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
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
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
Human-modified landscapes serve as ecological filters,determining species distributions and persistence.Energy-efficient technologies,while crucial for climate change mitigation,represent novel filters whose impacts o...Human-modified landscapes serve as ecological filters,determining species distributions and persistence.Energy-efficient technologies,while crucial for climate change mitigation,represent novel filters whose impacts on synanthropic biodiversity are poorly understood.We investigated how attached sunspaces,a widely adopted energy-saving technology in rural China,filter the distribution of two ecologically important aerial insectivores,the Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)and Red-rumped Swallow(Cecropis daurica).We surveyed 106 villages during the 2024 and 2025 breeding seasons and recorded a total of 2323 nests(612 Barn Swallow,1711 Red-rumped Swallow).Using Generalized Linear Models,we assessed their responses to building characteristics,landscape composition and the prevalence of sunspaces.Barn Swallow nests preferred perches at the base and single attachment faces,while Red-rumped Swallow nests favored multiple attachment faces and avoided long shelters.The proportion of buildings with sunspaces acted as a strong positive filter for Barn Swallow nest abundance(+24%)but as a significant negative filter for Red-rumped Swallow(-51%).Other landscape variables(e.g.,human population density,NDVI,Human Footprint Index)were not significant.This study demonstrates that specific architectural innovations can act as powerful ecological filters,leading to divergent distributional outcomes for sympatric species reliant on anthropogenic structures.Our findings reveal a critical trade-off in sustainable development:energy efficiency gains may inadvertently reduce habitat suitability for certain species.To reconcile climate and biodiversity goals in rural landscapes,we advocate integrating species-specific habitat requirements into building design.We propose actionable modifications to sunspaces to support swallows without compromising energy savings.These principles provide a template for mitigating the distributional impacts of green infrastructure globally.展开更多
Migratory birds undertake regular seasonal movements between breeding and non-breeding grounds each year,often spanning intercontinental distances.Several migratory waterbirds are declining globally,owing to multiple ...Migratory birds undertake regular seasonal movements between breeding and non-breeding grounds each year,often spanning intercontinental distances.Several migratory waterbirds are declining globally,owing to multiple threats from parts of annual migration.Therefore,understanding the spatial distribution and conservation challenges of migratory waterbirds is critical for effective flyway-scale conservation.In this study,we compiled a comprehensive dataset of 199 migratory waterbird species,mapped seasonal distribution,and identified population trends and threats along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway.Species richness exhibited latitudinal gradients along the two flyways,peaking at approximately 60°N in the breeding season and15°N in the non-breeding season.Migration distance and geographic spread significantly varied among orders.More than half of the waterbird species(50.75%)showed decreasing population trends;however,no significant difference in the proportion of population decline was noticed across flyways or orders.A total of 31 species(15.58%)were listed as threatened,most of which were concentrated in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and primarily affected by the use of biological resources,pollution,and agricultural expansion.Overall,this study provides a comparative assessment of migratory waterbirds in Asian flyways.Our findings highlight the importance of multinational conservation efforts targeting key breeding and non-breeding regions,specifically for threatened species,and underscore the need for coordinated strategies to mitigate multiple,overlapping threats across flyways.These further emphasize that conservation actions should prioritize transboundary habitat networks and policy integration among flyway countries to enhance the long-term resilience of migratory waterbird populations.展开更多
The critically endangered Chinese Crested Tern(CThalasseus bernsteini,CCT)and its common flocking companion,the Greater Crested Tern(Thalasseus bergii,GCT),have been the focus of targeted recovery efforts in the Jiush...The critically endangered Chinese Crested Tern(CThalasseus bernsteini,CCT)and its common flocking companion,the Greater Crested Tern(Thalasseus bergii,GCT),have been the focus of targeted recovery efforts in the Jiushan Archipelago of Zhejiang Province,China since 2013.To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these measures and address key knowledge gaps in population dynamics and migration ecology,we analyzed ten years(2015-2024)of banding and citizen science data,comprising 116 CCT and 3501 GCT resighting records.We estimated survival rates using both directly derived survival rate(based on resighting rate after two years)and Cormack-Jolly-Seber modeling,and examined migration connectivity and climate risks.Results showed robust juvenile survival:modeled survival for the tern chick population was lower in the first two years(63.9±12.0%)but exceeded 78%thereafter.This was also supported by resighting rate after two years:CCT 77.27%,GCT70.42%.A key divergence in post-breeding migration was identified:CCT moves northward to stopover sites such as Nantong,Rizhao,and Jiaozhou Bay,whereas GCT migrates southward.Climate data confirmed that northern stopover sites do not pose higher storm risks,indicating that CCT's northward migration is not a population liability.Furthermore,connectivity among breeding islands in Zhejiang and the Matsu Archipelago reveals a nascent coastal breeding network along China's coast.These findings underscore the importance of protecting both the northern migration route and the breeding island network to ensure full life-cycle conservation of CCT.展开更多
The Himalayan monal(Lophophorus impejanus),Nepal’s national bird,is a protected species facing significant conservation challenges.Understanding the distribution and habitat preferences of the Himalayan monal(HM)is c...The Himalayan monal(Lophophorus impejanus),Nepal’s national bird,is a protected species facing significant conservation challenges.Understanding the distribution and habitat preferences of the Himalayan monal(HM)is crucial for its conservation.This study was conducted in the Langtang National Park(LNP),Nepal using the route census method during both winter(November/December 2022)and summer(June 2023)seasons to examine the seasonal variation in HM’s elevational distribution and habitat preference.Further,we assessed their conservation threats by conducting a semi-structured questionnaire survey with the local residents.During the winter period,the HMs preferred grassland habitats,while in the summer,their preference shifted to shrubland and barren area.HM abundance was negatively associated with the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index(NDVI)and the shortest distance from the survey trails in the winter.The HMs actively avoided areas with high anthropogenic pressure.In the summer,they showed a wider elevational range up to 4400 m above sea level(a.s.l.),with a higher sighting frequency between 3600 and 3900 m a.s.l.The questionnaire survey of the local residents revealed that anthropogenic pressure such as poaching and free-ranging livestock grazing are the major threats to the species in the study area.This study provides valuable insight into the complex habitat preferences and critical threats faced by the HMs in LNP and underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation action.展开更多
Global framework for nature management requires identifying areas of high priority for biodiversity conservation and restoration.The unique environments of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP) provide irreplaceable habitats fo...Global framework for nature management requires identifying areas of high priority for biodiversity conservation and restoration.The unique environments of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP) provide irreplaceable habitats for biodiversity which is prominent under future climate change.Despite the recent increase in research interest on conservation priorities,there is a lack of comprehensive and targeted protection strategies for pandemic species under climate change.Here,we compiled an exhaustive dataset with the variables of extinction risk and occurrence records of ectothermic lizards to investigate the conservation priorities in the QXP.We assessed the conservation status of the QXP lizards and identified the priority protected areas within the QXP under future climate scenarios using phylogenetic generalized least squares and ensemble species distribution models.Our analyses suggested nine lizard species to be prioritized for protection,with the most critical priority species being Dopasia gracilis,D.harti,and Phrynocephalus putjatai.Moreover,the priority protected areas covered~4.7%area of the QXP,mostly in the southern QXP and southeastern Hengduan Mountains.Protecting these regions would achieve a conservation effectiveness of≥95%for species richness,phylogenetic and functionaldiversity under climate change.Our findings provide realistic guidance for improving the conservation effectiveness of specific-lizard and-regions in the QXP under climate change.Our“bottom-up”approach could help the conservation efforts of other regions and species as an alternative to“top-down”global maps.展开更多
We review achievements in the conservation of orchid diversity in China over the last 21 years.We provide updated information on orchid biodiversity and suggestions for orchid conservation in China.We outline national...We review achievements in the conservation of orchid diversity in China over the last 21 years.We provide updated information on orchid biodiversity and suggestions for orchid conservation in China.We outline national policies of biodiversity conservation,especially of orchid conservation,which provide general guidelines for orchid conservation in China.There are now approximately 1708 known species of Orchidaceae in 181 genera in China,including five new genera and 365 new species described over the last 21 years.The assessment of risk of extinction of all 1502 known native orchid species in China in 2013 indicated that 653 species were identified as threatened,132 species were treated as data-deficient,and four species endemic to China were classified as extinct.Approximately 1100 species(ca.65%)are protected in national nature reserves,and another~66 species in provincial nature reserves.About 800 native orchid species have living collections in major botanical gardens.The pollination biology of 74 native orchid species and the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of 29 orchid species have been investigated at a local scale and/or across species distributions.The mycorrhizal fungal community composition has been investigated in many genera,such as Bletilla,Coelogyne,Cymbidium,Cypripedium,and Dendrobium.Approximately 292 species will be included in the list of national key protected wild plants this year.Two major tasks for near future include in situ conservation and monitoring population dynamics of endangered species.展开更多
Livelihood improvement and sustainable natural resource utilization are among the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;however,most farm households either randomly select or just imitate livelihood strategies ...Livelihood improvement and sustainable natural resource utilization are among the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;however,most farm households either randomly select or just imitate livelihood strategies being practiced in other areas.As the livelihoods of farm households are vulnerable to several challenges in ecologically fragile areas,identifying the livelihood strategies of farm households in arid and semi-arid areas will help for promoting both livelihood security and environmental conservation.Hence,in this study,we constructed a sustainable evaluation index system for the livelihood of farmers in the Loess Plateau region of China by conducting field research and interviews.We employed the composite index method to measure the livelihood capital and the livelihood strategies chosen by farmers,and then analyzed the resource endowment of farmers under different livelihood strategies using logistic regression and structural equation modeling.The results revealed that under the combined influences of livelihood capital and government policy,farm households in the Loess Plateau region selected agro-dependent,agro-pastoral,agro-industrial,non-agricultural livelihood strategies.The key factors influencing the selection of these household livelihood strategies included the household labor capacity,the farmland owned per household,the number of livestock,and the grassland forage-supply ratio.The grassland forage-supply ratio was a crucial factor influencing the choice between agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood strategies.In this context,the grassland forage-supply ratio increased with the stocking rate.However,once the stocking rate exceeded 56.5 sheep/hm^(2),the grassland forage-supply ratio no longer increased rapidly under the agriculture-based livelihood strategy.The strategy of ecological resource conservation and moderate utilization based on the quality and quantity of natural resources ensures win-win benefits for the environment and human well-being in arid and semi-arid areas.Moderate grazing therefore has the potential to improve farmers’livelihoods without causing grassland degradation.These results contribute to the synergistic co-adaptation of livelihood improvement and ecological conservation in arid and semi-arid areas.展开更多
Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation calls for 'at least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available fo...Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation calls for 'at least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available for recovery and restoration programmes by 2020'.Botanic gardens make a significant contribution to ex situ conservation of wild species with more than a third of plant species represented in botanic gardens collections. These collections are a combination of living collection and seed banked material. Seed banking can provide an efficient form of conservation for wild plant genetic diversity.Information from Botanic Gardens Conservation International's(BGCI) databases(GardenSearch,PlantSearch, ThreatSearch and GlobalTreeSearch) has been analysed as well as survey data to report on global, regional and national seed banking trends.Information from BGCI's databases indicates that there are at least 350 seed banking botanic gardens in 74 countries. In total 56,987 taxa have been banked including more than 9000 taxa that are threatened with extinction. 6881 tree species are stored in ex situ seed bank collections. More than half(3562) of these tree species are single country endemics and represent species from more than 166 countries.This study suggests that institutions are increasingly conserving plant species via seed banking.However the majority of species in collections that have a conservation assessment are not threatened with extinction. This disjunction between species that are threatened and those conserved in seed banks needs to be addressed. Data from BGCI's databases can be used to enable prioritisation of threatened plant species for collection and conservation in seed banks. Further recommendations for botanic gardens involved in seed conservation are presented.展开更多
Diazotrophs make important contributions to nitrogen(N) inputs in agricultural ecosystems. However, strong evidence of the effects of conservation tillage(CT) on the coexistence and assembly of soil diazotrophic commu...Diazotrophs make important contributions to nitrogen(N) inputs in agricultural ecosystems. However, strong evidence of the effects of conservation tillage(CT) on the coexistence and assembly of soil diazotrophic community and related mechanisms is lacking. Here, a long-term experiment was conducted to study the impacts of CT on the coexistence and assembly patterns of soil diazotrophic community in Lishu County, Jilin Province, North China. Compared to traditional tillage(control, CK), CT significantly reduced both the N fixation rate in top 0–10 cm soil and the alpha diversity of diazotrophic community while increasing the density of diazotrophic and overall bacterial communities. Conservation tillage also reduced the competitive relationships within the diazotrophic community and enhanced network stability. Furthermore, diazotroph assembly was dominated by deterministic processes(relative influence =68.63%) under CK and stochastic processes(relative influence = 58.82%) under CT. Soil depth and total N(TN) were identified as crucial predictors shaping the assembly processes of diazotrophic community under different tillage practices. The relative influence of stochastic processes on diazotrophic community under CT varied more significantly with increasing soil depth. Overall, tillage practice and soil depth had significant influences on the coexistence and assembly processes of soil diazotrophic community. Moreover, long-term CT may impact the selection of N fixation agents and the specific taxa associated with N fixers. Our results indicated that in CT systems, relatively sufficient nutrient availability led to a reduction in interspecies competition, an increase in network stability, and a greater influence of stochastic processes on community assembly. These findings may help us better understand biological N fixation in sustainable agricultural systems.展开更多
Conservation genetics and genomics are two independent disciplines that focus on using new techniques in genetics and genomics to solve problems in conservation biology. During the past two decades,conservation geneti...Conservation genetics and genomics are two independent disciplines that focus on using new techniques in genetics and genomics to solve problems in conservation biology. During the past two decades,conservation genetics and genomics have experienced rapid progress. Here, we summarize the research advances in the conservation genetics and genomics of threatened vertebrates(e.g., carnivorans, primates, ungulates, cetaceans, avians, amphibians and reptiles) in China. First, we introduce the concepts of conservation genetics and genomics and their development. Second, we review the recent advances in conservation genetics research, including noninvasive genetics and landscape genetics. Third, we summarize the progress in conservation genomics research, which mainly focuses on resolving genetic problems relevant to conservation such as genetic diversity, genetic structure, demographic history, and genomic evolution and adaptation. Finally, we discuss the future directions of conservation genetics and genomics.展开更多
The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP)serves as a vital ecological security barrier in China and the broader Asian region.The delineation of urban growth boundaries(UGBs)in this region with consideration of socioeconomic dev...The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP)serves as a vital ecological security barrier in China and the broader Asian region.The delineation of urban growth boundaries(UGBs)in this region with consideration of socioeconomic development and ecological protection is urgently needed,but there is a lack of such research.The objective of this study is to delineate the UGBs on the QXP during 2020-2100 to simultaneously meet the needs of socioeconomic development and ecosystem services(ESs)protection.To achieve this purpose,under a scenario matrix integrating shared socioeconomic pathways(SSPs)and ESs protection,the urban expansion on the QXP during 2020-2100 was simulated by coupling the ESs assessment models and the zoned Land Use Scenario Dynamics-urban(LUSDurban)model.Finally,we compared the spatial patterns of the UGBs and the conservation effectiveness of ESs under different scenarios.The extent of UGBs on the QXP is projected to reach 2,045.60-2,231.10 km^(2),which is 62.23%-76.95%greater than the urban land area(1,260.90 km^(2))in 2020.Protecting the ESs can reduce the loss of the average natural habitat quality,food production,and carbon sequestration by 33.29%-34.27%,8.61%-18.23%,and 36.56%-40.34%,respectively.Protecting food production and carbon sequestration in Qinghai Province are more effective,but in the Xizang Autonomous Region,protecting ESs has a considerable trade-off effect.The UGBs delineated in this study can offer a reference for future urban planning on the QXP.展开更多
Tetracentron sinense is a‘living fossil’tree in East Asia.Understanding how this‘living fossil’responds to climate change and adapts to local environments is critical for its conservation.Here,we used resequenced ...Tetracentron sinense is a‘living fossil’tree in East Asia.Understanding how this‘living fossil’responds to climate change and adapts to local environments is critical for its conservation.Here,we used resequenced genomes to clarify the evolutionary history and adaptive potential of T.sinense.We identifiedsix divergent lineages in T.sinense:three lineages from southwestern China(Yunnan Province)and three lineages from the central subtropical region of China.Additionally,we detected hybridization events between some adjacent lineages.Demographic analysis revealed that over the past 10,000 years the effective population size(Ne)of three T.sinense lineages(i.e.,NORTH,SWEST,and YNWEST)increased after their last bottleneck and then remained stable,whereas that of the remaining three lineages(i.e.,YSEAST,YC,and EAST)declined steadily.The decline in effective population size in the Yunnan lineages aligned well with the decrease in genome-wide diversity and a significantincrease in the frequency of runs of homozygosity.Deleterious variants and positively selected sites were involved in the evolution of different lineages.Further,genotype–environment association(GEA)analyses indicated adaptation to temperature-and precipitation-related factors.Genomic offset analyses found the most vulnerable populations,while SC and SC-yad were predicted to better handle extreme changes.Our findingsprovide insights into the evolutionary history and conservation of T.sinense and enhance our understanding of the evolution of living fossil species.展开更多
China is experiencing conflicts between its large population and scarce arable land,and between a demand for high productivity and the severe soil erosion of arable land.Since 1949,China has committed to soil and wate...China is experiencing conflicts between its large population and scarce arable land,and between a demand for high productivity and the severe soil erosion of arable land.Since 1949,China has committed to soil and water conservation(SWC),for which eight regions and 41 subregions have been developed to improve the environment and increase land productivity.To obtain information from the regional planning and strategies for SWC and to explore whether SWC practices simultaneously contribute to soil conservation,ecosystem functioning,and the livelihoods of local farmers,and to summarize the successful experiences of various SWC paradigms with distinct characteristics and mechanisms of soil erosion,this paper systematically presents seven SWC regions(excluding the Tibetan Plateau region)and 14 typical SWC paradigms,focusing on erosion mechanisms and the key challenges or issues in the seven regions as well as on the core problems,main objectives,key technologies,and the performance of the 14 typical paradigms.In summary,the 14 typical SWC paradigms successfully prevent and control local soil erosion,and have largely enhanced,or at least do not harm,the livelihoods of local farmers.However,there remain many challenges and issues on SWC and socioeconomic development that need to be addressed in the seven SWC regions.China,thus,still has a long way to go in successfully gaining the win-win objective of SWC and human aspects of development.展开更多
Bird diversity is often used as surrogates for other species diversity,but there is a limited understanding of the extent of this surrogate in identifying representative priority conservation areas(PCAs).We used Yunna...Bird diversity is often used as surrogates for other species diversity,but there is a limited understanding of the extent of this surrogate in identifying representative priority conservation areas(PCAs).We used Yunnan Province in China as a case to measure the surrogacy of birds in systematic conservation planning.Here,we collected distribution records of mammals,amphibians,reptiles,and birds from public databases and literature,and applied systematic conservation planning methods to identify PCAs.We targeted four taxonomic groups at conservation targets of 17%,31%,and 50%of the total study area,and used the Jaccard similarity index to evaluate the surrogate extent of bird PCAs for the other three groups.Then,we overlapped different portfolios of PCAs with six categories of protected areas(PAs)in Yunnan,calculated the protection rates,and evaluated the effect of sustainable-use PAs on improving the protection rate of strict Nature Reserves.The results showed that bird PCAs generally had the highest surrogacy for representing PCAs of the other three taxa.At the 50%conservation target,the Jaccard indices between birds and the other taxa reached about 0.50.Moreover,amphibian PCAs had a good surrogacy for conserving reptiles,with a Jaccard index of 0.30,0.44 and 0.51 at the 17%,31%and 50%conservation targets,respectively.The existing PA system had quite low coverages for PCAs of these four taxa,and the average protection rates were 22.97%,19.78%and 16.52%at the three levels of conservation targets,respectively.The sustainable-use PAs can greatly complement the strict Nature Reserves by achieving average increased PA coverages of 10.00%,9.20%and 7.90%at the three conservation targets.Our findings provide a basis for surrogate-based conservation planning for areas with insufficient biodiversity information.展开更多
Climate change has been linked to well-documented changes in physiology, phenology, species distributions, and in some cases, extinction. Projections of future change point to dramatic shifts in the states of many eco...Climate change has been linked to well-documented changes in physiology, phenology, species distributions, and in some cases, extinction. Projections of future change point to dramatic shifts in the states of many ecosystems. Aceommodating these shifts to effectively conserve biodiversity in the context of uncertain climate regimes represents one of the most difficult challenges faced by conservation planners. A number of adaptation strategies have been proposed for managing species and ecosystems in a changing climate. However, there has been little guidance available on integrating climate change adaptation strategies into contemporary conservation planning frameworks. The paper reviews the different approaches being used to integrate climate change adaptation into conservation planning, broadly categorizing strategies as continuing and extending on ＂best practice＂ principles and those that integrate species vulnerability assessments into conservation planning. We describe the characteristics of a good adaptation strategy emphasizing the importance of incorporating clear principles of flexibility and efficiency, accounting for uncertainty, integrating human response to climate change and understanding trade-offs.展开更多
This study was meant to ensure that there is proper and efficient conservation of soil and water using geospatial tools to enable us identify priority areas to carry out conservation. Over the past years, various fiel...This study was meant to ensure that there is proper and efficient conservation of soil and water using geospatial tools to enable us identify priority areas to carry out conservation. Over the past years, various fields of study have established how critical it is to conserve these natural resources in the ecosystem and to ensure sustainability in not only green livelihoods but also to enhance living conditions of the life on earth. The aim of this research was to generate high priority sites for establishing soil and water conservation techniques in the Lower Bogoria Landscapes in Baringo, Kenya using GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis. Various criteria were analyzed to generate the final conservation priority sites, such as land use land cover, rainfall runoff, soil erosion and slope. The criteria were assigned weights using the AHP technique and overlayed using the weighted overlay tools to produce the final outputs. Land use land cover maps were generated using supervised maximum likelihood technique, rainfall run-off maps were generated using the SCS-CN method and soil erosion maps were generated using RUSLE model. The final soil and water conservation maps showed that high and moderate priority areas requiring the establishment of techniques and mechanisms to control soil erosion and conserve water increased from 1990 to 2020. In 2020, more than 50% of the total study area was classified as moderate to high priority for water and soil conservation. Soil and water conservation structures such as water pans, percolation tanks, farm ponds and stop dams should be constructed in such areas.展开更多
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 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funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32201304)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2412022QD026)。
文摘Human-modified landscapes serve as ecological filters,determining species distributions and persistence.Energy-efficient technologies,while crucial for climate change mitigation,represent novel filters whose impacts on synanthropic biodiversity are poorly understood.We investigated how attached sunspaces,a widely adopted energy-saving technology in rural China,filter the distribution of two ecologically important aerial insectivores,the Barn Swallow(Hirundo rustica)and Red-rumped Swallow(Cecropis daurica).We surveyed 106 villages during the 2024 and 2025 breeding seasons and recorded a total of 2323 nests(612 Barn Swallow,1711 Red-rumped Swallow).Using Generalized Linear Models,we assessed their responses to building characteristics,landscape composition and the prevalence of sunspaces.Barn Swallow nests preferred perches at the base and single attachment faces,while Red-rumped Swallow nests favored multiple attachment faces and avoided long shelters.The proportion of buildings with sunspaces acted as a strong positive filter for Barn Swallow nest abundance(+24%)but as a significant negative filter for Red-rumped Swallow(-51%).Other landscape variables(e.g.,human population density,NDVI,Human Footprint Index)were not significant.This study demonstrates that specific architectural innovations can act as powerful ecological filters,leading to divergent distributional outcomes for sympatric species reliant on anthropogenic structures.Our findings reveal a critical trade-off in sustainable development:energy efficiency gains may inadvertently reduce habitat suitability for certain species.To reconcile climate and biodiversity goals in rural landscapes,we advocate integrating species-specific habitat requirements into building design.We propose actionable modifications to sunspaces to support swallows without compromising energy savings.These principles provide a template for mitigating the distributional impacts of green infrastructure globally.
基金supported by The National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFC3204304)Jiangsu Provincial Innovation Research Program on Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality(BT2024012)Postgraduate Research&Practice Innovation Program of Jiangsu Province。
文摘Migratory birds undertake regular seasonal movements between breeding and non-breeding grounds each year,often spanning intercontinental distances.Several migratory waterbirds are declining globally,owing to multiple threats from parts of annual migration.Therefore,understanding the spatial distribution and conservation challenges of migratory waterbirds is critical for effective flyway-scale conservation.In this study,we compiled a comprehensive dataset of 199 migratory waterbird species,mapped seasonal distribution,and identified population trends and threats along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and Central Asian Flyway.Species richness exhibited latitudinal gradients along the two flyways,peaking at approximately 60°N in the breeding season and15°N in the non-breeding season.Migration distance and geographic spread significantly varied among orders.More than half of the waterbird species(50.75%)showed decreasing population trends;however,no significant difference in the proportion of population decline was noticed across flyways or orders.A total of 31 species(15.58%)were listed as threatened,most of which were concentrated in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and primarily affected by the use of biological resources,pollution,and agricultural expansion.Overall,this study provides a comparative assessment of migratory waterbirds in Asian flyways.Our findings highlight the importance of multinational conservation efforts targeting key breeding and non-breeding regions,specifically for threatened species,and underscore the need for coordinated strategies to mitigate multiple,overlapping threats across flyways.These further emphasize that conservation actions should prioritize transboundary habitat networks and policy integration among flyway countries to enhance the long-term resilience of migratory waterbird populations.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.32370545)Key R&D Program of Zhejiang Province(No.2021C02044)Zhejiang Rare and Endangered Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Project(2021–2025)。
文摘The critically endangered Chinese Crested Tern(CThalasseus bernsteini,CCT)and its common flocking companion,the Greater Crested Tern(Thalasseus bergii,GCT),have been the focus of targeted recovery efforts in the Jiushan Archipelago of Zhejiang Province,China since 2013.To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of these measures and address key knowledge gaps in population dynamics and migration ecology,we analyzed ten years(2015-2024)of banding and citizen science data,comprising 116 CCT and 3501 GCT resighting records.We estimated survival rates using both directly derived survival rate(based on resighting rate after two years)and Cormack-Jolly-Seber modeling,and examined migration connectivity and climate risks.Results showed robust juvenile survival:modeled survival for the tern chick population was lower in the first two years(63.9±12.0%)but exceeded 78%thereafter.This was also supported by resighting rate after two years:CCT 77.27%,GCT70.42%.A key divergence in post-breeding migration was identified:CCT moves northward to stopover sites such as Nantong,Rizhao,and Jiaozhou Bay,whereas GCT migrates southward.Climate data confirmed that northern stopover sites do not pose higher storm risks,indicating that CCT's northward migration is not a population liability.Furthermore,connectivity among breeding islands in Zhejiang and the Matsu Archipelago reveals a nascent coastal breeding network along China's coast.These findings underscore the importance of protecting both the northern migration route and the breeding island network to ensure full life-cycle conservation of CCT.
基金an MSc thesis research grant from the Zoological Society of London(ZSL)Nepal.RCK’s effort was supported in part by the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs(ORIP)of the National Institutes of Health through grant number P51OD010425 to the Washington National Primate Research Center,USA。
文摘The Himalayan monal(Lophophorus impejanus),Nepal’s national bird,is a protected species facing significant conservation challenges.Understanding the distribution and habitat preferences of the Himalayan monal(HM)is crucial for its conservation.This study was conducted in the Langtang National Park(LNP),Nepal using the route census method during both winter(November/December 2022)and summer(June 2023)seasons to examine the seasonal variation in HM’s elevational distribution and habitat preference.Further,we assessed their conservation threats by conducting a semi-structured questionnaire survey with the local residents.During the winter period,the HMs preferred grassland habitats,while in the summer,their preference shifted to shrubland and barren area.HM abundance was negatively associated with the Normalized Differential Vegetation Index(NDVI)and the shortest distance from the survey trails in the winter.The HMs actively avoided areas with high anthropogenic pressure.In the summer,they showed a wider elevational range up to 4400 m above sea level(a.s.l.),with a higher sighting frequency between 3600 and 3900 m a.s.l.The questionnaire survey of the local residents revealed that anthropogenic pressure such as poaching and free-ranging livestock grazing are the major threats to the species in the study area.This study provides valuable insight into the complex habitat preferences and critical threats faced by the HMs in LNP and underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation action.
基金supported by grants from the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDA20050201)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31861143023,31872250 and 31872252)。
文摘Global framework for nature management requires identifying areas of high priority for biodiversity conservation and restoration.The unique environments of Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP) provide irreplaceable habitats for biodiversity which is prominent under future climate change.Despite the recent increase in research interest on conservation priorities,there is a lack of comprehensive and targeted protection strategies for pandemic species under climate change.Here,we compiled an exhaustive dataset with the variables of extinction risk and occurrence records of ectothermic lizards to investigate the conservation priorities in the QXP.We assessed the conservation status of the QXP lizards and identified the priority protected areas within the QXP under future climate scenarios using phylogenetic generalized least squares and ensemble species distribution models.Our analyses suggested nine lizard species to be prioritized for protection,with the most critical priority species being Dopasia gracilis,D.harti,and Phrynocephalus putjatai.Moreover,the priority protected areas covered~4.7%area of the QXP,mostly in the southern QXP and southeastern Hengduan Mountains.Protecting these regions would achieve a conservation effectiveness of≥95%for species richness,phylogenetic and functionaldiversity under climate change.Our findings provide realistic guidance for improving the conservation effectiveness of specific-lizard and-regions in the QXP under climate change.Our“bottom-up”approach could help the conservation efforts of other regions and species as an alternative to“top-down”global maps.
基金supported by Grants from National Forestry and Grassland Administration,China(No.2019073018,2019073019)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.31870195,31670194)。
文摘We review achievements in the conservation of orchid diversity in China over the last 21 years.We provide updated information on orchid biodiversity and suggestions for orchid conservation in China.We outline national policies of biodiversity conservation,especially of orchid conservation,which provide general guidelines for orchid conservation in China.There are now approximately 1708 known species of Orchidaceae in 181 genera in China,including five new genera and 365 new species described over the last 21 years.The assessment of risk of extinction of all 1502 known native orchid species in China in 2013 indicated that 653 species were identified as threatened,132 species were treated as data-deficient,and four species endemic to China were classified as extinct.Approximately 1100 species(ca.65%)are protected in national nature reserves,and another~66 species in provincial nature reserves.About 800 native orchid species have living collections in major botanical gardens.The pollination biology of 74 native orchid species and the genetic diversity and spatial genetic structure of 29 orchid species have been investigated at a local scale and/or across species distributions.The mycorrhizal fungal community composition has been investigated in many genera,such as Bletilla,Coelogyne,Cymbidium,Cypripedium,and Dendrobium.Approximately 292 species will be included in the list of national key protected wild plants this year.Two major tasks for near future include in situ conservation and monitoring population dynamics of endangered species.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2022YFF1300802)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42130717)the“Light of the West”Cross Team-Key Laboratory Cooperative Research Project(A314021402-1912).
文摘Livelihood improvement and sustainable natural resource utilization are among the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;however,most farm households either randomly select or just imitate livelihood strategies being practiced in other areas.As the livelihoods of farm households are vulnerable to several challenges in ecologically fragile areas,identifying the livelihood strategies of farm households in arid and semi-arid areas will help for promoting both livelihood security and environmental conservation.Hence,in this study,we constructed a sustainable evaluation index system for the livelihood of farmers in the Loess Plateau region of China by conducting field research and interviews.We employed the composite index method to measure the livelihood capital and the livelihood strategies chosen by farmers,and then analyzed the resource endowment of farmers under different livelihood strategies using logistic regression and structural equation modeling.The results revealed that under the combined influences of livelihood capital and government policy,farm households in the Loess Plateau region selected agro-dependent,agro-pastoral,agro-industrial,non-agricultural livelihood strategies.The key factors influencing the selection of these household livelihood strategies included the household labor capacity,the farmland owned per household,the number of livestock,and the grassland forage-supply ratio.The grassland forage-supply ratio was a crucial factor influencing the choice between agricultural and non-agricultural livelihood strategies.In this context,the grassland forage-supply ratio increased with the stocking rate.However,once the stocking rate exceeded 56.5 sheep/hm^(2),the grassland forage-supply ratio no longer increased rapidly under the agriculture-based livelihood strategy.The strategy of ecological resource conservation and moderate utilization based on the quality and quantity of natural resources ensures win-win benefits for the environment and human well-being in arid and semi-arid areas.Moderate grazing therefore has the potential to improve farmers’livelihoods without causing grassland degradation.These results contribute to the synergistic co-adaptation of livelihood improvement and ecological conservation in arid and semi-arid areas.
文摘Target 8 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation calls for 'at least 75 per cent of threatened plant species in ex situ collections, preferably in the country of origin, and at least 20 per cent available for recovery and restoration programmes by 2020'.Botanic gardens make a significant contribution to ex situ conservation of wild species with more than a third of plant species represented in botanic gardens collections. These collections are a combination of living collection and seed banked material. Seed banking can provide an efficient form of conservation for wild plant genetic diversity.Information from Botanic Gardens Conservation International's(BGCI) databases(GardenSearch,PlantSearch, ThreatSearch and GlobalTreeSearch) has been analysed as well as survey data to report on global, regional and national seed banking trends.Information from BGCI's databases indicates that there are at least 350 seed banking botanic gardens in 74 countries. In total 56,987 taxa have been banked including more than 9000 taxa that are threatened with extinction. 6881 tree species are stored in ex situ seed bank collections. More than half(3562) of these tree species are single country endemics and represent species from more than 166 countries.This study suggests that institutions are increasingly conserving plant species via seed banking.However the majority of species in collections that have a conservation assessment are not threatened with extinction. This disjunction between species that are threatened and those conserved in seed banks needs to be addressed. Data from BGCI's databases can be used to enable prioritisation of threatened plant species for collection and conservation in seed banks. Further recommendations for botanic gardens involved in seed conservation are presented.
基金funded by the Strategic Priority Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (No. XDA28020202)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42277336)+3 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province, China (No. BK20221561)the China Agriculture Research System (Nos. CARS-03 and CARS52)the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2022YFD1500401)the Jiangsu Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Fund of China (No. CX(24)1003)。
文摘Diazotrophs make important contributions to nitrogen(N) inputs in agricultural ecosystems. However, strong evidence of the effects of conservation tillage(CT) on the coexistence and assembly of soil diazotrophic community and related mechanisms is lacking. Here, a long-term experiment was conducted to study the impacts of CT on the coexistence and assembly patterns of soil diazotrophic community in Lishu County, Jilin Province, North China. Compared to traditional tillage(control, CK), CT significantly reduced both the N fixation rate in top 0–10 cm soil and the alpha diversity of diazotrophic community while increasing the density of diazotrophic and overall bacterial communities. Conservation tillage also reduced the competitive relationships within the diazotrophic community and enhanced network stability. Furthermore, diazotroph assembly was dominated by deterministic processes(relative influence =68.63%) under CK and stochastic processes(relative influence = 58.82%) under CT. Soil depth and total N(TN) were identified as crucial predictors shaping the assembly processes of diazotrophic community under different tillage practices. The relative influence of stochastic processes on diazotrophic community under CT varied more significantly with increasing soil depth. Overall, tillage practice and soil depth had significant influences on the coexistence and assembly processes of soil diazotrophic community. Moreover, long-term CT may impact the selection of N fixation agents and the specific taxa associated with N fixers. Our results indicated that in CT systems, relatively sufficient nutrient availability led to a reduction in interspecies competition, an increase in network stability, and a greater influence of stochastic processes on community assembly. These findings may help us better understand biological N fixation in sustainable agricultural systems.
基金funded by Chinese Academy of Sciences (XDB31000000 and QYZDY-SSW-SMC019)Ministry of Science and Technology (2016YFC0503200)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos.91531302 and 31670386)
文摘Conservation genetics and genomics are two independent disciplines that focus on using new techniques in genetics and genomics to solve problems in conservation biology. During the past two decades,conservation genetics and genomics have experienced rapid progress. Here, we summarize the research advances in the conservation genetics and genomics of threatened vertebrates(e.g., carnivorans, primates, ungulates, cetaceans, avians, amphibians and reptiles) in China. First, we introduce the concepts of conservation genetics and genomics and their development. Second, we review the recent advances in conservation genetics research, including noninvasive genetics and landscape genetics. Third, we summarize the progress in conservation genomics research, which mainly focuses on resolving genetic problems relevant to conservation such as genetic diversity, genetic structure, demographic history, and genomic evolution and adaptation. Finally, we discuss the future directions of conservation genetics and genomics.
基金supported by the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program(Grant No.2019QZKK0405)the Science and Technology Department of Qinghai Province(Grant No.2023-ZJ-929 M)supported by the project from State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Hazards Risk Governance,China。
文摘The Qinghai-Xizang Plateau(QXP)serves as a vital ecological security barrier in China and the broader Asian region.The delineation of urban growth boundaries(UGBs)in this region with consideration of socioeconomic development and ecological protection is urgently needed,but there is a lack of such research.The objective of this study is to delineate the UGBs on the QXP during 2020-2100 to simultaneously meet the needs of socioeconomic development and ecosystem services(ESs)protection.To achieve this purpose,under a scenario matrix integrating shared socioeconomic pathways(SSPs)and ESs protection,the urban expansion on the QXP during 2020-2100 was simulated by coupling the ESs assessment models and the zoned Land Use Scenario Dynamics-urban(LUSDurban)model.Finally,we compared the spatial patterns of the UGBs and the conservation effectiveness of ESs under different scenarios.The extent of UGBs on the QXP is projected to reach 2,045.60-2,231.10 km^(2),which is 62.23%-76.95%greater than the urban land area(1,260.90 km^(2))in 2020.Protecting the ESs can reduce the loss of the average natural habitat quality,food production,and carbon sequestration by 33.29%-34.27%,8.61%-18.23%,and 36.56%-40.34%,respectively.Protecting food production and carbon sequestration in Qinghai Province are more effective,but in the Xizang Autonomous Region,protecting ESs has a considerable trade-off effect.The UGBs delineated in this study can offer a reference for future urban planning on the QXP.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(no.32570426)the Key Basic Research Program of Yunnan Province,China(202101BC070003)+1 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(QNTD202502)the STI 2030—Major Program(2022ZD0401605-2).
文摘Tetracentron sinense is a‘living fossil’tree in East Asia.Understanding how this‘living fossil’responds to climate change and adapts to local environments is critical for its conservation.Here,we used resequenced genomes to clarify the evolutionary history and adaptive potential of T.sinense.We identifiedsix divergent lineages in T.sinense:three lineages from southwestern China(Yunnan Province)and three lineages from the central subtropical region of China.Additionally,we detected hybridization events between some adjacent lineages.Demographic analysis revealed that over the past 10,000 years the effective population size(Ne)of three T.sinense lineages(i.e.,NORTH,SWEST,and YNWEST)increased after their last bottleneck and then remained stable,whereas that of the remaining three lineages(i.e.,YSEAST,YC,and EAST)declined steadily.The decline in effective population size in the Yunnan lineages aligned well with the decrease in genome-wide diversity and a significantincrease in the frequency of runs of homozygosity.Deleterious variants and positively selected sites were involved in the evolution of different lineages.Further,genotype–environment association(GEA)analyses indicated adaptation to temperature-and precipitation-related factors.Genomic offset analyses found the most vulnerable populations,while SC and SC-yad were predicted to better handle extreme changes.Our findingsprovide insights into the evolutionary history and conservation of T.sinense and enhance our understanding of the evolution of living fossil species.
基金Under the auspices of Strategic Priority Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)(No.XDA20040200)the National Key Research and Development Program(No.2016YFC0501707)。
文摘China is experiencing conflicts between its large population and scarce arable land,and between a demand for high productivity and the severe soil erosion of arable land.Since 1949,China has committed to soil and water conservation(SWC),for which eight regions and 41 subregions have been developed to improve the environment and increase land productivity.To obtain information from the regional planning and strategies for SWC and to explore whether SWC practices simultaneously contribute to soil conservation,ecosystem functioning,and the livelihoods of local farmers,and to summarize the successful experiences of various SWC paradigms with distinct characteristics and mechanisms of soil erosion,this paper systematically presents seven SWC regions(excluding the Tibetan Plateau region)and 14 typical SWC paradigms,focusing on erosion mechanisms and the key challenges or issues in the seven regions as well as on the core problems,main objectives,key technologies,and the performance of the 14 typical paradigms.In summary,the 14 typical SWC paradigms successfully prevent and control local soil erosion,and have largely enhanced,or at least do not harm,the livelihoods of local farmers.However,there remain many challenges and issues on SWC and socioeconomic development that need to be addressed in the seven SWC regions.China,thus,still has a long way to go in successfully gaining the win-win objective of SWC and human aspects of development.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32071650)the Candidates of the Young and Middle-Aged Academic Leaders of Yunnan Province(202105AC160070)+1 种基金the Program for Excellent Young Talents of Yunnan Universitythe Postgraduate Research and Innovation Foundation of Yunnan University(2021Y039)。
文摘Bird diversity is often used as surrogates for other species diversity,but there is a limited understanding of the extent of this surrogate in identifying representative priority conservation areas(PCAs).We used Yunnan Province in China as a case to measure the surrogacy of birds in systematic conservation planning.Here,we collected distribution records of mammals,amphibians,reptiles,and birds from public databases and literature,and applied systematic conservation planning methods to identify PCAs.We targeted four taxonomic groups at conservation targets of 17%,31%,and 50%of the total study area,and used the Jaccard similarity index to evaluate the surrogate extent of bird PCAs for the other three groups.Then,we overlapped different portfolios of PCAs with six categories of protected areas(PAs)in Yunnan,calculated the protection rates,and evaluated the effect of sustainable-use PAs on improving the protection rate of strict Nature Reserves.The results showed that bird PCAs generally had the highest surrogacy for representing PCAs of the other three taxa.At the 50%conservation target,the Jaccard indices between birds and the other taxa reached about 0.50.Moreover,amphibian PCAs had a good surrogacy for conserving reptiles,with a Jaccard index of 0.30,0.44 and 0.51 at the 17%,31%and 50%conservation targets,respectively.The existing PA system had quite low coverages for PCAs of these four taxa,and the average protection rates were 22.97%,19.78%and 16.52%at the three levels of conservation targets,respectively.The sustainable-use PAs can greatly complement the strict Nature Reserves by achieving average increased PA coverages of 10.00%,9.20%and 7.90%at the three conservation targets.Our findings provide a basis for surrogate-based conservation planning for areas with insufficient biodiversity information.
文摘Climate change has been linked to well-documented changes in physiology, phenology, species distributions, and in some cases, extinction. Projections of future change point to dramatic shifts in the states of many ecosystems. Aceommodating these shifts to effectively conserve biodiversity in the context of uncertain climate regimes represents one of the most difficult challenges faced by conservation planners. A number of adaptation strategies have been proposed for managing species and ecosystems in a changing climate. However, there has been little guidance available on integrating climate change adaptation strategies into contemporary conservation planning frameworks. The paper reviews the different approaches being used to integrate climate change adaptation into conservation planning, broadly categorizing strategies as continuing and extending on ＂best practice＂ principles and those that integrate species vulnerability assessments into conservation planning. We describe the characteristics of a good adaptation strategy emphasizing the importance of incorporating clear principles of flexibility and efficiency, accounting for uncertainty, integrating human response to climate change and understanding trade-offs.
文摘This study was meant to ensure that there is proper and efficient conservation of soil and water using geospatial tools to enable us identify priority areas to carry out conservation. Over the past years, various fields of study have established how critical it is to conserve these natural resources in the ecosystem and to ensure sustainability in not only green livelihoods but also to enhance living conditions of the life on earth. The aim of this research was to generate high priority sites for establishing soil and water conservation techniques in the Lower Bogoria Landscapes in Baringo, Kenya using GIS-based multicriteria decision analysis. Various criteria were analyzed to generate the final conservation priority sites, such as land use land cover, rainfall runoff, soil erosion and slope. The criteria were assigned weights using the AHP technique and overlayed using the weighted overlay tools to produce the final outputs. Land use land cover maps were generated using supervised maximum likelihood technique, rainfall run-off maps were generated using the SCS-CN method and soil erosion maps were generated using RUSLE model. The final soil and water conservation maps showed that high and moderate priority areas requiring the establishment of techniques and mechanisms to control soil erosion and conserve water increased from 1990 to 2020. In 2020, more than 50% of the total study area was classified as moderate to high priority for water and soil conservation. Soil and water conservation structures such as water pans, percolation tanks, farm ponds and stop dams should be constructed in such areas.
