Search Results (115)

The distribution of fish larvae in estuaries is crucial for comprehending the functioning of these ecosystems and their role as nursery grounds for marine fish species. Data regarding larval fish assemblages in the coastal waters of Bangladesh are currently scarce. This study examines the spatial and seasonal dynamics of larval fish communities in these waters using a two-year sampling effort with a bongo net. This study investigates the diversity, abundance, and distribution of larval fishes at four sites (Bakkhali River Estuary, Moheshkhalipara, Naf River Estuary, and Rezu Khal Estuary) on the southeastern coast of Bangladesh. A total of 10,387 fish larvae representing 25 families were identified. Clupeidae (42.9%), Engraulidae (35.5%), Ambassidae (10.1%), Myctophidae (2.1%), and Gobiidae (1.9%) were the five most dominant families based on the larval catch composition. Marked seasonal differences in the larval fish abundance were observed. However, these differences were not observed when comparing the four sampled sites. Additionally, the correlation between environmental variables and the larval abundance indicated that salinity negatively influences (p < 0.001) the larval fish abundance. This is the first comprehensive investigation of larval fish assemblages in the coastal waters of Bangladesh. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of the nursery habitat requirements for the early development stages of both migratory and resident species in subtropical coastal waters, providing valuable information for potential applications in management and conservation efforts. Full article

In Sri Lanka, the wet zone of Colombo and other urban areas usually experience urban flooding situations. Furthermore, the urban setting is rapidly changing. The community perceives flood control and water conservation relatively poorly. Rainwater harvesting is a low-impact development (LID) method to control urban flash flood situations. However, considering people’s interest in and awareness of rainwater harvesting (RWH), it was found that RWH is a lost factor in urban conservation. Therefore, using economically attractive choices, this study estimated the trade-off of residents practicing RWH in urban areas affected by high surface water runoff. The study’s selected area was the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) flooding spots, an ideal location to estimate the preferences/trade-offs of individuals regarding rainwater harvesting practices. This estimation was calculated using a choice experiment (CE) method, which is an economic valuation method. Under this method, the conditional logit model was used to analyze people’s preferences. The results showed that people are motivated and prefer to use RWH due to selected attributes in the field survey. This promising result implies that individuals prefer to use the RWH system as a method of stormwater management and water conservation. Moreover, most residents are willing to adopt these systems looking at their monthly water bill reduction and as promoters of green building concepts. Full article

Within peri-urban landscapes, this research investigated the complexity of the balance between urban development and green infrastructure preservation, with a specific focus on Harku municipality, Estonia. This study aimed to understand the interplay between cultural ecosystem services (CESs) and residents’ well-being. Aligned with the EU Nature Restoration Law, this research explored long-term dynamics in peri-urban areas’ CES conservation. The methodology included creating scenarios by combining new secondary data with the author’s prior studies, which covered landscape belts, CES values, and residents’ perceptions of satisfaction with the environment and recreation opportunities collected through a municipal survey. While residents expressed satisfaction in coastal and green spaces, a distinct decline was evident near villages with industrial and agricultural features, highlighting the landscape’s impact on well-being. This study identified case-study-specific threats related to rapid urbanisation and put forward constructive policy recommendations. The goal was to develop effective and sustainable strategies for preserving nature through ecosystem service-based frameworks, enhance community well-being, and account for landscape dynamics through scenario planning. Full article

Effective forest conservation should go hand in hand with collaboration of the surrounding local communities. Bringing advancement and relief to marginalized communities is pivotal for conservation initiatives, with the objective of cultivating a sustainable ecosystem while protecting indigenous biodiversity. The linchpin for developing successful partnerships begins with fostering a shared understanding of the intricate relationship between humanity and the natural environment. This awareness can be nurtured by interactive education and tangible outcomes that illuminate the profound long-term benefits of conscientious environmental stewardship. Therefore, an emphasis on community-driven conservation and environmental education becomes imperative, serving as a conduit for disseminating crucial information, fostering practical knowledge, and nurturing the attitudes and skills essential in the quest for environmental protection and sustainable development. Education, in this context, operates as a reciprocal process, demanding that educators glean insights from the local populace to effectively tailor strategies that elevate and empower them toward sustainable advancement. This dynamic interaction is where capacity development (CD) becomes indispensable. This paper delves into the unfolding of a series of conservation endeavors, initially driven by Anita Studer’s commitment to preserving a fragment of the primary Atlantic Forest in northeastern Brazil. Evolving into a four-decade educational journey, the actions taken showcase enduring ripple effects across 14 states in Brazil, presenting a comprehensive survey of applied techniques in this unique context. The resources required to achieve collective conservation goals witness a continual upswing, a trend expounded in this paper. Hence, we have chronicled the history, methodology, and projects that transpired in response to the ever-evolving community needs. We will also look at the results and discuss the advancement that ensues following the CBD targets and goals presented at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference. Full article

Conservation strategies for huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus), listed as an endangered cervid by IUCN, have not helped to reverse its declining population trends. Recent evaluations of historical data revealed that they also inhabited lower valleys and grasslands as residents or only during winter. However, the dogma persists that huemuls do not need such habitats. To determine if more solid evidence exists to back up or refute our hypothesis that huemuls once inhabited lower valleys and grasslands, we researched the literature and discovered additional relevant historical sources on this species. These new findings substantiate that huemuls also occupied unforested areas, reaching the Atlantic coast, and resided on various islands including Tierra del Fuego, and that their co-occurrence with guanaco was frequent. Their extreme naivety towards humans resulted in their extirpation on winter ranges settled by humans, resulting in refugee huemuls year-round on remote mountain summer ranges. The ease by which indigenous people could kill them for subsistence and commercial export of hides to Europe, followed by the lowlands becoming modified by settlers and their exotic species facilitated the huemuls’ extirpation. The hypothesis of a dramatic modification of the original biogeographical distribution of huemuls is supported by anatomical and ecological features along with historical accounts. Sedentariness on only rugged summer ranges makes long-term survival of this species crucially challenging and requires sound conservation strategies that incorporate geographical areas of their former distribution. Full article

Sequoiadendron giganteum (giant sequoia) has a fragmented distribution of 75 groves found along the western slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Outplanting and range expansion or assisted migration of this iconic species for the objectives of genetic conservation and timber production would be supported by information on growth and morphology to guide seed-collection decisions. We measured and assessed giant sequoia planted as seedlings and clonal stock originating from 22 groves in two common-garden experiments at Foresthill, California, north of the current species range, after 29 growing seasons. Traits examined were tree-size parameters, fluting and asymmetry of the lower stem, basal swelling, fullness of the live crown, epicormic sprouting, and heartwood decay resistance in cut stumps. Performance in terms of tree size after 29 years varied widely among genotypes with different grove origins. Morphology and decay resistance also exhibited some variation according to grove origins. The seedling stock outperformed the clonal stock of the same grove origins in terms of size and is therefore recommended when faster early growth is desired to outcompete other trees or for other management objectives. However, more fluting was exhibited by the larger fast-growing giant sequoia, while fewer seedlings had epicormic sprouts than the clonal stock of the same grove origins. At our warm low-elevation study site, giant sequoia from Mountain Home, Giant Forest, and Converse Basin consistently exhibited above-average growth among other giant sequoia in a pure planting and in an intimate mixture with five common conifer associates. Therefore, seed collected from these three groves should perform relatively well at other locations with a similar climate. When conservation of the species and its genetic diversity is the primary objective, we recommend collecting from a wide range of groves and undertaking assisted migration by planting at multiple locations inside and outside giant sequoia’s range as a hedge against the loss of native groves. Full article

Over the past several decades, concern has grown over the rising mortality of the Amazon river dolphin (‘boto’) from increased human–dolphin interactions. Among these interactions are tourist attractions involving up-close feeding encounters with the botos, confrontations with fishers, and an illegal fishing practice that uses dolphin flesh as fish bait. Drawing on original data sourced from in-depth semi-structured interviews and household surveys, existing studies on boto habitat preferences and seasonal movement, and remotely-sensed data, this paper discusses the spatial and temporal overlap between humans and dolphins in a region outside of Manaus, Amazonas in the central Brazilian Amazon. Results suggest that there is considerable spatial overlap between boto habitat and spaces used for fishing and tourism activities; additionally, overall potential for conflict is greatest during the high-water season. Full article

Wildlife tourism and wildlife trade may appear juxtaposed, but are two, potentially aligning, income generators that could benefit conservation in developing countries. Utilising data sets collated from Madagascar’s Ministère du Tourisme and CITES, respectively, for the period 2007 to 2018, this study estimated levels of income from wildlife tourism and wildlife trade for Madagascar. Between 2007 and 2018, tourism reported yearly incomes ranging from a low of USD 1.4 million up to a high of USD 15.7 million. However, it was unclear what percentage of this figure flowed to benefit local communities. Alternatively, using reported networks for the live wildlife trade, the estimated economic value reaching collectors and/or intermediaries in Madagascar was USD 72,299.80 for the period 2007 to 2018. Both revenue generators operated within different geographical areas, with tourism opportunities presenting themselves to communities adjacent to national parks, while wildlife trade networks were not restricted to protected areas and operated sporadically across Madagascar. Hence, the economic benefits reached different Malagasy participants across the country. The management of both activities needs great care to ensure that environmental impacts and sustainability are core measures on any such activities. Whilst this study shines a light on economic values and novel perspectives regarding these two trade types, it also highlights knowledge gaps, thus indicating where much greater research attentions are required to allow a better understanding of the specific benefits and risks from engaging with both trade types for local Malagasy people and their environments. Full article

This paper describes the development of a transdisciplinary knowledge network dedicated to supporting agroecology knowledge exchange and capacity building that is particularly focused on the sustainable use and conservation of agrobiodiversity. The network—Fostering Effective Agroecology for Sustainable Transformation, or FEAST—includes nodes in Brazil, Cuba, Mexico, and Canada’s Northwest Territories and has been engaged in Participatory Action Research activities since 2015. This paper examines the development of the network over time, including a workshop held in 2019 in and around Curitiba, Brazil, and reflects on the outcomes of knowledge exchange activities. We discuss how the development of the FEAST network has informed participants’ local practice and their sense of belonging to a larger-scale, international movement for agroecology, agrobiodiversity conservation, and food system sustainability. Full article

This study was undertaken in the Himalayan basin, in the river Lohawati, Uttarakhand, to study its hydro-morphological characteristics and prioritise the watersheds using geospatial tools. Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection (ASTER-30 m) data and the Survey of India’s topographic sheets were used to analyse the study area comprehensively. Nine watersheds were identified within the basin in order to calculate the hydro-morphological characteristics in terms of basic, shape, texture, and relief aspects. The basin was identified as being elongated, with a total drainage area of 337.48 km². The interaction between the terrain, rock formations, and precipitation levels produced a branching structure in the areas drainage system that ranged from dendritic to sub-dendritic. The basin had been classified as a fifth-order basin, comprising a network of 500 stream segments spanning a total length of 492.41 km. In each of the watersheds, the primary streams are of the first order, followed by those of the second order, and so forth. The physiography and lithology of the basin have a significant influence on this pattern. The calculated elongation ratio, circulatory ratio, form factor, shape index, and shape factor ranged from 0.57 to 0.80, 0.35 to 0.64, 0.26 to 0.50, 1.98 to 3.89, and 0.57 to 1.77, respectively. These values indicate that watersheds are elongated, suggesting moderate lag times. The parameters, including drainage density (0.98 to 1.62), stream frequency (1.07 to 1.59), infiltration number (1.04 to 2.59), drainage texture (0.67 to 2.82), and drainage intensity (0.93 to 1.12), pointed towards the coarser drainage texture, higher infiltration, and minimal runoff characteristics of the basin. In light of the relief characteristics of the basin, a higher basin relief, relief ratio, and relative relief were observed for the watersheds, indicating the possibility of higher erosion and deforestation rates. Using the Weighted Sum Analysis (WSA) method, the computed factors were utilised to rank the watersheds based on their potential for erosion. Based on the WSA approach, watersheds were classified into high-, moderate-, and low-prioritisation zones. This further indicates that 36.14% (121.95 km²) of watersheds are in the high-priority zone, and that 48.84% (164.91 km²) and 15.00% (50.62 km²) of watersheds are in the moderate- and low-priority zones, respectively. The WSA is a practical strategy to prioritise watersheds when making appropriate decisions. Full article

The NH 58 area in India has been experiencing an increase in landslide occurrences, posing significant threats to local communities, infrastructure, and the environment. The growing need to identify areas prone to landslides for effective disaster risk management, land use planning, and infrastructure development has led to the increased adoption of advanced geospatial technologies and statistical methods. In this context, this research article presents an in-depth analysis aimed at developing a landslide susceptibility zonation (LSZ) map for the NH 58 area using remote sensing, GIS, and logistic regression analysis. The study incorporates multiple geo-environmental factors for analysis, such as slope aspect, curvature, drainage density, elevation, fault distance, flow accumulation, geology, geomorphology, land use land cover (LULC), road distance, and slope angle. Utilizing 50% of the landslide inventory data, the logistic regression model was trained to determine correlations between causal factors and landslide occurrences. The logistic regression model was then employed to calculate landslide probabilities for each mapping unit within the NH 58 area, which were subsequently classified into relative susceptibility zones using a statistical class break technique. The model’s accuracy was verified through ROC curve analysis, resulting in a 92% accuracy rate. The LSZ map highlights areas near road cut slopes as highly susceptible to landslides, providing crucial information for land use planning and management to reduce landslide risk in the NH 58 area. The study’s findings are beneficial for policymakers, planners, and other stakeholders involved in regional disaster risk management. This research offers a comprehensive analysis of landslide-influencing factors in the NH 58 area and introduces an LSZ map as a valuable tool for managing and mitigating landslide risks. The map also serves as a critical reference for future research and contributes to the broader understanding of landslide susceptibility in the region. Full article

The shade-grown coffee agroecosystem is rich in ecosystem services (ES). In recent years, pests and the decrease in coffee prices have caused producers to change their agricultural activities. These changes in land use have resulted in alterations in the vegetation cover that lead to the loss of ES. The objective of this research was to analyze the effects of land cover and land use changes on the ES associated with coffee production in Cumbres de Huicicila, a coffee-growing region in western Mexico. For this purpose, we analyzed land cover and land use maps for the period 2007–2019, calculated the annual rate of change and estimated the future rate of change to 2030. We used a literature review through the SALSA method to identify and estimate the impact of the ES of coffee plantations under the approach of nature’s contributions to people. As a result, we found alterations with a decreasing trend in agroecosystem cover and loss of ES related to biodiversity. We hope that this research will serve to consolidate efforts for the conservation and sustainable use of the ES of the shade-grown coffee plantations. Full article

Securidaca longepedunculata Fresen. is an overexploited forest species in the Lubumbashi region (south-eastern DR Congo), as its roots are highly valued in traditional medicine. Conventional propagation of this species is affected by seed dormancy and a high mortality rate during early seedling development. To improve on existing methods, we developed an in vitro seed germination protocol. After observing the germination rates, the effects of different doses (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mg/L) of cytokinins (6-benzylaminopurine, kinetin, and meta-topolin) on S. longepedunculata seedling development were compared. Our results showed that soaking for 10 min in NaOCl (10%) followed by 5 min in ethanol (70%) effectively reduced the death rate of seeds while increasing the germination rate to almost 77%. The addition of cytokinins improved plantlet growth: a 12.2× increase in the number of plantlets was obtained with 1.5 mg/L meta-topolin, while only a single stem was obtained from the control. The effects of different auxin types on rhizogenesis did not differ significantly. The best recovery and rooting were noted with microcuttings from the basal parts of S. longepedunculata plantlets. Finally, the seedlings produced survived during the acclimatisation phase regardless of the type of substrate used. The established protocol provides a means for large-scale production of S. longepedunculata plantlets for the restoration of degraded landscapes and agroforestry. Full article

Despite the socioeconomic importance of erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis) traditional agroforestry production for family agriculture in Southern Brazil, there has been no systematization of forest management best practices aiming at long-term sustainability. Here, I present an analysis of relevant forest characteristics that are combined with restoration and management best practices to maintain not only sustainable traditional erva-mate production but also a healthy forest environment. Additionally, I developed a framework that offers an easy tool to apply a focused analysis of general forest attributes to help determine best practices for forest restoration, species diversification, and overall sustainability and health of agroforestry systems. This study also demonstrates that the integration of knowledge and practices that small-scale farmers and traditional communities have been developing for generations should be leveraged for more inclusive research and extension, especially considering the threats family farming is facing due to the dominant paradigm of conventional, one-size-fits-all agriculture. Full article

Natural habitats in South America have been intensively used and modified, including their conversion to exotic tree plantations, impacting the terrestrial fauna communities. Carnivores play an important role in the functioning of ecosystems as apex predators. Landscape characteristics and resource availability determine the composition and abundance of co-occurring carnivores. We hypothesized that the diversity and relative abundance of native carnivores varied in relation to the different vegetation macrohabitats. We predicted that native forests support a higher diversity and abundance of native carnivores compared to exotic plantations. Between 1 March 2021 and 31 March 2022, we estimated the species’ richness, composition, and relative abundance of terrestrial native carnivores in three different landscapes of the Coast Range in central Chile: (a) monoculture plantation of the exotic Pinus radiata (MP); (b) Mediterranean coastal thorn forest (TF); and (c) Mediterranean coastal sclerophyllous forest (SF). We monitored an area of 1000 ha in each landscape, installing 10 camera traps (total of 30 camera traps). We used a monitoring transect with unbaited camera traps separated by 1 km, with a total photo-trapping effort of 10,046 camera days. The classification, organization, and analysis of camera trap data were conducted using CameraSweet software. The total number of independent native carnivore species events (photos separated > 60 min) recorded in each landscape were 1564 in SF, 1412 in TF, and 775 in MP. Carnivore richness and composition were not significantly different in all three landscapes. We detected five native carnivore species. Relative abundance by species was significantly higher in SF compared to MP for Leopardus guigna, Conepatus chinga, and Galictis cuja and also significantly higher in TF compared to MP for L. guigna. Our results suggest that the native vegetation cover must be preserved to maintain viable and abundant native carnivore populations, crucially relevant in the highly impacted and human-dominated global biodiversity hotspot of Central Chile. This study contributes to informing evidence-based decision-making and conservation strategies at the landscape level to mitigate biodiversity loss. Full article