Potential Habitat Research Articles

Population status and ecology of Pseudanomodon attenuatus (Hedw.) Ignatov & Fedosov in England

ABSTRACT Introduction. Pseudanomodon attenuatus, previously known as Anomodon attenuatus Hedw., is very rare in Britain. In this study, its population status and ecology in England were investigated. Methods. Located along the River Eden, Cumbria, the three previously known sites for the species in England were surveyed, plus three potential sites along the river. Abundance was evaluated in terms of ‘individual-equivalents’, each defined as an occupied 1 m grid cell, when the moss was growing on rock, or an occupied tree, when it was epiphytic. Geographical coordinates of each individual-equivalent were recorded with a GPS unit. Habitat and community composition were recorded by relevés. Results and conclusions. The species was found at each previously known site and a new site. A total of 127 individual-equivalents were found, and the actual total along the 10.4 km of riverbank surveyed was estimated to be 140–200 individual-equivalents. Along the whole River Eden may be as many as 250–1000 individual-equivalents, because significant amounts of potential habitat remain unsurveyed. The population is confined to the middle to upper inundation zone of the riverbank. About half of individual-equivalents occur on trees and about half on calcareous sandstone. Most trees are Alnus glutinosa; others include Acer pseudoplatanus, Betula pendula, Corylus avellana, Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur and Ulmus glabra. Common associates are Anomodon viticulosus, Didymodon insulanus, Homalia trichomanoides and Thamnobryum alopecurum. Reasons for the extreme rarity of P. attenuatus in Britain are uncertain and deserve investigation, as does its confinement to a narrow riparian niche, which appears untypical of P. attenuatus across most of its world range.

Altitude, not potential larval habitat availability, explains pronounced variation in Plasmodium falciparum infection prevalence in the western Kenya highlands

Progress in malaria control has stalled over the recent years. Knowledge on main drivers of transmission explaining small-scale variation in prevalence can inform targeted control measures. We collected finger-prick blood samples from 3061 individuals irrespective of clinical symptoms in 20 clusters in Busia in western Kenya and screened for Plasmodium falciparum parasites using qPCR and microscopy. Clusters spanned an altitude range of 207 meters (1077-1284 m). We mapped potential mosquito larval habitats and determined their number within 250 m of a household and distances to households using ArcMap. Across all clusters, P. falciparum parasites were detected in 49.8% (1524/3061) of individuals by qPCR and 19.5% (596/3061) by microscopy. Across the clusters, prevalence ranged from 26% to 70% by qPCR. Three to 34 larval habitats per cluster and 0-17 habitats within a 250m radius around households were observed. Using a generalized linear mixed effect model (GLMM), a 5% decrease in the odds of getting infected per each 10m increase in altitude was observed, while the number of larval habitats and their proximity to households were not statistically significant predictors for prevalence. Kitchen located indoors, open eaves, a lower level of education of the household head, older age, and being male were significantly associated with higher prevalence. Pronounced variation in prevalence at small scales was observed and needs to be taken into account for malaria surveillance and control. Potential larval habitat frequency had no direct impact on prevalence.

Habitat, connectivity, and roadkill of Korea’s apex predator, the yellow-throated marten

Context The yellow-throated marten (Martes flavigula), an endangered species in South Korea, is an important apex predator of that country’s temperate forest ecosystem. Human impacts on the landscape continue to threaten marten populations, for which there is insufficient understanding of critical habitats and areas required for population connectivity. Aims In this study, our aim was to develop models of habitat suitability and connectivity networks for the yellow-throated marten to inform comprehensive landscape conservation strategies. Methods We used an ensemble of five species distribution models (boosted regression trees, BRT; generalised linear model, GLM; multivariate adaptive regression spline, MARS, maximum entropy model, MaxEnt; and random forest, RF) to identify the main environmental factors influencing marten distribution and potential suitable habitats. We employed a network-based landscape lattice approach combined with circuit theory to predict the potential habitat linkages of martens, and we examined their relevance to marten roadkill. Key results Five species distribution models performed well with a range of test area under the curve (AUC) values from 0.809 to 0.826 (mean = 0.820) with true skill statistic values over 0.5. Elevation and the amount of vegetation cover were the first and second-most important factors for occurrence probability, and they generally exerted positive influences. Distances from human settlements and roads were also positively related to occurrence probability. We determined appropriate spatial resolutions for conserving functional habitat linkages, which are related to its roadkill distribution, and identified the distribution pattern of key linkage areas. Conclusions We effectively identified the potential distribution of marten habitats and linkages between them at regional and functional levels to maintain ecological processes. Implications The results and approaches presented here could be useful in understanding and delineating priority habitats and linkage areas for species conservation and landscape management.

The toad less travelled: comparing life histories, ecological niches, and potential habitat of Asian black-spined toads and cane toads

Context Invasive vertebrates have significant negative impacts on biodiversity and agricultural production worldwide. Increased connectivity among countries, through trade and tourism, is escalating the rate of introductions of vertebrate species, particularly herpetofauna, across international borders. In Australia, Asian black-spined toads (ABSTs; Duttaphrynus melanostictus) are one of the species most intercepted at borders. They are considered a biosecurity risk because of the potential for negative environmental impacts, similar to those caused by cane toads (Rhinella marina). Aims We aimed to compare ABSTs with cane toads to investigate potential impacts and distribution of ABSTs in the Australian context. We also aimed to identify knowledge gaps regarding ABST biology and the potential role of cane toads in an ABST invasion in Australia. Methods We undertook a literature review to obtain published data to compare the life history characteristics of ABSTs and cane toads. We also modelled climatic niche overlap and compared suitable habitat for both species in Australia. Key results Our results show ABSTs and cane toads have broadly similar reproductive life histories and feeding niches. In particular, similarities include large clutch sizes, preferred oviposition sites, and diet at tadpole and adult life stages. In Australia, the species share suitable potential habitat, particularly in North Queensland, where the majority of ABST incursions have occurred. The species differ in size, call characteristics, clutch size relative to body size, and egg development rate, although the environment also influences these traits. We identify gaps in our knowledge of ABST spatial ecology, thermal tolerances, water reliance, and habitat. Conclusions ABSTs pose a significant biosecurity threat to Australia. Similarities in life history to cane toads means they may have similar impacts, but may have a more limited distribution in Australia. Invasion of Australia by ABSTs would likely result in interactions with cane toads, but it is not possible to accurately determine the outcomes of those interactions without further investigation. Implications Addressing knowledge gaps and quantitatively determining the potential for competition between ABSTs and cane toads will assist surveillance and response planning for ABST incursions in Australia.

Database records of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in northern Sydney

This study examined records of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in northern Sydney held in online biodiversity databases. There were 221 unique records distributed across the Northern Beaches, Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby and Hills Shire local government areas from 1788 to 2022, with records from the Northern Beaches local government area comprising 68% of this dataset. Records from the 1970s represented 41% of the dataset (90 records), while there were only 42 records from 2000 to 2022. Post-2000 records were spread broadly, showing no major contraction in distribution compared to the spread of earlier records, but with a notable absence of more recent records on the Barrenjoey Peninsula, a previously documented species stronghold. Substantial proportions of records were found in both protected reserves and privately-owned lands, which alludes to the value of the former but also shows that koala conservation in this capital city cannot rely solely on protected reserves. The 2000–22 records were widely distributed across 15 plant community types and areas of non-native vegetation, probably reflecting breeding and dispersal movements more than specific habitat selection. Possibly due to the same influences, none of the 2000–22 records were matched to areas represented by the Koala Habitat Suitability Model, a prediction model for spatial distribution of potential koala habitat across NSW, with a high habitat suitability score (greater than 0.85). We therefore recommend systematic on-ground surveys to clarify the patterns observed from the records.

Recent occurrence of marine mammals and sea turtles off Angola and first report of right whales since the whaling era

AbstractMarine megafauna occurrence was recorded in the deep-sea region bordering the abyssal plain ~400 km north-west of Luanda, Angola. The survey took place during an Environmental Baseline Study (EBS), prior to drilling exploration activities, with the goal of characterizing the habitat and biodiversity of the region. Offshore shipboard surveys were conducted during September 2018 in water depths ranging from 2350–3850 m. We recorded daytime sightings of marine mammals and sea turtles and at night made audio recordings using passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) methods focused on capturing the sounds of vocalizing marine mammals. A variety of species were visually detected, including the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), common dolphin (Delphinusspp.), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), Atlantic spotted dolphin (S. frontalis), and olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea). Acoustic click bouts similar to those made by several odontocete species, possibly including beaked whales, were recorded within the 25–48 kHz range. The humpback whale was the most frequently sighted species, accounting for 56% of mammal sightings, indicating a potential far offshore migratory habitat in this region. Most notably, right whales (probableEubalaena australis) were visually observed. This is the first confirmed record of right whales in Angolan waters since the early 1900s. As development expands in this offshore region, these data can usefully inform future monitoring and mitigation strategies focused on minimizing impacts to wildlife.

Establishment of non-native Anoplophora horsfieldii (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in South Korea

Abstract The genus Anoplophora (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) is among the most well-known insect genera in invasive entomology and is represented by 2 noted invasive alien species: the Asian longhorned beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky, 1854)) and the Citrus longhorned beetle (Anoplophora chinensis (Forster, 1771)). In this study, a new non-native species belonging to the genus Anoplophora, Anoplophora horsfieldii (Hope, 1843), has been discovered on Jeju Island, South Korea (33°30′N, 126°30′E). Our field survey of the established area and potential habitats nearby identified numerous adult beetles and exit holes in its host, Celtis sinensis Persoon, 1805. This finding emphasizes the importance of continued monitoring and management of this new non-native species, which has the potential to cause significant ecological and economic damage.

Impact of climate change on distribution of common leopard (Panthera pardus) and its implication on conservation and conflict in Nepal

Climate change is projected to create alterations in species distributions over the planet. The common leopard (Panthera pardus) serves an important ecological function as a member of the big carnivore guild, but little is known about how climate change may affect their distribution. In this study, we use MaxEnt to simulate the geographic distributions by illustrating potential present and future ranges of common leopard by utilizing presence records alongside important topographic and bioclimatic variables based on two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5) scenarios. The goals of this study was to look into possible distribution ranges of common leopards due to climate change, as well as explore the implications for conservation and potential conflict with humans. At present, 4% of Nepal was found to be highly suitable for common leopards, 43% suitable, 19% marginally suitable, and 34% unsuitable. A large portion of the climatically suitable habitat was confined to non-protected areas, and the majority of the highly suitable habitat was encompassed by forest land, followed by agricultural areas. Elevation, mean temperature of driest quarter, annual precipitation, and precipitation seasonality were the variables influencing habitat suitability for the common leopard. A significant increase in marginally suitable habitat was observed in the high mountain region, indicating a shift of habitat in upper elevation areas due to the effects of climate change. We recommend timely management of these potential habitats to expand the range of this vulnerable species. At the same time, a combination of expanding new habitats and poor management practices could escalate human-leopard conflict. Therefore, further study on the impact of climate change on the distribution of prey species and proper habitat management techniques should be prioritized to mitigate conflicts.

Urban endoliths: incidental microbial communities occurring inside concrete

Concrete is now a prevalent type of synthetic rock, and its production and usage have major environmental implications. Yet, assessments of ordinary concrete have rarely considered that concrete itself is potential habitat for a globally important microbial guild, the endolithic microbes, which live inside rocks and other mineralized substrates. We sought evidence that many common concrete structures harbor endolithic microbial communities and that these communities vary widely depending on the conditions imposed by the concrete. In Summer 2022, we obtained samples from various concrete structures found throughout Lubbock, Texas, USA and subjected the internal (non-surface) portions of each sample to controlled microbial life detection tests including culture tests, DNA quantifications, DNA amplification tests, and ATP assays. The great preponderance of positive life detection results from our concrete samples suggests that most modern concrete hosts cryptic endolith communities composed of bacteria, sometimes co-occurring with fungi and/or archaea. Moreover, many of these microbes are viable, culturable, and identifiable via genetic analysis. Endolith signatures varied widely across concrete samples; some samples only yielded trace evidence of possibly dormant microbes while other samples contained much more microbial biomass and diversity, on par with some low-biomass soils. Pre-cast masonry units and fragments of poured concrete found underwater generally had the most endolith signatures, suggesting that concrete forms and environmental positioning affect endolithy. Endolith biosignatures were generally greater in less dense and less alkaline concrete samples. So, concrete endolith communities may be as ubiquitous and diverse as the concrete structures they inhabit. We propose further research of concrete endoliths to help clarify the role of modern concrete in our rapidly urbanizing biosphere.

Orchids with scarce occurrence records: The case of the endangered Botany Bay Bearded Greenhood

SummaryPoorly studied species are potentially under‐prioritised by conservation programmes due to knowledge gaps presenting barriers to informing effective management strategies. The Botany Bay Bearded Greenhood, Pterostylis sp. Botany Bay, is an example of a poorly studied plant that is listed as endangered under both Commonwealth and New South Wales legislation. This study reports on archival surveys from 1998 to 2005 conducted at up to eight sites known to contain the Botany Bay Bearded Greenhood and follow‐up surveys in 2022. The archival surveys found that the total population count ranged from 83 to 341 individuals. Mean numbers (± standard error) of seedlings, flowering individuals and individuals exhibiting capsule development recorded in the population were 43 ± 14, 33 ± 9 and 2 ± 1 respectively. The 2022 surveys did not detect the species. An area of potential habitat was derived from records in biodiversity databases, which determined a total historical extent of 1.38 ha restricted to the Kurnell Peninsula in Sydney, New South Wales. The priority next step is to gather contemporary data to confirm whether the Botany Bay Bearded Greenhood remains extant, which can be done by applied researchers, students, landholders and land managers, botanical practitioners and/or volunteers. For optimal species detection, we recommend undertaking formal surveys or opportunistic searches in historically known sites and replicating detection efforts across July–September periods to exploit seasonal flowering.

Distribution and habitat assessment of an Endangered hummingbird: the Grey-bellied Comet Taphrolesbia griseiventris

Summary The Grey-bellied Comet (Taphrolesbia griseiventris) is a hummingbird species endemic to northern Peru and listed as Endangered by IUCN due to its small and fragmented population. Despite this, little has been attempted to increase knowledge of its natural history and ecology to provide current information and better evaluate its conservation status. Here, we used known curated records of the species from the literature to generate a model of its potential distribution using MaxEnt, and we then validated the model in the field through direct observation in selected areas. Where the species was confirmed, we conducted a habitat characterisation with field data, and a threat assessment of the landscape using secondary data in ArcGIS. We found five new records of the species in the department of La Libertad at two different sites, confirming a new population. The habitat mostly comprised Andean scrub (17.6%) throughout its distribution, and the main threat in the habitat was human-induced fires for agricultural purposes and as a means of waste disposal. Our findings revealed new information on the distribution of the species with a potential habitat occupancy of 4–6% within its range. Furthermore, areas that were previously reported to harbour a population of the species no longer showed records despite intensive searches in the field. Finally, we discuss the implications for its conservation. Our results indicated that conservation measures to protect the Grey-bellied Comet are urgently needed, especially the declaration of a reserve in La Libertad, which might be the only area where the species is reliably present with good quality habitat.

Spatial prioritisation of survey and management efforts for a threatened pygopodid in south-western New South Wales

Determining species’ distributions is challenging for cryptic species that are difficult to detect using standard techniques. The mallee worm-lizard (Aprasia inaurita Kluge, 1974) is a cryptic reptile in the family Pygopodidae, listed as Endangered in New South Wales. We modelled the species’ potential distribution (Maxent) to improve understanding of the species’ distribution and surveyed potential habitat in the Scotia Mallee region (an area with suitable habitat) from 2018 to 2022, with pitfall traps and artificial refuges (terracotta roof tiles). We completed 11 587 pitfall trap-nights and 3200 tile checks over eight monitoring sessions. Over this period, we detected six vertebrate species (all lizards) using roof tiles and 40 species with pitfall traps, but no mallee worm-lizards. Evaluation of existing records of the mallee worm-lizard from NSW suggested that the state constitutes the north-eastern edge of its continental range, with the species apparently present in low numbers across a wide swathe of south-western NSW. Most records were located within or near to spinifex or porcupine grass (Triodia spp.) communities, on private land. Species distribution modelling provided outputs that are useful for spatial prioritisation of conservation efforts for the species, with region-wide maps showing that much of the Scotia Mallee study area contains potentially suitable habitat for the mallee worm-lizard. However, habitat suitability scores for individual cells in this area were low, in some instances, because of high maximum summer temperatures and soil available water capacity. We anticipate that increasing temperatures associated with climate change may further reduce the suitability of habitat in this area in the future.

Plant Gall Diversity in Burned Semi-natural Grasslands in Japan

We surveyed woody plants, including oaks and chestnuts (Quercus L. and Castanea Mill.), and recorded the inhabiting galls induced by oak gall wasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Cynipini) at seven Japanese semi-natural grassland sites maintained by traditional regular burning with two of the seven abandoned grassland areas. Woody plants were established in all burned and abandoned grasslands. Oak species were found at four of the seven sites. In total, 15 types of cynipid galls were recorded at all four sites where oak species were found. However, the occurrence of species was site-specific for host trees and cynipid galls. Although a few ecological studies of oak gall wasps inhabiting grassland environments, which have rapidly decreased in recent decades, have been conducted, this study suggests that semi-natural grasslands may be potential habitats for oak gall wasps and their host trees, and we provide a checklist of oak gall wasps with host oak records in semi-natural grasslands throughout Japan.

Predicting response of migratory fish populations to dam removal

Abstract Dam removal is a potential habitat restoration alternative through which parties responsible for injuries to natural resources can provide compensation for reductions in fish populations. Predicting the potential response of migratory fish populations to candidate dam removal(s) is a critical step in the natural resource damage assessment process to evaluate whether the proposed action provides adequate compensation. There is currently no standard approach to making such predictions, particularly in cases where data on candidate streams with dams are limited. We considered six modeling approaches for addressing this problem and evaluated the features of each approach for this application. We judged that an approach based on habitat suitability indices and weighted usable area provides the best balance between predictive capacity and cost of model implementation. This balancing act evaluating the cost effectiveness of predictive models is worth consideration in a wide range of fisheries modeling applications.

The current situation of horseshoe crabs in the offshore waters of northern South China Sea with analysis of the potential habitat distribution of juvenile <i>Tachypleus tridentatus</i> in Beibu Gulf

The current situation of horseshoe crabs in the offshore waters of northern South China Sea with analysis of the potential habitat distribution of juvenile <i>Tachypleus tridentatus</i> in Beibu Gulf

Ecological characterization of habitats of three insect species prized by populations in Kinshasa (DR. Congo)

Vegetation is a potential habitat for biodiversity. Characterizing its diametric and spatial structure is a key factor in management. With this in mind, this study aims to characterize the natural habitats of Brachytrupes membranaceus, Cirina forda and Gonibrasia jamesonii, the insect species most widely consumed in Kinshasa. An inventory of caterpillar host trees was carried out around mother plants (M. laurentii: dbh ? 90 cm and A. auriculiformis: dbh ? 40 cm) in 24 plots of 2500 m2 in woodland formations. The circumference, x and y coordinates of each individual at dbh ? 10 cm were recorded; and soil physicochemical parameters were measured in situ in relation to the presence of B.membranaceus. The results show that the diametric structures of the tree stems of all the stands studied are generally inverted "J", with small irregularities at class [40-50] and [20-30] cm respectively of Millettia planted forests and Millettia natural forests (p-value= 2.6). An average of 342.1, 94.0 and 107.0 trees/ha (p-value = 0.4) were inventoried in the Acacia plantations, the Milletia planted forest and the Milletia natural forest respectively, showing a random and/or aggregated distribution according to the tree stand categories compared and, an average basal area of 6.93, 12.58 and 5.39 m2/ha (p-value= 0.5). The soil is neutral (6.8) with a moisture content of 10.46%, a temperature of 32.6�C, a depth of 46.86 cm and a blackish/brownish color. This result provides unsurpassable information for planning management itineraries and orienting peri-urban ecosystem exploitation system in a more sustainable way. This study is part of the logic of contribution to SDGs 2 and 15 by 2030.

Prediction of potential habitat suitability of snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) and niche overlap in the parts of western Himalayan region

AbstractThe snow leopard (Panthera uncia) and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur) are the inhabitants of remote areas at higher altitudes with extreme geographic and climatic conditions. The habitats of these least‐studied species are crucial for sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem. We employed the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) species distribution model to predict the potential habitat suitability of snow leopards and blue sheep and extracted common overlapped niches. For this, we utilised presence location, bio‐climatic and environmental variables, and correlation analysis was applied to reduce the negative impact of multicollinearity. A total of 134 presence locations of snow leopards and 64 for blue sheep were selected from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). The annual mean temperature (Bio1) was found to be the most useful and highly influential factor to predict the potential habitat suitability of snow leopards. Annual mean temperature, annual precipitation and isothermality were the major influencing factors for blue sheep habitat suitability. Highly influential bio‐climatic, topographic and environmental variables were integrated to construct the model for predicting habitat suitability. The area under the curve (AUC) values for snow leopard (0.87) and blue sheep (0.82) showed that the models are under good representation. Of the total area investigated, 47% was suitable for the blue sheep and 38% for the snow leopards. Spatial habitat assessment revealed that nearly 11% area from the predicted suitable habitat class of both species was spatially matched (overlapped), 48.6% area was unsuitable under niche overlap and 40.5% area was spatially mismatched niche. The presence of snow leopards and blue sheep in some highly suitable areas was not observed, yet such areas have the potential to sustain these elusive species. The other geographical regions interested in exploring habitat suitability may find the methodological framework adopted in this study useful for formulating an effective conservation policy and management strategy.

东北虎豹国家公园生态环境质量动态评价及其气候响应

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 东北虎豹国家公园生态环境质量动态评价及其气候响应 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202204130981 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 吉林省科技发展项目（20210203152SF）；中国气象局创新发展专项（CXFZ2021J076） Dynamic evaluation of ecological environment quality and climate response in Northeastern China Tiger and Leopard National Park Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: 省、部研究计划基金 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:人类活动及气候变化对东北虎豹国家公园生态环境产生深刻的影响，探究该地区生态环境质量的时空演变规律对园区可持续发展具有重要意义。在原有遥感生态指数基础上，选用增强型植被指数代替原绿度指标中的归一化植被指数，构建2001-2020年植被生长季遥感生态指数，探讨园区内核心保护区、虎豹潜在栖息地及主要人口聚集区三大管控区生态环境质量时空变化特征，并基于像元尺度分析其对气候因素的响应。结果表明：（1）近20年虎豹公园生态环境质量呈波动微弱下降趋势，2015年后生态环境质量逐步提升，2020年达到良好水平；（2）园区内各管控区生态环境质量具有明显的空间分异性，东部核心保护区中部及虎豹潜在栖息地中部以南地区生态环境质量较好，主要人口聚集区相对较差。（3）近20年虎豹公园生态环境质量稳定性较差。未来生态环境质量变化趋势为上升的面积占60.86%，表明未来生态环境趋势总体向好，但局部地区仍存在持续恶化态势。（4）虎豹公园生态环境质量主要受降水的影响，与降水呈显著正相关关系，与气温及日照的相关性较弱。 Abstract:Human activities and climate change have a profound impact on the ecological environment of the Northeastern China Tiger and Leopard National Park (NCTL-NP), and exploring the temporal and spatial evolution of the ecological environment quality in this area is of great significance for the sustainable development of the park. In this paper,we selected the enhanced vegetation index (EVI) to replace the NDVI in the original greenness index, and constructed the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) for the vegetation growing season from 2001 to 2020 based on the original remote sensing ecological index. Then, we analyzed the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of the ecological environment quality and their responses to climatic factors in the three major control areas of potential habitats and main population agglomeration areas based on the pixel scale. The results show that:(1) The ecological environment quality of NCTL-NP has shown a fluctuating and weak downward trend in the past 20 years. After 2015, the ecological environment quality has gradually improved and reached a good level in 2020; (2) The ecological environment quality of each control area in the park has obvious spatial heterogeneity, the quality of the ecological environment in the central part of the eastern core reserve and the southern part of the potential habitat of tigers and leopards is relatively good, while the main population agglomeration areas are relatively poor. (3) In the past 20 years, the ecological environment quality of NCTL-NP has been extremely unstable.The area with an upward trend in the quality of the ecological environment in the future accounted for 60.86%, indicating that the trend of the ecological environment in the future is generally good, but there is still a continuous deterioration trend in some areas. (4) The ecological environment quality of NCTL-NP is mainly affected by precipitation, which has a significant positive correlation with precipitation, and a weak correlation with temperature and sunshine. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Quantifying the relative contributions of habitat modification and mammalian predators on landscape-scale declines of a threatened river specialist duck.

Habitat modification and introduced mammalian predators are linked to global species extinctions and declines, but their relative influences can be uncertain, often making conservation management difficult. Using landscape-scale models, we quantified the relative impacts of habitat modification and mammalian predation on the range contraction of a threatened New Zealand riverine duck. We combined 38 years of whio (Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos) observations with national-scale environmental data to predict relative likelihood of occurrence (RLO) under two scenarios using bootstrapped boosted regression trees (BRT). Our models used training data from contemporary environments to predict the potential contemporary whio distribution across New Zealand riverscapes in the absence of introduced mammalian predators. Then, using estimates of environments prior to human arrival, we used the same models to hindcast potential pre-human whio distribution prior to widespread land clearance. Comparing RLO differences between potential pre-human, potential contemporary and observed contemporary distributions allowed us to assess the relative impacts of the two main drivers of decline; habitat modification and mammalian predation. Whio have undergone widespread catastrophic declines most likely linked to mammalian predation, with smaller declines due to habitat modification (range contractions of 95% and 37%, respectively). We also identified areas of potential contemporary habitat outside their current range that would be suitable for whio conservation if mammalian predator control could be implemented. Our approach presents a practical technique for estimating the relative importance of global change drivers in species declines and extinctions, as well as providing valuable information to improve conservation planning.

Intense work for mangrove planting, forest, and land rehabilitation efforts, and generating the coastal community economy in the pandemic era

Mangrove forest is a unique, transitional ecosystem between seawater and freshwater ecosystems. Indonesia has an existing mangrove area of 3,364,081 Ha, of which the area of potential mangrove habitat is 756,183 Ha. The high value of this mangrove ecosystem places mangroves as one of the targets for rehabilitation in Indonesia. South Sumatra Province is one of Indonesia’s provinces with high mangrove potential. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the activities of the business world experienced significant disruption in production, distribution, and other operational activities, ultimately disrupting the performance of the national economy. Along with the decline in the Indonesian economy as a result of the Covid 19 Pandemic, it automatically has an impact on the economic conditions of the people who live in coastal areas, where most of their lives depend on the pond business they manage or even from fishing with an unstable income level. This review highlights the progress aimed at mangrove planting and forest rehabilitation during the pandemic era by generating the coastal community in South Sumatra.