Search Results (125)

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

Habitat fragmentation restricts the movement of large mammals across broad landscapes, leading to isolation of individuals or groups, reduced interaction with other species, and limited access to vital resources in surrounding habitats. In this study, we aimed to determine the wildlife ecological corridors for five large mammals (Ursus arctos, Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus, Sus scrofa, and Canis lupus) between Kastamonu Ilgaz Mountain Wildlife Refuge and Gavurdağı Wildlife Refuge. In the field studies, we used the transect, indirect observation, and camera-trap methods to collect presence data. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) (v. 3.4.1) software was used to create habitat suitability models of the target species, which are based on the presence-only data approach. The results indicated that AUC values varied between 0.808 and 0.835, with water sources, stand type, and slope contributing most significantly to model performance. In order to determine wildlife ecological corridors, resistance surface maps were created using the species distribution models (SDMs), and bottleneck areas were determined. The Circuit Theory approach was used to model the connections between ecological corridors. As a result of this study, we developed connectivity models for five large mammals based on Circuit Theory, identified priority wildlife ecological corridors, and evaluated critical connection points between two protected areas, Ilgaz Mountain Wildlife Refuge and Gavurdağı Wildlife Refuge. These findings highlight the essential role of ecological corridors in sustaining landscape-level connectivity and supporting the long-term conservation of wide-ranging species. Full article

Projections indicate that the global urban population is anticipated to reach 67.2% by 2050, accompanied by a threefold increase in urban built-up areas worldwide. Urbanization has profoundly transformed Earth’s natural environment, notably characterized by the drastic reduction and fragmentation of wildlife habitats. These changes contribute to local species extinction, leading to biodiversity loss and profoundly impacting ecological processes and regional sustainable development. However, within urban settings, certain ‘generalist’ species demonstrate survival capabilities contingent upon phenotypic plasticity. The co-evolution of gut microbiota with their hosts emerges as a key driver of this phenotypic plasticity. The presence of diverse gut microbiota constitutes a crucial adaptive mechanism essential for enabling hosts to adjust to rapid environmental shifts. This review comprehensively explores amniote gut microbial changes in the context of urbanization, examining potential drivers of these changes (including diet and environmental pollutants) and their potential consequences for host health (such as physiology, metabolism, immune function, and susceptibility to infectious and non-infectious diseases). Ultimately, the implications of the gut microbiome are highlighted for elucidating key issues in ecology and evolution. This understanding is expected to enhance our comprehension of species adaptation in the Anthropocene. Full article

National parks serve as critical spatial units for conserving ecological baselines, maintaining genetic diversity, and delivering essential ecosystem services. However, accelerating socio-economic development has increasingly intensified the conflict between ecological protection and transportation infrastructure. Ecologically sustainable transportation planning is, therefore, essential to mitigate habitat fragmentation, facilitate species migration, and conserve biodiversity. This study examines the Giant Panda National Park and its buffer zone, focusing on six mammal species: giant panda, Sichuan snub-nosed monkey, leopard cat, forest musk deer, rock squirrel, and Sichuan takin. By integrating Maxent ecological niche modeling with circuit theory, it identified ecological source areas and potential corridors, and employed a two-step screening approach to design species-specific wildlife crossings. In total, 39 vegetated overpasses were proposed to serve all target species; 34 underpasses were integrated using existing bridge and culvert structures to minimize construction costs; and 27 canopy bridges, incorporating suspension cables and elevated pathways, were designed to connect forest canopies for arboreal species. This study established a multi-species and multi-scale conservation framework, providing both theoretical insights and practical strategies for ecologically integrated transportation planning in national parks, contributing to the synergy between biodiversity conservation and sustainable development goals. Full article

Farmers face increasing pressure to maintain vital populations of the critically endangered field hamster (Cricetus cricetus) while managing crop damage caused by field mice. This challenge is linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 and 15, addressing food security and biodiversity. Consequently, the reliable detection of hamster activity in agricultural fields is essential. While remote sensing offers potential for wildlife monitoring, commonly used RGB imagery has limitations in detecting small burrow entrances in vegetated areas. This study investigates the potential of drone-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data for identifying field hamster burrow entrances in agricultural landscapes. A geostatistical method was developed to detect local elevation minima as indicators of burrow openings. The analysis used four datasets captured at varying flight altitudes and spatial resolutions. The method successfully detected up to 20 out of 23 known burrow entrances and achieved an F1-score of 0.83 for the best-performing dataset. Detection was most accurate at flight altitudes of 30 m or lower, with performance decreasing at higher altitudes due to reduced point density. These findings demonstrate the potential of UAV-based LiDAR to support non-invasive species monitoring and habitat management in agricultural systems, contributing to sustainable conservation practices in line with the SDGs. Full article

Urban vacant land can provide important habitat for birds, especially in cities with high concentrations of residential vacancy. Understanding which vegetation features best support urban biodiversity can inform greening strategies that benefit both wildlife and residents. This study addressed two questions: (1) How does bird species composition reflect the potential conservation value of these neighborhoods? (2) Which vegetation structures predict bird abundance across a fine-grained urban landscape? To answer these questions, we conducted avian and vegetation surveys across 100 one-hectare plots in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. These surveys showed that species richness was positively associated with canopy cover (β = 0.32, p = 0.003). Canopy cover was also the strongest predictor of American Robin (Turdus migratorius) and Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) abundance (β = 1.9 for both species). In contrast, impervious surfaces and abandoned buildings were associated with generalist species. European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) abundance was strongly and positively correlated with NMS Axis 1 (r = 0.878), while Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) abundance was negatively correlated (r = −0.728). These findings underscore the significance of strategic habitat management in promoting urban biodiversity and addressing ecological challenges within urban landscapes. They also emphasize the importance of integrating biodiversity goals into urban planning policies to ensure sustainable and equitable development. Full article

After decades of calls for more sustainable land use systems, there is still a lack of consensus on an appropriate way forward, especially for tropical and subtropical agroecosystems. Land Maxing utilises appropriate, community-based interventions to fortify and maximise the multiple, long-term benefits and interest flows from investments that rebuild all six essential capitals of sustainable development (natural, social, human, physical, financial and political/corporate will) for resource-poor smallholder communities in tropical and subtropical countries. Land Maxing adds domestication of overlooked indigenous food tree species, and the commercialization of their marketable products, to existing land restoration efforts while empowering local communities, enhancing food sovereignty, and boosting the local economy and overall production. These agroecological and socio-economic interventions sustainably restore and intensify subsistence agriculture replacing conventional negative trade-offs with fortifying ‘trade-ons’. Land Maxing is therefore productive, regenerative, remunerative and transformative for farming communities in the tropics and sub-tropics. Through the development of resilience at all levels, Land Maxing uniquely addresses the big global issues of environmental degradation, hunger, malnutrition, poverty and social injustice, while mitigating climate change and restoring wildlife habitats. This buffers subsistence farming from population growth and poor international governance. The Tropical Agricultural Association International is currently planning a programme to up-scale and out-scale Land Maxing in Africa. Full article

Monitoring waterfowl populations is essential for informing habitat management, conservation strategies, and sustainable harvest regulations. Many target species such as mallards and northern pintails are keystone components of wetland ecosystems, serving as ecological indicators due to their sensitivity to environmental changes. The integration of drone technology and artificial intelligence (AI) is significantly transforming the field of wildlife conservation and habitat monitoring. Existing methods for waterfowl monitoring face critical challenges such as low accuracy in identifying overlapping image regions and limited segmentation accuracy in complex habitats. To address these issues, this paper presents an end-to-end system and several new methods for efficiently and accurately identifying waterfowl populations in their natural habitats using AI and drone imagery. We applied advanced deep learning models to drone imagery for detecting and counting waterfowl. To handle overlapping regions in consecutive images, we developed a bird-location-based method that quickly and accurately identifies overlaps. For habitat segmentation, we proposed an effective approach combining Meta’s Segment Anything Model (SAM) with a ResNet50 classifier. Additionally, we used ChatGPT to generate clear, easy-to-read reports summarizing detection results. Experimental results show that our bird detection model (Faster R-CNN) achieved 86.57% mAP, our habitat segmentation method reached 85.1% accuracy (average F1 score: 81.8%), and our overlap detection method maintained an error rate below 5% with faster performance compared to traditional techniques. These outcomes highlight the practical effectiveness of our integrated pipeline for wildlife conservation and habitat monitoring. Full article

Background: Disruptions in the mesh of the ecosystem come with implications that severely harm the sustainability and the equilibrium of life. Interactions of humans, animals, and many other organisms, along with the whole ecological complex, have given birth to zoonotic diseases, which can vary in type and burden. Collaborative efforts put into the prioritization of environmental, animal, and human health are envisioned as “One Health”. Understanding vector ecology and the varying mechanistic ways of transmission is crucial for constructing effective One Health surveillance tools and warning systems. Methods: We identified the literature available concerning the subject matter. We utilized scholarly databases to gather research for the last 10 years using predefined keywords. Objectives: This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the interconnection between climate discrepancies, ecological alarms, and the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. We attempted to provide recommendations for future research and policy interventions. Results: Human activities have significantly impacted disease-carrying vectors and wildlife habitats, aiding their proliferation and the spillover of diseases. Global frameworks incorporating One Health principles enhance global preparedness for future health threats. Applying the integrated One Health Surveillance has strengthened early warning systems. Interdisciplinary collaborations and tools like OH-EpiCap, a comprehensive tool that assesses and enhances the capacities of One Health surveillance systems, have significantly contributed to responding to infectious disease outbreaks, as seen in the Netherlands, reducing the risk of tick-borne diseases. Conclusions: Strides have been made with comprehensive processes that identify and prioritize zoonotic diseases of most significant concern and burden, such as OHZDP, approaches like One Health, and other theories considered. A proactive and integrated approach will build resilience against potential outbreaks and ensure a healthier future for our planet and its inhabitants. Full article

Forest ecosystems deliver ecosystem services (ESs) that are essential for the well-being of local communities. These services necessitate a clear understanding of their perception among community members in order to facilitate informed and sustainable forest management decisions. This study aimed to explore the relationship between forest ESs and local communities by identifying community preferences for key ESs and examining how socio-economic factors influence this perception. Data was collected through participatory methods, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and a household survey involving 453 respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression. We identified firewood, rainfall attraction, air quality, and wildlife habitat as the most acknowledged services in their respective ES categories. Land ownership, education level, Community Forest Association membership, and labor migration significantly influenced service recognition. These findings highlight critical areas for intervention, including livelihood enhancement, cultural heritage preservation, and improved community outreach programs. The outcomes of this research are expected to contribute to the sustainable management of forest ecosystems. Full article

Urban biodiversity is essential for sustainable cities, as it helps address the challenges of environmental degradation, ecosystem loss, species decline, and increased vulnerability to climate hazards, which negatively affect human health and well-being. ECOLOPES (ECOlogical building enveloPES) aims to develop a design approach for multi-species as stakeholders to achieve regenerative urban ecosystems. Integrating the diverse data required for stakeholders and beyond—spanning the life sciences, geography, and architecture—and utilising it for design presents a significant challenge. This paper introduces an ontology-driven approach that utilises ontology-based data management (OBDM) as a framework for integrating diverse data sources, enabling ecologists and architects to design sites and buildings that foster urban biodiversity. OBDM offers a unified view of multiple data sources through an ontology, enabling query and update operations to be performed directly on the integrated data. The proposed ontology, developed in collaboration with domain experts and adhering to Semantic Web and Linked Data best practices, serves as a mediator between life sciences data (e.g., species distribution and habitats) and geometric information (e.g., maps and voxel models of building structures). This integration enables the adaptation of sites, buildings, and geometries, respectively, to create habitats that attract and support urban wildlife, contributing to ecological sustainability. The paper illustrates the practical utility of the ontology through a case study, highlighting its role in guiding building designs that promote species attractiveness and urban biodiversity. Full article

Vegetation changes in savanna ecosystems are playing an increasingly important role in shaping tick populations and the spread of tick-borne diseases, with consequences for both wildlife and livestock health. This study examines how factors such as climate variability, land use, vegetation structures, and host availability influence tick survival, distribution, and behavior. As grasslands degrade and woody plants become more dominant, ticks are finding more suitable habitats, often supported by microclimatic conditions that favor their development. At the same time, increased contact between domestic and wild animals is facilitating the transmission of pathogens. This review highlights how seasonal patterns, fire regimes, grazing pressure, and climate change are driving shifts in tick activity and expanding their geographical range. These changes increase the risk of disease for animals and humans alike. Addressing these challenges calls for integrated management strategies that include vegetation control, host population monitoring, and sustainable vector control methods. A holistic approach that connects ecological, animal, and human health perspectives is essential for effective disease prevention and long-term ecosystem management. Full article

Forest edges, which serve as transition zones between forests and adjacent land cover types, are essential for providing wildlife habitats and delivering a range of ecosystem services, including cultural benefits such as recreation and welfare for people. This study evaluates the economic value of these cultural ecosystem services (CESs) in Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. Despite increasing development pressures driven by urban expansion, the social and ecological significance of forest edges remains underexplored. By applying travel cost and medical expense substitution methods, this study estimates the economic value of cultural ecosystem services, specifically forest recreation, at approximately KRW 65 billion, and the forest healing function at around KRW 896.5 billion across Gyeonggi-do. These results highlight the need for balanced planning and development regulations to safeguard forest edges and sustain their contributions to public health and well-being. By revealing the hidden social value of these cultural ecosystem services, this study aims to guide policies that promote sustainable land use and improve the quality of life for residents in rapidly urbanizing areas. Full article

Elephants exhibit remarkable cognitive and social abilities, which are integral to their navigation, resource acquisition, and responses to environmental challenges such as climate change and human–wildlife conflict. Their capacity to acquire, recall, and utilise spatial information enables them to traverse large, fragmented landscapes, locate essential resources, and mitigate risks. While older elephants, particularly matriarchs, are often regarded as repositories of ecological knowledge, the mechanisms by which younger individuals acquire this information remain uncertain. Existing research suggests that elephants follow established movement patterns, yet direct evidence of intergenerational knowledge transfer is limited. This review synthesises current literature on elephant navigation and decision-making, exploring how their behavioural strategies contribute to resilience amid increasing anthropogenic pressures. Empirical studies indicate that elephants integrate environmental and social cues when selecting routes, accessing water, and avoiding human-dominated areas. However, the extent to which these behaviours arise from individual memory, social learning, or passive exposure to experienced individuals requires further investigation. Additionally, elephants function as ecosystem engineers, shaping landscapes, maintaining biodiversity, and contributing to climate resilience. Recent research highlights that elephants’ ecological functions can indeed contribute to climate resilience, though the mechanisms are complex and context-dependent. In tropical forests, forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) disproportionately disperse large-seeded, high-carbon-density tree species, which contribute significantly to above-ground carbon storage. Forest elephants can improve tropical forest carbon storage by 7%, as these elephants enhance the relative abundance of slow-growing, high-biomass trees through selective browsing and seed dispersal. In savannah ecosystems, elephants facilitate the turnover of woody vegetation and maintain grassland structure, which can increase albedo and promote carbon sequestration in soil through enhanced grass productivity and fire dynamics. However, the ecological benefits of such behaviours depend on population density and landscape context. While bulldozing vegetation may appear destructive, these behaviours often mimic natural disturbance regimes, promoting biodiversity and landscape heterogeneity, key components of climate-resilient ecosystems. Unlike anthropogenic clearing, elephant-led habitat modification is part of a long-evolved ecological process that supports nutrient cycling and seedling recruitment. Therefore, promoting connectivity through wildlife corridors supports not only elephant movement but also ecosystem functions that enhance resilience to climate variability. Future research should prioritise quantifying the net carbon impact of elephant movement and browsing in different biomes to further clarify their role in mitigating climate change. Conservation strategies informed by their movement patterns, such as wildlife corridors, conflict-reducing infrastructure, and habitat restoration, may enhance human–elephant coexistence while preserving their ecological roles. Protecting older individuals, who may retain critical environmental knowledge, is essential for sustaining elephant populations and the ecosystems they influence. Advancing research on elephant navigation and decision-making can provide valuable insights for biodiversity conservation and conflict mitigation efforts. Full article

Over 40 years ago, scientists imagined ways cloning could aid conservation of threatened taxa. The cloning of Dolly the sheep from adult somatic cells in 1996 was the breakthrough that finally enabled the conservation potential of the technology. Until the 2020s, conservation cloning research efforts yielded no management applications, leading many to believe cloning is not yet an effective conservation tool. In strong contrast, domestic taxa are cloned routinely for scientific and commercial purposes. In this review, we sought to understand the reasons for these divergent trends. We scoured peer-reviewed and gray literature and sent direct inquiries to scientists to analyze a more comprehensive history of the field than was analyzed in previous reviews. While most previous reviewers concluded that a lack of reproductive knowledge of wildlife species has hindered advances for wider conservation applications, we found that resource limitations (e.g., numbers of surrogates, sustainable funding) and widely held misconceptions about cloning are significant contributors to the stagnation of the field. Recent successes in cloning programs for the endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) and Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii), the world’s first true applied-conservation cloning efforts, are demonstrating that cloning can be used for significant conservation impact in the present. When viewed alongside the long history of cloning achievements, these programs emphasize the value of investing in the science and resources needed to meaningfully integrate cloning into conservation management, especially for species with limited genetic diversity that rely on the maintenance of small populations for many generations while conservationists work to restore habitat and mitigate threats in the wild. Full article