Nature Conservation Strategies Research Articles

Retrotransposon-Based Genetic Diversity of Rhodiola rosea L. (Crassulaceae) from Kazakhstan Altai

The analysis of genetic diversity in natural populations of valuable medicinal plant species experiencing overexploitation is a key aspect of their natural conservation strategy. Mobile genetic elements and other interspersed repeats, which are major components of eukaryotic genomes, serve as effective tools for studying plant biodiversity and variability. The genetic diversity of four valuable medicinal plant Rhodiola rosea L. populations was investigated using the inter-repeat amplified PCR method with inter-priming binding sites (iPBSs) for genome profiling. At the interpopulation level, unique amplicons characteristic of specific R. rosea populations were identified. Molecular variance analysis revealed that the biodiversity of R. rosea populations in the Kazakh Altai region is 56% attributed to interpopulation differences and 44% to intrapopulation differences. It was shown that populations located in favorable environmental conditions have greater genetic diversity compared to those in extreme habitats. This study identified a high degree of polymorphism among R. rosea populations using the inter-repeat amplified PCR method. The genetic diversity of the populations ranged from 0.105 to 0.156, with an average heterozygosity of 0.134. The findings provide new insights into the population structure of R. rosea in the Kazakh Altai, enabling the identification of different genotypes, which will significantly complement traditional methods for conserving this valuable medicinal plant.

Insights into Corncrake (Crex crex) movements in a fragmented agricultural landscape using bioacoustics with implications for nature conservation strategies

AbstractMovement ecology data are often collected by catching animals and fitting GPS tags. This technique is expensive, biased and comes at an extra cost for the caught individuals. New conservation technologies allow noninvasive data collection, providing ecological knowledge to aid the conservation of endangered species. Using bioacoustics, we investigated intraseason and between‐year movements of the red‐listed corncrake (Crex crex) and their relationships with landscape structure. Our goals were to track corncrake movements with minimal disturbance to the species and determine how landscape features affect these movements. We recorded males over two consecutive breeding seasons in 2022 and 2023 in an extensively farmed agricultural landscape in the West of Ireland. Individual identity was obtained through vocal characteristics of the calling males which were grouped into clusters. The areas of seminatural grassland and margin features, presence of bird refuge strips, and habitat connectivity were extracted from buffers between locations of two matching recordings (same calling male). These landscape features were used as model predictors to determine the distance that the same male covered. We found that, in a season, males moved 415 m on average (min = 10 m; max = 1805 m) between calling locations, which was more than previously thought in the Western Europe. Males also reoccurred on average 375 m (min = 23 m; max = 1231 m) away from the previous year's location. Landscape connectivity (p = 0.01, N = 42) and seminatural grassland area (p = 0.02, N = 42) were positive predictors of intraseason movements, whereas the margin area (p = 0.01, N = 35) predicted further between‐year movements. Considering our noninvasively sampled results in the Irish context, we suggest increasing the protection area around a calling male to 500 m. In this buffer, we also suggest improving the availability of seminatural grassland to 30% and presence of margin features to 3%. Further land management recommendations are provided.

An ecoregion-based approach to evaluate invasive plant species pools

Invasive alien species are an important component of global change, threatening biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, economy, and human health. The number of alien species that attain the invasive status has experienced an exponential increase in recent years, leading some government agencies and stakeholders to allocate substantial resources to early detection, control, mitigation, and eradication programs. To develop effective nature conservation strategies, it is crucial to understand the invasive status of alien species and to identify priority species for management at spatial scales with a biogeographical basis. Despite significant progress in producing lists of alien species at the country level, a standard methodology for species assessment within ecological regions (i.e., regions with similar environmental or biogeographical characteristics) is still lacking. Here, we develop a systematic approach to determine invasion status and to prioritize invasive alien plant species within an ecoregion. We apply this approach in the Cantabrian Mixed Forests ecoregion, which encompasses biogeographically related areas from N Portugal, NW Spain, and SW France, and is strongly affected by plant invasions. By combining scientific evidence with expert opinion on the ecological characteristics of alien plants, we identified 175 invasive plant species in the study ecoregion, of which 37 cause massive environmental and/or socio-economic impacts. For each species, we provide comprehensive information and recommendations for scientists, land managers, policy makers, and other stakeholders under a biogeographical basis. This information includes species characteristics, invasion status/level, population trends, geographic locations and range size, local abundance, environmental and socio-economic impacts, and invaded habitats. We also accounted for administrative divisions within the ecoregion to facilitate the use of such evaluations in local-scale management and conservation plans. Our framework may be applied to any ecoregion worldwide, enhancing the assessment and management of invasive species pools within biogeographically meaningful regions.

The nature conservation-geopolitics complex: Bridging between conservation geopolitics and peace park discourses

Nature conservation strategies are affected by, as well as instruments of, geopolitics and interterritorial relations. This paper provides a conceptual framework that facilitates a systems-based analysis of the relationship between nature conservation and geopolitics. We compare and connect two prominent academic literatures relevant to this relationship: the peace parks and conservation geopolitics literatures. Whereas peace parks refer to an academic knowledge field, a social movement, and a territorialized conservation reality on the ground, conservation geopolitics refers to an academic discourse within critical geopolitics. We analyzed both academic literatures on four aspects: (i) the approach to nature conservation; (ii) the approach to interterritorial relations; (iii) the framing of the relationship between nature conservation and geopolitics; (iv) the actors involved. The former literature predominantly emphasizes cross-border integration, community development and nature conservation benefits. The latter predominantly highlights the more exclusionary, conflictive, and normative aspects of the relationship. The comparison highlights that the relationship between nature conservation and geopolitics can be best understood as a complex. Relational approaches, such as systems approaches, can uncover the intricacies of the nature conservation-geopolitics complex. We have laid the groundwork for such a systems approach by identifying four system components domains: the diversity of involved actors, the institutional framework, multiscale and historical dynamics, and the spatial-territorial context. A systems approach to the nature conservation-geopolitics complex provides a guiding framework for the examination of contemporary issues like the diverging agencies of various actors, trade-offs, and ethical dilemmas between nature conservation and geopolitical concerns.

Tibetan terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems collapsed with cryosphere loss inferred from sedimentary ancient metagenomics.

Glacier and permafrost shrinkage and land-use intensification threaten mountain wildlife and affect nature conservation strategies. Here, we present paleometagenomic records of terrestrial and aquatic taxa from the southeastern Tibetan Plateau covering the last 18,000 years to help understand the complex alpine ecosystem dynamics. We infer that steppe-meadow became woodland at 14 ka (cal BP) controlled by cryosphere loss, further driving a herbivore change from wild yak to deer. These findings weaken the hypothesis of top-down control by large herbivores in the terrestrial ecosystem. We find a turnover in the aquatic communities at 14 ka, transitioning from glacier-related (blue-green) algae to abundant nonglacier-preferring picocyanobacteria, macrophytes, fish, and otters. There is no evidence for substantial effects of livestock herding in either ecosystem. Using network analysis, we assess the stress-gradient hypothesis and reveal that root hemiparasitic and cushion plants are keystone taxa. With ongoing cryosphere loss, the protection of their habitats is likely to be of conservation benefit on the Tibetan Plateau.

Urban Nature Preservation and Conservation Strategies Based on Biophilic Institutions and Governance: A Lesson Learned from Gold Coast City for Indonesian Cities

Biophilic urbanism is considered as one approach to solve the problem of city’s over-development and may provide opportunities for citizens to connect with the natural environment. This research project is using argumentative approach in attempts to analyse urban nature preservation strategy of the Gold Coast City, based on the biophilic urbanism concept, with a focus on institutions and governance aspect, including biodiversity-related action plans, biophilic support organizations, environmental education, budgets for biophilic urbanism projects, and biophilic-related projects and initiatives. Moreover, it also analyses the constraints to implementing good biophilic governance based on the political/legal, economic, socio-cultural, and technological factors. To determine urban nature conservation and preservation strategies for the Gold Coast’s future, a SWOT analysis was undertaken. The results of this study could usefully give a brief reflection on the possibility of implementing the biophilic city concept for Indonesian cities in general.

Effect of Climate and Land-Use Changes on a Threatened Forest Resident Bird

Endangered species are being threatened by climate and land-use changes. However, the relative effects of climate and land-use changes on forest resident birds remain unclear. In this study, we employed an ecological niche model to forecast the potential influence of climate and land-use changes on Reeves’s pheasant (Syrmaticus reevesii), while taking into account topographical limitations. We observed that climate and land-use changes would have a remarkably negative impact on Syrmaticus reevesii, and climate change would play a dominant role. Consequently, the potential distribution range of Syrmaticus reevesii would sharply decrease, and this species may face a significant risk of extinction in 2070. In addition, we found that the area change predicted by climate and land-use changes would be significantly lower inside the China Nature Reserve Network (NNR) than outside the NNR. However, less than 15% of the area suitable for Syrmaticus reevesii has been covered by NNR. Furthermore, our results showed that the response of Syrmaticus reevesii to climate and land-use changes largely depended on topographical factors, and Syrmaticus reevesii would face greater impacts from climate and land-use changes under topographical limitations. Taken together, we highlight that it is imperative to adjust and develop nature reserve networks and conservation strategies to cope with rapid global environmental change.

Fundamentals of the landscape diversity conservation strategy in the regional environmental policy

The need to preserve natural systems is determined by the adaptive demand for ecosystem services in a worsening geo-ecological situation. These services are provided by natural systems preserved in a natural or close to natural state. The quality of services depends on the diversity of the environment, including the landscape diversity (LD). The study aims to develop principles the natural resources conservation strategy relies on in developing the regional environmental policy (REP). The article shows that some of the principles are based on the landscape approach, and some of them - on the conditions and requirements for the application of parameters and criteria for assessing human resource management. The principles were considered using the example of Northern Sikhote-Alin in Khabarovsk region. The landscape-ecological zoning was based on the landscape approach. Geosystems of high regional environment-forming significance were identified to adjust the goals and objectives of strategic territory planning. It is more appropriate to reflect the effectiveness of measures intended to preserve human resources in regional program-target documents, tracking spatial development indicators recorded in the regional economic policy of a territory.

Threatened conservation scientists: The aftermath of an eye-opening publication on rewilding

‘Rewilding’ is a nature conservation strategy gaining prominence worldwide. Established in the Northern Hemisphere, rewilding initiatives have increasingly been proposed in Argentina, but their relative merits, feasibility of implementation and accountability have lacked adequate analysis and discussion. Recently, 125 scientists and practitioners wrote an article to assess the justification and methods of current rewilding initiatives in Argentina. Rather than engaging in a constructive debate with the scientific community, one of the major organizations behind these initiatives threatened to sue the authors for libel. We strongly reject this baseless threat. Scientific discussions around this and other conservation topics of societal concern should be addressed in an academic context and conducted in a respectful and rational manner, embracing the right of scientists and practitioners to express themselves freely and without fear of coercion.

Assessing ambitious nature conservation strategies in a below 2-degree and food-secure world

Global biodiversity is projected to further decline under a wide range of future socio-economic development pathways, even in sustainability-oriented scenarios. This raises the question how biodiversity can be put on a path to recovery, the core challenge for the implementation of the CBD Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We designed two ambitious global conservation strategies, ‘Half Earth’ (HE) and ‘Sharing the Planet’ (SP), and evaluated their ability to restore terrestrial and freshwater biodiversity and to provide nature's contributions to people (NCP), while also limiting global warming below 2 degrees and ensuring food security. We applied the integrated assessment framework IMAGE with the GLOBIO biodiversity model, using the ‘Middle of the Road’ Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP2) with its projected human population growth as baseline. We found that the HE strategy performs generally better for terrestrial biodiversity (biodiversity intactness (MSA), Area of Habitat, Living Planet Index, Red List Index) in currently still natural regions. The SP strategy yields more improvements for biodiversity in human-used areas, for freshwater biodiversity and for regulating NCP (pest control, pollination, erosion control, water quality). However, both strategies were insufficient to restore biodiversity and corresponded with considerable increases in food security risks and global temperature. Only when we combined the conservation strategies with a portfolio of ‘integrated sustainability measures’, including climate change mitigation and reductions of food waste and animal product consumption, our scenarios resulted in a restoration of biodiversity and NCP while keeping global warming below two degrees and food security risks below the baseline projection.

MAES implementation in Greece: Geodiversity

The present study aims to support the Mapping and Assessment of Ecosystems and their Services (MAES) implementation in Greece, by synthesizing an indicator that could be used for abiotic attribute assessments and specifically for geodiversity. Such an indicator can be used not only for reporting obligations under EU initiatives but also for identifying “conservation hotspots”. Such areas, characterized by rich geodiversity, are important for supporting biodiversity and other ecosystem services. In addition, identification and mapping of threats to those areas, due to natural or anthropogenic processes, can be used for the introduction or reformation of protective environmental legislation. The geodiversity indicator has been compiled using geological, geomorphological, climatic, pedological and hydrological data layers, while threats to geodiversity have been produced by integrating the sub-indices of erosion, protection level, land degradation, mineral and/or ore extraction activity, and the concentration of wildfire ignition sites. Finally, a bivariate map highlights geodiversity “hotspots” in Greece, which were found to correspond in most cases with locations of rich geodiversity and poor protection from adverse natural or human induced processes, mainly due to the lack of protective legislation. The study's outcomes provide a baseline for scientifically informed decisions for conservation, management and spatial planning, while simultaneously complying with EU and national legislation and strategies for nature conservation and integrated development.

General patterns of beavers’ selective foraging: how to evaluate the effects of a re-emerging driver of vegetation change along Central European small watercourses

Along small watercourses, the growth and renewal of native willows and poplars (Salicaceae species) are hindered by the effects of past and recent man-made landscape alteration and climate change, while the selective foraging of the beaver (Castor fiber) is also becoming an increasingly important driver. Knowledge about foraging decisions can refine predictions about vegetational processes and help to develop better nature conservation and forest management strategies. We surveyed the woody plant supply (13,304 units) and its utilization by the beaver at 11 study sites along Central European small watercourses, at two fixed distances from the water. We collected information about the taxon, trunk diameter, and type of utilization (cutting, carving, debarking) of each unit. We built (generalized) linear mixed models aimed at answering questions regarding taxon and diameter preference, their interrelatedness, and their importance in foraging decisions. All of the factors examined had a significant effect on foraging decisions. Utilization was mostly explained by the taxon, with Salicaceae species being generally preferred and utilized in all diameter classes with a high ratio. Several further genera were frequently utilized (mainly Cornus and Ulmus), while others were almost completely avoided (including invasive Amorpha and Robinia). The beavers preferred units with a diameter of 5–9 cm. The type of utilization depended primarily on diameter class. Because native softwoods are the most affected by beaver impact, regardless of trunk diameter, their survival and regrowth should be consciously supported by increasing the water table and improving hydrological conditions.

Mapping biodiversity and cultural values complemented with understanding of social dynamics provides effective means for addressing opportunities for nature conservation in a cultural landscape

The ecosystem services framework can usefully complement biodiversity assessments in developing socially robust nature conservation strategies in protected areas and beyond. However, there is still little research, especially in Eastern Europe, which links biodiversity assessment and nature related values to the deeper social-economic dynamics and aspirations existing in the local communities. Here we address this knowledge gap with a study case from Romania. We used data from a thorough biodiversity survey to map the protected species and habitats in a Natura 2000 area. Then we used participatory mapping with key local community representatives to understand the type of values linking the local community with the protected area, distinguishing between the past (1960’s-1989 period) and present. We identified that socio-economic and cultural values were strong and synergistically manifested in the past but not in the present. A dramatic abandonment of land use practices was reported. The current distribution of protected species and habitats does not overlap with the farmed areas in the past and present. Interviewees report that the local community went through dramatic changes from the past to present: increased individualism weakened or lost local rules, diversifying individual aspirations, low level of collective actions and weak alignment between knowledge and aspirations and the protected area. New socio-cultural values are represented by educational activities, however, with a lack of genuine local community engagement. Key directions identified by participants for the future of the site were nature friendly activities such as tourism, biking trails, forestry, and the renewal of viticulture.

Understanding old herbal secrets: The renaissance of traditional medicinal plants beyond the twenty classic species?

The use of traditional medicinal plants plays an important role especially in remote rural and marginalized landscapes at different latitudes. In the development of nature conservation strategies based on local knowledge and sustainable resource management, medicinal herbs have been hypothesized to be cultural key stone species. Environmental education is a crucial driver for fostering environmental literacy and preserving local knowledge across generations. We conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in the Autonomous Province of Bozen-South Tyrol (N Italy) to gain insights into, and reflections on, the cultural value of traditional medicinal plants and their interplay within the local landscape, nature conservation and their role in environmental education and knowledge transfer across generations. We also used a combination of purposive and snowball sampling to identify relevant actors. The different voices collected in the study clearly highlight the role of medicinal herbs in healthcare, for cultural identity of local communities and demonstrate a growing commercial market niche that maintains the local economy and services, including widespread offers related to environmental education, that have not, unfortunately, been used yet in the formal curricula of local schools. The latter is crucial for a holistic approach taking medicinal plants as an ideal vehicle to connect especially children with nature and history of South Tyrol, strengthening health education and overall environmental literacy, including species knowledge. However, the revival of herbal medicine and related knowledge do not prevent the continuous loss of local traditional knowledge regarding medicinal plants, recipes and use. More species and their uses are being forgotten due to superficialisation of knowledge and of mainstreaming and homogenization of the global market of herbal medicine. Safeguarding the natural and cultural treasures of South Tyrol for future generations is in the hands of the local communities.

Climate-Adapted Potential Vegetation—A European Multiclass Model Estimating the Future Potential of Natural Vegetation

Climate change will alter the site conditions for European vegetation. This is likely to shift the potential distribution of species and habitats outside its current boundaries. To enable future projections on shifts in vegetation potentials, we fitted a multiclass model to the current potential natural vegetation (PNV) of Europe using climatic predictors. The model was then applied to climate data of the time slice 2061–2080 with the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 4.5 and RCP 8.5. With an accuracy of 0.78, simulations well represented the site-equivalent vegetation types of the current PNV across Europe. Projections show drastic shifts in vegetation potentials in all parts of Europe. Boreal forests could lose up to 75% of their current potential, while Mediterranean Quercus forests and steppes would double their potential area. Deserts are projected to be on the rice, and the potential of currently widespread vegetation such as Fagus forests would be translocated. These estimated alterations of European vegetation potentials could have great effects on the stability of current forests, affecting nature conservation strategies and forest management.

Monitoring of biodiversity of water communities

Biodiversity monitoring is a process of systematic collection, analysis and evaluation of data on the diversity of living organisms, their populations, communities and ecosystems in a certain territory or area. The purpose of biodiversity monitoring is to study changes in the composition and structure of biological systems over time. Biodiversity monitoring is carried out at different levels - from global to local, and may include both long-term programs and short-term studies. It is important to take into account the scale, methods and resources required for monitoring, as well as to ensure proper processing and analysis of the data obtained. Thus, biodiversity monitoring plays a key role in assessing the state of natural systems, adapting to climate change, developing strategies for nature conservation and supporting sustainable development.

Pollen Types Reveal Floral Diversity in Natural Honeys from Campeche, Mexico

The Yucatan Peninsula, located in southern Mexico, is a central honey-producing region with extraordinary biodiversity of melliferous plants. Approximately 900 plant species have been described as being a source of nectar and pollen for bees and other pollinators. They provide ecosystem services that help to keep plant biodiversity high and mitigate the effects of climate change. This study aimed to reveal the diversity of the pollen content in honey through a melissopalynological analysis of 22 honey samples collected in February–August 2021 from the north-central area of Campeche, Mexico. The extraction of pollen from the honey was carried out using standard methods for melissopalynological analysis. The honeys were classified by botanical origin to determine their floral sources and a diverse spectrum of 19 pollen types from 13 families was identified. Only eight were predominant: Milleria quinqueflora, Gymnopodium floribundum, Terminalia buceras, Amaranthus spinosus, Zea mays, Talisia floresii, Guazuma ulmifolia, and Croton icche. Our research shows the high quality of the honey analyzed and highlights the diversity and critical role of local melliferous flora and crops in beekeeping development in southern Mexico. The results in this study are useful for confirming the botanical origins of honey, generating information for designing nature conservation and agroecosystem management strategies, and increasing the knowledge of beekeepers in Campeche, Mexico.

Assessment of geodiversity of Parbati River Basin in North-Western Himalayan region, India

In light of structural and functional linkages between the geodiversity and biodiversity, mapping geodiversity becomes more important in highly pristine and diverse regions such as Hindu Kush Himalayas as it could lead to better nature conservation strategies. This study represents pioneering efforts in the field of quantitative assessment of geodiversity and its mapping in Parbati River Basin (PRB) using grid overlay. Geodiversity index (GI) so generated was finally interpolated using inverse distance weighting (IDW) model, which resulted in the generation of an isoline map showing spatial distribution of various geodiversity classes in the PRB. The higher GI in the Lower basin is mainly due to rich lithological elements whereas the very high values in the Upper basin can be attributed to geomorphological richness. All these features are facing constant threat due to continuous degradation and damage caused by various anthropogenic activities in the PRB.

Social and Institutional Status of Area Exclosure in North Wollo and Waghemira Zones, Northeastern Ethiopia

Forest restoration with area exclosure has the hopeful restoration strategy for nature conservation and social development goals as a countermeasure against deforestation and forest degradation. However, the status of these restoration interventions is not well known with scientific evaluation. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the social and institutional status of forest restoration with area exclosures. To do this, three districts in three agroecologies were selected purposively based on exclosure availability, and in each district, three exclosures were selected. The questionnaire survey was administered to households near the selected exclosures for both user and nonuser groups selected with simple random sampling. Required data were collected and analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics and then compared against the best practices of Ostrom’s design principles (ODPs). The result revealed that the local community has good trust and participation in highland (63%) and mid-altitude (70%) areas, but low trust and participation in lowland areas (85%). In the highland and mid-altitude areas, local communities have the right to use exclosure for multiple uses. In lowland areas, the use right is very restricted for local communities. Exclosure institutions and governance showed medium compliance in the highland, very good compliance in mid-altitude, and very poor compliance in the lowland with the ODP. This was triangulated when 79% of the respondents in highland and 82% in mid-altitude argued that area exclosure is successful and 82% of respondents argued that area exclosure is failed in the lowland. For successful and sustainable forest restoration practice with area exclosure, the approach should start at the bottom and the activity should require the full participation of the local community in all stages.

Integrating circuit theory and landscape pattern index to identify and optimize ecological networks: a case study of the Sichuan Basin, China.

The notion of ecological networks (EN) and their identification can support approaches to nature conservation strategies aiming at biodiversity, landscape connectivity, and people's well-being. Integrating ecosystem services (ESs), morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), circuit theory, and landscape pattern index analysis, we proposed a new framework for mapping EN that was expected to promote economic development and ecological protection. Specifically, source areas were extracted through a combination of ESs and MSPA that integrated functional and morphological spatial attributes. Resistance surfaces were determined based on habitat quality. A network linking ecological source areas was then identified using circuit theory, and landscape pattern index analysis was used to identify ecological strategy nodes in view of the heterogeneity within ecological corridors. The results showed that the Sichuan Basin involved 553 ecological sources, 641 ecological corridors, and 33 ecological nodes that altogether included 20 ecological strategy nodes. Constructing regional EN can promote the transformation of multiple, chaotic, and scattered ecological elements to systematic and networked ecological elements and ultimately promote harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. This study provided a methodology for the extraction of ecological source areas and strategy nodes and can provide a significant reference for the management and optimization of EN.