Conservation

Flood-driven hydrological connectivity in managed floodplain wetlands can create transient opportunities for fish dispersal, yet direct field observations of such events remain limited. In Lake Izunuma–Uchinuma, Japan, a rapid water-level rise and temporary backflow from a downstream river were recorded during a flood event, followed by the first detection of the bagrid catfish Tachysurus nudiceps. Its occurrence outside its natural range may pose significant conservation concerns, particularly habitat competition with native congeneric species. The temporal coincidence between the flood and species detection is consistent with potential passive transport into the lake via temporary backflow. Subsequent routine surveys, including stationary net sampling and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, did not detect the species, suggesting either a transient occurrence or an abundance below the detection threshold of conventional monitoring. These findings indicate that short-lived occurrences or low-abundance inflow events may escape conventional, pre-scheduled monitoring, potentially undermining local conservation efforts. We therefore propose that invasion surveillance in managed wetlands should include hydrological information and event-based sampling, especially after extreme rainfall, to enhance conservation strategies and prevent early-stage biological invasions. Full article

In December 2022, 196 nations around the world committed to protecting at least 30% of terrestrial and inland water areas and marine and coastal areas by 2030, one of the targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The ‘30 × 30’ target is one of the most ambitious conservation targets committed to at a global level, and some countries have also made policy commitments to achieve this target at a national level, including Australia. Australia is making progress towards this target, with 22.57% of Australia’s land already protected in 2024 (up from 7% in the mid-1990s), and support across federal, state and territory jurisdictions for a coordinated national approach. To protect at least an additional 57.2 million hectares of land to meet the 30% coverage target in an ecologically representative manner, clear pathways are required. This article makes the case for the most effective and efficient pathways for Australia to achieve its 30 × 30 ambitions, based on past successful science-informed policy and practice. Four key pathways are outlined. These are (1) establish a new dedicated AU$5 billion fund for the purchase of land of high biodiversity importance to create new public, private or Indigenous protected areas; (2) continue to support the creation of new Indigenous Protected Areas (IPAs) to meet Traditional Owner demand and establish secure long-term funding for IPA management; (3) increase support for the uptake of permanent conservation covenants on private and leasehold land through federal government support for covenant programs, particularly in ecologically under-represented bioregions, develop enhanced protection conservation covenants, and review federal and state tax and financial incentives and barriers to private land conservation; and (4) systematically review public land to identify areas of high conservation significance and subsequent protected area opportunities. Aspects of Australia’s past and potential future approach to meeting area-based protection targets could be useful for other nations as they aim to contribute to the global 30 × 30 target. Full article

Bats (Chiroptera) account for approximately 25% of all known mammalian species and provide essential ecological services, including insect regulation, pollination, and seed dispersal. Despite their importance, they face significant conservation threats and persistently negative social perceptions. Owing to their innate immunity and tolerance, bats constitute a particularly efficient natural reservoir for a wide variety of potentially zoonotic viruses. Over the past two decades, bat-associated viruses have been central to multiple outbreaks of emerging infectious diseases. From severe acute respiratory syndromes to filoviral hemorrhagic fevers, bats have consistently acted as key reservoirs in pathogen emergence. This has further damaged the public perception of bats as dangerous animals and vectors of serious diseases, in some cases leading to increased persecution of their populations. However, spillover events should not be attributed to bats, but rather to human-driven environmental changes—including deforestation, land-use transformation, agricultural intensification, urban expansion, biodiversity loss, wildlife trade and research biosecurity—that amplify contact among humans, livestock, and wildlife or their potential zoonotic pathogens. Safeguarding bat populations, minimizing direct interactions with wildlife, and preserving intact ecosystems are critical not only for bat conservation but also for reducing zoonotic spillover risk. Furthermore, it is essential to strengthen social communication regarding the importance of bats, in order to counteract their negative reputation and promote greater public understanding of their ecological value. This article reviews health, sociological, and conservation dimensions of the issue, situating them within a broader context to provide an integrated, multidisciplinary understanding. Potential solutions and priority directions for future research are also discussed. Full article

Abandoned pastoral settlements can create disturbed and nutrient-enriched microsites that favor the dominance of native expansive plant species. Yet limited empirical evidence exists on how abandoned Maasai bomas influence the spread of Urtica massaica and associated plant community changes in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tanzania. This study assessed the influence of abandoned bomas on plant species abundance, richness, diversity, soil seedbank status, and the spatial distribution of U. massaica. A multistage stratified random sampling design was used, whereby Ngorongoro and Nainokanoka zones were selected from the designated management zones of the conservation area. Vegetation data, soil samples, and geographic coordinates of abandoned bomas were collected from abandoned boma sites and adjacent control sites. Plant species abundance, richness, and diversity were compared between abandoned bomas and control sites after testing data normality using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Independent-sample t-tests were used for normally distributed data, while Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for non-normally distributed data. Spatial distribution of U. massaica was assessed using GIS-based heatmap and kernel density estimation. Results showed that native plant species abundance was significantly higher in control sites than in abandoned bomas. Plant species richness and diversity also differed significantly between sites in both Ngorongoro and Nainokanoka, with control sites supporting higher richness and diversity. However, soil seedbank results showed no significant differences in species richness and diversity between soils collected from abandoned bomas and control sites, although slightly higher values were observed in control soils. Spatial analysis revealed that U. massaica hotspots were concentrated mainly in highland areas with high densities of abandoned bomas. These findings suggest that abandoned bomas may act as focal points for U. massaica establishment and dominance, reducing aboveground plant diversity while retaining some potential for natural regeneration through the soil seedbank. Management interventions should prioritize abandoned bomas as key sites for controlling U. massaica spread and supporting vegetation recovery in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Full article

Cocoa agroforestry is widely promoted for biodiversity conservation and sustainable production; however, uncertainties remain regarding the distribution of epiphytes and cocoa yield under different shade regimes. This study evaluated the effects of shade on epiphyte distribution and cocoa productivity at two community sites located approximately 6 km apart. One site consisted of cocoa cultivated under indigenous and introduced shade trees, while the other site used a 40% shade net. Annual rainfall at the sites was 1364.70 mm and 1178.44 mm, respectively, with average monthly temperatures ranging from 28 to 35 °C. During the main dry season, light intensity under direct sunlight exceeded 13.00 Klux and was approximately three times greater than in shaded plots. Lichens were the dominant epiphytes across all shade systems, with 40–70 colonies per 225 m² plot. Only one vascular epiphyte species was recorded, occurring exclusively on cocoa trees under the shade net. Correlation coefficients between light availability and epiphyte abundance ranged from 0.08 to 0.62, indicating that light influenced epiphyte distribution and diversity. Cocoa pod production under indigenous shade trees and full sunlight was comparable (127–177 pods per plot), whereas production under the shade net was approximately twice that recorded in unshaded plots. Although flower cushion abundance varied among treatments, pods from shaded plots generally contained more beans. The highest incidence of diseased and wilted pods occurred under shade trees. Overall, the findings suggest that heavy tree shade may limit epiphyte development through reduced light availability, while uniform artificial shading may enhance cocoa yield. Full article

Monitoring large elasmobranchs can employ standardized photo-identification protocols to manage diverse and progressively expanding photographic datasets. This study examines the interpretation of performance metrics generated by a dorsal fin–based photo-identification protocol implemented using the semi-automated IDENTIFIN software. The protocol was applied to dorsal fin photographs of bronze whaler shark collected along the South African coast between 2024 and 2025, facilitating the creation of a structured, individual-specific database. Archival photographic data of white shark (2012–2019) served as a methodological reference, providing context for software outputs under different dataset conditions. Analyses focused on the behavior of similarity scores associated with validated matches and on their relationship with image ranking position, a common metric for assessing software performance. Results indicate that similarity scores exhibit comparable distributions across species-specific datasets, supporting their potential use as an operationally complementary metric for interpreting IDENTIFIN outputs. While operator-based visual validation remains essential, this study provides preliminary methodological insights into the interpretation of similarity scores as supportive information within the individual identification process. Full article

Ecosystem restoration on Mediterranean islands is often hindered by the residual effects of past land use and invasive species. Decades of holm oak forest exploitation, the establishment of secondary pine plantations, and the introduction of invasive mammals have altered habitat configurations. Consequently, converting these conifer stands to promote the recovery of native Quercus ilex L. communities has become a conservation priority. This study investigates the regeneration constraints of Q. ilex in Mediterranean insular environments, focusing on the inhibitory role of conifer-derived litter and seed predation by invasive rodents and lagomorphs. We integrated an ex situ experiment (384 acorns) testing germination under varying local pine-forest soil and commercial substrate conditions, with an in situ field experiment (300 acorns) across five areas, comparing three treatments: closed cages (exclusion of all mammals), open cages (exclusion of lagomorphs), and unfenced controls. Results indicate that, while ex situ, local pine-forest soil significantly favoured germination over the commercial mixture, predation represents the main obstacle in situ, outweighing any soil-mediated effects. Seedling emergence was substantially reduced by early predation and, to a lesser extent, by litter presence. These findings highlight the necessity of integrated management strategies in insular ecosystems. Full article

In January 2021, the new journal Conservation was launched, creating a platform for the publication of comprehensive reviews, original research articles, communications, case reports, brief reports, commentaries, and other perspectives related to the biological, sociological, ethical, economic, methodological, and other transdisciplinary dimensions of conservation [...] Full article

This study investigates the integration of bioeconomy principles in the Greek livestock sector, framing the transition from conventional farming toward a circular bioeconomy as a strategy for resource conservation and reduced environmental pressure. It assesses farmers’ awareness of bioeconomy principles, the adoption of circular practices, and the associated economic and conservation-related performance. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 383 livestock farmers across the main livestock-producing regions of Greece and analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple regression. Although respondents show substantial awareness, adoption remains incomplete, mainly because of high initial capital costs and insufficient financial incentives. Farmers implementing circular strategies reported gains in resource-use efficiency, waste minimization, and the conservation of soil, water, and biodiversity, particularly reduced greenhouse-gas emissions, while public subsidies and fiscal incentives emerged as the principal drivers of adoption. In applied terms, support should be prioritized for capital-intensive investments such as anaerobic digestion, manure and nutrient recovery, and water reuse, and the awareness–adoption gap is best closed through targeted subsidies and training. The findings offer concrete guidance for conservation-oriented agri-environmental policy supporting the green transition of livestock farming in Greece. Full article

We assessed the current and possible future predicted distributions of the Mexican narrow-mouthed toad, Amphibia, Microhylidae Hypopachus variolosus (Cope, 1866) across its range to evaluate vulnerability under global change. (2) Methods: We integrated 481 validated occurrence records across the species’ distribution range, including 120 records from Mexico, with bioclimatic and land-cover predictors to build ensemble ecological niche models. We additionally incorporated human footprint metrics to evaluate anthropogenic pressure and projected future habitat suitability under climate and land-use change scenarios. (3) Results: Models showed high performance (TSS > 0.80; AUC > 0.90), identifying temperature and precipitation extremes as main drivers. Suitable habitats extended across both coasts and revealed novel areas in central Mexico. The most suitable habitat occurred under low human pressure, although localized impacts were detected. Deforestation in the Yucatán Peninsula reduced tree cover despite high climatic suitability. Future projections for 2050 under RCP 8.5 indicated marked reductions in modeled high-suitability areas, particularly in central Mexico. (4) Conclusions: These findings indicate high vulnerability to climate and land-use change and support updating distribution limits, incorporating new regions into conservation planning, and reassessing threat status to promote long-term persistence. Full article

Although the green belt around Greater Lomé (GBGL) is a vital ecological buffer, it is currently facing significant degradation. This decline appears to be associated with a combination of various socioeconomic uses by the local community and formal operations of established businesses. Grounded in the cultural materialism framework, this study aims to contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of the socioeconomic uses of the green belt around Greater Lomé in a context of degradation and investigates the dynamics of these socioeconomic uses and their environmental impacts through a multidisciplinary methodology. This approach combines anthropological analysis based on field observation, 53 semi-structured interviews and 5 focus groups, a quantitative questionnaire survey (n = 384) and an analysis of land use and land cover (LULC) dynamics derived from Landsat imagery (2003–2023). The results reveal six main types of socioeconomic uses of the GBGL (notably land transactions, agriculture, breeding and grazing, exploitation of wood energy, timber and utility wood, sand mining, and waste disposal), which lead to complex social dynamics ranging from conflicts to alliances among stakeholders. The LULC dynamics analysis indicates a staggering 468.26% expansion in built-up areas over the last 20 years, at the expense of swamp vegetation/gallery forest (−76.79%), tree-and-shrub savanna (−53.47%) and plantations (−49.43). This study provides a scientific basis supporting the urgent necessity to establish the GBGL as a legally protected entity and argues in favour of an inclusive management model that is designed to reconcile the socioeconomic survival needs of local populations with sustainable preservation of essential ecosystem services. Full article

Developing sustainable strategies for natural resource management and conservation under shifting climatic scenarios is increasingly necessary due to exacerbated abiotic stresses, such as salinity. Under salt stress, several negative effects are observed in plants, particularly in leafy vegetables such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.). To mitigate the effects of saline stress from brackish water, several strategies have been adopted, including hydroponic cultivation. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of variations in nutrient solution concentration and volume per lettuce plant cultivated in a nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic system using brackish water. The experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design in a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme, combining two levels of water electrical conductivity (ECw of 0.3 and 5.0 dS m⁻¹), two nutrient solution concentrations (NSC of 50 and 100%), and two nutrient solution volumes (NSV of 1 and 2 L plant⁻¹), with four replications. Growth, production, and water productivity variables were evaluated at 20 and 25 days following the imposition of treatments. The responses of the variables to saline stress varied according to the evaluation period (20 and 25 days), depending on the NSC and NSV levels. At the end of the 25-day cycle, it can be concluded that for lettuce cultivation using brackish water, the NSC can be reduced to 50% and provide an NSV of 2 L plant⁻¹. Under these growing conditions, leaf fresh matter production loss was approximately 40% lower than under cultivation without saline stress, which yielded 144.11 g plant⁻¹ under 100% NSC and an NSV of 2 L plant⁻¹. In contrast, water productivity of fresh matter was similar, at 78.68 and 76.55 g L⁻¹, respectively. Full article

Ornamental fountains in the Alhambra and Generalife (Granada, Spain) constitute complex socio-ecological systems where water, stone, and biological communities interact, making them highly vulnerable to biodeterioration caused by phototrophic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria, green algae, and diatoms. Conventional chemical biocides, although widely applied, present significant drawbacks including toxicity, material degradation, ecological imbalance, and limited long-term effectiveness. In this context, this study evaluated the potential of algicidal bacteria as a sustainable alternative for controlling phototrophic growth in heritage environments. Water samples from eight ornamental fountains were analyzed using 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene sequencing to characterize bacterial communities and identify taxa previously reported with algicidal activity. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess relationships between microbial community structure and biofilm development. In parallel, functional screening assays using filtered fountain waters against Chlorella vulgaris were performed to evaluate intrinsic inhibitory capacity. The most active sample was selected for bacterial isolation and further validation through co-culture assays, cell density measurements, and pulse-amplitude-modulated (PAM) fluorometry. A total of 18 genera with reported algicidal capacity were detected, representing a substantial fraction of the microbiome across all samples. However, no significant association was found between these taxonomic metrics and biofilm development, highlighting a decoupling between taxonomic composition and functional activity. The most active isolate, identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain LIG25, caused a rapid decline in photosynthetic efficiency and achieved more than 98% inhibition of algal growth. These findings demonstrate that ornamental fountain microbiomes represent a reservoir of native biocontrol agents and support the development of eco-friendly strategies for cultural heritage conservation. Full article

This systematic research was conducted as the first comprehensive scientific analysis of ancient lime plaster samples from Anuradhapura, a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka. Five ancient heritage sites from 1st to 10th Century AD, covering two stupa domes: Abhayagiri (AP01) and Jethavana (AP02), Monk residence building near Ruwanweliseya Stupa (AP03), Deeghapashan Rock Shelter Building of Abhayagiri Monastery Complex (AP04), and Vessagiriya Rock Shelter wall lime Plaster (AP05) were examined by employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The current work investigated the composition, mineralogical and microstructural properties, binding media, and organic additives. Our findings indicate that calcareous lime from seashells and river sand are the main raw materials, with ratios of 1:2.7, 1:2.0, 1:2.4, 1:4.4, and 1:3.7 for the AP01, AP02, AP03, AP04, and AP05 samples, respectively. Data also suggest that plant-based materials, mainly wood apple wax, along with nanoscale fibrous materials, were used as the main additives to enhance the properties of lime plasters. This study provides insights into the raw materials, their mixing ratios, and the techniques employed in the lime plastering of ancient Anuradhapura City, and serves as a scientific reference for the conservation and restoration of ancient buildings resilient to climate change. Full article

Abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) is a global challenge that negatively affects marine ecosystems and fishers’ livelihoods. Survey results from 1864 capture fishers in Vietnam show that the total mass of ALDFG is 82,720 kg/year, with an average loss rate of 0.24% of the total plastic used. The average ALDFG mass from gillnet fisheries is 26.0 ± 1.2 kg/vessel/year, trap fisheries 16.1 ± 2.6 kg/vessel/year, hook and line fisheries 13.8 ± 1.4 kg/vessel/year, trawl fisheries 8.8 ± 1.1 kg/vessel/year, stick-held falling net fisheries 5.1 ± 2.1 kg/vessel/year, and purse seine fisheries 4.2 ± 1.4 kg/vessel/year. Polyethylene (PE) accounts for 47.4%, polyamide (PA) 29.5% and polypropylene (PP) 17.2% of the total ALDFG mass. Results from the selected partial proportional odds model show that fishers’ concern about ALDFG increases with education, fishing experience, vessel length, and stronger awareness of environmental and economic impacts, whereas age, days at sea, perceived navigation hazards, and perceived impacts on fish stocks are negatively associated with concern; perceived tourism impacts show a statistically significant threshold-varying effect across concern levels. These findings provide a scientific basis for developing sustainable fishing-gear management policies, aiming to reduce marine plastic pollution in Vietnam. These findings provide evidence for conservation-oriented fishing-gear management in Vietnam by identifying the gear types and fisher perceptions most relevant to reducing ghost fishing, marine plastic leakage, and risks to marine biodiversity and coastal ecosystems. Full article

Human–wildlife conflict research has focused mainly on large mammals, whereas smaller carnivores remain comparatively understudied despite frequent interactions with people. Among them is the African civet (Civettictis civetta (Schreber, 1776)), a widespread mesocarnivore occurring in human-modified landscapes. This study examined human–African civet interactions in the Sidama Region of southern Ethiopia, focusing on reported conflict, traditional uses, local knowledge, and attitudes toward the species. Data were collected through structured interviews and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square tests. A majority of respondents (N = 328; 72%) reported conflict, although most described direct encounters as rare. Livestock depredation (n = 237; 59%) was identified as the main driver of conflict, whereas crop damage (n = 237; 26%) played a secondary role. African civets were not perceived only negatively: traditional uses, especially musk extraction (N = 328; 57%) and traditional medicine (N = 328; 37%), were common, and reported killing was relatively limited (N = 328; 9%), although some lethal responses were documented. Knowledge of the species was generally low and uneven, and conflict experience was significantly associated with both length of residence and African civet familiarity. These findings suggest that human–African civet interactions are shaped not only by ecological overlap and access to household resources, but also by how local communities understand and value the species. Full article

The accelerating demand for nickel and rare earth elements (REEs) for batteries, renewable energy technologies, and advanced electronics is intensifying pressure on conventional mining, with profound implications for biodiversity, ecosystem integrity, and local communities. Phytomining—cultivating metal-hyperaccumulator plants to recover metals from soils—has emerged as a promising complementary approach that can simultaneously generate metal resources, remediate degraded lands, and deliver conservation co-benefits. Nickel phytomining is now approaching commercial deployment, supported by a diverse flora of more than 500 nickel-hyperaccumulator species and field trials demonstrating economically relevant yields of approximately 22.6–77 kg Ni ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ on ultramafic and mine-affected soils. In parallel, recent discoveries of REE hyperaccumulator plants and advances in biomass processing, including rapid electrothermal calcination, have revitalized interest in REE phytomining as a sustainable alternative for critical mineral recovery. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the ecology, physiology, and agronomy of nickel and REE hyperaccumulators, with a focus on how their deployment in phytomining systems can contribute to biodiversity conservation, land restoration, and resource recycling. It identifies key research gaps in hyperaccumulator discovery, molecular mechanisms, soil–plant–microbe interactions, agronomic optimization, biomass processing, techno-economic assessment, and social science and governance. In addition, the paper presents a novel techno-economic assessment for Texas as a case study of U.S. deployment, and proposes a phased scouting protocol for discovering and domesticating new hyperaccumulator species. Together, these elements provide a framework for integrating phytomining into conservation planning and critical mineral strategies, particularly in the United States, where ARPA-E programs are beginning to target domestic phytomining supply chains. Full article

Wild mushroom harvesting is an activity practiced throughout the United States (U.S.) and holds a place of both cultural and economic importance. Mushroom harvesting on public lands in the U.S. takes two primary forms: (1) commercial harvest (for sale) or (2) personal harvest (for one’s own consumption or for sharing to others). As mushroom harvesting has grown in popularity, particularly in urban and suburban areas, ready access to information surrounding harvests on public lands has become increasingly important to the mushroom harvesting community, and ultimately to fungal conservation and sustainable exploitation. In this study, documents pertaining to harvesting on state and federal public lands in the U.S. were analyzed for their accessibility for personal and commercial harvesters. Scores were assigned based on access (ranked 0–5), with higher scores indicating greater access to the public. Overall, personal harvest (Min = 1, Max = 5, Average = 2.96) was permitted to some extent in every state, with the greatest access provided in Oregon, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Permits were often not required (Min = 0, Max = 3, Average = 0.7), with Montana and South Dakota having the most permitting requirements. Commercial harvest was associated with more limited access, and had greater associated regulation (Min = 0, Max = 4, Average = 1.02). Seventeen states that allowed for personal harvest did not allow for commercial harvest. Permitting was almost always required for commercial harvest (Min = 0, Max = 4, Average = 1.06), with Oregon having the most developed commercial permitting requirements. Access to public lands was found to be highly variable in the U.S. and is governed by a variety of local, state, and federal regulations. Information, depending on its source, was at times easy to access through a website, pamphlet, or phone call. However, in many cases information was out of date or difficult to find, and studies on the impacts of commercial and personal mushroom harvesting are limited. As a result, it is important that land managers develop communication mechanisms with the public for information sharing, to provide open and frequent communication, and for building long-term trust and relationships with harvesters. We offer some example mechanisms to land/resource managers and university/public educational partners as a starting point. Full article