A horizon scanning approach to rapidly detect alien fern species through horticultural trade

Horticultural trade is a well-documented pathway of introduction for numerous invasive species globally, including ferns. In this study, we analysed trade in terrestrial true ferns (Polypodiophyta) in six anglophone countries: Canada (CA), the United States of America (US), Great Britain and Ireland (GB, for ease of reading), South Africa (ZA), Australia (AU), and New Zealand (NZ). The study provides an overview of fern trade and explored the relationship between trade and alien fern introductions with a view to better inform management interventions. Using a horizon scanning approach in consulting horticultural catalogues, we identified a total of 382 fern species currently traded by 148 traders in a period of just six months. International trade was observed in only three countries with most trade occurring at national scales and e-commerce was not the dominant mode of trade noted in this study, with a relatively higher proportion of species traded on-ground. Alien species accounted for more than 60 % of the total number of traded species in most countries except in AU and NZ, and a surprising number of species (11-14 species per country) known to be naturalised or invasive in their country of trade remain actively traded, with fewer species in CA (2) and AU (5). A total of 194 species noted in trade have not previously been recorded as alien in plant species inventories and did not have an invasion status assigned in their countries of trade. We identified 62 species of concern (i.e., potential future invaders) with Dryopteris erythrosora, Anisocampium niponicum, Polystichum polyblepharum, Austroblechnum penna-marina subsp. penna-marina, Asplenium nidus, Dicksonia antarctica, Polypodium vulgare, and Adiantum raddianum indicated as priority species for regulation in trade due to their high market presence. Citizen science records were noted for very few species of concern with only two records indicating the occurrence of two species in natural or semi-natural areas. This research constitutes one of few studies that have applied a horizon scanning approach using horticultural catalogues to identify alien species, and highlights the efficiency of this approach as a tool for the early detection of potentially invasive species.

Current Challenges and Prospects of Indonesian Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs): A Review

Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) management can lead to various benefits for community livelihood and forest sustainability. However, such management has not been carried out optimally and sustainably in Indonesia, due to various limiting factors including ineffective policies, undeveloped cultivation technologies, and inadequate innovation in processing technologies. Further, the diversity of NTFPs species requires that policy-makers determine the priority species to be developed. Agarwood (Aquilaria spp. and Gyrinops spp.), benzoin (Styrax spp.), sandalwood (Santalum album L.), and cajuput (Melaleuca cajuputi Powell) are aromatic NTFPs species in Indonesia that forest-dwellers have utilized across generations. This paper reviews the current governance, cultivation systems, processing and valuation, and benefits and uses of these species. We also highlights the future challenges and prospects of these NTFPs species, which are expected to be useful in designing NTFPs governance, in order to maximize the associated benefits for the farmers and all related stakeholders.

Processus De Creation D’une Zone De Conservation De La Biodiversite Sur Le Barrage Hydroelectrique De Soubre, Sud-Ouest De La Côte D’ivoire

Cette étude a pour objectif de montrer l’importance de la participation des communautés locales à la réussite d’un projet de création de zone de conservation de la biodiversité. La mise en place de ladite zone a nécessité la formation des autorités et communautés locales sur les services écosystémiques. Cette formation a permis une meilleure implication des communautés à la gestion durable des ressources. Ainsi, 20 représentants ont servi de personnel d’appui pour les travaux d’aménagement et de restauration du site. L’état initial de la flore et la végétation a été évalué. L’analyse des données a mis en évidence la présence de 346 espèces végétales reparties en 262 genres et 89 familles. Parmi celles-ci il a été enregistré 50 espèces prioritaires pour la conservation. Au sein des espèces utilitaires de la région, 13 sont plus importantes. Cependant, six d’entre elles sont moins abondantes dans la zone de conservation de biodiversité. La caractérisation de la flore initiale a guidé dans le choix des espèces de reboisement pour la restauration. Ainsi, les espèces prioritaires pour la conservation et celles désignées importantes pour la population ont été privilégiées au cours de la restauration. Les résultats obtenus renseignent d’une part sur les outils d’acceptation sociale et les niveaux d’implication de la communauté locale d’un projet de mise en place d’une zone de conservation de biodiversité et d’autre part sur l’importance de la caractérisation de la flore initiale. This paper focuses on showing the importance of the participation of local communities in the success of a project to create a biodiversity conservation area. The establishment of this zone required the training of local authorities and communities on ecosystem services. This training allowed for a better involvement of the communities in the sustainable management of resources. Twenty (20) community representatives served as support staff for the development and restoration of the site. The initial state of the flora and vegetation was assessed. The analysis of the data revealed the presence of 346 plant species divided into 262 genera and 89 families. Of these, 50 priority species for conservation were recorded. Of the utilitarian species of the region, 13 are more important. Six of them are less abundant in the biodiversity conservation area. The characterisation of the initial flora guided the selection of reforestation species for restoration. Priority species for conservation and those designated as important for the population were favoured during the restoration. The results obtained provide information, on the one hand, on the tools for social acceptance and the levels of involvement of the local community of a project to set up a biodiversity conservation area and, on the other hand, on the importance of characterizing the initial flora.

Pisum elatius in the flora of Bulgaria

At the Northern Black Sea coast – Kaliakra cape and Yailata (Kamen briyag) are identified as two localities of Pisum elatius. Pisum elatius is one of the priority species of wild relatives of grain legumes crops group, more specifically for the cultivated pea (Pisum sativum). The localities are quoted at the flora of Bulgaria and have been confirmed by the team annually for the period 1998 – 2020. Plant morphological description in the flowering phase and bean formation is done and the structure, size and populations vulnerability are described. The differences in the species at both localities are found in the plant's habitus, height and positioning. Seeds from the species have been collected for ex situ collection.

The Study Level of the Goitered Gazelle (Artiodactyla, Bovidae) in Azerbaijan

The Goitered gazelle is the only representative of true antelopes’ subfamily in the Caucasus. It was widely distributed in semi-desert plains and mountain foothills of the country. By the mid XX century the number of gazelles in Azerbaijan declined catastrophically and was about to be extinct. By common efforts of state and international conservation organizations it was possible to significantly restore the historical range and the number of gazelle population in the country. The Goitered gazelle is one of the priority species and much attention paid to its conservation and restoration in Azerbaijan. But the ecology of this species is still not studied properly. The article is devoted to a brief overview of the main literary sources concerning various population aspects of gazelle and the level of their study in Azerbaijan.

Problematic plant monitoring in Hopewell Culture National Historical Park: 2008–2019

Managers are challenged with the impact of problematic plants, including exotic, invasive, and pest plant species. Information on the cover and frequency of these plants is essential for developing risk-based approaches to managing these species. Based on surveys conducted in 2008, 2011, 2015, and 2019, Heartland Network staff and contractors identified a cumulative total of 51 potentially problematic plant species in Hopewell Culture National Historical Park. Of the 37 species found in 2019, we characterized 7 as very low frequency, 9 as low frequency, 17 as medium frequency, and 4 as high frequency. Of these, midpoint cover estimates of 2 medium frequency and 2 high frequency species exceeded the 10-acre threshold. Because of the number, extent, and cover of problematic plants in the park and the small park size, control efforts should focus on treating high priority species across the entire park. High priority species may include plant species capable of rapid spread, species at low population levels, and species which can effectively be controlled.

Problematic plant monitoring in Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial: 2006–2019

Managers are challenged with the impact of problematic plants, including exotic, invasive, and pest plant species. Information on the cover, distribution, and location of these plants is essential for developing risk-based approaches to managing these species. Based on surveys conducted in 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2019, Heartland Network staff and contractors identified a cumulative total of 45 potentially problematic plant taxa in Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Of the 34 species found in 2019, we characterized 4 as very low frequency, 14 as low frequency, 9 as medium frequency, and 7 as high frequency. A single species exceeded a 10-acre threshold based on a mid-point estimate. Because of the number of problematic plant taxa, as well as the extent and cover of problematic plants in the park and the small park size, control efforts should focus on treating high priority species across the entire park. High priority species may include plant species capable of rapid spread, species at low population levels, and species which can effectively be controlled.

Invasive exotic plant monitoring in Capitol Reef National Park: 2019 field season, Scenic Drive and Cathedral Valley Road

Invasive exotic plant (IEP) species are a significant threat to natural ecosystem integrity and biodiversity, and controlling them is a high priority for the National Park Service. The North-ern Colorado Plateau Network (NCPN) selected the early detection of IEPs as one of 11 monitoring protocols to be implemented as part of its long-term monitoring program. From May 30 to June 1, 2019, network staff conducted surveys for priority IEP species along the Scenic Drive and Cathedral Valley Road monitoring routes at Capitol Reef National Park. We detected 119 patches of six priority IEP species along 34 kilometers of the two monitor-ing routes. There were more patches of IEPs, and a higher percentage of large patches, than in previous years. This indicates that previously identified infestations have expanded and grown. The most common (47.1%) patch size among priority species was 1,000–2,000 m2 (0.25–0.5 acre). The vast majority (93.2%) of priority patches ranked either low (58.8%) or very low (34.4%) on the patch management index scale. Tamarisk (Tamarix sp., 72 patches) was the most prevalent priority IEP species. African mustard (Malcolmia africana, 32 patch-es), field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis, 9 patches), and Russian olive (Elaeagnus angusti-folia, 3 patches) occurred less commonly. Together, these four species represented 97.5% of all patches recorded in 2019. Four IEP species were found on the monitored routes for the first time: Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia), quackgrass (Elymus repens), Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila), and African mustard (Malcolmia africana, not on the priority species list before 2019). Cathedral Valley Road had higher IEP priority patches per kilometer (5.68) than the Scenic Drive (2.05). IEP species were found on 37.9% (25 of 66) of monitored transects. Almost all these detections were Russian thistle (Salsola sp.). Russian thistle was widespread, present in 33.3% of transects, with an estimated cover of 0.2% across all transects sampled. Across routes monitored in all three rotations (2012, 2015, and 2019), Russian thistle has increased in frequency. However, its frequency remained about the same from 2015 to 2019, and percent cover remains low. Tamarisk and field bindweed have both increased in preva-lence since monitoring began, with tamarisk showing a dramatic increase in the number and size of patches. Immediate control of tamarisk and these other species is recommended to reduce their numbers on these routes. The NCPN plans to Capitol Reef in 2020 to monitor Oak and Pleasant creeks, completing the third rotation of invasive plant monitoring.

Revisiting species and areas of interest for conserving global mammalian phylogenetic diversity

Various prioritisation strategies have been developed to cope with accelerating biodiversity loss and limited conservation resources. These strategies could become more engaging for decision-makers if they reflected the positive effects conservation can have on future projected biodiversity, by targeting net positive outcomes in future projected biodiversity, rather than reflecting the negative consequences of further biodiversity losses only. Hoping to inform the post-2020 biodiversity framework, we here apply this approach of targeting net positive outcomes in future projected biodiversity to phylogenetic diversity (PD) to re-identify species and areas of interest for conserving global mammalian PD. We identify priority species/areas as those whose protection would maximise gains in future projected PD. We also identify loss-significant species/areas as those whose/where extinction(s) would maximise losses in future projected PD. We show that our priority species/areas differ from loss-significant species/areas. While our priority species are mostly similar to those identified by the EDGE of Existence Programme, our priority areas generally differ from previously-identified ones for global mammal conservation. We further highlight that these newly-identified species/areas of interest currently lack protection and offer some guidance for their future management.

Niche Analysis and Conservation of Bird Species Using Urban Core Areas

Knowing the ecological requirements of bird species is essential for their successful conservation. We studied the niche characteristics of birds in managed small-sized green spaces in the urban core areas of southern (Kavala, Greece) and northern Europe (Rovaniemi, Finland), during the breeding season, based on a set of 16 environmental variables and using Outlying Mean Index, a multivariate ordination technique. Overall, 26 bird species in Kavala and 15 in Rovaniemi were recorded in more than 5% of the green spaces and were used in detailed analyses. In both areas, bird species occupied different niches of varying marginality and breadth, indicating varying responses to urban environmental conditions. Birds showed high specialization in niche position, with 12 species in Kavala (46.2%) and six species in Rovaniemi (40.0%) having marginal niches. Niche breadth was narrower in Rovaniemi than in Kavala. Species in both communities were more strongly associated either with large green spaces located further away from the city center and having a high vegetation cover (urban adapters; e.g., Common Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), European Greenfinch (Chloris chloris), Eurasian Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)) or with green spaces located closer to the city center and having high gray area cover and anthropogenic disturbance level (urban exploiters; e.g., Western Jackdaw (Corvus monedula), House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), Eurasian Magpie (Pica pica)). The eleven species that were common to both study areas similarly used the environmental variables and had similar niches, indicating that birds respond similarly to urbanization irrespective of latitude. Sixteen species in Kavala and eleven species in Rovaniemi were identified as conservation priority species, based on their niche specialization level and conservation status. The management actions proposed for the conservation of priority species will also benefit other species with similar ecological requirements and ultimately help maintain diverse bird communities in small-sized green spaces in urban core areas.