Natural Forest Habitat Research Articles

Deep-learning exploration of the acoustic granularity of bat habitats

Many bat species are able to find their way through densely vegetated habitats and select their microhabitats to suit their respective needs. This raises the question as to how granular the natural habitats of bats are when sensed through the echoes triggered by the animals' biosonar pulses. To investigate this question, a portable biomimetic sonar head has been used to collect about 40 000 foliage echoes across a natural forest site on the Virginia Tech campus that was approximately 250 × 140 m2 in size. Each recorded echo was assigned a spatial location that was estimated from the outputs of a concurrently operated GPS receiver. These spatial locations were then used to cluster the echoes into a varying number of compact patches using a k-means clustering algorithm. To determine whether these spatial patches could be determined from the echoes, a convolutional neural network based on the ResNet50 architecture was trained to classify the echoes with respect to their spatial labels. Even based on just a single echo, up to 100 different spatial patches could be distinguished in this way with accuracies greater than 95%. These results demonstrate that bat biosonar can capture sensory information for small-scale navigation in natural forest habitats.

Habitat association and population size of the Madeira Firecrest (Regulus madeirensis)

Basic population information is often lacking for recently recognized species, yet such information is essential for conservation and management. This study provides a detailed assessment of population size and habitat association in the Madeira Firecrest (Regulus madeirensis). Species abundance and habitat data were collected using a point transect distance sampling method. Estimates of density per habitat type were made, in conjunction with presence and absence data derived from the Madeira bird atlas, to estimate population size and habitat associations. We estimate the population size of the Madeira Firecrest to be 698,300 (95% CI: 523,540–869,960), which greatly exceeds the 10,000 individuals threshold for the IUCN “Vulnerable” category. Distribution and abundance were strongly associated with laurel and heath forest, with 56% of the population found in these 2 habitats. Historically, much of the native laurel and heath forest was lost on Madeira, but these remnant native forest habitats are now protected. Based on the large population size and successful management of the laurel forest habitat, our results suggest there is no immediate risk of a change in conservation status for the Madeira Firecrest.

Habitat association and population size of the Madeira Firecrest (Regulus madeirensis)

Basic population information is often lacking for recently recognized species, yet such information is essential for conservation and management. This study provides a detailed assessment of population size and habitat association in the Madeira Firecrest (Regulus madeirensis). Species abundance and habitat data were collected using a point transect distance sampling method. Estimates of density per habitat type were made, in conjunction with presence and absence data derived from the Madeira bird atlas, to estimate population size and habitat associations. We estimate the population size of the Madeira Firecrest to be 698,300 (95% CI: 523,540–869,960), which greatly exceeds the 10,000 individuals threshold for the IUCN “Vulnerable” category. Distribution and abundance were strongly associated with laurel and heath forest, with 56% of the population found in these 2 habitats. Historically, much of the native laurel and heath forest was lost on Madeira, but these remnant native forest habitats are now protected. Based on the large population size and successful management of the laurel forest habitat, our results suggest there is no immediate risk of a change in conservation status for the Madeira Firecrest.

An Experimental Analysis of Perch Diameter and Substrate Preferences of Anolis Lizards from Natural Forest and Urban Habitats

Determining whether organisms have preferences for certain aspects of the habitat is important for understanding the process of habitat selection. Anolis lizards (anoles) have evolved to occupy distinct parts of the arboreal environment. Depending on the population or species, anoles perch on different aspects of the structural habitat varying in diameter, height, and type of substrate. We used laboratory and mesocosm trials to assess whether 2 species of Anolis lizards have preferences for the diameter and type of substrate they use for perching. Results reveal A. cristatellus and A. sagrei both prefer larger diameter perches. Lizards from natural forests and urban populations showed no difference in perch-diameter preference. In contrast, A. sagrei from an urban site overwhelmingly preferred to perch on wood substrates over polyvinyl chloride and metal ones. The larger diameter and wood substrates preferred by anoles in our trials should confer increased locomotor performance for these species based on previous studies. Rapid environmental change caused by humans can decouple the relationship between habitat preferences and fitness, so it is essential to test for changing preferences in organisms that experience urbanization and other forms of global change.

Nectar provision attracts hummingbirds and connects interaction networks across habitats

Many ecosystems have been modified by humans, creating novel habitats that include human‐provided resources. Gardens adjacent to native habitats may affect plant–pollinator interactions by altering the determinants of interactions and species specialization. Here, we characterized a network comprising plants and hummingbirds interacting in a birdwatching garden with human‐provided resources (nectar feeders and exotic plants) and adjacent Andean cloud forest in Colombia. Specifically, we investigated the proportion of hummingbirds visiting feeders and native/exotic plants to evaluate the connection between the habitats and the ecological determinants of the interaction network. Hummingbirds relied heavily on artificial nectar feeders in the garden, leaving the natural cloud forest for resources. Morphological matching was the single most important predictor of the observed pairwise interactions, for both hummingbirds and plants. At the species level, longer flowering phenology and a higher amount of sugar in nectar led to a higher degree for plants (i.e. the number of visiting hummingbird species). In contrast, a longer floral corolla was associated with lower specialization. Abundance was the best predictor of the number of partners for hummingbirds. The garden created for birdwatching attracted most, but not all, hummingbird species beyond their natural cloud forest habitat. Interestingly, the most frequently visited plants in the garden were native, especially the endemic and endangered tree Zygia lehmannii (Fabaceae). Our results show that some ecological mechanisms determining interactions in natural communities still hold in intensively modified habitats. Furthermore, a compromise between conservation and hummingbirds’ attraction to birding lodges/gardens is possible, for instance by favouring native and endemic plant species that are highly attractive for pollinators.

Comparative study of rodents and insectivores in natural and coffee forest habitats of Afalo Area, Gera district, Southwestern Ethiopia

The Comparative study on the diversity, distribution and abundance of rodents and insectivores in natural and coffee forest habitats of Afalo area of Gera district was conducted from August, 2014 to March, 2015. Two sites (coffee forest and natural forest) were identified and employed for the study purpose. Grids were established and representative sample sites were taken from randomly selected of each of the habitat types. Then, the species were sampled by setting traps on randomly selected grids. The specimens of the study animals were trapped by using snap traps and Sherman live traps and identified to the specie level. Skin and skull of some representative specimens were mounted and used for identification of animals in the laboratory. During the present study about 110 individuals were captured, among these, 5 species were rodents and 3 of them were shrews species. Of the total trapped species, Lophuromys flavopunctatus were the most abundant one 35(49.3%), followed by Grammomys dolichuros, and Lophuromys chrysopus 23(47.5%) and 16(29.7%) respectively. Rattus rattus, Mus musculus, Crocidura flavescens, Crocidura fumosa and Crocidura bicolor had 22.2%, 20.7%, 13.3%, 10.7% and 1.4% respectively. Hystrix cristata and Paraxerus ochraceus had the lowest relative abundance (1.4%) each. Hystrix cristata and Paraxerus ochraceus were recorded only from NF habitat. The species abundances were varies with habitats and seasons. There were significant differences in the abundance of rodent and insectivore among the seasons (x2= 2.11, df =1, P

Habitat alteration modifies the structure and function of mixed‐species flocks in an Andean landscape

AbstractUnderstanding the responses of species interactions to land‐use change is a key challenge in ecology and conservation. In the tropical Andes, a large proportion of birds interact with other bird species and create networks of mixed‐species flocks; however, the widespread effects of land‐use change in the region raise concerns about the alteration of these interactions. Here we explored how structural (i.e., species richness and size) and functional (i.e., network connectivity indices) parameters of mixed flocks change along a gradient from open vegetation to native forest habitats. This study was conducted in the southern Andes of Ecuador, where we sampled mixed‐species flocks in 12 areas for five consecutive months, and applied network analysis tools to characterize structural parameters (observed richness, flock size, flock encounter rate, composition) and functional parameters (degree, weighted degree, cluster, and skewness) of flocks. We found that the network indices, degree and weighted degree of species, were positively associated with areas of dense vegetation and native trees. These two network indices indicated that mixed flocks occupying native forest have higher connectivity, a factor that can promote the stability of flocks. The structural parameters of flocks, species richness, and abundance, were not associated with the vegetation structure. Overall, our results show that functional parameters of flocks can be more sensitive than structural parameters to the effects of land‐use change in our study area. We demonstrate the importance of combining the analysis of structure and functionality of flocks to reveal the effects of land‐use change. Lastly, our results highlight the importance of mature native forest for the conservation of species and the maintenance of non‐trophic interactions.Abstract in Spanish is available with online material.

A 150-year avian bio-inventory on a global biodiversity hotspot island

Knowledge of species inventory is crucial for identifying when and where species occur historically and geographically; yet few studies have gathered heterogeneous data from different sources to understand long-term spatio-temporal species dynamics in response to ongoing global environmental change. Hainan Island, China is a global biodiversity hotspot and an important transit station on the longest bird migratory flyway in the world. Here, we compiled a comprehensive database including 452 bird species recorded on Hainan Island. The records covered 150 years (1868–2017) and were sourced from published reports, museum specimens, field surveys, and citizen bird watching data. We showed that, since the first scientific report by Swinhoe (1869), the bird records on Hainan Island have increased with more intensive sampling efforts, wider survey areas, and more diverse investigation objectives. Overall, the birds recorded on Hainan Island were of the Oriental type, and the majority were tropical residents. Natural forests and coastal wetlands hosted the highest species richness, but some species were only recorded before 1910, indicating a high probability of species extinction owing to the loss of natural forest and wetland habitats. The spatial distribution of the birds showed a clear altitudinal pattern with more species below altitudes of 500 m. These species are not under effective protection because most of the protected areas are located between 500 and 1000 m. Our study provides a fundamental baseline dataset of the historical bird records on Hainan Island. We suggest that future conservation efforts on Hainan’s birds should target the tropical endemic species and those sensitive to climate change to maximise the preservation of avian biodiversity in China.

Progressive fragmentation and loss of natural forest habitat in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots

Knowledge of the state of fragmentation and transformation of a forested landscape is crucial for proper planning and biodiversity conservation. Chile is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots; within it is the Nahuelbuta mountain range, which is considered an area of high biodiversity value and intense anthropic pressure. Despite this, there is no precise information on the degree of transformation of its landscape and its conservation status. The objective of this work was to evaluate the state of the landscape and the spatio-temporal changes of the native forests in this mountain range. Using Landsat images from 1986 and 2011, thematic maps of land use were generated. A 33% loss of native forest in 25 years was observed, mainly associated to the substitution by forest plantations. Changes in the spatial patterns of land cover and land use reveal a profound transformation of the landscape and advanced fragmentation of forests. We discuss how these patterns of change threaten the persistence of several endemic species at high risk of extinction. If these anthropogenic processes continue, these species could face an increased risk of extinction.

Observations on the floristic, life-form, leaf-size spectra and habitat diversity of vegetation in the Bhimber hills of Kashmir Himalayas

Vegetation analysis provides the prerequisites to understand the overall community structure and function of any ecosystem and is a fundamental requirement for the precise evaluation of biodiversity. Although many studies have assessed floristic attributes of specific areas, there are still unexplored regions, as is the case of the mountain region in the Kashmir Himalayas. Current research highlighted the recent findings of the scientific characterization of floristic and ecological aspects on the forest flora found in the Bhimber hills, Pakistan. Floristically, a total of 93 species belonging to 80 genera in 41 families were recorded. The species distribution patterns across the families were disproportionate with half of the species contributed by 8 families and 25 families were monotypic. Based on the floristic analysis, Asteraceae was the largest family with 12% of species followed by Poaceae with (11%) species. PAST software, a multivariate ecological community analysis was used to classify the species similarities and differences among the different habitat types. According to the habitat wise distribution, 21% of species were growing in the natural forest habitat, while 15% of species were dispersed in highly distributed habitats along roadsides and 8% on pedestrians. In terms of functional diversity, the herbaceous growth form was dominant (58%). The biological spectrum revealed therophytes as the dominant life form as it indicates the disturbed habitat vegetation. The phytogeographical analysis revealed that the maximum (69%) species were native, while the minimum (31%) species were exotic. Thus, the study of these functional and habitat diversity patterns can significantly improve our understanding of the ecological aspects of the flora in the geographical location. This information may additionally be useful in devising management plans to ensure sustainable utilization and better management of forest landscapes in this Himalayan region.

A new species of large Hemiandrus ground wētā (Orthoptera: Anostostomatidae) from North Island, New Zealand.

A new species of Hemiandrus ground wētā is described from North Island, New Zealand. Hemiandrus jacinda sp. nov. is larger and more brightly coloured than other species in the region, but appears to be scarce and restricted to remnant native forest habitat.

Studies on butterflies’ diversity in relation to habitats and seasons at Gulele Botanical Garden in Central Ethiopia: implication of protected area for in-situ conservation of biological entity

Butterflies are the most important biodiversity components, which are under different threats including climate change that varies with habitat type and seasons. Intra-annual variation in temperature (i.e. seasonality) can have important implications for thermal tolerance, which affect climate change vulnerability. Habitat type can additionally influence a population’s capacity to respond to climatic change. As Gullele Botanical garden is home of small animals like butterflies owing to its different habitats in different seasons, studying the diversity of these useful group of organism is vital. The study was conducted from July 2012 to June 2014. Butterfly diversity was investigated using sweep nets along transects (500 m x 300 m) in three types of habitats: natural forest, artificial forest and Grassland. Data were analyzed using Xcel Software, Tukey’s hsd test and diversity indexes. Maximum abundance (162) and species richness (26) was recorded in grassland followed by natural forest though they are not statistically different (p>0.05). Butterflies evenly distributed in the three habitats (P>0.05). The highest Shannon diversity index was at the grassland (H=3.09) followed by the natural forest (H=3.02). The species richness index was the highest (R=4.91) in the grassland and the least (R=3.79) in the artificial forest. Simpson’s diversity index indicated higher butterfly species diversity in the natural forest (D=0.92) and grassland habitat (D=0.96). Members of the family Lycaenidae were the most dominant (28.5%) and Hesperidae (8.03%) was the least. There was a significance difference (P<0.05) among seasons. Multiple comparisons of Tukey hsd test showed that there was a significant (P<0.05) difference between autumn and winter. Species richness showed the maximum (R=6.06) record in autumn and minimum (R=4.10) in winter. Shannon diversity index showed higher diversity (H=3.396) in autumn. Among families, Lycaenidae had high values in autumn (H=1.09) and spring (H=1.03), while Nymphalidae and Pieridae had high values during winter (H=0.952) and summer (H=0.980), respectively. Hesperiidae had the highest value (H=0.32) in autumn and the lowest (H=0.00) in winter. In Artificial forest Hypolimnas salmacis (Rothschild & Jordan), Bicyclus campus (Karsch) and Euchrysops albistriata (Capronnier) were abundantly found. Deudorix dinochares (Grose-Smith) and Papilio echerioides (Trimen,) were species specific to the natural forest habitat. The most abundant species in the grassland were Eicochrysops messapus (Wallengren), Colias electo (Berger) and Danaus chrysippus (L.).

Large Mammal Diversity in Nensebo Forest, Southern Ethiopia

There is a lack of information on mammalian faunal resources of remote forests in Ethiopia; as a result, the findings of the research on large wild mammals at Nensebo forest is one of the steps in a continuing effort to document and describe the diversity and distribution of Ethiopian mammals in remote and less accessible forests. The survey was conducted to assess the species composition and relative abundance of large mammals. Two standardized survey techniques, direct (sighting/hearing) and indirect (scat/footprint), were employed using systematically established transect lines and field plots in two dominant habitat types (modified moist Afromontane forest and intact moist Afromontane natural forest) of the study area. A total of 16 species were recorded including two endemic mammals, namely, Tragelaphus buxtoni and Tragelaphus scriptus meneliki. Abundance of species among different habitat types was not significantly different (χ2 = 0.125, df = 1,p&gt;0.05), and Colobus guereza was the most abundant species. In contrast, Felis serval, Panthera leo, and Tragelaphus buxtoni were the least abundant species. The highest diversity index was recorded in the natural forest habitat (H′ = 2.188), and the modified forest had the lowest diversity index (H′ = 1.373). There is an urgent need to minimize threats and mitigate impacts.

Non-native plant species in alder-dominated forests in Slovakia: what does the regional- and the local-scale approach bring?

Abstract European riparian forests are in general susceptible to plant invasions compared to other natural forest habitats. Their descriptive vegetation overviews with phytosociological affiliation contain detail insight into species composition patterns at various geographical scales, but quantitative assessment of the relationship between non-native plant richness and measured environmental variables is still scarce. We used two vegetation datasets of alder-dominated forests to analyse plant invasion patterns in the Pannonian and the Carpathian region of Slovakia. A large dataset of 918 vegetation plots was used at the regional scale, whereas 40 vegetation plots completed by ecological (mainly soil, climatic) predictors were used at the local scale in order to determine how they shape non-native species richness. We found significant differences (P &lt; 0.05) between the Pannonian and the Carpathian region in the number of non-native vascular plants at both scales, with altitude being the most important predictor. Generalized Linear Models accounted for 56.6% and 59.6% of alien species richness data in the Pannonian and Carpathian region, respectively. Alien richness was affected by altitude and soil pH in the Pannonian region, but only by altitude in the Carpathian region.

Thermal regime of semi-natural dew collector’s perspective for afforestation of semi-arid landscapes

Waste rock dumps in the aftermath of pegmatite mining enable the growth of healthy populations of Larix sibirica in, for the forest unsuitable semi-arid steppe habitat, the Khentii Mountains, Mongolia. Trees can thrive in such extreme habitats due to water vapour condensation and adsorption in the topsoil of a dump. During the growing season 2015–2017, continual measurement of thermal regime (hourly) was carried out at the depths of 10, 30 and 60 cm in the dumps and surrounding steppes. At the depth of 10 cm, temperatures (up to 40% of cases) enabling dew formation in dumps, in the time period of the highest possible air humidity (2 a.m. to 8 a.m.) were confirmed there. The suitable temperature conditions to form dew were found primarily at the beginning of the growing season characterized by a low precipitation. Later in the growing season with the following increasing precipitation, the temperature potential of dumps for dew formation decreased continuously. The cross-correlation indicated active exchange of heat between the atmosphere and the dump up to the depth of 30 cm. The outcomes further indicate that water vapour adsorption shall contribute significantly to the moisture regime of dumps and the effective porosity of sandy soils of dumps is likely to form ideal conditions for it. The construction thickness of the cover soil material between the depths of 30 and 60 cm with the predefined physico-chemical properties can be recommended to augment the potential of the dew yield in future projects. Effective water vapour condensation and adsorption may support success of landscape afforestation or reclamation of mining areas in arid or semi-arid conditions. • Thermal regime of waste rock dumps allows water vapour condensation. • Waste rock dumps allow successful growth of trees away from natural forest habitat. • Waste rock dumps represent sustainable solution for reforestation of arid regions.

Gastrointestinal and cardiorespiratory endoparasites in the wild felid guigna (Leopardus guigna) in Chile: Richness increases with latitude and first records for the host species.

Guignas (Leopardus guigna) are small felids closely associated with native forest habitats. In fragmented landscapes, they use vegetation corridors and forest remnants to move across the landscape. In these contexts, guignas may increase contact probabilities with domestic animals, being therefore relevant to assess their pathogens and parasites. The aim of this study was to characterize the helminth fauna in the gastrointestinal tract and cardiorespiratory system of guignas from central and southern Chile. Between 2015 and 2018, 33 dead free-ranging guignas were found road-killed or were collected from wildlife rescue centers. Thirty-two gastrointestinal tracts and 32 cardiorespiratory organs were analyzed through direct analysis and artificial digestion. We found 81.8% (27/33) guignas were positive for helminth endoparasites (84.4% (27/32) positive for gastrointestinal parasites, 37.5% (12/32) positive for cardiorespiratory parasites). Fourteen parasites were identified (7 at genus level and 7 at species level), with Angiostrongylus sp., Molineus sp., Oslerus sp. and Troglostrongylus sp. as first records in guignas. The most prevalent parasites were the species Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara cati and Uncinaria stenocephala. Uncinaria stenocephala showed the highest intensity of infection. Multiparasitism was observed in 76% of the animals. Significant differences in richness of endoparasites and prevalence of cardiorespiratory parasites were found between geographic zones; higher values in the southern zone are possibly due to favorable environmental characteristics for endoparasite development. There were no statistically significant differences between sexes. All the parasites found in this study have been previously reported in domestic cats. These results are valuable to understand parasite transmission at the domestic-wildlife interface; the possibility of endoparasite transmission between domestic cats and guignas should be clarified with molecular analysis.

Hydropower dams and reservoirs and their impacts on Brazil’s biodiversity and natural habitats: A Review

Much of the electric energy produced within the extensive territory of Brazil (8,511,000 km²) comes from large and small reservoirs built to produce hydroelectric power, which flood large natural areas, negatively impacting regional biodiversity. Huge reservoirs originating from Amazon river dams, such as Balbina (2,360 km², with 26,000 wild animals rescued), in the 1970s, and Tucurui (2,430 km², 284,000 animals rescued, including more than 19,000 howler monkeys), in the 1980s, caused huge losses of natural forest habitats and the consequent decimation of wild fauna. After being rescued, wild animals were released in neighboring areas, whose territories and spaces were already occupied by local animals. In the face of competitive exclusion or because of the principle of xenophobia, these displaced animals ended up dead or experienced truly little success. As well as causing the loss of regional biodiversity, the reservoir creates a vacuum in the previously continuous environment, causing habitat fragmentation. In addition to the Amazon biome, other rivers in different biomes, such as the Pantanal, have also been threatened with the proliferation of dams. There, the hydrological regime influences nutrient cycling, ecological community, phenology, upstream migration of fish and other factors. Fish migrate to the headwaters for spawning behavior that takes place at the headwaters. If they encounter obstacles, such as hydroelectric dams, the migration is interrupted. This review aims to assess the effects on biodiversity of major hydroelectric plants, with their dams and reservoirs, and discusses viable proposals for damage mitigation, environmental compensation, and biodiversity conservation actions.

Ecology and calculation of population density of the protected saproxylic beetle species Boros schneideri (Panzer, 1796) (Coleoptera, Boridae) in capercaillie lek areas

Boros schneideri is an endangered saproxylic beetle species in Europe, included in the list of species for which micro-reserves are established in Latvia. Micro-reserves for capercaillie lek areas are created in similar habitats in Latvia; therefore, these sites might be suitable for B. schneideri and play an important role in the protection of the species. This study aimed to identify ecological factors affecting the occurrence of B. schneideri and to estimate the species’ population density in Central Latvia. In total, six micro-reserves (primarily established to protect capercaillie lek areas) and six, randomly picked, control territories were examined, including 304 forest stands and 312 pine snags. In total, 109 B. schneideri specimens were found. The most important ecological factors for B. schneideri were the age of the forest stand, the presence of deadwood in different stages of decomposition, and the number of snags per forest stand. All mentioned factors are important structural elements of natural forests; hence, B. schneideri can be considered as an indicator species of natural forest habitats. The most important ecological factors for B. schneideri on a micro-habitat scale are the area and thickness of the remaining bark, presence of Ascomycota fungi mycelium on a trunk, and trunk’s circumference. We suggest that B. schneideri is a pioneer species since larger areas of bark, as well as Ascomycota fungi mycelium are more often found on recently dead trees.

The diet of the striped hyena in Nepal's lowland regions.

Striped hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) are extremely rare in Nepal, and only a few people have studied them in their natural forest and grassland habitat. Their rarity is due to anthropogenic pressures such as hunting, habitat modification, being killed on roads, and depletion of their natural prey. Here, we studied the feeding ecology of hyenas in lowland, Nepal. We employed an opportunistic sampling to collect hyena scats in a range of habitats and the line transect sampling to identify the prey of the hyena in the study site. We collected 68 hyena scats between 2015 and 2018. Most of the hyena scat (39.7%) was found in the Churia Hill forest followed by riverbed (26.4%), mixed forest (14.7%), Sal (Shorea robusta)‐dominated forest (11.7%), and grassland area (7.3%). We found eleven mammalian prey species, plants, and some unidentified items in the hyena scats. The frequency of occurrence and relative biomass of the medium‐sized wild boar (Sus scrofa) were higher than other smaller prey species such as hare (Lepus nigricollis) and rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta). Similarly, the proportion of large prey species such as nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in the hyena diet was lower compared with wild boar, hares, and rhesus macaques indicating medium‐sized wild boar is the most preferred prey species. Livestock contributed 17.3% of the total dietary biomass. Domesticated species such as goats, sheep, cows, and even dogs were found in the diet of hyenas. Predation of livestock by hyenas could cause conflict, especially if this ongoing issue continues in the future. Rather, more conservation effort is required in lowland areas of Nepal to protect the hyenas' natural prey species, particularly in wildlife habitats to reduce the lure of taking domestic livestock. Similarly, conservation education at the local level and active involvement of government authorities in the conservation of this species might be helpful to mitigate human–hyena conflict in the human‐dominated landscape.

Intensive farming drives long-term shifts in avian community composition.

Agricultural practices constitute both the greatest cause of biodiversity loss and the greatest opportunity for conservation1,2, given the shrinking scope of protected areas in many regions. Recent studies have documented the high levels of biodiversity-across many taxa and biomes-that agricultural landscapes can support over the short term1,3,4. However, little is known about the long-term effects of alternative agricultural practices on ecological communities4,5 Here we document changes in bird communities in intensive-agriculture, diversified-agriculture and natural-forest habitats in 4 regions of Costa Rica over a period of 18 years. Long-term directional shifts in bird communities were evident in intensive- and diversified-agricultural habitats, but were strongest in intensive-agricultural habitats, where the number of endemic and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List species fell over time. All major guilds, including those involved in pest control, pollination and seed dispersal, were affected. Bird communities in intensive-agricultural habitats proved more susceptible to changes in climate, with hotter and drier periods associated with greater changes in community composition in these settings. These findings demonstrate that diversified agriculture can help to alleviate the long-term loss of biodiversity outside natural protected areas1.