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Wetlands, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, are increasingly subjected to area loss and degradation due to land-use and climate changes. These factors impact their unique biodiversity, including numerous invertebrates that depend on them. Here we investigated the current and future habitat suitability of the aquatic spiders Argyroneta aquatica and Dolomedes plantarius. We evaluated future trends in their geographic range, aiming at assessing their extinction risk according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List criteria, at both global and regional levels. We investigated present and future distribution ranges using species distribution models for two integrated emission scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5) and combining three general circulation models. These were combined with knowledge on species' dispersal limitation to account for the possibility that these species will not be able to move beyond the current range in the next decades. We found a significant future northern shift in the geographic range and a global reduction in habitat suitability for both species, corresponding to a loss of 28.9 % for A. aquatica and 38.1 % for D. plantarius in the next 10 years. The application of the IUCN criteria qualifies A. aquatica as Near Threatened and D. plantarius as Vulnerable. Regional assessments provided similar patterns of range reductions and population vulnerability across all European regions, particularly for Central-Eastern and Western Europe. Conversely, Northern Europe is expected to become a climatic refugium for both species. This work goes beyond the available studies on the conservation of these species by taking account their dispersal abilities in quantifying future trends in their habitat suitability using the most up to date knowledge. Conservation strategies should be directed towards limiting the impact of climatic and non-climatic stressors on wetlands, and towards implementing management plans and restoration programmes to increase habitat suitability and connectivity among wetland patches. [Display omitted] • Argyroneta aquatica and Dolomedes plantarius are charismatic species of wetlands subjected to habitat loss and degradation. • A future northern shift in geographic range and a global reduction in habitat suitability is forecasted for both species. • The predicted loss is 28.9 % for A. aquatica and 38.1 % for D. plantarius in the next 10 years. • The application of the IUCN criteria qualifies A. aquatica as Near Threatened and D. plantarius as Vulnerable. • Regional assessments provided similar patterns of range reductions and population vulnerability across all European regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Despite their high diversity and importance for humankind, invertebrates are often neglected in biodiversity conservation policies. We identify seven impediments to their effective protection: (1) invertebrates and their ecological services are mostly unknown to the general public (the public dilemma); (2) policymakers and stakeholders are mostly unaware of invertebrate conservation problems (the political dilemma); (3) basic science on invertebrates is scarce and underfunded (the scientific dilemma); (4) most species are undescribed (the Linnean shortfall); (5) the distribution of described species is mostly unknown (the Wallacean shortfall); (6) the abundance of species and their changes in space and time are unknown (the Prestonian shortfall); (7) species ways of life and sensitivities to habitat change are largely unknown (the Hutchinsonian shortfall). Numerous recent developments in taxonomy, inventorying, monitoring, data compilation, statistical analysis and science communication facilitate overcoming these impediments in both policy and practice. We suggest as possible solutions for the public dilemma: better public information and marketing. For the political dilemma: red-listing, legal priority listing and inclusion in environmental impact assessment studies. For the scientific dilemma: parataxonomy, citizen science programs and biodiversity informatics. For the Linnean shortfall: biodiversity surrogacy, increased support for taxonomy and advances in taxonomic publications. For the Wallacean shortfall: funding of inventories, compilation of data in public repositories and species distribution modeling. For the Prestonian shortfall: standardized protocols for inventorying and monitoring, widespread use of analogous protocols and increased support for natural history collections. For the Hutchinsonian shortfall: identifying good indicator taxa and studying extinction rates by indirect evidence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The IUCN Red List is the most useful list of species that are at risk for extinction worldwide, as it relies on a number of objective criteria. Nevertheless, there is a taxonomic bias that excludes species with small body sizes, narrow distribution ranges and low dispersal abilities, which constitute the vast majority of the planet’s biota, particularly local endemics. By evaluating each IUCN criterion separately, we (i) identify the shortcomings for invertebrate applications, (ii) explain how risk categories may be wrongly applied due to inapplicable and/or misleading thresholds, (iii) suggest alternative ways of applying the existing criteria in a more realistic way and (iv) suggest possible new criteria that were not considered in the current evaluation framework but that could allow a more comprehensive and effective assessment of invertebrates. By adapting the criteria to rely more explicitly on the Area of Occupancy and the Extent of Occurrence, their respective trends and by using ecological modelling methods, the criteria’s applicability would be increased. The change in some thresholds or, eventually, the creation of sub-categories would further increase their adequacy. Additionally, co-extinction could be introduced as an explicit part of the classification process. As a case study, we evaluated 48 species of Azorean arthropods and Iberian spiders according to the current criteria. More than one-quarter (27%) of all evaluated species were classified as Critically Endangered, 19% as Endangered, 6% as Vulnerable and 8% as Least Concern. The remaining 40% did not have enough data to reach a classification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The concepts and methodologies of machine learning are increasingly used to create semi-autonomous programmes capable of adapting to a multitude of problems and decision-making scenarios. With its potential in big data analysis, machine learning is particularly useful for tackling global conservation problems that often involve vast amounts of data and complex interactions between variables. In this systematic review, we summarise the use of machine learning methods in the study of species threats and conservation measures, and their emergent trends. Maximum entropy, Bayesian (regression or classification models) and ensemble methods (tree-based models, either bagging or boosting) have gained wide popularity in the past years and are now commonly used for multiple problems. Their relevance to modern conservation issues (and associated data types), their relatively simple implementation, and availability in a variety of software packages are the most likely factors to explain their popularity. Neural networks, decision trees, support-vector machines and evolutionary algorithms have been used in more specific situations, with some model applications showing promise in dealing with increasingly complex data and scenarios. • Machine learning (ML) use in conservation is expected to grow as datasets expand. • Maximum entropy and Bayesian ML methods are the most popular in this domain. • Neural networks are powerful but have limited use due to lack of interpretability. • Most common ML use is in niche modelling, assisted decision making, and monitoring. • Care must be taken to choose the ML model as its characteristics can be limiting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal parasites are species rich and ecologically diverse, some with complex life cycles and life histories and consequently many are vulnerable to extinction. While the conservation biology community is becoming cognisant of the plight of threatened parasites, coupled at times with potential host co-extinction, feasible criteria have not been developed to specifically assess their threat risk and methods to conserve them have also received limited attention. Methodologies and criteria are presented here to aid the assessment of the conservation status of threatened parasites in a way consistent with the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Such assessments assist in prioritizing conservation efforts, a crucial task given parasites are integral to the functioning and survival of global ecosystems. • Animal parasites are ecologically important and highly vulnerable to extinction. • Available conservation rubrics are poorly suited for assessing animal parasites. • The first assessment framework designed for animal parasites is presented. • Widescale assessments of the conservation status of animal parasites can now occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]