freshwater euryhaline species may also use these same estuaries as temporary habitats at certain stages of the life cycle. Fish species diversity is significantly higher in the estuaries of the eastern coast of Kamchatka, which is explained by the milder climatic conditions of this area (compared to the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk), as well as by the greater typological diversity of estuaries. A separate section summarizes the currently available information on the biology and ecology of all species of fishes and fish of Kamchatka estuaries, which is presented in the form of brief species sketches (including, external view at individual stages of the life cycle; key morphological characters; maximum size and age; distribution over the territory of the region; habitat specifics, lifestyle and migrations; peculiarities of reproduction and development; feeding preferences; abundance in the region, commercial or economic importance).

Cattle exclusion increases encounters of wild herbivores in Neotropical forests

Abstract Ongoing habitat loss and species extinctions require managers to implement and quantify the effectiveness of conservation actions for protecting biodiversity. Fencing, when done properly, is an important management tool for conservation in landscapes where wildlife and domestic animals co‐occur, potentially enhancing habitat use through selective exclusion of domestic species. For instance, the fencing of forest patches in the Neotropics is expected to reduce the degradation of understory vegetation by cattle, releasing these resources for the native community of browsers and fruit consumers. Here, we implemented an ecological experiment using a before‐after control‐impact design to quantify the effect of cattle exclusion on encounter probability of the native community of browsers and fruit consumers, and percent ground cover in multifunctional landscapes of the Colombian Orinoquía. We built 14 km of wildlife‐permeable fences along forest edges in four forest patches (i.e. blocks) containing control and fenced (treatment) sites. We installed 33 camera traps to obtain information about wildlife and cattle encounter probabilities, before and after the fences were constructed. We used Bayesian generalised linear mixed effects models to quantify the effect of fences via the interaction between the time period (before and after the fences were built) and treatment (control or fenced sites). Fencing was effective at reducing encounter probabilities of cattle in the treated sites, and it had a positive impact on relative encounter probabilities of four of seven studied wildlife species (herbivores including the black agouti [dry season only], lowland tapir [dry season only] and spotted paca [both seasons] and an omnivore, the South American coati [rainy season only]). The effect of fencing was negative for the collared peccary but only during the dry season. No statistically significant effect was detected for the white‐lipped peccary or white‐tailed deer. Synthesis and applications: We provide experimental evidence that fences are effective at selectively excluding cattle and increasing encounter rates of wild browsers and fruit consumers in forest patches where these species co‐occur with cattle. Our results highlight an important application of fencing ecology in Neotropical forests, where the implementation of wildlife‐permeable fences is feasible due to smaller body sizes of wildlife compared to domestic animals such as cattle.

Biodiversity and Possible Bio-Indicators of Mediterranean Temporary Ponds in Southern Apulia, Italy

Mediterranean Temporary Ponds (MTPs) represent a priority habitat according to Directive 92/43/EEC (Natura 2000 code: 3170*). These are very shallow water habitats only seasonally flooded, with a flora mainly composed of Mediterranean therophytic and geophytic species. Its extreme seasonality and small size make this habitat highly vulnerable and hard to manage. In recent Italian monitoring campaigns, the conservation status of MTP 3170* was considered inadequate. In Apulia, where the habitat is considered as “the most vulnerable type”, 73 sites were censused, with a total coverage of about 10,000 m2. The present work refers to the monitoring for three years of a total of 16 habitat 3170* sites, with the aim of better describing faunal indicator species for this priority habitat. A total of 158 taxa of flora and 103 of fauna were identified from 54 floristic and 44 faunistic samplings in total, with a robust updating of the listed biodiversity. For the first time a group of faunal species is proposed as an indicator of the habitat MTP 3170*. The conservation status, assessed on the basis of structural and functional criteria, gave a satisfactory status for seven sites and an unsatisfactory one (variously rated as inadequate or bad) for nine.

Hesperis oznur-duraniae (Brassicaceae), a new species from the East Anatolia region, Turkey

A new species of Hesperis L. is described from East Anatolia. This species has been collected from Yolçatı village (Bingöl province) in Turkey. Hesperis oznur-duraniae A.Duran sp. nova is morphologically similar to H. kitiana P.H.Davis but it differs mainly with life form, habitat, leaves, pedicels, sepals, petals, and anthers. In this study, an identification key with a description of the new species is provided along with statements about the habitat, distribution map, phenology, and conservation status of the new species. Additionally, seed features are also documented using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

The Future Possible Distribution of Kasnak Oak (Quercus vulcanica Boiss. & Heldr. ex Kotschy) in Anatolia under Climate Change Scenarios

The deterioration of natural habitats for oak species has steadily occurred as a consequence of both climate change and human pressure. Therefore, detailed and reliable information about the geographic distribution of oak species under changing climate conditions is needed for diverse ecological and conservation practices. This study examined the habitat suitability of endemic Kasnak oak, Quercus vulcanica Boiss. & Heldr. ex Kotschy, an endemic that ranges across the Central Anatolia Region and surrounding mountains in Türkiye. The occurrence data were gathered through fieldwork, and new records were identified. Next, we applied ecological niche modeling to assess the past, present-day, and future potential geographic range of the species in Anatolia. Projections for the Last Glacial Maximum indicate that most of the suitable areas for Kasnak oak were in southern Anatolia. However, present-day estimates suggest projections estimate suitable habitats in northern Anatolia and around the Anatolian Diagonal. According to future projections, the distribution of the species seems to decrease by 2100, with habitat suitability reduction ranging from 3.27% to 7.88%. Projections suggest a decrease in habitat suitability for the species, particularly in the western and southern Türkiye in the future. Moreover, the projections indicated that suitable habitats for the northern range of the species would likely persist until 2100, although they would diminish towards the northeast. The results can be effectively applied to enhance biodiversity conservation planning and management, leading to the development of innovative strategies.

Arachnid Assemblage Composition Diverge between South- and North-Facing Slopes in a Levantine Microgeographic Site

Local microgeographic sites subdivided by sharp ecological and climatic contrasts are important platforms for measuring biodiversity patterns and inferring the possible effect of climatic and ecological variables on species distributions and habitat use. Here, we report results from 24 months (September 2019–August 2021) of continuous pitfall trapping collection in Lower Nahal Keziv, Western Upper Galilee, Israel (“Evolution Canyon” II (hereafter—EC II)). This site receives an average annual rainfall of 784 mm and contains two slopes that differ markedly by solar radiation and plant formation. The first is the south-facing slope (SFS), which is characterized as a semiarid garrigue and open grassland. The second is the contrasting north-facing slope (NFS), which is characterized by a more humid East Mediterranean forest. The slopes are separated by a narrow valley bottom (VB). Analysis of ca. 1750 arachnid specimens, collected from 70 pitfall traps along the slopes and valley, indicates significantly different arachnid assemblages between the NFS and SFS, likely due to the differences in solar radiation that affect plant-cover percentage, which in turn affects the arachnid assemblage composition. In addition to 98 arachnid taxa collected and identified to species and morphospecies level, this study resulted in the discovery of two species new to science, which are described as part of this publication (100 arachnid species and 11 additional taxa that were not identified to species, a total of 111 taxa). Our study, moreover, contributes new ecological data on the spatial and temporal distribution of arachnids, and therefore attests to the importance of year-round sampling in an understudied region. Overall, our study enables a better understanding of arachnid diversity and their distributions and serves as a reference for future research aimed at testing the effect of climate change and other environmental factors that influence arachnid assemblages in natural habitats.

ЗБЕРЕЖЕННЯ РІДКІСНИХ ЛІСОВИХ ВИДІВ СУДИННИХ РОСЛИН У СИСТЕМІ ПРИРОДООХОРОННИХ ЗАХОДІВ МЕЗИНСЬКОГО НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО ПРИРОДНОГО ПАРКУ

The article characterizes the peculiarities of the formation of forest ecosystems as centers for the distribution of rare species within the territory of Mezyn National Nature Park. The research area is notable for its diverse ecotopic conditions, which support a wide variety of forest species of vascular plants and corresponding communities, including oak, linden-oak, maple-linden-oak, linden, and hornbeam-oak forests. The forest group of vascular plant flora in the territory of Mezynskyi NNP includes 18 species, with 10 species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and 8 species having regional protection status in Chernihiv Oblast. Among the forest species from the Red Data Book of Ukraine, the non-moral group predominates, including Neottia nidus-avis, Listera ovata, Epipactis atrorubens, Epipactis helleborine, Platanthera bifolia, Platanthera chlorantha, Lilium martagon, and Allium ursinum. Among the species of vascular plants in forest ecosystems that are protected at the regional level in Chernihiv region, within the study area, 7 species of the division Polypodiophyta are distinguished, specifically: Dryopteris cristata, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Polypodium vulgare, Polystichum aculeatum, P. brauni, and Phegopteris connectilis. Anthropogenic impacts on the forest areas of Mezyn NNP, including on rare species of vascular plants, can be classified into the following groups: production and traditional economy, recreational activities, forestry activities and control measures, and violation of the protected area. The greatest impact of the recreational factor is on recreational forest areas and areas around settlements. The development of measures and plans for the protection of rare species will ensure the principles of protecting forest ecosystems as a whole (general) and their individual components (special). The article presents a system of environmental measures for the protection and conservation of rare forest species of vascular plants, and suggests measures for further conservation and monitoring of these species. To address the issues of conserving rare species, the article recommends optimizing the zoning system of the park territory, expanding the protected area, and including existing protected areas and habitats of rare flora species within its composition.

Potential impacts of climate change on cephalopods in a highly productive region (Northwest Pacific): Habitat suitability and management

Cephalopods occupy a mid-trophic level in marine ecosystems and are vital both ecologically and as fishery resources. However, under the pressure of climate change and fishing, the sustainability of cephalopod resources requires reasonable management. This study aims to study climate change and fishing impacts on the common economic cephalopod species habitats using species distribution models. We take the northwest Pacific Ocean region as an example, which stands out as a significant region for cephalopod production around the world. Results found that the habitats of cephalopods are moving to higher latitudes or deeper waters (Bohai Sea, mid-bottom Yellow Sea, and the Okinawa Trough waters) under climate change. Additionally, these regions are currently under lower fishing pressure, which suggests that species migration might mitigate the effects of warming and fishing. This study provides the large-scale assessment of the distribution range of cephalopods affected by climate change coping with fishing pressure in the northwest Pacific Ocean. By identifying climate refuges and key fishing grounds, we underscore the importance of this information for managing cephalopod resources in the context of climate adaptation and sustainable fishing practices.

Predicting present and future habitats using LiDAR to integrate research and monitoring with landscape analyses

Managed forests contribute to both economic and non-timber values, but the ecological role of managed, including planted, forests to biodiversity objectives at the landscape scale needs to be better understood. In this project in collaboration with J.D. Irving, Limited, we: 1) used airborne LiDAR and field data to identify terrestrial habitats; 2) monitored selected taxa by 18 stand type/seral stage habitat types in intensively and extensively managed forests and reserves; 3) assessed effects of management intensity on water quality and aquatic habitat; and 4) projected forest and wildlife habitat under planned management and natural disturbance scenarios. Taxa studied included songbirds, bryophytes and beetle species associated with mature-overmature forests, and several listed ground vegetation species. LiDAR-based enhanced forest inventory provided forest structure variables that improved bird habitat models and spatial predictions of bird habitat, metrics explaining bryophyte composition and richness, and variability in beetle abundance and richness. There was no evidence of negative landscape-level effects of increasing management intensity on bird communities in mature forest stands, suggesting that managed spruce-fir-tolerant hardwood landscapes provide habitat for bird species that need old forest. Richness, diversity, and composition of bryophyte guilds in reference stands in Mount Carleton Provincial Park unmanaged reserve did not differ from stands in the intensively managed District. The landscape focus and stratification into stand type/seral stages were important to understand habitat requirements. Catchments with greater forest management did not show any consistent signs of biological impairment from smaller to larger scales, and all sites had good or very good biological water quality based on the aquatic insect communities. This study helped to evaluate forest management effects on habitat areas, detected with airborne LiDAR data, that need to be addressed to enhance decision making processes.

Scale-dependent population drivers inform avian management in a declining saline lake ecosystem.

Shrinking saline lakes provide irreplaceable habitat for waterbird species globally. Disentangling the effects of wetland habitat loss from other drivers of waterbird population dynamics is critical for protecting these species in the face of unprecedented changes to saline lake ecosystems, ideally through decision-making frameworks that identify effective management options and their potential outcomes. Here, we develop a framework to assess the effects of hypothesized population drivers and identify potential future outcomes of plausible management scenarios on a saline lake-reliant waterbird species. We use 36 years of monitoring data to quantify the effects of environmental conditions on the population size of a regionally important breeding colony of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) at Great Salt Lake, Utah, US, then forecast colony abundance under various management scenarios. We found that low lake levels, which allow terrestrial predators access to the colony, are probable drivers of recent colony declines. Without local management efforts, we predicted colony abundance could likely decline approximately 37.3% by 2040, although recent colony observations suggest population declines may be more extreme than predicted. Results from our population projection scenarios suggested that proactive approaches to preventing predator colony access and reversing saline lake declines are crucial for the persistence of the Great Salt Lake pelican colony. Increasing wetland habitat and preventing predator access to the colony together provided the most effective protection, increasing abundance 145.4% above projections where no management actions are taken, according to our population projection scenarios. Given the importance of water levels to the persistence of island-nesting colonial species, proactive approaches to reversing saline lake declines could likely benefit pelicans as well as other avian species reliant on these unique ecosystems.

Diversity of Aquatic and Coastal Vegetation in the Lublin Coal Basin Complex - Long-Term Changes

Natural resources are fundamental to the survival and development of human populations, and their exploitation is associated with problems such as resource depletion and environmental degradation. Within the borders of the Lublin Coal Basin (LZW) there is the Łęczna-Włodawa Lake District, which includes over 60 lakes. It is one of the most valuable natural areas in the Lublin Voivodeship and the entire region. Due to the undoubted impact of LZW, as well as the lack of detailed botanical studies in the existing literature, research has been undertaken since the 1980s to analyse the floristic and ecological vegetation of aquatic and coastal plants of 6 lakes in the mine's impact zone. Macrophytes are recognized by the WFD as one of the key groups suitable for freshwater biomonitoring and for ecological classification purposes. The conducted research confirmed the progressive degradation of the analyzed lakes. Since the 1990s, there have been significant changes in the use of the area covered by the analyses. The share of built-up areas has significantly increased, but also the share of surface waters. The share of built-up areas has significantly increased, but also the share of surface waters. The qualitative and quantitative structure of macrophytes has undergone very significant changes towards a reduction in the number of species and phytodiversity. The share of species in fertile habitats has increased. Despite the introduction of various forms of legal protection in this area, changes in the depletion of biodiversity are continuing.

The vascular plant species of different protection levels in the ecosystems of the regional landscape parks of the Ukrainian Polissia

The Ukrainian Polissia is a distinctive region in terms of biodiversity, with a significant number of northern and boreal species and communities, as well as Central European species in the Western Polissia. The research region stretches from west to east for 750 km, and from north to south for 120–150 km. In the northeast direction, its territory gradually narrows to 50–80 km and constitutes a significant part of the important ecological corridor of Eastern Europe. Background. The natural conditions of the Ukrainian Polissia are favorable for the formation of coniferous, broadleaf and mixed forests, which are zonal communities here. The widespread distribution of fluvioglacial sediments causes the predominance of sandy sod-podzolic soils and associated pine forests. The high groundwater table and the low surface area contribute to the development of eutrophic peat bogs. All this leads to the formation of a diverse vegetation cover, which contributes to the representativeness and significant preservation of floristic and coenotic diversity. One of the key roles in the protection of rare species of phytodiversity in the Polissia region of Ukraine belongs to multifunctional protected areas, including the category of “regional landscape parks”. They cover more than 200 species of vascular plants of the Polissia region, with diffe­rent conservation statuses – from the international level of protection to the regional one. Materials and Methods. The study was conducted using conventional field (route-based, geobotanical descriptions of key areas) and desk methods. The species names are given according to the International Plant Names Index, and their belonging to the protected categories is based on the conservation criteria and protection levels accor­ding to the regulatory documents. Results and Discussion. The materials of the research of phytodiversity of five regional landscape parks (Prypiat-Stokhid, Nadsluchanskyi, Ptashynyy Rai, Mizhrichenskyi, Yalivshchyna), in particular rare species, are presented, as evidenced by their diversity, including a number of glacial relics, endemics and borderline species located at the southern or eastern border of the distribution area. Conclusions. The study has revealed that the rare vascular plant flora of the Polissia regional landscape parks is represented by 56 species included in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 145 species under regional protection of three oblasts of the Polissia region, nine species from Appendix I of the Bern Convention, four species from Appendix II of CITES, and three species included in the European Red List. Two RLPs are the most sozologically representative in the study area: Nadsluchansky (six species of international protection statuses, 30 species of the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 107 species of regional protection level) and Mizhrichynsky (14 species with international protection statuses, 28 species of the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 51 species of regional protection level), which is determined by the peculiarity of natural conditions, habitat diversity and area of the territories. regional landscape parks as a category of nature reserve fund of regional status within the Polissia region of Ukraine cover most of the representative habitats, which include a corresponding number of rare species of different levels of protection, namely: forest (87 species), herbaceous (85 species), marsh (36 species) and aquatic (30 species) habitats.