Implementation Of Conservation Measures Research Articles

Four unreported emperor penguin colonies discovered by satellite

Predictions of the future emperor penguins population, linked to anthropogenic climate change, are stark. Current models suggest that if CO2 emissions continue to rise at present rates, almost all colonies will be quasi-extinct by the end of the century (Jenouvrier et al.2021). The monitoring of populations is crucial to tracking these changes and, if possible, implementing conservation measures. Recent work using satellite imagery to discover, track and monitor emperor penguin populations has proved to be a key technology in understanding the locations, numbers and trends of the species (Barbraud & Weimerskirch 2001, Trathan et al.2020, Jenouvrier et al.2021). It also enables the discovery of unrecorded breeding sites (Fretwell et al.2009), although there are inherent difficulties in determining what constitutes a new or undiscovered breeding colony (see Supplemental Material S1). In 2019, eight previously unreported emperor penguin breeding sites were found using the European Space Agency's Sentinel-2 satellite, a medium-resolution satellite with a spatial resolution of 10 m per pixel (Fretwell & Trathan 2021), bringing the number of known extant breeding locations to 61. Here, I report on the discovery of a further four breeding sites using Sentinel-2 and Maxar WorldView-2 imagery.

Local population decline of the threatened Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor is linked to the modernisation of the rural landscape

Summary Landscape changes and the intensification of agriculture in recent centuries were largely responsible for the dramatic decline in the biodiversity of farmlands. Rural settlements have also been subject to radical changes due to modernisation, but their impact on bird populations is poorly quantified. The Lesser Grey Shrike Lanius minor is a threatened farmland bird and already extinct in many areas. We monitored a population of this long-distance migrant in a traditional farming area in the Poľana Mountains (central Slovakia) in three breeding seasons (1996, 2016, and 2021). We analysed the impact of the increase in number of modern habitations and the decrease in traditional farmsteads on the population decline. The number of breeding territories decreased from 73 in 1996 to 38 in 2016 and 22 in 2021. As the population has declined, the breeding area has also shrunk significantly. While there were no modern homesteads in the breeding territories in 1996, by 2021 their number had increased to the number of traditional farmsteads. Building a single modern house in a territory reduced the probability of nesting to about 6%, and this effect was also seen when one or two farms were still present (17% and 40%, respectively). An additional modern homestead in the territory reduced the nesting probability to almost zero, even if a farmstead was already present. In this long-term empirical study, we identified these changes as a local threat factor for the species studied. The results presented can help in the design and implementation of conservation measures in traditional farming landscapes.

Living on the EDGE: From the evolutionary uniqueness to the conservation status of the Colombian elapids and viperids

Phylogenetics applied to conservation provides a comprehensive and alternative approach that contributes to prioritising species and areas for conservation, even if the species have significant information gaps concerning their ecology. Using a distribution of 10,000 phylogenetic trees of the 30 elapid and 21 viperid snakes in Colombia, we calculated the species evolutionary distinctiveness (ED) scores. Then, based on the ED median values reported from previously fully-sampled phylogenies of squamates, we quantified evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered (EDGE) scores and, with updated distribution maps of the species, we computed and plotted biogeographically weighted evolutionary distinctiveness (BED) scores. Among threatened species, Bothrocophias campbelli reached the highest ED score. This species, together with Micrurus medemi, are the top EDGE species, and with Micrurus renjifoi achieved the highest BED scores. The spatial patterns of richness and BED values highlight the Andean, Amazonian and Pacific regions as biodiversity hotspots. Although some areas are under some protection status, anthropic pressures, such as deforestation, along with the lack of knowledge about these snakes, exhibit a worrisome panorama. Thus, it is imperative to implement conservation measures focused on areas where species with both ecological and evolutionary value are concentrated. Keywords: Coral snakes, Elapidae, evolutionary distinctiveness, global endangerment, phylogenetic diversity, Viperidae, vipers

Population Growth of Thunnus thynnus and Vulnerability to Fishing along the Syrian Coast (Eastern Mediterranean Sea)

A total of 233 random samples of Thunnus thynnus were collected from Syrian seawater between July and October 2023. These samples were subjected to advanced analytical techniques, including artificial neural networks and fuzzy logic. The largest individual caught measured 218 cm fork length and was estimated to be 10 years. The Bertalanffy growth equation: FLt = 361.43 (1-e-0.079 (t + 1.210)) provided insight into the growth pattern of the studied Th. thynnus population, indicating negative allometric growth (b = 2.94). The growth performance index (Φ’) was 4.01. The mortality coefficients were estimated to be Z = 0.56 y-1, F = 0.39 y-1, M = 0.17 y-1 and E = 0.70 y-1, with a survival coefficient (S) of 0.57 y-1. The analysis revealed significant population growth patterns at a fishing pressure (FP) value of 60, but also identified a high fishing vulnerability (FV) value of 67. This vulnerability represents a significant threat to the fish population. The findings of this study underscore the significance of implementing conservation measures for the long-term sustainability of the species. They also contribute to our understanding of the growth, mortality, and vulnerability of Th. thynnus to fishing, which will inform future research and management strategies.

Effectiveness of conservation measures to support biodiversity in boreal timber-production forests

Large parts of the boreal forest ecosystems have been greatly affected by human use, and the current timber-oriented forest management practice that dominates boreal forests is proven to cause biodiversity and ecosystem services declines. These negative effects are mitigated in various ways, including in-situ measures implemented upon harvest. The measures comprise trade-offs between economic and ecological aims; thus, requiring solid knowledge of their effectiveness. However, comprehensive literature review of the effectiveness of such measures is scarce. We aim to fill part of this void by reviewing the scientific literature that have gauged effects of four in-situ conservation measures: green tree retention (GTR), patch retention (PR), dead wood retention (DW) and riparian buffer zones (RB). Two outcomes were considered, species richness and species abundance across taxa. From a total of 3012 initial papers, 48 met our inclusion criteria that generated 238 unique results. Results were grouped according to control. 178 studies used mature, unlogged forest as control. Out of those, 68% of the findings were not significant, i.e., suggesting no significant impact of harvest with biodiversity measures on species richness and species abundance compared to no harvest. Eighteen percent of the observations showed negative effects and 14% of the observations showed positive effects compared to no harvest. Sixty studies used harvest with no measures as control, of which 45% showed significant positive effects, meaning that compared to harvest with no measures, harvest with conservation measures has positively effects on species richness and abundance. However, 43% of the studies found no significant effect of the implemented conservation measures compared to harvest with no measures taken. The relatively few significant results reported restrain distinct conclusions on the effectiveness of the assessed conservation measures, but some degree of conservation measure is likely to have positive effects on biodiversity in timber-production forest. However, the scientific basis does not allow for pointing to threshold levels. Higher transparency of study design and statistical results would allow us to include more studies. There is a clear need for more research of effectiveness of common conservation measures in timber-production forests in order to strengthen the knowledge basis. In particular, there are few studies that employ harvest without any conservation measure as control. This is pivotal knowledge for forest managers as well as for policymakers for preserving biodiversity and the ecosystems in forest.

Experience in the development of regulations based on the results of experimental studies for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity

One primary cause of biodiversity loss is the absence of standardized guidelines and regulations that provide clear instructions for implementing conservation measures. The development of technological frameworks, solidified in regulatory acts, enables the creation of a methodological foundation for biodiversity conservation and restoration for industrial companies as part of their corporate ESG policies. Between 2013 and 2023, the Kuzbass region gained significant experience in developing regulatory legal acts (RLAs) based on restoration technologies for various ecosystems on mine spoil heaps, as well as conducting environmental assessments and compensatory measures. A crucial part of this work involves publishing methodological recommendations for coal companies and integrating innovative technologies into the content of state standards in the field of “Environmental Protection” and Best Available Technologies (BAT). A total of 6 methodological recommendations were developed, of which 3 technologies were included in the BAT list for biodiversity restoration, and another 3 technologies are undergoing the stage of drafting a state standard. The preparation of new GOST-R standards helps industrial companies perceive biodiversity as an opportunity to demonstrate their environmental responsibility and minimize financial and reputational risks.

Towards the Conservation of Monumental Taxus baccata L. Trees of Thasos Island: Genetic Insights

Taxus baccata L. is a tertiary relict, long-lived, wind-pollinated dioecious tree species found throughout Europe. In the rocky mountains of Thasos island, monumental old trees create a unique area of natural beauty. In recent times, the need to implement conservation measures for key endangered species such as Taxus baccata has intensified. Exploring the genetic diversity of the species is a prerequisite for successful forest management decisions aimed at conservation. In this study, 28 monumental trees from two natural populations of Thasos were investigated using eight Simple Sequence Repeat markers in order to assess the levels of genetic diversity and genetic differentiation within the individuals, to estimate the degree of inbreeding and the effective population size of each population, and to discuss the impact this study has on conservation efforts for the species. Although the population size was small (14 individuals per population), the results showed moderate to high genetic diversity parameters. The mean expected heterozygosity was He = 0.649 and the number of effective alleles was Ne = 3.270 for both populations. Moreover, allelic richness (AR = 3.395) was high, indicating a variable genetic pool which is probably a result of a past established expansion of the species in the area. The results of the present study present a unique genetic pool harbored by specific trees, which is an important advantage for ensuring their conservation and resistance against biotic and abiotic threats. Our study paves the way towards conservation measures, which can be prioritized as follows: (a) in situ conservation, (b) seed bank establishment, and (c) in vitro propagation in order to secure future resilience and sustainability of the species.

Monitoring of Coastal Dunes and Lagoons: Important Ecosystems to Safeguard

The coast of the Province of Brindisi, located in the south of Italy, is characterised by a large network of wetlands and coastal dunes of great ecological importance. These represent important habitats for flora and fauna, serving as feeding, breeding and migration areas for many bird species. Unfortunately, the state of health of some of these species is subject to various threats that put the ecological balance and local biodiversity at risk. It is essential to conduct regular and thorough monitoring over time to fully understand the presence of impacts on these ecosystems and to quickly take all necessary corrective measures to counter their main human-made threats, such as excessive urbanisation. This work reports the methods and results of the monitoring carried out along coastal dunes and a lagoon to identify their state of health and assess the presence of threatening factors capable of negatively altering their naturalness. The results indicate a situation of degradation affecting the coastal dunes but a good quality of the water resource. The study area is not currently affected by continuous monitoring programs and, therefore, we believe it is necessary to start a process in this sense, given the high naturalistic and historical value of the area. Finally, indications are provided to implement conservation measures to protect and preserve these precious coastal habitats, ensuring their survival for future generations.

Panmixia in the American eel extends to its tropical range of distribution: Biological implications and policymaking challenges.

The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) has long been regarded as a panmictic fish and has been confirmed as such in the northern part of its range. In this paper, we tested for the first time whether panmixia extends to the tropical range of the species. To do so, we first assembled a reference genome (975 Mbp, 19 chromosomes) combining long (PacBio and Nanopore and short (Illumina paired-end) reads technologies to support both this study and future research. To test for population structure, we estimated genotype likelihoods from low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of 460 American eels, collected at 21 sampling sites (in seven geographic regions) ranging from Canada to Trinidad and Tobago. We estimated genetic distance between regions, performed ADMIXTURE-like clustering analysis and multivariate analysis, and found no evidence of population structure, thus confirming that panmixia extends to the tropical range of the species. In addition, two genomic regions with putative inversions were observed, both geographically widespread and present at similar frequencies in all regions. We discuss the implications of lack of genetic population structure for the species. Our results are key for the future genomic research in the American eel and the implementation of conservation measures throughout its geographic range. Additionally, our results can be applied to fisheries management and aquaculture of the species.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on Plant Endemism during the Period of 1991–2022

A bibliometric analysis of 349 scholarly documents published on the topic plant nativity and endemism from 1991–2022 was carried out using the ‘bibliometrix’ tool, developed through the R programming language. The results revealed a significant increase in the number of publications on plant nativity and endemism research since 1991. Of the total of 349 documents that were analyzed, 38 are single authored documents, and the average number of documents per author is 0.278. Each document has received an average of 33.67 citations, with 3.18 citations per year per document. The relationship between the number of authors and the number of articles that they have published follows a power-law distribution. Based on Bradford’s law, only eight were found to be the core sources. Mexico, followed by the USA, has produced the highest number of documents on plant nativity and endemism. The present study suggests that it is necessary to categorize data on endemism by floristic provinces, not by political subdivisions. Synecological studies are also needed, since endemic plants exist within communities. Models that accurately predict levels of endemism on the basis of easily measurable environmental variables should be useful for the rapid identification of endemic-rich areas. Recognition of the importance of plant endemism and the implementation of conservation measures is crucial for preserving biodiversity hotspots. Both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts are essential for protecting endemic species and preventing their extinction. By integrating these approaches, we can contribute to the long-term conservation and management of endemic plant species.

Spatio-Temporal Dynamics and Physico-Hydrological Trends in Rainfall, Runoff and Land Use in Paraíba Watershed

The detection and monitoring of changes in land use and land cover play a crucial role in understanding land degradation and are fundamental to preserving agroecosystems. Their association with hydrological information allows essential responses to changes in hydrological patterns to be identified, contributing to water security in watersheds. Therefore, this study aimed to assess spatio-temporal dynamics and physico-hydrological trends in rainfall, runoff and land use in the Paraíba watershed. The study was conducted in the Paraíba watershed, using land use data and information from pluviometric and fluviometric stations with temporal series of more than 30 years. The Mann-Kendall statistical test was adopted to verify trends. Results indicate annual reduction trends for both native forest area and water bodies in the Paraíba watershed. On the other hand, the area designated for agriculture showed a significant increase. The correlation analysis between water bodies and forests (R² = 0.63) highlights a strong association between the decrease in forest area and the reduction in water availability, influencing the decrease in annual flow. These results serve as a warning to expand water resource management for the region, aiming to preserve and to enhance sustainable use. Therefore, the implementation of conservation measures, monitoring procedures, and adequate management is required to face the challenges imposed by climate change and land use and occupation, ensuring the water availability for the future.

The Buzz of Apiology and The Molecular Secrets of Vectors: Unraveling the Genetics and Physiology of Insects in Ecology

Insects, as some of the most diverse and ecologically influential organisms on our planet, continue to captivate the scientific community's attention. This abstract provides an overview of the fascinating world of apiology and the exploration of molecular secrets within insect vectors, shedding light on the genetics and physiology of these remarkable creatures in the context of ecology. Apiology, the study of bees and their intricate social structures, has experienced a resurgence of interest due to the critical roles that bees play in pollination and ecosystem health. Researchers have delved deep into the genetics and physiology of bees, uncovering the molecular mechanisms underlying their remarkable communication, navigation, and foraging behaviors. This knowledge is instrumental in addressing the challenges posed by bee population decline and its implications for global agriculture. In parallel, the study of insect vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, has gained prominence as they continue to transmit diseases that affect human and animal populations worldwide. This paper highlights the intersection of apiology and vector biology, emphasizing the importance of unraveling the genetics and physiology of insects in ecological contexts. By deciphering the molecular secrets of these insects, we can enhance our understanding of their roles in ecosystems, mitigate the impact of disease vectors, and implement conservation measures to protect vital pollinators. Ultimately, these endeavors contribute to a more comprehensive comprehension of the complex web of life on Earth and inspire innovative solutions to pressing ecological challenges.

Social media as a contributor to conflicts in protected areas: experiences, problems, and potential solutions

Within two decades, social media has profoundly changed modern society. The various effects of this rapid development are increasingly the subject of interdisciplinary research. For protected areas, the focus has so far been on the possibilities of social media as a means of visitor communication and monitoring. This is an exploratory study identifying case studies of protected areas where visitors’ use of social media has contributed to negative environmental effects. Furthermore, potential measures to address these challenges are provided. Data collection was conducted with a selective review of academic and non-academic literature using a global research framework and EU-wide qualitative email interviews with staff from 44 national parks. The research results were structured using the DPSIR framework of the European Environment Agency. Social media trend-driven mass tourism and dissemination of nature-damaging behaviour via social media appear to be the most pressing issues. To implement conservation measures successfully and ensure long-term conservation goals, protected area management must consider the potential negative effects of social media. As digitisation progresses, the urgency of corresponding studies and measures increases. The enhancement of digital skills and digital visitor guidance by nature conservation actors may help to counteract future negative environmental effects.

Detecting Japanese Eels (Anguilla japonica) and Revealing Their Distribution in Taiwanese Rivers by Environmental DNA Analysis

The Japanese eel (Anguilla japonica) is the most prevalent freshwater eel species in Taiwan. However, its population has undergone a significant decline in recent decades due to factors such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and the effects of climate change. Urgent action is needed to conserve this species. Before implementing conservation measures, it is imperative to ascertain the distribution of Japanese eels in Taiwan’s rivers. This study’s primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of eDNA analysis as a method for detecting Japanese eels. To achieve this goal, we compared eDNA analysis data with results obtained from electrofishing, with the Fengshan and Shimen Rivers serving as our designated test sites. Additionally, we collected water samples from 34 other rivers across Taiwan to comprehensively assess the species’ wider distribution using eDNA analysis. Our findings demonstrated eDNA analysis’s viability for detecting Japanese eels. Of the 36 rivers tested, Japanese eel DNA was detected in samples from 21 rivers, scattered across northern, eastern, southern, and western Taiwan, with no specific concentration in any region. We also noted reduced detectability of Japanese eel DNA in highly polluted rivers, indicating that river pollution may have a potential impact on their population. In the future, expanding eDNA analysis to more rivers could identify additional rivers that Japanese eels inhabit. Subsequently, resource management and conservation efforts can be focused on these identified habitats. Furthermore, developing advanced eDNA-based methods for estimating the abundance or biomass of Japanese eels could enhance the flexibility of management and conservation measures.

Making bird numbers count: Would Dutch farmers accept a result-based meadow bird conservation scheme?

Current management contracts under agri-environmental schemes (AES) are often action-based. This means that farmers are reimbursed for the costs incurred when implementing conservation measures but are not paid based on actual improvements in environmental outcomes. In theory, result-based schemes with payments for outcomes can improve the cost and ecological effectiveness of AES. This article analyses farmers' acceptance of a hypothetical meadow bird management scheme that includes payments for results. The tested scheme was developed together with a Dutch farmer collective and resulted in a hybrid scheme including both result-based and action-based elements. In a discrete choice experiment, farmers were offered (1) a bonus payment that depended on the collective's nature conservation success, and (2) an individual bonus payment that rewarded farmers implementing measures that are expected to contribute more to the success of conservation. Results show that the acceptance of the hypothetical hybrid scheme is high (75%). The collective bonus was evaluated positively when the collective bonus on offer was high (€ 1000/farmer), but a latent class analysis indicates that this does not apply uniformly to all farmers.

Effectiveness of protected areas in the Three-river Source Region of the Tibetan Plateau for biodiversity and ecosystem services

Protected areas are widely recognized as crucial for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service maintenance. In recent decades, countries worldwide have made great progress in expanding the scope of protected areas. However, the evaluation of conservation effectiveness is insufficient due to limited resource inputs. In this study, we assessed the nature reserves’ effectiveness in conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services for the Three-river Source of the Tibetan Plateau in China over the past 20 years at multiple scales. Our findings revealed substantial improvements in biodiversity value, habitat quality, water retention carbon storage, and a slight decline in soil retention. Furthermore, implementing conservation measures within the nature reserves has resulted in better ecological conditions than areas outside. In terms of the different protection zones within the nature reserves, the core areas showed the highest improvement in ecological conditions, followed by the buffer areas and experimental areas. These results indicate a positive influence of ecological projects on conservation objectives. Additionally, the study indicated the effectiveness of more stringent conservation management. Limiting human activities and taking measures to protect soil retention in the Three-river nature reserves is urgent.

Editorial to the topical collection “Building stones and geomaterials through history and environments: from quarry to heritage. Insights on the conditioning factors - The Rolf Snethlage-Volume”

Under the umbrella of “building stones”, a wide range of research topics are possible. A vast interdisciplinary scientific community provides valuable information that should be considered at several levels. These are the extraction of the stone from the quarry to their application on buildings, and the implementation of conservation measures when necessary. The present special issue contains 44 articles on the research into natural building stones. The editorial intention is to present the main highlights of each paper, which are grouped into the following sections in order to better understand the overall content: Quarrying, Physical–Mechanical Properties, Heritage and Weathering, Restoration and Techniques, Miscellaneous. This volume is dedicated to the memory of Professor Rolf Snethlage. The international community of applied geosciences has lost an important researcher and teacher. Therefore, a brief description of importance of the research carried out by Rolf Snethlage is presented at the end of the Editorial.

Assessment of carbon loss related to Soil loss in the tropical watershed of Maharashtra, India

Soil carbon pools have a significant impact on the global carbon cycle and soil erosion caused by natural or human activities is one of the main drivers of changes in soil carbon sequestration. The present study aimed to estimate the carbon loss associated with soil loss in the watershed using remote sensing and GIS techniques. The study was carried out at the Central MPKV Campus Watershed, Rahuri, located in the rain shadow region of the Maharashtra state, India. The soil loss from the watershed was estimated using USLE model. The soil loss and carbon loss from the watershed were estimated before the implementation of conservation measures and after the implementation of conservation measures. It was found that the average annual soil loss from the watershed before and after conservation measures was 18.68 t/ha/yr and 9.41 t/ha/yr, respectively. Carbon loss was determined by soil loss rate, organic carbon content and the carbon enrichment ratio. The carbon loss from the watershed before and after conservation measures was 348.71 kgC/ha/yr and 205.52 kgC/ha/yr. The findings revealed that soil and carbon erosion was very severe on steep slopes without conservation measures and with limited vegetation cover. It was found that by reducing the carbon loss associated with soil loss, soil conservation measures not only aid in the conservation of natural resources but also serve as a climate change mitigation measure.

Multitemporal Land Use and Cover Analysis Coupled with Climatic Change Scenarios to Protect the Endangered Taxon Asphodelus bento-rainhae subsp. bento-rainhae.

Climate change and land use and land cover (LULC) change are impacting the species' geographic distribution, causing range shifts and reducing suitable habitats. Asphodelus bento-rainhae subsp. bento-rainhae (AbR) is an endangered endemic plant restricted to Serra da Gardunha (Portugal), and knowledge of those changes will help to design conservation measures. MaxEnt was used to model AbR's current distribution and project it into the future, 2050, using the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway SSP3-7. The Portuguese LULC maps from 1951-1980, 1995, 2007, and 2018 were used to assess and quantify LULC changes over time. The results showed that the AbR current predicted distribution matches its actual known distribution, which will not be affected by future predicted climate change. The significant LULC changes were observed during the study periods 1951-1980 to 2018, particularly between 1951-1980 and 1995. Scrubland and Agriculture decreased by 5% and 2.5%, respectively, and Forests increased by 4% in the study area. In the occurrence area, Agriculture increased, and Forests decreased between 1980 and 2018, due to Orchard expansion (34%) and declines in Chestnut (16.9%) and Pine (11%) areas, respectively. The use of species distribution models and the LULC change analysis contributed to understanding current and future species distribution. The LULC changes will have a significant impact on future species distribution. To prevent the extinction of this endemic species in the future, it is crucial to implement conservation measures, namely species monitoring, replantation, and germplasm conservation, in addition to guidelines for habitat conservation.

How to Improve the Benefits of Short-Term Fallow on Soil Physicochemical and Microbial Properties: A Case Study from the Yellow River Delta

Fallowing is regarded as an effective method for the self-recovery management of farmland and is generally used in cultivated land management. Studies have shown that long-term fallow has many ecological and environmental benefits. However, the long-term fallowing of farmland has also caused a decline in the grain production of farmland for a period of time. Short-term fallow can reduce the risk of food insecurity, but there are few studies on short-term fallow, especially on the comparation of different fallowing management methods and their relationship with soil microbial ecology. Our study has focused on seven treatments. Firstly, the traditional farming method was set as the control group. Native vegetation and crop-pasture vegetation were set as the fallowing vegetation. There were three irrigation–fertilization levels for each vegetation. The effects of the sampling times showed that the impact of fallow management on the soil properties became gradually stronger with time. The interactions between the sampling times and treatments showed a significant impact on organic carbon and total nitrogen. There was a significant impact of fallow management on the inorganic carbon accumulation and ammonia nitrogen consumption. Microbial biomass carbon was significantly increased by fallowing. Fallowing with irrigation could enhance the soil microbial nitrogen transformation. Some genera associated with assisting diseases were significantly increased by the native vegetation fallow and grass fallow with farmyard manure. The fallow with native vegetation showed more advantageous ecological benefits than the crop-pasture vegetation fallow. Although the crop-pasture vegetation followed the principle of ecological intensification, it failed to show better ecological benefits in the short fallow period. In irrigation management, the benefits of native vegetation and crop-pasture vegetation are similar. However, considering the lower cost of crop-pasture vegetation, crop-pasture vegetation fallow with irrigation could be a better choice. If it is difficult to implement conservation measures during the fallowing process, native vegetation fallowing without management may be the only fallowing choice.