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Diversity
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Diversity in 2025
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Diversity in 2025

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 4637

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Michael Wink

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg University, Im Neuenheimer Feld 329, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Interests: phytochemistry; molecular pharmacology of medicinal and toxic plants; alkaloids; evolution; chemical ecology; ornithology; phylogeny and evolution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year! We hope you had a wonderful 2024 and wish you a prosperous 2025.

Last year, we launched the Special Issue “Diversity in 2024”, available via the following link: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/diversity/special_issues/8Q850W0LPL. That Special Issue received great support from our readers, authors, anonymous peer reviewers, and editors. That Special Issue included 24 papers, receiving more than 50000 views.

Now, we are launching the Special Issue “Diversity in 2025” to celebrate the new year. This Special Issue is dedicated to high-quality review papers and research papers on all aspects of biodiversity and its applications, including biodiversity assessment and biodiversity preservation. Research fields of interest include but are not limited to the following:

  • Organismic diversity and diversity preservation;
  • Evolution and ecology;
  • Environmental DNA;
  • Invasive organisms;
  • Marine species;
  • General aspects of diversity assessment.

We welcome contributions from researchers who can offer insights on the latest developments in this field. We also encourage authors to invite relevant experts and colleagues to contribute to this Special Issue.

We look forward to receiving your contributions, which will make this Special Issue a unique resource for future researchers in the field of diversity.

Prof. Dr. Michael Wink
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • biodiversity
  • animal conservation
  • evolution and ecology
  • marine species
  • plant invasive species

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Related Special Issue

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 2976 KiB  
Article
Spread and Ecology of the Bumblebee Bombus haematurus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Northeastern Italy
by Elena Cargnus, Marino Quaranta, Alberto Villani and Pietro Zandigiacomo
Diversity 2025, 17(8), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17080534 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 137
Abstract
Bombus haematurus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), which arrived from the Balkan Peninsula, was first reported in Italy in 2020 in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (FVG) (northeastern Italy) near the border with Slovenia. To study the spread and biology of the species, a survey was [...] Read more.
Bombus haematurus (Hymenoptera: Apidae), which arrived from the Balkan Peninsula, was first reported in Italy in 2020 in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region (FVG) (northeastern Italy) near the border with Slovenia. To study the spread and biology of the species, a survey was conducted at several sites of the FVG in the period 2023–2025. Bombus haematurus was recorded at 22 new sites across all four districts of the FVG (Trieste, Gorizia, Udine, and Pordenone), indicating its expansion towards the west. Bumblebees of this species were detected in plain and hilly areas at sites between 10 and 364 m a.s.l. They were observed more frequently at forest edges, undergrowth paths or clearings and meadows adjacent to woods, confirming the species is hylophilous. The activity of adults from February to July confirms that the bumblebee is an univoltine spring species. Specimens were observed foraging on the flowers of 19 wild and ornamental plants belonging to 12 families (in particular, Lamiaceae), confirming that the species is polylectic. The data collected indicate that B. haematurus are permanently established in the FVG and that a further spread of the species towards the west in the neighbouring Veneto region is likely. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2025)
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11 pages, 2539 KiB  
Article
Macroecological Analysis of Bird Migration Routes in North America Using eBird Data: Beta Diversity Perspective
by Chang-Eon Park and Hee-Cheon Park
Diversity 2025, 17(8), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17080529 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 187
Abstract
Bird migration routes across North America, which are often speculated upon at the microscale, are now subject to scrutiny using the ‘eBird’ database, the world’s largest data repository for the North American continent. This database has steadily accumulated data on resident and migratory [...] Read more.
Bird migration routes across North America, which are often speculated upon at the microscale, are now subject to scrutiny using the ‘eBird’ database, the world’s largest data repository for the North American continent. This database has steadily accumulated data on resident and migratory birds, with annual data on both potentially revealing regional trends. Through analysis of eBird data accumulated since 1980, we identified regional trends indicating bird migration patterns across North America, delineating three primary regions within the North American flyway: the western, central and eastern flyways, with the latter further subdivided into three regions. These findings refine previous categorisations of the four major flyways, deepening our understanding of bird migration dynamics in North America. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2025)
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12 pages, 2651 KiB  
Communication
The Older, the Richer? A Comparative Study of Tree-Related Microhabitats and Epiphytes on Champion and Planted Mature Oaks
by Diāna Jansone, Agnese Anta Liepiņa, Ilze Barone, Didzis Elferts, Zane Lībiete and Roberts Matisons
Diversity 2025, 17(7), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17070484 - 15 Jul 2025
Viewed by 162
Abstract
The common oak (Quercus robur L.), though ecologically important and long-lived, has declined in Northern Europe due to historical land use and conifer-dominated forestry. In Latvia, where its distribution is limited, oaks support a rich biodiversity through features like tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) [...] Read more.
The common oak (Quercus robur L.), though ecologically important and long-lived, has declined in Northern Europe due to historical land use and conifer-dominated forestry. In Latvia, where its distribution is limited, oaks support a rich biodiversity through features like tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) and diverse epiphytic communities. This study compared TreM and epiphyte diversity between planted mature oaks and relict champion oak trees across 16 forest stands. Epiphyte species were recorded using fixed-area frames on tree trunks, and TreMs were categorized following a hierarchical typology. Champion trees hosted significantly more TreMs and a greater variety, including 10 unique TreMs. While overall epiphyte diversity indices did not differ significantly, champion trees supported more specialist and woodland key habitat indicator species. The findings underscore the ecological value of legacy trees, which provide complex habitats essential for specialist taxa and indicators of forest continuity. Conserving such trees is vital for maintaining forest biodiversity and supporting ecosystem resilience in managed landscapes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2025)
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30 pages, 5397 KiB  
Article
Temporal Shifts in Biological Community Structure in Response to Wetland Restoration: Implications for Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Management
by Kayla M. Keith, Matthew K. Potvin, Summer R. Saad and Thilina D. Surasinghe
Diversity 2025, 17(3), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17030198 - 10 Mar 2025
Viewed by 2286
Abstract
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide diverse ecosystem services. However, their degradation poses an environmental threat globally, impacting human society. Recognizing their economic importance amidst escalating degradation emphasizes the urgent need for wetland conservation. Wetland restoration emerges as a crucial strategy to recover [...] Read more.
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide diverse ecosystem services. However, their degradation poses an environmental threat globally, impacting human society. Recognizing their economic importance amidst escalating degradation emphasizes the urgent need for wetland conservation. Wetland restoration emerges as a crucial strategy to recover lost acreage and ecosystem functions. Despite substantial investments in restoration, the success of these efforts remains uncertain. We addressed this gap by investigating temporal changes in biological communities in restored wetlands to assess restoration effectiveness on biodiversity conservation. Utilizing aquatic funnel traps and plot surveys, we monitored changes in community structure, species richness, and abundance of amphibians and reptiles. The results revealed nuanced responses in herpetofaunal communities to restoration age and habitat characteristics, including contrasting responses between taxa with the reptile diversity increasing while the amphibian diversity decreased with restoration age. Adult herpetofaunal richness and abundance were higher at the five-year post-restoration sites compared to one-year post-restoration, while larval amphibian richness and abundance were greater at the latter. Species–habitat associations were significantly pronounced among the adult herpetofauna, highlighting the complex interplay between environmental factors and biological communities. Restoration age and habitat types also exhibited significant influences on adult herpetofaunal community structure, whereas larval amphibian communities showed limited temporal turnover. Our findings challenge widely held notions, suggesting that prolonged post-restoration trajectories may not always lead to greater amphibian abundance and diversity. The temporal shifts in the reptile community structure we documented are indicative of habitat template development and ecological succession upon wetland restoration. We underscore the importance of considering both temporal and spatial heterogeneity in restoration planning to promote biodiversity and ecosystem function. Our contributions will help decode biological responses to wetland restoration efforts and guide future restoration efforts. We underscore the importance of long-term monitoring and adaptive management strategies to ensure restoration success in conserving biodiversity and ecosystem services. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2025)
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9 pages, 1172 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Diversity of Micropterigidae and Eriocraniidae (Lepidoptera) in South Italian Forests by DNA Barcoding
by Sara La Cava and Stefano Scalercio
Diversity 2025, 17(3), 169; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17030169 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 464
Abstract
Micropterigidae and Eriocraniidae are poorly investigated in Southern Europe. Despite the richness of the Italian territory, studies devoted to investigating their molecular diversity are lacking. Furthermore, knowledge concerning the diversity and species distribution of these families in southern Italian regions is very poor. [...] Read more.
Micropterigidae and Eriocraniidae are poorly investigated in Southern Europe. Despite the richness of the Italian territory, studies devoted to investigating their molecular diversity are lacking. Furthermore, knowledge concerning the diversity and species distribution of these families in southern Italian regions is very poor. The aim of this paper is to contribute to filling the gaps in knowledge on the diversity of Micropterigidae and Eriocraniidae in southern Italian regions by analysing, through DNA barcoding, the samples collected in this geographic area by the authors in recent years. In total, 37 specimens were submitted to DNA barcoding analysis. The sequences were subsequently identified by comparing them with those available in the Barcoding of Life Data Systems. The results provided the first record and the first sequences of the Eriocraniidae family for southern Italy, the first record in continental Italy of a formerly Sicilian endemic species, the first sequences of an endemic species, and the first sequence belonging either to a previously described but unsequenced species or to an undescribed species. In conclusion, DNA barcoding of these families in southern Italy provided very interesting insights, improving their molecular libraries and the knowledge on the fauna of this territory. Daytime studies can further improve these results, but addressing the gaps concerning immature stages should be the major goal of future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2025)
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Review

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24 pages, 2803 KiB  
Review
Mammal Fauna Changes in Baltic Countries During Last Three Decades
by Linas Balčiauskas, Valdis Pilāts and Uudo Timm
Diversity 2025, 17(7), 464; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17070464 - 1 Jul 2025
Viewed by 610
Abstract
We examined three decades of changes in the mammal fauna of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the context of climate variability, land use transformation, and anthropogenic pressures. We compiled distributional, abundance, and status data from publications, atlases, official game statistics, and long-term monitoring [...] Read more.
We examined three decades of changes in the mammal fauna of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the context of climate variability, land use transformation, and anthropogenic pressures. We compiled distributional, abundance, and status data from publications, atlases, official game statistics, and long-term monitoring programs, and we evaluated trends using compound annual growth rates or temporal indices. Our review identified losses such as regional extinctions of garden dormice and European mink, declines in small insectivores (e.g., pond bats and shrews) and herbivores (e.g., Microtus voles), and the contraction of boreal specialists (e.g., Siberian flying squirrels). However, we also identified gains, including increases in ungulate numbers (e.g., roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, moose, and wild boars before African swine fewer outbreak) and the recovery of large carnivores (e.g., wolves and lynxes). Invasions by non-native species (e.g., American mink, raccoon dog, and raccoon) and episodic disturbances, such as African swine fever and the “anthropause” caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have further reshaped community composition. The drivers encompass climatic warming, post-socialist forest succession, intensified hunting management, and rewilding policies, with dispersal capacity mediating the responses of species. Our results underscore the dual legacy of historical land use and contemporary climate forcing in structuring the fauna dynamics of Baltic mammal communities in the face of declining specialists and invasive taxa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity in 2025)
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