Ecologies

Powerlines pose a significant threat to many bird species, impacting their conservation. Current research focuses on developing methods to mitigate bird mortality due to electrocution and collisions with powerlines. In this study, we designed a sound prototype to be installed on infrastructure poles, including powerlines, aiming to reduce their use by birds. We conducted bird surveys over 47 days, from February to May 2020, in five light poles: the central pole where the device was installed (0 m), two poles at 25 m, and two poles at 50 m from the central pole. The first 10 days served as a control period with the deterrent device switched off, followed by 37 days with the device switched on. In total, we recorded 1945 bird observations, of which 1569 occurred with the device on. The device was triggered by bird movements, resulting in 588 reactions to sound. When activated, 10.6% of large- and medium-sized birds were flushed from the surveyed poles: 2.6% were already perched and flushed due to the sound, 3.9% were prevented from perching, and 4.1% were flushed after perching, thereby reducing the risk of electrocution. Among the birds perching or approaching the pole where the device was installed, 25% were deterred by the sound. The black kite, Milvus migrans, was the most reactive species to the device (54.3% flushed at 0 m, and 8.8% flushed at 25 and 50 m), while the white stork, Ciconia ciconia, showed the least sensitivity to the disturbances (14.4% flushed at 0 m, and 2.7% flushed at 25 and 50 m). The corvids exhibited a response rate between the other two species (33.3% flushed at 0 m, and 6.8% flushed at 25 and 50 m). We identified significant limitations to this prototype and proposed recommendations to improve its efficiency. Full article

This study explores the biogeographic processes shaping the distribution of benthic foraminifera along a salinity gradient in the Contaco Estuary, southeastern Pacific, Chile. The primary aim was to evaluate the applicability of key ecological paradigms—Rapoport’s rule, the mid-domain effect, ecotones, and source–sink dynamics—to unicellular eukaryotes in estuarine environments. A 1550 m longitudinal transect, sampled at 50 m intervals, revealed a pronounced salinity-driven pattern in species richness and diversity, with calcareous taxa dominating euhaline zones and agglutinated taxa thriving in brackish and freshwater areas. Source–sink dynamics were not supported, as beta diversity analyses identified turnover as the dominant driver, highlighting species replacement along the salinity gradient. Evidence of a longitudinal Rapoport effect was observed, with broader distribution ranges in low-salinity environments, reflecting adaptations to suboptimal conditions. Contrary to predictions, the mid-domain effect was not supported, as foraminiferal richness showed a monotonic decline. These findings extend macroecological principles to microbial communities, emphasizing deterministic processes in shaping estuarine diversity. This research provides a robust framework for understanding biodiversity patterns in dynamic ecosystems, offering valuable insights for conservation and ecological monitoring. Full article

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) require efficient monitoring tools to assess habitats and biodiversity, particularly in remote or understudied regions. This study demonstrates the utility of the towed video-diver technique combined with high-resolution video for rapidly surveying benthic habitats and associated taxa. Applied in Arredondo, a shallow bay within an MPA in Atlantic Patagonia, the method covered 14,000 m² through eight transects, utilizing just 180 min of dive time and ~300 min of video analysis. Substrate types and their associated taxa were classified using the CATAMI framework, yielding a list of 28 taxa and density estimates of mobile organisms. Additionally, the percentage cover of Gracilaria sp.—a commercially valuable macroalga historically overexploited in the region—was estimated for the bay. The invasive crab Carcinus maenas was found across all substrate types on the bay, underscoring its ecological tolerance and the need for ongoing monitoring. This cost-effective, rapid methodology is highly effective for detecting and describing areas of ecological or conservation interest, providing critical baseline data for targeted, detailed studies. Its simplicity and efficiency make it ideal for initial surveys in remote regions, supporting the conservation and management of MPAs. Full article

Numerous interactions between human activities and wildlife currently impact various species. In recent decades, these activities have contributed to declining sea turtle populations. The waters around Spain serve as important staging areas for sea turtles, particularly Caretta caretta, which spend part of their life cycle there. However, these same waters threaten turtles because of various causes of stranding. This study aims to comprehensively understand the rehabilitation process for these animals at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (WRC) La Tahonilla in Tenerife, Canary Islands. It also seeks to explore rehabilitation efforts at different centers focused on recovering sea turtles in both the mainland and the Canary Islands. Additionally, we have examined the procedures for addressing stranded sea turtles where a recovery center does not exist. Our findings reveal the existence of varying protocols among different centers in Spain’s mainland and islands. Improving and unifying these protocols is essential for enhancing the rehabilitation of sea turtles in Spain. Full article

The rapid proliferation of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) in newly formed reservoirs poses a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems and hydroelectric operations. The objective of this study was to map and monitor the spatio-temporal distribution of water hyacinth in the Hidroituango reservoir in Colombia from 2018 to 2023, using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and machine learning algorithms. The Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithms were employed for image classification, and their performance was evaluated using various accuracy metrics. The results revealed that both algorithms effectively detected and mapped water hyacinth infestations, with RF demonstrating greater stability in capturing long-term trends and SVM exhibiting higher sensitivity to rapid changes in coverage. The study also highlighted the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on control efforts, leading to a temporary increase in infestation. The findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and adaptive management strategies to mitigate the ecological and economic impacts of water hyacinth in the Hidroituango reservoir and similar environments. Full article

Myxomycetes are protists that predate microbial communities in soil and are heavily affected by changing climate conditions. As seen in a more distinct guild of myxomycete, their fructification diversity depends not only on the heterogeneity of vegetation but also on temperature and precipitation. To determine the reverse pattern of microbial diversity established in temperate ecozones, foliar and lignicolous litters were collected along a tropical montane site in the Philippines. Fifty-seven (57) morphospecies of myxomycetes from 15 genera were determined. Alpha-diversity analysis revealed a significant decline in species richness and diversity with increasing elevation. Beta-diversity analysis, integrating non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), PERMANOVA, and hierarchical clustering, revealed the complex relationships between species turnover and community composition across elevational gradients. These results conform to the hypothesis that species richness decreases as elevation increases, supporting that tropical ecozones follow the general trend of myxomycete diversity that was first observed in the temperate ecozones. The strong role of elevation in shaping myxomycete community structure is further emphasized. This indicates that conservation management efforts should become more stringent in the areas found at the lower elevation of a tropical montane forest, which are more ecologically sensitive to human-induced stressors and climate-related pressures. Full article

Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) is a growing concern in the Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) in the central highlands of Sri Lanka. This study investigates the nature and distribution of HWC, with particular focus on agricultural damage, livestock losses, infrastructure destruction, and human injuries. Data were collected through field surveys, expert opinions, satellite imagery, and census data, including interviews with 720 farmers (conducted between 2021 and 2022) and 25 online questionnaires, which provided expert insights on HWC. Animals such as wild boars, bandicoots, barking deer, toque macaques, porcupines, buffaloes, sambar, and leopards were found to be key to HWC, contributing to crop raiding, livestock predation, and infrastructure damage, and through the analytical hierarchy process (AHP), the wild boar was determined to have the greatest impact. Spatial analysis revealed conflict hotspots near forest and tea plantation boundaries, emphasizing the influence of land use and proximity to wildlife habitats. Mitigation strategies were explored; most farmers utilize multiple conflict reduction strategies, with varying efficacy. These findings underline the importance of developing region-specific strategies for HWC management, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and fostering coexistence between wildlife and local communities. Full article

Greece is a European hotspot for Orthoptera (378 species), yet it has been scarcely explored. We investigated the distribution and habitat preferences of the species of two endemic Orthoptera genera, Parnassiana and Oropodisma, in the montane ecosystems of central Greece. We conducted field surveys from 2021 to 2024 in 174 sites across seven mountains. The species of both genera preferred habitats above 1500 m, with species-specific preferences for microhabitat parameters: Parnassiana species favored moderate slopes with dense shrub cover, while Oropodisma species favored substrates with intermediate stone cover and relatively high vegetation cover. Species distribution models estimated the area of suitable habitat for Parnassiana to be at 5 km² and Oropodisma at 3.28 km². The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and potential evapotranspiration were the key environmental drivers of the habitat suitability for both genera. Generalized regression models showed that altitude positively influenced Parnassiana population density, peaking at 2200 m, whereas rock and soil cover negatively impacted Oropodisma population densities. The results emphasize the critical role of montane habitats in sustaining these species and provide essential data for future research and conservation strategies. Full article

To explain the distribution and abundance of species, ecology searches for general models. A pattern often encountered in nature is the interspecific abundance–occupancy relationship (AOR), which describes how the mean local abundance of species relates to the proportion of local sites that each species occupies. Both are central variables in ecology and are often positively correlated, although exceptions have been found. As most AOR research has been conducted with terrestrial systems, recent studies are testing for its occurrence in marine systems. This contribution tests the AOR for invertebrate metacommunities associated with intertidal mussel patches. Using data from six coastal locations in Nova Scotia (Canada), this study shows that the negative binomial model properly describes the relationship between abundance and occupancy for these systems. The degree of wave exposure (wave-sheltered versus wave-exposed habitats) had some influence on the shape of the AOR. Overall, these findings extend the applicability of the AOR to intertidal invertebrate metacommunities. The raw data are included as part of this article to help future syntheses on the AOR, which will need data for a variety of terrestrial and aquatic environments. Full article

The suitability of different agroecosystems (native forest, soybean, artificial forest with Eucalyptus sp., mixed horticulture and fruticulture, and dairy prairies) for settling and managing hives for honey production were appraised via holistic surveys of the spatial and seasonal occurrence of floral resources. Metadata were obtained from a project developed by our group, which took place between 2014 and 2017. Species richness, abundance, growth habit (tree, shrub, stand, scrub or stem, accompanying species), and the flowering period for each melliferous plant across the different seasons in 120 samples were measured. Using the Shannon–Wiener diversity index and the floral characteristics of the different species in each environment, an Agroecosystem Apibotanical Index was developed. It revealed that the best agroecosystems for honey production were the most biodiverse native forest as well as mixed horticulture and fruit culture. Knowledge of the floral characteristics and species arrangement enabled the categorization of agroecosystems, aiming for rational management to enhance honey production. Full article

Lomami National Park, located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo), is renowned for the integrity of its forest ecosystems, safeguarded by the absence of agricultural activities and limited road access. However, these ecosystems remain under-researched, particularly in terms of forest cover dynamics. This research gap poses a significant challenge to establishing rigorous monitoring systems, which are essential for ensuring the long-term preservation of these valuable ecosystems. This study utilized Google Earth Engine to preprocess Landsat images from 2008, 2016, and 2024, employing techniques such as atmospheric correction and cloud masking. Random Forest classification was applied to analyze land cover changes, using training datasets curated through ground-truthing and region-of-interest selection. The classification accuracy was evaluated using metrics such as overall accuracy, producer’s accuracy, and user’s accuracy. To assess landscape configuration, metrics such as class area, patch number, largest patch index, disturbance index, aggregation index, and edge density were calculated, distinguishing between the park’s core and peripheral zones. Spatial transformation processes were analyzed using a decision tree approach. The results revealed a striking contrast in forest cover stability between Lomami National Park and its surrounding periphery. Within the park, forest cover has been preserved and even showed a modest increase, rising from 92.60% in 2008 to 92.75% in 2024. In contrast, the peripheral zone experienced a significant decline in forest cover, decreasing from 79.32% to 70.48% during the same period. This stability within the park extends beyond maintaining forested areas; it includes preserving and enhancing the spatial structure of forest ecosystems. For example, edge density, a key indicator of forest edge compactness, remained stable in the park, fluctuating between 8 m/ha and 9 m/ha. Conversely, edge density in the peripheral zone exceeded 35 m/ha, indicating that forest edges within the park are considerably more cohesive and intact than those in the surrounding areas. The spatial transformation processes also underscored these contrasting dynamics. In the park, the primary process was the aggregation of primary forest patches, reflecting a trend toward continuous and connected forest landscapes. By contrast, the peripheral zone exhibited dissection, indicating fragmentation and the breakdown of forest patches. These findings highlight the park’s critical role in maintaining both the extent and structural integrity of forest ecosystems, setting it apart from the more degraded periphery. They underscore the resilience of forest ecosystems in the face of limited anthropogenic pressures and the crucial importance of effective land management and rigorous conservation strategies in addressing the challenges posed by urbanization and rural expansion. Additionally, the results emphasize that well-adapted conservation measures, combined with specific demographic and socio-economic conditions, can play a pivotal role in achieving long-term forest preservation and ecological stability. Full article

Limited information exists on the diet of snow leopards (SL), factors affecting livestock mortality, and local attitudes toward SL conservation in the Manaslu Conservation Area (MCA), Nepal. Therefore, we aim to investigate the dietary preferences of SL, the factors influencing livestock mortality, and local conservation attitudes. From November 2021 to January 2022, 23 SL scats were collected along 24 transects (total length: 21.6 km) in MCA. Camera traps, set within 4 km × 4 km grids at 28 stations for 661 trap nights, were used to assess prey availability. Jacobs’ index calculated prey preference, while a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) assessed factors linked to livestock depredation. Additionally, 65 households from two villages were randomly selected in a survey on depredation and conservation attitudes. Scat analysis identified six wild prey species, including pika (Ochotona sp.), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus), and blue sheep (Pseudois nayaur), as well as three domestic species: ox/cow, yak, and horse. Himalayan tahr had the highest presence in the SL diet (40%). Despite pika having the highest Relative Abundance Index (RAI), SL strongly preferred horses and avoided pika. Larger prey, such as horses, Himalayan tahr, and blue sheep, were highly preferred. Households with more livestock experienced higher depredation rates. Local attitudes toward SL conservation were generally positive, with an average score of 2.59. We recommend an integrated SL conservation plan in MCA, incorporating local participation, income diversification, and employment programs to mitigate conflicts and promote coexistence. Full article

Protected areas (PAs) are geographical spaces intended to conserve populations, communities, and ecosystems, in which species richness must be maximized, the conserved area must be minimized, and anthropogenic pressure must be reduced. The present study analyzed the representativeness, complementarity, and degree of risk of 25 garter snake species of the genus Thamnophis in the PAs of Mexico. This study proposes that at least 17% of the potential geographic distribution (PGD) of species will be found inside PAs and in areas (Aichi Target 11) with a low human footprint (HF). The PGD of species was associated with the PAs and HF layers to identify where and which species could be at local extirpation risk by human activities. The results indicate that the federal PAs contain 85.2% of the species, while the state PAs contain 77.7% of the species. An average of 13.4% of the PGD of these species is found inside PAs, and two species are found outside. In 13 federal PAs and 10 state PAs, the Thamnophis species present high local extirpation risk from human activities. In total, 37% of species are found in PAs with a medium to very high human footprint; therefore, their persistence could be at local extirpation risk. Compared to other taxa, species of the genus Thamnophis are well represented. However, the PDG of more than half of the species achieves Aichi Target 11. Full article

This review examines the role of soil and sediment organisms as bioindicators in environmental pollution assessment. As fundamental elements of terrestrial ecosystems, soils harbour a rich and diverse biodiversity that plays a key role in regulating ecological processes. The use of bioindicators provides a sensitive and specific approach to detecting the effects of chemical, biological, and physical pollutants on soil health. The review presents a detailed analysis of the types of contaminants commonly encountered, the soil organisms used as bioindicators, and the criteria for selecting the most appropriate bioindicators. It also discusses assessment methods, including soil sampling and analysis techniques, and the biological and ecological indices used to measure contamination. Regional case studies illustrate the practical application of bioindicators for assessing soil quality in different geographical contexts. The review also highlights current challenges to the use of bioindicators, such as technical limitations and the variability of organism responses, and suggests perspectives for future research, including technological innovation and the integration of bioindicators into environmental policy. Full article

Ex situ and in situ conservation are the two most important methods for preserving and sustaining natural species. However, studies that combine in situ and ex situ studies are rather scarce. Ankara, the capital of Türkiye, is a rich biodiversity hotspot with 2353 plant species, 398 of which are endemic. Due to the rapidly growing population, agricultural areas, hobby gardens, and the urban areas of the city center, many plant species, especially local endemics, are at a high risk of extinction in the immediate vicinity of the Ankara city center. Therefore, we aimed to establish a plant protection area with both ex situ and in situ conservation approaches jointly in the Kazan Soda license area in the Kahramankazan county of Ankara. In total, 185 plant taxa belonging to 43 families, 29 of which are local or regional endemic, or rare, have been protected in the area. Although most of the taxa in the protected area grow there naturally, reproductive organs or whole plants of 11 taxa have been translocated from the immediate surroundings and habitat. Detailed information about the flora of the protected area and the license area is given. We also work in the protected area to raise awareness about biodiversity and nature conservation for local people and students. Full article

Although extensive interventions are being made to protect forests, many developing countries, including Ethiopia, face persistent forest conservation challenges, particularly where local communities heavily rely on forests for their livelihoods. Recognizing the urgency of this issue, the government of Ethiopia introduced Participatory Forest Management (PFM) and devolved forest management responsibilities to enhance forest conservation. Therefore, investigating the impacts of PFM on forest covers is important. To this end, our research is based on an analysis of the land use/land cover changes (LULCCs) over the last 23 years in selected forest sites of Adaba–Dodola and their implications for the implementation of REDD+. This study examines the difference in forest cover changes between PFM and non-PFM sites within and between the study periods. Landsat images from 2000, 2012, and 2023 were analysed to detect LULCCs. Overall, the results from the comparison analysis indicate that in the period of 2000–2023, forest lands decreased by 5.22% in non-PFM sites, while they increased by 5.89% in PFM sites. On the other hand, agricultural lands experienced a notable increase of 9.64% in non-PFM sites but decreased by 1.65% in PFM sites. The increase in the forest cover is attributed to the effectiveness of PFM in halting deforestation and promoting forest conservation compared to non-PFM sites. Thus, the PFM approach is a tool for preserving forest ecosystems and mitigating the adverse effects of deforestation and forest degradation; therefore, this strategy could be used as a driving wheel for the implementation of REDD+. Full article

The Mar Piccolo is a transitional water system located in Taranto city (Southern Italy); it is a semi-enclosed basin affected by severe pollution issues due to the presence of various industrial, agricultural and other anthropic activities that require careful monitoring and management. The pollution levels reached over time have harmed marine biodiversity and human health, repeatedly requiring timely actions for its mitigation. Characterization methodologies and techniques today play a fundamental role in supporting the decision-making phase, processing large quantities of data and identifying complex patterns and correlations. An approach focused on gaining detailed knowledge of complex environmental contexts through clustering map techniques enables highly precise results, capturing even the smallest variations in the features of the study object and strongly correlating them with possible sources of pollution. The use of these techniques improves the precision of the analyses and can significantly contribute to improving the understanding of the environmental state in the Mar Piccolo area. This study addresses the issue of pollution in Mar Piccolo due to marine litter, which has led to the formation of synanthropic habitats on the seabed. It also highlights the value of clustering maps and other characterization techniques for achieving detailed insights at various levels of analysis. Data processing through the proposed methodology can generate very detailed mapping useful for planning precision reclamation interventions that also include species conservation actions, as well as a better understanding of how synanthropic habitats are distributed and evolve. In summary, this study demonstrates how it is possible to improve the precision of data processing, providing crucial details for the management and conservation of highly threatened marine ecosystems. Full article

Mink farming has seen a resurgence in Bulgaria since 2013, and this has led to a high risk of American mink escaping and establishing feral populations. The largest active commercial farm in the country has a capacity of nearly 130,000 animals. The aims of this study were to gather first-hand evidence of the presence of mink in the wild around the farm, assess their level of establishment, and document the native species and local communities for future impact assessment. Surveys were conducted using camera traps within a 3.7 km radius around the farm in the period 2020–2021 at ten stations with 1943 realised trap-nights. Some early signs of the establishment of the American mink in Bulgaria were documented. A large number of registrations was made, as frequently as the Eurasian otter and golden jackal and more frequently than other mustelids in the study area. Mink were observed throughout the two-year study, and escaped mink have been registered in the region as early as 2017. These factors are interpreted as signs of the early stages of establishment. When considering environmental, economic, public health, and social factors, we recommend that mink farming should be banned in Bulgaria and further monitoring and management actions must be undertaken for the individuals in the wild. Full article

The role of keystone species in maintaining ecosystem stability is a crucial aspect of ecology. Identifying key mammalian species within an ecosystem requires a systematic approach, utilizing criteria and indicators derived from species characteristic variables. This study presents a framework to identify key mammalian species based on various ecological, structural, and functional factors. By developing a mechanistic model of energy flow in food webs and trophic levels, the model aims to pinpoint each species’ role in the stability and sustainability of biomass flow within the ecosystem. Known as KVT version 1.0, the model explains the role of each characteristic variable of mammalian species, predicts population growth, elucidates species interactions at trophic levels, and assesses species-specific dietary compositions, including food requirements, reproduction, and activity. Factor analysis of model outputs has produced equations to determine the value of keystone species (K_v), indicating the role of mammalian species in the stability and sustainability of biomass flow in the ecosystem. Keystone species, as identified by this model, are primarily small mammals of the families Muridae, Sciuridae, Tupaiidae, Ptilocercidae, Hystricidae, Viverridae, and Herpestidae, demonstrating omnivorous and herbivorous trophic levels. This model can serve as a valuable framework for conservation management of biodiversity in an ecosystem, with potential for expansion to include characteristics of non-mammalian species in future research. Full article