Important Conservation Research Articles

Investigation of Photoinduced Deterioration in Shadow Puppet Artifacts Collected from the National Shadow Pupperty Museum in Chengdu, China

Shadow puppet artifacts are a special type of cultural heritage made from animal skin, possessing significant cultural and artistic value. However, there is insufficient attention to the scientific preservation of these artifacts, and systematic research on their protection is lacking. In particular, light as an important factor and related conservation studies are weak. This study investigates the photoinduced deterioration of shadow puppet artifacts from the National Shadow Pupperty Museum in Chengdu collection. Based on the xenon arc lamp are a common method of light aging, the modern rawhide samples were aged by the xenon arc lamp to simulate photoinduced deterioration. After artificial light aging, the samples were stored in a stable environment (with temperature maintained at 22 ± 2°C and relative humidity maintained at 50 ± 5%RH) for 150 days. It attempts to avoid further deterioration of the samples due to drastic cyclic changes in the environment. And continuously observe changes in characteristics during this process to verify the potential reversibility of photoinduced deterioration. Comprehensive assessments were conducted to gauge the extent of deterioration. In order to assess the deterioration, a series of analytical techniques were used. Moisture gain or loss was inferred from mass changes, and colorimetric measurements were measured using the CIELAB formula. Macroscopic and microscopic morphological damage was documented through camera, stereo microscope, and scanning electron microscope observations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) assessed amide bond degradation and moisture loss, while thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) evaluated collagen denaturation and thermal stability. The results indicated that prolonged light exposure caused significant deterioration, including color fading, moisture evaporation, and structural damage such as shrinkage and cracking. The findings indicate that light exposure is a crucial factor in the preservation of shadow puppet artifacts. Therefore, it is essential to implement careful management strategies in museum environments to ensure the protection of these artifacts.

Cryptic Diversity of Mediterranean Neogoniolithon (Corallinales, Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta)

ABSTRACTNeogoniolithon is a widespread genus of non‐geniculate coralline algae in the Mediterranean Sea. Three vaguely differentiated species have been reported in the region. This study examined the diversity of Neogoniolithon in the Mediterranean by inferring phylogenies using psbA and COI‐5P markers, applying delimitation algorithms and comparing morpho‐anatomies of putative species. In contrast to previous reports, 13 species were delimited from the Mediterranean in two distant clades. Initial observations suggested that tetrasporangial conceptacle size might be used to separate the two clades. Only three species showed fruticose morphologies. Further morpho‐anatomical differentiation was difficult. One species included Mediterranean, Pacific and Atlantic samples, while three other species occurred in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands. The global tree revealed that most species were geographically restricted. Crypticity in multiple lineages implied a much higher diversity than currently reported, even lacking samples from the eastern Mediterranean. Only sequence data can be used to identify these cryptic lineages. High endemism emphasizes the importance of conservation of coralline algal bioconstructions to prevent extinctions. The presence of cryptic diversity also invites a reassessment of the knowledge on species distributions that are important in conservation planning and management.

Study of germination of collection samples of wild flora of Astana botanical garden

The present study is devoted to the main tasks of seed bank laboratories, among which the formation, study and conservation of seed collections of both natural and introduced flora of Central and Northern Kazakhstan are emphasized. This work emphasizes the importance of maintaining optimal conditions for seed collection in these regions, which is a key aspect for successful seed management, conservation and restoration of plant communities. Expedition trips, conducted annually between July and September, are synchronized with the growing seasons of the plants and take into account weather conditions that directly affect the efficiency of seed collection.During such visits, 56 forms of wild flora were collected, mainly on the territory of the Kokchetavskaya Upland, Central-Kazakhstan shallow meadow and Akmola region, including Shortanda district, as well as in the unique ecosystems of SNPP “Burabai” and the vicinity of Makinki village. The collected genetic material plays a key role in biodiversity conservation and can be used for further scientific research as well as for practical needs related to ecosystem restoration.As part of this work, a laboratory study was also conducted to investigate the viability of the selected seeds. The results of the study will help to further understand the characteristics and factors that determine the viability of seeds of different forms, which is crucial for their subsequent use in botanical collections. This study emphasizes the relevance of the selected topic, as well as the importance of conservation and management of seed resources in conditions of ecological vulnerability, which is of significant importance for sustainable environmental protection and conservation of plant diversity in Central and Northern Kazakhstan.

Long-term monitoring of a population of greater horseshoe bat emphasises the importance of a pest beetle prey on demographic trends.

The global decline in insect biomass has far-reaching implications for terrestrial and freshwater food webs, impacting species reliant on insects as a crucial component of their diet. This issue extends to species traditionally considered agricultural pests, such as the common cockchafer Melolontha melolontha. In the race to combat cockchafers through collection, insecticide use, and other control methods, the repercussions of their numerical fluctuations on predators, including species of high conservation importance like bats, have been largely overlooked. Drawing on 31-years of monitoring data for a greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum population in the Aosta Valley (Western Italian Alps), we investigated whether annual fluctuations in bat counts are influenced by cockchafer availability and weather conditions. Despite an overall positive trend in bat abundance, we observed pronounced annual fluctuations, mostly driven by cockchafer availability rather than variations in temperature and precipitation. Furthermore, we found a significant association between cockchafer availability and the median date of birth and birth rate of bats. Births occurred approximately 5 days earlier in cockchafer flight years, with earlier births also linked to warmer spring temperatures and higher numbers of warm days in April. Moreover, the ratio pups/older bats was 0.56 in cockchafer flight years, compared to 0.47 in other years. Our results underscore the importance of considering predator-prey dynamics when examining the long-term population trends of species of conservation concern. We recommend implementing restrictions on the use of chemicals and other potentially harmful practices that may diminish prey abundance or quality, including that of species considered as agricultural pests. In designing conservation strategies, a delicate balance should be struck between the current interests of farmers and the overarching goal of preserving biodiversity against potential future threats.

Pest Control and Safety Management Monitoring in Outdoor Plantation Using Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Captured Images

The National Institute of Ecology in Seocheon, Chungcheongnam-do, exhibits and studies Korea’s diverse ecosystems to communicate the importance of biodiversity conservation to the general public. The site faces the challenge of preserving the natural environment while ensuring visitor convenience. This requires systematic data collection to quickly detect and respond to threats from pests and natural disasters. In this study, high-resolution orthoimages were acquired to monitor ecological changes using unmanned aerial vehicles. Images were captured through flights monthly from March to July 2024. Digital elevation models and orthoimages were generated to identify dead trees and assess areas of damage caused by heavy rainfall. The study covered an area of 998,655 m2, and the image resolution was 3.6 cm/pixel. The orthophotos were useful in identifying plant pest damage. They also helped evaluate damage caused by rain, showing that the total area of damage was 29,384 m2, mainly due to soil erosion. Furthermore, it is expected that the accumulation of such unmanned remote sensing image data can also be applied to the safety management of various natural conservation areas and public facilities.

Diversity of Birch and Alder Forests in the Kostanay Region of Kazakhstan

This study delves into the phytocenotic structure and biodiversity of forest ecosystems dominated by species of the family Betulaceae (Betula pendula, Betula pubescens, and Alnus glutinosa) in the Kostanay region of Kazakhstan. The research is a significant step toward understanding the influence of environmental factors, particularly hydrological regimes and soil conditions, on the formation and functioning of these forest communities. Field studies were conducted across multiple plots, where detailed geobotanical descriptions and analyses of species diversity were performed. The results underscore the significant species diversity, with 146 vascular plant species identified across various forest types, and are of great importance. Birch forests exhibit higher species diversity than alder forests, with the highest diversity observed in plots with favourable moisture conditions. The study concludes that the hydrological regime is critical in shaping these forest ecosystems’ phytocenotic structure and productivity. These conclusions underline the importance of biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management in the region, making the implications of this research significant and far reaching.

Measuring standardized functional leaf traits of aquatic carnivorous plants – challenges and opportunities

Aquatic carnivorous plants (ACP) are an important component of humic nutrient-poor freshwater environments. However, these habitats are facing multiple impacts that ultimately lead to habitat degradation and declining ACP populations. Functional traits, particularly those within the leaf economics spectrum, are a valuable tool for studying plant adaptation strategies and plasticity. Given their unique morphological structure, ACP are essentially excluded from functional comparisons, which potentially limits our knowledge about the ecological roles of these species compared to non-carnivorous ones. In this study, we developed a protocol for measuring the leaf functional traits of ACP (leaf fresh and dry weight, leaf area, leaf dry matter content, specific leaf area, leaf pigment content, leaf phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon contents), and carnivory-related traits (number of traps and investment in carnivory). We measured 15 traits in seven ACP species (Aldrovanda vesiculosa, Utricularia australis, U. bremii, U. intermedia, U. ochroleuca, U. stygia, U. vulgaris), grown in the outdoor collection of aquatic and wetland plants of the Institute of Botany CAS at Třeboň, the Czech Republic. We used the functional traits of other macrophyte groups/species (lemnids, Nuphar lutea, Ceratophyllum demersum), collected with a similar methodology, to assess the comparability of ACP traits. We identified the “functional unit”, a modular structure, including one leaf node, plus an internode, which performs the function of a leaf in ACP, and selected its position along the stem to reflect species-specific growth rates. We collected 714 new trait records for the target ACP. Based on a multivariate trait space representation (PCA), ACP were distinct from the other macrophyte groups/species, which highlights these species’ structural and physiological peculiarities. Nonetheless, ACP entirely overlapped the comparison data along the first PCA axis, and most of the traits lay within the ranges observed for other macrophyte groups/species, which demonstrates the comparability of the ACP traits measured by the new protocol. Applying this protocol in ecological studies could shed light on the adaptations of ACP to environmental variability, with important conservation implications.

Reproductive ecology of fire corals in the northern Red Sea

AbstractScleractinian corals, the principal architects of coral reefs, face substantial threats from ongoing and anticipated climate change and other anthropogenic disturbances. This underscores the significance of investigating alternative reef-building organisms and their contribution to reefs’ resilience. Among these alternatives, colonial hydrozoans of the genus Millepora, commonly called ‘fire corals’, play substantial roles in contributing to coral reef structure and functionality by depositing calcareous exoskeletons. Despite the ecological importance of fire corals, fundamental knowledge gaps remain regarding their biology and reproductive ecology. Here, we present a comprehensive study on the population dynamics, reproductive ecology, phenology, and sex ratio of the three Red Sea fire corals—Millepora dichotoma, M. exaesa, and M. platyphylla—in the Gulf of Aqaba and Eilat. The abundance of M. dichotoma and M. exaesa seems to have remained consistent over the last 50 years across two of the three depth zones surveyed, indicating their potential resistance or resilience. However, at the third depth surveyed, their abundance appears to have decreased. Our extensive in-situ monitoring of breeding events over six consecutive years has revealed a previously undetected relationship between Millepora species breeding events and the lunar cycle. Histological analyses indicated remarkably short reproductive cycles of only 2–3 weeks, recurring multiple times within a single season, in both M. dichotoma and M. exaesa, which is a unique reproductive aspect compared to other reef-building corals. These results highlight the high reproductive and resilience potential of Millepora species. Consequently, fire corals could assume a more substantial role as keystone species in changing environments and future reefs, emphasizing their importance in reef conservation and management.

Plants of the USA: recordings on native North American useful species by Alexander von Humboldt

BackgroundThe German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt conducted an expedition through the American continent, alongside Aimé Bonpland, from 1799 to 1804. Before finally returning to Europe, they decided to take a side trip to the USA between May 20 and July 7, 1804. Humboldt’s most detailed account of his time in the USA consists of a manuscript entitled “Plantae des États-Unis” (1804), containing information on useful plants and timber of the country. The aim of this paper is to retrieve, for the first time, ethnobotanical information regarding North American plants and their uses inside this Humboldt’s manuscript as well as to highlight the erasure and invisibilization of North American Indigenous knowledge within historical documents and bibliography, mainly during the nineteenth century.Methods“Plantae des États-Unis” (digitized version and its transcription) was carefully analyzed, and information on plant species mentioned in the manuscript (including botanical and vernacular names, traditional uses, and general observations) was retrieved. Traditional uses were correlated with ethnobotanical data from the Native American Ethnobotany Database and encyclopedic literature on North American plants from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, as well as recent pharmacological studies searched in scientific papers.ResultsIn the manuscript are mentioned 28 species distributed in 15 botanical families, with Fagaceae (9 Quercus species) being the most representative. All species are USA natives, except for one undetermined species (only the genus was mentioned, Corylus). Four species were directly mentioned as medicinal (Toxicodendron radicans, Liriodendron tulipifera, Actaea racemosa, and Gillenia stipulata), while other four were described as tanning agents (astringent) (Cornus florida, Diospyros virginiana, Quercus rubra, and Quercus velutina). Two species were described as bitter (Xanthorhiza simplicissima and A. racemosa). Nine Quercus species were described, but five were reported as the most useful oaks for cultivation in Europe (Quercus bicolor, Quercus castanea, Quercus virginiana, Quercus michauxii, and Quercus alba); three of them were used for ship construction (Q. virginiana, Q. michauxii, and Q. alba), two as astringent (Q. rubra and Q. stellata), and one had wood of poor quality (Quercus phellos). One species was described as a yellow dye (Hydrastis canadensis), and the other was mentioned as toxic (Aesculus pavia). Ten species did not have any useful applications listed.ConclusionsAlthough “Plantae des États-Unis” is a brief collection of annotations, these data reveal a historical scenario of outstanding plants with social and economic interest in the USA at the beginning of the nineteenth century. The data highlight a clear process of suppression of the traditional knowledge of Native North American Indigenous peoples in past historical records and literature, due to the lack of acknowledgment by white European settlers and American-born explorers. This ethnobotanical inventory may help us understand the relationship between plants and Native North American Indigenous peoples, as well as European naturalists and settlers, and USA-born people in the past, and reflect on the importance of Indigenous traditional knowledge, bioeconomy, sustainable management, and conservation of biodiversity in the present and future.

The interface between research funding and environmental policies in an emergent economy using neural topic modeling: Proposals for a research agenda

AbstractResearchers have been calling for further analysis of the relationships between academia and policy making. Since several studies are conducted with resources from public funding agencies, it is essential to assess whether governments have been supporting research that can contribute to future environmental policies and whether research has been supporting the elaboration of public policies. To fill these gaps, the objective of this study was to evaluate the similarities and gaps between research and environmental policies. A bibliometric analysis of studies funded by Chilean agencies and text analytics techniques were employed to analyze research and environmental policies. We used BERTopic, a topic modeling technique that generates coherent topic representations. Then, topics obtained from the two sets of documents (research and policies) were compared. This study found that sustainability, life‐cycle assessment, climate change, and ecosystem services are central research themes in the country. The topic modeling analysis showed that research has been concentrated on the areas of “Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Management” and “Sustainable Bioenergy Production and Chemical Processes.” The topics most frequently present in the environmental policies were “Environmental Education for Children: Awareness and Care,” “Bird Conservation and Habitat Importance in Chile,” and “National Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Strategy.” The greatest gaps are observed in the clusters of “Sustainable Bioenergy Production and Chemical Processes” and “Copper Mining and Mineral Processing Techniques” (prevalent in research) and in “Anatomy and Physiology of Aquatic and Terrestrial Organisms” and “Biogeography and Taxonomy of Southern Hemisphere Insects” (prevalent in policy).

Expanding forest carbon sinks to mitigate climate change in Africa

Forests significantly contribute to climate change mitigation by acting as carbon sinks, sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide, and keeping it in soil and biomass. Covering 22 % of its land, African forests offer numerous benefits to millions of people. Nevertheless, they face threats from human activities like deforestation and degradation. A holistic approach encompassing social, economic, and environmental factors is necessary to sustain forests as carbon sinks for maximum carbon sequestration potential. This study used carbon dioxide emissions, forest loss and gain, and land use change to investigate the level of carbon dioxide emissions and their relationship to forest loss and climate change in Africa from 1992 to 2020. Using ArcGIS, land use change was reclassified, InVEST model calculated carbon storage and sequestration, and annual changes in forest cover were assessed using the K and S indices. In the last two decades, 77.36 % of African countries had greater forest losses than gains, leading to 32 × 103 kha net loss, resulting in 15.73 Pg C of carbon dioxide emissions. Annual forest loss rate is 1.6 × 103 kha, equivalent to 0.786 Pg C, and that of carbon storage and sequestration decreased to −0.69 and −1.37, respectively. Results indicate that deforestation, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, significantly contributes to carbon emissions, and persistent tropical deforestation will affect future greenhouse gas concentrations. This research provides a detailed spatiotemporal analysis, highlighting areas experiencing severe forest cover change and carbon loss, underscoring the importance of forest conservation in mitigating climate change, and promoting effective land management policies.

Assembly and annotation of a chromosome-level reference genome for the endangered Colorado pikeminnow Ptychocheilus lucius.

Advancements in genome sequencing technology have brought unprecedented accessibility of high-throughput sequencing to species of conservation interest. The potential knowledge gained from application of these techniques is maximized by availability of high-quality, annotated reference genomes for endangered species. However, these vital resources are often lacking for endangered minnows of North America (Cypriniformes: Leuciscidae). One such endangered species, Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) is the largest North American minnow and the top-level native aquatic predator in the Colorado River Basin of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Over the past century Colorado pikeminnow has suffered habitat loss and population declines due to anthropogenic habitat modifications and invasive species introductions. The lack of genetic resources for Colorado pikeminnow has hindered conservation genomic study of this unique organism. This study seeks to remedy this issue by presenting a high-quality reference genome for Colorado pikeminnow developed from Pacific Biosciences HiFi sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding. The final assembly was a 1.1 Gb genome comprised of 305 contigs including 25 chromosome-sized scaffolds. Measures of quality, contiguity, and completeness met or exceeded those observed for Danio rerio (Danionidae) and two other Colorado River Basin leuciscids (Meda fulgida and Tiaroga cobitis). Comparative genomic analyses identified enrichment of gene families for growth, development, immune activity, and gene transcription; all of which are important for a large-bodied piscivorous fish living in a dynamic environment. This reference genome will provide a basis for important conservation genomic study of Colorado pikeminnow and help efforts to better understand the evolution of desert fishes.

Impact of Affordability on Urban Thermal Comfort: a Thermal Analysis of the Center of Gurupi-TO

Objective: Investigate the differences in temperature and relative humidity at different points in the central region of Gurupi-To, with the aim of understanding the impact of urban afforestation on the local temperature and humidity of the city, based on the difference in existing tree vegetation. Theoretical Framework: It is based on concepts of phytosociology and urban afforestation, highlighting that the uncontrolled growth of cities causes environmental damage that impacts people's lives. Thus, the increase in temperature results from climate change and is affected by the artificial built environment due to the difference in construction materials and vegetation. Urban afforestation is a means to mitigate this issue and improve the microclimate. Method: The methodology adopted for this research includes fieldwork with the collection of temperature and air humidity data, using the Datalogger device, model GGL-20, between March and April 2021. The comparison was conducted through graphical representation of variance (ANOVA), based on T-test analysis, using the R Studio software. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that among the points studied, the area with the most vegetation showed lower temperatures and better humidity levels in locations with more urban afforestation. This is due to the vegetative cover, as trees provide shade and contribute to evapotranspiration, a physiological process that positively impacts the improvement of temperature and air humidity factors. Research Implications: The practical and theoretical implications of this research are discussed, providing results that influence conservation practices and the sustainable management of urban afforestation. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by presenting a practical investigation into the influence of urban afforestation on temperature and air humidity in cities located in the Cerrado biome, with a focus on Gurupi-TO. It highlights the importance of conservation and management of urban afforestation in urban areas. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by the data and the proposed strategies, which aim to demonstrate the importance of expanding urban afforestation in city centers as a mechanism for controlling the microclimate, particularly temperature and air humidity.

Distribution of fish species in the upper Po River Basin (NW Italy): a synthesis of 30 years of data

Freshwater fish is the most diverse group of vertebrates but, unfortunately, also one of the most threatened. While some well-known, charismatic species have been subject to important conservation efforts, many others have long been neglected. This paper aims to analyse the distribution over time of seven freshwater fish species and one lamprey in the upper Po River basin (NW Italy), an important biodiversity hotspot. Six of them are native species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive (Lampetra zanandreai, Protochondrostoma genei, Chondrostoma soetta, Telestes muticellus, Sabanejewia larvata, and Cottus gobio), while the other two are key invasive species (Silurus glanis and Misgurnus anguillicaudatus). Data from four regional fish population monitoring campaigns carried out between 1988 and 2019 were analysed. For each species and monitoring campaign, an average Representativeness Index, measuring abundance and population structure, and an Occurrence Frequency were calculated, and then assessed for changes over the time. Of the studied species, P. genei declined the most in the last 30 years, while C. soetta and S. larvata are in a very critical situation, with very few remaining populations. T. muticellus, C. gobio and L. zanandreai seem to have declined only slightly, but their vulnerability should not be underestimated. The two invasive species, on the other hand, show a substantial increase in occurrence as well as range. While some drivers for the decline in the native species vary according to their ecological and biological characteristics, others are more general and linked to the overall degradation of the river environments: habitat alterations, loss of connectivity, excessive water abstraction, pollution, and the presence of invasive alien species. The effects of climate change, such as the rise of inland water temperatures and the alteration of hydrological cycles, must also be taken into account. Diverse and far-reaching conservation efforts are needed to improve the fish habitat and thus also protect the unique biodiversity of this region.

Predictive GAM seabed maps can account for defined and fuzzy boundaries to improve accuracy in a Scottish sea loch seascape

Marine seabed mapping is an important element in marine spatial and conservation planning. Recent large scale mapping programmes have greatly increased our knowledge of the seafloor, yet at finer resolutions, large gaps remain. Loch Eriboll, Scotland, is an area of conservation interest with a diverse marine environment supporting habitats and species of conservation importance. Here we test and present strategies for a predictive seabed substrata map for Loch Eriboll using drop down Stereo Baited Remote Underwater Video (SBRUV) imagery collected as part of systematic underwater survey of the Loch. A total of 216 SBRUV deployments were made across the study site in depths of 3 m–117 m, with six seabed classes identified using an adaptation of the EUNIS (European Nature Information System) hierarchical habitat classification scheme. Four statistical learning approaches were tested, we found, Generalised Additive Models (GAMs) provided the optimal balance between over- and underfitted predictions. We demonstrate the creation of a predictive substratum habitat map covering 63 km2 of seabed which predicts the probability of presence and relative proportion of substratum types. Our method enables naturally occurring edges between habitat patches to be described well, increasing the accuracy of mapping habitat boundaries when compared to categorical approaches. The predictions allow for both defined boundaries such as those between sand and rock and fuzzy boundaries seen among fine mixed sediments to exist in the same model structure. We demonstrate that SBRUV imagery can be used to generate cost effective, fine scale predictive substrata maps that can inform marine planning. The modelling procedure presented has the potential for a wide adoption by marine stakeholders and could be used to establish baselines for long term monitoring of benthic habitats and further research such as animal distribution and movement work which require detailed benthic maps.

Demonstrating a decision support process for landscape conservation design

AbstractDespite the recent increase in landscape conservation and the design processes agencies are undertaking, there remains an implementation gap due to an inability to evaluate general strategies and account for uncertainties faced by managers. We demonstrated how a decision support process (DSP), recently developed to inform landscape conservation design, can address uncertainties and complexities inherent in landscape conservation to facilitate long‐term, large‐scale conservation planning. We applied the DSP to landscape conservation efforts within conservation opportunity areas (COA) of states in the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks region. We engaged state planners within the region to identify important landscape conservation uncertainties they face in planning. We developed, simulated, and modeled the impacts of conservation addressing 3 uncertainties identified by state wildlife managers and evaluated the impacts by examining the responses of state and local populations of 2 bird species of conservation concern, prairie warbler (Setophaga discolor) and wood thrush (Hylocichla mustelina). The responses of prairie warbler populations to conservation strategies indicated that both approaches of protecting quality habitat from land‐use change and restoring and enhancing lower quality and nonhabitat improved their viability at regional, statewide, and COA scales. However, we noted that the relative effectiveness of strategies varied among states in ways that suggest a state's process for delineating COAs and what threats they face could influence which conservation approach to consider. Our findings highlight the need for regional coordination and the use of decision‐support processes to guide effective conservation at landscape scales.

Environmental stress reduces shark residency to coral reefs

Coral reef ecosystems are highly threatened and can be extremely sensitive to the effects of climate change. Multiple shark species rely on coral reefs as important habitat and, as such, play a number of significant ecological roles in these ecosystems. How environmental stress impacts routine, site-attached reef shark behavior, remains relatively unexplored. Here, we combine 8 years of acoustic tracking data (2013-2020) from grey reef sharks resident to the remote coral reefs of the Chagos Archipelago in the Central Indian Ocean, with a satellite-based index of coral reef environmental stress exposure. We show that on average across the region, increased stress on the reefs significantly reduces grey reef shark residency, promoting more diffuse space use and increasing time away from shallow forereefs. Importantly, this impact has a lagged effect for up to 16 months. This may have important physiological and conservation consequences for reef sharks, as well as broader implications for reef ecosystem functioning. As climate change is predicted to increase environmental stress on coral reef ecosystems, understanding how site-attached predators respond to stress will be crucial for forecasting the functional significance of altering predator behavior and the potential impacts on conservation for both reef sharks and coral reefs themselves.

"The Reference Genome Of The Kidnapper Ant, Polyergus Mexicanus".

Polyergus kidnapper ants are widely distributed, but relatively uncommon, throughout the Holarctic, spanning an elevational range from sea level to over 3000 m. These species are well known for their obligate social parasitism with various Formica ant species, which they kidnap in dramatic, highly coordinated raids. Kidnapped Formica larvae and pupae become integrated into the Polyergus colony where they develop into adults and perform nearly all of the necessary colony tasks for the benefit of their captors. In California, Polyergus mexicanus is the most widely distributed Polyergus, but recent evidence has identified substantial genetic polymorphism within this species, including genetically divergent lineages associated with the use of different Formica host species. Given its unique behavior and genetic diversity, Polyergus mexicanus plays a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance by influencing the population dynamics and genetic diversity of its host ant species, Formica, highlighting its conservation value and importance in the context of biodiversity preservation. Here, we present a high-quality genome assembly of P. mexicanus from a sample collected in Plumas County, CA, USA, in the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada. This genome assembly consists of 364 scaffolds spanning 252.31Mb, with contig N50 of 481,250kb, scaffold N50 of 10.36Mb, and BUSCO completeness of 95.4%. We also assembled the genome of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of P. mexicanus - a single, circular contig spanning 1.23Mb. These genome sequences provide essential resources for future studies of conservation genetics, population genetics, speciation, and behavioral ecology in this charismatic social insect.

Survey and Analysis of Water Quality in Phou Chom Voy Provincial Protected Area of Bolikhamxay Province

Investigation of water quality in Phou Chom Voy Provincial Protected Area is an important sustainable forest management planning and conservation. Phou Chom Voy is located in the Khamkerd and Xaychamphone district, Bolikhamxay Province. It is rich in natural resources and biodiversity, and origin of many streams. This study aimed to investigate the water quality in the streams flowing through the Phou Chom Voy area as an initial indicator of water quality change. Water samples were collected from 13 sites (Heung Tai, Heung Noua, Jing Nga, Pakeo, Heung Neua, Tin Tok, Huay Lurk, Houay Ha, Nam Pan, Nam Khai, Houay Yeung, Houay Ja, Houay Jalai and Nam Tong) and water sampling was carried out 2 times a year from November 2017 to February 2020. The results found that pH 5.3 - 9.3, EC 10.0 - 84.9 µs/cm, DO 5.0 - 8.6 mg/L, PO43- ND - 0.06 mg/L, NO3 - ND - 2.18 mg/L, Cu ND - 0.03 mg/L, Zn ND - 0.81 mg/L, As ND - 0.007 mg/L, Cd ND - 0.007 mg/L, Cr ND - 0.028 mg/L, Pb ND - 0.004 mg/L, Hg ND - 0.002 mg/L, all concentrations of each paprametere found in this study were below the maximum allowable values of the Laos’s national environmental standards on groundwater.

Does the livelihood capital of rural households in national parks affect intentions to participate in conservation? A model based on an expanded theory of planned behavior

The purpose of this research was to examine the motivations of rural farmers to participate in community conservation within national parks. An expanded version of the Theory of Planned Behavior was used to explore the impacts of economic and psychological factors on farmer willingness to engage in conservation efforts. In using the livelihood capital concept along with the TPB theory, structural equation modeling was applied to analyze survey data from rural residents within Nanling National Park, Guangdong, China. The attitudes of farmers about the development of the national park and subjective norms significantly affected willingness to participate in community conservation, and the willingness was directly influenced by financial, social, and institutional dimensions of livelihood capital. For certain dimensions of livelihood capital, attitudes and subjective norms mediated willingness to engage in conservation efforts, the affecting path being livelihood capital → subjective norms → attitudes → willingness to participate in community conservation. Perceived behavioral control had a positive moderating effect between attitudes and willingness. The findings help to explain the factors driving rural farmer willingness to engage in community conservation. Socio-psychological factors and institutional capital were particularly instrumental in affecting willingness. Overall, this research reveals how different types of livelihood capital influence community conservation among farmers and the importance of community conservation as a livelihood strategy option, as well as the psychological and economic factors of farmers in a changing institutional environment. Based on the findings, corresponding policy recommendations are presented to improve the effectiveness of community conservation policy, and also provide China's experience and reference for other developing countries to formulate targeted community conservation policies.