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Diversity
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Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective
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Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 20422

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Thomas H. White, Jr.

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Rio Grande, PR 00745, USA
Interests: psittacine conservation; reintroduction; conservation translocations; ecological restoration; tropical ecology; neotropical birds
Dr. Donald J. Brightsmith

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Schubot Avian Health Center, Department of Veterinary Pathology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77840, USA
Interests: tropical ecology; psittacine conservation; conservation translocations; geophagy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recent centuries have seen a dramatic increase in the rate of species extinctions and loss of biodiversity, far in excess of historic epigenic or background extinctions. Often termed the “sixth mass extinction”, it is only during recent decades that the full extent of the associated degradation of global ecosystems has been clearly documented and substantially quantified. Indeed, according to the IUCN, well over 500 species of vertebrates have become extinct since 1900, in addition to yet unknown numbers of plants, insects, and other invertebrates. Biodiversity loss in this context consists of both component and functional losses at the local, regional, and global scales. In some cases, losses of ecosystem functionality are irreversible, and can further result in cascading and catastrophic ecological effects across multiple and interdependent trophic levels. These losses can also be attributed, either directly or indirectly, to modern human activities.

Because current biodiversity loss is the result of human activities, they can also halt, reduce, and, in some cases, even reverse observed losses. Cognizant of this undeniable ecological reality, conservationists and resource managers have increasingly developed and employed novel and effective methods for not only reintroducing and restoring extirpated species and populations, but also restoring the habitats and ecosystems with which they are intricately associated, and on which they—and we—depend. It is for these efforts that this Special Issue of Diversity has been established. Papers are welcomed from across the full spectrum of efforts to restore and conserve ecosystems, habitats, populations, or individual species. The overarching objective is to foster a broad and multidisciplinary sharing of information from diverse efforts around the globe that may provide valuable insights and helpful examples to others engaged in or contemplating similar conservation actions. Biodiversity loss is truly a global issue, and can only be effectively mitigated or ameliorated through shared global solutions.

Dr. Thomas H. White, Jr.
Dr. Donald J. Brightsmith
Guest Editors

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
  • ecological restoration
  • reintroduction
  • habitat conservation
  • extinction
  • conservation translocations
  • ecological communities

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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19 pages, 2135 KiB  
Article
Effect of Long-Term Set-Aside Management System on Soil Health by Evaluation of Biodiversity Indicators
by Silvia Landi, Francesco Binazzi, Rossella Papini, Giada d’Errico, Sara Del Duca, Arturo Fabiani and Stefano Mocali
Diversity 2025, 17(4), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17040240 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 315
Abstract
The loss of organic matter and the decline of biodiversity pose significant threats to soil health and the sustainability of agriculture. Managing set-aside land through mowing remains a practical strategy to prevent land abandonment while preserving soil biodiversity and essential soil functions that [...] Read more.
The loss of organic matter and the decline of biodiversity pose significant threats to soil health and the sustainability of agriculture. Managing set-aside land through mowing remains a practical strategy to prevent land abandonment while preserving soil biodiversity and essential soil functions that support fertility. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term set-aside (12 years) in preventing soil degradation. In an experimental field in Vicarello (Pisa, Italy), set-aside management was compared to land abandonment and conventional crop rotation. Soil chemical and microbiological analyses were conducted, and various indicators were used to assess soil fertility conservation. Soil biodiversity was evaluated through nematode and microarthropod indices. Total organic carbon increased in abandoned fields and, to a lesser extent, in set-aside areas, following a similar trend to microbial biomass values. Nematode and microarthropod indicators revealed a more stable soil structure in set-aside areas, followed by abandoned fields, highlighting their role in regulating ecosystem services such as carbon mineralization. On the whole, the results indicate that set-aside management serves as an intermediate step in the transition from conventionally managed fields to naturalized grasslands, confirming its potential benefits for soil biological diversity and function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)
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13 pages, 1229 KiB  
Article
Do Shapes of Altitudinal Species Richness Gradients Depend on the Vertical Range Studied? The Case of the Himalayas
by Jatishwor Singh Irungbam, Martin Konvicka and Zdenek Faltynek Fric
Diversity 2025, 17(3), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17030215 - 17 Mar 2025
Viewed by 852
Abstract
We analyzed elevational species richness gradients (“decline”, “increase”, “unimodal”, or “bimodal”) in the Himalayan range using data from 157 publications covering both plants and animals. Our study tested the hypothesis that unimodal gradients, explainable by the geometric mid-domain effect, dominate in the mountains, [...] Read more.
We analyzed elevational species richness gradients (“decline”, “increase”, “unimodal”, or “bimodal”) in the Himalayan range using data from 157 publications covering both plants and animals. Our study tested the hypothesis that unimodal gradients, explainable by the geometric mid-domain effect, dominate in the mountains, while decreasing or increasing gradients result from studies that only examined limited sections of the full altitudinal range. Multivariate canonical correspondence analysis was applied to associate gradient shapes with altitude ranges, geographic locations, and the taxa studied. Our results show that, across taxa, most Himalayan altitudinal gradients exhibit a unimodal shape, with diversity peaks at approximately 2500 m a.s.l. for plants and 2200 m a.s.l. for animals. The gradient shapes were primarily influenced by three interrelated predictors: vertical range, maximum elevation, and mean elevation. Studies from the world’s highest mountain range suggest that surveys encompassing substantial portions of the elevational range tend to produce hump-shaped gradients, while incomplete sampling leads to declining or increasing species richness patterns. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)
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19 pages, 7212 KiB  
Article
Rescue of Native Orchids and Introduction to an Urban Landscape: Potential Benefits to Supporting Conservation and Connecting People with Nature
by Viswambharan Sarasan, Ratheesh Narayanan MK, Mithun Venugopal and Pradeep N. Sukumaran
Diversity 2025, 17(3), 184; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17030184 - 5 Mar 2025
Viewed by 540
Abstract
Human activities intensely transform landscapes, resulting in significant changes in the abundance of native plant species and even leading to their local extinction. The fragmentation of native orchid habitats and populations in countries recognized as global biodiversity hotspots is a matter of grave [...] Read more.
Human activities intensely transform landscapes, resulting in significant changes in the abundance of native plant species and even leading to their local extinction. The fragmentation of native orchid habitats and populations in countries recognized as global biodiversity hotspots is a matter of grave concern. This issue is exacerbated by the extensive infrastructure projects currently underway in many biodiversity hotspot areas of the world. The southwestern state of Kerala in India is a prominent hotspot for orchids, both in India and globally, owing to its exceptionally high density of native orchid species. Roadside trees in Kerala provide a sanctuary for a diverse range of species, including native orchids, which constitute one of the major groups. This study undertook a preliminary assessment of the diversity of trees and native orchids in two northern districts of Kerala, specifically, Kannur and Wayanad. The removal of trees in Kerala for road building directly affects the populations of many native orchids, some of which are endemic to the southern Western Ghats regions in Kerala. In the Kannur district, Mangifera indica and Artocarpus heterophyllus were the dominant trees in terms of hosting the greatest number of individual orchids. The endemic tree Pterocarpus marsupium from Wayanad was the dominant tree, which hosted the greatest number of species of orchids, including four that are endemic. This paper explores the potential opportunities of rescuing orchids and planting them in a safe and protected urban environment. The thematic question is whether native orchids, particularly endemic species, can be preserved from local extinction and used for conservation translocation. Could this method of introducing native orchids to urban environments enhance conservation efforts while also fostering a stronger connection between people and nature? Over 17,000 plants, representing 22 native orchid species, were collected, of which 16 species were endemic. Six months after planting, all but three of the endemic species successfully survived in the urban biological park. Among the surviving orchids, all species except four managed to bloom. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first endeavor of its kind to plant a substantial number of endemic rescued orchids within an urban landscape to reduce local extinction and enhance the connectivity of people with native biodiversity. This resource aims to enhance our understanding of the resilience of endemic orchids, which originate from highland regions, as they adapt to a lowland urban environment in the coming decades. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)
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10 pages, 1497 KiB  
Article
High Diversity Unveiled by the First Genetic Survey on Wild and Captive Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara) from Morocco
by Laila Sabrate, Giovanni Forcina, Saâd Hanane and Abdellah Ichen
Diversity 2025, 17(2), 79; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17020079 - 22 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1101
Abstract
Characterizing genetic diversity and structure is paramount in wildlife conservation management. Surprisingly, however, there are species that, despite being intensively managed, are largely overlooked in terms of genetic makeup. The Barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara), a medium-sized galliform native to northern Africa, [...] Read more.
Characterizing genetic diversity and structure is paramount in wildlife conservation management. Surprisingly, however, there are species that, despite being intensively managed, are largely overlooked in terms of genetic makeup. The Barbary partridge (Alectoris barbara), a medium-sized galliform native to northern Africa, is one such exemplary case. Since the early 2000s, a couple of breeding farms in Morocco have been operating using wild breeders. At that time, no genetic data were available for local wild populations, nor had the founders been genetically screened. After two decades, the degree of genetic diversity of wild Barbary partridge populations remains unknown. In this study, we genotyped the mitochondrial DNA control region (ca. 1000 bp) in wild and captive A. barbara populations from Morocco. Overall, we found a high and well-distributed genetic diversity, with a moderate differentiation between captive and wild populations likely attributable to either the sharing of widespread and allegedly ancestral haplotypes or the extensive release of farm-reared individuals. Nevertheless, the occurrence of private haplotypes across all the wild populations calls for separate management. A more comprehensive sampling and the use of genome-wide loci is advisable to achieve a thorough understanding of the genetic diversity of the Barbary partridge and define management units accordingly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)
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16 pages, 1015 KiB  
Article
Endemic and Threatened: The Conservation Value of the Philippine Duck
by Khinnel Jay D. Jaafar, Peter Jan D. de Vera, John Paul A. Catipay, Vasileios J. Kontsiotis and Vasilios Liordos
Diversity 2024, 16(10), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16100602 - 1 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2867
Abstract
The Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) is a vulnerable species, endemic to the Philippines. The need of local people for food and land has led to the endangerment of the Philippine duck populations through illegal hunting and the conversion of wetlands to [...] Read more.
The Philippine duck (Anas luzonica) is a vulnerable species, endemic to the Philippines. The need of local people for food and land has led to the endangerment of the Philippine duck populations through illegal hunting and the conversion of wetlands to aquaculture and farmland. This study was conducted to determine the willingness to pay (WTP) of residents (n = 500) in Maguindanao provinces for the conservation of the Philippine duck and the effects of conservation attitude and knowledge toward the Philippine duck, as well as sociodemographic characteristics, on WTP. The mean annual WTP for Philippine duck conservation was USD 0.60, and the total estimated annual amount that could be collected was USD 134 thousand when projected based on the number of households in the Maguindanao provinces. A positive conservation attitude and high knowledge increased the WTP for Philippine duck conservation. Females, pet owners, and those with higher income pledged a higher WTP than males, non-pet owners, and those with lower income. This study revealed that local residents are supportive of the conservation of the vulnerable duck populations by paying a considerable amount. These results are critical for designing and implementing outreach programs for increasing awareness and the acquisition of funds urgently needed for the protection and conservation of the remaining Philippine duck population in the area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)
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22 pages, 7332 KiB  
Article
Reintroduction of the Extinct-in-the-Wild Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) in the Caatinga Forest Domain of Brazil
by Cromwell Purchase, Camile Lugarini, Candice Purchase, Ariane Ferreira, Ugo Eichler Vercillo, Mark L. Stafford and Thomas H. White, Jr.
Diversity 2024, 16(2), 80; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16020080 - 26 Jan 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 12148
Abstract
We describe efforts to reintroduce the extinct-in-the-wild Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) within its historical range in eastern Brazil. Twenty captive-reared Spix’s Macaws were released, along with 15 Blue-Winged Macaws (Primolius maracana), as heterospecific flocks in two events during the [...] Read more.
We describe efforts to reintroduce the extinct-in-the-wild Spix’s Macaw (Cyanopsitta spixii) within its historical range in eastern Brazil. Twenty captive-reared Spix’s Macaws were released, along with 15 Blue-Winged Macaws (Primolius maracana), as heterospecific flocks in two events during the dry and rainy seasons of 2022. We monitored the release groups through daily observation and telemetry tracking from early June 2022 to early June 2023. We documented an overall first-year survival of 58.3% (CI: 37.8–78.7%), with 65% of Spix’s Macaws establishing a stable area of activity within 5 km of the release site, excluding any temporary long-distance forays. Eighty-five percent of released Spix’s Macaws exhibited flock cohesion, including interactions with and integration into wild Blue-Winged Macaw groups at the release site. Several released Spix’s Macaws formed pair-bonds with conspecifics and engaged in nest cavity exploration, breeding behavior, and territorial defense of nest sites, with three females also laying and incubating eggs. One nesting pair successfully hatched and reared chicks in an artificial nest cavity. These releases employed a novel reintroduction strategy using a surrogate species model, the sympatric Blue-Winged Macaw, to “mentor” and facilitate post-release adaptation by the target species and increase the total number of individuals in the release cohort. Lastly, participatory monitoring by local citizens is considered a way to engage and involve local communities in species and habitat conservation and potentially create new employment opportunities in the region. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)
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23 pages, 15222 KiB  
Perspective
Changing Asian Mountain Steppes Require Better Conservation for Endangered Argali Sheep
by Terry V. Callaghan, Irina I. Volkova, Igor V. Volkov, Alexey O. Kuzhlekov, Denis I. Gulyaev and Olga M. Shaduyko
Diversity 2024, 16(9), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16090570 - 12 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1350
Abstract
We present a rare insight into the biodiversity of a remote, mountainous area of central Asia and outline challenges to conserve the critically endangered keystone argali (Ovis ammon ammon L.), the largest subspecies of mountain sheep. Existing conservation is set in the context [...] Read more.
We present a rare insight into the biodiversity of a remote, mountainous area of central Asia and outline challenges to conserve the critically endangered keystone argali (Ovis ammon ammon L.), the largest subspecies of mountain sheep. Existing conservation is set in the context of competition with livestock grazing and disturbance by local pastoralists. We suggest how this pressure would increase as pastures become degraded by a future more arid climate. Focusing on the transboundary population, migrating between the Russian and Mongolian Altai over the Sailugem Ridge, we track historical population numbers. Due to increased protection, the argali’s local population is currently growing. However, most argali populations live outside the protected areas where they are forced to compete for forage with livestock. Due to ever-increasing anthropogenic pressures, argali has almost reached the region’s environmental capacity, so the number of local populations is decreasing. Consequently, even the current situation requires more areas of protection, and climate change will accelerate pasture degradation, thereby further increasing competition with livestock. We present various ways to predict the impacts of changes in climate, e.g., the “7 M’s approach” and grazing pressure and then recommend additional conservation measures acceptable for the indigenous population of traditional pastoralists. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)
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