Planning the priority protected areas of endangered orchid species in northeastern China

We used endangered orchid species as a case study for establishing priority protected areas (PPAs). We conducted a detailed investigation of 2,884 plots in northeastern China and selected 6 nationally protected orchid species (the number of plots for each species ≥5) to plan PPAs in order to conserve these endangered plants. First, we estimated the potential habitat distributions of 6 orchid species using species distribution models (in the program Maxent). Second, we identified PPAs using the results of both Maxent and systematic conservation planning software (Zonation). We found that the PPAs we identified were all distributed in the eastern, northeastern, and northern parts of the study region on which we focused. We observed that existing nature reserves in those areas were much smaller than the PPAs we identified, suggesting the need for expansion of these zones. Finally, we identified some recommended protection areas based on our PPAs, which we believe are suitable areas of in situ conservation. These areas could assist in the formulation of protection policies for these endangered orchid species. Our results have broad implications for conservation biology and the redefinition of protective zones for at-risk species.     

Vegetation of the dry bioclimatic areas in the Dominican Republic

We conduct a study of the dry forest in areas of scant rainfall in the Dominican Republic; these are sites with particular endemic habitats, as the samples reveal a high rate of local and insular endemic species, with 84 (24.85%) endemisms. This work covers dry forests rich in coarse spiny plants and includes a statistical (multivariate analysis), phytosociological and catenal study of the vegetation. We analyse the floristic composition, ecology, distribution and richness in endemisms of each association. The bioclimatic analysis reveals the different thermotypes and ombrotypes on the island, and locates the proposed plant associations in the infra- and thermotropical thermotypes, and in the arid, semiarid and dry ombrotypes. As a result of this phytosociological analysis, we propose the new alliance Harrio nashii–Acacion skleroxylae and four plant associations: Harrisio nashii–Prosopidetum juliflorae, Crotono poitaei–Erythroxyletum rotundifolii, Lonchocarpo pycnophylli–Cylindropuntietum caribaeae and Neoabbottio paniculatae–Guaiacetum officinali; these associations connect catenally with the subhumid forest and mangrove swamps.     

The scientific value of Amazonian protected areas

Protected areas (PAs) are under increasing pressure to demonstrate their broader value and contribution to society. Scientific research and associated knowledge production comprise one such value, which has received relatively little attention in the academic literature. Here, we use the Amazon region as a case study to quantify scientific knowledge production (as measured by scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals) in PAs and identify the main biophysical, geographical and social characteristics that influence such production. We adopt a multi-model inference approach with an innovative hurdle regression model to independently assess the factors influencing the presence of research and the number of studies in PAs. Our results indicate a highly skewed pattern of scientific production, with many PAs with few or no associated scientific articles. Larger, older and more highly protected PAs in Ecuador and Peru were most likely to have scientific production, while time since first publication was most strongly associated with the number of publications from a PA. These findings provide important insights that could be used to support and strengthen policy aimed at increasing the value of Amazonian protected areas for scientific research.     

Movement patterns for a critically endangered species, the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), linked to foraging success and population status

Foraging success for pelagic vertebrates may be revealed by horizontal and vertical movement patterns. We show markedly different patterns for leatherback turtles in the North Atlantic versus Eastern Pacific, which feed on gelatinous zooplankton that are only occasionally found in high densities. In the Atlantic, travel speed was characterized by two modes, indicative of high foraging success at low speeds (<15 km d(-1)) and transit at high speeds (20-45 km d(-1)). Only a single mode was evident in the Pacific, which occurred at speeds of 21 km d(-1) indicative of transit. The mean dive depth was more variable in relation to latitude but closer to the mean annual depth of the thermocline and nutricline for North Atlantic than Eastern Pacific turtles. The most parsimonious explanation for these findings is that Eastern Pacific turtles rarely achieve high foraging success. This is the first support for foraging behaviour differences between populations of this critically endangered species and suggests that longer periods searching for prey may be hindering population recovery in the Pacific while aiding population maintenance in the Atlantic.     

High dependence on protected areas by the endangered giant armadillo in Argentina

A combination of technics was used to assess landscape variables associated with the presence of the globally vulnerable giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) in its southernmost distribution in the Chaco region of Argentina. Between 2017 and 2019, 369 km of foot and vehicle transects were run to search and record indirect evidence of the species (burrows and feeding excavations) in areas with different level of protection, including two national parks, three provincial parks, and non-protected areas. Distance sampling was used to estimate density of excavations and effective strip width sampled to estimate the surveyed area. Resource selection functions (RSFs) were used to assess the variables associated to its presence by comparing locations of excavations with available habitat within surveyed areas. In these RSF models covariates that may affect habitat use and survival of giant armadillos were included: three categorical ones: soil type, vegetation cover (forests vs. grasslands), protection level (national park, provincial park, non-protected), and five continuous variables: distance to nearest river, distance to nearest national park, distance to closest protected area, distance to nearest transformed area, and distance to natural grasslands. Habitat use was modelled pooling together burrows and feeding excavations, and models were validated with a pool of records previously excluded from the analysis. A total of 104 records of burrows and 344 of feeding excavations were recorded. The probability of occurrence of giant armadillo excavations was much higher within forests, within or near protected areas, and increased with the distance to rivers, to transformed areas, and to grasslands. In the study area, only 10% of the landscape surveyed has good- to high-probability of occurrence of giant armadillos. The maintenance of large surfaces of native forests and the consolidation, improvement, and connectivity among protected areas seem to be essential for the long-term survival of the endangered giant armadillo in Argentina.     

Landscape functionality in protected and unprotected areas: Case studies from the Czech Republic

Landscape structure not only reflects the natural settings of the landscape but also its history and the impact of human activity. Information about the characteristics of the landscape elements in terms of their structural functionality plays a central role in assessing their ecological quality. Statutory designation of sites plays a key role in conserving and maintaining valuable parts of the landscape.In this study, we investigated whether protection status influences functionality in case studies from the Czech Republic, representing three different landscape types.Landscape structure metrics derived from land cover maps, were used for the assessment of functionality in protected and unprotected regions of the landscape types. Mean functionality was calculated for six different functionality groups. We also focused on the level of protection status and its relationship to functionality.Our results showed that landscape functionality is higher in protected areas as opposed to unprotected areas. In addition, functionality was found to be high for the ‘valuable matrix’ and the ‘connecting corridors’ groups. The results also indicated that the more strictly protected areas tend to have higher functionality.     

Bycatches of endangered,threatened and protected species in marine fisheries

Bycatch remains one of the most significant fisheries issues in the world and its monitoring and reporting is now expected in many regions. This paper provides a global synthesis of the data that are available on one of the most controversial components of bycatch, that associated with the capture and discarding of endangered, threatened and protected (ETP) species in marine commercial and artisanal fisheries. We examine the available literature regarding estimates for the key taxa in this category of bycatch (seabirds, turtles, sea snakes, marine mammals, sharks, rays and teleosts) and use the data to try to provide a total global estimate. We estimate (albeit quite imprecisely) that at least 20 million individuals of such species are discarded annually throughout the world. However, there remain far too many gaps and uncertainties across fisheries and regions in the information to provide any robustness (or variance) around such an estimate, nor to determine the actual fates of these animals (many may survive). This is exacerbated because: (1) the occurrences of such species are often rare and controversial and so go either unnoticed and/or unrecorded; (2) different levels of protection are afforded to different ETP species in different countries and fisheries and; (3) discarding practices vary greatly across a hierarchy of spatio-temporal scales and according to individual fishing conditions and procedures—the latter affecting actual mortalities. Nevertheless, there have been major initiatives established in recent years to provide better data on such interactions in addition to novel fishing methods and practices that reduce them and also improve the survival of discarded individuals. This paper discusses the data currently available and the quite significant gaps that remain.     

The distribution of amphibian species richness in protected areas of Chiapas,Mexico

Due to the current environmental crisis, many animal species face extinction problems. Amphibian populations have been affected by this crisis. Our goal is to study amphibian species diversity in Chiapas, which has 7.6% of the endemic amphibians in Mexico and 53 protected areas. Only 58% of the protected areas have management plans or information on their resident amphibians. We aim to determine the extent of protection provided by the network of natural areas for the conservation of amphibian species in the state and to discuss the effectiveness of this protection. Therefore, we compiled a georeferenced database of 112 amphibian species in Chiapas to create each distribution model. In addition, we carried out representativeness, beta diversity, and species richness analyses. As a result, we obtained a high degree of representativeness for the records and species distribution models. However, we found a decrease in the richness of amphibians involving 20% of total species, 13% of endemics, 18% threatened according to NOM-059, and 31% threatened according to IUCN between 1800 and 2020 and 1980–2020. We also identified two biodiversity hotspots in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas and the Northern Highlands physiographic regions. Finally, based on potential distributions, we found more endemic and threatened species outside protected natural areas than inside them. Our results give a broader picture of how amphibian richness is distributed in Chiapas. This information can help to prioritize conservation efforts toward those areas rich in threatened or endemic species, such as the Northern Mountains Hotspot we identified in northern Chiapas.     

The selection and design of marine protected areas: Australia as a case study

Recently there has been increased interest in the use of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) as tools for the conservation of marine habitats and species. This has resulted in the declaration of many MPAs around the world. Despite this activity there have been few tests of hypotheses about the design criteria for selection and management of these areas, resulting in a haphazard and ad hoc selection of protected areas, with conflicting and inconsistent terminology and objectives. The application of appropriately tested scientific information to the design of MPAs will increase the likelihood of success in the future.To 1st January 1992, 267 MPAs had been declared in Australia, covering a total area of ca 400 019 km². The history of their declaration has been sporadic and uneven. Conflicts over State and Federal legislation and, within states, conflicts over jurisdiction among agencies caused by overlapping responsibilities, have at times slowed the declaration of MPAs. In this paper, the history of MPAs in Australia is used as a case study to discuss the problems, both biological and administrative, of declaring MPAs.     

The unique and endangered Campo Rupestre vegetation and protected areas in the Iron Quadrangle,Minas Gerais,Brazil

The Iron Quadrangle (IQ) in Brazil is one of the world's largest reserves of iron ore, and besides its economic importance, the region also plays a key role in nature conservation with the endemic Campo Rupestre vegetation. Despite a large number of protected areas (PAs) offering refuge for the remaining Campo Rupestre vegetation in the IQ, studies on the current situation of these natural remnants, and the real functionality of these PAs are scarce. This study aimed to map the remaining natural phytophysiognomies of the IQ, evaluating the proportion of Campo Rupestre on ferruginous and non-ferruginous substrates in PAs. We applied the object-oriented classification using Sentinel 2A and 2B satellite images, vegetation indexes, iron oxide index and terrain attributes, with field-collected validation points. We identified thirteen types of land use and cover, of which five represented natural phytophysiognomies. The most common phytophysiognomies in the IQ are Seasonal Forests and Cerrado (all types included), accounting for more than 60% of the total area. Campo Rupestre on ferruginous and non-ferruginous substrates accounts for 5.4% of the total mapped area only. On the other hand, about 42.5% of the Campo Rupestre (ferruginous or not) are protected and correspond to 17.7% of the PAs. We show that an appropriate mapping of the phytophysiognomies in the IQ region is key for improving landscape ecology knowledge and future conservation planning, especially of the endangered Campo Rupestre vegetation.     

Comparative analysis of phenolic acids and flavonoids in shoot cultures of Eryngium alpinum L.: an endangered and protected species with medicinal value

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Phenolic acids and flavonoids, important bioactive compounds of polyphenols, play a significant role in plants; their impact, mainly as antioxidants,...     

Sweet drinks are made of this: conservation genetics of an endemic palm species from the Dominican Republic

Pseudophoenix ekmanii is a threatened palm species endemic to the Dominican Republic. Sap from trees is extracted to make a local drink; once they are tapped the individual usually dies. Plants are also illegally harvested for the nursery trade and destroyed by poachers hunting the endemic and threatened Hispaniolan parrot. We used 7 DNA microsatellite markers to assist land managers in developing conservation strategies for this palm. We sampled 4 populations along the known distribution range of this species (3 populations from the mainland and 1 from the small island of Isla Beata), for a total sample of n = 104. We found strong evidence for genetic drift, inbreeding, and moderate gene flow (i.e., all populations had at least 4 loci that were not in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, at least 9 loci pairs were in linkage disequilibrium, the pairwise F(ST) values ranged from 0.069 to 0.266, and had positive F(IS) values). Data supported an isolation-by-distance model, and cluster analyses based on genetic distances resolved 2 groups that match a north-south split. The population from Isla Beata had the lowest levels of genetic diversity and was the only one in which we found pairs of individuals with identical shared multilocus genotypes.     

我国东北三省自然保护区物种保护价值评估

自然保护区作为保护生物多样性最主要的手段之一,得到了世界各国的重视。如何科学客观地评价自然保护区的保护价值,并依据保护价值对其进行分类管理是当前我国自然保护区建设与管理的重要课题之一。以我国东北地区40个国家级自然保护区为研究对象,分别对其物种多样性保护价值和遗传种质资源保护价值进行了评估。通过选取物种的濒危性、特有性和保护等级等指标来计算野生动植物的多样性保护价值;选取分类独特性、近缘程度和濒危性等指标来计算遗传种质资源保护价值,进而计算出各自然保护区的综合物种保护价值。研究结果显示:该评价方法能够很好的反映自然保护区生物多样性及其各个层次和类群的保护价值,能够较准确地识别其物种保护优先性。不同自然保护区其保护价值存在一定差异;同一自然保护区中野生动物与植物之间的物种多样性保护价值没有显著差异,但其野生动物与植物之间的遗传种质资源保护价值存在一定差异性;绝大多数自然保护区其植物遗传种质资源保护价值大于动物遗传种质资源保护价值;虽同为国家级自然保护区,其综合物种多样性保护价值差异很大。吉林长白山国家级自然保护区、吉林珲春东北虎国家级自然保护区、吉林松花江三湖国家级自然保护区的综合保护价值显著高于同类型的其他自然保护区,而辽宁章古台国家级自然保护区、黑龙江双河国家级自然保护区和黑龙江三环泡国家级自然保护区的综合物种保护价值较低,不同类型自然保护区之间其综合保护价值则没有明显差异。该评价方法能较好地进行自然保护区物种保护价值评价,并用于进行自然保护区之间的比较,并不会因自然保护区所处生境、所分布物种不同而产生评价结果上的偏差;该方法在对自然保护区遗传种质资源部分的计算方面需要进一步完善;总体上来说该评价方法不会因自然保护区类型的不同产生差异;今后在对东北地区自然保护区管理分类研究中可将此评价结果作为参考,并作为评价该地区自然保护区能否晋升为国家级自然保护区的辅助工具。这在一定程度上减少了人为主观性,具有较大可行性。     

Paradox of marine protected areas: suppression of fishing may cause species loss

A number of fish and invertebrate stocks have been depleted by overexploitation in recent years. To address this, marine protected areas (MPAs) are often established to protect biodiversity and recover stocks. We analyzed the potential impact of establishing MPAs on marine ecosystems using mathematical models. We demonstrate that establishment of an MPA can sometimes result in a considerable decline, or even extinction, of a species. We focus on a prey–predator system in two patches, one exposed to fishing activity and the other protected (MPA). Our analyses reveal that the establishment of the MPA can cause a reduction in prey abundance, and even extinction of the prey. Such unintended consequences are more likely to occur if the predator species is a generalist and if the MPA is intended to protect only the predatory species. Further, a mobile predator that migrates adaptively rather than randomly is associated with a greater reduction in prey abundance.     

Determining high value areas for steppe birds in Spain: hot spots,complementarity and the efficiency of protected areas

We have examined the distribution of 26 species of steppe birds in the Iberian Peninsula and the Balearic Islands within a grid of 5,070 10 × 10 km grid cells. The most valuable areas for steppe birds have been identified by selecting the upper 5% of the 10 × 10 km grid cells after a simple ranking based on the following criteria: species-richness, richness of rare species, rarity index, species vulnerability at Spanish, European and Global levels, and using an index combining the previous criteria. We have also used a heuristic algorithm to select those areas which offered most complementarity. The results have been analysed on a national scale and have been compared with those obtained by species assessments in previous status summaries. Finally, we have performed an analysis of the coverage afforded to locations which are valuable for steppe species by Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) and Special Protected Areas (SPAs), and an evaluation of the potential effects of temporal changes in species’ threat-status. The combined index was the most reliable criterion for defining hotspots, encompassing 15% of the species’ distributions within 5% of the total area considered. This index showed a high level of geographical concordance with the other criteria (nearly 70% of the selected grid cells coincided). Analysis of complementarity delivered poorer results than simple rank-scoring. The analysis of the efficiency of NPA network showed a very low coverage (less than 2%) of the hotspots selected according to the Combined Index. Coverage of the SPA network was higher (nearly 45%), although it diminished (to <35%) when only steppe-defined SPAs were included. The geographical concordance between high-value areas selected using current status summaries and those chosen using earlier ones was low for European threat status (53.4%), intermediate (63.2%) for Spanish threat status and high for SPEC status (78.1%). The Combined Index showed a high level of geographical concordance between the old and new data (76.6%). We conclude that automatic scoring methods (identifying hotspots) are useful for selecting valuable areas and for analysing the efficiency of the network of protected natural spaces, as well as for examining the potential effects of status changes on hotspot definition. Furthermore, the Spanish SPA network does not cover the most important areas for steppe birds adequately.