Implementation Of Conservation Measures Research Articles

Shifts in the habitat suitability for large hammerhead sharks under climate change

One of the chief consequences of climate change is the worldwide redistribution of species in the pursuit of physiologically and ecologically favourable conditions. As part of one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates, assessing how climate change may affect the distribution patterns of key shark species is essential for their long-term conservation and management. The present study aims to assess how climate change projections (based on the representative concentration pathways 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, and 8.5) for the middle and end of the century may affect the global patterns of habitat suitability (HS) for large hammerhead sharks – a unique and particularly threatened group of elasmobranchs. Here, a decline in the global average HS is projected for both Sphyrna lewini and Sphyrna zygaena, with the scale of HS decline generally increasing with time and RCP severity, while a global increase in HS is generally projected for Sphyrna mokarran, albeit reduced over the long-term and overturned under long-term RCP8.5. Meanwhile, poleward shifts are projected for all three species, with considerable tropical declines for both S. lewini and S. zygaena. Additionally, regional shifts in suitability have the potential to affect population connectivity, the access to key habitats, and levels of exposure to other anthropogenic pressures, along with the effectiveness of conservation and management efforts. Taken together, these results showcase the importance of climate change for species’ extinction risk assessments and the urgency of the consideration of climate change within the design and implementation of conservation measures.

Growth patterns and age determination of Piked Dogfish from Romanian Black Sea waters: Insights from spines analysis

Understanding the growth patterns and the age composition of Squalus acanthias (piked dogfish) populations, from Romanian marine area, helps to elaborate sustainable fisheries management practices because changes in population parameters could indicate shifts in prey availability, habitat quality issues, or fishing pressure. In recent years, the official catches on the Romanian coast, of this economically valuable species in the entire Black Sea basin, have remained below one ton. Regarding the growth patterns, a slight increase in the average length value was observed, from 107,85 cm in 2022 to 116,88 cm in 2023. For age determination the method of analyzing the dorsal spines was used, considered the most appropriate. Thus, in 2022 mature specimens (19 years old) predominated, and in 2023, younger specimens (14 years old), but completely mature from a reproductive point of view, predominated. Analyzing age structure over time is important for predicting future population trends and implementing conservation measures as needed.

The Erosion of Seasonality in Avian Communities

ABSTRACTAimSeasonality governs species composition at a given place and time. However, the effects of climate and land‐use change can vary by season, altering species composition. These changes can lead to a loss of distinct seasonal community composition, representing a novel form of biotic homogenisation. We ask if breeding and winter bird communities are becoming more similar over time. If so, is homogenisation occurring more rapidly in winter than in the breeding season, and has the presence of individual species changed between seasons?LocationNortheastern United States.Time Period1989–2019.Major Taxa StudiedTwo hundred thirty‐eight bird species.MethodsWe use data from The National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count and the North American Breeding Bird Survey to test if winter and breeding bird communities have become more similar (homogenised). We evaluate this change using the Sørensen dissimilarity index, and its components of turnover (species replacement) and nestedness (a subset of a more species rich community) and describe the mechanism in which the seasonal winter and breeding bird communities are changing.ResultsWe found that winter and breeding bird communities are homogenising, driven by significant decrease in turnover and a marginal decrease nestedness. When viewing breeding and wintering communities separately, we observe different trends. Breeding communities are becoming more unique with decreasing turnover and nestedness. Winter communities are becoming more similar to each other, with decreasing turnover and nestedness. More breeding species are declining and species that are typically found in the winter and year‐round residents are the main contributors to the homogenisation between seasons.Main ConclusionsWe show for the first time homogenisation between winter and breeding bird communities over time across the northeastern United States. This insight into how individual species are faring between seasons, and how they impact community structure, can be used when implementing conservation measures for maintaining ecological functioning and integrity.

WILDLIFE TRAFFICKING IN NORTH AND SOUTHEAST OF BRAZIL: 5 YEARS OF STUDY

Trafficking of wild animals has been identified as an exceptionally lucrative activity. Mammals, along with birds and reptiles, are among the most traded animals nationally and internationally. The aim of this paper was to characterize and quantify the species of birds, reptiles and mammals trafficked in the North and Southeast of Brazil. Overall, from 2015 to 2020, approximately 2775 animals were seized, accounting for 1853 specimens of birds, 803 reptiles and 119 mammals. Concerning the conservation status of the species, most belong to the Least Concern category, however, there are threatened species contemplating all the IUCN categories. Trafficking in exotic wildlife raises issues that still need attention and it may result in abandoned animals or invasion of species in balanced environments. In view of this, the profile of trafficked wildlife is necessary in Brazil and other countries, making it possible to combat trafficking as well as implement conservation measures.

A joint time and spatial attention-based transformer approach for recognizing the behaviors of wild giant pandas

Wild giant pandas, an endangered species exclusive to China, are a focus of conservation efforts. The behavior of giant pandas reflects their health conditions and activity capabilities, which play an important role in formulating and implementing conservation measures. Researching and developing efficient behavior recognition methods based on deep learning can significantly advance the study of wild giant panda behavior. This study introduces, for the first time, a transformer-based behavior recognition method termed PandaFormer, which employs time-spatial attention to analyze behavioral temporal patterns and estimate activity spaces. The method integrates advanced techniques such as cross-fusion recurrent time encoding and transformer modules, which handle both temporal dynamics and spatial relationships within panda behavior videos. First, we design cross-fusion recurrent time encoding to represent the occurrence time of behaviors effectively. By leveraging the multimodal processing capability of the transformer, we input time and video tokens into the transformer module to explore the relation between behavior and occurrence time. Second, we introduce relative temporal weights between video frames to enable the model to learn sequential relationships. Finally, considering the fixed position of the camera during recording, we propose a spatial attention mechanism based on the estimation of the panda's activity area. To validate the effectiveness of the model, a video dataset of wild giant pandas, encompassing five typical behaviors, was constructed. The proposed method is evaluated on this video-level annotated dataset. It achieves a Top-1 accuracy of 92.25 % and a mean class precision of 91.19 %, surpassing state-of-the-art behavior recognition algorithms by a large margin. Furthermore, the ablation experiments validate the effectiveness of the proposed temporal and spatial attention mechanisms. In conclusion, the proposed method offers an effective way of studying panda behavior and holds potential for application to other wildlife species.

“A quantitative analysis on the adoption of soil, water, and forest conservation technologies in the upper Gelana watershed, Northeast Ethiopian highlands”

Globally, the degradation of soil, water, and forests has had a significant impact on both livelihoods and the environment. This issue is particularly severe in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Despite extensive efforts to implement conservation measures for soil, water, and forests in the highlands of Ethiopia, there has been a lack of thorough evaluation and documentation regarding the adoption of these practices by rural households. It is crucial to have scientific and up-to-date information at various spatial scales in order to effectively monitor existing practices, scale up successful initiatives, and promote sustainable regional development. Therefore, this paper focuses on analyzing the adoption of soil, water, and forest conservation activities by households in the upper Gelana watershed, South Wollo zone, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. The field data collection for this study took place from January to March 2022, from 150 rural household heads. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS software version 23. Descriptive statistics, Pearson bivariate correlation, and multinomial logistic regression were used. The survey findings revealed that 69 % of the respondents had implemented various soil, water, and forest conservation measures at different stages. The Pearson correlation results indicated a positive relationship between the adoption of soil, water and forest conservation practices. The multinomial logistic regression analysis has revealed that age, gender, access to credit, and access to extension services, significantly influenced the households’ decision behaviour to adopt soil conservation practices. Age, access to extension service, and access to water resource were significant predictors of adoption of water conservation practices; whereas age, educational status, and access to extension service were significant predictors of adoption of forest conservation practices. This study underscores the significance of institutional factors in driving the adoption of technology in the research area. It further recommends policies that prioritize the dissemination of information on effective strategies, improvement of access to extension services, water resources, and credit facilities to promote sustainable watershed management. This study is exceptional in its innovative approach, which explores the convergence of these vital conservation domains within the distinct setting of the upper Gelana watershed. Studying the adoption of these technologies is crucial for informing policy-making and designing effective interventions that promote sustainable watershed practices. In this case, the Ministry of Agriculture, and development agents should scale up the adoption of these practices and take remedial actions for those not yet adopted.

Investigating the biological diversity and ecological dynamics of oceanic fishery resources in the Andaman Sea, Indian Ocean

This research paper investigates the oceanic fishery resources of the Andaman archipelago. The primary objective of this study is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the fishery and its dynamics including the environmental linkage surrounding these oceanic resources and to develop an effective strategy for sustainable exploration. Data were collected during an exploratory tuna long-line survey conducted between July 2022 and February 2023. The study documented a total of 13 species of fishes belonging to 11 genera, with tuna being the most abundant. Additionally, the study observed a significant increase in the population of pelagic stingrays, which nearly matched the number of hooked sharks (32). However, the hooking rates of sharks and bill fishes were observed to be gradually declining, resulting in a lower contribution to the overall species composition. One notable finding of the study was that site 11oN; 93oE (S4) exhibited the highest species diversity and potential. Furthermore, the aggregate hooking rates of fishes were particularly high between latitudes 11oN and 12oN. The study also analysed the seasonal distribution of each fish species and explored the correlation between environmental factors such as depth and temperature with species abundance and distribution. Statistical analysis indicates that there is no significant variation (p value = 0.20) between the environmental factors and the frequency of the species occurrence. Specifically, depth shows the highest correlation (r = 0.57) with the species distribution. In light of the diminishing hooking rate of oceanic fishery resources, the study puts forth several possible reasons and emphasizes the urgent need to implement conservation measures.

From spatial prioritization to conservation management in the Southern Ocean using the marine IBAs approach

Implementing effective conservation action requires spatial prioritization exercises to be functionally integrated with a process for developing an implementation strategy. There is great potential for animal tracking data to inform marine management in the Southern Ocean. Using information on penguin distribution, a set of marine Important Bird Areas (mIBAs) has recently been identified around Antarctica. Large-scale spatial analyses like this are key to guide resources and the attention of decision-makers towards areas of significant value. Yet, protecting marine resources requires translating prioritization exercises into legally-binding conservation measures. Here we use one of the largest gentoo colonies in Antarctica as a case study to explore pathways for the utilization of the mIBAs approach in the design and implementation of conservation measures in the Southern Ocean. For scientists and organizations willing to have a policy impact, there are two main routes to contribute to Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) decision-making: through Parties' National Delegations, or through Experts and Observers. We provide three main recommendations for incorporating the results of spatial prioritization analyses into the agenda of ATS governance bodies using the mIBAs approach: 1. Differentiate the potential contribution of mIBAs to spatial prioritization from the potential contribution to conservation planning, two different stages in the conservation process; 2. Use methods, criteria and data for delineating boundaries of potential conservation areas according to the stage of the conservation process that the outputs are expected to contribute to; 3. Understand how Antarctic mIBAs might fit into the ATS conservation measures framework and ongoing deliberations.

Predicting the potential distribution of Taxus cuspidata in northeastern China based on the ensemble model

AbstractClimate change is poised to exert a significant impact on species distribution in the future, and Taxus cuspidata as an endangered species is no exception. Predicting the potential distribution of T. cuspidata is essential for decision‐makers to develop conservation policies and explicitly implement conservation measures. In this study, a combined model was employed to predict potentially suitable habitats for T. cuspidata based on extant data of T. cuspidata distributions in northeastern China. Our findings suggest that mean diurnal range (bio2) and isothermality (bio3) were identified as dominant factors influencing T. cuspidata distribution. Under future climate scenarios, suitable habitat areas increased only in the SSP126 scenario in the 2070s, declining in all other scenarios. In all climate scenarios, the centroid of suitable habitats ultimately shows a trend in northward movement. Decreases in suitable habitat predominantly occurred in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, Baishan city, and Tonghua city. Overall, this study highlights a projected habitat reduction due to climate change. Recommendations entail the strategic establishment of nature reserves and the implementation of initiatives aimed at population replenishment.

Environmental Impact of Agricultural Land Transfer in China: A Systematic Review on Sustainability

Farmland holding fragmentation facilitates more extensive use of agricultural chemicals, which harm the natural environment. Agricultural land transfer in China aims to consolidate agricultural holdings, promoting economies of scale and addressing socio-economic and environmental concerns. This systematic review aims to examine the impact of agricultural land transfer on the environment. The review evaluates 60 empirical research articles retrieved through the Web of Science and SCOPUS databases, which discuss the relationship between agricultural land transfer and the environment. The findings indicate that agricultural land transfer has both positive and negative impacts on the environment. Farmers who engage in land rental and adopt sustainable agricultural practices, including the utilization of organic fertilizers, implementation of conservation measures, and application of efficient carbon reduction techniques, have demonstrated a notable positive influence on the environment. The lack of regulatory mechanisms concerning agricultural land transfer, including non-adjacent agricultural land transfer and large-scale farmers’ improper chemical utilization, causes significant negative environmental consequences such as biodiversity loss and ecosystem destruction. As such, we recommend innovative institutional developments addressing spatial and temporal considerations, land use, market systems, and household conditions to reconcile the links between agricultural land transfer policy and environmental outcomes. We urge continued research into the multidimensional and potential effects of agricultural land transfer to facilitate better-informed policy-making.

Accelerated farmland bird population declines in European countries after their recent EU accession

Agricultural intensification is a major driver of global biodiversity loss. In Europe, intensification progressed over the 20th century and was accelerated by instruments of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries standing outside the EU until the beginning of the 21st century employed less intensive farming and are considered one of the continent's farmland biodiversity strongholds. Their recent EU accession might be either viewed as a threat to farmland biodiversity due to the availability of funds to increase agricultural production or as an opportunity to implement conservation measures aimed to preserve biodiversity. Here we assessed these possibilities using long-term monitoring data on farmland bird populations in seven CEE countries. We tested whether mean relative abundance and population trends changed after countries' EU accession, and whether such changes also occurred in agricultural management and conservation measures. Both agricultural intensity and spending for agri-environmental and climatic schemes increased when the CEE countries joined the EU. At the same time, farmland bird populations started to decline and their relative abundance was lower after than before EU accession. In addition, increases in fertilizer application were negatively associated with annual changes in relative farmland bird population sizes, indicating a negative impact of intensive agriculture. Taken together, these results indicate that despite the great power of the EU's environmental legislation to improve the population status of species at risk, this does not apply to farmland birds. In their case, the adverse impacts of agricultural intensification most likely overrode the possible benefits of conservation measures. To secure this region as one of the continent's farmland biodiversity strongholds, policy and management actions are urgently needed.

Exploring the interplay between water quality parameters and aquatic fauna in a human-dominated stream network in Iran

Rivers and streams are dynamic linear features that undergo numerous disturbances from nearby human activities. This is particularly evident in Iranian arid regions, where agricultural activities are concentrated along these water bodies to harness their freshwater resources. This study utilized 12 stations in the Maharlu stream network to assess the impact of human activities on its water quality and aquatic fauna. Results indicated that severe nutrient pollution attributed to a high mean nitrate concentration (67.77 ± 79.72 mg/L). By employing PCA analysis, three main principal components were extracted, explaining a variance of 82.61%. PC1 exhibited high positive loadings for dissolved oxygen (DO), while PC2 showed an elevated salt concentration. Midges and non-biting mosquitoes, predominantly from the Chironomidae family, emerged as the dominant taxon, contributing to over 98% of the total species abundance. Furthermore, integrated PCA–CCA analysis revealed downstream shifts in species composition toward more tolerant species, driven by decreasing DO levels and increasing salt concentrations. These shifts in trends found in water quality parameters and species composition were linked to agricultural runoff carrying substantial amounts of fertilizers, pesticides, and organic matter from livestock farming. Consequently, there is an urgent need to implement conservation measures to mitigate their adverse effects.

Assessing soil erosion and farmers’ decision of reducing erosion for sustainable soil and water conservation in Burji woreda, southern Ethiopia

Inadequate conservation practice affects the sustainable production of agricultural watersheds due to erosion and fertility decline. Understanding soil erosion and implementing site-specific conservation practice could enhance agriculture-based rural development. The study was aimed to document soil erosion problem and soil and water conservation effort. The specific objectives of this study were to assess soil erosion severity, practices to reduce erosion, and determinants of the decision to reduce erosion. Data were collected by interviewing 198 farm household heads, undertaking four focus group discussions, and assessing rill erosion in 10 farm fields in Morayo and Wacho sub-watersheds of southern Ethiopia. Descriptive statistics and binary logit model were applied to analyze the data. Results indicated that many of the farm households, 63% in Morayo and 83% in the Wacho sub-watershed, perceived moderate to severe soil erosion, which is characterized by big rills and small gullies on the farmlands. Rill densities of 231.4 m ha−1 and 84.1 m ha−1 in the Morayo and Wacho sub-watersheds were observed, respectively. The estimated annual soil loss due to rills was 61.2 and 23.4 Mg ha−1 in the Morayo and Wacho sub-watersheds, respectively. The soil erosion from rills alone exceeds the expected tolerable soil erosion (11 tons ha−1 year−1). Due to erosion, about 90% of farmers perceived farmland degradation as described by a progressive decline in crop yield. Farmers used to practice traditional techniques to reduce erosion and government introduced conservation measures such as soil and stone bunds. However, many farmers did not use well-promoted conservation measures such as bunds, which could have negative impact on long-term erosion control effort and sustainable implementation of the conservation options. Among the assessed explanatory variables, educational level, farm distance from home, slope of the cultivated land, and frequency of extension contact were significantly affected (p < 0.05) farmers’ sustainable use of conservation measures. Development planners and policy makers are advised to consider site-specific and innovative approaches to implement conservation measures in sustainable approach in the smallholder crop-livestock mixed agriculture system.

Safeguarding the last stronghold: Ecology and conservation of Asiatic Cheetah's prey species in Turan Biosphere Reserve (Iran)

Identifying suitable habitats for wild felids is essential for effective area-based conservation efforts. However, modeling habitat suitability for extremely rare and endangered taxa such as the Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) is challenging due to limited data availability. To address this, our study focused on analysing the distribution factors of the Asiatic Cheetah's main prey species, including the Wild Goat (Capra aegagrus), Urial (Ovis vignei), Goitered Gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), Jebeer Gazelle (Gazella bennettii), and Cape Hare (Lepus capensis) in the Turan Biosphere Reserve (TBR), a critical Cheetah habitat in Iran. To determine habitat suitability for these prey species, we conducted a systematic field survey along 30 transects measuring 16 km each by collecting data in each 1 km interval, resulting in 1172 direct observations of their presence. These observations were then correlated with 44 variables grouped into four categories: bioclimatic, topography, vegetation, and distance to anthropogenic and natural features. Suitability maps were generated using a hierarchical modeling approach. Among the observed prey species, Urial had the highest frequency of sightings (675 visual observations over eight seasons), followed by Goitered Gazelle (564 observations), Cape Hare (278 observations), Jebeer Gazelle (232 observations), and Wild Goat (208 observations). The most influential predictors affecting prey species distribution were mean summer temperature (with optimal ranges at lower temperatures), terrain relief roughness (with optimal ranges at intermediate roughness), distance to wells (with optimal ranges at shorter distances), and distance to corrals (with variable optimal ranges across species). Our findings indicate that the western and eastern mountainous areas, along with their hilly surroundings, as well as the northwest and western plains of TBR, constitute the most suitable habitats for these five prey species. These models and suitability maps provide crucial evidence for implementing conservation measures in the vulnerable habitats of the Asiatic Cheetah and its primary prey species. Environmental conditions can be enhanced through the management of water sources, roads, corrals, and livestock grazing. In addition, the fragmentation of suitable areas within TBR highlights the importance of preserving corridors between these fragmented habitats. We recommend re-evaluating and expanding the boundaries of Turan National Park, Turan Wildlife Refuge, and Turan Biosphere Reserve to ensure the long-term conservation of this threatened felid species and its associated ecosystems.

Understanding how forest ecosystem services are affected by conservation practices and differences in elevation: A study in the Arasbaran biosphere reserve, Iran

Studies addressing how different forest management methods affect the ecosystem services provided by forests in different geographical areas are essential. The objective of this study was to investigate how regulating and supporting services are affected by conservation management and differences in elevation. This was achieved by comparing several ecosystem indicators between the protected and unprotected areas.The forests under study were divided into two elevation ranges (1000–1500 and 1500–2000 m above sea level), and 66 sample plots (area 300 m2) were established in each area. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the trees were recorded, and soil and litter samples were obtained in all sample plots. Increment cores were also obtained from the main tree species in the area. In addition, regulating services (regulation of CO2, water and soil) and supporting services (nutrient cycling in soil, and above-ground net primary production) were also evaluated. All of the indicators studied in the regulating services section, except annual carbon sequestration by the trees and the soil loss, in the protected were more than in the unprotected area. No significant differences between the two regions were observed regarding annual carbon sequestration and soil regulation indicators. Regarding the supporting services indicators, total nitrogen, assimilable potassium and average trunk volume of the trees were higher in the protected than in the unprotected area; the opposite was true for the total phosphorus index. The results suggest positive effects of conservation management on regulating and supporting services in the protected area of the Arasbaran forests.The findings of the study indicate that conservation management practices have a positive impact on both regulating and supporting services within the protected area of the Arasbaran forests. This suggests that the implementation of conservation measures in this region has resulted in beneficial outcomes for the ecosystem services provided by the forests. The results highlight the importance of protecting and managing forest areas to enhance their ability to regulate CO2, water, and soil, as well as support nutrient cycling and above-ground net primary production.These outcomes highlight the crucial role of conservation efforts in maintaining and enhancing the overall health and functioning of the Arasbaran forests. It indicates that protective management is essential for promoting key ecosystem services. The study also underscores the importance of considering factors such as altitude and habitat conditions when formulating forest management strategies or plans.

Habitat suitability model of future coral reef region in the Halmahera Waters under the projection of environmental pressures from future climate change and coastal pollution

The coral reef region of the Halmahera waters situated within the tropical area of the coral triangle, covers approximately 193,126 km2, with coral reef habitats occupying roughly 958.47 km2. The coral reefs in Halmahera waters are essential for ecosystem services and local fisheries. However, they are at risk from climate change and coastal pollution. This study aimed to develop habitat suitability models for coral reefs in the Halmahera waters under future climate change scenarios. MaxEnt modeling was employed to project suitability for the coral Acropora spp. using occurrence data. Suitability projections were made for 2050 under IPCC RCP 2.6, 6.0, and 8.5 scenarios, assuming no measures are taken to mitigate coastal water pollution. Environmental factors considered in the modeling included temperature, salinity, current velocity, pH, sunlight penetration, and chlorophyll levels. Results demonstrated a significant decline in habitat suitability, with an 85% loss of highly suitable areas under RCP 2.6 – 8.5 compared to current conditions (741 km2). Chlorophyll levels, a marker of coastal pollution, were predicted to be the most influential factor, followed by temperature and salinity. The findings highlight the need to reduce global carbon emissions and implement conservation measures to mitigate coastal water pollution in preserving coral reef habitats.

Loss of native brown trout diversity in streams of the continental Croatia

Introduction: The genetic diversity of brown trout in the Western Balkans has been disrupted by the introduction of non-native Atlantic phylogenetic lineages and non-native haplotypes of the Danubian phylogenetic lineage. The Western Balkans is characterized by the greatest phenotypic and genotypic diversity of trout populations, and a large part of the internal territory belongs to the Black Sea basin, where the Danubian Da1 haplotype is native. Artificial propagation of non-native lineages in the Western Balkans has a long history, and these populations are often the only available material for stocking rivers attractive for fishing.Material and Methods: Fifteen populations in the Danube basin of the continental Croatia were analysed. The analysis of eight microsatellite loci was performed to determine the structure of brown trout populations, as well as the degree of introgression of non-native genetic material into the native.Results and Disscusion: The results of this study showed significant genetic similarity among brown trout populations, confirming a long history of introduction with non-native genetic material. The main reason was uncontrolled stocking with inadequate material, which is available in fish farms and consists mainly of brown trout of the Atlantic phylogenetic lineage. The results of this study also indicated stocking with brown trout of the non-native haplotypes of the Danubian phylogenetic lineage. The potential breeding origin of brown trout carrying the Danubian Da2 mtDNA haplotype and ways of its introduction into rivers have yet to be investigated. For the survival of the unique gene pool of brown trout in Croatian rivers, it is of fundamental importance to know the structure of wild and farmed populations with the aim of proposing and implementing conservation measures.

Exposure of African ape sites to climate change impacts

Large gaps remain in our understanding of the vulnerability of specific animal taxa and regions to climate change, especially regarding extreme climate impact events. Here, we assess African apes, flagship and highly important umbrella species for sympatric biodiversity. We estimated past (1981–2010) and future exposure to climate change impacts across 363 sites in Africa for RCP2.6 and RCP6.0 for near term (2021–2050) and long term (2071–2099). We used fully harmonized climate data and data on extreme climate impact events from the Inter-Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISIMIP). Historic data show that 171 sites had positive temperature anomalies for at least nine of the past ten years with the strongest anomalies (up to 0.56°C) estimated for eastern chimpanzees. Climate projections suggest that temperatures will increase across all sites, while precipitation changes are more heterogeneous. We estimated a future increase in heavy precipitation events for 288 sites, and an increase in the number of consecutive dry days by up to 20 days per year (maximum increase estimated for eastern gorillas). All sites will be frequently exposed to wildfires and crop failures in the future, and the latter could impact apes indirectly through increased deforestation. 84% of sites are projected to be exposed to heatwaves and 78% of sites to river floods. Tropical cyclones and droughts were only projected for individual sites in western and central Africa. We further compiled available evidence on how climate change impacts could affect apes, for example, through heat stress and dehydration, a reduction in water sources and fruit trees, and reduced physiological performance, body condition, fertility, and survival. To support necessary research on the sensitivity and adaptability of African apes to climate change impacts, and the planning and implementation of conservation measures, we provide detailed results for each ape site on the open-access platform A.P.E.S. Wiki.

Examining the Effects of Soil and Water Conservation Measures on Patterns and Magnitudes of Vegetation Cover Change in a Subtropical Region Using Time Series Landsat Imagery

Soil and water erosion has long been regarded as a serious environmental problem in the world. Thus, research on reducing soil erosion has received continuous attention. Different conservation measures such as restoring low-function forests, closing hillsides for afforestation, planting trees and grass, and constructing terraces on slope land have been implemented for controlling soil erosion problems and promoting vegetation cover change. One important task is to understand the effects of different conservation measures on reducing water and soil erosion problems. However, directly conducting the evaluation of soil erosion reduction is difficult. One solution is to evaluate the patterns and magnitudes of vegetation cover change due to implementing these measures. Therefore, this research selected Changting County, Fujian Province as a case study to examine the effects of implementing conservation measures on vegetation cover change based on time series Landsat images and field survey data. Landsat images between 1986 and 2021 were used to produce time series vegetation cover data using the Google Earth Engine. Sentinel-2 images acquired in 2021 and Landsat images in 2010 were separately used to develop land cover maps using the random forest method. The spatial distribution of different conservation measures was linked to annual vegetation cover and land cover change data to examine the effects on the change in vegetation cover. The results showed a significant reduction in bare lands and increase in pine forests. The vegetation coverage increased from 42% in 1986 to 79% in 2021 in the conservation region compared with an increase from 73% to 87% in the non-conservation region during the same period. Of the different conservation measures, the change magnitude was 0.44 for restoring low-function forests and closing hillsides for afforestation and 0.65 for multiple control measures. This research provides new insights in terms of understanding the effects of taking proper measures for reducing soil and water erosion problems and provides scientific results for decisionmaking for soil erosion controls. The strategy and method used in this research are valuable for other regions in understanding the roles of different conservation measures on vegetation cover change and soil erosion reduction through employing remote sensing technologies.

Nesting trends and predation risks among yellow-spotted river turtles in Essequibo River Basin

The yellow-spotted river turtle (Podocnemis unifilis), inhabiting Amazon, Orinoco, and Essequibo River basins, is classified as vulnerable due to historical exploitation and current threats. Efforts have been made throughout the Amazon basin to understand the ecology of yellow-spotted river turtles and implement conservation measures, but the Essequibo River basin located in Guyana, remains the least studied part of the geographical range of the species. In this study we present data collected over a three-year period from 2020 to 2023, as part of a community driven conservation program by Yupukari village, in the North Rupununi, Guyana. We describe the nesting behavior of P. unifilis,and assess predation of eggs in the wild. A total number of nests in 9 beaches ranging from 59 (in 2021) to 76 (in 2023) (in averge 6.68 nest/beach, and 14.2 nests per ha) with an average number of 20.45 eggs per nest. Nesting locations were found to be predominantly situated within 1–20 m from the river, in proximity to vegetation, and on fine sand, with temperatures consistently falling within the 27–29 degrees Celsius range. Importantly, this study unravels the critical issue of nest predation, with lizards, human, and the birds emerging as the primary culprits, impacting nests located closer to vegetation to a greater extent. All nests in sites which potentially would be flooded were moved for a hatchery in the community of Yupukari in which the hatching success reached 83%.