Search Results (4,094)

Human-Wildlife conflict (HWC) presents a growing challenge for wildlife conservation, especially as species recover and reoccupy human-dominated landscapes, creating tensions between ecological goals and local livelihoods. Such conflicts are increasingly reported across Europe, including Romania, involving semi-aquatic species like the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber L.) and Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra L.). Enhancing coexistence with wildlife through the integration of conflict mapping, stakeholder engagement, and spatial analysis into conservation planning is therefore essential for ensuring the long-term protection of conflict species. A mixed-methods approach was used, including structured surveys among stakeholders, standardized damage report collection from institutions, and expert field assessments of species activity. The results indicate that while most respondents recognize the legal protection of both species, a minority have experienced direct conflict, primarily with beavers through flooding and crop damage. Tolerance varied markedly among demographic groups: researchers and environmental agency staff were most accepting, whereas farmers and fish farm owners were the least accepting; respondents with no personal damage experience and those with university or post-secondary education also displayed significantly higher acceptance toward both species. Institutional reports confirmed multiple beaver-related damage sites, and through field validation, conflict forecast zones with spatial clustering in Harghita, Brașov, Covasna, and Sibiu counties were developed. These findings underscore the importance of conflict forecasting maps, understanding the coexistence dynamics and drivers of acceptance, and the need to maintain high acceptance levels toward the studied species. The developed maps can serve as a basis for targeted interventions, helping to balance ecological benefits with socioeconomic concerns. Full article

Euterpe precatoria Mart. is an increasingly important palm for subsistence and income generation in central and western Amazonia with growing demand for its fruit pulp, which is an alternative source of açaí juice for domestic and international markets. This study synthesizes current knowledge on its systematics, ecology, fruit production in natural populations, fruit quality, uses, population management, and related areas, identifying critical research gaps. A systematic literature survey was conducted across databases including Web of Science, Scopus, Scielo, CAPES, and Embrapa. Of 1568 studies referencing Euterpe, 273 focused on E. precatoria, with 90 addressing priority themes. Genetic diversity studies suggest the E. precatoria may represent a complex of species. Its population abundance varies across habitats: the highest variability occurs in terra firme, followed by baixios and várzeas. Várzeas exhibit greater productivity potential, with more bunches per plant and higher fruit weight than baixios; no production data exist for terra firme. Additionally, E. precatoria has higher anthocyanin content than E. oleracea, the primary commercial açaí species. Management of natural populations and cultivation practices are essential for sustainable production; however, studies in these fields are still limited. The information is crucial to inform strategies aiming to promote the sustainable production of the species. Full article

Pimelea is one of the highly toxic plants in Australia, particularly affecting cattle. It contains simplexin, a potent toxin that can cause Pimelea poisoning (St. George Disease) in livestock. A survey was conducted to assess the current impact of Pimelea on livestock production, pasture systems, and financial losses among agricultural producers. In addition, information was also sought about the environmental conditions that facilitate its growth and the effectiveness of existing management strategies. The survey responses were obtained from producers affected by Pimelea across nine different Local Government Areas, through three States, viz., Queensland, New South Wales, and South Australia. Pimelea was reported to significantly affect animal production, with 97% of producers surveyed acknowledging its detrimental effects. Among livestock, cattle were the most severely affected (94%), when compared to sheep (13%), goats (3%), and horses (3%). The presence of Pimelea was mostly observed in spring (65%) and winter (48%), although 29% of respondents indicated that it could be present all year-round under favorable rainfall conditions. Germination was associated with light to moderate rainfall (52%), while only 24% linked it to heavy rainfall. Pimelea simplex F. Muell. was the most frequently encountered species (71%), followed by Pimelea trichostachya Lindl. (26%). Infestations were reported to occur annually by 47% of producers, with 41% noting occurrences every 2 to 5 years. Financially, producers estimated average annual losses of AUD 67,000, with 50% reporting an average of 26 cattle deaths per year, reaching up to 105 deaths in severe years. Some producers were spending up to AUD 2100 per annum to manage Pimelea. While chemical and physical controls were commonly employed, integrating competitive pastures and alternative livestock, such as sheep and goats, was considered as a potential management strategy. This study reiterates the need for further research on sustainable pasture management practices to reduce Pimelea-related risks to livestock and agricultural production systems. Full article

Forest volume is an important information for assessing the economic value and carbon sequestration capacity of forest resources and serves as a key indicator for energy flow and biodiversity. Although remote sensing technology is applied to estimate volume, optical remote sensing data have limitations in capturing forest vertical height information and may suffer from reflectance saturation. While LiDAR data can provide more detailed vertical structural information, they come with high processing costs and limited observation range. Therefore, improving the accuracy of volume estimation through multi-source data fusion has become a crucial challenge and research focus in the field of forest remote sensing. In this study, we integrated Sentinel-2 multispectral data, Resource-3 stereoscopic imagery, UAV-based LiDAR data, and field survey data to quantitatively estimate the forest volume in Saihanwula Nature Reserve, located in Inner Mongolia, China, on the southern part of Daxing’anling Mountains. The study evaluated the performance of multi-source remote sensing features by using recursive feature elimination (RFE) to select the most relevant factors and applied four machine learning models—multiple linear regression (MLR), k-nearest neighbors (kNN), random forest (RF), and gradient boosting regression tree (GBRT)—to develop volume estimation models. The evaluation metrics include the coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), and relative root mean square error (rRMSE). The results show that (1) forest Canopy Height Model (CHM) data were strongly correlated with forest volume, helping to alleviate the reflectance saturation issues inherent in spectral texture data. The fusion of CHM and spectral data resulted in an improved volume estimation model with R² = 0.75 and RMSE = 8.16 m³/hm², highlighting the importance of integrating multi-source canopy height information for more accurate volume estimation. (2) Volume estimation accuracy varied across different tree species. For Betula platyphylla, we obtained R² = 0.71 and RMSE = 6.96 m³/hm²; for Quercus mongolica, R² = 0.74 and RMSE = 6.90 m³/hm²; and for Populus davidiana, R² = 0.51 and RMSE = 9.29 m³/hm². The total forest volume in the Saihanwula Reserve ranges from 50 to 110 m³/hm². (3) Among the four machine learning models, GBRT consistently outperformed others in all evaluation metrics, achieving the highest R² of 0.86, lowest RMSE of 9.69 m³/hm², and lowest rRMSE of 24.57%, suggesting its potential for forest biomass estimation. In conclusion, accurate estimation of forest volume is critical for evaluating forest management practices and timber resources. While this integrated approach shows promise, its operational application requires further external validation and uncertainty analysis to support policy-relevant decisions. The integration of multi-source remote sensing data provides valuable support for forest resource accounting, economic value assessment, and monitoring dynamic changes in forest ecosystems. Full article

In the face of growing demand for food and climate change, ensuring the stability and height of crop yields is becoming a key challenge for modern agriculture. One of the solutions supporting the sustainable development of crop production is the use of certified seed. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of using certified seed on the level and stability of yields of three cereal species: winter wheat, winter triticale and spring barley, in temperate climate conditions. Data came from surveys conducted on over 8000 farms in six agroecoregions of Poland in 2021–2023. The analysis showed significantly higher yields on farms using certified seed for all species studied. Additionally, greater yield stability (lower values of Shukla variance and Wricke ecovalence) was noted in the case of using certified seeds, especially in region IV. This indicates the positive impact of certified seeds (e.g., genetic purity, health, and vigor) on the efficiency and resilience of agricultural systems. This phenomenon is of particular importance in the context of climate change and may be an important element of risk management strategies in agriculture. Full article

Bare land exposed by glacier retreat provides new opportunities for ecosystem development. Investigating primary vegetation succession in deglaciated regions can provide significant insights for ecological restoration, particularly for future climate change scenarios. Nonetheless, research on this topic in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has been exceedingly limited. This study aimed to investigate vegetation succession in the deglaciated area of the Zepu glacier during the Little Ice Age in southeastern Tibet. Quadrat surveys were performed on arboreal communities, and trends in vegetation change were assessed utilizing multi-year (1986–2024) remote sensing data. The findings indicate that vegetation succession in the Zepu glacier deglaciated area typically adheres to a sequence of bare land–shrub–tree, divided into four stages: (1) shrub (species include Larix griffithii Mast., Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis Rousi, Betula utilis D. Don, and Populus pseudoglauca C. Wang & P. Y. Fu); (2) broadleaf forest primarily dominated by Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis Rousi; (3) mixed coniferous–broadleaf forest with Hippophae rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis Rousi and Populus pseudoglauca C. Wang & P. Y. Fu as the dominant species; and (4) mixed coniferous–broadleaf forest dominated by Picea likiangensis (Franch.) E. Pritz. Soil depth and NDVI both increase with succession. Species diversity is significantly higher in the third stage compared to other successional stages. In addition, soil moisture content is significantly greater in the broadleaf-dominated communities than in the conifer-dominated communities. An analysis of NDVI from 1986 to 2024 reveals an overall positive trend in vegetation recovery in the area, with 93% of the area showing significant vegetation increase. Temperature is the primary controlling factor for this recovery, showing a positive correlation with vegetation cover. The results indicate that Key ecological indicators—including species composition, diversity, NDVI, soil depth, and soil moisture content—exhibit stage-specific patterns, reflecting distinct phases of primary succession. These findings enhance our comprehension of vegetation succession in deglaciated areas and their influencing factors in deglaciated areas, providing theoretical support for vegetation restoration in climate change. Full article

The bamboo carpenter bee, Xylocopa (Biluna) tranquebarorum tranquebarorum, is native to continental China and Taiwan, and the species invaded Japan around 2006. The bee utilizes bamboo culm for its nesting and hibernation, thereby causing structural damage to bamboo fencing and sting injuries to humans. Serious economic and ecological impacts were not expected in the early stage of its invasion. However, its distribution is rapidly expanding in Japan, and thus, its potential impacts need to be evaluated. Since the basic biology of the bee has not been examined in detail, even in its natural range, we examined the basic biology of X. t. tranquebarorum in its invasive range by evaluating its nesting preference and hibernation in several bamboo species collections in Kyoto, Japan. The field survey revealed that the bee prefers dead bamboo internodes with approximately16–28 mm of external diameter, which is well-congruent with previous studies, and does not have strict preference concerning the bamboo species, though the bee prefers Bambusa multiplex and Phyllostachys spp. in its native range. The hibernating bees in the culm sometimes share their nests with other invertebrates, including Anterhynchium gibbifrons, Dinoderus japonicus, Crematogaster matsumurai, unidentified spiders, shield bugs, and lepidopteran larvae. Within these co-habitants, the former two possibly negatively affect nesting and hibernation of the bees. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive inventory of bryophytes in Serra dos Órgãos National Park (PARNASO), aiming to evaluate species richness, floristic composition and threatened taxa. Despite the state of Rio de Janeiro being one of the most extensively sampled regions for bryophytes in Brazil, detailed surveys of its conservation units remain scarce. Data were obtained through bibliographic review, herbarium specimen analysis, and new field collections. A total of 504 species were recorded, belonging to 202 genera and 76 families. The park harbors three locally endemic species, eight endemic to Rio de Janeiro, and sixty-nine species endemic to Brazil. Additionally, eleven species were identified as threatened, comprising seven Endangered (EN), two Critically Endangered (CR), and two Vulnerable (VU) according to the IUCN guidelines. PARNASO includes four distinct ecosystems along an altitudinal gradient: sub-montane forest (up to 500 m), montane forest (500–1500 m), upper-montane forest (1500–2000 m), and high-altitude fields (above 2000 m). Montane Forest showed the highest species richness, followed by high-altitude fields, upper-montane forest, and sub-montane forest. The findings highlight PARNASO’s importance in preserving bryophyte diversity in a highly diverse yet understudied region. This work contributes valuable baseline data to support conservation strategies and future ecological studies in Atlantic Forest remnants. Full article

Macroalgae (seaweeds) produce unique bioactive metabolites that have enabled their survival for millions of years, offering significant potential for human benefits. In the Israeli Mediterranean Sea, no comprehensive systematic surveys of seaweeds have been published since the 1990s, and their chemical composition remains largely unexplored. This study presents an extensive survey of intertidal seaweed communities along the shallow Israeli coastline, documenting their spatial, temporal, and biochemical diversity. Of the 320 specimens collected, 55 seaweed species were identified: 29 red (Rhodophyta), 14 brown (Phaeophyceae), and 12 green (Chlorophyta). A significant shift in species abundance was documented, with a single dominant annual bloom occurring during spring, unlike previously reported biannual blooms. Chemical analysis of the dominant species revealed significant seasonal variations in compound levels, with higher protein content in winter and increased antioxidant capacity during spring. Phenolic and natural sunscreen compounds (mycosporine-like amino acids, MAAs) showed no general seasonal trend. These findings highlight the optimal environmental conditions for seaweed growth and underscore their potential for aquaculture and biotechnology. We hypothesize that the ecologically unique conditions of the Israeli Mediterranean Sea may foster resilient seaweed species enriched with distinctive chemical properties, suitable for nutritional, health, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical applications, particularly as climate-adaptive bioresources. Full article

Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) is a vegetatively propagated crop of high economic and cultural value, potentially affected by viral infections that may impact its productivity. Despite Iran’s dominance in global saffron production, knowledge of its virome remains limited. In this study, we conducted the first nationwide virome survey of saffron in Iran employing a high-throughput sequencing (HTS) approach on pooled samples obtained from eleven provinces in Iran and one location in Afghanistan. Members of three virus families were detected—Potyviridae (Potyvirus), Solemoviridae (Polerovirus), and Geminiviridae (Mastrevirus)—as well as one satellite from the family Alphasatellitidae (Clecrusatellite). A novel Potyvirus, tentatively named saffron Iran virus (SaIRV) and detected in three provinces, shares less than 68% nucleotide identity with known Potyvirus species, thus meeting the ICTV criteria for designation as a new species. Genetic diversity analyses revealed substantial intrapopulation SNP variation but no clear geographical clustering. Among the two wild Crocus species sampled, only Crocus speciosus harbored turnip mosaic virus. Virome network and phylogenetic analyses confirmed widespread viral circulation likely driven by corm-mediated propagation. Our findings highlight the need for targeted certification programs and biological characterization of key viruses to mitigate potential impacts on saffron yield and quality. Full article

Effective species identification is crucial for the conservation and management of marine mammals, particularly in regions such as the Mediterranean Sea, where several cetacean populations are endangered or vulnerable. In this study, we developed and validated a High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis protocol for the rapid, cost-effective, and reliable identification of the four representative marine cetacean species that occur in the Mediterranean Sea: the bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus), the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus), and the fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Species-specific primers targeting mitochondrial DNA regions (cytochrome b and D-loop) were designed to generate distinct melting profiles. The protocol was tested on both tissue and fecal samples, demonstrating high sensitivity, reproducibility, and discrimination power. The results confirmed the robustness of the method, with melting curve profiles clearly distinguishing the target species and achieving a success rate > 95% in identifying unknown samples. The use of HRM offers several advantages over traditional sequencing methods, including reduced cost, speed, portability, and suitability for degraded samples, such as those from the stranded individuals. This approach provides a valuable tool for non-invasive genetic surveys and real-time species monitoring, contributing to more effective conservation strategies for cetaceans and enforcement of regulations against illegal trade. Full article

Urban wildlife conservation is emerging as a critical component of sustainable city ecosystems. Rather than simply increasing tree abundance or species richness, conservation management should focus on key species. In this research, Xishan Forest Park in Beijing was chosen as a case study. Our aim was to identify keystone taxa critical for avian foraging and nesting during the breeding season. We performed a network analysis linking bird species, their diets, and nest plants. Dietary components were detected using DNA metabarcoding conducted with avian fecal samples. Nest plants were identified via transect surveys. Two indices of the network, degree and weighted mean degree, were calculated to evaluate the importance of the dietary and nest plant species. We identified 13 bird host species from 107 fecal samples and 14 bird species from 107 nest observations. Based on the degree indices, fruit trees Morus and Prunus were detected as key food sources, exhibiting both the highest degree (degree = 9, 9) and weighted mean degree (lnwMD = 5.21, 4.63). Robinia pseudoacacia provided predominant nesting sites, with a predominant degree of 7. A few taxa, such as Styphnolobium japonicum and Rhamnus parvifolia, served dual ecological significance as both essential food sources and nesting substrates. Scrublands, as a unique habitat type, provided nesting sites and food for small-bodied birds. Therefore, targeted management interventions are recommended to sustain or enhance these keystone resource species and to maintain the multi-layered vertical vegetation structure to preserve the diverse habitats of birds. Full article

A total of 32 fish species were detected in Xinglin Bay using a combination of environmental DNA metabarcoding (eDNA) and traditional morphological survey methods (TSM), covering eight orders, fifteen families, and twenty-six genera. The dominant order was Perciformes, accounting for 43.75% of the total species. Among the identified species, there were ten non-native fish species. Compared with the TSM, the eDNA detected 13 additional fish species, including two additional non-native fish species—Gambusia affinis (Baird and Girard, 1853) and Micropterus salmoides (Lacepède, 1802). In addition, the relative abundance of fish from both methods revealed that tilapia was overwhelmingly dominant, accounting for 80.75% and 75.68%, respectively. Furthermore, the AS-ISK assessment revealed that all non-native fish species were classified as medium or high-risk, with five identified as high-risk species, four of which belong to tilapia. These findings demonstrated that tilapia are the dominant and high-risk invasive species in Xinglin Bay and should be prioritized for management. Population reduction through targeted harvesting of tilapia is recommended as the primary control strategy. Additionally, the study highlights the effectiveness of eDNA in monitoring fish community structure in brackish ecosystems. Full article

Amaranthus is appointed as a common weed associated with crops. The research was designed to survey the Amaranth existence pattern throughout the Fayoum Depression, Egypt, accompanied with a community vegetation analysis. The study was extended to collect and analyze associated soil samples. The obtained results figured out the prevalence of dicot families, herb growth forms, therophyte followed by phanerophyte life forms, the Pantropical monoregional chorotype, and the Mediterranean and Sudano-Zambezian followed by the Irano-Turanian pluri-regional chorotype. Multilevel pattern analysis stated that Gossypium barbadense, Corchorus olitorius, Sorghum bicolor, Sesamum indicum, and Zea mays are indicator species most related to Amaranth occurrence and prediction. NMDS analysis denoting that the Ibshaway, Youssef Al Seddik, Itsa, and Fayoum districts are the most representative districts for Amaranth existence on the basis of edaphic resources. Itsa and Youssef Al Seddik, in addition to Itsa and Fayoum, resemble each other in species composition. High pH and CaCO₃ percentages were discriminatory in Ibshaway, Itsa, and Youssef Al Seddik. Ni was the cornerstone for districts partitioning in pruned trees. Finally, Amaranth was flourishing in both comfortable and harsh habitats with cultivated crops and orchards, as well as on the outskirts. The findings are considered to be valorized by decision makers in arable land management. Full article

True slime molds (Eumycetozoa) remain under-explored globally, particularly in water-logged forest habitats. Despite evidence suggesting a high biodiversity potential in the Knyszyn Forest of north-eastern Poland, no systematic effort had previously been undertaken there. In the present survey, plant substrates from eight swampy sub-compartments were incubated for over four months, resulting in the detection of fifteen slime mold species. Four of these taxa are newly reported for northern and north-eastern Poland, while several have been recorded only a handful of times in the global literature. These findings underscore how damp, nutrient-rich conditions foster Eumycetozoa and demonstrate the effectiveness of moist-chamber culturing in revealing rare or overlooked taxa. Current evidence shows that, although slime molds may occasionally colonize living plant or fungal tissues, their influence on crop productivity and tree vitality is negligible; they are therefore better regarded as biodiversity indicators than as pathogens or pests. By establishing a replicable framework for studying water-logged environments worldwide, this work highlights the ecological importance of swamp forests in sustaining microbial and slime mold diversity. Full article