As catastrophic wildfires increasingly devastate the interior landscapes of British Columbia, Canada, conventional approaches to post-wildfire recovery often overlook Indigenous values, knowledge systems, and food sovereignty. In collaboration with six Northern St’át’imc communities and guided by the “walking on two legs” framework, which brings together Indigenous and Western knowledge systems led by Indigenous worldview, we reanalyzed post-wildfire vegetation trajectory data from the McKay Creek wildfire. We replaced colonial-era “native/non-native” plant classifications with culturally grounded categories to better reflect Indigenous wildfire recovery priorities. Vegetation trajectories were based on percent cover data collected across 80 plots, stratified by burn severity and pre-wildfire invasive plant presence. Our results show that conventional plant classifications may obscure critical vulnerabilities in traditional plant food systems and protein sources. While ”native” plant cover exceeded 25% across all treatments, our cultural plant classifications ranged from just 7% to 18%. While elevation emerged as a key factor in post-fire vegetation dynamics, government-defined “Mule deer forage” plant classification indicated increased forage at higher elevations, while the Indigenous-informed classification, “Mule deer preferred forage” showed the opposite trend. These findings demonstrate that classifying plants by cultural knowledges reveals a more accurate picture of post-wildfire recovery. Conventional plant classifications may overestimate ecosystem resilience and thus overlook areas requiring urgent intervention. Indigenizing Western scientific approaches can strengthen ecological restoration by aligning data interpretation with Indigenous sovereignty and community-led priorities. This study offers a concrete model for advancing culturally appropriate wildfire recovery while supporting the implementation of legal obligations to protect Indigenous food sovereignty under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and British Columbia’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA). Our study suggests that reframing plant classification by Indigenous values not only deepens understanding of post-wildfire recovery but also supports more effective, place-based decision-making for long-term ecosystem stewardship.

Montane red foxes (Vulpes vulpes ssp.) native to western North America are of broad conservation interest, occupying a narrow ecological niche and restricted to small, isolated populations across much of their distribution. Despite the need for robust information in guiding effective carnivore conservation, many aspects of montane red fox ecology are poorly understood due to their rarity. To improve ecological knowledge of Sierra Nevada red fox (V. v. necator), a montane red fox subspecies, we examined fox diet in an unstudied portion of their range in the central Cascades of Oregon, USA. In addition, we evaluated dietary overlap between montane red foxes and coyotes (Canis latrans), a presumably dominant carnivore that is expected to increase distributional overlap with montane red foxes under changing climatic regimes. We collected Sierra Nevada red fox and coyote scats via detection dog team surveys during 2017 in Oregon and used DNA metabarcoding to determine scat composition. Sierra Nevada red fox and coyote diets differed with respect to the most frequently occurring prey species and prey species that comprised the largest proportions of their diets (golden-mantled ground squirrel [Callospermophilus lateralis] and snowshoe hare [Lepus americanus], respectively). Despite some differences, Sierra Nevada red fox and coyote diets exhibited similar taxonomic richness and their dietary overlap was high (Pianka’s index = 0.74 via weighted percent occurrence, 0.69 via frequency of occurrence), with golden-mantled ground squirrel appearing to be an important prey item for both species. High dietary overlap suggests potential for competition between Sierra Nevada red foxes and coyotes where the two species occur sympatrically, which could be consequential for foxes in the future if spatial overlap indeed increases and results in niche compression. Our work addresses an aspect of data insufficiency for an imperiled species that can inform conservation strategies and species management.

Black-backed jackals are medium-sized canids with an omnivorous and opportunistic diet, allowing them to persist across different landscapes and land uses in southern Africa. Their diet is influenced by both top-down factors, like the presence of larger carnivores, and bottom-up factors, such as prey size, abundance, behaviour, and habitat. Therefore, varying land uses—such as livestock farming, game ranching, or nature Reserves can significantly impact jackal diet and behaviour due to variations in management strategies and species presence. We examined the dietary response of jackals to three land uses in a localized region of South Africa: a nature Reserve with larger carnivores, a game farm without larger carnivores, and livestock farms in the semi-arid Karoo, South Africa. Using DNA metabarcoding of jackal scats, we identified prey species across these landscapes. Results showed significant variation in diet, with the jackals in the nature Reserve displaying a broad diet, while livestock and game farms diet were dominated by specific prey species, such as sheep on livestock farms and greater kudu on the game farm. Rodents were a significant dietary component for black-backed jackals across all land uses, highlighting their importance as a resource. Similarly, large ungulates (greater than 100 kg) consistently comprised a stable part of the jackal diet across different land uses. Seasonal shifts indicated that rodents served as a crucial resource during the dry season, while medium-sized ungulates saw increased consumption during the wet season. Notably on the livestock farm, the consumption of steenbok peaked during the autumn and summer collection periods, even surpassing that of sheep. This study highlights the behavioural flexibility of jackals, illustrating their ability to adapt their diets based on prey availability, habitat conditions, and interactions with other predators. Key words: blacked-back jackal, flexible diet, different land uses, DNA metabarcoding

Wildlife species are often captured to take morphometric measurements, collect biological samples and/or fit animal-attached tags to collect data on movement and behaviour. Though routine practice, wildlife captures have important welfare implications which should be carefully considered prior to each study. Full details on capture protocols are often limited to short descriptions in methods sections of papers. This is a major issue as information sharing can improve knowledge on methods that lead to increased or reduced capture success. This ultimately saves researcher time and resources and, most importantly, boosts animal welfare. Here we pursue all of the above aims; collect morphometric data, collect biological samples and fit sensor-equipped collars. We share detailed capture protocols to offer insights to other researchers, while optimising welfare protocols. Having faced challenges in initial captures for our trap-shy target species, we present methodological considerations and refinements undertaken to successfully trap urban red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Dublin, Ireland (n = 16 captures) and related efforts as part of a pilot study in rural Tuscany, Italy (n = 3 captures). We recommend setting multiple capture sites but caution against prolonged time spent in traps for foxes. Remote transmission camera traps and remote trap alert systems are highly recommended to remotely monitor multiple trapping sites at once with reduced disturbance and to facilitate quick arrival at capture sites. We discuss a cheap, lightweight collar drop-off solution to negate the need for a second capture for collar retrieval. In Dublin, we found the likelihood of capturing a fox was significantly affected by rainfall but not temperature. We conclude with an easy-to-consult checklist, providing advice on trap setting, pre-baiting, collar drop-offs and weather conditions, to aid researchers embarking on the capture of foxes and other difficult to trap species, particularly in urban areas with high levels of human activity.

We present the first documented case of jackdaws (Coloeus monedula) collecting and placing Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) scat in their nests in the Montes de Toledo, Spain. This behaviour may significantly compromise conservation efforts for species whose monitoring relies on non-invasive genetic sampling—such as the lynx—especially in areas with dense populations of jackdaws or other species exhibiting similar behaviour, where such removal may substantially reduce sample availability. Using artificial nest boxes equipped with camera traps, we confirmed that jackdaws actively transport lynx scat to their nests. In a controlled experiment simulating a lynx latrine, all scat was removed in just over an hour. Simulations using spatial capture-recapture (SCR) models showed that this behaviour can introduce bias and reduce the accuracy of population estimates based on genetic sampling, a widely used method in wildlife monitoring. These findings highlight the importance of considering interspecific interactions when designing monitoring protocols for threatened species. More broadly, this case illustrates how overlooked ecological behaviours can compromise conservation tools and underscores the need for adaptive monitoring strategies in dynamic ecosystems.

Acoustic communication is crucial in many animal taxa for mate selection, foraging coordination, and predator avoidance. While fishes represent a significant portion of vertebrate biodiversity, their acoustic communication remains understudied. Anemonefishes (Amphiprion spp.) exhibit complex social behaviours and vocalisations, yet their acoustic signals have primarily been studied in laboratory settings, limiting our understanding of their natural communication. In this study, we examined the vocal behaviour of wild Amphiprion percula in Papua New Guinea, collecting in situ audio and video recordings to assess the role of vocalisations in social interactions. Our findings suggest that A. percula produces distinct vocalisations across multiple social contexts, with variations in acoustic parameters influenced by behaviour and social rank. We highlight the importance of acoustic communication in interspecific and intraspecific interactions and its role in territorial defence, and the classification of vocalisations in behavioural categories. Additionally, we discuss the potential impact of anthropogenic noise, such as motorboat activity, on anemonefish communication through acoustic masking. These results emphasize the importance of in situ studies for understanding fish bioacoustics and suggest that acoustic signals play a key role in maintaining social hierarchy and cohesion in anemonefish groups. Future research should explore species-specific vocal diversity in situ and assess the ecological implications of noise pollution on coral reef fish communication.

Does dispersal differ between the sexes? This question, anchored in a body of rich theoretical literature, has received little empirical attention in marine invertebrates. Yet, dispersal is a key ecological process with profound implications for species management and conservation. In this study, we investigated sex-biased dispersal in the European spiny lobster (Palinurus elephas) by sampling females and males from six marine reserves and their surroundings in the northwestern Mediterranean. By genotyping 180 individuals at 8,390 markers, we found that both sexes exhibited panmixia. However, females displayed slightly higher and more geographically structured estimates of genetic differentiation than males, although this difference was not statistically significant. Additionally, we identified sex-linked markers with significant differences in heterozygosity between females and males. These markers not only allowed the sex assignment of 61 individuals of unknown sex but also provided the first evidence for a ZZ/ZW sex determination system in P. elephas. Beyond their fundamental insights, these sex-linked markers hold strong applied potential for species management, particularly in fisheries where sex-specific regulations exist. Our findings underscore the power of genomic markers to study sex-biased dispersal, elucidate sex determination systems, and facilitate sex assignment, with important implications for species conservation and management.

Irregular Shelterwood System (ISS), one of the types of silviculture system in forest management has been implemented in different CF of Nepal. But, It still lacks the research on different parameters promoting regeneration of Shorea robusta as a future crop yield in forest. We studied the origin of regeneration, crown cover, and soil as a promoting parameter for sustained yield management. Two-phase study was carried out using stratified systematic random sampling technique within the treated and untreated areas of the forest. The result indicated the significance difference in the regeneration status between treated and untreated areas. In this forest part, most of the regeneration originated from seedlings while some were from root coppice. Specifically, the treated area exhibited a density of 16,800 seedlings and 4,693 saplings per hectare, compared to 11,960 seedlings and 2,688 saplings per hectare in the untreated area. This demonstrates that the ISS effectively promotes the regeneration of Sal trees, enhancing forest health and biodiversity. The analysis revealed that the origin of regeneration was predominantly from seedlings, with a notable absence of significant differences in seedling regeneration across different treated years. However, sapling regeneration showed significant variation, indicating that management practices under the ISS positively influence sapling establishment. Soil quality assessments indicated that treated areas had higher organic matter and better nutrient profiles, which are critical for supporting healthy plant growth. Furthermore, the study highlighted that environmental factors such as crown cover and organic carbon levels significantly affect regeneration outcomes. While organic matter positively influenced regeneration, crown cover and organic carbon were found to have negative effects. These findings underscore the importance of managing environmental conditions to ensure successful regeneration of Shorea robusta. Overall, the research supports the ISS as a viable strategy for sustainable forest management and the resilience of critical forest resources in community forestry settings.

In this study, we investigated the impact of Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber Linnaeus, 1758) on riparian woodlands in Central Italy using Machine Learning (ML) techniques. Beavers are ecosystem engineers who may modify riverine ecosystems through dam building and foraging activities. Their gnawing activity can significantly alter the composition and structure of riparian forests. Traditionally, statistical models have been used to understand factors influencing beaver activity, thus this study explores the potential of ML algorithms for this purpose. We implemented three ML algorithms - Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Random Forests (RF) - to analyze data collected from three Italian rivers. Data included in-situ measurements of trees (diameter, distance from riverbank, species) and information on beaver damage (presence/severity). A two-step implementation has been proposed to predict whether a tree would be damaged by beavers and, if so, the severity of the damage (dead or alive tree). In the first step, three algorithms achieved high accuracy (up to 93% of damaged/undamaged trees correctly classified) and kept satisfactory performances even if when trained with small subsets of the data (85% accuracy when trained with 20% of the data). In the second stepthe algorithms reached accuracy (85%) comparable to step 1, despite the smaller subset available (159 samples out of 476 in the total dataset). This suggests that ML could significantly reduce the amount of field data collection needed to assess beaver impacts. Moreover, the following key factors influencing beaver gnawing activity were identified: tree diameter and distance from the riverbank were the most important predictors, while tree species and site location had less influence.

This study investigates the impact of canopy openness on forest regeneration and soil nutrients in six community forests within the Chure region of Makawanpur district, Nepal. A systematic sampling approach was employed across three canopy cover classes—dense (70–100%), moderately dense (40–70%), and open (10–40%)—to assess seedling and sapling densities, tree diversity, and soil nutrient composition. The results indicate that seedling density was highest in open canopy strata (18,870 per ha), followed by moderately dense (14,281 per ha) and dense (11,185 per ha) strata, with significant differences confirmed by ANOVA (p < 0.05). However, sapling density did not vary significantly among canopy classes (p > 0.05). Tree diversity, as measured by the Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indices, was greater in dense canopy strata compared to open and moderately dense strata. Soil analysis revealed that canopy openness positively influenced soil organic matter (SOM), soil organic carbon (SOC), and nitrogen (N) levels, while phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) showed no significant variation among canopy classes. These findings highlight the dual role of canopy openness in facilitating forest regeneration and enhancing soil quality. The study concludes that balanced canopy management can optimize regeneration dynamics and soil health, providing crucial insights for sustainable forest management in subtropical ecosystems. Keywords: Canopy, Diversity, Management, Regeneration, Soil

Understanding a species’ genetic population structure is fundamental for determining its conservation and management units. Bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus), a charr native to northwestern North America, are experiencing significant population declines across their range. In Alberta, bull trout are classified as Threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Act, but knowledge of their genetic population structure is limited. We aimed to assess bull trout population structure in Alberta using genetic markers from a RADcapture SNP panel. Our sampling spanned 24 Hydrologic Unit Code 8 (HUC8) watersheds. One of our goals was to evaluate support for two previously-proposed bull trout Designatable Units (DUs) in Alberta: the Western Arctic DU and the Saskatchewan-Nelson DU. We found notable population structure and high differentiation (FST = 0.400) between these two DUs, suggesting two discreet populations that correspond to the northern and southern biogeographical zones of Alberta. We conducted ad hoc population differentiation analyses using ADMIXTURE, which revealed that bull trout have a hierarchical (or nested) population structure. Our results inform management of the species and suggest considering various scales of population structure to protect local adaptations and genetic diversity across relevant spatial scales.

Advances in fine-scale movement modeling of soaring birds can aid efforts to understand and resolve the impacts of anthropogenic activities on such birds. Soaring birds often rely on underlying terrain and low-altitude updrafts to govern their flights at rotor-swept altitudes (≤200 m above ground level), which puts them at risk of collision with turbines. We developed a data-driven Markov model at 1-s resolution that predicts the fine-scale flight behavior of golden eagles (_Aquila chrysaetos_) as a function of ecological covariates at the current location as well as those within an eagle’s line of sight. We only considered ecological covariates that are readily available in real-time (ground elevation and wind conditions). Latent factors (age, sex, species, behavioral intent, migratory status) were intentionally left out of the model. We calibrated the model using golden eagle telemetry data collected in two different ecoregions of the United States. Given a starting location, the calibrated model simulates multiple stochastic 3D paths to produce a time-explicit and spatially explicit risk map of turbine collisions. We discovered an empirical relation between the rate of heading and the orographic updraft conditions within an eagle’s line of sight. Our model performed most effectively when predicting predominantly-soaring flights at rotor-swept altitudes during wind conditions in which turbines are likely to be operational. The calibrated model could be used in concert with automated eagle detection and turbine curtailment technologies. Specifically, once an eagle is detected by those systems, our model could then provide accurate predictions of turbines the eagle is likely to interact with in the near term.

As the footprint from human populations increases, the associated modification and conversion of natural landscapes in a changing climate places significant pressure on terrestrial wildlife. Since areas of high biodiversity are most affected by urbanisation, there is a need to identify future challenges for species in these regions in the context of intensifying climate change. We investigated habitat dynamics for seven macropod species found in the rapidly urbanising, biodiverse Southeast Queensland (SEQ) region of Australia. Habitat suitability was modelled using presence-only occurrence data in combination with bioclimatic and landscape variables. We evaluated a ‘balanced’ Random Forest algorithm to fit distribution models, predict potential areas of current distribution, and highlight factors that may influence current and future conservation management. Over one third of predicted current suitable habitat for eastern grey kangaroos, swamp wallabies and red-necked wallabies is within the urban footprint, a greater amount than is in protected areas. Conversely, most current suitable habitats for the other species were predicted to occur in protected areas. Worryingly, a decline in suitable habitat (83-96% reduction) is projected for all seven species under future climate scenarios. Our results reveal the vulnerability of macropods in the region which face compounded threats from urbanisation and climate-induced habitat loss. This study’s findings highlight a complex set of factors that could hinder macropod species’ adaptability to future environmental changes, elevating ‘least concern’ species to ‘of concern’. Combined pressures from climate change, urbanisation, and habitat loss necessitate a broad, adaptive approach to wildlife conservation in human-dominated landscapes.

Fagus hayatae Palib. ex Hayata, an endangered East Asian paleoendemic, thrives in Sichuan’s Micang Mountain while surviving fragmented in Taiwan and mainland China. However, the differentiation from congeneric species (e.g., F. engleriana) and its elevational adaptation strategies remain poorly understood. Leaf functional traits, key indicators of plant resource strategies, reveal plants’ ecological adaptation through their interrelationships and environmental responses. In this study, leaf functional trait variation between F. hayatae, F. engleriana and their associated tree species was investigated, with elevational trait syndromes in F. hayatae examined for climate adaptation insights (Micang Mountain Nature Reserve, China). Both F. hayatae and F. engleriana were community dominants with low niche overlap in overall interspecific. Compared to dominant associated tree species, F. hayatae exhibited higher leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf carbon content (LCC), and leaf phosphorus content (LPC), along with smaller but denser stomata; in contrast, F. engleriana displayed greater stomatal density and resource-acquisition traits, including larger leaf width (LW), leaf area (LA), SLA, and LCC, as well as higher leaf nitrogen content (LNC), but lower LPC. Compared to Fagus engleriana, F. hayatae exhibited larger but more sparsely distributed stomata, along with lower resource-acquisition capacity, as reflected in reduced leaf length (LL), LW, LA, SLA, LCC and LNC. Elevation significantly influenced the leaf functional traits of F. hayatae. At lower elevations, the species exhibited increased LA and SLA, while at higher elevations, it adopted more conservative traits, including reduced LA, SLA, stomatal area (SA), and LPC. These patterns highlight F. hayatae’s greater phenotypic plasticity and its reliance on defense-oriented strategies compared to its sympatric congener F. engleriana. Moreover, along elevational gradients, F. hayatae achieved optimal performance at mid-elevations through coordinated stress-tolerance traits. These findings can provide a scientific basis for the conservation and management of this endangered species.

Fine-scale spatial genetic structure (FSGS) refers to the pattern of spatial distribution of genetic variation at the local scale, which can indirectly estimate gene flow among individuals and reveal microevolutionary processes in plant populations. Although FSGS is important in explaining dispersal patterns and adaptive variation in plants, few studies have explored its potential application in species conservation strategies. In addition, phenotypic traits, particularly leaf shape, may also exhibit specific spatial variation patterns at fine scales. In this study, we investigated the genetic and leaf shape variation of two genus Quercus species (Quercus glauca Thunb. and Q. multinervis J. Q. Li) and three genus Castanopsis species (Castanopsis tibetana Hance, C. faberi Hance, and C. fargesii Franch.) in Wuyishan National Park in southeastern China. Using genetic markers, we found that Quercus species exhibited stronger FSGS and more limited gene flow than Castanopsis species, suggesting greater habitat fragmentation affecting local Quercus species. Leaf morphological analysis revealed inter-generic differences and partial overlap in leaf shape between Quercus and Castanopsis species, with the greatest variation observed in leaf area (LA) and leaf mass (LM). In addition, all five Fagaceae species exhibited significant diminishing returns, with C. fargesii showing the most pronounced effect and possessing the smallest leaves, which may enhance its adaptability to the harsh environments. Despite the leaf shape overlaps blurring species boundaries between Quercus and Castanopsis species, their genetic structure is remained clearly distinct. The observed differences in FSGS intensity and leaf shape variation between the two genera reflect their different environmental adaptability, offering new insights into the integration of genetic and phenotypic data for conservation planning.

Temperature plays a pivotal role in defining the distribution of species and the fitness of individuals within species’ ranges. Phenotypic plasticity can allow individuals to cope with varying environmental conditions, including rapid climate change. Populations at range edges experience more variable conditions than core populations and thus are hypothesized to exhibit higher thermal plasticity. However, as the strength of plasticity often varies between individuals, it can also differ among local populations at range edges. We studied the extent of and variation in thermal plasticity for several traits within and between populations of the perennial herb Plantago lanceolata L. (Plantaginaceae) at its northern range edge. We sampled seeds from nine sites within a 50 x 50 km region and grew them under three temperature regimes in a greenhouse. We measured traits related to size, flowering, pathogen responses, and inflorescence pigmentation. We expected to find higher plasticity in traits less strongly connected to fitness and that differences between individuals would outweigh differences between populations in underpinning this variation in plasticity. Our results show thermal plasticity in leaf size and abundance, flowering probability and abundance, and pigmentation. Notably, we also found increased pathogen symptoms and higher infection rates of one of two viruses screened, highlighting the potential for changes in pathogen sensitivity and exposure under climate change. Importantly, in all traits but flower abundance, more variation in plasticity was attributable to differences within populations than between populations. Although this contribution was small in magnitude compared to thermal effects on traits, the higher intra- versus interpopulation variation in plasticity suggests that differences between individuals provide most of the variation in thermal plasticity, which may be driven by small-scale variations in habitat conditions; highlighting the need for conservation strategies that consider microhabitat variation to support short-term adaptive responses to thermal variability.

Male plumage mimicry by adult females of sexually dimorphic hummingbird species provides an intriguing system for understanding social and ecological selection mechanisms. However, our understanding of female male-mimicry is limited by a lack of behavioral observations of wild hummingbirds with male plumage, such as in giving parental care. Using photos and 2.5 min of video taken at close proximity, we documented a Veraguan mango (Anthracothorax veraguensis) with male plumage both incubating eggs and later feeding young in the town of Palmar Norte in southern Costa Rica. Based on plumage characteristics and range, we ruled out the similar green-breasted mango (A. prevostii) that occurs in close geographic proximity. Using Google Earth imagery, we characterized the landscape surrounding the nest as a heterogeneous mix of urban, residential, and agricultural land. We speculated on potential mechanisms that may maintain female-limited polymorphisms in the Veraguan mango and related species, including the interaction of social and ecological selection pressures. This observation provides the first empirical evidence of male-mimicry polymorphism in the Veraguan mango, contributing valuable information to the species’ natural history and to the broader understanding of male-plumaged females in hummingbirds.

Freshwater habitat characteristics are known to affect life-history traits of migratory salmonids. Although the life cycle of the anadromous form of Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is typically associated with lakes, there is a small number of anadromous populations in North America that spawn, rear, and overwinter exclusively in rivers. The life-history traits of these relatively understudied populations and how they differ from lacustrine Arctic char are poorly documented. We characterized life-history tradeoffs expressed by anadromous Arctic char originating from a riverine (Hornaday River) and a relatively nearby lacustrine system (Tatik Lake of the Kuujjua River) in the western Canadian Arctic using a 10 year dataset. The riverine population attained smaller average size (600 mm vs. 628 mm, fork length) and age (7.7 vs. 10.6 years), had a lower longevity (14 vs. 26 years), expressed a 44% higher growth rate resulting in larger size-at-age prior to reaching modelled length asymptote (700 vs. 754 mm), had a younger modal age-at-maturity (~6-7 vs. ~11-13 years) and mean age-at-first migration (4.1 vs. 6.4 years), and a higher natural mortality rate (0.31 vs. 0.21 per year). Our results broaden knowledge on the spectrum of life-history strategies exhibited by anadromous Arctic char and underscore how freshwater habitat influence vital rates and life-history tradeoffs, which have implications for conservation and sustainable harvest of salmonids.