scholarly journals Biodiversity reporting in India: a view from the top

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 418-427
Author(s):  
Mansi Mansi ◽  
Rakesh Pandey ◽  
Carolyn Stringer
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Indian Subcontinent ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Monitoring Centre ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Impact On Biodiversity

The purpose of this study is to explore the biodiversity reporting practices inside Indian companies. Biodiversity reporting studies across Indian companies are important because India has a wealth of biodiversity assets, that is, wildlife, flora, fauna, natural habitats, rare and endangered species and biological resources, and accounts for 7.8% of the global recorded species (Biological Diversity Act, the Biodiversity Rules, Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board, 2009). There are approximately 45,500 species of plants, 91,200 species of animals and 5,550 microbial species documented in India (National Biodiversity Authority, 2014). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed 132 species of animals and plants in the Critically Endangered Category (Sudhi, 2012). To date, the literature omits to explore the biodiversity reporting practices inside Indian companies. Another important reason to conduct is this study is that India has alarming population levels; thus there is a huge demand for land, energy, and resources, which leads to massive biodiversity loss, deforestation, and habitat destruction. It is very likely that with the limited land mass and increasing population in India, several ecosystems, wildlife, flora and fauna will be/have been exploited, disturbed, and endangered. Given the high potential impact on biodiversity by industries, we are concerned that there is a dearth of biodiversity reporting studies within the Indian subcontinent. We concentrate on the largest companies (based on market capitalisation) because similar to Van Liempd and Busch (2013), we also expect that the largest companies have the greatest impact on biodiversity; therefore, they are expected to show more accountability to their stakeholders. Therefore it is worth exploring how Indian companies are engaging in biodiversity reporting practices (e.g. biodiversity conservation, biodiversity protection, habitat and ecosystem conservation); and whether these organisations are disclosing their impact(s) (both in quantity and quality) on biodiversity (such as wildlife, flora and fauna). Moreover, India has also been classified as one of 17 mega-diversity countries by The World Conservation Monitoring Centre which account for more than 70% of the planet’s species (Williams, 2001). All these reasons make this study timely and important.

ЗУБРЫ НА СЕВЕРЕ РОССИИ — НАСТОЯЩЕЕ И БУДУЩЕЕ

2019 ◽  
pp. 42-44
Author(s):  
I.V. GUSAROV ◽  
V.A. OSTAPENKO ◽  
T.V. NOVIKOVА
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Economic Consequences ◽  
European Bison ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
The North ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
First Time ◽  
The Relationship

Впервые в мире создана популяция зубров на территории 60 градусов северной широты. В новых климатических условиях разведения и сохранения зубров определены и проанализированы факторы существования вида на севере Европейской части РФ. Выявлены признаки, динамика численности, которые являются составной частью системы, предназначенной для управления биоразнообразием. Интродукция, являясь процессом введения в экосистему нехарактерных для нее видов, может усиливать изменения биоценозов как положительно, так и отрицательно. Насколько быстро и успешно проходит процесс адаптации заселенного вида, и усматривается его влияние на окружающую среду зависит дальнейшее существование зубров и в целом биоразнообразия. В статье обсуждаются вопросы взаимоотношения зубров с другими видами копытных и хозяйственной деятельностью человека, а также дальнейшим использованием зубров в сельскохозяйственном производстве. Пластичность зубров, выявление изменений и их анализ при вселении видов в новые условия обитания необходимы не только для определения развития или деградации биоценозов и в целом экосистемы, но и прогноза социально-экономических последствий интродукции как одного из методов сохранения редких и исчезающих видов фауны.For the first time in the world, a bison population has been created in an area of 60 degrees north latitude. In the new climatic conditions of breeding and preservation of bison, the factors of the species existence in the north of the European part of the Russian Federation are identified and analyzed. The signs, dynamics of abundance, which are an integral part of the system designed to manage biodiversity are identified, since the preservation of biological diversity on the planet is one of the main problems of our time. Introduction, being the process of introducing non-typical species into an ecosystem, can enhance changes in biocenoses, both positively and negatively. The question posing sounds especially when it comes to such a large hoofed animal as the European bison. How quickly and successfully the process of adaptation of the universe takes place and its environmental impact is seen depends on the continued existence of bison and biodiversity in general. The article discusses the relationship of bison with other types of ungulates and human activities, as well as the further use of bison in agricultural production. How these issues will be resolved positively depends on the future of these animals. Thus, the plasticity of bison, the identification of changes and their analysis, with the introduction of species into new habitat conditions is necessary not only to determine the development or degradation of biocenoses and the ecosystem as a whole, but also to predict the socio-economic consequences due to the introduction as one of the methods of preserving rare and endangered species of fauna.

scholarly journals The Behavioral Economics of Biodiversity Conservation Scientists

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 219-237
Author(s):  
Mark Vellend ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Economics ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Forest Disturbance ◽  
Intrinsic Value ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Implicit Assumption ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Biodiversity Science ◽  
Ecological Complexity ◽  
Contextual Values

Values have a profound influence on the behaviour of all people, scientists included. Biodiversity is studied by ecologists, like myself, most of whom align with the “mission-driven” field of conservation biology. The mission involves the protection of biodiversity, and a set of contextual values including the beliefs that biological diversity and ecological complexity are good and have intrinsic value. This raises concerns that the scientific process might be influenced by biases toward outcomes that are aligned with these values. Retrospectively, I have identified such biases in my own work, resulting from an implicit assumption that organisms that are not dependent on natural habitats (e.g., forests) effectively do not count in biodiversity surveys. Finding that anthropogenic forest disturbance reduces the diversity of plant species dependent on shady forests can thus be falsely equated with more general biodiversity loss. Disturbance might actually increase overall plant diversity (i.e., including all of the species found growing in a particular place). In this paper I ask whether ecologists share values that are unrepresentative of broader society, I discuss examples of potential value-driven biases in biodiversity science, and I present some hypotheses from behavioral economics on possible psychological underpinnings of shared values and preferences among ecologists.

scholarly journals Flora of cyanobacteria from rocky supralittoral zone of the Meganom peninsula (The Black Sea)

2020 ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
S. A. Sadogurskaya ◽  
T. V. Belich ◽  
S. Ye. Sadogurskiy
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Algal Community ◽  
The Black Sea ◽  
Tropical Species ◽  
Species List ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Eastern Crimea ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Taxonomic Changes

Complete lists of biota are the scientific foundation on which studies of the regional biological diversity are based. Considering the emergence of a new classification scheme of cyanoprokaryotes, there is a need to revise the species composition of Cyanobacteria of various biotopes. The article describes the flora of Cyanobacteria of the Meganom Peninsula (eastern Crimea). Taking into account the latest nomenclature-taxonomic changes, 44 species of Cyanobacteria were listed for the supralittoral zone of the protected area of the peninsula. Species are representatives of 23 genera, 15 families, 5 orders and 2 subclasses. A fifth part of the species list consists of rare and endangered species that need protection. A complex of the leading species of the marine supralittoral zone of the Meganom Peninsula was identified; species, which are indicators of saprobity, were determined, and the algal community saprobity index was calculated (S = 0,9). The supralittoral microalgoflora is characterized by the predominance of attached benthic species and complex of marine and brackish-water forms. The prevalence of cosmopolitans and wide-range boreal-tropical species highlight the azonality of the biotope of the marine rocky supralittoral zone.

scholarly journals Insect biomass decline scaled to species diversity: General patterns derived from a hoverfly community

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. e2002554117
Author(s):  
Caspar A. Hallmann ◽  
Axel Ssymank ◽  
Martin Sorg ◽  
Hans de Kroon ◽  
Eelke Jongejans
Keyword(s):  
Null Model ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Random Expectation ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Open Question ◽  
Insect Biomass

Reports of declines in biomass of flying insects have alarmed the world in recent years. However, how biomass declines reflect biodiversity loss is still an open question. Here, we analyze the abundance (19,604 individuals) of 162 hoverfly species (Diptera: Syrphidae), at six locations in German nature reserves in 1989 and 2014, and generalize the results with a model varying decline rates of common vs. rare species. We show isometric decline rates between total insect biomass and total hoverfly abundance and a scale-dependent decline in hoverfly species richness, ranging between −23% over the season to −82% at the daily level. We constructed a theoretical null model to explore how strong declines in total abundance translate to changing rank-abundance curves, species persistence, and diversity measures. Observed persistence rates were disproportionately lower than expected for species of intermediate abundance, while the rarest species showed decline and appearance rates consistent with random expectation. Our results suggest that large insect biomass declines are predictive of insect diversity declines. Under current threats, even the more common species are in peril, calling for a reevaluation of hazards and conservation strategies that traditionally target already rare and endangered species only.

scholarly journals On the conservation of fungi

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 641-660
Author(s):  
A. A. Shirokikh ◽  
I. G. Shirokikh
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
General System ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Nature Protection ◽  
Separate Species ◽  
Actual Problem ◽  
Red Lists ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Rare And Endangered

The article is devoted to the actual problem of conservation of biological diversity in the modern world. The basic principles and specific approaches to the protection of macromycetes as organisms that are difficult in qualitative and quantitative accounting due to the peculiarities of biology and life cycle have been studied. Domestic and global trends and practices in the field of protecting the species diversity of agaricoid fungi as a component of any ecosystem are discussed. The information on the features of regional fungal diversity detection, rare and threatened species for inclusion into the Red lists of various levels as well as on determining the boundaries of fungal populations, including using barcoding methods is provided. It is noted that for the organization of specially protected natural areas, it is necessary to specify and substantiate the changes in the status of separate species, to identify key areas with specific and typical mycological complexes. The idea that the system of mushroom protection should be integrated into the general system of nature protection is substantiated. Along with the protection of rare and endangered fungi species in their typical habitats (nature reserves, nature parks, wildlife areas, etc.), priority directions for preserving the gene pool of fungi in scientific collections and ex situ banks are described. Live mycelial cultures of fungi can be used for the development of new resistant populations by the reintroduction of rare and endangered species, as well as for the production of fungal metabolites useful for humans. There has been also discussed the problem of improving the effectiveness of protective measures through the digitalization of information systems: free and open access to the data on the endangered fungi species through the development of specialized computer databases, websites and unified information banks.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of territorial protection of habitats of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna in Russia

2020 ◽  
pp. 115-124
Author(s):  
Анна Алексеевна Рыбакова
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Natural Area ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Specially Protected Natural Areas ◽  
Protected Natural Area ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Protected Natural Areas ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Living Organisms

В данной статье произведен обзор имеющихся в Российской Федерации механизмов территориальной охраны мест обитания редких и находящихся под угрозой исчезновения таксонов живых организмов. Одной из основных и первостепенных функций систем особо охраняемых природных территорий является сохранение биологического разнообразия региона. При этом, особо охраняемая природная территория предстает средством территориального управления, имеющим свой юридический механизм создания и функционирования. Here I provide an overview of the mechanisms of territorial protection of habitats of rare and endangered species of living organisms available in the Russian Federation. One of the main and paramount functions of the systems of specially protected natural areas is the preservation of the biological diversity of the region. At the same time, a specially protected natural area appears as a means of territorial administration, which has its own legal mechanisms of appearance and functioning

scholarly journals Ecological-coenotic features of rare flora species of pine-oak stands of Volyn Polissya

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-61
Author(s):  
S. O. Glinska ◽  
S. S. Shtokalo ◽  
D. V. Lyko ◽  
Ya. V. Stepaniuk ◽  
L. K. Savchuk
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Field Studies ◽  
Asparagus Officinalis ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Wild Fauna ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
Epipactis Helleborine

Anthropogenic influence on the natural vegetation of Volyn Polissya threatens the existence of habitats of rare and endangered species of flora. Therefore, the region, unique in botanical and geographical terms, is gradually losing its specific vegetation characteristics. Having analyzed the literature data, herbarium data and materials of our own field studies in 2016-2019, we have compiled a list of rare and endangered species of pine-oak stands. In the habitat of pine-oak stands 89 rare species were found, 29 of which are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, while Silene lithuanica is included in the European Red List. 3 species (Cypripedium calceolus, Trapa natans та Caldesia parnassifolia) are included into appendices of “The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora”. 10 species are subject to protection according to the appendix of “Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats” 56 species are regionally rare species for the flora of the Volyn region, 4 species are rare species of pine-oak stands. In our research we have analyzed the age range, density and recovery index for the species studied. The study found that for 63 rare species the dynamics of species abundance and distribution are satisfactory. The area of distribution and the number of 7 species is increasing: Allium ursinum, Galanthus nivalis, Platanthera chlorantha, Anemone sylvestris, Campanula persicifolia, Corydalis cava, Isopyrum thalictroides In the study area 14 species grow sporadically: Juniperus communis, Potentilla alba, Digitalis grandiflora, Gymnocarpium dryoptheris, Daphne mezereum, Neottia nidus-avis, Epipactis helleborine, Scorzonera purpurea, Asparagus officinalis, Iris sibirica, Adonis vernalis, Cephalanthera damasonium, Gentiana cruciate, Gentiana pneumonanthe. Dissemination information for Caldesia parnassifolia, Succisella inflexa, Genistella sagittalis, Salix myrtilloides, Ophioglossum vulgatum is insufficient for establishing species dynamics and needs further investigation. The conservation of pine-oak stands in Volyn Polissya will help to create the conditions for the growth of rare and endangered species of flora.

scholarly journals Rare species of Sorbus L. growing in Dagestan and introduction in the Mountain Botanical Garden

2021 ◽  
pp. 46-53
Author(s):  
M. D. Zalibekov ◽  
A. R. Gabibova
Keyword(s):  
Research Work ◽  
Botanical Garden ◽  
Red List ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
New Locations ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
The Republic ◽  
Hybrid Forms

The collection fund of rowan trees of the Mountain Botanical Garden, located at an altitude of 1700 m above sea level (Gunib plateau), includes 30 species, 5 varieties, cultivars and hybrid forms. There are 6 species of rowan in Dagestan, introduced from natural habitats, of which three species are included in the Red Book of Dagestan, and are included in the Red List of Endemic Species of the Caucasus (IUCN). As a result of the search and research work, new locations of four rare and endangered species of rowan ( S. caucasica, S. graeca, S. kusnetzovii, S. subfusca ) that are threatened with extinction in Dagestan were identified. The geographical coordinates of the exact location of rowan species are marked, and maps of the species' range on the territory of the Republic of Dagestan are compiled. For further monitoring observations, the total number of species was clarified, the biomorphological indicators and the age structure of the populations were studied. Under the conditions of culture, they were propagated by seeds and vegetatively by grafting on the rootstock of S. aucuparia .

scholarly journals CONSERVATION OF THE GENE POOL OF ENDANGERED ARGALI SPECIES

REPORTS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (336) ◽  
pp. 68-75
Author(s):  
A. R. Sansyzbay ◽  
M. Umitzhanov ◽  
N. W. Bakirov ◽  
M. B. Rysbayev
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Gene Pool ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Practical Interest ◽  
Tianshan Mountain ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
The World ◽  
Rare And Endangered ◽  
The Republic

Argali living on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan are listed in the Red Book and need special protection of the state. The number of these animals is falling every year. Urgent measures are being taken to preserve the existing species of argali in all their genetic diversity. One of the promising methods of preserving the gene pool of endangered species of wild animals is the method of deep freezing of sperm and embryo transplantation. The argali or mountain sheep species includes several subspecies that are quite well studied and differ in their external characteristics: ⦁ altai ram or Оvis аmmоn аmmоn; ⦁ anatolian mouflon or Оvis аmmоn аnаtоliса; ⦁ bukhara ram or Оvis аmmоn bосhаrеnsis; ⦁ kazakh argali or Оvis аmmоn соllium; ⦁ gansu argali or Оvis аmmоn dаlаilаmае; ⦁ tibetan mountain sheep or Оvis аmmоn hоdgsоnii; ⦁ north China mountain sheep or Оvis аmmоn jubаtа; ⦁ tianshan mountain sheep or Оvis аmmоn kаrelini; ⦁ argali Kozlova or Оvis аmmоn kоzlоvi; ⦁ karatau mountain sheep or Оvis аmmоn nigrimоntаnа; ⦁ cyprus ram or Оvis аmmоn орhiоn; ⦁ mountain ram marco polo or Оvis аmmоn роlii; ⦁ kyzylkum mountain sheep or Оvis аmmоn sеvеrtzоvi; ⦁ urmian mouflon or Оvis аmmоn urmiаnа. Conservation of biological diversity around the world is now deservedly given great attention. The problem of accelerated reproduction of genetic resources has become particularly relevant at the present time, when the Red Book is becoming larger every year, and the world around us is becoming poorer. Every year, the planet loses many species of animals and plants. Therefore, the search for conservation opportunities for endangered populations of wild animals is not only of scientific, but also of great practical interest. The theoretical basis for the conservation of rare and endangered species of wild animals in Kazakhstan has not yet been developed and has not yet been sufficiently studied. The use of biotechnological techniques makes it possible to preserve the genetic basis of valuable and endangered animal species.

scholarly journals Ecological and phytocoenotic features of the vegetation cover of the Beshpagir Heights (Stavropol Upland)

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 23-33
Author(s):  
Viktor Nikolaevich Belous ◽  
Alexander Viktorovich Lykhvar
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Higher Plants ◽  
Spatial Differentiation ◽  
Parent Rock ◽  
Steppe Vegetation ◽  
Rare And Endangered Species ◽  
Herbaceous Communities ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Regional Specificity ◽  
Rare And Endangered

The authors have studied herbaceous communities in the steppe landscapes of the Beshpagir Heights and this paper presents the results of this study. The floristic and ecological structure of phytocoenoses on limestone outcrops of the parent rock is discussed. As a result of the research carried out in 20192020, 185 species of higher plants were identified in the modern flora of the studied steppes. There are descriptions of 16 accounting sites. A phytocoenotic table is presented, a characteristic of communities is given and their structure is described. The abundance of species and the distribution by relief elements and communities were determined by experts on the basis of field information. The features of communities and the reasons for their spatial differentiation are revealed. It has been suggested that the factors determining a diversity of steppe vegetation in the studied region should be the following ones: the degree of destruction of the parent rock and soil development, high insolation and low ecotope moisture. The steppe communities are distinguished by their species richness and are of significant conservation interest; they include such rare and endangered species as Psephellus annae, Stipa pulcherrima, S. pennata, Scabiosa isetensis, S. micrantha, Medicago cancellata, Astragalus bungeanus, A. pseudotataricus, A. calycinus, Iris pumila, I. notha, Erodium stevenii, Thymus daghestanicus, Gypsophila glomerata, Allium inaequale, etc. The authors have shown that the studied steppes are important for the preservation of the biological diversity of the region; habitats of rare species are of scientific importance. By this research the authors have tried to emphasize the regional specificity of the studied communities, due to the geographical, ecological-coenotic and historical features. The results obtained will make it possible to assess the real phytocoenotic diversity of the steppe complex of the region, as well as to update further work on the inventory and monographic generalization of vegetation materials of the Stavropol territory. The typology of steppe vegetation can be detailed in further work.

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