Search Results (1,701)

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

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

Population size estimates are essential for investigating numerous aspects of the ecology, evolution, and conservation of wildlife. However, the life cycles of many species include cryptic life stages that are difficult to detect or sample, such as the non-breeding fractions typical of many bird populations. Quantifying the proportions of breeders and non-breeders is crucial to better assess their conservation status and population trends. We propose a simple method applicable to species that show phenotypic differences between adults and juveniles. By quantifying the proportion of ages, the size of the whole population, and its productivity, the size of the non-breeding and breeding fractions can be inferred. We applied this approach to the red-spectacled amazon, Amazona pretrei, a threatened parrot endemic to the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The entire global population aggregates in winter in a few localities to feed on the seeds of the Parana pine Araucaria angustifolia, a critically endangered tree whose range has declined >97% due to massive exploitation. From a global population of ~16,000 individuals in 2015 and ~20,000 individuals in 2017, our methodology allowed us to estimate a low proportion of juveniles (14%) and a large proportion of non-breeders (80%) within the adult population, with narrow confidence intervals. These proportions did not change between years, but the estimated number of breeding pairs increased, from ca. 1300 to 1700 pairs, in parallel with the global population increase. Our methodology, with its possible improvements to reduce uncertainty in estimates, can be applied to the long-term monitoring of this and many other species, to better understand their conservation challenges and inform effective management strategies. Full article

Monitoring the size of wildlife populations is crucial for the effective implementation of conservation management strategies, and a variety of methods have been developed for this purpose. One such approach is the double-observer method, which has recently gained prominence in monitoring programs for the southern greater glider (Petauroides volans), an iconic nocturnal arboreal marsupial native to Australia. While this method has been successfully applied at lower population densities, its reliability and applicability at higher-density sites has not been evaluated. This case study represents the first instance of an investigation and discussion on the application of the double-observer method in greater glider monitoring at higher-density sites. We found that in higher-density areas, the proximity of individuals makes it more difficult to reliably distinguish unique (individual) animals between observers, and the increased number of observations per transect extends the time required for data recording. Transects with more animal observations showed significantly longer delays between observers (z = 5.062, p < 0.001). Additionally, discrepancies in the number of animal observations between observers significantly altered the intended 15–20 min interval (z = 2.71, p = 0.007). Deviations from the standard 15–20 min interval between observers were common, occurring at 44 of the 66 sites, where actual time-lags ranged from 0 to 64 min. Consequently, longer intervals increased the potential for animal movement, while shorter intervals risked observer independence. These factors, combined with our experience applying the double-observer method across sites with markedly different greater glider densities, suggest that the critical non-movement assumption may be violated more frequently than previously recognised. We discuss the limitations of applying the double-observer method to survey high-density populations and recommend prioritising research on greater glider movement patterns and alternative survey techniques to improve the accuracy and reliability of monitoring programs at higher-density sites. Full article

Globally, ecomuseums, as examples of integrated museums, have prioritised local community participation as well as the promotion of cultural heritage and territoriality in the field of ecotourism since the 1970s. However, in Ghana, ecomuseums are a less explored extended activity at ecotourism sites. Preliminary research at the Bomfobiri Wildlife Sanctuary in the Ashanti Region of Ghana revealed that there is less patronage of the ecotourism facility due to the absence of extended activities targeted at visitor engagement and experience. This convergent parallel mixed methods study rooted in phenomenology and descriptive survey design investigated the possibility of establishing an ecomuseum at the sanctuary. The study found that the establishment of an ecomuseum facility would promote Kumawu’s cultural heritage. Also, it would enhance visitor engagement, promote local community ownership, increase revenue generation, and lead to the conservation of nature. The study contends that the establishment of an ecomuseum would lead to greater patronage of Ghana’s Protected Areas while creating job avenues, especially for forest-fringe communities. The study proposes an investment into the establishment of locally specific extended activities in the various nature reserves, zoological parks, and gardens, as well as wildlife sanctuaries in the country, to enhance ecotourism development in Ghana. Full article

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) is a highly contagious disease that affects a wide range of wildlife species, posing a serious threat to biodiversity and conservation efforts. Despite its ecological significance, the transmission dynamics of CDV in wildlife remain poorly understood, especially in tropical ecosystems. One of the main challenges in studying CDV transmission is the lack of reliable epidemiological data and the difficulty in capturing and monitoring wild animals for surveillance purposes. Thus, this study aims to develop a model to estimate the potential transmission of CDV in wildlife populations using spatial heat mapping and the basic reproduction number (R₀) as key indicators. A combination of field observation records, environmental data, and reported CDV cases were used to generate predictive heat maps and simulate disease spread across susceptible wildlife hosts. Results showed that certain environmental factors and animal density hotspots significantly contribute to higher transmission potential of CDV. Preliminary results suggest that high-risk zones can be identified based on overlapping wildlife movement corridors and human interface areas. This modeling approach offers a valuable tool to guide targeted monitoring, early detection and conservation strategies against CDV outbreaks in wildlife. Full article

Procypris rabaudi, a member of the Cyprinidae family and genus Procypris, has been designated as a national second-class protected wildlife species in China due to a significant decline in its wild populations. Understanding its genomic characteristics and mitochondrial genome structure is crucial for germplasm conservation and systematic classification. In this study, we utilized high-throughput sequencing to investigate the genome of P. rabaudi. The genome size was 1.5 Gb, with a heterozygosity rate of 0.44% and 61.47% of repetitive sequences. We identified 1,151,980 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), with mononucleotide repeats being the most abundant at 55.34%. The complete mitochondrial genome was assembled with 16,595 bp length. A phylogenetic tree constructed from 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes indicated that genus Procypris was most closely related to genus Luciocyprinus and formed a monophyletic group with Cyprinus, Carassioides, and Carassius. Pairwise Sequentially Markovian Coalescent (PSMC) analysis revealed a rapid population expansion prior to the Last Interglacial Period, followed by a decline after reaching its peak during Last Glacial Period. Notably, P. rabaudi exhibited a two-peak demographic pattern during both the Last Glacial Period. These genomic data provide valuable resources for the conservation of P. rabaudi germplasm and for future studies on cyprinid classification and evolution. Full article

Forests are important biodiversity reservoirs and require sustainable management to prevent deforestation and forest degradation. Forest landscape restoration (FLR) has been proposed as a sustainable initiative aimed at restoring ecosystem functions and improving the well-being of surrounding populations. In 2005, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) initiated a project to protect 200 ha of savanna in Manzonzi landscape, Democratic Republic of Congo, on the outskirts of the Luki Biosphere Reserve. The biodiversity changes related to this ecological restoration project remain unpublished. To address this knowledge gap, floristic inventories of the protected Manzonzi landscape were carried out over a 12-year period and we assessed how changes in the floral composition of this landscape evolved and affected the provision of ecosystem services (ES). We found that protection of the savanna by banning recurring bush fires and fencing off the area promoted the richness and abundance of forest species, such as Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich, Albizia adianthifolia (Schumach.) W. Wight. These forest taxa replaced grassland species, such as Hymenocardia acida Tul. and Maprounea africana Müll. Arg., and served to benefit the local population, who use these forest taxa as food, fuelwood, and medicines. This study revealed that protected savanna improved woody biomass, plant diversity (richness/abundance), and carbon storage, significantly boosting essential ES for communities; yet these positive trends reversed when active monitoring ceased. Protecting savannas improves the environment and benefits communities, but stopping protection efforts can undo these gains, emphasizing the need for ongoing conservation. Full article

Insufficient investment in wildlife that lacks strong aesthetic or emotional appeal to humans poses a significant obstacle to achieving broader conservation goals. Species that are not considered charismatic are nonetheless vital to ecosystems and deserve attention from conservationists, researchers, and the public. However, effective strategies for bridging the gap between these species and traditionally charismatic ones remain underexplored. Our exploratory study introduced the concept of charisma orientations to examine their influence on pro-bird behaviors, such as following guidelines, reporting disturbances, and participating in community advocacy. We identified six relational and socially negotiated orientations—ecological importance, intrinsic right to exist, protection support, affective meaning, and perceived decline—that together represent key perspectives through which waterbirds are understood. A survey of 615 Texas coastal recreationists revealed that relying solely on positive charisma diminishes the appeal of waterbirds for participants. The species likeability frame was relevant only in the context of reporting disturbances, while a moral policy stance (the belief that waterbirds need protection) was significant in predicting advocacy. Younger males and individuals who felt current regulations were adequate were less likely to engage in waterbird conservation behaviors. Our findings suggest that examining the intersection of contested charismatic species and various charisma orientations can uncover subtle nuances often overlooked due to an overemphasis on positive charisma and emotional resonance, which may only partially apply or not apply at all. Full article

Habitat micromodification poses significant challenges to wildlife, necessitating adaptive responses. This study aimed to investigate how such habitat alterations affect the dietary intake and gut microbiota of Père David’s deer (Elaphurus davidianus). A total of 25 fresh fecal samples were collected from Père David’s deer through non-invasive sampling in Tianjin Qilihai Wetland across three distinct phases of habitat micromodification: pre-change (N = 10), under-change (N = 8), and post-change (N = 7). Dietary composition was analyzed via microscopic identification of plant residues, and gut microbiota structure was characterized using 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. Results showed that the diet shifted significantly across phases, with 33 plant species from 20 families identified. Meanwhile, the core gut microbiota remained structurally stable. The phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidota consistently dominated, despite fluctuations in some specific bacterial genera. Functional prediction indicated minimal change in core microbial metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis suggested that key dietary plants were linked to the abundance of specific, functionally relevant microbial taxa. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the gut microbiota of Père David’s deer exhibits marked resilience to dietary shifts induced by habitat micromodification. This stability is underpinned by functional redundancy within the microbial community and the consistent intake of fibrous plants, representing a key adaptive mechanism. Our findings highlight that integrating non-invasive monitoring of diet and microbiota can effectively assess the adaptive capacity of endangered ungulates to managed habitat change, thereby informing more resilient conservation strategies. Full article

The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, in southeastern Mexico, is a major conservation area known for its tropical forests, emblematic wildlife species, and long history of Maya occupation. Established in 1989 as a federal Natural Protected Area, it was incorporated into UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program in 1993 and designated a mixed World Heritage Site in 2014. Its socioecological trajectory is distinctive: conservation efforts advanced alongside the contemporary rural settlement resulting from agrarian reform and subsequent development and welfare policies. This article examines the persistent imbalance between ecological conservation and socioeconomic development surrounding the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, focusing on water vulnerability in adjacent communities. The study integrates environmental history with household-level survey data on water access and vulnerability among 200 households in eight communities in the Biosphere Reserve’s transition zone, complemented by interviews with key water-management stakeholders. We document the consolidation of conservation through management plans, advisory councils, payments for ecosystem services, scientific research, and expanding voluntary conservation areas. Yet these advances contrast sharply with everyday socioeconomic realities: 68% of households face prolonged water scarcity, with an average of more than 30 days annually without water. Calakmul’s case highlights structural mismatch between conservation and local human well-being in Natural Protected Areas contexts. Full article

Despite its global distribution, the impacts of wild pigs on the environment are poorly understood. However, wild boar (Sus scrofa) is recognized as a pest species, causes extensive damage to agriculture, biodiversity, and forests, and contributes to motor vehicle accidents. This study investigates the causes and mechanisms underlying the demographic explosion of wild boar in Italy. The analysis is based exclusively on official datasets from Italian governmental institutes, allowing quantitative correlations between population dynamics, culling rates, and economic impacts. By integrating historical data, population biology, reproductive physiology, and chemical communication, the study reveals that anthropogenic pressures, counterintuitively driven by wildlife management practices, have significantly contributed to population growth. A shift from a K-strategy to an r-strategy in reproductive behavior, induced by sustained control pressure, has led to increased birth rates and accelerated expansion. Disruptions in species homeostasis trigger harmful changes in ecosystem structure and functionality, delineating a model of environmental damage. These findings highlight the urgency of adopting an integrated wildlife management approach that combines conservation biology and physiological principles with targeted operational interventions to prevent further degradation affecting both the species and the ecosystem. Full article

To investigate the influence of host ecological niche on fecal microbial community composition, this investigation employed high-throughput sequencing to characterize the microbiota composition in fecal samples. Giant pandas (GP), red pandas (RP), sympatric wildlife (SA), and domesticated animals (HA) in the Meigu Dafengding National Nature Reserve were used in the research. The research has found that GP bacteria are mainly composed of Proteobacteria and Pseudomonas, RP is enriched in Proteobacteria and Arthrobacter, SA is characterized by Firmicutes and Bacillus, and HA is dominated by Firmicutes and UCG-005 (uncultured Lachnospiraceae). In terms of fungi, GP and RP are mainly dominated by Ascomycota, enriched in Mrakia and Thelebolus, respectively, while SA is dominated by Ascomycota and Thelebolus, and HA is dominated by Chytridiomycota and Geotrichum. The assessment of alpha diversity demonstrated that HA had the highest microbial diversity and GP had the lowest; evaluation of beta diversity established that the community structures of each group were significantly separated. The study revealed a significant ecological divergence between the bacterial and fungal communities in sympatric wildlife, while giant pandas exhibit synergistic variation in their microbiota. This study provides new scientific basis for wildlife conservation from the perspective of focusing on microbial interactions. Full article

Landfills represent increasingly common anthropogenic habitats that provide food resources but also expose wildlife to complex chemical mixtures. White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) have recently expanded breeding near such sites, yet little is known about the physiological consequences of landfill dependence across time. In 2025, we assessed biomarker responses in White Stork (Ciconia ciconia) nestlings from the Jakuševec landfill (Zagreb, Croatia), a post-remediated site still in partial operation, three years after the initial studies conducted in 2021 and 2022. Activities of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CES), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione reductase (GR), as well as levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), were quantified in extracellular (plasma) and intracellular (post-mitochondrial S9) blood fractions. Neurotoxicity biomarkers (AChE, CES) showed small increases in 2022, followed by significant declines in 2025, indicating potential changes in exposure to neuroactive compounds. Oxidative-stress biomarkers displayed contrasting patterns: GST and GR decreased progressively, whereas ROS rose and GSH shifted in opposite directions between fractions, together suggesting rising oxidative challenge and altered redox balance. The combined biomarker response suggests continuing low-level exposure to neurotoxic and redox-active compounds despite landfill remediation. Our findings highlight that urban landfills, even in post-closure phases, remain physiologically active systems influencing wildlife health and should be incorporated into long-term ecotoxicological and conservation monitoring frameworks. While independent long-term monitoring shows that the Jakuševec White Stork colony has continued to grow over the past decade, the physiological responses detected in nestlings highlight the importance of assessing how chronic low-level exposure might influence population health in the long term. Full article