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Abstract There is an increasing interest in researching urban invasion. When invasive species establish and spread in urban areas, their management becomes particularly challenging given the influence of public presence and perceptions. Cultural, religious, and moral values play a crucial role in shaping public perceptions toward management strategies for invasive species. Free‐ranging dogs (FRDs) and free‐ranging cats (FRCs) are among the urban invasive species that bring health, safety, and wildlife conservation concerns. However, given their close relationship with people controlling their populations is challenging. We surveyed 500 residents of Karaj city in northern Iran to understand the behaviour of feeding FRDs and FRCs by people, as well as to uncover residents' acceptability of different control measures, focusing on culling FRDs and FRCs under different scenarios. We used generalized linear mixed models and cumulative link mixed models to address the issues of feeding FRDs and FRCs and acceptability of culling them respectively. We found that more than half of the respondents fed FRDs and FRCs (63% and 59%, respectively), and among those who fed FRDs and FRCs, 74.8% and 78.2% respectively used food leftovers from home to feed these animals. Furthermore, around half and one‐third of respondents provided FRDs and FRCs outside their neighbourhoods, respectively. We also found that the religious belief of dogs being ritually impure (Najis) was a significant predictor for both feeding and culling FRDs. People who held the belief that dogs are Najis were more inclined toward culling and less willing to feed FRDs. Moreover, we found polarized and conflicting views concerning culling in higher‐intensity scenarios involving attacks on people and disease spread. On the contrary, in less‐intense scenarios such as attacks on wildlife and population control in urban areas, most respondents disagreed with culling. In the end, we recommend (1) an improved waste management system for food residuals and leftovers that provide resources for FRDs and FRCs, (2) effective communication with pet‐owners to reduce feeding FRDs and FRCs and (3) bottom‐up de‐escalation of the conflict between polarized groups about culling FRDs and FRCs before it reaches to a destructive phase. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Abstract This review for the first time aims to investigate the effect of silanization on the ceramic membrane distillation (CMD) as a promising thermally driven separation process. In this regard, the effects of three main factors, namely silane concentration, silane duration, and time as well as the important operating parameters on the process were studied. At the end of this work, future challenges and recommendations in the CMD have also been addressed. The literatures have confirmed that silanization of the CM surface, causes significant changes in the membrane structure in terms of hydrophobicity (water contact angle > 130°), creating different functional groups on the surface and improving the efficiency of the process. The results of previous research woks indicate that the best conditions for the silanization process are possible at silanization time (about 72 h), the number of grafting cycles (1–5 times), and silane concentration (2 or 10 wt%). Concluding the results of various studies shows that the efficiency of the MD for desalination process was high (removal > 98%) under certain conditions (feed input temperature: 70–80 °C and flow rate of 0.3–400 L/h).

After the industrial revolution, rapid population growth and burning fossil fuels led to the achievement of massive amounts of both liquid and solid waste, which can pose numerous threats for all compartments of environment. Anaerobic Digestion (AD) has been one of the most applicable techniques used during the last few decades to overcome the unpleasant presence of both organic fraction of waste and sewage sludge (SS), and as the result of this technique, biogas which is one of the main sources of energy can be produced. Therefore, the application of AD as a solution to overcome sludge and biodegradable fraction of solid waste has been the center of attentions since significant amounts of waste and sludge are being produced every day. In this regard a comprehensive review was conducted to know the advantages, disadvantages, various techniques that can improve methane yield, insights on the pretreatment methods, and operating factors was conducted to elucidate research gaps and future opportunities. Also, in the current study we discussed about operating conditions of single-stage digesters, two-stage digesters, anaerobic co-digestion. Our study is the first comprehensive review worked on the techniques by which we can improve methane yield from AD system.

Background and Objective: The consequence of using coagulant materials such as aluminum sulfate and ferric chloride in the coagulation unit of conventional water treatment plants can generate plenty of sludge that contains large amounts of coagulant, which in addition to environmental risks, will also possess disposal costs. Today, intending to preserve the environment and reduce treatment costs, researchers emphasize the recovery and reuse of coagulants from sludge. In this regard, the present study was proposed and implemented to recover and reuse water treatment plant sludge as a low-cost coagulant in wastewater treatment. Materials and Methods: This research is an experimental-laboratory study. In order to recover the coagulant from the collected sludge, acid hydrolysis method was used. The physicochemical characteristics of the recovered sludge were also determined using FTIR, FE-SEM, and BET analysis. Moreover, the efficiency of recovered sludge in different doses (50 to 300 mg/L) on wastewater treatability in terms of COD, TSS, VSS, turbidity, phosphorus, and coliform indices was compared with aluminum sulfate, ferric chloride coagulants, also the results of the study were analyzed and presented using Excel software (version, 2016). Results: According to the results, the prepared sludge had no crystalline structure with amorphous morphology. In addition, recovered coagulant from water treatment sludge has demonstrated high efficiency for wastewater treatment, so 66.6%, 82.49%, 79.66%, 80%, 65 %, 99.18% of COD, turbidity, TSS, VSS, phosphorus, total coliform were removed at the highest dosage of recovered coagulant (300 mg/L), respectively. Furthermore, the recovered coagulant dosage had a significant effect on the performance of the coagulation and flocculation process in wastewater treatment. Conclusion: The results showed that recovered coagulant from the sludge of the water treatment plant can be considered an acceptable option with appropriate effectiveness in the wastewater treatment processes.

Large herbivores possess high dispersal rates and require vast areas to roam due to their ecology. This will make them susceptible to anthropogenic threats such as vehicle-collisions. Persian onager (Equus hemionus onager), as the only representative of Artiodactyla in Iran, is not an exception. Persian onager-vehicle collision can not only be lethal for themselves but also for motorists. Given the importance of this twofold issue, an important step being taken to reduce collisions was the installation of signs that warn motorists of the high probability of onager-vehicle collisions. We developed a questionnaire to (1) assess the effectiveness of warning signs from motorists’ perspective, and (2) to identify the most important factors affecting motorist beliefs in the effectiveness of warning signs. We solicited responses to our questionnaire from motorists on a road with a high Persian onager-vehicle-collision rate in Southern Iran (Hassan Abad-Meshkan Road). To identify factors affecting motorists' beliefs in the effectiveness of warning signs we used logistic regression and for classifying motorists’ beliefs in the effectiveness of warning signs we used decision tree. Our result showed that motorists' driving speed, lack of adequate safety equipment on the road (e.g. light, police camera), using cellphone while driving, and concern about wildlife damage while driving on the road were the significant factors affecting motorists' beliefs toward the effectiveness of Persian onager warning signs. It is necessary to increase road safety equipment, install standard warning signs at the Persian onager crossing points, and study the behavior of motorists and the rate of road casualties after the mitigation methods to protect this species.

Abstract De Araujo et al. (Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1111/2041‐210X.13516) described the development and application of a wire foot snare trap for the capture of jaguars Panthera onca and cougars Puma concolor. Snares are a commonly used and effective means of studying large carnivores. However, the article presented insufficient information to replicate the work and inadequate consideration and description of animal welfare considerations, thereby risking the perpetuation of poor standards of reporting. Appropriate animal welfare assessments are essential in studies that collect data from animals, especially those that use invasive techniques, and are key in assisting researchers to choose the most appropriate capture method. It is critical that authors detail all possible associated harms and benefits to support thorough review, including equipment composition, intervention processes, general body assessments, injuries (i.e. cause, type, severity) and post‐release behaviour. We offer a detailed discussion of these shortcomings. We also discuss broader but highly relevant issues, including the capture of non‐target animals and the omission of key methodological details. The level of detail provided by authors should allow the method to be properly assessed and replicated, including those that improve trap selectivity and minimize or eliminate the capture of non‐target animals. Finally, we discuss the central role that journals must play in ensuring that published research conforms to ethical, animal welfare and reporting standards. Scientific studies are subject to ever‐increasing scrutiny by peers and the public, making it more important than ever that standards are upheld and reviewed. We conclude that the proposal of a new or refined method must be supported by substantial contextual discussion, a robust rationale and analyses and comprehensive documentation.

Humans are responsible for over a quarter of all wildlife mortality events across the globe. The pressure this puts on wildlife populations contributes to the decline of many at-risk species. To minimize human-caused mortality and reverse population declines in species across the world, we first need to know where these events are happening or likely to occur since managers and public agencies often have limited resources to devote to a problem. As such, our objective was to develop a modeling approach to delineate human-caused wildlife mortality hotspots in regions with limited data. We used internet search engines and national media to collect data on brown bear (Ursus arctos) mortality events in Iran from 2004 to 2019. We then developed a spatially-explicit Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model using anthropogenic and environmental variables to predict the probability of human-caused brown bear mortality. We were able to delineate 7000 km2 as human-caused mortality hotspots, along with the geographical locations of those hotspots. This provides information that can help identify where critical conflict mitigation efforts need to be implemented to reduce the potential for human-caused wildlife mortality. However, more targeted studies such as surveys of local people will be needed inside hotspots identified with this methodology to assess the attitudes of humans toward different wildlife species, informing the specific mitigation actions that will need to be made. Finally, we suggest that media data can be used to identify these hotspots in regions where systematic data is lacking.

Abstract Southern Iran is a conservation priority area for the endangered Persian onager (Equus hemionus onager), which is threatened by habitat fragmentation and conflict with local communities. To better understand factors that influence onager conservation, we administered a questionnaire in local communities to survey their ecological knowledge, personal experience related to onager, and attitudes toward traditional solutions for reducing crop damage by onager. In addition, we used resistant kernel and factorial least-cost path analyses to identify core areas and corridors for onager movement, and spatial randomization of vehicle collisions and crossing locations to test the predictive ability of resistant kernel and factorial least-cost path predictions of movement. We found that local communities that were knowledgeable about onagers experienced less crop damage from onager compared with those who used traditional methods. Habitat connectivity models revealed that core areas of movement are highly concentrated at the center of protected areas. Some sections of core areas have been cut off by roads where most vehicle collisions with onagers occurred. We propose that effective onager conservation will require integrated landscape-level management to reduce mortality risk, protection of core areas and corridors, development of mitigation strategies to reduce vehicle collisions, and conflict mediation between local communities and onagers.

Abstract The combination of increasing trade across an ever more globalized world and the ubiquity of social media access has led to unprecedented levels of wildlife exploitation. In this study, we opportunistically surveyed Instagram and Telegram from 2019 to 2020, two of Iran's most prominent social media platforms, for advertisements of illegally captured wildlife in Iran. In total we documented 305 advertisements for 63 species, including birds (29%), amphibians (27%), reptiles (26%), and mammals (17%). Trade was most active in June, which may be due to increased availability of young animals, following spring births. The majority of the species advertised for sale (65%) were classified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as Least Concern, and 5% of the species we documented as being traded are Endangered. Some Endangered species advertised for sale were Caspian seal and Saker falcon. While the sale of all species is illegal in Iran, 25% of species were also listed on CITES as being prohibited for international trade. However, these domestic and international laws are not well‐enforced within Iran, in light of the scale of open trade we observed. We recommend that authorities devote more time to monitoring these online platforms, and that resources are provided to in‐country enforcement efforts during the spring and summer, the observed peak of capture and trade. We also suggest that further research be conducted into the sources of wildlife, motivations for selling wildlife, and motivations for purchasing wildlife.

Abstract Given the global popularity and ubiquity of electronic media coverage of wildlife and conservation, media frame analysis is widely used to help conservation decision‐makers understand public opinion, differing goals and priorities, and arguments used in conflict. Nonetheless, media frame analysis has only been used on occasion to elucidate how different conservation stakeholders frame wildlife management plans. We applied media frame analysis to the case of critically endangered Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), one of the world's rarest felids now confined to Iranian deserts. Between January 2018 and December 2020, 91 interviews from 44 conservation stakeholders were published in Persian‐language electronic media following the development of an Asiatic cheetah management plan. Media framed conservationists as agreeing on the alarming situation of Asiatic cheetahs and high‐level interventions needed for possible recovery yet disagreeing about using integrated (in situ + ex situ) versus single management approaches (in situ only) between academic and NGO interviewees. Interviews presented a balance of thematic (year‐round) and episodic around National and International Cheetah Days. We also found that the current media debate was highly skewed toward non‐local perspectives while views from reserve staffs were rarely (n = 2) reflected in the media. The increasing number of controversial conservation topics in media debates can persuade the public or policymakers by setting agenda. Disagreement in premises, threats and interventions confuse managers and potentially creates procrastination of necessary actions. Higher inclusion of reserve staffs, technical cooperation between stakeholders and pursuing the existing management plan are interventions that may portend great potential to enhance the conservation impact of media debates.

Methylene blue as a cationic dye is ubiquitously found in aquatic systems and its presence in water resources can be hazardous. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate extensively the efficiency of activated carbon prepared from grapevine for removing Methylene Blue from aqueous solutions because of its outstanding properties such as cost-effectiveness, simple synthesis, availability, and applicational. For this purpose, the effect of the main operational parameters such as Methylene Blue initial concentration (500-100 mg/l), adsorbent dosage (0.25-12.25 g/l), pH (3-11), and contact time (10-90 min) was optimized through surface response method. The obtained results showed that more than 97.8% of MB has been removed. The experimental data were fitted to the Freundlich model (R2=0.99) and the maximum adsorption capacity was 2.23 mg/g. Also, the adsorption kinetics are well explained by the pseudo-second-order (R2=0.91). This study shows grape waste can be used as a potential alternative candidate for adsorption of Methylene Blue from aquatic environments.

In this study, oxytetracycline removal from aqueous solution by activated carbon prepared using corn stalks has been investigated. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effects of main variables; adsorbent dose, contact time, pH, and initial oxytetracycline concentration on the efficiency of adsorption efficiency were investigated. Results confirmed the effects of main variables and the maximum removal of antibiotic (99.9 %) achieved at initial concentration of 10 mg/L, pH of 9, and contact time of 60 min, when adsorbent dose was 1.5 g. The results of isotherm and kinetic studies showed that the oxytetracycline adsorption onto activated carbon prepared from corn stalks follows Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.98) and pseudo-second order kinetic model (R2 = 0.99). The maximum adsorption capacity of oxytetracycline was 522.6 mg/g. In brief, the activated carbon that has been prepared from corn stalks as low cost, non-toxic and environment friendly adsorbent shows a good ability for removal of oxytetracycline form water and wastewater.

The aim of this study was to produce activated carbon derived from corn stalk (AC-CS) with suitable characteristics as inexpensive, nontoxic adsorbent with good efficiency for elimination of Methylene Blue (MB) as cationic dye from aqueous solution in batch adsorption process. The morphology and functional groups of adsorbent were characterized by SEM and FTIR in this dataset. In addition, the influence of MB concentration, pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time on the removal of dye using AC-CS was tested by central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM). Based on results, the parameters adsorbent dose and initial dye concentration for this investigation play an important role in the adsorption studies of methylene blue. The experimental values were in good agreement with the model predicted values also the results of the study showed that maximum absorbance efficiency at initial concentration of 10 mg/l, absorbent dose of 1.4 g, contact time of 50 min and pH 11 was 90%. Keywords: Methylene blue, Adsorption, Response surface methodology, Waste corn