搜索结果：Biodiversity and conservation

Citizen science plays an increasingly important role in generating scientific knowledge and supporting environmental and social action. However, its potential to address complex global challenges remains underutilised. This study explores how citizen science can be improved by involving the public in all stages of scientific research. Using participatory research methods, online surveys and group discussions were conducted with researchers, citizen scientists, and Indigenous participants. Thematic coding was used to identify key challenges, opportunities, and best practices to enhance citizen science initiatives. Additionally, nine case studies were reported using the Standardised Data on Initiatives (STARDIT) reporting tool. The study identified key strategies for improving involvement, engagement and retention in citizen science initiatives. Findings underscore the importance of inclusive, evidence-informed approaches such as targeted outreach, fair compensation, tailored support, and co-creation practices. Ensuring data quality and fostering trust require adherence to FAIR data principles (findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable), transparent validation and sharing processes, and establishing ethical research partnerships. Persistent challenges include short-term funding, which undermines long-term project sustainability, and the lack of centralised support for ethics and project management. Formal recognition of citizen scientists through co-authorship, standardised training, and professional development opportunities can further strengthen involvement and build capacity. Finally, emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and open data platforms, present opportunities to scale and improve efficiency, provided they are implemented with appropriate ethical safeguards and investment. Drawing together these insights, we provide 10 actionable recommendations for citizen science in the 21st century. These highlight the importance of embedding citizen science in national research infrastructure, education, and policy, alongside consistent evaluation and reporting, to improve its inclusivity, longevity, and impact. We conclude by arguing that as the world confronts climate change, public health crises, and biodiversity loss, broader public involvement in science is key for equitable, efficient and evidence-informed responses.

European Union (EU) legislation supports the conservation of endangered freshwater species through the Habitats Directive (HD, 92/43/EEC) and the Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC), and the eradication of Invasive Alien Species (IAS) through the Regulation 1143/2014. Periodic monitoring and reporting on the species listed in these regulations are mandatory for EU Member States. Quantitative PCR environmental DNA (qPCR eDNA) based approaches offer a new cost-effective and sensitive tool that could contribute to these monitoring obligations and to spatial conservation planning. We analysed the results from a qPCR eDNA simultaneous survey of 11 endangered species, four IAS, one pathogen fungus and one translocated fish at 53 central-Italian freshwater sites to produce three scores that could be used to prioritize areas of intervention based on the cumulative presence of native and alien species and their prevalence and co-occurrence. For each site, we proposed a Prioritizing Protection Score (PPS), a Prioritizing Eradication Score (PES), and a Benthic Invertebrates and Fish Score (BIFS) in accordance with HD, Regulation 1143/2014, and WFD. PPS prioritized 39 sites eligible for Natura 2000 designation to achieve the EU target of 30% protected land, PES identified 22 sites for IAS eradication and management, whereas BIFS highlighted 33 sites where freshwater evaluations can benefit from eDNA surveys. Results from the qPCR eDNA survey also revealed 53 new grid cells of occurrence of IAS and species listed in Annexes II, IV and V of HD that will contribute to the next reporting for both the HD and the IAS Regulation.

Madhuca hainanensis is an endangered plant species endemic in Hainan, China. We conducted vegetation surveys for both the tree and shrub layers of M. hainanensis communities in Diaoluoshan and Jianfengling to explore species composition, floristic distribution patterns, diversity, community stability, and niche characteristics, which could provide a scientific basis for species conservation and population recovery in these areas. The results showed that Lauraceae was the dominant family among associated tree species in both sites, and the overall species composition exhibited distinct tropical floristic traits. There were no significant differences in α-diversity indices (Margalef index, Simpson index, Shannon index and Pielou index) of tree layer between the two sites, indicating broadly convergent community structural feature. In contrast, shrub layer at Jianfengling showed significantly higher Margalef (7.03) and Shannon (3.08) indices than at Diaoluoshan (4.61 and 2.59, respectively), reflecting greater species richness. Both sites exhibited significant β-diversity in both tree and shrub layers, indicating pronounced spatial differentiation in species composition. Cyclobalanopsis patentilimba and Castanopsis carlesii displayed relatively broad niche breadths (5.79 and 5.51, respectively) and high importance values (4.1% and 3.9%, respectively), jointly as constructive species alongside M. hainanensis and playing critical roles in maintaining community structure and ecological function. Species composition and structure of M. hainanensis communities in the two sites exhibited significant spatial difference, providing irreplaceable ecological value for regional biodiversity conservation and the preservation of germplasm resources of plant species with extremely small populations. On the basis of strengthening in-situ conservation, moderate artificial intervention should be implemented on tree species with high niche overlap with M. hainanensis, such as Schima superba (0.83) and Castanopsis fissa (0.91). When carrying out ex-situ conservation, species with niche complementarity with M. hainanensis, such as Acronychia pedunculata and Diospyros howii, could be preferentially selected to reduce the pressure of interspecific competition. 海南紫荆木为海南特有濒危植物。本研究以吊罗山和尖峰岭林区的海南紫荆木群落为研究对象,对其乔木层和灌木层开展植被调查,分析群落物种组成、区系分布、多样性、稳定性及生态位特征,为物种保护与种群恢复提供科学依据。结果表明:吊罗山与尖峰岭林区海南紫荆木的伴生树种均以樟科为第一优势科,两地物种组成表现出明显的热带区系特征。2个林区乔木层α多样性指数(Margalef指数、Simpson指数、Shannon指数、Pielou指数)差异均不显著,群落物种结构特征整体趋同;尖峰岭林区灌木层Margalef指数(7.03)和Shannon指数(3.08)显著高于吊罗山(4.61和2.59),物种丰富度更高。两地乔木层和灌木层的β多样性均达到显著水平,表明群落物种组成具有明显的空间分异。托盘青冈与米槠均具有较高的生态位宽度(5.79和5.51)和重要值(4.1%和3.9%),与海南紫荆木共同构成群落的主要建群种,在群落结构与功能维持中起重要作用。2个林区海南紫荆木群落物种组成与结构存在明显空间差异,在区域生物多样性保护和极小种群种质资源保存中具有不可替代的生态价值。建议在加强就地保护的基础上,对与海南紫荆木生态位重叠度较高的木荷(0.83)、黧蒴锥(0.91)等树种进行适度人工干预;在开展异地保护时,可优先选择山油柑、琼南柿等与海南紫荆木生态位互补的物种作为伴生树种,以降低种间竞争压力。.

Marine ecosystems are undergoing rapid degradation, highlighting the need for conservation and active restoration measures to halt and potentially reverse biodiversity and functional losses. The Mineral Accretion Technique (MAT), which combines artificial reef construction with seawater electrolysis, has recently gained interest as a restoration tool to enhance benthic recovery. However, the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness remains limited and inconclusive. With the present scoping review, we aim to: (i) consolidate the existing scientific literature on MATs; (ii) analyze and evaluate experimental application of MATs as a benthic restoration tool; and (iii) synthesize current knowledge on it effects on benthic organisms' health and recovery potential. Thereby, this scoping review serves as a pathway to popularize MATs among restoration academics and practitioners, as well as interdisciplinary professionals working in climate change mitigation, biodiversity loss or nature-based solutions. This scoping review assessed the state of knowledge on MAT by conducting a structured bibliographic search using the PRISMA and Standards for Evidence Synthesis in Environmental Management guidelines on Scopus and Web of Science. The screening of the sources and their posterior data extraction were conducted in duplicate. The research landscape and patterns related to MAT terminology were analyzed using RStudio. Additionally, a quality assessment framework was developed and applied to evaluate the methodological robustness of the retrieved studies. Of the 325 publications retrieved, only 33 were relevant. The majority of the body of scientific literature (82%) has been published in the last fifteen years. Nonetheless, the lack of consistent terminology has prevented MATs from being established as a benthic restoration technique. Despite 75.8% of studies claiming biological benefits, 90.1% of studies lacked adequate control groups, and over half failed to adequately report the results. We recommend the standardization of terminology, proposing "Mineral Accretion Technique (MAT)", improved experimental design, and clearer reporting protocols. This review identifies key evidence gaps and provides a roadmap for establishing a robust and replicable research strategy for MAT. By addressing these crucial weaknesses, future research can effectively examine the ecological validity and restoration potential of MAT, enabling its integration into marine restoration strategies.

Background/Objectives: The increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, together with accelerating environmental degradation, highlights the urgent need for sustainable dietary patterns that promote both human and planetary health. The Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), traditionally followed in countries bordering the Mediterranean basin, has gained recognition as a model of sustainable nutrition due to its well-documented health benefits and relatively low environmental impact. However, its broader role within sustainable food systems requires comprehensive and interdisciplinary evaluation. The aim of this review is to provide a state-of-the-art synthesis of the evidence on the MedDiet as a sustainable dietary pattern, integrating its health, environmental, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions. Methods: This state-of-the-art narrative review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed literature on the MedDiet and sustainability. Relevant studies were identified through major scientific databases, focusing on publications addressing nutritional, environmental, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions. Both observational and interventional studies, as well as modeling and life cycle assessment analyses, were included. Additional sources from international organizations and policy reports were incorporated to contextualize global trends and challenges. Results: High adherence to the MedDiet is consistently associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and all-cause mortality. From an environmental perspective, the MedDiet is associated with lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced land and water use, and enhanced biodiversity conservation compared with Western dietary patterns. Economically, it may represent a cost-effective dietary model and support local food systems when grounded in traditional practices, although affordability varies across contexts. Socio-culturally, the MedDiet promotes food heritage, culinary skills, and social cohesion. Nevertheless, globalization, urbanization, and the increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods have contributed to declining adherence, posing significant challenges to its sustainability and scalability. Moreover, the sustainability benefits of the MedDiet seem to be context-dependent rather than intrinsic, raising several challenges and limitations for its adoption. Conclusions: The MedDiet should be viewed not as a definitive solution to global food-system challenges but as a valuable reference model that illustrates how dietary practices can contribute simultaneously to human health, environmental sustainability, and cultural continuity. Modern sustainable dietary strategies should build upon the strengths of the MedDiet while recognizing its limitations, embracing contextual adaptation, and addressing the structural determinants that shape food choices.

Freshwater biodiversity is declining at a pace that outstrips the capacity of existing monitoring approaches both in temporal and spatial dimensions, highlighting the urgent need for rapid and scalable assessment and attribution of biodiversity states and changes. Here we present a global assessment and unified analysis of riverine fish biodiversity using environmental DNA collected from 1,818 sites across 113 river systems spanning 5 continents. We quantified species richness, functional redundancy, phylogenetic diversity and genetic sequence diversity, and related them to drainage characteristics. Our results showed that environmental DNA effectively captured global patterns of multi-faceted riverine fish biodiversity and disentangled the roles of climate and different aspects of human activities in shaping biodiversity-area relationships. The accumulation of biodiversity with catchment area was consistently enhanced in warmer climates, while human activities weakened this scaling. Further, species richness, functional and genetic sequence diversity exhibited stronger negative responses to human activities in larger catchments. In contrast, phylogenetic diversity was negatively affected by human activities, yet this effect diminished as catchment area increased, highlighting the facet-dependent nature of biodiversity responses to environmental gradients and catchment characteristics. Our findings demonstrate the power of environmental-DNA-based datasets for harmonized, multi-faceted biodiversity assessments, offering a scalable approach for detecting and attributing biodiversity change and informing conservation strategies under accelerating global change.

The first 10 million years (Myr) following the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) mass extinction marked a period of global greenhouse conditions and dramatic rise of placental mammals. Because ~80% of known terrestrial sections capturing post-K-Pg mammal recovery come from North America, a substantial knowledge gap exists in the tempo and mode of recovery in Asia, where only 3% of global sites are located and most contain species found nowhere else. We show that isolated Paleocene eutherian assemblages from China (1) exhibited high mean tooth size and disparity early in the Paleocene, (2) shifted in their dental shape in parallel with regional and global environmental changes later in the Paleocene, and (3) achieved maximum dental shape-performance covariation near the end of the first 10 Myr post-K-Pg. This 'brawn before bite' transformation, coupled with prolonged dental shape versus performance variability, favors a scenario whereby many living orders of eutherian mammals were borne out of phenotypically and functionally plastic ancestral assemblages, including those in tropical South China, during the Paleocene. Over the course of Earth's history, five major mass extinctions have shaped life as we know it today. The most recent occurred around 66 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous Period, leading to the demise of non-avian dinosaurs and ushering in the age of mammals. Most of what we know about how mammals recovered from this mass extinction comes from fossil sites in North America. Far less is known about how ancient mammals in other parts of the world adapted to a dramatically altered environment after the disappearance of large dinosaurs. Tseng, Li and Ting investigated how some of the earliest mammal species in Asia recovered following this global mass extinction. They studied 200 individual teeth from 48 specimens of extinct mammals, including members of the Pantodonta (large herbivorous mammals), Arctostylopidae (stocky herbivorous and omnivorous mammals), and Anagaloidea (a group closely related to rodents). Using high-resolution 3D models of these rare fossil teeth, the researchers quantified variation in tooth shape and function. Their analyses revealed that mammals in East Asia, particularly South China, were already relatively large during the early Palaeocene, the first epoch of the age of mammals. Over the next five million years, their teeth became increasingly specialised for different forms of chewing and food processing, reflecting the likely diversification of diets and ecological niches within mammal communities. The findings also suggest that these early mammals were ecologically flexible, meaning they were able to exploit a wide range of food resources and adapt to changing environmental conditions. As ecosystems recovered and transformed during the first 10 million years after the end-Cretaceous mass extinction, the relationship between tooth shape and function also shifted, indicating changing evolutionary pressures and ecological opportunities. The study by Tseng, Li and Ting helps fill an important gap in our understanding of how biodiversity recovered in different regions of the world following the most recent major mass extinction. Their findings may also inform predictive models and conservation strategies aimed at understanding how modern animals could respond to future biodiversity crises. Insights from the past can help us prepare for the present and future, as rapid climate and environmental change increasingly challenge the coexistence of humans and the natural world.

To examine whether Indigenous Peoples' and Local Communities' (IPLC) ontologies are associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) related to wildlife cohabitation and zoonotic disease transmission in biodiversity-rich areas of Latin America. Cross-sectional household survey using a standardised KAP questionnaire. Ontologies were classified using latent class analysis. Associations between ontology classes and outcomes were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models. Urban, rural and protected areas in biodiversity-rich regions of Bolivia, Brazil, Chile and Guatemala. A total of 2903 individuals aged ≥10 years were recruited through random household sampling (response rate 85%). Primary outcomes were defined according to the KAP framework. Knowledge outcomes comprised combined knowledge of zoonotic disease transmission from wildlife to humans and knowledge of zoonotic risks associated with wildlife trade. Perceived training needs related to zoonotic disease prevention were analysed as a secondary knowledge outcome measure. Attitudes were measured through risk perception, operationalised as concern about zoonotic disease transmission. Practices included self-reported hunting and slaughtering of wildlife. The analysis identified three distinct ontology classes: Relational environmentalism (52% of the population), characterised by strong spiritual connections to animals and a tendency to protect wildlife; Dualistic environmentalism (28%), with a weaker spiritual connection to animals but a commitment to wildlife conservation; and Neutral (20%), demonstrating little spiritual connection to animals and a neutral attitude towards wildlife conservation. In the logistic regression analyses, both environmentalism groups exhibited greater knowledge of zoonotic transmission and concern about outbreaks, with members of the Relational class demonstrating higher levels of these attributes. Furthermore, members of the Dualistic environmentalism class were less likely to have close contact with animals. In Latin America's biodiversity-rich regions, individuals whose ontology aligns with environmentalism appear to demonstrate a heightened awareness of zoonoses, particularly those who adhere to a Relational environmentalism perspective. Consequently, the integration of IPLC cultural knowledge holds potential to enhance wildlife conservation measures and contribute to the mitigation of disease transmission. Further research is needed to explore causal pathways and the integration of culturally grounded approaches into public health interventions.

Factors like sex, diet changes, hormone levels, and stressors disrupt animals' symbiotic bacterial communities. Maintaining healthy bacterial communities is particularly challenging for social species, as group membership, social relationships, microbial transfer, and social stressors influence their microbiotas. This study investigated the influence of sex and social dynamics on the gut microbiome and associated metabolites in the captive Yangtze finless porpoise (YFP), employing 16S rRNA gene sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolomic analyses. The present study reveals that sex and social grouping, that is, male-male (MM), female-female (FF), and male-female (MF) groups, significantly influence the alpha and beta diversity in the captive YFP. The phylum Firmicutes were increased considerably in the FF social group, while Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, and Fusobacteriota were significantly increased in the MM group, while Desulfobacterota were risen considerably in the MF group. The genera Macrococcus, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_13, and Cetobacterium were considerably raised in the MM group, Paeniclostridium and Turicibacter were substantially raised in the FF group, while the genus Peptostreptococcaceae were substantially raised in the MF group. The current research also presented significant metabolite variations in the sex and social groups which significantly altered the metabolic pathways such as bile secretion, glycerophospholipid metabolism, protein digestion and absorption, citrate cycle, and carbohydrate digestion in the captive YFPs. Additionally, the research identified a significant correlation between the gut microbiome and fecal metabolome across different sex and social groups. In conclusion, this research highlights the connection between changes in fecal microbiota and host metabolism in captive YFP. It shows how sex and social group dynamics affect both metabolic and bacterial variations, offering valuable insights for improving health and social welfare management in captive YFPs.

Biomanipulation through selective fish removal (SFR) has been widely applied to shallow lake rehabilitation. However, studies on SFR in plateau lakes remain limited, and evaluating its ecological effects is critical for guiding restoration efforts in these globally significant freshwater ecosystems. Caohai Lake, a highland plateau lake, experienced severe ecological degradation since 2016, with submerged macrophyte coverage collapsing from ∼70% to below 10% by 2019. From February 2022 to July 2023, a moderate-intensity SFR intervention targeting benthic omnivores, herbivores, and zooplanktivores removed approximately 55 kg/ha (∼20-40% of standing biomass). We assessed multiple responses across fish, benthic macroinvertebrates, submerged macrophytes, phytoplankton, and water quality before and after the intervention. Consistent with the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, the SFR was associated with significant increases in alpha diversity in both fish and benthic macroinvertebrate communities, accompanied by compositional shifts as dominant species (Carassius auratus, Hemiculter leucisculus) declined and previously suppressed taxa reassembled. A synergistic ecosystem recovery was observed: submerged macrophyte coverage and biomass increased by 29% and 428 g/m2, respectively, while phytoplankton biomass (-6.7 mg/L), chlorophyll a (-38.3 μg/L), and water transparency (+15 cm) improved markedly. PLS-PM modeling suggested that attenuation of fish-mediated top-down pressure on macrophytes represented a plausible mechanistic pathway driving this recovery. Our findings demonstrate that moderate SFR enhances biodiversity, disrupts dominance structures, and triggers trophic cascades conducive to macrophyte recovery, supporting its application as an effective tool for lake ecosystem restoration and sustainable management. Nevertheless, long-term monitoring is needed to further evaluate functional stabilization and the persistence of the observed recovery.

Based on data from 79 plots of Larix gmelinii secondary forests in the Greater Khingan Mountains, we classified the developmental stages of the stands by using affinity propagation clustering algorithm with thirteen eva-luation indicators from three aspects including tree species diversity, non-spatial structure, and spatial structure characteristics. We then compared the consistency of the full indicator set (13 indicators) and the minimum indicator set (five indicators) in evaluating stand structural complexity across different developmental stages by radar chart analysis. The main aim was to provide a theoretical basis for full-cycle multi-functional management of L. gmelinii secondary forests in the Greater Khingan Mountains. The results showed that the key indicators constraining stand structural complexity were mean diameter at breast height (Dg), dominant tree height (Ht), density degree (C), stand density (N), and stand volume (V), totaling five indicators. The affinity propagation clustering algorithm divided all plots into three developmental stages (Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3). Among these, Dg and C showed a significant increasing trend with developmental stage, while N and Ht exhibited a significant decreasing trend. There was a significant difference of V between Stage 2 and Stage 3. The evaluation results based on the full indicator set showed that the stand structural complexity indices for the three developmental stages were 0.18, 0.22, and 0.31, respectively, while those based on the minimum indicator set were 0.10, 0.15, and 0.26. The indices obtained from the two methods were positively correlated (r>0.55). Using the minimum indicator set as the stan-dard, only one indicator performed well in Stage 1 (N) and Stage 2 (Ht), while three indicators (Dg, Ht, and V) reached the standard in Stage 3. Therefore, the structural complexity of L. gmelinii secondary forests gradually increased across developmental stages. The evaluation method based on the minimum indicator set showed high reliability and could provide targeted measures for forest management according to the key factors constraining structural development at each stage. 本研究以大兴安岭地区79块兴安落叶松次生林样地的调查数据为基础,从树种多样性、非空间结构和空间结构特征3个方面选取13项评价指标,采用近邻传播聚类算法对其发育阶段进行划分,并运用雷达图法对比评价全指标集(13项)和最小指标集(5项)在各发育阶段林分结构复杂性评价结果中的一致性,为大兴安岭兴安落叶松次生林全周期多功能经营提供理论依据。结果表明:制约兴安落叶松次生林不同发育阶段林分结构复杂性的关键指标为平均胸径(Dg)、优势树高(Ht)、密集度(C)、林分密度(N)和林分蓄积(V)共5项指标。近邻传播聚类算法将所有样地划分为3个发育阶段(阶段1、阶段2和阶段3),其中Dg和C随发育阶段呈显著递增趋势,N和Ht呈显著递减趋势,而V仅在阶段2和阶段3间差异显著。全指标集的评价结果表明,3个发育阶段的林分结构复杂性指数分别为0.18、0.22和0.31,而最小指标集的结果则为0.10、0.15和0.26,2种方法所得指数间呈显著正相关(r>0.55)。以最小指标集为标准,阶段1(N)和阶段2(Ht)中仅有1项指标表现较好,而阶段3中则有3项指标(Dg、Ht和V)达标。因此,兴安落叶松次生林结构复杂性随发育阶段逐步提升,且基于最小指标集的评价方法具有较好的可靠性,可根据制约各阶段结构发育的关键因子为森林经营提供针对性措施。.

Diplotaxis ibicensis is a western Mediterranean plant endemic to the Balearic Islands and a small area of the eastern Iberian Peninsula. This study investigates the biogeographical relationships among 16 populations across its entire distribution using two complementary approaches: (i) an ITS-based phylogenetic analysis to reconstruct Diplotaxis species relationships and divergence times, and (ii) phylogenomic and population genomic analyses of D. ibicensis via genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) to assess divergence among populations. The ITS phylogeny supports D. ibicensis as a monophyletic group closely related to the western Mediterranean species D. siettiana, D. brevisiliqua and D. ilorcitana. A time-calibrated tree estimates the most recent common ancestor of these four species in the Pliocene-Pleistocene (3.68-0.77 Ma), well after the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.96-5.3 Ma). GBS analyses identified six well-supported clades of D. ibicensis individuals, four of them restricted to single islands and the mainland, while two clades contained populations from different islands. These results suggest that rapid long-distance dispersal (LDD) events occurred across permanent marine barriers, followed by secondary colonizations among distant islands, but strong isolation in others. The highest genetic diversity (π) occurs on the island of Ibiza, while the greatest genetic differentiation (FST) is found between mainland and Cabrera island populations. Recurrent LDD events contrast with the absence of specialized LDD traits in pollen, fruits and seeds. A review of studies of Ibero-Balearic species reveals similar patterns of LDD across the so-called Ibiza Channel. Conservation strategies are proposed based on patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation.

We analyzed the characteristics and driving mechanisms of vegetation, soil, and microbial biomass along a restoration succession sequence of bare patches, short-term restored plant patches, and healthy alpine meadows in the Qilian Mountains, aiming to inform ecological restoration strategies for degraded alpine ecosystem. The results showed that bare patches supported only three plant species, with Ajania tenuifolia as the dominant one. Short-term restored patches contained 26 species, with Sibbaldianthe bifurca and Lancea tibetica as the dominant species. Healthy alpine meadows exhibited the highest species richness (40 species), dominated by Carex parvula and Elymus nutans. As restoration succession progressed, community height (1.3-4.1 cm), total biomass (239.2-3112.9 g·m-2), Patrick richness index (2.2-23.6), and Shannon diversity index (0.7-2.3) all increased significantly. Concurrently, soil pH and bulk density decreased, and soil water content increased. The contents of soil organic matter and total/available nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium showed a unimodal response to succession, peaking in the short-term restored stage. Across all successional stages, soil nutrients exhibited strong surface accumulation, with higher concentrations in the 0-10 cm layer than in the 10-20 cm layer. Random forest analysis revealed that the explanatory rates of soil physical properties, total nutrients, available nutrients, and microbial biomass (MBC, MBN, MBP) for the variations of total plant biomass were 31.3%, 20.1%, 13.9%, and 34.7%, respectively. Similarly, their explanatory rates for species diversity were 44.0%, 6.1%, 6.9%, and 43.1%, respectively. Results of structural equation modeling confirmed that succession stage had strong positive and direct effects on both plant biomass (path coefficient=0.97) and species diversity (path coefficient=0.89). Overall, the findings demonstrated that vegetation community structure, productivity, and soil physicochemical properties improved synergistically during the restoration of degraded alpine meadow. Soil factors were the primary drivers of vegetation recovery, highlighting a significant positive coupling between vegetation restoration and soil improvement. 本文以祁连山区裸露斑块、短期恢复植物斑块及健康高寒草甸作为恢复演替序列,分析了植被、土壤和微生物生物量特征及其驱动机制。结果表明:裸露斑块仅分布3种植物,优势种为细叶亚菊;短期恢复植物斑块有26种植物,优势种为鸡冠茶和肉果草;健康高寒草甸有40种植物,优势种为高山嵩草、垂穗披碱草。随恢复演替推进,群落植株高度(1.3～4.1 cm)及生物量(239.2～3112.9 g·m-2)、Patrick指数(2.2～23.6)、Shannon指数(0.7～2.3)均显著上升,土壤pH与容重降低,含水量提高,而土壤有机质及氮、磷、钾全量和速效养分呈先增后减趋势。各演替阶段土壤养分均表现出表聚特征,0~10 cm土层均显著高于10～20 cm。随机森林分析表明,土壤物理性质、全量养分、速效养分及微生物生物量(MBC、MBN和MBP)对植物总生物量变异的解释率分别为31.3%、20.1%、13.9%、34.7%,对物种多样性的解释率分别为44.0%、6.1%、6.9%、43.1%。结构方程模型表明,演替阶段与植物总生物量(路径系数为0.97)、物种多样性(路径系数为0.89)具有较强正向作用。综上,祁连山退化斑块恢复演替过程中,植被群落、生产力与土壤结构协同改善;土壤因子是调控植被性状的核心要素,植被恢复与土壤环境改良呈现显著正向耦合效应。.

Pandemics do not emerge at random. They emerge in landscapes transformed by human activities, where contacts between humans, domestic animals, wildlife, and infectious agents are being reshaped. Deforestation, urbanization, agricultural intensification, land-use change, and climate change increase opportunities for spillover and redraw high-risk interfaces. Biodiversity is neither a systematic shield nor an intrinsic threat : its role depends on the structure of host communities, the species favored by disturbed environments, and the concrete conditions of exposure. Social inequalities and socio-economic vulnerability also weigh on these dynamics by limiting prevention capacities. Preventing emerging zoonoses therefore requires shifting the focus away from the pathogen alone toward the socio-ecological systems that make their emergence possible. Les pandémies ne surgissent pas au hasard. Elles émergent dans des paysages transformés par les activités humaines, là où se recomposent les contacts entre humains, animaux domestiques, faune sauvage et agents infectieux. Déforestation, urbanisation, intensification agricole, changements d’usage des terres et changements climatiques multiplient les opportunités de «spillover» et redessinent les interfaces à risque. La biodiversité n’est ni un rempart systématique, ni une menace intrinsèque : son rôle dépend de la structure des communautés d’hôtes, des espèces favorisées par les milieux perturbés et des conditions concrètes d’exposition. Les inégalités sociales et la vulnérabilité socio-économique pèsent également sur ces dynamiques en limitant les capacités de prévention. Dès lors, prévenir les zoonoses émergentes suppose de déplacer le regard, du seul pathogène vers les systèmes socio-écologiques qui rendent leur émergence possible.

Bacteria of the family Anaplasmataceae are tick-borne pathogens of recognized veterinary and zoonotic relevance, widely distributed among domestic and wild vertebrate hosts. Although increasingly reported in Brazilian wildlife species, molecular data on these agents in xenarthrans remain scarce, particularly in regions undergoing environmental transformation. This study investigated the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in free-ranging giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and southern tamanduas (Tamandua tetradactyla) from the central-western region of São Paulo State, Brazil. Twenty-six blood samples (21 M. tridactyla and 5 T. tetradactyla) were analyzed using conventional and nested PCR assays targeting the 23 S rRNA gene (Anaplasma spp.) and the dsb gene (Ehrlichia spp.), followed by sequencing and phylogenetic inference. An Ehrlichia genotype phylogenetically related to Ehrlichia chaffeensis was detected in two M. tridactyla samples (7.69%), whereas an Anaplasma genotype was detected in one T. tetradactyla sample (3.85%). The Ehrlichia sequences showed high nucleotide identity (99.61-100%) with reference sequences identified as E. chaffeensis and grouped within clades containing E. chaffeensis in Maximum Likelihood analyses. The Anaplasma sequence showed phylogenetic affinity with a clade comprising Anaplasma marginale, Anaplasma centrale, and related genotypes. Because only partial gene fragments were analyzed, species-level assignment was not attempted. These findings provide molecular evidence of the occurrence of Anaplasmataceae-related genotypes in free-ranging xenarthrans inhabiting anthropogenically altered landscapes in southeastern Brazil. Further investigations including expanded sampling, vector identification, and multilocus or genomic approaches are necessary to better characterize these agents and clarify their ecological significance.

Sexual dimorphism in growth is a major factor affecting the economic efficiency of fish aquaculture; however, its molecular underpinnings remain incompletely elucidated. We combined comparative liver transcriptomics with genome-wide screening to identify growth-related genes in female and male S. hollandi. We identified 1063 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 869 being significantly upregulated in females. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed key growth-related pathways, including Growth hormone synthesis, secretion and action, mTOR, insulin and MAPK signaling pathway were significantly enriched. Furthermore, we identified seven core IGF system components at the genomic level: four ligands (igf1, igf2a, igf2b, igf3) and three receptors (igf1ra, igf1rb, igf2r). Phylogenetic and protein structure analyses indicated high conservation of these genes among teleosts. Multi-tissue expression profiling revealed marked tissue specificity and sexual dimorphism for several IGF members. Notably, hepatic expression levels of igf1, igf2a, igf2b, and igf1ra were significantly higher in females than in males. This expression pattern correlates with the faster female growth phenotype. Here, we present the first systematic characterization of the IGF/IGFR gene family in S. hollandi and based on comparative hepatic transcriptomics targeting growth-related pathways, suggesting that sexually dimorphic activity of the hepatic IGF system may serve as a central regulatory mechanism at the transcriptional level driving growth dimorphism. These findings offer novel theoretical insights and candidate genes for understanding the molecular mechanisms of sexual growth differences in fish and for advancing molecular breeding.

Iranian Barbel taxonomy and evolutionary history (Cyprinidae: Barbinae and Torinae) remain contentious due to overlapping morphological traits and limited molecular data. This study applies an integrative taxonomic framework to elucidate species boundaries, phylogenetic relationships, and the environmental drivers of diversification within Barbels lineages across Iran. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA (Cytb and COI genes), seven meristic morphological characters, and five spatial environmental predictors from specimens collected across localities representing major Iranian basins. Phylogenetic reconstructions using Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference revealed three main monophyletic groups: (1) Arabibarbus, Mesopotamichthys, and Carasobarbus (Torinae); (2) Luciobarbus; and (3) Barbus sensu stricto (Barbinae). Principal Component and Canonical Variate Analyses of meristic data corroborated molecular findings, supporting the delineation of this taxa. Ecological Niche Evolution analysis indicated several species occupy similar climatic niches, suggesting parallel evolutionary responses to environmental pressures. Divergence time estimates and lineage-through-time analyses linked major cladogenic events to regional orogeny and Quaternary climatic fluctuations. Species delimitation analyses suggested potential synonymy among specific taxa (e.g., L. capito with L. conocephalus; L. esosinus with L. xanthopetrus), highlighting the need for taxonomic revision. Our integrative approach demonstrates that geological history and climatic factors have shaped the diversity and distribution of Barbels in Iran. These findings provide a robust framework for future taxonomic, conservation, and biogeographic studies of Iranian freshwater fishes.

Recent studies have shown that a few tree species dominate abundance and carbon storage in undisturbed Amazonian forests. However, this pattern remains poorly understood in forests regrowing after deforestation. Understanding dominance patterns in secondary forests is important as it could improve insights into their functioning and guide management and restoration efforts. We used unweighted and novel plot-weighted approaches to assess hyperdominance in abundance and carbon storage of trees and palms during secondary forest recovery, using data from 102 plots across four regions in the eastern Amazon, separated by an average distance of 600 km (range: 150-1000 km). Secondary forests show high levels of hyperdominance in all approaches, with just 15-25 species (3%-6%) accounting for over 50% of abundance and carbon storage. A small subset of species (~9%) were found across all regions and successional stages, highlighting their key role in ecosystem structure and function during forest regrowth. Annona exsucca, Cecropia palmata, Tapirira guianensis, and Inga alba formed a consistent core of hyperdominant species across stem size classes, metrics, and approaches, jointly accounting for roughly 16%-27% of total abundance and carbon storage. For larger stems ≥ 10 cm DBH, hyperdominant species exhibited lower wood density compared to non-hyperdominant species across all successional stages, suggesting these specialist pioneers have distinct ecological strategies from the rest of the community. Our findings indicate that secondary forest functioning may be largely predicted by a relatively limited set of species, providing a framework for future research ranging from ecophysiology to remote sensing of canopy traits and restoration planning. Estudos recentes têm demonstrado que poucas espécies de árvores dominam a abundância e o estoque de carbono em florestas amazônicas não‐perturbadas. No entanto, esse padrão ainda é pouco compreendido em florestas que estão regenerando naturalmente após o desmate. Compreender os padrões de dominância em florestas secundárias é importante, pois pode aprimorar o entendimento sobre seu funcionamento e orientar esforços de manejo e restauração. Utilizamos as abordagens clássica e ponderada por parcela para avaliar a hiperdominância na abundância e no estoque de carbono de árvores e palmeiras durante a recuperação de florestas secundárias, com base em dados de 102 parcelas distribuídas em quatro regiões da Amazônia oriental, separadas por uma distância média de 600 km (intervalo: 150–1.000 km). As florestas secundárias apresentaram elevados níveis de hiperdominância em ambas as abordagens, com apenas 15–25 espécies (3%–6%) respondendo por mais de 50% da abundância e do estoque de carbono. Um pequeno conjunto de espécies (~9%) foi registrado em todas as regiões e estágios sucessionais, destacando seu papel central na estrutura e no funcionamento do ecossistema durante a regeneração florestal. Annona exsucca, Cecropia palmata, Tapirira guianensis e Inga alba formaram um grupo consistente de espécies hiperdominantes entre classes de tamanho, métricas e abordagens, contribuindo conjuntamente com cerca de 16%–27% da abundância total e do estoque de carbono. Para indivíduos ≥ 10 cm de diâmetro, as espécies hiperdominantes apresentaram menor densidade da madeira em comparação às não hiperdominantes em todos os estágios sucessionais, sugerindo que essas espécies pioneiras especializadas possuem estratégias ecológicas distintas do restante da comunidade. Nossos resultados indicam que o funcionamento de florestas secundárias pode ser amplamente previsto por um conjunto relativamente limitado de espécies, fornecendo uma base para pesquisas futuras que vão desde ecofisiologia até sensoriamento remoto de características do dossel e planejamento da restauração.

Wildlife camera traps generate millions of images that exceed the capacity of manual processing. Computer vision (CV), a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), helps ecologists process images efficiently. The CV workflow generally starts with animal detection (e.g., with MegaDetector) and then, for those images with animals, the cropped image containing the animal (i.e., snip) is passed to a classifier to identify species. SpeciesNet is an open-source AI/ML classifier that recognises 2498 classes (mostly species-level) globally, and is therefore a 'global model'. However, SpeciesNet has substantial geographic and taxonomic gaps. Ecologists working in areas or with species beyond its scope may therefore build local classifiers for their particular sites. We hypothesised that a blended approach, fine-tuning SpeciesNet, could harness global feature representations and local taxonomic specialisation (i.e., classes limited to the study region). Within this context, we address three questions: (i) How do global, local, and fine-tuned classifiers compare? (ii) How many training images are required? (iii) How does performance vary between random distribution and out-of-distribution testing? We used the Wildlife Observatory of Australia's tagged image repository for the 'Wet Tropics' rainforests (n = 454 camera deployments, 2,184,664 images, 121 species), and refined this to a balanced dataset of the 15 most common species for CV modelling. We found that (i) fine-tuning SpeciesNet delivered the highest performance, often exceeding 95% F1-score, (ii) performance plateaued after 250-500 local training images per class (species) for all three approaches, and (iii) these advantages were pronounced in out-of-distribution testing (i.e., for new cameras withheld from any model training). We conclude that fine-tuning SpeciesNet reconciles the longstanding tension between broad applicability and site-specific precision, accelerating image-to-inference workflows to achieve results within management-relevant timelines. Such advances move cameras further towards being an automated, easy, affordable, and efficient solution for wildlife monitoring, research, and conservation.