Search Results (348)

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

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

The Millard’s rat (Dacnomys millardi), a threatened murid endemic to Southeast Asian montane rainforests and the sole member of its monotypic genus, faces escalating endangered risks as a Near Threatened species in China’s Biodiversity Red List. This ecologically specialized rodent exhibits diagnostic morphological adaptations—hypertrophied upper molars and cryptic pelage—that underpin niche differentiation in undisturbed tropical/subtropical forests. Despite its evolutionary distinctiveness, the conservation prioritization given to Dacnomys is hindered due to a deficiency of data and unresolved phylogenetic relationships. Here, we integrated morphological analyses with the first complete mitogenome (16,289 bp in size; no structural rearrangements) of D. millardi to validate its phylogenetic placement within the subfamily Murinae and provide novel insights into genetic diversity erosion. Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenies robustly supported Dacnomys as sister to Leopoldamys (PP = 1.0; BS = 100%), with an early Pliocene divergence (~4.8 Mya, 95% HPD: 3.65–5.47 Mya). Additionally, based on its basal phylogenetic position within Murinae, we propose reclassifying Micromys from Rattini to the tribe Micromyini. Codon usage bias analyses revealed pervasive purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1), constraining mitogenome evolution. Genetic diversity analyses showed low genetic variation (CYTB: π = 0.0135 ± 0.0023; COX1: π = 0.0101 ± 0.0025) in fragmented populations. We propose three new insights into this genetic diversity erosion. (1) Evolutionary constraints: genome-wide evolutionary conservation and shallow evolutionary history (~4.8 Mya) limited mutation accumulation. (2) Anthropogenic pressures: deforestation-driven fragmentation of habitats (>20,000 km²/year loss since 2000) has reduced effective population size, exacerbating genetic drift. (3) Ecological specialization: long-term adaptation to stable niches favored genomic optimization over adaptive flexibility. These findings necessitate suitable conservation action by enforcing protection of core habitats to prevent deforestation-driven population collapses and advocating IUCN reclassification of D. millardi from Data Deficient to Near Threatened. Full article

Xylosalsola chiwensis (Popov) Akhani & Roalson is listed in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan as a rare species with a limited distribution, occurring in small populations in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of the ecological conditions of its habitats, the floristic composition of its associated plant communities, the species’ morphological and anatomical characteristics, and its molecular phylogeny, as well as to identify the main threats to its survival. The ecological conditions of the X. chiwensis habitats include coastal sandy plains and the slopes of chinks and denudation plains with gray–brown desert soils and bozyngens on the Mangyshlak Peninsula and the Ustyurt Plateau at altitudes ranging from −3 to 270 m above sea level. The species is capable of surviving in arid conditions (less than 100 mm of annual precipitation) and under extreme temperatures (air temperatures exceeding 45 °C and soil surface temperatures above 65 °C). In X. chiwensis communities, we recorded 53 species of vascular plants. Anthropogenic factors associated with livestock grazing, industrial disturbances, and off-road vehicle traffic along an unregulated network of dirt roads have been identified as contributing to population decline and the potential extinction of the species under conditions of unsustainable land use. The morphometric traits of X. chiwensis could be used for taxonomic analysis and for identifying diagnostic morphological characteristics to distinguish between species of Xylosalsola. The most taxonomically valuable characteristics include the fruit diameter (with wings) and the cone-shaped structure length, as they differ consistently between species and exhibit relatively low variability. Anatomical adaptations to arid conditions were observed, including a well-developed hypodermis, which is indicative of a water-conserving strategy. The moderate photosynthetic activity, reflected by a thinner palisade mesophyll layer, may be associated with reduced photosynthetic intensity, which is compensated for through structural mechanisms for water conservation. The flow cytometry analysis revealed a genome size of 2.483 ± 0.191 pg (2n/4x = 18), and the phylogenetic analysis confirmed the placement of X. chiwensis within the tribe Salsoleae of the subfamily Salsoloideae, supporting its taxonomic distinctness. To support the conservation of this rare species, measures are proposed to expand the area of the Ustyurt Nature Reserve through the establishment of cluster sites. Full article

The use of AI-generated content in education is significantly increasing, but its reliability for teaching natural sciences and, more specifically, biodiversity-related contents still remains understudied. The need to address this question is substantial, considering the relevance that biodiversity conservation has on human sustainability, and the recurrent presence of these topics in the educational curriculum, at least in Spain. The present article tests the existence of biases in some of the most widely used AI tools (ChatGPT-4.5, DeepSeek-V3, Gemini) when asked a relevant and objective research question related to biodiversity. The results revealed both taxonomic and geographic biases in all the lists of endangered species provided by these tools when compared to IUCN Red List data. These imbalances may contribute to the perpetuation of plant blindness, zoocentrism, and Western centrism in classrooms, especially at levels where educators lack specialized training. In summary, the present study highlights the potential harmful impact that AI’s cultural and social biases may have on biodiversity education and Sustainable Development Goals-aligned learning and appeals to an urgent need for model refinement (using scientific datasets) and teacher AI literacy to mitigate misinformation. Full article

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 addresses the issue of historical heritage revitalization using the example of a tavern. The concept presented in this study constitutes an attempt to establish a connection between the community’s tangible historical legacy and the green space that both highlights and reinforces its significance. The Tatary district in Lublin includes areas along Mełgiewska Street, Zadębie III, and the village of Hajdów. It is a residential and industrial district with landmarks such as the Graff Manor and the Krauze Brothers’ Mill. Since the Middle Ages, a crossing existed here at the narrowing of the Bystrzyca River valley, where major communication routes from Lithuania to Łęczna and from Ruthenia to Mełgiew intersected. Located in this area, the Red Inn has one of the oldest culinary traditions in Lublin, dating back to the 16th century. The building is listed in the register of monuments under number A/268. The revitalization of this currently non-operational inn should focus on restoring the building to preserve its original character and historical value while adapting it to modern standards. The inn and its surroundings have been subjected to field analyses on multiple research levels, culminating in a land development project. A key element of the plantings here are native species that support biodiversity. Full article

Precious corals from the Corallidae family (Corallium, Hemicorallium, and Pleurocorallium genera) are well known in the high-end jewelry industry due to their colorful and durable axial skeleton. They exist in various colors from white to pink to dark red. One highly appreciated shade is the light pink color, the so-called ‘angel skin’. This color is most often associated with Pleurocorallium elatius and Pleurocorallium secundum, species listed in CITES Appendix III. However, this has been based on an assumption of their visual similarity and has never been underpinned by detailed morphologic or genetic data. In this study, we present the analysis of an ‘angel skin’ coral necklace of exceptional size and homogeneous color and quality. Visual observation and Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the necklace consists of genuine, untreated precious coral material. Following minimally destructive sampling, respectively, drilling 2.2, 2.4, and 2.4 milligrams of material from the existing drill-holes, three randomly selected beads from the necklace were subject to a routine genetic identification assay, which is based on sequencing a short, taxonomically informative mitochondrial region. This genetic analysis identified the coral material as not from P. elatius or P. secundum but from another Pleurocorallium species. We subsequently sequenced additional mitochondrial DNA fragments from one ‘angel skin’ coral bead and compared them against a well-represented, curated reference data set of Pleurocorallium, including the first-ever sequencing of Pleurocorallium gotoense, Pleurocorallium johnsoni, Pleurocorallium cf. pusillum, and Pleurocorallium uchidai. We concluded that the analyzed material of the ‘angel skin’ coral necklace belongs to the Pleurocorallium norfolkicum species complex but is not identical to any hitherto analyzed and published Pleurocorallium specimens. A comparison with further taxonomically unidentified precious coral colony fragments identified a single sample fished in Vietnam to be completely identical to the ‘angel skin’ coral bead in the studied DNA regions. Thus, by the analysis of a high-end jewel, we discovered a species new to the jewelry trade and potentially also unknown to science. This implies that the currently considered list of species present in the precious coral trade is incomplete. Full article

Tropical trees represent an important potential archive of climate and ecological information, but their dendrochronology based on conventional techniques has been challenging. We conducted a pilot study of the wood anatomy and dendroclimatological potential of Juglans neotropica Diels (Juglandaceae), an IUCN Red List species, using 225 radii sampled from 57 trees in Piura (4°55′ S, 79° 56′ W), northern Peru. A total of 112 radii from 40 trees passed quality control and are included in the tree-ring width chronology for this species. J. neotropica has demonstrably annual rings, and results are consistent with reports that the species has a dormant period during the dry season, which locally is approximately June–November. Local precipitation is correlated (p = 0.10, 1-tailed test) with tree-ring growth, lagged by one year, consistent with other studies of tropical tree species. The age distribution of the sample collection of J. neotropica is young and invariant, probably because of selective cutting by local villagers. To supplement ring-width analysis, we conducted the first oxygen isotopic (δ¹⁸O) and radiocarbon (∆¹⁴C) analysis for this species on radii from two individuals; results are preliminary given sample size limitations, but consistent with dendrochronological dating, within uncertainties, in all three chronometric analyses. A two-sample composite annually-averaged δ¹⁸O anomaly data series is correlated significantly with gridded regional growing season (December–May) precipitation (1973/74–2005/06). Qualitatively consistent with simulation of ring width and δ18O, responses to El Niño events are manifested in positive ring-growth anomalies and negative isotopic anomalies following known event years. The combination of tree-ring, radiocarbon, stable isotopic analyses, and the application of sensor and chronological modeling provides a degree of confidence in the results that would not have been possible by relying on any single approach and indicates the potential for further investigation of this and other tropical tree species with uncertain ring boundaries. Full article

Sophora koreensis Nakai, listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List, is a species native to Korea, specifically found in parts of Gangwon-do. Recent research highlights its potential in hangover relief and as an antioxidant source, sparking interest in enhancing its components through mutation for commercial purposes. Given its limited distribution, micropropagation of S. koreensis is essential for its economic exploitation. This study focuses on in vitro culture to develop an elongation system for micropropagation. The hormonal combination of 6-benzylaminopurine (2 μM), thidiazuron (2 μM), and indole-3-butyric acid (0.5 μM) produced the highest number of shoots (14) with an average length of 0.7 cm compared to the control. Additionally, adjusting photoperiod conditions under specific culture media further increased shoot length to 0.6 cm, which was also higher than that of the corresponding control group under standard light conditions. However, survival rates were generally low across all treatments during subculture. Isolating and individually culturing induced explants resulted in shorter shoots and lower survival rates. Improvements were noted when explants with 10 shoots were subcultured, achieving an 83% survival rate, with an average of 4.93 shoots at 0.95 cm in length. Rooting was most successful with 10 μM IBA, also showing the highest root number, indicating a potential pathway for enhancing micropropagation efficiency. Full article

Mountain ecosystems offer valuable opportunities to study species distribution and diversity along altitudinal gradients, particularly for amphibians. This research examined amphibian species distribution, diversity, and conservation across an elevational gradient in the Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve, part of the Hengduan Mountains in southwestern China. A total of 25 amphibian species, encompassing 8 families and 2 orders, were documented, including three newly recorded species: Fejervarya kawamurai, Polypedates braueri, and Boulenophrys minor. Among these, eight species were designated as “threatened” under IUCN criteria and are listed on China’s Biodiversity Red List. Caijiaba exhibited the highest species diversity, whereas Shuichiping had the lowest. Fourteen species were found in terrestrial-farmland and aquatic-lotic habitats, which supported the greatest species richness. The distribution pattern along the altitudinal gradient showed peaks in species richness at 900–1100 m and 1900–2100 m elevation bands, with higher elevations displaying reduced richness. These findings highlighted the spatial characteristics of amphibian distribution and diversity across altitudinal ranges in the Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve and provide insights for formulating conservation policies and adaptive habitat management strategies. Full article

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

An annotated list of liverworts of the Murmansk Region is compiled based on a critical compilation of publications and label data available in the information system CRIS (L.). It includes 210 species, 2 subspecies and 8 varieties, which is 59 species more than in the list of species published in 1982. Ten taxa were excluded through comparison with the previous list and later publications, due to misidentifications or new taxonomical treatments. Annotations for each species include the synonyms under which they were listed for the region; the category of threat in the Red Data Books of Europe, Russia and the Murmansk Region; links to the most representative publications on occurrence in each of nine accepted biogeographic provinces of the region; and at least one specimen number of the KPABG or INEP herbaria in the case of the absence of published data. In total, we provide 259 new records for different provinces based on herbaria KPABG (205 records) and INEP (52 records). Additionally, there are links to publications on the nucleotide sequence data of 149 specimens obtained for 82 species and for 1 variety from the Murmansk Region, including 14 specimens (11 species), published here for the first time. Species threatened in Europe, Russia and the Murmansk Region are discussed and future perspectives of liverwort study in the Murmansk Region are outlined. Full article

The Mediterranean trout (currently referred to as Salmo ghigii for Corsican and Italian-native populations) is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List, due to fragmented distribution and declining populations across its whole range, and is included in Annex II of the European Habitat Directive. The widespread genome introgression from the invasive Atlantic trout (Salmo trutta), overexploitation, and habitat alterations represent major threats to the persistence of native populations. The LIFE18NAT/IT/000931 STREAMS project aims to enhance conservation status of Mediterranean trout in 6 Italian pilot areas (Maiella, Sibillini Mountains, Casentino Forests and Pollino National Parks, Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Park, and Sardinia with five sites of the Natura 2000 Network), and in 19 transferability areas covering almost the whole Italian species range. To achieve this, the following conservation strategies were implemented: (i) the identification of residual native populations; (ii) eradication of entirely Atlantic-exotic populations and removal of hybrids in admixed populations; (iii) restocking/reintroduction of native populations; (iv) monitoring/improving the Mediterranean trout habitats quality; (v) production of the “Guidelines for the conservation and management of native Mediterranean trout and its habitat”; and (vi) the prevention of illegal stocking. Here, we present the project rationale, major outcomes on demographic and genetic characterization of wild populations, and summary results from conservation actions. Full article

The loss of plant species, especially endangered and endemic ones, poses a significant threat to global biodiversity. These species cannot easily be replaced when their populations decline or become extinct, which makes their loss particularly devastating. This study focuses on the geobotanical study of nine Rosaceae species (Cotoneaster karatavicus, Crataegus ambigua, Malus niedzwetzkyana, Malus sieversii, Prunus tenella, Prunus ulmifolia, Sibiraea laevigata, Sorbus persica, and Spiraeanthus schrenkianus) and the development of ex situ approaches for the conservation of Rosaceae species listed in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. The geobotanical study revealed an alarming trend of biodiversity loss in five regions of Kazakhstan. This loss is driven by threats from diseases and pests, as well as the aging of plants, small population sizes, weak in situ fruiting, and other factors, such as climate change. We have established an in vitro collection for the short- and medium-term conservation of seeds, embryos and shoots taken either directly from field-grown plants or from budwood cuttings forced indoors. We also use long-term sexual conservation methods, such as the cryopreservation of seed and embryonic axes, alongside conventional seed banking at −20 °C. Ex situ conservation efforts that use multiple propagules and storage methods for the same species are well-suited to a diverse genebank facility. These efforts enable future generations to use this valuable reservoir of genetic diversity for crop improvement and may also serve as a basis for propagating planting material to restore degraded populations. Full article