Biodiversity

Impacts of agricultural transformation on biodiversity in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Agricultural practices have a series of profound transformations on natural systems. Similarly to what have happened in other regions, the introduction of agro-ecosystems in the Pampas of the province of Buenos Aires in Central Argentina has substantially modified its structure and functioning, with consequent changes for regional biodiversity. In this paper we summarize the main findings of the studies conducted by our research group regarding the impact of agricultural practices on biodiversity in Buenos Aires province during the last 2-3 decades, namely: 1) agriculturization has resulted in detectable changes in the abundance and distribution of many vertebrate species, particularly in retractions of species of birds and mammals associated with grasslands, highlighting the need to maintain pastoral landscapes with large areas of natural grasslands, as several endangered species are found exclusively in such landscapes, 2) in highly fragmented agricultural landscapes, maintenance of natural vegetation along roadsides, embankments and fences helps to retain a significant fraction of wildlife in agroecosystems, 3) the coexistence of Pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) and cattle is possible under rotational grazing systems and / or under low stocking rate schemes and 4) the presence of trees is a limiting factor of the abundance of pest birds (pigeons and parrots) in the province of Buenos Aires, which raises the possibility of a proper management of these species depending on the density and type of trees to be planted.

Rates of global extinction are accelerating and show no sign of slowing (Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 2005). Invasive alien species (IAS) are recognised as major drivers of biodiversity loss (Winter et al. 2009). IAS afford a unique opportunity to accurately assess threats to biodiversity because the time at which an IAS arrives within an ecosystem is often known, unlike other drivers of change. However, few causal relationships between IAS and species declines have been documented. We used data collated through extensive citizen-driven field surveys in Belgium and Britain spanning decades, as well as intensive monitoring by scientists in Belgium, Britain and Switzerland. The fine-scale data collection, replicated in time (over decades and including detailed observations before and after the arrival of an IAS) and with extensive coverage in three European countries, combined with powerful modern mixed-modelling (statistical) techniques, provided a uniquely rigorous test of the imp...

La biología ha definido la biodiversidad como la variedad y variabilidad de los seres vivos y de los ecosistemas que integran. Los componentes de la diversidad biológica se organizan en tres niveles: el de los genes, que constituyen las bases moleculares de la herencia; el de las especies, que son conjuntos de organismos afines capaces de reproducirse entre sí; y el de los ecosistemas, que son complejos funcionales formados por los organismos y el medio físico en el que habitan. La biodiversidad es el resultado de un proceso que comenzó hace 3.500 millones de años, cuando en las aguas de un mar primitivo empezaron a formarse moléculas complejas capaces de autoduplicarse. Todos los seres que hoy viven en la Tierra comparten esa misteriosa herencia molecular. En las últimas décadas numerosas especies de plantas y animales desaparecen de la faz de la tierra, a un ritmo tal que a fines del siglo XXI habrán desaparecido 2/3 de todas las especies. Dada la gravedad del problema está justificado reflexionar acerca de esta pérdida y sus consecuencias como espejos de nuestra época y relacionarlas con las tareas de la sistemática biológica y la educación.

. The goal of these ranks for conservation is to consider as many factors as possible that provide additional taxic information, such as taxa richness, taxa distributional patterns, area endemicity, and complementarity between areas. At present there are many measures that consider phylogenetic information, including node-based, genetic-distance, and feature-based measures. We devised a modified phylogenetic node-based index that we call "taxonomic endemicity standardized weight," which considers not only the taxonomic distinctness of the taxa that inhabit a given area but their endemicity as well. Once the standardized weight of the taxonomic endemicity identifies the area of highest priority, complementarity can be used to identify the second area and so on. We used this node-based index to rank priority areas for conservation in southern South America, and we compared the results of our rankings to results based on other node-based indexes. Our index identified Santiago district, in Central Chile province, as the highest priority area for conservation, followed by Maule, Malvinas, and districts of Subantarctic province. Malvinas exhibits greater complementarity relative to Santiago than Maule does, however, so Malvinas is ranked second in priority. Indexes based on phylogenetic information measure the evolutionary component of biodiversity and allow one to identify areas that will ensure the preservation of evolutionary potential and phylogenetically rare taxa. The modified index we propose is sensitive to taxic distinctness and endemicity as well and allows information from diverse taxa to be combined (i.e., different cladograms). The use of complementarity allows for preservation of the maximum quantity of taxa in a minimal number of protected areas.

Conservation planning relies on integrating existing knowledge, social-environmental contexts, and potential threats to identify gaps and opportunities for action. Here we present a case study on how priority areas for conservation can be determined using existing information on biodiversity occurrence and threats. Specifically, our goals are: (1) to model the ecological niche of twelve endemic snake species in the Dry Chaco Forest, (2) to quantify the impact of the deforestation rates on their distributions, (3) to propose high priority areas for conservation in order to improve the actual protected area system, and (4) to evaluate the influence of the human footprint on the optimization of selected priority areas. Our results demonstrate that Argentinian Dry Chaco represent, on average, ~74% of the distribution of endemic snake species and deforestation has reduced suitable areas of all snake species in the region. Further, the current protected areas are likely insufficient to conserve these species as only very low percentages (3.27%) of snakes' ranges occur within existing protected areas. Our models identified high priority areas in the north of the Chaco forest where continuous, well-conserved forest still exists. These high priority areas include transition zones within the foothill forest and areas that could connect patches of forest between the western and eastern Chaco forest. Our findings identify spatial priorities that minimize conflicts with human activities, a key issue for this biodiversity hotspot area. We argue that consultation with stakeholders and decision-makers are urgently needed in order to take concrete actions to protect the habitat, or we risk losing the best conservation opportunities to protect endemic snakes that inhabit the Argentinian Dry Chaco.

A Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN) Fazenda Almas (7°28”15’S, 36°53’51”W) está localizada nos municípios de São José dos Cordeiros e Sumé, no Cariri Paraibano, Paraíba. A reserva, com 3.505 hectares, é uma área bem preservada com vegetação de caatinga arbórea densa ou caatinga arbórea aberta, com diversos afloramentos rochosos, numa altitude entre 590 e 760 msm. Foram identificadas 293 espécies, 203 gêneros e 68 famílias. Cerca de 18% das espécies são endêmicas do Bioma Caatinga. As famílias mais diversas são Fabaceae (16,38% das espécies), Convolvulaceae (6,14%), Euphorbiaceae (6,14%), Cyperaceae (5,12%), Poaceae (4,78%), Rubiaceae (4,44%), Malvaceae (3,75%), Apocynaceae (3,07%), Malpighiaceae (2,73%) e Bignoniaceae (2,39%).

Floristic analyses (Principal Component Analysis and Analysis of Group Indicators) at the genus level were employed to characterize and compare seasonal forest formations in northeastern Brazil. The presence -absence of 248 genera of woody plants occurring in 24 floristic surveys was correlated with geomorphology and climatic variables. The analyses were consistent and point to the existence of two floristic groups of seasonal forests in the region, one more closely related to the Atlantic Coastal Forest (mata atlântica) and the other to the xerophytic formations (caatinga) of the region. The driest seasonal forest group experiences more than 8 dry months per year and/or a total annual rainfall of <1000 mm, and is found on the ancient eroded peaks in the semi-arid core and on the western slopes of the Borborema Plateau.

The loss of natural habitats through destructive anthropogenic activities has been identified as one of the major drivers of environmental degradation. This is even more prevalent in developing countries where poverty and ignorance of the value of biodiversity is rampant. A pilot study was conducted in two highland wetlands in central Kenya to compile baseline data through the use of field survey, questionnaire and subsequent seminars. The study showed that wetlands offer ecological, social and economic benefits that are not fully appreciated and hence there is a lack of concerted efforts to advocate for their sustainable use. Initial findings showed that both wetlands were rich in biodiversity, especially birds. However, these ecosystems were experiencing environmental problems such as dumping of solid waste, over abstraction of water, encroachment for commercial and residential use, wetland agriculture, overgrazing, improper land use practices on the watershed and wildlife poaching. A follow-up series of public awareness and education campaigns to sensitize the local communities to the importance of the two ecosystems helped change attitudes and perceptions. As a result, the local community organized themselves, revived a dormant community group, and for the last two years have created an eco-tourism venture that has helped address many of the above threats. Future conservation and management efforts for wetlands and their associated watersheds can achieve more with well informed stakeholders. Public education and awareness of the benefits of biodiversity conservation, adoption of wetland user-friendly alternatives, and income generating enterprises offer a unique opportunity to sustainably manage and conserve wetlands amidst increasing populations, poverty and limited resources.

Communautés d’araignées (Arthropoda, Araneae) dans différentes forêts de pins de la réserve de chasse de Zéralda (Alger, Algérie) : taxinomie et biodiversité. La réserve de chasse de Zéralda est située dans le nord de l’Algérie, à environ 30 km à l’ouest d’Alger. Elle couvre une superficie de 1078 ha dont 460 ha sont principalement une forêt naturelle de Pinus halepensis, et des plantations de Pinus pinea et Pinus canariensis. Ces différents biotopes sont favorables à la présence de différentes faunes en général et de la faune du sol en particulier. L’échantillonnage a été effectué en utilisant des pièges Barber. Au total, 48 espèces d’araignées ont été collectées, appartenant à 33 genres et à 17 familles. Les résultats n’ont montré aucune différence dans la richesse des espèces entre les trois types de forêts, mais en ont montré d’une part entre les forêts fermées et celles ouvertes, et d’autre part entre les formations selon qu’elles sont pures ou mixtes. Les facteurs abiotiques c...

The La Meseta Formation crops out in Seymour/Marambio Island, Weddell Sea, northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula and contains one of the world&#39;s most diverse assemblages of Weddellian marine/coastal verte-brates of Early Eocene (Ypresian) age. The La Meseta Formation is composed of poorly consolidated, marine sandstones and siltstones which were deposited in a coastal, deltaic and/or estuarine environment. It includes marine invertebrates and vertebrates as well as terrestrial vertebrates and plants. The highly fossiliferous basal horizon (Cucullaea shell bed, Telm 4 of Sadler 1988) of the Cucullaea I Allomember is a laterally extensive shell bed with sandy matrix. The fish remains, including 35 species from 26 families, of the Ypresian Cucullaea bed represent one of the most abundant and diverse fossil vertebrate faunas yet recorded in southern latitudes. Stratigraphic distribution and phylogenetic relationships of the Weddellian sphenisciforms are consistent with a first radiat...

La Meseta Formation is a discontinuity bounded sedimentary unit which crops out on Marambio (Seymour) and Cockburn islands, approximately 100 km SE of the northern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The base of this unit is a diachronous surface which intersects all other older units of the island. Along this surface the hiatus increases towards the West. The top is another unconformity below the glacimarine post-Pliocene deposits of the Weddell Formation. The lenticular geometry and the architecture of the internal units was interpreted as filling an incised valley, eroded on an emerging platform after the tilting of the Marambio Group and the Cross Valley Formation beds. The La Meseta Formation has a thickness of 620 m on Marambio island and was divided into three members (1 to III from base to top). Nevertheless, the lithosome architecture, the relationships between facies and the sedimentary palaeoenvironments are better explained using an allostratigraphic scheme. The La Meseta alloformation is 720 m thick and was divided into six allomembers, each representing a sedimentary stage. Due to the regional importance of the unconformities which limit this unit, it is interpreted that it also represents a depositional sequence. The stratigraphy, structural characteristics and facies architecture of the La Meseta Aloformation are better explained considering a tectonic/erosive mixed origin of the unconformities and thus a tectonic control for the history of the valley is proposed. RESUMEN. ESTRATIGRAFÍA DE LA FORMACION LA MESETA, ISLA MARAMBIO (SEYMOUR), ANTÁRTIDA. La Formación La Meseta es una unidad sedimentaría limitada por discordancias que aflora en las islas Mararnbio y Cockburn, ubicadas aproximadamente a 100 km al sudeste del extremo norte de la Península Antártica. La base de esta formación es una superficie diacróniea que intersecta a todas las unidades más antiguas de la isla. A lo largo de esta superficie el hiato se incrementa hacia el oeste. El techo de la unidad es otra discordancia por debajo del depósito glacimarino post-Plioceno de la Formación Weddell. La geometría lenticular y la arquitectura de las unidades internas fueron interpretadas como producto del relleno de un valle incidido, labrado sobre una plataforma emergente con posterioridad al volcamiento de las capas del Grupo Marambio y de la Formación Cross Valley. La Formación La Meseta presenta en la isla Marambio un espesor de 620 m y ha sido subdividida en tres miembros (1 a III de base a techo). Sin embargo, la arquitectura de los litosornas, las relaciones entre facies y los paleoambientes sedimentaríos son mejor interpretados utilizando un esquema de subdivisión aloestratigráfico. La aloformación La Meseta tiene un espesor de 720 m y fue subdividida en seis alomiembros cada uno de los cuales representa una etapa de sedimentación. Dada la importancia regional de las discordancias que limitan esta unidad se interpreta que la misma corresponde también a una secuencia depositacional. La estratigrafía, características estructurales y arquitectura de las facies de la aloformación La Meseta son explicadas de un modo más armónico considerando un origen mixto, tectónico-erosivo, de las discordancias y por lo tanto se propone un control tectónico en la historia del valle.

Epe lagoon lays in-between two lagoons the Lagos and the Lekki lagoons which are relatively more documented. The paucity of information on the benthic macro-invertebrate characteristics of this sandwiched lagoon prompted this present work. Approach: A survey of the malacofauna of the sediment from Epe lagoon was carried out between the months of September, 2004 and February, 2005. Eight study Stations, six settlement sites and one site each on a river mouth and an island was chosen for this survey. Samples were collected once every month. Result: The sediment at the Epe lagoon was generally alkaline (pH rang 7.2 -8.0). All other physico-chemical characteristics analyzed were relatively similar among the sites with slight local temporal variations. The mollusk community at the Epe lagoon was represented by two classes, the gastropoda, made up of three families and five species (Neritina glabarata, Neritina kuramoensis, Pachymelania aurita, Tympanotonus fuscatus var radula and Tympanotonus fuscatus) and the bivalvia, made up of four families and six species (Macoma cumana, Tellina nymphalis, Dosinia isocardia, Mutilus edulis, Tivela tripla and Crassosterea gasar). The mollusk community was dominated by the gastropod which accounted for over 60% of the total number of individuals collected. The occurrence of Neritina kuramoensis in only the brackish water sites of the Epe lagoon further confirms that this species is not a freshwater species. Generally, the diversity indices recorded for the mollusk community at the Epe lagoon was low indicative of a stressed environment. [Clement Aghatise Edokpayi and Efe Anthonia Ikharo. The Malaco-Faunal Characteristics of the 'Sandwiched' Epe Lagoon, Lagos. Researcher. 2010;2(12):10-16].

Land abandonment has been increasing in recent decades in Europe, usually accompanied by biodiversity decline. Whether livestock grazing and mowing can safeguard biodiversity across spatial scales in the long term is unclear. Using a 48‐year experiment in a salt marsh, we compared land abandonment (without grazing and mowing) and seven management regimes including cattle grazing, early season mowing, late season mowing, both early and late season mowing, and grazing plus each of the mowing regimes on plant diversity at the local and larger scales (i.e. aggregated local communities). Also, we compared their effects on community composition (both in identities and abundances) in time and space. Under land abandonment, plant diversity declined in the local communities and this decline became more apparent at the larger scale, particularly for graminoids and halophytes. All management regimes, except for late season mowing, maintained plant diversity at these scales. Local plant communi...

Environmental change can result in substantial shifts in community composition. The associated immigration and extinction events are likely constrained by the spatial distribution of species. Still, studies on environmental change typically quantify biotic responses at single spatial (time series within a single plot) or temporal (spatial beta diversity at single time points) scales, ignoring their potential interdependence. Here, we use data from a global network of grassland experiments to determine how turnover responses to two major forms of environmental change - fertilisation and herbivore loss - are affected by species pool size and spatial compositional heterogeneity. Fertilisation led to higher rates of local extinction, whereas turnover in herbivore exclusion plots was driven by species replacement. Overall, sites with more spatially heterogeneous composition showed significantly higher rates of annual turnover, independent of species pool size and treatment. Taking into a...

Invasions have increased the size of regional species pools, but are typically assumed to reduce native diversity. However, global‐scale tests of this assumption have been elusive because of the focus on exotic species richness, rather than relative abundance. This is problematic because low invader richness can indicate invasion resistance by the native community or, alternatively, dominance by a single exotic species. Here, we used a globally replicated study to quantify relationships between exotic richness and abundance in grass‐dominated ecosystems in 13 countries on six continents, ranging from salt marshes to alpine tundra. We tested effects of human land use, native community diversity, herbivore pressure, and nutrient limitation on exotic plant dominance. Despite its widespread use, exotic richness was a poor proxy for exotic dominance at low exotic richness, because sites that contained few exotic species ranged from relatively pristine (low exotic richness and cover) to a...

The invasion of natural communities by alien species represents a serious threat, but creates opportunities to learn about community functions. Neutral theory proposes that the niche concept may not be needed to explain the assemblage and diversity of natural communities, challenging the classical view of community ecology and generating a lasting debate. Biological invasions, when considered as natural experiments, can be used to contrast some of the predictions of neutral and classic niche theories. Location Global. Methods We use data from biological invasions as natural experiments to contrast some of the fundamental predictions of neutral theory. Results Some emerging patterns did not differ from neutral model expectations (e.g. the relationship between native and exotic species richness, invasibility of resource-rich habitats, and the relationship between propagule release and invasion success). Nevertheless, other patterns (e.g. experimental evidence of the relationship between diversity and susceptibility to invasion, the invasion of communities with a low resource availability, invasiveness related to species traits) contrasted with the predictions that can be inferred from neutral theory. Main conclusions Neutral theory correctly highlights the need to include randomness in models of community structure. Biological invasion patterns show that neutral forces are important in structuring natural communities, but the patterns differ from those inferred from a complete neutral model. For biodiversity-conservation purposes, the implications of accepting or not accepting neutral theory as a process-based theory are very important.

Ruminant livestock production in the tropics, particularly when based on pastures, is frequently blamed for being detrimental to the environment, allegedly contributing to: (1) degradation and destruction of ecosystems, including degradation and loss of soil, water and biodiversity; and (2) climate change (global warming). In this paper we argue that, rather than being detrimental, tropical forage legumes can have a positive impact on the environment, mainly due to key attributes that characterize the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family: (1) symbiotic nitrogen fixation; (2) high nutritive value; (3) deep-reaching tap-root system; (4) wide taxonomic and genetic diversity; and (5) presence of particular secondary metabolites. Although there are also potential negative aspects, such as soil acidification and the risks of introduced legumes becoming invasive weeds, we submit that legumes have potential to contribute significantly to sustainable intensification of livestock production in the t...

IntroductionMarine biodiversity loss has direct and indirect effects on human health and wellbeing. Recent European data suggest that the public is aware of this, identifying marine biodiversity protection as its top research priority in terms of oceans and human health, rated higher than issues such as plastic, chemical, and microbial pollution.MethodsThe current study aimed to better understand key sociodemographic and personality predictors of concern about marine biodiversity loss and the desire for more research into marine biodiversity protection, in an attempt to support communication efforts targeting specific sectors in society. Data were drawn from nationally representative samples of 14 European countries (n = 14,167).ResultsResults show greater concern about marine biodiversity loss and support for more research into marine biodiversity protection by older adults, females, and individuals: (i) without (vs. with) a university degree; (ii) with lower (vs. middle) incomes; ...

describe how the Blue Communities programme is growing interdisciplinary marine research capacity and application in Southeast Asia. The global ocean and its marine resources play an important role in the livelihoods, food and general wellbeing of humanity. This is especially relevant to the coastal communities in Southeast Asia where almost all the countries have extensive coastlines and a long and rich history of marine-related activities that are key contributors to their economies, social structures and human health. The Southeast Asian seas link the Pacific and Indian Oceans and are characterised by high diversity habitats including coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass meadows, favoured by the tropical climate and heavy precipitation that transports nutrients to the sea. These factors make the Southeast Asian seas some of the most resource-rich on the planet, providing many goods and services that support the human population. With increasing coastal development and expanding population levels, the demands on those goods and services from fisheries, oil and gas extraction, shipping and transport, the armed forces, mining, tourism, recreation and conservation are greater pressures than ever before. More than 80 per cent of those globally involved in the fisheries and aquaculture sector are in Asia, where they generate billions of pounds for the region's GDP. 1 Southeast Asian countries are among the top countries globally for seafood consumption per capita. However, overfishing coupled with destructive fishing practices (including cyanide and blast fishing as well as trawling) greatly affect the rich resources, in particular the coral reef ecosystem. Concurrently, tourism has been one of the fastest-growing economic sectors in Southeast Asia, with beaches and coral reefs amongst the most popular destinations. This includes conventional tourism as well as ecotourism (which aims to conserve the environment and sustain the wellbeing of local people). The exponential growth of tourism has both economic and social effects, creating jobs and generating revenue, but also having negative impacts on the environment, culture, society and human rights in the region.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a major shock to society in terms of health and economy that is affecting both UK and global food and nutrition security. It is adding to the 'perfect storm' of threats to society from climate change, biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, at a time of considerable change, rising nationalism and breakdown in international collaboration. In the UK, the situation is further complicated due to Brexit. The UK COVID-19 Food and Nutrition Security project, lasting one year, is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and is assessing the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on the four pillars of food and nutrition security: access, availability, utilisation and stability. It examines the food system, how it is responding, and potential knock on effects on the UK's food and nutrition security, both in terms of the cascading risks from the pandemic and other threats. The study provides an opportunity to place the initial lessons being learnt from the on-going responses to the pandemic in respect of food and nutrition security in the context of other long-term challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.

Land use systems that integrate woody vegetation with livestock and/or crops and are recognised for their biodiversity and cultural importance can be termed high nature and cultural value (HNCV) agroforestry. In this review, based on the literature and stakeholder knowledge, we describe the structure, components and management practices of ten contrasting HNCV agroforestry systems distributed across five European bioclimatic regions. We also compile and categorize the ecosystem services provided by these agroforestry systems, following the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services. HNCV agroforestry in Europe generally enhances biodiversity and regulating ecosystem services relative to conventional agriculture and forestry. These systems can reduce fire risk, compared to conventional forestry, and can increase carbon sequestration, moderate the microclimate, and reduce soil erosion and nutrient leaching compared to conventional agriculture. However, some of the evidence is

Гідрологічний режим річки Ворскли у 2016 році в межах Сумської області Данильченко О.С. Вступ. Гідрологічний режим річки залежить від сукупності різноманітних факторів: фізико-географічних, насамперед, кліматичних, адже річки це «продукт клімату», а також антропогенних, в першу чергу, зарегульованості, створенні водосховищ та ставків, що призводить до штучної регуляції стоку річки. Важливим завданням є спостереження за водним режимом річки, адже виявлення нехарактерних змін показників водного режиму дозволить своєчасно встановити їх причини. Тому вивчення та дослідження особливостей гідрологічного режиму річки першорядне завдання. Річка Ворскла є головною артерією Гетьманського національного природного парку, її дослідження та спостереження за гідрологічним режимом залишається актуальним та важливим.

Bangladesh faces various types of natural hazards from its birth due to geographical location and physiographic sitting. Flood is the most common event among them. North-eastern part of Bangladesh faces flash flood almost every year with large scale of damage. Tanguar Haor, a famous ramsar site of Bangladesh located in Sunamganj district. This wetland adjacent areas are the most vulnerable zone in terms of flash flood hazard. About more than 80% people are the direct victim of this hazard. This study tries to assess the risk and resilience status of flash flood using risk and resilience assessment matrix. To accomplish this research both primary and secondary data have used. Through this work the comparative view between risk and resilience status has tried to represent. That shows the actual penetration of the depth of risk reduction policy making to improve the condition and minimize the losses of flash flood in the study area.

AimComprehensive, global information on species&#39; occurrences is an essential biodiversity variable and central to a range of applications in ecology, evolution, biogeography and conservation. Expert range maps often represent a species&#39; only available distributional information and play an increasing role in conservation assessments and macroecology. We provide global range maps for the native ranges of all extant mammal species harmonised to the taxonomy of the Mammal Diversity Database (MDD) mobilised from two sources, the Handbook of the Mammals of the World (HMW) and the Illustrated Checklist of the Mammals of the World (CMW).LocationGlobal.TaxonAll extant mammal species.MethodsRange maps were digitally interpreted, georeferenced, error‐checked and subsequently taxonomically aligned between the HMW (6253 species), the CMW (6431 species) and the MDD taxonomies (6362 species).ResultsRange maps can be evaluated and visualised in an online map browser at Map of Life (mol.org...

In this paper we conceptually identify the gap in the literature about lack of business's awareness in non -financial activities, especially biodiversity, which can be responsible for crisis like Covid-19 which can adversely affect the global economy. We recommend approaches to existing business about how to enhance the quality of reporting by considering non-human element in reporting and making it more comprehensive for the stakeholders. We adopt Actor Network Theory (ANT) and the Natural Inventory Model to support our argument that nature consists of both human and non-human. From our observation about the Covid-19 crisis and by consulting the existing relevant literature on CSR, Covid-19, non-financial reporting and integrated reports (IR), we propose the implication of non-financial reporting by companies based on a theoretical framework. We recommend that companies should implement/adopt Circular Economy concept for sustainable business model and report on biodiversity and extinction accounting in more structured and mandatory way via producing IR to create value on short, medium and long terms. This is the first paper to tackle the Covid-19 crisis and offer solution for future reporting. The findings will add value in the academia and society.

Business activity has contributed to biodiversity loss. The Circular Economy (CE) system is recommended as a way of recovery and to improve global resilience. Combining accounting and ecology, we examine the intersectionality between biodiversity and CE. Therefore, the research aims to investigate the companies' reporting practices on both CE system implemented, and the corrective actions taken to repair biodiversity. To achieve the research aim, we developed a new disclosure index that includes both biodiversity and CE measures. Data is collected from 28 companies operating in three different industries sectors (aerospace and defense, motor vehicle and parts, and transportation) for 4 years (2012, 2014, 2016 and 2018). Our results show, in general, the overall scoring of disclosures is low, with companies providing minimal and vague information and many companies scored ZERO in all of our disclosure items showing that companies have a lack of knowledge on the biodiversity and CE concept. However, there is an increase in the level of disclosures on both biodiversity and CE between 2012, 2014, and 2016 and there is a small decrease for the 2018. Furthermore, the Motor industry is providing more disclosure on both biodiversity and CE, followed by Aerospace & Defense and Transportation industry was the lowest in providing disclosure on both biodiversity and CE. Our study contributes to both biodiversity and CE literature as well as providing some insights on the interconnection of both concepts which is crucial for the future sustainable development.

In this paper we conceptually identify the gap in the literature about lack of business&#39;s awareness in non ‐financial activities, especially biodiversity, which can be responsible for crisis like Covid‐19 which can adversely affect the global economy. We recommend approaches to existing business about how to enhance the quality of reporting by considering non‐human element in reporting and making it more comprehensive for the stakeholders. We adopt Actor Network Theory (ANT) and the Natural Inventory Model to support our argument that nature consists of both human and non‐human. From our observation about the Covid‐19 crisis and by consulting the existing relevant literature on CSR, Covid‐19, non‐financial reporting and integrated reports (IR), we propose the implication of non‐financial reporting by companies based on a theoretical framework. We recommend that companies should implement/adopt Circular Economy concept for sustainable business model and report on biodiversity and...

This paper contributes to biodiversity and species extinction literature by examining the relationship between corporate accountability in terms of species protection and factors affecting such accountability from forward-thinking companies. We use triangulation of theories, namely deep ecology, legitimacy, and we introduce a new perspective to the stakeholder theory that considers species as a ‘stakeholder’. Using Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood (PPML) regression, we examine a sample of 200 Fortune Global companies over 3 years. Our results indicate significant positive relations between ecologically conscious companies that are accountable for the protection of biodiversity and species extinction and external assurance, environmental performance, partnerships with socially responsible organizations and awards for sustainable activities. Our empirical results appear to be robust in controlling for possible endogeneities. Our findings contribute to the discussion on the concern of...

This paper seeks to present the first systematic literature review (SLR) on biodiversity and species extinction accounting publications. This strand of research is gaining increased attention due to emerging scientific evidence that finds a relationship between the human destruction of biodiversity and the recent Covid-19 crisis, causing profound economic and health impacts. This justifies the need for an SLR of forty articles from 2013-2020. Descriptive results show research contributions peaked in 2018 with the most publications appearing in the Auditing, Accounting & Accountability Journal. Results show legitimacy theory is the most applied theoretical framework with global studies and developed country specific research receiving the greatest attention. In addition, content analysis is identified as the preferred research methodology. Additionally, through synthesising and analysing literature, we provide potential opportunities for future research that is underexplored. This paper will provide a valuable study for academics, policymakers, and practitioners pursuing research in this field.

This paper seeks to contribute to the existing business strategy and the environment literature by investigating the disclosure practices of biodiversity/extinction (B/E) and threatened species. We use greenwashing theory to understand global companies&#39; motivation to report on B/E information. Data are collected from 200 Fortune Global companies for 3 years. We develop our comprehensive 53 disclosure index and create and test OLS regression model to measure the relationships between B/E disclosures and its determinants factors including environmental performance, industry sector, country, assurance, environmental awards, presence of biodiversity partners, and the number of species&#39; related disclosure. Our results reveal that there are positive significant relationships between B/E disclosure and assurance provided by the Big 4: gaining an environmental award, companies from high biodiversity risk sectors, developing countries, presence of biodiversity partners, and how many ...

The 21th century has seen huge changes of corporations. While companies’ business grew rapidly, attention and recognition on corporate social responsibility has gradually been attracted and put on a vital strategy position. It has been proofed to be a crucial way that enterprises share their social responsibility actively in order to enhance their competitive advantage. With more and more enterprises knowing how important social responsibility is for their development, they released a new method which is called sustainability report to show them determine and confidence to take social responsibility.This thesis can be divided into six parts. The first part is about introduction and background. The second part is literature review. The third part is the development of hypotheses. The fourth part is research method and the fifth part is a conclusion. The last part is the reference.

Anthropogenic urban soils, including brownfield soils, are currently characterised and evaluated using mainly physico-chemical properties. Our objective was to determine if biological indicators could provide a more comprehensive soil quality assessment relative to sustainability, identifying contamination issues, and effectiveness of remediation strategies. Plant, invertebrate and microbial assays and functional processes were evaluated at 10 brownfield/anthropogenic urban locations at different stages of remediation in northwest England. Extreme sites were discriminated on the basis of earthworm counts and a small number of indicators likely to be related to their activity. It was concluded that identifying a universally-applicable benchmark suite of biological indicators is very unlikely without considerable advancement of knowledge and technology.

The U Minh Thượng natural reserve was created during the 1990s with a surrounding buffer zone where 3,500 households have been settled between 1992 and 1995, each household on a lot of 4 hectares. From a social point of view, the settlers were selected as 'poor people' or war veterans. A social discrimination was slowly built in favour of the latter. Despite an apparent homogeneity, the environment shows slight variations which has huge effects on the potential of the lots. From 1992 to 1998, the provincial government applied uniformly different management policies, despite the fact that this repeated "new deal" of the variability among households and lots, produced various outcomes from total destruction to a real support to households. Finally, the support of international environmental non-governmental organizations enhanced a pro-nature hard-line that has affected farmers' livelihoods. This 'real world' social experiment enhances the necessity to at least understand the needs and constraints at a lower scale, especially for such a vast area.

In the present study, spatio-temporal analysis of livestock diseases in Maharashtra was undertaken. Time series data (2005–2016) on outbreaks, diagnosed cases, death cases, districts were collected and analyzed for epidemiological parameters likes cumulative outbreaks, diagnosed cases, death cases, spatial distribution, prevalence rate, mortality rate and case fatality rates. Cumulative outbreaks during the period was highest for Black Quarter (BQ) (203) followed by Haemorrhagic Septicemia (HS) (176), Pesti des petits ruminants (PPR) (137), Swine Fever (SF) (36), Sheep and Goat (SG) Pox (33), Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) (6), Anthrax (SG) (18), Enterotoxaemia (ET) (17) and Anthrax (Bovines) (7). The spatial distribution analysis revealed highest cumulative outbreaks were in Ahmednagar (106), Latur (85) and Nashik (59) districts. Agroclimatic zone wise analysis revealed that more outbreaks were reported from Central Maharashtra Plateau zone (37.2%), Western Maharashtra Plain zone (24...

On a climate change scenario, a discrete choice experiment was applied to elicit the trade-off values for three environmental impacts of current viticultural management practices in vineyards of Mendoza, Argentina. Water availability for other uses was found to be the most concerning topic for the population, followed by use of chemical fertilizers and then by use and conservation of biodiversity. An increase of one percentage point in water availability was estimated to add each citizen on average 13.05 Argentinean pesos – 0.74 US dollars – per year in terms of increased welfare, a figure equivalent to the welfare drop a citizen would experience after an increase of 1.45 percentage points in the use of chemical fertilizers annually per hectare, or a decrease of 2.69 percentage points in the use and conservation of biodiversity. These trade-off values may help policy makers, planners, regional managers, and ecologists to take social preferences into account in setting resource alloc...

L'exploitation de la diversité génétique du haricot en Afrique L e haricot commun est la plus importante des légumineuses à grains cultivées en Afrique orientale, centrale et australe, à la fois en termes de superficie cultivée et de consommation. Les agriculteurs cultivent une grande diversité variétale. On note qu'en règle générale, 95% de la production de nombreuses communautés reposent sur la culture de 6 variétés mais que la diversité est plus grande dans la région des Grands Lacs et dans les zones voisines de l'Ouganda, où les mélanges variétaux constituent la règle. Ils occupent également une place importante dans certaines régions du Malawi, du Mozambique et de la Tanzanie. Toutefois, à mesure que l'on destine la production davantage au marché et que les populations urbaines réclament un temps de cuisson uniforme pour tous les haricots, on observe une tendance à réduire le nombre de variétés. Les deux principaux pools génétiques du genre Phaseolus sont représentés en Afrique. En effet, les types de haricot à grands grains, caractéristiques du pool génétique andin représentent 61% des variétés cultivées ; le reste se caractérise par des grains de taille petite et moyenne, typiques du pool génétique mésoaméricain.

El presente articulo de reflexion desarrolla la hipotesis siguiente: la manipulacion genetica no es un pecado etico. La humanidad no puede renunciar a los usos agricolas de las biotecnologias, ?como es posible entonces aplicar con responsabilidad el principio precautorio en el contexto de una economia global avida de ganancias y carente de escrupulos?, ?como discernir con un margen razonable de bioseguridad aquellas aplicaciones destinadas a la produccion de alimentos que no comprometan la salud humana y no agredan irreversiblemente la biodiversidad? La consideracion del impacto de los avances biotecnologicos en la salud humana como fenomeno global, pasa necesariamente por el tamiz del analisis del equilibrio medioambiental. La confluencia de estas ideas, mas alla de su derrotero etico-filosofico es esencial para la busqueda del minimo moral de la cultura de la supervivencia que enuncio Van Rensselaer Potter.

Dareen Almojil • Maria Cristina Arias • Rochelle R. Beasley • Yiyong Chen • Rulon W. Clark • Yinghui Dong • Zhiguo Dong • Natalie Forsdick • Elaine Françoso • E. González-Ortegón • A. M. González-Tizón • Linsheng Gui • Huayang Guo • Hongfang Guo • Marie L. Hale • Shigui Jiang • Kenneth L. Jones • Stacey L. Lance • Yi Lei • Jiuxuan Li • Xiaoyan Li • Haotian Li • Chuanwu Li • Xiaoying Li • Jiale Li • Zongqiang Lian • Zhiqiang Liang • Stinus Lindgreen • Tiantian Liu • Mingqiu Liu • Zhihong Liu • Xiaojun Liu • Yongqiang Lu • Tianshu Lv • Qingzhan Ma • Wenming Ma • A. Martı́nez-Lage • Melanie Massaro • Donghong Niu • A. Perina • Mauro Ramalho • Paulo Cseri Ricardo • Stephen E. Rice • Priscila Karla Ferreira Santos • Weilai Sha • Maise Silva • Zhaobin Song • Xiujun Sun • A. Vizcaı́no • Yaning Wang • Xiaoyu Wang • Chongrui Wang • Chenghe Wang • Dawei Wei • Xudong Wu • Biao Wu • Xing Xiang • Shuyu Xue • Aiguo Yang • Xiping Yuan • Linsen Zan • Aibin Zhan • Nan Zhang • Dianchang Zhang • Huanx...

Authors such as Brown (2009) and Sachs (2010) have been discussing the importance of biodiversity and the need to build a harmonious relationship between social capital, natural and economic. Thus, the aim of this study is to make an analysis of the Ibero-American region (AIBER), in which concentrate the greatest biodiversity on the planet. The 21 countries of the Ibero-American region were grouped using an analysis of variables with high explanatory power by principal component analysis. We conclude that there is an imbalance between the variables, noting a preponderance of the capital to the detriment of natural capita

Recent debates on the number of plant species in the vast lowland rain forests of the Amazon have been based largely on model estimates, neglecting published checklists based on verified voucher data. Here we collate taxonomically verified checklists to present a list of seed plant species from lowland Amazon rain forests. Our list comprises 14,003 species, of which 6,727 are trees. These figures are similar to estimates derived from nonparametric ecological models, but they contrast strongly with predictions of much higher tree diversity derived from parametric models. Based on the known proportion of tree species in neotropical lowland rain forest communities as measured in complete plot censuses, and on overall estimates of seed plant diversity in Brazil and in the neotropics in general, it is more likely that tree diversity in the Amazon is closer to the lower estimates derived from nonparametric models. Much remains unknown about Amazonian plant diversity, but this taxonomicall...

Oltre alla biodiversit\ue0 che caratterizza gli habitat naturali e prossimo-naturali, non vanno dimenticate la diversit\ue0 e le risorse fitogenetiche presenti negli agro-ecosistemi. La biografia di due grandi ricercatori del settore, il russo Nikolaj Vavilov (1883-1943) e l&#39;americano Jack R. Harlan (1917-1998) \ue8 sintetizzata a beneficio di studiosi di altre discipline. Si ricordano i motivi di contrasto negli ultimi 25 anni rispetto ai diritti sulle sementi e alle risorse fitogenetiche d&#39;interesse agrario, in parte composti mediante accordi internazionali, tra i quali il Trattato Internazionale FAO sulle Risorse Fitogenetiche per l&#39;Agricoltura e l&#39;Alimentazione (ITPGRFA). Viene inoltre brevemente esaminato il quadro normativo nazionale e regionale