Protected Areas Research Articles

A Study on the Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Land Cover Change and Carbon Storage in the Northern Gulf Economic Zone of Guangxi Based on the InVEST Model

In recent years, the international community has increasingly focused on the “dual carbon” issue, as human-induced land use changes significantly impact ecosystem structure and carbon cycling. This study analyzes land use changes in the economic zone of the northern Gulf of Guangxi from 1980 to 2020, utilizing the InVEST model to simulate spatiotemporal changes in carbon storage and conducting zoning studies through spatial analysis. The findings reveal that ① forest land and arable land dominate the northern Gulf of Guangxi’s land use, with notable changes observed in forest land, unused land, and construction land areas. Forest land and construction land have increased by 1761.5 km2 and 1001.19 km2, respectively, while unused land has decreased by 1881.18 km2 from 2000 to 2020. ② The total carbon storage values in the northern Gulf of Guangxi in 1980, 2000, and 2020 were, respectively, 504.91 × 106/t, 487.29 × 106/t, and 500.31 × 106/t, with the expansion of construction land and conversion of forest land being the main reasons for the decrease in carbon storage. ③ In the northern Gulf of Guangxi, there is a slight upward trend in total carbon storage values over time. Spatially, higher carbon storage values are observed in mountainous and hilly areas at high altitudes, while the central and southern coastal areas exhibit lower carbon storage values. ④ The local spatial autocorrelation results reveal that Pu Bei County exhibits high–high clustering of carbon storage, while He Pu County undergoes a transition from high–low to low–low clustering, and several other administrative areas in Beihai demonstrates low–low clustering. Due to the imperative of economic development, the expansion of urban construction land encroaches upon ecological land, resulting in a decline in carbon storage. Therefore, in the Northern Gulf of Guangxi, it is essential to implement measures such as reforestation and establish ecological protection areas such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands to develop effective carbon sequestration methods and compensate for the carbon loss caused by the expansion of construction land.

Forecasting Suitable Habitats of the Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) in Asia: Insights into the Present and Future Climate Projections Within and Beyond Extant Boundaries

Terrestrial carnivores, such as the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), are ‘vulnerable’ and experiencing significant population declines in mainland Asia. Considering the assessed threats, the IUCN has repetitively revised the range of this felid and now characterized it into four distinct categories (extant, possibly extant, possibly extinct, and extinct). Although several ecological works have been accomplished on this enigmatic carnivore, the overall view of its habitat suitability, fragmentation, and corridor connectivity in both present and historical ranges is lacking. Thus, achieving this ecological information under present and future climate scenarios is crucial. The model identified merely 44,033 sq. km falling within the extant range (representing 31.66%) and 20,034 sq. km (8.13%) in the possibly extant range. Fascinatingly, within the historical ranges, an additional 15,264 sq. km (6.58%) has been identified as suitable habitat in the possibly extinct range and 14,022 sq. km (2.38%) in the extinct range. Notably, a total of 25,614 sq. km of suitable habitat is found within designated protected areas across the entire range. Nevertheless, climate change is expected to drive habitat loss of up to 41% (overall IUCN range) for N. nebulosa in both present and historical extent, with habitat patches becoming increasingly fragmented. This is reflected in a projected decline in the number of viable habitat patches (NP) by up to 23.29% in the future. This study also identified 18 transboundary biological corridors for N. nebulosa, with Southeast Asian countries expected to experience the most significant declines in corridor connectivity. In contrast, the South Asian countries (Bhutan, Nepal, and India) are projected to maintain relatively higher connectivity in the future. Nevertheless, a substantial decline in overall mean corridor connectivity is projected in the near future due to the impacts of climate change. This study underscores the urgent need for a coordinated and multifaceted conservation strategy for N. nebulosa, focusing on mitigating habitat loss and fragmentation. Practical measures must be implemented to protect the species’ shrinking range, considering its declining corridor networks and heightened vulnerability to inbreeding depression. Moreover, the assessment of habitat suitability both within and beyond the extant range, alongside corridor connectivity measures, provides valuable insights into potential translocation and reintroduction sites for this species. These findings provide a critical foundation for developing a strategic conservation plan tailored to the specific needs of this felid species across South and Southeast Asia, ensuring enhanced climate resilience and mitigating associated threats.

Fish–Seascape Associations Within an Offshore Protected Area in the Arabian Gulf

ABSTRACTCoral reef ecosystems support high fish biodiversity through ecological interactions with structural complexity across multiple spatial scales including coral colony architecture and the surrounding seascape structure. In an era where the complexity of coral reef ecosystems is being diminished, understanding the importance of structural characteristics beyond single focal patches has the potential to better inform actions for protecting, restoring or creating habitat for reef‐associated species. A seascape ecology approach was applied to explore the associations between multiple scales of seascape structure and fish assemblage response variables within a small (49.6 km2) offshore no‐take MPA, Sir Bu Nair Island Protected Area, in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Fish–seascape associations were modelled with single regression trees. Both in situ and remote sensing–derived variables produced the best models with highest contributions from coral cover, amount of hard‐bottom habitat type and structural complexity of the seafloor terrain. Fish species richness was significantly higher where coral cover exceeded 35%. The hard‐bottom areas with coral supported diverse assemblages dominated by carnivorous and omnivorous fishes. The Sir Bu Nair Island Protected Area provides a critical refuge for threatened and regionally overexploited species including those with low resilience to fishing. The ecological success of this protected area is key to safeguarding regional marine biodiversity and recovering fish populations to enhance food security.

Two new species of Diastatotropis Lacordaire from protected areas in central and east Madagascar (Coleoptera: Anthribidae)

Two new species, Diastatotropis lusti Trýzna, Blažej & Rakotonirina sp. nov. and Diastatotropis petulae Trýzna, Blažej & Rakotonirina sp. nov. (Anthribidae: Anthribinae: incertae sedis), from Madagascar are described, including colour habitus photographs, drawings of male and female genitalia, ecological notes and photographs of the habitat.

Implementing a novel process for solving contentious conservation problems: The genetic status of K'gari wongari (Fraser Island Dingoes) as a case study

SummaryMany conservation problems remain intractable because of conflicting views between policymakers, managers, researchers, conservationists and community stakeholders. Novel approaches to resolving these conflicts are required to achieve conservation outcomes that are more broadly acceptable. The conservation and management of K'gari wongari (Fraser Island's Dingoes) is emblematic of such a situation. Here we describe the successful implementation of a novel approach to advancing one such formerly intractable issue – assessing the genetic health and status of the island's Dingoes to resolve latent conflicts and assist protected area managers with their conservation activities. We developed a participatory, independent approach centred on community workshops to identify research priorities, expert workshops to identify appropriate research methods, then the commissioning of independent scientific research to address community priorities in accordance with the experts' suggested methods. The overall aim of the project was to provide managers with robust and policy‐ready information on the genetic health and status of the Dingoes – information that also met community expectations and was widely supported by subject matter experts. The participatory approach of the project achieved this aim and was completed successfully and satisfactorily for all involved despite the occurrence of some expected challenges and necessary compromises. Here we describe the background to the problem, how the project was designed, the key challenges the project faced during implementation, and the key learnings from the exercise, thereby highlighting its innovative features as a participatory conflict resolution process. This process could be applied to advance other conservation problems hampered by conflicting stakeholder views.

Radiocarbon ageing of Indigenous culturally‐significant trees for bushfire management on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), southeast Queensland

SummaryPartnerships between Indigenous People and governments for joint management of ancestral lands, designated as protected conservation areas for biodiversity and cultural heritage, provide an opportunity to leverage accumulated traditional land management knowledge with emerging science. In Australia, veteran or large old trees in natural landscapes are of significant ecological importance, and among the Indigenous communities, they are living monuments to historical cultural practices, but their survival, endurance and long lives are rarely acknowledged to afford them protection. In sub‐tropical Australia, the lack of consistent annual growth rings in stem wood makes it difficult to estimate the age of large trees using methods such as the periodic diameter increment. Ngugi et al., 2020 published radiocarbon (14C) dates using wood core (‘pith‐wood’) samples from 12 Indigenous culturally‐significant trees covering five species on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island). Due to the imprecise calendar age results of the single samples used in the original study (Ngugi et al., 2020), subsequent radiocarbon dating of an additional three wood core samples from each tree was undertaken to age the trees more precisely. The revised tree ages ranged from 63 to 531 years and suggest an important role of past Indigenous land management practices into protecting Bugari (Cypress Pine, Callitris columellaris F. Muell.) from deadly crown scorching fires. These results underscore the importance of incorporating Indigenous practices in current fire management strategies and plans. Estimating tree ages based on the periodic diameter increment method overestimated the age relative to that derived from radiocarbon dating. New bias correction factors were developed for adjusting the recorded periodic tree diameter increments.

Mapping and Analyzing Ecosystem Services Hotspots and Coldspots for Sustainable Spatial Planning in the Greater Asmara Area, Eritrea.

Rapid urbanization in African metropolises like the Greater Asmara Area, Eritrea, poses numerous environmental challenges, including soil sealing, loss of vegetation cover, threats to protected natural areas, and climate change, among others. Mapping and assessing ecosystem services, particularly analyzing their spatial and temporal distribution is crucial for sustainable spatial planning. This study aims at mapping and analyzing ecosystem services hotspots and coldspots dynamics in the Greater Asmara Area to identify recent trends and opportunities for enhancing ecosystem services supply. Utilizing remote sensing images, we produced land cover maps for 2009 and 2020 and mapped six ecosystem services through a lookup table approach. The study includes provisioning, regulating and maintenance, and cultural ecosystem services. We analyzed their spatio-temporal variations, identifying ecosystem services hotspots and coldspots and their changes over time. Results show that overall ecosystem services potential in the Greater Asmara Area remains low but stable, with some improvements. By 2020, areas with no ecosystem services potential decreased in southern regions like Gala Nefhi and Berik, and new hotspots and coldspots emerged in central Gala Nefhi. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and key challenges of the ecosystem services hotspots and coldspots approach for sustainable spatial planning in rapidly urbanizing African metropolitan regions. Despite limitations, the study offers valuable insights into ecosystem services potentials, and related hotspots and coldspots dynamics, raising awareness and paving the way for further research and application.

Atlantic Forest Regeneration Dynamics Following Human Disturbance Cessation in Brazil

The Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF) is one of the most important biodiversity hotspots and species-rich ecosystems globally. Due to human activities, it has been significantly reduced and fragmented. This study examined both biotic (floristic composition, diversity, and structure) and abiotic (topographic and soil) factors in BAF fragments undergoing varying levels and durations of human disturbance cessation: approximately 20 years (20 y), ~30 years (30 y), and over 40 years (>40 y). We aimed to understand the recovery dynamics of floristic composition, diversity, and structure in BAF fragments in relation to abiotic factors. Several statistical tools were employed to examine similarities/differences and relationships. Forests of the 30 y group exhibit significantly greater homogeneity in terms of floristic composition, while forests of the 20 y group are characterized by lower species abundance and diversity. The floristic composition was primarily influenced by soil features and the time of disturbance. Under “Environmental Protection Areas”, soil–vegetation recovery can occur more swiftly than usually observed for BAF. A significant BAF recovery was observed approximately 40 years after the end of human disturbance. A partial recovery featured 30 y disturbed areas, while in 20 y forests, recovery is in its early stages. Human-disturbed BAF can gradually rebound when effective management practices are implemented.

Mapping Biodiversity Conservation Priorities for Protected Areas for Spatial Optimization: A Case Study in the Songnen Plain, China.

The decline in biodiversity poses a serious threat to natural ecosystems and has become one of the most pressing global environmental issues. Establishing conservation priorities for protected areas (PAs) is one of the most direct and effective biodiversity conservation measures. However, conservation gaps arise as a result of existing problems in spatial layout of PAs, including overlapping protection scopes, artificial fragmentation of natural ecological regions, as well as "over-protection" and "over-exploitation." To optimize the spatial layout of PAs and improve the efficiency of biodiversity conservation, we employed the Habitat Quality module of the Integrated Assessment of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model to assess the PAs in the Songnen Plain, China. The combined model (MaxEnt-InVEST) revealed that the conservation priorities for PAs in the Songnen Plain occupied a total area of 14,764.14 km2 (10.24% of the total area of the Songnen Plain). The conservation priorities outside PAs occupied a total area of 7858.45 km2 (5.45% of the total area of the Songnen Plain) and were primarily distributed in the northeastern, central, and southwestern regions of the Songnen Plain. This indicated that existing PAs did not offer adequate protection for local biodiversity. The consistency of our combined modeling framework was 72.11%, which enabled a more accurate assessment of biodiversity hotspots and respects the land uses of the Songnen Plain. In addition, the modeling framework successfully created maps of conservation gaps of biodiversity hotspots based on actual species distribution data and considers current land uses. Our study was aimed at optimizing the spatial conservation efficiency of the Songnen Plain by assessing the conservation gaps in the Songnen Plain. It could provide a reference for the future development of a PA system centering on national parks.

Economic effects of wild boar damage to crops in protected areas of Nepal

Human wild-boar conflict is one of the prominent issues in Nepal, especially in areas adjacent to protected areas. Wild boars cause substantial damage to the agricultural crops and affect the lives of rural farmers through economic loss. However, the extent of this loss varies across protected areas. Thus, this study aims to compare the economic loss due to crop damage by wild boar between two protected areas with different management regimes; Shuklaphanta National Park (ShNP) and Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR). We used a questionnaire survey and descriptive statistics to characterize and compare the pattern of human wild boar conflicts between ShNP and DHR. Altogether, the two protected areas experienced a crop damage of 87,035.78kg with an estimated economic loss of 26,389 USD in our study. The most damaged crop in the ShNP was paddy whereas that in DHR was potato. We recorded a higher crop damage and economic loss in ShNP than in DHR. However, the severity of conflict is higher in DHR with around 8% of the total production damaged by wild boar. Although the government declared wild boar an agricultural menace in 2023 and permitted killing on private lands, local communities should also apply other mitigation measures to prevent wild boars from entering crop fields. Additionally, the potential introduction of trophy hunting in ShNP (already permitted in DHR), following comprehensive studies, could help reduce economic losses associated with human-wild boar conflicts. Such combined efforts could create a more sustainable approach to managing wild boar populations while safeguarding local agriculture and livelihoods.

Using pack animals instead of tractors in Central Italy's protected areas: No evidence of reduced soil disturbance

In thinning operations in Mediterranean beech forests, pack animals are often used when topographic conditions do not allow for the use of mechanisation to perform logging operations. Otherwise, mechanised extraction is the primary choice. In an effort to reduce soil disturbance caused by mechanised ground-based logging, the forest authorities who guard protected areas have been mandating animal logging at all logging sites in recent years. Since no comparative scientific trials of soil disturbance of these two extraction systems have ever been conducted in the target setting, there is no scientific evidence to sustain this approach. On this basis, we chose two study areas where the forest authorities mandated animal logging. Each study area consists of three sub-compartments, one unharvested, one harvested by animals, and one harvested by tractor in the same year (2021). We examined soil compaction, soil organic matter, and soil microarthropod biodiversity in animal skid trails, tractor skid trails, soil unaffected by extraction methods, and unharvested control sites in each study areas. We used linear mixed-effects models, indicating the study area as random intercept, to investigate the effect of the experimental treatments on the target soil features, and to check the relationship among soil physico-chemical parameters and soil microarthropod biodiversity. We discovered that only the animal and tractor skid trails showed signs of disturbance in terms of soil compaction and organic matter loss. Additionally, there was a significant decline in the biodiversity of soil microarthropods in both the skid trail types, with values of the QBS-ar index which were practically halved in comparison to the control area. We did not find any significant difference in the values in the tractor and animal skid trails for any of the examined soil characteristics. Low soil microarthropod biodiversity was found to be correlated with high soil compaction in terms of penetration resistance and low soil organic matter levels, according to linear mixed-effects models. Despite our preliminary findings, we made it clear that the short wood system by a tractor fitted with forwarding bins is unquestionably a very soil-disturbing extraction system, that ought to be avoided when conducting logging operations in protected areas. However, pack animals are not a suitable solution to reduce soil disturbance. Other extraction systems such as chute, small-scale cable yarders, as well as combination of animals and machine avoiding extensive traffic on the forest soil, are better solutions to the fundamental issue of low-impact logging in protected areas.

Semi-structured citizen science data reveal mixed effectiveness of EU Special Protection Areas (SPA) in Germany

Protected areas aim to conserve and restore populations of target species and their habitats, but it is challenging to quantify their effectiveness. Assessments of protected area effectiveness require long-term monitoring data, which are rarely available for all target species. We aimed to evaluate the usefulness of semi-structured citizen science data to derive population trends of target species, and use these to assess the effectiveness of EU Special Protection Areas (SPA). We derived occupancy trends for 42 target species across the SPA network of Germany over a 11-year period. We found that 62 % of the target species were more likely to occur in SPA than outside, especially when these sites also comprised parts of other types of protected areas. 17 % of the species showed more positive occupancy trends (including slower declines) in SPA, whereas 21 % showed more negative trends than outside. We conclude that the German SPA network represents target species well approximately two decades after the designation of most SPA, but is currently only effective for a minority of studied target species.Our results contribute to mounting evidence of mixed effectiveness of the Natura 2000 network to maintain populations of target species in Europe. We therefore call for greater conservation efforts, especially for declining species. Our results can help to define priority species and initiate or optimize species-specific management. Thus, semi-structured data have the potential to inform national impact assessments when data from structured monitoring programs are lacking.

Labor market impacts of eco-development initiatives in protected areas

Eco-development seeks to balance economic development with biodiversity conservation, enhancing the effectiveness of protected area management. This paper examines the labor market impacts of eco-development initiatives implemented in the protected areas of the Western Ghats, India, a significant biodiversity hotspot facing intense socio-economic pressures. Our findings show that eco-development has substantially altered labor market outcomes in villages within and surrounding protected areas, resulting in a higher share of non-farm employment. This shift is marked by a reduction in year-round work and an increase in seasonal employment. These effects appear to stem from the specific types of jobs created by eco-development and the changes in land use patterns it promotes, such as a higher proportion of forested land and increased reliance on rainfed agriculture over irrigated farming. Descriptive evidence also suggests that, despite improvements in literacy, the affected villages experience lower consumption levels and higher poverty rates.

Tourism-induced land acquisition in protected areas: Land rent dynamics and state monopoly rent around the Wulingyuan world heritage site in China

Tension between nature conservation, green grabbing, land acquisition for tourism, and value grabbing highlight a significant yet understudied area: the underlying land rent mechanisms and the state's role in driving green land acquisition for tourism. Using Marxian land rent theory, we explored how ‘state monopoly rent’ is produced by tourism-induced green land acquisition and the consequent displacement and resettlement of communities in and around the Wulingyuan World Heritage. State actors actively acquired land and land use rights for tourism development to maximise the rent gap despite, and perhaps because of, national nature conservation priorities and restrictions. State actors are a key player in the political economy of tourism by directly capitalizing on potential land rent in China.

Distribution, environmental risks, and conservation challenges of chemical pollutants in Persian Gulf marine protected areas

This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of chemical pollutants, including total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), anionic surfactants, and total organic carbon (TOC), in the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) waters in the northern Persian Gulf. Water samples were collected from five MPAs during the winter and summer of 2022. The study identified significant seasonal variations, with higher pollutant levels recorded in winter compared to summer. Concentrations of ∑19PCBs (ng/L), anionic surfactants (µg/L), TPHs (mg/L), and TOC (mg/L) ranged from 0.72 to 4.66, 10 to 79, ND to 134.63, and 0.5 to 114.58 in winter, and from 2.49 to 5.05, 11 to 30, ND to 20.26, and 0.15 to 5.27 in summer, respectively. The pollution patterns revealed the Mond protected area as a major pollution hotspot, compromising its ecological health. The results highlight the critical need for targeted pollution control and enhanced conservation measures in the region’s MPAs to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems.

Projecting Untruncated Climate Change Effects on Species' Climate Suitability: Insights From an Alpine Country.

Climate projections for continental Europe indicate drier summers, increased annual precipitation, and less snowy winters, which are expected to cause shifts in species' distributions. Yet, most regions/countries currently lack comprehensive climate-driven biodiversity projections across taxonomic groups, challenging effective conservation efforts. To address this gap, our study evaluated the potential effects of climate change on the biodiversity of an alpine country of Europe, Switzerland. We used a state-of-the art species distribution modeling approach and species occurrence data that covered the climatic conditions encountered across the full species' ranges to help limiting niche truncation. We quantified the relationship between baseline climate and the spatial distribution of 7291 species from 12 main taxonomic groups and projected future climate suitability for three 30-year periods and two greenhouse gas concentration scenarios (RCP4.5 and 8.5). Our results indicated important effects of projected climate changes on species' climate suitability, with responses varying by the taxonomic and conservation status group. The percentage of species facing major changes in climate suitability was higher under RCP8.5 (68%) compared to RCP4.5 (66%). By the end of the century, decreases in climate suitability were projected for 3000 species under RCP8.5 and 1758 species under RCP4.5. The most affected groups under RCP8.5 were molluscs, algae, and amphibians, while it was molluscs, birds, and vascular plants under RCP4.5. Spatially, by 2070-2099, we projected an overall decrease in climate suitability for 39% of the cells in the study area under RCP8.5 and 10% under RCP4.5, while projecting an increase for 50% of the cells under RCP8.5 and 73% under RCP4.5. The most consistent geographical shifts were upward, southward, and eastward. We found that the coverage of high climate suitability cells by protected areas was expected to increase. Our models and maps provide guidance for spatial conservation planning by pointing out future climate-suitable areas for biodiversity.

Proposal on Species‐Specific Synergistic Conservation Measures for Critically Endangered Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)

ABSTRACTThe gharial (Gavialis gangeticus), a critically endangered freshwater reptile endemic to the Indian subcontinent, faces severe threats from various anthropogenic stressors. Despite positive conservation efforts, a holistic approach is essential for improved outcomes. This involves (1) identification of new conservation priority sites, (2) establishment of gharial populations outside protected areas, (3) interlinking ecosystem processes, (4) conducting census of gharial annually, (5) efficient use of digital technology, (6) adoption of best management practices to mitigate various threats, (7) assessment of inbreeding depression in gharial, (8) rescue and rehabilitation training for local communities, (9) interstate and trans‐boundary commission and (10) survey on socio‐economic status of local communities. Implementing the proposed synergistic measures will not only strengthen conservation efforts but also enhance the livelihoods of local communities, ensuring a sustainable future for this species.

Exploring morphometry, hydrodynamics, and surface sediment composition in Khenifiss lagoon: Insights from a shallow coastal environment in Southern Morocco

Coastal lagoons are widely recognized as highly dynamic and intricate ecosystems within coastal environments, playing a crucial role in supporting both human communities and biodiversity. However, these coastal ecosystems are confronted with a multitude of challenges stemming from both natural phenomena and human activities. Hence, acquiring a comprehensive understanding of coastal lagoon dynamics is imperative for safeguarding and ensuring the sustainability of these ecosystems, relying on discerning the intricate interplay between hydrodynamic and sedimentological factors and processes. In Morocco, the Khenifiss lagoon is recognized as the largest lagoon and the most significant wetland along the Atlantic coast, designated as a protected area under the Ramsar Convention since 1980. However, the lagoon is confronted with the challenge of inlet and channel narrowing due to heightened sediment transport and accumulation toward its interior, along with dune advancement. This paper aims to establish correlations between morphometry, hydrodynamic conditions, and surface sediment composition to categorize the main channel of Khenifiss lagoon according to sedimentary environmental conditions. This categorization aims to delineate zones characterized by high, moderate, and low energy levels. Such classification will offer valuable insights into the dynamic interactions governing the lagoon’s ecosystem by identifying areas prone to resuspension and deposition. The study categorized the main channel of the Khenifiss lagoon into distinct zones based on hydrodynamic conditions. Areas with high energy levels, including the entrance zone and the narrowest central section, featured the highest current velocities, fostering conditions favoring the resuspension of fine materials. Zones with moderate energy levels, such as the downstream main channel and sinuous sections, exhibited moderate current velocities and a predominance of fine sand over medium sand fractions, along with observed reductions in current velocity. Areas characterized by low energy levels, encompassing the upstream main channel, are marked by slower current velocities and shallow depths, facilitating the deposition of fine and very fine sediment. Finally, areas with very low energy and calm conditions, well-protected from strong currents, prevent the reworking of sediments and facilitate their accumulation. This study highlights the importance of integrating sedimentological, hydrodynamic, and morphometric analyses as a valuable approach for monitoring coastal ecosystems and understanding the morphodynamics of coastal lagoons. This approach guides ecosystem management, such as targeted conservation efforts, erosion control, and habitat protection, while also supporting informed coastal development and adaptive management strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability and protection of the Khenifiss lagoon.

Population status and habitat suitability of the vulnerable common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) in the Dhidhessa Wildlife Sanctuary, Southwestern Ethiopia

Common hippopotamuses (Hippopotamus amphibious) are among the top five herbivorous animals in Africa. Despite being listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, they are a common mammal in Ethiopia's protected areas, lakes, rivers, and marshes. However, there is insufficient data to evaluate status of the population and habitat compatibility across the most of the country. The aim of this research was to ascertain the population size of hippos and the suitability of its habitat in the Dhidhessa Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) in southwest Ethiopia. The study was conducted between 2021 and 2022. To estimate the population size, the total count procedures were employed. The adaptability of each habitat for hippos was determined using the multi-ring buffer analysis in Arc GIS 10.2. A total of 231 and 133 hippos were observed during both the dry and wet seasons, respectively. Of the surveyed individuals, 62.08 % were adults, 20.88 % were under-adults, and 17 % were young. More hippos (45.1%) were observed in the savanna grassland during the rainy season. Subsequently, the hippos (50.6%) relocated to the riverine forest in the dry season. Thus, the habitats in DWS and their environs were determined to range from most suitable to unsuitable for hippos. The results showed that 58.31% of the regions were unsuitable, 18.49% were moderately suitable, and 23.18 % were highly suitable for hippos grazing. 7.95% of the research area slope was suitable, 26.32 % moderate and 65.72% not suitable and 19.8% was considered most suitable for human interference, 46.3% was severely disturbed, and 33.9% was moderately affected. Based on the current investigation, it has been determined that human interference in hippos’ habitats is significant. In order to protect the hippos’ habitats from excessive human activities and their impacts, a buffer should be created around the DWS area.

Integrity-centered framework for determining protected areas boundary: An application in the China's national park

National parks are critical components of protected areas and are drawing increased global attention. Clear and rational boundaries may provide a scientific foundation for the sustainable protection and management of these areas. However, criteria for feasible national park delimitation and techniques for resolving conflicts between socioeconomic development and environmental protection are still poorly defined, particularly regarding integrity during park establishment. Consequently, a systematic analytical framework is essential for advancing research and practice. This study developed a systematic framework to determine the spatial boundaries, using the Kunlun Mountain region in China as a case for empirical analysis. Key issues in national park development—ecology and management—were systematically integrated into this framework. Most importantly, spatial connectivity, a critical concern in national park planning, was thoroughly considered for improving integrity optimization, an aspect often overlooked in previous delimitation studies. The results demonstrated that our framework effectively identified potential national park boundaries, achieving a balance between development and conservation. Furthermore, core protected and general control areas were delineated to support differentiated management approaches. This framework offers a scientific foundation for policymakers and managers to pursue sustainable protection and management of national parks.