Search Results (2,922)

Many native mammal species rely on the habitat elements provided by old-growth forests in the eastern United States (U.S.). Today, old-growth forests persist as remnant stands in the landscape. Historically, they included a mosaic of eastern forest types including mixed mesophytic, oak–hickory, southeastern evergreen, and hemlock-white pine-northern hardwood forests. Due to the rapid (<250 years) and almost complete (99% loss) removal of old-growth forests from eastern U.S. landscapes, research regarding the current and historic relationship between native mammals and old-growth forests is lacking. Using comparisons with better-studied old-growth forests in the western U.S., historical accounts of mammal distribution, and the habitat elements of eastern old-growth forest types, we aim to describe the mammals currently and historically supported by these rare forests in this scoping review. Full article

Cleisthenes herzensteini is a commercially important demersal fish in the Northwest Pacific. However, the resource stock of this species has undergone a drastic decline due to overfishing and habitat degradation. As a representative taxon for benthic adaptation in the order Pleuronectiformes, the molecular mechanisms underlying its specialized phenotypic traits remain poorly elucidated. Furthermore, population-level studies focusing on the mitochondrial genome of Cleisthenes herzensteini are currently scarce. Given that the mitochondrial genome serves as an ideal genetic tool for deciphering species evolution and population genetics, sequencing of its mitogenome will help fill critical gaps in genetic resources and provide essential support for species conservation and phylogenetic research. In this study, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated its complete mitochondrial genome. The circular mitogenome is 17,171 bp in length and exhibits a typical A + T bias (54.04%). Repeat sequence analysis identified 35 dispersed repeats. Codon usage analysis revealed that leucine was the most frequently encoded amino acid, with CUU being the preferred codon. Several protein-coding genes possessed incomplete stop codons (T--/TA-), and a nucleotide preference for A and C was observed at the third codon position. Phylogenetic reconstruction based on mitogenomes from 23 species supported the monophyly of the order Pleuronectiformes. C. herzensteini showed the closest relationship with Dexistes rikuzenius, forming a distinct clade alongside Hippoglossoides dubius and Limanda aspera. These results provide essential genetic resources for understanding the evolution and population genetics of C. herzensteini and related flatfishes. According to the investigation, this study represents the first report on the sequencing and analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome of the Cleisthenes herzensteini. This not only fills the gap in mitochondrial genetic information for this species but also provides a reference for subsequent investigations into the phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary processes within the family Pleuronectidae. Full article

Heracleum sosnowskyi is considered to be a dangerous invasive plant species that has successfully naturalized within a variety of plant communities across numerous countries. As a result of its superior competitiveness, the alien species is able to displace the indigenous species from their native habitats, thus changing the ecosystems and decreasing biodiversity. The phytochemicals present in the H. sosnowskyi aqueous extracts were revealed using GC/MS and HPLC/DAD/TOF techniques. Isopsoralen, methoxsalen, (iso)pimpinellin and/or bergapten were determined to be major compounds in the leaf, inflorescence and root extracts. Glutaric, quinic, linolenic, (iso)chlorogenic and other polyphenolic acids were identified in the extracts. Furthermore, a number of furanocoumarins, including hermandiol, bakuchicin, candinols (A and C) and candibirin F, and coumarins, umbelliferone and yunngnins (A and B), were identified in the roots. Additionally, the presence of flavonoids, including astragalin, quercetin 7,3,4-trimethyl ether, nicotiflorin and rutin, has been detected in the flower and leaf extracts. Allelopathic effects of H. sosnowskyi aqueous extracts were tested on four model plants, lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) and three native Lithuanian meadow herbs, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), using the Petri dish method. H. sosnowskyi flower and leaf extracts demonstrated the strongest inhibitory effects on the germination and growth of the tested plant seeds. At the highest relative concentrations, 0.5 and 1.0, extracts of Sosnowsky’s hogweed inflorescences inhibited timothy seedling growth by 95.47% (from 19.64 ± 2.57 mm to 0.89 ± 0.73 mm) and 100%, respectively. The leaf extracts exhibited the strongest inhibitory effects on white clover seedlings. The highest relative concentrations tested (0.5 and 1.0) suppressed clover seedling growth by 94.66% (from 41.22 ± 2.53 mm to 2.20 ± 0.63 mm) and 100%, respectively. Additionally, the germination rate and vigor index of model plants were assessed. The research is of significance for the regulation and monitoring of the spreading of aggressive H. sosnowskyi plants. Moreover, it is important for the development of natural herbicides based on active phytotoxic compounds from these plants. Full article

Accurate information regarding species boundaries is essential for ecological research and conservation planning. This information is particularly difficult to obtain but essential for cryptic amphibian species. The distribution and potential dispersal corridors of two cryptic salamander species, the Korean clawed (Onychodactylus koreanus) and the Yangsan clawed (O. sillanus) salamanders, were investigated using integrated approaches for high-resolution species distribution modeling (SDM), genetic species identification, and habitat connectivity analysis. The SDM results showed high habitat suitability in mid- and high-mountainous areas, but very low suitability in riverine areas for both species. Genetic species identification of the 25 populations delimited the distribution boundary between the two species along the Nakdong and Geumho rivers. Dispersal corridors of the two species commonly involved a detour around the major rivers and produced only one possible dispersal route, where both species moved into the opposite species’ habitat along the east side of the mountainous areas of the Geumho River. The findings not only clarify the distribution range of two cryptic Onychodactylus species in the Republic of Korea but also highlight the importance of the unique dispersal route for studying species interactions and maintaining ecological connectivity. Full article

The larvae and damage symptoms of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis and Cnaphalocrocis patnalis exhibit a high degree of similarity, which often leads to confusion between the two species. This has posed challenges for research on their population dynamics and the development of effective control measures. To better understand their morphological and damage characteristics, population dynamics, species identification based on COI gene fragments, and potential future distribution, a searchlight trap monitoring program was conducted for C. medinalis and its closely related species C. patnalis across four sites in Longhua, Haitang, and Yazhou districts in Hainan Province from 2021 to 2023. The MaxEnt model was utilized to predict the potential global distribution of both species, incorporating known occurrence points and climate variables. The trapping results revealed that both species reached peak abundance between April and June, with a maximum of 1500 individuals captured in May at Beishan Village, Haitang District. Interannual population fluctuations of both species generally followed a unimodal pattern. Genetic analyses revealed distinct differences in the mitochondrial COI gene fragment, confirming that C. medinalis and C. patnalis are closely related yet distinct species. The population peak of C. patnalis occurred slightly earlier than that of C. medinalis, and its field damage was more severe. Infestations during the booting to heading stages of rice significantly reduced seed-setting rates and overall yield. Model predictions indicated that large areas of southern Eurasia are suitable for the survival of both species, with precipitation during the wettest month identified as the primary environmental factor shaping their potential distributions. At present, moderately and highly suitable habitats for C. medinalis account for 2.50% and 2.27% of the global land area, respectively, whereas those for C. patnalis account for 2.85% and 1.19%. These results highlight that climate change is likely to exacerbate the damage caused by both rice leaf-roller pests, particularly the emerging threat posed by C. patnalis. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for invasion risk assessment and the development of integrated management strategies targeting the combined impacts of C. medinalis and C. patnalis. Full article

This study is essential for medium- and long-term land-use management, as land-use patterns directly influence local economic and social development. Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques are fundamental tools for analyzing a wide range of geomorphological processes, including relief fragmentation density, relief energy, soil texture, slope gradient, and slope orientation. The present research focuses on the Pesceana river basin in the Southern Carpathians, Romania. It addresses three main objectives: (1) to analyze land-use dynamics derived from CORINE Land Cover (CLC) data between 1990 and 2018, along with the long-term distribution of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) for the period 2000–2025; (2) to evaluate the basin’s natural potential byintegrating topographic data (contour lines and profiles) with relief fragmentation density, relief energy, vegetation cover, soil texture, slope gradient, aspect, the Stream Power Index (SPI), and the Topographic Wetness Index (TWI); and (3) to assess the spatial distribution of habitat types, characteristic plant associations, and soil properties obtained through field investigations. For the first two research objectives, ArcGIS v. 10.7.2 served as the main tool for geospatial processing. For the third, field data were essential for geolocating soil samples and defining vegetation types across the entire 247 km² area. The spatiotemporal analysis from 1990 to 2018 reveals a landscape in which deciduous forests clearly dominate; they expanded from an initial area of 80 km² in 1990 to over 90 km² in 2012–2018. This increase, together with agricultural expansion, is reflected in the NDVI values after 2000, which show a sharp increase in vegetation density. Interestingly, other categories—such as water bodies, natural grasslands, and industrial areas—barely changed, each consistently representing less than 1 km² throughout the study period. These findings emphasize the importance of land-use/land-cover (LULC) data within the applied GIS model, which enhances the spatial characterization of geomorphological processes—such as vegetation distribution, soil texture, slope morphology, and relief fragmentation density. This integration allows a realistic assessment of the physical–geographic, landscape, and pedological conditions of the river basin. Full article

Greece lies within the Mediterranean global biodiversity hotspot and harbors exceptional plant richness and endemism, including numerous medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs). These taxa underpin long ethnobotanical traditions and contemporary bioeconomy niches (culinary herbs, essential oils, phototherapeutics). The aim of this review is to map (i) the biodiversity knowledge base for Greek MAPs, (ii) recent ethnobotanical evidence, and (iii) sustainability pathways (conservation, cultivation, value chains, and regulation) in a Mediterranean context. The information is presented and analyzed in a critical manner. A total of 115 research studies were systematically reviewed based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Key findings highlight that (i) Greece is a regional plant-diversity hotspot with many MAP endemics in Lamiaceae; (ii) contemporary ethnobotanical knowledge persists and adapts; and (iii) strong sustainability levers exist through Natura 2000 coverage, Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) frameworks, and Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognitions (e.g., Krokos Kozanis saffron, Chios mastic), although threats from climate and land-use change remain significant. In conclusion, Greek MAPs combine high biodiversity value, living ethnobotanical traditions, and tangible bioeconomic opportunities. Their sustainable prospects depend on integrating habitat protection, GACP and FairWild Standard (FairWild)-aligned wild collection and cultivation, domestication of priority endemics, and climate-resilience planning, all supported by traceable value chains and Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS)/Nagoya Protocol compliance. The review concludes with practical recommendations and a prioritized list of flagship taxa for “conservation through use.” Full article

Słowiński National Park is one of the 23 national parks in Poland and one of the two situated on the Baltic Coast in the country. It was established in 1967 to protect the most valuable ecosystems: coastal lakes, marshes, peat bogs, meadows, forests, and, above all, the dune belt of the Łebska Spit with its unique moving dunes. We aimed to 1. determine the species diversity and structure of thrips assemblages in the most important biotopes of the Park; 2. determine the geographical distribution and food preferences of thrips species; and 3. determine which environmental factors influence the diversity of insect assemblages and which thrips species distinguish these assemblages. The method used in the quantitative research was based on the use of a scoop method; it was supplemented by qualitative research (shaking branches of trees and searching for insects on their host plants). The studies were carried out in 1991 and 1999–2001 in fourteen plant associations. A total of 90 thrips species (nearly 40% of the Polish fauna) were recorded, including 71 in quantitative and 74 in qualitative samples. The study also revealed a significant correlation between the thrips assemblage composition and the following environmental factors: soil moisture, light intensity, general nutrient availability, and soil salinity. In addition, the thrips species with the most significant impact on assemblage composition were identified. The relatively high number of species found, including Taeniothrips zurstrassenii Zawirska, a species new to science, and others rarely recorded in Poland, highlights the value of the SNP habitat diversity in maintaining high Thysanoptera diversity. Full article

The persistent expansion in the intensity and scope of human disturbance has become a key driver of global biodiversity loss, affecting wildlife behavior and population stability across multiple dimensions. As a characteristic symbiotic assemblage in the subalpine forest ecosystems of Sichuan, the giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), red panda (Ailurus fulgens), and forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) exhibit significant research value in their responses to human disturbance. However, existing studies lack systematic analysis of multiple disturbances within the same protected area. This study was conducted in the Sichuan Liziping National Nature Reserve, where infrared camera traps were deployed using a kilometer-grid layout. By integrating spatiotemporal pattern analysis and Generalized Additive Models (GAM), we investigated the characteristics of human disturbance and the response strategies of the three species within their habitats. The results show that: (1) A total of seven types of human disturbance were identified in the reserve, with the top three by frequency being cattle disturbance, goat disturbance, and walking disturbance; (2) Temporally, summer and winter were high-occurrence seasons for disturbance, with peaks around 12:00–14:00, while the giant panda exhibited a bimodal diurnal activity pattern (10:00–12:00, 14:00–16:00), the red panda peaked mainly at 8:00–10:00, and the forest musk deer preferred crepuscular and nocturnal activity—all three species displayed activity rhythms that temporally avoided peak disturbance periods; (3) Spatially, giant pandas were sparsely distributed, red pandas showed aggregated distribution, and forest musk deer exhibited a multi-core distribution, with the core distribution areas of each species spatially segregated from high-disturbance zones; (4) GAM analysis revealed that the red panda responded most significantly to disturbance, the giant panda showed marginal significance, and the forest musk deer showed no significant response. This study systematically elucidates the spatiotemporal differences in responses to multiple human disturbances among three sympatric species within the same landscape, providing a scientific basis for the management of human activities, habitat optimization, and synergistic biodiversity conservation in protected areas. It holds practical significance for promoting harmonious coexistence between human and wildlife. Full article

This study presents the first application of machine learning (ML) to detect and map mowed tidal wetlands in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland and Virginia, focusing on emergent estuarine intertidal (E2EM) wetlands. Monitoring human disturbances like mowing is essential because repeated mowing stresses wetland vegetation, reducing habitat quality and diminishing other ecological services wetlands provide, including shoreline stabilization and water filtration. Traditional field-based monitoring is labor-intensive and impractical for large-scale assessments. To address these challenges, this study utilized 2021 and 2022 Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and a time-series analysis of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to distinguish between mowed and unmowed (control) wetlands. A bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM) neural network was created to predict NDVI patterns associated with mowing events, such as rapid decreases followed by slow vegetation regeneration. The training dataset comprised 204 field-verified and desktop-identified samples, accounting for under 0.002% of the research area’s herbaceous E2EM wetlands. The model obtained 97.5% accuracy on an internal test set and was verified at eight separate Chesapeake Bay locations, indicating its promising generality. This work demonstrates the potential of remote sensing and machine learning for scalable, automated monitoring of tidal wetland disturbances to aid in conservation, restoration, and resource management. Full article

Landscape ecology is the study of how different land uses and natural areas are arranged across a region, and how these spatial patterns affect biodiversity, ecosystem health, and human impacts. To measure and track these patterns, ecologists are using a range of tools and metrics that capture features such as connectivity, fragmentation, and the balance between natural and developed land. One such method is the Landscape Mosaic (LM) approach which classifies land into categories based on the mix of agriculture, natural habitats, and developed areas (e.g., urban), providing an integrated view of how humans are influencing ecosystems. Until recently, LM was only available through a specialized software package (i.e., GuidosToolbox), which limits its flexibility, interaction with other tools, and integration in scientific workflows. To address this, we present PyLM, a Python-based implementation of the LM model, making it easier for researchers, planners, and conservationists to analyze land use/cover (LUC) maps, generate statistics, and embed results into broader environmental workflows. The applicability of PyLM is demonstrated through a use case based on a LUC dataset for Switzerland. This new implementation enhances accessibility, supports sustainability assessments, and strengthens the ability to monitor landscapes over time. Full article

Expanded and intensified agriculture is a major driver of habitat loss for endangered species such as the Oriental White Stork (Ciconia boyciana), making wildlife-friendly farming an increasingly important approach for reconciling biodiversity conservation with agricultural development. Building on a 2018 feasibility study in the Sanjiang Plain, this research employs a choice experiment to examine how preferences for Oriental White Stork-friendly farming have evolved among urban consumers and residents of stork habitats under expanding green consumption and increasing experience with environmentally friendly farming. The results reveal pronounced preference heterogeneity and persistent cognitive separation between wildlife conservation and agricultural production, particularly among urban consumers, despite a stable group being willing to pay a premium for stork-friendly products. Rural residents’ decisions remain largely economically driven, though younger farmers with prior experience in environmentally friendly practices show more positive attitudes. Significant urban–rural differences suggest policy complementarities, whereby price-oriented incentives may encourage price-sensitive farmers to adopt green agriculture, while intrinsically motivated farmers require support through an Oriental White Stork-oriented value chain. Overall, the findings demonstrate that Wildlife-Friendly Farming cannot be effectively promoted through a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, stratified, group-specific policy and market mechanisms are essential for aligning producer incentives with consumer demand and supporting the long-term viability of biodiversity-friendly agricultural systems. Full article

Globally, timber production continues to dominate multiple-use forest management despite evidence from many managed landscapes that ecological integrity and biodiversity are not being sustained under that land-use model. This includes Algonquin Park where two centuries of road building, logging, and aggregate mining have contributed to a ~82% (6200 km²) reduction in unlogged, roadless (>1 km from roads) habitat at a mean decline rate of 32 km²/yr. There are at least ~5500 km of roads that fragment Algonquin Park into 732 roadless habitats covering 18% of the Park’s area. Almost 40,000 ha of these habitats are unprotected from logging. Decline of roadless habitat in Algonquin has contributed to the impairment of ecological integrity and decline of at least 34 species across all trophic levels, including at least 17 species-at-risk. Restoring the natural Algonquin Park landscape would result in job losses; however, data suggest that new recreation–tourism and research–education jobs would help to offset these losses. A new agency could build on existing infrastructure to monitor, research, educate about, maintain, and restore biodiversity and recreational resources in the greater Algonquin Park Region, with the park as the central hub. Restoration could be focused on roadless areas as an “integrative” indicator of ecological integrity. Full article

Coral reef ecosystems represent one of the most biodiverse and productive marine habitats, yet they are increasingly threatened by a range of anthropogenic stressors. Among these, emerging contaminants including pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) have started to feature as contaminants of concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and complex interactions within reef environments. This review synthesizes current research on the occurrence, transport pathways, and ecological impacts of emerging contaminants, specifically focusing on PPCPs on coral reef systems. Evidence indicates that compounds such as UV filters, antibiotics, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals can impair coral physiology, disrupt symbiotic relationships with zooxanthellae, and contribute to bleaching events. The review further highlights the variability in coral species’ sensitivity to these contaminants, with documented effects ranging from oxidative stress to reduced growth and reproductive capacity. Despite advances in detection and risk assessment, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding long-term exposure, mixture effects, and the influence of local environmental conditions on contaminant toxicity. By consolidating recent findings, this review underscores the urgent need for targeted research and policy action to mitigate the threat of emerging contaminants to coral reef ecosystems. Full article

The Northwestern Indian Ocean (NWIO) serves as a primary fishing ground for tuna longline fisheries, with bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) constituting the main target species. Investigating their spatiotemporal distribution and relationship with environmental factors is of significant importance for fishery management and fishing. This study analyzed and compared the distribution patterns and environmental preferences of these two species across different depth layers, based on fisheries scientific survey data collected during the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 fishing seasons. Key findings include: The hook rate in 2023/2024 was higher than in 2024/2025, and the hook rate for T. obesus exceeded that of T. albacares. T. obesus were predominantly concentrated within 63° E–69° E and 7° N–9° N, while T. albacares exhibited a broader yet more dispersed distribution range. T. obesus primarily occupied depth layers of 130–140 m (12.20%), 180–190 m (9.76%), and 270–280 m (9.76%). T. albacares were mainly found at 110–120 m (15%), 140–150 m (15%), and 200–210 m (15%). Both species exhibit distinct spatial clustering patterns, and their hotspot distribution areas are, respectively, 63° E–69° E, 5° N–10° N and 64° E–68° E, 0° N–4° N. Correlation analysis revealed significant relationships between T. obesus distribution and latitude, zooplankton abundance, water temperature at various depths, and chlorophyll a concentration. Our research provides reference for understanding the distribution of T. obesus and T. albacares across different water layers and their habitat preferences, laying a scientific foundation for achieving sustainable utilization of both species. Full article