conservation

摘要： Climate change poses many risks to economically and ecologically crucial species.Longleaf pine(Pinus palustris Mill.)trees are keystone species that were once dominant across the southeastern United States,but now occupy less than 5%of their historic range and are thus classified as endangered.Here we review the current status and challenges facing longleaf pine trees,what is known on how changing climate will impact longleaf growth and reproduction,and gaps in the literature that are important to address.We found that many fundamental aspects of longleaf pine growth and reproduction are understood.However,these systems are complex,and not all is known about each factor that influences the relationship between climate,growth,and reproductive output.Additionally,long-term data sets capable of examining all relevant factors in these relationships do not currently exist.To fill necessary gaps,we recommend a joint approach between using readily available data sets and establishing new long-term monitoring plots targeted to collect data on missing or poorly understood conditions.This review provides a clue from an ecological complexity perspective to understand and manage longleaf pine forests under climate change.

摘要： Intense human pressure and global warming have caused habitat destruction in these areas and increased the number of endangered species. These species are endemic to the Nuratau ridge and are under high human pressure. We found four populations of both species in the Nuratau ridge. For each population we measured plant density and determined population maturity and ontogenetic spectrum. We also described the plant community where each population grew. At all sites population density was low, with most populations being classified as mature with centred ontogenetic structure.

摘要： Paphiopedilum dianthum and P.micranthum are two endangered orchid species,with high ornamental and conservation values.They are sympatric species,but their leaf anatomical traits and flowering period have significant differences.However,it is unclear whether the differences in leaf structure of the two species will affect their adaptabilities to temperature.Here,we investigated the leaf photosynthetic,anatomical,and flowering traits of these two species at three sites with different temperatures(Kunming,16.7±0.2°C;Puer,17.7±0.2°C;Menglun,23.3±0.2°C)in southwest China.Compared with those at Puer and Kunming,the values of light-saturated photosynthetic rate(Pmax).stomatai conductance(gs),leaf thickness(LT),and stomatai density(SD)in both species were lower at Menglun.The values of Pmax,gs,仃,adaxial cuticle thickness(CTad)and SD in P.dianthum were higher than those of P.micranthum at the three sites.Compared with P.dianthum,there were no flowering plants of P.micranthum at Menglun.These results indicated that both species were less resistance to high temperature,and P.dianthum had a stronger adaptability to high-temperature than P.micranthum.Our findings can provide valuable information for the conservation and cultivation of Paphiopedilum species.

摘要： The relationships between different aspects of diversity(taxonomic,structural and functional)and the aboveground biomass(AGB)as a major component of global carbon balance have been studied extensively but rarely under the simultaneous influence of forest dieback and management.In this study,we investigate the relationships between taxonomic,functional and structural diversity of woody species(trees and shrubs)and AGB along a gradient of dieback intensity(low,moderate,high and no dieback as control)under two contrasted management conditions(protection by central government vs.traditional management by natives)in a semi-arid oak(Quereus brantii Lindl.)forest ecosystem.AGB was estimated and taxonomic diversity,community weighted average(CWM)and functional divergence indices were produced.We found that the aerial biomass was significantly higher in the intensively used area(14.57(±1.60)t/hm^(2))than in the protected area(8.70(±1.05)t/hm^(2))due to persistence of some large trees but with decreasing values along the dieback intensity gradient in both areas.CWM of height(H),leaf nitrogen content(LNC)and leaf dry matter content(LDMC)were also higher in the traditional managed area than in the protected area.In contrast,in the protected area,the woody species diversity was higher and the inter-specific competition was more intense,explaining a reduced H,biomass and LDMC.Contrary to the results of CWM,none of the functional diversity traits(FDvar)was affected by dieback intensity and only FDvar values of LNC,leaf phosphorus content(LPC)and LDMC were influenced by management.We also found significantly positive linear relationships of AGB with CWM and FDvar indices in the protected area,and with taxonomic and structural diversity indices in the traditional managed area.These results emphasize that along a dieback intensity gradient,the leaf functional traits are efficient predictors in estimating the AGB in protected forests,while taxonomic and structural indices provide better results in forests under a high human pressure.Finally,species identity of the dominant species(i.e.,Brant’s oak)proves to be the main driver of AGB,supporting the selection effect hypothesis.

摘要： Effective conservation of threatened biota relies on accurate assessments and scientific guidance.As an unfortunate example,Chinese giant salamanders(Andrias,CGS)remain critically endangered in nature.Misguided conservation efforts,e.g.,commercial propagation and releasing of millions of likely non-indigenous or interspecific hybrids,have further compromised conservation initiatives.Limited information on wild populations of CGS poses a significant conservation challenge.Following 18-month long field monitoring,we now report the discovery of a wild population of CGS in a closed nature reserve in Jiangxi Province,China.Genomic assessments reveal its genetic distinctiveness and do not detect genetic admixture with other species.Based on morphological and molecular evidences,we describe this CGS as a new species Andrias jiangxiensis sp.nov.This is the only known species of CGS today with a genetically pure,reproducing,in situ population.This discovery emphasizes the important role that closed nature reserves play in protecting species,and the necessity of integrating long-term field monitoring and genetic assessments.It sets a new pathway for discovering and conserving endangered species,especially for those biotas that are similarly being extirpated by anthropogenic translocations and overexploitation.

摘要： In the state Meghalaya,northeast India,>80%of the forest lands are owned by local communities and managed by traditional institutions.These forests are under severe threats due to a number of human disturbances.The present study was conducted to assess the plant diversity and identify the community forests for priority conservation in Khasi Hills of Meghalaya.Floristic explorations carried out in the 87 forests reveals the presence of 1300 plant species of which 400 are either rare,endemic or threatened.Of the different forest categories,reserve forests had the highest number of species(1190),followed by sacred forests(987 species)and village forests(786 species).Majority of the forests(56)had high-species richness,irreplaceability level(42 forests)and vulnerability level(54).In terms of area,13.8%(1666.8 ha)fall under low risk while 1855 ha under high risk zone.High risk zone was mostly represented by village forests.An area of 7661.56 ha of community forests falls under high priority category and hence calls for immediate conservation actions.The conservation priority map generated in the present study will help to concentrate the protection strategy to the demarcated and adjoining areas and help conservationists and planners to evolve effective strategies for conservation of the community forests.

摘要： Fish is a highly nutritious food widely consumed around the world. The production of fish for human consumption is from capture fishing and aquaculture activities. Tilapia is considered one of the fish with the highest production worldwide, being a source of quality protein at an affordable price. On the other hand, and in addition to its nutritional properties, fish is highly susceptible to deterioration and contamination, mainly due to its intrinsic properties, making it able to consume it for short periods of time, so to extend its availability, it is subjected to common conservation processes like refrigeration. Therefore, the present study is focused on the analysis of the degree of freshness and quality of tilapia fillet through sensory evaluation during refrigerated storage for 12 days. The results indicated that the tilapia fillet during storage had a grade of first quality from day 0 to 4th of storage recommended for consumption, second quality on the 6th day and out of quality from the 8th of storage, the latter being not recommended for human consumption.

摘要： The abundant genetic resources of wild rice in China represent a key gene pool for modern rice breeding,contributing to food production and agricultural development in China and worldwide.Between the 1970s and the 2010s,two national wild rice surveys were carried out in China.More than 20000accessions of three species Oryza rufipogon,O.officinalis and O.meyeriana have been conserved ex situ.An in situ conservation system has also been set up to protect notable and endangered populations.This review summarized the geographical distribution of wild rice in China,the current status of conservation,the discovery of elite genes,and the application of research into the origin and domestication of rice.

摘要： Patterns in species geographic range size are relatively well-known for vertebrates,but still poorly known for plants.Contrasts of these patterns between groups have rarely been investigated.With a detailed flora and fauna distribution database of Xinjiang,China,we used regression methods,redundancy analysis and random forests to explore the relationship of environment and body size with the geographic range size of plants,mammals and birds in Xinjiang and contrast these patterns between plants and animals.We found positive correlations between species range size and body size.The range size of plants was more influenced by water variables,while that of mammals and birds was largely influenced by temperature variables.The productivity variable,i.e.,Enhanced Vegetation Index(EVI)was far more correlated with range size than climatic variables for both plants and animals,suggesting that vegetation productivity inferred from remote sensing data may be a good predictor of species range size for both plants and animals.

摘要： Knowledge of breeding success and its limiting factors is crucial in assessing species’conservation needs.As cavity-nesters,parrots are particularly influenced by the availability of suitable cavities and low breeding output,whether due to natural processes or trapping.On the island of Sumba,Indonesia,the Critically Endangered Citron-crested Cockatoo(Cacatua citrinocristata)has the added problem of co-existing with an unusually rich hole-nesting bird community in a forested environment much constrained by habitat loss.We monitored 95 nesting cavities of cockatoos and their competitors and potential nest-predators,over one to four breeding seasons,using a combination of camera-traps,direct checks on nest contents,and observations from the ground.Competition for suitable cavities was intense among three large parrot species,two owls and a hornbill.Visitation rates by potential competitors were higher at unoccupied cavities than at those containing active nests,reflecting the guarding behaviour of the occupants.The Endangered Sumba Hornbill(Rhyticeros everetti)dominated observed direct confrontations and was the most frequent visitor to active parrot nests,suggesting a further role as a potential nest-predator.Cockatoos prospected many cavities but rarely then attempted to nest:instead the sites were usually occupied by other cavity-nesters,or by bees.At the few cavities where cockatoos did breed,predation pressure was likely low,and observed success rate high(10 successful of 15 nests),although the low number of nests found early in the breeding cycle suggests that some may have failed before detection.Intense competition for cavities suggests a shortage of suitable nest-sites,the need for preservation of old hole-bearing trees and a role for nestboxes.Accessible,known,safe artificial nest-sites would also provide opportunities to assess the scale of nest-site shortage,allow camera placements to study productivity,exclude some competitors and predators,and prevent illegal trapping.Especially given continued trapping pressure,the species would benefit from targeted local awareness-raising and law enforcement,with the whole endeavour backed up by longer-term forest restoration.