Cyanea superba (Cham.) A. Gray subsp. superba is endemic to the island of Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands, and a member of the Campanulaceae family. Cyanea superba subsp. superba was listed endangered on Sept. 11, 1991, and the last in situ plant died in 2002. It is suspected to have been pollinated by nectar-feeding birds and dispersed by frugivorous birds in the past. The U.S. Army’s natural resources

We hypothesize that the presence of cattle should increase environmental heterogeneity and therefore maintain more diverse bird communities. Therefore, we analyzed the changes in the structure of vegetation and diversity of bird species that inhabit the fluvial forests in the Delta region of the Paraná River in relation to the different cattle raising management (islands with cattle, islands without

A controversial, multifaceted debate surrounds the trade in commercially captive-bred (farmed) lion skeletons. A prominent topic relates to relative preferences for tiger and lion bone in Asian consumer countries. To contribute preliminary information on this subject we conducted the first quantitative study to assess the consumer preferences of the urban public in China and Vietnam for lion versus

Biodiversity offsets are used internationally to compensate for impacts on the environment, but research on the effectiveness of this instrument in conserving biodiversity is scarce. Conservation banking under the US Endangered Species Act is a long established and strictly regulated offsetting program. An analysis of the implementation of this program can hold implications for biodiversity banking

Ecological habitat connectivity, human disturbances, and habitat availability are strongly related to each other for distribution and abundance of species. In Varjin protected area, Iran, habitat loss due to human pressures is the main factor in the rapid decline of Ovis orientalis (wild sheep) population. In this research, we proposed a framework to analyze the connectivity of the mountainous landscape

This study assessed black rat predation on artificial nests in relation to restoration undertaken in the Macaronesian laurel forest in São Miguel Island, Azores, evaluating three different points: nest predation rate; rodent relative abundance; and abundance of invertebrates, flowers and fruits. In general, artificial nest predation increased after habitat restoration, and significant differences were

Conflicting priorities for livestock grazing management in the context of rare plant conservation are common worldwide, especially in semiarid and arid ecosystems, where open-range livestock grazing is a primary land use. Detailed information on the interaction between livestock impacts and rare plant demography would facilitate improved management, yet this information is most often not available

Grazing by herds of herbivores modifies plant communities in different ways, depending on the herbivore species. Horse grazing is already known to be effective in increasing plant diversity and maintaining herbaceous vegetation, creating different types of patches and thus ensuring spatial heterogeneity. On an artificial embankment at the Donzère-Mondragon hydroelectric facility in the Rhône Valley

The freshwater tucuxi (Sotalia flluviatilis) and the Amazon River dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) are endemic to the Amazon-Orinoco river basin. Their conservation is hindered by human disturbance and uncertainty about total population size and distribution. In this study, we used rapid assessment questionnaires to identify threats to river dolphins in Peru and to identify priority areas for their further

Protected areas are one of the most effective tools for nature conservation. Consequently, almost all countries have agreed to set increasingly demanding goals for the expansion of their protected area systems. However, there is a large disparity among countries, and research on the cultural drivers of differences remains quite unexplored. Here, we analyze the relationship between the protected extent

A reintroduction attempt of Eriocaulon heleocharioides Satake (Eriocaulaceae)—an annual amphibious herb species that is extinct in the wild—has been conducted in its last natural habitat from 2009. Unfortunately, this in-situ conservation measure has failed, probably due to environmental and genetic constraints related to long-term ex-situ cultivation. To evaluate the ex-situ conserved population and

Erica turgida, a small unassuming pink bushy heath species was listed as ‘Extinct in the Wild’ in 1996. It was last seen in habitat at Kenilworth Racecourse by South African botanist, Elsie Esterhuizen who made an herbarium collection and gave material for propagation to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. It once occurred in small patches on the lowlands around the city of Cape Town now commonly known

The deterioration of conservation status of ecosystems, loss of habitats and extinction of species call for actions to halt these negative processes. The starting point is to determine the threat status of specific nature components which may be achieved, for example, by the development of red lists. This paper presents the current threat status of natural habitats listed in Annex I to the Habitats

Land-use changes, both in terms of land abandonment and intensification, have led to fragmentation and loss of traditional agricultural habitats. Extensive grazing is among the forms of land use that have undergone the greatest changes. This represents one of the main threats to biodiversity; consequently, a comprehensive overview about the impacts on the biodiversity of changes that are happening

Macroecological analyses capture the widespread nature of wild mammal range contractions and population declines globally, with Neotropical rainforests particularly vulnerable. Yet there is a paucity of basic population biology data capturing local empirically observed population changes. We generated species-specific and aggregated temporal trends in populations of terrestrial mammals in Cusuco National

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) requires that trade in species, including orchids, listed on Appendix II be authorised only if the level of export is not detrimental to their survival in natural environments. This paper describes how existing guidelines for a “non-detriment finding” (NDF) were adapted to provide a protocol for Jamaican orchids

Worldwide, MPA practitioners are increasing adopting evidence-based management over anecdote and intuition. One of the most commonly promoted approaches is to monitor the status and trends of performance indicators and modify management when the status of an indicator is inconsistent with a target. But the challenge with indicator-based approaches is interpretation in the absence of an experimental

Geodiversity is a concept that seeks to address the relatively under-valued importance of abiotic diversity in conservation and sustainability science. In this short communication we argue that the antiquity of geodiversity makes it uniquely valuable and it is imperative that global geodiversity is factored in alongside biodiversity for conservation research and praxis. The conceptualization of geodiversity

For successful protected area (PA) management, it is essential to understand residents’ perceptions during the early phases of the designation process. However, most studies on residents’ perceptions have been conducted after PA designation due to the lack of researcher–policymaker cooperation. In this study, we reveal residents’ perceptions before the PA designation of Japan’s Amami Islands as a national

Exclosure management is becoming a common approach to rehabilitate and increase net biomass productivity of extremely degraded areas in Northern Ethiopia. However, the effect of age of exclosures on vegetation and soil property of communal lands is not yet well studied. In this study, the effect of land exclusion and age of exclosure on plant species richness, diversity, density and dominance, herbaceous

The endemic Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile forms meadows of great ecological importance that are presently under elevated anthropogenic pressures. In this study, a model of citizens’ observatory has been translated into practice to observe and monitor the health status of the Site of Community Importance, the Posidonia oceanica meadow named San Vito-Barletta extending along the

Assessments of the role that small (<500 km2) protected areas play in conservation of large carnivores in landscapes where the species are persecuted are scarce. Using camera-trap sampling we estimated puma (Puma concolor) population abundance, site use intensity, and relative abundance of prey in Lihué Calel National Park (320 km2) and two neighboring livestock ranches in central Argentina. We concurrently

The decline of farmland and grassland biodiversity is one the major conservation concerns nowadays. The European roller is a secondary cavity nester species typically inhabiting grasslands and farmlands. It has suffered large declines both in size and range of the population since the 1960s, but this negative trend has been reversed in several countries by applying direct conservation actions. As part

Like many Caribbean coastal ecosystems, the Simpson Bay Lagoon in Saint Martin suffers from heavy development, wastewater pollution, and overexploitation. These pressures have severely degraded its ecological integrity, causing significant environmental impact as well as negative socio-economic consequences. Local livelihoods depend on important ecosystem services provided by the Simpson Bay Lagoon

Trail networks are common infrastructure in protected areas for visitors to exercise, connect with nature, and learn about natural and cultural resources. However, there are concerns that the presence and construction of trails affect the quality of wildlife habitats, extending human disturbance into secluded areas. In this study, we developed a before-after control-impact experimental design to investigate

Trophic cascade theories such as the ‘behaviourally-mediated trophic cascade hypothesis’ (BMTCH), have mainstreamed as ecological tools for conserving biodiversity and restoring ecosystems. The BMTCH relies on indirect negative effects of large carnivores through suppression of mesocarnivore activity and habitat use. Importantly, effects of top carnivores on mesocarnivores varies over time and space

In Katanga (southeastern Democratic Republic of Congo), the flora of copper and cobalt deposits is highly threatened by mining. Until mining activity ceases and restoration can take place, seed banking is one of the strategies to be considered for the conservation of these metallophytes of which 32 are strict endemics. In the tropics, however, many species have recalcitrant (desiccation-sensitive)

The Majella National Park in Italy, through its ex situ plant conservation facilities (seed bank, botanical gardens and nurseries) plays an important role in preventing biodiversity loss, especially those rare and endemic species. Among the various conservation strategies, the Park developed a useful way to increase ex situ collections through a nursery chain and selling/giving indigenous species to

In Southeast Asia, the Annamite mountains and Central Vietnam lowlands are two of the most prioritized areas for preventing the extinction of large populations of phasianids. Ground-feeding birds in Southeast Asia may be going extinct, both inside and outside the protected areas, due to habitat loss and poaching, especially, snaring. Being endemic to the mainland of Southeast Asia, the crested argus

Biodiversity is decreasing at an alarming rate, and it is therefore important to set ambitious targets and to explore innovative tools, such as de-extinction, to protect and recover species. However, it is also essential that risks associated with innovative tools, such as release of proxies for extinct species into the wild, be carefully evaluated. Risks associated with such releases parallel those

Ungulates are key elements that modulate the type and direction of ecosystem services in Mediterranean environments. Our main objective is to synthesize the provision of ecosystem services in forests, shrublands and woodlands dominated by ungulates (wildlife or livestock) in Mediterranean environments. To achieve this objective, we performed a systematic semi-quantitative review (n = 262 studies) across

Amphibian conservation in farming landscapes can be advanced through understanding of the social and ecological contexts. There are very few studies which combines habitat use studies on amphibians with socio-economic drivers of land use change. The goals of this study are: (i) to document the temporary pond loss in a traditional pasture due to land abandonment (period of 2009-2018 and 2019), (ii)

Amphibians are very diverse, widely distributed, and the most endangered class of vertebrates. As with other taxa, effective conservation of amphibians needs to be supported by detailed scientific knowledge. However, species rich and broadly distributed taxa are typically characterized by high variability in research effort. Our objective was therefore to understand which factors (ecological and cultural)

A brief account of the initiatives undertaken to bring about the re-introduction of the extinct in the wild British endemic grass Bromus interruptus are given. The process has seen various set-backs and failures over a c.20-year period from which lessons have been learnt. Re-introductions have been attempted at 11 locations in 8 hectads within the former range, at only four is the plant extant; in

Active citizens are a crucial foundation of nature conservation, with a long history of commitment to natural history, conservation work, education and outreach. There is a strong need for greater understanding of these volunteers and their motivations, both to match volunteer management to the individual, but also more broadly to understand citizens’ action for nature. This study adds to the literature

Federally listed endangered plant species have restrictions regulating their extraction and transit in Brazil. However, dozens of endangered species are important for the national timber trade. The present research addresses the question: What endangered tree species were legally traded as timber in Brazil between 2012–2016 and how significant is this trade with respect to the total volume of timber

The recreational use of natural resources requires the implementation of sustainable management systems. However, the existence of socioeconomic interests and the difficulty involved in applying evidence-based criteria often hinder this implementation. The European wild rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is an appropriate case with which to study the recreational hunting governance systems. This species

Public attitudes are vital for the successful implementation of management strategies and conservation programs. However, contradictory interests among different stakeholders can create important setbacks, creating barriers to achieve conservation goals. The endangered Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) occupies now only 20 % of its historical distribution area, in Portugal, and its reduction was

Rafetus swinhoei is the world's most threatened turtle with only two known specimens remaining, with high probability both males. The species is therefore on the brink of extinction and discovering new individuals in the wild is crucial for the survival of the entire species. Despite the almost-extinct status, field research aimed at locating new individuals has been unsatisfactory at least. The present

Coleocephalocereus purpureus (Buining & Brederoo) F. Ritter is a rare columnar cactus species endemic to four small habitat patches of a south-eastern caatinga inselberg elements located in Eastern Brazil. C. purpureus was listed as Critically Endangered by IUCN by habitat loss due to quarrying activities. Here, we used ten microsatellite markers to estimate genetic diversity and structure of C. purpureus

The pet trade has been a major pathway for the introduction of vertebrate invaders, but little is known about its role in invertebrate invasions. Here we assess the trade in terrestrial invertebrates (excluding spiders) in South Africa and the potential of this trade to result in biological invasions and impacts. Pet stores, websites, and expositions were visited, and a list of the taxa traded was

The aim of this study is to contribute to the empirical literature on the antecedents of deforestation. Specifically, we investigate the relationship between female parliamentarism and forest cover change. Based on annual data from more than 176 countries between 1990 and 2015, the estimates suggest that the proportion of women in parliament has a significant U-shaped association with per capita forest

Direct exploitation of resources, climate change, and land pollution drive marine degradation. Influencing these drivers are political, cultural and economic systems, which are guided by people’s values, beliefs, and behaviours. To tackle this conservation challenge and make oceans more sustainable, we need to understand how people think and act in relation to marine issues. This article examined marine

Monitoring and evaluation is an essential stage of conservation implementation, offering a wide variety of benefits including the ability to engage in informed adaptive management. Understanding the relationship among actions, outputs, and outcomes can inform on factors acting to facilitate or hinder conservation success. Assessing these relationships is particularly important for projects with both

Hunting lions while their populations are declining in much of Africa is a highly controversial issue. However, hunting for lions and other charismatic large mammals in Africa has contributed to maintaining large areas of wild land for lions and wildlife conservation. To minimise the impacts of hunting lions in some 150,000 km2 of Game Management Areas (total ∼190,000 km2) in Zambia an age-based quota

Land degradation, soil erosion by water, and desertification caused by deforestation are serious problems around the world. To counteract the effects of these problems, China’s government implemented the world’s largest and most comprehensive ecological restoration program: the Natural Forest Conservation Program (NFCP). However, it’s not yet known how well the program has succeeded because no one

For more than 50 years, Critically Endangered Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) have been rescued from poachers or captors, rehabilitated, and released into natural habitats. Wild orangutans are also translocated—intentionally captured from habitat patches and insecure situations for the purpose of releasing them into areas considered to be safer. Although these activities are widely applied, data

The Tahiti monarch is a critically endangered bird species endemic to the island of Tahiti. In 1998, when a conservation program started, its range was restricted to four valleys, with 19 birds living in accessible lower valleys. In one of these valleys, a remote population located upstream of a series of waterfalls was present but, was first protected only in 2009. The first conservation actions focused

Local and regional species extirpations may become more common as changing climate and disturbance regimes accelerate species’ in situ range contractions. Identifying locations that function as both climate and disturbance refugia is critical for biodiversity conservation. Here, we investigate the persistence of a disjunct, fire-sensitive conifer population, yellow-cedar (Callitropsis nootkatensis)

Urgent strategies for the conservation of the Neotropical flora are needed in the face of accelerated habitat loss and a severe biodiversity crisis. To assess the conservation status and to propose protection programs for taxa under potential risk, such as the Cactaceae, a group strongly affected by disturbances and habitat loss, detailed data describing patterns of richness, diversity, and endemism

Practitioners have outplanted tens of thousands of nursery-reared coral colonies for restoration purposes, and interest in outplanting is increasing. However, restoration outcomes on natural reefs can be variable, and genotype- and site-specific differences have been reported. To systematically explore these differences, performance of restored corals was compared at two site types, and intraspecific

Rubus humulifolius is a Eurasian species that has got wide geographic distribution from western parts of Russia to Manchuria. The westernmost and separate population of R. humulifolius was found in Central Finland in 1917. The population was assumed to be formed via anthropogenic dispersal either in early nineteenth or early eighteenth century. In 20's the population was regarded as viable as it covered

Economic instruments that promise "win-win" solutions for both biodiversity conservation and human livelihoods have become increasingly popular over recent years. There however remains a gap in terms of practical and policy-relevant guidance about appropriate approaches that take into account the local needs and the specific cultural, legal, and ecological context in which such instruments are being

We describe an outbreak of rabies in a pack of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Limpopo-Lipadi Private Game and Wilderness Reserve in the Tuli region of south-eastern Botswana. We define the pack's behavioural response to the disease, clinical signs, and management interventions undertaken and make recommendations to mitigate against future disease outbreaks of this nature. The outbreak, which