Habitat Management Research Articles

Canopy cover has divergent effects on movement of closely related bumble bees in managed conifer forest landscapes

ContextFunctional connectivity—the degree to which landscape features facilitate or impede movement among resource patches—affects animal survival, health, and ability to cope with environmental changes. This is particularly important in heterogeneous landscapes prone to rapid change, such as intensively managed forests.ObjectivesWe aimed to quantify the effects of forest canopy cover and roads on foraging movement of two closely related bumble bee species (Bombus vosnesenskii and Bombus caliginosus) in coniferous forest landscapes intensively managed for timber. We also assessed whether early seral forest configuration predicted site-level colony abundance for each species.MethodsWe sampled bumble bees and surveyed floral resources in 75 sites in three study landscapes in the central Oregon Coast Range. We modeled the effects of forest canopy cover and secondary road cover on foraging range using a genetic capture-recapture approach and modeled colony abundance as a function of site-level structural connectivity of early seral forest.ResultsWe found evidence that canopy cover impeded foraging movement of B. vosnesenskii but not of B. caliginosus. Roads had neutral or inhibitory effects on B. vosnesenskii movement depending on the landscape but only inhibitory effects on B. caliginosus movement. Colony abundance was not related to site-level connectivity for either species.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that landscape features can have divergent effects on space use of even closely related taxa and that site-level response variables may not always reflect functional connectivity. Management of early seral forest habitats should consider not only patch quality but also configuration and species-specific permeability of matrix features.

Restoring Soil Features and Biodiversity Indicators in Managed Forests to the Levels of Protected Forests: After One Silvicultural Rotation Period

This study examines the provision of ecosystem services in natural mixed broadleaf forests located in the Hyrcanian region of Iran. These services include habitat conservation, soil preservation, timber production, and carbon storage (C-stock). The forests are managed under three different silvicultural methods: shelterwood, selection cutting, and protection, allowing for a comparative analysis of their impact on these critical services. The time since the last cutting operation varied among the forest stands. In the shelterwood stand, 25 years had passed since the previous operation, while in the selection cutting stand, it had been 13 years. In contrast, the protected stand had remained untouched by logging for the past 40 years. This presents a valuable opportunity to assess the effects of the recovery period and evaluate the extent of ecosystem service restoration. Additionally, it allows for determining whether these services have reached the levels observed in a protected forest. The results show that habitat conservation, soil preservation, and carbon stock (C-stock) values ranked as follows: protection > selection cutting > shelterwood. In contrast, timber production values were highest under selection cutting, followed by shelterwood, and lowest in protected areas. Furthermore, the Stand Structural Complexity Index (SCI) was greatest in protected stands, with selection cutting and shelterwood-managed stands ranking second and third, respectively. Similarly, species diversity indices, the abundance of large-diameter trees, and the volume of deadwood followed this same trend. These findings highlight a trade-off in forest management practices. While selection cutting and shelterwood management simplify stand structure to enhance timber production and maximize economic returns, they also lead to a significant reduction in other critical forest ecosystem services. Our findings further revealed that, even decades after the cessation of forest operations, the ecological value of previously managed forests remains substantially lower than that of protected forests. Moreover, the results demonstrate that a single silvicultural rotation period is insufficient to fully restore the ecological value of managed forests, regardless of whether they were subjected to selection cutting or shelterwood management practices.

An introduction to predictive distribution modelling for conservation to encourage novel perspectives

The rapid pace and potentially irreversible consequences of global change create an urgent need to predict the spatial responses of biota for conservation to better inform the prioritization and management of terrestrial habitats and prevent future extinctions. Here, we provide an accessible entry point to the field to guide near-future work building predictive species distribution models (SDMs) by synthesizing a technical framework for the proactive conservation of avian biodiversity. Our framework offers a useful approach to navigate the challenges surrounding the large spatio-temporal resolution of datasets and datasets that favor hypothesis testing at broad spatio-temporal scales and coarse resolutions, which can affect our ability to assess the validity of current predicted distributions. We explain how to improve the accuracy of predictive models by determining the extent to which: 1) dispersal limitation impacts the rate of range shifts, 2) taxa are rare at their range limits, and 3) land use and climate change interact. Finally, we offer approaches to filling knowledge gaps by creatively leveraging existing methods and data sources.

Bacterial blood microbiome of Mastomys rodents: implications for disease spill-over at the animal-human interface within the Bushbuckridge-East community, South Africa

The Bushbuckridge-East community in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa is bordered by nature reserves, including the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Murid rodents are prevalent in both Manyeleti and communal rangelands adjoining the community households. Although rodents are reservoir hosts for a broad range of viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens, the rodent microbial diversity and transmission of zoonotic agents to humans in the community is understudied. In this study we investigated bacterial diversity in wild and commensal rodents sampled from different habitats. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified from DNA extracted from the blood of 24 wild Mastomys and one Steatomys sp. and subjected to PacBio circular consensus sequencing. As Bartonella species were dominant in the blood microbiome, gltA gene characterization was performed to delineate species. Rodents sampled from peri-urban and communal rangelands had higher proportions of Bartonella spp. [Hlalakahle (77.7%), Gottenburg (47.8%), Tlhavekisa (83.8%)] compared to those from the protected habitat (43.8%). Ehrlichia spp., Anaplasma spp., and Coxiella burnetii were detected at <1% of the sequence reads. Conventional PCR and sequencing validated the detection of Bartonella spp. with the first confirmation of Bartonella mastomydis infection in Mastomys in South Africa. Additionally, 317 mites, 90 fleas, 10 ticks and eight lice were collected from the rodents, providing evidence of possible vectors of the organisms detected. The detection of zoonotic agents in rodents in Bushbuckridge-East community, together with prior serological confirmation of Bartonella and Coxiella in non-malarial acute febrile patients from this community, highlights the possible risks that commensal rodents pose to human health.

BIOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND STRESS LEVELS OF GLASS EEL (Anguilla sp.) IN THE SOUTHERN ESTUARIES OF SUKABUMI, WEST JAVA

Palabuhanratu Bay is the terminating flow for some rivers, i.e. the Cimandiri River, Ciletuh River, Cikaso River, and Cibuni River, where the estuary is the entry route for glass eels (Anguilla spp.) or fish seeds from sea waters to these estuaries. Different rivers have different water quality conditions that may imply differences in the quality and quantity of eels entering the estuary. This research aims to determine locations with superior seeds, and seeds with low quality based on studying biometric characteristics and stress levels of eel seeds in several estuaries in the south of Sukabumi, West Java. The information gathered is subject to determining the highly recommended use of glass eels as seeds in eel aquaculture, as well as determining the area where habitat rehabilitation and conservation. The research was carried out in four locations, namely the Cimandiri, Ciletuh, Cibuni, and Cikaso River Estuaries, from December 2021 to January 2022, the peak time for eel seed migration. The parameters observed include water physics and chemistry, biometrics, and blood glucose. The research results show that each location has different physical and chemical water parameter values but has relatively the same stress level. The best biometric value of eel fish seeds was found in eel seeds originating from the Cimandiri River, while the lowest one was at the mouth of the Cibuni River. Therefore, eels that are suitable for cultivation activities come from the Cimandiri River Estuary, while the eel location that needs conservation is the Cibuni River Estuary.

Landscape management can foster pollinator richness in fragmented high-value habitats.

Pollinator diversity is declining due to habitat loss, low habitat quality, limited habitat connectivity and intensification of agriculture in remaining high-value habitats within human-dominated landscapes, such as calcareous grasslands. Options to increase the local area of protected habitats are often limited. Therefore, we asked how local habitat quality as well as agri-environmental schemes (AES) and configuration of the surrounding landscape can contribute to the preservation of pollinator diversity. We sampled bees, butterflies and hoverflies in 40 calcareous grasslands in Germany, and assessed the effects of calcareous grassland area, quality and connectivity, agricultural configuration, and AES on species richness and abundance. While calcareous grassland area was an important predictor for bee and butterfly species richness, with strongest effects sizes for endangered species, local flower resources and nesting sites and landscape characteristics such as small field size, high proportion of organic fields and connectivity with other grasslands significantly enhanced pollinator richness with responses differing among the three studied taxa. In contrast to expectations, AES flowering fields did not benefit pollinator communities in grasslands. We conclude that improving local habitat quality in combination with targeted landscape management are effective measures to promote pollinator richness in highly fragmented protected grassland.

Zooplankton distribution and its associated hydrology across Indian Sundarbans over the last decade: Insights from current trends and future directions.

Zooplankton play a crucial role in estuarine ecosystems by aiding nutrient cycling through trophic chains and contributing to large-scale water filtration. The present review highlights the zooplankton research conducted over the last decade (2014-2024) in the Indian Sundarbans, with a focus on research trends, species distribution, hydrological associations, and long-term monitoring and conservation strategies. The study reveals a surge in zooplankton research after 2019, with an emphasis on both small- and large-scale studies. However, tidal creek/canals remain less explored compared to rivers. A lack of methodological standardization in zooplankton research is evident across the Indian Sundarbans. The Saptamukhi-Thakuran-Matla river stretch exhibited the highest species diversity, with 70 species recorded. Similarly, the tidal creeks and canals of Sagar Island were identified as species-rich habitats, with 63 species reported. Oithona brevicornis was found in seven riverine stretches, while Paracalanus parvus and Labidocera euchaeta were each recorded from six rivers, but Bestiolina similis was mostly reported as the numerically predominant zooplankton species. Salinity emerged as the most influential hydrological factor for zooplankton distribution, followed by dissolved oxygen and water temperature. However, increasing pollution, climate change-induced cyclones, salinization, and human activities are threatening zooplankton communities of the Indian Sundarbans. Furthermore, the review underscores the need for long-term monitoring strategies in the Sundarbans, by addressing the integration of remote sensing method, automated devices, data repositories, and ecological modeling approaches. Additionally, the present review recommends future policies for zooplankton conservation, emphasizing habitat protection, water quality assessment, stakeholder engagement, and securing funding to implement long-term monitoring initiatives.

Dieta de la lechuza llanera (Athene cunicularia hypugaea) en el sur del desierto Chihuahuense

Raptors, such as the western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), are at the top of the food chain and play a critical role in regulating prey populations. The objective of this study was to determine the composition and seasonal variation in the diet of the western burrowing owl in a region of the Chihuahuan Desert during two seasons, summer and autumn. From June to December2018, 79 pellets were collected and analyzed to identify the main prey orders consumed, the trophic niche breadth, and the dietary overlap between seasons. The primary prey orders identified in the owl’s diet were Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera. Trophic niche breadth analysis revealed that the owl feeds mainly on coleoptera, which comprised 75.5 % of its diet in summer and 76.7 % in autumn. This pattern was quantified using Levins’ standardized trophic niche breadth index (BEST), yielding valuesof 0.09854 in summer and 0.09375 in autumn, confirming dietary specialization in both seasons (BEST =0.09857). Additionally, no overlap with other dietary components was observed, which may be attributed to the seasonal availability of potential prey in the study area. Understanding the trophic ecology of the western burrowing owl is crucial for developing effective management strategies and habitat conservation.

Long-term genetic and demographic surveys reveal the impact of population history, habitat change, and conservation efforts on the globally endangered Turdus helleri (Taita Thrush)

Abstract Predicting the fate of threatened populations remains a challenge in conservation biology. The study of genetic and demographic time series is crucial to unravel the role of population history, anthropogenic disturbance and conservation actions on current demographic and genetic patterns. However, such studies are still rare in threatened species. In this study, we integrate a quarter century of population demographic (capture–mark–recapture) and genetic (microsatellites) data for the globally endangered Turdus helleri (Taita Thrush), a songbird endemic to the fragmented cloud forest of the Taita Hills, southeast Kenya. We found that the two largest remaining populations are prone to high demographic and genetic stochasticity. Furthermore, despite relatively high genetic diversity, the increase in inbreeding in recent years suggests vulnerability to extinction. Moreover, while the smallest population was close to extinction, assisted gene flow midway through the study led to a demographic rescue. We conclude that habitat protection, continued monitoring and conservation efforts are required for long-term survival of the endangered T. helleri, as the species may be prone to an extinction debt.

Pearl Mussel Population Dynamics in Estonia: A Study on the Interplay of Geology, Geomorphology, and Watershed Land Use

Freshwater pearl mussels (Margaritifera margaritifera) are vital bioindicators in river ecosystems, with their population health reflecting broader environmental conditions. Mussel population declines are well documented across Europe, and in Estonia, Pudisoo River supports the last remaining population. Long-term monitoring also indicates a significant decline in Pudisoo River, but the causes remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess how geology, geomorphology, and land use changes could impact pearl mussel population trends and distribution. We conducted field surveys, bioindication tests, and hydrological and morphometric analyses to evaluate physicochemical and environmental parameters in the Pudisoo River. The study revealed a declining but stabilizing population, concentrated in river sections with higher gradients and coarser riverbed substrates. Sediment transport and accumulation, influenced by both natural and human-induced factors, significantly affect habitat suitability, especially for juvenile mussels. Positive correlations were found between mussel populations and river sinuosity, suggesting that the varied microhabitats created by sinuosity, such as gradients in flow velocity and sediment deposition, play an important role in supporting the species. This finding highlights the importance of directing in-channel restoration efforts towards enhancing channel morphology to create more diverse habitats. Research on sediment dynamics and hydrological connectivity will be crucial for developing effective habitat management strategies for the species, especially considering the impacts of land use and climate change.

Trends in the Application of Citizen Science in Waterbird Conservation: A Bibliometric Analysis

Waterbirds serve as indicator species for the quality and health of wetland ecosystems, and their conservation is of critical significance for global biodiversity. Citizen science has gradually emerged in recent years, playing an increasingly positive role in scientific research, particularly in ornithological studies. However, a systematic description of the application of citizen science data in waterbird conservation remains lacking. Bibliometrics is an effective method for analyzing the development of scientific disciplines, exploring trends, and examining thematic evolution. This paper utilizes bibliometric analysis of citation data from the Web of Science database, covering the period from 1970 to September 2024. The analysis reveals that this research field has undergone three distinct developmental phases, with a significant increase in annual publication volume during the third phase. Research focus has shifted from specific species and types of waterbirds to key hotspots and ecological phenomena. Future research hotspots are expected to include migratory birds, China, citizen science, and biodiversity. Influential papers within the field emphasize that the primary focus of waterbird conservation is habitat protection and the construction of habitat networks. As the discipline has developed, there is growing recognition that increasing public awareness of waterbird conservation, starting with student education, plays a crucial role in the accumulation of citizen science data and the advancement of waterbird conservation efforts.

From sky to ground: decoding migratory bird’s habitat selection along the multi-scale sequence

ContextMigratory birds select habitats by observing landscape patterns at different scales as they descend from higher elevations, weighing habitat availability. Understanding how this selection process operates at multiple scales and how decisions at different scales interact is crucial for identifying the optimal scale for efficient habitat conservation.ObjectivesWe aimed to investigate the regularity of changes in migratory birds’ habitat selection in response to landscape variables over multi-scales, using the Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana) as an example.MethodWe developed Scale Response Models and Habitat Selection Models using a sequence of nine scales (5–200 km) within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway to evaluate the stork’s scale-sensitivity and assess the change of explanatory power of landscape variables across scales at different periods.ResultScale-sensitivity of storks was highest during the wintering period. The explanatory power of the suitable habitat indicator is higher at larger scales, but decreases with decreasing scale; while the opposite is true for the unsuitable habitat indicator. At large scales, wetland indicators dominated in breeding period, while water indicators dominated in other periods; at smaller scales, unsuitable habitat indicators had stronger impacts in wintering period.ConclusionsWe revealed a nested relationship in multi-scale habitat selection among storks: “benefit-tendency” decisions at larger scales provide context and constraints; “risk-avoidance” decisions at smaller scales determine settlement. Due to internal and external factors, migratory birds displayed different scale-sensitivities and landscape preferences across periods. Our findings highlight the scale-dependence of organisms’ behavior and landscape characteristics, providing guidance for multi-scale habitat conservation.

Investigating the quality of European silver eels by quantifying contaminants and parasite infestation in a French Mediterranean lagoon complex.

Coastal lagoons are diverse habitats with significant ecological gradients, which provide crucial ecosystem services but face threats from human activities such as invasive species and pollution. Among the species inhabiting the lagoons, the critically endangered European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is an emblematic species strongly impacted by contamination and parasitism. Several indicators were developed to assess the quality of eel at a large geographic scale. Most indicators are based on the concentration of individual pollutant and/or abundance of parasites separately without considering individual variations. This study assessed the quality of 59 eels captured at three different sites inside a Mediterranean lagoon complex (the Camargue, South of France), by integrating multiple degradation factors (POPs, TEs, and A. crassus infestation) and considering individual eel characteristics (length, age, growth rate, and sex). Using multivariate TOPSIS analysis including these degradation factors, this study found that eel quality decreased with age but did not significantly vary between sites. When focusing on each degradation factor, A. crassus infestation rates were lower in older eels, independently to the site; however, the POPs and TEs contaminations were lower in the Grandes Cabanes site compared to the Vaccarès and Fumemorte sites even if smallerand younger eels were more contaminated by POPs. These findings reveal the fine-scale spatial variability in eel quality, with TOPSIS analysis providing a robust method to rank and score scenarios. This approach enhances the understanding of habitat degradation sources affecting eel contamination and parasitic infestation, supporting more effective strategies for sustainable habitat management.

Pollinator species richness and abundance across diverse habitat-types on Terceira Island (Azores, Portugal).

Azorean biodiversity is relatively well-known following important scientific contributions during the last three decades. These have set a comprehensive species checklist for the Archipelago, improved significantly the knowledge on species abundance, ecology and distribution and have contributed to define priorities for conservation management and scientific research. Nevertheless, despite these efforts, a key functional group - the pollinators - remains poorly known in Azores, including their occurrence in different habitat-types and islands. Insect pollinators play a key ecological role and a valuable ecosystem service being crucial to having basic information on their abundance, distribution and ecology and a good knowledge on the status of their populations, if we aim to ensure the long-term sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems. Furthermore, island ecosystems are facing significant pressures from land-use and climatic changes and, from the increasing arrival of alien species to these remote areas, presenting a pressing need to assess the effects of these factors on island pollinators and pollination. Here, we present an inventory of the pollinator species found in different habitat-types of Terceira along a gradient of disturbance and encompassing 30 sites distributed throughout the island. We identified 2547 pollinators from 40 taxa, mostly dipterans and hymenopterans and recorded novel information on species distribution and ecological associations. A high number of taxa are native species, including three Azorean endemics, but 14 species are alien to the Archipelago. The use of a combination of standardised sampling techniques allowed us to collect information on diverse pollinator groups, but, most importantly, the data collected will contribute to assess the impacts of human activities on pollinator abundance and richness and support decision-making on habitat management for pollinators in the Azores.

Factors that influence the decision to release rehabilitated koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) to fire-affected home sites.

This study appraises recent research to critically evaluate knowledge on the factors that influence decisions around the release of rehabilitated koalas to fire-affected home sites. Availability of koala release sites could be compromised at times in the future by the increasing incidence of large and intense bushfires due to climate change. In addition, factors such as the fragmentation of koala habitat and increasing urbanisation impose other threats to the long-term survival of the released koala. Our investigation is conducted as a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) with eight papers selected to be appraised. We highlight three key areas that affect koala rehabilitation and release to fire-affected home sites - the resilience of the koala in recovery, the adaptation ability of the koala upon release and the components of the fire-affected habitat. The evidence shows that the koala is a good candidate for release given that burnt koalas are resilient in rehabilitation and many can recover and then adapt quickly to their release site. Findings from this study indicate that, when the release site is affected by fire, the conditions that are more favourable for koala release are low severity of fire impact, greater distance from urban areas, connection to unfragmented habitat and previous management of predators. These findings can inform wildlife release and rescue as well as government planning and urban development.

Social Capital in State Prescribed Burn Networks: Comparing North Carolina and Oklahoma Cases

Prescribed fire provides a valuable tool for habitat management and restoration. Practitioner networks in Oklahoma and North Carolina are compared using government and nonprofit organizational actors as the units of analysis. Measures of individual and network social capital are used to compare actor importance and collaboration with other actor types as well as network centralization and density. The results indicate that the two networks are similar in structure, but that there are differences which include the composition of core and peripheral actor groups as well as prominence of certain actor types. The data reported here suggest a common structural composition of prescribed fire networks. This information may prove useful in adapting similar state networks or determining how to improve the performance of existing networks. Increasing the social capital is a pathway to improve prescribed burning and integrate long-term ecological strategies and funding sources with short-term goals and labor capabilities.

Solar parking lot capacity: an abundant dual-use alternative to meet demand for the renewable energy transition

Abstract Most utility-scale solar facilities (USSFs) in the United States (US) are planned or installed in grasslands, pastures, agriculture land, and timberland, with aggressive future expansion plans. Investor-owned electricity providers have lobbied aggressively to remove obstacles to approval of USSFs on agricultural lands and for limits on regulations that support distributed solar installation. Rural USSF expansion may have potentially significant local, state, and regional impacts on agricultural production and the economy, property values and affordability, and conservation of habitats, connectivity, and endangered species. The potential use of parking lots in urban and suburban areas for solar development to meet demands is poorly studied and parking lot solar has not gained much traction in the US. The objective of this research was to estimate whether solar PV systems installed in parking lots can meet electricity demands across multiple urban and suburban metropolitan areas within the US. Parking lot data across four municipalities with variation in latitude, solar radiation, and population density was obtained, along with modeled annual electricity demand by sector. Parking lot area and potential generating capacity was calculated for canopy and carport designs using standard and premium efficiency panels, and annual electricity production was estimated using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s PVWatts Calculator. Premium efficiency canopy designs can meet ~100% of demand in some large car dependent low to medium density municipalities. High density urban areas may receive marginal direct benefit from parking lot solar development within their boundaries. Dual-use of lands without any ecosystem or productive value can substantially contribute to renewable energy mixes to meet demands.

Predicting habitat refugia of the medicinal plant Dolomiaea costus under two climate change scenarios

Assessing the impacts of climate change on the distribution of medicinally important and endangered species is critical for conservation planning. This study focuses on Dolomiaea costus (Falc.) Kasana & A.K. Pandey, a critically endangered and highly valuable medicinal plant found in the fragile climate of Pakistan. Using species distribution modelling (MaxEnt), we evaluated the current and future habitat suitability of D. costus under two climate change scenarios (SSP370 and SSP585) for the periods 2041–2070 and 2071–2100. Occurrence data were collected from field surveys and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), while bioclimatic data were sourced from Climatologies at High Resolution for the Earth’s Land Surface Areas (CHELSA). The MaxEnt model achieved a high mean AUC value of 0.967, indicating strong predictive accuracy. Suitable habitats for D. costus span approximately 99,871 Km2 across the western Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindukush regions. Climate projections revealed that under SSP370, suitable areas decrease from 99,260 Km2 in 2041–2070 to 90,962.5 Km2 in 2071–2100, with high-suitability zones reducing from 13,024.5 Km2 to 11,490.5 Km2. In contrast, the SSP585 scenario showed a modest expansion of suitable habitat from 107,104 Km2 to 111,217.5 Km2, though high-suitability areas declined from 18,208 Km2 to 16,811 Km2. Precipitation-related variables, especially precipitation seasonality, were the most influential drivers of habitat suitability, contributing 64.3% to the model, followed by mean monthly precipitation of the driest quarter (18.8%) and precipitation of the wettest and driest months. Jackknife tests also confirmed their critical importance. These findings underscored the sensitivity of D. costus habitat to the intensity of climate change, particularly under severe warming conditions and highlighted the urgent need for a comprehensive conservation plan. A combination of strategies, including climate-smart conservation, habitat protection, species reintroduction, and cultivation in moderately to highly suitable habitats, is crucial to ensure the long-term survival of D. costus in Pakistan amidst the changing climate.

Diversity of Avifauna in the Campus of Navsari Agricultural University, Navsari, Gujarat, India

Educational institutions are important green spaces which reside diverse species of organisms. In this study, a checklist of bird species was compiled using data collected over seven years (2014-2020) from the campus of Navsari Agricultural University (NAU), Navsari, Gujarat. The study area comprises various habitats including agriculture lands, horticultural orchards, agroforestry plantations, monoculture plantations, biodiversity park, arboretum, grasslands, barren lands and water bodies. A total of 169 bird species belonging to 19 orders, 63 families, and 126 genera were documented throughout the study period. Among the recorded species two (Asian woolly necked stork Ciconia episcopus and Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria) are near threatened and three (Greater Spotted Eagle Clanga clanga, Sarus Crane Antigone Antigone and River Tern Sterna aurantia) are vulnerable. Family Muscicapidae was most diverse within study area comprising 12 species. Species feeding on invertebrates were predominant. The substantial species diversity and presence of nesting activity emphasize the importance of university campuses as significant habitat for avian conservation. Present study provides crucial baseline data for further scientific studies on Avifauna of NAU campus.

Snake Diversity in Human Landscapes: A Comprehensive Study of Snake Species in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India

This comprehensive study documents the diversity of snake species within the human landscape of Kushinagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India. Carrying out extensive fieldwork using direct and indirect encounter methods revealed 18 snake species from six families, with the Indian Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) being the dominant venomous species, along with Russell's viper (Vipera russellii) and the Indian Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus). Biostatistical analysis showed that the Colubridae family was the most diverse group, comprising 61% of the recorded snake species. Species richness, abundance, and diversity indices were analysed, with the Shannon Diversity Index (H') and Simpson Diversity Index (D) indicating variations in species richness and evenness across different areas. The correlation matrix highlighted ecological interactions, such as predator-prey dynamics and habitat sharing, while non-parametric tests revealed significant differences in abundance among the study areas. The study emphasizes the importance of utilizing additional biostatistical strategies to examine non-normally distributed data and ensure robust conclusions. The findings contribute to understanding snake ecology and provide valuable insights for habitat management and biodiversity conservation planning in the Kushinagar region, which is crucial for protecting these enigmatic animals and their ecosystems.