Conservation Status of Freshwater Turtles in Hainan Island, China: Interviews and Field Surveys at Yinggeling Nature Reserve

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 100-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jay Pak-Ho Wan ◽  
Bosco Pui-Lok Chan ◽  
Chengle Liao ◽  
Hongxu Mi ◽  
Michael Lau ◽  
...  
Oryx ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 354-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Li ◽  
Zhiyong Zhang ◽  
Dianxiang Zhang

AbstractWenchengia alternifolia (Lamiaceae) is a plant species endemic to Hainan Island, China. Since the 1930s it was known from only four collections and was believed to be extinct until a remnant population was rediscovered in 2010. We conducted further field surveys during 2010–2012 but located only one population, with 66 individuals. W. alternifolia is restricted to the c. 1,500 m2 Shuangximu Valley, in a harsh microenvironment surrounded by plantations. As the population comprises < 50 mature individuals, we propose that W. alternifolia be categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, based on criterion D. We recommend that the remnant population and its habitat need urgent protection and monitoring and that ex situ conservation, for future reintroduction, should be implemented.


1998 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 411-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gao Yu-ren

SummaryThe Hainan Hill-partridge Arborophila ardens is endemic to the island of Hainan, which lies off the south coast of China. Distinct subspecies of the Silver Pheasant Lophura nyethemera xvhiteheadi and Grey Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron bicalcaratum katsumatae are also endemic to the island. All three taxa are considered endangered and are very poorly known in the wild. Surveys of remaining patches of forest were undertaken between 1987 and 1994 during which local people were interviewed and some forest areas were visited. The hill-partridge was confirmed from three blocks of forest and reported from a further four. The Silver Pheasant was found in six areas of forest and probably occurs in all remaining patches of well-developed secondary and primary forest. The Grey Peacock-pheasant was recorded in five forests and reported from a further four. The hill-partridge was more restricted in its habitat use than the other two species, the latter using well-developed secondary forest in addition to primary forests. Provisional density estimates made at Ba Wang Ling National Nature Reserve were 6–8 Hainan Hill-partridges/km2, 7.5 Silver Pheasants/km2 and 3.75 Grey Peacock-pheasants/km2.


Oryx ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 732-741 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang-Wei Cui ◽  
Ying-Chun Li ◽  
Chi Ma ◽  
Matthew B. Scott ◽  
Jin-Fa Li ◽  
...  

AbstractWe conducted community interviews and field surveys to determine the distribution and population of the Endangered Shortridge's capped langur Trachypithecus shortridgei, and the threats to the species, in the Dulong and Nu River valleys of north-western Yunnan Province, China. We found that c. 19 groups of T. shortridgei reside in the Dulong valley, mostly located in the southern portion of the valley. According to interview and observational records in the Gaoligong Mountains to the west of the Nu River, 12 individuals and no groups were observed. Family groups consist of one adult male, 2–3 adult females and up to five young. We estimate the population of T. shortridgei in China to be c. 250–370 individuals. Threats to the species include habitat loss and poaching. We suggest several measures to conserve T. shortridgei, such as a review of the Gaoligong National Nature Reserve management strategy, and increasing engagement, education, inclusion of local people in forest management, and the consistency of enforcement.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 266 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANTHONY R. MAGEE ◽  
ODETTE E. CURTIS ◽  
B-E. VAN WYK

Extensive field surveys of the Critically Endangered Central and Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld have uncovered that Notobubon striatum, as currently circumscribed, comprises two distinct species. Upon careful examination of the type material it has become clear that names exist for both species. The type specimen of N. striatum clearly matches the lesser known species, a large shrub, ca. 1 m. tall, with a powerful anise-scent and which is restricted to the banks of seasonal rivers and watercourses in the Central and Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld. The second and better known entity, with a wider distribution, corresponds to the type material of Dregea collina Ecklon & Zeyher. As such, a new combination, Notobubon collinum (Ecklon & Zeyher) Magee, is here made to accommodate this taxon, restricted to dry quartz and silcrete patches or outcrops in Eastern Rûens Shale Renosterveld. In their revised circumscriptions N. striatum and N. collinum are readily distinguished by habit, scent, leaf size and division, as well as leaf lobe shape and sepal size. Comprehensive descriptions of both species are provided, together with notes on their ecology and conservation status, and the existing key to the species of Notobubon updated. This brings the number of recognised species in the genus to thirteen.


2021 ◽  
Vol 969 (3) ◽  
pp. 19-27
Author(s):  
M.Yu. Grischchenko ◽  
V.V. Khlyustova ◽  
E.A. Izyumnikova ◽  
I.V. Kalimova

The paper deals with compilation of a large-scale soil map for the site of “Kurilsky” nature reserve, located in the southern part of Kunashir island, the Greater Kuril ridge. The islands make a remote and poorly studied area, and the soil is one of the least examined components of the local geosystems. The zonal soils here are cambisoil, but the variety of soil-forming processes characteristic of the island provides a comparative diversity of the cover. Modern volcanism affects the formation process significantly, although its role is sometimes overestimated. The study is based on field surveys performed in the considered area in 2014–2019, during which descriptions of soils were compiled according to standard methods. The map was compiled using a multispectral image of high spatial resolution from the Pleiades-1B satellite and topographic maps. Thus, the abundance of soils from different levels and divisions does not make a significant effect on the general heterogeneity of the territory soil cover due to the small area of intrazonal soils.


Phytotaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 482 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-44
Author(s):  
LEONARDO PAZ DEBLE

Hysterionica s.l. (including Neja) comprises ca. 15 species distributed mainly in the grasslands of southern Brazil, Uruguay, central and northern Argentina and Southern Paraguay. Based on field surveys, study of nomenclatural types and other specimens, and review of literature, a new species is proposed here, Hysterionica chamomilloides, endemic of mountainous regions of northern Uruguay, and southwestern Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil. This work provides a detailed morphological description of the new species, information on its geographic distribution, habitat, phenology, conservation status, and discusses the main differences between H. chamomilloides and the morphologically most similar species. Illustrations, images and a key to the South American species of Hysterionica are also supplied.


Author(s):  
Lisa M. Brady

The Korean DMZ—at once a war zone, a historical landscape and a living laboratory—offers a compelling example of how scientific fieldwork can alter the definition of place. This article explores how scientists introduced new layers of meaning to the region, thereby contributing to shifts in perspective about the border area and to changes in land-use policies there. As early as the mid 1960s, scientists described the DMZ as a scientifically unique and valuable place and argued for setting it aside as a nature reserve; by the late 1990s, the vision of the DMZ as a scientific landscape gained currency both within Korea and internationally and has become central to discussions about the zone's future. This article draws from published and unpublished scientific reports whose authors directly argue for assigning official conservation status to all or part of the DMZ and its border regions; it aims to demonstrate the important role scientists have played in redefining the DMZ through highlighting its environmental and scientific value. The article places these developments within the larger environmental history of Korea, suggesting links between changing emphases in environmental activism and policy-making and evolving ideas about the value and purpose of the DMZ.


2002 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan L. Stuart ◽  
Benjamin Hayes ◽  
Bui Huu Manh ◽  
Steven G. Platt

Both species of native crocodile, Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis and Estuarine Crocodile C. porosus, are seriously threatened in the wild in Vietnam. The swamp forest of the U Minh region in southern Vietnam was recently suggested to harbor the last remaining wild Estuarine Crocodiles in the country. We investigated the status of crocodiles in the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve by conducting field surveys and interviewing local people. Field surveys found no signs of living wild crocodiles, and interview results strongly suggested that wild crocodiles have not occurred at U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve for perhaps as long as 30 years.


Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
pp. 451-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meshack N. Dludlu ◽  
Priscilla S. Dlamini ◽  
Gugu F. Sibandze ◽  
Vusumuzi S. Vilane ◽  
Cliff S. Dlamini

AbstractThe Endangered Warburgia salutaris (Bertol. f.) Chiov. (Canellaceae), a sought-after medicinal plant in southern Africa, is on the verge of extinction as a result of overexploitation for illegal trade. As part of formulating a conservation strategy for the species in Swaziland we sought to determine its distribution and population status and to revise its national conservation status. Field surveys were conducted in all physiographic regions of Swaziland. Eighteen locations of species presence were found, of which 14 were new records. Three were within protected areas, and seven were in areas worthy of protection. The largest subpopulations occurred in two of the latter areas, Ngudzeni and Sitsatsaweni (351 and 230 individuals, respectively), and one unprotected area, Bulunga (250 individuals). Warburgia salutaris has a severely fragmented distribution and an area of occupancy of 192 km2. Of 700 mature individuals 38% were ring-barked and 7% felled, and some subpopulations had ring-barked juveniles. This indicates a plausible decline in number of mature individuals. Most localities in unprotected areas are eroded and invaded by alien plants, indicating a decline in habitat quality. Our findings indicate that W. salutaris should be categorized as Endangered nationally based on criteria B2ab (iii,v). Although this status implies a lower level of threat than the previous national categorization as Critically Endangered, it does not imply an improved conservation effort in the country, but rather a more accurate assessment based on more data. We have clarified the conservation status of W. salutaris in Swaziland, discovered some previously undocumented subpopulations and identified potential conservation interventions. We recommend that this information be used in setting priorities to ensure conservation of the species.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4576 (3) ◽  
pp. 581 ◽  
Author(s):  
BIN ZHANG ◽  
M.D. WEBB

The leafhopper subfamily Idiocerinae from Hainan Island (China) is reviewed. Eight genera and 10 species are recognized including one new genus and one new species, Longistyla gen. nov. and Longistyla viraktamathi sp. nov., based on specimens from Jianfengling Nature Reserve. A checklist and keys to genera and species are included. 


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document