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19 pages, 5923 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Distribution and Diversity of Benthic Macrofauna in Coastal Waters of the Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary (JAMS), Dubai

by Jeruel Aguhob, Waleed Hamza, Andreas Reul, Muna Musabih, Jhonnel P. Villegas and Maria Muñoz

Diversity 2025, 17(5), 332; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17050332 - 4 May 2025

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Abstract

The present study aimed to characterize the benthic macroinvertebrate community of the Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary (JAMS), the sole marine protected area in the Emirate of Dubai, during the summer and winter seasons of 2017. Limited research on the biological quality of the [...] Read more.

The present study aimed to characterize the benthic macroinvertebrate community of the Jabal Ali Marine Sanctuary (JAMS), the sole marine protected area in the Emirate of Dubai, during the summer and winter seasons of 2017. Limited research on the biological quality of the JAMS prompted this investigation, which involved 10 sampling stations to assess macroinvertebrate diversity and community composition in relation to abiotic factors such as sediment granulometry, trace metals, salinity, and temperature. Collected sediment samples were analyzed for macroinfauna, and their abundance was measured, revealing an average abundance of 2150 ind/m² in summer and 2132 ind/m² in winter without a significant difference between both seasons. Univariate indices, including the Margalef diversity index and Pielou evenness index, indicate a range of diversity values across sampling sites. Community composition was assessed through SIMPROF and Bray–Curtis similarity clustering, further elucidating the relationship between community structures and environmental gradients. The dominant macroinvertebrate species varied across seasons and stations, providing insights into seasonal variations in community dynamics. These findings contribute to the understanding of benthic community structures and biodiversity in the JAMS and serve as a baseline for future monitoring and management efforts aimed at preserving the ecological integrity of this important marine sanctuary. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Restoring and Conserving Biodiversity: A Global Perspective)

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19 pages, 2135 KiB

Open AccessArticle

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

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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

Open AccessArticle

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

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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

Open AccessArticle

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

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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

Open AccessArticle

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

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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

Open AccessArticle

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

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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

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

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 12619

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

Open AccessPerspective

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

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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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