Conservation Management Strategies Research Articles

Analysis of Institutional Woodland and Water Resources Management: The Impact of Institutions and Institutional Structures for Woodland and Water Resources Management. The Case of Ward 1 Vungu Rural District.

The study aimed to investigate the roles of local-level institutions and institutional structures in woodland and water management in Ward One (1) in Vungu Rural District. Interviews and questionnaires were employed to assess the soundness of the system. The sample size of 97 comprised the local leaders, service ministries, the community and various institutions. The general picture is that there are a multiplicity of institutions and management structures whose interaction patterns are ad-hoc and strategic, but there are no sound practices for policy planning strategies relating to woodland and water resource management. This paper attempts to provide a framework for policy and planning strategies relating to woodland and water resource management in public and private institutions in Ward 1 in Vungu Rural District. There are several institutions and structures in place for woodland and water resources management in Zimbabwe, including government agencies, NGOs, and local communities. The effectiveness of these institutions depends on the level of resources, coordination, and cooperation among stakeholders. There is also the need for effective policies and strategies for conservation and sustainable management of these critical resources. Sustainable natural resource utilization and management can be attained through the cooperation of the various stakeholders. The study recommend an increase in funding and resources for enforcement agencies to effectively implement and enforce laws and regulations governing woodland and water resources management.

Ecological analysis of higher aquatic and semi-aquatic plants of Lake Alakol

From an ecological perspective, the study of biological diversity is a key element for maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems and for developing and implementing effective conservation and natural resource management strategies. Lake Alakol, a slightly saline, endorheic lake in Kazakhstan, is a unique natural object with rich biodiversity. According to research results, diversity indices such as Simpson (0.99), Shannon (3.48), Margalef (0.78), have similar values, which indicates a sufficient variety of macrophytes. Four ecological groups were identified, with a significant number being hygrophytes (Hg) - 30 species and hygromesophytes (HgM) - 26 species. The hydrophytic index of Lake Alakol was 0.7, which indicates the sustainability of the aquatic flora and a high proportion of true aquatic plants. Among the life forms, perennials (75 species) and annuals (16 species) predominate, which is explained by the morphological and anatomical characteristics of aquatic plants and determines their adaptation to the aquatic environment. Thus, ecological study of macrophytes of Lake Alakol can offer important data for devising successful management and conservation strategies for water basins and their surrounding environment.

Conservative and Surgical Management Strategies of Intracranial Arachnoid Cysts: A Single Institution Experience of 136 Cases

Aim: Intracranial arachnoid cysts develop from the arachnoid membrane between the membranes called pia mater and dura mater, located on the brain and cerebellum. The aim of this retrospective study is to reveal our clinic's approach to intracranial arachnoidal cysts, which can be seen incidentally in all age groups, in the light of current literature. Materials and Methods: In our study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical and radiological findings of a total of 136 patients diagnosed with intracranial arachnoid cysts in both genders and all age groups between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2023. The localization of the arachnoid cyst was examined in the electronic medical records of the patients who had brain tomography and magnetic resonance imaging during the said interval. The gender, age groups, symptoms, treatment approaches and prognoses of the patients were analyzed. Results: The number of patients diagnosed with arachnoid cyst in our radiological examinations was 136. The prevalence was higher in men than in women; 94 patients were male (69.1%) and 42 patients were female (30.1%). 72 patients were 20 years of age or younger (52.9%). Among 136 patients, only 11 patients were found to have more than one arachnoid cyst in terms of localization (8.1%). In terms of localization, the most common locations were the middle fossa, 52 patients (38.2%). Retrocerebellar location was in 43 patients (31.6%), convex location was in 9 patients (6.6%), and anterior fossa location was in 32 patients (23.5%). Only 42 (30.9%) of 136 patients with radiologically detected arachnoid cysts had clinically significant symptoms. Other patients were detected incidentally during neuroradiological examinations performed for trauma or other reasons. During follow-up, an increase in the size of the cyst was observed in only 9 patients (6.6%). The number of patients operated on in our clinic was only 7 (5.1%). During the follow-up period of the remaining patients, only 3 patients had clinical improvement in their symptoms (2.2%). Conclusion: Arachnoid cysts are frequently encountered incidentally in radiological intracranial imaging today, and their incidence increases in the first 20 years of life. While very few patients show clinically significant neurological symptoms, asymptomatic patients do not require surgical treatment. It is recommended that asymptomatic patients be protected from head trauma and periodic neurosurgery outpatient clinic follow-up.

Modeling a hot, dry future: Substantial range reductions in suitable environment projected under climate change for a semiarid riparian predator guild.

An understanding of species-environmental relationships is invaluable for effective conservation and management under anthropogenic climate change, especially for biodiversity hotspots such as riparian habitats. Species distribution models (SDMs) assess present species-environmental relationships which can project potential suitable environments through space and time. An understanding of environmental factors associated with distributions can guide conservation management strategies under a changing climate. We generated 260 ensemble SDMs for five species of Thamnophis gartersnakes (n = 347)-an important riparian predator guild-in a semiarid and biogeographically diverse region under impact from climate change (Arizona, United States). We modeled present species-environmental relationships and projected changes to suitable environment under 12 future climate scenarios per species, including the most and least optimistic greenhouse gas emission pathways, through 2100. We found that Thamnophis likely advanced northward since the turn of the 20th century and overwinter temperature and seasonal precipitation best explained present distributions. Future ranges of suitable environment for Thamnophis are projected to decrease by ca. -37.1% on average. We found that species already threatened with extinction or those with warm trailing-edge populations likely face the greatest loss of suitable environment, including near or complete loss of suitable environment. Future climate scenarios suggest an upward advance of suitable environment around montane areas for some low to mid-elevation species, which may create pressures to ascend. The most suitable environmental areas projected here can be used to identify potential safe zones to prioritize conservation refuges, including applicable critical habitat designations. By bounding the climate pathway extremes to, we reduce SDM uncertainties and provide valuable information to help conservation practitioners mitigate climate-induced threats to species. Implementing informed conservation actions is paramount for sustaining biodiversity in important aridland riparian systems as the climate warms and dries.

Avifauna at Padang Chong Forest Reserve, Perak

Avifauna are widely visible and can be found in a variety of habitats, including primary forests up to the urban gardens. Surveys on avifauna using the mist-netting technique were carried out at Padang Chong Forest Reserve (PCFR) in Perak for five sessions starting from June 2022 until November 2022. From these, a total of 176 individuals from 49 species were recorded. The main objective of these surveys was to document and update the avifauna diversity at this forest reserve. Grey-throated Babbler (Stachyris nigriceps) was the most abundant with 27 individuals captured throughout the surveys followed by Emerald Dove (Chalcophaps indica) and Oriental-dwarf Kingfisher (Ceyx erithaca) with 14 individuals and 11 individuals captured respectively. From the surveys, it is shown that a diverse array of avifauna, with the remaining individuals representing a variety of species, each with fewer than 10 individuals recorded. Out of 49 species of avifauna, only Brown-chested Jungle-flycatcher (Cyornis brunneatus) is listed as Vulnerable, and the remaining species are listed as Near Threatened and Least Concern. These brings the checklist of avifauna in PCFR a total of 85 species from 19 families. Understanding the species richness of avifauna in Padang Chong Forest Reserve (PCFR) is crucial for effective conservation management strategies since this forest reserve is identified as one of the ecological corridors in Central Forest Spine (CFS) initiative known as A-PL2.

Estimating abundance of a small population of Bryde's whales: a comparison between aerial surveys and boat‐based platforms of opportunity

AbstractAccurate abundance estimates are essential for the development of effective conservation management strategies, yet they are difficult to produce for small populations that are elusive and sparsely distributed throughout their range. For such populations it is challenging to collect a representative dataset sufficient for robust estimation of detectability and abundance. Over a one‐year study, we used two methods to estimate abundance of a Nationally Critical, widely dispersed Bryde's whale population in the Hauraki Gulf, Aotearoa/New Zealand; (i) distance sampling from systematic line‐transect aerial surveys (n = 22 surveys, 9,944 km, total sightings 21–24 whales), and (ii) mark‐recapture (MR) using photo‐identification images collected from a platform‐of‐opportunity and small‐boat surveys (218 sampling occasions, 27 whales). From the aerial surveys, we estimated an average of 15 whales (95% CI = 6, 30; CV = 37%) at the sea‐surface at any time. For the boat‐based surveys, we developed a custom MR model to address seasonal and individual heterogeneity in capture probabilities and obtained an estimate of 72 distinct whales (95% CI = 38, 106; CV = 24%) in the population. These two approaches provide different perspectives on the abundance and dynamics of Bryde's whales. The aerial surveys estimate the average number of individuals present at any one time, whereas the MR model estimates the total number of animals that used the Gulf during the study. Although neither sampling method is optimal for estimating the abundance of this small, dispersed population, the use of two complementary approaches informs conservation managers about patterns of abundance and distribution over different temporal and spatial scales. It is common to have limited resources for marine research where model assumptions cannot be met. Here, we highlight pragmatic strategies showing how models can be customized to the population of interest to assist with monitoring species of conservation concern.

Diet of the European otter (Lutra lutra) in the Massif central (Auvergne, France): spatial and seasonal variations between two study sites

In order to evaluate predation strategy and variations during an active population dynamic, diet of European otter (Lutra lutra) was studied during a year-round cycle in two different aquatic systems in Auvergne (France). First were tributaries of Allier River in Haute-Loire and second were marshes, creeks, rivers and ponds in Puy-de-Dôme. Preys were identified and quantified (occurrences, abundances and biomasses) from otter spraints sampling. Diet was mainly consisted by little- and medium-sized fish (74% to 89% of consumed biomass, size generally less than 17.5 cm). Dominant prey in otter’s diet were the most numerous species in studied rivers and marshes, which corresponds to the most efficient predation strategy. Crayfish, amphibians, reptiles and small mammals constituted most of time secondary prey, but sometimes dominated diet. Spatial and temporal differences in prey diversity, abundances and biomasses were recorded. Data illustrating species diversity in rivers and marshes recently recolonized by European otter were not modified by its predation impact. The study of a top-predator diet can therefore be considered as an additional way in habitats studying and biodiversity and management conservation strategies, in natural or anthropogenic alteration contexts.

Soil organic carbon loss decreases biodiversity but stimulates multitrophic interactions that promote belowground metabolism.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) plays an essential role in mediating community structure and metabolic activities of belowground biota. Unraveling the evolution of belowground communities and their feedback mechanisms on SOC dynamics helps embed the ecology of soil microbiome into carbon cycling, which serves to improve biodiversity conservation and carbon management strategy under global change. Here, croplands with a SOC gradient were used to understand how belowground metabolisms and SOC decomposition were linked to the diversity, composition, and co-occurrence networks of belowground communities encompassing archaea, bacteria, fungi, protists, and invertebrates. As SOC decreased, the diversity of prokaryotes and eukaryotes also decreased, but their network complexity showed contrasting patterns: prokaryotes increased due to intensified niche overlap, while that of eukaryotes decreased possibly because of greater dispersal limitation owing to the breakdown of macroaggregates. Despite the decrease in biodiversity and SOC stocks, the belowground metabolic capacity was enhanced as indicated by increased enzyme activity and decreased enzymatic stoichiometric imbalance. This could, in turn, expedite carbon loss through respiration, particularly in the slow-cycling pool. The enhanced belowground metabolic capacity was dominantly driven by greater multitrophic network complexity and particularly negative (competitive and predator-prey) associations, which fostered the stability of the belowground metacommunity. Interestingly, soil abiotic conditions including pH, aeration, and nutrient stocks, exhibited a less significant role. Overall, this study reveals a greater need for soil C resources across multitrophic levels to maintain metabolic functionality as declining SOC results in biodiversity loss. Our researchers highlight the importance of integrating belowground biological processes into models of SOC turnover, to improve agroecosystem functioning and carbon management in face of intensifying anthropogenic land-use and climate change.

Selected conservation management strategies enhance maize yield stability in the sub-humid tropical agro-ecozone of Upper Eastern Kenya

Conservation management strategies have been recommended to enhance soil fertility, moisture retention, crop yield, and yield stability in rainfed agriculture. However, there is limited research on yield stability. We evaluated the effect of integrating soil inputs in conservation tillage on yield and yield stability in Meru South, Upper Eastern Kenya, for eleven consecutive cropping seasons. The trial treatments included conservation tillage without soil inputs (Mt), conservation tillage with soil inputs: sole inorganic fertilizer (F), residue + inorganic fertilizer (RF), residue + inorganic fertilizer + manure (RFM), residue + manure + legume Dolichos Lablab L. (RML), residue + Tithonia + manure (RTM), residue + Tithonia + phosphate rock (RTP) and conventional tillage (Control). Conservation tillage with RFM was the best-fit strategy for enhancing yields. There was heterogeneity in yield residual variance. A larger residual variance implied lesser yield stability. Mt treatment had the least yield residual variance of 0.12 Mg ha−2, followed by Ct and RML, 0.15 Mg ha−2, while RTM had the highest yield residual variance of 0.62 Mg ha−2. Contrarily, the most stable treatments had the least average yields. The study indicated a positive influence of incorporating soil inputs in conservation tillage on yield and suggests longer-term research for yield stability.

Comparison between drone (UAV) and open satellite imagery for brazilian geographically isolated wetlands analysis

In Brazil, where approximately 20% of the territory is covered by wetlands, these environments serve various socio-environmental roles, such as water storage, aquifer recharge, and carbon sequestration. Despite their importance, wetland ecosystems have been adversely affected globally, primarily due to agricultural expansion. Small inland wetlands in the Paulista Peripheral Depression are numerous, characterized by a circular-oval shape, seasonal hydroperiods, and legal protection or proximity to agriculture, notably sugarcane fields. Addressing the challenge of managing small inland wetlands requires integrating long-term monitoring with qualitative and quantitative data at various spatial and temporal scales. This study employs non-invasive imaging techniques for surface characterization, emphasizing the importance of low-cost monitoring in Brazil. The study compares imaging of a small inland wetland in São Paulo's Peripheral Depression using different resolutions from the CBERS 04A satellite, Planet satellite, and UAV DJI Phantom 4 PRO V2. The comparison assesses the effectiveness of different resolutions in capturing wetland dynamics. The satellite data proves extremely effective for delimitation and identification studies of wetlands, while UAVs show excellent results for monitoring. This observation highlights the complementarity of these technologies in addressing environmental issues, where satellite data provides a comprehensive and stable view for analyzing large areas, while UAVs offer a more detailed and dynamic perspective in specific monitoring activities. The combined use of these platforms can enhance the ability to monitor and manage ecosystems like wetlands, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of their dynamics and contributing to conservation and sustainable management strategies.

Impact of soil amendment using indigenous inoculants on tomato growth and yield parameters

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum mill) is one of the most important vegetable crops in the world. It is widely acknowledged that using composts and microbial inoculants as soil amendments, rather than industrialized fertilizer and raw manure, could improve soil nutrients, promote soil health and consequently improve crop yields. Global population increase necessitates increasing crop yields. Improvement and maintenance of soil fertility is essential via bio-augmentation in this economic recovery era. In this work, an open field experiment was conducted in other to study the "Yield Effects of Indigenous Microbial Inoculants on Tomato using autochthonous microbial consortia”. The experiment was laid in Randomized complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicate consisted of six inoculants samples; Indigenous cultures viz; (A) Control, (B)Bacillus mucilaginosus (C) Azospirillum sp., (D) Azotobacter sp. (E) Commercial strains of the inoculants (F) Consortium of B, C and D. The various morphological features/yields parameters measured at intervals includes; no. of leaves, plant height, root length, accumulated dry matter and average fruit weight. The result shows that indigenous inoculants (F) increased tomato overall yield. This research is also of great significance for the development of management strategies for soil maintenance, environmental protection, and resource conservation in Nigeria where soil fertility is on the decrease due to over-use of land in other to achieve food security. From the result of the research, it can be concluded that soil augmentation with indigenous inoculants improves tomato morphological features and yields, hence should be preferred above their exotic commercial strain counterparts because of cost of importation/indigenous product development and GDP growth.

Fine-scale spatial variability of marine acoustic environment corresponds with habitat utilization of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in Hong Kong waters

Acoustic properties of the underwater environment are important in maintaining biological processes of various marine organisms. However, with the increasing level of underwater noise in the global ocean, there is a growing need to better understand how marine animals use soundscape cues in their habitat selection. Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa chinensis) inhabiting the Pearl River Estuary, southeast China, live in one of world’s most developed and noisiest coastal environment and are subjected to many sources of anthropogenic noise. To investigate whether spatial variability of underwater soundscape corresponds with their habitat utilization, we collected daytime underwater recordings in western Hong Kong waters from mid-2016 to mid-2018, and quantified the spatial pattern of marine acoustic environment and its differing characteristics in a fine spatial scale. We developed a framework of soundscape information retrieval to investigate spectral features that may facilitate identification of dolphins’ core habitats. Our findings reveal that a spectral feature, which peaks at 2 kHz, is a reliable predictor of humpback dolphin core habitat. Further modelling of spatial and seasonal variations of underwater soundscape demonstrates that the relative strength of this spectral feature is positively correlated with the sighting rates of humpback dolphins throughout the year. Although the source of the 2 kHz feature remains unknown, it is likely associated with humpback dolphins’ prey. We suggest that underwater acoustic environment represents an important component in evaluating the quality and suitability of coastal habitats for the daily needs of this threatened dolphin species. Local and regional conservation authorities should include habitat-specific baseline soundscape data when developing conservation management strategies.

Comparative analysis of rhizobial and bacterial communities in experimental cotton fields: Impacts of conventional and conservation soil management in the Texas High Plains

Conservative agricultural management strategies pursue long-term ecological benefits through practices such as no-tillage, cover crop, and inherent soil properties management. Farmers, however, are often hesitant to adopt such practices due to lack of experience, initial expense, and concern for low crop productivity. Overcoming this barrier requires novel approaches, such as effectively managing the soil microbiome to attain high productivity at a low cost, especially in a semi-arid region. To study the potential of conservation agriculture, we investigated components of soil bacterial community and rhizobial diversity in long-term experimental cotton fields divided into conventional tillage monoculture systems with winter fallow (CT) and no-tillage with mixed cover crop (M-NT) system on the Texas High Plain (THP). We conducted next-generation amplicon sequencing targeting rpoB gene with collected soil samples from different soil managements and seasons. Our research revealed that although CT had significantly greater bacterial diversity and species richness than the M-NT management, rhizobial diversity and species richness were higher in M-NT than in CT management. Both bacterial and rhizobial diversity and richness were greater in summer than in fall. The abundance of the order Rhizobiales was consistently high in M-NT than in CT fields in both seasons. Soil management altered the dominant rhizobial genus associated with cotton production systems; Rhizobium and Pararhizobium dominated M-NT management, while Bradyrhizobium and Sinorhizobium were dominant under CT management. These outcomes suggest that incorporating legumes into a cover crop in this semi-arid cotton-growing region can initiate beneficial changes to the dynamics of the indigenous rhizobial assemblage. The high prediction accuracy of our machine learning model using bacterial community data classifying the managements as CT or M-NT validates the possibilities of a strong underlying relationship between soil management and the bacterial diversity in the soil.

Spatial behaviors and seasonal habitat use of the increasingly endangered thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha)

The thick-billed parrot (Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha) inhabits highland pine forests in the Sierra Madre Occidental ranges of northwestern Mexico. Their populations have declined significantly to < 2000 individuals due to habitat loss, illegal hunting and increasing predation. Despite their ecological and cultural importance and increasingly endangered status, the species is data deficient. Our study aimed to inform and enhance conservation management strategies for thick-billed parrots with information on their spatial ecology, habitat use, migratory behaviors and social associations. We deployed biotelemetry devices to conduct the first tracking study of wild thick-billed parrots. Our study revealed that thick-billed parrots are seasonal migrators, departing their breeding habitats around October and returning from southern habitats around April. Our research also identified previously unknown overwintering sites and migratory stopover locations, as well as a new nesting site. The parrots exhibited high spatial variability in range shifting behavior, but all tracked parrots exhibited range shifts during migration, with durations of 3–181 days and distances of 173–765 km. They traveled in close social groups and migratory routes primarily followed high-elevation forests along the Sierra Madre Occidental ranges. Home range analysis indicated smaller breeding site ranges and larger overwintering ranges, possibly reflecting nesting constraints and winter food resource dispersion. Parrot spatial associations favored high-elevation forest landscapes with tall and wide-trunked trees, underscoring the importance of preserving old-growth forests for nesting and foraging. Less than 20% of parrot habitats have formal regulatory protections. Conservation management efforts must focus on increasing protections for nesting areas, overwintering habitats, and key migratory stopover sites. As climate change exacerbates regional threats, integrated management plans involving local stakeholders and communities are essential for the parrots' long-term survival and the preservation of their old-growth forest habitats.

Distribution of sika deer (Cervus nippon) and the bioclimatic impact on their habitats in South Korea

Invasive species and climate change are primary factors influencing biodiversity, and examining the behavior of invasive species is essential for effective conservation management. Here, we report the global distribution of the sika deer (Cervus nippon) based on locations reported in published literature (Google Scholar), the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature report. We used the maximum entropy (Maxent) model to examine the impact of climate change on sika deer habitats in South Korea based on GBIF occurrence data and WorldClim bioclimatic variables. Habitat suitability analysis was performed using the Maxent model under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and 8.5 (for predicted climatic conditions in both 2050 and 2070) to project the effects of different climate change scenarios on South Korean sika deer habitats. We identified that the sika deer is distributed in 39 countries worldwide. Due to climate change effects, South Korean sika deer habitats will decline by approximately 24.98% and 20.63% (under RCP 4.5) and by 50.51% and 57.35% (under RCP 8.5) by 2050 and 2070, respectively. Our findings shed light on sika deer ecology and provide reference data for future conservation management strategies and policy design.

Decoding the DNA of scat and the application of genetic methodologies to understanding carnivore diet

Carnivore species are vital to ecosystem function and maintenance. One key component to understanding carnivore ecology and the most effective means of management is knowledge of dietary resource use. Traditional methods used to study carnivore diet, such as microhistology, have several technical and logistical shortcomings. These have hindered the quality and quantity of data that shape understanding of how carnivores exploit prey. Advances in genetic methodologies and their application to wildlife biology has transformed the manner in which information about species can be gained. DNA metabarcoding is one such example. With this approach, genetic sequences present in scat can be determined via next-generation sequencing and matched to reference databases, revealing the carnivore that deposited the scat and the prey it consumed. DNA metabarcoding has the ability to overcome many of the previous challenges associated with dietary analysis and works to advance and inform current knowledge surrounding carnivore ecology, predatorprey relationships, conflicts between carnivores and humans, and potential adaptability to large-scale landscape shifts. Its use has provided novel insights on numerous carnivore species to help inform research priorities and wildlife policies, including those living in unique fragile environments such as the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China. The continued development and increased capacity of molecular dietary analysis via DNA metabarcoding has the promise to grossly improve carnivore conservation management strategies on a global scale.

Assessment of long-term water demand for the Mgeni system using Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) model considering demographics and extended dry climate periods

The Mgeni System is recognised as the main source of water supply for the Durban and Pietermaritzburg region in South Africa. This area is regarded as the primary economic hub of KwaZulu-Natal Province, and this brings about a high level of demographic pressure, with potential water supply problems in the future. This study investigates the water resource situation in the Mgeni System and evaluates future supply and demand accounting based on the (Water Evaluation and Planning) WEAP software. WEAP was used to analyse the study area for the period 2009–2050 to assess the impacts of various scenarios on future water supply shortfalls. Four scenarios were used, which take into account changing population growth rates and extended dry climates. The study found that the catchment is relatively sensitive to changes in population growth and extended dry climates, and this will alter the water availability significantly, causing a water supply deficit. In response to the projected future water demands, one technique to overcome the unmet demand is by introducing water conservation and demand management (WC/DM) strategies to reduce the water losses and shortfall encountered. By implementing adequate measures, water losses can be reduced, preventing water scarcity and giving decision makers time to provide further solutions to water supply problems.

The umbrella value of caribou management strategies for biodiversity conservation in boreal forests under global change

Single-species conservation management is often proposed to preserve biodiversity in human-disturbed landscapes. How global change will impact the umbrella value of single-species management strategies remains an open question of critical conservation importance. We assessed the effectiveness of threatened boreal caribou as an umbrella for bird and beetle conservation under global change. We combined mechanistic, spatially explicit models of forest dynamics and predator-prey interactions to forecast the impact of management strategies on the survival of boreal caribou in boreal forest. We then used predictive models of species occupancy to characterize concurrent impacts on bird and beetle diversity. Landscapes were simulated based on three scenarios of climate change and four of forest management. We found that strategies that best mitigate human impact on boreal caribou were an effective umbrella for maintaining bird and beetle assemblages. While we detected a stronger effect of land-use change compared to climate change, the umbrella value of management strategies for caribou habitat conservation were still impacted by the severity of climate change. Our results showed an interplay among changes in forest attributes, boreal caribou mortality, as well as bird and beetle species assemblages. The conservation status of some species mandates the development of recovery strategies, highlighting the importance of our study which shows that single-species conservation can have important umbrella benefits despite global change.

Distribution patterns of alpine flora for long-term monitoring of global change along a wide elevational gradient in the Western Himalayas

In the current context of climate change, the Western Himalayas are thought to be warming faster than the global average rate. Despite this rapid warming, our understanding of alpine vegetation composition and the underlying factors shaping its patterns in the Western Himalayan alpine highlands of Pakistan remains limited. Extensive field sampling was conducted at 24 sites ranging in altitude from 3300 m to 4200 m. The entire altitudinal range was divided into three belts i.e., low-altitude sites, medium-altitude sites, and high-altitude sites (HAS). Results revealed that alpine flora consisted of 251 species (belonging to 51 families. The findings revealed that 83 of the 251 species evaluated contributed significantly to the change in species composition between three altitudinal sites. The species that contributed the most to the variance in species composition between communities made up 75 % of the total, demonstrating that these species are important in structuring plant communities at different altitudes. Among the alpine flora, a significant (49 %) dominance was observed from nine families, comprising a total of 123 species. The largest family, Asteraceae, had the highest number of species, followed by Poaceae and Rosaceae. Hemicryptophytes emerged as the prevailing life form, while Microphylls were the dominant leaf type. Phytosociological Indices revealed that diversity levels decreased with increasing altitude, indicating a significant impact of altitude on plant diversity. Canonical correspondence analysis suggested that altitude, grazing, and soil erosion are important in explaining variance in plant distribution patterns in the alpine flora. Twelve indicator species were discovered in three different altitudinal groups. In the LAS, Bistorta affinis, Geranium himalayense, Poa nemoralis, and Sibbaldia cuneata, had a significant indicator value, whereas in the medium-altitude sites MAS Allium humile, Bistorta affinis, Juniperus communis, and Rhododendron campanulatum had significant p-values. In high altitude sites HAS, indicator plants were Bistorta affinis, Juniperus communis. Our results identified 51 vulnerable species with very low abundance values whereas 17 threatened species having extremely low (<0.1) abundance values are a vital conservation priority in the region. Results may be helpful to formulate immediate conservation management strategies to conserve the precious floristic wealth of the alpine Region.

Biodiversity data synthesis on trees of Indian Himalayan Region: Policy and management implications

The recent adoption of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework requires empirical synthesis of biodiversity data spanning across broad biogeographic scales to inform conservation policy and management. Although the availability and access to biodiversity databases have recently improved, yet majority of these databases lack sufficient geographic coverage, especially from the biodiversity hotspot regions of developing countries, thereby severely limiting their utility and generalizability across the globe. Here, we present a comprehensive tree database (2199 species) of the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) – home to two global biodiversity hotspots – collated from a quantitative synthesis of 234 studies published over the last one century. Taking leverage of this novel database, we unravel the patterns of diversity, distribution, and drivers of the trees of IHR. We found that the species richness, compositional similarity, distribution patterns, and biome affiliation of the tree diversity vary significantly across the IHR, with nearly half of the tree species affiliated with the wet tropical biome. Of the 10 climatic and environmental drivers used, the annual mean temperature and elevation width in combination best predicted the variation in tree diversity across the IHR. We also document 117 endemic and 88 threatened tree species in the IHR, which merit conservation priority. Our findings have significant utility in formulating management and restoration strategies for biodiversity conservation across the IHR. Overall, our study showcases a model biodiversity database with wide policy implications in the planning and management of tree-focussed environmental programs to restore the degraded forest landscapes and plantation-specific climate change mitigation strategies in the region.