Loss Of Suitable Habitat Research Articles

Conservation of woody species in China under future climate and land‐cover changes

Abstract Climate and land‐cover changes are major threats to biodiversity, and their impacts are expected to intensify in the future. Protected areas (PAs) are crucial for biodiversity conservation. However, their effectiveness under future climate and land‐cover changes remains to be evaluated. Moreover, the impacts of climate and land‐cover changes on multi‐dimensions of biodiversity are rarely considered when expanding PAs. Using distributions of 8,732 woody species in China and species distribution models, we identified species that will be threatened by future climate and land‐cover changes (i.e. species with significant projected loss of suitable habitats by the 2070s) under different dispersal scenarios. We then estimated the geographical patterns in species richness (SR) and phylogenetic diversity (PD) of threatened species, evaluated the effectiveness (i.e. the changes in SR and PD) of Chinese PAs and identified conservation priorities for future PA expansion. Approximately 12%–38% of woody species will be threatened under different scenarios. These species tend to be clustered in the tree of life, and their SR and PD show consistent spatial patterns, being highest at low latitudes. PAs currently protect 90% of threatened species. However, their SR and PD of threatened species within PAs will decrease by 30%–40% by the 2070s, which reduces the PA effectiveness, especially for PAs at low elevations and those with low topographic heterogeneity and high natural vegetation loss. The conservation priorities identified from the SR and PD of the threatened species are mainly in mountains in southern China, the Yunnan‐Guizhou Plateau and Taiwan Island. PA expansion and ecological corridors in these regions are needed to conserve threatened species. Synthesis and applications. We present a systematic study of the impacts of future climate and land‐cover changes on the conservation status of woody species and PA effectiveness in China. Our results suggest that future climate and land‐cover changes will reduce PA effectiveness, and the spatial prioritization of biodiversity conservation should consider the influences of future global changes on biodiversity. These results shed new light on the conservation priorities for the post‐2020 expansion of PAs in China.

Potential impacts of climate change on suitable habitats of Marco Polo sheep in China

Climate change may lead to biodiversity loss and species extinction. Understanding the impacts of climate change on the distribution pattern of endangered species is of great value to the identification of priority reserves and the formulation of relevant conservation strategies. Based on the distribution data of Marco Polo sheep (Ovis ammon polii) obtained from the field survey in Taxkorgan Nature Reserve (TNR) in Xinjiang during 2017-2018, the maximum entropy (MaxEnt) model was used to predict the distribution pattern of its suitable habitat under climate change. The results showed that the suitable habitat of Marco Polo sheep was mainly distributed in the northwest of the TNR, with temperature as the key factor affecting its suitable habitat distribution. Under the medium and high emission concentration (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), the suitable habitat area of Marco Polo sheep would decrease in the next two periods (2050s and 2070s), with the loss rate of suitable habitat being as high as 40.5%. The loss of suitable habitat was mainly located in the low-altitude area, while the area of suitable habitat increased correspondingly in the high-altitude area. The area of suitable habitat from low elevation to high elevation increased with the increases of greenhouse gas emission concentration. According to the results of centroid transfer, the suitable habitat was mainly moved to the west, namely Tajikistan, the main distribution country of Marco Polo sheep.

Landscape and Microsite Characteristics of American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) Nest-Box Sites along Highway Corridors in Southeast Ohio

Falco sparverius (American Kestrel), an obligate cavity-nesting bird species, has experienced declines in much of its range for decades. Among possible causes for the decline are loss of suitable habitat and availability of nesting cavities. The species seems to benefit from nest boxes installed at locations assumed to meet all other habitat requirements. Nest boxes mounted on billboard posts and the backs of road signs—especially along 4-lane highways—are becoming more commonplace because of the perceived cover associated with these landscapes. Based on monitoring American Kestrel occupancy of nest boxes (n = 37) from 2015 to 2017 in southeastern Ohio, we were able to create a database of occupied versus unoccupied sites, as well as documenting the presence/absence of Sturnus vulgaris (European Starling), an apparent competitor for nesting cavities. Using this database, we conducted a GIS-based analysis of land cover across multiple scales for each site, with the objective of identifying a suite of landscape-cover features that might enable deployment of nest boxes in the region with greater usage by American Kestrels. Using principal components analysis coupled with k-means clustering, we identified 2 landscape niche clusters, which differed significantly along the PC1 axis (P < 0.001). One cluster was occupied by American Kestrels and European Starlings, the other was occupied by European Starlings only. The American Kestrel-occupied cluster had 10–40% herbaceous and <15% cropland across all spatial scales, with a higher median percentage of forest being prevalent at the 3000-m scale. The European Starling-only cluster had more cropland and less forest cover. At the micro-scale, American Kestrels appeared to favor nest boxes located closer (median distance = 11.5 m) to the road surface than those placed further (median distance = 24.5 m) away. Future efforts should take these trends into account to effectively deploy nest boxes intended for American Kestrels and minimize availability to and possible occupancy by European Starlings.

Potential Distribution of Amphibians with Different Habitat Characteristics in Response to Climate Change in South Korea

Simple SummaryAmphibian species are one of one of the groups most vulnerable to climate change according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Limited research has been conducted investigating the effects of climate change on amphibian species in South Korea. In our study, we aimed to predict the impacts of climate change on the distribution of 16 of the 18 species of amphibians currently reported in South Korea. Altogether, 30,281 occurrence points, six bioclimatic variables, and one environmental variable (altitude) were used in modeling. Moreover, we classified 16 Korean amphibians into three groups based on their habitat characteristics: wetland amphibians (Group 1), migrating amphibians (Group 2), and forest-dwelling amphibians (Group 3). Altitude has been predicted to be a major factor in present amphibian distributions in South Korea. In general, our results show that the seven species in Group 1 should be the most resistant to climate change. The five migrating amphibians (Group 2) should decline with preferred habitat reductions. The forest-dwelling amphibian species (Group 3) are the most vulnerable to climate change and their protection requires the immediate implementation of conservation strategies. We will continue to refine our model as it evolves into a useful tool for our endeavor to preserve South Korea’s amphibians as climate change progresses.Amphibian species are highly vulnerable to climate change with significant species decline and extinction predicted worldwide. However, there are very limited studies on amphibians in South Korea. Here, we assessed the potential impacts of climate change on different habitat groups (wetland amphibians, Group 1; migrating amphibians, Group 2; and forest-dwelling amphibians, Group 3) under future climate change and land cover change in South Korea using a maximum entropy modelling approach. Our study revealed that all amphibians would suffer substantial loss of suitable habitats in the future, except Lithobates catesbeianus, Kaloula borealis, and Karsenia koreana. Similarly, species richness for Groups 2 and 3 will decline by 2030, 2050, and 2080. Currently, amphibian species are widely distributed across the country; however, in future, suitable habitats for amphibians would be concentrated along the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range and the southeastern region. Among the three groups, Group 3 amphibians are predicted to be the most vulnerable to climate change; therefore, immediate conservation action is needed to protect them. We expect this study could provide crucial baseline information required for the government to design climate change mitigation strategies for indigenous amphibians.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Medemia argun (Mart.) Wurttenb. ex H.Wendl. Based on Genome-Wide Markers

Medemia argun is a wild, dioecious palm, adapted to the harsh arid environment of the Nubian Desert in Sudan and southern Egypt. There is a concern about its conservation status, since little is known about its distribution, abundance, and genetic variation. M. argun grows on the floodplains of seasonal rivers (wadis). The continuing loss of suitable habitats in the Nubian Desert is threatening the survival of this species. We analyzed the genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and occurrence of M. argun populations to foster the development of conservation strategies for M. argun. Genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) analyses were performed using a whole-genome profiling service. We found an overall low genetic diversity and moderate genetic structuring based on 40 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 9,866 SilicoDArT markers. The expected heterozygosity of the total population (HT) equaled 0.036 and 0.127, and genetic differentiation among populations/groups (FST) was 0.052 and 0.092, based on SNP and SilicoDArT markers, respectively. Bayesian clustering analyses defined five genetic clusters that did not display any ancestral gene flow among each other. Based on SilicoDArT markers, the results of the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) confirmed the previously observed genetic differentiation among generation groups (23%; p &amp;lt; 0.01). Pairwise FST values indicated a genetic gap between old and young individuals. The observed low genetic diversity and its loss among generation groups, even under the detected high gene flow, show genetically vulnerable M. argun populations in the Nubian Desert in Sudan. To enrich and maintain genetic variability in these populations, conservation plans are required, including collection of seed material from genetically diverse populations and development of ex situ gene banks.

Ongoing decline of suitable habitat for the Critically Endangered Gurney's pitta Hydrornis gurneyi

AbstractFrom 1999 onwards, level, lowland forests (altitude &lt; 150 m, slopes &lt; 10°) in the Tanintharyi Region of southern Myanmar have been cleared on a large scale and replaced by oil palm plantations. This has resulted in a drastic decline in suitable habitat for several species, including Gurney's pitta Hydrornis gurneyi (Passeriformes, Pittidae). The habitat for this species has decreased by &gt; 80%, leading to its categorization as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List in 2019. As threats in the region have continued, we updated information on the status of the species’ habitat in January 2020, and examined forest loss in the three strongholds where the species still persists in the wild. Since the previous estimate in 2017, suitable habitat in these locations has decreased by 8% (from 656 to 603 km2), with &gt; 10% of the remaining area now in fragments of &lt; 1 km2, which are unsuitable for the mid- to long-term survival of the species. Forest degradation and edge effects from increased fragmentation have led to further loss of suitable habitat in these strongholds. Projections indicate that unless conservation action is taken, all suitable habitat will disappear by 2080. The main threat to the long-term survival of Gurney's pitta is the lack of legal protection of primary lowland forests, resulting in uncontrolled clearance for small- and large-scale agriculture and industrial development. We provide recommendations to reduce the rate of loss of the remaining suitable habitat for the species.

Modelling the susceptibility of wetland plant species under climate change in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Wetlands are important ecosystems that provide many critical services for ecology and human communities. In the Mekong Delta (MD), Vietnam, the combined effects of climate change and sea level rise (SLR) threaten coastal mangrove forest wetlands, while inland Melaleuca forest wetlands are affected by regional changes in climate. Hence, it is essential to understand the impacts of climate change and SLR on these wetlands, particularly on the dominant species, which are integral to the structure and function of each wetland type. However, future climate suitability for wetland species is not yet well documented and well researched for the region. Therefore, this study examines the potential impacts of climate change and SLR on the three dominant species of these wetland types, Avicennia alba (A. alba) and Rhizophora apiculata (R. apiculata) in coastal mangrove forest wetlands and Melaleuca cajuputi (M. cajuputi) in inland Melaleuca forest wetlands, utilizing an ensemble modelling approach. The species occurrence points, bioclimatic and eco-physiological variables were used to model habitat suitability for the three species under current and future climate scenarios, RCP4.5 and 8.5 for 2050 and 2070. The projected reduction in habitat suitability of A. alba, R. apiculata, and M. cajuputi by mean values of 27.9%, 28.7% and 30.0%, respectively by the year 2070 indicates the vulnerability of the wetland species to climate change impacts. Increases in temperature, and in seasonal variation in precipitation and temperature, and SLR were key driving factors responsible for the losses of suitable habitat. Our findings provide useful information and data sources for development of plans and strategies to protect and conserve the wetlands from future climate change impacts.

Anthropogenic habitat loss accelerates the range expansion of a global invader

AbstractAimUnderstanding the patterns and correlates of the range expansion of established alien species is crucial for predicting invasion impacts and developing effective control strategies. With accelerating globalization, it is key to identify the interactions of different global change processes, such as how land‐use change may influence range expansion, yet empirical studies remain limited.LocationLiuji Town, Jiangsu Province, China.MethodsWe first divided the study area into 128 grids with a resolution of 1 × 1 km and conducted visual encounter surveys over two years for a total of 492 water bodies to explore the establishment and range expansions of a global notorious invader, the American bullfrog Lithobates catesbeianus (Shaw, 1802) (= Rana catesbeiana (Shaw, 1802)) using generalized linear mixed models. Then, we investigated the residence time of the established bullfrogs in each water body based on a questionnaire survey. We quantified the habitat loss and range expansion of the past 30 years via GIS‐based spatial analysis and explored their temporal dynamics using the breakpoint regression technique.ResultsWe found that the area of suitable habitats was the most important variable positively related to the bullfrog establishment. There was a similar temporal trend of the range expansion and habitat loss, although the optimal time of habitat loss was slightly earlier than that of the great increase in bullfrog range expansion. Overall, the bullfrogs tended to expand faster with greater habitat loss after controlling for temporal non‐independence.Main conclusionsOur results demonstrated that loss of suitable habitats may facilitate invaders with faster range expansion to occupy the remaining limited resources. Alien species might thus accelerate invasions under human‐induced land‐use modifications in the era of global change. The time lag between range expansion and habitat loss is the golden window for preventing the spread of established alien species in disturbed habitats.

Species distribution and conservation assessment of the black-headed night monkey (Aotus nigriceps): a species of Least Concern that faces widespread anthropogenic threats.

Deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon have been steadily increasing since 2007. Recent government policy, the projected growth of agriculture, and the expansion of the cattle industry are expected to further pressure primates within the Amazon basin. In this study, we examined the anthropogenic impact on the widely distributed black-headed night monkey, Aotus nigriceps, whose distribution and population status have yet to be assessed. We (1) modeled potentialspecies distribution in A. nigriceps, (2) estimated the impact of habitat loss on population trends, and (3) highlight landscape-based conservation actions that maximize the potential for their long-term sustainability. We found the black-headed night monkey to be restricted by several biotic and environmental factors including forest cover, isothermality, precipitation, temperature, and elevation. Over the last two decades, over 132,908 km2 of tree cover (18%) has been lost within their currently recognized range based on satellite imagery. Based on a balance training omission, predicted area, and threshold values (BPTP), suitable habitat was only 67% (1,069,948 km2) of their hypothesized range, a loss of 16.5% from 2000, with just nearly a third of suitable habitat currently within protected areas. Over the last two decades, an estimated minimum 1.6 million individuals have been lost due to loss of suitable habitat. Projected deforestation rates equate to an additional loss of 94,458 km2 of suitable habitat over the next decade. Although classified as a species of Least Concern, we suggest that A. nigriceps may likely be more at risk than previously described. The future impact of the continued expansion of monoculture crops, cattle ranching, and wildfires is still unknown. However, we outline several steps to ensure the long-term viability of this nocturnal primate and other sympatric species throughout the Amazon Basin.

Climate Change Can Drive a Significant Loss of Suitable Habitat for Polylepis quadrijuga, a Treeline Species in the Sky Islands of the Northern Andes

It is predicted that climate change will strongly affect plant distributions in high elevation “sky islands” of tropical Andes. Polylepis forests are a dominant element of the treeline throughout the Andes Cordillera in South America. However, little is known about the climatic factors underlying the current distribution of Polylepis trees and the possible effect of global climate change. The species Polylepis quadrijuga is endemic to the Colombian Eastern Cordillera, where it plays a fundamental ecological role in high-altitude páramo-forest ecotones. We sought to evaluate the potential distribution of P. quadrijuga under future climate change scenarios using ensemble modeling approaches. We conducted a comprehensive assessment of future climatic projections deriving from 12 different general circulation models (GCMs), four Representative Concentration Pathways (R) emissions scenarios, and two different time frames (2041–2060 and 2061–2080). Additionally, based on the future projections, we evaluate the effectiveness of the National System of Protected Natural Areas of Colombia (SINAP) and Páramo Complexes of Colombia (PCC) in protecting P. quadrijuga woodlands. Here, we compiled a comprehensive set of observations of P. quadrijuga and study them in connection with climatic and topographic variables to identify environmental predictors of the species distribution, possible habitat differentiation throughout the geographic distribution of the species, and predict the effect of different climate change scenarios on the future distribution of P. quadrijuga. Our results predict a dramatic loss of suitable habitat due to climate change on this key tropical Andean treeline species. The ensemble Habitat Suitability Modeling (HSM) shows differences in suitable scores among north and south regions of the species distribution consistent with differences in topographic features throughout the available habitat of P. quadrijuga. Future projections of the HSM predicted the Páramo complex “Sumapaz-Cruz Verde” as a major area for the long-term conservation of P. quadrijuga because it provides a wide range of suitable habitats for the different evaluated climate change scenarios. We provide the first set of priority areas to perform both in situ and ex situ conservation efforts based on suitable habitat projections.

Volcanism and palaeoclimate change drive diversification of the world's largest whip spider (Amblypygi).

The tropics contain many of the most biodiverse regions on Earth but the processes responsible for generating this diversity remain poorly understood. This study investigated the drivers of diversification in arthropods with stenotopic ecological requirements and limited dispersal capability using as a model the monotypic whip spider (Amblypygi) genus Acanthophrynus, widespread in the tropical deciduous forests of Mexico. We hypothesized that for these organisms, the tropical deciduous forests serve as a conduit for dispersal, with their disappearance imposing barriers. Given that these forests are located in a region of complex geological history and that they fluctuated in extent during the Pliocene-Pleistocene glacial/interglacial cycles we combine molecular divergence dating, palaeoclimatic niche modelling and ancestral area reconstruction to test if and when habitat fragmentation promoted diversification in Acanthophrynus. Concomitant with the expected role of landscape change, we demonstrate that orogeny of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, in the Late Miocene or Early Pliocene (6.95-5.21 million years ago), drove the earliest divergence of Acanthophrynus by vicariance. Similarly, as expected, the later onset of glaciations strongly impacted diversification. Whereas a more stable climate in the southern part of the distribution enabled further diversification, a marked loss of suitable habitat during the glaciations only allowed dispersal and diversification in the north to occur later, resulting in a lower overall diversity in this region. Barriers and diversification patterns identified in Acanthophrynus are reflected in the phylogeography of codistributed vertebrates and arthropods, emphasizing the profound impact of Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt orogeny and glacial/interglacial cycles as drivers of diversification in the Mexican Neotropics.

Warming threatens habitat suitability and breeding occupancy of rear‐edge alpine bird specialists

Alpine ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to climate change. For widely distributed alpine specialists, rear‐edge populations are disproportionately important; it is expected that climate change will reduce their occupancy ranges due to the loss of suitable habitats and connectivity among them. Using four alpine bird species inhabiting the southwestern Palearctic as models, we aim to study which and how environmental factors influence habitat suitability, identify mountain areas with suitable habitat, estimate the probabilities of hosting breeding populations for these areas, and predict how habitat suitability and breeding occupancy will change under future climate scenarios. We used a species distribution modeling approach to obtain habitat suitability maps for four biological seasons and assessed the importance and effects of climatic and landscape variables for the studied species. We also assessed the probability of occupancy of potential breeding patches using available systematic distribution data, and projected our habitat suitability and occupancy models to future climate conditions. Our results indicated that the habitat suitability of rear‐edge alpine specialists was limited mainly by climatic factors, restricting their suitable areas to the highest mountains where cold climate persist. The actual occupancy of the potential breeding patches was determined by their size, landscape connectivity and habitat quality. For the period 2041–2060 we predicted a substantial reduction of suitable habitats that varied across seasons and species, and a breeding occupancy range loss that varied across mountain ranges and species. Thus, these alpine bird species, currently not considered as threatened, merit a review of their conservation status. Common distribution patterns and potentially similar responses to climatic change suggest that our findings might be applicable for other rear‐edge alpine species. Our study identified specific mountain systems where research and conservation efforts should focus for the conservation of alpine biodiversity in the southwestern Palearctic.

Genetic variability and conservation of the endangered Pannonian root vole in fragmented habitats of an agricultural landscape

The distribution of the endangered glacial relict subspecies, the Pannonian root voleAlexandromys oeconomus mehelyiÉhik, 1928, is restricted to scattered localities in south-western Slovakia, which belong to the north-eastern zone of its range. Human-induced changes and fragmentation of the landscape have led to the gradual loss of suitable habitats and threaten its long-term survival. The study area in the Danubian Lowland is characterised by small habitat fragments and temporal fluctuations of the habitat area. Root voles were sampled at nine sites to study the level of genetic variability and structure of local subpopulations by scoring 13 microsatellite loci in 69 individuals. Genetic differentiation varied amongst local populations and we did not find a significant isolation-by-distance pattern. Bayesian clustering analysis suggested that dispersal effectively prevents marked genetic subdivision between studied habitat fragments. Significant pairwise differentiation between some subpopulations, however, may be the result of putatively suppressed gene flow. Low genetic diversity in the recent populations probably reflects the isolated location of the study area in the agricultural landscape, suggesting that long-term survival may not be assured. In order to maintain genetic diversity, it is essential to preserve (or even restore) habitats and ensure the possibility of gene flow; habitat protection is, therefore, recommended. Continuous assessment is necessary for effective conservation management and to predict the long-term survival chances of the Pannonian root vole in the study area.

Climate change impacts on spatial distribution, tree-ring growth, and water use of stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) forests in the Mediterranean region and silvicultural practices to limit those impacts

Stone pine (Pinus pinea L.) has been cultivated since centuries in Mediterranean areas for its products and economic benefits, including edible pine nuts, timber, mushrooms, firewood, and grazing. However, current management objectives of stone pine stands also include recreational use, biodiversity conservation, protection from soil erosion, and CO2 fixation. Stone pine stands are considered to be among the ecosystems most vulnerable to climate change, and the current increase in drought frequency in the Mediterranean Basin has been shown to negatively impact their long-term establishment. Understanding the effects of climate change on the distribution, tree-ring growth and water use of stone pine forests can help assessing the adaptive capacity of the species, and developing management programs aimed at its conservation. This paper reviews the impacts of climate change on stone pine in the Mediterranean region. The high sensitivity of stone pine to climate change has been widely demonstrated in that: (i) climatic models predict the loss of suitable habitats and the shift of its geographical distribution in the next future; (ii) tree-ring analysis showed that winter and spring rainfalls have positive effects on growth, whereas high spring temperature has a negative effect; (iii) the strategy of stone pine to cope with water deficit affects the processes regulating its growth, including wood formation, leading to peculiar tree-ring anatomical features such as intra-annual density fluctuations. The silvicultural interventions and the most effective management strategies for stone pine forests are reviewed and discussed in the context of current climate change in the Mediterranean Basin.

Modeling habitat suitability of the Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio) in the Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot

Identifying suitable habitats of species is essential knowledge to conserve them successfully. Human activities causes the reduction of population size and habitat suitability of many species. Red-backed Shrike is a widespread in western Palearctic. However, the population of this specie has declined in its geographical range due to the loss of suitable habitats. Therefore, it is necessary to identify its suitable habitats and factors affecting species habitat suitability and to protect its reduction population size. The aim of the present study was to identify the suitable habitat of the Red-backed Shrike and determine the most important predictors of its suitable habitat in Irano-Anatolian biodiversity hotspot. To achieve this goal, species presence points were first collected and seven environmental variables related to climate, topography and anthropogenic activities, were used to construct the species habitat suitable model. Models were built using five distribution modeling methods: Maxent, GAP, GLM, RF and GBM in sdm package. Then the models were Ensemble from 5 different models and the final model was constructed. The results of this study showed that the most suitable habitats of this species are in the western and northern parts of the area of study. The mean annual temperature with 41% contribution was the most important variable in constructing the habitat suitability model for this specie. In addition, climate variables with 75% contribution were identified as the most important habitat suitability factor for this specie. Also in relation to conservation of the Red-backed Shrike species in the Irano-Anatolian region, it can be stated that the extent of distribution and presence of this specie has been extended to the northern latitudes due to climate change. As a result, the temperature and climate factor should be given special attention in the management of bird habitats in this area.

An analysis of the illegal bear trade in India

Throughout the range of bears in Asia, a combination of threats - loss of suitable habitat, increasing human conflict, illegal wildlife trade - are pushing bear populations towards extinction. But studies in Asia are showing that indiscriminate poaching and illegal trade are increasingly becoming the main driver of species extinctions. Here we examine seizure data and poaching incidents involving India’s bear species from 2009 to 2019 to assess the extent illegal wildlife trade is impacting bear populations in the country. The Wildlife Protection Society of India (WPSI) systematically collects data on poaching and seizures of protected species which is collated, categorised and stored in WPSI’s database on wildlife crime. Using this data, we assessed bear species impacted by trade, mapped out important trade and poaching hubs, and trade dynamics involving bears in India. Seizure data indicated the exploitation of Asiatic black bears for traditional medicine use while sloth bears were coveted for their skins. Poaching incidents predominantly involved sloth bears and steadily increased over the study period. However, it is unclear whether this is a result of targeted hunting of bears for trade, a threat possibly exacerbated by declining bear species elsewhere in Asia where demand still persists for bear gall bladder and parts; or in response to growing levels of human-bear conflict which is on the rise in India due to loss of suitable habitat and increasing human encroachment into forested areas. This study shows that despite being a strictly protected species in India, there is still a threat to bears from illegal trade. Greater effort is needed to protect bear habitat and reduce retaliatory killing of bears which impedes conservation efforts to reduce the illegal exploitation of bears for trade. Enforcement capacity and resources also need to be improved and must encompass intelligence-led investigations and cross-border cooperation between enforcement agencies to target buyers and traders. The trade in bears and their parts should be consistently monitored on a national scale to support effective law enforcement interventions and conservation initiatives to reduce the levels of poaching of bears in India.

Suitability of Habitats in Nepal for Dactylorhiza hatagirea Now and under Predicted Future Changes in Climate.

Dactylorhiza hatagirea is a terrestrial orchid listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and classified as threatened by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is endemic to the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region, distributed from Pakistan to China. The main threat to its existence is climate change and the associated change in the distribution of its suitable habitats to higher altitudes due to increasing temperature. It is therefore necessary to determine the habitats that are suitable for its survival and their expected distribution after the predicted changes in climate. To do this, we use Maxent modelling of the data for its 208 locations. We predict its distribution in 2050 and 2070 using four climate change models and two greenhouse gas concentration trajectories. This revealed severe losses of suitable habitat in Nepal, in which, under the worst scenario, there will be a 71–81% reduction the number of suitable locations for D. hatagirea by 2050 and 95–98% by 2070. Under the most favorable scenario, this reduction will be 65–85% by 2070. The intermediate greenhouse gas concentration trajectory surprisingly would result in a greater reduction by 2070 than the worst-case scenario. Our results provide important guidelines that local authorities interested in conserving this species could use to select areas that need to be protected now and in the future.

Quantifying the Effect of Land-cover Change on the Endangered Farmland Green Treefrog (Zhangixalus arvalis) in an Agricultural Landscape: Implications for Conservation.

Habitat loss and fragmentation have a significant negative effect on amphibian species, particularly those with specialized habitat requirements. The endangered farmland green treefrog (Zhangixalus arvalis) primarily inhabits woodlands of agricultural landscapes in central Taiwan. Recently, due to increased demands for pineapple products, many woodlands, particularly bamboo plantations, were converted to pineapple fields. This study aimed to quantify the effect of habitat loss and fragmentation on Z. arvalis due to changes in land cover in an agricultural landscape. The study area contained 34,243 50 m × 50 m grids. In 2006 and 2014-2015, we used acoustic surveys to survey the occurrence of Z. arvalis in each grid. We obtained satellite images of the study area for 2006 and 2014, and we assigned the land-cover type of each grid to one of the following six types: woodland, brushland, cropland, bareland, manmade structures and water body. We examined whether Z. arvalis preferred a certain land-cover type by comparing the proportion of cover types available and the proportion of cover types used by the frogs. Furthermore, we used occurrence records for 2006 and 2014-2015 and applied the Maximum Entropy Model to predict suitable habitat for the respective years. We mapped the loss of suitable habitat and used six indices to quantify habitat fragmentation within the 8 years. We also tested the prediction that the occupancy rate of Z. arvalis in different-sized habitat patches was a function of patch size. Zhangixalus arvalis exhibited a strong preference for woodland, but avoided cropland and manmade structures. From 2006 to 2014-2015, the suitable habitat decreased 4.1%, and all six indices showed an increase in habitat fragmentation. The occupancy rate of different-sized woodland patches was positively correlated with patch size. Mapping suitable habitat and identifying the potential gaps in functional habitat connectivity can be used to guide effective measures for conserving Z. arvalis.

Fat-tailed dunnarts (

Grasslands are among the most endangered ecosystems, with &lt;1% of Victorian grasslands remaining. Extinctions of many grassland fauna species have occurred since European settlement due to loss of suitable habitat, and dramatic range reductions continue for those that still exist. Fat-tailed dunnarts (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) are the only small ground-dwelling marsupial known to persist in Victorian grassland habitats. The last long-term targeted surveys for this species were conducted in Victoria in the 1970s. Incidental findings from more recent short-term targeted and non-targeted surveys in the same area suggest a decline. We performed direct targeted surveys for fat-tailed dunnarts at the 1970s survey site over a 12-month period in 2019 and found no evidence of fat-tailed dunnart presence. The species is classified as Near Threatened in the state and Least Concern internationally. Our work highlights the importance of targeted surveys to assess the stability of this species across Victoria, and the need for collection of long-term data to better identify population declines.

Ecological interaction between cyanobacterial blooms and freshwater fish

Fish are an integral component of aquatic ecosystems and play important roles in maintaining ecosystem stability. However, fish have recently been under great threat due to the deterioration of aquatic environments and the loss of suitable habitats. Due to the intensification of global warming and water eutrophication, the frequency and duration of cyanobacteria blooms have been increasing. Cyanobacteria blooms are often accompanied by cyanotoxin and taste-and-odor substance productions which threaten fish survival and fishery economics. However, the ecological interaction between cyanobacteria and fish is multifaceted. Biomanipulation techniques using fish to regulate excessive cyanobacteria growth have achieved certain effects in the bioremediation of eutrophic water bodies. Therefore, a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of cyanobacteria blooms on freshwater fish populations and the control and driving effects of fish on cyanobacteria are necessary to protect freshwater ecosystems. This study systematically analyzes the effect of cyanobacteria blooms on freshwater fisheries, toxicological effects of harmful cyanobacteria on fish, and the ecological regulation of fish on cyanobacteria. Accordingly, we have proposed future research directions. More attention should be paid to the impacts of cyanobacteria blooms on the physiology, ecology, and behavior of fish, and other animal populations. It is necessary to further clarify whether fish miniaturization and a decline in fish species diversity are directly related to cyanobacteria blooms. Fish exposure to cyanobacteria blooms is a complex topic because aquatic animals are not only exposed to cyanotoxins but also to cyanobacterial cells and lysates which contain various compounds. Thus, the overall effect of complex cyanobacteria biomass or in situ cyanobacteria blooms on fish and the corresponding aquatic ecological risk assessment probably will be the focus of future aquatic research. Moreover, a comprehensive examination of the impact of taste-and-odor substances produced by cyanobacteria on fishery products is also required. Biomanipulation, including traditional and non-traditional techniques, is one of the effective tools to control cyanobacteria blooms. Biomanipulation for water environment restoration can be affected by several factors including geographical characteristics, lake and reservoir morphology, algal composition, stocking mode, and biological community structure. Therefore, the feasibility of implementing biomanipulation should depend on the environmental and biological characteristics of water bodies and specific practices during decision-making processes. Previous studies suggest that combining bivalve and filter-feeding fish may enhance the bioremediation effect of algae but their synergistic effects and effectiveness in natural lakes remain to be further verified. Therefore, this study aims to provide a scientific basis to assess the ecological risk of cyanobacteria blooms, protect freshwater fish, and improve aquatic environments.