Ecologies, Volume 7, Issue 1 (March 2026) – 29 articles

Living organisms continuously capture and transform free energy to survive and grow. The Maximum Power Principle (MPP) states that life evolves to maximize power—the rate of energy acquisition and conversion into useful forms—within prevailing constraints. Constraints include trophic interactions and competition, and they determine the outcome of the MPP. Biosystems that accumulate free energy faster will prevail transiently, but those that do so in a stable way will dominate in the long run. Accumulation of free energy is often approximately measurable as biomass that is useful to improve adaptation, competition, and ecological stability. Biosystems that allocate energy to long-term stable biomass—such as forests investing in wood—dominate because they secure long-term resource capture, competitive advantage, and resilience. Species and ecosystems represent different scales at which the MPP applies. In the long run, the MPP must align across scales, because a species can achieve stable growth and maximize power (i.e., accumulate free energy/useful biomass) only if the ecosystem the species lives in also maximizes its power. If a species reduces the stability and power of its ecosystem, it undermines its own long-term power-acquisition capability. This feedback harmonizes the MPP across scales over evolutionary times. Humans have evolved peculiar traits that have made them able to remove this control loop, amplifying species-level power. This enabled us to grow into a large population supported by anthropic systems that have strongly reduced the biosphere’s stability and power, resulting in a scale conflict in the MPP. Outlined in this way, the MPP provides a useful framework for understanding evolution, ecosystem development, and anthropogenic impacts. Full article

Freshwater ostracods have considerable potential as indicators of environmental conditions, yet their ecology remains poorly documented in many large river floodplains of Southeast Europe. This study examines samples collected from ten aquatic habitats located along the Danube floodplain in Serbia’s Banat and Podunavlje regions. Monthly sampling was conducted over a twelve-month period (July 2023–June 2024), with concurrent measurements of water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, and turbidity. Ostracods were recorded at seven sites, yielding 19 taxa belonging to 13 genera and four families within all three non-marine superfamilies of Podocopida. Eight recorded taxa represent new additions to the Serbian fauna. Species richness was highest in semi-isolated floodplain habitats. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that seasonal environmental variation, especially water temperature, turbidity, and conductivity, strongly structured assemblages. Hierarchical cluster analysis (UPGMA) grouped samples primarily by species composition, with seasonality exerting a strong secondary influence. Seasonal patterns revealed pronounced interspecific differences in temporal persistence and ecological tolerance of recorded species. Findings highlight the Danube floodplain’s role as a dispersal corridor, while also revealing that the river itself acts as a partial barrier, restricting faunal exchange to widespread, tolerant species. The results emphasize the importance of habitat heterogeneity and year-round sampling and support the integration of ostracods into long-term floodplain monitoring programs. Full article

Urban parks derived from historical forest fragments represent important refugia for biodiversity in rapidly expanding cities. The wood cricket, Nemobius sylvestris, was surprisingly found in a park in the northern part of Bucharest, Romania, an area under exponential residential development. The species was confirmed by calling song analysis and molecularly confirmed through DNA-barcoding. The acoustic analysis revealed substantial geographic variation in the signals of N.sylvestris across its European range, with the Romanian population exhibiting the most distinctive acoustic characteristics. A median joining network was constructed using available COI sequences from public databases, showing moderate genetic variability within European samples. This flightless, woodland-specialist cricket is highly sensitive to habitat fragmentation and its persistence in this urban park demonstrates the conservation value of retaining semi-natural forest structure within city green spaces. Our findings highlight the importance of urban parks as biodiversity refugia, particularly for habitat specialists with limited dispersal abilities. This discovery underscores the need for the integrative conservation management of urban forest remnants, emphasizing the retention of natural structural elements such as leaf litter and heterogeneous canopy cover to support diverse invertebrate communities. Full article

Iron-ore extraction plays a central role in the global economy, but several major mining areas overlap with ecologically unique ferruginous landscapes in the Brazilian Amazon, including caves that harbor endemic and highly specialized invertebrate fauna. Reconciling mineral exploitation with biodiversity conservation requires objective ecological criteria capable of supporting evidence-based decision-making. In this study, we evaluated how cave attributes and surrounding landscape features jointly structure invertebrate communities in pristine ferruginous caves of the Amazon and assessed their relative importance and environmental thresholds. Invertebrates were sampled in 69 iron-ore caves during dry and wet seasons, and 28 environmental variables related to cave morphology, microclimate, trophic resources, lithology, vegetation cover, and external climate were measured in subterranean habitats and adjacent landscapes. Our results demonstrate a clear scale-dependent pattern: cave attributes primarily regulated species richness, troglobitic richness, taxonomic distinctness, and seasonal beta diversity, whereas landscape features exerted stronger control over species composition, including troglobitic assemblages. Threshold analyses identified specific combinations of cave and landscape attributes associated with biologically pristine communities. These findings highlight that assessments of ferruginous cave biodiversity must integrate landscape-scale metrics, be conducted in unaltered environments, and prioritize networks of caves rather than isolated sites. This integrative framework provides robust ecological support for conservation planning and the sustainable management of iron-ore cave systems in the Amazon. Full article

Mangrove wetlands in northwestern Mexico have been highlighted due to their ecological relevance and ecosystem services. This study evaluated the mortality and natural regeneration of mangroves located in six coastal lagoons in Sinaloa, considering five plots each (400 m²), during a warm–strong (2015–2016) and cold–weak (2017–2018) El Niño–Southern Oscillation. The highest mean mortality was recorded in Huizache–Caimanero—the southern coastal lagoon—during the second stage (390 stems ha⁻¹; 22% corresponding to logging). While an increasing latitudinal (north–south) mortality trend was observed, differences between sites and stages were not statistically significant. Natural recovery was also observed due to higher abundance of seedlings, e.g., the largest increase from one stage to another was recorded in Santa María–La Reforma. Mortality and seedling regeneration are discussed in this study, particularly in relation to anthropogenic stressors, logging, and climate variability. Full article

To investigate the long-term effects of climate change on biological communities, our primary aim was to identify the most reliable indicators among available biodiversity, dominance, and evenness indices. We examined three distinct response types to climate change, represented by three taxonomic groups: Aculeata (Hymenoptera), Syrphidae (Diptera), and nocturnal macrolepidoptera (Lepidoptera). Using faunistic datasets derived from our own 3–5 decades of field surveys, we calculated 12 key indices with the vegan package in R 4.2.1. The robustness of these indices was assessed through 1000-fold bootstrap simulations and pairwise correlation analyses. Our results revealed that the Gini–Simpson, Simpson diversity, McIntosh diversity, and McIntosh evenness indices consistently demonstrated high temporal stability and strong correlations across all three climate response types. Therefore, we recommend these indices as primary climate indicators. In contrast, Chao1 estimates, Margalef Index, Menhinick Index, and the Shannon–Wiener diversity index are suitable only for analyzing specific response patterns. Meanwhile, the Berger–Parker, Buzas–Gibson indices, and Hill numbers showed high variability or limited ecological responsiveness, making them unreliable for tracking climate change impacts. Our findings underscore that selecting biodiversity indices must be tailored to the research question and the characteristics of the ecosystem in order to ensure valid and informative ecological analysis. Full article

This study assesses the diversity, distribution, and ecological interactions of freshwater gastropod communities across eight sites in southern Iraq, spanning marshes, rivers, and canal systems within the Tigris-Euphrates basin. Diversity indices (Shannon–Wiener H′ and Pielou’s evenness J) were calculated to evaluate community structure, and a revised stacked bar chart of relative abundances revealed widespread dominance by species such as Melanoides tuberculata and Physella acuta, which frequently exceeded 50% of local assemblages. While P. acuta is an established invasive species, M. tuberculata is now considered native or long-established in the region. Species interactions were examined using Pianka’s niche overlap index, and null model testing (999 permutations) revealed only a few statistically significant overlaps (p < 0.05), suggesting that species co-occurrence is shaped more by environmental filtering than direct competition. To directly examine the influence of environmental drivers on species composition, Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA) was performed. MFA revealed patterns of association between dissolved oxygen, salinity, and species assemblages, suggesting these abiotic factors may influence community structure. To our knowledge, this study is the first in Iraq to use null models, constrained ordination, and MFA to investigate community assembly of freshwater gastropods, ultimately producing novel insights regarding the interactions between environmental stressors and aquatic biodiversity patterns. The results of this study highlight the need for long-term ecological monitoring and conservation in marshland habitats important for the resiliency of native species. Full article

Mangrove ecosystems are recognized as highly efficient blue-carbon reservoirs, yet their monitoring requires scalable, transparent methods suitable for climate-finance and greenhouse-gas accounting applications. This study quantifies interannual carbon-stock dynamics and derives a carbon-market valuation indicator for Ecuador’s Churute Mangrove Ecological Reserve (2015–2021) using publicly available remote-sensing land-cover products. Annual activity data were derived from Copernicus Global Land Service LC100 (100 m, 2015–2019) and ESA WorldCover (10 m, 2020–2021), harmonized to a common reporting scheme, and combined with IPCC Tier 1 default coefficients for biomass and soil organic carbon in tropical wetlands. Total carbon stocks averaged 1.67 million t C across the period, remaining stable within the internally consistent LC100 phase (2015–2019), with trend statistics treated as descriptive given the short annual series, while a pronounced drop in 2020 primarily reflected methodological discontinuities between products rather than ecological change. Converted to CO₂e equivalents (mean 6.1 million t CO₂e), illustrative market values fluctuated between USD 18 and 123 million annually, driven predominantly by carbon-price variability. This remote-sensing-based, MRV-aligned approach provides a conservative baseline for protected-area blue-carbon accounting, highlighting the need for homogeneous high-resolution time series to distinguish real dynamics from classification artifacts in future assessments. Full article

Mangrove ecosystems along Taiwan’s southwest coast have been increasingly stressed by climate change, subsidence, and sea level rise. Between 1897 and 2024, the mean annual temperature rose by 2.0 °C, and rainfall declined by 56.5 mm. Severe subsidence occurred in Taixi Township, Yunlin County (−283.0 cm, 1975–2023), where the gray/white mangrove (Avicennia marina) exhibited reduced growth and mortality. Long-term mangrove area (MA) was reconstructed using quadratic polynomials: Tougang Ditch, MA_TG(t) = −0.0084(t − 21.0)² + 2.8 peaking in 1995 (R² = 0.7274), and Budai Lagoon, MA_BD(t) = −0.0468(t − 12.3)² + 26.1 peaking in 1986 (R² = 0.782). Both sites yielded moderate fits indicating partial but less reliable reconstruction. In contrast, Jishui Estuary subsites displayed distinct maxima with stronger fits (R² > 0.85): JS-C, MA_JS-C(t) = −0.0201(t − 14.3)² + 7.0 peaking in 1996; JS-D, MA_JS-D(t) = −0.0093(t − 15.8)² + 2.2 peaking in 1998; and JS-G, and MA_JS-G(t) = −0.0077(t − 11.6)² + 4.3 peaking in 1994. SPOT-6 satellite imagery (22 February 2025) identified 281.9 ha of mangrove and windbreak forests in Chiayi County and 896.3 ha in Tainan City. By integrating climate records, subsidence data, sea level rise, polynomial modeling, and satellite observations, this study provides a robust framework for anticipating mangrove trajectories, assessing carbon sink potential, and refining carbon credit estimates in vulnerable coastal landscapes. Full article

The invasion of Prosopis juliflora poses a growing threat to dryland ecosystems and pastoral livelihoods across East Africa. This study presents an integrative approach that combines satellite remote sensing, machine learning, and citizen science to detect and map the spatial extent and socio-ecological impacts of Prosopis juliflora in Baringo County, Kenya. We evaluated the performance of three satellite platforms, Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and PlanetScope, using a Random Forest classifier trained on field collected presence–absence data and vegetation indices. Sentinel-2 outperformed the other sensors, achieving a classification accuracy of 90.65%, with key variables including the Visible Atmospherically Resistant Index (VARI), the Ratio Vegetation Index (RVI), and red-edge bands emerging as the most important predictors. Through Participatory GIS (PGIS), a citizen-science based approach, we engaged gender-disaggregated community groups to capture local perceptions of invasion hotspots and blocked access to grazing routes and water sources, enhancing contextual understanding and validating model outputs. The comparison of satellite-derived maps and PGIS outputs revealed strong spatial congruence, particularly along water bodies, roads, and croplands. Our findings demonstrate the potential of combining Earth observation and citizen science to generate actionable knowledge for managing invasive species in data scarce dryland environments. This hybrid framework supports inclusive and spatially targeted interventions for rangeland restoration and ecosystem resilience. Full article

Ecological restoration has emerged as a critical tool for addressing ecosystem degradation worldwide. The Stream Quantification Tool (SQT) represents a significant advancement in stream restoration methodology, providing a standardized framework for quantifying stream functions and evaluating project outcomes. We investigated relationships between salamander abundance and physicochemical parameters from the SQT (nitrogen, turbidity, temperature, and composite SQT physicochemical score) across 16 streams in the upstate region of South Carolina. Stream salamanders can be reliable bioindicators due to their philopatric nature, longevity, and stable populations, making them valuable for assessing stream restoration effectiveness. Six salamander species (n = 394 individuals) were identified across 14 streams where salamanders were present. N-mixture models were used to analyze abundance patterns while accounting for imperfect detection. Turbidity was the strongest negative predictor of salamander abundance, followed by nitrogen. Removal of an agriculturally impacted stream with elevated turbidity substantially altered model rankings, making the null model top-ranked, followed by nitrogen, composite physicochemical score, and temperature. These findings demonstrate turbidity’s critical role in salamander abundance. Management practices should prioritize erosion and sediment control solutions for salamander conservation. For SQT biological monitoring, we recommend focusing on turbidity and nitrogen as key parameters affecting salamander abundance in stream assessments. Full article

Environmental changes and anthropogenic pressures significantly influence both the tree layer and natural regeneration within forest ecosystems. Protected areas represent essential territories for the maintenance and conservation of species within forest communities. In this context, the present study aims to develop a methodological framework for the integrated application of diversity, evenness, and dominance indices in the study of forest plant communities. Analyses were conducted at both α- and β-diversity levels, providing a methodological basis for characterizing local diversity and community differentiation. Species diversity was estimated using the Shannon–Wiener (H′) and Simpson (D) indices, while evenness and dominance were assessed using the Pielou (J′) and Berger–Parker (d) indices. Differences among communities were quantified using the Bray–Curtis dissimilarity index and its components, turnover and nestedness, and structural convergence of forest communities was analyzed through the ICF. The results indicate that α-diversity, estimated by H′, ranges from low to moderate, suggesting a relatively uniform distribution of species abundance. In certain microhabitats, processes of diversification and oligodominance are observed. At the β-diversity level, the analyzed communities are characterized by high dissimilarity, mainly driven by species turnover and, to a lesser extent, by nestedness associated with species loss. The ICF highlights that these forest communities exhibit relatively high structural uniformity, characteristic of mature stands in ecological equilibrium. Full article

Understanding how environmental conditions shape the functional composition of ecological communities is a central goal in community ecology. In this study, we apply this framework to the reptile and amphibian assemblages within Greece’s Mount Chelmos protected area. Based on comprehensive field surveys (2018–2021) across 168 sampling stations, we compiled species trait databases and quantified functional diversity using a corrected Rao’s Q index. We modeled the response of functional diversity to climate, land cover, topography (altitude, slope, aspect), geographic location, and taxonomic diversity, using Generalized Additive Models (GAMs). Additionally, we examined traitspace structure via PCA and evaluated environmental drivers of trait composition with multivariate GAMs. For reptiles, functional diversity was significantly affected by altitude, climate, and aspect, with higher values predicted in water-associated marginal zones surrounding the mountain massif. Traitspace analysis revealed clear ecological structuring along axes related to locomotion, body size, reproductive mode, foraging strategy, and substrate use, shaped by distinct combinations of environmental filters. In amphibians, environmental effects on functional diversity were not statistically significant; however, traitspace showed discernible responses to land cover, climate, and aspect, suggesting weaker—though detectable—filtering processes. Collectively, our findings indicate that Mount Chelmos functions as a system that modulates diversity, with environmental filters operating at fine-to-medium spatial scales to shape the functional composition and diversity of its herpetofauna. Full article

Water scarcity, intensified by climate change, limits the growth and survival of threatened tree species, such as Paubrasilia echinata (Lam.) Gagnon, H.C.Lima & G.P.Lewis. This study analyzed the effects of water availability in the soil on the morphophysiology and enzymatic activity of P. echinata seedlings under different irrigation intervals. The experiment consisted of five treatments (irrigation intervals: 0, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days) distributed in four randomized blocks, totaling 20 plots of five plants each. Variables analyzed included stem diameter, number of leaves and leaflets, leaf area, shoot and root length, root volume, dry matter mass, Dickson quality index, relative water content, leaf indices of chlorophyll, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Water deficit reduced root dry matter mass by up to 27.78% and chlorophyll b by up to 29.56%, and increased peroxidase by up to 244.44%. Principal component analysis revealed correlated changes among biomass, chlorophyll, and Dickson index, with root volume and enzymatic activities varying oppositely, indicating an integrated regulatory response. P. echinata exhibits phenotypic plasticity under water deficit, reflected in stem diameter, root volume, leaf area, physiological traits, and enzymatic regulation, tolerating an irrigation interval of 12 days. P. echinata has establishment potential in areas subjected to water deficit. Full article

Several honeybee species can coexist within a given geographical region; however, their interactions and the extent to which their foraging niches overlap remain poorly understood. To address this gap, we assessed niche overlap among four honeybee species (Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, Apis florea and Apis mellifera) in West Bengal, India, using palynological analysis of corbicular pollen loads. The monofloral composition of individual corbicular loads indicated flower constancy in all species. A wide range of pollen types was recorded for each species, confirming their polylectic foraging behaviour. Although the level of pollen diversity in their diet did not differ among species, it did vary seasonally. Vital pollen sources (including Acacia auriculiformis, Borassus flabellifer, Brassica juncea, Bridelia retusa, Cocos nucifera, Coriandrum sativum, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Lannea coromandelica and Sesamum indicum) were shared by all four species, and their pollen-foraging niches showed significant overlap in every season. Considering the floral traits of the plants visited, all honeybee species behaved as generalist flower visitors. This study quantifies foraging niche overlap among honeybee species and identifies common floral resources shared by the exotic Apis mellifera and native honeybees. Such insights will assist in honeybee management, biodiversity conservation, and the enhancement of ecosystem services and stability. Full article

Globally, sea turtles face significant threats from human activities, yet detailed information on their habitat use and specific anthropogenic impacts remains limited, particularly in key marine protected areas like Kenya’s Diani-Chale National Marine Reserve (DCNMR). This study utilized drone-based (UAV—unmanned aerial vehicle) monitoring and geospatial analysis to assess sea turtle distribution and habitat use, integrating data from the Allen Coral Atlas. Most sea turtle sightings occurred in reef zones (61.86%), while the reef slope was the most utilized geomorphic feature (26.7% of sightings). The study identified a significant sea turtle hotspot in the northern DCNMR, a region characterized by lower anthropogenic pressure and unique geomorphic features. Between February and July 2024, we conducted monthly UAV surveys (6–10 survey days per month) in the DDCNMR using a DJI Mavic 3 drone, completing multiple standardized 25-min flights per day that each covered ~1 km² via non-overlapping transects at 30–40 m altitude under optimal sea state and visibility conditions, resulting in 233 sea turtle sightings. UAV survey data were summarized descriptively, with sea turtle sightings mapped against geomorphological features as well as benthic habitats from an open source, high-resolution, satellite-based map and monitoring system for shallow-water coral reefs (ACA—Allen Coral Atlas). Allen Coral Atlas data and drone observations indicate that a widened reef slope and estuarine nutrient inputs provide a critical habitat gradient, offering turtles tidal-independent access to shallow foraging flats. Based on these findings, we recommend designating the northern reef slope as a priority no-take zone and conducting seagrass health assessments to guide potential restoration. This research demonstrates the utility of integrating drone surveys with open access geospatial tools to provide the actionable spatial data necessary for targeted sea turtle conservation and informed marine spatial planning. Full article

Knowledge of weed community structure in agricultural systems is important for sustainable management, especially for evaluating the effects of different herbicides on soybean–corn succession crops. This study evaluated, over two crop seasons, weed community structure in response to chemical weed management strategies for soybean–corn succession in Brazil’s Triângulo Mineiro region. Phytosociological surveys of the weed community were conducted during harvest periods throughout the experimental phase, with referenced data for generating spatial distribution maps of biomass and density of the main present species. The survey identified 33 weed species, predominantly from the Poaceae and Asteraceae families. Regardless of the management system, the total weed biomass was lower in corn crops compared to soybean crops. In management systems using six different herbicides, the IVI of Commelina benghalensis was the lowest due to greater diversification of herbicide mechanisms of action. The results demonstrate that chemical weed management strategies strongly influence weed community structure, with significant effects on weed community structure and evenness in intensive agricultural regions. These changes also have implications for resistance management. Full article

Coastal lagoons are highly vulnerable to human and climatic pressures, yet long-term ecological changes remain poorly quantified. We analyzed four decades (1980–2020) of data from fisheries from six lagoons in the Amvrakikos Gulf, Greece, using ecological indicators to assess trophic structure, exploitation status, and ecosystem responses. Cluster analysis of species level fishery production revealed a distinct temporal regime shift in the late 1990s–early 2000s, reflecting a major reorganization of species contributions to total yield. Mean total yield (Y), showed a consistent declining trend across lagoons, ranging from 2.7 ± 2.0 to 7.2 ± 5.0 t km⁻². Primary Production Required (PPR) declined (0.8–1.5 × 10¹⁰g C km⁻² yr⁻¹), while Mean Temperature of the Catch (MTC) increased in five lagoons (19.0–21.4 °C) and remained stable in one (20.0 ± 0.9 °C). Pelagic to demersal (P/D) ratios generally decreased (0.09–1.26), and Q-90 values were variable (0.8–2.2), highlighting site specific ecological dynamics. Short term yield predictions for 2021–2025 ranged from 0.78 to 6.75 t km⁻², remaining comparable to recent historical levels, while the estimated carrying capacities varied from 1.79 to 9.11 t km⁻², reflecting contrasting exploitation states among lagoons. These results demonstrate that multi-indicator, fishery-based analyses provide a robust framework for quantifying ecological change and guiding adaptive management in lagoon ecosystems. Full article

Invasive alien plant species pose significant threats to biodiversity and the ecological functioning of ecosystems, necessitating targeted clearing strategies. This study investigated the short-term recovery of native vegetation following the control of Lantana camara and Chromolaena odorata in communal lands of Manzini, Eswatini. Nineteen sites were sampled across cleared and uncleared areas to assess changes in species diversity and veld condition. Cleared sites showed slightly reduced heterogeneity (D′ = 0.722) and higher diversity (H′ = 2.081) compared to uncleared sites (D′ = 0.732) and diversity (H′ = 2.032). Sites free from invasive alien plants had higher species richness (EXP (H′) = 35.693) than invaded sites (EXP (H′) = 28.237). Although statistical analyses showed no significant differences in stem counts between cleared and uncleared sites, effect sizes indicated potential practical significance for C. odorata. The Veld Condition Index (VCI) revealed high spatial variability with no consistent trend associated with clearing. Findings emphasise the complexity of early post-clearing dynamics and the importance of site-specific follow-up and monitoring. Full article

Understanding how plant community characteristics and soil properties vary along altitudinal gradients is essential for ecosystem conservation, restoration, and for predicting ecosystem responses to global environmental change. This study investigated altitudinal patterns and their potential drivers in mountain meadow communities on the southern slope of Wutai Mountain, Northern China. Community characteristics and soil physicochemical properties were measured along an altitudinal gradient ranging from 1800 to 3000 m a.s.l. Most community characteristics exhibited clear altitudinal trends. Species richness, Shannon–Wiener index, Simpson index, aboveground biomass and average plant height all declined significantly with increasing altitude. In contrast, vegetation cover showed a unimodal pattern, initially decreasing and then increasing at higher elevations. Soil physicochemical properties also varied significantly along the altitudinal gradient and were closely associated with changes in community characteristics. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that environmental factors, including altitude and soil properties, explained 71.9% of the total variation in mountain meadow communities. Altitude alone contributed more to community variation than soil factors, indicating its dominant role in shaping community structure. Nevertheless, specific soil properties, particularly soil depth, soil bulk density and soil pH, also exerted significant influences on community characteristics. Overall, our results demonstrate that altitude is a key driver of both vegetation and soil variation in mountain meadows on the southern slope of Wutai Mountain. In addition to altitudinal effects, soil physicochemical properties should be considered when developing conservation and management strategies for mountain meadow ecosystems. Full article

In northwestern Ecuador, where more than 90% of the original forest cover has been lost, it is unknown how soil chemistry influences bat diversity. This study evaluated bat diversity, non-herbaceous plant community structure, and soil nutrients in 30 plots distributed across crops on two farms separated by 32 km. Soil analyses revealed variations in organic matter and nutrients, identifying calcium, magnesium, zinc and iron as the most influential. A total of 1662 individuals of 24 non-herbaceous plant species and 193 individuals of 16 bat species were recorded, dominated by frugivorous and nectarivorous guilds. Generalized linear mixed models showed significant relationships between bat diversity indices and soil nutrients. These elements improve tree growth, fruiting, and flowering, which increases the quality and availability of food resources for bats. In return, these mammals provide key ecosystem services such as pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control. Our findings highlight that soil chemistry indirectly regulates bat communities by influencing vegetation structure and resource availability. This integrated approach underscores the importance of soil–plant–animal interactions in tropical agricultural landscapes, offering practical guidance. Full article

Chestnut is an important economic plant for ecology and farmers in mountainous areas in China. We conducted surveys and experiments to assess the economic value of the pollination service provided by insect pollinators for chestnuts via the Toolkit for Ecosystem Service Site-based Assessment (TESSA) in Bapeng Village, Wangmo County, Guizhou Province of China. We applied three methods presented by TESSA, the desk-based method, the field survey method, and the exclusion experiment, for the assessment. The resulting pollination values for the three methods are (1) CNY 3712.5∙ha⁻¹∙yr⁻¹ in the assessment site and an average of CNY 1386∙ha⁻¹∙yr⁻¹ with buffer zones included for the desk-based method; (2) CNY 3712.5∙ha⁻¹∙yr⁻¹ in the assessment site and an average of CNY 1124∙ha⁻¹∙yr⁻¹ with buffer zones included for the field survey method; and (3) CNY 4158∙ha⁻¹∙yr⁻¹ in the assessment site and an average of CNY 1485∙ha⁻¹∙yr⁻¹ with buffer zones included for the exclusion experiment method. The total value of chestnut pollination of the Bapeng Village ranges from CNY 311,943 yr⁻¹ to CNY 404,663 yr⁻¹. The chestnut pollination of the village is substantially insufficient. This could be the result of the decrease in diversity and uneven distribution of insect pollinators which, per se, are caused by the lack of larval hosts for those pollinators. Full article

We surveyed bee communities across an organic conifer tree farm landscape in northern Idaho to assess how managed forest–agriculture mosaics support pollinator diversity. Bees were collected from farm fields, adjacent conservation forests, and a pollinator garden between May and August 2024 using aerial nets and identified to species or morphospecies. In total, 94 bee species were recorded, representing a mix of ground-nesting (46%), cavity-nesting (37%), and social (17%) taxa. Bee richness was highest in farm fields (66 species), intermediate in forests (48 species), and lowest in the pollinator garden (35 species). Community turnover among habitats was substantial (Jaccard dissimilarity = 0.67–0.76; Bray-Curtis dissimilarity = 0.53–0.55), indicating distinct assemblages associated with each habitat type. Comparisons with regional datasets from Montana and Washington revealed moderate overlap (Jaccard = 0.22–0.24), suggesting that the Highland Flats farm supports a partly unique bee fauna within the Northern Rockies. Seven non-native bee species and nine species of conservation concern (five Osmia, four Bombus) were detected, with those of conservation concern taxa often visiting native Lupinus flowers. Most bee visits occurred on non-native plants, though native blooms contributed key seasonal resources. These findings demonstrate that organic tree farms with structurally diverse forests and managed floral resources can function as refugia for both common and at-risk bees in temperate forested landscapes. Full article

Generally, all European countries have reported a decreasing number of field birds. The cause of this trend is the intensification of agriculture, including inconsiderate landscape and drainage measures. Northern Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus L.) can be protected using targeted agri-environmental climatic measures (AECMs). The goal of our research was to verify whether the vegetation composition on arable land areas intended to protect field birds creates space for the promotion of other organisms. Understanding the significance of AECMs in supporting biodiversity on arable land will help guide the development of ecosystems in agricultural landscapes. The research was conducted in two regions of the Czech Republic (CR): Southern Bohemia (six sites) and Eastern Bohemia (six sites), and 76 plant taxa were identified in areas of arable land intended for the protection of Northern Lapwing. The vegetation of arable land managed to protect the Northern Lapwing was statistically shown to exhibit a plant species richness approximately four times greater than crop land. Measures focused on the protection of one species create a living space that can be used by other species. AECMs can be used to maintain or increase biodiversity and heterogeneity in agricultural landscapes. Our findings emphasize the need for a holistic approach to conservation in agricultural settings, where the protection of one focal species can lead to cascading benefits for the entire ecosystem. This research provides valuable insights into how AECMs can be a pivotal tool in mitigating the detrimental impacts of agricultural intensification on field birds and broader biodiversity in Europe. Full article

The Congo Basin peatlands, the world’s largest tropical peatland complex, are critical for global carbon storage yet remain poorly understood from a human dimension’s perspective. This study explores the perceptions, lifestyles, and knowledge systems of Indigenous Peoples and local communities around Lake Tumba, Democratic Republic of Congo, to identify practices supporting peatland conservation. Using a mixed-methods approach—household surveys (n = 320), focus groups, and statistical analyses including chi-square tests and Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA)—the study reveals a predominantly Indigenous agrarian society with limited formal education and strong reliance on peatlands for food (93.7%), construction materials (79.0%), and medicines (75.9%). While regulating services such as carbon storage were seldom recognized, traditional ecological knowledge was evident in sacred species protection, ritual plant and animal uses, and intergenerational knowledge transfer, mainly father-to-son. However, 95.3% of respondents cited religion as the main barrier to this transmission. MCA confirmed that livelihoods, village status, and ritual practices form an integrated socio-cultural system aligned with conservation. These findings stress the role of endogenous governance in sustaining peatland-compatible lifestyles. Conservation efforts should move beyond carbon-centered or top-down approaches to reinforce land tenure, traditional governance, and knowledge transmission, thereby protecting both peatlands and the cultural identities sustaining them. Full article

The northern Brazilian Amazon has ecological transition ecosystems with high diversity and endemism of tree species and few botanical collections. We evaluated the phytosociology between Dense Ombrophilous Forest (Ds) and Forested Campinarana (Ld) within Anauá National Forest in Roraima, Brazil. A total of 14,730 trees with a DBH ≥ 10 cm were inventoried across 30 hectares (ha), distributed among 55 botanical families, 183 genera, 386 species, and 123 undetermined trees. Ten hyperdominant tree families accounted for 69% of the sampled trees and 65% of the stored forest carbon (102.9 ± 5.0 Mg ha⁻¹), like Arecaceae (2555 trees), Fabaceae (1738 trees), and Sapotaceae (1311 trees). Ten hyperdominant species accounted for 32% of the sampled individuals and 32% of the stored forest carbon (46.3 ± 3.8 Mg ha⁻¹), like Euterpe precatoria (1151 trees), Pouteria macrophylla (561 trees) and Inga alba (574 trees). Anauá National Forest has great potential for sustainable multiple-use forest management through forest concessions; however, tree mortality due to natural causes and anthropogenic actions (deforestation, illegal selective logging, and forest fires) was considered high (7%) for tropical forests in the Amazon. Full article

Aquatic ecosystems are currently facing anthropogenic pollution, mainly derived from agricultural, industrial, and urban runoff, including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PHAs), pesticides, fertilizers, and untreated wastewater discharges. To understand the impact of environmental contamination on fish, this research compared cytochrome P450 1A (CYP1A) gene expression in armored catfish across three locations in the lower Grijalva–Usumacinta River basin known for varying levels of pollution. Samples from the Ribera Alta, the Bitzales River, and the Chaschoc lagoon were collected during the dry and rainy seasons. We isolated RNA from liver samples, which were subsequently converted to cDNA. We used quantitative PCR to analyze CYP1A gene expression. Results showed that, of the three locations, Ribera Alta demonstrated the highest expression during the rainy season. Only in Chaschoc Lagoon did we observe significant differences between seasons (p = 0.03). This indicates that seasonal factors and the presence of pollutants in the water bodies and sediments likely play a role in regulating CYP1A gene expression in this fish species. Full article