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Keywords = IUCN assessments

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24 pages, 4369 KiB  
Review
Upcycling Arundo donax Biomass: A Systematic Review of Applications, Materials, and Environmental Benefits for Greener Construction
by Rosanna Leone, Luisa Lombardo, Federica Marchese Ragona, Tiziana Campisi and Manfredi Saeli
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7402; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167402 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 163
Abstract
This study presents a systematic literature review on the reuse of Arundo donax as a secondary renewable raw material for sustainable construction. Originally classified as a dangerously invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Arundo donax has recently gained [...] Read more.
This study presents a systematic literature review on the reuse of Arundo donax as a secondary renewable raw material for sustainable construction. Originally classified as a dangerously invasive species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Arundo donax has recently gained recognition as a non-conventional promising biomass resource, particularly in the context of green innovation and circular economy strategies in light of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus initiatives. This review combines bibliometric mapping and full-text analysis, leading to the selection of 20 peer-reviewed studies, thematically clustered into two main application areas: the development of panels and composites with improved mechanical, thermal, and acoustic performance; and the use of this species in geotechnical or low-tech solutions, such as earth construction and erosion control. While most contributions are recent and technically oriented, this review highlights several critical gaps, such as the lack of standardized testing protocols, the limited number of environmental assessments, and the absence of long-term performance evaluations. Despite these limitations, the considered biomass shows significant potential to support regenerative design strategies for the built environment. Future research should prioritize comparative LCA studies, industrial scalability, and the formulation of guidelines to integrate Arundo donax-based materials into sustainable construction practices. Full article
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16 pages, 6127 KiB  
Article
Endemic and Endangered Vascular Flora of Kazakhstan’s Altai Mountains: A Baseline for Sustainable Biodiversity Conservation
by Aidar A. Sumbembayev, Yuriy A. Kotukhov, Alevtina N. Danilova and Meruyert Aitzhan
Sustainability 2025, 17(16), 7283; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167283 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 364
Abstract
The Altai Mountains of Kazakhstan form a critical part of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion, one of Central Asia’s most important centers of plant endemism and biodiversity. However, this fragile mountain ecosystem is increasingly threatened by climate change, unsustainable land use, and habitat degradation. This [...] Read more.
The Altai Mountains of Kazakhstan form a critical part of the Altai-Sayan Ecoregion, one of Central Asia’s most important centers of plant endemism and biodiversity. However, this fragile mountain ecosystem is increasingly threatened by climate change, unsustainable land use, and habitat degradation. This study provides the first comprehensive checklist of rare, endemic, and endangered vascular plant species of Kazakhstan’s Altai, integrating herbarium data and spatial analyses to support regional conservation and sustainability goals. A total of 65,540 herbarium specimens from eight major collections were reviewed, and species identifications were verified using national and international databases. In total, 230 rare and endangered species were recorded, including 73 strict endemics. Species were assessed using IUCN Red List categories, and their distributions analyzed with GIS and hierarchical clustering tools. The results revealed a high concentration of threatened species in the Ivanovskiy, Narym, and Azutau ridges. Notably, 127 species were assessed for rarity status for the first time, with families such as Poaceae and Orchidaceae disproportionately represented. The study highlights substantial gaps in current conservation frameworks, as many species remain in the “Data Deficient” category, and some highly threatened taxa occur outside protected areas. These findings provide essential baseline data to inform the expansion of protected zones, guide national Red Book updates, and support targeted ex situ conservation. By prioritizing biodiversity-rich areas and incorporating plant rarity data into spatial planning, this research contributes directly to long-term sustainability and ecosystem resilience strategies in Kazakhstan’s mountainous regions. Full article
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18 pages, 4403 KiB  
Article
Population Dynamics of Bigeye Grunt Brachydeuterus auritus (Valenciennes, 1831) in the Coastal Waters of Sierra Leone: A Near-Threatened Species on the IUCN Red List
by Guoqing Zhao, Chunlei Feng, Hewei Liu, Taichun Qu, Ruiliang Fan, Ivorymae C. R. Coker, Lahai Duramany Seisay, Hongliang Huang and Lingzhi Li
Biology 2025, 14(8), 1037; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14081037 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 223
Abstract
Bigeye grunt (Brachydeuterus auritus) is a dominant fish species and mostly a major target species in both artisanal and industrial fisheries in the coastal waters of Sierra Leone. It was listed as near threatened in 2015 by the International Union for [...] Read more.
Bigeye grunt (Brachydeuterus auritus) is a dominant fish species and mostly a major target species in both artisanal and industrial fisheries in the coastal waters of Sierra Leone. It was listed as near threatened in 2015 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Although this species has been repeatedly assessed as overexploited by the Fishery Committee for the Eastern Central Atlantic (CECAF) in the majority of its range in the Eastern Central Atlantic, there have never been studies of stock assessment in the coastal waters of Sierra Leone. We conducted a study on the population dynamics of bigeye grunt in the coastal waters of Sierra Leone, which is crucial for completing the resource status of this species in the Eastern Central Atlantic. The results showed that the bigeye grunt had a wide distribution in the coastal waters of Sierra Leone, with significant spatiotemporal variation characteristics in biomass and abundance. The growth parameters of bigeye grunt varied across different months, but all E values were below 0.5, indicating that no overfishing occurred. These findings were further corroborated by the results of the Length-Based Bayesian Biomass Estimation method (LBB). The results of the Generalized Additive Model (GAM) show that there is a certain nonlinear relationship between the resource abundance of the bigeye grunt and both environmental factors and geographical locations, among which the influence of latitude is the greatest. This study posits that the bigeye grunt in Sierra Leone’s coastal waters exhibits moderate exploitation potential. The findings are anticipated to provide a scientific framework for informing evidence-based management strategies for this fishery resource. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Conservation Biology and Biodiversity)
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16 pages, 1720 KiB  
Article
The Maghreb as a Hotspot of Diversity for the Freshwater Crab Genus Potamon (Decapoda, Potamidae)
by Nesrine Rouabhi, Djaouida Bouchelouche, Luca Vecchioni, Youness Mabrouki, Fouzi Abdelkhaleq Taybi, Federico Marrone and Francesco Paolo Faraone
Diversity 2025, 17(8), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17080562 - 10 Aug 2025
Viewed by 235
Abstract
The Maghreb region of North Africa, located at the intersection of the Palaearctic and Afrotropical zones, is a biodiversity hotspot for terrestrial and freshwater taxa, including the freshwater crab of genus Potamon Savigny, 1816. Recent molecular studies have suggested the presence of two [...] Read more.
The Maghreb region of North Africa, located at the intersection of the Palaearctic and Afrotropical zones, is a biodiversity hotspot for terrestrial and freshwater taxa, including the freshwater crab of genus Potamon Savigny, 1816. Recent molecular studies have suggested the presence of two distinct Potamon species in the region: Potamon algeriense Bott, 1967, and an as-yet undescribed taxon, Potamon sp. However, comprehensive data on their distribution, genetic structure, and conservation status are still lacking. In the present study, we integrate new field collections from Algeria and Morocco (2021–2023) with molecular analyses of mitochondrial (COI, ND1) and nuclear (28S rDNA) markers to assess species boundaries and genetic diversity within Potamon across the Maghreb. Phylogenetic reconstructions based on Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference consistently support the presence of two well-differentiated Potamon lineages in the region, corresponding to P. algeriense in western and central Maghreb, and Potamon sp. in eastern Algeria and Tunisia. While Potamon sp. exhibits low intra-specific genetic variation, P. algeriense displays a deeply structured mitochondrial lineage composition, forming four geographically coherent subclades, each corresponding to distinct hydrological regions. In light of this, it would be advisable to revise the IUCN assessment to include both species and updated information on their distribution. Full article
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19 pages, 4059 KiB  
Article
Vulnerability Assessment of Six Endemic Tibetan-Himalayan Plants Under Climate Change and Human Activities
by Jin-Dong Wei and Wen-Ting Wang
Plants 2025, 14(15), 2424; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152424 - 5 Aug 2025
Viewed by 469
Abstract
The Tibetan-Himalayan region, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, is increasingly threatened by the dual pressures of climate change and human activities. Understanding the vulnerability of plant species to these forces is crucial for effective ecological conservation in this region. This study employed [...] Read more.
The Tibetan-Himalayan region, recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, is increasingly threatened by the dual pressures of climate change and human activities. Understanding the vulnerability of plant species to these forces is crucial for effective ecological conservation in this region. This study employed an improved Climate Niche Factor Analysis (CNFA) framework to assess the vulnerability of six representative alpine endemic herbaceous plants in this ecologically sensitive region under future climate changes. Our results show distinct spatial vulnerability patterns for the six species, with higher vulnerability in the western regions of the Tibetan-Himalayan region and lower vulnerability in the eastern areas. Particularly under high-emission scenarios (SSP5-8.5), climate change is projected to substantially intensify threats to these plant species, reinforcing the imperative for targeted conservation strategies. Additionally, we found that the current coverage of protected areas (PAs) within the species’ habitats was severely insufficient, with less than 25% coverage overall, and it was even lower (<7%) in highly vulnerable regions. Human activity hotspots, such as the regions around Lhasa and Chengdu, further exacerbate species vulnerability. Notably, some species currently classified as least concern (e.g., Stipa purpurea (S. purpurea)) according to the IUCN Red List exhibit higher vulnerability than species listed as near threatened (e.g., Cyananthus microphyllus (C. microphylla)) under future climate change. These findings suggest that existing biodiversity assessments, such as the IUCN Red List, may not adequately account for future climate risks, highlighting the importance of incorporating climate change projections into conservation planning. Our study calls for expanding and optimizing PAs, improving management, and enhancing climate resilience to mitigate biodiversity loss in the face of climate change and human pressures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Ecology)
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14 pages, 2347 KiB  
Article
Linking Life History Traits to the Threat Level of European Freshwater Fish
by Olga Petriki and Dimitra C. Bobori
Water 2025, 17(15), 2254; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152254 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
Over 40% of freshwater fish species in Europe are currently at risk of extinction, highlighting the need for improved conservation planning. This study examines whether the threat status is associated with life-history and ecological traits across 580 autochthonous (native and endemic) freshwater fish [...] Read more.
Over 40% of freshwater fish species in Europe are currently at risk of extinction, highlighting the need for improved conservation planning. This study examines whether the threat status is associated with life-history and ecological traits across 580 autochthonous (native and endemic) freshwater fish species in European inland waters. Using data from FishBase and the IUCN Red List, we assessed associations between threat level and both categorical (e.g., migratory behavior, commercial importance, reproductive guild, and body shape) and numerical traits (e.g., maximum length, weight, age, growth parameters, and maturity traits). Significant, though modest, associations were identified between species threat level and migratory behavior and reproductive guild. Non-migratory species exhibited higher median threat levels, while amphidromous species showed a non-significant trend toward higher threat, suggesting that limited dispersal ability and dependence on fragmented freshwater networks may increase extinction vulnerability. Species with unclassified reproductive strategies also showed elevated threat levels, possibly reflecting both actual risk and underlying data gaps. In contrast, body shape and trophic level were not significantly associated with threat status. Critically Endangered species tend to be larger, heavier, and mature later—traits characteristic of slow life history strategies that limit population recovery. Although length at maturity and maximum age did not differ significantly among IUCN categories, age at maturity was significantly higher in more threatened species, and growth rate (K) was negatively correlated with threat level. Together, these patterns suggest that slower-growing, later-maturing species face elevated extinction risk. Overall, the findings underscore that the threat level in European freshwater fish is shaped by complex interactions between intrinsic biological traits and external pressures. Trait-based approaches can enhance extinction risk assessments and conservation prioritization, especially in data-deficient freshwater ecosystems facing multifaceted environmental challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biodiversity and Functionality of Aquatic Ecosystems)
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19 pages, 3821 KiB  
Article
Species Conservation Dependence on a Reliable Taxonomy as Emphasized by the Extinction Risk Assessment of Grindelia atlantica (Asteraceae: Astereae)
by Fernando Fernandes, João Iganci, Tatiana Teixeira de Souza-Chies and Gustavo Heiden
Conservation 2025, 5(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation5030036 - 16 Jul 2025
Viewed by 619
Abstract
Accurate taxonomy is fundamental for assessing extinction risks and implementing conservation strategies. We evaluated the extinction risk of Grindelia atlantica (Asteraceae), endemic to southern Brazil, using the IUCN criteria, and comparing three scenarios of taxonomic accuracy and data availability. Herbaria records and field [...] Read more.
Accurate taxonomy is fundamental for assessing extinction risks and implementing conservation strategies. We evaluated the extinction risk of Grindelia atlantica (Asteraceae), endemic to southern Brazil, using the IUCN criteria, and comparing three scenarios of taxonomic accuracy and data availability. Herbaria records and field surveys confirmed the historical existence of five records and currently only two remaining, isolated populations, totaling 633 individuals (513 in Pelotas and Rio Grande; 120 in Jaguarão). Habitat loss and invasive species are the primary threats. Analyses resulted in an Extent of Occurrence of 475.832 km2 and an Area of Occupancy of 36 km2. These findings, coupled with significant population decline, justify the classification as Critically Endangered. The results emphasize the critical role of reliable taxonomy in conservation biology. They demonstrate the impact of a few errors on extinction risk assessments, which can unfold in the misallocation of resources or insufficient protection. This is critical, particularly for endemic species like G. atlantica in the threatened Pampas, one of Brazil’s most degraded biomes and the least represented in preserves. The creation of a conservation unit is proposed as an urgent measure to ensure the survival of this species and its habitat, benefiting other endemic and rare threatened animal and plant species. Full article
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12 pages, 5143 KiB  
Article
Ochrolechia raynori, a New Lichen Species from the Southern Rocky Mountains (Colorado, USA) and Key to Asexually Reproducing Ochrolechia in Western North America
by Erin A. Manzitto-Tripp and Jacob L. Watts
Wild 2025, 2(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2030028 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 305
Abstract
Ochrolechia is a diverse and charismatic lineage of both sexually and asexually reproducing lichens, with centers of species richness in northern temperate areas of the world, including North America. As part of recent work to comprehensively inventory the lichens of the Indian Peaks [...] Read more.
Ochrolechia is a diverse and charismatic lineage of both sexually and asexually reproducing lichens, with centers of species richness in northern temperate areas of the world, including North America. As part of recent work to comprehensively inventory the lichens of the Indian Peaks Wilderness (Arapaho–Roosevelt National Forest, Front Range Mountains, Colorado), we discovered material of a sorediate member of the genus to which no existing names could be applied. This material was collected in very remote, extremely difficult-to-access mid-montane forests of the west slope of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, in a steep and jagged off-trail drainage (Hell Canyon). Subsequent study of this material along with review of pre-existing collections at the COLO Herbarium revealed it to represent a new scientific species. We here formally describe Ochrolechia raynori, in honor of Seth Raynor who led the Indian Peaks Wilderness lichen inventory. We additionally document the occurrence of Dactylospora parasitica on this new lichen species. Ochrolechia raynori is distinctive for its continuous, smooth, shiny thallus that bears discrete soralia and coarse soredia, its occurrence on mosses and other lichens that overgrow rocks, and its chemistry. We generated a molecular phylogeny of this and other members of Ochrolechia using the nrITS locus and show O. raynori to be sister to the widespread, sexually reproducing species O. upsaliensis. This occurrence of an asexual species that is sister to a sexual species is consistent with the “species pair” hypothesis in lichenology, which suggests an intimate role of reproductive mode divergence in the process of speciation. Examination of the phylogeny yielded evidence of four additional pairs in Ochrolechia, for a total of five species pairs, which indicates that this phenomenon may be a common occurrence in this lineage. IUCN Conservation Assessment of Ochrolechia raynori revealed the species to be best considered as Critically Endangered. However, we expect that continued efforts to inventory the lichens of the southern Rocky Mountains, especially in some of its wildest, most remote regions in similar habitats, will likely result in the discovery of additional populations of this remarkable new species. Full article
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27 pages, 3863 KiB  
Article
Phenotypic Variability of Juglans neotropica Diels from Different Provenances During Nursery and Plantation Stages in Southern Ecuador
by Byron Palacios-Herrera, Santiago Pereira-Lorenzo and Darwin Pucha-Cofrep
Forests 2025, 16(7), 1141; https://doi.org/10.3390/f16071141 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 422
Abstract
Juglans neotropica Diels, an Andean native species classified as endangered by the IUCN, holds significant potential for reforestation and sustainable forest management programs. This study evaluated seed quality, phenotypic variability, and early establishment under nursery and field conditions in southern Ecuador. Three provenance [...] Read more.
Juglans neotropica Diels, an Andean native species classified as endangered by the IUCN, holds significant potential for reforestation and sustainable forest management programs. This study evaluated seed quality, phenotypic variability, and early establishment under nursery and field conditions in southern Ecuador. Three provenance sites—The Tundo, The Victoria, and The Argelia—were evaluated during the nursery phase, and two (The Tundo and The Victoria) in plantations, applying four pre-germination treatments: control, mechanical scarification, hot water, and water-sun exposure. Parameters assessed included seed weight, size, viability, germination, survival, and growth across three planting environments: secondary forest, riparian forest, and pasture. Significant differences in seed morphometry were observed among localities, while germination was influenced by treatment but not provenance. Seed viability remained high for up to six months, decreasing with a 2% loss of moisture. Survival reached 100% with urea application, and 96% of individuals exhibited straight stems after one year. No significant differences in growth were found between localities; however, basal diameter was highest in the pasture (13.2 mm/year−1), and total height was greatest in the secondary forest (54.8 cm/year−1). These findings provide key technical evidence to optimize the propagation and establishment of J. neotropica in ecological restoration and forest production contexts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tree Breeding: Genetic Diversity, Differentiation and Conservation)
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26 pages, 5541 KiB  
Article
Disentangling a Complex of Violet, Endangered Species of Clavaria Subsumed Under the Misapplied Name Clavaria zollingeri Lév. (Clavariaceae, Fungi)
by Ibai Olariaga, Luis A. Parra, Thomas Læssøe, Juan Manuel Velasco, Ivona Kautmanova, Åsa Kruys and Isabel Salcedo
J. Fungi 2025, 11(7), 482; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11070482 - 26 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1372
Abstract
The name Clavaria zollingeri Lév. is currently applied to striking violet species producing branched basidiomata and lacking clamp connections, two typical characteristics of the genus Clavaria Pers. Interestingly, as currently interpreted, C. zollingeri has been globally assessed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and [...] Read more.
The name Clavaria zollingeri Lév. is currently applied to striking violet species producing branched basidiomata and lacking clamp connections, two typical characteristics of the genus Clavaria Pers. Interestingly, as currently interpreted, C. zollingeri has been globally assessed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and is red-listed in several European countries. However, the type material of C. zollingeri, examined here, possesses clamp connections and should be referred to the genus Clavulinopsis Van Overeem. Thus, the name C. zollingeri is being misapplied. Based on the taxonomic revision of the specimens, along with morphological and molecular studies of the nrDNA ITS-LSU regions, three species differing in spore characters, basidial size and distribution are recognized. After our nomenclatural revision we conclude that one of the species should be named Clavaria amethystina (Holmsk.) Bull., characterized by ellipsoid spores and distribution in the Northern Hemisphere; the second C. lilacina Jungh., with subglobose spores and present in Eastern Asia and Oceania; whereas the third, also with subglobose spores and distributed in Europe and North America, is newly described as C. violaceopulchra. Clavaria orientalis is proposed to be a later synonym of C. lilacina. Nine type specimens were examined, the name C. amethystina is typified and the combination of C. zollingeri in Clavulinopsis is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fungal Diversity in Europe, 3rd Edition)
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16 pages, 3476 KiB  
Article
Taxonomy, Lectotypification, and Conservation of the Genus Phyllodium (Fabaceae: Desmodieae) in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam
by Witsanu Saisorn, Jiratthi Satthaphorn and Shuichiro Tagane
Plants 2025, 14(12), 1822; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14121822 - 13 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1344
Abstract
A taxonomy of the genus Phyllodium Desv. in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam is presented. The plant specimens collected from the fields and herbarium specimens kept at Asian and European herbaria are examined. The IUCN conservation status of each species at regional and national [...] Read more.
A taxonomy of the genus Phyllodium Desv. in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam is presented. The plant specimens collected from the fields and herbarium specimens kept at Asian and European herbaria are examined. The IUCN conservation status of each species at regional and national levels is assessed. Five species are enumerated, viz., Phyllodium elegans (Lour.) Desv., P. kurzianum (Kuntze) H.Ohashi, P. longipes (Craib) Schindl., P. pulchellum (L.) Desv., and P. vestitum Benth. Lectotypification of two names, Desmodium longipes Craib and D. tonkinense Schindl., is performed. A key to the species, description, distribution, ecology, phenology, vernacular names, full list of specimens examined, and photographs are provided. The conservation status of five Phyllodium species varies across Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Indochina. Phyllodium elegans and P. pulchellum are consistently Least Concern (LC) in all regions. Phyllodium kurzianum is Data Deficient (DD) in Laos, Near Threatened (NT) in Vietnam, and LC in Indochina. Phyllodium longipes is EN in Cambodia but LC elsewhere. Phyllodium vestitum is NT in Cambodia, Vulnerable (VU) in Laos and Vietnam, and LC in Indochina. The taxonomic information provided in this work will contribute to the advancement of the Flora of Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam and the conservation status of each species proposed in this paper can be used for future conservation planning. Full article
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13 pages, 1791 KiB  
Article
An Automated Bioinformatic Pipeline to Analyze Biodiversity Data for Conservation Purposes: A Test Case for Colorado Macrofungi
by Scott T. Bates, James Chelin, Clark Hollenberg, Amy Honan, Andrew W. Wilson and David Anderson
Conservation 2025, 5(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/conservation5020024 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 830
Abstract
Fungi are of critical importance in supporting biodiversity and the world’s ecosystems, yet their conservation status has only been assessed relatively recently as part of the IUCN’s Red List of threatened species. While there are several challenges to evaluating fungi for conservation purposes, [...] Read more.
Fungi are of critical importance in supporting biodiversity and the world’s ecosystems, yet their conservation status has only been assessed relatively recently as part of the IUCN’s Red List of threatened species. While there are several challenges to evaluating fungi for conservation purposes, there is an urgent need to bring fungi more broadly into the conservation framework. Here, we present an automated bioinformatic pipeline for processing data from one of the largest fungal biodiversity datasets to assess species conservation status using a test case of conspicuous macrofungi from the state of Colorado. This pipeline can rapidly process existing data from both specimen- and observation-based records available through MyCoPortal for making conservation status assessments, and the approach presented employs ‘fuzzy matching’ techniques for correcting commonly encountered misspelled taxonomic names in the data. Such assessments are required for integrating fungi into the NatureServe conservation status framework. The pipeline can easily be scaled to produce robust assessments, even at the national level, which can be valuable in focusing field activity for verification purposes. Of the available 117,006 biodiversity data records from Colorado, our processing test case produced a final processed dataset of 36,637 macrofungal records from the state. From this, a focus list of 1613 rarely documented Colorado species was produced for consideration, with 30 of these also being found on the Red List. A more comprehensive conservation status assessment based on scoring in the NatureServe framework was then produced that provided status ranking for 2438 unique, valid, and current taxonomic names for Colorado macrofungi in the processed dataset. Full article
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14 pages, 1587 KiB  
Article
Ecological and Population Dynamics of Black and Grey Francolin (Phasianidae) in Totali Game Reserve, Pakistan
by Asad Ullah, Sumaira Shams, Sultan Ayaz, Eliana Ibáñez Arancibia, Unays Siraj, Patricio R. De los Rios-Escalante, Taqi Ullah and Farhad Badshah
Birds 2025, 6(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/birds6020026 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 1439
Abstract
Ecological determinants of avian population dynamics are essential for effective wildlife management and conservation. Black and grey francolins are classified as being of least concern by the IUCN and are an ecologically significant bird in the northern regions of Pakistan. Although habitat degradation [...] Read more.
Ecological determinants of avian population dynamics are essential for effective wildlife management and conservation. Black and grey francolins are classified as being of least concern by the IUCN and are an ecologically significant bird in the northern regions of Pakistan. Although habitat degradation and overhunting have adversely affected their populations, research on the population structure and habitat preferences of the Totali Game Reserve, Buner District, Pakistan, remains limited. The present study applied distance sampling via the line transect method to estimate population densities and the quadrat method to assess vegetation characteristics across three distinct habitats. A statistical analysis revealed significant variations in densities across the three habitat types—agricultural lands, agroforests, and pasturelands—with both species exhibiting distinct preferences for pastureland ecosystems. Seasonal trends indicated that autumn represented the peak period for the population, driven by post-breeding surges and optimal habitat conditions. Moreover, both species demonstrated a strong affinity for habitats dominated by specific plant species, including hopbush, raspberry, barberry, and blackberry, which provide a critical resource for food, foraging, nesting, and shelter. These findings highlight the ecological importance of pasturelands and specific vegetation types for supporting the survival of these species. Furthermore, conservation efforts should prioritize the preservation and restoration of pastureland ecosystems and incorporate rigorous monitoring programs to guide adaptive management strategies aimed at mitigating population declines. Full article
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51 pages, 11577 KiB  
Article
Projected Impacts of Climate and Land Use Change on Endemic Plant Distributions in a Mediterranean Island Hotspot: The Case of Evvia (Aegean, Greece)
by Konstantinos Kougioumoutzis, Ioannis P. Kokkoris, Panayiotis Trigas, Arne Strid and Panayotis Dimopoulos
Climate 2025, 13(5), 100; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli13050100 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 2015
Abstract
Anthropogenic climate and land use change pose major threats to island floras worldwide, yet few studies have integrated these drivers in a single vulnerability assessment. Here, we examine the endemic flora of Evvia, the second-largest Aegean island in Greece and an important biodiversity [...] Read more.
Anthropogenic climate and land use change pose major threats to island floras worldwide, yet few studies have integrated these drivers in a single vulnerability assessment. Here, we examine the endemic flora of Evvia, the second-largest Aegean island in Greece and an important biodiversity hotspot, as a model system to address how these disturbances may reshape species distributions, community composition, and phylogenetic diversity patterns. We used species distribution models under the Ensemble of Small Models and the ENphylo framework, specifically designed to overcome parameter uncertainty in rare species with inherently limited occurrence records. By integrating climate projections and dynamic land use data, we forecasted potential range shifts, habitat fragmentation, and biodiversity patterns for 114 endemic taxa through the year 2100. We addressed transferability uncertainty, a key challenge in projecting distributions under novel conditions, using the Shape framework extrapolation analysis, thus ensuring robust model projections. Our findings reveal pronounced projected range contractions and increased habitat fragmentation for all studied taxa, with more severe impacts on single-island endemics. Our models demonstrated high concordance with established IUCN Red List assessments, validating their ecological relevance despite the sample size limitations of single-island endemics. Current biodiversity hotspots, primarily located in mountainous regions, are expected to shift towards lowland areas, probably becoming extinction hotspots due to projected species losses, especially for Evvia’s single-island endemics. Emerging hotspot analysis identified new biodiversity centres in lowland zones, while high-altitude areas showed sporadic hotspot patterns. Temporal beta diversity analysis indicated higher species turnover of distantly related taxa at higher elevations, with closely related species clustering at lower altitudes. This pattern suggests a homogenisation of plant communities in lowland areas. The assessment of protected area effectiveness revealed that while 94.6% of current biodiversity hotspots are within protected zones, this coverage is projected to decline by 2100. Our analysis identified conservation gaps, highlighting areas requiring urgent protection to preserve future biodiversity. Our study reveals valuable information regarding the vulnerability of island endemic floras to global change, offering a framework applicable to other insular systems. Our findings demonstrate that adaptive conservation strategies should account for projected biodiversity shifts and serve as a warning for other insular biodiversity hotspots, urging immediate actions to maintain the unique evolutionary heritage of islands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Climate and Environment)
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18 pages, 10392 KiB  
Article
Mapping Ecosystem Functional Groups in the Republic of Korea Based on the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology
by Kyungil Lee, Haedam Baek, Chul-Hyun Choi, Sang-Hak Han and Seonyoung Park
Remote Sens. 2025, 17(10), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs17101659 - 8 May 2025
Viewed by 735
Abstract
This study presents a national-scale mapping of Ecosystem Functional Groups (EFGs) in the Republic of Korea using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Ecosystem Typology (GET), a hierarchical classification system, integrated with spatial datasets, satellite imagery, and a random forest [...] Read more.
This study presents a national-scale mapping of Ecosystem Functional Groups (EFGs) in the Republic of Korea using the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Ecosystem Typology (GET), a hierarchical classification system, integrated with spatial datasets, satellite imagery, and a random forest (RF) classifier. By incorporating locally relevant ecological data, the original typology was refined to resolve issues of overgeneralization and spatial overlap. The resulting map delineates 20 distinct ecosystem types, offering improved spatial accuracy and better alignment with the actual land extent. To evaluate the potential of EFG classification, the RF model was trained on seasonal satellite composites and environmental variables, achieving an overall accuracy of 80%. Elevation and temperature were found to be the most influential predictors, effectively distinguishing ecological patterns across diverse landscapes. This integrated approach supports consistent tracking of ecosystem changes and helps address the limitations of static or infrequently updated spatial datasets. The developed EFG map supports biodiversity conservation by providing a practical foundation for national spatial planning and contributing to the Red List of Ecosystems assessments, which is in line with the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework. Full article
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