Wilderness Areas Research Articles

Implications of the Niche Partitioning and Coexistence of Two Resident Parasitoids for Drosophila suzukii Management in Non-Crop Areas

Understanding the mechanisms associated with the coexistence of competing parasitoid species is critical in approaching any biological control strategy against the globally invasive pest spotted-wing drosophila (=SWD), Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). This study assessed the coexistence of two resident pupal parasitoids, Trichopria anastrephae Lima and Pachycrepoideus vindemiae Rondani, in SWD-infested fruit, in disturbed wild vegetation areas of Tucumán, northwestern Argentina, based on niche segregation. Drosophilid puparia were collected between December/2016 and April/2017 from three different pupation microhabitats in fallen feral peach and guava. These microhabitats were "inside flesh (mesocarp)", "outside flesh", but associated with the fruit, and "soil", i.e., puparia buried close to fruit. Saprophytic drosophilid puparia (=SD) belonging to the Drosophila melanogaster group and SWD were found in all tested microhabitats. SD predominated in both inside and outside flesh, whereas SWD in soil. Both parasitoids attacked SWD puparia. However, T. anastrephae emerged mainly from SD puparia primarily in the inside flesh, whereas P. vindemiae mostly foraged SWD puparia in less competitive microhabitats, such as in the soil or outside the flesh. Divergence in host choice and spatial patterns of same-resource preferences between both parasitoids may mediate their coexistence in non-crop environments. Given this scenario, both parasitoids have potential as SWD biocontrol agents.

Development of an Effective Oral Vaccine Dissemination Strategy against Classical Swine Fever for Wild Boar in Gifu Prefecture, Japan

In September 2018, classical swine fever (CSF) reemerged in Japan after more than a quarter of a century. After the first notification on a pig farm, wild boars positive for CSF were found continuously in the surrounding area. Gifu was the first prefecture in Japan to disseminate oral vaccines to wild boars in March 2019, with vaccines spread to approximately 14,000 sites between 2019 and 2020. While these diligent measures seemed to have shown some effectiveness, several vaccine spray sites remained without wild boar emergence. Based on the vaccine dissemination records from these periods, this study conducted a statistical analysis to propose more effective vaccine dissemination sites. First, a generalized linear mixed model was used to identify factors correlated with wild boar emergence. Then, two spatial interpolation methods, inverse distance weighted (IDW) and Kriging, were adopted to create a probability map of wild boar emergence for the entire Gifu Prefecture. The analysis showed a positive correlation between wild boar emergence and the appearance of raccoons, raccoon dogs, and crows as well as road density and wild boar distribution index. In particular, raccoon (OR: 1.83, 95%CI: 1.25–2.68, p < 0.001), raccoon dog (OR: 1.81, 95%CI: 1.25–2.66, p < 0.001), and medium level road density (OR: 1.56, 95%CI: 1.04–2.39, p = 0.04) were strongly correlated with wild boar emergence. The spatial interpolation approach resulted in better prediction accuracy for the Kriging method than for IDW by the root mean square error, but both approaches identified a high wild boar appearance probability area in southeastern Gifu and a low appearance probability area in central Gifu. Here we have demonstrated a tool to effectively disperse oral vaccine to wildlife.

Establishment of Fitted Models for Topographical Factors and Coexisting Plants Influencing Distribution of Natural Wild Jujube

Fitting mathematical models to describe the influence of topographic factors and coexisting plants on wild jujube distribution was performed to provide a scientific basis for wild jujube forestation. Investigation quadrats, with straight-line distances between adjacent quadrats of longer than 100 m, were set up in areas of wilderness or low human disturbance, which were rich in wild plant species. Data concerning altitude, slope aspect, slope position and slope degree of each investigation quadrat, as well as the type and number of coexisting wild plants, were collected. Based on this, correlations with the average number, occurrence probability and density of wild jujube and these variables were analyzed, and data models were established. Results of analyses show that topographic factors such as altitude, aspect, gradient, slope and position, play an important role in the distribution of wild jujube; and that Vitex negundo var. heterophylla (Franch.) Rehd. coexistence is related to wild jujube distribution. Both average number and occurrence probability of wild jujube conform to a GaussAmp model with altitude. The highest average number was recorded at 581.24 ± 13.78 m above sea level, and the highest occurrence probability at 462.53 ± 36.67 m above sea level. Average number and occurrence probability of wild jujube were fit to a linear model with slope aspect—with mathematical slope 0.49 ± 0.16—indicating that wild jujube is a light-loving and drought-tolerant plant. Average number and density of wild jujubes were fit to GaussAmp models with slope position. The highest average number and the highest density of wild jujube appears on the upper part of the middle slope. Wild jujube occurrence probability was correlated to slope degree in a quadratic equation model. With an increase in slope degree, the distribution number of wild jujube increased sharply. The survey data of slope position and slope degree further reinforced the observed drought-resistance qualities of wild jujube. Average number and density of wild jujubes were correlated to the number of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla by quadratic equation models. No other plants investigated conformed to a statistically significant relationship with wild jujube distribution. Our results suggest altitude, slope aspect, slope position and slope degree play an important role in wild jujube distribution, and that Vitex negundo var. heterophylla is an important coexistent plant species for wild jujube.

Confirmation of the local establishment of alien invasive turtle, Pseudemys peninsularis, in South Korea, using eggshell DNA.

Alien invasive species are posing conservation challenges worldwide. Pet trade, one of the many ways, is worsening the situation. Especially, pet turtles have been released into nature due to their longer life span and peoples' religious and traditional beliefs. In addition, unwanted and undesired pets are also released. While information on the successful local establishment and subsequent dispersal into new habitats is required to designate an invasive and ecosystem-disturbing species, alien freshwater turtle nests have always been hard to find and identify in nature. Because one should identify nests by the eggs, which do not always guide properly, as adults abandon the sites quickly. We thought the recent advancement in DNA technology may help improve the situation. We studied Pseudemys peninsularis, one of the most traded freshwater turtle pet species, which has already been reported from a wide range of wild areas in South Korea. Yet, it is not designated as ecosystem-disturbing species due to a lack of adequate information on their local reproduction and establishment. We conducted surveys and found two nests in Jeonpyeongje Neighborhood Park, Maewol-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. We developed the methodology for extracting DNA from the eggshells and successfully identified the nests by phylogenetic analysis and verified through egg characteristics and morphological features of artificially hatched juveniles. This was the first successful initiative to extract DNA from freshwater turtle eggshells. We believe it will help future researchers identify the alien invasive turtle nests and develop their control and management policies. In addition, our study also included comparative descriptions and schematic diagrams of the eggs of eight freshwater turtles, including a native and three ecosystem-disturbing species, from South Korea. We urged an immediate designation of P. peninsularis as an ecosystem-disturbing species considering its local establishment, distribution range, and potential negative impact on native ecosystems.

Soil differentiation and soil comprehensive evaluation of in wild and cultivated Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrenk

Few studies have focused on the growth, soil quality and sustainability of medicinal plants under different soil conditions. In this study, the spatial heterogeneity of soil physical and chemical properties, the diversity of rhizosphere soil microbial community structure, and the characteristics of growth of the wild and cultivated medicinal plant, Siberian fritillary (Fritillaria pallidiflora Schrek) were analyzed, and the soil quality and ecosystem sustainability were comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that there was significant spatial variability of soil nutrients in the different habitats. Nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) was strongly variable, while those of the soil organic carbon (SOC) and available phosphorus (AP) were moderately variable. There was little variability among the soil available potassium (AK), electrical conductivity (EC), pH and ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N). Inverse Distance Weighting spatial interpolation showed that SOC, NO3-N, NH4-H and EC were highly distributed in the southeastern part of the wild area, and the soil was more acidic in the original habitat than in the planting habitat. There was little AK and AP in the native habitat, and there was a high content in the planting habitat. Simultaneously, the soil microbial communities of the two soils also differed. The wild-type soil showed a “fungal” type, while the planted soil showed a “bacterial” type. Pathogenic bacteria were among the primary microflora in the planting area. In general, it is difficult to maintain the sustainable development and geo-herbalism of F. pallidiflora in today's cultivation mode because of the significant differences in soil nature, spatial heterogeneity and microbial community structure for the growth of F. pallidiflora. Therefore, future planting should focus on transforming it from intensive to mountain forest planting. This is highly significant for improving the planting efficiency of F. pallidiflora, protecting their geo-herbalism and germplasm resources, and maintaining the stability and sustainable development of the ecosystem.

Rethinking “Streetline Forestscapes” in a Broader Context of Urban Forestry: In-Between Ecological Services and Landscape Design, with Some Evidence from Rome, Italy

Urban forestry development plans, which sometimes pass under the “slogan” of urban forestry, are a great opportunity for our cities. Improving urban forestscapes is a successful part of any urban sustainability strategy, including concrete actions in support of citizens’ well-being. The experience of Italy with the most recent forest planning legislation and a specific focus on Rome, with the recent implementation of a local forest plan, is thus fundamental to give due weight to the different roles of road trees in the ecological, architectural, engineering and social fields, differentially considering some aspects relevant to urban forestation plans and in particular in projects for the new planting of road trees. The present study discusses the main issue of road trees as a part of the green system, linking the “porosity” of urban landscapes with beneficial contributions in terms of ecosystem services. It is outlined how considering the issue of road trees within the more general question of the structure of urban and metropolitan green areas, which includes urban parks, ecological corridors between wilderness areas, residual green areas of buildings, riparian strips of rivers, agricultural areas, natural and wooded areas, is necessary in current planning for urban forests. The project of new plantings and replacement of existing trees should also follow a careful analysis of the local and regional ecological network, promoting a full integration with the mobility network, the service system and the city’s public spaces, including vacant land. Any strategy promoted by urban forestry, and in particular tree-lined roads, should work in synergy with the other measures for urban redevelopment and landscape enhancement of the city in a truly holistic perspective. Finally, the identity of street tree lines in building the image of a given city should be significantly enhanced, recovering in some ways (and giving value to) the aesthetic and scenic role of urban trees.

New Approaches to Modelling Wilderness Quality in Iceland

Much of Europe’s remaining wilderness areas are found in Iceland, yet few are formally protected despite ongoing threats from renewable energy exploitation and 4 × 4 usage. Robust and repeatable approaches are required to map wilderness landscape qualities in support of developing policy on designations that meet international standards. We present an approach to mapping wilderness that is based on internationally recognised methods and customised to suit the unique nature of Icelandic landscapes. We use spatially explicit models of wilderness attributes that measure human impact from vehicular access, land use and visible human features rather than relying on proxy measures such as buffer zones. Seventeen wilderness areas are identified across the Central Highlands and surrounding areas, totalling some 28,470 km2. These are compared to existing mapping projects. The character of these areas is described using additional spatial data models on openness, ruggedness and accessibility from settlements, together with information on mobile phone coverage and grazing patterns. This is the most detailed mapping of wilderness in Iceland to date and an important step towards the formal definition of boundaries of wilderness areas meeting IUCN Category 1b and Wild Europe Working Definition in Iceland.

Evaluating net energy and protein feed conversion efficiency for dairy ruminant systems in France

Modern systems of animal production are facing increasing challenges on issues such as animal welfare, product quality, and environmental impact. Ruminants in particular are often regarded as being inefficient with respect to feed conversion for both protein and energy. Efficiency is defined as the ratio between resources and production; when applied to dairy production systems, it corresponds to the total amount of feed (kg of dry matter of roughages and concentrates) consumed per kg of milk and meat produced. This ratio underlines the biological ability of dairy cows, ewes, and goats to convert feed into products that are edible by humans while maintaining other physiological functions. Feeds consumed by animals can be “human-edible”, i.e. directly usable for human nutrition (cereals, legumes, maize silage), or not (grasslands, wild grass areas). Calculations of livestock efficiency are strongly influenced by whether or not they consider, and distinguish between, the consumption of human-edible or -inedible plant resources (roughages and concentrates) as well as the production of edible and/or inedible animal products (e.g., milk, meat, wool, leather). An improved understanding of the inedible fraction of both energy and protein in animal feed will be invaluable in analyses of feed-food competition, especially in ruminants. In this study, we investigated the feed conversion efficiency (FCE) of dairy ruminant systems in France (cow, goat, ewe) with respect to both energy and protein. We hypothesized that FCE would be influenced by the composition of the diet and its grass content, as well as, by animal type. Data from a French database (Diapason) provided information on land, labor, herds, and production from 2012 to 2016 for 274 dairy goat farms, 108 dairy ewe farms, and 498 dairy cow farms. These herds consumed feeds that were human-edible (cereals, legumes, maize silage) as well as -inedible (grasslands, wild grass areas). We estimated that French dairy systems are, on average, net consumers of energy and net producers of protein, with higher efficiencies for grass-based systems compared to maize-based systems. At the national scale, average net protein efficiencies were 1.16, 1.12, and 1.88 for ewes, goats, and cows, respectively. These results on the net FCE in dairy systems will promote a more objective quantification of their contribution to food security, which should be taken into account in assessments of feed-food competition and its impact on human nutrition. When combined with other factors such as greenhouse gas emissions and land and resource use, such considerations will help to inform discussions of the future of livestock production.

Analytical review of the tourist and recreational potential of the smallest arctic zones of the russian federation in terms of occupied territory

The Murmansk region is characterised by endless wilderness areas, taiga, forests, countless rivers and lakes, and is also interesting for various types of tourism. More than 40 countries have stayed in the region's hotels in 2018, with most foreign visitors coming from Europe. Three districts of Karelia – Belomorsky, Kemsky and Louhsky – were successfully included in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation in 2017. The Belomorsky District has an exceptionally high tourism potential, which is currently under-demanded due to the lack of an underdeveloped tourism infrastructure and tourism personnel. The Kemsky district is famous for the objects of historical and cultural heritage. In the Kemi district there are few recreation facilities and hotels, which is explained by the fact that major tourist flows of guests pass through the city of Kemi. The Assumption Cathedral in Kemi, Kuzovetsky archipelago are in great demand. The area is famous for fishing, hunting and event elements. The Louhsky region is famous for wild recreation away from the hustle and bustle. In the region there are all conditions for the development of various kinds of ecological, natural, sports and adventure tourism. All regions have a sufficient number of attractions to attract tourists, unique natural phenomena and the potential for numerous types of tourism.

Microplastic surface retention and mobility on hiking trails

Hiking and trail running are a source of microplastic (MP) pollution on recreational trails in wilderness and conservation areas; however, the fate of MPs deposited on trails is poorly understood as MP mobility on such surfaces has not yet been examined. In this study, we simulated heavy rainfall (100 mm/h) on trail surfaces with existing MP pollution (in situ MPs) and spiked with 99 ± 2 rubber MPs (100–940 μm). Runoff was collected for 15 min and spiked and in situ MPs were quantified. Hydrological, erosional and microplastic responses were evaluated in relation to slope, bulk density, soil moisture and surface condition indicators, including amounts and types of surface cover and soil physical attributes. The MPs were largely immobile, with 85–100% of spiked MPs retained on trail surfaces. In situ MPs were detected in the trail runoff, with the majority being polyurethane, polypropylene and polyester. Microplastic movement was primarily influenced by hydrological effects, and analysis indicated the main explanatory variable was total runoff volume, followed by soil slaking. Trail sections with at least 15% herbaceous cover or a layer of loose alluvium had higher MP retention. Areas of resource accrual may be preferentially enriched, suggesting MPs from outdoor recreation may be concentrated on and adjacent to recreational trails. Microplastics deposited on trails may have long term implications for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning in wilderness and conservation areas, particularly around the trail corridor.

A spatial and temporal assessment of energy development around wilderness areas

Global efforts to protect biodiversity have fallen short and global threats, including energy development, are prevalent. Assessing impacts of energy development helps determine if protected areas, particularly wilderness areas, can conserve biodiversity, natural habitats, and sustain ecological processes inherent in ecosystems. We quantified the amount of energy development around wilderness areas, evaluated rate of change in energy development, assessed if nearby public land provides a safeguard from energy development, and identified wilderness areas surrounded by the most energy development. We compiled national and regional data on non-renewable and renewable energy development. Across all wilderness areas, 52.8 % had ≥1 power plant or coal mine nearby. More renewable energy power plants occur around wilderness areas than non-renewable. Among all energy leases, oil and gas and wind power leases occur most often around wilderness areas. During 1990–2015, the number of oil and gas wells around wilderness areas increased by 43.5 %. Wilderness areas surrounded by >75 % public land were as likely to have a power plant or coal mine nearby as those with <25 % public land. Wilderness areas ranked highest for number of power plants or coal mines nearby occurred mostly (77 %) in the western U.S. With the continued demand for energy, wilderness areas will continue to be influenced by energy development. Our research can inform the stewardship of wilderness areas and shows that despite their remote location and strong legal protection, wilderness areas are threatened by the increasing presence of energy development in surrounding lands.

Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Based Near-Field Electrospinning System for Optimizing PVDF Fibers with High Piezoelectric Performance

Electrospinning is an effective method to prepare polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) piezoelectric fibers with a high-percentage β phase. However, as an energy conversion material for micro- and nanoscale diameters, PVDF fibers have not been widely used due to their disordered arrangement prepared by traditional electrospinning. Here, we designed a near-field electro-spinning (NFES) system driven by a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) to prepare PVDF fibers. The effects of five important parameters (PVDF concentration, needle inner diameter, TENG pulse DC voltage (TPD-voltage), flow rate, and drum speed) on the β phase fraction of PVDF fiber were optimized one by one. The results showed that the electrospun PVDF fibers had uniform diameter and controllable parallel arrangement. The β phase content of the optimized PVDF fiber reached 91.87 ± 0.61%. For the bending test of a single PVDF fiber piezoelectric device, when the strain is 0.098%, the electric energy of the single PVDF fiber device of NFES reaches 7.74 pJ and the energy conversion efficiency reaches 13.5%, which is comparable to the fibers prepared by the commercial power-driven NFES system. In 0.5 Hz, the best matching load resistance of a PVDF single fiber device is 10.6 MΩ, the voltage is 6.1 mV, and the maximum power is 3.52 pW. Considering that TENG can harvest micromechanical energy in the low frequency environment, the application scenario of the NFES system can be extended to the wild or remote mountainous areas without traditional high-voltage power supply. Therefore, the electrospun PVDF fibers in this system will have potential applications in high-precision 3D fabrication, self-powered sensors, and flexible wearable electronic products.

Optimal foraging of lions at the human wildlands interface

AbstractOptimal foraging and landscape of fear theories provide frameworks which can be useful for investigating animal's space and prey use decisions. Predators, such as African lions Panthera leo, are likely to respond to prey abundance, accessibility, profitability and potential risks, often anthropogenic in nature, while making foraging decision. Identifying the relative role of these processes has important conservation implications. We investigated the relative role of responses to a pastoralist landscape of fear within lion feeding and spatial ecology in a landscape at the human‐wildlands interface. We collected spatial and predation data from 12 GPS‐collared lions and ungulate count data from transects, along the South Africa–Mozambique border, including parts of Kruger, Limpopo and Banhine National Parks. We calculated Jacobs' Index values from 80 kills to investigate lion selection of wild and domestic ungulates as prey, used maximum entropy modelling to predict multi‐season ungulate spatial occurrence and used resource selection functions to estimate the relative probability of use of wild and domestic ungulate areas by lions. All lions had access to wild prey and domestic livestock within their home ranges. Lions showed a strong selection for large‐bodied wild ungulates as prey taking waterbuck, zebra, kudu and buffalo more frequently then predicted by their availability. Lions showed a slight avoidance of cattle as prey, with cattle outnumbering larger ungulates across much of the study area. Lions showed the greatest selection for habitats with high occurrences of wild prey, specifically areas with kudu, then nyala and buffalo, during the dry seasons and showed strong avoidance of cattle areas during the wet season; a season when cattle are kept closer to settlements and thus better protected and easier to predict and avoid. These results suggest that lions select for wild prey and habitats optimally, yet show a fear response to cattle and cattle areas. This duality in the foraging behaviour of lions suggests that efforts to mitigate human–lion conflict and preserve vulnerable lion populations should focus on both increasing wild ungulate populations as well as exploiting lion's fear of humans with careful consideration of the risks of livestock presence acting as an ecological trap for vulnerable lion populations.

Trail running events contribute microplastic pollution to conservation and wilderness areas

Clothing and footwear designed for trail running shed microplastics (MPs) during use. Trail running events may therefore present a significant source of MP pollution in conservation and wilderness areas. Microplastics may present long-term risks to biodiversity and endemic plant and animal species in such areas. In this study, we used a before-after-control-impact approach to quantify and characterise MP emissions from clothing and shoe outsoles during trail running events. Microplastic deposition on trail surfaces was assessed using both a controlled study and during two public trail running events in New South Wales, Australia (the Duval Dam Buster and the Washpool World Heritage Trail Race). Microplastics were present on trails after all events and included fibres and rubber fragments. Microplastic counts varied considerably depending on trail surface hardness and gradient, and clothing and footwear properties. The controlled study showed running tights (leggings) and shoes with soft rubber outsoles produced more MPs than shirts and hard rubbers. In the trail running events, abrasive wear to shoe outsoles produced an average of 0.3 ± 0.1 to 0.9 ± 0.2 MPs/linear metre/runner, and clothing produced 0.7 ± 0.3 to 2.0 ± 0.3 fibres/linear metre/runner, with fibres accounting for 63–69% of MPs. Microplastic deposition from both footwear and clothing was higher on sloped and rock trail surfaces than flat and soil surfaces. Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) Imaging indicated the main types of MPs present on trails were polyurethane, polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide. Trail running is increasing in popularity and large-scale events may cause a rapid and significant input of MPs in protected areas. Land managers, event coordinators and outdoor apparel manufacturers could mitigate MP impacts however, by diverting foot traffic around ecologically sensitive areas, capping participant numbers, and developing abrasion resistant clothing and footwear.

A long entanglement with nature: Flyfishers in the wild

AbstractLarge wild areas are important for both nature conservation and nature‐based recreation. Information on the reciprocal relationships between recreators and the environments in which they recreate can help both conservation and recreation management. We considered motivations, perceptions, environmental concerns, and social concerns among flyfishers who recreate within the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area on the Central Plateau of Tasmania, Australia. Using semi‐structured interviews with 27 participants, we established that they were motivated by a love of nature, desire for experience, escapism, connection, and challenge. On the basis of motivations and attitudes, we discriminated four groups of flyfishers: “social” (those who fish with friends), “trophy” (lone fishers who are goal‐oriented), “outdoor enthusiast” (those who enjoy the outdoor experience, fishing optional), and “hunter‐gatherer” (those prepared to travel long distances for catch). Nonetheless, all groups perceived environmental and social problems related to fishing and visitation behaviours, from littering to climate change. Fishers perceived environmental problems included identifying exotic weeds and pests but did not specifically include trout as a pest, despite their exotic status and adverse effects on native ecosystems. However, flyfishers were aware of most of their impacts and were willing to help mitigate them. Such insight is significant for geographers and those in associated disciplines and professions seeking to manage wild protected areas.

Children in Hong Kong interacting with relatively wild nature (vs. domestic nature) engage in less dominating and more relational behaviors

Might interacting with relatively wild forms of nature help move our world away from its largely domination-oriented and destructive sensibilities? Toward broaching this question, this study used an Interaction Pattern Approach to model child-nature interaction in a Hong Kong nature program. Observational video data were collected of 54 children (mean age 4.8 years) while they were playing in relatively wild or domestic landscapes. In total, 708 interactions were coded and categorized based on 37 distinct interaction patterns. Based on this modeling, we then tested two hypotheses: (1) that in the more domesticated nature areas, children would engage in more domination interaction patterns (e.g., catching wild animals), and (2) in the more wild nature areas, children would engage in more relational interaction patterns (e.g., cohabitating with wild animals). Both hypotheses were supported statistically. Discussion focuses on the importance of interacting with relatively wild aspects of nature, even in urban areas.

The Greater San Rafael Swell: Honoring Tradition and Preserving Storied Lands. By Stephen E. Strom and Jonathan T. Bailey

When surveyed among the celebrated landscapes of the Colorado Plateau, Utah’s San Rafael Swell is often overlooked. This land of hardened sandstone and sculpted badlands neither has the familiarity nor designations of nearby parks and monuments. Stephen E. Strom and Jonathan T. Bailey urge readers to take notice of it. For over two decades now, locals, officials, and conservationists quietly brokered compromises avoiding the sticky political mire that usually characterize public lands politics. Hoping to get out in front of public lands issues before executive action resulted in a monument designation or legislative measures imposed wilderness areas without local input, county citizens and officials began actively meeting in the 1990s to consider solutions to public lands issues in their county. Conversations between conservation and recreation groups, off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, tribal communities, and other individuals and groups eventually led to a major piece of federal legislation, the Emery County Public Land Management Act. Signed into law in 2019, the act created three wilderness areas, a recreation area, and an enlarged state park. The authors outline in briefer detail similar conservation successes in Washington County, Utah, and in Custer and Owyhee Counties, Idaho.

Enhanced regional connectivity between western North American national parks will increase persistence of mammal species diversity

Many protected areas worldwide increasingly resemble habitat isolates embedded in human-modified landscapes. However, establishing linkages among protected areas could significantly reduce species-loss rates. Here we present a novel method having broad applicability for assessing enhanced regional connectivity on persistence of mammal diversity. We combine theoretically-derived species relaxation rates for mammal communities with empirically-derived pathways. We assess the value of enhanced regional connectivity for two hypothetical networks of national parks in western North America: the Yellowstone-Glacier network and the Mount Rainier-North Cascades network. Linking the Yellowstone and Glacier park assemblages by eliminating barriers to movement in identified mammal dispersal pathways and by incorporating adjacent wilderness areas and known ungulate migratory routes into a protected area network would greatly enlarge available habitat. This would enhance medium to large mammal species persistence time by factor of 4.3, on average, or ~ 682 generations relative to individual parks. Similarly, linking Mount Rainier and North Cascades park assemblages would enhance mammal species persistence time by a factor of 4.3, on average, or ~305 generations relative to individual parks. Enhancing regional connectivity among western North America parks could serve as an important template for landscape-scale conservation in the 21st century.

Risk Factors for Exposure of Wild Birds to West Nile Virus in A Gradient of Wildlife-Livestock Interaction.

West Nile virus (WNV) transmission rate is shaped by the interaction between virus reservoirs and vectors, which may be maximized in farm environments. Based on this hypothesis, we screened for WNV in wild birds in three scenarios with decreasing gradient of interaction with horses: (i) the farm (A1); (ii) the neighborhood (A2); and (iii) a wild area (A3). We captured wild birds and analyzed their sera for WNV antibodies by blocking ELISA and micro-virus neutralization test. Flavivirus infections were tested with generic and specific PCR protocols. We parameterized linear mixed models with predictors (bird abundance and diversity, vector abundance, vector host abundance, and weather quantities) to identify Flavivirus spp. and WNV exposure risk factors. We detected a low rate of Flavivirus infections by PCR (0.8%) and 6.9% of the birds were seropositive by ELISA. Exposure to Flavivirus spp. was higher in A1 (9%) than in A2 and A3 (5.6% and 5.8%, respectively). Bird diversity was the most relevant predictor of exposure risk and passerines dominated the on-farm bird community. Our results suggest that measures deterring the use of the farm by passerines should be implemented because the environmental favorability of continental Mediterranean environments for WNV is increasing and more outbreaks are expected.

Limited co-benefits of protected areas in southwest China under current climate change and human modification

An ambitious new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" has been developed. However, the combined effects of climate change and human modification can undermine the potential benefits of the global post-2020 conservation efforts. The co-benefits of stabilizing the climate, conserving biodiversity, and maintaining intact wilderness areas may help to persuade the general public of the need to quickly expand existing protected areas (PAs). To maximize the co-benefits after 2020, the careful optimization of existing (PAs) network and scientific identification of conservation targets are both essential. Here, we mapped hotspots of biodiversity, climate vulnerability, and wilderness in Southwest China (SWC). By analyzing the representativeness and gaps of the existing PAs network in SWC, we devised post-2020 conservation targets and highlighted their implications for decision-makers. Our results showed that the incongruence between hotspots of different species exists, indicating that habitats suitable for one taxon may not fully harbor other taxa. According to our assessment, the five jurisdictions of SWC have warmed on average by 0.4°C–1.1 °C over the past 60 years alone. In particular, biodiversity hotspots in SWC are undergoing stark climatic changes. We uncovered prominent conservation gaps in SWC's network of PAs, especially in terms of climate vulnerability and biodiversity. Due to their insufficient number and unreasonable spatial distribution, the PAs network in SWC may be not capable of meeting its biodiversity, climate vulnerability, and wilderness conservation objectives. To rectify this, we proposed a 3-step mission: milestone 2025, milestone 2030, and goal 2050, which aims to protect 23%, 28%, and 60% of the terrestrial area in SWC, respectively. Taken together, our study derived conservation priority areas with relatively clear spatial boundaries and importance levels, thus providing detailed, timely information for decision-makers to expand the PAs network and implement conservation measures varying in strictness in post-2020 conservation practice.