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Ethical issues in Lake Malawi fisheries: a case of Karonga District

ABSTRACT The fisheries sector, exemplified here by Malawi’s Karonga District, illustrates the global consequences of insufficient ethical considerations, leading to the depletion of fisheries resources. Using data spanning from 2012 to 2021, including frame surveys and catch assessment surveys, this study employs ethical theories and the ethical matrix to identify and analyse ethical issues. The observed concerns include illegal fishing, heightened investment in a limited resource fishery, consumption of the critically endangered Chambo species, the environmental impact of trawl surveys, technological overreliance, and inadequate resource support from local politicians. Recommendations encompass ending open-access fisheries, revising biomass assessment methods, promoting mindset change, implementing poverty alleviation programmes, promoting aquaculture development, and enhancing the establishment of freshwater protected areas as sites for biodiversity conservation.

Bird Taxonomic and Functional Diversity in Three Habitats in Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Urban green spaces (UGS), such as parks and wooded streets, are open areas with vegetation that provide sustainability to urban areas. However, their role in conserving bird diversity in neotropical cities has scarcely been analyzed. The aim of this study was to analyze the variation of bird assemblages in non-wooded streets, wooded streets, and parks in Buenos Aires City, Argentina. We compared the taxonomic and functional diversity between these habitat types. We selected five non-wooded streets, five wooded streets, and five parks in the city. Bird surveys were performed in 100 m long and 50 m wide transects. We found that taxonomic diversity had the greatest value in the parks, followed by wooded streets, and then the non-wooded streets. Functional diversity was similar between habitats. The taxonomic and functional composition changed between habitats. Non-wooded streets were dominated by the Rock Dove (Columba livia) and the Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata), whereas parks had the highest abundance of the Picazuro Pigeon (Patagioenas picazuro) and the Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris). Non-wooded streets were dominated by omnivorous and granivorous species, whereas parks had a higher abundance of herbivorous and frugivorous species. The positive association between UGS and bird diversity highlights the role of UGS as biodiversity conservation sites in neotropical cities.

VARIACIÓN DEL NÚMERO CROMOSÓMICO EN PARTE DE LA FLORA DE ÁREAS SILVESTRES PROTEGIDAS EN LA REGIÓN DE LA ARAUCANÍA, SUR DE CHILE

An analysis was made of the correspondence between species diversity and chromosome number (CN) diversity across 13 Protected Wild Areas (PWA) in the Araucanía Region of southern Chile, encompassing 84 plant species with available cytogenetic data. Our aim was to establish whether higher species diversity within a PWA entails higher CN variation as based on the index of chromosome number heterogeneity (ICNH). The CN data were extracted from databases for Chilean plants, and the ICNH for the flora of each PWA was calculated. Results showed that in nine PWA the species diversity clearly correlates with CN diversity. However, four PWA do not fit this trend. The percentage of species with CN data varied between 9.6% and 24.5% among PWA, with 11 PWA presenting percentages higher than 11%. A 27.3% of the Chilean vascular plant species with available cytogenetic data were studied here for the 13 PWA. The results obtained by studying one part of the flora with available CN data suggest that the PWA could be an important reservoir of genetic diversity at a chromosome level, thus justifying the protective role of the PWA as biodiversity conservation sites. Key words: Chromosome number heterogeneity; floristic diversity; Chilean flora.

Renewable energy production will exacerbate mining threats to biodiversity

Renewable energy production is necessary to halt climate change and reverse associated biodiversity losses. However, generating the required technologies and infrastructure will drive an increase in the production of many metals, creating new mining threats for biodiversity. Here, we map mining areas and assess their spatial coincidence with biodiversity conservation sites and priorities. Mining potentially influences 50 million km2 of Earth’s land surface, with 8% coinciding with Protected Areas, 7% with Key Biodiversity Areas, and 16% with Remaining Wilderness. Most mining areas (82%) target materials needed for renewable energy production, and areas that overlap with Protected Areas and Remaining Wilderness contain a greater density of mines (our indicator of threat severity) compared to the overlapping mining areas that target other materials. Mining threats to biodiversity will increase as more mines target materials for renewable energy production and, without strategic planning, these new threats to biodiversity may surpass those averted by climate change mitigation.

Planning Landscape Connectivity in Mexico under Global Change

Climate change, habitat loss and fragmentation, invasive species, and resource over-exploitation are among the major factors driving biodiversity loss and the current global change crisis. Maintaining and restoring connectivity throughout fragmented landscapes is key to reduce habitat isolation and mitigate anthropogenic impacts. To date, few connectivity approaches seek to identify corridors along climate gradients and least transformed natural habitats despite its importance to facilitate dispersal of organisms, as species' ranges shift over time to track suitable climates. In this study, we identified least-cost climatic corridors in Mexico between 2027 old-growth vegetation patches incorporating evapotranspiration as climatic variable, Euclidean distances, and human impact. We identified old-growth vegetation patches using the land use and vegetation map of 2011 (scale 1:250 000) by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). Moreover, we calculated a human impact index based on the theoretical framework of the Global Biodiversity Model (Alkemade et al. 2009) but adapted for Mexico (Mexbio, Kolb 2016), and includes the impact of land use, road infrastructure and fragmentation based on the land use and vegetation map of 2011 and a road map by the Mexican Institute of Transportation. We modeled corridors for a baseline period (1980-2009) and under three future time periods (2015-2039, 2045-2069 and 2075-2099), corresponding to four Global Circulation Models (MPI-ESM-LR, GFDL-CM3, HADGEM2-ES and CNRMCM5) each under two emission scenarios (RCP 4.5 and 8.5) The historical and future evapotranspiration values were calculated using the climate surfaces from Cuervo-Robayo et al. 2019 and from the Center of Atmospheric Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico*1, respectively. The historical and future evapotranspiration values were calculated using the climate surfaces from Cuervo-Robayo et al. 2019 and from the Center of Atmospheric Sciences of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, respectively. We used the Turc evapotranspiration equation (Turc 1954) to estimate actual evapotranspiration. Least cost climatic corridors using future climate projections were used to test the assumption that climatic gradients are maintained in the future. We then prioritized climatic corridors using a multicriteria analysis guided by expert knowledge, incorporating factors such as indicators of human impact, vulnerability and exposure to climate change, and priority sites for biodiversity conservation and restoration. On average, more than 4,500 least cost climatic corridors were identified for each scenario. There is a high spatial coincidence in the geographical location of current and future climatic corridors (overlap > 90%). Fewer corridors were identified in the northern part of the country where natural vegetation is less fragmented, whereas in central and southern Mexico landscape fragmentation is greater, resulting in an increased number of corridors (Fig. 1). The use of open spatial data was key in identifying climatic corridors in order to support decision-making. The results provide a spatial guide to implement conservation and restoration actions to promote connectivity, in particular among climatic stable areas, thus supporting the achievement of Aichi Targets and Sustainable Development Goals. Also, it informs multiple stakeholders and sectors in land-use planning decisions and to promote the alignment of existing incentives to reduce habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation in key areas needed to maintain and recover landscape connectivity in the face of global change.

Integration of anthropogenic threats and biodiversity value to identify critical sites for biodiversity conservation

In this study, the goal was to identify critical sites for biodiversity conservation in the Gharesoo River Basin, Iran, based on integration of anthropogenic threats and biodiversity value. Firstly, the spatial patterns of threats were evaluated by combination of 13 anthropogenic threats using multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) method. Next, the spatial distribution of biodiversity value was mapped via assigning an expert-based value to each land type as habitat for mammals and bird species. Finally, the critical sites for biodiversity conservation were identified by combination of spatial threats and biodiversity value layers. We developed five threat-driven or value-driven scenarios using different weights for biodiversity threats and value. The result showed that, 7% of the river basin had very high conservation priority. We proposed 21 patches as critical sites for biodiversity conservation. Our results can be used by conservation planners to target conservation efforts towards selecting new conservation areas in Gharesoo River Basin.

An ethnomedicinal survey of medicinal plants from a sacred forest of Western Odisha, India.

<p>Sacred forests are being protected by means of cultural and religious beliefs by the local communities and act as people participatory conservation sites for several important medicinal plants. Sacred forests are one of the oldest forms of biodiversity conservation sites still effectively managed by local people and act as in-situ conservation sites. In this context, the present study was carried out in Andhari sacred forest of Jharsuguda district as to collect the information regarding the traditional ethno medicinal knowledge acquired by the local medical practitioners. Only few indigenous people have adequate knowledge regarding the medicinal plants and their uses. These traditional knowledge were rapidly degrading and if not documented will be lost forever. The present study reveals the presence of 91 plants species belonging to 46 families being used by the practitioners to treat various diseases like dysentery, diarrhea, indigestion, worm infection, wound healing, headache, stomach disorders, Rheumatic disorders, snake bite, poisonous bite, menstrual problem etc. This ethnomedicinal information further needs to be validated by clinical trials for their safe uses. The study also reported the existence of 8 RET (Rare, Endangered and Threatened) medicinally important species which makes this site a biological hotspot and needs further effective conservation efforts.</p>

Restoration Results for a Maryland Shale Barren after Pignut Hickory Management and a Prescribed Burn

ABSTRACT Maryland shale barren (savanna) communities support rare, threatened, and endangered species, but biodiversity conservation sites are transitioning to pignut hickory woodland and forest as a result of fire exclusion. In Green Ridge State Forest, an exemplary community was studied for vegetation change after pignut hickory management and a prescribed burn. Portions of contiguous chestnut oak (Quercus montana) and streamside hardwood communities were also included. Prerestoration herbaceous layer characteristics were quantified in 2010 using transect plots before hickories were killed by herbicide. A prescribed burn was conducted in November 2011 followed by resampling in 2013. In the barren community, Carex pensylvanica remained the dominant herbaceous layer species, but codominant species changed. Ground cover increased from 63% to 76%, species richness from 48 to 52, and the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H′) from 3.138 to 3.373. In the chestnut oak forest, the dominant herbaceous layer specie...

Public Perceptions of Nature and Landscape Preference in Singapore

Widespread urbanization has led to urban areas becoming increasingly seen as sites for biodiversity conservation. Urban and landscape planners are required to concurrently tackle environmental and social issues, such as facilitating public acceptance towards naturalistic habitats and its associated biodiversity in urban areas. The research presented here quantifies public perception of nature in relation to landscape choices in Singapore, a highly urbanized city in which sustainable landscape planning movements have recently begun to take root. Results indicate that landscape preference tended towards manicured landscapes despite an overall tendency towards nature conservation, which is best achieved in naturalistic habitats. Reasons driving landscape choice were found to be aesthetic, with a focus on visual hues present in a landscape. Specific education in ecology/conservation as well as increased opportunities to experience first-hand natural areas abroad were factors that may influence landscape choice to encompass more naturalistic habitats.

Review of the protected area network in Guinea, West Africa, and recommendations for new sites for biodiversity conservation

With only five protected areas dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity (two national parks, one strict nature reserve and two faunal reserves), Guinea has one of the smallest protected area networks in West Africa. As a result, two of the five ecoregions of the country and six of the 14 globally threatened large and medium-sized mammals occurring in Guinea are not found in the national protected area network. To identify areas with high biodiversity that could be included in the national protected area network, we used the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) methodology. We devised a scoring system to rank the identified KBAs according to their relative conservation significance. We identified a total of 16 KBAs throughout the country. Their proclamation as protected areas would result in the protection of all ecoregions and all but one of Guinea’s globally threatened large and medium-sized mammals. Twelve of the 16 KBAs have the legal status of classified forest, a status that should facilitate the change into formal biodiversity protected areas (IUCN category I–IV). Our analysis indicates that even if only the two areas with the highest conservation significance score, the Ziama and Diecke forests, become formal protected areas, this would provide protection to both the western Guinean lowland forests, one of the most threatened ecoregions in Africa, and to 11 of the 14 threatened large and medium-sized mammals occurring in Guinea.