Specific Habitat Research Articles

Habitat loss weakens the positive relationship between grassland plant richness and above-ground biomass

Habitat loss and fragmentation per se have been shown to be a major threat to global biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, little is known about how habitat loss and fragmentation per se alters the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem function (BEF relationship) in the natural landscape context. Based on 130 landscapes identified by a stratified random sampling in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China, we investigated the effects of landscape context (habitat loss and fragmentation per se) on plant richness, above-ground biomass, and the relationship between them in grassland communities using a structural equation model. We found that habitat loss directly decreased plant richness and hence decreased above-ground biomass, while fragmentation per se directly increased plant richness and hence increased above-ground biomass. Fragmentation per se also directly decreased soil water content and hence decreased above-ground biomass. Meanwhile, habitat loss decreased the magnitude of the positive relationship between plant richness and above-ground biomass by reducing the percentage of grassland specialists in the community, while fragmentation per se had no significant modulating effect on this relationship. These results demonstrate that habitat loss and fragmentation per se have inconsistent effects on BEF, with the BEF relationship being modulated by landscape context. Our findings emphasise that habitat loss rather than fragmentation per se can weaken the positive BEF relationship by decreasing the degree of habitat specialisation of the community.

Lidar-based MaxEnt models to support conservation planning for endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers in urbanizing environments

Sensitive and intensively managed species require carefully thought-out management plans to promote and maintain specific habitat conditions. Urban features and land-use change must be assimilated into these habitat management plans, as they become increasingly present globally. As a case study, several MaxEnt species distribution models were developed that could enable habitat management efforts for the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) in moderate to increasingly urbanized environments. Model development began with a classification of fine-scale, lidar-based habitat indicators with the area normalized at the stand level and developed around known habitat characteristics of RCW. Other explanatory rasters included distance to different urban features, and experimentation with spectral layers outside the visible light spectrum. Models were trained using presence data from a relatively small but comprehensively surveyed population in Montgomery County, Texas, and three compartments that were recently pedestrian surveyed for RCWs on the Sam Houston National Forest. The former is experiencing moderate levels of urbanization, and the latter is in earlier stages. The best performing model predicted RCW presence 94% of the time at a 0.4 probability threshold and resulted in an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.88. Successful model development required a specific combination of steps and data processing, including the use of lidar-based habitat indicators created using data fusion and machine learning classification, land-use features, and non-visible spectra. These methods can provide valuable insights into strategic habitat planning for the RCW and other sensitive species in urbanizing landscapes. This study reinforces what habitat characteristics promote RCW success, while providing valuable insights to guide management activities around urbanization. These could include mapping suitable recruitment areas that remain unoccupied, spatially identifying where habitat quality was lacking or sufficient, and predicting the impact of future land-use change. This case study demonstrates that species distribution modelling can be successfully applied at subpopulation and fine scales, and for the practical purpose of enabling habitat and conservation planning where anthropogenic activities are adding challenging complexities.

Weak phylogenetic effect on specialist plant assemblages and their persistence on habitat islands

AbstractAimThe influence of species phylogenetic relatedness on the formation of insular assemblages remains understudied in functional island biogeography, especially for terrestrial habitat islands (i.e. distinct habitat patches embedded in a matrix that differ in the prevailing environmental conditions). Here, we tested three eco‐evolutionary hypotheses: (1) functional specialization of species (i.e. specialism) is associated with phylogenetic clustering at the habitat archipelago scale, (2) such clustering increases with insularity at the habitat island scale and (3) traits indicative of effective local persistence strategies shape island specialism.LocationTerrestrial habitat islands, Europe (Fens in the Western Carpathians, Outcrops in Moravia and Mountaintops in the Cantabrian Range).TaxonAngiosperms.MethodsWe assessed the phylogenetic relatedness of habitat specialists in three different archipelagos composed of terrestrial habitat islands based on phylogenetic signals and phylogenetic diversity (PD) measures. We estimated the effect of insularity on PD using linear models and the effect of persistence traits on specialism using phylogenetic logistic regressions.ResultsOur hypotheses were largely not supported. Outcrop and mountaintop specialist assemblages did not exhibit any phylogenetic structuring, whereas fen specialists were clustered at the archipelago scale. Therefore, insularity seems not to act as a selective force for phylogenetic structure, and ecologically important persistence traits do not operate as precursors of specialism.Main ConclusionsOur results show that species phylogenetic relatedness plays a minor role in shaping habitat island specialist assemblages. Furthermore, the effects of phylogenetic relatedness on assemblages of island specialists are system and scale dependent. Finally, accounting for species' phylogenetic relatedness on persistence traits yielded results similar to previous studies, which corroborates the positive relationship between insularity and functional traits (indicative of enhanced plant persistence abilities with increasing within‐archipelago insularity).

No city for wetland species: habitat associations affect mammal persistence in urban areas.

The fast rate of replacement of natural areas by expanding cities is a key threat to wildlife worldwide. Many wild species occur in cities, yet little is known on the dynamics of urban wildlife assemblages due to species' extinction and colonization that may occur in response to the rapidly evolving conditions within urban areas. Namely, species' ability to spread within urban areas, besides habitat preferences, is likely to shape the fate of species once they occur in a city. Here we use a long-term dataset on mammals occurring in one of the largest and most ancient cities in Europe to assess whether and how spatial spread and association with specific habitats drive the probability of local extinction within cities. Our analysis included mammalian records dating between years 1832 and 2023, and revealed that local extinctions in urban areas are biased towards species associated with wetlands and that were naturally rare within the city. Besides highlighting the role of wetlands within urban areas for conserving wildlife, our work also highlights the importance of long-term biodiversity monitoring in highly dynamic habitats such as cities, as a key asset to better understand wildlife trends and thus foster more sustainable and biodiversity-friendly cities.

Cretaceous fossil birds from China

Abstract The explosive radiation of early birds has been well documented by the extraordinary discoveries of the Early Cretaceous fossil birds in China in the past three decades. They have greatly expanded the diversity, disparity and temporal distribution of Mesozoic birds, refining our knowledge of the evolutionary path leading to the characteristic avian body plan, including feathers and powered flight, locomotion and habitat differentiation, diet and digestion, reproduction and development, feather colours and display. In addition, studies on the geological background of the Jehol Biota that produced the majority of the Chinese Cretaceous birds have provided important clues to our understanding of the taphonomy as well as the interaction between deep geological process and biological evolution in northeastern China and East Asia during the Early Cretaceous. Future multidisciplinary studies are expected to advance our knowledge of the palaeogeography of Early Cretaceous birds, what impacted the changes in the diversity of early birds in China, and the roles that early birds played in the Early Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystem.

Two decades of dune slack restoration in North Wales: diversity, community and habitat specialists

Humid dunes slacks are a highly threatened habitat, listed as vulnerable in the EU habitat red list. Accelerated successional processes in dune systems have resulted in the loss and degradation of ideal conditions for specialist dune slack species, hence the need for conservation management. We investigated the restoration of a dune slack in North Wales, UK, where vegetation and soil removal to 10 cm depth was undertaken to reinstate nutrient‐poor, open and damp conditions. We assessed the outcomes of the management for dune slack communities over the 18 years since restoration. We also assessed the differences between restored and unrestored areas of dune slacks. The dunes were restored in the winter of 2004/2005, after which we conducted vegetation surveys in fixed quadrats for most years in the restored and adjacent, un‐restored dune slacks. Species diversity and plant community composition changes over time were assessed using Shannon's index, multivariate analysis and indicator species analysis. Comparisons between the restored and unrestored areas of the dune slacks were also made. Ellenberg indicator values (EIVs) were examined to identify potential environmental drivers of post management successional changes. After 18 years the restored dune slacks developed a species‐rich and diverse community. compared to the unrestored slacks. The establishment of species occurred rapidly in the first three years, followed by continued but slower increases in species richness and diversity. This is due to the addition of new species without losses of established species. EIVs show no significant difference over time suggesting the restored areas are still at an early stage of succession. Distinct stages of community change since restoration are characterised by different indicator species. Plants are likely to be largely recruited from an existing seed bank. Restoration by turf removal may be suitable for other low nutrient, species rich habitats dependent upon fluctuating groundwater levels.

Taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional nestedness of mammal assemblages in the Zhoushan Archipelago, China

Abstract Nestedness is an important part of the theoretical framework of island biogeography and community ecology. However, most previous studies focused on taxonomic dimension and overlooked functional and phylogenetic nestedness. Here, we simultaneously investigated taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic nestedness of terrestrial mammals on 39 land-bridge islands in the Zhoushan Archipelago, China. As mammals’ response to the environment may depend on their body size, we performed analyses for three mammal assemblages separately: overall species, large and medium-sized species, and small species. The taxonomic nestedness was quantified by organizing the species incidence matrix, while the functional and phylogenetic nestedness were estimated by combining the similarity of their ecological traits and phylogeny. Island characteristics (island area, three isolation indices, land use intensity, and habitat diversity) and species traits (body size, litter size, habitat specificity, geographic range size, and minimum area requirement) were used as predictors of nestedness. Overall and small species were significantly nested in 3 facets of nestedness, and results supported the selective extinction, selective colonization, and habitat nestedness hypotheses. Large and medium-sized species were functionally and phylogenetically nested when matrices were ordered by increasing distance to mainland, supporting the selective colonization hypothesis. Overall, differences in nestedness and its underlying mechanisms were detected not only in 3 facets of nestedness but also in the 3 mammal assemblages. Therefore, frameworks that incorporate taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional nestedness can contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of nestedness processes. Additionally, it also improves our ability to understand the divergent responses of mammal assemblages to the insular environment.

Environmental variables and bottom trawling effort affect the complexity and distribution of soft-bottom octocorals and burrowing megafauna communities in the Gulf of Cádiz

Bottom trawling significantly impacts benthic communities, reducing habitat complexity and biodiversity. The distribution and abundance of key species in the northeastern Gulf of Cádiz, Spanish waters of Atlantic Ocean, such as soft-bottom octocorals and burrowing megafauna, were examined using video observations and Spatial Distribution Models developed with Random Forest. The study was conducted in the Site of Community Importance “Volcanes de fango del golfo de Cádiz" focusing on depths between 300 and 950 metres depth. The effects of environmental variables and bottom trawling on octocoral distribution and abundance were assessed, and management strategies for habitat protection were proposed. Bottom trawling was found to decrease habitat suitability for large octocoral species while the abundance of Norway lobster was positively correlated with certain values of bottom trawling effort. The study suggests that bottom trawling causes significant reduction in octocoral distributions, substrate homogenization, and habitat differentiation. A 200 km2 area is recommended for a specific bottom trawling regulation to protect soft-bottom octocorals and support the recovery of commercial burrowing megafauna.

Contribution to the knowledge of the butterfly fauna (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of Central Slovenia

The southwestern Posavsko hills and northern Suha krajina are among the least studied areas regarding the butterfly fauna in Slovenia. To fill this knowledge gap, we selected all unpublished records of butterflies since 2014, in addition to the focused field surveys performed in the 2019–2022 period. We recorded a total of 105 butterfly species, presenting almost 60% of all species found in Slovenia. Among the species found, there are several habitat specialists of high conservation importance, e.g., Leptidea morsei, Euphydryas aurinia, Parnassius mnemosyne, Phengaris arion, Carcharodus floccifera, Lycaena dispar. Locations harbouring these species and those with the highest species richness are of great importance for preserving the diverse butterfly fauna of the region.

Combining camera trap surveys and IUCN range maps to improve knowledge of species distributions.

Reliable maps of species distributions are fundamental for biodiversity research and conservation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) range maps are widely recognized as authoritative representations of species' geographic limits, yet they might not always align with actual occurrence data. In recent area of habitat (AOH) maps, areas that are not habitat have been removed from IUCN ranges to reduce commission errors, but their concordance with actual species occurrence also remains untested. We tested concordance between occurrences recorded in camera trap surveys and predicted occurrences from the IUCN and AOH maps for 510 medium- to large-bodied mammalian species in 80 camera trap sampling areas. Across all areas, cameras detected only 39% of species expected to occur based on IUCN ranges and AOH maps; 85% of the IUCN only mismatches occurred within 200km of range edges. Only 4% of species occurrences were detected by cameras outside IUCN ranges. The probability of mismatches between cameras and the IUCN range was significantly higher for smaller-bodied mammals and habitat specialists in the Neotropics and Indomalaya and in areas with shorter canopy forests. Our findings suggest that range and AOH maps rarely underrepresent areas where species occur, but they may more often overrepresent ranges by including areas where a species may be absent, particularly at range edges. We suggest that combining range maps with data from ground-based biodiversity sensors, such as camera traps, provides a richer knowledge base for conservation mapping and planning.

Rarities pattern of vascular plants in the high-altitude forests of Indian western Himalaya: Conservation implications

The assessment of plant rarity patterns and mapping of endemic species is a challenging task, however, this kind of assessment having great conservation significance. In the present study, a classification system of rarity, considering biogeographical, ecological and abundance of species was developed along with assessing the vegetation composition. Following systematic random approach of vegetation sampling, three altitude transects were sampled within each 100 m interval in three possible aspects (North-West, North-East and South-West) in the high-altitude forested zone (2000–3300 m asl) of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS). The study identified a total of 295 plant species (191 genera and 70 families) in the studied region. Considering different attributes of rarity, 8- rarity groups were used for identification of rare and endemic plants. Altogether, most of the species exhibited wide geographical distribution an attribute of commonness, and few of these have narrow distributions due to habitat specificity. The lower altitudinal zone exhibited the maximum floristic diversity (184 spp.; 62.4 %), and minimum in the higher zone (134 spp.; 45.4 %). Tree species richness decreases, and its endemic subset increased along the altitudinal gradient due to remoteness, habitat heterogeneity, isolation of the areas and other environmental factors. A sharp decline was observed in the tree species richness from lower (33 spp.; 84.6 %) to higher altitude (8 spp.; 20.51 %). The species to genera ratio in the entire altitudinal range was 1.2 for trees and 1.6 for shrubs and herbs. Rarity analysis of these native and endemic species has highlighted conservation priorities at local and regional scale.

Dispersing across habitat boundaries: Uncovering the demographic fates of populations in unsuitable habitat

AbstractPatchy landscapes are characterized by abrupt transitions between habitats, forcing species to cross habitat boundaries in order to spread. Although individuals that disperse into unsuitable habitat are often presumed dead in population models, reality may be more nuanced. If survival within an unsuitable habitat is possible (however transiently), then through time, individuals may be able to reach distant, suitable habitat. In this study, conducted with annual plant species in a fragmented Californian grassland, we examined the fate of habitat specialists moving between serpentine patches and an invaded nonserpentine matrix. First, we tested whether habitat specialists use seed dormancy to transiently survive beyond the habitat boundary. We found that dormancy maintained populations of patch specialists deep into the matrix—these patterns were not observed for matrix specialists in serpentine patches. Seeds of patch specialists that lacked morphologies for assisted dispersal accumulated downslope of patches, suggesting that even the most dispersal‐limited species could eventually reach suitable patches even if they first land in the matrix. Second, because an invasive matrix specialist (Avena fatua) is highly abundant, we were interested in determining whether seeds spilled into serpentine patches were strong enough to maintain sink populations. We found that A. fatua was largely absent deep in patches, where the components of fitness plummeted and there was no evidence of a dormant seedbank (in contrast to a sizable seedbank of patch specialists in the matrix). Our results suggest that the demographic fates of individuals that land in unsuitable habitat depend on the direction by which the boundary is crossed (patch ➝ matrix ≠ matrix ➝ patch), with different ecological consequences for species in each habitat type. Dormancy is often understood as a mechanism for persisting in the face of temporal variability but may serve as a means of traversing unsuitable habitat in patchy systems, warranting its consideration in estimates of habitat connectivity.

Restricted geographical distribution of Cremnophila Nutans (Crassulaceae): implications to the conservation of a micro-endemic, habitat specialist and ornamental Mexican plant

Restricted geographical distribution of Cremnophila Nutans (Crassulaceae): implications to the conservation of a micro-endemic, habitat specialist and ornamental Mexican plant

Using bioacoustics to determine bird community patterns in a post-industrial city

Urban landscapes experiencing population loss often maintain high quantities of vacant land which cause social stress but also create opportunities for conservation of wildlife, including birds. Understanding how features of the urban environment affect bird communities is needed to support planning and policy that creates more effective biodiversity outcomes. Using acoustic recorders, we explored the factors that affect bird communities in Detroit, MI, based on features in surrounding neighborhoods. We compared Shannon diversity, richness, and acoustic detection of birds at 110 recording sites from 2021 to 2023. We used a generalized linear model approach to determine the moderating effect of variables including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and density of vacant lots around recording sites on bird community space use. We found increased bird diversity at recording sites surrounded by higher densities of vacant land and evidence that some habitat specialists use these areas more than others. Our results indicate habitat preference for areas with more vacant lots, and general preferential habitat selection for certain features of the urban environment. Understanding how urban bird communities use space in a post-industrial, urban landscape will help inform more effective nature-based solutions and urban plans that balance conservation, health, and social justice goals.

Biophysical characteristics, distribution and conservation challenges of critically endangered Bhutan poppy (Papaver bhutanicum) in Jigme Dorji National Park, Bhutan

AbstractThe occurrence of certain rare plant species in specific ecological habitats is intricately linked to a myriad of environmental conditions, encompassing both biotic and abiotic factors. The prioritisation of monitoring efforts becomes more impactful when conservationists possess a comprehensive understanding of the ecology and distribution of rare species within their designated habitats and across the entire range of the species. In September 2023, a study was conducted in Jigme Dorji National Park to assess the ecology, distribution and threats to the critically endangered Bhutan poppy. This survey, employing random sampling, covered approximately 87 ha across Tshophu, Tshophu base and Jichudrakey base in Soe Gewog and analysed 202 2 × 2 m plots. The survey revealed 57 plant species from 24 families, with Asteraceae (17.5%) and Papaveraceae (12.3%) dominating. Notably, 46% of families comprised a single species, and significant species richness differences were observed between Tshophu, Tshophu base and Jichudrakey base. Correlations between species richness and environmental variables, including slope, rock cover (%), bare soil cover (%) and herb cover (%), were identified as significant. The Bhutan poppy was positively and significantly associated with the southwest aspect, occupying 59% of surveyed plots. Species distribution modelling predicted a distribution area of approximately 37.29 square kilometres within the national park. However, future climate scenarios indicated a significant shift in the distribution of the Bhutan poppy. By 2041–2060, there is an anticipated decrease of 33% in its distribution area, with a shift towards the northeast. In the period from 2061 to 2080, the distribution is expected to increase by 8% from its current range, maintaining the northeast shift. The study identified three primary threats: grazing, trampling and harvesting, with livestock activities prevalent in 92% of plots and signs of harvesting in 45%. These findings provide crucial insights into the ecological dynamics, distribution patterns and potential conservation challenges facing the Bhutan poppy in Jigme Dorji National Park's alpine habitats, emphasising the need for informed conservation strategies amidst changing environmental conditions.

Amphibian Distribution and Habitats in Northwestern Saudi Arabia

More effort is needed to study wild animals, especially if they depend on a specific type of habitat. The amphibian community in Saudi Arabia needs additional research attention since not all potentially suitable habitats, particularly those in northern areas, have been studied. Different wetland habitats in Tabuk Province in northwestern Saudi Arabia were surveyed for amphibians in 2021 and 2022. Interestingly, only the Arabian toad was recorded at the sites visited. This finding contributes valuable data to the current amphibian distribution map of Saudi Arabia and suggests the great capacity of this species to inhabit habitats with different conditions and characteristics. Habitat destruction and potential sources of pollution were observed in some of the sites surveyed and, importantly, large construction projects are under way in the majority of amphibian habitats in Tabuk Province. Therefore, further effort is required to explore the less studied areas of Saudi Arabia to aid in the conservation of species, especially those such as amphibians that require specific habitat conditions.

Urbanization correlates with the prevalence and richness of blood parasites in Eurasian Blackbirds (Turdus merula)

Urbanization is increasing worldwide, producing severe environmental impacts. Biodiversity is affected by the expansion of cities, with many species being unable to cope with the different human-induced stressors present in these landscapes. However, this knowledge is mainly based on research from taxa such as plants or vertebrates, while other organisms like protozoa have been less studied in this context. The impact of urbanization on the transmission of vector-borne pathogens in wildlife is still unclear despite its relevance for animal and human health. Here, we investigated whether cities are associated with changes in the prevalence and richness of lineages of three vector-borne protozoans (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) in Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) from multiple urban and forest areas in Europe. Our results show important species-specific differences between these two habitat types. We found a significant lower prevalence of Leucocytozoon in urban birds compared to forest birds, but no differences for Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. Furthermore, the richness of parasite lineages in European cities was higher for Plasmodium but lower for Leucocytozoon than in forests. We also found one Plasmodium lineage exclusively from cities while another of Leucocytozoon was only found in forests suggesting a certain level of habitat specialization for these protozoan vectors. Overall, our findings show that cities provide contrasting opportunities for the transmission of different vector-borne pathogens and generate new scenarios for the interactions between hosts, vectors and parasites.

HSC3D: A Python package to quantify three‐dimensional habitat structural complexity

Abstract Habitat structural complexity (HSC) is a key variable to help interpret ecological patterns and processes among different ecosystems. Existing metrics used to quantify HSC often, however, result in insufficient or biased representation of structural complexity. As such, our understanding of how HSC affects biodiversity and related ecological patterns is often limited by these measures. Recent advances in photogrammetry and computer vision have enabled the ability to reconstruct 3D habitats with high efficiency and accuracy. Point clouds, for example, better represent the structural properties of target objects with reduced sampling bias as compared to traditional formats like 2.5D raster (i.e. DEM, DSM, DTM). The analysis of point clouds is, however, limited by the lack of readily available packages with mathematically well‐defined metrics for ecologists to help interpret relevant HSC properties. To address this gap, novel metrics are provided in the present Python package HSC3D version 0.2.0, which allows quantification of structural complexity of targeted habitats based on photogrammetry point clouds. This package is designed to help ecologists better describe the structural characteristics of a specific habitat and is bundled with visualisation functions to help interpret the computational processes used. To demonstrate functions implemented in HSC3D we use a case study that compares the structural complexity differences formed by two intertidal ecosystem engineers, mussels and oysters. Results indicate that HSC3D is a versatile and easily adapted package, which can provide both ecological and analytical insights on photogrammetry point clouds which should prove a useful tool for ecologists wanting to quantify HSC.

Observations on Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis Swainson, 1838 (Aves: Charadriiformes: Laridae) breeding colonies in Middle Ganges stretch, India

Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis Swainson, 1838 is a riverine habitat specialist bird and a species of significant conservation concern. In 2020 it was up-listed to the ‘Endangered’ category of the IUCN Red List. Breeding grounds of the species are known from the major rivers of India like Ganga, Chambal, Son, and Mahanadi. We monitored breeding colonies of the species in two breeding seasons (2017 and 2018) in the middle Ganges stretch. We identified nine nesting islands and monitored a total of 111 active nests during the study period. A total of 302 eggs were counted with clutch sizes ranging 1–5 and the mean clutch size of 2.7 (±1.18 SD). We observed a 10% & 7% of hatching and fledgling success rate in 2017 and 10% & 17% in 2018, respectively. Low breeding success was probably due to the severe anthropogenic factors such as egg collection, cattle trampling, and stochastic weather events such as flooding and sand inundation by sand storms in nests. We also recorded instances of nest abandoning because of unknown reasons. This article recommends more surveys to identify new breeding colonies of Indian Skimmer in the middle Ganges and subsequently provide adequate protection to the colonies. We also recommend sensitization programs for different stakeholders to create more awareness for the conservation of this threatened species in the middle Ganges stretch.

Analyses of genetic diversity and population structure of endemic and endangered species Sideritis gulendamii (Lamiaceae) and implications for its conservation

AbstractSideritis gulendamii is a perennial, endangered plant endemic to Türkiye with narrow and fragmented populations encountered in gypsum and marl soil. This species is known as mountain tea and also has a significant potential for use for medicinal and aromatic purposes. Assessing the genetic diversity of this species holds significant importance in its conservation efforts due to its specific habitat requirements, small and isolated populations, and recent threats imposed on these populations. This study determined genetic diversity at the species and population levels using the inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) fingerprinting method on 157 individuals from seven natural populations. We observed that the species-level genetic diversity is relatively high (H = 0.189, I = 0.298), but the population-level is low (H = 0.150, I = 0.231). The greater total genetic variation within populations was determined as 76% using the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA). The obtained value of genetic differentiation (Gst = 0.208, Φpt = 0.24) among populations is considered to be at a moderate level, whereas gene flow appears to be high (Nm = 1.899). Supportive results were reached using the STRUCTURE cluster analysis, Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Averages (UPGMA) dendrogram, and Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA). The positive correlation between the matrices of genetic distance and geographic distance is determined to be statistically significant, with values of r = 0.566 and p < 0.001 in the Mantel test. Some strategies were developed using the genetic variability pattern of this endangered species for its conservation.