African drylands occupied 19.6 million km~2(46%of the total global area)and 525 million people.Soil erosion models are useful for assessing the impact of soil erosion in the dryland areas.This review provides an asses...African drylands occupied 19.6 million km~2(46%of the total global area)and 525 million people.Soil erosion models are useful for assessing the impact of soil erosion in the dryland areas.This review provides an assessment of soil erosion/deposition models and soil conservation practices,which are supportive for mitigating the impact of soil erosion and maintaining soil health and soil functional services for food security in African drylands.The theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices provide advanced ways to understand the detailed impact of soil erosion and management solutions.The paper reviews a set of useful soil erosion models and traditional conservation practices,which can control soil erosion and enhance dryland farming systems in Africa.Soil erosion models are classified into three categories:empirical,conceptual,and physical.Soil conservation practices include reduced tillage,advanced cover crops,mechanical structures(barriers made of stones/gravel/vegetation),advanced mechanical roller-crimper technique,mixed cropping,intercropping,crop rotation systems,terracing techniques,and land modification techniques.These conservation practices are effective in controlling soil erosion,reducing soil damage,improving soil health and quality,enhancing soil fertility,and ensuring food security.The existing assessment suggests that understanding the theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices is a first step towards addressing soil erosion problems in African drylands.展开更多
Successful ex situ conservation of plant populations requires a high degree of genetic representativeness.However,spatially biased sampling in ex situ conservation efforts may fail to capture all wild genetic clusters...Successful ex situ conservation of plant populations requires a high degree of genetic representativeness.However,spatially biased sampling in ex situ conservation efforts may fail to capture all wild genetic clusters for species with range-wide genetic structure.To investigate the extent of spatially biased sampling in living collections and the coverage of wild genetic clusters in plant populations under ex situ conservation worldwide,we combined a global synthesis of ex situ conservation efforts with a case study of an endangered riparian plant species,Myricaria laxiflora.Our analysis of ex situ conservation worldwide revealed that the majority(82.6%)of ex situ populations fail to cover all wild genetic clusters,largely due to spatially biased sampling with low geographic coverage.Our case study of M.laxiflora showed that genetic diversity differed between the ex situ and upstream populations,while it was comparable between ex situ populations and other wild populations.However,current ex situ populations did not cover all wild genetic clusters,as the upstream genetic cluster was previously uncollected.Our study suggests that the failure to cover all wild genetic clusters in ex situ populations is a widespread issue,and ex situ populations with high genetic diversity can also fail to cover all wild genetic clusters.In future ex situ conservation programs,both the importance of high genetic diversity and the high coverage of wild genetic clusters should be prioritized.展开更多
Dear Editor,Mountain systems have long been refuges for many species,often viewed as"islands"that promote speciation due to geographic isolation(Rahbek et al.,2019).Their high environmental heterogeneity fos...Dear Editor,Mountain systems have long been refuges for many species,often viewed as"islands"that promote speciation due to geographic isolation(Rahbek et al.,2019).Their high environmental heterogeneity fosters centers of endemism,and they harbor over 85%of global species diversity(Zhao et al.,2022).Consequently,mountains are key systems for exploring biodiversity patterns along elevational gradients,where species richness often follows four recognized models:monotonic decrease,unimodal pattern(forward and backward peak patterns),and low plateau followed by a decrease along the elevational gradient(McCain et al.,2010).展开更多
Reconciling biodiversity conservation with economic advancement represents a defining challenge of the Anthropocene epoch.Although ecotourism is widely promoted as a strategy capable of delivering both environmental a...Reconciling biodiversity conservation with economic advancement represents a defining challenge of the Anthropocene epoch.Although ecotourism is widely promoted as a strategy capable of delivering both environmental and developmental benefits,empirical evidence regarding its ecological and socioeconomic impacts remains limited.This study critically examined the Hide-in-Bird Pond(HIBP)model,a rapidly expanding,community-based avitourism framework in China that integrates targeted wildlife provisioning with concealed infrastructure for bird observation,simultaneously establishing a novel income source for economically marginalized rural regions through ecotourism.Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 98 HIBP operators,and thematic analysis was applied to evaluate current developmental patterns,spatial distribution,and conservation outcomes.A total of 251 HIBP sites were identified across China,predominantly located in biodiversity-rich but economically marginalized regions.These sites collectively supported 524 bird species—36%of China's avifauna—including 148 species classified as nationally protected or threatened(38%of nationally listed bird taxa).These findings suggest that HIBP can serve as an integrative socio-ecological platform that aligns conservation objectives with sustainable rural development.However,the absence of standardized governance frameworks and ecological safeguards poses significant risks to biodiversity an d long-term sustainability.Implementation of science-based adaptive management systems,incorporating systematic biodiversity monitoring,inclusive stakeholder coordination,and certified sustainable tourism protocols,is critical to ensure ecological integrity and sectoral resilience.These findings offer novel insights into aligning conservation objectives with economic development across regions characterized by high biodiversity and persistent economic disadvantage.展开更多
Gibbons are small,arboreal apes that play a critical role in tropical biodiversity and ecosystem ecology.However,nearly all species of gibbons are threatened by habitat loss,illegal trade,hunting,and other human activ...Gibbons are small,arboreal apes that play a critical role in tropical biodiversity and ecosystem ecology.However,nearly all species of gibbons are threatened by habitat loss,illegal trade,hunting,and other human activities.Long-term poor understanding of their genetics and evolution undermines effective conservation efforts.In this study,we analyse comparative population genomic data of four Nomascus species.Our results reveal strong genetic differentiation and gene flow among Nomascus species.Additionally,we identify genomic features that are potentially related to natural selection linked to vocalization,fructose metabolism,motor balance,and body size,consistent with the unique phenotype and adaptability of gibbons.Inbreeding,coupled with population declines due to climate change and historical human activities,leads to reduced genetic diversity and the accumulation of deleterious variations that likely affect cardiovascular disease and the reproductive potential of gibbons and further reduce their fitness,highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation strategies.展开更多
This paper presents a geometric perspective that connects reciprocal transformations with multidimensional integrable deformations.By interpreting conservation laws as closed 1-forms,we formalize reciprocal transforma...This paper presents a geometric perspective that connects reciprocal transformations with multidimensional integrable deformations.By interpreting conservation laws as closed 1-forms,we formalize reciprocal transformations as induced local diffeomorphisms on the jet bundle.This allows us to characterize higher-dimensional deformations as systematic fiber bundle extensions,where fiber coordinates are generated by potential functions of the conservation laws.This perspective provides an interpretation for the covariant lifting of Lax pairs to higher dimensions and reveals that auto-Backlund transformations are composite diffeomorphisms.These results are applied to several classical integrable models.展开更多
Plants constitute nearly 80%of the planet’s total biomass(Bar-On et al.,2018);however,this vital group is experiencing severe threats,and recent evaluations indicate that approximately 45%of the world's described...Plants constitute nearly 80%of the planet’s total biomass(Bar-On et al.,2018);however,this vital group is experiencing severe threats,and recent evaluations indicate that approximately 45%of the world's described plant species are at risk of extinction(Bachman et al.,2024).The number of plant extinctions has increased by 60%in the last 100 years(Di Marco et al.,2017).Over the past 250 years,571 plant species have gone extinct—more than twice the combined total of extinct birds,mammals,and amphibians(217 species)(Briggs,2019).展开更多
Addressing the widespread issues of internal fragmentation within protected areas and the neglect of surrounding critical habitat networks,this study aims to develop an assessment framework for the precise identificat...Addressing the widespread issues of internal fragmentation within protected areas and the neglect of surrounding critical habitat networks,this study aims to develop an assessment framework for the precise identification and remediation of regional conservation gaps.To this end,we introduce the Framework for Conservation Priority Identification(FCPI).The framework integrates Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis(MSPA),the Remote Sensing Ecological Index(RSEI),Circuit Theory,and the Minimum Cumulative Resistance(MCR)model to formulate a multidimensional conservation priority index.This index facilitates the identification of critical ecological network components and enables the dynamic prioritization of conservation efforts.A case study of Fuzhou City from 2014 to 2020 reveals that despite an overall improvement in regional environmental quality,the functionality of core ecological sources has markedly declined.Between 2014 and 2020,the number of ecological sources grew by 76.9%,yet their total area shrank by 13.9%.Concurrently,the number of ecological corridors rose from 27 to 53,extending their total length by 380.23 km,which indicates an intensifying trend of habitat fragmentation.Furthermore,a significant number of crucial ecological network nodes,particularly within Minhou County,lie explicitly outside the existing protected area system.This confirms the presence of conservation gaps and unveils the spatiotemporal dynamics of shifting conservation priorities.The research validates that the proposed FCPI can effectively diagnose the dynamic deficiencies within conservation systems.It offers scientific decisionsupport for local governments,facilitating a transition from isolated conservation efforts towards systematic and comprehensive ecological network governance.展开更多
The promotion of rural revitalization within the ecological conservation areas(“ECAs”) requires a careful balance between ecological protection and economic development and should be guided by the principle of ecolo...The promotion of rural revitalization within the ecological conservation areas(“ECAs”) requires a careful balance between ecological protection and economic development and should be guided by the principle of ecological priority. The cultivation of rural “Local Specialty Products”(“LSPs”) under a green-development framework aligns with the functional positioning of these areas, drives the revitalization of rural industries, and constitutes a fundamental strategy for addressing the unique challenges they face. Although ECAs possess inherent advantages in terms of developing LSPs, they are also confronted by multiple constraints. Accordingly, we propose development objectives that emphasize(a) driving rural industrial prosperity,(b) enhancing the appeal of agricultural heritage, and(c) ensuring inclusive prosperity in the farming communities. In selecting pathways for growth, priority should be given to improving the quality of products, fostering distinctiveness of the technologies, nurturing cultural identities, and upholding the principle of common prosperity. From a policy standpoint, the development of rural LSPs should be recognized as a key lever for advancing the comprehensiveness of rural revitalization in the ECAs. We recommend a set of supportive measures—namely, reinforcing the guidance for spatial planning, integrating the consolidation of factor inputs, and ensuring the robustness of organizational guarantees—to facilitate the high-quality development of LSPs in these areas.展开更多
Biodiversity constitutes the fundamental cornerstone of ecosystem stability and resilience,furnishing indispensable services that encompass food production,the provision of clean water,climate regulation and the contr...Biodiversity constitutes the fundamental cornerstone of ecosystem stability and resilience,furnishing indispensable services that encompass food production,the provision of clean water,climate regulation and the control of disease.Nonetheless,the planet is currently experiencing an unprecedented biodiversity crisis.展开更多
Effective conservation relies on robust assessments;however,the lack of waterbird data in the Yellow River Basin(YRB)has led to an underestimation of key habitat significance.This study addressed this gap by evaluatin...Effective conservation relies on robust assessments;however,the lack of waterbird data in the Yellow River Basin(YRB)has led to an underestimation of key habitat significance.This study addressed this gap by evaluating YRB wetland conservation importance using waterbirds as indicators and applying Ramsar,Important Bird Areas(IBA),and East Asian-Australasian Flyway(EAAF)criteria.We integrated coordinated surveys with citizen science data,creating a framework that tackles data deficiencies along the under-monitored Central Asian Flyway(CAF).Our analysis identified 75 priority wetlands,supporting 15 threatened species and 49 exceeding global/flyway 1%thresholds,highlighting the basin's biodiversity.We observed strong seasonal habitat use,with high-altitude wetlands vital for breeding and migration,and the Yellow River Delta providing year-round refuge.This research also provided data to refine Baer's Pochard population estimates.Alarmingly,one-third of the identified priority areas,primarily rivers and lakes,remain unprotected.To address this,we recommend systematic surveys,enhanced protected areas,OECMs,and targeted wetland restoration.This study underscores the YRB's role in regional conservation and provides essential data for adaptive management,particularly emphasizing the CAF's importance.展开更多
In the hilly regions of Oudomxay Province,Laos,rows of deep blue photovoltaic panels are converting the scorching sunlight into clean electricity.They are part of the first phase of the Northern Laos Interconnected Cl...In the hilly regions of Oudomxay Province,Laos,rows of deep blue photovoltaic panels are converting the scorching sunlight into clean electricity.They are part of the first phase of the Northern Laos Interconnected Clean Energy Base,which was developed by China General Nuclear Power Group and became operational at the end of 2025.展开更多
1.Introduction As global temperatures increase and weather patterns grow more er-ratic,the urgency of adopting climate-smart conservation strategies has intensified(Manyakaidze et al.,2024).Climate-smart conservation ...1.Introduction As global temperatures increase and weather patterns grow more er-ratic,the urgency of adopting climate-smart conservation strategies has intensified(Manyakaidze et al.,2024).Climate-smart conservation com-prises adaptive management practices aimed at bolstering the resilience of ecosystems and species amid climate variability(Birchall et al.,2021;Gabriel-Campos et al.,2021).展开更多
1.Need for coordinated flyways conservation Flyways are migratory routes that encompass breeding,stopover,and non-breeding habitats essential for the annual life cycles of migratory birds(Bamford et al.,2008;Newton,20...1.Need for coordinated flyways conservation Flyways are migratory routes that encompass breeding,stopover,and non-breeding habitats essential for the annual life cycles of migratory birds(Bamford et al.,2008;Newton,2023).These routes are critical for maintaining global biodiversity by supporting seasonal movements across continents(Hua et al.,2015;Runge et al.,2015).Effective conservation of flyways,such as the East Asian-Australasian Flyway(EAAF)and Central Asian Flyway(CAF),requires international cooperation to protect key stopover sites(Yong et al.,2015;Kumar 2019;Schmaljohann et al.,2022).展开更多
China boasts over 10,000 native useful vascular plants(NUVPs),spanning eight families and serving twelve dis-tinct uses.Given the importance of NUVPs,widely-confirmed in-situ conservation policies,such as establishing...China boasts over 10,000 native useful vascular plants(NUVPs),spanning eight families and serving twelve dis-tinct uses.Given the importance of NUVPs,widely-confirmed in-situ conservation policies,such as establishing nature reserves,have been broadly implemented to protect them.However,the effectiveness of in-situ conser-vation efforts for NUVPs in China remains uncertain.Highlighting the importance of multi-family and multi-use plants,this research identified the spatial distribution pattern and diversity hotspots of NUVPs,evaluated the in-situ conservation effectiveness and provided the future conservation priority scheme.The results revealed that the spatial concentration of NUVPs is predominantly in the southwestern lowlands of China(<3,000 m),peaking around 109°E and 25°N.Importantly,diversity hotspots exhibited a significant spatial mismatch(over 80%)with the National Nature Reserve(NNR)network.Only about 17.7%and 13.3%of these hotspots are protected by NNR initiatives for endemic and nonendemic species,respectively.Additionally,the proposed Plants Conserva-tion Effectiveness Index(PCEI)proved more representative in addressing the two main crises faced by the studied species-species loss and human pressure,and found a decline in conservation effectiveness as the number of uses increased.Finally,future conservation priorities based on the PCEI highlight the Nanling Mountains,Heng-duan Mountains,Jiuwandashan,and Qilian Mountains as highly prioritized regions requiring focused efforts to address the impacts of climate change.Conversely,in sparsely distributed regions experiencing increasing human pressure,it is imperative to mitigate the expanding human footprint.展开更多
Effective preservation of Key Biodiversity Areas(KBAs)is crucial to address biodiversity loss.Human-induced disturbance in these vital sites can exacerbate species extinction and challenge the Kunming-Montreal Global ...Effective preservation of Key Biodiversity Areas(KBAs)is crucial to address biodiversity loss.Human-induced disturbance in these vital sites can exacerbate species extinction and challenge the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework(GBF).This study delves into the human disturbance and protection in terrestrial KBAs worldwide,focusing particularly on habitat fragmentation to devise tailored conservation strategies.Our results reveal widespread human disturbance across global KBAs,with an average Human Footprint Index of 12.3 and a disturbance rate of 62%.Only one-fifth of KBAs are fully safeguarded by protected areas,and a significant portion remains unprotected,with even many highly protected sites under severe disturbance.Globally,human activities have led to substantial implicit habitat fragmentation in KBAs,resulting in a 70%average decline in habitat size,with less than half of KBAs maintaining well-connected active habitats.These findings inform the classification of KBAs for priority conservation,with 80%requiring both intensity regulation and spatial planning of human activities.Higher levels of human disturbance do not necessarily lead to more severe fragmentation,underscoring the potential for relocating or planning human activities to mitigate fragmentation.This research serves as a foundational assessment of human impacts on KBAs,providing a basis for KBA management and global conservation efforts to meet GBF goals.展开更多
Disaster risk reduction,an essential function of protected areas(PAs),has been generally overlooked in PA design.Using primates as a model,we designed a disaster risk index(DRI)to measure the disaster sensitivity of p...Disaster risk reduction,an essential function of protected areas(PAs),has been generally overlooked in PA design.Using primates as a model,we designed a disaster risk index(DRI)to measure the disaster sensitivity of primate species.High-conservation-need(HCN)areas were identified by both their richness and number of threatened primate species.We also constructed high-disaster-risk(HDR)areas and climate-sensitive(CS)areas based on a disaster risk assessment and temperature change under climate change.We overlaid HCN and HDR areas to obtain HDR-HCN areas.We defined species conservation targets as the percent of each species’range that should be effectively conserved using“Zonation”.Landslides had the highest DRI(1.43±0.88),but have been overlooked in previous studies.PA coverage in HDR-HCN(30%)areas was similar to that in HCN areas(28%),indicating that current PA design fails to account for disaster risk reduction.About 50%of the HDR-HCN areas overlapped with CS areas.Presently,43%of primate species meet their conservation targets.Fifty-seven of primate species would meet their conservation targets and 67%of primates could benefit from PA expansion if HDR-HCN areas are fully incorporated into PAs.Increasing PA coverage in HDR-HCN areas is essential to achieving both primate conservation and disaster risk reduction.The study calls for integrating disaster risk reduction into PA design guidelines,particularly in regions like the western Amazon,and recommends flexible conservation approaches in other areas.展开更多
The implementation of the ecological protection red line serves as a crucial protective barrier for the conservation of wild plants with extremely small populations by delineating specific geographical areas designate...The implementation of the ecological protection red line serves as a crucial protective barrier for the conservation of wild plants with extremely small populations by delineating specific geographical areas designated for their conservation.The implementation of a comprehensive set of conservation measures aimed at establishing a biodiversity conservation network for wild plants with extremely small populations has laid the foundation for the health and stability of ecosystems,as well as the harmonious coexistence of humans and the natural environment.Research on the conservation of wild plants with extremely small populations serves as a critical foundation for informing and enhancing the effective conservation of such populations.This paper provides a systematic examination of the theoretical and practical conservation status of certain wild plants with extremely small populations and discusses the conservation trends of these populations within the framework of ecological protection red line delineation.In the future,strategies for the conservation of wild plants with extremely small populations should be integrated with an analysis of the causes of endangerment.This approach will provide a robust foundation for applied research focused on the conservation of these vulnerable plant populations.展开更多
The tropical timber trade faces significant sustainability challenges,including deforestation,illegal logging,and inadequate traceability.Inaccurate species identification further complicates these issues,leading to u...The tropical timber trade faces significant sustainability challenges,including deforestation,illegal logging,and inadequate traceability.Inaccurate species identification further complicates these issues,leading to unreliable trade statistics and enforcement challenges.The Lacey Act Amendment(LAA)of 2008 mandated declaring scientific names for timber shipments entering the United States.Therefore,this study assessed the implementation of the LAA using data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request to the United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for 4 tropical timber species including Keruing,Meranti,Acajou d’Afrique,and Mahogany from Indonesia,Malaysia,Brazil,Philippines,Cameroon,Ghana,Congo,Cote d’Ivoire,and Bolivia,with high rates of illegal logging.This study showed that the United States imported 49 species of Keruing species group,126 species of Meranti species group,6 species of Acajou d’Afrique species group,and 2 species of Mahogany species group during 2017-2023.Despite mandatory declarations,approximately 14.60%of timber import records lacked species-specific names.Conservation assessments identified 37 species of Keruing species group and 68 species of Meranti species group listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN)but absent from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES).Moreover,the principal component analysis(PCA)indicated that the first principal component was primarily driven by import value and import volume,reflecting the overall trade prominence,while the second principal component captured temporal pattern through import year.Further,this study developed a Trade-Adjusted Conservation Priority Index(TACPI)that integrated conservation status with trade prominence to prioritize species at risk.Species with high TACPI scores,such as Dipterocarpus coriaceus and Shorea balangeran,were identified as urgently needing regulatory focus.To strengthen sustainable trade and conservation,it is recommended to enforce the LAA more strictly,expand timber identification technologies,and mandate key supplier countries,who are the CITES’signatories,to list high-risk species in the CITES appendices.展开更多
Ecological conservation is at a crossroad as environmental stresses around the world intensify and traditional models of conservation exhibit intrinsic weaknesses in their response to present and future problems.In th...Ecological conservation is at a crossroad as environmental stresses around the world intensify and traditional models of conservation exhibit intrinsic weaknesses in their response to present and future problems.In the project,we evaluated novel approaches integrating adaptive management,technological innovations,and community-based action towards more efficient sustainable conservation results and ecosystem resilience.The multi-site experimental design was based on comparison between conventional reserve management and novel integrative models implemented in diverse ecological zones.Data were collected over a period of three years employing remote sensing technologies,in situ biodiversity assessments,and large socioeconomic surveys.These instruments enabled a robust and multi-dimensional measurement of variables such as species diversity,ecological resilience,community engagement,and stakeholder engagement.The results indicate that adaptive strategies significantly enhance real-time decision-making abilities and enhance long-term ecosystem resilience.Further,technology-driven monitoring greatly enhances data accuracy,responsiveness,and early warning capabilities.Besides that,community-based conservation initiatives were found to be pivotal in facilitating local stewardship,enhancing participatory governance,and enabling more adaptive and adaptive policy systems.This research rejects mainstream conservation paradigms by placing importance on flexibility,interdisciplinarity,and inclusivity of governance systems in effectively mitigating the impacts of climate change and loss of biodiversity.Our findings offer strong evidence that emerging paradigms of conservation can provide greater ecological and social sustainability than traditional methods.These results support the need for a paradigm shift towards conservation strategies that are dynamic,collaborative,and technologically integrated,with significant implications for policy formulation as well as operational environmental management.展开更多
基金part of the project on soil and water management approved and supported by the Department of Agronomy,Nasarawa State University,Keffi(NSUK),Nigeria。
文摘African drylands occupied 19.6 million km~2(46%of the total global area)and 525 million people.Soil erosion models are useful for assessing the impact of soil erosion in the dryland areas.This review provides an assessment of soil erosion/deposition models and soil conservation practices,which are supportive for mitigating the impact of soil erosion and maintaining soil health and soil functional services for food security in African drylands.The theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices provide advanced ways to understand the detailed impact of soil erosion and management solutions.The paper reviews a set of useful soil erosion models and traditional conservation practices,which can control soil erosion and enhance dryland farming systems in Africa.Soil erosion models are classified into three categories:empirical,conceptual,and physical.Soil conservation practices include reduced tillage,advanced cover crops,mechanical structures(barriers made of stones/gravel/vegetation),advanced mechanical roller-crimper technique,mixed cropping,intercropping,crop rotation systems,terracing techniques,and land modification techniques.These conservation practices are effective in controlling soil erosion,reducing soil damage,improving soil health and quality,enhancing soil fertility,and ensuring food security.The existing assessment suggests that understanding the theories of soil erosion models and soil conservation practices is a first step towards addressing soil erosion problems in African drylands.
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China(2024YFF1307400)Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation and Three Gorges Innovation Development Joint Fund(Grant No.2023AFD195)China Three Gorges Corporation(NBZZ202300130).
文摘Successful ex situ conservation of plant populations requires a high degree of genetic representativeness.However,spatially biased sampling in ex situ conservation efforts may fail to capture all wild genetic clusters for species with range-wide genetic structure.To investigate the extent of spatially biased sampling in living collections and the coverage of wild genetic clusters in plant populations under ex situ conservation worldwide,we combined a global synthesis of ex situ conservation efforts with a case study of an endangered riparian plant species,Myricaria laxiflora.Our analysis of ex situ conservation worldwide revealed that the majority(82.6%)of ex situ populations fail to cover all wild genetic clusters,largely due to spatially biased sampling with low geographic coverage.Our case study of M.laxiflora showed that genetic diversity differed between the ex situ and upstream populations,while it was comparable between ex situ populations and other wild populations.However,current ex situ populations did not cover all wild genetic clusters,as the upstream genetic cluster was previously uncollected.Our study suggests that the failure to cover all wild genetic clusters in ex situ populations is a widespread issue,and ex situ populations with high genetic diversity can also fail to cover all wild genetic clusters.In future ex situ conservation programs,both the importance of high genetic diversity and the high coverage of wild genetic clusters should be prioritized.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.32360333)the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Projects(Grant Nos.ZK[2022]540 and[2023]099)+1 种基金the Survey of Amphibian and Reptile Resources in Leigongshan National Nature Reserve and Literature Publishing Services(P5226002023000019)the Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Innovation Talent Team Construction Project 2024[Qian Ke He Talent CXTD(2025)053].
文摘Dear Editor,Mountain systems have long been refuges for many species,often viewed as"islands"that promote speciation due to geographic isolation(Rahbek et al.,2019).Their high environmental heterogeneity fosters centers of endemism,and they harbor over 85%of global species diversity(Zhao et al.,2022).Consequently,mountains are key systems for exploring biodiversity patterns along elevational gradients,where species richness often follows four recognized models:monotonic decrease,unimodal pattern(forward and backward peak patterns),and low plateau followed by a decrease along the elevational gradient(McCain et al.,2010).
基金supported by the Gaoligong Mountain Ecological Function Enhancement and Sustainable Development Technology Research(202303AC1000120303)Gaoligong Mountain Ecological Function Enhancement and Invasive Plant Species Prevention and Control Technology Project(2022YFF130240304)National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFC2602500)。
文摘Reconciling biodiversity conservation with economic advancement represents a defining challenge of the Anthropocene epoch.Although ecotourism is widely promoted as a strategy capable of delivering both environmental and developmental benefits,empirical evidence regarding its ecological and socioeconomic impacts remains limited.This study critically examined the Hide-in-Bird Pond(HIBP)model,a rapidly expanding,community-based avitourism framework in China that integrates targeted wildlife provisioning with concealed infrastructure for bird observation,simultaneously establishing a novel income source for economically marginalized rural regions through ecotourism.Semi-structured online interviews were conducted with 98 HIBP operators,and thematic analysis was applied to evaluate current developmental patterns,spatial distribution,and conservation outcomes.A total of 251 HIBP sites were identified across China,predominantly located in biodiversity-rich but economically marginalized regions.These sites collectively supported 524 bird species—36%of China's avifauna—including 148 species classified as nationally protected or threatened(38%of nationally listed bird taxa).These findings suggest that HIBP can serve as an integrative socio-ecological platform that aligns conservation objectives with sustainable rural development.However,the absence of standardized governance frameworks and ecological safeguards poses significant risks to biodiversity an d long-term sustainability.Implementation of science-based adaptive management systems,incorporating systematic biodiversity monitoring,inclusive stakeholder coordination,and certified sustainable tourism protocols,is critical to ensure ecological integrity and sectoral resilience.These findings offer novel insights into aligning conservation objectives with economic development across regions characterized by high biodiversity and persistent economic disadvantage.
基金supported by Science and Technology Program from the Forestry Administration of Guangdong Province(2024KJQT0012)the Guangdong Provincial Key R&D Program(2022B1111040001)+2 种基金the National Forestry Administration rare and endangered species field rescue and breeding project(Gui lin hu yu O10)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32200337)a fellowship from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M712003).
文摘Gibbons are small,arboreal apes that play a critical role in tropical biodiversity and ecosystem ecology.However,nearly all species of gibbons are threatened by habitat loss,illegal trade,hunting,and other human activities.Long-term poor understanding of their genetics and evolution undermines effective conservation efforts.In this study,we analyse comparative population genomic data of four Nomascus species.Our results reveal strong genetic differentiation and gene flow among Nomascus species.Additionally,we identify genomic features that are potentially related to natural selection linked to vocalization,fructose metabolism,motor balance,and body size,consistent with the unique phenotype and adaptability of gibbons.Inbreeding,coupled with population declines due to climate change and historical human activities,leads to reduced genetic diversity and the accumulation of deleterious variations that likely affect cardiovascular disease and the reproductive potential of gibbons and further reduce their fitness,highlighting the urgent need for effective conservation strategies.
基金sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.12235007,11975131)。
文摘This paper presents a geometric perspective that connects reciprocal transformations with multidimensional integrable deformations.By interpreting conservation laws as closed 1-forms,we formalize reciprocal transformations as induced local diffeomorphisms on the jet bundle.This allows us to characterize higher-dimensional deformations as systematic fiber bundle extensions,where fiber coordinates are generated by potential functions of the conservation laws.This perspective provides an interpretation for the covariant lifting of Lax pairs to higher dimensions and reveals that auto-Backlund transformations are composite diffeomorphisms.These results are applied to several classical integrable models.
基金support of the ORG.one project of Oxford Nanopore Technologies(ONT),the Rufford Grants(45249-1)the Idea Wild Grants(Project ID-KJOSINDI0125-00)the Mohamed Bin Zyed Species Conservation(MBZ)(GEF Grant no-240535253)Funds in our efforts to conserve threatened trees in the Western Ghats Biodiversity Hotspot Forest regions.
文摘Plants constitute nearly 80%of the planet’s total biomass(Bar-On et al.,2018);however,this vital group is experiencing severe threats,and recent evaluations indicate that approximately 45%of the world's described plant species are at risk of extinction(Bachman et al.,2024).The number of plant extinctions has increased by 60%in the last 100 years(Di Marco et al.,2017).Over the past 250 years,571 plant species have gone extinct—more than twice the combined total of extinct birds,mammals,and amphibians(217 species)(Briggs,2019).
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province(2023J01434)the Science and Technology Innovation Special Fund Project of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University(KFb22028XA)。
文摘Addressing the widespread issues of internal fragmentation within protected areas and the neglect of surrounding critical habitat networks,this study aims to develop an assessment framework for the precise identification and remediation of regional conservation gaps.To this end,we introduce the Framework for Conservation Priority Identification(FCPI).The framework integrates Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis(MSPA),the Remote Sensing Ecological Index(RSEI),Circuit Theory,and the Minimum Cumulative Resistance(MCR)model to formulate a multidimensional conservation priority index.This index facilitates the identification of critical ecological network components and enables the dynamic prioritization of conservation efforts.A case study of Fuzhou City from 2014 to 2020 reveals that despite an overall improvement in regional environmental quality,the functionality of core ecological sources has markedly declined.Between 2014 and 2020,the number of ecological sources grew by 76.9%,yet their total area shrank by 13.9%.Concurrently,the number of ecological corridors rose from 27 to 53,extending their total length by 380.23 km,which indicates an intensifying trend of habitat fragmentation.Furthermore,a significant number of crucial ecological network nodes,particularly within Minhou County,lie explicitly outside the existing protected area system.This confirms the presence of conservation gaps and unveils the spatiotemporal dynamics of shifting conservation priorities.The research validates that the proposed FCPI can effectively diagnose the dynamic deficiencies within conservation systems.It offers scientific decisionsupport for local governments,facilitating a transition from isolated conservation efforts towards systematic and comprehensive ecological network governance.
基金a phased research outcome report of the Major Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences,“Research on Major Issues in Improving the Mechanisms and Institutions for Integrated Urban-Rural Development”(Project No. 2024YZD008)。
文摘The promotion of rural revitalization within the ecological conservation areas(“ECAs”) requires a careful balance between ecological protection and economic development and should be guided by the principle of ecological priority. The cultivation of rural “Local Specialty Products”(“LSPs”) under a green-development framework aligns with the functional positioning of these areas, drives the revitalization of rural industries, and constitutes a fundamental strategy for addressing the unique challenges they face. Although ECAs possess inherent advantages in terms of developing LSPs, they are also confronted by multiple constraints. Accordingly, we propose development objectives that emphasize(a) driving rural industrial prosperity,(b) enhancing the appeal of agricultural heritage, and(c) ensuring inclusive prosperity in the farming communities. In selecting pathways for growth, priority should be given to improving the quality of products, fostering distinctiveness of the technologies, nurturing cultural identities, and upholding the principle of common prosperity. From a policy standpoint, the development of rural LSPs should be recognized as a key lever for advancing the comprehensiveness of rural revitalization in the ECAs. We recommend a set of supportive measures—namely, reinforcing the guidance for spatial planning, integrating the consolidation of factor inputs, and ensuring the robustness of organizational guarantees—to facilitate the high-quality development of LSPs in these areas.
基金supported by the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation-Special Program on Biodiversity(2023B0303050001).
文摘Biodiversity constitutes the fundamental cornerstone of ecosystem stability and resilience,furnishing indispensable services that encompass food production,the provision of clean water,climate regulation and the control of disease.Nonetheless,the planet is currently experiencing an unprecedented biodiversity crisis.
基金The Science and Technology Basic Resources Survey Project,No.2021FY101002Wetland Protection and Restoration in China Funded by the Palson Institute and Laoniu Foundation,UNDP-GEF Flyway Project,No.PIMS ID:6110。
文摘Effective conservation relies on robust assessments;however,the lack of waterbird data in the Yellow River Basin(YRB)has led to an underestimation of key habitat significance.This study addressed this gap by evaluating YRB wetland conservation importance using waterbirds as indicators and applying Ramsar,Important Bird Areas(IBA),and East Asian-Australasian Flyway(EAAF)criteria.We integrated coordinated surveys with citizen science data,creating a framework that tackles data deficiencies along the under-monitored Central Asian Flyway(CAF).Our analysis identified 75 priority wetlands,supporting 15 threatened species and 49 exceeding global/flyway 1%thresholds,highlighting the basin's biodiversity.We observed strong seasonal habitat use,with high-altitude wetlands vital for breeding and migration,and the Yellow River Delta providing year-round refuge.This research also provided data to refine Baer's Pochard population estimates.Alarmingly,one-third of the identified priority areas,primarily rivers and lakes,remain unprotected.To address this,we recommend systematic surveys,enhanced protected areas,OECMs,and targeted wetland restoration.This study underscores the YRB's role in regional conservation and provides essential data for adaptive management,particularly emphasizing the CAF's importance.
基金findings from the Research on the Innovative Mechanism for Coordinated Development of Ecological Security between China’s Yunnan Province and the Vietnam-LaosMyanmar Region,a general project of Yunnan Provincial Philosophy and Social Sciences Planning。
文摘In the hilly regions of Oudomxay Province,Laos,rows of deep blue photovoltaic panels are converting the scorching sunlight into clean electricity.They are part of the first phase of the Northern Laos Interconnected Clean Energy Base,which was developed by China General Nuclear Power Group and became operational at the end of 2025.
文摘1.Introduction As global temperatures increase and weather patterns grow more er-ratic,the urgency of adopting climate-smart conservation strategies has intensified(Manyakaidze et al.,2024).Climate-smart conservation com-prises adaptive management practices aimed at bolstering the resilience of ecosystems and species amid climate variability(Birchall et al.,2021;Gabriel-Campos et al.,2021).
基金supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)funded by the Ministry of Education(RS-2021-NR060142)HSF's GMACC Project。
文摘1.Need for coordinated flyways conservation Flyways are migratory routes that encompass breeding,stopover,and non-breeding habitats essential for the annual life cycles of migratory birds(Bamford et al.,2008;Newton,2023).These routes are critical for maintaining global biodiversity by supporting seasonal movements across continents(Hua et al.,2015;Runge et al.,2015).Effective conservation of flyways,such as the East Asian-Australasian Flyway(EAAF)and Central Asian Flyway(CAF),requires international cooperation to protect key stopover sites(Yong et al.,2015;Kumar 2019;Schmaljohann et al.,2022).
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.42330205)the Open Fund of State Key Labora-tory of Remote Sensing Science and Beijing Engineering Research Center for Global Land Remote Sensing Products(Grant No.OF202206).
文摘China boasts over 10,000 native useful vascular plants(NUVPs),spanning eight families and serving twelve dis-tinct uses.Given the importance of NUVPs,widely-confirmed in-situ conservation policies,such as establishing nature reserves,have been broadly implemented to protect them.However,the effectiveness of in-situ conser-vation efforts for NUVPs in China remains uncertain.Highlighting the importance of multi-family and multi-use plants,this research identified the spatial distribution pattern and diversity hotspots of NUVPs,evaluated the in-situ conservation effectiveness and provided the future conservation priority scheme.The results revealed that the spatial concentration of NUVPs is predominantly in the southwestern lowlands of China(<3,000 m),peaking around 109°E and 25°N.Importantly,diversity hotspots exhibited a significant spatial mismatch(over 80%)with the National Nature Reserve(NNR)network.Only about 17.7%and 13.3%of these hotspots are protected by NNR initiatives for endemic and nonendemic species,respectively.Additionally,the proposed Plants Conserva-tion Effectiveness Index(PCEI)proved more representative in addressing the two main crises faced by the studied species-species loss and human pressure,and found a decline in conservation effectiveness as the number of uses increased.Finally,future conservation priorities based on the PCEI highlight the Nanling Mountains,Heng-duan Mountains,Jiuwandashan,and Qilian Mountains as highly prioritized regions requiring focused efforts to address the impacts of climate change.Conversely,in sparsely distributed regions experiencing increasing human pressure,it is imperative to mitigate the expanding human footprint.
基金supported by the National Key Research and De-velopment Program(Grant No.2023YFE0122300)the Hunan Provin-cial Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.2024JJ8351)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.S20230127).
文摘Effective preservation of Key Biodiversity Areas(KBAs)is crucial to address biodiversity loss.Human-induced disturbance in these vital sites can exacerbate species extinction and challenge the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework(GBF).This study delves into the human disturbance and protection in terrestrial KBAs worldwide,focusing particularly on habitat fragmentation to devise tailored conservation strategies.Our results reveal widespread human disturbance across global KBAs,with an average Human Footprint Index of 12.3 and a disturbance rate of 62%.Only one-fifth of KBAs are fully safeguarded by protected areas,and a significant portion remains unprotected,with even many highly protected sites under severe disturbance.Globally,human activities have led to substantial implicit habitat fragmentation in KBAs,resulting in a 70%average decline in habitat size,with less than half of KBAs maintaining well-connected active habitats.These findings inform the classification of KBAs for priority conservation,with 80%requiring both intensity regulation and spatial planning of human activities.Higher levels of human disturbance do not necessarily lead to more severe fragmentation,underscoring the potential for relocating or planning human activities to mitigate fragmentation.This research serves as a foundational assessment of human impacts on KBAs,providing a basis for KBA management and global conservation efforts to meet GBF goals.
基金supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China(Grant No.2022YFF1301500)the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China(Grants No.32000352,32171485,and 32371741)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province(Grant No.2021A1515010968)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,Sun Yat-sen University(Grant No.23lgzy002).
文摘Disaster risk reduction,an essential function of protected areas(PAs),has been generally overlooked in PA design.Using primates as a model,we designed a disaster risk index(DRI)to measure the disaster sensitivity of primate species.High-conservation-need(HCN)areas were identified by both their richness and number of threatened primate species.We also constructed high-disaster-risk(HDR)areas and climate-sensitive(CS)areas based on a disaster risk assessment and temperature change under climate change.We overlaid HCN and HDR areas to obtain HDR-HCN areas.We defined species conservation targets as the percent of each species’range that should be effectively conserved using“Zonation”.Landslides had the highest DRI(1.43±0.88),but have been overlooked in previous studies.PA coverage in HDR-HCN(30%)areas was similar to that in HCN areas(28%),indicating that current PA design fails to account for disaster risk reduction.About 50%of the HDR-HCN areas overlapped with CS areas.Presently,43%of primate species meet their conservation targets.Fifty-seven of primate species would meet their conservation targets and 67%of primates could benefit from PA expansion if HDR-HCN areas are fully incorporated into PAs.Increasing PA coverage in HDR-HCN areas is essential to achieving both primate conservation and disaster risk reduction.The study calls for integrating disaster risk reduction into PA design guidelines,particularly in regions like the western Amazon,and recommends flexible conservation approaches in other areas.
基金Supported by 2024 Central Financial Comprehensive Protection Project for Abies chensiensis(610000242000000026647)2024 Provincial Forestry and Grassland Reform and Development Fund for the National Key Wild Plant Protection Project(610000242000000028574)2024 Biodiversity Conservation Project(610000242000000024911).
文摘The implementation of the ecological protection red line serves as a crucial protective barrier for the conservation of wild plants with extremely small populations by delineating specific geographical areas designated for their conservation.The implementation of a comprehensive set of conservation measures aimed at establishing a biodiversity conservation network for wild plants with extremely small populations has laid the foundation for the health and stability of ecosystems,as well as the harmonious coexistence of humans and the natural environment.Research on the conservation of wild plants with extremely small populations serves as a critical foundation for informing and enhancing the effective conservation of such populations.This paper provides a systematic examination of the theoretical and practical conservation status of certain wild plants with extremely small populations and discusses the conservation trends of these populations within the framework of ecological protection red line delineation.In the future,strategies for the conservation of wild plants with extremely small populations should be integrated with an analysis of the causes of endangerment.This approach will provide a robust foundation for applied research focused on the conservation of these vulnerable plant populations.
基金United States Endowment for Forestry and Communities in coordination with the Northern Forest Center for partial funding(No.91093)of the project.
文摘The tropical timber trade faces significant sustainability challenges,including deforestation,illegal logging,and inadequate traceability.Inaccurate species identification further complicates these issues,leading to unreliable trade statistics and enforcement challenges.The Lacey Act Amendment(LAA)of 2008 mandated declaring scientific names for timber shipments entering the United States.Therefore,this study assessed the implementation of the LAA using data obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request to the United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for 4 tropical timber species including Keruing,Meranti,Acajou d’Afrique,and Mahogany from Indonesia,Malaysia,Brazil,Philippines,Cameroon,Ghana,Congo,Cote d’Ivoire,and Bolivia,with high rates of illegal logging.This study showed that the United States imported 49 species of Keruing species group,126 species of Meranti species group,6 species of Acajou d’Afrique species group,and 2 species of Mahogany species group during 2017-2023.Despite mandatory declarations,approximately 14.60%of timber import records lacked species-specific names.Conservation assessments identified 37 species of Keruing species group and 68 species of Meranti species group listed as threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN)but absent from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES).Moreover,the principal component analysis(PCA)indicated that the first principal component was primarily driven by import value and import volume,reflecting the overall trade prominence,while the second principal component captured temporal pattern through import year.Further,this study developed a Trade-Adjusted Conservation Priority Index(TACPI)that integrated conservation status with trade prominence to prioritize species at risk.Species with high TACPI scores,such as Dipterocarpus coriaceus and Shorea balangeran,were identified as urgently needing regulatory focus.To strengthen sustainable trade and conservation,it is recommended to enforce the LAA more strictly,expand timber identification technologies,and mandate key supplier countries,who are the CITES’signatories,to list high-risk species in the CITES appendices.
基金supported by the Lebanese International University(LIU)with a funding amount of$500.
文摘Ecological conservation is at a crossroad as environmental stresses around the world intensify and traditional models of conservation exhibit intrinsic weaknesses in their response to present and future problems.In the project,we evaluated novel approaches integrating adaptive management,technological innovations,and community-based action towards more efficient sustainable conservation results and ecosystem resilience.The multi-site experimental design was based on comparison between conventional reserve management and novel integrative models implemented in diverse ecological zones.Data were collected over a period of three years employing remote sensing technologies,in situ biodiversity assessments,and large socioeconomic surveys.These instruments enabled a robust and multi-dimensional measurement of variables such as species diversity,ecological resilience,community engagement,and stakeholder engagement.The results indicate that adaptive strategies significantly enhance real-time decision-making abilities and enhance long-term ecosystem resilience.Further,technology-driven monitoring greatly enhances data accuracy,responsiveness,and early warning capabilities.Besides that,community-based conservation initiatives were found to be pivotal in facilitating local stewardship,enhancing participatory governance,and enabling more adaptive and adaptive policy systems.This research rejects mainstream conservation paradigms by placing importance on flexibility,interdisciplinarity,and inclusivity of governance systems in effectively mitigating the impacts of climate change and loss of biodiversity.Our findings offer strong evidence that emerging paradigms of conservation can provide greater ecological and social sustainability than traditional methods.These results support the need for a paradigm shift towards conservation strategies that are dynamic,collaborative,and technologically integrated,with significant implications for policy formulation as well as operational environmental management.
