Habitat Requirements Research Articles

A further new species of Isoglossa (Acanthaceae) from the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania

SummaryIsoglossa pareensis I.Darbysh. & Hemp (Acanthaceae), from submontane moist forest at Mwala in the South Pare Mountains of northeastern Tanzania, is described and illustrated. This species is considered to be related to I. gregorii (S.Moore) Lindau and I. punctata (Vahl) Brummitt & J.R.I.Wood, which are widespread in the montane forests of eastern Africa, but it clearly differs from these species in inflorescence structure and indumentum and in anther morphology. Notes on the habitat requirements and extinction risk of this new species are provided; it is considered to be Vulnerable under IUCN criterion D2 because of its extremely limited range and a plausible future threat from wildfires. The recent discovery of the Critically Endangered acanthaceous herb Asystasia masaiensis Lindau at lower, drier elevations at the same site is also reported and the first known photograph of that species is reproduced

Confronting Habitat Requirements of Sardinian Populations of <i>Natrix maura</i> and <i>Hierophis viridiflavus</i> (Reptilia: Colubridae)

The habitat requirements of two snake species (Hierophis viridiflavus and Natrix maura) were studied in a hilly area of south-western Sardinia (Italy). At each sighting time, once a snake was observed, presence/absence data of 11 not-autocorrelated habitat/ecological variables were recorded, and the data were processed by logistic regression against a comparable number of random points. Presence of fruiting plants and of lizards were significantly positively correlated with the presence of Hierophis viridiflavus. Two variables, presence of water body and multiple fallen trees, were positively correlated with the presence of Natrix maura. The ecological correlates of these results are discussed in the present paper.

Population Status and Vulnerability of Mantidactylus pauliani from Ankaratra Protected Area, Madagascar.

Mountain summits in Madagascar generally have species with specific habitat requirements, providing a home to a unique and locally endemic herpetofauna. Among them is M. pauliani, a typically aquatic and critically endangered amphibian found on the Ankaratra Massif. This species inhabits high elevations with a limited distribution range. Our study aimed to present new data on the distribution and elevational range, habitat use, and threats to M. pauliani and its occurrence according to habitat changes. To achieve this, annual monitoring was carried out from 2018 to 2021. Nine 100 m transects were established along streams at elevations ranging from 1762 to 2378 m a.s.l. along which we conducted visual encounter surveys. Data analysis was performed using a χ2 test and Factor Correspondence Analysis. We found that M. pauliani occupies elevations between 1900 and 2378 m a.s.l. within humid forests and savannah habitats. The results showed a fluctuation in the number of animals observed and a higher occurrence at higher elevations throughout the years according to the season, stream quality, and water volume. Ongoing habitat alteration makes M. pauliani vulnerable to population decline, with annual bushfires likely having a negative impact on habitat.

Integrating local and ecological knowledge to assess the benefits of trees for ecosystem services: A holistic process-based methodology

Management decisions in agriculture regarding landscape structure, biodiversity conservation, food production, climate adaptation and other planetary issues need to be supported by sound data and innovative solutions. The food system can and must become a part of the solution, particularly if it integrates nature-based solutions promoting biodiversity as services, such as pest control provided by local birds. Birds have been shown to contribute to invertebrates’ predation and pest control, among many ecosystem services, in agricultural landscapes, especially where trees are present. Trees are also services providers and can contribute to ecosystem regulation, shelter and foraging of species, among other important contributions. In this study, we developed a methodology that integrates species, trait, and crop data; pest predation indicators and local farmers’ expertise, to determine the consumption of pests by birds, in intensive farming systems of Central Portugal. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between birds and service provision over a tree gradient, at the landscape level. For that, we used point count data to estimate the daily consumption of invertebrates by birds, based on energy requirements and life cycle characteristics of each species. Using species guilds, we related habitat requirements to pest control services, which showed higher predation in annual crops close to trees or woody vegetation compared to the ones with just crops. Further, we analysed the methodology’s main challenges and strengths. Lastly, we concluded that the holistic characteristic of the developed process would guide stakeholders and policy’ elaboration more effectively, as we have learnt that farmers’ participation enabled more accurate analysis and results and could bring them closer to the research process.

INTERACTIONS OF FOUR TEIID LIZARDS WITH GIANT ARMADILLO BURROWS AND RANGE EXTENSION FOR TWO ENDEMIC CERRADO SPECIES

The Neotropical genera Tupinambis and Salvator are large heliothermic lizards belonging to the teiid family with a wide distribution throughout South America. However, two species of these genera (T. quadrilineatus and S. duseni) have more limited distributions, being endemic to the Cerrado savanna. Giant armadillos build burrows that are used by a variety of species. In this study, we describe observations of interactions of four teiid species with giant armadillo burrows, report new distribution records of T. quadrilineatus and S. duseni within the Cerrado, and provide insights into the habitat requirements of these species. Our results highlight the importance of preserving threatened species to maintain ecological interactions and emphasize the need to protect the Cerrado savanna.

Ecological connectivity in environmental impact assessments: modelling alternative highway bypass scenarios

ABSTRACT Road building is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity globally. This study addressed common challenges for spatially explicit ecological assessments of linear infrastructure EIAs, by first providing an overview of existing approaches and then applying a connectivity model with scenario analysis of alternative road alignments for a road bypass in Beaufort, Australia. The application included an expert-based connectivity model using a combination of least-cost paths, circuit theory, and graph theory to model five conservation targets (four species and one group) with different dispersal abilities and habitat requirements. For each of these targets, we modelled four different road alignments, then assessed mitigation options for the least impactful alignment. The results showed that each target species was dissimilarly impacted, with longer dispersers affected the most. The modelling clearly identified a single alignment with the least overall impact on connectivity and showed how wildlife crossing structures can mitigate impacts through improving overall connectivity for all target species. This real-world case-study demonstrated the potential to apply a transparent and quantitative approach to mainstreaming ecological connectivity modelling in EIAs.

Biodiversity survey in medicinal and aromatic plant fields

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in mountain regions are cultivated on small-scale farms, which are characterized by a great diversity of MAPs grown on a relatively small area and by a high degree of habitat complexity. Non-crop elements (e.g., dry-stone walls, hedges, etc.) are widely present in the cultivated areas and, together with the high plant diversity, may provide ideal foraging and breeding habitats for several animal groups. Here we surveyed small-scale MAP fields from a multi-taxonomic perspective considering flower-visiting arthropods, butterflies, grasshoppers, ground-dwelling arthropods, birds, and bats. A total of three MAP fields were surveyed, however not every taxon was surveyed in each MAP field. Pan traps were used in all MAP fields to assess flower-visiting arthropods with special attention to wild bees. In one of the selected fields a Malaise trap was used, and the other taxa were surveyed according to the protocol of the Biodiversity Monitoring South Tyrol. An exception was the bird surveys, which were conducted in two MAP fields. Our results indicate MAP fields to be a valuable habitat for several taxa, especially wild bees, as reflected in the positive correlation of wild bee species richness and flower coverage. Next to beneficial arthropods, potential pests, such as aphids were also highly abundant. However, natural enemies (e.g., hymenopteran parasitoids, ground-dwelling predators, etc.) possibly counteracting pests were also numerous. The butterfly and grasshopper fauna were represented by common and generalist species, while the observed vertebrate communities were relatively diverse in their habitat requirements, most likely using MAP fields for foraging. Overall, we conclude that MAP cultivation may act as resource-rich oases for several animal groups, thereby promoting biodiversity also on a broader scale.

Functional connectivity varies across scales in a fragmented landscape.

Species of different sizes interact with the landscape differently because ecological structure varies with scale, as do species movement capabilities and habitat requirements. As such, landscape connectivity is dependent upon the scale at which an animal interacts with its environment. Analyses of landscape connectivity must incorporate ecologically relevant scales to address scale-specific differences. Many evaluations of landscape connectivity utilize incrementally increasing buffer distances or other arbitrary spatial delineations as scales of analysis. Instead, we used a mammalian body mass discontinuity analysis to objectively identify scales in the Central Platte River Valley (CPRV) of Nebraska, U.S.A. We implemented a graph-theoretic network analysis to evaluate the connectivity of two wetland land cover types in the CPRV, wet meadow and emergent marsh, at multiple scales represented by groupings of species with similar body mass. Body mass is allometric with multiple traits of species, including dispersal distances. The landscape was highly connected at larger scales but relatively unconnected at smaller scales. We identified a threshold at which the landscape becomes highly connected between 500 m and 6,500 m dispersal distances. The presence of a connectivity threshold suggests that species with dispersal distances close to the threshold may be most vulnerable to habitat loss or reconfiguration and management should account for the connectivity threshold. Furthermore, we propose that a multiscale approach to management will be necessary to ensure landscape connectivity for diverse species.

New records of the Endangered Helan Shan pika Ochotona argentata, with notes on its natural history and conservation

AbstractThe Helan Shan pika Ochotona argentata is an Endangered pika endemic to Ningxia Helan Shan National Nature Reserve in China. Little is known about the species, including regarding its population status, distribution, habitat requirements and even basic natural history. We conducted camera trapping in the Reserve during 13 January 2020–25 January 2022 and obtained two new records for this species. These, combined with five other new records obtained during the monitoring programme in the Reserve, represent a significant increase in the known range of the species and more than double the species’ known extent of occurrence from 107 to 223 km2. These records also provide the first evidence that this species is active both nocturnally and diurnally. However, this range increase does not alter the Endangered status of the pika, and the pika was not observed within its previously known range; future research should involve intensive camera trapping in the Reserve to ascertain whether this is a result of local extirpation, habitat loss or fragmentation or under-sampling on our part. Studies should also incorporate techniques used for other alpine pika species to collect baseline data on habitat use, population size and behaviour to determine the potential response of the Helan Shan pika to present and future threats.

Responses of GPS-Tagged Territorial Golden Eagles Aquila chrysaetos to Wind Turbines in Scotland

Research on potentially adverse effects of wind farms is an expanding field of study and often focuses on large raptors, such as golden eagles, largely because of their life history traits and extensive habitat requirements. These features render them sensitive to either fatality (collision with turbine blades) or functional habitat loss (avoidance through wariness of turbines). Simplistically, avoidance is antagonistic to collision; although, the two processes are not necessarily mutually exclusive in risk. A bird that does not enter a wind farm or avoids flying close to turbines cannot collide with a blade and be killed. In the USA, collision fatality is implicated as the typical adverse effect. In Scotland, avoidance of functional habitat loss appears more likely, but this depends in part on the habitat suitability of turbine locations. Previous Scottish studies have largely concentrated on the responses of GPS-tagged non-territorial golden eagles during dispersal. Several arguments predict that territorial eagles may have lower avoidance (be less wary) of turbines than non-territorial birds. Hence, we contrasted the responses of GPS-tagged non-territorial (intruding) and territorial eagles to the same turbines at 11 operational Scottish wind farms. We show that territorial eagles rarely approached turbines, but, as in previous Scottish studies of non-territorial birds, the spatial extent of avoidance depended on the habitat suitability of both turbine locations and their wider surroundings. Unexpectedly, we found that territorial eagles were apparently as wary as intruding non-territorial conspecifics of the same turbines. Our results show that regardless of age or territorial status, Scottish golden eagles largely avoided wind turbine locations, but this avoidance was conditional, in part, on where those turbines were located. Responses to turbines were also strongly dependent on birds’ identities and different wind farms. We speculate on how widespread our findings of avoidance of turbines by golden eagles are elsewhere in Europe, where there appear to be no published studies showing the level of collision fatalities documented in the USA.

First description of a remnant population of sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus, LINNAEUS 1758) in the eastern Austrian Danube

Sturgeon populations worldwide have collapsed due to various anthropogenic impacts but knowledge gaps in habitat requirements and population dynamics still exist. In the Austrian Danube, habitat loss and the blocking of migration routes due to the construction of a chain of ten hydropower plants (HPP) had left the sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) as the only remaining sturgeon species, which is classified as “critically endangered”. Since available estimates for the Austrian Danube were based on expert judgement, this study aims to describe the population structure and to estimate the size of a remnant sterlet population in the free-flowing section east of Vienna based on monitoring data. Net fishing was conducted over four years in the tailwater of the HPP Freudenau and population estimates were generated using Capture-Mark-Recapture techniques. A total of 38 sterlets were captured: 27 females, 7 males and 4 with unknown sex. Females were on average larger and heavier (total length (TL) = 800 ± 62 mm; weight (W) = 3294 g ± 1324 g) than males (TL = 660 ± 73 mm; W = 1350 ± 358 g). The population size was estimated at 53 individuals (95 % CI = 43–80) by the POPAN and at 48 individuals (95 % CI = 42–63) by a closed population model. These first monitoring-based population estimates in a free-flowing section of the Austrian Danube provide a base for future population monitoring and the evaluation of ongoing restocking actions. Lacking evidence of natural reproduction and a small population size pose an urgent need to restore the migration corridor and to further improve habitat quality for sturgeons in the Danube and elsewhere.

The requirements of three co-existing woodpecker species Picidae in relation to forests' features in the agricultural landscape of SE Poland

The occurrence of woodpeckers in European forests depends on many forest stand characteristics. During the study conducted in 2013 in the agricultural landscape of SE Poland (in an extremely deforested area with a 5% share of forest area), the habitat requirements of Middle Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocoptes medius, Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major and Syrian Woodpecker Dendrocopos syriacus were described. For this purpose, the degree of occupation by individual species of 73 forest patches was assessed over an area of 355 km2. To determine the habitat requirements of the woodpecker species, a set of 7 parameters characterizing the studied forests and their surroundings were determined, viz. forest patch area, average age of the tree stand, etc.). Generally, the Syrian Woodpecker inhabited small forest patches surrounded by a significantly larger proportion (2.3–5.6%) of orchards, compared to forests uninhabited by this species. The most important factors that positively influenced the occurrence of the Middle and Great Spotted Woodpeckers were the forest patch size, average age of the forest patch stand, and area of forest stands aged older than 80 years. The Great Spotted Woodpecker preferred forest patches with an area exceeding 15 ha, but the Middle Spotted Woodpecker occurred only in forest patches over 42 ha. Such minimum forest patch areas should be considered essential for protecting the two mentioned species in a heavily deforested landscape. Small-sized forest patches should also be protected, enabling refuge for the Syrian Woodpecker. Keywords: bird conservation strategy, forest management, habitat selection, primary cavity nesters, rural landscape, woods, woodpeckers, SE Poland

Collocating pipelines to minimize fragmentation: evaluating ecological costs of a shale gas mitigation practice

AbstractShale gas development occurs in forests of the Appalachian Basin within breeding habitat for forest songbirds. Development requires linear infrastructure (e.g., pipelines, gas access roads) that fragments habitat and reduces core forest. Collocation is a mitigation practice that sites new pipelines adjacent to existing surface disturbance such as forest roads; it reduces core forest loss but may have associated ecological costs, defined as negative effects on native species and ecosystems. We conducted a paired sampling design between forest roads and collocated pipelines (expanded gas access roads collocated with pipelines) to evaluate ecological costs to forest songbirds in 2013 in Pennsylvania, USA. We surveyed 4 focal songbird species: 3 territorial species that varied in habitat requirements and the non‐territorial brown‐headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), an obligate brood parasite. We used spot mapping to survey focal species within linear corridors and the adjacent mature forest. Territory density of forest interior ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) was significantly lower on collocated pipelines (5.1 fewer territories per 10 ha) compared to forest road sites. We found no effect of collocation on territory density for the early successional species, eastern towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) and chestnut‐sided warbler (Setophaga pensylvanica). Territories of all 3 territorial focal species crossed collocated pipeline sites less frequently than forest roads (ovenbird: 16%, eastern towhee: 14%, chestnut‐sided warbler: 31%) and the barrier effect increased with increasing corridor width. In contrast, brown‐headed cowbird abundance was 15 times greater at collocated pipelines compared to forest roads, suggesting that wider gas corridors provide enhanced access routes for cowbirds. Our study indicates the expansion of forest roads to collocated pipelines exacerbates the negative ecological effects already present with the existing road including increased edge avoidance by a forest interior species, greater barrier effects for all 3 territorial forest songbirds, and increased access for brown‐headed cowbirds into core forest. We support collocation as a mitigation strategy but emphasize restricting overall corridor width to reduce the additional ecological costs associated with this practice.

KRILLPODYM: a mechanistic, spatially resolved model of Antarctic krill distribution and abundance

Robust prediction of population responses to changing environments requires the integration of factors controlling population dynamics with processes affecting distribution. This is true everywhere but especially in polar pelagic environments. Biological cycles for many polar species are synchronised to extreme seasonality, while their distributions may be influenced by both the prevailing oceanic circulation and sea-ice distribution. Antarctic krill (krill, Euphausia superba) is one such species exhibiting a complex life history that is finely tuned to the extreme seasonality of the Southern Ocean. Dependencies on the timing of optimal seasonal conditions have led to concerns over the effects of future climate on krill’s population status, particularly given the species’ important role within Southern Ocean ecosystems. Under a changing climate, established correlations between environment and species may breakdown. Developing the capacity for predicting krill responses to climate change therefore requires methods that can explicitly consider the interplay between life history, biological conditions, and transport. The Spatial Ecosystem And Population Dynamics Model (SEAPODYM) is one such framework that integrates population and general circulation modelling to simulate the spatial dynamics of key organisms. Here, we describe a modification to SEAPODYM, creating a novel model – KRILLPODYM – that generates spatially resolved estimates of krill biomass and demographics. This new model consists of three major components: (1) an age-structured population consisting of five key life stages, each with multiple age classes, which undergo age-dependent growth and mortality, (2) six key habitats that mediate the production of larvae and life stage survival, and (3) spatial dynamics driven by both the underlying circulation of ocean currents and advection of sea-ice. We present the first results of KRILLPODYM, using published deterministic functions of population processes and habitat suitability rules. Initialising from a non-informative uniform density across the Southern Ocean our model independently develops a circumpolar population distribution of krill that approximates observations. The model framework lends itself to applied experiments aimed at resolving key population parameters, life-stage specific habitat requirements, and dominant transport regimes, ultimately informing sustainable fishery management.

Changes in the wild bee community (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) over 100 years in relation to land use: a case study in a protected steppe habitat in Eastern Austria

The wild bee community of a sand steppe habitat in Eastern Austria was surveyed in the years 2018 and 2019, complemented with historical data from over 100 years, and analyzed in relation to land use change. The mapping of land use categories was based on historical aerial photographs and orthophotos. Changes in bee community composition were analyzed by a multivariate statistical approach and took ecological traits into account (lecty, nesting type, habitat requirements, flight period, parasitism). In total, 310 bee species were recorded in the area, with the oldest records dating back to 1882. The bee species composition differed significantly among four defined time periods. Across the two most intensively sampled time periods (1931–1966 vs 2001–2021), a decline in species richness of over 50% was observed. We observed a disproportionally high decline of steppe- and sand-associated species, and a distinct shift from ground nesting species to above-ground nesting species. The area covered with woods increased from 1966 to 2018, while the total area covered with grassland and fallows decreased slightly between 1966 and 1994. The oligolectic species assemblage was specialized on Dipsacaceae, Brassicaceae and Fabaceae in the two earlier periods, and on Asteraceae and specifically on Carduoideae during the two later ones.Implications for insect conservationstronger reference to historic land management practices as short time periods of intensive grazing and small-scaled, staggered mowing would be desirable to improve the habitat quality. More drastic measures, such as removal of the topsoil in some parts and changes in the landscape re-establishing exposure to wind erosion, might be necessary, if the area is to be fully restored to the condition it was in a century ago.

Conservation planning in national parks may benefit from site occupancy and detection estimates of native animal species

Protected areas are the best strategy to conserve native biodiversity around the world. In Southeast Asia, most of the pristine tropical forest habitats are limited to terrestrial protected areas such as national parks and wildlife reserves. Endau Rompin National Park (ERNP) is one of undisturbed biodiversity-hotspots in the southern region of Peninsular Malaysia but surrounded by industrial oil palm plantations and threatened by habitat fragmentation. To date, little is known about the distribution and habitat requirement of wildlife, including those conservation priority species in the ERNP. This study aims to investigate the mammal distribution in the ERNP by estimating the probability of occurrence of a species among sampled sites. At 24 camera-trapping sites, we used passive infrared camera traps to detect the forest wildlife. We estimated wildlife occupancy by using single-season occupancy analysis while considering of imperfect detection and relating it to stand- and landscape-level variables. We detected 26 species of native wild animals in the study area including several conservation priority species such as Asian elephant, Asian tapir, and Malayan tiger. The site occupancy of conservation-priority species attests to ERNP's status as an important regional biodiversity hotspot. The detection probabilities of wildlife species were highly sensitive to specific ecological variables at stand- and landscape-level. Our data indicated that tree canopy cover, forest edges, adjacent human settlements, and riparian habitats (e.g., stream and river) are crucial for the persistence of the native wildlife species. Our results suggest that pristine forest habitat such as those typical to the ERNP are critical for wildlife conservation. We suggest that the stand- and landscape-level ecological variables are considered in the conservation planning to protect the forest biodiversity and ecological integrity of the national park and other terrestrial protected areas in the tropics.

Phenological observation of Leucojum aestivum L. and determination to some morphological features and current and future potential distribution areas depending on climate change

Leucojum aestivum is a perennial bulbous plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. Climate change causes an increase in the danger of plant species extinction by producing negative effects on biodiversity and geographical distribution of species. In this study, phenological observations were obtained from L. aestivum populations, which are naturally distributed in Bursa Karacabey, then the morphological characteristics were determined. Also, MaxEnt programme was used to determine the current and future potential distribution areas of the L. aestivum populations in terms of climate change. The plant height of L. aestivum was determined to be an average of 60.92 ​± ​10.38 ​cm. The width of the bulbs was 31.30 ​± ​6.77 ​mm on average, and also the mean length was 34.67 ​± ​6.22 ​mm. The mean weight was 21.35 ​± ​11.74 ​g. The mean width of the broad linear leaves is 12.61 ​± ​3.50 ​mm and also 51.53 ​± ​15.38 ​cm for their mean length. The mean width of the white flowers was 22.97 ​± ​4.01 ​mm and mean length was 20.56 ​± ​1.80 ​mm. The mean flower stalk length was found to be 36.62 ​± ​17.33 ​mm. The number of flowers was an average of 5.54 ​± ​1.21. The mean anther length was 8.98 ​± ​1.01 ​mm. The mean length of the pistil was found to be 11.93 ​± ​0.84 ​mm. The mean width of the fruits was 20.86 ​± ​3.62 ​mm. The number of fruits was found to be a minimum of 1 and maximum of 7 with an average of 2.12 ​± ​1.61. The mean width of the seeds was 6.58 ​± ​0.50 ​mm; and also the number of seeds was found to be at least 1 and at most 26 with an average of 8.16 ​± ​4.90. According to the outputs of the two scenarios, which we evaluated as mild or strict, while no situation was present that would endanger the extinction of the species in Turkey over the next 80 years based on the SSP1-2.6 scenario; however serious reductions in the distribution areas of the species based on the SSP5-8.5 scenario. For this reason, in-situ and ex-situ conservation measures should be taken according to the species and their habitat requirements, and it is suggested to impose various conservation based sanctions and restrictions apart from these measures.

3D Printing for Space Habitats: Requirements, Challenges, and Recent Advances

Heavily resource-reliant transportation and harsh living conditions, where humans cannot survive without a proper habitat, have prevented humans from establishing colonies on the Moon and Mars. Due to the absence of an atmosphere, potential habitats on the Moon or Mars require thick and strong structures that can withstand artificially produced internal pressure, potential meteoroid strikes, and the majority of incoming radiation. One promising way to overcome the noted challenges is the use of additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing. It allows producing structures from abundant materials with minimal material manipulation as compared to traditional constructing techniques. In addition to constructing the habitat itself, 3D printing can be utilized for manufacturing various tools that are useful for humans. Recycling used-up tools to compensate for damaged or unfunctional devices is also possible by melting down a tool back into raw material. While space 3D printing sounds good on paper, there are various challenges that still have to be considered for printing-assisted space missions. The conditions in space are drastically different from those on Earth. This includes factors such as the absence of gravity, infinitesimal pressure, and rapid changes in temperature. In this paper, a literature study on the prospects of additive manufacturing in space is presented. There are a variety of 3D printing techniques available, which differ according to the materials that can be utilized, the possible shapes of the final products, and the way solidification of the material occurs. In order to send humans to other celestial bodies, it is important to account for their needs and be able to fulfill them. An overview of requirements for potential space habitats and the challenges that arise when considering the use of additive manufacturing in space are also presented. Finally, current research progress on 3D printing Lunar and Martian habitats and smaller items is reviewed.

Composition of herpetofauna in the ecotone between the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest with ecotourism activity around the Itambé Cave and Waterfall, Altinópolis – SP

São Paulo state is renowned for its extensive research on herpetofauna. However, there are still unexplored areas within the state, creating knowledge gaps in biodiversity. This study focused on the Itambé cave and waterfall in Altinópolis, São Paulo, which is an ecotone between the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest and popular among ecotourists. The research aimed to describe the herpetofauna composition in this area. Data collection occurred from April 2022 to January 2023, utilizing various methods. The study assessed the influence of climate variables and seasons on species richness and abundance. The findings identified eight herpetofauna species distributed across six genera. Among them, three lizard species and five anuran species were classified as generalists. Lizard richness peaked in winter, while anuran richness was highest in spring. Precipitation significantly influenced anuran abundance throughout the data collection period. Lizards were evenly distributed between the Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, while anurans were predominantly found in the Atlantic Forest. The research highlights the diverse herpetofauna present in the Itambé cave and waterfall region. However, all species encountered were generalists, suggesting potential human activity impacts on species with specific habitat requirements.

Pityopsis ruthii: An Updated Review of Conservation Efforts for an Endangered Plant.

Pityopsis ruthii (Small) Small, Ruth's golden aster, is an endangered Asteraceae species that grows in the riparian zone along small sections of two rivers in the Southern Appalachian Mountains of the United States of America (USA). Since 1985, the species has been listed under the Endangered Species Act by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The mission of the USFWS is to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continued benefit of the American people. The agency provides national leadership in the recovery and conservation of imperiled plant species by working with the scientific community to protect important habitats, increase species' populations, and identify and reduce threats to species survival with the goal of removal from federal protection. Over the past 35 years, research efforts have focused on studies designed to delineate the range and size of populations, determine habitat requirements, reproductive and propagation potential, and understand the demographic, ecological, and genetic factors that may increase vulnerability to extinction for P. ruthii. Cooperative partnerships have driven the completion of actions called for in the strategy to recover P. ruthii, and in this review, we highlight these efforts within the context of species conservation.