Total Species Diversity Research Articles

Biodiversity as a Tool in the Assessment of the Conservation Status of Coastal Habitats: A Case Study from Calabria (Southern Italy)

The Mediterranean coasts are threatened by human activities that alter habitats structure and functionality, modifying vegetation and causing the loss of typical species. The definition of the conservation status of coastal habitats is essential to preserve these fragile environments through planned policies. This study aims to assess the conservation status of the habitats of community interest (sensu EEC Directive 43/92) through the analysis of biodiversity and correlating it with urbanisation. A total of 73 vegetation relevés were carried out, so allowing 13 revealing different habitats to be identified. The total plant species diversity per habitat was measured by means of the H-index, also used to assess naturalness (N), differently considering native, alien, and disturbance species. To correlate the N index with distance from urban centres, a statistical analysis was performed. The analysis showed the highest values of H+ were found in habitats 2240, 2110, 2260, and 2230, while lowest values were observed in habitats 2270* and 2240. The habitats 2270* and 2240, the closest to urban centres, have a lower naturalness score than habitats 1420, 2120, 2250*, and 2270*, where higher naturalness scores have been found and therefore lower levels of disturbance. The criteria and methods discussed in this study can be used in coastal management in order to identify the most sensitive habitats and implement an effective conservation strategy.

Rock outcrops as interglacial refugia for plants: Ecological evidence from the forest‐steppe transition of Patagonia

AbstractIn the forest‐steppe transition of Patagonia from Argentina, the intense physical variability promotes the occurrence of contrasting vegetation units, among which is the saxicolous meadow developed on rock outcrops. In temperate and tropical regions, these geoforms of highly variable climate and topography, and poor soil development play an ecological and evolutionary role disproportionate to their reduced area. In Aguas Frías (38°46′S, 70°54′W), the range, diversity, density and adaptation of vascular plant species growing in the saxicolous meadow were compared to those of the surrounding steppe, forest and hygrophilous meadow. We hypothesize that rock outcrops exhibit a compositionally and functionally divergent, cold‐adapted flora of a previously more widespread distribution, allowing them to be categorized as refugia for species whose range retreated during the current interglacial. In comparison to the other units, the saxicolous meadow exhibited a small area, low plant cover, high total, native and rare species richness, high density and diversity of species, high richness of unique families and species and an exclusive presence of (rock) ferns. It also presented a high richness of endemic species with more extreme latitudinal and altitudinal distribution, particularly >46° S and >3000 m a.s.l. The similarity of species between the saxicolous meadow and the other units was low. Chamaephytes and nanophanerophytes were dominants, hemicryptophytes and geophytes were infrequent and mesophanerophytes and therophytes were absent. Equivalent results in terms of area of rock outcrops, and origin, strategy, composition, diversity and range of species were found in different regions. The biological and physical attributes would allow these outcrops to be characterized as reduced habitats of high diversity which could be acting as refugia for cold‐adapted plants. Conservation actions must prevent and mitigate the effects of fire, biological invasion and cattle grazing that represent the current threats to this ecosystem.

Large wildfires alter the potential capacity of fire-prone Mediterranean pine forests to provide wild edible mushrooms over the long term

Projected trends of intensified wildfires due to climate warming and fuel-load accumulation are expected to significantly alter fungal diversity, but we know little about how these changes will impact ecosystem services. We aimed to analyze how large wildfires alter the capacity of fire-prone Mediterranean ecosystems dominated by Pinus pinaster Ait. to deliver the provisioning ecosystem service of mushroom production throughout the post-fire succession. We assessed this at early (<10 years), medium (10-20 years), and late (>20 years) stages after fire, compared to an unburned forest. Our results evidenced that large wildfires significantly reduced the capacity of these forests to provide mushroom harvesting opportunities. This adverse effect was most pronounced in the first few years after wildfire but persisted even after 20 years of post-fire succession. The total fungal species richness, abundance, diversity, and productivity at the post-fire successional stages remained lower than in the unburned forest, failing to reach their pre-fire levels even after two decades. However, the presence of commercially valuable edible fungal species, along with their species richness and productivity, began to recover in the medium and late stages after fire. In the immediate aftermath of the fire, saprotrophic fungal species dominated, while mycorrhizal species became more prevalent during the medium and late stages of secondary succession. Additionally, the abundance and productivity of mycorrhizal species in the late succession stage approached those found in the unburned forest. Soil pH and biochemical variables (microbial biomass C and β-glucosidase enzymatic activity) were key drivers of changes in species composition along the successional stages. This knowledge is essential to guide management solutions aimed at reducing ecosystem service loss and increasing resilience to the new scenario of extreme large wildfire events at shorter fire-free intervals, especially in southern Europe.

Soil and Vegetation Characteristics of Grassland have a Greater Influence on the Abundance and Diversity of Earthworms than the Mowing Intensity in a Managed Nature Reserve

Effects of mowing on vegetation parameters have been well studied. However, less is known about mowing effects on soil fauna and if soil properties alter this. We investigated earthworm communities in a long-term experiment 14 years after its establishment in 5 dry, fresh and moist grassland plots located in the Natura 2000 site Lainzer Tiergarten near Vienna, Austria (238–402 m a.s.l., 48°10′ N, 16°12′ E). The grasslands were either mowed once a year or every second year, or not mowed since being established. Earthworms were assessed using the non-destructive octet electro-shocking method. Additionally, vegetation composition, soil conductivity, temperature and moisture were assessed. We found 13 earthworm species across all treatments, although their abundance was generally low with 6.1 ± 4.7 worms m−2. The total earthworm abundance and species diversity was higher in dry compared to fresh and moist grasslands but was not affected by mowing frequency. Endogeic earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa, Aporrectodea rosea) and epigeics (Lumbricus rubellus) were more tolerant to mowing than anecics (Lumbricus terrestris, Allolobophora longa). Since plant species richness was highest in annually mown grasslands and earthworm species richness was positively related to plant species numbers, we recommend regular, low-input management to promote above- and belowground biodiversity in these grasslands.

Fungal community analysis of two edible herbs: Citri reticulatae pericarpium and polygalae radix

Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium(CRP) and Polygalae Radix (PR) are traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and dietary supplements, and they are commonly included in most prescriptions. Fungal contamination in CRP and PR has long been a concern for the public. Thus, in this study, the fungal diversity and abundance in CRP and PR were investigated via high-throughput sequencing technology. Analysis was conducted to determine the differences in dominant fungal microbiomes between mouldy and nonmouldy samples, and the correlation between the total number of fungi and fungal diversity in medicinal herbs at different altitudes and latitudes with other research was explored. Results show the fungal contamination of all 12 samples. At the phylum level, Ascomycota prevailed the most in CRP and PR with relative abundances of 56.96%–99.26% and 23.28%–76.06%, respectively. The dominant genera in CRP comprised Xeromyces (2.57%–53.21%), Aspergillus (0.18%–23.04%), Cystofilobasidium (0.032%–28.03) and Xerochrysium (0.31%–34.41%). The dominant genera in PR included Wallemia (0.27%–56.20%), Aspergillus (2.03%–48.06%), Xeromyces (0.20%–48.28%) and Xerochrysium (0.093%–43.95%). Two potential toxigenic fungi were detected: Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus versicolor. In addition, combined with the results of previous studies, the findings reveal the possible relation of diversity and abundance of fungal species to altitude and latitude: As the altitude and latitude decrease, the diversity and abundance of fungal species may increase. In conclusion, for the first time, this study focused on altitude and latitude as indicators and integrated multiple research findings to explore the correlation between the total amount and diversity of fungal species in the two edible herbs. Results reveal the fungal contamination of the surfaces of CRP and PR and provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of their fungal contamination.

Increasing fish biodiversity in high elevation Albertan lakes in response to global environmental change over the past 50 years

IntroductionThe diversity of freshwater fishes is threatened by multiple environmental stressors, including climate change, alterations in land use, and introduction of non-native species. However, the quantification of temporal biodiversity in freshwater communities is limited. Here, we asked: i) how has alpha (species richness), beta (changes in freshwater species composition), and gamma diversity (total species diversity in a landscape) changed over time for lakes over a 50 year period?; and ii) What are the climatic, land use, and lake morphological drivers associated with higher diversity?MethodsWe assembled a database of fish species occurrence from 20 lakes across subalpine and alpine regions in Alberta from 1970-2019, in addition to lake morphological, climatic, and land use characteristics of the watersheds. ResultsWe observed an overall increase in alpha, beta, and gamma diversity from the 1970s to 2009s. However, all measures of diversity declined from 2010-2019. We found that more lakes and species assemblages were influenced by species gains, rather than species losses (with the exception of the last decade of sampling). DiscussionGenerally, we found that coolwater species were expanding and coldwater fishes were being lost throughout our study lakes. We highlight temporal heterogeneity in fish biodiversity responses to substantial environmental pressures in this region.

Antibiotic altered liver damage induced by aflatoxin B1 exposure in mice by modulating the gut microbiota

Aflatoxins B1 (AFB1) and antibiotic (AN) carry co-exposure risks, with the gut being a target organ for their combined effects. However, the current understanding of the impact of AN on gut and liver injury induced by AFB1 remains limited. In this study, we conducted a 9-week investigation into the implications of AN (ampicillin and penicillin) treatment on AFB1-induced intestinal and liver injury in C57BL/6J male mice fed a normal diet (ND) and a high-fat diet (HFD). The results showed that AN treatment significantly reduce the total number and diversity of intestinal species in both ND and HFD mice exposed to AFB1. Moreover, AN treatment alleviated AFB1-induced liver injury and lipid accumulation in mice on ND and HFD, while improving abnormal lipid metabolism in the liver and serum. However, AN treatment also promoted intestinal damage and reduced the levels of short-chain fatty acids in the gut. Correlation analysis demonstrated that, under the two dietary patterns, microorganisms across various genera were significantly positively or negatively correlated with alterations in liver, serum, and intestinal biochemical indexes. These genera include Akkermansia, Robinsoniella, Parabacteroides, Escherichia-Shigel, and Parabacteroides, Odoribacter. AN may alleviate long-term AFB1-induced liver injury through the regulation of intestinal microorganisms, with the effect being more pronounced in mice following an HFD pattern. These findings provide novel insights into the effects of AFB1 on the gut‒liver axis under complex exposure conditions, as well as the relationship between gut microbial homeostasis and liver injury across different dietary patterns.

Solar parks can enhance bird diversity in agricultural landscape

Solar photovoltaic power parks are a relatively new anthropogenic habitat that will become more widespread in the future. The greatest potential for solar photovoltaic power production is on arable land and grassland. Knowledge on the impacts of solar parks on biodiversity is scarce and spatially limited. We investigated the impact of ground-mounted solar parks on species richness, abundance, Shannon diversity and composition of bird communities in Slovakia (Central Europe), taking into account pre-construction land cover, elevation and landscape context. We recorded breeding, foraging or perching birds on 32 solar park plots and 32 adjacent control plots (two hectares each) during single breeding season. We found that solar parks supported higher total bird species richness and diversity, and richness and abundance of invertebrate-eaters, and that the abundance of ground-foragers was higher in solar parks developed on grassland than in grassland control plots. Ordination analysis showed that solar parks had a different composition of bird communities and thus increased overall species diversity and beta diversity in the agricultural landscapes studied. Plot type and landscape context accounted for most of the variation in bird community composition. Black redstart, European stonechat, white wagtail and Eurasian tree sparrow were identified as indicator species for solar parks. The observed pattern could be due to the higher structural diversity of solar parks. The solar parks studied were designed and managed exclusively for electricity production. It can therefore be assumed that solar parks designed and managed in synergy with a stronger focus on wildlife would have an even greater positive impact on bird diversity in an agricultural landscape.

The relationship between the abundance of non-native tree species and the community structure of resident woody species in tropical montane forest of West Usambara Mountains, Tanzania

Non-native tree species are globally claimed as liable to the encroachment of natural forests in their proximity resulting to the loss of biodiversity. This study was conducted in Magamba Nature Forest Reserve (MNFR) in West Usambara Mountains of Tanzania. A total of 96 (20 m x 20 m) plots were established to record all woody plants with Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) ≥ 5 cm while two nested plots of 2 m x 5 m were set to measure any plant with DBH ≥ 1 cm but less than 5 cm. Furthermore, two nested plots of 1 m x 1 m were established within the bigger plot in order to assess and record seedlings (DBH < 1 cm). Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were used to assess the relationship between total abundance, species diversity, richness, evenness, and biomass of resident species and the abundance of Acacia melanoxylon and Eucalyptus grandis. Findings show a significant (p < 0.05) decrease of abundance of all resident woody species, adults, saplings and seedlings with an increase in the abundance of A. melanoxylon. The study also showed that the species richness and diversity of all resident species decreased with increasing the abundance of non-native species (p < 0.05). The abundance of E. grandis did not show significant (p > 0.05) association when assessed against the total abundance, species diversity, richness and evenness of all the resident woody species. This non-significant result may not necessarily mean no effect. This is because the P-value does not explain the size of the effect in biological data. Further analysis revealed that, the biomass of resident species was negatively related to the abundance of non-native species A. melanoxylon (p = 0.003) and E. grandis (p = 0.038). The negative relationship between the abundance, richness, diversity, evenness, and biomass of the resident woody species and the abundance of non-native species portrayed in this study raise an alarm. Therefore, there is need for setting monitoring and control mechanism to stop further spread of the non-native tree species in MNFR and hence, save the remaining biodiversity of the area.

ОСОБЕННОСТИ МИКРОБНОЙ КОЛОНИЗАЦИИ КОНСТРУКЦИОННЫХ МАТЕРИАЛОВ, ИСПОЛЬЗУЕМЫХ В КОСМИЧЕСКОЙ ТЕХНИКЕ, ПРИ ИХ МНОГОЛЕТНЕМ ЭКСПОНИРОВАНИИ В СРЕДЕ ОБИТАНИЯ МЕЖДУНАРОДНОЙ КОСМИЧЕСКОЙ СТАНЦИИ

The paper presents the results of studying quantitative dynamics, changes in composition and species diversity (Shannon diversity index, SDI) of the cultivable microbial community on samples of structural materials in the course of long-term exposure inside the International space station (space experiment Biorisk). It was found that the total number and species diversity of microorganisms changed in waves but the general trend was downward. In all, over the period of the experiment we detected, after cultivation in nutrient media, 20 bacterial species and 5 species of microscopic fungi grown on the samples of structural materials. Among bacteria, dominating species belonged to genus Bacillus, and species of the normal cutaneous and mucous microbiota belonged to genus Staphylococcus and Micrococcus. Genus Aspergillus and Penicillium dominated among fungi. Species diversity of the cultivable microbial community was maximal for textured glass and minimal for polyvinylchloride. SDI was 2.99 and 1.72 respectively. Also, these materials were populated by the largest (11) and least (5) numbers of cultivable microorganisms. The low microbial load on all types of materials after different periods of exposure suggests eco-safety of the ISS environment and effectiveness of the respective control measures.

Population of Collembola of bog ecosystems of the ukrainian part of the International Biosphere Reserve «Roztochia»

A comparative analysis of the taxonomic and ecological structure of bog collembolan taxocenes of IBR "Roztochia" was carried out. 67 species of Сollembola belonging to 43 genera and 12 families were found on the studied territory. The representation of the rare element of collembolofauna (its uniqueness) is 14.9%. Three species are new to the collembolofauna of Ukraine (Cryptonura kühnelti, Heteromurus sexoculatus, Isotomurus fucicolus) and one new species is from the continental part of Ukraine (Tetracanthella proxima). From 1 to 13 species of Сollembola were found at the level of point alpha diversity, and 5–29 species of coenotic alpha diversity, which indicates a small capacity of the soil environment for Сollembola in bog ecosystems, сompared to forest and meadow ecosystems. The investigated bog Collembola taxocenes are characterized by small and average population density indicators, from 0.25 to 9.1 thousand spec./m2. It was found that the structure of dominance, spectra of life forms and biotope groups of the studied taxocenes have their own specificity, due to local edaphic conditions. The analysis of the ecological structure showed that, in terms of species richness, complexes of hygro-mesophilic (31.3% of the total species richness), mesophilic (22.4%) and xeroresistant forms (20.9%) prevail in bog taxocenes of collembola. The studied taxocenes include nine biotope groups of species. The biotope groups of forest species (28,9%) and species that differentiate the bog type of ecosystems (bog, near-water, meadow- and forest-bog species) prevails. The share of representatives of the second group in the studied taxocenes is 14.9% of the total species diversity and 29.5% of the total abundance. It was established that a mixed collembolan taxocene is formed in bog ecosystems, where none of the biotope groups reaches 40% of the total abundance.

The Relationship between Total Mercury, Its Fractions and Species Diversity of Diatom Taphocoenoses Deposited in Surface Sediments (Southern Baltic Sea)

Mercury is a toxic metal that in excessive amounts negatively affects the human nervous system. It can biomagnify to enrich successive levels of the trophic web with higher and higher concentrations of Hg. Diatoms are cosmopolitan microalgae that represent the base of the trophic web. The objective of this study was to determine the importance of diatoms in the accumulation of Hg in surface sediments in the example of Puck Lagoon (southern Baltic Sea). The study verified the relationship of mercury forms with diatoms’ characteristic salinity groups and individual diatom species. The identified diatom flora permitted the distinguishment of three regions with different salinity preferences. The obtained results suggest that, together with organic matter and fine sediment fraction, diatoms are an important element of the marine environment in accumulating Hg. Area I, dominated by euhalobous and mesohalobous diatom species, was characterized by a high statistically significant correlation of mesohalobous with HgSO4, Hg in complexes with organic matter and HgS. In Area II, associated with the highest Hg concentrations (ca. 100 ng g−1), euhalobous showed a statistically significant linear correlation with HgSO4. In contrast, in Area III, the freshwater diatom community was associated with stable Hg forms. The identified species showed a connection with labile forms of Hg that can undergo biomagnification.

Spider fauna (Arachnida, Araneae) in Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park "Smolny" (Russia).

Ecosystems in protected areas are richer in animal and plant species diversity ("biodiversity hotspots") due to more stringent conservation conditions. Of particular importance is scientific research and monitoring of this diversity in such areas. The aim of this study is to describe a set of data on Araneae occurrence in two protected areas: Mordovia State Nature Reserve and National Park "Smolny". About 29,000 individuals are identified to the species level. In total, 342 species were recorded for both PAs. The greatest species diversity was recorded in the families Linyphiidae (109 species; 32%), Lycosidae (38 species; 11%) Gnaphosidae (28 species; 8%), Araneidae (25 species; 7%), Salticidae (24 species; 7%), Thomisidae (23 species; 7%) and Theridiidae (22 species; 6% from total species diversity). The five species most abundant in the lower stratum (litter and moss layer) of biocenoses were Diplocephaluspicinus, Micronetaviaria, Tenuiphantestenebricola, Diplostylaconcolor and Abacoproecessaltuum and the five species most abundant in the vegetative stratum (herb, shrub and tree stems and canopy) were Linyphiatriangularis, Enoplognathaovata, Evarchafalcata, Misumenavatia and Evarchaarcuata. The dataset contains information on the occurrence of seven rare species (Centromerusnurgush, Centromeruspersimilis, Diplocephalusdentatus, Entelecaraflavipes, Metapanamomopskaestneri, Pelecopsisradicicola and Porrhommamicrocavense), three species (Agalenatearedii, Neosconaadianta, Thanatusoblongiusculus) that entered here from the steppe zone and two synanthropic species (Steatodacastanea, Tegenariadomestica).

Toward the next angiosperm revolution: Agroecological food production as a driver for biological diversity

Flowering plants once drove a global shift in insect–plant–animal relationships and supported an increase in biodiversity, energy flux, and productivity throughout terrestrial ecosystems. We argue here that angiosperms could once again contribute to biodiversity within landscapes, if agroecosystems, and the plants within them, can be managed for multifunctional benefits. The potential for farmland to support biological diversity is understood and well-argued in the literature. We take this long-standing conversation and frame it within a longer evolutionary context, bringing attention to how modification in 2 key areas of our current food production system could support this goal. First, a move toward crop and grazing landscapes that more closely align with regional food webs can lead to observable improvements in community wildlife abundance. Second, we can re-expand the genetic base of our food, fodder, and cover crops, in particular by using crop wild relatives, through the use of wide crosses, genome-assisted selection, and participatory breeding. Agriculture as it is now widely practiced utilizes a narrow sliver of total angiosperm species diversity and within-species genetic diversity on a large amount of land. Change to this status quo requires coordination across tightly interlinked policy areas. It will also require social change. Farmers should be supported to transition through nudges throughout their social network. This necessitates a significant shift in our collective culture to value growing and consuming the flowering crops that can trigger an angiosperm revolution of the Anthropocene.

Quantifying ant diversity and community in a subalpine forest mosaic: a comparison of two methods

Sampling efficiency, composition and detection biases associated with pitfall-trap and sample plot (standardised hand-collecting) methods were compared at seven high montane sites at Lasha Mountain, Yunnan, China. Rarefaction-interpolation curves showed total species diversity and sample coverage from each method were undifferentiated. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance showed highly overlapping communities. However, of all species collected, just 53% of all species found were shared between the two methods; 30% were exclusive to sample plot samples and 17% were exclusive to pitfall traps. Modelled comparisons of species richness (alpha) and proportion of species from the population (beta diversity) showed differences between methods. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance blocked by site showed community composition differed between methods, defined largely by the presence of a few dominant species.Implications for insect conservation: Our findings suggest that results from the two methods cannot be directly compared and are imperfect substitutes to one another. For long-term monitoring of biodiversity in complex forest mosaic systems, we suggest integrating a suite of complementary methods to achieve more complete representation of ant composition and diversity.

KEANEKARAGAMAN FAUNA DI TAMAN KEANEKARAGAMAN HAYATI CILEGON PT. CHANDRA ASRI

The establishment of Taman Kehati Asri by PT Chandra Asri is a form of protection of biodiversity to improve the quality of biodiversity, including fauna. The existence of fauna is very important in ecosystem activities because fauna is a consumer in the food pyramid. If a population decreases, it will have a negative impact on the continuity of food webs and hinder the flow of energy cycle. This study aimed to identify the diversity of fauna in the Taman Kehati Asri area of PT. Chandra Asri Petrochemical, in Gunung Sugih Village, Ciwandan District, Cilegon City, Banten. The research was conducted in October 2022. The methods used were point count and cruise method. Based on the research results, it was found that there were 37 species of fauna belonging to 4 classes, namely birds, mammals, herpetofauna and insects. The result of total species diversity index was 2.98 which was categorized as in the medium category. Furthermore, the fauna dominance index was 0.075 which indicated that one or several species of fauna were not dominated in that area.

Capturing the moment:a snapshot of Mediterranean bryozoan diversity in the early 2023

This paper is an update on the Mediterranean bryozoan diversity since the annotated check-list of Rosso &amp; Di Martino (2016), following the publication of numerous new papers describing new taxa and new species, and adding new records of non-indigenous species. Of the 32 new species described, some replace records of cosmopolitan or widespread species, while some others are the result of the dismantling of species complexes. New records include mainly species and genera previously known from the near Atlantic and subordinately from the Pacific. In addition to replacements, removal of species/genera is also linked to formalized synonymies. These changes also reflect on the composition and representation of families. The updated bryozoan fauna consists of 587 species, 220 genera and 99 families. The different order proportions remain largely unchanged with cheilostomatids (c. 77%) dominating over cyclostomatids (c. 13%) and ctenostomatids (c. 10%). Ten families account for about half of the total species diversity. The new available information is the result of the investigation of habitats and localities previously overlooked, the examination of museum historical collections, as well as a more routinely use of Scanning Electron Microscopy with increasing support from molecular sequencing. Updated biodiversity check-lists represent a unique, simple tool to monitor biodiversity in agreement with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by the United Nations.

Shelterwood harvests promote high breeding bird diversity and shrubland species for less than 10 years in hardwood forests

We compared forest structure and breeding bird communities between shelterwood harvests (SW; n = 15) and mature upland hardwood forests (M; n = 16) over 17 years (Y). Both were relatively static throughout the study period in M. In contrast, heavy canopy reduction and increased light after timber harvests in SW initiated rapid increases in small tree stem densities and shrub cover driven primarily by blackberry (Rubus spp.) - a clonal shrub that “pioneers” recently disturbed, high-light environments. This open-canopy forest structure with low, dense vegetation was short-lived; young trees reached canopy closure within 10 years, with concomitant reductions in blackberry cover and stem density. Total abundance, species richness, and diversity of breeding birds was greater in SW than M, especially the first several years post-harvest; in Y6 these metrics were more than twice as high in SW as in M. Higher abundance, richness, and diversity in SW was driven by an influx of shrubland associates (indigo buntings (Passerina cyanea), chestnut-sided warblers (Setophaga pensylvanica), Eastern towhees (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)) and positive or neutral responses by most other species; only ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) were more abundant in M. Abundances of shrubland bird species in particular tracked temporal changes in SW forest structure but each differed slightly in their patterns of increase, peak (with 15–26 times more in SW than M), and decline. By Y10 breeding bird communities in SW resembled those in M, although total abundance, species richness, and diversity remained slightly higher in SW throughout the study period. Total abundance, species richness, diversity, and abundance of shrubland bird species were positively- and ovenbird was negatively correlated with blackberry cover, indicating that it is a suitable stand-alone predictor of post-disturbance young forest and changes in breeding bird communities as forests mature. Our results show that young hardwood forests provide habitat for shrubland bird species and promote high breeding bird diversity for <10 years.

Rapid response of vascular plants and insects to restoration of montane grasslands

IntroductionIndustrialization has ushered in massive changes in agriculture. Particularly in low mountain ranges, large-scale afforestation with Norway spruce on traditionally managed, semi-natural grasslands has caused a severe decline in biodiversity. Tree removal, hay transfer and resumption of grazing or mowing are typical measures to re-create species-rich grasslands. The aim of this study was to use vascular plants and three insect taxa (leafhoppers, true bugs, and grasshoppers) as bioindicators to evaluate the success of montane grassland restoration on former spruce forests in Central Europe. In addition, we intended to identify the drivers of species richness within the studied grasslands in order to derive suitable recommendations for habitat management.MethodsWe analyzed two different treatments: (i) grazed restoration sites where trees had been cut and species-rich green hay had been applied (N = 9) and (ii) target sites with a long continuity of low-intensity grazing (N = 9).Results and DiscussionOur study revealed that all studied taxa responded rapidly to the restoration measures. After a development period of 3 to 5 years, we found no differences in species richness and diversity of leafhoppers, true bugs and grasshoppers (all, target and threatened species). In addition, non-metric multidimensional scaling showed a large overlap in species composition between restoration and target grasslands. Among target and threatened species, vascular plants displayed the same pattern as insects and reached similar values when comparing the two treatments. However, total species richness and diversity of vascular plants were still higher on the target sites and species composition overlapped only partially. Grazing intensity was the predictor with the highest explanatory power in multivariable (Generalized) Linear Mixed-effects Models, being negatively related to species richness of leafhoppers and true bugs. We conclude that the measures implemented were effective in re-establishing target communities of different taxa. The transfer of seed-containing hay enabled or accelerated the development of the vegetation. Insects, on the other hand, were able to recolonize the restored grasslands on their own, given that these sites were embedded in a network of species-rich grasslands. With regard to insects (e.g., leafhoppers and true bugs), it should be ensured that grazing is applied at low intensity.

Horizon scan of DNA-based methods for quality control and monitoring of herbal preparations.

Herbal medicines and preparations are widely used in healthcare systems globally, but concerns remain about their quality and safety. New herbal products are constantly being introduced to the market under varying regulatory frameworks, with no global consensus on their definition or characterization. These biologically active mixtures are sold through complex globalized value chains, which create concerns around contamination and profit-driven adulteration. Industry, academia, and regulatory bodies must collaborate to develop innovative strategies for the identification and authentication of botanicals and their preparations to ensure quality control. High-throughput sequencing (HTS) has significantly improved our understanding of the total species diversity within DNA mixtures. The standard concept of DNA barcoding has evolved over the last two decades to encompass genomic data more broadly. Recent research in DNA metabarcoding has focused on developing methods for quantifying herbal product ingredients, yielding meaningful results in a regulatory framework. Techniques, such as loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), DNA barcode-based Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (BAR-RPA), DNA barcoding coupled with High-Resolution Melting (Bar-HRM), and microfluidics-based methods, offer more affordable tests for the detection of target species. While target capture sequencing and genome skimming are considerably increasing the species identification resolution in challenging plant clades, ddPCR enables the quantification of DNA in samples and could be used to detect intended and unwanted ingredients in herbal medicines. Here, we explore the latest advances in emerging DNA-based technologies and the opportunities they provide as taxa detection tools for evaluating the safety and quality of dietary supplements and herbal medicines.