The Stability Constants of Complexes of BDBPH- Metals and Species Distributions

The stability constants of the mononuclear complexes of BDBPH-Zn(II), Cd(II) and Mn (II) were determined by the potentiometric equilibrium measurements, and species distributions were also discussed. The metal ions do not combine with the ligand until the first two protons of the ligand have almost been completely neutralized. The main species were mononuclear complexes with the diprotonated ligand, MH,L. The three metal ions also form mono- and noprotonated (fully deprotonated) complexes, MHL, ML. The relative order of stabilities of the mononuclear complexes, ML, is Zn(II) > Cd(II) > Mn(II). The ligand has strong tendency to form mononuclear complexes with Zn(II), Cd(II) and Mn(II), and it can also form dinuclear complexes at high pH.

Regional climate model downscaling may improve the prediction of alien plant species distributions

Distributions of invasive species are commonly predicted with species distribution models that build upon the statistical relationships between observed species presence data and climate data. We used field observations, climate station data, and Maximum Entropy species distribution models for 13 invasive plant species in the United States, and then compared the models with inputs from a General Circulation Model （hereafter GCM-based models） and a downscaled Regional Climate Model （hereafter, RCM-based models）. We also compared species distributions based on either GCM-based or RCM-based models for the present （1990-1999） to the future （2046- 2055）. RCM-based species distribution models replicated observed distributions remarkably better than GCM- based models for all invasive species under the current climate. This was shown for the presence locations of the species, and by using four common statistical metrics to compare modeled distributions. For two widespread invasive taxa （Bromus tectorum or cheatgrass, and Tamarix spp. or tamarisk）, GCM-based models failed miserably to reproduce observed species distributions. In contrast, RCM-based species distribution models closely matched observations. Future species distributions may be significantly affected by using GCM-based inputs. Because invasive plants species often show high resilience and low rates of local extinction, RCM-based species distribution models may perform better than GCM-based species distribution models for planning containment programs for invasive species.

Mapping the current and future distributions of Onosma species endemic to Iran

Climate change may cause shifts in the natural range of species especially for those that are geographically restricted and/or endemic species.In this study,the spatial distribution of five endemic and threatened species belonging to the genus Onosma(including O.asperrima,O.bisotunensis,O.kotschyi,O.platyphylla,and O.straussii)was investigated under present and future climate change scenarios:RCP2.6(RCP,representative concentration pathway;optimistic scenario)and RCP8.5(pessimistic scenario)for the years 2050 and 2080 in Iran.Analysis was conducted using the maximum entropy(MaxEnt)model to provide a basis for the protection and conservation of these species.Seven environmental variables including aspect,depth of soil,silt content,slope,annual precipitation,minimum temperature of the coldest month,and annual temperature range were used as main predictors in this study.The model output for the potential habitat suitability of the studied species showed acceptable performance for all species(i.e.,the area under the curve(AUC)>0.800).According to the models generated by MaxEnt,the potential current patterns of the species were consistent with the observed areas of distributions.The projected climate maps under optimistic and pessimistic scenarios(RCP2.6 and RCP8.5,respectively)of 2050 and 2080 resulted in reductions and expansions as well as positive range changes for all species in comparison to their current predicted distributions.Among all species,O.bisotunensis showed the most significant and highest increase under the pessimistic scenario of 2050 and 2080.Finally,the results of this study revealed that the studied plant species have shown an acute adaptability to environmental changes.The results can provide useful information to managers to apply appropriate strategies for the management and conservation of these valuable Iranian medicinal and threatened plant species in the future.

Climate-change habitat shifts for the vulnerable endemic oak species(Quercus arkansana Sarg.)

Quercus arkansana(Arkansas oak)is at risk of becoming endangered,as the total known population size is represented by a few isolated populations.The potential impact of climate change on this species in the near future is high,yet knowledge of its predicted effects is limited.Our study utilized the biomod2 R package to develop habi-tat suitability ensemble models based on bioclimatic and topographic environmental variables and the known loca-tions of current distribution of Q.arkansana.We predicted suitable habitats across three climate change scenarios(SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5)for 2050,2070,and 2090.Our findings reveal that the current suitable habitat for Q.arkansana is approximately 127,881 km^(2) across seven states(Texas,Arkansas,Alabama,Louisiana,Mississippi,Georgia,and Florida);approximately 9.5%is encompassed within state and federally managed protected areas.Our models predict that all current suitable habitats will disap-pear by 2050 due to climate change,resulting in a northward shift into new regions such as Tennessee and Kentucky.The large extent of suitable habitat outside protected areas sug-gests that a species-specific action plan incorporating pro-tected areas and other areas may be crucial for its conserva-tion.Moreover,protection of Q.arkansana habitat against climate change may require locally and regionally focused conservation policies,adaptive management strategies,and educational outreach among local people.

Modelling the spatial distribution of snake species in northwestern Tunisia using maximum entropy(Maxent) and Geographic Information System(GIS)

We used GIS and maximum entropy to predict the potential distribution of six snake species belong to three families in Kroumiria（Northwestern Tunisia）： Natricidae（Natrix maura and Natrix astreptophora）, Colubridae（Hemorrhois hippocrepis, Coronella girondica and Macroprotodon mauritanicus）, and Lamprophiidae（Malpolon insignitus）. The suitable habitat for each species was modelled using the maximum entropy algorithm, combining presence field data（collected during 16 years：2000–2015） with a set of seven environmental variables（mean annual precipitation, elevation, slope gradient,aspect, distance to watercourses, land surface temperature and normalized Differential Vegetation Index. The relative importance of these environmental variables was evaluated by jackknife tests and the predictive power of our models was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic. The main explicative variables of the species distribution were distance from streams and elevation, with contributions ranging from 60 to 77 and from 10 to 25%,respectively. Our study provided the first habitat suitability models for snakes in Kroumiria and this information can be used by conservation biologists and land managers concerned with preserving snakes in Kroumiria.

Species distribution of polymeric aluminium ferrum——timed complexation colorimetric analysis method of Al-Fe-Ferron

The effects of the calorimetric buffer solutions were investigated while the two colorimetric reactions of AI-ferron complex and Fe-ferron complex occurred individually, and the effects of the testing wavelength and the pH of the solutions were also investigated. A timed complexatian colorimetric analysis method of Al-Fe-ferron in view of the total concentration of {AI + Fe} was then established to determine the species distribution of polymeric Al-Fe. The testing wavelength was recommended at 362 net and the testing pH value was 5. With a comparison of the ratios of n(Al)/n(Fe), the standard adsorption curves of the polymeric Al-Fe solutions were derived from the experimental results. Furthermore, the solutions' composition were carious in both the molar n(Al)/n(Fe) ratios, i.e. 0/0, 5/5, 9/1 and 0/10, and the concentrations associated with the total ( Al + Fe which ranged from 10(-5) to 10(-4) mol/L..

Potential distributional shifts in North America of allelopathic invasive plant species under climate change models

Predictive studies play a crucial role in the study of biological invasions of terrestrial plants under possible climate change scenarios.Invasive species are recognized for their ability to modify soil microbial communities and influence ecosystem dynamics.Here,we focused on six species of allelopathic flowering plants-Ailanthus altissima,Casuarina equisetifolia,Centaurea stoebe ssp.micranthos,Dioscorea bulbifera,Lantana camara,and Schinus terebinthifolia-Xhat are invasive in North America and examined their potential to spread further during projected climate change.We used Species Distribution Models(SDMs)to predict future suitable areas for these species in North America under several proposed future climate models.ENMEval and Maxent were used to develop SDMs,estimate current distributions,and predict future areas of suitable climate for each species.Areas with the greatest predicted suitable climate in the future include the northeastern and the coastal northwestern regions of North America.Range size estimations demonstrate the possibility of extreme range loss for these invasives in the southeastern United States,while new areas may become suitable in the northeastern United States and southeastern Canada.These findings show an overall northward shift of suitable climate during the next few decades,given projected changes in temperature and precipitation.Our results can be utilized to analyze potential shifts in the distribution of these invasive species and may aid in the development of conservation and management plans to target and control dissemination in areas at higher risk for potential future invasion by these allelopathic species.

Mapping the potential distribution suitability of 16 tree species under climate change in northeastern China using Maxent modelling

Knowledge on the potential suitability of tree species to the site is very important for forest management planning.Natural forest distribution provides a good reference for afforestation and forest restoration.In this study,we developed species distribution model(SDM)for 16 major tree species with 2,825 permanent sample plots with natural origin from Chinese National Forest Inventory data collected in Jilin Province using the Maxent model.Three types of environmental factors including bioclimate,soil and topography with a total of 33 variables were tested as the input.The values of area under the curve(AUC,one of the receiver operating characteristics of the Maxent model)in the training and test datasets were between 0.784 and 0.968,indicating that the prediction results were quite reliable.The environmental factors affecting the distribution of species were ranked in terms of their importance to the species distribution.Generally,the climatic factors had the greatest contribution,which included mean diurnal range,annual mean temperature,temperature annual range,and iosthermality.But the main environmental factors varied with tree species.Distribution suitability maps under current(1950-2000)and future climate scenarios(CCSM4-RCP 2.6 and RCP 6.0 during 2050)were produced for 16 major tree species in Jilin Province using the model developed.The predicted current and future ranges of habitat suitability of the 16 tree species are likely to be positively and negatively affected by future climate.Seven tree species were found to benefit from future climate including B etula costata,Fraxinus mandshurica,Juglans mandshurica,Phellodendron amurense,Populus ussuriensis,Quercus mongolica and Ulmus pumila;five tree species will experience decline in their suitable habitat including B.platyphylla,Tilia mongolica,Picea asperata,Pinus sylvestris,Pinus koraiensis;and four(Salix koreensis,Abies fabri,Pinus densiflora and Larix olgensis)showed the inconsistency under RCP 2.6 and RCP 6.0 scenarios.The maps of the habitat suitability can be used as a basis for afforestation and forest restoration in northeastern China.The SDMs could be a potential tool for forest management planning.

Species abundance distribution models of Toona ciliata communities in Hubei Province,China

The study of plant species abundance distribution(SAD)in natural communities is of considerable importance to understand the processes and ecological rules of community assembly.With the distribution of tree,shrub and herb layers of eight natural communities of Toona ciliata as research targets,three diff erent ecological niche models were used:broken stick model,overlapping niche model and niche preemption model,as well as three statistical models:log-series distribution model,log-normal distribution model and Weibull distribution model,to fi t SAD of the diff erent vegetation layers based on data collected.Goodness-of-fi t was compared with Chi square test,Kolmogorov–Smirnov(K–S)test and Akaike Information Criterion(AIC).The results show:(1)based on the criteria of the lowest AIC value,Chi square value and K–S value with no signifi cant diff erence(p>0.05)between theoretic and observed SADs.The suitability and goodness-of-fi t of the broken stick model was the best of three ecological niche models.The log-series distribution model did not accept the fi tted results of most vegetation layers and had the lowest goodness-of-fi t.The Weibull distribution model had the best goodness-of-fi t for SADs.Overall,the statistical SADs performed better than the ecological ones.(2)T.ciliata was the dominant species in all the communities;species richness and diversity of herbs were the highest of the vegetation layers,while the diversities of the tree layers were slightly higher than the shrub layers;there were fewer common species and more rare species in the eight communities.The herb layers had the highest community evenness,followed by the shrub and the tree layers.Due to the complexity and habitat diversity of the diff erent T.ciliata communities,comprehensive analyses of a variety of SADs and tests for optimal models together with management,are practical steps to enhance understanding of ecological processes and mechanisms of T.ciliata communities,to detect disturbances,and to facilitate biodiversity and species conservation.

Marine ecological risk assessment for the herbicide sulfometuron-methyl based on species sensitivity distribution approach

In recent years,herbicide sulfometuron-methyl(SM)has been used to kill the invasive plant Spartina alterniflora in some coastal areas of China,which may lead to the toxic effects on non-target marine organisms.The 96-h median effective concentrations(96-h EC50)of SM on six species of marine microalgae were measured in growth inhibition tests,and were then compared with other published toxicity data,based on which a method of species sensitivity distribution(SSD)was built to estimate the hazardous concentration of SM for 5%of species(HC5)and potentially affected fraction(PAF)for a certain concentration.Results indicate that SM exhibited a high toxicity to two species of green algae(Chlorella pacifica and Dunaliella salina)with a 96-h EC50 of 0.11 and 0.13 mg/L respectively,had a medium toxicity to two species of golden algae(Diacronema viridis and Isochrysis galbana)with a 96-h EC50 of 14.24 and 21.48 mg/L respectively,and showed a low toxicity to two species of diatoms(Skeletonema costatum and Phaeodactylum tricornutum)with a 96-h EC50 of 148.99 and>100 mg/L,respectively.The estimated values of HC5 and the predicted no-effect concentrations(PNEC)for SM were 0.077 and 0.015 mg/L,respectively.According to the current dosage for killing S.alterniflora in tidal flats in Fujian Province,China,SM entering the sea by spraying might cause the acute injury or death of 14%of marine species.This hazard could last for about a month for those sensitive species.Therefore,on the premise of inhibiting the growth of this invasive plant,the dosage of SM should be reduced as much as possible to avoid severe damage to the marine ecosystem.The results provide a valuable information for marine ecological risk assessment on SM and for marine environmental management.

Measurement and analysis of species distribution in laser-induced ablation plasma of an aluminum–magnesium alloy

We proposed a theoretical spatio-temporal imaging method,which was based on the thermal model of laser ablation and the two-dimensional axisymmetric multi-species hydrodynamics model.By using the intensity formula,the integral intensity of spectral lines could be calculated and the corresponding images of intensity distribution could be drawn.Through further image processing such as normalization,determination of minimum intensity,combination and color filtering,a relatively clear species distribution image in the plasma could be obtained.Using the above method,we simulated the plasma ablated from Al-Mg alloy by different laser energies under 1 atm argon,and obtained the theoretical spatio-temporal distributions of Mg I,Mg II,Al I,Al II and Ar I species,which are almost consistent with the experimental results by differential imaging.Compared with the experimental decay time constants,the consistency is higher at low laser energy,indicating that our theoretical model is more suitable for the plasma dominated by laser-supported combustion wave.

Different environmental factors drive tree species diversity along elevation gradients in three climatic zones in Yunnan,southern China

Elevational patterns of tree diversity are well studied worldwide.However,few studies have examined how seedlings respond to elevational gradients and whether their responses vary across climatic zones.In this study,we established three elevational transects in tropical,subtropical and subalpine mountain forests in Yunnan Province,southern China,to examine the responses of tree species and their seedlings to elevational gradients.Within each transect,we calculated species diversity indices and composition of both adult trees and seedlings at different elevations.For both adult trees and seedlings,we found that species diversity decreased with increasing elevation in both tropical and subalpine transects.Species composition showed significant elevational separation within all three transects.Many species had specific elevational preferences,but abundant tree species that occurred at specific elevations tended to have very limited recruitment in the understory.Our results highlight that the major factors that determine elevational distributions of tree species vary across climatic zones.Specifically,we found that the contribution of air temperature to tree species composition increased from tropical to subalpine transects,whereas the contribution of soil moisture decreased across these transects.

The rapid climate change-caused dichotomy on subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest in Yunnan： Reduction in habitat diversity and increase in species diversity

Yunnan's biodiversity is under considerable pressure and subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in this area have become increasingly fragmented through agriculture,logging,planting of economic plants,mining activities and changing environment.The aims of the study are to investigate climate changeinduced changes of subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in Yunnan and identify areas of current species richness centers for conservation preparation.Stacked species distribution models were created to generate ensemble forecasting of species distributions,alpha diversity and beta diversity for Yunnan's subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests in both current and future climate scenarios.Under stacked species distribution models in rapid climate changes scenarios,changes of water-energy dynamics may possibly reduce beta diversity and increase alpha diversity.This point provides insight for future conservation of evergreen broad-leaved forest in Yunnan,highlighting the need to fully consider the problem of vegetation homogenization caused by transformation of water-energy dynamics.

Estimating seasonal habitat suitability for migratory species in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea:A case study of Tanaka's snailfish(Liparis tanakae)

Acquiring a comprehensive and accurate understanding of habitat preference is essential for species conservation and fishery management,especially for mobile species that migrate seasonally.Presence and absence data from field surveys are recommended when available due to their high reliability.Using field survey data,we investigated seasonal habitat suitability requirements for Tanaka's snailfish(Liparis tanakae)in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea(BSYS)via a machine-learning method,random forests(RFs).Five environmental and biologically relevant variables(bottom temperature,bottom salinity,current velocity,depth and distance to shore)were used to build the ecological niches between the presence/absence data and suitable habitat.In addition,the degree to which false absence data might impact model performance was evaluated.Our results indicated that RFs provided accurate predictions,with seasonal habitat suitability maps of L.tanakae differing substantially.Bottom temperature and salinity were identified as important factors influencing the distribution of L.tanakae.False absence data were found to have negative effects on model performance and the decrease in evaluation metrics was usually significant(P<0.05)after 30%or more errors were added to the absence data.Through identifying highly suitable areas within its geographic range,our study provides a baseline for L.tanakae that can be further applied in ecosystem modelling and fishery management in the BSYS.

Eff ects of climate change on the potential habitat distribution of swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus under the species distribution model

Over the last decades,the species distribution model(SDM)has become an essential tool for studying the potential eff ects of climate change on species distribution.In this study,an ensemble SDM was developed to predict the changes in species distribution of swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus across diff erent seasons in the future(2050s and 2100s)under the climate scenarios of Representative Concentration Pathway(RCP)4.5 and RCP8.5.Results of the ensemble SDM indicate that the distribution of this species will move northward and exhibit evident seasonal variations.Among the four seasons,the suitable habitat for this species will be signifi cantly reduced in summer,with loss rates ranging from 45.23%(RCP4.5)to 88.26%(RCP.8.5)by the 2100s.The loss of habitat will mostly occur in the East China Sea and the southern part of the Yellow Sea,while a slight increase in habitat will occur in the northern part of the Bohai Sea.These fi ndings provide an information forecast for this species in the future.Such forecast will be helpful in improving fi shery management under climate change.

Species distribution modeling in regions of high need and limited data： waterfowl of China

Background: A number of conservation and societal issues require understanding how species are distributed on the landscape, yet ecologists are often faced with a lack of data to develop models at the resolution and extent desired, resulting in inefficient use of conservation resources.Such a situation presented itself in our attempt to develop waterfowl distribution models as part of a multi-disciplinary team targeting the control of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in China.Methods: Faced with limited data, we built species distribution models using a habitat suitability approach for China's breeding and non-breeding(hereafter, wintering) waterfowl.An extensive review of the literature was used to determine model parameters for habitat modeling.Habitat relationships were implemented in GIS using land cover covariates.Wintering models were validated using waterfowl census data, while breeding models, though developed for many species, were only validated for the one species with sufficient telemetry data available.Results: We developed suitability models for 42 waterfowl species(30 breeding and 39 wintering) at 1 km resolution for the extent of China, along with cumulative and genus level species richness maps.Breeding season models showed highest waterfowl suitability in wetlands of the high-elevation west-central plateau and northeastern China.Wintering waterfowl suitability was highest in the lowland regions of southeastern China.Validation measures indicated strong performance in predicting species presence.Comparing our model outputs to China's protected areas indicated that breeding habitat was generally better covered than wintering habitat, and identified locations for which additional research and protection should be prioritized.Conclusions: These suitability models are the first available for many of China's waterfowl species, and have direct utility to conservation and habitat planning and prioritizing management of critically important areas, providing an example of how this approach may aid others faced with the challenge of addressing conservation issues with little data to inform decision making.

A study on zooplankton distribution patterns and indicator species in Kuroshio upstream area and adjacent East China Sea

On the basis of the data of zooplankton biomass and three major taxa—— Copepoda, Chaetognatha andSiphonophora of May-June 1986, July-August and December 1987, the distributional patterns and the indicator species of zooplankton in the Kuroshio and adjacent waters of the East China Sea are preliminarily studied. The results are as follows:The horizontal distribution of zooplankton biomass and the abundance of copepods, chaetognaths and siphonophores arecurred in the continent area northwest of Taiwan and the south-centre section of the East China Sea continent, which are the mix front of different waters. Zooplankton in the water area inside of Ryukyu Islands presented low abundance and high diversity. There are clear seasonal variations in zooplankton biomass and abundance in the study area. The strength or weakness of different water masses and fronts is the basic reason for the variations of zooplankton biomass and abundance.The species composition of zooplankton in the study area is complex and varies, however, the tropic oceanic species predominates overwhelmingly. The distribution of different ecotype species evidences the distribution of different water masses and the state of mixture. The indicator species of each water mass are listed in the paper so as to provide grounds for the variation of currents in the Kuroshio area.The temperature and salinity of sea water are important factors affecting zooplankton distribution, composition and diversity , however the role of salinity is major. With the replacement of one season by another, the correlative levels of temperature and salinity to various zooplankton taxa are more or less significant.

Relative importance of tidal flats and artificial habitats for two spoonbill species and related interspecific differences

Artificial/seminatural environments,such as aquacultural ponds,saltpans,and croplands,have recently been acknowledged as important habitats for coastal waterbirds.Although coastal waterbirds tend to use artificial habitats around tidal flats as roosting sites during high-tide,it remains unclear whether the importance of surrounding habitats relative to tidal flats varies among landscape types,seasons,species,or tidal conditions.The Black-faced Spoonbill(Platalea minor)and Eurasian Spoonbill(P.leucorodia)are two closely related sympatric species in East Asia with narrow and wide distribution ranges and habitat requirements,respectively.We therefore expect that both species will use surrounding artificial habitats across seasons at high tides,but Blackfaced Spoonbills will use them less frequently than Eurasian Spoonbills.Here,we address these hypotheses in the Imazu tidal flat and its surrounding environments in southern Japan.We investigated the habitat use and behavioral patterns of both species through route and behavioral surveys during the fall migration and wintering seasons in 2021.We found that both species used surrounding habitats including artificial ones more frequently than the tidal flat regardless of the tidal condition or season,but spoonbills used these habitats more frequently in winter than in autumn.We also found that Eurasian Spoonbills foraged in surrounding artificial habitats more frequently than Black-faced Spoonbills.These results not only demonstrate how coastal waterbirds exploit surrounding habitats relative to tidal flats but also suggest that the importance of surrounding habitats varies among species and seasons.Our study thus emphasizes that valuing and managing surrounding habitats in addition to tidal flats are key to conserving globally declining waterbirds.

Conservation of challenging endemic plant species at high risk of extinction in arid mountain ecosystems:a case study of Rosa arabica Crép.in Egypt

Rosa arabica Crép.is a perennial shrub belonging to the family Rosaceae.It is endemic to the high mountain area of St.Catherine Protected Area(SCPA)in southern Sinai,Egypt,and is listed as one of the most 100 threatened plants in the world.Recently,it has been listed as critically endangered by IUCN Red List due to its small extent of occurrence and tiny population size.We reported the continuous decline in habitat quality for this species and the urgent need to carry out on-ground conservation actions.So,this research aims to conserve Rosa arabica through in situ practices by implementing the following steps,respectively:a)evaluate the current conservation status through IUCN Red List to extract the environmental factors controlling the species’distribution necessary for establishing the recovery program,b)determine the potential species habitat suitability under the current climate conditions using Maxent,and c)based on the previous two steps,the translocation process for R.arabica in the suitable habitat will be done after the simple layering process as one of the most effective traditional vegetative methods for wild cultivation for this species.These steps aimed to reduce the impact of threats and the risk of extinction through increasing the population size,the Extent of Occurrence(EOO),and the Area of Occupancy(AOO).We extracted the environmental factors controlling the target species’distribution and habitat suitability range using the IUCN Red List assessment and Species Distribution Model(SDM).The most suitable habitat for R.arabica is predicted in the middle northern parts of SCPA,with the highest suitability in the High Mountains.Precipitation of driest quarter,precipitation of wettest month,precipitation of coldest quarter,and aspect are the highest mean contributors determining the distribution of R.arabica in SCPA.Rosa arabica potential distribution covers 324.4 km^(2)(7.46%)of the total SCPA area(4350 km^(2)).This area is divided into:18.1 km^(2)high probability,124.3 km^(2)moderate probability,and 182 km^(2)low probability.After one year of the simple layering process,ten branches rooted and were translocated into three sites that had been previously identified to cover three habitat suitability ranges(high,moderate,and low suitability).After a year of translocation in the wild,the survival rate ranged from 66%to 100%,the geographical range increased by 65%,and the population size by 6.8%.Therefore,if the new individuals continue to grow and adapt it may lead to the expansion of other environmental factors such as climatic and topographical factors that probably increase the resilience of the global population of the species to adverse events.Detailed information is provided in this research about the recovery program,from planning to implementation and monitoring,and recommendations for best practices.

Diversity of beetle species and functional traits along gradients of deadwood suggests weak environmental filtering

Background: Gradients in local environmental characteristics may favour the abundance of species with particular traits, while other species decline, or favour species with different traits at the same time, without an increase in average species abundances. Therefore, we asked: do variations in species and traits differ along gradients of deadwood variables? Do species abundance and trait occurrence change with species richness within or between functional groups? Thus, we analysed the beetle assemblages of five forest sites located in Italy, along the Apennines mountains.Methods: From 2012 to 2018 we sampled beetles and five deadwood types in 193 plots to characterise the deadwood gradient: standing dead trees, snags, dead downed trees, coarse woody debris, and stumps. We modelled beetle species relative abundances and trophic traits occurrences against the deadwood variables using joint species distribution models.Results: Out of 462 species, only 77 showed significant responses to at least one deadwood type, with a weak mean response across species. Trophic groups showed mostly negative responses to deadwood variables. Species abundance increased with species richness among sites only for phytophagous and saproxylophagous. Trait occurrence did not increase with species richness among sites, except for phytophagous and saproxylophagous.However, trait occurrence changed significantly with species richness of several trophic groups within some sites.We found that increases in species richness do not result in decreases in species abundance of a given trophic group, but rather null or positive relationships were found suggesting low interspecific competition.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that in Mediterranean mountain forests there is still room for increasing the level of naturalness, at least for what concerns deadwood management. On one side, our findings suggest that competition for deadwood substrates is still low, on the other side they indicate that increasing deadwood volume and types to improve overall beetle richness may increase also beetle abundances.