Integral Conservation Research Articles

Establishing a Marine Protected Area network using a Marine Spatial Planning approach: A reflection on practical challenges and opportunities for social–ecological integration

AbstractIntegrative social–ecological approaches are crucial for addressing sustainability challenges in coastal and marine systems. Among these, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) emerges as a pivotal approach for integrated management. Often, the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the application of MSP occur in parallel. Given the potential synergies, there is a need to better understand and address barriers to the adoption of MSP approaches for integrative conservation mechanisms. Using São Tomé and Príncipe as a case study, we illustrate how MSP was employed as an operational framework for establishing an MPA network. Drawing on the experiences of people directly involved in this co‐design process, we reflect on the main challenges and opportunities in achieving social–ecological integration, and highlight recommendations for conservation practitioners and planners. Applying MSP was perceived to contribute substantially to multiple project goals, with some (e.g., incorporating perspectives and needs of vulnerable groups) more challenging to achieve. While MSP enhanced conceptual, disciplinary, methodological and functional integration, practical challenges in implementation hindered the extent to which each of these was achieved. Given international commitments to Blue Growth, high fisheries dependence and current patterns of change, developing effective integrative MSP approaches is essential for social–ecological resilience.

Distribution of honey bee mitochondrial DNA haplotypes in an Italian region where a legislative act is protecting the Apis mellifera ligustica subspecies

The conservation of the genetic integrity of Apis mellifera subspecies has emerged as an important objective. In 2019, the Emilia-Romagna region became the first Italian regional authority to issue a law specifically addressing the protection of the native Apis mellifera ligustica subspecies. In this study we analysed a highly informative portion of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), widely used for assessing genetic diversity of honey bee populations. By analysing 1143 honey bees sampled after the introduction of this law, we provided a snapshot of the distribution of mtDNA haplotypes in this region. The two most frequent mtDNA haplotypes were C1 (characteristic of A. m. ligustica) and C2 (characteristic of A. m. carnica), reported in 86.5% and 11.0% of the analysed bees, respectively. About 1.3% and 1.1% of the analysed bees carried mtDNA haplotypes of the A and M lineages (haplotypes A1a, A1e, A4, A26, A65 and two novel ones, A2w and A6a; M3, M3a, M4 and M79). Continued genetic monitoring will be important to assess the impact of this regional law over the coming years. Based on the obtained results, we recommend a more stringent policy to prevent the erosion of the genetic integrity of the native subspecies A. m. ligustica.

Water Quality and Vegetation Health in Urban Conservation Areas: A Case Study of Paragem Municipal Natural Park

The Paragem Municipal Natural Park (PMNP), an integral protection conservation unit, plays a crucial role in the conservation and recovery of ecosystems located in the city of Dourados/MS. Located in an urban area, it faces challenges related to human influence, which can affect its terrestrial and aquatic communities. This study aimed to analyze the vegetation index and diagnose the water quality of a tributary of the Paragem stream located within the PMNP. The research involved examining the Green Leaf Index, physical-chemical and microbiological parameters of the water, as well as ecotoxicological tests covering three trophic levels. In addition, the genotoxic effect of the water on a piscean model was investigated. The results revealed low vegetation cover and degradation of the park’s water quality, evidenced by microbial contamination, toxicity to primary producers, and genetic damage to fish. Therefore, these results indicate the need for monitoring and environmental education measures, ecological restoration, and water resource recovery and conservation management in the PMNP to favor the recovery and conservation of its environmental resources.

Radially symmetric solutions of the ultra-relativistic Euler equations in several space dimensions

The ultra-relativistic Euler equations for an ideal gas are described in terms of the pressure, the spatial part of the dimensionless four-velocity and the particle density. Radially symmetric solutions of these equations are studied in two and three space dimensions. Of particular interest in the solutions are the formation of shock waves and a pressure blow up. For the investigation of these phenomena we develop a one-dimensional scheme using radial symmetry and integral conservation laws. We compare the numerical results with solutions of multi-dimensional high-order numerical schemes for general initial data in two space dimensions. The presented test cases and results may serve as interesting benchmark tests for multi-dimensional solvers.

The nature conservation-geopolitics complex: Bridging between conservation geopolitics and peace park discourses

Nature conservation strategies are affected by, as well as instruments of, geopolitics and interterritorial relations. This paper provides a conceptual framework that facilitates a systems-based analysis of the relationship between nature conservation and geopolitics. We compare and connect two prominent academic literatures relevant to this relationship: the peace parks and conservation geopolitics literatures. Whereas peace parks refer to an academic knowledge field, a social movement, and a territorialized conservation reality on the ground, conservation geopolitics refers to an academic discourse within critical geopolitics. We analyzed both academic literatures on four aspects: (i) the approach to nature conservation; (ii) the approach to interterritorial relations; (iii) the framing of the relationship between nature conservation and geopolitics; (iv) the actors involved. The former literature predominantly emphasizes cross-border integration, community development and nature conservation benefits. The latter predominantly highlights the more exclusionary, conflictive, and normative aspects of the relationship. The comparison highlights that the relationship between nature conservation and geopolitics can be best understood as a complex. Relational approaches, such as systems approaches, can uncover the intricacies of the nature conservation-geopolitics complex. We have laid the groundwork for such a systems approach by identifying four system components domains: the diversity of involved actors, the institutional framework, multiscale and historical dynamics, and the spatial-territorial context. A systems approach to the nature conservation-geopolitics complex provides a guiding framework for the examination of contemporary issues like the diverging agencies of various actors, trade-offs, and ethical dilemmas between nature conservation and geopolitical concerns.

Marine connectivity conservation: Guidance for MPA and MPA network design and management

The importance of considering ecological connectivity in the design of marine protected areas (MPAs) and ecologically coherent networks of protected areas across coasts and oceans has risen in prominence with the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This short communication highlights key messages emerging from a specialist conference session on marine connectivity by members of the IUCN-WCPA Marine Connectivity Working Group at the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) in Vancouver in 2023. We consider the importance of spatial and temporal scale, knowledge and data gaps and some of the technological and scientific advances that are generating insights into species movements that can inform the ecologically meaningful design of protected areas for effective conservation of ecosystem integrity, biodiversity and the flow of ecosystem services.

The effectiveness of natural reserves from the perspective of habitat quality in the southern section of the Hengduan Mountains, Southwestern China

Natural reserves (NRs) play key roles in habitat integrity conservation and biodiversity loss mitigation, and the assessment of the conservation effectiveness of NRs is needed to better manage them. Habitat quality (HQ) comprehensively reflects habitat integrity and biodiversity, but the conservation effectiveness of NRs from the perspective of HQ has rarely been determined at high spatial resolution. Taking the southern section of the Hengduan Mountains (SSHM) in Southwest China as an example, combining an InVEST-HQ model and spatiotemporal change detection methods, the effectiveness of NRs from the perspective of HQ at 30-m spatial resolution was assessed in this study. The effectiveness disparities of NRs across different properties (i.e., management level, conservation target, size, and establishment age) was analyzed and the human pressures on NRs was investigated. The results showed that the HQ of the NRs is good in the SSHM, with the area ratio of the Higher and Highest HQ ≥ 93%. Most of the NR area (94.11%) was effective at improving or maintaining a good HQ. With regard to NR properties, county NRs, NRs designated to conserving wild animals, middle NRs, and younger NRs were more effective, corresponding to management level, conservation target, size, and establishment age, respectively. The human footprint for an effective area is significantly lower than that for an ineffective area, consistent with higher HQ in the effective area and lower HQ in the ineffective area. These findings support the management and zoning of NRs in the SSHM to ensure their effectiveness.

Numerical simulation of 3D vorticity dynamics with the Diffused Vortex Hydrodynamics method

In this paper the three-dimensional extension of the Diffused Vortex Hydrodynamics (DVH) is discussed along with free vorticity dynamics simulations. DVH is a vortex particle method developed in-house and widely validated in a 2D framework. The DVH approach has been embedded in a new frontend to the open-source code PEPC, the Pretty Efficient Parallel Coulomb solver. Within this parallel Barnes–Hut tree code, a superposition of elementary heat equation solutions in a cubic support is performed during the diffusion step. This redistribution avoids excessive clustering or rarefaction of the vortex particles, providing robustness and high accuracy of the method. An ascending vortex dipole at various resolutions is selected as a test-case and heuristic convergence measurements are performed, taking into account the conservation of prime integrals and the energy–enstrophy balance.

Development of cultural heritage conservation planning in China

ABSTRACT The range of global concepts of cultural heritage conservation has provided inspiration for China's cultural heritage conservation. China's approach to cultural heritage conservation has evolved from a focus on cultural relics conservation within urban planning to the formulation of specialized and multiple conservation planning. Furthermore, China is actively seeking ways to combine conservation planning and urban planning in order to achieve integrated conservation goals. However, the current practice indicates that ‘multiple-planning integration’ still needs to be improved to ensure the integrity of cultural heritage. This paper examines the influence of international organizations on the formation and development of China's multiple conservation planning. It also explores how heritage discourse has impacted the multiple-planning integration through a case study. International exchanges have a twofold impact: they improve the conceptual and technical development of China's cultural heritage conservation planning, and they guide its transition from cultural relics to historic city conservation. The primary effect of heritage discourse is that the demolition-and-reconstruction-oriented discourse has compromised the practice’s integrity through multiple-planning integration. In the context of the localization of cultural heritage protection, it analyses the process and problems of the localization of cultural heritage conservation planning in China to draw wider attention to it.

Morphological and Structural Characterization of (Pt, Au, and Ag) Nanoparticle/Zn-MOF-74 Composites.

Metallic nanoparticles (NPs) were decorated onto Zn-MOF-74 crystals by photoreducing different metal precursors (Pt, Au, and Ag) using ultraviolet (UV) light in an aqueous solution with different metal concentrations without using additional stabilizers. X-ray diffraction revealed the three-dimensional structural integrity and crystallinity conservation of Zn-MOF-74 crystals during the UV decoration process. Raman spectroscopy showed a minor rearrangement in the structure of the Zn-MOF-74 crystal surface after NP decoration. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the metal oxidation states of Zn and NPs. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy images proved the surface decoration of Zn-MOF-74 crystals with spherical metallic NPs with diameters between 2.4 and 9.8 nm.

A Study on the Selectivity of Different Fishing Gear

The selectivity of fishing gears plays a pivotal role in shaping the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems and fisheries sustainability. Through a comprehensive examination of trawl nets, gill nets, and longlines, this paper delves into the factors influencing selectivity, including gear design, selectivity criteria, selectivity terminologies, selection curves, and impacts. Drawing upon scientific research, empirical evidence, and case studies from around the world, this paper highlights the effectiveness of different selectivity measures in balancing the extraction of target species with the conservation of non-target species and habitat integrity. By synthesizing current knowledge and emerging trends in fishing gear selectivity, this review paper offers valuable insights for policymakers, fishers, scientists, and conservationists striving to navigate the complex interplay between human exploitation and ecological resilience in aquatic environments.

Camera-traps detect the maned wolf preying on broad-snouted caiman eggs

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is a South-American canid of which conservation guidelines have been implemented due to its population vulnerability. Its trophic ecology demonstrates an omnivorous and opportunistic diet, and even flexibility in response to anthropogenic disturbances. Among the food items identified, the consumption of reptiles is scarce, and includes snakes and lizards. We monitored broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) nests during four nesting seasons through camera trapping, in savannas and grasslands areas, and recorded maned wolves feeding on caiman eggs during periods of drought. The consumption of an uncommon item, even at low frequency, suggests that camera trapping could become a complementary tool for studying the dietary habits of the maned wolf. Caimans have been a priority for conservation, while maned wolves are currently being released and reintroduced in order to reverse their vulnerable population status. This trophic interaction must be monitored in the long term, to project integral conservation strategies that include both emblematic species.

Under the banner of heritage conservation: The gentrification of dilapidated low-income neighborhoods in the Daming Palace Protection and Renovation Project

Understanding the dynamics and implications of urban redevelopment projects, particularly in the context of China's rapid urbanization, could inform sustainable and inclusive urban development strategies. This abstract provides an overview of the Daming Palace Protection and Renovation Project (DPPRP). Unlike other redevelopment projects that prioritize economic benefits, the DPPRP is predominantly driven by political interests, with cultural and economic factors playing supporting roles. As part of the broader integrated conservation and redevelopment program, the DPPRP holds political significance, and its implementation demonstrates clear state involvement, led by the local government. The response from residents reflects the failure of China's attempts to promote citizen participation in local governance, suggesting challenges even for participatory authoritarianism. These developments have negative implications for Chinese citizens' pursuit of their right to the city, hindering their ability to shape urban spaces and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes. The purpose of this study is to analyze the Daming Palace Protection and Renovation Project (DPPRP) in China, providing insights for policymakers and urban planners to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of urban redevelopment projects.

Interdisciplinary methodology for the characterisation of archaeological metal grave goods from the Museum of Patagonia by PIXE, DRX, and SEM/EDS

AbstractWe present a study of a selection of metal ornaments belonging to archaeological funerary goods from Patagonic Indigenous groups. They are part of the ‘Andrés Giai’ Collection, under the guard of the Museum of Patagonia (Nahuel Huapi National Park [PNNH]; National Parks Administration [APN]), Argentina. The absence of contextual information and its current conservation status motivated the design of an interdisciplinary methodology to develop an Integral Conservation Plan that considered the selection of analytical techniques. Here, we implemented complementary nondestructive characterisation techniques such as particle induced X‐ray emission (PIXE), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). We developed a methodology enabling us to characterise each piece with respect to its metallic composition and degradation products, and in certain cases, their manufacturing process. These findings have contributed with essential information for the tailored conservation treatment proposal. Moreover, they provided key information in regard to the reconstruction of contextual data for each piece. In addition, the methodology proposed for the Integral Conservation Plan takes into account an optimisation of the techniques to be used in order to minimise unnecessary handling of goods whilst ensuring an appropriate use of technological and economic resources whilst minimising time on potentially unconclusive measurements and results.

Study on Spatial and Temporal Changes in Landscape Ecological Risks and Indicator Weights: A Case Study of the Bailong River Basin

The land use and ecological environment of the Bailong River Basin (BRB) have undergone significant changes in the context of developing urban–rural integration and ecological conservation in western China. As a key ecologically fragile area in the west region, a landscape ecological risk (LER) assessment can reflect the extent to which human activities and environmental changes threaten the ecosystems in the BRB. This study aims to explore the empowerment of indicator weights in an LER assessment. Landscape index weights and LER were analyzed based on land use data for three periods using objective and combined empowerment methods. It was found that the weighting results had apparent scale dependence, and the entropy weight method had the best results in indicator empowerment. From 2000–2020, the LER presented reduced risk, increased heterogeneity, and reduced aggregation. The shift from a medium-risk area to a lower-risk area was the primary transfer type of LER in the study area, and the LER showed a decreasing development trend. So far, research on weight empowerment in LER evaluations has been urgent. This study improved the landscape ecological risk assessment system by selecting an empowerment method that optimally takes into account scale dependence while providing valuable insights into the sustainability of the landscape in this watershed.

Transcriptome data reveals the conservation genetics of Cypripedium forrestii, a plant species with extremely small populations endemic to Yunnan, China.

The Cypripedium forrestii is an orchid species with extremely small populations (PSESP) in Yunnan, China. C. forrestii is range-restricted and less-studied than many orchid species, and it is exposed to various threats to its survival. We investigated its potential habitats and collected 52 samples from eight locations, as well as two outgroup species for reference. We developed genetic markers (SNPs) for C. forrestii based on transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) data, and analyzed the genetic diversity, population structure, gene flow and demographic history of C. forrestii in detail. C. forrestii is a taxonomically independent species to protect. We found that the genetic diversity of C. forrestii was very low (1.7e-4) compared with other endangered species. We identified three genetic clusters, and several populations with distinct genetic backgrounds. Most genetic diversity was found within sampling sites (87.87%) and genetic clusters (91.39%). Gene flow has been greatly limited over the most recent generations, probably due to geographical distance, historical climate change and habitat fragmentation. We also detected a severe bottleneck event brought about by the recent population constraints. These factors, together with its reproductive characteristics, contribute to the population fragmentation and low genetic diversity of C. forrestii. Based on our findings, we suggest an integrative conservation strategy to protect and recover the genetic diversity of C. forrestii and a further comprehensive study of its ecological traits in the future.

Understanding small‐scale private forest owners is a basis for transformative change towards integrative conservation

Abstract Balancing societal demands on forests is a major challenge in current forest management. Small‐scale private forest owners are an important ownership group that is rarely addressed directly in this discussion. Our study aims to identify and differentiate between private forest owner groups. Based on this, we take a systemic approach and determine leverage points that can be used to foster transformative change towards integrative conservation‐oriented forest management. We conducted a survey of 1656 small‐scale private forest owners in northwest Germany within a typical European multi‐ownership landscape and formed three clusters based on their activities. While all groups generally perceived nature conservation as important, they differed with regard to their forest management activities. Multiple‐use‐oriented forest owners (45%) were most active, including in terms of conservation measures. Conservation‐oriented owners (25%) mainly focused on passive measures, and conventional owners (30%) showed only a little engagement with conservation‐related activities. Despite the differences, common instruments promoting conservation activities were identified. They included, for example on‐site consultation, information about legal regulations and financial incentives. Based on four system characteristics (parameters, feedback, design and intent), we identified leverage points towards transformative change. The deep and thus effective leverage points are changing the discourse, accounting for the heterogeneity of private forest owners as well as for uncertainty related to climate change and adapting measures to local contexts. Furthermore, working towards increasing awareness, knowledge and interest as well as accounting for the desire for autonomy and control are promising pathways for change. A holistic transformation of forest policy and management towards integrative conservation is urgently needed to meet the current challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and timber demand. This transformation has to go beyond the adaptation of existing policy instruments and instead focus on systematic and cross‐sectoral changes in the underlying policy orientation, its design and its implementation. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

The distribution and conservation of areas with microendemic species in a biodiversity hotspot: a multi-taxa approach.

Microendemic species are species with very small geographic distributions (ranges). Their presence delimitates areas with microendemic species (AMs), denoting a spatial unit comprising at least one population of at least one microendemic species. AMs are assumed to be distributed distinctively and associated with specific ecological, historical, and anthropogenic attributes. However, the level of influence of these factors remains unclear. Thus, we studied the distribution patterns of microendemic species within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest to (a) identify the region's AMs; (b) evaluate whether ecological (latitude, altitude, distance from the coastline), historical (climate stability), and anthropogenic (ecological integrity) attributes distinguish AMs from non-AMs; and (c) assess the conservation status of the Atlantic Forest's AMs. We mapped the ranges of 1,362 microendemic species of angiosperms, freshwater fishes, and terrestrial vertebrates (snakes, passerine birds, and small mammals) to identify the region's AMs. Further, spatial autoregressive logit regression models were used to evaluate whether latitude, altitude, distance from the coastline, Climate Stability Index, and ecological integrity can be used to discern AMs from non-AMs. Moreover, the AMs' conservation status was assessed by evaluating the region's ecological integrity and conservation efforts (measured as the proportion of AMs in protected areas). We identified 261 AMs for angiosperm, 205 AMs for freshwater fishes, and 102 AMs for terrestrial vertebrates in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, totaling 474 AMs covering 23.8% of the region. The Brazilian Atlantic Forest is a large and complex biogeographic mosaic where AMs represent islands or archipelagoes surrounded by transition areas with no microendemic species. All local attributes help to distinguish AMs from non-AMs, but their impacts vary across taxonomic groups. Around 69% of AMs have low ecological integrity and poor conservation efforts, indicating that most microendemic species are under threat. This study provides insights into the biogeography of one of the most important global biodiversity hotspots, creating a foundation for comparative studies using other tropical forest regions.

A decision framework to integrate in-situ and ex-situ management for species in the European Union

Zoos and aquaria in the European Union (EU) can play a crucial role in the conservation of EU species, as they currently hold nearly half (49%) of EU terrestrial vertebrates. In this study, we analyzed the species composition and population sizes of EU zoos and developed a framework to prioritize recommendations for additional ex-situ and in-situ interventions for 277 at-risk EU species. Our results showed that EU zoos currently hold 39% of threatened EU species, 27% of EU endemic species, 62% of EU species vulnerable to climate change, 20% of EU species listed by the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE), 25% of Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) EU species, while only 5% are subject to ex-situ conservation. Using our framework, we found that additional captive breeding was recommended for 60-61%% of species while expanding protected areas was recommended for only 2–22%, as 217 out of 277 species already met habitat protection targets. Both interventions were recommended for up to 20% of species, while the remaining 18% required no interventions because captive populations and habitat protection fully met targets. Our flexible framework can support more effective integrated conservation planning decisions for EU species and help identify target species for further in-depth assessment by the IUCN Ex-situ guidelines.

Relativistic shock reflection using integral conservation laws

Shock wave reflection from a rigid wall has been thoroughly studied in the Newtonian limit, simplifying the problem by analyzing it in a steady-state frame, S′, where the point P of the shock's intersection with the wall is at rest. However, a “superluminal” regime emerges when the velocity of point P (vp) exceeds the speed of light (vp>c), where no steady-state frame S′ exists. It occurs predominantly in the relativistic regime, relevant in astrophysics, where it encompasses nearly all of the shock incidence angles. To study this regime, we introduce a new approach. We formulate integral conservation laws in the lab frame S (where the unshocked fluid is at rest) for regular reflection (RR), using two methods: a. fixed volume analysis and b. fixed fluid analysis. We show the equivalence between the two methods, and also to the steady-state oblique shock jump conditions in frame S′ in the sub-luminal regime (vp<c). Applying this framework, we find that both the weak and strong shock RR solutions are bounded in the parameter space by the detachment line on the higher incidence angles side. The strong shock solution is also bounded by the luminal line on the lower incidence angles side and exists only between these two critical lines in the sub-luminal attachment region.