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Introduction. The assessment of the importance of individual areas for the conservation of European biodiversity relies on various criteria, one of which is the presence of threatened species of European significance. Recent botanical surveys have confirmed the proliferation of rare plants within the Divychky Emerald Network Area. Our research aims to conduct a phytosociological analysis and assess the ecological conditions of habitats hosting rare species in the Divychky Emerald Network Area (DENA) under protection at both national and international levels. Materials and Methods. We conducted a survey of the area and compiled lists of species, identifying those that are rare and protected at the European level. We visually assessed the vitality of populations and utilized synphytoindication method to characte­rize ecological aspects of habitats. Results. We compiled a list of species found within the Divychky Emerald network area, which includes those listed in both the European Red List and the Red Data Book of Ukraine. Phytoindicative assessment helped determine the range of individual environmental factors affecting these species. Discussion. The Divychky Emerald Network Area is home to endangered species of significant importance within Europe. In particular, there are habitats of nine species under protection of the Bern Convention, and two species included in the European Red List. We have compiled a list of species with protected status and assigned them to six vegetation classes in the plant community. The largest number of plants have been assigned to three vegetation classes. Our studies demonstrate how the types of reproduction affect the distribution and number of species – species with vegetative reproduction had the largest populations. The most vulnerable species populations were described, and information on the distribution and habitat of these species was provided. Conclusion. We have gathered new chorological and phytocoenotic data concerning the growth of protected plant species within the studied area of the Divychky Emerald Network Area. Species protected at the European level, along with their populations facing varying levels of extinction threat, have been identified and thoroughly studied.

Since the 1970s, the world has witnessed a proliferation of international treaties championing the protection of wildlife. The effectiveness of those treaties, which together comprise international wildlife law (IWL), depends on their national implementation by individual states rather than on their number. National implementation of IWL ranges from legislative action, to resource allocation, to individual behavioural change. Inadequate IWL implementation can facilitate and even lead to wildlife crime. Therefore, examining how countries operationalise their commitments derived from IWL is important to understand the efficacy (or lack thereof) of wildlife treaties. The main goal of this article is to investigate the dynamics by which nations internalise international wildlife commitments into state law, by using Norway as a case study. The article thus explores the social dynamics that shaped the domestic legal action that Norway undertook after its ratification of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention). The study is based on historical data documenting Norway's legislative processes derived from the conventions and historical records of the country's environmental conflicts. It applies Chambliss's sociology of law perspective on conflict to interpret the material. While many globalisation scholars hold that globalisation stripped states of legislative sovereignty, this article argues that Norway's wildlife policy is mostly dependent on clashes between national forces, rather than Norway conceding legislative powers to the international community. In other words, the tension between economic growth and ecosystem conservation determines how Norway implements IWL commitments. This article contributes to the literature on environmental regime effectiveness and the domestic impact of treaties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the knowledge of the general public on the legislative framework relating to wildlife conservation in England, with a specific focus on the Bern Convention and the public's awareness of the treaty, as well as the domestic legislation transposing it. By creating a publicly available survey, the study determined the environmental attitudes of the public and their knowledge of the legislative regime relating to wildlife conservation. Whilst the majority of the public displayed pro-environmental attitudes and support for greater efforts towards the conservation of flora and fauna, the overall awareness of the legislation was worryingly low, with only 5.6% of respondents recognising the Bern Convention. Accordingly, the study investigated how awareness of environmental legislation may be increased. Ultimately, the paper concludes that formal environmental education, including legislation, must be optimised, and the domestic legislative framework should be further consolidated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pine stands of the Vyshcha Dubechnia State Forestry Enterprise in the Emerald Network sites Kyivske Reservoir UA0000094, Kyivske Podesennia UA0000233, Mizhrichynsky Regional Landscape Park UA0000047 are an important reserve that includes species and habitats of insects that are subject to protection. Most of the existing studies in this area were designed to identify and describe individual habitats, while xylophagous insects were not considered. The purpose of the research was to identify rare and endangered species of tree-dwelling insects in unique natural complexes. The research methods included reconnaissance surveys to determine the species composition of insects and their density. The surveys were conducted in 2020-2022, covering 33 plots with a total area of 50.5 hectares. The monitoring was performed through regular surveys of the territories, during which rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine and the Berne Convention resolution were identified. A desktop analysis of forestry materials was conducted. Rare species of insects subject to protection are encountered, but outside the areas where monitoring observations were conducted. These are mainly water, marsh, meadow lands, etc. Accounting for stem pests such as Scolytinae (small pine engraver Tomicus minor and pine shoot beetle Tomicus piniperda), Buprestidae (steelblue jewel beetle Phaenops cyanea) and Cerambycidae (pine sawyer Monochamus galloprovincialis and timberman beetle Acanthocinus aedilis). The identified populations of xylophagous insects are described as low to medium density, occurring only on very weakened trees, and species such as Chrysobothris affinis, Cerambyx scopolii, and Scolytus ratzeburgi are rare. The results of the study will serve as an informational base for the development of regional biodiversity conservation programs and the implementation of mechanisms for the sustainable use of forest resources

The dataset includes georeferenced occurrences of species listed in Annex I of Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention and, partly, in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. The dataset was compiled within the work of NGO "Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group" aimed to prepare a Shadow list of Emerald Network (European network Areas of Special Conservation Interest) in Ukraine - newly proposed territories aimed at conservation of particular species and habitats mentioned in Resolution 4 and 6 of the Bern Convention. The list was prepared in 2017-2020 for expanding the already existing Emerald Network of Ukraine. Based on actual registrations of flora and fauna collected and gathered by scientists and naturalists in a form of dataset, which is described in the following paper.This dataset provides information about 29,938 occurrences of species from the territory of Ukraine listed in Annex I of Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention, as well as in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. This is the largest public dataset on occurrences of rare and endangered species from Ukraine till now. Data presented here laid the foundations for the proposal of 106 approved Emerald Network sites (2019), as well as for 148 Emerald Network sites that were nominated in 2020. New insights on the endemic species Centaurea pseudoleucolepis Kleopow is provided, which was previously considered to be extinct, according to the IUCN Red List.

The Bern Convention was the first international treaty dedicated to the conservation of European wildlife and habitats. Their task is to review member states' efforts depending on their commitments for flora and fauna protection. Since 1993, the Mediterranean Association to Save the Sea Turtles (MEDASSET) has been advocating for the creation and enforcement of legislation at the national, European Union, and regional levels. MEDASSET monitors the implementation of the Convention's recommendations in two major sea turtle nesting areas in Greece (Laganas and Kyparissia Bays) and four in Turkey (Anamur, Kazanli, Fethiye, and Patara). In Greece, the most important pressures are uncontrolled tourist boat activity, illegal construction, and beach furniture management issues reported in Laganas Bay, and light pollution, illegal construction, and unhindered vehicle access in Kyparissia. In Turkey, Anamur is negatively impacted by the lack of law enforcement, illegal sand extraction, and coastal development, and Kazanli has been subjected to the release of toxic waste from a Soda Chrome Factory since 2000. Moreover, Fethiye and Patara are affected by the lack of management and protection, and the rapid construction and touristic development. Nevertheless, some positive steps have been made due to MEDASSET and other NGO activities over the past 30 years, such as the establishment of the National Marine Park of Zakynthos, and the issuing of the Bern Convention's recommendations for each one of the aforementioned nesting sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dataset includes georeferenced occurrences of species listed in Annex I of Resolution 6 of the Bern Convention and, partly, in the Red Data Book of Ukraine. The dataset was compiled within the work of NGO "Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group" aimed to prepare a Shadow list of Emerald Network (European network Areas of Special Conservation Interest) in Ukraine - newly proposed territories aimed at conservation of particular species and habitats mentioned in Resolution 4 and 6 of the Bern Convention. The list was prepared in 2017-2020 for expanding the already existing Emerald Network of Ukraine. Based on actual registrations of flora and fauna collected and gathered by scientists and naturalists in a form of dataset, which is described in the following paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript summarizes the outcomes of the 6th EuroSpeleo Protection Symposium. Special emphasis was laid on presenting and discussing monitoring activities under the umbrella of the Habitats Directive (EU Council Directive 92/43/EEC) for habitat type 8310 "Caves not open to the public" and the Emerald Network. The discussions revealed a high level of variation in the currently conducted underground monitoring activities: there is no uniform definition of what kind of underground environments the "cave" habitat should cover, how often a specific cave has to be monitored, and what parameters should be measured to evaluate the conservation status. The variation in spatial dimensions in national definitions of caves further affects the number of catalogued caves in a country and the number of caves to be monitored. Not always participants are aware of the complete national monitoring process and that data sets should be freely available or easily accessible. The discussions further showed an inherent dilemma between an anticipated uniform monitoring approach with a coherent assessment methodology and, on the contrary, the uniqueness of caves and subterranean biota to be assessed - combined with profound knowledge gaps and a lack of resources. Nevertheless, some good practices for future cave monitoring activities have been identified by the participants: (1) Cave monitoring should focus on bio- and geodiversity elements alike; (2) Local communities should be involved, and formal agreements envisaged; (3) Caves must be understood as windows into the subterranean realm; (4) Touristic caves should not be excluded ad-hoc from regular monitoring; (5) New digital tools and open FAIR data infrastructures should be implemented; (6) Cave biomonitoring should focus on a large(r) biological diversity; and (7) DNA-based tools should be integrated. Finally, the importance of the 'forgotten' Recommendation No. 36 from the Bern Convention as a guiding legal European document was highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright is a protection provided to people in the country of Indonesia as a form of appreciation for works that are made or produced in the form of visual, audiovisual, and other things and examples of these intellectual property rights such as songs, films, works of art in the form of paintings and many other things. The function of copyright itself is to protect these works from individuals who want to plagiarize or imitate these copyrighted works so that other people are encouraged to generate ideas and works for the Indonesian nation. And this is protected by Indonesian Copyright Law and as we know Copyright has various types and one of them is the cinematography which is regulated in Article 40 Letter m Copyright Law, an example of cinematography. these are like commercials, cartoons, and documentaries. The exclusive rights owned by the creator in Article 9 Copyright Law and the regulation of sanctions related to the perpetrator who records and distributes the recording or copyright infringement that he has committed are regulated in Electronic Information and Transaction Law and this research compare the Copyright of Indonesian law with the Bern Convention where in this convention there is the Droit Moral or the right of the creator to claim his creation and raise objections against acts that intend to change and reduce. The development of technology and the internet makes it easier for many things to become practical but there are increasing problems that arise in the field of Copyright in the field of cinematography such as imitation. Piracy or imitation is an act committed by irresponsible persons who want to profit from the work of another person without their permission or knowledge

Salvinia natans (Salviniaceae, Polypodiopsida) is a warm-temperate presumably relict fern species that is currently protected not only at the national level in Ukraine, but also internationally in some other countries. It was included in all three editions of the Red Data Book of Ukraine (1980, 1996, 2009), as well as in Appendix I of the Bern Convention, the European Red List (as Near Threatened), and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (as Least Concern). An updated analysis of the distribution patterns of S. natans within the territory of Ukraine is provided based on the original research and observations of the authors, herbarium specimens from 37 Ukrainian, Austrian, Czech, Romanian and Russian herbaria, and available literature. As a result, more than 400 localities of this aquatic fern were registered in almost all administrative regions of the country, except Chernivtsi Region and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Based on the results of the comparative chorological analysis and the study of the spatial distribution of these localities, it is concluded that the geographic range of S. natans within Ukraine is currently expanding. The studied species in many localities forms large and stable populations, often occupying large areas (over 1 ha) with numerous individuals and projective cover of up to 100% (completely covering the water surface). Due to the active expansion of S. natans throughout Ukraine, the presence of numerous stable populations and over-reproduction of this fern in many regions, it is proposed to exclude (delist) this species from the Red Data Book of Ukraine. However, the need to protect individual natural habitats of the species in the territories included in the Emerald Network and/or in protected areas of the nature reserve fund is emphasized. Populations of S. natans should also be protected at the regional level in geographic regions where the species is infrequent and does not show the expansion trend. In other regions where this fern is excessively abundant, biomass extraction and utilization measures should be developed and implemented.

Copyright of Ataturk Arastirma Merkezi Dergisi is the property of Ataturk Arastirma Merkezi Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The Bern Convention aims to conserve wild flora and fauna and their natural habitats, especially those species and habitats whose conservation requires the cooperation of several states. Turkey became a party to the convention in 1984 and therefore made it binding in terms of domestic law. It was sought to answer the question of how effective the Bern Convention was in Turkish legislation and judicial decisions. For that purpose, first, comparison of the provisions of the Bern Convention with Turkish legislation is carried out by using a four-point scoring chart, and second, the effect of the convention on the judicial decisions was examined by considering whether the Bern Convention was clearly referred in the relevant judicial decisions—47 Council of State decisions were analyzed from 1984 to 2019. It is observed an improvement in Turkish wildlife legislation increased from 17 to 74% per the Bern Convention's goals and objectives. The proportion of judicial decisions referred to the Bern Convention, which resulted in a positive ecological decision was 87.5%. Decisions that do not refer to the Bern Convention were 66% positive. A comprehensive evaluation of both judicial decisions and legislative analysis showed that there are many deficiencies, especially in terms of migratory species and interstate coordination. To improve judicial decisions, courts should be subjected to mandated capacity-building training/workshops concerning international conventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An analysis of literature about the nomenclature and distribution of the rare plant species Colchicum fominii Bordz. in southwestern Ukraine (Odesa oblast) was carried out. Several territories in both Artsyz and Tarutyne raions where C. fominii was recorded in 1982 and 1995 were investigated in 2016. A population last reported in the mid-1930s from Velyka Mykhailivka raion was revisited in 2007. A significant reduction in number of generative individuals was noted in 2016 in the population located between Nova Ivanivka and Delen villages, Artsyz raion (compared to observations in 1982 and 1995). Due to the fact that C. fominii is not recorded in any sites of the Nature Reserve Fund of Ukraine or of the Emerald Network, we propose the creation of two botanical nature reserves of local importance in Odesa oblast (between Nova Ivanivka and Delen villages, Artsyz raion and near Kardamycheve, Velyka Mykhailivka raion), where the contemporary populations of C. fominii are recorded and inclusion of these reserves into the Emerald Network.

The role of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Bern Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats, the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), the Framework Convention on the Protection and Sustainable Development of the Carpathian, the Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats (EUROBATS), and the Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and wild fauna and flora in the conservation of Chiroptera is discussed. Resolutions, recommendations and guidelines adopted in the framework of international treaties and focused on different aspects of conservation, monitoring, research, ecology, and management of bats and their habitats, as well as the factors affecting bats such as climate change, renewable energy, forest management, remedial timber treatment, development of traffic infrastructure, fungal infections etc. are characterized.

Conflicts have emerged due to range expansions of the golden jackal (Canis aureus) across Europe, characterized by their international conservation status and perceived impacts on livestock and native prey species. Most countries in Central Europe do not yet include the golden jackal in their national list of occurring, native species. Nevertheless, legal obligations arise as soon as golden jackals colonize a particular country. Legal implications of this range expansion were described in past studies from an international perspective. However, they left out specifics on the legal status within any particular country. Therefore, we examine the actual legal status within Central European countries, exemplifying the diverse federal and provincial laws. In particular, we assess the current conservation and hunting laws in Austria's provinces and discuss them in the context of neighbouring countries to analyse implications for relevant authorities. We found substantial contrasts not only among provinces but also between direct neighbouring countries, impeding efforts for transboundary species conservation and leading to complications regarding the management of this species. Improved procedures for collecting records and hunting-bag data appear necessary for future species assessment on a European level and management on a local level. We recommend a more unified legal system but adjusted to actual golden jackal presence on the regional and cross-border level, combined assessment, or similar management strategies to minimize conflicts, reduce persecution, and clarify legal obligations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To revise the syntaxonomy of the vegetation of steppe depressions (pody), in particular (1) to identify the associations and to reveal their environmental, structural and compositional peculiarities; (2) to assign the associations to higher syntaxa; and (3) to correct nomenclatural aspects according to the ICPN. Study area: Steppe zone of Ukraine, Left-Bank of the Lower Dnieper basin. Methods: 641 relevés were included in the final analysis in the PCOrd program integrated into Juice software. Two expert systems (EVC and EUNIS-ESy) were used to assign relevés to vegetation classes and to EUNIS units. Results: The analysis resulted in nine clusters, which were interpreted as Festuco-Brometea (two units), Molinio-Arrhenatheretea (three units), Isoto-Nanojuncetea (three units) and one derivate community of the Festuco-Puccinellietea. Detailed characteristics of the species composition, structure, distribution, and environmental conditions are provided for each unit. According to the DCA ordination, the leading factors of the syntaxa differentiation are soil moisture and fluctuating water level. Conclusions: We could clarify the placement of steppe depression vegetation in the system of syntaxonomic units of Europe. The previously described syntaxa of the rank of alliance (Myosuro-Beckmannion eruciformis), suballiance (Galio ruthenici-Caricenion praecocis), and six associations are validated. Two associations and two subassociations are described as a new to science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Catalana de Dret Ambiental is the property of Universitat Rovira I Virgili and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Catalana de Dret Ambiental is the property of Universitat Rovira I Virgili and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper is focused on phytosociological and ecological peculiarities of the vulnerable species Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka in Ukraine and Poland at the northern distribution limit of the species. Based on the analysis of 86 relevés, we recognised three associations within Festuco-Brometea class in which Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka occurs. We also revealed an ecological differencies between habitats of the species using Didukh's phytoindication scale. It was concluded that the limited factors of Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka distribution are soil humidity, carbonate content and thermal climate. The assessment of ecological amplitude of Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka shows that the most vulnerable are the habitats in the Southern Podillia (Ukraine), at the eastern limit of the total range. It has been revised the carbonate content indices for Carlina acanthifolia subsp. utzka species and has been proposed new ecological amplitude according to our results. We propose to restore the C. acanthifolia subsp. utzka habitats using grassland management measures within Emerald and Natura 2000 sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservation regulations are increasingly recognized as important elements of the available toolkit for effective biodiversity conservation. However, the full integration of evidence when designing these tools is still scarce, which limits the effectiveness of these legal instruments. Increasing concern is emerging on the compatibility between leisure activities and biodiversity conservation, which require a true integration of the best available evidence into policy-making. Managing authorities are required to take actions in order to ensure the compliance of international conservation commitments with species conservation. This is the case of applying spatio-temporal regulations on bear viewing activities in critical bear areas and periods, such as during the cub-rearing period. Here, we took advantage of a unique long-term dataset (>25 years) of observations of females with cubs in the endangered brown bear population in the Cantabrian Mountains, N Spain (>3000 observations from 329 females with cubs) to estimate monthly bear cub survival rates in the first sixteen months of cubs life. Overall, the monthly cub survival in this population was remarkable high, ranging from 0.839 to 0.994 monthly survival rates. The lower monthly cub survival rates were in May and June after the cubs left the den (mean ± SD: 0.839 ± 0.050 and 0.897 ± 0.023, respectively). Infanticide was estimated as the main mortality cause for cubs during the study period. Our results are practical because they can be used to inform conservation policies regarding the most appropriate periods to implement temporal regulations of human activities in bear breeding areas. The most appropriate period to implement such regulations here is the period between the time when the cubs leave the den (late March–April) until and including June; which should be considered in future temporal regulations adopted by Regional Governments in Spain. Accordingly, we also urge an update of the Spanish brown bear strategies considering the new scenario of bear conservation in Spain, including a set of measures related to bear viewing activities. • Integration of evidence when delineating regulations is a pending issue. • Bear conservation plans should provide a set of actions to reduce disturbance. • This may include temporally restricting human activities in bear breeding areas. • Critical periods for cub mortality were estimated for the endangered Cantabrian bears. • This information can be used to inform bear conservation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Română de Drept al Afacerilor is the property of Wolters Kluwer Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The paper presents data regarding two larvae insect populations - Gomphus (Stylurus) flavipes (Charpentier, 1825) and Palingenia longicauda (Olivier, 1791), inhabiting in the communities existing at the water/sediment interface along the Danube River. The dragonfly Gomphus (Stylurus) flavipes (Charpentier, 1825) is one of the most important indicator species, listed in Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive (EU Directive 92/43/EEC) and included in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 2014. This species of dragonfly has become an endangered species in most Western European countries due to water pollution and river regulation. The other important larvae species, mayfly Palingenia longicauda (Olivier, 1791), listed in Annex II of the Bern Convention, is considered critically endangered in Europe. Both require a specific habitat conditions in order to complete their life cycle. During the spring campaigns conducted during 2012-2015, the presence of the two species was reported in 26 profiles from the Lower Danube Sector, Gomphus (Stylurus) flavipes in 18 profiles, and Palingenia longicauda in 10 profiles. The most abundant occurrences were recorded in 2015, at Km 4 - Măcin Arm (59.2 ind/m2) for Gomphus (Stylurus) flavipes, respectively, in 2012, at Km 8 - Sf. Gheorghe) (125.8 ind/m²) for Palingenia longicauda. The presence or absence of larvae in samples, as well as their abundance, are strictly dependent on ecological conditions, the type of substrate representing the decisive factor in the microdistribution of the two larvae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Climate change is one of the strongest biodiversity threats. Worse still, the impact of multiple anthropic stressors on species dynamics could complicate adaptation to temperature increase. International conservation policies aim to protect ecosystems against anthropic pressures, but their ability to facilitate adaptation to climate change has yet to be assessed. Using wetland bird monitoring surveys, we evaluated the differences at the country scale of community adjustment to temperature increase of wintering waterbird communities (145 species) according to the implementation of the two main western Palearctic international conservation policies (Bern Convention and Birds Directive) in the Mediterranean basin (2786 sites, 22 countries) over a 22-year period. We showed that thermic community composition increases over time in countries which have enforced conservation policies. We found that strictly protected species under the Birds Directive and the Bern Convention contributed more to this community adjustment than the not strictly protected species. The mechanism results from a population increase in protected warm-dwelling species but not from a decline in cold-dwelling species. This study supports the ability of international conservation policies to mitigate the effect of climate change on animal communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The world is experiencing an anthropogenic nature crisis, with global warming and catastrophes, for example, wildfires and flooding, causing destruction of living conditions and habitat both for human and nonhuman species. According to WWF’s last living planet index, one million species are risking extinction, leading to a need for a criminology that addresses the multifarious reasons for this situation, which to large degree is lacking. In this article, I apply perspectives from Green Criminology, Environmental Restorative Justice and Species Restorative Justice to argue for the necessity of these to address species loss and animal abuse caused by wildlife trade and hunting. The implementation of two prominent nature conservation conventions, CITES and the Bern convention, are central in the discussion, with Norway as the case, through which it is shown that these fail to provide endangered wildlife with protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects are among the most diverse and abundant organisms on Earth, and they play a major role in ecosystem functioning. To protect them from decline, some conservation measures have been put in place, based primarily on threatened species lists. This is the case in Europe, where 123 of the 105,000 known European insect species are currently protected. Yet how were these few species selected? Are those species representative of the European entomofauna? Is it possible for a conservation policy based on the protection of only 0.12% of described species to be effective? In this study, we aimed to measure bias in the selection of species for conservation by comparing protected and unprotected species in Europe. To this end, we considered 15 characteristics divided into five main categories: ‘Taxonomy’, ‘Morphology’, ‘Diet’, ‘Knowledge’ and ‘Distribution’. We investigated bias in species selection and found that protected species were significantly larger, better known, more widespread and more multicoloured than a randomly selected set of unprotected species. Moreover, butterflies, dragonflies and grasshoppers were overrepresented, as were nectarivorous and saproxylophagous species. In contrast, Hymenopterans and Dipterans, together representing > 40% of European entomofauna, do not appear on the current list of protected species. To address this bias, we propose recommendations to improve the protection of insects at the European scale, including making lists more ‘dynamic’, introducing new criteria, and a paradigm shift towards conserving assemblages and ecological function. Existing technical and societal means could be used to achieve an integrative conservation approach for insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reptiles are traded globally for medicinal purposes. Historic qualitative accounts of reptiles used as medicine in Morocco are numerous, but contemporary quantitative data are rare. In 2013-2014, we surveyed 49 wildlife markets in 20 towns throughout Morocco, plus the Spanish exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. We recorded 1,586 specimens of at least nine species for sale in 14 of the Moroccan markets with a combined value of about US $100,000. The most prominent markets were those in Marrakesh, Meknes, Casablanca, and Fez, with the former two cites trading equal quantities of dried and live specimens and the latter two trading mainly dried specimens. Common species were the Mediterranean chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) with 720 specimens (506 dried, 214 alive) and the Bell’s Dabb lizard (Uromastyx acanthinura) with 428 specimens (247 dried, 181 alive), both traded in 10 markets, and spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca; 57 carapaces), for sale in eight cities. Over 200 African rock python (Python sebae) skins were identified and may have been illicitly imported from other parts of Africa. The turnover of Mediterranean chameleon and Bell’s Dabb lizard specimens after four weeks as measured by repeat surveys was 66% for both species, resulting in an estimated annual turnover of 1,520 chameleons (range 921–2,303) and 775 lizards (range 364–1,174). Despite legal protection and regulations locally within Morocco and internationally through CITES, reptiles are commonly and openly traded for medicinal purposes throughout Morocco. However, traders are not forthcoming in conveying the legal status of these species and restrictions on trade to potential buyers. Increased enforcement of existing wildlife protection legislation is needed to prevent this exploitation from the illegal wildlife trade that could negatively impacts imperiled species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2005–2006 we developed first in Ukraine 65 GISs (ArcMap 9x) based on new experience using remote sensing data (1 km…25 m) of 1993–2005. The set of maps was used for wide analysis of historical and expected expansion of mammals in the post-soviet Eastern Eurasia — EEBIO. These outcomes showed that final prediction-maps displayed changes better if GIS- operators transformed so many opinions of sciences that were possible and took into account diversity of RS and GIS data. Numbers of mistakes in historical textual ‘models’ correlated significantly with size of habitat areas of selected mammals: the bigger area ‘provokes’ more mistakes. The article contents examples concerning the historic and expected distribution of bears (Ursus maritimus, U. arctos) and wolf (Canis lupus).

The paper reviews the international treaties that are today applicable for the protection of marine mammals in the Mediterranean Sea. They include instruments applicable at the world or the regional level. Emphasis is put on the International Whaling Commission, which is today affected by a confrontation between the two opposing groups of nonwhaling and whaling parties, the Agreement on the Conservation of Cetaceans of the Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Contiguous Atlantic Area (ACCOBAMS) and its implementation through the resolutions adopted by the Meeting of the Parties, as well as the subregional Agreement between France, Italy and Monaco for the establishment of a sanctuary for the protection of marine mammals (Pelagos Sanctuary). While several treaty provisions are in place to ensure the protection of marine mammals in the Mediterranean, specific mandatory provisions are still lacking for certain subjects, such as underwater noise, collisions with ships, by catch in fishing gear and ingestion of plastic litter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]