Nature Conservation Research Articles

A New Method for Low Density Distribution Modeling and Near Threatened Species: The Study Case of Plectrohyla Guatemalensis

We introduce a model that can be used for the description of the distribution of species when there is scarcity of data, based on our previous work (Ballesteros et al. J Math Biol 85(4):31, 2022). We address challenges in modeling species that are seldom observed in nature, for example species included in The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2023). We introduce a general method and test it using a case study of a near threatened species of amphibians called Plectrohyla Guatemalensis (see IUCN 2023) in a region of the UNESCO natural reserve “Tacaná Volcano”, in the border between Mexico and Guatemala. Since threatened species are difficult to find in nature, collected data can be extremely reduced. This produces a mathematical problem in the sense that the usual modeling in terms of Markov random fields representing individuals associated to locations in a grid generates artificial clusters around the observations, which are unreasonable. We propose a different approach in which our random variables describe yearly averages of expectation values of the number of individuals instead of individuals (and they take values on a compact interval). Our approach takes advantage of intuitive insights from environmental properties: in nature individuals are attracted or repulsed by specific features (Ballesteros et al. J Math Biol 85(4):31, 2022). Drawing inspiration from quantum mechanics, we incorporate quantum Hamiltonians into classical statistical mechanics (i.e. Gibbs measures or Markov random fields). The equilibrium between spreading and attractive/repulsive forces governs the behavior of the species, expressed through a global control problem involving an energy operator.

Consumption Ethics for Wild Animals: An Islamic Practice

Religion, particularly Islam, plays an important role in lifestyle as well as in shaping cultural beliefs, including the teachings on consumption ethics. This ethics is based on the Sharīʿah—which is derived from the Qurʾān and the Sunnah by Muslim jurists—and is aimed at avoiding plagues and ensuring health security. Accordingly, this article discusses some lessons on Islamic ethics regarding the consumption and hunting of wild animals for food. A scholar of Islamic jurisprudence, Shaykh Muḥammad Arshad al-Banjārī (1710–1812), authored a work on fiqh entitled Sabīl al-Muhtadīn li al-Tafaqquh fī Amr al-Dīn (The Way of the Rightly Guided People in Mastering the Commandment of Religion) which has successfully managed to enjoin people to protect many species of wildlife in the Malay World, particularly, and in the larger region of South East Asia generally. A list of around 627 species from four major animal orders in Indonesia are listed as the following: primates, carnivores, reptiles, and amphibians—all of which are prohibited from being consumed and hunted by Muslims. They include important varieties of species the populations of which are decreasing, for example: numerous species of monkeys, bats, pangolins, tigers, and many more which are mentioned in al-Banjārī’s work. The work, thus, has helped conserve the said species of wild animals that are still present predominantly in the areas where the Muslim populations reside. If this consumption ethics can be shared with the rest of the world, it could contribute to the conservation of nature.

Educational Status of Tribals of Jammu and Kashmir: A Case Study of Women (Gujjars) in District Budgam

Abstract The education of Scheduled Tribes has become a vital component for the planned development of human resources in India. However, it has been observed that the literacy rates and education levels among Scheduled Tribes residing in Jammu and Kashmir are considerably lower than the national average. For instance, the Gujjars, who lead a nomadic lifestyle in District Budgam, migrate with their livestock to higher altitudes during seasonal journeys. This study utilizes both primary and secondary sources of data to understand the educational challenges faced by these communities. Unfortunately, census data from 2011 reveals that only 25.5% of Scheduled Tribe women in Jammu & Kashmir were literate compared to 34.8% nationally. This disparity can be attributed to several factors such as unawareness, conservative societal norms, traditional lifestyles, poverty, and lack of basic infrastructural facilities that pose significant obstacles to achieving educational attainment. Moreover, the conservative nature of society and stereotypes still prevalent in these sections further exacerbate the issue. To address this problem effectively, it is imperative that government bodies alongside not-for-profit organizations make concerted efforts to expedite progress towards improving education amongst Scheduled Tribes residing in Jammu and Kashmir. This paper aims to examine some fundamental issues faced by women belonging to the Gujjar community on a daily basis in District Budgam within the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir; how can these deprived sections be brought up-to-speed with progress? In conclusion, it is high time that measures are taken to bridge this gap and ensure equal opportunities for all individuals irrespective of their social background or cultural practices. The government must work towards providing better access to quality education along with adequate infrastructure facilities for students belonging to Scheduled Tribes residing in Jammu and Kashmir so that they can break free from age-old traditions and contribute towards building a better future for themselves and their communities as well as for our country as a whole.

Exploring Sustainability and Efficiency of Production Models in the Spanish Beef Cattle Industry through External Logistic Biplot

Livestock farming, especially the beef cattle sector, plays a crucial role in the economy and social and environmental balance and occupies a prominent position in Spain. The aim of this study is to highlight the positive impact of this sector in socioeconomic, food, natural heritage conservation, and environmental management aspects in order to obtain an accurate profile of the national panorama and to propose sample subgroups. For this purpose, 252 beef cattle farms in Spain were examined in detail, and the external logistic biplot (ELB) was used with a multivariate approach and from an algebraic and computational perspective. By addressing aspects such as infrastructure, feeding strategies, waste management, biodiversity, productivity, and sustainability, similarities and differences between cattle farms have been obtained, providing an analytical tool for the livestock sector and generating key knowledge on its functioning and contributions to society and the environment. The analysis revealed accuracy in the zootechnical classification of livestock farms, their feeding strategies, and genetics. Finally, significant regional differences in prevailing livestock practices were identified.

Genetic identification, morphology and distribution of Natrixhelvetica subspecies in southern and western Switzerland (Reptilia, Squamata, Serpentes).

Most of Switzerland is inhabited by the nominotypical subspecies of the barred grass snake (Natrixhelveticahelvetica), which is characterized by mitochondrial DNA lineage E. Only in the northeast of the country, the common grass snake (N.natrix) occurs and hybridizes with N.h.helvetica in a narrow contact zone. However, we discovered that in southern and western Switzerland barred grass snakes representing another mtDNA lineage (lineage C) are widely distributed. Lineage C is typical for Alpine populations of the southern subspecies N.h.sicula. Our microsatellite analyses of the Swiss samples revealed differences between the two subspecies and also a substructure with two clusters in each subspecies. Furthermore, we discovered a contact and hybrid zone of N.h.helvetica and N.h.sicula along the northern shore of Lake Geneva and also confirm that interbreeding with alien common grass snakes (N.n.moreotica, mtDNA lineage 7) occurs there. This finding is of concern for nature conservation and measures should be taken to prevent further genetic pollution. Using morphometrics, we found no differences between the two subspecies of N.helvetica, while N.natrix was slightly distinct from N.helvetica.

Green Open Space Design in Papan Island Township Arrangement

: The purpose of open space is as a forum for organizing activities that are not only limited to human activities but also as a forum for nature conservation Papan Island has the potential as a tourist destination with its cultural wealth and biodiversity, by creating a space for tourists and still paying attention to the needs of the people of Papan Island and its environment, a tourist area will be created with the concept of Green Open Space (RTH) Method: The method used in this research is the Architectural design method. This method uses an analysis of the activities and needs of tourists and the community on Papan Island. Data obtained through interviews, observations, documentation, and literature studies Results and Discussion: This research makes the concept of shared space in architecture refer to an area or environment designed to be used and enjoyed together by a group of people. Based on the results of the analysis that has been carried out, the following design response will be made, namely making flexible openings such as large sliding door openings but at the same time can be closed. Conclusion This research shows that green spaces can be a key element in creating a healthier, more comfortable, and sustainable environment on Papan Island:

Związek między wzorem krajobrazu a zakłóceniami powodowanymi przez człowieka w latach 1990-2018 w Portugalii kontynentalnej

The land use/land cover pattern of landscapes as the main element of the landscape structure has an important role in landscape management, nature conservation, and preservation, considering its ability to provide valuable information about the spatial distribution and changes in land cover that occur on the Earth's surface. On the other hand, human activities have caused significant impacts on ecosystems, resulting in a loss of biodiversity, increased risks of erosion and soil degradation, and wildfires. In the last few decades, the growing trend of occurrence of negative effects on land use/land cover has not contributed to the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), considering that the relationship between humankind and the environment is an extremely fragile equilibrium. In recent decades, large-scale land use and land cover (LULC) patterns have shown stability, but there have been significant dynamics observed specifically in forest areas and agricultural land. Among these changes, the conversion of maritime pine to eucalyptus stands out as the most relevant transition in terms of forest and agroforestry use classes. This conversion is a result of economic incentives available, which have contributed to the gain in forested areas. This study intends to verify how the alteration of the landscape configuration, represented by different metrics of configuration and diversity, is related to the intensity of human disturbance. The objectives of the study are: (1) to quantify the change in land use/land cover (LULC) patterns and the degree of human disturbance in Mainland Portugal between 1990 and 2018, and (2) to study the relationship between LULC configuration and the impact resulting from human disturbance under different levels of intensity, to understand how changing trends in landscape pattern can serve as indicators to estimate landscape changes resulting from human actions. The Hemeroby index (HI) was calculated to quantify the impacts on ecosystems resulting from disturbance caused by human actions. Based on the Hemeroby index value analysis for the period between 1990 and 2018, the level of naturalness increased in 58% of the country, mainly in the south and east of Portugal. The landscape pattern was quantified using a set of metrics, namely Mean Patch Size (MPS), Mean Shape Index (MSI), Total Edge (TE), Mean Patch Fractal Dimension (MPFD), and Mean Perimeter-Area Ratio (MPAR). To identify the existing statistical correlations between the geometric parameters of the landscape and the HIs values, the Spearman method was used. At the landscape level, the metrics TE and MSI have a strong negative correlation with HI. This suggests that landscapes with greater structural complexity are good indicators of low levels of hemeroby. At the class level, edge density (ED) and mean patch size (MPS) showed a significant correlation with the Hemeroby index for seminatural areas (all metrics), artificial surfaces and forests (TE, MSI, and MPS), agricultural areas (TE, MPS, and MPFD), and Bare Ground (TE, MSI, and MPFD).

Parameter Sensitivity Analysis for Machining Operation of Autofrettaged Cylinder Using Taguchi Method

This study investigates the impact of material parameters such as yield strength (Sy), Young’s modulus (E), and tangent modulus (T) on the safety factor (SF) of autofrettaged cylinders under 400 MPa working pressure, considering the three scenarios: no machining, internal machining, and external machining. Finite element (FE) simulations were conducted based on the Taguchi experimental design and converted into signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios to determine the optimal settings. ANOVA was utilized to evaluate the significance and percentage contributions of each factor. The analysis indicated that Sy is the most influential parameter on SF, contributing approximately 98.20% across all scenarios, including no machining, internal machining, and external machining. The contributions of E and T were minimal, but T had a slightly greater effect than E. The analytical validation of the FE model showed good agreement, with a maximum deviation of 4.37% for no machining, 4.75% for internal machining, and 5.20% for external machining. Regression analysis further confirmed the high prediction capability of the model, validated using AISI 4340 steel. The study concludes that internal machining results in higher residual stress loss compared to external machining. Overall, the analytical method tends to provide lower SF values than the numerical method, highlighting its conservative nature.

WOMEN’S ENGAGEMENT IN SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION: A RESEARCH PERSPECTIVE

The sustenance of life on earth relies heavily on essential natural resources such as soil and water, integral components of the environment. The conservation and management of these natural resources should be essential for survival of humankind. Women emerge as pivotal contributors to this conservation effort due to their traditional engagement with daily activities intimately connected to natural resources, fostering a reduction in waste and excessive consumption. Despite their significant role, governmental attention towards encouraging women’s involvement in natural resource conservation remains disproportionately minimal. In response to this gap, the study investigates the extent of women’s participation in soil and water conservation in Banaskantha district of Gujarat. A sample of 180 women respondents was randomly chosen for the study, and the quantitative data was carried out through the use of an interview schedule. The research indicates a moderate level of women’s engagement in soil and water conservation practices. Notably, women demonstrate the highest participation during the execution phase of soil conservation, while their involvement in planning and decision-making stages remains largely invisible. Similarly, in water conservation, women’s participation was notably lower not only during the planning phase but also in the execution phase. The study concludes by emphasizing the urgency for policy planners, government bodies, and other institutions to actively promote and encourage women’s participation in policy-making and planning processes. This can be achieved through targeted efforts such as additional exposure, awareness campaigns, and training programs. By enhancing the role of women in these critical aspects, society can harness their valuable insights and contributions towards ensuring the productive and efficient use of natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.

Fish biodiversity status and threats of Chinadi Beel in Bangladesh

This study examined the fish fauna of Chinadi Beel in Bangladesh in terms of diversity, quantity, and state of conservation. A pre-tested questionnaire and a direct catch evaluation survey were employed to conduct the study in the beel. In the examined beel, a comprehensive count of 3,360 fish specimens, encompassing 52 distinct fish species from 8 orders and 19 families, was documented. Cypriniformes was identified as the dominating order among the 8 orders examined, accounting for 51.49% of the total. Out of 52 fish species about 31 least concern (59.61%), 8 endangered (15.38%), 6 vulnerable (11.54%), 6 near threatened (11.54%) and 1 critically endangered (1.92%) species were observed according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The study utilized population diversity indices, specifically the Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H'), Margalef species richness (d), Pielou's evenness index (J'), and Simpson dominance index (c), to assess the species diversity, richness, and evenness of fish which value were found to be 2.50, 4.30, 0.90, and 0.30, respectively. Chinadi Beel has the capacity to function as a significant reservoir of fishing resources and a repository of genetic information for many fish species. However, the present study emphasized several anthropogenic and environmental issues, such as unregulated fishing, agricultural pollutants, illegal or harmful fishing, the construction of infrastructure for development, and climate change. Hence, it is highly recommended to implement ecosystem-based fisheries management that actively involves the local population in order to guarantee the long-term preservation of these water bodies.

Bridging Local Wisdom and Modernity: Swamp Buffalo Cultivation in Tampakang Village as a Model of Nature Conservation and Sustainable Community Welfare

This journal explores how swamp buffalo cultivation in Tampakang Village, South Kalimantan, is a model for integrating local wisdom and modernity in achieving sustainable development. Through a qualitative descriptive analysis approach, this study reveals the important role of swamp buffalo in maintaining the balance of wetland ecosystems and as a source of livelihood for local communities. By utilizing field observation methods, in-depth interviews, and literature studies, it was found that local wisdom in swamp buffalo cultivation not only preserves local traditions and culture but also provides economic benefits through ecotourism. In addition, challenges in providing feed during the rainy season and limited knowledge of farmers were identified as obstacles that needed to be overcome. However, the opportunity to develop swamp buffalo tourism can improve community welfare through job creation and income increase. This research provides practical recommendations to conserve swamp buffalo cultivation and maximize its potential as a source of sustainable community welfare.

Analisis Strategi Pengembangan Potensi Taman Wisata Alam Laut Teluk Kupang

Natural resource conservation or conservation areas whose main use is recreation and tourism in coastal and aquatic areas are called Marine Nature Tourism Parks (TWAL). Kupang City and Kupang Regency have a conservation area known as the Kupang Bay Marine Nature Tourism Park. Kupang Bay Marine Natural Tourism Park has a lot of potential that can be managed as a tourism destination. The author is interested in conducting research to find out and formulate a Potential Development Strategy for the Kupang Bay Marine Natural Tourism Park. This research approach is descriptive qualitative, where the data produced is descriptive or explains clearly. Based on the research analysis that has been carried out using SWOT Analysis, it is concluded that the Kupang Bay Marine Nature Tourism Park Development Strategy has a Strength-Opportunity strategy. This strategy is an aggressive strategy where the potential of the Kupang Bay Marine Natural Tourism Park is utilized as widely as possible to create opportunities.

Assessing the IUCN global standard for nature-based solutions in riverine flood risk mitigation

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) published their Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in an effort to further a common understanding and successful application of NbS. Our objective is to analyse the applicability of and considerations and advancements in using the IUCN Standard, as very few studies have examined and reflected on its actual application. As method, we applied the IUCN Standard to three case studies of river restoration projects with a focus on flood risk mitigation: (1) Eddleston Water Project, (2) “Room for the River” Deventer Project, and (3) Missouri River Levee Setback Project. Rather than evaluating the case studies itself, we evaluated the outcome to find the strong and weak points of the IUCN Standard. The gathered data (publicly accessible documents, conducted interviews with experts and stakeholders) was analysed and showed the role of the number of documents and interviews available. This determined the outcome of the IUCN assessment. The consultation of project experts has appeared to be an essential step in the data collection, while stakeholder interviews and field visits were less important, but did increase the degree of substantiation and the ease of data collection, respectively. Although restricted by a limited evaluation of flood risk mitigation studies, using the IUCN Standard for an ex-post assessment can provide credibility to project processes (e.g. stakeholder engagement and adaptive management), reveal project strengths and weaknesses, and provide opportunities for the comparison of projects. Hence, the IUCN Standard aptly evaluates process-based aspects of Nature-based Solutions for riverine flood risk mitigation.

Architectural Development of Lusi Island Tourism and Natural Conservation Area in Sidoarjo Regency

Architectural Development of Lusi Island Tourism and Natural Conservation Area in Sidoarjo Regency

“Go on, get out, you've got this”: A qualitative study exploring engagement with a nature conservation intervention for older adults

This qualitative study evaluated a co-designed nature conservation intervention for older adults living in a retirement village. It explored if and how the intervention could support autonomous motivation to engage with nature. Participants were invited to “spot, count and record things in nature” for 6 weeks, tailoring (i.e., personalizing) this nature activity to their motivations, needs and abilities, and using resources provided (e.g., logbook). Following the intervention, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 participants. These interviews highlighted the wide range of barriers to engaging with the natural environment among older adults, even if it is easily accessible. Findings revealed that co-designing an intervention, tailored to different motivations, needs and abilities, providing a sense of purpose and connection, and supporting discovery and learning, can inspire older adults to spend more time engaging with nature.

An optimization-simulation modeling framework for exploring the dynamic correlation between the coordinated development of the human-nature nexus and land use under uncertainty

Sustainable land use optimization (LUO) requires simultaneously reconciling human development and nature conservation, and effectively adapting to changes in socioeconomic development. We proposed a modeling framework that includes stochastic simulation of population and GDP uncertainty, multidimensional LUO, and spatial land use simulation combining random forests and cellular automata. The framework can (1) balance the multidimensional contradictory conflicts between human-nature nexus (HNN); (2) obtain the dynamic correlation and probability distribution of land use with the dimensional objectives and the HNN; and (3) obtain the dynamic response of land use to changes in socioeconomic development and the elasticity space of land use. The framework was applied to Hubei Province in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. The results indicated that by 2030, the land use intervals that can cope with uncertainty and achieve high levels of HNN coordination of 0.66–0.69 at 51,500–55,500 (km2) for cultivated land, 47,750–49,750 (km2) for forestland, 1,950–2,350 (km2) for grassland, 9,300–10,100 (km2) for construction land, 11,249–11,418 (km2) for water area, and 285–307 (km2) for unused land. This study elucidates the complex dynamic correlation between HNN and land use, and provides regions with LUO decisions that can respond to changing conditions and promote a harmonious HNN development.

Evaluating Machine-Learning Algorithms for Mapping LULC of the uMngeni Catchment Area, KwaZulu-Natal

Analysis of land use/land cover (LULC) in catchment areas is the first action toward safeguarding freshwater resources. LULC information in the watershed has gained popularity in the natural science field as it helps water resource managers and environmental health specialists develop natural resource conservation strategies based on available quantitative information. Thus, remote sensing is the cornerstone in addressing environmental-related issues at the catchment level. In this study, the performance of four machine learning algorithms (MLAs), namely Random Forests (RFs), Support Vector Machines (SVMs), Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), and Naïve Bayes (NB), were investigated to classify the catchment into nine relevant classes of the undulating watershed landscape using Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (L8-OLI) imagery. The assessment of the MLAs was based on a visual inspection of the analyst and commonly used assessment metrics, such as user’s accuracy (UA), producers’ accuracy (PA), overall accuracy (OA), and the kappa coefficient. The MLAs produced good results, where RF (OA = 97.02%, Kappa = 0.96), SVM (OA = 89.74%, Kappa = 0.88), ANN (OA = 87%, Kappa = 0.86), and NB (OA = 68.64%, Kappa = 0.58). The results show the outstanding performance of the RF model over SVM and ANN with a significant margin. While NB yielded satisfactory results, its sensitivity to limited training samples could primarily influence these results. In contrast, the robust performance of RF could be due to an ability to classify high-dimensional data with limited training data.

Integrative analyses on the ciliates Colpoda illuminate the life history evolution of soil microorganisms.

Microorganisms play a central role in sustaining soil ecosystems and agriculture, and these functions are usually associated with their complex life history. Yet, the regulation and evolution of life history have remained enigmatic and poorly understood, especially in protozoa, the third most abundant group of organisms in the soil. Here, we explore the life history of a cosmopolitan species-Colpoda steinii. Our analysis has yielded a high-quality macronuclear genome for C. steinii, with size of 155 Mbp and 37,123 protein-coding genes, as well as mean intron length of ~93 bp, longer than most other studied ciliates. Notably, we identify two possible whole-genome duplication events in C. steinii, which may account for its genome being about twice the size of C. inflata's, another co-existing species. We further resolve the gene expression profiles in diverse life stages of C. steinii, which are also corroborated in C. inflata. During the resting cyst stage, genes associated with cell death and vacuole formation are upregulated, and translation-related genes are downregulated. While the translation-related genes are upregulated during the excystment of resting cysts. Reproductive cysts exhibit a significant reduction in cell adhesion. We also demonstrate that most genes expressed in specific life stages are under strong purifying selection. This study offers a deeper understanding of the life history evolution that underpins the extraordinary success and ecological functions of microorganisms in soil ecosystems.IMPORTANCEColpoda species, as a prominent group among the most widely distributed and abundant soil microorganisms, play a crucial role in sustaining soil ecosystems and promoting plant growth. This investigation reveals their exceptional macronuclear genomic features, including significantly large genome size, long introns, and numerous gene duplications. The gene expression profiles and the specific biological functions associated with the transitions between various life stages are also elucidated. The vast majority of genes linked to life stage transitions are subject to strong purifying selection, as inferred from multiple natural strains newly isolated and deeply sequenced. This substantiates the enduring and conservative nature of Colpoda's life history, which has persisted throughout the extensive evolutionary history of these highly successful protozoa in soil. These findings shed light on the evolutionary dynamics of microbial eukaryotes in the ever-fluctuating soil environments. This integrative research represents a significant advancement in understanding the life histories of these understudied single-celled eukaryotes.

The Qualitative Differences Between Self-Identification as a Born-Again and/or Evangelical Christian

How do members of the evangelical religious tradition choose to identify themselves, and how do they define terms such as “evangelical” or “born-again?” Extant scholarship traditionally utilizes quantitative data in order to isolate the pitfalls associated with this conflation. In order to validate these quantitative measures and to better understand how adherents of the evangelical religious tradition conceptualize these identities, I leverage 63 face-to-face interviews conducted with white evangelicals. I find that “evangelical” is not commonly used among adherents, who view the term as esoteric and ill-defined. Democrats specifically recoil against the term due to its perceived conservative nature; however, some Republicans also eschew identifying as such, viewing it in some cases as too liberal or contaminated by the media. I also find that the term “born-again” is much more commonly used, regardless of the respondent’s partisanship. This work reveals the continuing politicization of “evangelical” and the endogeneity of religious orientations to politics.

Optimization of Heritage Management Mechanisms through the Prism of Historic Urban Landscape: A Case Study of the Xidi and Hongcun World Heritage Sites

Historic urban landscape (HUL) are essential for preserving the cultural continuity of traditional Chinese villages. Utilizing heritage management approaches to manage historic urban landscapes has significant implications for innovating the governance of these villages. This study used traditional Southern Anhui villages as empirical case studies to determine the key heritage management principles of HUL governance. This underscores the public policy nature of urban heritage conservation and highlights the importance of balancing heritage conservation with sustainable development through the involvement of diverse stakeholders and interdisciplinary institutional instruments. This study examined the development history of heritage management in traditional villages in Southern Anhui, revealing the characteristics and challenges of four aspects: public participation, planning and guidance, legislation and regulation, and fiscal financing mechanisms. Furthermore, it proposed strategies for optimizing the heritage management mechanisms within the HUL framework.