Subclause 3.7 of the FIDIC Red Book 2017 directs the engineer to act neutrally when determining claims, while Subclause 3.1 elsewhere deems the engineer the employer’s agent. This institutional duality generates ethical and legal tensions that affect fairness, cost, schedule, and enforceability. The paper examines that tension through doctrinal analysis; a comparative review of FIDIC 1999, FIDIC 2017, and new engineering contract (NEC) [with targeted reference to joint contracts tribunal (JCT) certifier jurisprudence and selected civil-law good-faith duties]; and a normative-ethics synthesis drawing on deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics. The 2017 neutrality innovation narrows but does not eliminate the agency/adjudicator conflict. Tribunals and boards expect even-handed consultation, reasoned determinations, and disciplined use of notice mechanisms (including finality absent a valid notice of dissatisfaction, NOD), yet the undefined nature of neutrality and the engineer’s economic ties to the employer preserve residual bias risks. Professional codes (FIDIC/ICE/RICS) endorse impartial conduct but lack subclause-specific operational tools; digital record-keeping and smart-contract concepts can reinforce transparency without substituting for human judgment. The paper offers a clause-specific legal definition of neutrality under Subclause 3.7; consolidates FIDIC/NEC contrasts; translates ethical theory into practitioner instruments; and proposes actionable devices an engineer’s declaration of impartiality, a 42/42/28 decision flow with a reasons matrix, and a conflict-check/recusal protocol alongside drafting guidance for particular conditions and professional codes. Adopting this toolkit should reduce disputes, accelerate payment and time decisions, and enhance the integrity and enforceability of engineer determinations.

This study aimed to investigate the floristic characteristics, biogeographic distribution, and altitudinal zonation of native trees and shrubs (over 50 cm in height) in the flora of the Fergana Valley (Uzbekistan). Field surveys at 32 sites recorded 165 species from 60 genera and 32 families, including 5 (3.03%) subendemic taxa listed in the national Red Book. Among the families, 14 are represented by a single species each, 10 families by 2-9 species each, and 5 families by 10-15 species each, while the family Rosaceae is represented by 42 species. 26 genera were each represented by a single species, while 34 genera were each represented by 2-10 species, and the genus Rosa was represented by 11 species. Among the life forms represented in the dendroflora, phanerophytes are the most dominant (135 taxa), followed by chamaephytes (30 taxa). The results of the floristic analysis revealed a clear predominance of temperate taxa across all hierarchical levels. At the species level, Central Asian and Temperate Asian elements together accounted for 87.89% of the flora, indicating the distinctly temperate nature of the regional dendroflora and underscoring the crucial role of endemic species in maintaining biodiversity. All taxa inhabit six natural habitat types. Botanical-geographic analysis of the highest species richness was found in the Chorkesar (62.42%) and Eastern Alay (52.72%) regions, while the East-Fergana region contained the lowest (11.51%). According to the results of altitudinal distribution, mountain areas harbored the highest tree and shrub diversity (112 taxa), while the high-altitude pasture zone is the poorest (7 taxa). The highest diversity along horizontal and vertical gradients was observed in the Rosaceae family (300-3100 m), with peak species richness recorded between 1400 and 2100 m. These findings provide an important scientific reference for identifying regional biodiversity hotspots, conserving rare species, supporting future floristic and biogeographic research.

China accounts for approximately 50% of global new liver cancer cases, predominantly driven by hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma. The disease presents a distinctive socio-medical profile characterized by a prolonged etiological chain (chronic hepatitis B—cirrhosis—liver cancer), late-stage diagnosis, and a cultural norm of family-first disclosure—whereby physicians typically inform family members before patients themselves. These features position family caregivers, rather than patients, as the primary information seekers and communicators in online health discourse. Drawing on the Comprehensive Model of Information Seeking (CMIS) and Communication Privacy Management (CPM) theory, this study analyzes 1,857 liver cancer-related user comments collected from Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book)—a Chinese lifestyle-oriented social media platform with over 300 million monthly active users—between December 2024 and February 2026. BERTopic, a neural topic modeling framework suited to short Chinese social media texts, was employed for inductive topic extraction. The analysis yielded 15 interpretable topics, organized into five thematic categories: clinical diagnosis and treatment (34.8%), emotional support and caregiving (26.3%), upstream chronic disease management (14.2%), symptom and tumor assessment (12.5%), and online health consultation (9.6%). Notably, hepatitis B and cirrhosis medication management emerged as the second-largest topic, directly mirroring the HBV-dominant etiological chain characteristic of Chinese liver cancer. Family-role terms ("father," "mother," "husband") and Buddhist prayer language appeared as high-salience keywords across multiple topics, underscoring the caregiver-driven and culturally embedded nature of the discourse. The study proposes the concept of "proxy information seeker" as a theoretical extension of CMIS, reveals privacy boundary tensions arising from caregivers' routine public disclosure of patient health information under China's non-disclosure culture, and provides empirical grounding for caregiver-oriented platform governance and digital health literacy interventions.

Abstract Lilium mackliniae Sealy (Shirui Lily), the state flower of Manipur, is considered one of the most admired wild ornamental flowers around the world. Its modest beauty and rarity attract thousands of tourists through the difficult terrains of the Shirui hill ranges. With the introduction of the Shirui Festival in the state, its popularity is ever-increasing. However, there is a dearth of scientific work and research about this plant which will help explore the untapped potential in various sectors including horticulture, environment, tourism, rural development, etc. Hence, this review, through a comprehensive study of available literature, aims to highlight the different aspects of the plant including current status, botanical characteristics, challenges, conservation efforts and future directions for conservation. The rise in popularity of this species comes with increasing interaction with human activities and thereby compounding more challenges. The severity of the threat is reflected in being listed as an endangered species in the Red Data Book of Indian Plants. Climate change, forest fires, invasive species and habitat destruction through various human activities are posing serious challenges to the species. However, conservation approaches from various fields such as phenology, geospatial analysis, in vitro propagation, in situ and ex situ conservation, community efforts and government initiatives are in the right direction. A holistic approach with available resources and scientific advancement through various mechanisms of community and government sections must be implemented. There remains ample scope for further scientific research on this ecologically and culturally significant species.

Cetraria islandica L. in Ukraine is primarily found in the Carpathians, sporadically in Polissya, and is rare in the country's southern regions. In 2014, the European Union Committee for Herbal Medicinal Products classified C. islandica as a traditionally used herbal medicinal product. In recent decades, there has been a decline in the number of C. islandica populations due to overharvesting. The species is also threatened by air pollution and habitat destruction. In the highlands of the Carpathians, the depletion of this lichen occurs, in particular, even within protected areas. This leads to disruption of the structure of rare plant communities listed in the Green Book of Ukraine, their degradation, and the decline of numerous populations of endemic and rare species included in the Red Book of Ukraine. C. islandica is a typical component of most alpine and upper subalpine primary phytocoenoses within the altitude range of 1700–2000 m a.s.l. The projective cover of this species is usually 5–15%. In some communities, particularly those dominated by blueberry and rhododendron, where C. islandica is a subdominant with projective coverage up to 25%. C. islandica plays an important protective role in alpine phytocoenoses under extreme environmental conditions, such as low temperatures and strong winds. As a result of the loss of lichen cover, primary alpine phytocoenoses are replaced by long-term secondary communities. The natural recovery (demutation) of community structure after the cessation of C. islandica harvesting may take decades. Even a single episode of intensive harvesting can cause significant degradation, as the growth rate of this lichen is particularly slow. In areas where C. islandica cover has been removed, vegetation recovery is further slowed by wind and water erosion, as well as climate-related factors. If current harvesting trends continue, large-scale degradation of alpine vegetation in the Ukrainian Carpathians and many phytocoenoses in Polissya is unavoidable. Therefore, a ban on harvesting and the granting of protected status to C. islandica in Ukraine—through its inclusion in the Red Book of Ukraine—are necessary and justified.

This study explores how four behavioral factors shape users' behaviors across three distinct social situations on the platform Rednote. The four factors in this study are the fear of encountering opposing opinions, the perceived time and energy required, feelings of incapability, and the loss of anonymity. To collect empirical evidence, the group sent a survey to 122 users (n=122). The results indicate that the three psychological factors and privacy considerations put notable influences on users' willingness to act in different social situations on Rednote. Each scenario has its primary hindering factor. When it comes to the situation of commenting on news items, "the feelings of incapability" acts as the main barrier; responding to help requests is hindered by both the factors "fear of opposing opinions" and "loss of anonymity"; and "fear of anonymity" strongly discourage people's willingness to share sensitive personal experiences. Furthermore, in this study, the group found that anonymity impacts user behaviors through three key channels: the identifiability of one's account, the level of difference from one's real-life identity, and the concealment of geographical details. Also, the findings verify the Privacy Calculus Theory, indicating that a higher level of perceived anonymity effectively promotes users' online expression, sharing and prosocial behaviors by reducing the perceived risk of identity exposure and privacy-related costs. To sum up, this study highlights that these inhibitory factors interact in distinct ways, shaping user behaviors across different platform scenarios.

This study, "Investigation of knowledge of using medicinal plants of the Dao ethnic group in Phan Thanh commune, Cao Bang province", was undertaken to systematically document the traditional ethnobotanical knowledge regarding the use of medicinal plants by the Dao community in Phan Thanh commune. The results obtained 202 species of medicinal plants belonging to 83 families, 166 genera and 07 life forms. In addition, 30 diseases/uses were recorded using medicinal plants to treat and 18 remedies. Regarding the conservation status, the results indicate that 05 species are officially listed under Vietnam’s Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP, 03 species are included in the Vietnam Red Book, and 29 species are recognized in the National List of Essential Medicines. The findings underscore the substantial potential value of the medicinal plant resources within Phan Thanh commune for sustainable exploitation and the establishment of dedicated cultivation areas. Key species identified as having significant potential include Disporopsis longifolia Craib, Ampelopsis cantoniensis (Hook.et.Arn) Planch and Sarcandra glabra (Thumb.) Nakai.

The genetic structure was studied using five ISSR markers in 44 individuals of samples obtained from eight coenopopulations (CPs) of Caragana jubata (Pall.) Poir. in the mountainous conditions of Central Asia - in the Western Pamirs and Inner Tien Shan (Kyrgyzstan) and in Southern Siberia - in Altai (Republic of Altai), Western (Republic of Tyva) and Eastern (Republic of Buryatia) Sayan. We studied the species in a range of geographical distances of more than 2,500 km and in the range of absolute altitudes of 1,570-3,680 m. Caragana jubata is listed in the Red Data Books of eight subjects of the Russian Federation. The species population is declining, including due to anthropogenic impact. The aim of the current work is to identify genetic diversity and heterogeneity in C. jubata coenopopulations depending on their geographic and altitudinal confinement in the mountains of Central Asia and Southern Siberia. It was shown that in undisturbed locations, the studied CPs of this species were characterized by a high number of individuals and by the occupied area of more than 100 m2. Almost every sample from the C. jubata CP studied by us (except for representatives from CP7) contained genotypes possessing unique DNA fragments. The highest proportion of such genotypes (75 %) was found in the sample from CP3 (Inner Tien Shan, Teskey-Ala-Too Ridge, absolute altitude 2,550 m). We did not find unique fragments in the genotypes of individuals from the studied sample of CP7 (Western Sayan, Republic of Tuva). Anthropogenic impact on plants at this location is a possible reason for that. The revealed predominance of intrapopulation genetic variability over interpopulation genetic variability in samples from eight C. jubata CPs studied by us may indicate the stability of representatives of this species within the parts of the range studied by us.

The paper will discuss the limited legal role that the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Pakistan is granted by the Joint Maritime Information Organisation Act, 2019. Although the FIA has a broad jurisdiction covering counter-terrorism, anti-money laundering, human trafficking, and transnational organized crime cases, the JMIO Act, 2019 only covers the agency to issues of immigration. This study examines the mismatch between the real legal capability of the FIA and its limited role at the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre (JMICC). By conducting comparative analysis of National Command Authority Act, 2010, and the National Counter Terrorism Authority Act, 2013, this paper reveals that there are critical areas in maritime security in Pakistan. The results indicate that an ideal exploitation of the FIA legal requirement would greatly improve the ability of Pakistan to combat maritime crimes such as terrorism financing, money laundering and cyber-facilitated crimes in the Pakistani waters. Some of the recommendations are changes in legislation to increase the role of FIA as a part of the JMIO framework and improving the mechanisms of inter-agency coordination to counter transnational maritime threats, especially those to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor. References Ali, S. I. (2018). The Federal Investigation Agency Act, 1974: Together with selected laws contained in the schedule along with commentaries. Rahber Publisher. Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2010, Act No. VII of 2010 (Pakistan). Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997, Act No. XXVII of 1997 (Pakistan). Bhatti, B. A. (2021, January 14). Joint Maritime Information Coordination Center: A milestone toward Maritime Domain Awareness in Pakistan. Maritime Study Forum. https://www.maritimestudyforum.org/joint-maritime-information-coordination-center-a-milestone-toward-maritime-domain-awareness-in-pakistan/ Bueger, C., McCabe, R., & Edmunds, T. (2020). Capacity building for maritime security: The Western Indian Ocean experience. Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-34630-9 CPEC Authority Act, 2021, Act No. VIII of 2021 (Pakistan). Dawn. (2019, May 12). 5 people killed in Gwadar PC hotel attack; army concludes clearance operation. https://www.dawn.com/news/1481840 Evans, M. D., & Galani, S. (Eds.). (2020). Maritime security and the law of the sea: Help or hindrance? Edward Elgar Publishing. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4337/9781788118104 Federal Investigation Agency. (2021). Red Book 2021: Most wanted high profile terrorists. FIA Headquarters, Islamabad. FIA Act, 1974, Act No. VIII of 1975 (Pakistan). Financial Action Task Force. (2022). Increased monitoring: June 2022. https://www.fatf-gafi.org/publications/high-risk-and-other-monitored-jurisdictions/documents/increased-monitoring-june-2022.html Geiß, R., & Petrig, A. (2011). Piracy and armed robbery at sea: The legal framework for counter-piracy operations in Somalia and the Gulf of Aden. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199609529.001.0001 Jaffrelot, C. (2016). Pakistan at the crossroads: Domestic dynamics and external pressures. Columbia University Press. Joint Maritime Information Organisation Act, 2019, Gazette Notification F.22(29)2019-Legis (Pakistan). Khan, A. (2022). The NCB and INTERPOL: Cooperation in international law enforcement. Law Enforcement Press. Klein, N. (2012). Maritime security and the law of the sea. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199566532.001.0001 Nawaz, F. (2022). Challenges to maritime security of Pakistan. Saudi Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 7(2), 73–78. https://doi.org/10.36348/sjhss.2022.v07i02.004 NACTA Act, 2013, Act No. XIX of 2013 (Pakistan). National Command Authority Act, 2010, Gazette Notification (Pakistan). Patel, R. (2022). Unmasking the truth: Investigating the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Counterterrorism Publishing. Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, Act No. XL of 2016 (Pakistan). Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act, 2018, Act No. XXXV of 2018 (Pakistan). Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018, Act No. XXXIV of 2018 (Pakistan). Tankel, S. (2013). Storming the world stage: The story of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Oxford University Press. United Nations. (1982). United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. UN Doc. A/CONF.62/122. United Nations Security Council. (2001). Resolution 1373. UN Doc. S/RES/1373. United Nations Security Council. (2004). Resolution 1540. UN Doc. S/RES/1540. United Nations Security Council. (2017). Resolution 2396. UN Doc. S/RES/2396.

Gladiolus tenuis M. Bieb. (Iridaceae Juss.) is a rare plant of the Cis-Urals and Southern Urals. The species is included in the Red Data Book of the Republic of Bashkortostan [Martynenko 2021] with the following status: 3 – rare species; species in a state close to threatened; II priority of the adopted conservation measures in the Bashkir Cis-Urals and Bashkir Trans-Urals. This article reports the discoveries of new locations of this species from 2015 to 2022. Data are provided on the state of species populations in two locations: 1) in the Miyakinsky District, 3.5 km from the village of Kurmanaybash on the road to the village of Sterlibashevo (Bugulminsko-Belebeevskaya Upland); 2) in the Zianchurinsky District, 0.9 km southeast of the village of Nizhnyaya Akberda (Obshchy Syrt). The populations of G. tenuis surveyed are numerous, with a predominance of generative plants. Today, the population near the village of Kurmanaybash is the largest in area (approximately 4.8 thousand m2) and in number (approximately 70 thousand plants) of the known populations of G. tenuis in the Bashkir Cis-Urals. The habitat of the G. tenuis population near the village of Kurmanaybash in the Miyakinsky district, which is the largest and best-preserved population, which is located in a natural, undisturbed plant community, is a promising territory for the establishment of a specially protected natural area with the status of a botanical natural monument of regional significance.

The destruction of a dam on the Irpin River in 2022 resulted in the flooding of over 2,500 hectares of floodplain, representing one of the first documented environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine. This study provides an assessment of early changes in three biotic components – macrophytes, fish, and birds – within the newly formed waterbody. The findings indicate a shift in the ecosystem toward a lentic regime, accompanied by transformations in species composition and habitat structure. A decline in macrophyte species richness, an increase in ichthyofaunal diversity, and the dominance of hydrophilic bird species were observed. In total, 12 species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, 5 species included in the European Red List (as Vulnerable or Near Threatened), and 83 taxa protected under the Bern Convention were recorded, underscoring the high conservation value of the study area. These results provide a valuable baseline for assessing how wetland ecosystems respond to military impacts and enable meaningful international comparisons of the impacts of armed conflict on wetlands, particularly in the context of conserving transboundary migratory species.

This article presents a systematic analysis of Brassicaceae species distributed in the Azerbaijani sector of the Southern Caucasus, structured for the first time according to five major phytogeographical regions. Although representatives of the Brassicaceae family in the flora of Azerbaijan are characterized by high ecological adaptability, their distribution across different regions and their relationship with ecological and geographical factors have not yet been systematically studied. The aim of this study is to identify the distribution patterns of species across phytogeographical regions and to assess their correlations with ecological factors and anthropogenic impacts. Although previous studies reported 74 genera and 248 species of the family in the flora of Azerbaijan, recent research—taking into account taxonomic revisions and newly discovered species—has identified 77 genera and 255 species. The degree of anthropogenic impact was assessed based on field observations and population density indicators. Based on literature sources, this section presents the Brassicaceae species included in Azerbaijan’s “Red Book,” their conservation status, as well as endemic and subendemic species, highlighting the unique floristic value of the region. This research distinguishes itself from previous studies by moving beyond traditional taxonomic inventories. It offers an integrated assessment of species distribution in relation to ecological gradients and human impact—an approach that has not previously been systematically applied to the flora of this region. The findings highlight the significance of conserving both the floristic richness and the biodiversity of Azerbaijan’s phytogeographical zones.

Abstract The IUCN threat categories are widely used to assess the conservation status of plants and other organisms, primarily based on population size and trends vis-à-vis geographical ranges. However, other factors could also predict plant vulnerability. Here, we analysed plant traits that could be potential predictors of vulnerability for the endemic flora of the Balearic Islands (western Mediterranean Basin). We first compiled the list of entomophilous plant species endemic to the Balearic Islands and categorized their vulnerability as “threatened” (EW, CR, EN, VU) or “not threatened” (NT, LC) according to the regional Red Data Book. We then gathered bibliographic information on several variables related to flower complexity (floral traits related to pollinator specificity), flowering season, flowering duration, life form, capability of asexual reproduction, and main habitat. The endemic entomophilous flora of the Balearic Islands comprises 155 taxa, of which 57 (37%) are currently listed as threatened. Our results showed that floral colour, flowering duration and habitat type were the main predictors of vulnerability for the endemic flora of the Balearic Islands. Species with green and blue/violet/purple/pink/red flowers were more endangered than plants with white flowers, while species with yellow flowers showed intermediate levels of vulnerability. Besides, plant vulnerability was higher in plants with short flowering duration, and those inhabiting mountain and coastal habitats. These findings highlight the importance of considering additional traits when assessing extinction risk and planning conservation strategies. In particular, conservation efforts in the Balearic Islands should prioritize taxa inhabiting coastal habitats and mountain areas.

The article provides new data on the records of Battarrea phalloides in Ukraine, a rare species of fungi listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. The fungus was recorded in the steppe area in Berezivka District (Odesa Region). A description of the new location is provided, as well as macro- and micromorphological features of the fruiting bodies found in this locality are given. Information on the distribution of B. phalloides in Ukraine (based on the literature sources and data from social networks) and in the world is summarized.

The article provides information on the biological, ecological, and coenosis-forming characteristics of representatives of the Caryophyllaceae Juss. family found in the Lachin district, their distribution patterns, and limiting factors for the protection of rare and endangered species. The research was mainly carried out in mountain-meadow tall-herb meadows, forest-meadow vegetation, and steppe vegetation types, as well as in various plant communities. The abundance of Caryophyllaceae Juss. representatives in plant communities was assessed at 1–2 points. Studies on populations of Minuartia intermedia(Boiss.) Hand.-Mazz. revealed irreversible unidirectional changes. A gradual decrease in the number of M. intermediapopulations and high sensitivity to adverse environmental factors were observed. Without timely conservation measures, the populations may completely disappear. The species Paronychia azerbaijanica Chaudhriwas found in the Lachin district within mountain steppe and mountain-xerophyte steppe vegetation types in the form of localities. A decreasing trend in the number of individuals was observed, making conservation measures necessary. This species is included in the third edition of the “Red Book” of Azerbaijan. Direct observations and studies on populations of Silene cephalantha Boiss. revealed that, due to anthropogenic factors, the quality of the habitat has declined (A2ac). The growth dynamics of individuals were found to be at a low level. The absence of young individuals indicates an ongoing continuous decline (C1). In the observed area, only 3–5 individuals were found per 10 m². All these factors indicate a potential threat of extinction in the future. Therefore, the development dynamics of the species should be monitored.

Abstract The Tsaghkunyats Mountain of Armenia (26,354 ha) doesn’t have a legally protected status and requires evaluation as a potential Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) and Prime Butterfly Area (PBA). Recent surveys have found that 136 species of birds are recorded in, among which 113 are breeding and 23 occur during migration or stay in the area over winter. The area meets the criteria A1, B1a, B1b, and B2a of IBAs, hosting significant populations of Caucasian grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi Taczanowski (55-65 lekking males), semi-collared flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata Homeyer (41-56 pairs), green warbler Phylloscopus nitidus Blyth (108-363 pairs), and Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus L. (2 pairs). Among butterflies, 141 species have been recorded in the area, including several species of global, regional, and national importance, such as Phengaris arion L. and Phengaris nausithous Bergsträsser, listed in IUCN Global Red List; ten species listed in the European Red Book of Butterflies, and eight species listed in the Red Book of Animals of Armenia. Also, the area hosts relict populations of temperate species such as Nymphalis antiopa L., Proclossiana eunomia tenera Morgun (endemic subspecies) and Melitaea diamina Lang. The site, therefore, qualifies for designation as a PBA. In addition, the area qualifies as an Emerald Site under the Bern Convention, hosting essential populations of 23 bird species listed in Resolution 6. Existence of several threats, such as overgrazing, poorly controlled water abstraction, uncontrolled haymaking, illegal logging and snag removal, illegal hunting, and human-induced fires, require designation of the area as protected.

This study aims to find out what constitutes the quality of Sabah as a tourist destination and how destination quality affects the satisfaction of Chinese tourists. Influenced by COVID-19, an online self-administered questionnaire was used, and the questionnaire was distributed via prominent Chinese social media software (Douyin, Little Red Book, Weibo, WeChat, QQ, etc.). There were 374 valid questionnaires. Using IBM SPSS 26.0, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted to determine the components of perceived destination quality. Additionally, the proposed hypotheses were tested. The results confirmed that destination quality comprises core tourism experience, accommodation and food, accessibility, amenities, information, and destination image. Meanwhile, Chinese tourists' satisfaction was influenced by core tourism experience, accommodation and food, information, and destination image. This suggests that there is no positive effect of accessibility and amenities on satisfaction for Chinese tourists in Sabah. The results of the study provide valuable suggestions for managers and related stakeholders of tourist destinations with marine resources to improve the level of service and increase tourist satisfaction.

The degradation of natural environments, intensified by anthropogenic actions such as deforestation, urbanization, agricultural expansion, and monocultures, has significantly contributed to the loss of biodiversity and the increased risk of extinction for various species. In the municipality of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, this scenario is especially concerning due to the presence of environmentally sensitive ecosystems, such as wetlands, native grasslands, and remnants of the Atlantic Forest, which support a rich diversity of birds, including threatened species. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the endangered bird species recorded in the Pelotas region and analyze how environmental management can contribute to their conservation. The methodology consisted of a qualitative and exploratory literature review, including scientific articles, technical documents, and official databases such as the Red Book of Brazilian Fauna and records from ICMBio. The results indicated the occurrence of several species classified as Vulnerable, Endangered, and Critically Endangered, whose main threats are associated with habitat loss and fragmentation, alterations in natural grasslands, degradation of wetlands, and illegal capture. It is concluded that the conservation of threatened birdlife in Pelotas depends directly on strengthening integrated environmental management, protecting natural habitats, continuously monitoring species, and implementing public policies aimed at the sustainable use of the territory, contributing to the maintenance of local biodiversity.

Abstract. Kenesbay A, Kurmantayeva A, Sitpayeva G, Shmakov A, Koltunova A, Kulymbet K. 2025. Assessment of Cousinia mindshelkensis populations (Asteraceae) at the Karatau Ridge, South Kazakhstan. Biodiversitas 26: 6174-6187. Cousinia mindshelkensis is a narrow-localized endemic species, spread by small populations in the central part of the Karatau ridge, Western Tien Shan, and is included in the Kazakhstan Red Book. This study aimed to assess the current state of C. mindshelkensis populations in the Karatau range based on morphological, ecological, and molecular characters. Four populations (P1-P4) were investigated. Morphological data was analyzed based on test plots with 10-15 individuals from each population, while ecological analysis included habitat description. Molecular data based on iPBS and ITS markers were carried out using the STRUCTURE program, cluster and phylogenetic analysis. Morphological traits showed high variability. Plants from P1 and P2 were the smallest, P4 was characterized by intensive vegetative growth with reduced flowering, whereas P3 demonstrated the best reproductive performance. The highest density occurred in P1 and P2 of 4.1±0.9 and 1.6±0.79 individuals/m², respectively. Ecological analysis indicated that the species inhabits petrophytic, mixed-herbaceous-woody-shrubby, and herbaceous-shrubby communities. Genetic diversity assessed by 3 iPBS markers was an average of 61.2% with the highest presented by iPBS2373 of 87.5% polymorphism and phylogenetic analysis confirmed all samples belong to a single clade. These results highlight the necessity of continuous monitoring and justify the inclusion of C. mindshelkensis among priority targets for biodiversity conservation in the region.

Abstract This is a thorough Jungian take on Wolfram von Eschenbach’s 13th century myth of roots the quest for the holy grail. The author traces not only its roots in a great diverse of cultures throughout the ages, but also describes the continuing influence of the myth in modern and contemporary artistic creations to ultimately focus on its central meaning within the corpus of Jung’s work. For Bishop, the book under review is the first of four volumes about the corner-stones of Western civilization, the other three are planned to concentrate on Goethe’s Faust , Nietzsche’s Zarathustra , and finally, on Jung’s Red Book , the Liber Novus .