scholarly journals Threat status of three important medicinal Himalayan plant species and conservation implications

2022 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Irfan I. Sofi ◽  
◽  
Shivali Verma ◽  
Aijaz H. Ganie ◽  
Namrata Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Road Construction ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Cold Desert ◽  
Threat Status

A lack of precise information about the threat status of species hampers their effective conservation. The Target 2 of the Convention on Biological Diversity calls for evaluation of threat status at global, national and regional levels to identify plant species of urgent conservation concern. Here we have empirically assessed the threat status of three valuable medicinal plant species (Trillium govanianum, Rheum tibeticum, and Arnebia euchroma) through extensive field studies and herbarium consultations in Kashmir Himalaya and cold desert region of Trans-Himalayan Ladakh. In accordance with the IUCN Red List categories and criteria, each of the three target species turned out to be Near Threatened (NT). According to the NatureServe Conservation Status Assessment, each of these species faces the overall threat impact of «High» to «Very high». We found that the anthropogenic threats emanating from unplanned economic development, road construction and other infrastructure related projects contribute to a fast decline in natural populations of these three species. Keeping in view the value of these species, on the one hand, and growing threats to their survival in the wild, on the other one, we call for urgent conservation strategies in the vulnerable Himalayan habitats for regional socio-economic development.

scholarly journals Global Plant Extinction Risk Assessment Informs Novel Biodiversity Hotspots

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Haevermans ◽  
Jessica Tressou ◽  
Joon Kwon ◽  
Roseli Pellens ◽  
Anne Dubéarnès ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Nations ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Biodiversity Hotspots ◽  
Threat Status ◽  
United Nations Convention ◽  
The United Nations

Curbing biodiversity loss and its impact on ecosystem services, resilience and Nature's Contributions to People is one of the main challenges of our generation (IPBES, 2019b, 2019a; Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 2020). A global baseline assessment of the threat status of all of biodiversity is crucial to monitor the progress of conservation policies worldwide (Mace & al., 2000; Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 2021) and target priority areas for conservation (Walker & al., 2021). However, the magnitude of the task seems insurmountable, as even listing the organisms already known to science is a challenge (Nic Lughadha & al., 2016; Borsch & al., 2020; Govaerts & al., 2021). A new approach is needed to overcome this stumbling block and scale-up the assessment of extinction risk. Here we show that analyses of natural history mega-datasets using artificial intelligence allows us to predict a baseline conservation status for all vascular plants and identify target areas for conservation corresponding to hotspots optimally capturing different aspects of biodiversity. We illustrate the strong potential of AI-based methods to reliably predict extinction risk on a global scale. Our approach not only retrieved recognized biodiversity hotspots but identified new areas that may guide future global conservation action (Myers & al., 2000; Brooks & al., 2006). To further work in this area and guide the targets of the post-2020 biodiversity framework (Díaz & al., 2020a; Secretariat of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, 2020; Mair & al., 2021), it will be necessary to accelerate the acquisition of fundamental data and allow inclusion of social and economic factors (Possingham & Wilson, 2005).

scholarly journals Nepal’s National Red List of Birds

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 9700 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Inskipp ◽  
Hem Sagar Baral ◽  
Tim Inskipp ◽  
Ambika Prasad Khatiwada ◽  
Monsoon Pokharel Khatiwada ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Wetland Birds ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
Critically Endangered Species ◽  
Passerine Species ◽  
Over Exploitation

The main objectives of the Nepal National Bird Red Data Book were to provide comprehensive and up-to-date accounts of all the bird species found in Nepal, assess their status applying the IUCN Guidelines at Regional Levels, identify threats to all bird species and recommend the most practical measures for their conservation.  It is hoped that the Bird RDB will help Nepal achieve the Convention on Biological Diversity target of preventing the extinction of known threatened species and improving their conservation status.  As population changes of Nepal’s birds have been studied for only a few species, assessments of species’ national status were mainly made by assessing changes in distribution.  Species distribution maps were produced for all of Nepal’s bird species except vagrants and compared to maps that were produced in 1991 using the same mapping system.  Of the 878 bird species recorded, 168 species (19%) were assessed as nationally threatened. These comprise 68 (40%) Critically Endangered species, 38 (23%) Endangered species and 62 (37%) Vulnerable species.  A total of 62 species was considered Near Threatened and 22 species Data Deficient.  Over 55% of the threatened birds are lowland grassland specialists, 25% are wetland birds and 24% tropical and sub-tropical broadleaved forest birds.  Larger birds appear to be more threatened than smaller birds with 98 (25%) non-passerine species threatened and 67 (14%) passerine species.  Habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are the most important threats.  Other threats include chemical poisoning, over-exploitation, climate change, hydropower, invasive species, intensification of agriculture, disturbance, and limited conservation measures and research.  Measures to address these threats are described.  It was also concluded that re-assessments of the status of certain bird groups carried out every five years and the setting up of a national online system for storing and reporting bird sightings would be useful.

scholarly journals Can Morphology Predict the Conservation Status of Iguanian Lizards?

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 535-548 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald B Miles
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Traits ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Rapid Assessment ◽  
Ann Model ◽  
Functional Link ◽  
Threat Status ◽  
Risk Of Extinction

Synopsis The integrity of regional and local biological diversity is under siege as a result of multiple anthropogenic threats. The conversion of habitats, such as rain forests, into agricultural ecosystems, reduces the area available to support species populations. Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns lead to additional challenges for species. The ability of conservation biologists to ascertain the threats to a species requires data on changes in distribution, abundance, life history, and ecology. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) uses these data to appraise the extinction risk for a species. However, many species remain data deficient (DD) or unassessed. Here, I use 14 morphological traits related to locomotor function, habitat, and feeding to predict the threat status of over 400 species of lizards in the infraorder Iguania. Morphological traits are an ideal proxy for making inferences about a species’ risk of extinction. Patterns of morphological covariation have a known association with habitat use, foraging behavior, and physiological performance across multiple taxa. Results from phylogenetic general linear models revealed that limb lengths as well as head characters predicted extinction risk. In addition, I used an artificial neural network (ANN) technique to generate a classification function based on the morphological traits of species with an assigned IUCN threat status. The network approach identified eight morphological traits as predictors of extinction risk, which included head and limb characters. The best supported model had a classification accuracy of 87.4%. Moreover, the ANN model predicted >18% of DD/not assessed species were at risk of extinction. The predicted assessments were supported by other sources of threat status, for example, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species appendices. Because of the functional link between morphology, performance, and ecology, an ecomorphological approach may be a useful tool for rapid assessment of DD or poorly known species.

scholarly journals The conservation costs and economic benefits of using biodiversity offsets to meet international targets for protected area expansion

Oryx ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 732-740 ◽  
Author(s):  
Falko T. Buschke ◽  
Susie Brownlie ◽  
Jeff Manuel
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Protected Areas ◽  
Protected Area ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Biodiversity Offsets ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Conservation Costs ◽  
Area Expansion

AbstractAichi Biodiversity Target 11 under the Convention on Biological Diversity sets out to conserve at least 17% of terrestrial area by 2020. However, few countries are on track to meet this target and it is uncertain whether developing countries have allocated sufficient resources to expand their protected areas. Biodiversity offsets could resolve this conservation shortfall if developers who affect biodiversity negatively at one locality are made responsible for its protection elsewhere. Here we simulate the use of biodiversity offsetting to expand protected area coverage in South Africa's grassland biome. South Africa's biodiversity offsets policy has been designed specifically to compensate for the residual loss of biodiversity caused by development, by establishing and managing protected areas within the same ecosystem type. We show that it is possible to meet protected area targets using only offsets, while facilitating economic development. However, doing so could slash the current extent of intact habitat by half. These losses could be reduced considerably should the gains in protected areas through offsetting supplement rather than supplant existing government commitments to protected area expansion. Moreover, supplementing existing government commitments would result in comparatively small reductions in potential economic gains, because the marginal economic benefit of transforming habitat decreases as more intact habitat is lost. Therefore, the intended role of biodiversity offsetting in achieving a country's protected area target should be made explicit to fully understand the associated trade-offs between conservation and economic development.

Multinational Coordination Required for Conservation of Over 90% of Marine Species

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie Roberson ◽  
Casey O'Hara ◽  
James Watson ◽  
Benjamin Halpern ◽  
Carissa Klein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Marine Species ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Marine Biodiversity ◽  
International Governance ◽  
Distribution Maps ◽  
National Jurisdiction ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Level

Marine species are declining at an unprecedented rate, catalyzing many nations to adopt conservation and management targets within their jurisdictions. However, marine species are naive to international borders and an understanding of cross-border species distributions is important for informing high-level conservation strategies, such as bilateral or regional agreements. Here, we examined 28,252 distribution maps to determine the number and locations of marine transboundary species. Over 90% of species have ranges spanning at least two jurisdictions, with 58% covering over ten jurisdictions. The highest concentrations of transboundary species are in the USA, Australia, and Indonesia. To effectively protect marine biodiversity, international governance mechanisms—particularly those related to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention on Migratory Species, and Regional Seas Organizations—must be expanded to promote multinational conservation planning, and complimented by a holistic governance framework for biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.

In situ conservation of plant species – an unattainable goal?

2015 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vernon H. Heywood
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Plant Species ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Species Level ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Threatened Plant Species

The conservation of plant species in situ is a complex and multifaceted procedure which involves both the maintenance and management of protected areas and actions targeted at the species and population level. Most effort has been aimed so far at the occurrence and persistence of species in protected areas as a measure of conservation. However, species-level actions such as conservation or recovery plans have been undertaken for only a small percentage of threatened plant species, mostly by a few countries. The reasons for this are complex and involve scientific, social and political considerations. The planning of targets for biodiversity conservation in situ by the Convention on Biological Diversity suffers from a failure to coordinate area-based and species-based actions leading to overlap and confusion. A set of recommendations is given to help remedy the neglect of targeted species conservation.

Development and characterization of fungal specific microsatellite markers in the lichenLobarina scrobiculata(Lobariaceae, Ascomycota)

2015 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 183-186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Prieto ◽  
Lidia Romera ◽  
Sonia Merinero ◽  
Gregorio Aragón ◽  
Isabel Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Iberian Peninsula ◽  
Population Studies ◽  
Gene Diversity ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Unbiased Gene ◽  
Effective Conservation

AbstractLobarina scrobiculata(better known asLobaria scrobiculata) is a widespread lichen, threatened and Red-Listed in various European countries. Microsatellite markers for the mycobiont ofL. scrobiculatawere developed in order to investigate its genetic diversity in the Iberian Peninsula and Europe and to design effective conservation strategies. A total of 7 polymorphic markers were isolated and characterized. These microsatellites were tested in natural populations found in the Iberian Peninsula. The number of observed alleles ranged from 3 to 8, and the Nei's unbiased gene diversity from 0·26 to 0·59. These microsatellite markers are the first to be developed forL. scrobiculataand they will be useful for population studies and for the assessment of the conservation status of this species.

scholarly journals Developing a monitoring program of genetic diversity: what do stakeholders say?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rea Pärli ◽  
Eva Lieberherr ◽  
Rolf Holderegger ◽  
Felix Gugerli ◽  
Alex Widmer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Stakeholder Analysis ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Monitoring Program ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
National Monitoring

AbstractGenetic diversity is a fundamental component of biological diversity, and its conservation is considered key to ensure the long-term survival of natural populations and species. National and international legislation increasingly mandates a monitoring of genetic diversity. Examples are the United Nation’s Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Aichi target 13 and the current post-2020 negotiations to specify a new target for maintaining genetic diversity. To date, only a few pilot projects have been launched that systematically monitor genetic diversity over time in natural populations of a broad variety of wild species. The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment mandated a feasibility study in 2019 for implementing a national monitoring of genetic diversity in natural populations. To obtain information on whether stakeholders are interested in such a systematic monitoring, what they would expect from such a monitoring and where they see respective caveats, we conducted an online survey, which 138 (42% of those surveyed) Swiss stakeholders answered. We find that Swiss stakeholders are generally aware of the lacking evidence regarding the status of genetic diversity in wild populations and species. Accordingly, most stakeholders are interested in a monitoring of genetic diversity and see opportunities for the application of its results in their work. Nevertheless, stakeholders also expressed concerns regarding financial resources and that the results of a genetic diversity monitoring program would not benefit conservation practice. Our findings highlight the importance of stakeholder engagement and demonstrate the value of a detailed stakeholder analysis prior to developing and implementing a genetic diversity monitoring program. A powerful tool for examining the constellation and interactions of the different stakeholders are social network analyses (SNAs). Finally, it is particularly important to communicate transparently about the possibilities and limitations of a genetic diversity monitoring program as well as to closely involve stakeholders from the beginning to increase the acceptance of genetic diversity monitoring and facilitate its implementation.

scholarly journals The endemic plants of Mozambique: diversity and conservation status

PhytoKeys ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 136 ◽  
pp. 45-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iain Darbyshire ◽  
Jonathan Timberlake ◽  
Jo Osborne ◽  
Saba Rokni ◽  
Hermenegildo Matimele ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Extinction Risk ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Life Forms ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Plant Family ◽  
Cross Border ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Endemic Genera ◽  
Plant Families

An annotated checklist of the 271 strict-endemic taxa (235 species) and 387 near-endemic taxa (337 species) of vascular plants in Mozambique is provided. Together, these taxa constitute c. 9.3% of the total currently known flora of Mozambique and include five strict-endemic genera (Baptorhachis, Emicocarpus, Gyrodoma, Icuria and Micklethwaitia) and two near-endemic genera (Triceratella and Oligophyton). The mean year of first publication of these taxa is 1959, with a marked increase in description noted following the onset of the two major regional floristic programmes, the “Flora of Tropical East Africa” and “Flora Zambesiaca”, and an associated increase in botanical collecting effort. New taxa from Mozambique continue to be described at a significant rate, with 20 novelties described in 2018. Important plant families for endemic and near-endemic taxa include Fabaceae, Rubiaceae and Euphorbiaceae s.s. There is a high congruence between species-rich plant families and endemism with the notable exceptions of the Poaceae, which is the second-most species rich plant family, but outside of the top ten families in terms of endemism, and the Euphorbiaceae, which is the seventh-most species rich plant family, but third in terms of endemism. A wide range of life-forms are represented in the endemic and near-endemic flora, with 49% being herbaceous or having herbaceous forms and 55% being woody or having woody forms. Manica Province is by far the richest locality for near-endemic taxa, highlighting the importance of the cross-border Chimanimani-Nyanga (Manica) Highlands shared with Zimbabwe. A total of 69% of taxa can be assigned to one of four cross-border Centres of Endemism: the Rovuma Centre, the Maputaland Centre sensu lato, and the two mountain blocks, Chimanimani-Nyanga and Mulanje-Namuli-Ribaue. Approximately 50% of taxa have been assessed for their extinction risk and, of these, just over half are globally threatened (57% for strict-endemics), with a further 10% (17% for strict-endemics) currently considered to be Data Deficient, highlighting the urgent need for targeted conservation of Mozambique’s unique flora. This dataset will be a key resource for ongoing efforts to identify “Important Plant Areas – IPAs” in Mozambique, and to promote the conservation and sustainable management of these critical sites and species, thus enabling Mozambique to meet its commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

scholarly journals A cartography of dispossession: assessing spatial reorganization in state-led conservation in Saadani, Tanzania

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra Orozco-Quintero ◽  
Leslie King
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
The State ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Spatial Control ◽  
Conservation Policies ◽  
Spatial Reorganization ◽  
Conservation Organizations

Proclaimed as the "most important conservation success story", protected areas have become the preferred method among state signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity for addressing conservation challenges. However, state-governed protected areas have been criticized for their failure to achieve ecological and social goals. Reaching a consensus on wildlife conservation strategies has not translated into widespread acceptance of state-governed protected areas by local communities. Critics debate whether the state is sincere and efficient when exerting spatial control. This article analyses state-based conservation in the Saadani landscape in Tanzania, exploring the nature of spatial reorganization and institutional approaches guiding the establishment of protected areas. Spatial reorganization and the actions of conservation organizations have led to the disenfranchisement of the very people whose efforts had enabled biodiversity to be conserved. This is despite an apparent shift in the nature of Tanzania's conservation policies towards more participatory approaches. Through detailing mechanisms used by the state for exerting spatial control in Saadani, we highlight how the approach has been counterproductive for satisfying the country's commitment to the Aichi framework on biodiversity targets and has undermined grassroots backing for conservation. In the context of strong support from the international conservation organizations for Tanzania's conservation efforts, this suggests the need for reassessing global conservation policies and identifying urgent measures and effective mechanisms to protect rights to territory and ancestral tenure in places targeted for conservation.Keywords: conservation, Convention on Biological Diversity, protected areas, spatial reorganization, actions of the state, Saadani, TANAPA, Tanzania. Uvinje 

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