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The new Checklist of hornworts (Anthocerotophyta) and liverworts (Marchantiophyta) of Slovenia within current political boundaries comprises 181 species, additional 4 subspecies and 2 varieties. Additional 5 species are denoted by a question mark since reports are considered questionable. An alphabetically arranged tabular presentation of genera, species and lower taxa shows their presence in the phytogeographical units of Slovenia. The records from the periods before and after 1958 are marked with different symbols. Each species also has a new Red List status in Slovenia. The checklist includes the data from the literature and Herbarium LJU. Annotations to selected species give a critical evaluation of the literature and herbarium data. A list of taxa that should be excluded from the flora of Slovenia, the synonyms and the used literature with floristic data not cited in this article are also added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Gardens hold untapped potential for participatory biodiversity conservation. Conservation gardening has recently emerged as a way to foster declining native plant species in urban and rural green spaces. But the impact of cultivating these species on population trends in the broader landscape remains underexplored. This study examines the effects of cultivating herbaceous native plants on their long‐term population trends and endangerment, using Rothmaler's ‘Herbaceous Ornamental and Crop Plants’ in Germany, along with the German Red List of 1998 and 2018. It investigates whether native plants under cultivation are less endangered, examines the long‐term population trends relative to cultivation frequency and assesses the potential role of cultivation in improving Red List status. The findings reveal that cultivated species, especially those commonly grown in gardens, were less likely to be endangered. Moreover, commonly cultivated species had fewer declining and more positive long‐term population trends compared to non‐cultivated species. Some evidence suggests that commonly cultivated plants recorded on the 1998 Red List as threatened are more likely to improve their status, yet still a considerable proportion is in decline. These findings hint at a promising role of gardens as a means to support native species populations, but they also underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of which species are most likely to benefit from cultivation. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Increasing levels of global environmental change may have negative impacts on fertility and embryo viability in animals that could explain a recently reported increase in hatching failure in bird eggs across the globe. Here we test this relationship again by analyzing a dataset containing almost twice as many species and covering a longer time period than earlier works (n  = 431 species during the period 1906–2022). We also tested for effects of Red List status and global population size. We found that hatching failure rates in a combined group of bird species currently classified as threatened (IUCN Red List categories Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable) or Near Threatened, peaked in the late 1970s to early 1980s and thereafter declined. A similar trend also existed in species with relatively small global populations. In contrast, no temporal trends were found in species in the Least Concern category, or in species with large global populations. Moreover, hatching failure rates declined significantly with increasing global population sizes. The temporal peak of hatching failure rates in threatened and Near Threatened species corresponds with the peak in environmental levels of the insecticide DDT. While this could suggest that environmental pollution caused the temporal trends in hatching failure rates, effects of inbreeding in small and threatened populations sampled more frequently during this period could not be excluded. Although we found no evidence suggesting that the rates of hatching failure in bird eggs are increasing, the current study supports previous works showing that species of high conservation concern appear to be more susceptible to factors leading to reproductive failure than other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The very large demand for songbirds in Indonesia undermines the efforts of the Government of Indonesia to regulate and control harvest and trade. As more species become increasingly rare, new species are sought after and included in the trade to supply demand from hobbyists, traders and songbird competition participants. One such group of species is the butcherbirds. Four species of butcherbirds are native to Indonesia and prior to 2016 these birds were hardly found in trade. Since then, the trade has grown rapidly and during 57 surveys of bird markets in 12 cities on Java, Bali and Lombok, we recorded 235 butcherbirds. We found 43 advertisements online offering butcherbirds for sale. The highest numbers were recorded in the easternmost cities we surveyed (Mataram, 11.5 birds/survey; Denpasar 9.0 birds/survey) and we recorded higher numbers of butcherbirds for sale nearer to their natural distribution range. Compared to other species, butcherbirds command high prices (hooded butcherbird: US$185; black butcherbird: US$122). Despite the authorities attempting to regulate the exploitation of butcherbirds with annual harvest and trade quotas (set at zero for 2022), the trade evidently is challenging to control and may pose a threat to the conservation of these species in the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise of research. Cycas candida (Cycadaceae) is an endangered species of cycad found in Queensland, Australia. The species faces risks because of habitat fragmentation, poaching for private collections, and changes in climate (such as increased fire frequency and higher temperatures), driving a need for an understanding of the genetic diversity and population structure of the species. Methodology. Because of the large genome size of cycads, restriction site–associated DNA sequencing (RADseq), a next-generation sequencing method, was used for this population genomic study of C. candida to generate data representing the depth and coverage of the genome. Pivotal results. The genomic assessment of C. candida revealed higher levels of observed heterozygosity than of expected heterozygosity and a low percentage of molecular variance between populations. The phylogenomic and structure analyses indicated high levels of genetic diversity within populations and little differentiation between populations. These results, coupled with the long generation time and limited dispersal of pollen and seed, suggest that the assessed populations were once part of a metapopulation that is currently experiencing limited gene flow and increasing fragmentation as a result of anthropogenic causes. Conclusions. Based on our results, it is recommended to manage these populations as a single management unit to avoid inbreeding, encourage gene flow between the populations, and slow the effects of habitat fragmentation. Further conservation efforts should also focus on establishing ex situ collections for this species. We suggest that future studies employ genomic approaches such as RADseq for population genetics and conservation management of cycads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the recently adopted Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, 196 Parties committed to reporting the status of genetic diversity for all species. To facilitate reporting, three genetic diversity indicators were developed, two of which focus on processes contributing to genetic diversity conservation: maintaining genetically distinct populations and ensuring populations are large enough to maintain genetic diversity. The major advantage of these indicators is that they can be estimated with or without DNA‐based data. However, demonstrating their feasibility requires addressing the methodological challenges of using data gathered from diverse sources, across diverse taxonomic groups, and for countries of varying socio‐economic status and biodiversity levels. Here, we assess the genetic indicators for 919 taxa, representing 5271 populations across nine countries, including megadiverse countries and developing economies. Eighty‐three percent of the taxa assessed had data available to calculate at least one indicator. Our results show that although the majority of species maintain most populations, 58% of species have populations too small to maintain genetic diversity. Moreover, genetic indicator values suggest that IUCN Red List status and other initiatives fail to assess genetic status, highlighting the critical importance of genetic indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species are fundamental units of nature that need proper identification in order to assess and conserve biodiversity. Artemia is a model crustacean for population analysis and comparison in regionally endemic sexual species and parthenogenetic lineages distributed in hypersaline lakes, lagoons, and solar saltworks scattered in arid and semi-arid areas worldwide. The taxonomy of two American Artemia species has been controversial: Artemia monica Verrill, 1869 , adapted to the carbonate-rich conditions of Mono Lake (CA, USA), and Artemia franciscana Kellogg, 1906 , a species broadly distributed in the Americas. The former species has been studied little, despite being listed as threatened in the IUCN Red List. In contrast, the latter has been studied extensively, is broadly distributed in the Americas, and has become established as a non-native invasive species in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Given the need to conserve A. monica , the intraspecific diversity of invasive A. franciscana , and the local species in areas invaded by this species, we reconsider their biodiversity and taxonomic status currently threatened by synonymization. In conclusion, A. monica and A. franciscana should be treated as two separate species that are isolated both ecologically and reproductively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The protection of biological diversity in nature and in agriculture, including the production of ornamental crops, has become increasingly important in Poland as well as worldwide. The Convention on Biological Diversity, signed in 1992 at the Earth Summit of the UN in Rio de Janeiro and ratified by the Polish government in 1995, imposed new regulations related to the protection of nature and the genetic resources of cultivated crops in Poland. The conservation of the genera, varieties and cultivars of ornamental geophytes—a group of plants of great interest from a botanical and physiological, but also a horticultural point of view—takes place in situ (both in nature and in the places of cultivation) and through the establishment of ex situ gene banks and collections. The natural genetic resources of ornamental geophytes include species from the genera Allium, Fritillaria, Gladiolus, Iris, Leucojum, Lilium and Muscari, among others, and more than a dozen species are protected by law due to varying degrees of threats. Botanical gardens play an essential role in the conservation of endangered species. Their activities focus on genus monitoring, managing ex situ gene banks (including National Collections), developing propagation methods and carrying out their reintroduction. In order to protect the national genetic resources of cultivated plants, the National Centre for Plant Genetic Resources at the Plant Breeding and Acclimatisation Institute—National Research Institute, under the auspices of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, was established. Concerning ornamental geophytes, the National Centre coordinates two field collections of cultivars of the genera Gladiolus, Lilium, Narcissus and Tulipa, which are of great economic importance and have a long tradition of breeding in Poland. The first one is located at the National Institute of Horticultural Research in Skierniewice (central Poland), and the second one is at the Experimental Substation of Variety Testing in Lisewo (northern Poland). The history of tulip collections in Poland dates back to the 1960s. At that time, the first breeding work for this species began. The collection of bulbous crops in Skierniewice is currently one of the largest in Poland, with a total of 934 accessions. Most of them are tulips (522) and lilies (222). Other plants in the collection in Skierniewice are gladiolus and narcissus. The most valuable accessions are grown under special protection (tunnels with dense nets) to guard against insects and maintain a mild climate inside. The genetic resources of the ornamental bulb plant collection in Lisewo currently consist of 611 accessions, mainly tulips (358), daffodils (121) and gladioli (132). All bulbous crops in both collections (Skierniewice and Lisewo) are grown in accordance with all principles of agrotechnics (negative field selection, fertilisation, soil maintenance). A particularly important task of botanical gardens, universities, research institutes and the National Centre is leading research on the methods of storage for survival organs, in vitro cultures and cryopreservation. We have discovered that the various activities for the species conservation of ornamental geophytes require a great deal of constantly deepening knowledge and extraordinary measures, including frequent monitoring of the effects of the applied measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Checklist of mosses (Bryophyta) of Slovenia within current political boundaries comprises 669 species, 6 subspecies and 18 varieties. Additional 13 species are denoted by a question mark since reports are considered questionable. An alphabetically arranged tabular presentation of genera, species and lower taxa, also shows their presence in particular phytogeographical units of Slovenia. The records from the periods before and after 1959 are marked with different symbols. Each species has also new Red List status in Slovenia. The checklist includes the data from literature and the Herbarium LJU. Annotations to selected species give a critical evaluation of the literature and herbarium data. A list of taxa that should be excluded from the flora of Slovenia and the synonyms used in the floristic literature for Slovenia are also added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mountaintops of eastern Brazil harbor the highest rates of plant endemism in South America. However, local biodiversity faces constant threats due to habitat loss and mining activities. About 89 rare and endangered species are exclusive to this region, including the threatened species Arthrocereus glaziovii. This study aims to evaluate the potential distribution of A. glaziovii based on abiotic variables and soil elements and to characterize the distribution of mineral titles that may restrict the species' occurrence areas. We used the Bioclim, Domain, MaxEnt, GLM, and Random Forest algorithms to model this ecological niche under future climatic scenarios, in addition to modeling the layers of mineral titles corresponding to areas already mined and those slated for future mining projects. Our predictions indicate an expansion in the future distribution of A. glaziovii. Nevertheless, the future predicted occurrence areas of the species are already compromised due to mining. According to our findings, we emphasize the looming threat of the predicted extinction of this species. Therefore, implementing conservation strategies to ensure the survival of A. glaziovii is imperative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gardens hold untapped potential for participatory biodiversity conservation. Conservation gardening has recently emerged as a way to foster declining native plant species in urban and rural green spaces. But the impact of cultivating these species on population trends in the broader landscape remains underexplored.This study examines the effects of cultivating herbaceous native plants on their long‐term population trends and endangerment, using Rothmaler's 'Herbaceous Ornamental and Crop Plants' in Germany, along with the German Red List of 1998 and 2018. It investigates whether native plants under cultivation are less endangered, examines the long‐term population trends relative to cultivation frequency and assesses the potential role of cultivation in improving Red List status.The findings reveal that cultivated species, especially those commonly grown in gardens, were less likely to be endangered. Moreover, commonly cultivated species had fewer declining and more positive long‐term population trends compared to non‐cultivated species. Some evidence suggests that commonly cultivated plants recorded on the 1998 Red List as threatened are more likely to improve their status, yet still a considerable proportion is in decline.These findings hint at a promising role of gardens as a means to support native species populations, but they also underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of which species are most likely to benefit from cultivation. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study aims to disclose the importance existing protected areas (PAs) and their level of protection for the conservation of the threatened Brazilian butterflies. A total of 898 occurrence records were found for all 63 species of butterflies present in the current Brazilian Red list. For all studied taxa, at least one occurrence record is within the limits of a PA. More than half of the occurrence records (61.9%) are within the limits of PAs, but less than half (41.7%) of these records are present in fully protected areas. For 17 taxa (27%), less than 50% of their records are within PAs, thus being completely unprotected. For butterfly taxa in the category “critically endangered”, 42.6% of their occurrence records falls outside PAs. Almost 99% of the records are concentrated in the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado, the two most threatened Brazilian biomes and global hostspots of biodiversity. In conclusion, the present study showed an important panorama of how threatened Brazilian butterflies are protected (or not). Anyway, it is important to highlight that for any record inside a PA, some level of protection is provided for these taxa against the advance of environmental destruction caused by human activities.

The mountaintops of eastern Brazil harbor the highest rates of plant endemism in South America. However, local biodiversity faces constant threats due to habitat loss and mining activities. About 89 rare and endangered species are exclusive to this region, including the threatened species Arthrocereus glaziovii. This study aims to evaluate the potential distribution of A. glaziovii based on abiotic variables and soil elements and to characterize the distribution of mineral titles that may restrict the species’ occurrence areas. We used the Bioclim, Domain, MaxEnt, GLM, and Random Forest algorithms to model this ecological niche under future climatic scenarios, in addition to modeling the layers of mineral titles corresponding to areas already mined and those slated for future mining projects. Our predictions indicate an expansion in the future distribution of A. glaziovii. Nevertheless, the future predicted occurrence areas of the species are already compromised due to mining. According to our findings, we emphasize the looming threat of the predicted extinction of this species. Therefore, implementing conservation strategies to ensure the survival of A. glaziovii is imperative.

Improvements in DNA sequencing technology are allowing the dramatic increase of whole genome data for a wide variety of species. Such genome sequence data can assist the monitoring of intraspecific genetic diversity, but is often lacking for threatened species. In this project, we focused on the national Red List, a catalog of extinct and threatened species, issued by the Japanese government. We combined the data included in it with the record of genome assembly in NCBI and tabulated the assembly availability of the species in the list. The combined data shows a low percentage (2.1%) of the availability of whole genome sequence data for the taxa ranked on the Japanese Red List as well as a strong bias towards mammals and birds in Animalia and vascular plants in Plantae. Our data presentation highlights potential systematic limitations in genome sequencing (e.g., budget for sequencing large genomes of amphibians) and instructs future policies including which taxon needs more effort for genome sequencing. The resultant tables are available in the original website https://treethinkers.nig.ac.jp/redlist/ and are regularly updated.

Improvements in DNA sequencing technology are allowing the dramatic increase of whole genome data for a wide variety of species. Such genome sequence data can assist the monitoring of intraspecific genetic diversity, but is often lacking for threatened species. In this project, we focused on the national Red List, a catalog of extinct and threatened species, issued by the Japanese government. We combined the data included in it with the record of genome assembly in NCBI and tabulated the assembly availability of the species in the list. The combined data shows a low percentage (2.1%) of the availability of whole genome sequence data for the taxa ranked on the Japanese Red List as well as a strong bias towards mammals and birds in Animalia and vascular plants in Plantae. Our data presentation highlights potential systematic limitations in genome sequencing (e.g., budget for sequencing large genomes of amphibians) and instructs future policies including which taxon needs more effort for genome sequencing. The resultant tables are available in the original website https://treethinkers.nig.ac.jp/redlist/ and are regularly updated.

Although urbanisation is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity, its effect on particular invertebrate groups remains ambiguous on local and landscape scales. We aimed to analyse the effect of urban grassland management on spiders (Araneae) and carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae), as well as other local and landscape parameters. We investigated 27 grasslands of two different management intensities (‘extensive’: one to two late cuts with removal of biomass [n = 18]; ‘intensive’: three to five mulching cuts [n = 9]) in the city of Karlsruhe, Germany. Pitfall trapping and sweep netting were performed to sample carabids and spiders. Results indicate that urban grasslands in Karlsruhe are inhabited by species‐rich assemblages, including several species of conservation concern (cc). Latter remain mostly restricted to dry grassland. The number of total specimens and of those belonging to species of cc were negatively affected by intensive management. The number of specimens of species of cc further decreased with increasing humidity and in spiders, additionally, by vegetation height. Landscape factors had limited effects, and only isolation of meadows negatively influenced the species richness of carabids (total and of species of cc). Our results demonstrate that conservation of dry grasslands in urban areas is crucial for sustaining local arthropod communities. Dry urban grassland may also act as a refugium for species of cc and mitigate the global insect crisis on a local and regional scale. In conclusion, biodiversity‐friendly mowing regimes should be applied on a broader scale in urban areas and target especially dry grassland plots. In addition, increasing connectivity and permeability of the urban matrix assist the colonisation by species of cc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal conservation is gaining momentum globally, but many challenges remain. To advance further, more data are needed on fungal diversity across space and time. Fundamental information regarding population sizes, trends, and geographic ranges is also critical to accurately assess the extinction risk of individual species. However, obtaining these data is particularly difficult for fungi due to their immense diversity, complex and problematic taxonomy, and cryptic nature. This paper explores how citizen science (CS) projects can be leveraged to advance fungal conservation efforts. We present several examples of past and ongoing CS‐based projects to record and monitor fungal diversity. These include projects that are part of broad collecting schemes, those that provide participants with targeted sampling methods, and those whereby participants collect environmental samples from which fungi can be obtained. We also examine challenges and solutions for how such projects can capture fungal diversity, estimate species absences, broaden participation, improve data curation, and translate resulting data into actionable conservation measures. Finally, we close the paper with a call for professional mycologists to engage with amateurs and local communities, presenting a framework to determine whether a given project would likely benefit from participation by citizen scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: More than 70% of all vascular plants lack conservation status assessments. We aimed to address this shortfall in knowledge of species extinction risk by using the World Checklist of Vascular Plants to generate the first comprehensive set of predictions for a large clade: angiosperms (flowering plants, c. 330 000 species).We used Bayesian Additive Regression Trees (BART) to predict the extinction risk of all angiosperms using predictors relating to range size, human footprint, climate, and evolutionary history and applied a novel approach to estimate uncertainty of individual species‐level predictions.From our model predictions, we estimate 45.1% of angiosperm species are potentially threatened with a lower bound of 44.5% and upper bound of 45.7%.Our species‐level predictions, with associated uncertainty estimates, do not replace full global, or regional Red List assessments, but can be used to prioritise predicted threatened species for full Red List assessment and fast‐track predicted non‐threatened species for Least Concern assessments. Our predictions and uncertainty estimates can also guide fieldwork, inform systematic conservation planning and support global plant conservation efforts and targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat loss and fragmentation, particularly because of agrarian and urban expansions, are threatening biodiversity worldwide. Paraguay is predicted to lose all its primary moist forests by 2028. The most endangered habitat in Paraguay is the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest (BAAPA), which has been decimated by industrial agriculture in the past 60 years. The hooded capuchin (Sapajus cay) is the best-known Paraguayan primate and the only species mostly restricted to the remaining BAAPA. We used local (defined as people living in Paraguay) knowledge about the known presence of the species in a habitat fragment to assess whether species' presence was associated with forest cover in fragments by using a binomial general linear model (GLM). Using the results of the GLM, we then assessed how forest cover changed through the hooded capuchin range and its predicted range in Paraguay using Global ForestWatch forest cover prediction for 2000 to 2019. The GLM showed that the presence of hooded capuchins required predominance of forest cover with the monkey being 80% likely to be present for 56% cover and 90% for 70% cover. The capuchin has lost 23% of highly suitable habitat across its whole range and 58% in Paraguay. Suitable habitat for hooded capuchin monkeys is, therefore, decreasing across the full extent of the species. In Paraguay, the remaining habitat is being fragmented and degraded and distance between fragments is increasing. Because the situation in Paraguay is critical, we recommend that the capuchin is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Red List at a national level under criterion B1, b(i), b(ii), and b(iii). Predictions across the species range warrant at least a classification of Near Threatened for the species. These results demonstrate that the conservation situation faced by a primate species can differ greatly depending on local, national, and range wide political and social situations. Therefore, we recommend that national assessments are performed for species that are found in multiple countries in order to gain a true picture of threats a species faces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe for the first time, the larvae of Cybister (Cybister) lewisianus Sharp, 1873, an endangered species of diving beetle in Japan, emphasizing the chaetotaxy of the cephalic capsule, head appendages, legs, last abdominal segment, and urogomphi. Cybister lewisianus larvae are characterized by a longer third article of antenna 3 than the sum of the first and second articles; rounded apex of parietal setae 1–3; labium seta 8 absent; elongated trochanter seta 4, not multi-branched; rounded apex of abdominal setae 1, 12, and 13 (instar I); narrow lateral projections of the frontoclypeus; pronotum without two dark-brown longitudinal stripes dorsally (instar III); and the base of the thick row of small setae on the inner edge of the mandible angulate and projecting medially (all instars). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronilla viminalis Salisb. is a fodder leguminous plant from the Canary Islands and Northwestern Africa with adaptation to drought. Its conservation status is critical. Its low germination capacity and intense loss of viability of the seeds over time complicate its conservation, limiting its long-term maintenance in germplasm banks and hampering its potential use as a resilient fodder crop. Therefore, in this work, two alternative propagation methods have been addressed. The first was based on facilitating seed germination under aseptic conditions, supplementing the media with gibberellic acid (GA3). The latter consisted of creating a micropropagation method from nodal segments and testing different media and pretreatments with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). The quantity and quality of the roots were assessed, and the plant acclimation rate was measured. The results showed that the optimum concentration of GA3 for germination, up to 98%, was 250 PPM. The experiments showed that using IAA in the micropropagation media is critical for in vitro rooting in this species. A hormonal pretreatment with IAA significantly improved the rooting efficiency compared to supplementing it into the culture media. One hundred percent of acclimated plants survived the process. These new protocols will help conserve the species and explore its possibilities as fodder crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in DNA sequencing technology are allowing the dramatic increase of whole genome data for a wide variety of species. Such genome sequence data can assist the monitoring of intraspecific genetic diversity, but is often lacking for threatened species. In this project, we focused on the national Red List, a catalog of extinct and threatened species, issued by the Japanese government. We combined the data included in it with the record of genome assembly in NCBI and tabulated the assembly availability of the species in the list. The combined data shows a low percentage (2.1%) of the availability of whole genome sequence data for the taxa ranked on the Japanese Red List as well as a strong bias towards mammals and birds in Animalia and vascular plants in Plantae. Our data presentation highlights potential systematic limitations in genome sequencing (e.g., budget for sequencing large genomes of amphibians) and instructs future policies including which taxon needs more effort for genome sequencing. The resultant tables are available in the original website https://treethinkers.nig.ac.jp/redlist/ and are regularly updated.

Research on the Ecosystem Conservation Charge Return Project (ECCRP), a restoration initiative guided by the polluter-pays principle, is limited. Moreover, certain projects lack location analyses and specific restoration goals. Here, we examined the ecological restoration trends in South Korea based on the ECCRP. We collected data from 277 projects completed between 2003 and 2022 and explored project characteristics, site types, locations, and restoration target species trends. Wetlands and urban areas were frequently targeted, with forestry as the primary land category. Such projects prioritize restoration in areas with a potential for increased biodiversity. Small-scale projects were the most common, likely because of budget constraints and site selection challenges. The establishment of guidelines in 2010 resulted in considerable changes in restoration projects. Forested areas and parks close to species supply sources became important, and specifying target species for restoration was emphasized. Target species primarily included birds, amphibians, and insects. From a sustainability perspective, it is crucial to consider post-monitoring. Species of high restoration value and animals with a small habitat must be selected as performance indicators of restoration outcomes. Our results can help the ECCRP to strengthen the ecological restoration approaches to better achieve sustainability goals—improving biodiversity and conserving and restoring ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinaria is the property of University of Sarajevo, Veterinary Faculty 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.)

Architect and advocate of speculative posthuman ecological design Steven Hutt offers new thoughts on the integration of wildlife into our architectures and cities. Awareness of the 'feral' as a design tool, the push and pull between indigenous and non‐indigenous species, and even old ideas of colonialism are all agents in this new posthuman landscape. There are many aspects of this often anti‐ anthropocentric worldview across a variety of scales. Might zoo animals one day be able to decide how we look at them and observe their habits? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Kitaibelia is the property of University of Debrecen 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.)

Dytiscus sharpi is defined as "Critically Endangered" in the Red List of Japan and designated as a "nationally endangered species of wild fauna and flora" of the Japanese "Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora" Act. In previous studies, tadpoles of Red List species (Rana ornativentris) were collected, and approximately 300 tadpoles were needed to raise one D. sharpi adult. A rearing experiment was performed to identify alternative prey for D. sharpi larvae. Larvae were reared on cultivable prey (Asellus hilgendorfii, goldfish, and crickets), and the quality of alternative prey was compared to that of tadpoles based on three criteria: adult size, survival rate, and development speed. Adult size, survival rate, and development speed values showed that alternative prey, i.e., A. hilgendorfii, goldfish, and crickets, were of adequate quality as larval prey according to all monitored parameters when compared to tadpoles. Dytiscus sharpi larvae can be raised using only cultivable prey, and multiple choices are available. The elimination of the need to overcollect endangered tadpoles from the field by using alternative prey for rearing will contribute to the conservation of both D. sharpi and R. ornativentris. This result would make ex-situ conservation of D. sharpi sustainable. Implications for insect conservation: Furthering the ex-situ conservation of D. sharpi by using A. hilgendorfii, goldfish, and crickets as alternative prey, will contribute to the conservation of not only D. sharpi but also of the tadpoles of R. ornativentris. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the arable bryophyte flora in the Northeastern region of Slovenia. We found three new bryophyte taxa for Slovenia: Bryum violaceum, Dicranella staphylina and Hydrogonium consanguineum var. kurilense. The presence of the regionally extinct Ephemerum cohaerens was confirmed, and several other species from the National Red List of bryophytes were also recorded. A list of 25 bryophyte species growing on the studied arable fields is presented and commented on.

ABSTRACT The role of animal host-associated microbiomes is becoming more apparent and defined for wild animals, especially for the species under conservation strategies. This study investigated the succession of fecal and skin bacterial microbiota of two rescued female Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) pups for most of their rehabilitation period. Bacterial species richness and diversity were assessed by high-throughput sequencing of nine freshly collected fecal samples and four skin swabs per individual. Both the fecal and skin microbiota highly overlapped in their containing operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and abundance patterns. The fecal microbiota was separated in two distinct periods and was dominated by OTUs related to the Shigella, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Lactobacillus, and Escherichia genera in the first period, while in the second period, the dominating genera were the Clostridium, Blautia, Fusobacterium, Edwardsiella, and Bacteroides. The skin microbiota was highly similar between the two individuals in each sampling and was dominated by Psychrobacter-, Elizabethkingia-, and Bergeyella-related OTUs. The provided antibiotic treatment, along with the provided probiotics and nutritional supplements, resulted in a major turnover of the bacterial microbiota with the potentially detrimental OTUs being eliminated toward the end of the rehabilitation period, prior to the release of the pups in the wild. IMPORTANCE This study showed that during the rehabilitation of two rescued Mediterranean monk seal pups (Monachus monachus), the skin and fecal bacterial communities showed similar succession patterns between the two individuals. This finding means that co-housed pups share their microbiomes, and this needs to be considered in cases of infection outbreaks and their treatment. The housing conditions, along with the feeding scheme and care protocols, including the admission of antibiotics as prophylaxis, probiotics, and essential food supplements, resulted in bacterial communities with no apparent pathogenic bacteria. This is the first contribution to the microbiome of the protected seal species of M. monachus and contributes to the animal’s conservation practices through its microbiome.

Context: Preservation of genetic diversity of species is a pressing issue; in particular, the preservation of the gene pool of many rare and endangered plants is a priority. Species of the genus Crambe (family Brassicaceae) have potential in agriculture and bioremediation. Aims: This study aims to assess the genetic diversity and DNA fingerprint of five rare species of the genus Crambe , and to develop the concept of a genetic passport for rare plants. Methods: DNA fingerprinting was conducted via the inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) method, using six ISSR primers. Hierarchical cluster analysis of the species was performed. Key results: In total, 145 polymorphic loci were detected. The studied species formed two different clusters on genetic dendrogram analysis. The first cluster comprised two species, Crambe steveniana and C. tataria from a single subsection (Tatariae), forming a common clade. They were the most genetically close species with genetic similarity of 0.8431. The remaining three species (C. cordifolia , C. maritima , C. pinnatifida), from another subsection of Crambe , formed nodes from the general clade. Conclusions: The findings allow plants to be genetically certified using our methods and informative ISSR primers for rare plants. We were able to propose a genetic formula identifying a species and present an example of a genetic passport for rare plants. The genetic structure of C. pinnatifida was investigated for the first time. Implications: The present findings contribute to the systematics and critical investigation of rare plant species with genetic resource potential. A genetic passport could be used in the protection of copyright of agricultural varieties. We assessed the genetic diversity and DNA fingerprint of five rare species of the Brassicaceae genus Crambe , using six inter simple sequence repeat primers. The species could be clustered into two groups according to subsection of Crambe. The results demonstrate that the methods allow rare plants to be genetically certified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grazielanthus is a monotypic, dioecious and microendemic plant genus of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Its only species, Grazielanthus arkeocarpus , is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and comprises only one small population, in the Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, Rio de Janeiro State. Collaborative activities have been developed since 2013 to implement in situ and ex situ conservation actions for this species. Successful in situ planting has increased the number of individuals in its natural population. Ex situ conservation efforts have resulted in the cultivation of the species in two Brazilian living plant collections, and this will soon increase to three collections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tropical montane ecosystems are highly vulnerable to global climate change, but their species-level conservation vulnerability assessments generally do not incorporate climate threats. The Colombian páramo is a highly diverse montane ecosystem but it contains relatively few species currently identified as threatened on the IUCN Red List. We explore whether current assessments need revising to account for climate change threats for páramo species. We use a climate change vulnerability assessment framework to evaluate the risks and opportunities from climate change for 60 bird species within the Colombian páramo. We explore two potential climate change scenarios (RCP 2.6 and RCP 8.5), representing best and worst-case projections. We find that more than half (52–68%, depending on the scenario) of bird species will be threatened by climate change by the end of the century, but a very poor agreement between the current conservation status of species and their climate vulnerability score. We find ~ 90% of species identified as climate-threatened are not currently identified as being of conservation concern, representing a substantial new suite of priority species within the Colombian páramo. Overall, we identify up to 34 páramo bird species that are threatened by climate change but not currently listed as being of conservation concern. Similar mismatches may also occur in other montane taxa and so updating species risk assessments to account for climate change is urgently needed. Implementation of appropriate conservation actions is also needed to reduce species' risks from climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within the expanding wind energy projects context, this study explores the intricate relationship between biodiversity conservation and wind power development in the Cantabrian Mountains. By analyzing data from 1107 UTM grids measuring 10 × 10 km, we have identified 378 endangered vascular plant taxa and 36 bryophytes, including 135 that are regional endemics. Wind power complexes pose a significant risk of irreversible impacts on plant conservation zones and their integrity if proper management informed by the best available scientific knowledge is not implemented. This study introduces the concept of very important plant areas (VIPAs) as a crucial tool for identifying priority conservation areas. A total of 60% of the UTM grids were classified in the "high conservation value" category. Among the endangered species within the region, only 11% are afforded protection at the European level and 17% at the national level, leaving a key role for regional governments with heterogeneous lists. Our findings highlight the urgent need for legislation that accommodates updates to protected species lists, ensuring the inclusion of high-risk taxa and legally binding mechanisms at various administrative tiers. The proposed method relies on quantifiable and repeatable criteria, making it adaptable for application in other territories and for broader land use planning purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In IUCN Red list data, Lindernia minima is listed as an endangered plant species. • Developed a new preparation protocol for Vermi-Co extracts mixture. • Micropropagation of Lindernia minima were achieved with 97% survival rate. • This is the first report using Vermi-Co extracts mixture on shoot regeneration. The present investigation illustrates the synergistic growth effect of Vermi-Co (Vermicast and Coconut-water) extracts mixture with cytokinins on in vitro shoot regeneration of Lindernia minima. Due to less distribution threat status, this plant species has been considered as an endangered plant by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Hence, it is necessary to conserve and to develop an efficient plant regeneration protocol for the rapid multiplication of L. minima. The nodal explants were inoculated on (¼) quarter-strength MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with different concentrations (0.5 – 2.5 mg L-1) of BA (6-Benzyladenine), KIN (Kinetin) and TDZ (Thidiazuron) combined with various percentages of (5%, 15%, and 25%) Vermi-Co extracts mixture. Among the concentrations tested, 1.5 mg L-1 TDZ with 15% of Vermi-Co extracts mixture produced the maximum percentage of response with the highest (19.5 ± 0.20 shoots/explant) number of shoots and (10.2 ± 0.14 cm) shoot length. Then, the well-elongated shoots were transferred to rooting medium (quarter-strength MS) supplemented with 0.5 – 3.0 mg L-1 of IBA (Indole -3- butyric acid) and IAA (Indole -3- acetic acid). The highest percentage of response (98%) and maximum number of roots were observed in 1.5 mg L-1 IBA with 11.5 ± 0.29 roots per shoot and 6.6 ± 0.28 cm root length. Finally, well-developed plants were successfully transferred to the natural field condition with a survival rate of 97%. The present research revealed that, the combined growth stimulating effect of Vermi-Co extracts mixture combined with cytokinins increased the number of shoots and shoot length on shoot regeneration of L. minima from nodal explants. Our findings will be very useful for regeneration of Lindernia minima through plant tissue culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecological succession creates a sequence of habitat types after an initial disturbance. In Central Europe, these types typically include a gradient of stages from bare ground to forest. Ecological communities differ between habitat types because some species are associated with a given type along the gradient. The conservation status of these communities provides information about environmental pressures acting upon the respective habitat types. Here, we focused on birds and compared three measures of their conservation status, namely population trend, Red List category, and legal protection, expressed at two different levels, national and European, among the habitat types. We used data from the mapping of breeding bird occurrences in 42 abandoned military training sites in Czechia covering the entire successional gradient. In these areas, we identified 423 habitat polygons, each representing one of the following habitat types: bare ground, grassland, sparse scrubland, dense scrubland and forest. In general, birds recorded in forest had the most favorable conservation status, while birds recorded on bare ground and grassland had the least favorable; birds of both types of scrublands showed intermediate values. This corresponds to recent findings of the suitability of forest management for bird populations in Central Europe on the one hand and the adverse impacts of various changes in the human use of open habitats on the other. We observed a general agreement in the different measures, indicating that population trends are likely used for Red List categorization, which further serves to select species for legal protection. However, exceptions to this general pattern suggest that the listing and establishment of legal protection do not adequately reflect population changes and need more frequent updating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rearing research is being conducted to conserve many endangered aquatic Coleoptera species; however, studies on Gyrinidae species are scarce. Herein, we present an efficient rearing method for the endangered species Dineutus mellyi mellyi Régimbart, 1882 (Coleoptera: Gyrinidae), practiced at the Ishikawa Insect Museum. The survival rate of the larvae reared using this method at different developmental stages was as follows: first-instar larvae, 100% (n = 26); second-instar larvae, 100% (n = 26); third-instar larvae, 92% (n = 24); landing to pupate, 73% (n = 19); pupa, 73% (n = 19); and emergence to escape from pupal chamber, 69% (n = 18). Therefore, we recommend this method for sustainable ex situ conservation of this species. This method can be generalised to other Gyrinidae and aquatic Coleoptera species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential extinction of raptor species is especially important given their outsized roles in ecosystems and human cultures. We examined Red List data for raptor species listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. Our goal was to highlight the plight of these critically endangered raptor species while identifying the reasons for their imperiled status, the most important countries for their conservation, and the actions needed for their persistence. We categorized the 17 critically endangered raptor species into two groups—Accipitrid vultures and species with small populations. Accipitrid vultures had relatively large populations and ranges, and were listed under Criterion A due to precipitous population declines. The threat listed for the most Accipitrid vultures was "pollution," reflecting poisoning as the principal cause of declines. Conversely, the small population species were listed under Criteria C and D and were most threatened by "agriculture and aquaculture." Countries in Africa and south Asia were hotspots of critically endangered raptors. The conservation action listed for the most species was "education and awareness" followed by "land protection" and "law and policy." The most-listed monitoring category was "population trends." The Multi-species Action Plan to Conserve African-Eurasian Vultures should be implemented to prevent extinction of Accipitrid vultures. Conversely, species with small populations are generally isolated and must be managed individually. Conservation of the world's most imperiled raptor species is an important facet of assuaging the sixth mass extinction. La extinción potencial de las especies de rapaces es especialmente importante debido a su papel principal en los ecosistemas y las culturas humanas. Examinamos los datos de la Lista Roja de especies de rapaces catalogadas en peligro crítico por la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza. Nuestro objetivo fue resaltar la difícil situación de estas especies de rapaces en peligro crítico al tiempo que identificamos las razones de su estado de amenaza, los países más importantes para su conservación y las acciones necesarias para su persistencia. Clasificamos las 17 especies de rapaces en peligro crítico de extinción en dos grupos: buitres accipítridos y especies con poblaciones pequeñas. Los buitres accipítridos tuvieron poblaciones y áreas de distribución relativamente grandes, y se incluyeron en el Criterio A debido a las rápidas disminuciones poblacionales. La amenaza listada para la mayoría de los buitres accipítridos fue la "contaminación", lo que refleja el envenenamiento como la causa principal de las disminuciones. Por el contrario, las especies con poblaciones pequeñas se incluyeron en los Criterios C y D y estuvieron más amenazadas por "la agricultura y la acuicultura". Los países de África y el sur de Asia fueron puntos calientes de rapaces en peligro crítico. La acción de conservación enumerada para la mayoría de las especies fue "educación y concienciación", seguida de "protección de la tierra" y "leyes y políticas". La categoría de seguimiento más mencionada fue "tendencias poblacionales". El Plan de Acción Multi-específico para la Conservación de los Buitres de África y Eurasia debería implementarse para evitar la extinción de los buitres accipítridos. Por el contrario, las especies con poblaciones pequeñas generalmente están aisladas y deben manejarse individualmente. La conservación de las especies de rapaces más amenazadas del mundo es una faceta importante para aliviar la sexta extinción masiva. [Traducción del equipo editorial] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Plants classified as Near Threatened (NT) are at high risk of becoming threatened because of anthropogenic interference and climate change. Especially in conservation efforts, such species have however long been overlooked. Here, we obtained 98,419 precise occurrence points for 2442 NT plants in China, and used species richness, species complementarity, and weighted endemism that consider all, endemic and narrow-ranged species in order to identify the diversity hotspots of NT plants. Then we evaluated the conservation effectiveness of current nature reserves for them. Our results indicate that the diversity hotspots of NT plants were mainly confined to southwestern and southern China, and only 35.87% of hotspots and 71.5% of species were protected by nature reserves. Numerous hotspots in southwestern China (e.g., Sichuan, Yunnan, Guangxi, and Hainan) were identified as conservation gaps. Given that NT plants include large proportions of endemic and narrow-ranged species, they represent an important value in conservation priority. So, more conservation efforts in the future should be tilted towards NT plants. Additionally, when comparing with the recently updated NT list, there are already 87 species raised to threatened categories, while 328 species were lowered to least concern, 56 species were now categorized as data deficient, and 119 species considered as uncertain due to changes of scientific names. It is essential to carry out a continuous assessment of species' threatened categories to realize targeting conservation.

Abstract The Itatiaia National Park protects important Atlantic Forest remnants as well as a large number of rare bryophyte species. We reassessed the conservation status of 45 species of endemic and/or threatened mosses occurring in high-altitude fields in the Park. The conservation analysis followed the International Union for Conservation of Nature guidelines. The GeoCAT software was used to calculate the Extent of Occurrence (EOO) and Area of Occupancy (AOO). The threat vectors were characterized based on field observations and data from the literature. After the reassessment, 31 species were considered threatened, with 16 being considered vulnerable (VU), seven critically endangered (CR), and eight endangered (EN). Two species were considered “near threatened” (NT) and three were considered “data deficient” (DD), and seven were considered “least concern” (LC). The main threats in that region are wildfires and excessive tourism - factors that lower habitat quality and reduce their EOO and AOO. Recommendations to minimize imminent losses of the local bryoflora include incentives for research and microhabitat protection. Our results are designed to aid in the elaboration of conservation strategies for mosses in the Serra da Mantiqueira mountains.

Conservation policies and environmental impact assessments commonly target threatened species and habitats. Nevertheless, macroecological research provides reasons why also common species should be considered. We investigate the consequences of focussing solely on legally protected species and habitats in a spatial conservation planning context using a comprehensive, benthic marine data set from the northern Baltic Sea. Using spatial prioritization and surrogacy analysis, we show that the common approach in conservation planning, where legally listed threatened species and habitats are the focus of conservation efforts, could lead to poor outcomes for common species (and therefore biodiversity as a whole), allowing them to decline in the future. If conservation efforts were aimed solely at threatened species, common species would experience a loss of 62% coverage. In contrast, if conservation plans were based only on common species, threatened species would suffer a loss of 1%. Threatened species are rare and their ecological niches distinct, making them poor surrogates for biodiversity. The best results are achieved by unified planning for all species and habitats. The minimal step towards acknowledging common species in conservation planning would be the inclusion of the richness of common species, complemented by information on indicator species or species of high importance for ecosystem functioning. The trade‐off between planning for rare and common species should be evaluated, to minimize losses to biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vatica venulosa is one of the Dipterocarpaceae species that is threatened with extinction. Distributed in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo, the tree is classified as Critically Endangered by IUCN Red List (International Union for Conservation of Nature) based on an assessment conducted in 1998. This assessment, however, was only based on the populations in Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Therefore, this study aims to update the global conservation status of V. venulosa using all the occurrence records across the species' natural distribution. Reduction analysis and geographic range of the species were calculated based on the occurrence data stored in the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and scientific publications. Following IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, the category Vulnerable (VU A4c) was proposed as the new global conservation status of the species. Under this category, V. venulosa is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Therefore, comprehensive conservation action is needed to prevent it from extinction. This study aims to update the global conservation status of Vatica venulosa using all the occurrence records across the species' natural distribution. Reduction analysis showed that the species experienced 30% population reduction over the past three generations. We proposed the category Vulnerable (VU A4c) as the new global conservation status of V. venulosa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Assessing suitable habitats for species has great potential to guide the management and conservation of threatened species, especially rare species that are poorly studied and remote from human populations. Vormela peregusna, a mustelid mammal endemic to Eurasia, was assessed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2015 due to its low population size and increasing human threats. We used the ensemble model to assess the distribution of suitable areas for V. peregusna under current and future climate change conditions to contribute to the better protection of endangered animals. Habitat loss and human threats are putting the marbled polecat (Vormela peregusna) on the brink of extinction. Numerous recent studies have found that climate change will further deteriorate the living environment of endangered species, leading to their eventual extinction. In this study, we used the results of infrared camera surveys in China and worldwide distribution data to construct an ensemble model consisting of 10 commonly used ecological niche models to specify potential suitable habitat areas for V. peregusna under current conditions with similar environments to the sighting record sites. Changes in the suitable habitat for V. peregusna under future climate change scenarios were simulated using mid-century (2050s) and the end of the century (2090s) climate scenarios provided by the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). We evaluated the accuracy of the model to obtain the environmental probability values (cutoff) of the V. peregusna distribution, the current distribution of suitable habitats, and future changes in moderately and highly suitable habitat areas. The results showed that the general linear model (GLM) was the best single model for predicting suitable habitats for V. peregusna, and the kappa coefficient, area under the curve (AUC), and true skill statistic (TSS) of the ensemble model all exceeded 0.9, reflecting greater accuracy and stability than single models. Under the current conditions, the area of suitable habitat for V. peregusna reached 3935.92 × 104 km2, suggesting a wide distribution range. In the future, climate change is predicted to severely affect the distribution of V. peregusna and substantially reduce the area of suitable habitats for the species, with 11.91 to 33.55% of moderately and highly suitable habitat areas no longer suitable for the survival of V. peregusna. This shift poses an extremely serious challenge to the conservation of this species. We suggest that attention be given to this problem in Europe, especially the countries surrounding the Black Sea, Asia, China, and Mongolia, and that measures be taken, such as regular monitoring and designating protected areas for the conservation of vulnerable animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Red Lists are widely used as an indicator of the status and trends of biodiversity and are often used in directing conservation efforts. However, it is unclear whether species with a Least Concern status share a common relationship to environmental correlates compared to species that are on the Red List. To assess this, we focus here on the contribution and correlates of land use, climate, and soil to the occurrence of wild bees in the Netherlands. We used observation data and species distribution models to explain the relation between wild bees and the environment. Non‐threatened bees had a relatively higher variable importance of the land use variables to their models, as opposed to the climate variables for the threatened bees. The threatened bees had a smaller extent of occurrence and occupied areas with more extreme climatic conditions. Bees with a Least Concern status showed more positive responses to urban green spaces and Red List species showed a different response to climatic variables, such as temperature and precipitation. Even though Red List bees were found in areas with a higher cover of natural areas, they showed a more selective response to natural land use types. Pastures and crops were the main contributing land use variables and showed almost exclusively a negative correlation with the distribution of all wild bees. This knowledge supports the implementation of appropriate, species‐specific conservation measures, including the preservation of natural areas, and the improvement of land use practices in agricultural and urban areas, which may help mitigate the negative impacts of future global change on species' distributions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]