We summarised active surveillance data to identify patterns and ecological factors correlated with AIV detection in wild birds, through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We screened 2851 articles from the PubMed and Scopus databases, out of which 197 met our eligibility criteria and were selected for further analysis. The dataset encompassed 367 wild bird species from 72 avian families. The pooled prevalence of sampled birds was 4.80% (95% CI: [3.91-5.77%]) across 900,469 samples collected during the period 1971-2023, with substantial heterogeneity ( ) across studies. Among continents, Central America displayed the highest prevalence at 9.89% (95% CI: [2.25-21.99%]), albeit based on relatively few samples (n=4205). In temperate regions, prevalence peaked in autumn, at 5.82% (95% CI: [3.84-8.15%]), while in tropical regions, prevalence was notably higher during the dry season (2.33%, 95% CI: [0.38-5.54%]) than during the wet season (0.22%, 95% CI: [0.00-0.90%]). Prevalence varied significantly across avian families, with Anatidae, the most extensively sampled family, exhibiting a prevalence of 6.19% (95% CI: [5.10-7.37%]). Migratory species and those associated with freshwater habitats also exhibited higher AIV detection. Moreover, meta-regression analyses revealed that seasonal patterns of AIV detection differed across regions. Despite this, high heterogeneity across studies remained, likely driven by differences in surveillance intensity, diagnostic methods, and unmeasured ecological factors. This meta-analysis highlights key spatial, taxonomic, and temporal patterns in AIV prevalence among sampled birds. The findings underscore the need for harmonised, representative surveillance to better anticipate emerging avian influenza risks.

Tailoring electrocatalytic performance for ORR of medium-entropy Ruddlesden-Popper type electrode through rational ionic potential design.

This study presents an integrated, multi-criteria spatial assessment for the sustainable siting of OWFs around the island of Crete, combining expert-derived weights, a GIS-based weighted overlay analysis, and an updated socio-environmental exclusion framework. Sixteen evaluation criteria were incorporated, reflecting environmental, technical, economic, and socio-political dimensions, each adapted to the unique geographic and ecological conditions of the Mediterranean island environment. Results confirm the robustness of the original multi-criteria model while refining local suitability by incorporating real environmental evidence. In particular, areas characterised by circalittoral rocky substrates and low biodiversity (e.g., Agios Nikolaos, Chersonissos) align with previously identified high-suitability zones. In contrast, sites under archaeological or ecological protection (e.g., Zakros, Elounda–Spinalonga) were validated as unsuitable. Several areas along the northern and eastern coasts emerged as comparatively favourable due to the combination of strong wind potential and relatively short distances to existing transmission infrastructure and coastal access points. Approximately 493 km 2 of marine areas were classified as moderately to highly suitable. Detailed engineering, geotechnical, financial, and grid-integration analyses would be required to assess practical feasibility and project-scale implementation. Nevertheless, the analysis also underscores the importance of integrating ecological sensitivity into planning processes, particularly for migratory birds and species that rely on soaring–gliding flight. Overall, the findings indicate that Crete has significant spatial potential for offshore wind development within a strategic planning framework, particularly given advances in floating wind technologies and ongoing grid interconnection projects. • Integrated AHP–GIS framework for offshore wind siting in island environments • Multi-stakeholder weighting captures technical, environmental and social constraints • Suitability mapping identifies priority offshore wind zones around Crete • Field-based ROV surveys validate seabed conditions and refine spatial decisions • Methodology supports adaptive offshore wind planning in the Mediterranean

The Mekong giant catfish ( Pangasianodon gigas ) is a large, migratory species endemic to the Mekong Basin. Owing to declining abundance and a shrinking distribution, it is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Bycatch is a major contributor to the decline of P. gigas and many other threatened freshwater fishes; yet monitoring is difficult, and data are often lacking. We investigated bycatch of P. gigas in the Cambodian Mekong River system. Between October 1999 and January 2025, we documented (i) 132 wild P. gigas caught as bycatch, with high survival (>83%) upon release; (ii) seasonal peaks during the October–January migration; (iii) declining body weight over time, indicating shifts in demographic structure; and (iv) spatial and temporal catch patterns showing broad distribution across the Tonle Sap and Mekong main channels, confirming continued use of historical migration routes. Incidental capture occurs at all life stages, in many locations, particularly between October and January each year, and bycatch is a major source of mortality for the species, alongside other threats. This research underscores the underappreciated importance of bycatch in freshwater ecosystems and highlights the value of integrating fisher participation and knowledge into conservation strategies to balance species protection with sustainable livelihoods. • Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) is a critically endangered flagship species endemic to the Mekong River, whose population trends, distribution, and habitat remain little known • Giant catfish bycatch data were recorded during the last 25 years and show a broad distribution of the species across the Tonle Sap and Mekong main channels, with bycatch peaks during migration season (October–January) • Captures became more abundant in the last years, indicating a possible recovery of the species, but this is mitigated by a decline in the body size of the captured specimens. • Collecting bycatch data is an efficient way to follow population trends and to involve fishermen with conservation actions, with limited detrimental impact on the species (83% of the specimens captured were released to the water after capture)

Molecular detection of avian hemoparasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus) in resident and migratory birds from an urban fragment of tropical dry forest in northern Colombia.

Larimichthys polyactis is a transboundary migratory fish species targeted intensively by fisheries in China, Japan and South Korea, and it is currently subjected to substantial fishing pressure. Clarifying population delineation is critical for the sustainable management of overexploited fish stocks such as this species. For skeletal phenotypic analysis, we collected 30 adult specimens from each of six sampling stations in the Southern Yellow Sea and East China Sea during 2017-2018. Discriminant analysis cross-validation yielded an average classification success rate of 74%. Canonical variate and cluster analyses further divided the populations into four distinct units: Group I (West Coast of Korea Group), an independent cluster from the Yellow Sea offshore station; Group II (Northern Yellow-Bohai Group: Haizhou Bay); Group III (Southern Yellow Sea: Yancheng and Lusi); and Group IV (East China Sea: Zhoushan and Xiangshan). Thin-plate spline analysis revealed that L. polyactis from the Southern Yellow Sea exhibited a lower head height and shorter spine length. In contrast, the East China Sea population displayed a higher head height and longer spine length, exhibiting the streamlined morphological characteristics of a "smaller head, slender body". This study provides evidence for the reliability of skeletal morphology in delineating the population structure of L. polyactis. Knowledge of this population structure contributes to resource assessment and effective fishery management.

Understanding movement ecology across life-history stages is critical for conserving declining migratory species. The Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), a grassland songbird, exhibits complex spatial behaviors shaped by annual cycle stage, landscape context, and environmental conditions. We investigated the movement ecology of adult male Bobolinks across three stages of the annual cycle using satellite tracking. We deployed Sunbird Argos satellite tags on 26 adult male Bobolinks from two breeding sites in the northeastern United States: one large, continuous grassland and one small, isolated site. Using continuous-time movement models, we estimated home range size and composition, analyzed movement patterns during nesting, post-fledging, and fall migration periods, and compared these parameters between sites. We documented nocturnal pre-migratory flights and used multiple linear regression to assess environmental and geographic factors associated with stopover movement. During nesting, males at the large site maintained larger home ranges with greater grassland cover than males at the isolated small site. By the post-fledging period, home range sizes no longer differed between sites, although home ranges at the large site still contained a higher proportion of grassland. We recorded temporary movements outside of established home ranges (forays) of up to 17 km during the nesting period, potentially linked to extra-pair mating, and provided evidence of nocturnal pre-migratory flights in most individuals. During migration, stopover home-range size was only moderately associated with temporal and environmental variables and was not influenced by landscape context. This study represents one of the first applications of fine-scale satellite tags on small migratory passerines across multiple annual cycle stages. It extends evidence of breeding-season forays and nocturnal pre-migratory flights to a grassland specialist, highlighting the behavioral flexibility of Bobolinks across seasons. Bobolinks adapted their space use and movement strategies to meet varying ecological demands. Our study emphasized the need to maintain connected grassland networks to support breeding populations and protect key Caribbean stopover sites to sustain Bobolinks along their long-distance migration route.

The European eel stock (Anguilla anguilla) is outside safe biological limits. A range-wide stock assessment requires the creation and standardisation of databases that include information on eels and their habitats in different countries throughout their distribution range. The SUDOANG 1.0.4 database compiles standardised data on river courses in France and the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). Using GIS tools, information on water surface and on other potential aquatic habitats surrounding each river segment has been collected. This common river network provides tools to quickly accumulate information along the river or along the natural path of migration from/to the sea. The database also compiles information on the surface of other habitats, human pressures (including 106400 obstacles), and provides eel abundance and biometric estimations derived from the Eel Density Analysis (EDA) model at the river reach scale for the reference year 2015. The river network supports ecological assessment of the eel habitats, and should also be useful for studies on other migratory species.

The present study examined fish biodiversity, livelihood dependence, cultural importance, and genetic connectivity in two ecologically linked habitats of the Sylhet region, Bangladesh: Hakaluki Haor and the Surma River. Surveys documented 60 fish species with distinct assemblage patterns between sites. Hakaluki Haor was dominated by floodplain spawners and small indigenous species that contribute to year-round subsistence harvests, whereas the Surma River supported a greater proportion of migratory and pelagic species, most notably Tenualosa ilisha. These ecological contrasts reflected differences in hydrology, habitat diversity, and fishing intensity. Household surveys confirmed the central role of fisheries in sustaining income and food security, while cultural practices surrounding hilsa consumption reinforced local stewardship norms. Mitochondrial cytochrome b sequence analysis of T. ilisha revealed low genetic differentiation between sites, indicating a single, well-connected stock maintained by seasonal flooding and the absence of major migration barriers. This convergence of ecological and genetic evidence supports treating the two sites as an integrated management unit. Effective conservation will require protecting hydrological connectivity, safeguarding dry season refugia, coordinating seasonal fishing restrictions across habitats, and incorporating cultural values into policy frameworks. The findings strengthen the scientific basis for national and regional conservation strategies and demonstrate the value of combining biological, socio-economic, and cultural dimensions in managing connected wetland–river systems. This approach can serve as a transferable model for other tropical floodplain–river complexes facing similar ecological and livelihood challenges.

Migratory species may influence structural components of species assemblages, such as biomass and diversity patterns. A total of 10 ship-based, strip-transect seabird surveys were undertaken in all seasons (2019–2024) off the northeast coast of Northland, Aotearoa/New Zealand. Almost all seabird species recorded were migratory or wide-ranging dispersive (23 of 25). Multivariate model-based ordinations revealed that season primarily explained species assemblages, while including environmental variables such as sea surface temperature and chlorophyll- a (useful proxies for studying seabird distribution) offered little extra explanatory power at the assemblage level. There was no clear spatial pattern in the assemblages, suggesting that the study area was used uniformly by the species present at the time. The total seabird biomass present was strongly influenced by the seasonal occurrence of four medium-sized, migratory procellariiforms: tāiko (black petrel), rako (Buller’s shearwater), ōi (grey-faced petrel) and toanui (flesh-footed shearwater). The biomass estimates showed an eight-fold increase from winter (243 kg/km 2 ) to summer (1885 kg/km 2 ). Northland will likely be the first region in Aotearoa/New Zealand to experience the consequences of oceanic warming. The study establishes a baseline against which to measure potential future changes in seabird occurrences. Based on descriptive and modelling approaches, the study demonstrated the role of species’ phenologies in shaping assemblages of seabird species and their impact on total estimated biomass, which may affect ecosystem functioning and energy fluxes. • First quantitative data on seabird assemblages off northeast Aotearoa/New Zealand. • Composition of oceanic seabird assemblages were primarily explained by season. • Approximate eight-fold increase in seabird biomass from winter to summer. • High numbers of migratory and wide-ranging dispersive species were recorded throughout the year. • Four medium-sized procellariforms characterised seasonal assemblages.

Coastal environments are amongst the most heavily impacted and threatened natural systems. One group of threatened species that are reliant on coastal ecosystems for survival are migratory shorebirds. These birds often consume invertebrates on mudflats, however, the nutritional sources for these invertebrates likely derive from other areas of the coastal system, such as saltmarsh and mangroves. It is critical that these nutrient provisioning habitats are identified, so they can be protected or restored to the benefit of shorebirds. The aim of this study was to identify the primary producers underpinning shorebird food chains. We quantified among- and within-species variation in basal nutrition in two threatened migratory shorebird species, the Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica and the Curlew Sandpiper Calidris ferruginea , at three sites of international significance – two sites on Australia’s west coast, and a third on the east coast. We measured the δ 15 N and δ 13 C isotopic composition of each shorebird species and the dominant primary producers at each location. In some sites, benthic organic matter from mudflats was the top contributor to the birds’ nutrition, highlighting the value of this poorly protected habitat type for provisioning shorebirds. Other highly contributing primary producers to shorebird nutrition include mangroves at one west coast site, and saltmarsh and mangroves at the east coast site. Our results suggest that shorebirds and their invertebrate prey likely show dietary plasticity at differing spatial scales, indicating that local-scale analyses are critical to revealing the dominant habitats that support shorebird food chains. • Migratory shorebirds are a threatened group of birds reliant on coastal habitats. • Stable isotopes were used to identify habitats provisioning shorebird food chains. • The top contributing primary producers to shorebird nutrition varied by location. • Shorebirds and their prey likely show dietary plasticity across spatial scales. • Local-scale analysis is needed to reveal habitats that support shorebird food chains.

ABSTRACT Guano samples were collected from nine bat roosts across Bosnia and Herzegovina (caves, tunnels and an abandoned underground quarry) between August 2021 and November 2022. Samples originated from colonies of both sedentary and migratory species. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn) were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). A composite PTI (based on normalised Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn) was calculated to support spatial screening, and KDE mapping was used to visualise the clustering of higher-index sites. Two sites showed evidence of direct anthropogenic pressure, while several others may have been indirectly influenced. Sites associated with anthropogenic activities were compared with those outside apparent pollution sources. The highest concentrations were observed for Fe, Zn, Mn and Cu. Marked interspecific differences at the same site suggest that migratory behaviour and roosting habits may modulate exposure to pollutants. This pilot study provides baseline data for Bosnia and Herzegovina and supports the use of bat guano as a non-invasive biomonitoring matrix for PTE contamination.

Abstract Ferroelectric AlScN is a premier candidate for next-generation non-volatile memories and in-memory computing, yet its reliability degradation mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate a pronounced polarity dependence in the time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) statistics of AlScN capacitors and its suppression via plasma oxidation (PO). For as-deposited Al0.7Sc0.3N and Al0.8Sc0.2N, Weibull analysis reveals that the shape parameter (β) is significantly smaller under positive top-electrode bias than under negative bias, suggesting a universal, polarity-sensitive breakdown process. We propose that field-driven migration of near-surface oxygen species modulates defect-network evolution in a polarity-dependent manner. To validate this, the Al0.8Sc0.2N surface was modified by PO. Angle-resolved HAXPES confirmed enhanced near-surface oxidation, and J–V measurements showed reduced leakage current. Crucially, TDDB analysis demonstrated that PO strongly suppresses the polarity dependence of β, consistent with our proposed model. Finally, the voltage acceleration coefficient and 10-year lifetime voltage were evaluated.

ABSTRACT The effects of wind energy on flying insects remain unclear, particularly in semi-arid landscapes. This study examined seasonal patterns and environmental drivers of Lepidoptera and Odonata across three wind farms. From 372 transects surveyed between 2021 and 2023, we recorded 22,738 individuals belonging to 144 species, including four species newly documented for Mexico. Species richness and composition of lepidopterans and odonates varied among sites and seasons, with the highest diversity in fall. Indicator analyses revealed taxa associated with specific sites and seasons, while canonical ordination indicated that temperature, wind speed, solar radiation, and humidity were the main gradients shaping community structure. Lepidoptera were consistently more abundant, dominated by migratory species in fall, whereas Odonata patterns reflected microclimatic and seasonal water availability. Overall, marked seasonal turnover and high fall abundance suggest potential interactions with migration routes, underscoring the need to integrate insect data into wind energy planning and impact mitigation.

Wetlands function as dynamic habitats that sustain rich avian diversity, offering good resources for both resident and migratory bird species. A detailed survey was conducted at Jagatpur Wetland in district Bhagalpur, Bihar. The present study was carried out from January 2023 to May 2025 to assess the avian and fish diversity at Jagatpur Wetland. During the study a total of 143 bird species were recorded, including 99 resident, 8 local migratory, and 36 migratory species. Based on conservation status, 1 species was recorded as endangered, 3 species as Vulnerable, 5 species as Near Threatened, and 134 species under the Least Concern category. These birds belong to 19 orders and 48 families, showing high taxonomic avian diversity. Along with avifaunal diversity, 24 fish species belonging to 5 orders and 13 families were also documented from this wetland. Fish diversity is ecologically important for many bird species depend on fish as their primary food source. The availability of diverse fish fauna increases food resources and attracts several piscivorous and semi-piscivorous birds, thereby supporting high avian diversity in the wetland. Besides, this wetland is also facing several anthropogenic threats like road construction, habitat disturbance, noise pollution, and increased human activity associated with road development adversely affecting bird populations and their natural behavior. The excessive growth of Eichhornia species has also accelerated eutrophication processes, further reducing the overall depth of the wetland. Therefore, urgent conservation and effective management measures are necessary to reduce threats and ensure the long-term sustainability of this important wetland ecosystem. These findings underscore the ecological significance of Jagatpur Wetland as a vital habitat supporting diverse bird communities.

Abstract Internal self-discharge poses a critical yet often overlooked challenge for the commercialization of solid-state batteries. It arises from the migration of mobile species, typically cations, between the electrodes driven by chemical potential gradients, leading to a gradual loss of charge even during storage, thus ultimately undermining efficiency, reliability and long-term viability. Unlike liquid-electrolyte batteries, self-discharge in solid-state batteries can be attributed to minor electronic leakage currents through the solid separator, which slowly drain the battery’s stored charge. Here we present an analytical model describing reversible internal self-discharge arising from residual electronic conductivity and the chemical potential gradient in the solid separator, depending on its intrinsic thermodynamic stability or artificial stabilization strategies. Our analysis highlights the need for accurate quantification of electronic properties in solid-state separators and the influence of material stability ranges by reviewing reports on different solid separator classes to guide separator selection, materials engineering and overall solid-state cell design.

Abstract Nitrogen-based fertilizers are frequently employed in bioremediation to stimulate microbial degradation of hydrocarbon contaminants. At Casey Station, in eastern Antarctica, a urea-based fertilizer was applied to seven engineered biopiles to remediate soils impacted by historic diesel spills. While this treatment enhanced hydrocarbon degradation, it also altered soil chemistry, resulting in elevated concentrations of ammonia and nitrite. If left unmanaged, the reuse of nutrient-enriched soils poses a risk of off-site migration of soluble nitrogen species, potentially impacting adjacent ecosystems. To assess the feasibility of large-scale nutrient removal, we developed and optimized a laboratory-scale soil washing protocol aimed at reducing excess nitrogen in partially remediated soils. Three intensive washing treatments were evaluated, achieving removal of over 60% of water-extractable ammonia and 95% of nitrite. Quantitative PCR was employed to quantify total bacterial abundance (16S rRNA) and key nitrogen cycling functional groups, including ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (amoA), Nitrospira spp. (16S rRNA), and Nitrobacter-like nitrite oxidizers (nxrA). Soil health assessments revealed significant ( p < 0.05) shifts in nitrifying community composition between pre-washed biopile soils and uncontaminated reference soils. Post-washing, bacterial abundances declined in proportion to treatment intensity, with Nitrospira and Nitrobacter spp. exhibiting delayed recovery relative to ammonia oxidizers, suggesting greater sensitivity of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria to washing-induced disturbance. Despite initial nutrient removal, both laboratory and field observations indicated re-accumulation of nitrite, likely driven by residual ammonium. These findings highlight the importance of optimizing nutrient removal strategies to not only reduce contaminants, but to also minimize the impacts from the removal process on the endemic microbial communities.

Climate change is now being seen as one of the major factors of ecological change, which affects wildlife distribution, migration patterns, and the reproductive behaviors of various ecosystems. The paper will examine interactive effects of climate change on nature, species distribution, migration dynamics and reproductive behavior, using the long-term climate data (1980–2024), the species occurrence facts, the migration follow-ups and the evidence of reproductive phenology in several taxa of wildlife. Species distribution modeling revealed considerable poleward and altitudinal changes, terrestrial species with a range shift distance of 1725 km/decade and montane species with an altitude shift of 11 19 m/decade. Sensitivity of the climate-sensitive groups to habitat decrease was more evident with the amphibians, which have shrub habitats reduced by 17-22%. Migration measures demonstrated not only progression of spring migration by 6-11 days but also decreased length of migration paths ( some 220 km ) and times in stopover (3-4 days). Earlier breeding indicated through the reproductive assessments by 512 days but with reduced reproductive performance with a 115% decline in nesting success along with a 15.8% decrease in juvenile survivability through phenological disjunction with food. The comparison with related literature affirms that there is good correspondence with the global trends in addition to pointing out the increased disruption of the past decades. In general, these findings indicate that climate change is a multidimensional stressor, as it can simultaneously impair habitats availability, movement behavior, and reproductive success and increase long-term risks to population stability and biodiversity conservation among the wildlife.

The persisting threats on migratory bird populations highlight the urgent need for effective monitoring techniques that could assist in their conservation. Among these, passive acoustic monitoring is an essential tool, particularly for nocturnal migratory species that are difficult to track otherwise. This work presents the Nocturnal Bird Migration (NBM) dataset, a collection of 13,359 annotated vocalizations from 117 species of the Western Palearctic, compiled through a crowd-sourcing effort. The dataset includes precise time and frequency annotations gathered by dozens of bird enthusiasts across France, enabling the automatic extraction of vocalizations in audio recordings and, further, novel downstream acoustic analysis. This comprises the development of a novel two-stage deep object detection model optimized for audio data, achieving competitive accuracy on the 45 most represented species, comparable to state-of-the-art systems trained on substantially larger datasets.

The Mediterranean coast hosts a high diversity of birds, with resident, wintering, and migratory species that coexist according to seasonal patterns. This study highlights the strategic role of urban green spaces in the conservation of avifauna, focusing on Montjuïc hill (Barcelona), which integrates natural habitats with ornamental and themed gardens. Between December 2023 and November 2024, over the course of 144 fieldwork days, 8,974 individuals of 75 bird species were recorded. Resident species predominated (32.00 %), followed by trans-Saharan migrants (28.00 %) and wintering species (24.00 %). Curruca melanocephala, Phylloscopus collybita, and Ficedula hypoleuca were the most abundant species within their respective groups. Species richness reached maximum values in spring and autumn, coinciding with the temporal overlap of migratory and wintering species. Natural areas, dominated by open habitats, concentrated more wintering and trans-Saharan migratory species. The phenological spectrum of some species indicates a regular use of Montjuïc as a stopover area during seasonal movements.