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Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human...
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Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 August 2023) | Viewed by 12653

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Xueyou Li

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
Interests: conservation biology; community ecology; wildlife conservation; biodiversity monitoring; camera trapping; human disturbance

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Tens of thousands of wildlife species are increasingly confronted with habitat degradation and threatened with local extirpation and global extinction as a result of human activities. As anthropogenic activities expand in natural areas, wildlife habitats face growing fragmentation, degradation, and loss, which negatively affect species diversity and distribution. In the Anthropocene, understanding the impacts of anthropogenic influence on diversity and distribution of wildlife communities is increasingly relevant to effective conservation. This Special Issue will focus on human impacts on diversity and distribution of wildlife species with implications for wildlife conservation. Authors are encouraged to submit their manuscripts on the following topics:

  • Spatial and temporal distribution patterns of wildlife species along anthropogenic gradients;
  • Wildlife community structure and functional diversity under anthropogenic disturbance;
  • Scale effects and human impact on diversity and distribution of wildlife species;
  • Influence of human disturbance on wildlife nocturnality;
  • Ecological response of wildlife species to human disturbance;
  • Effects of human impacts on species co-occurrence;
  • Human–wildlife coexistence/conflict;
  • Conservation actions for wildlife diversity.

Dr. Xueyou Li
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 2600 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

  • species richness
  • occupancy
  • activity patterns
  • functional diversity
  • anthropogenic impact
  • human modification
  • land use
  • ecology of fear
  • species co-occurrence
  • wildlife conservation

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

14 pages, 1072 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Grazing Systems on Bird Species Richness and Density in the Nebraska Sandhills
by Silka L. F. Kempema, Walter H. Schacht and Larkin A. Powell
Diversity 2023, 15(12), 1160; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15121160 - 22 Nov 2023
Viewed by 864
Abstract
Grazing is the de facto method of habitat management used in much of the Nebraska Sandhills. Ranchers use a variety of grazing systems, and our goal was to evaluate the effects of systems on grassland birds. We estimated the species richness and density [...] Read more.
Grazing is the de facto method of habitat management used in much of the Nebraska Sandhills. Ranchers use a variety of grazing systems, and our goal was to evaluate the effects of systems on grassland birds. We estimated the species richness and density of grassland birds for three grazing systems used on private ranches: long, medium, and short duration grazing systems. We observed sixty species, and the grazing system with pastures utilizing long duration grazing periods had the highest estimates of species richness as well as the most heterogeneous habitat structure. Differences in species richness among systems were most pronounced in years of limited precipitation. Together, grasshopper sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum), western meadowlarks (Sturnella neglecta), and brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater) accounted for 72% of our observations. We used a model comparison approach to determine the effects of habitat on the densities of six species. Densities of grasshopper sparrows and mourning doves showed effects of the grazing system. More species had higher densities in short duration, rotational systems than other grazing systems. However, species of grassland birds showed responses to a variety of cover types and habitat structures depending on life history needs. Regardless of the grazing system used, managers can use grazing and other tools such as prescribed burning to maintain habitat heterogeneity to support diverse bird communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts)
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10 pages, 5904 KiB  
Communication
Potential Hotspots of Hamadryas Baboon–Human Conflict in Al-Baha Region, Saudi Arabia
by Ghanem Al-Ghamdi, Abdulaziz Alzahrani, Saleh Al-Ghamdi, Salihah Alghamdi, Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, Wael Alzahrani and Dietmar Zinner
Diversity 2023, 15(11), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15111107 - 24 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1199
Abstract
In recent decades, conflicts between hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) and the rapidly growing human population in the mountainous areas of Western, Southwestern, and Southern Saudi Arabia have accelerated. This conflict, historically occurring mainly between farmers and baboons, has now moved to [...] Read more.
In recent decades, conflicts between hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) and the rapidly growing human population in the mountainous areas of Western, Southwestern, and Southern Saudi Arabia have accelerated. This conflict, historically occurring mainly between farmers and baboons, has now moved to the urbanized areas in the baboon range and is mainly caused by the common use of spatial and other resources by baboons and humans. The goal of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of baboon groups and to estimate the population size of baboons in the Al-Baha region. The results indicate that baboons are present in all administrative areas of the Al-Baha region with a concentration along the mountain chain running from northwest to southeast and the western part of the region. As expected, rubbish dumps constitute baboon hotspots due to the large amounts of human-derived food. However, the baboons also travel into towns for foraging. The prevention of baboon accessibility to human-derived food would be an important step to reduce causes of conflicts between humans and baboons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts)
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14 pages, 3278 KiB  
Article
Potential Spread of Desert Locust Schistocerca gregagia (Orthoptera: Acrididae) under Climate Change Scenarios
by Qianhong Tang, Jianmeng Feng, Donglin Zong, Jing Zhou, Xiaokang Hu, Bingru Wang and Tao Wang
Diversity 2023, 15(10), 1038; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101038 - 27 Sep 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1040
Abstract
The desert locust Schistocerca gregagia (Forskål, 1775) is one of the most harmful migratory pests in the world, posing a major threat to agricultural production, livelihoods, and food security. Climate, land use, and topography influence the distribution of desert locusts, but few studies [...] Read more.
The desert locust Schistocerca gregagia (Forskål, 1775) is one of the most harmful migratory pests in the world, posing a major threat to agricultural production, livelihoods, and food security. Climate, land use, and topography influence the distribution of desert locusts, but few studies have integrated all the factors on a global scale to explore the suitable areas for desert locusts and the paths through which this species could potentially spread. In this study, we established ensemble distribution models to investigate the distribution patterns and driving factors of desert locusts under baseline and future scenarios; we used ensembled niche dynamic models to evaluate their niche conservation during outbreaks. The results showed that the most important factor influencing desert locust distribution is climate, especially the minimum temperature of the coldest month, the annual precipitation, and the mean temperature of the driest quarter. Some areas with little or no desert locust distribution at present will be suitable for desert locusts in the future, and highly suitable contiguous areas may become the dispersal paths. The results also showed that the climatic niche of the desert locust is still conservative, which might explain why desert locusts tend to retreat after intermittent outbreaks rather than settle at the site of invasion. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the areas that are highly suitable for desert locusts, the key factors driving their outbreaks, and the shifting of their climatic niche in order to prevent desert locusts from settling in invasion areas and affecting local ecosystems and food security. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts)
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39 pages, 5798 KiB  
Article
Measured Effects of Anthropogenic Development on Vertebrate Wildlife Diversity
by K. Shawn Smallwood and Noriko L. Smallwood
Diversity 2023, 15(10), 1037; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101037 - 27 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1620
Abstract
A major driver of the declining biodiversity is landcover change leading to loss of habitat. Many studies have estimated large-scale declines in biodiversity, but loss of biodiversity at a local scale due to the immediate effects of development has been poorly studied. California, [...] Read more.
A major driver of the declining biodiversity is landcover change leading to loss of habitat. Many studies have estimated large-scale declines in biodiversity, but loss of biodiversity at a local scale due to the immediate effects of development has been poorly studied. California, in particular, is a biodiversity hotspot and has rapidly developed; thus, it is important to understand the effects of development on wildlife in the State. Here, we conducted reconnaissance surveys—a type of survey often used by consulting biologists in support of environmental review of proposed projects—to measure changes in the relative abundance and richness of vertebrate species in response to urban development. We completed 2 reconnaissance surveys at each of 52 control sites that remained undeveloped at the times of both surveys, and at each of 26 impact sites that had been developed by the time of the second survey. We completed the surveys as part of a before–after, control–impact (BACI) experimental design. Our main interest was the interaction effect between the before–after phases and the control–impact treatment levels, or the impact of development. After controlling for survey duration, we also tested for the effects of the number of years intervening the surveys in the before and after phases, project area size, latitude, degree of connectedness to adjacent open space, and whether the site was a redevelopment site, infill, or not infill. After development, the average number of vertebrate wildlife species we detected declined by 48% within the project area, and by 66% within the bounds of the project sites. Further, the average number of vertebrate animals we counted declined by 90% within the project area, and 89% within the bounds of the project sites. Development impacts measured by the mean number of species detected per survey were greatest for amphibians (−100%), followed by mammals (−86%), grassland birds (−75%), raptors (−53%), special-status species (−49%), all birds as a group (−48%), non-native birds (−44%), and synanthropic birds (−28%). Our results indicated that urban development substantially reduced vertebrate species richness and numerical abundance, even after richness and abundance had likely already been depleted by the cumulative effects of loss, fragmentation, and degradation of habitat in the urbanizing environment. Monitoring is needed in and around urbanizing areas to measure the cumulative effects of urbanization, and so are conservation measures to mitigate the effects of urbanization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts)
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17 pages, 1091 KiB  
Article
Threat Analysis of Forest Fragmentation and Degradation for Peruvian Primates
by Sam Shanee, Lorena Fernández-Hidalgo, Nestor Allgas, Veronica Vero, Raul Bello-Santa Cruz, Mark Bowler, Mrinalini Erkenswick Watsa, Gabriel García Mendoza, Alvaro García-Olaechea, Cindy Hurtado, Zoila Vega, Laura Marsh, Ramesh Boonratana and A. Patricia Mendoza
Diversity 2023, 15(2), 276; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15020276 - 15 Feb 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3040
Abstract
Peru has 55 primate taxa (including all species and subspecies), a third of which are threatened. The major drivers of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are grazing, forestry, agriculture and transport infrastructure. Other activities such as hunting exacerbate these threats. We assessed the [...] Read more.
Peru has 55 primate taxa (including all species and subspecies), a third of which are threatened. The major drivers of habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are grazing, forestry, agriculture and transport infrastructure. Other activities such as hunting exacerbate these threats. We assessed the threats from degradation and fragmentation facing Peruvian primates to aid in the design and implementation of mitigation strategies. Through GIS-based mapping, statistical modeling and specialist assessments, we evaluated all primate taxa using the IUCN Conservation Measures Partnership Unified Classifications of Direct Threats across five categories (direct threats to primates, threats to habitat, causes of fragmentation, factors exacerbating fragmentation and threats to primates and habitats as a consequence of fragmentation), highlighting which were most common and most severe. Our results showed that all primate taxa were affected by degradation and fragmentation in Peru. The most common and severe direct threat was hunting, whereas housing and urban development, smallholder crop farming, smallholder grazing and large-scale logging were the most common and severe threats across the other categories. The families Cebidae and Atelidae face the highest overall threat. Our analysis showed that the current IUCN listing of Leontocebus leucogenys [LC] underestimates the true threat level this species faces and that Lagothrix lagothricha tschudii [DD] should be listed under one of the threat categories. In Peru, the need for mitigating the threat of habitat fragmentation is clear. To ensure the survival of Peru’s diverse primate taxa, forest connectivity needs to be maintained or recovered through the protection and restoration of key areas considering their biological and social needs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts)
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18 pages, 3721 KiB  
Article
Distribution Pattern of Fish Richness in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin
by Kai Li, Jishan Wang, Xiaoai Wang, Mengjun Wang, Ruchuan He and Mo Wang
Diversity 2022, 14(12), 1142; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14121142 - 19 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1632
Abstract
Global warming significantly affects plateau glaciers and surface runoff, and fish are bound to be severely affected. Additionally, an increasing number of human activities (e.g., free captive animals, aquaculture) have led to vulnerable plateau ecosystems being affected by invasive species. To address the [...] Read more.
Global warming significantly affects plateau glaciers and surface runoff, and fish are bound to be severely affected. Additionally, an increasing number of human activities (e.g., free captive animals, aquaculture) have led to vulnerable plateau ecosystems being affected by invasive species. To address the above issues, we collected the currently published fish distribution data, and for the first time constructed a richness and fluvial system distribution map of the Yarlung Zangbo River fish (4 orders, 10 families, and 61 species). Based on fish richness and the fluvial system, the native fish in the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin were divided into three clusters, and the non-native fish were divided into six clusters by using Ward’s minimum variance clustering and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). Environmental factors related to native or non-native fish richness were selected by the random forest model from 21 environmental factors. Then, the relationship between fish richness and environmental factors was explained by the generalized linear model (GLM). Our results showed that the native fish distribution pattern was different from the non-native fish distribution, but their high richness areas were overlapped. Furthermore, native fish richness responds differently than non-native fish richness to environmental factors. The results provided eco-solutions for the conservation and management of fish biodiversity and natural resources in the Yarlung Zangbo River. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts)
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12 pages, 2301 KiB  
Article
Trade in Southeast Asian Box Turtles from Indonesia: Legality, Livelihoods, Sustainability and Overexploitation
by Vincent Nijman and Chris R. Shepherd
Diversity 2022, 14(11), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/d14110970 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2018
Abstract
Southeast Asian box turtles Cuora amboinensis are distributed in mainland Southeast Asia and throughout most of insular Southeast Asia and are often found in habitats shared with humans. In the 2000s evidence emerged of an enormous illegal export of Southeast Asian box turtles [...] Read more.
Southeast Asian box turtles Cuora amboinensis are distributed in mainland Southeast Asia and throughout most of insular Southeast Asia and are often found in habitats shared with humans. In the 2000s evidence emerged of an enormous illegal export of Southeast Asian box turtles from Indonesia estimated at a hundred times larger than the legal exports. Using publicly available data we show that one or two exporters in Sampit in the province of Central Kalimantan, one of nine provinces where harvest of Southeast Asian box turtles is authorised, continue to trade above permitted levels. Harvest quotas for Central Kalimantan are set at 1000 turtles a year, and this is divided between five approved traders, two of whom are based in Sampit. A single visit to one of these two traders in April 2019 documented the presence of 549 Southeast Asian box turtles. Based on documented data from middlemen we estimate that the number of Southeast Asian box turtles that are harvested in Central Kalimantan to supply the traders in Sampit amounts to 19,000–45,000 individuals a year. If the Sampit traders stay within their quotas potential profits are less than USD 400 year−1, compared to up to USD 40,000 year−1 when trading the higher numbers. It is not known how many box turtles are traded by the other three exporters in the province. With the annual harvest quota for all of Indonesia set at less than 15,000 the massive illegal trade as documented in the 1990s and 2000s continues unabated. Assessments of the harvest and trade in Southeast Asian box turtles must consider both the sustainability and legality of this trade. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity and Distribution of Wildlife Species in Relation to Human Impacts)
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