1. Large wild herbivores have substantial impact on vegetation composition, diversity and dynamics, particularly in African savannas comprising unique densities and diversity of wild ungulates. While many studies have explored the influence of ungulates and nutrients on herbs and grasses, relatively few have focused on woody plants. 2. Here we report a 10-year experiment in an open savanna to assess how excluding large ungulates influences the diversity patterns of woody plants on resource-rich Macrotermes termite mounds, and on the relatively resource-poor savanna matrix (i.e. off-mound). We recorded all woody plants in nine replicate sites each with four treatments comprising two resource-poor plots; unfenced and fenced off-mound (excluding large ungulates), and two resource-rich plots; unfenced and fenced on-mound plots. 3. We found that species richness and plot-level Shannon diversity were markedly greater on the resource-rich mounds than off-mound. Fencing resource-poor off-mound plots resulted in 75% mean increment in species richness, but richness in resource-rich on-mound plots was not affected by fencing. Similarly, we found no marked effect of fencing on plot-level diversity on-mound, but off-mound diversity had increased in 2015, from 0.68 ± 0.22 in unfenced off-mound plots to 1.28 ± 0.25 in fenced plots. Rarefaction curves, derived from the number of individuals per species per plot, indicate that these differences do not simply reflect changes in stem densities. Within-treatment beta-diversity was substantially higher off- than on-mound but ungulate exclusion was associated with little discernible changes on either habitat. 4. We conclude that ungulates reduce woody species diversity in resource-poor savanna areas but have little influence in resource-rich areas.

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Human casualties represent the most severe consequence of Human-Tiger Conflict, and recent studies in Nepal show a rising trend, particularly across national parks inhabited by tigers. This decade-long study (2014/15–2023/24 A.D.) examines the status, trends, factors associated, conflict patterns, and mitigation strategies related to HTC in the Chitwan-Parsa National Parks and surrounding forests of Parsa, Bara, Makawanpur, Chitwan, and Nawalpur districts. Primary data were collected through semi-structured household interviews with all reported victims. Analyses were performed using correlation, Chi-square tests, Friedman ANOVA, and hotspot mapping using MS Excel, SPSS, and ArcGIS. A total of 80 tiger attacks were recorded, with fatalities and injuries occurring in almost equal proportion. Chitwan National Park accounted for the majority of cases (59). Males made up over three-fourths of the victims, mostly due to their participation in high-risk activities. Casualty rates showed an increasing trend, correlating with tiger populations nearing the ecological carrying capacity, intensifying human-wildlife encounters. Hotspot analysis identified Budhirapti BZUC, Madi Valley, and adjacent areas as the most affected, driven by habitat suitability and human-tiger interactions. Conflicts peaked during the monsoon and spring seasons, with solitary individuals more vulnerable than those in groups. Most attacks involved older, injured, and sub-adult tigers. Awareness and training were identified as the most favored mitigation strategies. Despite rising risks, communities maintain a positive attitude toward tiger conservation. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted conflict mitigation, such as physical barriers, translocation of problem tigers, and the use of rear face masks to ensure safety while promoting coexistence. Keywords: spatio-temporal patterns, hotspot mapping, ecological carrying capacity, mitigation measures, awareness and training, rear face masks

Tropical forest canopies harbor exceptional biodiversity, yet basic aspects of the ecology and reproductive biology of many canopy-dwelling animal species remain poorly understood. This gap is particularly evident for nocturnal arboreal mammals, which are challenging to study using conventional methods. Here, we used arboreal camera traps in a tropical mountain rainforest in Southern Ecuador to document flower visitors to the mass-flowering tree Handroanthus chrysanthus. Over a 16-month period, our recordings provided new information on the nocturnal and seasonal activity patterns of a group of Spix’s Night Monkey (Aotus vociferans). In this study, we report the first evidence of flower feeding on H. chrysanthus, and show that seasonal activity patterns align more closely with the primate’s reproductive timing than with peaks in floral resource availability. These findings demonstrate the power of arboreal camera traps for studying elusive canopy species and provide new insights into the behavior, feeding ecology, and reproductive biology of owl monkeys in the wild.

Camellia oleifera, is a self-incompatible woody oil crop endemic to China, depends critically on insect pollination. Its flowering period, from late October to late December, coincides with seasonally low temperatures that suppress pollinator activity. The oligolectic bee Colletes gigas and Andrena camellia are its dominant and most efficient pollinators. This study employed ensemble species distribution models (SSDMs) to project the potential distributions of C. oleifera and these two key pollinators under current and future climate scenarios. We integrated field survey data with open biodiversity database record to simulate suitable habitats and quantify their spatiotemporal overlap. Results indicate that: (1) The distribution of C. oleifera is primarily governed by mean annual temperature whereas precipitation of the driest quarter is the key constrain for both pollinator species. (2) Under current climatic conditions, a substantial overlap of 203.38 × 10⁴ km² was observed, accounting for 77.47% of the plant’s suitable area and 95.47% of the pollinators’ suitable area. (3) Under future scenarios, the total suitable area for both bee species is projected to increase by 21.82%, with the shared area expanding by 14.45% to 232.76 × 10⁴ km². (4) The geometric centroids of suitable habitats for all three species are projected to shift northwestward, indicating a general migration toward higher latitude. These findings enhance our understanding of plant-pollinator interaction under climate change and provide actionable insights for the spatial planning of C. oleifera cultivation and the conserving its key wild pollinators.

River freezing is a key seasonal disturbance in high-latitude mountainous streams, altering environmental conditions and potentially driving aquatic community succession. Although mountainous streams comprise most global river networks, the effects of freezing on community diversity are understudied. This study examined how river freezing affects environmental conditions and macroinvertebrate communities in a mountain stream in northeastern China. The results indicated significant alterations in environmental variables across periods, including total phosphorus and total nitrogen. Species richness and density of macroinvertebrates decreased significantly, whereas functional trait groups that are tolerant to environmental stress became more abundant. Phylogenetic assembly patterns shifted from clustered to overdispersed at certain sites. Alpha (α)-diversity metrics, including species richness and Shannon diversity, were higher before freezing, whereas indices such as functional richness and mean nearest taxon distance were elevated during the freezing period. Similarly, functional and phylogenetic nestedness declined, and taxonomic turnover increased during freezing. The primary environmental drivers of community diversity varied between the pre-freezing and freezing periods. Before freezing, both α- and beta (β)-diversity patterns were shaped by water chemistry variables and spatial distances. Conversely, during the freezing period, α-diversity was primarily influenced by dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, nitrate, and the proportion of coarse substrates, such as boulders, whereas β-diversity was predominantly governed by spatial distance. These findings reveal that environmental filtering and dispersal limitation jointly structured community diversity before freezing, whereas during freezing, each process became dominant in distinct diversity dimensions.

The increasing incidents of human-black bear interactions in the Nepal Himalayas threaten both livelihood and bear safety. Understanding human-black bear coexistence has become increasingly important due to rising conflicts driven by habitat overlap, negative perceptions, and habitat degradation. Given the limited studies on the Asiatic Black bear in the country, particularly in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, our research provides essential insights into its distribution, conflict patterns, and community perceptions. This study assessed the habitat suitability of Asiatic black bears, human-black bear coexistence in the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Nepal, through integrated ecological modelling and social analysis. Species presence data (n = 172) were collected between September and December 2023 and analysed using the MaxEnt algorithm on the Wallace platform to map habitat suitability. Additionally, 188 households were surveyed to assess the nature of conflicts and local perceptions toward black bears. The MaxEnt model performed well (AUC = 0.83 training; 0.73 validation), identifying 805.9 km² (35.4%) as suitable habitat, primarily between 1,000–3,000 m elevation. Habitat suitability was positively associated with forest diversity, precipitation during the driest quarter, and moderate human presence but declined sharply with increasing elevation and road density. Among the survey respondents (n=188), 86% indicated that human-bear conflict was increasing. Ordered logistic regression of perception data revealed that gender, ethnicity, elevation, and perceptions of ecological value and threats significantly influenced attitudes toward black bears (Pseudo R² = 0.56). Indigenous and female respondents, often living near forest edges, reported higher conflict levels, while those recognising the ecological importance of black bears expressed more tolerance. The study underscores that black bear conservation in Nepal requires both ecological and social interventions. Habitat conservation, coupled with community-based awareness, livelihood support, and conflict mitigation programs, is essential to foster long-term coexistence.

Rhizosphere-associated microbiota can contribute to functioning of agroecosystems. The insect-pathogenic fungus Metarhizium is an important component of this microbiota and can contribute to the suppression of insect pests, potentially reducing the need for agricultural inputs. We examine the species composition of Metarhizium in a coffee agroecosystem, sampling isolates from rhizosphere and associated soils of five groups of plants. Coffee, trees and spontaneous monocotyledons harboured the greatest density of Metarhizium and species. Five Metarhizium species were revealed by 5'TEF DNA sequences, being M. robertsii isolated in all the groups of plants and soil. Considering its high prevalence, it may be important in strengthening interactions between soilborne fungi and natural enemies of pests within agroforests. Metarhizium pemphigi was the second most abundant species and was isolated mostly from coffee roots, indicating a potential ecological specialization of this fungus colonising coffee plants. We observed a great abundance and diversity of Metarhizium in plant roots, suggesting that a diversified agroecological system may foster this diversity and benefit from these fungi playing varied roles in the rhizosphere and soil. In particular, native M. pemphigi could be investigated as an inoculant in coffee as it appears to be capable of establishing persistent associations with the plant.

In the context of a global decline of bird populations around the world, the combination of passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) and automated bird vocalization identification tools such as BirdNET offers new opportunities to investigate the environmental factors structuring bird communities and populations. These approaches enable the identification of bird species from long-term acoustic recordings collected across numerous sampling sites. Although the use of BirdNET has rapidly expanded in recent years, few studies have applied this tool to assess how environmental factors influence bird communities and population. This gap raises key questions about how to process and interpret BirdNET derived data and how to minimize biases that may affect the reliability of ecological relationships inferred from such data. We propose a general pipeline designed to identify and mitigate the effects of factors influencing bird detectability and BirdNET efficiency. The pipeline includes: (1) raw data filtering; (2) selection of the species list according to the research question; and (3) listening tests to maximize the proportion of correct BirdNET identifications and identify the main sources of error. It was applied to a case study investigating the effects of agricultural practices on bird communities in apple orchards. The application demonstrates the value of each step in reducing bias and improving the reliability of environmental inferences, but also reveals data loss induced by filtering. It also allowed us to evaluate three metrics derived from BirdNET data: community activity density, species activity density (based on BirdNET detection counts), and species richness. Our results show that combining PAM and BirdNET provides a powerful framework to explore environmental drivers of bird community and species activity densities across multiple sampling sites. However, producing reliable and reproducible estimates of species richness remains more challenging. This approach is not a turnkey solution, some steps are time-consuming, and requires careful attention to sampling design, data processing, and metric selection.

Infestation with ectoparasites is particularly common among terrestrial animals, with birds and especially mammals holding diverse keratophagous and blood-sucking arthropod communities. Among the latter, bat fleas (Ischnopsyllidae) are highly specialised insects, with all Palearctic species feeding exclusively on bats. Studies on the ecology of fleas parasitic on bats are scarce, most report only occurrence and host species. Using a large dataset of bats captured in Europe, we assessed the importance of host species, host ecology (roost type) and season in regulating the occurrences of Palearctic bat fleas. We recorded 12 species of bat-specific and two generalist flea species on bats or inside their roosts. Our results suggest that bat fleas show regular, but rare presence on hosts, with variable prevalences on the different host species. Crevice dweller bat species were significantly more frequent hosts of fleas, than cave-dwellers, while host roosting habits (solitary or aggregated in tight group) was an even more important determinant for flea infestation. Host sex determined flea infestation rates, with males showing higher prevalences, while females hosting higher individual numbers of parasites. Season also had a marked influence, with certain flea species showing strict seasonality and high host specificity, while a single generalist, widespread flea species was recorded year-round. On-host populations of fleas showed female-biased sex ratios, likely due to their higher energetic needs.

Dragonflies and damselflies are important indicators of ecological integrity and environmental quality but remain underrepresented in conservation efforts, in part due to a lack of quantitative information regarding their habitat requirements. Species distribution models (SDMs) can facilitate conservation planning by allowing researchers to estimate habitat suitability, evaluate conservation status, and quantify future threats. Using Maxent, we developed a range-wide SDM for an imperiled North American dragonfly (Zoraena sayi) to estimate the extent and distribution of potential breeding habitat. To capture the full spectrum of habitats used by Z. sayi, we additionally extended the predicted area to include potential terrestrial habitat used by adults within the surrounding landscape, thereby producing a holistic model of breeding and terrestrial habitat. We then used this combined model to quantify coverage by existing protected areas and evaluate projected impacts from urbanization. We found that of the combined model area (2,731 km2), only 30% is safeguarded by existing protected areas and that 50% of the remaining unprotected habitat may be threatened with urbanization by 2070. Our model represents the first comprehensive assessment of suitable habitat for Z. sayi and may be useful in guiding conservation planning aimed at effectively safeguarding suitable habitat and preserving remaining Z. sayi populations.

Biodiversity hotspots are often found in areas with high precipitation or diverse microhabitats. For plants, geographic areas with high soil variability tend to have high species richness or functional trait diversity. Serpentine soil is thought to have driven the diversification of numerous plant lineages, and many plant taxa show phenotypic variability across soil types. Precipitation can increase the effects of soil type on trait differences across soil types, such that trait differences are greater in wetter geographic areas. However, this has been examined only for growth and vegetative traits. We used a greenhouse common garden to characterize variation in reproductive phenology for a serpentine tolerator along a strong moisture gradient. We then evaluated if trait divergence changes with precipitation, and if the divergence in reproductive traits across soil types varies with precipitation. Furthermore, we conducted a water-limitation experiment and examined if water-limitation changes trait expression or divergence in trait expression. Finally, through a set of field observations we assessed if reproductive phenology and divergence in reproductive phenology differed between wetter and drier areas. We found strong effects of native precipitation regime on flowering phenology, and some support for the hypothesis that precipitation enhances divergence between plants growing on serpentine and non-serpentine soils both in the greenhouse common garden and in the field. Experimental water limitation in the greenhouse common garden resulted in reduced floral displays, phenological delays, and an increase in divergence across soil types for some traits. These results highlight the possibility that gene flow across soil types may be lower in wetter areas. In addition, they suggest that future drought may decrease the likelihood of gene flow across soil types, as well as plant reproductive potential via smaller floral displays.

Invasive alien plant species have garnered increasing global attention due to their profound environmental impacts,ecological disruptions,and significant economic consequences.Henan Province,located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River,serves as a critical ecological barrier in central China.In recent years,invasive plants have adversely affected local biodiversity and the integrity of native ecosystems in the region.Moreover,future climate change is expected to reduce the climatic suitability of many invasive species.In this study,we identified 34 malicious invasive alien plant species in Henan Province,spanning 12 families and 25 genera.We used the Maximum Entropy modeling (MaxEnt) approach to predict the potential geographic distributions of 17 malicious invasive alien plant species.Our research results indicate that the potential geographical distribution areas suitable for malicious alien invasive plants are mainly concentrated in the western and southern regions of Henan Province.Currently,the potential distribution area of all 17 malicious alien invasive plant species accounts for 18.42% of the province’s total area.By 2050,this area is projected to decrease to between 17.27% and 15.99%,with the greatest reduction of 13.17% expected under the highest greenhouse gas emission scenario.In addition,malignant alien invasive plants are expected to expand from low to high altitudes in the future,and the centroid of suitable habitats is projected to shift southwestward.This study provides a scientific basis for assessing the risk of introduction and spread of invasive alien species in Henan.It also offers valuable guidance for biodiversity conservation,ecosystem protection,and sustainable development in the face of ongoing environmental change.

Soft corals (order Alcyonacea), characterized by minimal or absent skeletal structures, have received far less attention compared to reef building hard corals (order Scleractinia), despite their vulnerability to heat stress. This study investigated the thermal response mechanisms of two symbiotic corals, Galaxea fascicularis (stony coral) and Clavularia inflata (soft coral), which could be found in the same water region and depth in the South China Sea. Using controlled heat stress experiments, we analyzed their photophysiological and metabolomic response. While G.fascicularis maintained stable net photosynthetic rates (Pnet) and increased dark respiration (Rd), C. inflata showed a decline in Rd, a slight Pnet reduction, and a symbiont loss. Metabolic changes in G. fascicularis were primarily focused on energy production (e.g., Dmannose, D-sorbitol, and succinate) and amino acid metabolism (e.g., D-proline, glutamic acid, and histidine). In contrast, C. inflata exhibited a broader range of metabolic shifts, including Glucosamine-6-phosphate (energy pathways), D-proline, histidine, tryptophan, and taurine (amino acid metabolism), purines and pyrimidines (nucleotide metabolism), carnosic acid, linolenic acid, and retinene (antioxidants), as well as the dipeptides His-Ser and Lys-Lys. These findings revealed that metabolic adjustments played a key role in thermotolerance in G. fascicularis, while C. inflata exhibited a more diverse response and incurred energetic costs in response to thermal stress. This research provides insights into coral resilience mechanisms, shedding light on why C. inflata may be less competitive under heatwaves and contributing to our understanding of shifts in coral reef community composition driven by climate change

The application of population genetic metrics to evaluate the health of a population after undergoing anthropogenic management and experiencing environmental stochasticity remains underexplored in amphibians. Several metrics can be used to measure loss of genetic diversity and decreased gene flow to determine population health, including heterozygosity, inbreeding, and structure. This study assessed the genetic health of the endangered frog, Litoria littlejohni using genetic metrics in a population exposed to human modifications (dam creation) and extreme climatic events (droughts followed by heavy rainfall). We found strong population structuring, with two distinct subpopulations, one in the northern and another in the southern area of occupancy. Despite being only 2.5 kilometres apart, there was limited gene flow between the sub-populations. Genetic differentiation between these sub-populations, determined by PCA analysis, decreased after high rainfall in 2021. However, strong genetic structuring returned in 2023 during drought conditions. In the northern sub-population, where breeding habitats included both constructed ponds and natural creek pools, heterozygosity was significantly higher and mean kinship significantly lower compared to the southern sub-population where there are fewer natural creek lines nearby. Furthermore, in the southern sub-population, inbreeding metrics increased significantly from 0.003 in 2020 to 0.162 in 2023. As the southern sub-population predominantly relies on constructed ponds for breeding, the absence of natural creek pools may be limiting dispersal and affecting the genetic health of this sub-population. To improve heterozygosity and connectivity, additional ponds could be constructed between the two sub-populations, acting as stepping-stones to enhance gene flow and reduce inbreeding.

Understanding the spatial distribution of suitable habitats is fundamental for effective conservation planning and management. The eastern Great Bustard (Otis tarda dybowskii), an endangered migratory bird, suffers from habitat fragmentation and loss due to human disturbance and climate change. More than 300 Great Bustards overwintered in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region, which is considered as the strongest economic vitality in northern China. However, it is unknown to what extent this region of relatively high level of human disturbance can provide suitable habitats in the current and future time. An ensemble species distribution modeling framework was used to analyze current habitat suitability and project future changes under four climate scenarios for the 2061-2080 period. A total of 82 spatially thinned wintering occurrence records (2014-2024) and 18 carefully selected environmental variables were used. The ensemble model achieved excellent predictive accuracy (AUC=0.994; TSS=0.937). Slope was identified as the most influential variable (54.2% contribution), followed by precipitation of the driest month (bio14) and precipitation seasonality (bio15). Distance to village was a key anthropogenic factor. Future projections reveal a concerning trend: suitable habitats are expected to contract and become more fragmented. Under the highest emission scenario (SSP5-8.5), high-suitability habitat is projected to be entirely lost. This study provides the first high-resolution, ensemble-based habitat assessment for the Great Bustard in the BTH. The findings offer a vital scientific foundation for designing targeted conservation strategies, including protected area expansion and climate-adaptive management, to safeguard this critically endangered population.

Field margins in agricultural landscapes exhibit considerable structural variation, ranging from herbaceous strips to shrubby borders and tree-rich hedgerows, which can influence microclimatic conditions and wildlife habitat quality. Despite their ecological importance, the microclimatic properties of these diverse field margins remain poorly characterized. By generating fine-scale thermal heterogeneity, field margins may act as microrefugia, buffering organisms against temperature extremes and supporting climate adaptation. We investigated how local vegetation structure and landscape context influence microclimatic variation in a temperate Canadian agricultural landscape. From June to September 2018, we deployed 180 temperature data sensors across 30 fields in 20 1-km2 landscapes in eastern Ontario, Canada, recording conditions in both field margins and adjacent crop fields. We quantified daily maximum and minimum temperature offsets between margins and fields, compared these to regional weather station data, and assessed the sensitivity of measurements to solar radiation shielding. Linear mixed-effects models showed that tree-rich margins strongly reduced maximum temperatures and elevated minimum temperatures, while herbaceous and shrubby margins resulted in limited thermal buffering. Margin width and landscape-level natural vegetation cover had no detectable effects. Local microclimate measurements were consistently more extreme than regional weather data, highlighting the importance of fine-scale monitoring. Although radiation shielding reduced the magnitude of temperature offsets, the overall direction of effects remained consistent. Our findings underscore the ecological value of conserving and expanding treed field margins, which can provide microrefugia and enhance wildlife resilience under climate change.

Each species occupies a distinct ecological niche, defined by a specific set of environmental conditions and resource requirements necessary for its survival and reproduction. However, climate change is altering species distributions, predator-prey relationships and resource partitioning between species with these changes being pronounced in the Arctic. Stable isotope analysis of carbon (δ¹³C) and nitrogen (δ¹⁵N) has been widely used to estimate isotopic niches and quantify niche overlap among species, a two-dimensional approach (2D). However, δ¹³C is not always sufficient to differentiate habitat and resource use among species due to minimal variation between end-members. Incorporating sulfur stable isotopes (δ³⁴S) can enhance resolution in such cases. Using an Arctic coastal food web as a model system, we used a three-dimensional isotopic niche approach (3D: δ¹³C-δ¹⁵N-δ³⁴S) with 717 individuals across 69 species spanning multiple taxonomic groups (invertebrates, fish, seabirds, and marine mammals) that utilize resources from benthic and pelagic habitats. We compared the traditional 2D isotopic niches with a 3D framework using nicheROVER to assess how the addition of a third dimension changes niche size estimates and probability of niche overlap between species. We found that benthic-associated species, such as common eider (Somateria mollissima) and various benthic invertebrates, exhibited greater changes in isotopic niche size with the addition of δ³⁴S than pelagic-associated species. In addition, niche overlap among benthic-associated taxa decreased with the 3D approach, indicating better resolution of habitat use and resource partitioning. This finding likely reflects the greater ecological diversity, foraging specialization and more complex food web structure characteristic of benthic ecosystems. We recommend incorporating δ³⁴S for aquatic studies that involve benthic habitats and emphasize the value of multidimensional approaches in ecological niche analysis.

Aim Prospecting for potential dispersal destinations is a key aspect of making informed dispersal decisions. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of prospecting in mediating coexistence or competitive exclusion in a metacommunity, thereby altering the dispersal-diversity relationship. Methods An individual-based model (IBM) was developed to simulate a small mammal metacommunity, incorporating local resource competition and regional dispersal. The model included three scenarios for the distribution of prospecting intensity (measured as the number of patches prospected) across the metacommunity: uniform prospecting intensity, interspecific differences in prospecting intensity, and intraspecific differences in prospecting intensity. The study further considered costs associated with prospecting and dispersal, including mortality risk during prospecting and integration costs in the new patch. Results Informed settlement significantly influenced the relationship between dispersal rate and metacommunity diversity. Low prospecting effort led to a steady increase in diversity with higher dispersal rates, while higher prospecting effort resulted in a hump-shaped relationship. High prospecting intensity led to rapid colonization of high-quality patches, increasing competition and reducing establishment success, especially for species with high resource demands. Introducing dispersal costs, particularly integration costs, reduced metacommunity diversity, but increased prospecting effort partially mitigated this loss. Species-specific prospecting effort, correlated with body mass, resulted in a hump-shaped relationship between dispersal rate and diversity, highlighting the role of prospecting for the competition-colonization trade-off. In contrast, individual variation in prospecting behaviour led to the evolution of low prospecting effort and could maintain diverse communities even under high dispersal rates and associated prospecting costs. Main conclusions The study demonstrates that informed dispersal, specifically prospecting intensity, plays a crucial role in shaping metacommunity diversity by mediating competitive species interactions.