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In this study, we evaluated the integration of urban habitat data in spatial development documents across Poland's 28 largest cities and assessed the implications for urban environmental management and biodiversity conservation. The detailed habitat maps identify critical areas for protection, enhancing ecosystem services, and supporting nature-based solutions that positively impact residents' health and social cohesion. A total of 372 sources were analyzed and 467 habitat types were identified primarily from phytosociological surveys. However, only 33.2% of these habitats have been included in urban planning documents, highlighting a substantial integration gap. Complete taxa lists and habitat maps covering the entire city area, suitable for biodiversity management needs, are rarely included in urban planning documents. The findings have underscored the need for detailed habitat mapping to improve urban environmental management, biodiversity conservation, and public health promotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many nature‐based solutions (NBS), including urban greenspaces, urban agriculture and agroforestry, depend upon animal‐pollinated plants to sequester carbon or to provide other ecosystem services. Thus, long‐term success of these solutions also depends upon resilient pollinator communities. Despite their importance to functioning communities, a literature search revealed that 0%–3% of papers on NBS and related topics considered pollinators or pollination. Pollinators were more likely to be considered in the subgroup of papers on NBS related to agricultural production, where 12.5% considered pollination. Conservation of species interactions is essential to conservation of biodiversity and the sustained benefits of NBS. By applying our understanding of the ecology of plant‐pollinator mutualisms to the implementation of NBS, we can promote their functioning under future climatic conditions. In particular, we point to the need to identify keystone plants and pollinators, those species that contribute most to biodiversity maintenance, community stability and ecosystem function, and to leverage these species and their interactions in NBS and conservation efforts. We further advocate for the use of phylogenetic trait‐based analyses to understand the characteristics associated with keystoneness. Synthesis: Resilience of pollination services rests upon the responses of keystone species and their partners, and the likelihood that they continue to express traits that confer mutual benefit under future climates. By understanding the traits of species of outsized importance to their communities, we gain insight into the mechanisms underlying the resilience of pollination services and the NBS that rely on those services in a changing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity is in rapid decline globally with agriculture being one of the leading causes. Within agricultural landscapes, some features provide a benefit to biodiversity that is disproportionate to their spatial area. An interesting example is artificial ponds–or farm dams–which can support a large variety of taxa. Here, we present a global review of farm dam research related to biodiversity conservation objectives to provide an overview of the topics, key research insights, and the characteristics of current research. We used a three-stage process to screen literature and identified 104 relevant papers across 27 countries encompassing studies of 13 different taxa. Most of the studies were short-term (less than 5 years) with small sample sizes (less than 20 sites). Of the 104 papers, 88 were focussed primarily on ecological outcomes, such as species richness or abundance, and 15 on primary production outcomes, such as crop and livestock yield, despite addressing or measuring ecological metrics. Only one study measured both ecological and primary production outcomes. Studies frequently examined how the features of dams (79 studies) and attributes of the surrounding landscape (47 studies) impact particular species and communities. Terrestrial mammals (1 study) were under-represented in the literature with macrophytes (28 studies), macroinvertebrates (26 studies), and amphibians (19 studies) receiving the most attention. Our results reveal a growing trend towards recognizing farm dams as habitats for various taxa, including amphibians, beetles, dragonflies, and other macroinvertebrates within agricultural environments. Significant knowledge gaps exist in understanding how dam age, invasive species, and effective management practices impact the biodiversity conservation values of farm dams. Future research should emphasize enhancing biodiversity by collaborating with landholders to increase habitat through strategic vegetation planning, minimizing runoff and nutrient inflow, and restricting stock access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study introduces the notion of complex t-neutrosophic graphs (CTNGs) as a powerful tool for understanding and displaying complex interactions that are sometimes difficult to understand. It demonstrates that CTNGs may accurately reflect complicated interactions involving several components or dimensions within a particular scenario. It also instructs the basic set operations of CTNGs and analyzes notions like homomorphism and isomorphism within this framework. Furthermore, the research describes a practical application of CTNGs. It illustrates their value in addressing biodiversity conservation by taking into account a variety of relevant factors. The paper uses this application to highlight the flexibility and effectiveness of CTNGs as a tool for decision-makers to visualize and prioritize activities targeted at improving biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processes occurring within small areas (patch-scale) that influence species richness and spatial heterogeneity of larger areas (landscape-scale) have long been an interest of ecologists. This research focused on the role of patch-scale deterministic chaos arising in phytoplankton assemblages characteristic of “Rock-Paper-Scissors” population dynamics (i.e., competitively non-hierarchical). We employed a simple 2-patch model configuration with lateral mixing and through-flow, and tested the robustness of species richness at the scale of the landscape and spatial heterogeneity. Three different assemblages were used that in a dimensionless box model configuration exhibited chaotic behavior. Our results showed that when a spatial dimension was added to the model configuration, and when all species were shared between patches (i.e., no invading populations), chaos-induced species richness and spatial heterogeneity were quickly reduced with the onset of mixing. While assemblages in each patch were comprised of exactly the same species, they differed in their proportional population densities due to differing stages of succession and the incidence of alternative assemblage structures. Even at very low mixing rates (0.001d−1), which produced low passive migration rates (0.1% of the total biomass per day), the incidence of high richness and heterogeneity decreased by ∼80%. Interestingly, this sensitivity was not the same for the three assemblages tested. Declines in species richness and spatial heterogeneity associated with mixing were greater in assemblages comprised of competitively dissimilar species (based on the area occupied in the resource-tradeoff space defined by the R* model). The underlying mechanisms may involve the degree to which nutrient dynamics are altered with the arrival of immigrants. Our findings suggest that in partially to well-mixed aquatic systems, the roles of patch-scale non-hierarchical competition and chaos as factors maintaining species richness and spatial heterogeneity may be limited. However, in aquatic systems that experience periods of very low mixing, or even disconnection, non-hierarchical competition and chaos might indeed contribute significantly to biodiversity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Botanical living collections within botanical gardens are a crucial global asset for plant diversity. Special attention should be directed towards dendrological collections due to their significant contribution to biodiversity conservation, support for scientific inquiry, enhancement of educational initiatives, and engagement of the public. Introducing plants, particularly woody species, poses a significant challenge in botanical science, one that is addressed through botanical gardens and arboretums. The establishment and development of dendrological collections in botanical gardens provide a means to comprehensively represent diverse plant species from various biogeographical regions and continents. The current paper presents, for the first time, the establishment, development, status, and future perspective of dendrological collections at the Yerevan Botanical Garden, particularly in relation to the introduction of woody plants in Armenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical peatlands are crucial ecosystems, storing vast carbon reserves and supporting rich biodiversity. Despite covering a small land area, they play significant roles in global carbon cycling and climate regulation. However, these ecosystems face escalating threats from human activities, including agricultural expansion and peatland drainage. This paper provides a concise overview of tropical peatlands, focusing on their distribution, characteristics, and ecological importance in Southeast Asia, Africa, and South America. It highlights the diverse vegetation communities and notable animal species found in peat swamp forests, underscoring their conservation value. Peatland degradation leads to increased greenhouse gas emissions, land subsidence, and loss of traditional livelihoods for local communities. Addressing these challenges requires integrated approaches, including conservation efforts to protect and restore intact peat swamp forests, sustainable land-use practices, and policy interventions to regulate land management. Research collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and local communities is essential for developing evidence-based conservation strategies. By prioritizing the preservation of tropical peatlands, we can mitigate climate change impacts, conserve biodiversity, and safeguard the well-being of local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Natural resource management in Australia is beset with 'wicked' problems: diminishing biodiversity, increasing soil erosion, spreading soil salinity and global climate change all impact private landholders across rural Australia. These problems highlight the complexity of biodiversity conservation, and the need for inclusive, respectful approaches that enable the participation of rural communities, private landholders and government agencies to effectively manage biodiversity on public and private lands. To address these problems, some landholders, rural communities and other stakeholders are seeking evidence‐based solutions through directly applicable research. In this paper, we identify current barriers to such research and highlight principles and processes for co‐designing and managing research based on mutual trust, respect, power sharing and acceptance of various knowledge systems, as embodied in the theory of reconciliation ecology. We suggest that a 'community of practice' approach could assist in establishing effective deliberative relations as a basis for active collaboration in natural resource management research to address these complex problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper addresses two interlinked problems in sustainable development and suggests a methodology to resolve them. The first is the reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide. The second is the maintenance of biodiversity. Current carbon financing and environmental stewardship mechanisms underwhelm, often diluting intended positive effects. Most existing carbon credits do not have protection after 40 years, placing projects substantially beneath the C02 radiative forcing cycle. This paper presents the 'Balance' approach to sustainable development, including contractual principles ensuring C02 reduction, biodiversity enhancement and financial accountability. We describe two novel measures: a carbon calculator for commercial entities, and a new metric, the Balance Unit, combining biodiversity creation with carbon credits. A case study, spanning over 20 years at the Forest of Marston Vale, is then presented. It finds an increase in tree cover, CO2 sequestration, reduction in agricultural GHG emissions, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter absorption, and annual local economic benefits totalling £UK12.83 million. Expository detail regarding the 'Planting Principles' practised at Marston Vale is also provided. We argue that the Balance methodology, especially the Balance Unit, enables greater measurement reliability and long-term efficacy for maintaining biodiversity and reducing GHG emissions than current carbon financing approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global biodiversity crisis and constantly growing human impact on the natural environment call for more evidence where conservation actions are the most urgent. As the agricultural lands are under increased pressure of growing human food needs here the literature survey on farmland bird conservation (FBC) was conducted to reveal geographical distribution in research intensity, the topics addressed and to identify potential drivers for the worldwide scientific effort. The Scopus database search has revealed 2290 papers dedicated to FBC from the period 1990-2020. The distribution was spatially uneven with most papers published in Western Europe and North America. Scientific collaboration was also spatially biased in favor of countries located close to each other and having high scientific capacity. The analysis also revealed 139 terms representing main topics raised in FBC research. The number of FBC papers per country was positively correlated with Gross Domestic Production (GDP), the total number of scientific papers, and number of threatened species, and negatively with the GDP from agricultural production, whereas it was not related to area of agricultural lands or bird species richness. Spatial and thematic biases in studies of farmland birds may have important consequences since uneven scientific evidence constrains development of proper conservation solutions and limits their implementation. We conclude that research on FBC should be globally coordinated and flexible enough to undertake burning conservation problems adjusted to regional differences in agriculture, socio-economy, and bird diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term experiments are essential in understanding the ecological consequences of global land use and climate change. Further, it is well established that longterm data sets are prerequisites for effective management of forest resources and biodiversity conservation. In view of this, the present study attempts to contribute to major global long-term ecological monitoring (LTEM) networks and the status of LTEM studies in India with a special focus on Indian Himalayan Region. Over the last 40 years, around 103 countries from the America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia have been engaged in LTEM studies on various aspects of biodiversity, monitoring and predicting climate change impacts in a range of ecosystems, including the mountains. The temporal distribution of past studies on the subject shows a gradual increasing pattern (3 papers in 1992) with a peak during 2021 (105 papers). The established LTEM networks across the globe provide a significant empirical basis for understanding ecosystem structure and dynamics. Literature indicates plenty of permanent monitoring plots from India, mostly from southern India, and their significant contribution to ecosystem understanding. Himalayan regions are important sites for monitoring biological and socio-ecological responses to environmental perturbations, including climate change. LTEM studies are lacking in the IHR; only a few sites have been established, mostly in alpine ecosystems. This review identifies research gaps, opportunities with respect to LTEM studies, and the possibilities for strengthening long-term research and observation in India in general and the Himalaya in particular. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the global decline in marine species biodiversity, relatively few countries have enacted national endangered and threatened species legislation. Tailoring an adequate legislative framework with clear objectives and regulations consistent with the available scientific evidence is fundamental for the effective conservation of marine endangered and threatened species. This paper analyzes the legal framework and current institutional tools for the conservation of marine endangered and threatened species in the Russian Federation. In this regard, important legislative tools include federal laws, as well as internationally binding signed agreements, among others, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar). A strategy and an action plan for the conservation of biological diversity were also developed. Besides, the most important tool for the conservation and protection of marine endangered and threatened species is the Red Book of the Russian Federation (RBRF) and other regional Red Books. Responsibility for causing harm to the species listed in the RBRF and their habitat is specified in the code of administrative offenses and the criminal code of the Russian Federation. Finally, conclusions and identified gaps were highlighted in the last section, including, among other things, that legislation is still limited in how it takes the impacts of climate change into account. Such type of study is highly recommended, considering the relatively few number of papers dedicated to the study of the impact and/or implications of the conservation tools and strategies mentioned in this paper on the status of the marine endangered and threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxus mairei (Lemée and H.Lév.) S.Y.Hu, indigenous to the southern regions of China, is an evergreen tree belonging to the genus Taxus of the Taxaceae family. Owing to its content of various bioactive compounds, it exhibits multiple pharmacological activities and has been widely applied in clinical medicine. This article comprehensively discusses the current state of cultivation, chemical constituents, applications in the pharmaceutical field, and the challenges faced by T. mairei. The paper begins by detailing the ecological distribution of T. mairei, aiming to provide an in-depth understanding of its origin and cultivation overview. In terms of chemical composition, the article thoroughly summarizes the extracts and monomeric components of T. mairei, unveiling their pharmacological activities and elucidating the mechanisms of action based on the latest scientific research, as well as their potential as lead compounds in new drug development. The article also addresses the challenges in the T. mairei research, such as the difficulties in extracting and synthesizing active components and the need for sustainable utilization strategies. In summary, T. mairei is a rare species important for biodiversity conservation and demonstrates significant research and application potential in drug development and disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The dedication of people towards wildlife will form an important part in future wildlife conservation and the halt of biodiversity decline. In this context, education and knowledge transfer can help to prevent actions deriving from misinformation. In this study, we refer to a survey among people interested in wildlife and try to highlight the importance of the improvement of educational services for a success in future coexistence and meaningful wildlife care. We discovered that a strong opinion about dealing with wildlife is associated with increasing contextual knowledge and experience in wildlife conservation. With the results of a survey presented in this paper, we provide insight into public attitudes towards dealing with wildlife. Based on 1569 data sets derived from participating stakeholders, we inquired about the individual experience the participants had made with wild animals, and asked about their personal engagement, attitude towards management, and emotions involved and tried to evaluate basic contextual knowledge. As a result, we discovered a positive effect showing that a strong opinion about dealing with wildlife is associated with increasing contextual knowledge. People that are experienced in and engaged in wildlife conservation expressed significantly stronger positive emotions in this context. We conclude that education is essential in dealing with wildlife responsibly and that positive emotions are a main trigger for such engagement. The results of the survey underline that a combination of contextual knowledge and a positive attitude towards wildlife leads to a higher awareness of possible conflicts between humans and wildlife. Furthermore, these criteria are crucial when developing strategies that strive for a sustainable coexistence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of the goals and targets specified by the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, Target 3, often referred to as "30 × 30," has garnered widespread attention globally. In this paper, we critique India's potential to meet this target. We find that with its vast network of ecosystems that are under some form of protection and through the recognition of other effective area‐based conservation measures sites, India has the potential to meet the quantitative target of conserving and managing at least 30% of its area by 2030. However, the qualitative attributes of the target might be more difficult to realize owing to several challenges, such as inadequate landscape connectivity, insufficient representation of habitats in the current protected area model, and the exacerbation of socioeconomic vulnerabilities of resource‐dependent communities. To achieve strategic, inclusive, and equitable conservation, we suggest a four‐pronged approach involving landscape‐level biodiversity conservation, socially just and collaborative safeguarding of biodiversity, and relevant policy (re)formulation, informed and underlain by long‐term research and impact monitoring. Although we focus on India, the issues we discuss are of broader relevance, especially for countries across the Global South that are also likely to be significantly impacted by the implementation of the target. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2010, the introduction of other effective area‐based conservation measures (OECMs) into international policy caused a paradigm shift in area‐based conservation, which included consideration of areas outside formal protected areas and places where biodiversity conservation may not be a management objective for the site. Despite the importance of this shift for global conservation, conservation science and policy have been slow to engage with the concept of OECMs. As the world moves toward protecting 30% of the Earth by 2030, it is imperative to develop evidence‐based guidance for how to identify effective conservation measures, especially tools to help evaluate and monitor the biodiversity outcomes associated with potential OECMs. To understand the current progress in developing the concept of OECMs, I evaluated the peer‐reviewed literature to consolidate and synthesize current knowledge. I conducted a thematic analysis of papers to identify the types of challenges and opportunities being discussed and lessons from studies evaluating the effectiveness of OECMs. Only 105 studies mentioned OECMs, and those that did rarely move beyond superficial mention of OECMs as part of area‐based conservation. Around one‐half of studies listed potential risks or benefits of OECMs but none provided evidence these issues have materialized. Twenty‐three studies attempted to identify potential OECMs, although specific case studies were rare. The 7 studies that evaluated existing OECMs were highly critical of how they had been implemented to date. Studies that evaluated conservation outcomes were extremely rare, and suggested effectiveness must be judged on a case‐by‐case basis. The current literature not only leaves many gaps in the science required to operationalize the concept of OECMs, but also often raises additional questions that need to be addressed. If these gaps are not filled by robust science, the promised benefits for biodiversity from OECMs may never be realized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed a gap analysis approach to evaluate whether the genetic resources conserved in situ in protected areas are adequate for conifers in western Oregon and Washington (U.S.A.). We developed geographic information system layers that detail the location of protected areas and the distribution and abundance of each tree species (noble fir [Abies procera Rehd.] and Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menzeisii Mirb.]). Distribution and abundance were inferred from available spatial data showing modeled potential and actual vegetation. We stratified the distribution of each species into units for genetic analysis using seed and breeding zones and ecoregions. Most strata contained at least 5000 reproductive-age individuals in protected areas, indicating that genetic resources were well protected in situ throughout most of the study region. Strict in situ protection was limited, however, for noble fir in the Willapa Hills of southwestern Washington. An in situ genetic resource gap arguably occurred for Douglas-fir in the southern Puget lowlands, but this gap was filled by extensive ex situ genetic resources from the same region. The gap analysis method was an effective tool for evaluating the genetic resources of forest trees across a large region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using radiotelemetry, we discovered that the Three-wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata ), one of Central America's largest frugivorous birds, has the most complex migratory pattern yet recorded for a tropical species. The annual migration cycle included 2- to 5-month stopovers in four distinct life zones: two middle-elevation and two lowland sites separated by as much as 200 km. We captured and radio-tagged bellbirds during 4 years between July and September in middle-elevation forest fragments of the Pacific slope, 6 km from Monteverde in the Tilaran mountain range of north-central Costa Rica. These habitats, which exist almost exclusively as small, isolated fragments on private farms, are poorly represented (<2%) in Costa Rica's system of protected areas. During September and October, the bellbirds migrated from this site to the northeast into the lowland Atlantic forest of southeastern Nicaragua and northeastern Costa Rica. In Costa Rica these habitats have been heavily fragmented. In Nicaragua they remain intact but are highly threatened. In November and December, the bellbirds migrated from these Atlantic forests to heavily modified, little-protected forests along the Pacific coast of southwestern Costa Rica, where they remained until March. Here, most individuals utilized forest remnants and second growth on private property. In March the Bellbirds moved from the coastal areas to middle-elevation (1000–1800 m) moist forest on the Atlantic slope of the Tilaran mountains sites, where they bred. In June and July, they left the breeding area and moved back across the continental divide of the Tilaran Mountains to return to the middle-elevation Pacific slopes where they had been captured. Our findings demonstrate the complicated ecological integration of geographically dispersed tropical ecosystems and the need for comprehensive conservation strategies that include representation of the full array of regional habitats and a greater emphasis on maintaining connectivity. The bellbird's migratory pattern reveals serious inadequacies in protected-area networks of Costa Rica, a country that is considered to have one of the best systems of national parks and reserves in the Neotropics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As we confront novel environmental challenges, a full understanding of the physical and biological processes that govern species responses to climate change will help maintain biodiversity and support conservation measures that are more robust to irreducible uncertainty. However, climate impacts are so complex, and the literature on salmon and trout is so vast that researchers and decision makers scramble to make sense of it all. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature review of climate impacts on salmon and anadromous trout as a resource for stakeholders, managers, and researchers. We reviewed studies published from 2010 to 2021 that address climate impacts on these fish and organized them in a database of 1169 physical and 1853 biological papers. Papers are labeled with keywords across eight categories related to subject matter and study methods. We compared the literature by biological process and life stage and used these comparisons to assess strengths and weaknesses. We then summarized expected phenotypic and genetic responses and management actions by life stage. Overall, we found the largest research gaps related to species interactions, behavioral responses, and effects that carry over across life stages. With this collection of the literature, we can better apply scarce conservation resources, fill knowledge gaps, and make informed decisions that do not ignore uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural forest expansion (NFE), that is, the establishment of secondary forest on non-forested land through natural succession, has substantially contributed to the widespread expansion of forests in Europe over the last few decades. So far, EU policies have largely neglected the potential of NFE for meeting policy objectives on restoration. Synthesising recent interdisciplinary research, this paper assesses the challenges and opportunities of NFE in view of contributing to European forest and ecosystem restoration. Specifically, we discuss the potential for supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and forestry and economic use, summarize the current knowledge about societal perceptions and the policymaking on NFE, and make policy recommendations to better use the potential of NFE. We conclude that NFE has the potential to contribute to the European restoration policy agenda if local contexts and possible trade-offs are properly considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guinea‐Bissau, an important regional biodiversity hotspot in West Africa, faces the challenge of raising awareness among the general public about the significance of natural resources for rural communities' survival and the need for biodiversity conservation. This knowledge gap hinders conservation efforts as initiatives are deemed irrelevant or unnecessary. A climate of political vulnerability, financial uncertainty and threats to media freedom are further obstacles to conservation biology. Researchers lack established communication platforms for academic dissemination. In this paper, we introduce the initiative News for Nature/PRIMACTION (2020–2022), which aimed to establish a communication channel between researchers and media agents. The project had two primary objectives: firstly, to raise awareness among the Guinea‐Bissau society about the importance of national biodiversity and conservation challenges; and secondly, to enhance the capacity of specific communicators and opinion makers. The project had several important outputs, including: i) a bi‐monthly newspaper section focused on "biodiversity conservation in Guinea‐Bissau", ii) three radio‐theatre episodes performed by a well‐known group and broadcasted nationally, iii) one song composed and sung by famous musicians, with an introduction by Jane Goodall, and iv) a website providing technical resources for journalists covering biodiversity and conservation news. Collaborators mentioned the lack of logistical conditions for traveling in the country as a major impediment in reporting conservation‐related news. We emphasize the significance of establishing direct contact and articulation between researchers and local media to promote conservation research in West African countries. In countries where science communication and environmental education outreach are not well‐established, it is crucial to bridge the challenges faced by the communities in different regions of the same country. This is especially urgent in cases where such challenges are significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Rhino Bond is the first financial instrument dedicated to protecting a species. The Bond allows investors to invest in the conservation of the black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis , with the amount of money returned by the investment depending on whether rhinoceros numbers increase (and by how much). In this paper we focus on how the Bond was brought into being. We draw on an analysis of organizational reports along with data collected from interviews with key informants to investigate the roles of the various stakeholders in the Bond, how species and sites were selected, the motivations and experiences of the stakeholders and the involvement of stakeholders in decision-making. We found that although conservation actors are attracted by the potential for new funding, they have experienced challenges navigating complex financial instruments. The needs of financial actors often dictated decision-making, with implications for the species and sites chosen for the Bond. As profits are tied to an increase in population size of a specific species (which needs to be monitored), the instrument has favoured large and easily counted species and populations. Only some sites were able to meet the stringent conditions of financial instruments, including metrics on financial sustainability. We argue that the dominance of financial principles and motives means that not all species or sites will be viable candidates for investment and that conservation finance should not be seen as a panacea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integrated farming system (IFS) is a holistic farming approach specially designed for small/marginal farmers to enhance the system productivity, profitability, and employment generation of their farm, ultimately ensuring their food and nutrition security for their livelihood. The mechanism of IFS offers various ecosystem services making farms environment‐friendly, sustainable, and climate‐resilient. IFS is characterized by the allocation of different agricultural components systematically in a single farm performing synergistically among themselves making the farm more productive, healthy, biodiversity enriched, and eco‐friendly than simplified farms. Therefore, this review paper represents an extensive analysis of existing literature on IFS exploring its concept, components, and need, and emphasizing its potential for higher system productivity, profitability, and employment generation in a sustainable manner. Moreover, it develops a conceptualization of the relationship among different agricultural components in a single farm exploring its role in ecosystem services (reducing greenhouse gases, carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling, improving soil health, and biodiversity conservation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China prioritizes ecological civilization construction and embraces the concept of "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets." Great achievements have been made in ecological protection and restoration through implementing a series of policies and projects. This paper reviews the history of ecological restoration in China and the current development of the "integrated protection and restoration project of mountains, rivers, forests, farmlands, lakes, grasslands, and deserts (IPRP)." Furthermore, the characteristics of IPRP were systematically elaborated from the perspectives of the ecological civilization thought, the policy management, and the key scientific issues. Also, the current achievements were summarized in the fields of national ecological space management, biodiversity conservation, and ecological protection and restoration. Existing challenges in management policy, scientific issues, and engineering practices were highlighted. Future perspectives include ecological space control, nature-based Solutions, biodiversity big data platform, modern techniques, and value realization mechanisms of ecological products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic potentials of rice cultivars will need to be expressed to their fullest if global rice production is to be expanded enough by 2050 to meet the increased demand of the expanding population while the availability of land and water per capita dwindles. New and 'improved' rice varieties have contributed greatly to increased production over the past 50 years, but the rate of rice yield increase based on genetic changes has declined in recent decades compared with the early years of the Green Revolution. In fact, many rice consumers continue to prefer to consume 'traditional' rice varieties (referred to also as local, native, unimproved, or indigenous varieties) because of their taste, aroma, texture, and other qualities. Furthermore, many farmers prefer to cultivate these varieties because of their better adaptation to local climatic and soil conditions and their evolved resistance to endemic stresses. The practices that comprise the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), including transplanting rice seedlings at a young age, wide spacing between plants, keeping the soil well aerated rather than inundated, and enhancing soil organic matter, provide traditional rice varieties with micro-environments that are more favorable for the expression of their genetic and agronomic potentials. Interactions among rice plants, soil characteristics, water, energy, and other inputs improve the phenotypic and physiological performance of rice plants. This paper considers how the cultivation of traditional rice varieties with SRI methods can raise yields, reduce farmers' costs of production, and generate higher incomes while contributing to the conservation of rice biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around the world, countries have introduced laws and policies designed to prevent species extinction. While there have been some success stories, overall, these laws and policies are routinely failing. Extinction rates continue to climb. However, the law is necessary to regulate the human-environment interactions that form the basis of the drivers of extinction and biodiversity loss, including land-clearing, the discharge of greenhouse gases and the introduction of invasive species. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the literature specifically on biodiversity conservation law, to review and describe the commonalities in laws and legal systems that can be considered successful, or unsuccessful. Laws for the conservation of biodiversity form a critical component for minimising the drivers of extinction, with species extinction being an extreme outcome of biodiversity loss. We reviewed 128 publications from around the world to ascertain and synthesise best practices in law and policy that aim to protect and conserve biodiversity (herein termed 'biodiversity conservation law'). The literature demonstrated that when it comes to biodiversity conservation law, the concept of 'best practice' is elusive, and does not necessarily equate to a reversal in species decline. Further, most western countries utilise the same legal mechanisms (also known as policy tools) for biodiversity conservation, although some countries implement these laws more effectively than others. In this paper, we explore and explain several common legal mechanisms discussed across the range of literature, including species listing and recovery plans, protected area regulation, stewardship, restoration, and offset and no net loss schemes. We also explore the necessity of biodiversity and climate mainstreaming across all laws and highlight the need to engage in genuine partnerships and collaborations with First Nations communities. This paper, and the principles explored herein, should assist law and policymakers to regulate more effectively and explain to those in the conservation sciences where research should be directed to improve the science-policy interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even if there is an increasing public awareness of biodiversity loss, there still is the need to improve individuals' behaviours in favour of biodiversity conservation, such as composting or buying pollinator-friendly plants. Why do individuals who know about the risks of biodiversity loss, not change their lifestyles to promote biodiversity? The main aim of this paper is to empirically identify the psychological barriers to biodiversity conservation behaviours, with a specific attention to individuals' perception of the psychological distance of biodiversity loss. To this purpose, 270 individuals were asked to complete a questionnaire. Data demonstrated that six main psychological barriers prevent behavioural change, depending on individuals' perceived psychological distance as well as on the specific features of the behaviour considered. Our findings constitute a significant theoretical complement to previous research on behavioural change to respond to environmental threats, as it specifically investigates the psychological barriers resulting in citizens' inaction with regard to biodiversity loss. Furthermore, our paper offers advice for policy-makers, deciding bodies, and associations involved in biodiversity conservation on the cognitive barriers that they might be confronted to when addressing citizens and promoting their engagement in individual and collective actions in favour of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Intelligent monitoring of endangered and rare wildlife using deep learning is important for biodiversity conservation. The present study aims to train deep learning recognition models using the limited animal samples and computational resources available in real-world field monitoring scenarios. Inspired by the ability of human zoologists to quickly identify endangered and rare wildlife species based on only one single picture, we incorporate expert knowledge to create an excellent recognition model with these practical constraints. The empirical evidence discovered in this study indicates that the insightful incorporation of specialist knowledge can meaningfully improve an algorithm's accuracy, even with limited sample sizes. Additionally, our experimental results validate the usefulness and efficacy of our discoveries in identifying previously unknown species. This work presents the first exploration of a practical solution for endangered and rare wildlife monitoring using a foundational deep learning model. Automated monitoring capability for unidentified species has the potential to facilitate breakthroughs in the fields of zoology and biodiversity research. Intelligent monitoring of endangered and rare wildlife is important for biodiversity conservation. In practical monitoring, few animal data are available to train recognition algorithms. The system must, therefore, achieve high accuracy with limited resources. Simultaneously, zoologists expect the system to be able to discover unknown species to make significant discoveries. To date, none of the current algorithms have these abilities. Therefore, this paper proposed a KI-CLIP method. Firstly, by first introducing CLIP, a foundation deep learning model that has not yet been applied in animal fields, the powerful recognition capability with few training resources is exploited with an additional shallow network. Secondly, inspired by the single-image recognition abilities of zoologists, we incorporate easily accessible expert description texts to improve performance with few samples. Finally, a simple incremental learning module is designed to detect unknown species. We conducted extensive comparative experiments, ablation experiments, and case studies on 12 datasets containing real data. The results validate the effectiveness of KI-CLIP, which can be trained on multiple real scenarios in seconds, achieving in our study over 90% recognition accuracy with only 8 training samples, and over 97% with 16 training samples. In conclusion, KI-CLIP is suitable for practical animal monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we establish and study a novel predator–prey model that incorporates: (i) the migration of prey between breeding and non-breeding regions; (ii) the refuge effect of prey; and (iii) the reduction in prey pulse birth rate, in the form of a fear effect, in the presence of predators. Applying the Floquet theory and the comparison theorem of impulsive differential equations, we obtain the sufficient conditions for the stability of the prey-extinction periodic solution and the permanence of the system. Furthermore, we also study the case where the prey population does not migrate. Sufficient conditions for the stability of the prey-extinction periodic solution and the permanence are also established, and the threshold for extinction and permanence of the prey population is obtained. Finally, some numerical simulations are provided to verify the theoretical results. These results provide a theoretical foundation for the conservation of biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This paper considers examples of how humans negatively affect the welfare of wild animals, how such impacts might be reduced and what additional research is needed, including examples from biodiversity conservation, wildlife management, wildlife tourism and wildlife trade. Further, it discusses the relationship between wild animal welfare and biodiversity conservation, including consideration of various ethical viewpoints. Human activities negatively impact the welfare of wild vertebrates in many different contexts globally, and countless individual animals are affected. Growing concern for wild animal welfare, especially in relation to conservation, is evident. While research on wild animal welfare lags behind that focused on captive animals, minimising human-induced harm to wild animals is a key principle. This study examines examples of negative anthropogenic impacts on wild animal welfare, how these may be mitigated and what further research is required, including examples from wildlife management, biodiversity conservation, wildlife tourism and wildlife trade. Further, it discusses the relationship between animal welfare and biodiversity conservation, and synergies that may be achieved between these. Ultimately, it is discussed how the welfare of wild animals may be balanced with other priorities to ensure that welfare is afforded due consideration in interactions between people and wildlife. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior to this study, no species of Pseudophanias Raffray had been reported from Nanling, a vast biodiversity conservation area that spans five provinces in southern China. In this paper, three new species of the genus are described: Pseudophanias furcilobus sp. nov. (Guizhou, Guangxi), P. leigong sp. nov. (Guizhou), and P. mulun sp. nov. (Guangxi), suggesting that additional study on the diversity of this group in the area is required. These species are characterized, keyed, and compared to similar congeners, supplemented with illustrations of the habitus and other morphological characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based field works, specimen collections and lots of literatures reading, we found a newly recorded species of Phyllanthaceae from China——Sauropus racemosus Beille. It differs from other species of Sauropus in having glabrous young branches, glabrous leaves, racemoses 3 to 5 clustered on the lower part of the old stem branchlets. In this paper, a detailed description, color photographs and geographical distribution of S. racemosus are given. In addition, we consider S. racemosus as ‘Endangered'(EN)based on the IUCN categories and criteria. The discovery of S. racemosus enriched the diversity of plant species in the Sino-Vietnanese border area. It reflects that the Sino-Vietnanese border area are biodiversity hotspots in the world and key areas for biodiversity conservation. It also shows that the plant investigation in this area is not enough, and further investigation and research are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a complex interaction between lightning-caused fire behavior and the flora and fauna of the forest, which involves the influence of a large number of ecological factors. However, more comprehensive simulation studies under multi-system interactions between lightning ignition, forest fire spread, and animal behavior are not well developed. In this paper, we propose a forest ecosystem model based on the Agent-based modelling approach to explore the detailed linkages between different forms of lightning-caused fires and forest biodiversity. The model simulates the lightning ignition, fire spread, vegetation burning and recovery, and multi-species-survival dynamics. The experimental results show the sensitivity between environmental parameters and the magnitude of lightning-caused fires, and the beneficial ecological consequences of lightning-caused fires on forest ecosystems. By exploring detailed linkages between different forms of lightning-caused fires and forest biodiversity, we provide theoretical insights and reference suggestions for forest system governance and biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining is an important sector of the Philippine economy, but it often results in negative impacts on biodiversity. To mitigate these impacts, it is crucial to assess biodiversity in mining areas and integrate conservation efforts into mining operations. As part of the national policy guidelines on biodiversity compliance for mining companies, this study has conducted a systematic review to examine the various biodiversity assessment methods, tools, sampling designs, diversity parameters, values, and indices used in the Philippines' mining sites. Search engines and research databases were utilized in identifying diversity assessment-related research. Based on the eligibility criteria, only 25 of the 100 papers downloaded and two project terminal reports were eligible and considered in the review. It was found that authors commonly used transect line and quadrat methods for floral studies and transect line, mist netting, point count, and opportunistic sampling for faunal studies. Species abundance, relative abundance, dominance, frequency, relative frequency, density, relative density, percent cover, and importance value were the most frequently assessed biodiversity parameters, whereas the Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Simpson index, species richness, and evenness were the most commonly used indices. Endemism, economic importance, invasiveness, and conservation status were additional factors evaluated. Overall, this review provides an overview of the various biodiversity assessment methods used in the country's mining areas and offers guidance for future assessments in other mining landscapes. The limited number of studies related to biodiversity assessment in mining areas in the Philippines over the last decade highlights the urgent need for more research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity changes, such as decline in species richness and biotic homogenization, can have grave consequences for ecosystem functionality. Careful investigation of biodiversity–ecosystem multifunctionality linkages with due consideration of conceptual and technical challenges is required to make the knowledge practically useful in managing social–ecological systems. In this paper, we introduced different methods to assess perspectives regarding the issue of diversity‐multifunctionality, including a possible multifunctional redundancy/uniqueness, and the influences of the number and identity of functions on multifunctionality. In particular, we aimed to align methods with detecting the mechanisms underpinning diversity‐multifunctional relationships that are free from statistical biases. Based on a set of novel methods that excluded analytical biases resulting from differences in the number and identities of multiple functions considered, we found that a substantial portion of species disproportionately supported ecosystem functions and that the diversity effects on multifunctionality were more markedly observed when more functions were considered. These results jointly emphasize that individual species are, to some extent, both functionally unique as well as redundant, highlighting the complexity and necessity for managed assemblages to retain high levels of diversity. We also observed that the relative magnitude of uniqueness or redundancy can differ between species and functions and therefore should be defined in a multifunctional context. We further found that only a small subset of species was identified as significantly less important, especially at low levels of multifunctionality. Taken together, given the low level of multifunctional redundancy we identified, we stress that unraveling the hierarchical roles of biodiversity at different levels, such as individual species and their assemblages, should be a high research priority, in both theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many species occurrence records from specimens and publications are based on regions such as administrative units. These region‐based records are accessible and dependable, and sometimes they are the only available data source; however, few species distribution models accept such data as direct input. In this paper, we present a method named Mikrubi for robust prediction of species distributions from region‐based occurrence data and a Julia package implementing the algorithms. The package 'Mikrubi' requires a map describing disjoint regions, climatic raster layers, and a list of occupied regions. Mikrubi then rasterizes the regions, reduces the environmental dimensionality, parameterizes the niche, and finally estimates the parameters by maximizing the likelihood. In a simulation study, we find Mikrubi effective in accurate estimation in most cases; in a case study of Allium wallichii in China, Mikrubi significantly outperforms four modeling strategies that adapt region‐based records to conventional models according to different principles. The package has many prospective applications in addition to modeling distributions on region‐based records: 1) it accepts supplementary coordinates; 2) it is a new solution for distribution modeling using deviated coordinates; and 3) its probabilistic region‐based outputs have special uses in conservation and biodiversity science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is witnessing massive land degradation caused by climate change and various anthropogenic activities. There has been a significant increase in habitat restoration efforts, with demand for seeds to restore these degraded ecosystems in some cases outstripping supply. Traditionally, seeds for restoration activities have mainly been sourced through collections from the wild, but with the growing seed demand, this is increasingly becoming unsustainable. In order to ensure responsible restoration practice, restoration practitioners need to explore other options of economical, ethical and sustainable sourcing of seeds. Ex situ seed banks can leverage their technical and infrastructural capacity to play a greater and more direct role in supporting biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and restoration, particularly through the supply of quality ecologically and genetically suitable seed. In this paper, we review whether ex situ seed banks possess the capacity and competence for supporting habitat restoration and the challenges they are likely to face in these efforts. The review focuses on seed collecting, field-based seed bulking, seed handling and storage, seed quality control as well as experience and capacity in facilitating germplasm exchange. The availability of high-quality germplasm collections of documented provenance and with broad genetic diversity is arguably the greatest resource and asset that seed banks have in supporting habitat restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the leadership of the Chinese presidency, the second part of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted 62 decisions, in particular Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework(KM-GBF), which is based on the theory of transformative changes. KM-GBF, its achievements, gaps, and lessons learned, and the experience and achievements of other relevant multilateral environmental agreements, sets out an ambitious plan to implement broad-based action to bring about a transformation in our societies' relationship with biodiversity by 2030, and draws a new blueprint for global biodiversity governance. This paper provides an interpretation of the three core targets of the framework — the “3030 target” for protected areas, resource mobilisation, and digital sequence information of genetic resources, a brief introduction to the relevant decisions to ensure the implementation of the framework, and recommendations for future conservation actions in China: (1) To strengthen the mainstreaming of biodiversity conservation. Revision of China's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan(2011-2030) is an opportunity to involve the whole government and society in the process and to take action to promote the goals and targets of the KM-GBF; (2) To further develop detailed conservation plans, clarify the scopes, purposes and management measures of conservation areas, and implement responsible authorities and specific measures for implementing the plans. Researches on the Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) are needed to incorporate into the management system for biodiversity conservation; (3) To develop an operational indicator system and monitoring plan in accordance with the monitoring requirements of the framework targets; (4) To continue to strengthen awareness and education on biodiversity conservation, raise public awareness and attention to biodiversity conservation, and promote sustainable production and sustainable consumption in society as a whole; (5) To promote international cooperation vigorously to explore and promote Nature-based Solutions on a larger scale, and find pathways for economic and social development that have positive and beneficial effects on nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity loss is one of the major crises facing humanity today, and with none of the biodiversity targets represented by the Aichi Biodiversity Targets being met, there is an urgent need to promote transformative change to halt and reverse the trend of biodiversity loss. Nature-based solutions (NbS) have emerged as an important way to address the global crisis due to its inherent principles involving holistic and systemicness, diversity, stability, sustainability, trade-offs, and compatibility. The relationship between biodiversity and NbS is analyzed from a mechanistic and functional perspective, and the pathway of NbS as a proxy for biodiversity conservation is revealed by restoring of ecosystem complexity and trophic levels to put nature on the path. We here propose the dual intensions of promoting NbS for biodiversity conservation, as (1) the goal aimed at enhancing diversity, stability, and sustainability of ecosystem, and (2) the tool involves use natural processes. Based on the above understanding of the link between NbS and biodiversity, this paper further compares the conceptual connotation of NbS with the consistency of biodiversity conservation, as well as the NbS methods for biodiversity conservation including natural, agricultural and urban area. Practical cases of NbS for biodiversity conservation or synergy of NbS for biodiversity are summarized in align with differentiated typical ecosystems. The multiple benefits of NbS for biodiversity conservation, climate change and sustainable development are discussed. The vision of integrating NbS into strategic planning for biodiversity conservation is presented to provide a reference for promoting the implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the mainstreaming of NbS in biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to compare two different sets of solutions on best pathways for biodiversity conservation present in a specific territory in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, in southern Bahia. We look specifically at three interconnected administrative instances: the Tupinambá de Olivença Indigenous Land; the Una Biological Reserve; and the Una Wildlife Refuge. We show that different perspectives regarding what it means to preserve nature come into focus in this territory. These are intertwined with power relations that highlight the inequality in the legitimacy of different groups in decision making for environmental governance. We map the causes and solutions for biodiversity degradation proposed by two contrasting narratives: the Indigenous perspective and the institutionalized western science-based environmentalism developed by state agencies and non-governmental organizations that work with conservation projects in the region. We expect to equalize these contrasting perspectives that are commonly seen in hierarchical terms. We conclude by advocating for managing combinations of diverse sets of knowledge and for pluralism in conservation efforts that accounts for underlying power relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zoological collections are major treasures representing the history of animal biodiversity on Earth and are an important resource for biodiversity and conservation research. The Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) has one of the oldest crustacean collections in North America. Here, we provide an illustrated catalogue of the superfamily Sphaeromatoidea Latreille, 1825, deposited in the Canadian Museum of Nature's Crustacea Collection (CMNC). In this paper, we report 18 species, belonging to 3 families and 14 genera. The majority of species belong to the family Sphaeromatidae with 16 species, followed by the Ancinidae and the Tecticipitidae each with one species. We present a bibliography of the original description, current taxonomic status, the type locality, geographic distribution, and an updated illustration for all species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finance is a precondition for many of the activities that harm ecosystems, but how to address this underlying driver of biodiversity loss remains a topic of debate. This paper reviews the Task Force on Nature‐Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), a corporate‐led effort that aims to identify how changes to biodiversity may create financial risks for companies and investors. This approach is also promoted as a strategy for managing the impact of business on biodiversity, with the assumption that risk disclosure will more effectively price biodiversity‐harming activities. We assess the potential of the TNFD toward this end, and invite conservation scientists, practitioners, and policymakers to engage critically with its theory of change. We find that the relationship between disclosing biodiversity risk and redirecting finance away from environmental degradation is tenuous and unproven, making this mechanism insufficient for addressing the impact of the financial sector on nature. We question the embrace of another industry‐led mechanism that implies that a lack of information is the greatest barrier to stopping biodiversity loss. Further, there are risks that this financial sector approach to biodiversity will reinforce the highly unequal concentration of power and wealth, which is itself inimical to transformative change, as called for by the Intergovernmental Science–Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biodiversity of our planet is under threat, with approximately one million species expected to become extinct within decades. The reason: negative human actions, which include hunting, overfishing, pollution, and the conversion of land for urbanisation and agricultural purposes. Despite significant investment from charities and governments for activities that benefit nature, global wildlife populations continue to decline. Local wildlife guardians have historically played a critical role in global conservation efforts and have shown their ability to achieve sustainability at various levels. In 2021, COP26 recognised their contributions and pledged USD 1.7 billion per year; however this is a fraction of the global biodiversity budget available (between USD 124 billion and USD 143 billion annually) given they protect 80% of the planets biodiversity. This paper proposes a radical new solution based on "Interspecies Money", where animals own their own money. Creating a digital twin for each species allows animals to dispense funds to their guardians for the services they provide. For example, a rhinoceros may release a payment to its guardian each time it is detected in a camera trap as long as it remains alive and well. To test the efficacy of this approach, 27 camera traps were deployed over a 400 km 2 area in Welgevonden Game Reserve in Limpopo Province in South Africa. The motion-triggered camera traps were operational for ten months and, using deep learning, we managed to capture images of 12 distinct animal species. For each species, a makeshift bank account was set up and credited with GBP 100. Each time an animal was captured in a camera and successfully classified, 1 penny (an arbitrary amount—mechanisms still need to be developed to determine the real value of species) was transferred from the animal account to its associated guardian. The trial demonstrated that it is possible to achieve high animal detection accuracy across the 12 species with a sensitivity of 96.38%, specificity of 99.62%, precision of 87.14%, F1 score of 90.33%, and an accuracy of 99.31%. The successful detections facilitated the transfer of GBP 185.20 between animals and their associated guardians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity is fundamental for ecosystem functioning, sustainable crop production, soil health, and attainment of food and nutrition security. Loss of biodiversity in Africa and across the globe, and its negative impacts on food security, climate, and health must be curbed. African indigenous and underutilized crops are not likely to cause diet-related diseases. In addition, some of them cannot be adversely affected by climate change, and they also require minimum agronomic input to yield optimally. Besides supplying appropriate proportions of essential minerals, underutilized horticultural crops can also reduce hunger and alleviate poverty. While abiotic stresses like low/high temperature, drought, light intensity, and sub-optimal relative humidity will have negative impacts on exotic plants growth and development, indigenous crops are seldom affected. It is of great importance that the neglected and underutilized plant species (NUS) also serve a dual purpose as food for man as well as animal feed. Despite these crucial roles that the NUS play, some are still threatened with neglect and potentials not maximized. This paper discusses strategies that can be adopted to conserve NUS for their optimum utilization, with the Nigerian rain forest species as prototypes. Deliberate identification and cultivation of the NUS, establishment of gene and field banks, recognition and promotion of the NUS through national and special research and development programmes, use of media, including social, extension agents and agencies, linking the NUS to relevant industries including food, feed, and pharmaceuticals, and biodiversity conservation through diversified farming systems etc. are major key strategies for Climate-smart and sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a decidedly interdisciplinary study on damages to biodiversity in Belgium, in which life (biology in this case) and human sciences (criminology in this case) are allied and confronted. This contribution is mainly epistemological: How do life and social sciences employ casuistic methods to--first individually and later jointly--develop scientific knowledge about the environment and its protection? Highlighting methodological matters: What is a case study in biology and in criminology? How are case studies used to generalize and produce knowledge? How do biology and criminology combine or come into conflict in this process? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Andean montane forests are biodiversity hotspots and large carbon stores and they provide numerous ecosystem services. Following land abandonment after centuries of forest clearing for agriculture in the Andes, there is an opportunity for forest recovery. Field‐based studies show that forests do not always recover. However, large‐scale and long‐term knowledge of recovery dynamics of Andean forests remains scarce. This paper analyses tropical montane forest recovery trajectories over a 15‐year time frame at the landscape and tropical Andean scale to inform restoration planning. Methods: We first detect "potential recovery" as areas that have experienced a forest transition between 2000 and 2005. Then, we use Landsat time series analysis of the normalized difference water index (NDWI) to classify four "realized recovery" trajectories ("ongoing", "arrested", "disrupted" and "no recovery") based on a sequential pattern of 5‐yearly Z‐score anomalies for 2005–2020. We compare these results against an analysis of change in tree cover to validate against other datasets. Results: Across the tropical Andes, we detected a potential recovery area of 274 km2 over the period. Despite increases in tree cover, most areas of the Andes remained in early successional states (10–25% tree cover), and NDWI levelled out after 5–10 years. Of all potential forest recovery areas, 22% showed "ongoing recovery", 61% showed either "disrupted" or "arrested recovery", and 17% showed "no recovery". Our method captured forest recovery dynamics in a Peruvian arrested succession context and in landscape‐scale tree‐planting efforts in Ecuador. Main conclusions: Forest recovery across the Andes is mostly disrupted, arrested or unsuccessful, with consequences for biodiversity recovery and provision of ecosystem services. Low‐recovery areas identified in this study might be good candidates for active restoration interventions in this UN Decade on Restoration. Future studies could determine restoration strategies and priorities and suggest management strategies at a local planning scale across key regions in the biodiversity hotspot. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science and policy are human constructs to understand biodiversity. This paper attempts to review the relationship between science and policy for biodiversity in India. It has been found that sciences and policies/programmes for biodiversity were shaped by national objectives and commitment to global and transnational goals for the planet’s well-being, where biodiversity is an integral part of planetary well-being. The paper also shows how utilitarianism marked both research as well as policies and programmes with respect to biodiversity. Biodiversity conservation demands policies that are not just about economic gains within a plan period, but about larger conservation, threats to survival (species extinction), and inter-generational time scales. Given the global emphasis on biodiversity conservation particularly in the context of climate change and food security, country like India needs to balance multiple demands and multiple stakeholder’s interests. The relationship between science and policy for biodiversity Post independence in India has converged for increasing utility from natural resources and simultaneously increasing human wellbeing. There is a need for biodiversity policy in the country to be fed by robust science and different knowledge forms where biodiversity is understood not only as a species or breed to be conserved but the system’s heterogeneity and the ontology of biodiversity to ensure sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cross-habitat spillover may be the outcome of a process of habitat loss or degradation where the receiving habitat serves as a refuge for organisms. Once surface habitats are lost or degraded, animals can find underground refuge in caves. This paper is focused on testing whether taxonomic order richness inside caves is positively affected by the loss of the native vegetation cover surrounding caves; whether degradation of native vegetation cover predicts cave community composition; and whether there is a pattern of cave community clusters delimited by similarity in the effects of habitat degradation on animal communities. We gathered a comprehensive speleological dataset consisting of occurrence data of thousands of invertebrates and vertebrates sampled in 864 iron caves in the Amazon, to test the effects of both variables measured inside caves and surrounding landscapes on spatial variation in richness and composition of animal communities. We show that caves can work as refuges for the fauna in landscapes where the native vegetation cover surrounding them was degraded, which was evidenced by landcover change increasing the richness of cave communities and clustering caves by similarity in community composition. Therefore, habitat degradation on the surface should be a key variable when characterizing cave ecosystems for conservation prioritization and offset planning. Habitat degradation causing a cross-habitat spillover effect highlights the importance of maintaining the connection between caves by the surface, especially large caves. Our study can help guide industry and stakeholders working on the complex conciliation between land use and biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides the fourth edition of the checklist of birds recorded in northwestern Italy (the Piedmont and Aosta Valley regions) and covers more than 300 years of ornithological data, including subspecies. This work updates the previous works published in 1981, 2003, and 2009, with the revision of the AERC codes and the addition of special annotations for several species. We also provide some new settings to make the bird checklist a more useful tool for all users, particularly scholars and professionals interested in biodiversity assessment and conservation reports. To this end, (a) new coding concerning population estimates and trends, as well as risk categories (Red List), is introduced; (b) bird lists are structured for analysis at two temporal levels: the General Checklist (GCL), covering the period from 1685 to 2022, and the Operational Checklist (OCL), covering the decade 2010–2019, providing periods of reference for comparison and analysis; and (c) an electronic spreadsheet is provided as part of the online Supplementary Materials to allow for further data analysis by readers, if necessary. The list presently contains 408 species and 444 taxonomic units, which consist of both subspecies and monotypic species. Each of them has been allocated to one of the AERC categories A, B, C, or D, while category E has been excluded. Since the publication of the previous list (2009), 19 species have been added. The avifauna currently breeding in the Piedmont and Aosta Valley regions comprises 197 species, with an additional 9 species that were once breeders but are now considered regionally extinct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of computer vision technology, many advanced computer vision methods have been successfully applied to animal detection, tracking, recognition and behavior analysis, which is of great help to ecological protection, biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. As existing datasets applied to target tracking contain various kinds of common objects, but rarely focus on wild animals, this paper proposes the first benchmark, named Wild Animal Tracking Benchmark (WATB), to encourage further progress of research and applications of visual object tracking. WATB contains more than 203,000 frames and 206 video sequences, and covers different kinds of animals from land, sea and sky. The average length of the videos is over 980 frames. Each video is manually labelled with thirteen challenge attributes including illumination variation, rotation, deformation, and so on. In the dataset, all frames are annotated with axis-aligned bounding boxes. To reveal the performance of these existing tracking algorithms and provide baseline results for future research on wild animal tracking, we benchmark a total of 38 state-of-the-art trackers and rank them according to tracking accuracy. Evaluation results demonstrate that the trackers based on deep networks perform much better than other trackers like correlation filters. Another finding on the basis of the evaluation results is that wild animals tracking is still a big challenge in computer vision community. The benchmark WATB and evaluation results are released on the project website https://w-1995.github.io/. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]