Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Aisa O. O. Manlosa, Stefan Partelow, Tolera Senbeto Jiren, Maraja Riechers, Adiska Octa Paramita
Summary: The article discusses the challenges faced by food systems in many parts of the Global South, and the role institutions play in transformation processes. Three case studies are used to analyze the role of institutions in advancing inclusion and participation in food systems, as well as mitigating or avoiding transformation risks.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Giulia Perina, Ana Camacho, Steven J. B. Cooper, Stephanie Floeckner, Alison J. J. Blyth, Mattia Sacco
Summary: The Hexabathynella genus is the only genus of the family Parabathynellidae that has a worldwide distribution. Currently, there are 23 species described from five continents. In this study, two new species were described, expanding the knowledge of the subterranean aquatic community at Rottnest Island, and a phylogeny was used to test the monophyletic status of the genus.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
A. N. D. R. E. L. G. CARVALHO, A. L. E. J. A. N. D. R. O. LASPIUR, J. U. L. I. A. KLACZKO, L. U. I. S. R. O. L. A. N. D. O. RIVAS, M. I. G. U. E. L. T. R. E. F. A. U. T. RODRIGUES, M. A. R. C. O. A. U. R. E. L. I. O. DE SENA, R. I. C. A. R. D. O. CESPEDES
Summary: Only recently have lizard specialists started incorporating phylogenetic information into the classification of leiosaurids, a group of enigmatic South American lizards. To assess their relationships, multiple analyses were conducted using morphological and DNA data, revealing the monophyly of major leiosaurid clades and challenging the classification of certain genera. A new leiosaurid species, Urostrophus chungarae, was also described, emphasizing the need for further systematic investigation.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joao Aguiar Nogueira Batista, Cristian Castro, Aurelien Sambin, Gabriela Cruz-Lustre, Emerson Ricardo Pansarin
Summary: Cleistes rosea and Cleistes castaneoides are sister species with similar floral morphology but differ in vegetative characters, distribution, habitat, floral scent, and lip characters. The study demonstrates the importance of neglected characters such as vegetative morphology, habitat, and floral scent in the taxonomy and characterization of Cleistes species.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Alejandro Alberto Schaaf, Martin Boullhesen, Mauricio Sebastian Akmentins
Summary: Nightjars are difficult to study due to their secretive behavior and coloration. In this study, we used acoustic remote units to investigate the vocal activity and environmental variables of a species of nightjar, the rufous nightjar, in Northwestern Argentina. The results show that this species is most active during the breeding season, with peak vocal activity at midnight and dawn. Vocalizations were more common on full moon nights, and temperature was negatively correlated with vocal activity. This study highlights the importance of passive acoustic monitoring for understanding the life history of nocturnal neotropical birds.
NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lisa Kuechen, Thomas M. Schmitt, Rebekka Riebl, Maria Haensel, Manuel J. Steinbauer, Ute Fricke, Sarah Redlich, Thomas Koellner
Summary: Balancing the demand and supply of ecosystem services is a key challenge in sustainable landscape management. This study investigated the valuation of landscapes and ecosystem services by different societal actor groups in 12 study regions in Bavaria, Germany. The results show that there are differences in perceived value among actor groups and regions, but all participants highly value the importance of functioning and diverse ecosystems.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Claudia Pahl-Wostl, Oghenekaro Nelson Odume, Geeske Scholz, Ancois De Villiers, Ebenezer Forkuo Amankwaa
Summary: Transformative change is essential for sustainable development at all levels. Crises have the potential to trigger change, but short-term responses to crises may reinforce unsustainable practices. This paper examines the nature of crises, the narratives shaping them, and the responses they elicit. By analyzing case studies of water crisis in Cape Town and the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa, the paper highlights the importance of individual and collective agency, as well as transformative power relations, in challenging and replacing unsustainable structures.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jakob Derks, Georg Winkel, Johanna Strieck, Rik De Vreese
Summary: Urban forests are crucial for the wellbeing of city dwellers, and their importance was emphasized during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines visit patterns and visitor attitudes in a peri-urban forest near Bonn, Germany, and the impact of the lockdown. The results show that the number of forest visitors doubled shortly after the lockdown began and the visit pattern changed significantly. People associated the forest primarily with tranquillity, recreation, and fresh air, and had positive views on forest management. However, during the lockdown, new motivations for visiting the forest emerged, with a focus on social interaction.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Vladimir Antonin, Ondrej Duriska, Sona Jancovicova, Tomas Kudlacek, Roberto Para, Hana Sevcikova, Michal Tomsovsky
Summary: The aim of this study is to revise the taxonomy of Melanoleuca genus in Europe and delimit four species. Two new species are proposed and an identification key is provided. The research is based on morphological characters and multigene phylogenetic analysis.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Diego P. Almeida-Reinoso, Freddy Almeida-Reinoso, Andres Merino-Viteri
Summary: We present the first documented cases of leucism in Ceratophrys stolzmanni larvae. These leucistic individuals were observed in an ex-situ population, which is dedicated to conservation and research of threatened amphibians, at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Ecuador. They exhibited distinct color traits from their counterparts and gradually developed a uniform white coloration. Interestingly, the leucistic individuals died during the tadpole stage, indicating a possible association between the lack of pigmentation and thyroid gland dysfunction.
NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Melusine F. Velde, Elizabeth M. Besozzi, Billi A. Krochuk, Kate M. Henderson, Brian R. Tsuru, Sara Velasquez Restrepo, Holly M. Garrod, Jacob C. Cooper
Summary: The concept of a community as a form of organization for natural biological systems is widely accepted within the ecological and biological sciences. However, the definition of a community based on co-occurrence has been debated, with evidence suggesting that co-occurrence is more indicative of coincident ecological niches rather than ecological interactions. Through a study on Costa Rican bird species, we demonstrate how co-occurrence can create illusory communities based on shared ecological niches and patterns of co-occurrence at different times of year. We emphasize the importance of distinguishing coincidental co-occurrence from true ecological interactions and differentiating communities of co-occurrence from communities of demonstrated ecological interaction.
NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martina Artmann
Summary: Despite efforts towards sustainability, human impact on nonhuman nature is worsening the social-ecological crisis. This paper introduces the concept of 'human-nature resonance' as a way of fostering sustainability transformation and addressing mute human-nature relations. It argues that Western societies are failing to establish responsive human-nature relations due to a lack of material and moral boundaries, and proposes a vision of human-nature partnership to strengthen this connection. The paper suggests assigning legal personhood, agency, and soulfulness to nature, as well as nurturing internal relational capacities in humans, to strengthen human-nature resonance.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thozamile S. Yapi, Charlie M. Shackleton, David C. Le Maitre, Luthando E. Dziba
Summary: The commercial forestry industry in South Africa introduced many alien tree species into grassland ecosystems for timber and paper production, leading to their escape into neighbouring farms and community lands. While these alien species now provide valuable ecosystem services, they can also negatively impact the ecosystem depending on the context. This study examines the knowledge and perceptions of invasive wattle species invasion and its associated ecosystem services and disservices among commercial and communal farmers, highlighting their dependence on these services and the differences in their preferences.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Anna Salomaa, Anni Arponen
Summary: The human impact on nature has reached a critical level and transformative change is needed to ensure the well-being of future human society. Environmental assessments, particularly Red Lists, contribute to shaping environmental policy and leveraging sustainability changes. This study examines the perceptions of Red List authors and their role in promoting sustainability changes in Finland. The results highlight the significant influence of Red Lists at various leverage points, particularly in relation to legislation and information flows, while also identifying barriers to their effectiveness.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria L. Rojas Allieri, Birgit Fessl, Carlos Ivan Espinoza, Felix Hernan Vargas, Leonardo Ordonez-Delgado
Summary: This study analyzes the factors influencing Philornis parasitism on birds in continental Ecuador, finding that nest shape and habitat alteration significantly affect the prevalence of Philornis parasitism.
NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joselyn K. Castro, Jimmy J. Cevallos Zambrano, Francisco X. Pico Franco, Juan C. Palacios Penafiel, Esteban Chirino Miranda
Summary: This study evaluated the dendrometric and horizontal structure characteristics of 12 endemic plant species in the semideciduous forest of Machalilla National Park in Ecuador. The results showed that the forest is relatively young and affected by natural and anthropic factors.
NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhen Liu, Luis Sandoval, Lauren B. Sherman, Andrew M. Wilson
Summary: Animals endemic to tropical mountains, especially in the Cordillera de Talamanca, are expected to undergo range contractions by 2070 due to climate change. This study used eBird community science observations to predict the distributions of 48 endemic bird species and found that most species will experience range declines under both modest and severe climate change scenarios. The importance of existing protected areas is forecasted to increase as a result.
NEOTROPICAL BIODIVERSITY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
L. Jamila Haider, Frances Cleaver
Summary: Resilience has gained popularity in sustainability research and practice as a way to describe change. It refers to the capacity of people, practices, and processes to persist, adapt, or transform. While bouncing back from shocks and adapting to change are commonly associated with resilience, there is also a call for transformative agenda. The enactment of resilience capacities through social practices is underexplored and there is a need for interdisciplinary dialogue and learning.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Cristofol Rotger-Pujadas, Celso Garcia, Pablo Rodriguez-Lozano
Summary: Despite our increasing knowledge about non-perennial streams, mass media in the Balearic Islands often neglects their ecological aspects and focuses more on past flood events and their consequences, leading to public misconceptions about these ecosystems.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Pramila Thapa, Mario Torralba, Dhanya Bhaskar, Harini Nagendra, Tobias Plieninger
Summary: This study assessed the perceived importance of ecosystem (dis)services associated with small-scale green infrastructure along a rural-urban gradient in Bengaluru, India. Significant differences were found in the perceptions of all ecosystem (dis)services among the types of green infrastructure. The study reveals the crucial role of small-scale green infrastructure as a multifunctional element for the supply of provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services in Bengaluru.
ECOSYSTEMS AND PEOPLE
(2023)
