Overview of priorities,threats,and challenges to biodiversity conservation in the southern Philippines

Human activities have severely impacted on many species and ecosystems.Thus,understanding the local biodiversity situation is crucial for implementing effective biodiversity conservation interventions.Mindanao in the southern Philippines is home to various unique species,particularly in its pristine ecosystems.However,the available biodiversity data for many terrestrial vertebrates and key areas remain incomplete.To address this issue,we synthesized published literature related to biodiversity from 2000 to 2022 in Mindanao.Moreover,this analysis used four key terrestrial vertebrates(amphibians,reptiles,birds,and mammals)in Mindanao as research objects.According to our findings,there was a significant and positive correlation between the number of biodiversity studies and species recorded.In terms of species richness,birds were the most recorded group(n=334 spp.),followed by reptiles(n=108 spp.),mammals(n=70 spp.),and amphibians(n=52 spp.).We also found that the number of endemic and threatened species varies geographically and across taxonomic groups.Yet,we discovered a significant disparity in the information available on biodiversity in different provinces of Mindanao.For example,the western provinces of Mindanao have had no record of biodiversity for more than two decades.Furthermore,we found that the changes in tree cover loss were consistent with biodiversity records,but this correlation is only significant for birds.Finally,we highlighted some critical threats and challenges to biodiversity,including deforestation,agricultural expansion,mining,and their impact on biodiversity conservation in Mindanao.Our findings suggested that biodiversity conservation should focus not only on areas with high levels of biodiversity but also on areas lacking biodiversity information.To do this,we call for strengthening collaboration among various institutions and digitizing and centralizing of information related to biodiversity.By gaining a deeper understanding of biodiversity in Mindanao,we can better and sustainably protect critical ecosystems in this region from the increasing threats posed by human activities.

Perception of Local Populations of Bouba-Ndjidda National Park on Indigenous Knowledge and the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity Conservation

This study deals with the perceptions of indigenous knowledge in the field of conservation and the impact of climate change on biodiversity in the peripheral villages of the Bouba-Ndjidda National Park (PNBN), Department of Mayo-Rey, Cameroon. To this end, 23 out of 70 villages in the study area were selected, for a sample of 368 households surveyed through a questionnaire addressed to the heads of households. Data collection took place from August 27 to December 22, 2022. The results reveal that 70.7% of the population living near the PNBN practice agriculture as their main income-generating activity, followed by livestock (23.3%) and trade (6%). Knowledge in the field of the conservation of natural resources is rooted in occultism through rituals and sacrifices (99.50%) offered to the geniuses of nature and prohibitions on the felling of trees and sacred animals (13.00%). The populations perceive climate change through the variation of the seasons (97.60%), the increase in temperature (84.80%), the reduction in the duration of the rainy seasons (54.60%), the drop in agricultural yield (84.80%) and floods (74.70%). The consequence of these changes on wildlife is the disappearance of animal species such as the Rhinoceros, the Wild Dog, the Cheetah and the Ostrich. In order to cope with climate change, the natives have developed strategies such as the adoption of early crop varieties (maize, millet, soybeans, etc.), the reorganization of the agricultural calendar, the practice of reforestation, extension of field surfaces, the cessation of excessive deforestation and uncontrolled bush fires, the construction of fired brick houses, the practice of irrigation, seasonal migration and occultism. This indigenous knowledge is a perfect adaptation to climate change and makes it possible to better take into account the vision of local populations in the conservation of biodiversity.

Knowledge Gaps in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Impacts on Biodiversity Conservation in Nairobi, Kenya

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aim to ensure environmental sustainability is enhanced focusing on the future generation. Knowledge of the SDGs becomes pivotal in biodiversity conservation thus, a gap impacts such efforts on protecting and preserving biodiversity habits difficult. Nairobi City was chosen because of her unique ecosystem that habits wildlife and urban life with great prospects of being East Africa’s business hub. With an estimated double city population by 2030, knowledge of SDGs would be useful in enhancing biodiversity conservation in unique cities like Nairobi. Thus, a gap in the knowledge of SDGs threatens the future of biodiversity unless it is mitigated. The study employed a cross-sectional design that caters to qualitative and quantitative data. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model was adopted to evaluate how determinants of human perceptions, decisions, and activities related to implementing sustainable development goals impact biodiversity conservation. Results indicate that respondents’ knowledge (30.5% ± 2.01%), attitudes (30.4% ± 1.56%), and practice (26.3% ± 0.08%) on implementation of SDGs was significantly low. Further, a majority believed that lack of awareness of SDGs 87% impacts biodiversity conservation, coupled with 12% and 1%, respectively, who opined that limited SDGs knowledge sharing and corruption were barriers to biodiversity conservation. The majority of respondents believed that increased awareness of SDGs (78.2% ± 2.61%), and strengthened institutional capacity (58.7% ± 3.01%) underscores SDGs’ importance in biodiversity conservation. Knowledge of SDGs is pivotal in the enhancement of biodiversity conservation.

Spatial phylogenetics of two topographic extremes of the Hengduan Mountains in southwestern China and its implications for biodiversity conservation

Previous attempts to elucidate the drivers of speciation mechanisms and spatial distribution patterns of biodiversity in mountain regions have treated different floras within a single geological region as one flora,ignoring the potential contributions of high habitat/ecosystem heterogeneity.Furthermore,current conservation strategies largely focus on forest ecosystems and/or specific flagship species,ignoring marginal ecosystems,leaving species in these ecosystems at risk.Here,we compared the spatial patterns of biodiversity and the potential drivers of these patterns in the river valley and subnival ecosystems of the Hengduan Mountains region(HDM)in southwestern China.Specifically,we compared spatial patterns of diversity,endemism,and threatened species in these ecosystems based on both traditional measurements and recent phylogenetic approaches.We then examined how those patterns were related to environmental factors and human activity in these same regions.We found that the middle-southern HDM supports the highest diversity and endemism for the river valley and subnival ecosystems;however,the distribution patterns of neo-and paleo-endemism in these two ecosystems differ.Regression models indicate that habitat diversity and paleo-climatic fluctuation are important drivers of diversity and endemism for these two ecosystems.Temperature and precipitation,however,showed different influences on the spatial patterns in different ecosystems.Categorical analysis of neo-and paleoendemism(CANAPE)indicated that most endemism centers are not covered by current nature reserves.Moreover,the intensity of human activity is highest in the southern and southeastern HDM,which coincides with the distribution patterns of diversity,mixed-endemism and high-priority(and threatened)species.These findings suggest that different floras within a single geographic/floristic region respond differently to environmental factors and show different spatial phylogenetic patterns.We,therefore,recommend that future research into the drivers of biodiversity consider the contributions of various ecosystem types within a single geological region.This study also provides a theoretical basis for protecting habitat diversity.Our work confirms that current conservation efforts are insufficient to protect ecosystem diversity in the river valley and subnival ecosystems of the Hengduan Mountains.Therefore,we recommend the establishment of nature reserves in the regions identified in this study;furthermore,we strongly recommend improving current and establishing new management policies for biodiversity conservation in this region.

Taxonomy is the cornerstone of biodiversity conservation SEABRI reports on biological surveys in Southeast Asia

The Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute(SEABRI)is an international scientific research and education organization affiliated directly to the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)and managed by the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical

Selecting flagship species to solve a biodiversity conservation conundrum

The difficulty of effectively monitoring and managing the environment to conserve biodiversity is as yet an unsolved conundrum.A project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has concluded that progress can be made through the use of flagship species selected using criteria drawn from conservation biology,ecosystem function,socio-economics,and cultural importance.Inclusion of the latter three criteria will help attract and maintain the commitment of the public to play full parts in carrying out any conservation measures needed.A system is proposed for scoring species to select those that are most suitable as flagships.This method can be used regardless of the size of the area chosen for attention,whether it is a region,a country,or a particular protected area.

Spatial Analysis of Federal Protected Areas and Priority Areas for Biodiversity Conservation in Brazil

This study presents a spatial analysis of priority areas for biodiversity conservation (PABCs) in Brazil and their coverage by federal protected areas as an indicator of the level of protection afforded to biodiversity in the country and the convergence of environmental protection policies in the sphere of federal government. Georeferenced data were processed using a geographic information system, enabling the calculation of areas, analyses of superimpositions, localizations, and the obtainment of other information using spatial features manipulated in this system. A comparative analysis is done of the PABCs mapped in two periods (2003 and 2007) to ascertain the evolution of this public policy instrument in detecting environmental priorities in protected areas. The improved coverage of PABCs by protected areas in the more recent mapping indicates a good convergence of environmental policies, which are enhanced by technical improvements to mapping procedures and methods for identifying such areas. As a result, the priority areas for biodiversity conservation could become a protected area regulated and recognized by the federal government.

Perception and attitude of pastoralists on livestock-wildlife interactions around Awash National Park, Ethiopia: implication for biodiversity conservation

Introduction:Pastoral livestock share grazing areas and watering points with wildlife around the protected areas in Eastern Africa.This causes a high degree of livestock-wildlife interactions,leading to conflicts between the local community and park staff.Thus,understanding the perception and attitude of local people towards livestockwildlife interaction is very crucial to optimize both livestock production and biodiversity conservation in protected areas.This paper presents the perception and attitude of local community towards livestock-wildlife interactions around Awash National Park(ANP),Ethiopia.Methods:Interview to 180 randomly selected households,representing Afar,Ittu,and Kereyu ethnic groups living around ANP,was conducted from August to December 2015 using a semi-structured questionnaire.Data on community attitude towards wildlife,livestock production systems,and its constraints were collected through focus group-and key informant discussions.We used ordinal logistic regression model to analyze community attitude towards wildlife conservation.Results:Respondents ranked feed shortage(0.38),lack of water(0.32),and climate change(0.30)as the major constraints of livestock production around ANP.A high degree of conflict(79%;χ^(2)=24.09;df=2;P=0.000)between the local community and park was recorded.About 73%of the households would be ready to live in harmony with the park.However,85%of park staff considered the community as a threat,due to high livestock grazing pressure and illegal park resource use.Overall,community attitude towards wildlife significantly varied(χ^(2)=46.28;df=4;P=0.00)particularly due to educational level(χ^(2)=15.96;df=6;P=0.014),income source(χ^(2)=16.77;df=2;P=0.00),and distance of household from ANP(χ^(2)=20.51;df=4;P=0.00).The logistic regression model revealed that ethnic group,education,benefit obtained,and conflict with the park were significantly associated with attitude towards wildlife(χ^(2)15=76.62;df=16;P=0.000).Conclusions:Majority of respondents showed positive attitude towards wildlife,implying a better chance to mobilize the community for conservation activities in the park.Thus,expansion of formal and adult education as well as livelihood diversification strategies that could benefit the pastoral community would help to improve community attitude towards wildlife so that both wildlife conservation and livestock production can be optimized around ANP.

Bird specimen number linked with species trait and climate niche breadth

Biological specimens are fundamental for taxonomy and flora/fauna research.More importantly,they also play crucial roles in recording environmental impacts on morphology and behavior,which is vital for biodiversity research and conservation.However,there are few systematic studies on the patterns and drivers of bird specimen number at regional scales.This study is the first attempt to examine the relationships between bird specimen number and species traits as well as climate niche breadth in China,aiming to answer two questions:1)how do species’temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth influence specimen number?2)which trait is most associated with bird specimen number?The associations between bird specimen number and explanatory variables were examined using ordinary least squares,generalized linear models,phylogenetic generalized linear mixed models,and multiple comparisons.The results showed that Muscicapidae was the family with the highest specimen number,and Passeriformes was the order with the highest specimen number.Bird specimen number significantly increased with larger temperature niche breadth and precipitation niche breadth.Specimen number was also positively associated with geographic range size,habitat specificity,hunting vulnerability and clutch size,but negatively associated with body size.These findings suggest that future bird specimen collection should pay more attention to birds with limited ecological niches,large body sizes,and small clutch sizes.This research enhances the use of bird specimen data to study and preserve biodiversity.

Farming-Biodiversity Segregation or Integration? Revisiting Land Sparing versus Land Sharing Debate

Land Sparing (LSP) was proposed to spatially segregate biodiversity and production in order to maximize both, while Land Sharing (LSH) defenders posit that farming and nature integration is preferable, through eco-agriculture and low-input systems. Based on a multidisciplinary review on historical land-use data, ecological aspects, agricultural production potential, economic and food security topics, we summarize LSP/LSH major findings and caveats. Although LSH still has to address some issues, LSP relies on a series of assumptions that are not supported by data, particularly regarding the positive effects of intensification on agriculture expansion. Furthermore, we developed conceptual models to theoretically predict the responses of biodiversity and ecosystems services in dynamic landscapes with different natural habitat proportions and different intensification levels on the farmed areas. Agriculture intensification may expand farmland reducing habitat area fostering population declines at the “natural” patches (via habitat reduction and decreasing species intra patch flux through the matrix), as well as at the farm site by direct effect of intensification (heterogeneity reduction and pesticide use), leading to a species extinction and ecosystems services loss. This multiple negative effect of agriculture intensification is worsening in regions where habitat proportion is below 30%, such as in many tropical biodiversity hotspots, making LSH a much safer strategy for conservation and food security.

Biodiversity arks in the Anthropocene

The Anthropocene proposal suggested that the Earth may have entered a new geological epoch,in which human activity and climate change are influencing the environment at global scale.Arrival of the Anthropocene is bringing an unprecedented challenge to the biodiversity that is essential to humans,and enhancing many benefits of nature to human being.However,biodiversity loss is aggravating in the rhythm of inevitable change in the Anthropocene,and the adaptation of biodiversity to the anthropogenic disturbance seems unable to keep pace with the human activity and climate change.Therefore,re-examination of the assumptions and practices upon the current conservation endeavor are needed.We suggested that biodiversity conservation should be paid more attention to the response from biodiversity to the human activity and climate change in the Anthropocene.Thus,the concept of biodiversity arks in the Anthropocene is proposed,that is,biodiversity arks in the Anthropocene are the areas where vulnerable biodiversity is sheltered to alleviate human activity and buffered from climate change under the anthropogenic disturbance.The concept should be implemented for biodiversity conservation to fill gaps between our knowledge and build on successful conservation and sustainability in the Anthropocene.It will be certainly important to conservation policy instruction and management under climate change,especially the implementation of climate buffering zones preserving biodiversity in the face of warming climate.

Low genetic diversity in the endangered marine alga Silvetia siliquosa(Ochrophyta:Fucaceae)and the implication to conservation

Although signifi cant research eff orts have been targeted toward conservation and management of endangered terrestrial fl ora and fauna,attempts have been limited to conserve threatened seaweeds.Silvetia siliquosa is an ecologically and commercially vital brown alga that is uniquely distributed in the Yellow-Bohai Sea and along the southwest coast of Korea.A massive decline in its distribution range and biomass from the mid-1990s onward indicates that this species has become endangered.In the present study,we used nuclear internal transcribed spacer and concatenated mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I subunit+intergenic spacer to estimate the genetic diversity,population connectivity,and degree of genetic diff erentiation of S.siliquosa in China and Korea.The molecular results exhibited strikingly low levels of haplotype/ribotype and nucleotide diversity in S.siliquosa populations,with only three mitochondrial haplotypes and nuclear ribotypes detected in 136 and 143 specimens,respectively.The analysis of molecular variance revealed 85%-95%of genetic variance among populations.Population diff erentiation coeffi cient(F_(ST))and gene fl ow(N_(m))suggested that two populations(JIN and GWA)along the southern coast of Korea are highly divergent from the others,with weak genetic exchange.No signifi cant genetic diff erentiation was observed among populations either in China or along the geographically proximate west coast of Korea.Thus,four independent management units were designated for sustainable management:the LII and RUS populations in China,the YEO and CHA populations along the west coast of Korea,and each of the GWA and JIN populations along the south coast of Korea.We suggest that artifi cial cultivation and transplantation of S.siliquosa are the eff ective approaches for restoration and conservation.

Climate change impacts the distribution of Quercus section Cyclobalanopsis(Fagaceae),a keystone lineage in East Asian evergreen broadleaved forests

East Asian evergreen broadleaved forests(EBFLs) harbor high species richness,but these ecosystems are severely impacted by global climate change and deforestation.Conserving and managing EBLFs requires understanding dominant tree distribution dynamics.In this study,we used 29 species in Quercus section Cyclobalanopsis-a keystone lineage in East Asian EBLFs-as proxies to predict EBLF distribution dynamics using species distribution models(SDMs).We examined climatic niche overlap,similarity,and equivalency among seven biogeographical regions’ species using’ecospat’.We also estimated the effectiveness of protected areas in the predicted range to elucidate priority conservation regions.Our results showed that the climatic niches of most geographical groups differ.The western species under the Indian summer monsoon regime were mainly impacted by temperature factors,whereas precipitation impacted the eastern species under the East Asian summer monsoon regime.Our simulation predicted a northward range expansion of section Cyclobalanopsis between 2081 and 2100,except for the ranges of the three Himalayan species analyzed,which might shrink significantly.The greatest shift of highly suitable areas was predicted for the species in the South Pacific,with a centroid shift of over 300 km.Remarkably,only 7.56% of suitable habitat is currently inside protected areas,and the percentage is predicted to continue declining in the future.To better conserve Asian EBLFs,establishing nature reserves in their northern distribution ranges,and transplanting the populations with predicted decreasing numbers and degraded habitats to their future highly suitable areas,should be high-priority objectives.

Exploring the unique characteristics of environmental sustainability in China: Navigating future challenges

With the pace of global sustainable development,China has improved significantly in tackling environmental problems such as carbon emissions,climate change,air,water,and soil pollution,and wildlife extinction.Our study shows that despite China’s economic policy reform,several issues persist,including inequality between society and region,depletion and waste of resources,and damage to the natural environment.The study ob‐served that China shuts low-level oil and coal-based power plants to prevent air pollution,promote a zero carbon world,and reduce carbon intensity to 18.8%.The country also increased forest coverage by nearly 23.4%,declared five national parks in 2021,cleaned 98%of polluted water bodies,and improved the air qual‐ity in many big cities.A country like China has shown deep concern for environmental sustainability and has formulated many policies,laws,and regulations to prevent and conserve the environment and biodiversity and ensure sustainable economic development.This study argues that the Chinese concept of ecological civili‐zation construction adheres to global sustainable development as both pursuits of achieving sustainable conser‐vation of natural resources and improving the livelihoods of the people.Therefore,this paper reviews China’s policies toward ecological civilization(EC),which aim to create a beautiful China by 2035 on the outline of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030.The present study also addresses the issues the Chinese govern‐ment faces while implementing environmental sustainability.

Research on the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity among the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation countries

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO)is the most extensive and populous comprehensive regional cooperation organization in the world,covering about half of the world's population,with not only a huge consumer market,but also rich natural resources and strong productivity.As one of the important platforms for the implementation of the Green Belt and Road Initiative,it is an important opportunity for the SCO to actively participate in global governance and contribute to building a community of global life.To investigate the status of biodiversity conservation in the SCO countries,we used literature analysis approach.We surveyed the performance and international cooperation status of the SCO countries in the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD),listed facing problems and threats to biodiversity conservation,including not optimistic biodiversity conservation project implementation status,contradiction between ecological protection and economic development,impacts of human activities,lack of funds and talents,etc.,and analyzed the biodiversity protection needs of the SCO countries from the perspectives of project and policy implementation status and international cooperation.According to the cooperation between China and the other SCO countries on biodiversity conservation and the post-2020 global biodiversity framework goals,we gave some recommendations:(1)promoting access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing;(2)integrating multiple funds and innovating the implementation of funding mechanism;(3)developing talent training and exchange programs and deepening multilateral cooperation;(4)strengthening cross-border cooperation and improving cooperation network;and(5)establishing a coordination mechanism for biodiversity conservation within the framework of the SCO.

Economic Valuation of Auctioned Tourist Hunting Blocks in Tanzania

Economic valuation of ecosystems is increasingly being recognized as an important exercise to inform sustainable utilization and conservation of natural assets. It helps in planning and establishing fair profit margins that accrue either directly or indirectly from the consumptive and non-consumptive uses of ecosystem goods and services. This paper is based on a study which estimated the economic values of tourist hunting blocks (HBs) in Tanzania using the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM). The study used a sample size of 12 out of 24 vacant hunting blocks which were to be auctioned to potential hunting companies in December 2022. The economic values of HBs were estimated using the time horizon of 10 years (the mean tenure for winning company). The results show that the economic values ranged from USD 6,215,588 to USD 653,470,695 per hunting block and the Existence Value (EV) constituted about 19% of the Total Economic Value (TEV). EV ranged from USD 632,210 to USD 125,147,285. The study underscores the need for decisions to allocate ecosystems, such as HBs, to both direct and indirect uses, to be guided by a though understanding of their values. We further recommend building the capacity of staff charged with the role of managing and allocating uses of these ecosystems to enable them undertake economic valuation of ecosystems using both simple and more robust analytical tools, such as the GIS, relational databases, and worldwide websites based tools, like InVEST (Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs), ARIES (Artificial Intelligence for Ecosystem Services), and Co$ting Nature.

The influence of urban park characteristics on bird diversity in Nanjing, China

Background:Habitat loss,fragmentation and decrease of habitat quality caused by urbanization have led to a dramatic decline in biodiversity worldwide.For highly urbanized areas,parks have become“islands”or habitat fragments for wildlife.As an important indicator group of urban ecosystem health,the response of birds to urbanization has attracted the global attention of ecologists.Understanding the key factors affecting bird diversity in urbanized environment is crucial to the protection of biodiversity in urban ecosystems.Methods:We used the line-transect method to survey birds in 37 urban parks in Nanjing,China.We also measured a number of park characteristics(area,isolation,shape index,environmental noise,distance to city center,and habitat diversity)that are commonly assumed to influence bird diversity.We then used the information-theoretic multi-model inference approach to determine which park characteristics had significant impacts on bird species richness.Results:We found that park area,habitat diversity and the distance to city center were the best positive predictors of bird species richness in Nanjing urban parks.By contrast,park isolation,park shape and environmental noise had little or no influence on bird diversity.Conclusions:Our study highlights the importance of park area,habitat diversity and the distance to city center in determining bird diversity in Nanjing city parks.Therefore,from a conservation viewpoint,we recommend that large parks with complex and diverse habitats far away from the city center should be retained or constructed to increase bird diversity in urban design and planning.

Current climate overrides past climate change in explaining multi-site beta diversity of Lauraceae species in China

Background:We aimed to characterise the geographical distribution of Sørensen-based multi-site dissimilarity(β_(sor))and its underlying true turnover(β_(sim))and nestedness(βsne)components for Chinese Lauraceae and to analyse their relationships to current climate and past climate change.Methods:We used ensembles of small models(ESMs)to map the current distributions of 353 Lauraceae species in China and calculated β_(sor) and its β_(sim) and β_(sne) components.We tested the relationship between β_(sor),β_(sne) and β_(sim) with current climate and past climate change related predictors using a series of simultaneous autoregressive(SAR_(err))models.Results:Spatial distribution of β_(sor)of Lauraceae is positively correlated with latitude,showing an inverse rela-tionship to the latitudinalα-diversity(species richness)gradient.High β_(sor) occurs at the boundaries of the warm temperate and subtropical zones and at the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau due to high β_(sne).The optimized SAR_(err) model explainsβ_(sor) andβ_(sne) well,but notβ_(sim).Current mean annual temperature determinesβ_(sor) and β_(sne) of Lauraceae more than anomalies and velocities of temperature or precipitation since the Last Glacial Maximum.Conclusions:Current low temperatures and high climatic heterogeneity are the main factors explaining the high multi-siteβ-diversity of Lauraceae.In contrast to analyses of the β-diversity of entire species assemblages,studies of single plant families can provide complementary insights into the drivers of β-diversity of evolutionarily more narrowly defined entities.

Larva fish assemblage structure in three-dimensional floating wetlands and non-floating wetlands in the Changjiang River estuary

Fish populations have declined in many estuarine and freshwater ecosystems in part due to the loss of habitat in recent decades.Reconstructing lost habitat for larvae fish is a potential method for recovering larvae fish populations.Three-dimensional artificial floating wetlands(AFWs)on which Phragmites australis was planted were experimentally deployed to recover the lost habitat in the Changjiang(Yangtze)River estuary from May to July 2018.The AFW area was characterized by slow velocity,high transparency,low dissolved oxygen,and relatively constant water temperature.The total individuals of larvae fish in the AFW area(12122 in total)was higher than that in the non-AFW area(1250 in total),and the densities of most larvae fish species were higher in the AFW habitat than in the non-AFW area.The distributions of larvae fish species were positively influenced by habitat type because they were strongly related to the negative part of the first axis of the redundancy analysis,and Cyprinus carpio and Cyprinus auratus were inclined to habitat in the slow velocity and high transparency AFW habitat area.These results indicate that larvae fish species are inclined to inhabit the AFW habitat.The use of three-dimensional P.australis AFWs would be a potential method for enhancing the habitat of larvae fish in the degraded habitats along the estuary.

Can Stand Density and Stem Stratification Be Indicators of Aboveground Biomass in Woody Plant Recruitment in Savannah

Stem density and size stratification of woody species are informative of vegetation conditions and its physiognomy in savannah whereas their variation influence woody population functioning. Current study endeavoured to evaluate the stand density and size variability of woody species related to aboveground biomass in a Sudanian savannah. Total height, stem diameter at breast height (dbh) ≥ 5 cm were measured in 30 plots of 50 m × 20 m laid in respect to vegetation type as bowal, shrubland and woodland. Species diversity, stem density, height and basal area were calculated and compared across sites and variation in stem dbh classes evaluated. Total aboveground biomass was estimated and thereafter linear relationships were established between stand density and aboveground biomass, and basal area. Results revealed three different sites with an overall 58 species identified through vegetation type including liana species (4 stems in bowal) with 18 genera and 42 families. Fabaceae Combretaceae, Anacardiaceae and Rubiaceae were dominant families. Small sized trees represented 72% of total stem density considered in structure with significant higher basal area, while large sized trees as 28% were scarcely distributed. More than 70% variation in biomass was due to stem density and basal area with a dominance of small trees. In conclusion increase size in tree community indicated increase in accumulated aboveground biomass as positive regeneration features. But, change in vegetation structure strongly influence negatively species ability to grow from lower to upper size class and later on, disrupt ecosystem functioning. Plant stem density and stratification could be considered as indicators of aboveground biomass fluctuating in regeneration monitoring.